Balancing Politics and Life: Don Camillo's Dilemma

Don Camillo's Dilemma by Giovanni Guareschi, translated by Frances Frenaye

This is the third Don Camillo book I've read (after The Little World of Don Camillo and Don Camillo and His Flock). Each is full of short stories of a hot-headed parish priest, Don Camillo. In this book, the stories focus on Don Camillo's relations with those of the opposite party, the Communists, who drive him to sin (literally) and yet soothe and inspire him.

As always, Don Camillo shares his frustrations with the statue of the crucified Christ at his parish, who speaks back.

"Lord," he asked, "who can possibly understand these people?"

 "I can," the Crucified Christ answered, smiling.

Though he tries to stand firm in what he thinks is his party's stance, Don Camillo is frequently reminded that people are, well, people first. Sometimes, politics must stand aside.

"Theory's one thing and practice is another," said Tofini. "A man's got to live."

"What matters more is that he's got to die. And our accounts with God are more important than those with any shopkeeper."

"God can wait," laughed Tofini, "the shopkeeper won't give me anything to eat until I play."

The struggle between political parties is as prevalent today as in Don Camillo's time. It's good to find laughter in the struggle.

2015 Advent Books: Picture-Book-a-Day, Family Read-Alouds, and Poetry

One big post on our Advent reading! We'll hope the insane number of Amazon links doesn't crash anyone's computer.

In Advent 2015, First Son turned 12, First Daughter was 9, Second Daughter was 7, Second Son was 5. I almost skipped our picture-book-a-day tradition, but Kansas Dad reminded me our children don't open many presents from us at Christmas, so I decided to wrap them again, at least for one more year.

I've indicated which books are from the library and which we own. I schedule the library books early so they can be returned before Christmas. If you are willing and able to wait a few years, PaperBackSwap.com is a fabulous source for Christmas picture books. I've received many lovely copies over the years.

We have a solid supply of books that return (usually on a three year cycle because I've found so many Christmas picture books I love) but I always like to include some new ones. I've tried to mark those as well.

Through the Animals' Eyes: A Story of the First Christmas by Christopher Wormell - a beautiful book! (library)

Pedro: The Angel of Olvera Street written and illustrated by Leo Politi is a simple story, but one that entranced the children. (library, new to us)

Mr. Willowby's Christmas Tree by Robert Barry is one of my favorites. Oh, how I love this silly little book! I keep thinking I'll buy a copy of our own, but so far I haven't been able to justify it...(library)

B Is for Bethlehem: A Christmas Alphabet by Isabel Wilner and illustrated by Elisa Kleven is just wonderful. I like the old cover better than the new one, but am very glad to see it back in print. (library)

The Christmas Coat by Clyde Robert Bulla, illustrated by Sylvie Wickstrom, is about sibling rivalry and making amends. I think it's merely adequate, but First Daughter loves it. (library, new to us)

The Christmas Knight by Jane Louise Curry, illustrated by DyAnne DiSalvo-Ryan, is a medieval tale of a Christmas miracle. The kids love it when the haughty receive their due. (library)

Saint Nicholas: The Real Story of the Christmas Legend by Julie Stiegemeyer, illustrated by Chris Ellison, is the perfect book to introduce St. Nicholas to young children. It's still my favorite. (own)

Click, Clack, Ho! Ho! Ho! by Doreen Cronin and Betsy Lewin - a 2015 title that delighted the children. (library, new to us)

A Child Is Born by Margaret Wise Brown, illustrations by Floyd Cooper, is a nativity story with limited text but beautiful illustrations of a black holy family. (library, new to us)

Lighthouse Christmas by Toni Buzzeo, pictures by Nancy Carpenter, is based on the true story of the Flying Santa Service. First Daughter loved this story, too. (library, new to us)

A Christmas Wish for Corduroy by B. G. Hennessy, with pictures by Jody Wheeler, is a 2014 title based on the characters created by Don Freeman. Second Son especially enjoyed this one and the sweet ending connecting it to the original book. (library, new to us)

Good King Wenceslas by John Mason Neale, with illustrations by Christopher Manson, is one of many versions of this carol, but one of my favorites. (library)

Christmas Farm by Mary Lyn Ray, illustrated by Barry Root, is a fun story about Christmas trees and how they grow. I particularly like the illustrations. (library, new to us)

The Legend of the Poinsettia by Tomie de Paola. I really only like a few of the de Paola Christmas books but I schedule at least one every year. This is one of his sweetest. (own)

This Is the Star by Joyce Dunbar, illustrated by Gary Blythe, is a lovely retelling of the Nativity story. (received on PaperBackSwap.com)

Silent Night (Sing and Read Storybook) by Darcy May has lovely illustrations for the song, perfect for the littlest ones. (received on PaperBackSwap.com, new to us)

Peter Spier's Christmas!, wordless but delightful. (own)

The Huron Carol by Jean De Brebreuf, illustrated by Frances Tyrrell, which includes beautiful illustrations for this carol written to share the Nativity story with Native Americans at a complicated time in history. We listened to the carol, too. (own)

The Christmas Story by Jane Werner, illustrated by Eloise Wilkin, is another incredibly sweet Nativity story for young children. Simple and beautiful. (received on PaperBackSwap.com)

Stephen's Feast by Jean Richardson, illustrated by Alice Englander, is a book I requested from inter-library loan and loved enough to purchase a used copy of our own. It's a retelling of King Wenceslas's famous foray to the home of a poor man. (I must warn you, Second Son insisted this book made him hungry every time we read it.) (own, new to us)

The Hat by Jan Brett is a fun story. I try to include at least one Brett book each year. (own)

Bethlehem with words from the Bible, stunningly illustrated by Fiona French in her stained glass style. (own)

Merry Christmas Mom and Dad by Mercer Meyer, a family classic. (own)

The Christmas Miracle of Jonathan Toomey by Susan Wojciechowski, the kind of book your children can grow into. (own)

The Miracle of St. Nicholas by Gloria Whelan, illustrated by Judith Brown, a story of an ordinary-yet-extraordinary miracle at a church named for St. Nicholas (rather than a story of the saint himself). (own)

The Donkey's Dream by Barbara Helen Berger, which enthralled the girls this year. (own)


Book Basket Books

We have a picture book basket which I fill with a selection of books each week and let Second Daughter and Second Son choose one each school day for me to read aloud to them. There were a few books this year I wanted to be sure they had the opportunity to enjoy, so I added an Advent book to the book basket each week.

Bear Stays Up for Christmas by Karma Wilson, illustrated by Jane Chapman - Bear is a favorite with Second Son. (own)

The Last Straw by Fredrick Thury, illustrated by Vlasta van Kampen, is a family favorite. (own)

If You Take a Mouse to the Movies by Laura Numeroff, illustrated by Felicia Bond, a cute story that involves lots of popcorn and a Christmas covered with homemade ornaments. (own)


Every year, I mourn a few favorite books that get neglected. This year, I soothed that sadness by pulling out the entire box of Christmas picture books for the children to peruse at their leisure during the Christmas season proper. First Daughter leaped upon A Small Miracle. Good choice! For those that are interested, here are links to the other picture-book-a-day posts.

Past Advent-Picture-Book-a-Day Booklists

2010 list (the first year we did this activity)
2011 first week of Advent
2011 second week of Advent
2011 third week of Advent
2011 fourth week of Advent
my favorite five (or seven) Christmas picture books (2012)
an additional Christmas book for My Favorite Picture Books (2012)
2012 new and noteworthy Advent picture books 
My Twelve Books of Christmas (written in 2013)
2013 and 2014 Advent Picture Books, a Selection


I implemented a little Advent loop this year. We'd read for two days from a family read-aloud, then spend one day reading poetry. Then we'd start over again with the read-aloud.


Read Alouds

Turkey for Christmas by Marguerite de Angeli, a sweet story of a girl who grows up a little at Christmas and her loving family. (library, new to us)

The Little Juggler by Barbara Cooney, one of many versions of this folktale, but my absolute favorite. (received on PaperBackSwap.com)

The Birds' Christmas Carol by Kate Douglas Wiggin is a sweet but sad tale of a little girl named Carol who gives one last glorious Christmas feast and party to her poor but dear neighbors before she passes away. (received on PaperBackSwap.com, new to us)


Poetry

'Twas the Night Before Christmas illustrated by Matt Tavares - I try to read this poem every year and generally choose a different illustrator. This one has detailed pencil illustrations worthy of close inspection. (library, new to us)

Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening by Robert Frost, illustrated by Susan Jeffers, oh so lovely! (I won this picture book at a giveaway at Bibliozealous, now found at The Bleeding Pelican.)

(See how I managed to slip in two more picture books there?)

The Oxford Book of Christmas Poems edited by Michael Harrison - We didn't finish this book and will pick up where we left off next year. (library, new to us)


The italic print: Links to Amazon are affiliate links. As an affiliate with Amazon, I receive a small commission if you follow one of my links, add something to your cart, and complete the purchase (in that order). I like to use the little I earn on the blog to purchase birthday and Christmas gifts.

Links to PaperBackSwap could give me a referral credit if you follow the link, establish a new account, and post ten books.

Reading 2015: A Year in Review

Looking over my posts from the past year to find my favorite books has reminded me how wonderful the best of them were! Hopefully you find inspiration for reading here and not despair at all the length of the list of books you'd like to read.

The book covers below are affiliate links to Amazon. Underneath, I've linked to my book reviews or monthly book report.


Favorite Book of 2015

Bleak House by Charles Dickens

Best Fiction

In This House of Brede by Rumer Godden

Best Non-Fiction

Pioneer Girl: The Annotated Autobiography by Laura Ingalls Wilder, edited by Pamela Smith Hill

Best New-to-Me-Author

The Extraordinary Journeys: Around the World in Eighty Days (Oxford World's Classics) by Jules Verne, translated by William Butcher

Best Classic Book I've Never Read Before

The Adventures of Pinocchio by Carlo Collodi

Best Book I Pre-Read for School

Chitty Chitty Bang Bang: The Magical Car by Ian Fleming

Book that Made Me Laugh

The Little World of Don Camillo by Giovanni Guareschi (and Don Camillo and His Flock)

Best Homeschooling or Education Book

Consider This: Charlotte Mason and the Classical Tradition by Karen Glass

I also enjoyed Mind to Mind: An Essay Towards a Philosophy of Education by Charlotte Mason and Karen Glass.

Most Challenging

Laudato Si -- On Care for Our Common Home by Pope Francis

Best Book I Read Aloud

The Tale of Despereaux: Being the Story of a Mouse, a Princess, Some Soup and a Spool of Thread by Kate DiCamillo

"Read aloud" used loosely since we listened to this on audio CD from the library.

Best Memoir

The Wild Muir: Twenty-Two of John Muir's Greatest Adventures selected by Lee Stetson

Best Biography

The Small Woman by Alan Burgess

Best Sports-Related Book

A Nice Little Place on the North Side: A History of Triumph, Mostly Defeat, and Incurable Hope at Wrigley Field by George F. Will

I gave my dad this book for Christmas and he loves it, too.


Most Surprising (in a Good Way)

1776 by David McCullough

Best Book on Faith

The Little Oratory: A Beginner's Guide to Praying in the Home by David Clayton and Leila Marie Lawler

My Other Favorite Books
(alphabetical order by title)

The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind: Young Readers Edition by William Kamkwamba and Bryan Mealer

Helena by Evelyn Waugh

The Long Christmas by Ruth Sawyer

The Religious Potential of the Child: Experiencing Scripture and Liturgy with Young Children by Sofia Cavaletti

For those interested in even more books lists:
2014 list
2013 list

My Favorite Picture Books: It Could Always Be Worse

It Could Always Be Worse: A Yiddish Folk Tale by Margot Zemach

This book is a Yiddish folk tale retold and illustrated by Margot Zemach. A poor man, overwhelmed by the noise and disagreements of his mother, wife, and six children in a one-room house, begs his rabbi for advice.

The rabbi suggests he bring the chickens inside. Over the course of the book, the poor man returns again and again to the rabbi as the cacophony and mayhem increases with each addition to his household.

All my children laugh as chickens, goats, and other animals are brought into the house. The illustrations show the family in shambles until finally order and peace are restored by the wisdom of the rabbi.

This book is perfect for families with young children and large families in general. If you have a few chickens or goats in your yard, it's even better!

December 2015 Book Reports

The Nature of Kansas Lands with essays by Elizabeth Schultz - Read my review. (library copy)

The Small Woman by Alan Burgess - Read my review. (library copy)

The Adventures of Pinocchio by Carlo Collodi - Read my review. (library copy)

The Long Christmas by Ruth Sawyer - Read my review. (purchased copy)


Books in Progress (and date started)

• Norton Anthology of English Literature Vol 2 (sixth edition) (August 2014)
• For the Children's Sake: Foundations of Education for Home and School by Susan Schaeffer Macaulay (January 2015, with my Start Here book club)
• Humility of Heart by Fr. Cajetan Mary da Bergamo (February 2015)
• Towards A Philosophy of Education (Charlotte Mason's Original Homeschooling Series) by Charlotte Mason (May 2015, with my Start Here book club)
• George Washington, Spymaster: How the Americans Outspied the British and Won the Revolutionary War by Thomas B. Allen (November 2015) 
• Ten Ways to Destroy the Imagination of Your Child by Anthony Esolen (November 2015)
• Everything Must Change: When the World's Biggest Problems and Jesus' Good News Collide by Brian D. McLaren (December 2015) 
• Pegeen by Hilda van Stockum (December 2015, aloud to the children)

The italic print: Links to Amazon are affiliate links. As an affiliate with Amazon, I receive a small commission if you follow one of my links, add something to your cart, and complete the purchase (in that order). I like to use the little I earn on the blog to purchase birthday and Christmas gifts. Links to PaperBackSwap could give me a referral credit if you follow the link, establish a new account, and post ten books. Links to RC History are affiliate links. Other links are not affiliate links.

These reports are my honest opinions.

A Season of Beauty of Faith: The Long Christmas

The Long Christmas by Ruth Sawyer

I picked this book up from a bookseller at a conference last year because I love the artwork of Valenti Angelo. We read from an exquisitely decorated The Book of Psalms each day. I remembered Ruth Sawyer's The Year of the Christmas Dragon, so I thought I'd be safe with the text. As a bonus, it smelled deliciously of old book.

A few pages into the Introduction, I knew I had found a treasure.

Never before within our memory has it seemed so important to keep the Long Christmas; to begin early enough and hold to the festival long enough to feel the deep, moving significance of it. For Christmas is a state of mind quite as much as a festival; and who can establish and maintain a state of mind in the rush and turmoil of a single day, or two days? Around no other time of year has been built so much of faith, of beauty. Out of no other festival have grown so many legends.

It bears repeating, "Who can establish and maintain a state of mind in the rush and turmoil of a single day, or two days?" Sawyer is advocating for a "Long Christmas," a celebration of weeks after the day itself, time to soak in the mystery and the loveliness.

Later, Ms. Sawyer quotes Anne Carroll Moore in My Roads:

We too often forget lighting up time at Christmas and lay upon the day itself too heavy a load of material substitutes for the great good gifts of beauty, song, and laughter, of genuine play and fresh adventure in two worlds.

The weeks of Advent leading up to Christmas build an anticipation that may be crushed by an "imperfect" celebration on the day itself. Let the storytelling, singing, and laughing continue throughout the season of Christmas!

Thirteen stories, gathered from various countries, are included in the book: one for Christmas and all the days through Epiphany. Before each tale is a poem or hymn. Some are old carols or hymns, but some, I think, are written by Sawyer.

The tales broach every human emotion but all are centered on the birth of Christ and the celebration of that great feast. From The Holy Lake:

Now pride and scorn are poor bedfellows. They will turn a good man into an empty-headed fool. If there is no longer need of earning daily bread, no longer need of counting the busy hours of the day that life might be wise and diligent, then the empty-headed fool becomes a man both vicious and greedy--a baser metal himself, and good for little but scrapping.

One lone woman continues to welcome the guest in Christ's name, to comfort and nourish. A strange young child comes to her humble cabin on Christmas Eve, rejected from every other village home.

And then he talked to her of his own mother, of their simple life at home, of his brothers and one sister. She saw, in what he told, her own life taking form as it had been, and felt again how good it had been, these things of living, of homely service, of preparing food, of hushing children, of making garments, of keeping a house tidy and pleasant. And while he talked, bringing the years home to her, she nodded and at last slept.

In the morning, she finds the town drowned by a lake along with all the gluttonous, greedy villagers. Though the story seems to hint the stranger was Christ himself, I find it difficult to think he would have suffered more when thinking of what would happen to the people of the town, guilty as they were. (Also, as Catholics we believe Christ would have had no siblings.) Still, a tale does not need to be theologically perfect to be thought-provoking.

My favorite story is The Crib of Bo'Bossu, in which a poor deformed carpenter desires to carve a beautiful new crib for the Christ child in the Nativity scene at the cathedral. His great gift of wood-working, his only gift, he wished to dedicate to drawing the eyes of others to Christ.

With the crib conceived, there remained only to win time for the work. He worked far into the long evenings; he worked at full of moon; he rose an hour before time for morning coffee. His own working hours for the Old One were long enough to tire; but this was work for love and he rested at it.

As the feast neared, he struggled to find time and finally found himself struggling to see in the darkness before the feast before an unfinished cradle. Miraculously, a stranger appears who magnificently completes his gift.

The penultimate story is A Candle for Saint Bridget. Unlike the other stories, all taken from traditional tales, this one is a story of the authors own. Overcome by the spirit of giving when visiting a family struggling vainly against hunger and poverty, she leaves an offering for the children from St. Bridget.

I'm looking forward to reading this book aloud to my children next Advent, in preparation for our own celebration of the Long Christmas.

Virtues, and their Lack, in Action: The Adventures of Pinocchio

The Adventures of Pinocchio by Carlo Collodi, translated by M.A. Murray, and illustrated by Roberto Innocenti

I first decided to read The Adventures of Pinocchio to the children after reading Tending the Heart of Virtue. It's hard to believe it took more than two years to get to it.

I found this version at the library after reading through lots of reviews and previewing a few others. We were all fascinated by the illustrations.

The "real" Pinocchio was an unexpected delight, as much for me as for the children. All throughout, Collodi's language resonates with anyone who knows children.

But boys' appetites grow quickly, and after a few minutes, his appetite became a terrible hunger, and in no time his hunger became a ravenous beast.

Pinocchio wants to be good...until faced with temptation. Over and over again, he chooses unwisely and then suffers drastic consequences. My seven-year-old daughter would yell out, "Don't do it, Pinocchio! Don't!" Oh, if only she would listen to her own advice...

The morals of the story are remarkably explicit.

"Remember that children who are determined to do as they please and have their own way regret it sooner or later."

 "Always the same stories. Good night, cricket."

"Good night, Pinocchio, and may Heaven save you from dangers and assassins."

With these words, the talking cricket vanished suddenly, like a light that has been blown out, and the road became darker than ever.

Explicit, and yet, so beautifully stated.


Every one of my children, from five to twelve, loved this book.

Second Daughter's Art from a Smelly Marker Box

We recently read  The Noisy Paint Box: The Colors and Sounds of Kandinsky's Abstract Art by Barb Rosenstock, illustrated by Mary GrandPre (while reading about Russia as we read around the world). It's a fascinating biography of Kandinsky, his synesthesia, and his art.

Later that week, Second Daughter brings me this piece of artwork she has created and tells me it's from a "smelly marker box" because she used her sister's Mr. Sketch markers.

The italic print: Links to Amazon are affiliate links. As an affiliate with Amazon, I receive a small commission if you follow one of my links, add something to your cart, and complete the purchase (in that order). I like to use the little I earn on the blog to purchase birthday and Christmas gifts.

My Favorite Picture Books: Float

Float by Daniel Miyares

In this wordless picture book, a young boy floats a newspaper boat outside in the rain. Inevitably, it's washed away (being a newspaper boat), but his father comforts and warms him before sending him out in the newly sunny day with a newspaper airplane.

His bright yellow raincoat, hats, and boots shine on every page. The child-like (not childish) delight in the sailboat thrills the reader as well. It's a lovely book of being outside, imagination, the love and comfort of a parent, and rejuvenation to go back out into the world.

You can read an interview with the artist at Seven Impossible Things Before Breakfast and more about Float's at the Horn Book, if you care about such things.

The italic print: Links to Amazon are affiliate links. As an affiliate with Amazon, I receive a small commission if you follow one of my links, add something to your cart, and complete the purchase (in that order). 

Homeschool Review: Sixth Grade Astronomy

Mater Amabilis for Level 3 science (sixth grade) includes a few books on astronomy and the universe. It's only a part of the year, but I wanted to write about the other texts separately. Our Universe : A Guide to What's Out There by Russell Stannard, Copernicus, Galileo, and the Catholic Sponsorship of Science by Jan Meyerhofer with Mary Daly, and Exploring the Sky: Projects for Beginning Astronomers by Richard Moeschl are the three astronomy-focused books.

I was a little concerned at first by the older publication date of Our Universe. After looking through the book a little and talking with Kansas Dad, though, we decided the knowledge of the universe and planets shared in the book is general enough to be without inaccuracies when compared to more modern texts.

I can understand why this text is recommended by Mater Amabilis. It reads like a conversation with a scientist who loves studying the universe, a scientist who believes in a Creator:

Some people who believe God created the world worry about this. If there was no Time before the moment of creation, how can we have a God who starts out on his own and then, at some later point in time, decides to make a world? We can't. Does that get rid of the idea of God? Some people think yes. I and others think no. The important thing about whether God is the Creator is not how he got things going in the first place, but "Why is there something, rather than nothing?" That still seems like a good question, for which one answer, perhaps the only answer, is "God."

While reading the chapter on the future of the universe, I wondered about current theories. A quick search online found the same two competing theories at the forefront of the current research.

The last chapter discusses what appears to be the randomness of the universe. It presents the surprising perfection of the universe for the presence of life on Earth as a reason to at least consider an omnipotent and loving God who ordered everything.

First Son loved this book. It was not only one of his favorite science books; it was one of his favorite school books. He enjoyed the illustrations and cartoons and was able to narrate it beautifully chapter after chapter.

In the schedule of lessons, the chapter readings from Our Universe are followed by a few days working from Exploring the Sky. This book has lots of fascinating projects using materials you probably have lying around the house. I am not a person who builds things or uses tools; it's something I could change but since Kansas Dad revels in that sort of thing and I prefer reading books, that's how it's remained. First Son wanted to complete lots of projects that involved the types of tools and materials Kansas Dad keeps out in the shed. Unfortunately, Kansas Dad had a particularly busy semester when we were tackling these texts and simply didn't have the time to help with projects week after week. Considering carefully our resources (time), I opted to switch to another book which I already owned and loved.

The Stars by H. A. Rey has plenty of detailed science, especially at the end of the book, but we mostly spent time perusing the constellation charts and then going outside to see if we could find the constellations. I wanted First Son to feel comfortable and familiar with the night sky and this book granted us exactly that. We didn't need any tools, just clear nights (which weren't always available, but that's how life goes).

The third text, Copernicus, Galileo, and the Catholic Sponsorship of Science, is the most challenging of the three. The main text is a speech given by Jane Meyerhofer followed by a response from Mary Daly which allows the student to read two versions of Galileo's story. This book is a wonderful resource in explaining the politics and interactions of the people who lived and breathed and, sometimes, made mistakes including Galileo and the authorities within the Catholic Church. The book contains many more resources for the student (and his or her teacher) like an annotated bibliography, excerpts from John Paul II's 1979 address to the Pontifical Academy of Sciences on faith and science, and a paraphrase of Galileo's Letter to the Grand Duchess Christina of Tuscany.

The schedule of lessons sets aside two weeks for this book, but First Son really struggled with it. We spent over three weeks reading this book together. I'm convinced the time to delve through the challenging material will reap benefits in the future as the notorious story of Galileo reverberates through all our science studies especially when First Son (and all our children) begin to discuss the intersection of faith and science with young people out in the world.

The italic print: Links to Amazon are affiliate links. As an affiliate with Amazon, I receive a small commission if you follow one of my links, add something to your cart, and complete the purchase (in that order). I like to use the little I earn on the blog to purchase birthday and Christmas gifts.

I purchased Our Universe and Exploring the Sky used on Amazon. I purchased Copernicus, Galileo, and the Catholic Sponsorship of Science new from Sacred Heart Books and Gifts (not an affiliate link). I received The Stars new as a gift. These reports are my honest opinions.