Vincent van Gogh text set

 My twelve-year-old and I have started to study van Gogh in art. Below are books we have used/are using:

1. Vincent's Colors by Vincent van Gogh (The Metropolitan Museum of Art)-very simple, small book. Each page has a copy of his art plus words he wrote about it. An excellent book to introduce his art and style. *Highly recommend.

2. Vincent van Gogh and the Colors of the Wind by Chiara Lossani illustrated by Octavia Monaco-a comprehensive picture about Vincent's childhood, his adulthood and art journey. The author does not shy away from his mental illness, his temper, his fights with friends, alcohol abuse, stripping naked in front of people, and his eventually suicide. This book is not for elementary children . . .I plan to read it with my sixth grade so we can discuss his tulmultuous life. So sad.

2. Two engaging biographies from two well-known series-Smart About Art  & Getting to Know the World's Greatest Artists-both mention how van Gogh killed himself.

3. Vincent Can't Sleep by Barb Rosenstock illustrated by Mary Grandpre* Highly recommend.

A lyrical, beautiful book depicting his life from childhood and adulthood plus his battles with insomnia and mental illness. Ms. Rosenstock does not mention his suicide. This book is my favorite out of the set.

4. The following books contain project and art ideas that deepen study of van Gogh and also mimic his art-

(the pancake recipe in this one is easy and delicious!)

(swirly landscape to mimic Starry Night)

(instructions to create a bedroom like van Gogh did in Arles)

5. A favorite book I use for an overview of artists-

I plan to read Vincent and Theo : The Van Gogh Brothers by Deborah Heiligman, a novel about their relationship. Review will follow.

-I borrowed all books from the library.

Anne of Green Gables mania

 Reading aloud The Story Girl, watching The Road to Avonlea, and ordering The Golden Road (sequel to The Story Girl), I decided to read a few books about the author and the beloved P.E.I.

1. The Anne of Green Gables Christmas Treasury by Carolyn Strom Collins & Christina Wyss Eriksson (I thought it was a collection of stories about Anne at Christmas. It is not!)-a collection of a decorations, crafts, ideas and recipes featured/mentioned in Anne of Green Gables. Quite a few sewing projects. I just glanced through this one.

2. The Landscapes of Anne of Green Gables by Catherine Reid    This book showcases the breath-taking scenery of Prince Edward Island via photographs. The text relates more about L.M. Montgomery's life and how much she loved the island. I am currently reading this one. 

3. Anne of Green Gables, My Daughter & Me by Lorilee Craker -A Memoir  I just finished this interesting book. Mrs. Craker relates her own adoption and discovery of her biological parents and then the adoption of her own daughter, Phoebe from Korea. She incorporates excerpts and scenes from the Anne books as she processes heartache, disappointment and confusion. Impressive how she integrates so many facets-her adoption, her daughter's adoption, Anne, travels to P.E.I. and research of L.M. Montgomery. Mrs.Craker seems to be a Christian. She mentions God and His faithful presence in all of her life stages. 

-I borrowed all three of these books from the library.

The ABC Murders by Agatha Christie*

 A Hercule Poirot Mystery

I read aloud to my boys while they eat lunch about three times a week. It took me less than a month to read aloud this Agatha Christie novel to them! A few times they asked me to continue reading even though they were finished with lunch. I have read three Agatha Christie novels so far and am continually impressed with her ability to create a suspenseful novel with an unexpected solution! (This novel was my boys' first encounter with her.)

When Hercule Poirot receives a typed letter taunting him to solve a case, he knows that it will involve murder. Three murders occur in alphabetical order-Mrs. Ascher in Andover, Ms. Betty Barnard in Bexhill and Sir Carmichael Clarke in Churston. Before each murder, Mr. Poirot receives a letter in which the murder shares the date and town where it will take place. Mr. Poirot calmly and quietly analyzes the clues to find the culprit.

*Highly recommend. (Warning: some swearing, mention of sex appeal-easy to skip over when reading it aloud.)

I own this novel. From the library I requested the TV series starring David Suchet to watch the screen version of it. 

We may read Death on the Nile after we finish a biography about Corrie ten Boom. The movie is being released in theaters this week (Feb. 2022).

Fine Feathered Friends by Jane Yolen photographs by Jason Stemple

A mother and son team created this book! 

My sixth grader read these poems each day for a week. He regularly composes poems and loves to photograph birds. My goal was to inspire him to try new poetry formats. His favorite poem was "Wood Peck" because of the apropos rhythm. He was not overly impressed with some of the photographs, but others he admired. Each photograph spanned two pages and included a picture caption with information about the featured bird.

-Borrowed from the library.

A Bird Will Soar by Alison Green Myers

 2022-Youth Media Winner-for Schneider Family Book Award for books that embody an artistic expression of the disability experience.

Out of all the novels/chapter books for this year's ALA winners, this one looked the most interesting. 

Alex, an autistic boy, loves birds. In his own backyard he observes eagles raising their eaglets. A tornado whips through their neighborhood and destroys the tree, holding the nest. A different tree crashes into their home. As a result, Alex's estranged father returns to help repair their home. Suddenly Alex realizes that his mother and the adults in his life have kept secrets from him. Will order ever be restored?

Each chapter begins with a new poem. I looked forward to reading them! Ms. Myers not only weaves together a family story but also creates poems that support the story's development. 

Originally I decided to read this book so I could pass it along to my twelve year old who loves birds. I won't be recommending it to him.

Warnings/points to discuss: Alex's home is on the property of two men, Emmett and George. They are lovers. Their physical affection for each other is displayed by one laying a hand on top of the other and a kiss on the cheek. When I read the summary about the book, I thought it was about an autistic boy, his love for birds and his struggle with his parents' separation. I was not aware of this element. If I had known about this inclusion, I would not have borrowed it. Once I started, I enjoyed Alex and his story, so I finished the book.  Alex's parents have been separated because of the father's alcoholism. Also, if readers are not familiar with autism, it would be good to discuss the spectrum and its implications.

-Borrowed from the library.

Many Beautiful Things-a film by Laura Waters Hinson

 The Life and Vision of Lilias Trotter

I had never heard of Lilias Trotter. Coming across a review of her biography, I was intrigued and pursued finding the book by Miriam Rockness. I then read about this movie about her life and hunted it down too! It beautifully portrays the progression of her life--from wealthy artistic young lady to a woman who pioneers ideas to reach the Arabs in North Africa. Beautiful music, landscapes and paintings fill the DVD. Miriam Rockness, the writer who spent thirty years reasearching Lilias Trotter, is included in the film. Without her tenacity, Lilias Trotter would be unknown.

Very interesting and well. . .beautiful! Some of the shots were reused.

-Borrowed via inter-library loan.

Treasure Island by Robert Louis Stevenson

This month my ninth grader is reading this novel for English. Since I had never read it, I read it so I could discuss it with him.

When a sea captain dies in his mother's inn, Admiral Benbow, Jim Hawkins discovers a treasure map in the man's chest. Sharing the map with the local doctor and squire, Jim finds himself swept off on a sea adventure and treasure hunt.

A coming -of-age novel (bildungsroman) and a quest tale.

I found the ship and seafaring vocabulary and terminology from Stevenson's time period challenging. 

I bought the version that includes N.C. Wyeth's illustrations from Barnes and Noble (a beautiful edition).

Points to discuss: drunkness, violence/murder, different character's views of God