Once Upon a Wardrobe by Patti Callahan*

 Megs's little brother, George, was born with a weak heart. He may not live beyond his eight years. A new book, The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe has captured his imagination. When he asks Megs where she thinks the idea of Narnia orginates and if she can ask C.S. Lewis himself, Megs knows she needs to gather up her courage and track down the English tutor. To her surprise, instead of answering her question directly, Lewis begins to tell her stories of his life, which writes down in a notebook so she can relate them to George. Initially her mathematical brain is frustrated with this approach, but gradually, his stories transform her and the way she perceives life.

I loved indirectly learning about C.S. Lewis's life.

Beautifully written.

I cringed when Megs replies "or herself" when C.S. Lewis says, "God, Himself". Otherwise, I highly recommend this thought-provoking book that I could reread.

After reading this book, I want to read more books by George MacDonald!

-Borrowed from the library.

Turning of Days: Lesson from Nature, Season, and Spirit by Hannah Anderson illustrated by Nathan Anderson

Mrs. Anderson leads the reader through the seasons, observing God's truths in His Creation. Many scripture passages are included at the end of each reading for further exploration and mediation. Mrs. Anderson is a talented writer. At the end of the book, she offers advice how to observe God's creation in a meaningful manner. 

As I read, I felt that a new Christian could misinterpret the author's intentions and seek God only in creation (or worship the created, not the Creator), not in Scripture (Ms. Anderson, however, backed up all of her writings/observations/conclusions with Scripture). 

Unfortunately, since I borrowed this book via inter-library loan and it was due soon, I had to read this book quickly. This book is made to be savored.

-Borrowed via inter-library loan.

Jan Brett's The Nutcracker*

 Ms. Brett's borders add depth to the story (of course!). I liked how by the end the animal musicians were part of the main illustrations, no longer in the border.

Marie loves the Nutcracker her uncle gives her on Christmas. When she wakes up to check on him, she is transported to a magical land for an adventure.

Setting is in Russia, which adds a layer of uniqueness and beauty. Readers will expand their vocabulary too. I had to look up musical terms and Russian/Italian related words.

*Highly recommend.

-Borrowed from the library.

The Legend of Old Befana by Tomie DePaola

 Mr. DePaola relates the legend of Old Befana and how she began visiting the children of Italy, searching for the Christ Child.

-Borrowed from the library.

The Swallows' Flight by Hilary McKay*

 This book is one of the best middle grade novels I have read in a long time! Ms. McKay creates interesting, credible characters with distinct personalities and stories. The reader is introduced to the British girls, Ruby and Kate, when they are first born, and the German boys, Erik and Hans, when they are ten-years-old, and experience their lives into adulthood. These four main characters are living life after World War I and during World War II. 

Ms. McKay adroitly weaves together many families and their stories. She even includes a scrapyard dog and how he impacts the characters' stories! I am thankful that Ms. McKay included family trees because without the family tree, I would have been confused at points. The chapters alternate the points of view.

Ms. McKay is a superb writer. She also included aspects of WWII that I have never considered or have learned. Although this marketed as a middle grade novel, I think junior high and even high school (although they may cringe at reading "middle grade novel") would enjoy this book immensely. 

*Highly recommend.

A previous novel, The Skylarks' War, includes some members of the family in this novel. The Skylarks' War takes place during WWI. Unfortunately, my county library system only has a digital. 

Warning:  The grandfather, Charles Penrose, likes his whiskey and is probably an alcoholic. Kate's brother, Charlie, grabs alchohol on Christmas and becomes drunk, grandfather Charles gives Ruby some of his alcohol when she is having night terrors, which promptly puts her to sleep, Will and his friend drown kittens, some characters die.

Cold Sassy Tree by Olive Ann Burns

 Told from the perspective of fourteen-year-old Will Tweedy, readers find themselves captived by southern small-town life. When his grandfather marries Love Simpson, a young Yankee, only three weeks after his wife's death, the town and his family is appalled. Gossip abounds. Will also navigates growing up amidst this excitement. 

I loved this story! Will was a likeable narrator. The author, Ms. Burns, develops each of the characters well and brings southern life in 1906 to life. 

To consider: Will lusts after Ms. Simpson at points (but distracts himself by making a camping list!), he observes heavy kissing and his grandfather lying with Ms. Simpson, one of the main characters shares that she was raped as a twelve-year-old by her father, Will makes up a story about his aunt nursing a pig to stimulate her milk production, Will seems to like lady's chests and mentions how he tries to see them when they are nursing their babies, a couple of deaths, a suicide, blacks are treated less (which is accurate for that time period)

Christina Rossetti text set

 Inspired by Tomie DePaola's newest book, Christina's Carol, I decided to feature Christina Rossetti at our December Poetry Pie. I provided the books below, but the boys mostly read poems from Sing a Song a Season. I read poems from the Penguin Classic Christina Rossetti-The Complete Poems. She is famous for her poem "The Goblin Market". I, however, did not care for it and did not share it with the boys. 

1. Bloomsbury Poetry Classics-Christina Rossetti Selected Poems 

-Borrowed from the library.

2. Penguin Classics-Christina Rossetti The Complete Poems    I read from the section Sing Song: A Nursery Rhyme Book and also from Feasts and Fast (poems about Christmas). One of the poems you could turn the lines into riddles. Very fun!

-Borrowed from the library.

3. Blooming Beneath the Sun art by Ashley Bryan 

The only picture book I could find that features her poems. Mr. Bryan illustrated each poem with construction paper collage! Stunning. I also liked the brief biography about Ms. Rossetti included at the end. 

-Borrowed from the library.

4. The Victorian Fairy Tale Book -edited by Michael Patrick Hearn

I displayed this book simply because Christina's brother, Dante Gabriel Rossetti,  illustrated "The Goblin Market" in this anthology. I wanted to show the boys how artistic the Rossetti family was. Only two illustrations were included. We did not read "The Goblin Market".

-Borrowed from the library.

5. Sing a Song of Seasons-A Nature Poem for Each Day of the Year selected by Fiona Waters illustrated by Frann Preston-Gannon *Highly recommend.  I own this book (one of my favorite poetry anthologies!).

Out of all of the poets featured, Ms. Waters included more of Rossetti's poems than any other poet! 

The Christmas Feast by Nathalie Dargent illustrated by Magali Le Huche*

 Originally published in France, Le Festin de Noel

Fox steals a turkey to contribute to the Christmas feast wolf, weasel and he are planning. To his surprise, the turkey is quite demanding and transforms their burrow . . .for many years.

Humorous! My favorite illustration is the one right before the end pages.

Pair with My Lucky Day by Keiko Kasza.

-Borrowed from the library.

Gold by Moonlight by Amy Carmichael

 Lessons for Walking through Pain

Many months ago I bought this book and started reading it slowly, one entry per day. A couple of my friends are enduring intense, relentless pain that defies treatment. By reading this book, I was able to pray for them in ways unknown to me months earlier. To be honest, the old-fashion word choice,  superannuated references to literature, and sentence structure challenged me at times.  When I doubted I was understanding its message, God would provide an image in nature or a random thought that was anchored in the reading. I am most thankful for the insight it provided on how to pray for those who are in pain.

Ms. Carmichael takes photographs (very grainy compared to our modern photography!) of nature and connects them to truths about God and His Word as a person experiencing pain.

-I own this book.

One Smart Sheep by Gary D. Schmidt & Elizabeth Stickney illustrated by Jane Manning

 Mr. Schmidt and his late-wife, Elizabeth, wrote this book together before she passed away.

Abigail Atwood is a sheep farmer who loves the quiet. Her neighbor, Jeremiah Jefferson, loves to tinker. . .which produces noise. He also thinks sheep are rather stupid. When Wilson, the friendliest, wooliest and smartest sheep escapes, Abigail and Jeremiah join forces to find him and to bring him home.

The short chapters with full-page illustrations will appeal to transitional readers who are building stamina and confidence.

*Highly recommend for transitional or struggling readers. Toddlers and preschoolers who are advanced in their ability to listen to a story would love this book as a read aloud.

-Borrowed from the library.

The Country Diary of an Edwardian Lady by Edith Holden

 This nature journal was discovered after Ms. Holden's death. For the year of 1906 she recorded her observations of birds, flowers, plants, trees and fungi. She explored the countryside of Olton, Warwickshire by walking, cycling, and sometimes by train. She filled the pages with poetry that reflected the month, mottos for each month, and mostly with journal entries of her observations and beautiful illustrations. Sadly, she died at the age forty-nine when she reached for chestnut tree buds and drowned in the Thames River.

Reading this journal made me long to have the leisure time to walk outside each day with the intent of recording observations of God's marvelous creation!

-Borrowed from the library.

Tomie DePaola Christmas set

Read Aloud Revival celebrates Christmas by offering Christmas School! This year they have engaging activities to support the reading of the following books:

1. The Cat on the Dovrefell (my suggestion: pair with Jan Brett's Who's That Knocking on Christmas Eve?-a retelling of the same Norwegian tale. The author's two writing and illustrations differ greatly and provide the opportunity for a good discussion on their differences. The main story,however, is surprisingly the same!) *Highly recommend both books. 

2. Christmas Tree Book *highly recommend.

My son and I learned so many interesting facts about the tradition of Christmas trees. Especially appealing to me were the German tradition explanations. 

3. Christina's Carol -Tomie was in the middle of illustrating this picture book when he passed away. His publisher used various illustrations from his previous books to complete this book. RAR suggested identifying the books from where they pulled the illustrations. I plan to discuss the art term "medium" with my son when we read this book together. *Highly recommend because of the variety of art displayed  (and I love the poem/carol!).

4. Jingle The Christmas Clown-Jingle the little clown stays behind in a tiny Italian village that cannot pay the traveling circus for their annual Christmas show. Jingle remains behind so the little animals can rest. He brings much joy to the destitute villagers that Christmas Eve.

I own all of the books mentioned except for Who's That Knocking on Christmas Eve?

One Corpse Too Many by Ellis Peters

 England is enduring a civil war as two cousins battle for its throne. In Shrewsbury, Brother Cadfael encounters individuals from opposing sides and navigates how to interact and help them while maintaining his neurality. After Stephen, the cousin who has captured Shrewsbury, demands the massacre of his opponents in the town, one extra corpse lies in the pile of bodies. Brother Cadfael is convinced that the man has been murdered (not hanged/executed) and sets out to prove his theory.

An interesting read! Some of the terms were unfamiliar to me.  Part of a series (and a TV series has been based on these books). Book #2

-Borrowed from the library.

Here, There Be Dragons by James A. Owen*

The Chronicles of the Imaginarium Geographica

 Three men are summoned to one home in London. The man they are to meet has been murdered. Soon strange creatures are chasing them through London's streets. Then a man named Bert leads them on a dragon ship, which carries them into a unknown world.  The dark forces in this fanastical world dominate and affect the known world. The three men join forces to discover ancient stories and to defeat the evil impacting both worlds. Allusions to history and classical writers/stories abound.

Fast-paced with humor.

*Highly recommend.

Warning: a few swear words

Eight books in the series

-Borrowed from the library (but my local used bookstore had copy of it and the fourth one in the series so I bought them!)