Tabatha's Bag of Books

Hiya, Readers! I hope your 2023 has been off to a page-turning experience! I have been escaping the cold weather and finding warmth within my local bookstores and library. I love to see kids exploring the shelves of books and how their eyes spring open in delight when they find a cover that sparks their curiosity or the way they grin when hearing a story that captures their imagination! Stories and books can stay with us forever, the ones that made an impression. When I was a little girl, I reveled in the stories my grandmother told. I found myself interviewing her whenever I had the chance, begging to hear another myth, folklore, legend or fairytale. Though she is no longer with me in person, she continues to fill my heart and my memories with her wonderful lengthy stories. One story she would tell me every summer when we went for our walks was the gripping legend of the flower known as "Queen Anne's Lace." The story my grandmother told was that Queen Anne had pricked her finger on a needle while making the lace and it's said that the small purplish floret center of the flower represents the Queen's own droplet of blood. I can recall twirling the flower between my tiny, soil-stained fingers as I imagined a radiant Queen inside a tower in England making lace as her finger is pierced and a single blood droplet lands in the center of the lace. Another story my grandmother told, well, it's more of a superstitious myth, was of the power of a "penny" placed in a shoe, face up, for good luck. Her claim was that the penny assisted anyone in need of good-fortune, strength or hope. She encouraged me to place a penny in my shoe many times throughout my adolescence; the most important time was on my wedding day, which I did — and to this day I still place a penny in my shoe during certain events. Many families recite stories and tales that have spanned generations like those told by my grandmother to me. The most recognized fairy tales in the world have been retold in multiple versions by several authors; however, every great story begins somewhere, from someone. There is much truth to a famous quote by Albert Einstein: "Imagination will take you everywhere." My hope is that your next trip is to a bookstore or library to share a few fairytales, myths, or legends. If you can't get to a local bookstore, visit their website to explore selections available. I've included a few classic treasures I've enjoyed below. Until next time, whether you're retelling or reading one, share a story with someone to create a lasting memory and always keep those pages turning! Smiles,Tabatha Jean D'Agata 😊 "Mary Engelbreit's Fairy Tails: Twelve Timeless Treasures"Written by Mary EngelbreitAges: 4 and up128-pagesThis is a perfect book that consists of twelve timeless fairy tales and includes over one hundred adorable illustrations; Sleeping Beauty, Cinderella, Little Mermaid, Snow White and more — some stories also have an alternative ending. One book, twelve treasured tales! "Child's Introduction to Greek Mythology: The Stories of the Gods, Goddesses, Heroes, Monsters, and Other Mythical Creatures"Written by Heather Alexander, Illustrated by Meredith HamiltonAges 9 and up96 pagesLearn about Perseus and Medusa in this book of thirteen adventurous stories of Greek mythology with helpful tidbits, fantastic index, Gods and Goddesses family tree poster, and stickers. This is an educational must-have for the home or classroom bookshelf! "The Complete Grimm's Fairy Tales"Written by Jacob Grimm and Wilhelm Grimm, Illustrated by Joseph ScharlAges 12 to Adult880 PagesA fantastic big book which includes 200 tales with titles like "The Frog Prince," "The Elves and The Shoemaker," and many more classic treasures. The text is suitable as a "read-to-me" for younger readers and geared more for the fluent reader or adults looking to embrace their favorite childhood stories.