A Child's Seasonal Treasury

A beautiful collection of poems, songs, finger games, crafts, and recipes.
Written by Betty Jones.

I recently received an email from Betty Jones telling me that she will be releasing a new edition of her book, “A Child's Seasonal Treasury”. Although it is hard to believe she can improve on such a gem, she has shared with me that there will be much more of her own writing and illustrations, more recipes and hands-on activities, nature-based within the seasons and elemental beings bringing joy in learning the "3 R's" for the young child: RHYTHM, RHYME & ROMP!

Her original book was filled with a charming collection of poems, songs, finger games, crafts, and recipes. There were hundreds of ways to incorporate the seasons in children’s play, all gleaned from the author’s many years spent as a Waldorf teacher.

It captured the sweetness of an old-fashioned childhood, the songs, plays, natural materials, and wholesome foods encouraging a lifetime of wonderful memories, enhanced by delicate line drawings.

There are times when we are far too busy to fully appreciate the cycle of nature and the changing of the seasons. We forget to celebrate the green leaves and flowers of spring, the sun of summer, the colors of fall, and the stark beauty of winter.

In this extensive book children and their grownups will find lots of ways to get back in touch with their environment though verse, song, riddles, games, crafts, and cooking.

The author begins with an exploration of “All Year Round” and then she goes on to examine each of the seasons in detail. For the section about autumn for example she has found apple and harvest songs to sing, a “Woodchoppers” creative movement activity, a pin the nose on a Jack-o’-lantern activity, a corn husk making activity, candied apple making, and more.

Grown-ups who find themselves thinking “what should we do now?” will find this book to be invaluable. Throughout the book the author makes suggestions and offers tips on how to make using this book more enjoyable and more fulfilling for everyone involved. Through the songs, poems and activities children will find themselves becoming more connected with the natural world around them and they will do so in a meaningful way.

This treasure was originally written with Waldorf parents in mind, but I have found that not only was it a beautiful gift for families with young children, but it also proved to be an invaluable asset to all home schools and classroom teachers making it an essential addition to all parental libraries.

As many of you who have recently tried to find a copy of the first release, it can be an daunting task so, I find myself look forward to this new addition with the eager anticipation of a child awaiting a long desired toy or a mother of the arrival of her new baby.

For that reason I have chosen to place on my home page, as well as my parental links page, the announcement of this coming new release. I truly believe that not only Waldorf, but also Montessori, home-school, charter school organizations and all other like minded parents, will not only find joy in the new release, but also find pleasure in sharing the contents with their children, creating many memorable moments.

Footnote: (some of the above information I gleaned from several reviews of her original release, but much of the rest of what is written is based on my feelings entirely.)

We will update as we learn more information.

MAY is Creative Beginnings Month

Encourage your child to explore their creativity.
Write a poem, plant a garden, paint, weave friendship bracelets, learn to knit or crochet, learn to do hand shadows…
has long as imagination lives, creativity thrives.

Example of Some Hand Shadows

Click on pictures to Enlarge

Click here to go to more Hand Shadows

Click here to find this craft and many others in a PDF file format

Have fun!