No trip to Maine is complete without reading a few Robert McCloskey books. We arrived in Boothbay Harbor today, which is about as close to coastal perfection as any town gets. What better book to share from such a glorious location than One Morning in Maine? After all, the setting for this charming story couldn't be all that far from here. I was so thrilled to find a copy of One Morning in Maine at our last local library book sale for only 50 cents. I brought it home and wanted to read it to my son right away, though I was worried he might still be a bit young to fully appreciate it. In some respects, he is – I think this wonderful story might be better suited for the kindergarten and elementary demographic – but he does seem to like it nonetheless. One Morning in Maine is classic McCloskey: beautifully illustrated in expressive detail, with a wonderfully descriptive story. What I love most about One Morning in Maine is the way it captures the simple lifestyle of a time gone by. I can’t help but imagine myself growing up the way Sal and her sister do on a beautiful, isolated Maine coastline, digging clams for lunch and having to take the motor boat across the bay to the general store for milk and groceries. I also love the way McCloskey weaves subtle educational tidbits into his story along the way, such as that birds lose feathers only to have others grow in their place, much like Sal will when she loses her tooth. One Morning in Maine tells the story of just that – one morning in Maine – in a way that is captivating, timeless, and beautifully simple. It might just be a few hours, but that morning we spend with Sal and her family is one that we will remember and cherish for years to come.
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