Friday, February 5, 2016

Margo's Musings: Frederick by Leo Lionni

My original copy of Frederick  : ) 
Margo asked if we could feature my favorite children's book, Frederick by Leo Lionni. We've spotlighted this story before, but since we're spreading the news about the drawing contest, I thought it was a fun idea to share it again. This book inspired my love for drawing. I learned to keep my stories in sketches, and it was easy to pull them out whenever I needed to pick myself up or things weren't going so well. This morning it was nice to see the snow. Margo and I reread the book together, it felt warm and cozy. Frederick is a beautiful tribute to storytellers and dreamers. My copy is tattered from love, but it's meaning is just as real today as it ever was- the words never change, and sharing it with my little sister is very special. : ) ~ F

Frederick the field mouse is a dreamer. His family works hard all summer, collecting berries and stocking up on grain for the winter months. But, Frederick doesn't join in. He sits in the sun. He collects thoughts. The others ask him why he won't work, what is it that he is doing? Frederick tells them that he is gathering words. The cold comes. And, at first, the food is plentiful, the conversation light and fun...but then, the gloom sets in. The world is frozen; the supplies much less. The family of mice turn to Frederick, remembering what he had said. Through his quiet mouse voice, he lifts them into their imaginations and their hearts are joyous, as if by magic.

Who scatters snowflakes? Who melts the ice? Who spoils the weather? Who makes it nice? Who grows the four-leaf clovers in June? Who dims the daylight? Who lights the moon?


Four little field mice who live in the sky.
Four little field mice... like you and I.


One is the Springmouse who turns on the showers. Then comes the Summer who paints in the flowers. The Fallmouse is next with walnuts and wheat. And Winter is last...with little cold feet.


Aren't we lucky the seasons are four? Think of a year with one less... or one more!


Follow my blog with Bloglovin

42 comments:

  1. I believe I have gotten this one from the library before for the boys.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Lisa- I bet you have! Such a great book. :) ~F

      Delete
  2. This is one adorable book. I absolutely love the cover and the illustrations, too. Who couldn't cherish this one?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Lee- It is one everyone should have on their shelves. :) ~F

      Delete
  3. I don't think I have seen this one before. I will have to go look for it at my library to read with my kids. Happy Friday. Stay warm and safe.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Awe, I've never seen this one, I like the message... I'm happy that Fredrick could help his family xox ♡

    ReplyDelete
  5. This looks very cute. Thanks for sharing it.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Launna- I like the message too! :) ~F

      Kelly- It really is! :) ~F

      Delete
  6. I really like the sound of this one. If something has inspired you, then you know it has to be good. I'm glad you love drawing and that it is an easy way for you to document and get back into the mode of writing as well <3

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Olivia-Savannah- This is a great book and one adults will be able to relate to for sure. Drawing is a wonderful outlet for me and I love the insight it gives me into a story. :)

      Delete
  7. sounds delightful, not that it would ever make me like rodents :)

    ReplyDelete
  8. It sounds like a wonderful book. A book to read again and again until the words are firmly (and forever) entrenched in my brain and heart.

    ReplyDelete
  9. OMG! That's so adorable, and I really love the rhymes. Thanks for sharing your childhood favorite with us! :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Lexa- It is a sweet book and one everyone can enjoy. :) ~F

      Delete
  10. Sounds like the perfect one to read over and over indeed.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Pat- It is exactly that kind of book! :) ~F

      Delete
  11. Aw :D That one looks pretty cute. <3 Thank you for sharing about this book :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Carina- You are welcome! It is a cute book. :) ~F

      Delete
  12. This sounds so adorable -- we're definitely going to look for it. Thank you for sharing! Lovely post :-)

    ~Michele & Mckenzie

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. PS: I love your original copy -- a book "tattered from love" is the best kind of book :-)

      ~Mckenzie

      Delete
    2. Michelle and Mckenzie- I hope you enjoy it too! Loved and tattered books hold many memories in their pages. :) ~F

      Delete
  13. This book looks and sounds like a fun read! Not only that, but it looks like it has wonderful moralistic lessons children can glean from :) Thanks for sharing!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Claudia- It is a great book all around. Kids and adults will love the story and take something away with them. :) ~F

      Delete
  14. Oh my... This looks like one of those really old classics! Those whereby the book is all worm eaten in the library shelf. I love the cute illustration and it's amazing that you got inspired with the illustrations here.

    Thank you for your heartfelt comments on my blog over the months. I enjoyed reading them!

    Jo
    Jo's Jumbled Jardinière

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Jo- I always enjoy stopping into your blog!

      Thanks for visiting us too. This is definitely a well loved book that has been read over and over again. :)

      Delete
  15. Aw so Frederick is a storyteller. I think he should have also worked because they could have used the help. It's always nice to read about one of a reader's favorite books as a child.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Adriana- I love that Frederick is a storyteller, because he plays an important role. But I agree that doing some work would have helped out all of the mice. :) ~F

      Delete
  16. This book looks great for children and sounds like a fun read!

    ReplyDelete
  17. Ah, thanks for the chance to revisit a classic.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The Armchair Squid- Glad you enjoyed it! :) ~F

      Delete
  18. How charming. I've never heard of this one. How did I miss it?!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Stephanie- I bet you have read other books by the author, Leo Lionni. :) ~F

      Delete
  19. The name is familiar (as in the author's name -- Leo Lionni) but I haven't read any of his. Frederick would be a good start. I love drawing, too, and am always curious about what inspires other artists.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Claudine- Leo Lionni has many books, maybe you have read another one of his book. I hope you enjoy Frederick! :) ~F

      Delete

Thank you for stopping by and commenting. We love to hear your thoughts! We had to turn on comment moderation due to a high volume of spam. Fairday's Blog is no longer accepting awards. We appreciate all the nominations that we have received and are honored to have been mentioned! Happy Reading!

Twitter Bird Gadget Twitter Bird Gadget