A board book about Henry David Thoreau going to live in the woods, building a house, and observing nature. Although the words are simple and rhyme, I am not sure if babies and toddlers will clamor for adults to read this aloud.
-Borrowed from the library.
I read this book aloud to my sixteen-year-old son during lunch. This exciting novel engaged us and deepened our appreciation for ordinary Dutch citizens who sacrificed their lives for their fellow-countrymen.
Joris and Dirk Jan Verhagen live in a mill with their parents and little sister Trixie. During WW II their family assists many individuals, from a Jewish baby hidden in a garden to members of the Resistance to two little girls whose parents must hide to a English bomber to an escapee (They also assist in many other situations!). Their neighbors, the wealthy Schenderhans, have a son who is a Landwatcher, working for the enemy. His diligent "watching" causes much consternation throughout the book.
I love how this book brings to life the impact of WWII has on one country, on one small village, and on one family. Although this book is fictional, the accounts are based on what real Dutchmen and women did. Ms. van Stockum is an excellent storyteller.
This book has the appearance for elementary age readers, but with the descriptions of how the Nazis treated the people, I would recommend it for twelve years & older. High schoolers may label it too young for them, but I think they would enjoy it.
Considerations/things to discuss: war violence, cruelty, mean characters, the Verhagen family is Catholic Their view of God and their theology will contradict Protestants. Parents may want to discuss the family's theology with younger children who are not solid in their faith.
*Highly recommend.
-I own this book.
In a few days my son will begin to read Walden. In my search for picture books to introduce him to Thoreau, I discovered this one. I love books that Thomas Locker illustrates. This one couples lush paintings with words that immerses the reader into the wilderness that Thoreau experiences as he walks.
-Borrowed from the library.
Although this Christmas story is quite odd, it is well-written and engaging.
An old, lonely woman longs to experience Christmas "just once" in her life. Meanwhile, in the heavens, the exasperated Star Mother, sends one of her star children to earth to experience Christmas "just once". The two spend Christmas day irritating the other one, and yet at the same time, enjoying the special day.
-Borrowed from the library.
Award winner-Newbery Honor-2026
Clare the fox died but is undead. He resides in Deadwood Forest and ushers dead creatures into the Afterlife. The Afterlife reveals to him which place each creature is to enter: Peace, Progress, Pleasure, or Pain. For six years he has maintained a productive mushroom garden, devoured interesting books, cared for his cottage, and of course, ushered souls into their deserved afterlife realm. Then a badger named Gingersnipes knocks on his cottage door, and his predictable life is upheaved.
This book is well-crafted-characters, plot, setting, word choice. I loved reading it and especially appreciated Clare and Gingersnipes.
Considerations: worldview about the afterlife, Afterlife is treated as a supreme being, most souls are considered "good", karma is mentioned, where creatures go is based on how they have lived/view themselves
Finding His Care in All Circumstances
My friend let me borrow this book. When I found that I was itching to underline some sentences, I knew I should purchase my own copy. It is one that I would reread if I would be studying the life of Joseph in a Bible study or at church.
Mr. Begg follows the life of Joseph and his responses to his circumstances to encourage us to trust in the Sovereign God. He offers analogies and examples to which readers can relate.
*Highly recommend.
-I own this book.
A Grimm Brothers Tale
A king is dying. His three sons are sad. While the sons are weeping in the castle garden, a little man appears and informs them that he knows of a cure for their father-Water of Life. The oldest son sets off to find this cure. Along the way he scorns a dwarf. The dwarf secretly curses him and causes him to become stuck in a ravine. This interaction and curse are repeated with the second son. Both of these sons have impure motives. They believe if they cure their father, then he will leave the kingdom to them. The youngest son, however, really cares about his dying father with no thought of inheriting the kingdom. He, of course, finds the cure but is treated poorly by his older brothers. Will the truth be discovered?
A captivating tale I thought the end was a bit rushed.
The illustrations are lavish and intricate.
-Borrowed from the library.
