Summer's the perfect time for a fairy tale wedding. I was amazed to find, never having seen a book about weddings for children, that there were so many new titles. So here come the books!
New in board book form is the most famous of all poetry weddings, Edward Lear's The Owl and the Pussycat (Putnam, $7.95; ages 0-5) illustrated by one of children's favorite illustrators, Jan Brett. This romantic couple sail through beautiful Caribbean scenes, but romance takes back seat to the rollicking rhythms and sense of ridiculous enjoyed by everyone from babies up.
John Stadler builds a silly romantic story in The Cats of Mrs. Calamari (Orchard, $15.95; ages 4-8) Mrs. Calamari moves into her new apartment with countless cats and when she opens the door to her new landlord Mr. Gangplank, he instantly expresses his distaste for felines. He also tells her that he's misplaced her glasses. The two human spend time together in the midst of Mrs. Calamari's relatives (cats) and odd statuary (also cats). Eventually the two fall in love and despite differences of animal preferences, marry with cats in attendance and acceptance.
Gary Soto's Snapshots from the Wedding (Putnam, $15.95; ages 4-7) is a flower girl's perspective on a wonderful Mexican wedding. She takes us through the ceremony to the reception where she pushes black olives on her fingers, dances to the mariachis, and falls asleep with mole on her chin. This book is a wonderful blend of themes that run through every wedding, customs specific to a Mexican wedding, and one small girl's experience. Stephanie Garcia's illustrations are colorful and detailed combos of found objects and Sculpy modeling.
Kathleen Leverich has a new four book series called Flower Girls, each separate title named after one of four best friends: Violet, Daisy, Heather and Rose (all from HarperCollins, $3.95; ages 6-9). These girls, not only have flower names, but each is a flower girl at a wedding, and every one has some problem to contend with. Shy Violet is to be in a punk-rock wedding; popular Daisy must share center-stage with her talented singing cousins; Rose is worried that her mother won't need her after remarriage, and Heather forgets her friends for a time. These are short first chapter books that have the thrill of wedding, but it's not just fluff, Leverich creates real characters who care for each other and face difficulties real enough to make you care about them.
Eileen Spinelli writes a sequel to Lizzie Logan Wears Purple when Lizzie Logan Gets Married (Simon and Schuster, $15.00; ages 6-9). The story is told by Heather, two years Lizzie's junior, and also invited to be in the wedding. Lizzie is a young eccentric who treats Heather's wart with a mushroom/olive cure and turns a football helmet into a wedding creation to deal with Heather's bat fear. Spinelli specializes in characters who are original and fascinating, but there's a feeling level amidst the fun. Lizzie's father has deserted early in life and Lizzie longs for a new father. This and other feelings and fears are given a light touch. Humor and characters definitely walk down the aisle first.
A treasured gift for young flower girls is Caroline Plaisted's I'm in the Wedding Too: A Complete Guide for Flower Girls and Junior Bridesmaids ((Dutton, $13.99; ages 5 and up). This is part guide, part journal and part scrapbook. It begins with defining people in a wedding; tells the specifics of the flower girl role before, during and after; and discusses difficulties and every small phase of preparation. There are also journaling places to describe dress, hairstyle, other attendants, the rehearsal, and even suggestions about thank you letters to write. Throughout there are darling illustrations and plenty of places to put your own photos and drawings.