Around the Year

by Tasha Tudor

Everyone loves a celebration, and renowned illustrator Tasha Tudor offers one for every month in this enchanting treasury of seasons. Come enter a world where sledding excursions melt into summer picnics, and autumn fairs beckon Christmas cheer.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Poetry, Fiction, Art, Christmas, Holiday

64 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1957

About the author

Tasha Tudor was an American illustrator and author of children's books.

Reviews

[Hilary · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Tasha Tudor, her illustrations are exquisite! They remind me of Eve Garnett's style, who seems to be an English equivalent.

A simple book with a line or two of text about each month. Really lovely illustrations show outdoor activities, nature, seasonal celebrations and family.

Really wonderful and highly recommended!

Read on open library.

[Dianna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Five-star illustrations, of course. I love Tasha Tudor! This book goes through each month, picking out a few things that make each month special. I got it for my four-year-old son, who is starting to get a sense of the rhythm of the year and loves to ask which month comes next. It ended up being more for me, though (did I say I love Tasha Tudor?). I loved the illustrations and the features of each month, but my son didn't really get it. The text was written to rhyme, but it made it harder for him to understand. I had to 'translate' every page. I'll be looking for something a bit more obvious, I guess!

[Melody Schwarting · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lovely look at the twelve months of the year and what they bring (to the northern hemisphere). Around the Year is substantially different from A Time to Keep, which I wondered going into it. Simple words and delightful illustrations.

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love anything Tasha Tudor. This is a special favorite. A charming poem and beautiful, nostalgic artwork.

[Jen · Rating 5 out of 5]

A charming and lovely little book. It’s more of a rhyming book than a story. Quickly read. Would still love a copy for my library one day for the illustrations.

[Naturegirl · Rating 5 out of 5]

I adore Tasha Tudor. Her illustrations look vintage with warm colors and characters that harken back to a simpler time in New England. Her poems are so simple, yet the illustrations spark the imagination. This book goes through each month of the year with pictures that make each month come alive. Perfect for a short bedtime story or a very young child just learning to read.

[Deborah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sweet little book...that Tasha Tudor's paintings take you back to yester-year....She paints of a time...we mostly dream about...

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tudor's beautiful, soft illustrations are calming and evoke a sense of serenity and quiet.

[Rachel Behrends · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tasha Tudor does not disappoint. This book contains a poem and beautiful illustrations celebrating every month and season of the year. It makes a wonderful introduction to the calendar for small children.

[Michelle Farella · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love the illustrations!

[Peace_Love_Reading · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great book for kids learning the months in order and what happens in those months . My 6 year old liked it and so did I .

[Taryn · Rating 4 out of 5]

So sweet and lyrical!

[Danette · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautiful old-fashioned pictures.

10/21/20 Read with Naomi and Julia

[Sandy · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book seems dated.

[Jasmine Shadows · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book makes every time of the year special, and gives children a reason to enjoy each and every one.

[Natalie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lovely picture book by Tasha Tudor, with four pages devoted to each month of the year. The October spread is my favorite!

[Willow · Rating 4 out of 5]

Note: features a Halloween page spread with a flying witch and a child dressed up as a ghost scaring some other kids in a graveyard.

[Eunice · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ok book. October mentions witches and ghosts.

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dear.

2.2BL

[Stephanie Miceli · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautifully illustrated and charming little book celebrating every month of the year. I want to collect all her books. I love her illustrations!!!!

[Jessica Tracy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lovely little read. I love Tasha Tudor's illustrations, even if every other page is in color. I wouldn't own this book, but I'd definitely check it out from the library again.

[Kaylee · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very nice little picture book, with a brief poem (a few lines long) about each month of the year. The poems are nice, but the beautiful illustrations are the best part.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

So many darling illustrations of simple country living of the early to mid-1900s year-round

[Literary Mama]

From "Essential Reading: Seasons" by Literary Mama staff:

When I think of seasons, I think instantly of Tasha Tudor, who rendered them so beautifully in her books—and who, during my sodden Northwest childhood, gave me an idea of what summer and winter could be like for people who didn't live on the edge of a temperate rain forest. Now that I live in New England, it has been a special pleasure to revisit Tudor's oeuvre with my boys as we go Around the Year. For our family, it's not summer without Corgiville Fair, and it's not Halloween without Pumpkin Moonshine. Then there's A Tale for Easter and The Christmas Cat. My favorite, however, has always been A Time to Keep, a brief yet magical journey through the months of a long-ago child's year. Tudor's characteristic illustrations are soft but rich with detail, and there's an irresistible charm about the somewhat fanciful old world that she depicts, where everything is homemade and every celebration is a work of art.

Literary Mama's full Essential Reading post can be found here: http://www.literarymama.com/litreflec...

[Jayme · Rating 4 out of 5]

The picture book features brief rhymes and drawings of popular nineteenth century activities as they occurred each month of the year. The illustrations are rendered in watercolor and ink and they successfully emphasize the nostalgic quality of old traditions and seasonal rhythms. On a personal note, there is something deeply rich about this books subject matter and rendering--it creates an atmosphere of quietness, of wistfulness, and of awe. For young children, however, that atmosphere may not be quite as accessible as it is for older readers and in that case, this book may tend more toward sweet verse, art appreciation, and seasonal education--making this book, I believe, all the more beautiful in its breadth of application.

[Heather · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love the way this book highlights what makes each month special in rhyming verses. It's a fun way to help young children understand the different seasons of the year, and the New England nostalgia is delightful. I only wish all the illustrations were in watercolor: every other set of illustration is in pencil, and the watercolor illustrations are so much more engaging. I would give this book 3.5 stars if I could, but it just wasn't quite 4 stars for me.

[Allison DeMeo]

Personal reaction: Good simple poetry on the months

Purpose: I think this book is great for a read aloud for PreK-Kindergarten students. When learning the months of the year it is such an easy way to incorporate poetry into the lesson. At the beginning of each month I would read this out loud to the class at the beginning of the day. This book shows the months with important things to remember that month for. This is great for little kids learning!

[Christine Kallner · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am fast becoming a fan of Tasha Tudor's illustrations! Similar to her 1 is One, this rhyming book goes through the months of the year. Each month gets two spreads, one color and one black-and-white. The images evoke an idyllic past, but I think the simple text resonates through the ages. I borrowed this one from the library, but would very much like to get a copy for our family collection -- I only wish they had a board book edition!

[Kat · Rating 5 out of 5]

If I could jump into any illustrator's world it would be Tasha Tudors. Specifically this book. There is a part of my mind, far far in the back, that reminds me that this time period was marked by hard work, war, and other unpleasantries. Still to sit down at the Thanksgiving table in her pictures or join the picnic would make life worth while.

[Deborah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Romantically illustrated picture book of the different months of the year and common rustic activities. If you're a fan of Anne of Green Gables and want to view some lovely illustrations, this is the book for you.