Author: N. M. Bodecker
Illustrator: Erik Blegvad
Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry, 1998 (originally written in 1975)
Ages: 6-9yrs
Themes: poetry, married life, New England
Opening: American history is filled with stories of brave and powerful men…but have you ever wondered where the women are?
Summary: (from my library catalog) A woman frantically rushes to prepare for the fast-approaching winter while her husband sits idly by.
I like this book because: Let’s just say I can easily empathize with Mary! Ha! I love the depiction of the change of seasons in Erik Blegvad’s New England, and the simple understated humor in both words and text. I won’t spoil the ending, but I do hope you can get hold of a copy to find out!
Resources/activities: Talk about how chores are shared in your household, what chores are specific to the change of seasons.
For more PPBF selections including resources and activities, go to Susanna Hill’s blog: HERE
Love the cat’s shadow in this !
julie rowan-zoch 
I rushed to my online library account and found – to my delight – that they DO have this book as well as a 118 page title called
“Hurry, hurry, Mary dear! And other nonsense poems / written and illustrated with pen sketches by N. M. Bodecker.” Ordering them both! TYVM
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ha! I hope I can find that one too! Thanks, Cathy
LikeLike
Got both! My HURRY HURRY is copyright 1998, and has an extremely touching foreword from the illustrator. The 1976 poetry collection, illustrated by Bodecker, is absolutely charming. I would push Shel Silverstein aside to read Bodecker! Now I must order “Let’s Marry Said the Cherry.” Jane Yolen is quoted on the back flap saying “I love this slender book and will fight any of my children to death who try to steal it.” 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Now I have to search for the Cherry one too! Thanks, Cathy!
LikeLike
Ooh this sounds fun. Hope I can find both too.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It looks spare in text for an old book. I will try to find it.
LikeLike
That’s interesting! I only know of N. M. Bodecker as the awesome illustrator of Edward Eager’s magic series…I didn’t know s/he also wrote stuff. I will definitely have to check this out.
LikeLike
Yes, I was struck by the spare text of a book written in 1975. Since it was reprinted in 1998, it certainly has remained a great book. I love the story and the illustrations. I think of my own grandmother at that time doing the same things. This is a gem! Lovely share, Robin.
LikeLike
Looks like a great find! I’ll look for it at the library. Great review, Julie! p.s. The illustrations are charming.
LikeLike
I know I read this many years ago, Julie…but thank you for sharing it today…I had forgotten about it and will get a copy at the library…hopefully they have it…I can definitely relate to Mary. 😉
LikeLike
I love Mary and the this story and the ending is brilliant. The artwork captures the seasons, mood and time perfectly.
LikeLike
Just desserts are a fine way to end a picture book meal!
LikeLike
The shadow of the cat is why I love details so much. Those small little unexpected items, like the cat shadow, tell me the illustrator really cared about telling this story. Nice book.
LikeLiked by 1 person
What a treasure to find, Julie. Loved the illustrations and wow, such sparse text. Thanks for sharing.
LikeLike
This sounds like a great share. Erik had quite an influence in my early years. My library has three copies! Can’t wait!
LikeLike
What fun! Definitely putting this on my reading list!
LikeLike
Hope you can find a copy, Sue!
LikeLike
I always love seeing industrious older characters featured! Thanks for the heads up on this fun book.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks for stopping by, Lindsey!
LikeLike
This sounds like a fun book! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person