October 26th, 1941, Steven Kellogg was born. Kellogg is an illustrater for books, who also writes his own books-many. My mother met him when she was getting her Master’s in children’s literature. Several times she had a lecture from him. Several times she had books signed by him. I now have her small collection of Steven Kellogg books.
The first two are interesting adaptions of tales that Kellogg rewrote and illustrated. They are both charmingly great for both adults and children. First is “The Three Little Pigs” published 1997. Wow, it is a must read.
The next is “Pecos Bill” published 1996. This book is as good as I remember reading about Pecos Bill when I was a kid.
The next two books are stories that could easily happen next door. They are also about Man’s best friend. The first is “Prehistoric Pinkerton” published 1987.
The second is “The Missing Mitten Mystery” published 2000. It will pull at your heart strings.
The next three books have unusual creatures in them. Either made up, or we just haven’t seen them yet. I am open to discovery. The first is “The Island of the Skog” published 1973.
The second is “The Mysterious Tadpole” published 1977. While I like the main character Louis, I really want to be like Uncle McAllister. Gotta read this to kids.
The third book is “Can I keep him?” published 1971. Kellogg’s charm is really apparent. Especially when Mom, in the story tells her son that they cannot raise a tiger in the house because tigers have terrible appetites when they grow up-they sometimes eat people. There is an illustration of a tiger in the kitchen with Mom’s legs sticking out of its mouth. Kellogg is able to pull this off with out being gory or scary.
These last three books were signed by Steven Kellogg to my mom. He also gave a little drawing with each signature.
On October 26th, 1825, the Erie Canel opened. In a book from my childhood-and another Landmark Book from my collection, is “The Erie Canal” by Samuel Hopkins Adams, published 1953.
I had to write a book report on the Erie Canal, using this book back in seventh grade.
My mom loved her Kellogg books when she discovered him, when studying children’s literature. She felt strongly that these were good books for kids imagination, and enjoyed reading them, along with seeing the illustrations. She felt comfortable talking the science of writing with the author. I enjoy these Landmark books, because they bring me back to my childhood. I too, think they were important books to read growing up. Certain books can do that to people.
“Show me a family of readers, and I will show you the people who move the world.” – Napoleon Bonaparte
“If you don’t like to read, you haven’t found the right book.” – J.K. Rowling
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