Books with author Mary Azarian

Revealing the variety of life underground, the bright comfort of a greenhouse on a winter’s day, or the anticipation of starting seeds indoors in early spring, this striking alphabet book celebrates the simple joys of gardening. Without neglecting the frustrations—the nibbling critters and the toil—or wry, humorous moments spent in the garden. Mary Azarian’s spare words and lovely woodcuts capture the essence of turning a bare plot of ground into fragrant flowers and lush vegetables and trees. Her depictions of insects, manure, and compost piles are as delightful as her fountains, pumpkins, and Queen Anne’s lace. Whether we are young or old, our gardens both exhaust and renew us. They are our source of magic and wonder and perhaps our best way to live closer to the land and to the rhythm of the seasons.

We have entered an age where microbreweries are in the mainstream, producing experimental amber nectars to the taste (and sometimes distaste) of all palates. Using flavors as diverse as chocolate, grapefruit, mint, and more, brewers push the boundaries of what it means to make a beer. Online groups exist to trade rare brews from coast to coast and country to country (Pliny the Elder, Heady Topper, anyone?), but here, Mary Azarian, with her characteristically charming woodcuts, takes us back to a simpler time where fifteenth-century households produced up to two hundred gallons of beer and ale a month. Seen as a nutritional necessity, this beer came from grain and fresh spring water, and was primarily brewed by women. The Ballad of John Barleycorn is still sung in England today, personifying the spirit of the grain, the essential component of beer-making. From planting, harvesting, brewing, and celebrating, this ballad covers the process of beer-making. Including a four-ingredient recipe, this book reminds us that sometimes the simplest way is best.

Before she became a Caldecott medalist, Mary Azarian was a teacher in one of Vermont s last one-room schoolhouses. In the late 1970s, the state board of education commissioned her to create a farmer s alphabet, a series of bold red-and-black woodcut prints featuring the 26 letters, A to Z, and depicting scenes from Vermont life. Now gathered in book form, printed in two colors on beautiful paper, these striking woodcuts give us a child s-eye view of rural New England from Apple, Barn, and Cow to aX, Yawn, and Zinnia a homey, large-as-life world that readers of every age will want to inhabit. No M for McDonalds in Azarian's world: only Maple Sugar.One of our most popular titles, the striking woodcuts of this big, bold alphabet book, printed in two colors on beautiful paper, are a felicitous introduction to letters as well as to the charms of simple country life.

Eleven-year-old Chris and ten-year olds Skeet and Gail are enthusiastic collectors. With equal avidity they collect animals and rare stamps. When their eccentric neighbor, Mr. Doolittle, appears to be the victim of a stamp theft at the same time their white opossum is stolen, the kids turn to sleuthing. "A lively mystery which imparts much incidental information on the hobby and science of stamp collecting. No gore, just good fun and excitement." -- Kirkus