5 Miserable Things

Plus, the winner of the first Moonbow Giveaway!

Back in the day, I used to curate a weekly list of recommendations and finds called “5 Things” for Glitter Guide. I miss having a place to share those random bits and bobs, and I decided I’d make a new version for Moonbow! I won’t send one every week; it will be random, much like the contents of this series. Sometimes it will be an assortment of things; other times, it will be dedicated to something special — like today’s “5 Miserable Things.”

I love to collect vintage children’s books despite the fact they give me horrible allergies. (Misery is aggressively sneezing every time you read your beloved old books!) The “Misery” books by Suzanne Heller are favorites in my collection. The first book in the series, Misery, was published in 1964, followed by More Misery (1965), Misery Loves Company (1967), and the anthology Misery for Everybody (1970). Heller’s evocative line drawings and tragically funny captions remind adults how terrible it can sometimes feel to be a kid, or in some cases, an adult:

“Misery is when you wear overalls and your straps fall in the toilet and you have to keep wearing them” is a hardship I endure monthly. 

These books may not be appropriate for all families, but I appreciate their unapologetic humor. Here’s a peek at five of my favorite spreads.

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Giveaway Winner!

Tiffany Lusteg is the winner of the first Moonbow giveaway! Thanks to everyone who sent me feedback about the newsletter. It’s so much fun connecting with this community.