After several of the librarians at my local library asked me if I had read Surviving the Applewhites by Stephanie Tolan, I decided I had better read it. They know I teach my children at home, and wanted me to read this hilarious book about a homeschooling family. The Applewhites are like few homeschooling families... Continue Reading →
The Great Turkey Walk
Some people may call 15-year-old Simon Green a turkey - his aunt even calls him 'pea-brained.' But Miss Rogers, Simon's teacher, sees something special in Simon. "Not everyone appreciates your finer talents, Simon. ... But I'm certain there's a place for you in this world. Just think about what you like best, Simon. Think about... Continue Reading →
The Light at Tern Rock
Ronnie and his aunt are anticipating a delightful Christmas, celebrating with friends at the school Christmas program and enjoying their holiday traditions. But first, they've agreed to spell the keeper of the lighthouse at Tern Rock for two weeks so he can visit his niece and her family. He promised to be back on December... Continue Reading →
The Fourth Wise Man
Most know the Biblical Christmas story about Mary and Joseph, the shepherds and the wise men (unnumbered in the Bible, but traditionally three) who traveled from the East. Many years ago, Henry Van Dyke created a story about a fourth wise man, who had planned to travel to visit the newborn King of the Jews. ... Continue Reading →
The Family Under the Bridge
Old Armand is perfectly content with his life as a hobo, living under one of Paris' bridges. He worked odd jobs, or begged, to keep himself warm and fed - and he had no responsibilities, especially children. Children mean homes, responsibility and work. Armand does not like children. Then cold day in December, he found... Continue Reading →
The Real Santa Claus
Whether or not you celebrate Santa in your house, once your children are old enough to wonder, they will probably have questions about him. My children asked plenty. "Was he a real person? How did he get to be Santa Claus? Why does everyone talk about him?" If you're not sure of the answers, The... Continue Reading →
How Santa Got His Job
Perhaps you, and the children in your life, are wondering exactly how Santa got his job. Apparently Stephen Krensky wondered too, and so he wrote about Santa's job history in How Santa Got His Job. This creative picture book is fun to read aloud, and may illicit some giggles from your crowd, depending upon how... Continue Reading →
It Could Always Be Worse
Complaining? Bad attitude? Frustration? Whatever is causing the above in your house will be put into perspective after reading It Could Always Be Worse by Margot Zemach. Zemach retells a Yiddish folktale about a family of eight crammed into a one-room house. The father can no longer take the chaos, so he goes to the... Continue Reading →
Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle
Every time one of my children picks up a Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle (by Betty MacDonald) book, laughter ensues. Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle does not have any children of her own, but she is surrounded by plenty of children. In fact, parents in her town send their problem children to Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle to be cured. "What kind of problems?"... Continue Reading →
The Ravenmaster’s Secret
Set in the Tower of London during the 1730's, The Ravenmaster's Secret by Elvira Woodruff tells of a daring escape from the Tower. But Forrest Harper isn't sure he has the courage to help with the escape. The older boys at the Tower bully him, his mother requires him to watch over his little sisters. ... Continue Reading →
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