Horton hears a … new collection of stories from our beloved Dr. Seuss? Fans of the children’s author and illustrator can celebrate more fantastical tales bursting with the writer’s hallmark rhyme and invented language in the new collection, Horton and the Kwuggerbug and More Lost Stories.

Compiled from monthly columns that Dr. Seuss (also known as Theodore Geisel) wrote for Redbook during the 1950s, the book features four new stories that add to the characters and themes seen in some of his later works. We visit with favorites like Horton, the Grinch, and little Marco from his very first book, And To Think I Saw It On Mulberry Street, as well as get to know a not-very-nice bullying insect called a Kwuggerbug, who manipulates Horton into finding beezlenuts for him. Dr. Seuss wrote and illustrated 43 children’s books during his career. His learn-to-read simple stories, embedded with morals and told in silly, rhyming cadence, are our favorites, hands-down. I think we’ll find a copy of this under our tree this year for sure!

I’m obsessed with words, letters, quotes, etc. You know, inspiration here, inspiration over there. Eventually, my walls will be covered in big letters, little letters, important words, and inspiring quotes. But I’ve never thought to do so in my own handwriting. Until now. Until I found the book, The Art of Whimsical Lettering by Joanne Sharpe. With my love for all things letters and words, the words “whimsical” and “lettering” were combined, and well, let’s just say I was intrigued.

Sharpe’s work is presented beautifully in illustrated color throughout, and within its pages, I found encouragement to take the time to practice and explore ways of using handwriting as my own personal expression, to develop my own “inner font.” Sharpe says, “My artful lettering theory revolves around the concept of designing handmade, stylized writing and expressions that extend from an individual’s knowledge of basic print and cursive writing.”

The first section of the book gives a run-down of Joanne’s favorite tools, including pens, paints, mediums, and paper. The next section shares techniques that Joanne uses in her own art practice and the fundamentals of whimsical lettering. Fifteen “Artistic Alphabets” are included in the third section, with lots of encouragement and instruction from the artist detailing how to practice with them to expand your own personal style. In the last section, Joanne gives insight into how she creates different styles on her pages and discusses how one might go about integrating their lettering into art. An artist gallery and a collection of favorite phrases and quotes are also included to inspire you on your lettering journey. I’m smitten with the idea of creating an alphabet of my very own!

It’s that time of year …

My sister and I can’t wait for warmer weather to get outside to play. (Game of horseshoes … with a pair of warm winter gloves, anyone?) We’ve read all the books we own many times. We’ve played all of our board games over and over again. How about this for entertainment?

Stair sledding is way fun and the extra-big box Daddy found sure helped. And while we’re waiting for spring a tad bit impatiently, here’s one of our favorite reads (just in case you don’t have a massive box for stair sledding).

It’s a good reminder that my sis and I make a good team. And Mia loves the line that I will never be better than her at being the little sister. It’s true. She’s also more fearless and faster on the stair slopes!

I’ve always loved countdown calendars, but in the past, I’ve only let my passion for them find a home during the Christmas season. The first time I flipped through the pages of Countdown Calendars, I was dazzled out of my Advent-Calendar-for-Christmas rut and treated to a myriad of traditional and unique projects designed for all sewing levels.

Besides helping to reward patience and build excitement around anticipated holidays, countdown calendars can be used to celebrate any special event in life. Consider making a birthday countdown calendar, where each day’s passing is marked by adding a candle to a birthday cake. Or for your next big vacation, count the days until you leave with a calendar housed inside a suitcase and decorated with the theme of your destination. And don’t forget the little events that make life special, too. Use a countdown calendar to record the progress of a weekly goal or help your family keep track of their chores, or create one to post a sweet message to your loved ones every day of the week. And really, who doesn’t adore a piece of hand-crafted loveliness hanging on their wall reminding them to celebrate?

Countdown Calendars provides 24 of these project ideas and well-written instructions for each, complete with supply lists, patterns, and tips for assembly. The editor also includes a picture and short biography of each artist with their projects. I really like knowing a little bit about the person behind the creative genius. The fun fabrics and pieced designs in the photos provided just the right amount of eye candy and left me dreaming of projects I might attempt. Now that spring’s officially here, I might have to start the countdown to summer for my first project!