Linnets & Valerians: Week 1

Lion Tor, Three Bees, and Illustrations from Ch 1-3

First US edition with dust jacket of Linnets & Valerians by Elizabeth Goudge.

“Star of evening, bringing all things that bright dawn has scattered, you bring the sheep, you bring the goat, you bring the child back to its mother.”

Elizabeth Goudge, Linnets & Valerians

Welcome to our first week of discussions for our July Goudge Readalong, Linnets & Valerians!

I love that we Goudge readers can look for opportunities use these summer readalongs of children’s books to pass on our love of Goudge to the next generation. Years ago

James D. Witmer

and I read all of her children’s books aloud on our porch to our three kids (who are now teens and young adults), and I was always amazed how reading aloud created a new way for me to experience Goudge’s book. I got to see them through their eyes also in addition to my own.

(And I am thrilled to have my daughter

Anna Witmer

along again for our reading this summer!)

We will take a look today at some illustrations from chapters 1-3, look at what a “tor” is, and talk about Goudge’s animal protectors in this tale.

Lion Tor