Michaelmas Press

What Others are Saying—

PJF — Sat, 11 Feb 2012 13:00:13 +0000

“…Books can have a powerful effect on the changing consciousness of the child, and serve as instruments initiating him or her into successive stages of life.…With this guide in hand, parents and teachers are given gentle and sensible advice on finding the best book for the right age. May this book of books stand as the guardian of the road that leads to reading adventures. “

—from the Foreword, Eugene Schwartz, Waldorf teacher, educational consultant and author of Millenial Child

“Ranging from The Lion and the Mouse to Profiles in Courage this compendium of recommended titles throws open the doors of the library inviting every child to begin a lifetime of reading.”

——Billy Collins, Poet and U. S. Poet Laureate, 2001-2003

“Karen Latimer and Pamela Fenner of the Waldorf Schools provide an easy-to-use guide to the best books…with an indication of the grade level and a clear sense of content…making this book idea for teachers and homeschoolers.”

—Anita Silvey, Children’s literature authority and creator of Children’s Book-A-Day Almanac

“Looking for an essential companion for a creative and imaginative childhood? These are the books that feed the soul of a child and create a life-long love of reading.”

David Kennedy, former teacher and editor/publisher of The Waldorf Book of Poetry, waldorftoday.com

OUR NEW BOOK—a unique, age-appropriate K-8 Reading List!

PJF — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 18:39:21 +0000

ORDER OUR NEW BOOK NOW

Shipping after February 21, 2012.

MAKE WAY FOR READING: Great Books for Kindergarten Through Grade 8.

The nearly 1,000 books for children ages 6 to 14 are selected and annotated for appropriate ages, interests, and social and emotional development.

For parents, schools, libraries, bookstores, and caregivers—for anyone who wants to share a love of books with children.

See the Table of Contents for the complete list of sections.

Pre-publication price is $15.00. Order before March 1, 2012, to qualify for this special price. For details and to order, click here.

Launching the Book

PJF — Sun, 05 Feb 2012 22:26:09 +0000

Pam will be in northern California from February 20 – March 12 celebrating the launching of Make Way for Reading with co-editor, Karen Latimer and attending two teachers’ conferences in northern California.

Contact us for details of place and time—let us know if you’d like us to visit. Here’s a view of the back cover. It even has a QR Code (Quick Response Code). It is located near the bottom between our logo and the ISBN bar code. If the reader has a smart phone app that “reads” these codes, then the phone will link to our website.

She will also attend one of her favorite publishing conferences, “Publishing University” sponsored by Independent Book Publishers Association—this year held in San Francisco.

For a closer look, click on the images.

Publishing University in San Francisco

Celebrating the Chinese New Year

PJF — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 20:11:12 +0000

Dragon toy

I recently wrote that I had received newly-published translated editions of “Beyond the Rainbow Bridge” from a publisher in Beijing and in Taiwan. Over the weekend, they both have independently sent me New Year’s greetings. Each wrote that in the Chinese calendar, 2012 is the “Year of the Dragon” and is a most felicitous sign and would bring good omens. What a welcome surprise to receive these greetings.

In Western countries, dragons are portrayed as ferocious and evil. During Michaelmas, which is celebrated September 29th, stories of St. George and the dragon are often told. Before meeting the dragon, George appeals to St. Michael for courage to either slay or perhaps tame the dragon, depending on the storyteller.

In contrast, the dragon in China is considered a benevolent creature—a sign of good luck. One can check many internet sources to learn more about the Chinese New Year and the symbols for the 12-year sequence. Many cities in the U. S. hold a parade as part of the New Year celebration. When we lived near Boston and San Francisco, my husband and I took our children to the city to see the parade. Each event was colorful, usually quite noisy with drums and firecrackers, and great fun. We’d end our journey at a favorite restaurant.

I was married in one “Dragon” year and published “Rainbow Bridge” during another. And now with our celebrating 21 years in publishing this year, then the Year of the Dragon is indeed fortuitous. Here’s the dragon I keep in my office—obviously a tame one.

This year after enjoying a meal at a local Chinese restaurant, I brought home a placemat showing a dragon and all the zodiac symbols. Click on the picture and it will expand so you can read the text.

‘Rainbow Bridge’—Chinese and Turkish Translations

PJF — Mon, 26 Dec 2011 22:01:35 +0000

Simplified Chinese - Beijing

We have just received copies of new translations of Beyond the Rainbow Bridge: Nurturing your children from birth to seven— Simplified Chinese (a Beijing publisher) and in Complex Chinese (a Taiwan publisher). In 2012, there will be a Turkish edition.

The Beijing publisher has also invited Barbara Patterson to Beijing to lead some early childhood workshops. We hope she will be able to accept some day. With more Waldorf schools and pre-schools being developed around the world, there is a need to translate and publish books which have proven successful elsewhere in educating parents and teachers about Waldorf Education.

Complex Chinese - Taiwan

The new Foreword by Susan Howard, Coordinator for the Waldorf Early Childhood Association (WECAN) says in part:

I am very pleased to write a foreword for the Chinese edition of Beyond the Rainbow Bridge… Barbara’s insights and experiences as a mother, grandmother and Waldorf kindergarten teacher have been greatly appreciated by parents, parent-child class teachers, home care providers, and kindergarten teachers in North America. I am sure that they will also be well-received by parents and educators in China.

Her pictures of the healthy development of the young child are universal. Her collections of Anglo-American songs and stories and verses may serve to inspire Chinese parents and educators to find similar treasures from their own rich cultural background. And all parents today can be greatly helped to support their children’s development through this little book’s descriptions of the importance of rhythm, warmth and support for free, creative play.

=============

A Japanese translation was produced in 2005, followed by a Korean translation in 2007. Copies of each of these books were donated to the Rudolf Steiner Library and the Rudolf Steiner College Library.

Korean —2007

Japanese —2004

A Christmas Poem of 1888

PJF — Sun, 25 Dec 2011 22:45:09 +0000

John Greenleaf Whittier, the great 19th-century poet, lived here in Amesbury for most of his life and found inspiration for many of his poems in our local environs. In this poem, “The Christmas of 1888,” Whittier describes the sunrise on a balmy Christmas day in Amesbury more than 120 years ago. It was published in our local daily newspaper in place of the usual editorial. It seems particularly fitting as we’re still having rather “balmy” weather this month and our ponds and lakes have yet to sport any ice cakes. I offer this poem as part of our twelve days of Christmas.

P.S. I have a particular interest in Whittier and if you want to read about our publications about Whittier, navigate to that section. http://michaelmaspress.com/bookstore/john-greenleaf-whittier/

THE CHRISTMAS OF 1888

Low in the east, against a white, cold dawn,

The black-lined silhouette of the woods was drawn,

And on a wintry waste

Of frosted streams and hillsides bare and brown,

Through thin cloud-films a pallid ghost looked down,

The waning moon half-faced.

In that pale sky and sere, snow-waiting earth,

What sign was there of the immortal birth?

What herald of the One?

Lo! swift as thought the heavenly radiance came,

A rose-red splendor swept the sky like flame,

Up rolled the round, bright sun!

And all was changed. From a transfigured world

The moon’s ghost fled, the smoke of home-hearths curled

Up to the still air unblown.

In Orient warmth and brightness, did that morn

O’er Nain and Nazereth, when the Christ was born,

Break fairer than our own?

The morning’s promise noon and eve fulfilled

In warm, soft sky and landscape hazy-filled

And sunset fair as they;

A sweet reminder of His holiest time,

A summer-miracle in our winter clime,

God gave a perfect day.

The near was blended with the old and far,

And Bethlehem’s hillside and the Magi’s star

Seemed here, as there and then, —

Our homestead pine-tree was the Syrian palm,

Our heart’s desire the angels’ midnight psalm,

Peace, and good-will to men!

HOLIDAY GREETINGS

PJF — Thu, 22 Dec 2011 17:54:56 +0000

Wishing all of our customers and friends a joyous holiday season—Advent, Hanukkah, Christmas, Kwanzaa, and New Year’s Day.

A friend sent this quotation about Christmas which I’ll pass on:

What is Christmas? It is tenderness for the past, courage for the present, hope for the future. It is a fervent wish that every cup may overflow with blessings rich and eternal, and that every path may lead to peace.

~Agnes M. Pahro

J.G. Whittier Photo Gallery

PJF — Tue, 03 May 2011 20:09:31 +0000

Here are photos related to the life and legacy of John Greenleaf Whittier . Click on title to view photos.

Spring Activities

PJF — Tue, 03 May 2011 17:30:07 +0000

Our long snow and icy winter is over and spring has finally come to New England.

March and April can seem so long here along the NH/Massachusetts border, especially when the leaves on the trees don’t open up until the first week in May.

A New England spring can last several weeks or sometimes only one or two days and then we’ll get a sudden heat wave and it will be summer. We’ve enjoyed about a week of spring and the azalea, daffodils, hyacinths and a quince have all opened up this past week.

Along with finalizing a book project, much of my time in February and March was in helping coordinate the first annual New England Publishing Conference—”Survive and Thrive”— sponsored by Independent Publishers of New England (IPNE). Given the pace of change in the book industry, the 80 attendees at our conference site just outside Boston were eager to learn from some of the leaders in the industry.

Our keynote speaker, David Godine, one of the country’s most respected independent publishers, joined Cevin Bryerman of Publishers Weekly, Anita Silvey, children’s literary expert, and others to offer their perspective on the major challenges and opportunities in book publishing today. Judith Rosen took this photo for PW Daily. View the program and other photos on the IPNE website: www.ipne.org.

SPRING TRADITIONS

When my children were still in school, we all had fun creating seasonal centerpieces for the dining room table or the kitchen. For many years I have been collecting hand made seasonal items from the stores at Waldorf schools. Now that my daughters are grown and on their own, the young children next door enjoy arranging my seasonal decorations. This year I put some of the handmade “flower” dolls and knitted animals along with blown eggs into a clear glass vase. A few days before Easter, I grew “grass” for several baskets using wheat berries.

My basket grass is adorned with cut flowers, but now after a week’s growth, the grass needs trimming. Some years I blow the insides of the white eggs out and then dye the rinsed shells. These can be kept for years. I’ve also purchased beautifully painted ones with ribbons and the neighbor children look forward to hanging them on a metal stand.

On May Day the new neighbors with triplets left a surprise on our front door handle—a hand made paper cornucopia of forsythia blossoms. When our children were growing up, they used to make May baskets for our neighbors—often made with paper cups. What a treat to be the recipient of this old spring tradition. Click on the pictures if you want to see a closeup of any details.

Exhibiting Books at Fairs and Trade Shows

PJF — Sat, 19 Feb 2011 03:03:24 +0000

Michaelmas Press exhibits at local business events, Waldorf Education conferences, and in regional book and publishing trade shows through Independent Publishers of New England (IPNE) . Click on title to view photos.