Four seasonal stories featuring Beti, her parents, and her baby brother Jac, who live in a round house They choose to live off the land and make everything they need to survive.
At times I felt disoriented because they are a modern family who is choosing to live without modern conveniences. Beti is fiesty and places herself into predicaments!
-Borrowed from the library.
In 1884 Barbara Baum and her family are leaving Burnt Cabins in PA and are traveling west to Mead's Crossing. Fortunately, her best friends,Trudy and Tess along with their mother and brother Philip are joining them on this adventure. Their fathers are already preparing the property. Jonas, Barbara's brother and Philip lead the mothers and daughters across the wilderness where they encounter dangerous and challenging circumstances.
The author immerses readers in this time period. Although the readers will learn a lot, the writing is not didactic The characters are credible. I read this book in one sitting. I would recommend having children learning about colonial America and colonial PA to read this book.
Garth William's illustrations are always a delight and a positive addition!
This book and Bread and Butter Indian are based on the author's husband's great-great-grandmother's journals.
*Highly recommend.
Pair with Laura Ingalls Wilder books
-Borrowed via ILL.
Recently divorced, Jeannie Light moves onto her divorce settlement land in VA intending to raise sheep on its rocky terrain. Then Charles, a man from Graves Mill whose property butts against hers, proposes she open up the old Baptist church. Soon she is immersing herself in the mountain community, studying scripture deeply, and watching God transform her and her eclectic Bible study group. Christ and His salvation are proclaimed throughout the memoir. Although I did not agree with a woman leading a church (she was a lay person, not an ordained minister/priest), I mostly concurred with the other theology.
An inspiring read!
*Highly recommend (but know a woman is leading/opening a church)
Apparently Graves Mill is a historical site now-https://madisonva.com/venues/graves-mill-historical-park/
-Borrowed via ILL.
In an old apartment building people from various cultures are cooking a favorite dish. An illustrated recipe is to the right of each narrative text page. All the individuals/families meet in their shared yard to feast upon their delicious creations.
The narrative text is sparse, so I am not sure how much this book will appeal to kids. I loved viewing the clever ways Ms. Sala depicted the culture and personality of each individual and family. As an adult who loves children's books, I found this book delightful. Ms. Sala's newer book, What's Cooking in Flowerville? : Recipes from Garden, Balcony, and Window Box appears to be wonderful. The library, however, does not own a copy.
-Borrowed from the library.
360+ Dishes for Parties, Picnics, and Potlucks
Over the last six weeks I have tried several recipes from this cookbook. My family liked almost every recipe. Our favorite one was Bacon-Colby Lasagna pg. 222. Other recipes tried- Breakfast Cookies, Peachy Dutch Pancakes, Baked Blueberry Pancakes, Maple Apple Baked Oatmeal, Ham & Broccoli Casserole, Cranberry Cake, Peanut Butter Pretzel Bars.
-Borrowed from the library.
When I saw Brandon Sanderson had written a picture book, I had to check it out since he is my oldest son's favorite author.
The words are certainly not very exciting or amazing, BUT, it is intentional (alas, the title!). The illustrations contradict the words. The author and illustrator had to work closely together to create this fun and clever book.
-Borrowed from the libray.
Barbara Baum longs for "a-little-girl-her-own-age" to move to the settlement of Burnt Cabins in Western PA. This longing is pronounced when her mother gives her bread and butter sprinkled with sugar to have a tea party with her "friends". Sitting at the large stump along the creek, Barbara carefully sets leaves and sticks as place settings for her party. The squirrel and chipmunk won't cooperate; her doll Ariminta slums over. Then she notices a pair of moccains across the creek. An Indian watches her. Instead of running away like her mother had instructed her, she offers him her slice of bread with butter and sugar. A secret friendship forms, which proves life-saving later in the story.
Based on accounts from the author's husband's great-great-grandmother! Readers are immersed into what life was like in the 1780s.
*Highly recommend. I am so glad my friend shared this title and its sequel with me. I had never heard of them.
-Borrowed via ILL (a used paperback copy is $90 on Amazon!)
People come from all over the county to eat Mr. Crum's food. When a persnickety customer sends his potatoes back three times because of their thickness and blandness, Mr. Crum decides to play a trick on him. He slices them superthin, fries them to a crisp, and loads them with salt. The customer loves them! Potato chips are born! This fictional tale is based on a true story. Potato chips may have been made before this incident, but Mr. Crum is credited to popularizing this favorite snack.
*Highly recommend.
-Borrowed from the library.
Readers will enjoy poetry while learning about the Great Horned Owl! Each stanza is a haiku packed with interesting facts. The illustrations are realistic and expressive (especially when the red fox launches an attack on an owlet!).
*Highly recommend.
-Borrowed via ILL.
A book that celebrates rocks and tries to connect rock searching to understanding oneself.
-Borrowed from the library.
The authors focus on holidays that utilize light in their celebrations. Featured holidays are: Diwali, Solstice, Christmas, Chanukah, Kwanzaa, Bodhi Day, & Lunar New Year. The family depicted for Christmas has two dads. Christ is mentioned on the pages featuring Christmas, but not as the Light of the whole world.
An overly inclusive book.
I did not care for the art. The end pages were beautiful, though.
-Borrowed from the library.
Beatrice Steele hides herself in the family's turret of Marsh House to pine after a man . . . or so she tells her family. Actually, she reads crime cases published in a newspaper, where Inspector Huxley writes about his latest cases. Week after week she writes to Sir Huxley, sharing her opinions and how to solve the cases. One big problem-in her township, Swampshire, England, it is unlady-like to solve murder cases. The Lady's Guide to Swampshire lists all acceptable behaviors for ladies. Solving murders is not one of them.
At an Annual Autumnal Ball presented by the family's neighbors and life-long friends, the Ashbrooks, Beatrice is able to prove her prowess in solving murder when two people die. A mysterious guest also joins her side in solving the case.
I found this novel amusing and entertaining with a fast-paced plot. Austen-like phrasing, themes, and characters are incorporated throughout the story, which make it delightful. I almost was ready to recommend it to teen girls until ---see warning-(these themes/inclusions did not occur until the last third of the novel).
Warning: one character is pregnant out of wedlock, one character is in love with another female, theme of "you be true to you" then everything will be fine, feminist themes
-Borrowed from the library.
Orginally published in 1944
My friend helped me remember this title-a favorite picture book of mine when I was in elementary school. I was thrilled to reread this book!
The Doe family is tired of living in their cramped apartment in the city. As their search for a home in the country, they come to the conclusion that they could buy land and build their own home. The story relates how the family clears the land and builds their home. At the end of the story, the family feasts and celebrates with friends who participated in their project. This book contains themes that I cherish-hard work, family, and celebrating.
I would love to purchase this book....currently, the only copy I can find on Amazon is $75!
*Highly recommend.
-Borrowed via ILL.
Ms. Rabei transforms Mr. de la Mare's simple yet picturesque poem into a humorous story. Her illustrations build and extend on the poem so young children will enjoy it. How wonderful to be able to share beautiful language with younger children!
A farm family sits down to enjoy an evening treat. Mr. de la Mare then gives the reader a tour of the farm and relates what "dainty treats" the farm animals are savoring. Ms. Rabei focuses on the mouse encounter and imagines what chaos could ensue.
The warm colors with green depict a summer evening well.
Part of a series by Ms. Rabei-The Four Seasons.
*Highly recommend.
Borrowed via ILL.
