A girl and her mother visit the beach. The girl imagines all of the things a shell can be. Real shells are part of the illustrations. Ms. Sicuro offers ideas how to make art with shells after the main text.
*Highly recommend.
-Borrowed from the library.
1966 Caldecott winner
Based on a Scottish song preserved through oral tradition, Sorche Nic Leodhas wrote it down for children all over the world to enjoy! Lachie MacLachlan invites all who pass by his home to share what he, his wife, and ten bairns "got". When his house "explodes" with so many people, his guests offer to build him a bigger home, so there is "always room for one more".
A delightful book!
*Highly recommend.
-Borrowed from the library.
When reading an introduction to a section in my son's geometry book, Anno's Hat Tricks illustrated by Mitsumasa Anno was mentioned. Out of curiosity I requested some of his books. He is quite the intriguing illustrator!
The Magic Pocket Selected Poems by Michio Mado translated by The Empress Michiko of Japan decorations by Mitsumasa Anno-very simple poems with simple decorations. I liked how the original Japanese version was on the left with the English translation on the opposite page.
A short biography about Pieter Bruegle the Elder begins this informative, interesting book. The rest of the pages feature several of his paintings, analyzing them and sharing their back stories.
**Highly, highly recommend. Other artists are included in this series.
-Borrowed from the library.
Mr. Schmidt develops characters so well. As a reader you are drawn to them and care about them. Jupiter Rising is a sequel to Orbiting Jupiter. I recommend reading the books in order. I loved this book. I also enjoy seeing characters from previous Schmidt novels pop up in other ones (Doug Swietek's brother, who is now a Coach and PE teacher,appears in this book).
Jack loves Jupiter, Joseph's three-year-old daughter. Jack's parents are in the process of adopting her when Jupiter's grandparents (Madeleine's parents) decide that they want her. Jack cannot take losing another person he loves. But it looks like the law will side with the grandparents. Then Jack's running buddy Jay is hit by a truck while he is running. How much more can an eighth grade boy handle?
I love how Mr. Schmidt advocates the sanctity of life through these two novels. He does not shield the reader from the pain and suffering involved with teens having a baby, with foster care, and with the adoption process. I also love the supportive, wise adults that influence the young people.
*Highly recommend for mature junior highers or older. See warnings/considerations.
Warnings/considerations: Jupiter is the result of a teen pregnancy, both of her parents died in the previous novel, swearing, hit/run accident, neglectful parents (BUT, Jack's parents are wonderful-a realistic portrayal of families-some wonderful, some horrible/selfish), the grandfather smokes
-Borrowed from the library.
-A 1967 Caldecott winner
Sam, a fisherman's daughter, utilizes her vivid imagination to create stories. Only Thomas, her neighbor, believes her stories and asks her each day to see her baby kangaroo. Each day she sends him a wild goose-chase to search for the baby kangaroo. When one day she sends Thomas to the rocks near the lighthouse to find her baby kangaroo and a storm arrives, she realizes how detrimental her lying is.
Considerations/points to discuss: lying, Sam's mother is dead, Sam sends Thomas into a perilous situation, the reader thinks Sam's cat, Bangs, is dead for a short bit
-Borrowed from the library.
I could have read this book in one sitting. Mr. Schmidt writes with clarity. His perfect word choice allows the reader to visualize and to experience the story through the senses.
Eighth-grader Joseph is a father. He almost killed his teacher. He has been incarcerated. When the Hurd family fostered him, they knew his back story and embraced him and his past. Slowly, through the Hurd family's love and the comfort found on a Maine farm, Joseph opens up and allows love to soften him. Then his biological father decides to interfere . . .and Joseph is determined to find his daughter, Jupiter.
A very sad ending enfused with hope
Categorized as "young adult"-warnings: teen pregnancy (Joseph's premarital encounter with Madeleine is not described in detail), death of a beloved character, abusive father
*Highly recommend for high school and older.
-Borrowed from the library.
I love the endpapers in this picture book-actual leaves with their labels.
Ms. Sicuro guides the reader in imagining what different leaves could be.
Perfect book to simulate creative art projects. She even includes instructions the best way to preserve leaves so little artists (or big artists!) can create art with them.
*Highly recommend.
-Borrowed from the library.
#1 in the Eliot Chronicles (a trilogy)
Initially, I almost stopped reading this novel. I did not agree with David's romantic relationship. Then I remembered how Ms. Goudge usually displays the reality of mankind's fallen state and then has her characters realistically come to grips with sin and repent of it. So I continued reading. I am glad I did!
Lucilla Eliot has created a comforting safe-haven for her children and grandchildren in the estate Damerosehay located in Hampshire, England. After her son George's divorce, she is raising his three children while he serves the military in India. His young ex-wife, Nadine, is not involved with their children. Lucilla does not like her. David, her older grandson, is her favorite. When he comes for a visit to Damerosehay, the dogs, his much younger cousins, Lucilla, and Ellen, Lucilla's long-time "maid"/friend, all rejoice and anticipate. This time, however, David has news that he knows will break Lucilla's heart. His little cousins may not regard him in such high esteem.
Will Lucilla be able to reveal to David his grave mistake and how his choice could destroy the family unity she has spent a lifetime creating?
God is mentioned a few times but not as the sole answer to the characters' problems. A question to ponder-Can you really force yourself to learn to love a spouse when you were told to marry them? With God all things are possible. . .
I could relate more to Hilary and Margaret, Lucilla's less glamorous children. I liked yet did not like Lucilla & David-they almost seemed too beautiful and charming!
Little side stories about the history of the estate were intriguing.
Considerations (if giving to teen): the one dog's name is Bastard, a cousin falling in love with a former aunt, some use of word d**n
*Highly recommend.
-Borrowed from the library.
Readers interact with the bunny as he picks, huals, and delivers apples to his mother in their rabbit hole. Readers utilize a red ribbion attached to the book's spine to act as the bunny's scarf. Readers also shake and tilt the book to help the bunny in various situations. Cliches are sprinkled throughout the narrative.
*Highly recommend.
-Borrowed from the library.
A young girl thanks various things in nature, which all contribute in some way to the ability to make an apple cake. A gluten-free cake recipe is included. It involves some extra steps that makes me not want to try it.
-Borrowed from the library.
