The Great Holiday Give Day Two: One More Acorn

One More Acorn
Don Freeman ~ Roy Freeman
Viking, 2010

Here we have a vintage book that is not a reissue but rather an original that has been unpublished since it was written, oh so many years ago. Those of you longtime readers might remember that a year or so back we did a week of Don Freeman, author and illustrator of the classic Corduroy... the centerpiece of which was thoughts and observations of life with Don by his son Roy (to read the full series of posts, start here). He told us then that he had a collaboration with his father in the works, and this fall, it was finally released. When Don passed away in 1978, Roy was left with all his father's manuscripts and archives and among them was a story about a squirrel in Washington, D.C that Don had begun work on in the 1960s.

Early one morning in the city of Washington, D.C., a lively gray squirrel named Earl looked out of his tree house door and blinked his eyes. Winter would soon be here, and Earl knew it was time to go and find the acorns he had stored away last summer.

It's a beautiful story of family and a lovely portrait of America's capitol (that on this election day is indeed in need of some peace, happiness and love). Some of the story and art were unfinished, so Roy worked with Joy Peskin at Viking and an artist named Jody Wheeler to create words and images that could finish the book and create this unique collaboration between father and son. I can't even imagine how gratifying this project must have been for Roy. I know as readers, we are so lucky to have this never before seen piece of Don back.

To be entered to win a copy of this book signed by Roy Freeman, simply comment on this post by 11:59 PM Sunday, November 9. The winner will be announced (along with all the other winners from the week) on Monday, November 10. The Great Holiday Give will last all week, so be sure and check back each day to find out about a new vintage reprint and enter to win a different book. This book was sent to me by Roy to giveaway, but I don't think I need to tell you that this in no way educated my opinion of Don and his awesomeness.

Have fun and good luck.

The Great Holiday Give Day One: The Day the Cow Sneezed

The Great Holiday Give Day Three: The Christmas Cookie Sprinkle Snitcher by Robert Kraus and Vip

The Great Holiday Give Day Four: A Long Piece of String by William Wondriska

The Great Holiday Give Day Five: Mud Pies and Other Recipes by Majorie Winslow and Erik Blegvad

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