The Silver Nutmeg: The Story of Anna Lavinia and Toby

Anna Lavinia #2

by Palmer Brown

Anna Lavinia’s father wanted her to have another point of view, so what did he do? He made a peephole in the garden wall. But he couldn’t have known that this new view would lead Anna Lavinia all the way to the upside-down mirror land that lies on the other side of the pond. Here Anna Lavinia meets Toby, who explains that on the other side, instead of gravity, there’s something called “the tingle,” which feels like “the tickle that comes before a sneeze, or the thrill that comes when the knot in a ribbon just begins to loosen,” and allows for floating and spectacular feats of tree-climbing (but mind your furniture doesn’t drift away!). Toby introduces Anna Lavinia to a variety of wonders and oddballs, including an uncanny fortune-teller, a turtle with a jungle on its back, and Aunt Cornelia, who’s never quite recovered from the disappearance of a certain young man into Anna Lavinia’s world a very long time ago.

The Silver Nutmeg continues the adventures begun in Beyond the Pawpaw Trees , and features loads of sense, a little nonsense, and more charming verses from Anna Lavinia’s favorite book of rhymes. Best of all, fans of Palmer Brown’s intricate drawings will find every page a delight for the eyes

Genres: Fantasy, Fiction, Childrens, Middle Grade, Adventure, Classics

152 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1956

About the author

Palmer Brown was born in Chicago and attended Swarthmore and the University of Pennsylvania. He is the author and illustrator of five books for children, including Beyond the Pawpaw Trees and its sequel, The Silver Nutmeg; Cheerful; and Hickory.

About Beyond the Pawpaw Trees, his first published book, Brown said: “If it has any moral at all, it is hoped that it will always be a deep secret between the author and those of his readers who still know that believing is seeing.”

Reviews

[Maggie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of my all-time favorite books from my childhood. Anna Lavinia goes on an amazing adventure after discovering a magic pool at the top of a hill. I won't say anything else because I don't want to spoil it. In addition to a great story, I also loved the illustrations. I'm so happy to see it's still in print, because I can't WAIT to read this book to my son and give it as gifts to my nieces. I think I read this book 6 or 7 times as a kid -- and I rarely read books twice. I cannot recommend this book highly enough, especially to kids who like to explore and have vivid imaginations. Love, love, love this book.

I own hundreds of books, but this is the one I would grab if my house were on fire.

[Adriel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nice story of a little girl who enters another world through a pond. Much of the story references a "gypsy mother" and her child, which I found to be insensitive in the way old books are. I read it out loud to the kids and talked about the problems of racist stereotypes and then also dropped the "gypsy" signifier that occurred every time the family was mentioned.

[Cat · Rating 5 out of 5]

It just never got old! I love the Anna Livinia stories! So sorry there weren't more....

[Sally Robinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of my favorite books from childhood. I borrowed it over and over from the local library.

[Saphirra · Rating 4 out of 5]

My 8 year old really enjoyed this!!

[Min · Rating 4 out of 5]

These books are such sensual experiences from the comforting image of colors, especially the lavender blue, the soft illustrations of the animals Anna Lavinia meets, such as her cat, Strawberry, and the hedgehog if the garden. Followed by jovial rhymes and songs that give each book becomes an encounter with wonder.
Uncle Jeffrey has come to the garden gate with his spices to fill the jars and tins in the pantry, giving each a rhyme as he puts the spice in it's container. While he does, Anna Lavinia looks through his books of pressed flowers from his many travels.
Her father has decided he needs to open a garden wall so Anna Lavinia can have Another Point of View. They decide on the view of a dew pond atop a small hill.
One day, relaxing at the pond, tossing in acorns, one is tossed back, dry. She sees Tobias is the water, she calls out to him. He is on the underside of the pond.
What wonders there is to find on the "underside".

[Karrie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found this book (along with Kate Greenaway's Omnibus) at the back of the class when I was nine. Nobody seemed to know anything about it, and the teacher didn't want it because it wasn't a class set. So it stayed with me, and I have read it to my own children. It is a magical, wonderful book, and even now I am extra happy if I see a lavender-blue sky, and think I will have a quiet summer when I see a particular type of butterfly. I looked for this book and others for years and years and never found it or any others by Palmer Brown. So happy to have found new editions at Book Depository so my children can hold the books themselves (my copy was far too fragile, with the binding very loose, and I will keep it forever).

I can't possibly spoil the story, just highly recommend it as a book you will enjoy your whole life long.

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Anna Lavinia meets Toby on "the other side" of a pond. Everything is somehow different, but related to her world. Things that were lost in world are found in Toby's. Toby's aunt seems to be waiting for someone. Does Anna know the link? This books was meant to be read by children 9-12. I'm just a tad older than that (a tad - and I have a pond to sell ya'!). I enjoyed the concept and the writing. An easy read.

[Jessica Walker - Stier · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful sequel to Beyond the PawPaw Trees. It continues the whimsy and adventure that Anna Lavinia gets to partake of.

Personally, I like the first book better. But that is probably due to my unfamiliarity with this one. I have one read this once. I received a copy for my birthday last year (THANKS DAD!!!!!!!) and read it right away. I think I am going to pull it out and reread very soon.

[Christina · Rating 4 out of 5]

I first read Beyond the Pawpaw Trees, the first book in this series of two, when I was a kid. I didn't find out about The Silver Nutmeg until a few years ago. So I will always have a fondness for Beyond the Pawpaw Trees that I can't quite share with The Silver Nutmeg, but nonetheless I admire it very much as an equally charming and imaginative companion.

[Stephanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such a cute little adventure- would make a great read-aloud to 5-7 year olds. What kid hasn't looked into a pond or a puddle and wondered if there was a world on the other side of it? And who cares if the physics don't really make any sense?

I'm just super disappointed that my library doesn't have the first one in the catalog.

[Carrie Birde · Rating 4 out of 5]

After reading a different, dystopian, "classic" novel, I needed a thorough palate cleanser. "The Silver Nutmeg" was the perfect antidote -- pure, fantastical, simple, and sweetly bewitching. Palmer Brown's sequel to "Beyond the Pawpaw Trees" finds Anna Lavinia off on another adventure, this time to (through?!) a Dew Pond, in search of her "point of view". Delightful :)

[Vivian · Rating 3 out of 5]

Follow Anna Lavinia through this 138 page adventure where she and her pet "fall into" a parallel world that has no gravity but a sort of "tingly" power and what she and her new found friend Toby bring about together.

This would be a good read-aloud to pre-school age children through 2nd grade.

[Ellice · Rating 3 out of 5]

A very sweet and mild fantasy tale about adventurous Anna Lavinia and her exploits in a strange place just on the other side of Anna Lavinia's dew pond. Illustrations by the author are classic. Overall, of its time with timeless aspects as well.

[Nancy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sweet little book with lovely illustrations. A very quick read. An unusual adventure traveling through the dew pond to a world without gravity. Tingles instead. I have just found this author and will look for more.

[Helen · Rating 4 out of 5]

The continuing story of Anna Lavinia... I LOVE the poems... same as the first book... a lovely story!

[Allison · Rating 5 out of 5]

Haven't read this in a very long time...I must hunt for it.

[Claudia · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this book at an antique book shop in Logan. It's enjoyable - and brings back my childhoods imagination.

[Sarah Sammis · Rating 2 out of 5]

Two stars because I don't remember the details of the book.

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book when I was at St. Joseph's School - probably sometime between 3rd and 5th grades. I loved it so much.

[Belinda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Charming but did he smoke weed before he wrote?

[Christine Geisel · Rating 5 out of 5]

My favorite childhood read. I read it to my children and grandchildren. Similar to The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe.

[Cari · Rating 3 out of 5]

Whimsical and beautifully illustrated but without the feeling of anticipation and adventure that marked Beyond the PawPaw Trees as more meaningful and substantial than similar fanciful yarns.

[Melanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun story with cute pictures... this is a fast read that I think kids will really enjoy.

[Tracey · Rating 3 out of 5]

A sweet little story about Anna Lavinia and her day through the dew pond in the underside world.

[Marmot · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pretty good. I liked the rhymes and pictures throughout. Way better than Alice in Wonderland, which some have compared this to. I think my kids will enjoy reading this.

[Lydia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book and wish I still had my copy. *sniff