Reading in 2012

So if you spend much time at this blog, you know I really enjoy reading.  In 2011 much of my reading was the Bible, and from the birth of my baby on my Bible reading was done during nighttime feedings.  When choosing books for review (provided by a publisher at no cost to me) I chose books I thought I would really enjoy, and for the most part I did.  This year I will likely review for publishers even less as my time is more limited these days with three children.  (But don't hold your breath...)  At the same time I have bunches of books on my shelves (or in a stack) that I would like to read.

Throughout the year, I will be participating in the Reading to Know Book Club.   You can read about the book I picked for November here.  I have already begun the January selection...it's good, but not a quick read!

Also in January, I will participate in the Lucy Maud Montgomery reading challenge also hosted by Reading to Know.  I will share this picture book with my daughter.  I was delighted to find it used!  We also recorded a black and white version of Anne that I intend to watch along with the Megan Follows version that I now own on dvd.

In February I will participate in the Laura Ingalls Wilder reading challenge hosted by Stray Thoughts.  I will read a children's picture-book-style biography with my daughter.  We listened to all of the Little House books, several more than once and my five year old loves them.

It's possible that in July I will read for the Narnia reading challenge, but July tends to be rather intense for me. We'll see.

In October I will thoroughly enjoy the Maud Hart Lovelace reading challenge hosted by A Library is a Hospital for the Mind.  I got the Betsy-Tacy Treasury for Christmas, you know!  (Below I'm showing it to my daughter.)  I'd like to read more of her non-Betsy-Tacy works, too.

You can laugh at the pajamas...but respect the book!

Does anyone know of a Louisa May Alcott reading challenge?  I got her biography for Christmas and want to read more of her works, too.
I will be taking my Bible reading slowly this year and look to learn and grow (unlike last year when I read the whole Bible).  I can't wait to read Unbroken.  It seems to be everyone's favorite book of the year for those who read it last year.  Based on Carrie's review, I also want to read Lit! A Christian Guide to Reading Books  Another popular book, it seems, was Entwined.  So those books and some from my shelves and just a handful of well-selected reviews.

Great Books Read in 2011

Last year I began Net's Book Nook just as a place for me to document the books that I read and listen to throughout the year.  You can go there for a more complete book list.  I read over 30 books, including the ENTIRE BIBLE.

Many of the books I read were very good, but here are the great books that I highly recommend.  Each link is to my thoughts on the book.

Words: A Novel by Ginny Yttrup

Words was an incredible read.  A ten year old girl no longer speaks because of horrific abuse, but she collects words.  A woman meets the girl and both are changed...

Emily of Deep Valley by Maud Hart Lovelace

Emily of Deep Valley is definitely one of my all-time favorite books.  Just go read it.  It's so good.

Pearl in the Sand by Tessa Afshar

Pearl in the Sand was incredible.  It is a fictionalized story of Rahab.  I thought Tessa Afshar's writing was seasoned, though it was her first book.  I really loved it, and it made me think a bit more about biblical fiction-something that can be done well (like this) or not so well...

God's Priorities for Today's Woman by Lisa Hughes

God's Priorities for Today's Woman is a must-read for Christian women, but be prepared to be convicted!

Betsy's Wedding by Maud Hart Lovelace

Well, I am a Maud Hart Lovelace fan, right?  Betsy's Wedding was the perfect ending to the Betsy-Tacy series.

Don't Make Me Count to Three by Ginger Plowman

Don't Make Me Count to Three gave me great ideas in this crazy thing called parenting to help focus on heart attitude/behavior.  I will be re-reading this one!

Love Finds You in Annapolis, Maryland by Roseanna White

Colonial Maryland.  A book I couldn't put down.  A well-written, not-your-standard-romance!

The Bible (NIV, 1984)

That's right.  I read the whole Bible (with a few days to spare) in 2011!  You can read about my experience here.

I listened to some INCREDIBLE audio books this year, too.  Some were so good that I feel compelled to read them for myself though I already know the story!  (Click the link to see the titles.  If you haven't read them yet...go find them!)


Knowing my favorites (including audio favorites), do you have any reading suggestions for this coming year?? Please share!

Book Club!

I have never had the privilege of being in a book club.   However, I greatly appreciate others' recommendations and especially like to hear what others think about a book I read-whether I enjoyed it or not.

A while back I was invited by Carrie at Reading to Know to choose a book for the Reading to Know Book Club!  This is a new venture for Reading to Know, but the twelve books chosen for the year of 2012 look fabulous.  Nonfiction and fiction.  Books I hadn't heard of, but have fabulous reviews and sound great.  Others I have always wanted to read or read long ago.  So exciting!


I had the toughest time choosing a book.  I didn't want to pick a book that everyone has read (including me), even if I love it.  (Little Women, To Kill a Mockingbird -linked to thoughts, The Help, The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society to name a few.)  I also didn't want a book that would be too heavy (though deep is okay) of a read...and I was hoping it would be accessible easily in libraries.  I finally decided on a book that I have wanted to read since before it was published.  It has fabulous reviews.  It's based on my favorite book of the Bible.  The author is new to me, but I have been reading and enjoying her blog for over a year now.  I love how she puts so much thought and work into the research for her historical fiction!


In the month of November, the book club will be reading Jewel of Persia, written by Roseanna White.  I was thrilled to pick it out, even if it's not easily available through libraries...and hope people are intrigued enough to find/buy a copy.  My own library does not have it, but I have recently requested it.  I suspect I will buy a copy for myself, as well, though I rarely buy fiction (unless it is children's).  (You know requesting your book store or library to get a book is a great way for you to support an author, right??)


Check out this line-up! 
January - Beyond Opinion, by Ravi Zacharias. Selected by Sky.


February - Running Away to Home, by Jennifer Wilson. Selected by *Carrie* at With All That I've Been Given.


March - The Pilgrim's Progress, by John Bunyan. Selected by Shonya at Learning How Much I Don't Know.


April - Any title by P.G. Wodehouse of your choosing (selected by Tim at Diary of an Autodidact) Just choose one. Especially if you've never read Wodehouse before. (Carrie is happy to make suggestions if you need some.)


May - The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, by Mark Twain. Selected by Amy at Hope is in the Word.


June - A Girl of the Limberlost, by Gene Stratton Porter. Selected by Stephanie at Simple Things.


July - Any book in the Chronicles of Narnia series (as part of the Chronicles of Narnia Reading Challenge hosted annually at Reading to Know) (Again, just choose one. And make the most of it!)



August - The Girl Who Circumnavigated Fairyland in a Ship of Her Own Making, by Catherynne M. Valente. Selected by Bluerose at Bluerose's Heart.


September - Professionalizing Motherhood, by Jill Savage. Selected by Stephanie at Stephanie's Mommy Brain.


October - Uncle Tom's Cabin, by Harriet Beecher Stowe. Selected by Barbara H. at Stray Thoughts.


November - Jewel of Persia, by Roseanna White. Selected by Annette at Live, Learn, Love.


December - A Christmas Carol, by Charles Dickens. Selected by Carrie

Want to join the book fun?  The more the merrier!  Check out the book club Q and A.  I appreciate that we don't need to commit to reading all of the books, though I hope to be able to do so.  Hope you'll read along with us!

What Books Do You Dream Of?

Independence and Liberty Preschool Crafts

Last year we made an American flag preschool craft to celebrate Independence Day.  It turned out great, and my daughter still loves to show us American flags!  (Click link to read the details.)

Image from statueofliberty.com

This July we will be focusing more on the Statue of Liberty.  We love to read books about her and learn about the SoL.  This summer we will also be visiting some family in NYC and seeing the Statue of Liberty (though probably from a distance).  I found some fabulous printables for preschoolers.  See the dot to dot, information, and more (especially for older children) and the Statue of Liberty coloring page.  

For books, we recommend The Story of the Statue of Liberty, but our favorite book of our own is The Statue of Liberty (Step into Reading Step 1).  I would like to add L is for Liberty to our collection, too.

Do you have any tips for a short visit to NYC?  Any crafts to reinforce what we'll see and do?  Any book recommendations?

Read Alouds: Berenstain Bears

On our most recent trip to the local library, there was quite the display of Berenstain Bear books (and videos).  My children were immediately filling our bag with the books.  Actually, E (age 2) found a book that he decided would be better to hold onto instead of placing in the bag (the Big Road Race, as seen below).  At one point I told M that if she wanted another BB book, she would need to trade it for one we already had in the bag so we could leave a selection for other children.

I really like Berenstain Bear books because Stan and Jan (and sometimes Mike) Berenstain know children and families so well!  My daughter, especially, seems to relate well with the problems the Bear cubs face.


The Berenstain Bear and the Big Road Race tells of four big, fast cars in a race.  Brother is also in the race in a little red car that just says, "Putt, putt, putt" instead of roaring and growling like the other engines.  Despite being the slowest car, Little Red finishes the race...in first place, of course.  Being that my son does not know colors yet, I liked how each car was a different color...and each driver had a different problem (like bragging or hunger) that allowed Little Red to persevere.

The Berenstain Bears Love Their Neighbors tells all about how nice of a community the bears have...except for the Bogg brothers.  However, when it comes down to the Bears needing help, it's the Bogg brothers who come to the rescue.  The Bear family quickly realizes their mistake, and invite them over to dinner.  This title is part of the Living Lights series (published by Zonderkidz) with a Christian message, though anyone can enjoy this book.

Bears in the Night is a perfect book for a beginning reader!  The story is extremely simple in language, but rather amusing to read!  Though it does not use complete sentences, I really enjoy this book.  The repetitive nature is effective and great for that beginning reader!  My daughter read this book with almost no help!

Seven bear cubs are in one bed.  They hear a noise outside and decide to investigate...and sneak outside.
"Out of bed
To the window
At the window
Out the window
Down the tree
Over the wall..."
Personally, this may have been my favorite Berenstain book of the day, but that's probably because my daughter was able to read it to me.  Success is a wonderful thing, you know!  I just wish the bears looked like themselves instead of rats in the book.

The Bear cubs even get into some serious mystery solving in The Berenstain Bears and the Missing Dinosaur Bone.  Three cubs and their dog, Snuff, are the Bear Detectives, helping find the missing dino bone before the Bear Museum opens for the special showing.  Like Bears in the Night, it is also a Beginner Book, but not nearly as simple in language and text.  Still a fun book though!

These were all enjoyable to read.  It was a little Berenstain Bear book party!  hehe!

I'm linking up over at Hope is the Word today!  Check it out for additional read alouds of various kinds!

Book Party!

Now that summer is almost here and my daughter will be home from preschool, we will looking for EASY ways to fill our days.  When it's too much of the same thing, the children bicker and fight.  (Okay, they fight daily, but monotony makes all of us that much crankier.)

One way I love to have some fun with the kids is with a book party.  I gather up lots of books, and even have the children bring some, too.  We put the books into a pile.  Then the children take turns picking books!  A book party also encourages me to read lots of the library books at one time to the children.  (We tend to take so many out at once that I sometimes a book or two get ignored before our next trip to the library.)

Our first book party was in April of 2009.

Sometimes we get lots of pillows and sit on my bed surrounded by books.  Other times, we pile the books on the living room floor and relax on the couch.  Either way, it's enjoyable and just by calling it a party makes it fun.

You could even take it a step farther and have a special treat.  (We don't typically do this, but this summer we will, but not every time.)  Creating bookmarks is a really easy and fun craft.  I just cut some paper or cardstock to size and let the kids "at it" with markers and stickers.

A book party only lasts as long as there is interest.  Sometimes we only get through three books, but other times we read many, many books.  I hope you consider your own book party!

(If your first book party isn't full of books and reading, don't be discouraged.  For our first book party, we read a book or two, and then a diaper desperately needed to be changed.  Once that happened interest was lost, but we have had many successful parties since then.)

Writing Names in Children's Books

We have lots of children's books.  Some of the books are from my childhood or my years of teaching.  Others have been given to us or picked up second-hand.  We've been blessed to get plenty for review purposes, too.

My question is this.  Do you write your child's name-or the family's last name in their books?  What about books you give as gifts?

I've noticed a pattern...I love when people write in books they give as a gift, but I rarely do it...and I try to give books for baby showers and Christmas gifts and such.  I rarely write in books for my own kids or for others.

What's your opinion on writing names in children's books?

(If I loan out a copy of one of my own books, I typically put an address label in it in hopes of its safe return to me.)

The photo below is completely unrelated.  For three summers we had hay and corn in the field behind our home (since we moved in 2008).  Our neighbors have changed it to a pasture for their small herd of cows this year.  So now we have this beautiful view!  (The corn and hay was rather nice, too, and especially enjoyable to watch them work the horses in the fields.)  The cows are very friendly and all lined up to see us when we went to get a close look. 

 Of course with a great view like this, there is a minor drawback.  We now have a bit more of the "farm smell."  I'm hoping it doesn't draw too many flies to our home.

When to Give Books?

So I'm looking for some opinions here.  M turns five years old in October.  I adore the Betsy-Tacy books by Maud Hart Lovelace.  She will not be capable of reading Betsy-Tacy yet, but the girls are also 5.  Would you give it when she can read it independently or when it can be a read aloud?

I have the same question for the box set of Little House on the Prairie.  She loves this series, but is familiar with them because we listen to audio CD's in the car.

My initial thought is to hold off on Little House, but to go ahead with Betsy-Tacy...and then give her one book each year.  Of course, this could backfire a bit if we were to have another little girl in the future.  Most of our books are considered to belong to the family, though each child has many books in their bedroom.

What would you do and why?  Thanks!

Book Light?

Thanks to you, Readers, I have a little bit of money to spend at Amazon for the purchases that you have made through the Amazon links!  Thank you!  Instead of getting a book for myself, I was thinking of something that I have been wanting for quite some time.

I have been thinking about restless nights when I don't want to get out of bed or disturb my husband by reading. I came upon the idea of the BookWedge book light.  It comes in two versions-original and paperback.  I love the idea of the BookWedge, but am curious if anyone out there has a recommendation for a book light whether this one or something different.

Of course, one of my friends uses a head lamp to read at night.  I'd rather not since I don't already have one.  Otherwise I'd give it a try.

I'd love to hear your thoughts!

Read Aloud Thursday

I'm having lots of fun sharing a few of the books we are reading each week.  I'm going to try to do it on a regular basis and hope my readers enjoy it.

We read another "chapter" book last week by Arnold Lobel.  We read the ever-popular Frog and Toad Are Friends!  Frog is a real sweetheart, I think.  Toad is a bit more...moody?  But combined they make a great pair, and work through their little problems.  We'll be checking out all the Lobel books that our library has!  M is totally enjoying chapter books.  I do think illustrations are still important for her though.

We have a nice set of Winnie the Pooh's Thinking Spot Series.  (According to the price tags, they were just $1.50 each at the Five Below store!)  M tends to choose these books by color, and requests the purple spines most frequently.  She really enjoyed How Did You Make That Web?  This book is not just about spiders, but about how different animals build homes with things they find like paper, twigs, or even sand.  Some animals highlighted are spiders, mice, birds, and ants.  I could not find an age recommendation, but I would guess 3-7.  They don't go too deep, but they are perfect for us to explore science a bit more!  (Each book also has an activity to do at the end.)  M likes to read about the familiar characters while learning.

We read another (very short) chapter book called Henry and Mudge and the Snowman Plan.  This series was quite popular with my first graders, but this was the first Henry and Mudge book I have read.  Henry and his dad enter a snowman contest and use family life as inspiration.  (Mudge is the family dog.)  I'm sure we'll read more of these books, but I didn't find it particularly exciting, though M did enjoy it.  This is a good read-in-one-sitting chapter book...and more like a picture book than a chapter book.

We also completed a colorful coffee filter snowflakes after reading the Snowman Plan.

Check out more Read-Aloud Thursday entries too!