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.
-a Caldecott Honor Book -1984
I love this retelling of the Brothers Grimm tale becaue of the illustrations! Ms. Hyman's attention to detail whisks the reader into the world she has created. I loved the abundant flowers, cats/kittens slinking and tumbling on the pages, the cozy clutter in the homes, and the borders. Seeing the rumbled rug at Grandmother's front door reinforced how Ms. Hyman's goal seems to be to create realistic scenes.
*Highly recommend.
Considerations: This story is by the Brothers Grimm. . .so there will be some gruesome details- like the wolf eating Grandmother and Little Red Riding, the huntsman killing the wolf with a knife and slicing him open. Children may find it creepy or odd that Grandmother and Little Red step out of the wolf, whole & unharmed. A warning was glued to the front of this library book about wine (Little Red delivers wine to her sick grandmother) and how CA & FL challenged this book because it seem to be promoting alcohol to minors (in 1990).
-Borrowed from the library.
A couple years ago my uncle informed me that his granddaugher (my cousin once removed) had researched our family while studying in Europe and discovered that my dad's (maternal-Rittenhouse) family line came from the Habsburg family! This year my son is studying modern history. While reading about Archduke Franz Ferdinand (a Habsburg) and his wife, Sophie, I was intrigued. Their love and marriage was unique for royalty. Their assassination sparked the start of WWI. But what happened to their three children? I searched the library system for a book and found this one!
Mr. Longo simultaneoulsy relays Hitler's childhood and rise to power and Habsburg/Hohenberg family's resilence to death and political upheaval and torture. He writes in an interesting manner. Without bogging the reader down with extraneous historical information, he relates this amazing family's story. Even if one is not a history fan, they will be enthralled with this family's bravery. This family's character in the face of evil inspired me.
*Highly recommend.
-Borrowed from the library.
