Feeling "Woolfish"

I love children's books. I promised myself when I was pregnant with Ezra that if he should ever ask for a book- I would never say no. I have held true to my promise- and indulge the kids (and myself) in as many books as we can consume. Here is my latest love- for the children- of course.

Virginia Wolf is a beautiful book written by Kyo Maclear and illustrated by Isabelle Arsenault loosely based on the relationship between author Virginia Woolf and her sister, painter Vanessa Bell. (!)
Virginia is in a "wolfish" mood. She growls and howls (a lot like a child I know) and poor Vanessa tries everything she can think of to cheer her up- but nothing seems to work.

So Vanessa begins to paint for Virgina. She paints a beautiful garden- a magically imagined and perfect place Virgina calls Bloomsberry. She paints all over their bedroom walls- transforming the room into something lovely- complete with a ladder and a swing "so that what was down could climb up." Virginia cannot help herself, and joins in the painting too.


This lovely book is for all of us who are prone to feeling "wolfish".
(I really did get this for myself- but don't tell my kids, okay?)