Cherry Pies and Lullabies

I had no idea that such a simple book could be so precious! Four generations of women pass down traditions in their own individual ways that adapt to changing times and culture. Still, the love and sisterhood is still there. The illustrations are the best feature, as they practically do most of the storytelling themselves (so, yes, be sure to study the pictures carefully for full appreciation).

This story is part of our first grade reading series. The illustrations are beautiful and give good clues as to what the story is about. The text offers appropriate and varied vocabulary as well as a predictable pattern that helps children read it more fluently. Though the theme of the story is challenging (concerning tradition: some things stay the same, some things are a bit different) it gives children an opportunity to think about the meaning of the story, instead of just reading a story with a bunch of meaningless rhymes.

A little girl describes how cherry pies, flower garlands, quilts and lullabies have been passed down through her family from great-grandmother to grandmother to mother to her and then to her teddy bear. Each picture's details shows how different each generation is or, as the text explains, Every time it was the same, but different. The bold outlined drawings have an appealing, colorful, cartoon-like quality which is charming and homey. The outlined frames for each picture add to the quilt-like mood and give the book an inviting feel. Included is the author's lullaby lyrics (to the tune of Brahms' "Lullaby".)

I just loved this book. It conveys the sense of tradition that we grew up with and long for in todays fast paced world. Thank you to Lynn Resier for giving us a means to demonstrate to our children how things used to be.