Crime and Poetry by Amanda Flower

A Magical Bookshop Mystery
Bookshops and mysteries- one of my favorite combinations!
After living away from her grandmother (her only living relative) for twelve years, Violet returns because her grandmother says she is dying.  Her grandmother, Daisy, is perfectly healthy, but wants Violet to consider taking over the family bookshop.  Then her grandmother's boyfriend shows up in the driveway-strangled to death.  The main suspect-her Grandma Daisy.  Although Violet wants to leave her childhood home, she remains to clear her grandmother's name.
Magical books and a clever cat make this book extra fun to read!
I liked that there was no swearing or inappropriate scenes.
-Borrowed from the library.

The Book about Moomin, Mymble and Little My by Tove Jansson

English version by Sophie Hannah
This Finnish story has awesome cutaway pictures that lead to the next page/story sequence.
The story is in rhyme and a bit peculiar.
Moomintroll and Mymble set out to find Mymble's little sister Little My.  They enter strange lands and have adventures along the way.
-Borrowed from the library (one of the volunteers had visited Finland and bought this book while she was there.  Ms. Jansson was a popular children's writer who resided in Finland.).

King Arthur and His Knights of the Round Table by Roger Lancelyn Green

Mr. Green brings readers into the land of King Arthur, beginning from Arthur's birth through the Last Battle at Camlann. 
My eleven year old read this book to himself to support our study of this time period.
He really enjoyed it and placed it in the category of his "favorite books".
-Borrowed from the library.

The Legend of Saint Nicholas by Demi*

Beautiful cover and illustrations.
Out of the three St. Nicholas books my eight year read, this one contained the most information about this saint.

*Highly recommend.
-Borrowed from the library.

The Secret of St. Nicholas by Ellen Nibali illustrated by Lon Eric Craven*

This book about St. Nicholas will appeal to younger readers/listeners.  Most of the story line focuses on him helping three young ladies be able to afford their dowries.
My eight year old is reading three different books about St. Nicholas and comparing them.  This one contained the least amount of information.
*Highly recommend.
-Borrowed from the library.

Saint Nicholas by Ann Tompert illustrated by Michael Garland*

The life of St. Nicholas and miracles associated with him are told in a manner that will engage readers.
The illustrations are in mosaic form, a popular art form in Byzantine/Turkey during this time period.
My eight year old read this book to learn about St. Nicholas and compared it to two other books about him.
*Highly recommend.
-Borrowed from the library.

Becoming Bach by Tom Leonard

I was expecting more information about Bach's life by reading this book, however; I learned more about the atmosphere and environment in which he developed his love for music.   Beautiful illustrations.
Told in first person narration.
The reader will learn what the term "bach" means too!
-Borrowed from the library.

A Home in the Barn by Margaret Wise Brown illustrated by Jerry Pinkney

In verse form, Ms. Brown shows the animals enjoying the warmth of the barn during the late autumn and early winter months.
Very cozy!
I love, love the illustrations by Mr. Pinkney.  The barn layout, however, is quite old-fashion and quaint, not your typical modern barn or farm!
-Borrowed from the library.

Truth Stained Lies by Terri Blackstock

This book kept me reading well past my bedtime!
Very suspenseful.
When Jay finds his ex-wife dead, he is shocked to realize the police suspect him.  Soon he is in jail, separated from his son.  His three sisters and an former police officer realize that there is more to the case and pursue leads.  The clues aren't adding up until the one sister stumbles upon some evidence which reveals some shocking truths.
-Borrowed from the library.
#1 in a 3 book series (Moonlighters Series).

Maples in the Mist translated by Minfong Ho illustrated by Jean & Mou-sien Tseng

Beautiful poems written by poets living from 618-907 AD during the Tang Dynasty.
These poems celebrate nature and the senses.
-Borrowed from the library.

Byzantium The Lost Empire -DVD

Hosted by John Romer.
Viewers learn the history of the Byzantine Empire and view artifacts and sites.
My boys found Drive Thru History a lot more engaging!
We did not watch all of the episodes, just ones that interested us and supported our studies.
-Borrowed from the library.

Celtic Treasures retold by Jim Weiss

Audio CD
We listened to these short stories about the Celts.  A Celtic chief shares with St. Patrick various Celtic tales.

The stories are short but entertaining.

I Am by Michele Cushatt*

I first heard of Michele Cushatt when she shared her testimony on Focus on the Family.  Her words were so powerful that I shared the podcast with several friends.  One of these friends bought Mrs. Cushatt's devotional book for me.
A 60-Day Journey to Knowing Who You Are Because of Who He Is
Basically Mrs. Cushatt reveals to the reader, day by day, who he/she is in Christ. 
Scripture coupled with stories from her own life make this devotional powerful and personal.  I will be revisiting these devotionals to remind myself of His promises.
*Highly recommend.
-I own this book.

A Child's Treasury of Irish Rhymes Compiled by Alice Taylor illustrated by Nicola Emoe

I was looking for Irish poetry written for children and this was the only one the library system own! 

Delightful poems!

My sons (and their cousins) liked the poem titled, Mr. Nobody.

-Borrowed from the library.

An Edward Lear Alphabet illustrated by Carol Newsom

Sweet illustrations accompany Edward Lear's silly rhyming alphabet.
-Borrowed from the library.
Pair with A Was Once an Apple Pie illustrated by Suse MacDonald.

Laughable Limericks Compiled by Sara and John E. Brewton illustrated by Ingrid Fetz

A very comprehensive collection of limericks.
Organized by topic-Bugs, Bees & Birds; Crawlers, Croakers, & Creepers; Animals-Friendly and Tame; Animals-Not So Friendly and Tame; Laughs Anatomical etc.
There is even section about writing limericks and also a section of limericks you can sing!
Published in 1965 but still fun!
-Borrowed from the library.

St. Patrick The Irish Legend-DVD

We watched this DVD to support our study of the early church in Britain.  One of the saints we studied was St. Patrick.  This DVD brings the time period to life and also personalizes Patrick.
It begins when he is an adult missionary in Ireland but then flashes back to his youth.  Some of the events included were legends but it was great to be able to discuss what was true and what was legend. 
*Highly recommend.
-Borrowed from the library.
Warning: violence-a girl is almost sacrificed to the gods (forced onto an altar and bound;), Celtic raiders, Roman soldier invasion . . .all of these events are not graphic but detailed enough to be intense.
Not rated.

The Book of Pigericks by Arnold Lobel*

Mr. Lobel creates many limericks about pigs.
Humorous and fun!
*Highly recommend.
-Borrowed from the library.

Poetry Basics-Limericks by Valerie Bodden

Ms. Bodden offers a good overview of the history of the limericks and its form.
-Borrowed from the library.

Chanticleer and the Fox adapted and illustrated by Barbara Cooney*

Award winner- The Caldecott Medal
Adapted from Geoffrey Chaucer's Canterbury Tales
Chanticleer is a beautiful rooster surrounded by a flock of hens.  Life is good.  Then one day his vanity brings him trouble in the form of a flattering fox.
*Highly recommend.
-Borrowed from the library.

Write to Me by Cynthia Grady illustrated by Amiko Hirao

Letters from Japanese American Children to the Librarian They Left Behind
When her Japanese patrons are sent to prison camps, Clara Breed gives each child  penny postcards addressed to her with the instructions to write to her.   As a result, Miss Breed ends up corresponding with many Japanese children during their imprisonments and is able to visit them and give them books!
An inspiring story how one person who uses her gifts/passions to serve others makes a difference.
-Borrowed from the library.
Pair with Baseball Saved Us and Echo by Pam Munoz Ryan.