I Saw Three Ships by Elizabeth Goudge illustrated by Margot Tomes*

 Polly's parents died ten months earlier so she moves in with her spinster aunts at a seaside town. On Christmas Eve Polly longs to leave the door open in case three wise men arrive on three ships, according to the song. Aunt Constantia, however, double locks the doors and takes the key to bed with her. Her caution cannot stop wise men from visiting their cottage.

A delightful Christmas tale

*I am highly recommending it but am not sure if modern children readers will appreciate/enjoy it as much as I did.

-Borrowed as an interlib. loan

Stella & Marigold by Annie Barrows illustrated by Sophie Blackall

 Short chapters about two sisters- Stella, who is seven and Marigold, who is four. Each mini story celebrates sisterhood, imagination, and typical frustrations experienced at that those ages. I laughed out loud while reading a few chapters. Each of the endings were a bit abrupt.

I love how this book portrays the loyalty, love, and friendship between sisters.💓

A great book for transitional readers who need to build stamina

Considerations: lying (in different chapters), their dad swears-no swear words are printed-just "he said a lot of bad things about drains" & the illustrations show swear word symbols.

-Borrowed from the library.

The Persecutor by Sergei Kourdakov

 Sergei shares his life story-as an orphan, a succesful leader of the Communist Youth League, a naval officer, and a leader in raids to stop the Believers. A captivating story that reveals how deceived the Russians were/are about non-Communist ways of life and how strong the believers were/are despite brutal opposition. Sergei's escape off of a naval trawler into Canada (freedom!!) is incredible!

Sadly, Sergei died at the age of twenty-one. Initially his death was ruled suicide. A few months later an inquest was held. They then ruled his death accidental. I thought his death was a bit odd so I googled him. In 2013 Christianity Today published an online article about his life, stating a lot of his story was fabricated. I revisited the article but could not read it because it was open only to paying members (I guess my first reading was my "one free article".).  Another website, Muckrock, exposes the contradictory testimonies about his death and other interactions he had with the FBI and CIA. 

Despite these confusing conclusions/opinions, I am in awe of the Christians in Russia during this period as they continued to meet and worship the Lord. Also, Sergei was amazed (& confused)  how the numbers of the Believers increased even though they were beating them and how many of them were young people.

Warning: excess drinking, graphic violence, some sexual violence-stripping off female Christians' clothing and touching them

-Borrowed from my church library.

For the Glory by Duncan Hamilton*

 Over two months (maybe more??) I read this biography aloud to my sons during lunch. Of the three biographies I bought to read to them, this one is probably the least exciting, but mostly likely the best written and most impressionable! Mr. Hamilton provides rich, detailed information about the times, the countries, and the people. If you like details and background information/context, this biography would be a treasure trove!

Mr. Hamilton shares with readers Eric Liddell's life as a runner and missionary in China up to his death and then how his family dealt with his death. This biography delves deeply into Eric's character and how he impacted people. Readers will carry with them an indelible impression of him. My oldest son said he will remember what an incredible person Eric was and wants to emulate him.

As far as I can tell, the author is not a believer like Eric. He, however, did not disparage his faith but treated it with high regard.

*Highly recommend for the reader who loves details and history.

Warning: some graphic details about how the Japanese treated their prisoners and the Chinese, the conditions in the camp are brutal, the author describes how teens were experimenting sexually/orgies-since I read it aloud, I could easily skip this section (about 2-3 paragraphs)

-I own this book.

Impossible Creatures by Katherine Rundell illustrated by Ashley Mackenzie*

 Two places where I find book recommendations (Read Aloud Revival and Redeemed Reader) "spoke" highly about this book in their reviews. Fantasy is not my favorite genre, so I would not have selected this book to read. While I was reading it, our latest World magazine arrived, which also recommended it!

It is a book about friendship, love, hope, and sacrifice. Although I did not relish the fantastical creatures and world, I loved the characters and how they chose to live.

Christopher Forrester is to spend the holiday with his grandfather in Scotland, a man he has not seen in years. His grandfather gives him permission to explore his land except he is not to go near the top of the hill. Christopher goes to the top of the hill.  Soon he finds himself transported to a magical world, The Archipelago. He discovers he is The Guardian between the two worlds.

Mal lives with her aunt. A cloak given to her enables her to fly. When a man enters their home and murders her aunt, Mal flees and encounters Christopther. Together they diagnosis the sickness invading The Archipelago and sail the seas to cure it, no matter the sacrifice.

Although this book is tense, Ms. Rundell throws in humor just when it is needed.

Abundant black and white illustrations (not my taste in art, though). The Guardian's Bestiary is included in the back, referencing all creatures mentioned throughout the story.

*Highly recommend.

**On September 11, 2025 book #2 will be available!

-Borrowed from the library.

J.R.R. Tolkien-BBC dvd

 48 minutes long

This DVD interviews various people who interacted with Tolkien or were influenced by his works (his publisher's son who told his dad to publish The Hobbit, Tolkien's biographer, Christopher Tolkien, artists, environmentalists, societies, children who love his books etc.) I loved viewing the places where Tolkien lived and worked. They also had video clips of Tolkien himself! 

It was first filmed in 1998.

I would not show this to elementary age kids (it probably would not hold their interest anyway) since one interviewee mentions sex (the absent of it Tolkien's books) and people tripping on acid.

-Borrowed from the library.

I cannot find a photo of it that I can copy and paste.

The Man Who Didn't Like Animals by Deborah Underwood by LeUyen Pham*

 The man loved his neat apartment, his plant, and his quiet. He avoided and despised animals. One day a cat arrives on his doorstep and won't go away. Discovering that the cat liked sleeping in the sun, watching the rain, and eating dinner precisely at six like he did, he allowed the cat to remain. Then another cat appears. . . then a dog, another dog,  then ducks, chickens, goats, pigs, and cows. His neighbors had have enough! The animals had to leave. The birth of Old MacDonald!

I liked the illustrations almost more than the story-they add humor and enhance the story. Her attention to detail was superb. The end pages are fun to compare/contrast.

*Highly recommend.

-Borrowed from the library.