Wednesday, August 26, 2009

The Cost of a Birthday Present

I've only got 4 more days before my Sammy turns 6 and I have no idea what to get her. I've taken her to several toy stores for her to point out the things that she wants and she really doesn't seem to have a hankering for anything. I'm struggling with this one. Then I thought, A-HA! I know what she would love and cherish forever and ever. . . books by Astrid Lindgren. She's the very one who wrote the wildly popular Pippi Longstocking stories which I inhaled as a child.

Lindgren is also the author of many other lovable stories that Sammy simply adores as do I. These stories are richly imaginative and the illustrations by Hans Arnold are so uniquely filled with delicate details you'd be hard pressed to find anything close to it in any other children's books. I just know Sammy would love these. She's checked them out many times and always hugs them and says, "Read it again, I just love this story." Her eyes race over the pictures examining every ounce of detail and the stories, oh the stories are delectable. I can just eat them all up.

My Beloved Sister is about a little girl who along with her imaginary sister travel to a world unlike any other. It's beautifully written and illustrated but it costs a whopping $50 to start for a used copy or $145 for new. This book is out of print so I would essentially be buying it from a collector. I'm so torn. But look at these pages? Aren't they spectacular? It be like buying art right?


Look at the detail here. See the dark figures in the background? Those are the frights.


This is precious.

Mirabelle is another story by Lindgren but illustrated by Pija Lindenbaum. Mirabelle is strangely creepy but lovable at the same time. A little girl plants a doll seed and grows an actual doll named Mirabelle. Mirabelle comes to life only when she and the little girl are alone. Mirabelle gets into all sorts of trouble but is loved nonetheless.

This one is a little more reasonably priced at $25. I think I can swing this one even given that it's a good chunk of change for a children's book.

What would you do? Have you ever spent a gazillion dollars on a book for a 6-year-old? I think Sammy deserves it. I'm torn.

1 comment:

  1. My god these are gorgeous books, especially "Most Beloved Sister."

    I spent $50 on a book by Demi about Chinese Dragons. It was so incredibly illustrated, with fold out pictures, that I had to have it to read at school. I paid for it myself. It's the only one I don't let the kids handle!

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