Day 18. Mr. George Baker

Book 78.

Books with prominent senior characters are speaking to me this Shelf Challenge. Today's read, another title by Amy Hest and an exciting discovery to happen upon another illustrative work by Jon J. Muth, a personal favorite, is about a young boy and his elderly next door neighbor. These cross-generational stories are so powerful, if nothing else than for the wisdom the eldest has to offer to those younger. It's a delicate role that, I feel, takes a special author in order to effectively communicate.

Needless to say, I am quickly learning that Amy Hest is one such author.

Here, an older man meets his grade school-age neighbor as they wait for the bus to arrive. There are so many examples of good character exhibited in the character of Mr. George Baker, and allowing us, the readers, to simply enjoy the story and absorb all of those qualities is a gift in an of itself.

I am never surprised to read such outstanding literature and discover Muth's name ascribed. He seems to have a keen sense for quality.

- Matthew

Day 17. The Crack-of-Dawn Walkers

Book 76.

In The Crack-of-Dawn Walkers a young girl wakes early in order to join her grandfather on his morning walk for fresh onion rolls and a cup of coffee. She wants nothing but to have Grandfather all to herself and she relishes every moment of their time together. Of course, she cannot help comparing the experience she and her grandfather are having with those outings Grandfather takes with her older brother.

The beauty and simplicity of the story perfectly capture the childhood feeling of wanting to live in a moment forever and to be as special to someone as they are to you. But what I connect with most deeply is the undercurrent of wanting to absorb every single word and breath and sense of the experience so that it never has to end.

That, I feel like, is the moment we're always chasing with those we love most of all.

- Matthew