Blueberry Girl by Neil Gaiman

"This is a prayer for a Blueberry Girl..." Neil Gaiman continues to impress me. This is so much unlike his previous books, but you see his essence in his word choices.

Saturday was a lovely day. The Farmers' Market makes for a festive atmosphere. There was a group perched on the berm above the market, surveying all who come and go. I had to join the gang for a bit of people-watching. I also had to grab a quart of strawberries for shortcake sometime this weekend. Now, it's Sunday evening and I've just about nibbled every strawberry. I've managed to save barely a cupful. Hoping to make biscuits in the morning. Will the strawberries survive?

I had to deal with a challenging customer yesterday. Every book I offered her was not good enough. And finally, after the thirtieth book, I gave up. I asked Mary to help, though it's impossible to suggest a book to someone who doesn't really know what she wants. Instead, I took a walk around the block. I stopped at Tosca Etc... (the new home of Marche Verte) and got some goodies so I didn't have to cook supper. A wise move. But when I returned to the store I saw Blueberry Girl on the shelf and wondered if she had opened that one.

But if she had read this lovely book she would have found a prayer, a blessing, a wish for that little girl whose party she was attending. A wish for her to be whatever she can possibly become. This book is destined to become the perfect book. Yes, yes, a graduation book, if you must. A book for a mature woman as well. But really, give this book to that tiniest of girls in your life. Read this to her over and over again. Let her know that the world is waiting for her. Let her know that you believe in her potential as much as she feels it.

Here's to the blueberry girl "her joys must be high as her sorrows are deep." Thank you Neil Gaiman for a truly gorgeous book. Check out the YouTube video and see if you don't agree.

Blueberry Girl by Neil Gaiman, Illustrator Charles Vess 2009-03 - Hardcover HarperCollins 9780060838089 $17.99