The Roald Dahl Treasury by Roald Dahl

★★★★★

"And above all, watch with glittering eyes the whole world around you because the greatest secrets are always hidden in the most unlikely place.  Those who don't believe in magic will never find it."

"As I grow old and just a triffle frayed

It's nice to know that sometimes I have made

You children and occasionally the staff

Stop work and have instead a little laugh."

These stories are so much fun!  The treasury includes excerpts from novels as well as short stories, poems, recipes, and letters.  And the illustrations are wonderful as well.  I read a few of Roald Dahl's books when I was younger - Matilda and The Witches were my favorites.  I remember seeing this book when I was worked as a page at the Germantown Community Library, but I haven't had a chance to read the whole thing until now.  

We also read:

Revolting Rhymes (1982)

Dirty Beasts (1983)

Rhyme Stew (1989)

Vile Verses (2005)

The Complete Tales of Beatrix Potter by Beatrix Potter

★★★★★

"I am sorry to say that Peter was not very well during the evening.  His mother put him to bed, and made him some camomile tea; and she gave a dose of it to Peter!  'One table-spoonful to be taken at bedtime.'  But Flopsy, Mopsy, and Cotton-tail had bread and milk and blackberries for supper."

"I remember I use to half believe and wholly play with fairies when I was a child.  What heaven can be more real than to retain the spirit-world of childhood, tempered and balanced by knowledge and common-sense."

These stories are wonderful and quirky and a bit gruesome at times as well!  I very much enjoyed reading them as a child and as a parent to my daughter.  This complete collection contains twenty-three of Ms. Potter's original stories as well as beautiful illustrations.

The Complete Tales of Winnie-the-Pooh by A.A. Milne

★★★★★

"Wherever they go, and whatever happens to them on the way, in that enchanted forest, a little boy and his Bear will always be playing."

I've always been fond of Winnie-the-Pooh, Piglet, Eeyore, Tigger, and the rest. I don't remember if I actually read these when I was younger, but I very much enjoyed them when I read them to my 2-month old daughter.  This was our first story collection that we read after we had read all of our picture books several times and needed something to get us through late-night feedings.  These stories of the Hundred Acre Wood will stay in my mind for years to come. I loved the charming characters and humor that A.A. Milne brings to each story.  The illustrations by  E.H. Shephard were wonderful as well!

We also read:
Now We are Six
When We Were Very Young