Harlequin and the Gift of Many Colors,

I don't remember many specific lines from children's books, at least not since Margaret Wise Brown and "Some pig!" But this one --"clothed in the love of his friends"--has stuck with me the 25 years since we last read this dream-like book to our kids at bedtime. A few children's writers are poets, too, and they're the best. Take Me With You When You Go Nutty to Meet You! Dr. Peanut Book #1

I had this book as a child and recently shared it with my own children. My 5-year-old has been asking for it every night since I first read it to them, and my 3-year-old likes it too. I can remember reading it to myself, so it also has appeal well into grade school. I remember loving the rich colors in the book and as an adult I appreciate the Giotto-esque style of the illustrations. The writing style is literate yet straightforward enough that my boys were able to summarize the basic narrative after the first reading. My sons both seem to be excited by the party theme and my 5-year-old talks a lot about how Harlequin's friends and mother help him. Probably not worth $60+, but otherwise well worth picking up if you stumble across it.

What is a more important trait to instill in our children than caring? A child who sees the hurt in someone else and offers not sympahty but human compassion is a treasure.What a sad testiment to the times that this special book is no longer in print. The story of Harlequin, a poor boy who desperately wishes to attend the town's big carnival but has no costume to wear, teaches children about caring, sharing, hoping, and helping. Pretty pastel colors dance across the pages, and a funny little dog appears at the carnival to give the reader something to laugh at.This is a great children's story that should be enjoyed over and over again.