Books, winter themes and rodents

‘Fragmentation and breaking up is indeed the essence of the twentieth century’ Terry Tempest Williams

Over the month of December I have tended, especially while my son was young, to engage in reading winter and Christmas stories and creating handmade cards, wrapping paper, decorations, calendars, gifts. I also tried to integrate a flavor of this Christmassy activity in December’s lessons and school activity. In some sense the spirit of the festive season was spread out over the month and it gave all of us the opportunity to get creative, learn English carols and songs, and also, read favourite books from our shelf of Christmas and winter themes children’s books. As winter is finally setting in this year I have on some evenings found myself longing to get cozy with a children’s book and a hot beverage. So, last night I took Jill Barklem’s book: The Four Seasons of Brambley Hedge down from the shelf. In the Winter Story an Ice Hall is being constructed and a midwinter Snow Ball is being organised following the tradition of the forefathers of the field mice:

When the snows are lying deep   / When the field has gone to sleep / When the blackthorn turns to white / And frosty stars bejewel the night / When summer streams are turned to ice / A Snow Ball warms the heart of mice.  Read more