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!

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