An Introduction to Religious Life for Children: Of Bells and Cells

Of Bells and Cells: The World of Monks, Friars, Sisters and Nuns

by M. Cristina Borges

This little book beautifully describes religious orders for young children. It begins with a discussion of vocations in general and the call for everyone to be a saint, a theme that recurs throughout the book. Then it describes the specific call to be a religious and the process of entering and professing at a monastery or convent.

But all the outward actions are really only aids to the important work that the religious does inwardly, inside the soul--the long process, which lasts a liftetime, of "dying to self," that is, of not paying so much attention to ourselves, so as to growing the love of God and of neighbor.

The reader learns words like postulant, novitiate, horarium, and habit, as well as Latin phrases like alter Christus. Quotes from Scripture and encyclicals appear throughout.

A double page spread shows men and women religious in full habits with explanations of the clothing. It includes many of the orders a young Catholic will find in readings of saints and history: Benedictine, Franciscan, Dominican, and Carmelite, so they will be familiar with them when they come across them later. It also includes Redemptorist and Carthusian (for the men) and Missionaries of Charity and Conceptionists (for women). An appendix includes descriptions of these orders in more detail.

Then the book describes the vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience.

One of the most important parts describes what religious men and women do, where it tells of a daily schedule of praying and working.

When they leave the chapel, they continue praying in the silence of their hearts, always having God in their minds and hearts while they scrub, build, or plough, or cook, or study, or teach, or care for the poor and needy.

The author explains the difference between contemplative and active orders.

But whether they are contemplative or active, all religious imitate the Blessed Virgin Mary and St. Joseph, doing simple things very well for the love of Jesus, with prayer and thanksgiving always humming in their hearts and minds.

Finally, there's a section on the priesthood. 

The illustrations are lovely. They show religious men and women in their habits, living their lives - praying, eating, serving. There were a few pages with very light coloring in places. On pages 14-15, for example, it is a little difficult to read the English translation under the chant. 

This book was recommended by a fellow moderator in the Mater Amabilis Facebook group. You could read it aloud, but it's written to young readers and reading it independently allows a young reader to contemplate the illustrations more slowly. I intend to assign it to my Level 2 student (fourth grade) this year. He could read it in one sitting, but I will assign just a few pages at a time to encourage him to slow down and enjoy it, as much as he is able.

I have received nothing in exchange for this post. I purchased this book new. Links to Amazon and Bookshop are affiliate links.

September 2017 Book Reports

The Shepherd Who Didn't Run: Fr. Stanley Rother, Martyr from Oklahoma by Maria Ruiz Scaperlanda - link to my post (purchased copy)

Years of Dust: The Story of the Dust Bowl by Albert Marrin - link to my post (purchased used copy)

Pippi Longstocking by Astrid Lindgren is the outrageous story of a unique orphan who moves next door to nice respectable children. I avoided this book for years because I'd heard it displayed a shocking lack of respect for those in authority, but decided my kids were old enough now to not be too influenced by that. There is an episode in an early chapter where Pippi leads two policemen on a ridiculous game of tag along the rooftops, but I found it more amusing than mortifying. Altogether, such silliness is not my style but the children enjoyed it. We listened to it in the van, which I enjoyed much more than I would if I'd be reading it aloud. (purchased on Audible )

Pocahontas by Joseph Bruchac is an excellent choice of books on Pocahontas. It focuses on the thoughts and events Pocahontas and Captain John Smith experience from the time the Europeans arrive and Captain Smith's adoption as "brother" to Mamanatowic. The different perspectives help provide some understanding for young readers of the cultural misunderstandings of the times. Bruchac extensively researched the events, incorporates the "voices" of Smith and Pocahontas, and uses his own understanding of Native American stories and myths to expand the story. There are multiples references to "Papists," usually derogatory, but they serve to show some of the prejudices of the time. First Daughter, in fifth grade, will be reading this book independently later this year. This is not one of the books suggested by Mater Amabilis™ but it is the book I prefer. There are lots of useful notes in the book regarding language and definitions. (library copy)

Manga Art by Mark Crilley - link to my post (review copy from Blogging for Books)

Till We Have Faces: A Myth Retold by C. S. Lewis was the book club choice for this month. It's the myth of Cupid and Psyche from the point of view of her older sister. Lewis makes a few slight changes to the myth which give the sister the means to justify herself. It is the story of a woman who discovers only in her old age what love might have been. This is probably my favorite Lewis book of the handful I have read. (inter-library loan copy)

Chitty Chitty Bang Bang Flies Again by Frank Cottrell Boyce is a delightful new tale featuring Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. Boyce, with permission from Fleming's estate (or whoever owns the rights to the original Chitty book), launches the Tooting family on an adventure, led and protected by the wonderful Chitty. This is the first of three books and ends with the family in the midst of a new crisis. The three books are nearly one story between them. I found this version on Audible and bought all of them as soon as I saw David Tennant was the reader of the audiobooks. It's totally like having Doctor Who read us the story! (purchased on Audible)


Books in Progress (and date started)

• Norton Anthology of English Literature Vol. 2 (sixth edition) (August 2014)
• A Century of Sonnets edited by Feldman and Robinson (May 2017)
• The Complete Ramona books by Beverly Cleary (July 2017), listening with the kids
• History's Greatest Voyages of Exploration from The Great Courses (July 2017), listening with the kids
• Great Expectations by Charles Dickens (July 2017), listening on my own
• No Fear Shakespeare: Henry V (July 2017)
• Endurance: Shackleton's Incredible Voyage by Alfred Lansing (August 2017)
• John Paul II: A Personal Portrait of the Pope and the Man by Ray Flynn (August 2017)
• Chitty Chitty Bang Bang and the Race Against Time by Frank Cottrell Boyce (September 2017), listening with the kids and Kansas Dad
• Augustine Came to Kent by Barbara Willard (September 2017)

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). Try Audible - another affiliate link.

Links to RC History and PaperBackSwap.com are affiliate links. Other links (like those to Bethlehem Books) are not affiliate links.

These reports are my honest opinions.

July and August 2016 Book Reports

Ten Ways to Destroy the Imagination of Your Child by Anthony Esolen - link to my post. (Kindle edition)

The Bee-Friendly Garden by Kate Frey and Gretchen LeBuhn - link to my post. (book review for Blogging for Books)

The 101 Damatians by Dodie Smith is a delightful story; I'm sorry I never read it as a child myself. This will either be a family read-aloud for us or First Daughter will read it during her independent reading. I'm dismayed the Amazon link says it's "abridged" as the book I read from the library has the same cover, though it doesn't say it's abridged anywhere. I may invest in the Audible book, just to see if there's a noticeable difference. (library copy)

Hilary McKay's Lulu series - link to my post. (library copies)

Julian, Secret Agent by Ann Cameron is an early reader, and one in a series. Julian and his best friend start a detective agency with his little brother and learn it's best not to jump to conclusions. His father takes their escapades in stride and allows them the freedom to explore and investigate in a way that's probably impossible in today's world, but commendable. This will be an option for Second Daughter in her reading aloud to me. (library copy)

A Traveller in Rome by H. V. Morton - link to my post. (borrowed copy)

Moxy Maxwell Does Not Love Stuart Little by Peggy Gifford is a humorous easy chapter book about a girl who avoids reading her assigned book the entire summer and the events that transpire the last afternoon. It's not clear to me that Moxy learns or changes much in the short book, though she does eventually read Stuart Little. It's odd that there's a much younger boy (she's 9 and he's 6) who has a "crush" on her, follows her around and does whatever she says, a boy she considers her "boyfriend." For those who are concerned about such things, she does live with her mom and stepfather, though it doesn't say anything about divorce. My girls want to read this book, because they've seen it around the house, and I will let them, but I wouldn't offer it during the school year and I won't mention it's the first in a series. (library book)

Everything I Need to Know I Learned from a Children's Book edited by Anita Silvey is a series of brief essays, some only a few sentences, of a successful person from a variety of careers, though there are lots of writers and illustrators, sharing a childhood memory of a book that impacted their lives. A variety of books are features, not all of them even written for children. Many of the stories reinforce Charlotte Mason's insistence on a broad feast of excellent books, as people draw different strengths and ideas from different books at different times. Each essay includes a full page excerpt, often with illustrations, from the featured book as well as a brief introduction to the book or series (in teeny tiny print) from the editor. One of my favorite stories told how Dr. Seuss had given up publishing his first children's book and was on his way home to burn it when he met a college acquaintance who just happened to be newly assigned to the children's book arm of his publishing house. Book lists appear at the end, but there are others I like more. (library book)

The Power and the Glory by Graham Greene - link to my post. (owned copy)

Black Fox of Lorne by Marguerite de Angeli - link to my post. (PDF copy from publisher, complimentary copy of the book when published)

At the Back of the North Wind by George MacDonald is the story of a young boy named Diamond who is befriended by the North Wind. He learns to trust in her even when he knows she sometimes causes what seems to be evil. In our favorite chapter, Diamond observes (and understands) two horses conversing in horse language. The reader in our audio version sounded a bit like a grandmother which was a bit confusing to me when the narrator became a part of the story and was obviously male. The children didn't seem to mind, though, perhaps because they've listened to their mother read just about anything aloud to them. (audio book from Audible)

Ruby Lu, Brave and True by Lenore Look is a early reader chapter book, one of a series about a young Chinese American girl who loves performing magic tricks, adores her brother, and has a delightful family. It's cute and sweet and one I'd be happy for my young readers to enjoy. (library book)

Under the Lilacs by Louisa May Alcott - I started to read this aloud to the kids from my Kindle when we were stranded outside Sequoia National Park. They were drawn in right away by the dog in the first chapter. We finished the book on Librivox. The girls (8 and 9) loved this book the most. First Son, I think, anticipated the ending and found it a little too "girlish" for his taste (though he loved Little Men last year). I found the Librivox reader a little perplexing in her pacing, but the children didn't seem to notice anything odd about it. I hadn't read this one myself before. It was fairly moralistic and the ending was predictable (but I still loved that predictable ending). (free Kindle book, free Librivox recording)

For the Children's Sake: Foundations of Education for Home and School by Susan Schaeffer Macaulay and Towards A Philosophy of Education (Charlotte Mason's Original Homeschooling Series) by Charlotte Mason were read with my Start Here book club. We spent nearly 18 months reading through the study and I neglected to take extensive notes on the books. For the Children's Sake is an excellent introduction to Charlotte Mason and her principles. I recommend it for people who are new to Charlotte Mason, especially if her original volumes are intimidating. (purchased copy of For the Children's Sake at some long unknown time and place, purchased used copy of Towards a Philosophy of Education)

Humility of Heart by Fr. Cajetan Mary da Bergamo - link to my post. (purchased used on Amazon)

Oliver Twist by Charles Dickens - link to my post. (read for free on the Kindle, but I have an old used copy for First Son to read purchased at a library book sale)

Dispossessed by Ursula Le Guin - link to my post. (library copy)

Harry Potter and the Cursed Child by John Tiffany and Jack Thorne - There was really no way to avoid reading this book, which is really the script of a play. It was weird to read a Harry Potter play. The plot and character development are limited in a script; so much of that happens on stage. Many of the characters seemed like they were there just for show (especially Ron). Kansas Dad had trouble imagining Harry having so much difficulty relating to his son, but I personally think that could be managed. Really, though, I'd prefer to see this play performed. Maybe one day we will. (purchased copy, with a generous gift card from my godparents)

The Captain's Dog: My Journey with the Lewis and Clark Tribe by Roland Smith is recommended by RC History for volume 2. First Daughter read it independently and I read it just ahead of her. It seemed to do a good job of describing the trials and hardships of the journey without being too explicit for younger readers. The dog's point of view is also a benefit for more reluctant readers. It does present spirit animals (of a Native American tribe) as real and instrumental in the story, if that concerns anyone. We were fine with that as a literary technique. I linked above to the RC History website (an affiliate link), but the book is also available from Amazon (another affiliate link). (library copy)

Father Elijah: An Apocalypse by Michael D. O'Brien - In this fictional apocalypse, a Jewish convert priest does spiritual battle with an Anti-Christ who has risen to great political power in Europe. What does evil look like in the present world? How are we deceived by evil masquerading as doing good? How do we cultivate faith when the world seems so terrible? There is only minimal resolution in the book and I read recently there is a new book in the series. (parish library copy)

Krakatoa: The Day the World Exploded by Simon Winchester - link to my post. (library copy)

Books in Progress (and date started)

• Norton Anthology of English Literature Vol 2 (sixth edition) (August 2014)
• Transforming Your Life through the Eucharist by John A. Kane (June 2016)
• Peter and the Starcatchers by Dave Barry and Ridley Pearson (August 2016, listening with the children) 
• My Several Worlds by Pearl S. Buck (August 2016)
• The Peterkin Papers by Lucretia P. Hale (August 2016, reading aloud to the children)
• Ivanhoe by Sir Walter Scott (August 2016, with First Son)

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). 

Try Audible and Get Two Free Audiobooks - another affiliate link.

Any links to RC History and PaperBackSwap are affiliate links.

Other links (like those to Bethlehem Books) are not affiliate links.

These reports are my honest opinions.

Patterns and Japanese Dolls

As part of our Reading Around the World in Asia picture book study this year, we read both Yumi and Kimonos by Aneelore Parot. When I selected these books, I had my seven-year-old daughter in mind, but my five-year-old son was just as interested (as well as the nine-year-old daughter). Neither of these stories has what I'd call a plot. Instead, each spread has a little activity for children to do with the little dolls. The second book, Kimonos, was especially interactive. Second Son loved searching for the ladybugs, choosing the correctly patterned kimono, and opening all the flaps.

There are Japanese words (including the calligraphy) but no pronunciation guide. I knew a few words and guessed at the others if the children asked. (Most of them are probably easy to find online, if you happen to have an easy way to search quickly for them.) I'm not sure how much they added to our knowledge of Japan, but they were a lot of fun.

It occurred to me as we were reading these books together, that searching for the matching patterns and thinking about what the dolls look like from the back (to choose the right one on the page) engage mathematical skills for pattern recognition and spatial manipulation. These books are a delightful way to introduce these skills, especially if you have a little girl who loves tiny dolls.

Inspiration and Adventure: More Catholic Tales for Boys and Girls

More Catholic Tales for Boys and Girls by Caryll Houselander

I wrote briefly about this book when First Son read it three years ago (recommended by Mater Amabilis for Level 1A Year 2, third grade) but I didn't write a proper review. (I wrote more on Catholic Tales for Boys and Girls which is read in Level 1A Year 1). I recall the spring First Son read this book was a hectic and frazzled one for me and I often did not read the story at all.

This year, I am making a concerted effort to read everything before the children do (though not entirely succeeding), but I was inspired anew to thankfulness for such uplifting and inspiring stories for my children to read. These two books would be wonderful First Communion or Easter gifts. First Daughter read these easily independently in second and third grade, though some second graders may enjoy the stories more if they are able to listen rather than read themselves.

In Montague Runs Away, a young boy, inspired by a missionary sermon and dismayed when his guardian aunt tells him the gypsies are heathens, bravely (but foolishly) abandons his aunt and chases after the caravan to tell them of Jesus and his love for them. Surprisingly, a gypsy boy his own age confesses his desire to stay in the towns they visit to preach the love of God.

"You see, it's like this," he went on. "They know how there is a God, and they know how He gets angry if they do wrong. But they don't know what God's like one bit. They don't know how He loves funny things. Why, if you'd seen some of the little frogs and field mice and spiders that I've seen, you'd know God likes to laugh, or else He wouldn't make those things. Of course, He's serious, too, and He makes stars shine right down in the wells and the streams. And then there's the way He does things. I've seen the fields all the year round; I've seen 'em when the seed goes in and when it starts to come up, and when it's all shining like gold for the harvest." He stopped as if he felt he couldn't explain any more.

Sadly, he admits he is unable to fulfill his dream because he hasn't had the opportunity to learn all the reading, writing, and Latin necessary to be a priest. His aunt, "always a surprising person," fetches Montague home but promises they will travel all summer with the circus, establishing a little school for them in which she will teach.

"Don't interrupt, please. You were naughty to run away, but I was naughty to think circus people are wicked just because they are circus people. So I'm going to forgive you, and God will forgive me."

In The Donkey-Boy's Coat, the Lord's triumphant entry into Jerusalem is described incredibly joyfully.

And then, from all the hamlet around, just as if a secret message had come to them (as it comes to birds, telling them to rise in flocks and fly to sunny lands) children, crowds of them, came into sight. They were all running toward the gates of the city of Jerusalem. First, there were little groups of them; then big groups, as they joined up; then a great crowd. And as they ran, they leaped up and down and waved green branches gathered from the trees.

Joey forgets himself and his ragged cloak in his joy, laying it under the feet of the donkey just as the other children do. It is transformed by the touch of the donkey's feet into a beautiful cloak, decorated with symbols of Jesus and his gifts to us.

There are many more wonderful stories, but I'll finish with one of my favorite quotes, found in The White Mouse's Story:

I have had only one real adventure in my life, and that was terrible. There were parts of it I did not understand, as I believe is the case even with you, when an adventure is worth having. 

I purchased this book years ago directly from the publisher, Sophia Institute Press. They have frequent sales and discounts, so follow them by email or facebook or whatever you fancy. The links above are to Amazon and 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). Every little bit helps - thanks! 

Picture Book Comparisons: Bloody Cats and Goblin Rats

This year our focus while Reading Around the World in Picture Books is Asia. We've recently started exploring Japan. We read The Boy Who Drew Cats retold by Anushka Ravishankar, illustrated by Christine Kastl (Japan), the tale of a young boy who only draws cats, the most remarkable cats. One night, his drawings come to life and rid a temple of a horrible goblin. I love the look of the ink on rice paper in the illustrations, though the huge rat goblin is a bit disturbing (for me, not the kids). I also loved how the priest sends the boy away from the first temple. Exasperated by the boy's incessant drawing, not least on beautiful screens, he remains calm and kind. The boy asks for any final advice.

The priest did not know what to say. Suddenly the words came out of his mouth, straight from his heart, without passing through his mind: 'Stay away from large places. Sleep only in small spaces.'

Akiro was puzzled. It was strange sort of advice for a priest to give his student when he was sending him away into the world. But a teacher's advice has to be taken with gratitude, even when it sounds odd and meaningless. So Akiro bowed low and left.

What a good attitude Akiro has!

Our library has a few different versions of this folktale so I also checked out The Boy who Drew Cats adapted by Margaret Hodges and illustrated by Aki Sogabe. These illustrations are also well-done, though I prefer those in the first. I hesitate to write anything against Margaret Hodges's story-telling skills, but the priest's advice in this tale is "Avoid large places at night; keep to small," which seems less lyrical to me though it obviously means the same thing.

Very young children might be a little disturbed by the drawings of cats spotted with red (blood from the goblin).  The illustration of the goblin rat in the second book includes only the tail, but the text was a little more frightening than the book above. Not that Second Daughter or Second Son (ages seven and five) found either bothersome. Dead goblin rats and bloody cat drawings are apparently run-of-the-mill around here.

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.

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.

Book Review: The Mysteries of Life in Children's Literature

Mysteries of Life in Children's Literature by Mitchell Kalpakgian

I saw this book at Amongst Lovely Things and knew I had to read it. Along with Tending the Heart of Virtue, this book provides evidence for the importance of sharing a particular kind of children's literature with children. The author, Mitchell Kalpakgian, draws examples from a small number of books (twelve, including Andersen's fairy tales, Burnett's The Secret Garden, Hawthorne's A Wonder Book, and MacDonald's At the Back of the North Wind) to show how the deepest truths of human life can be found in and nourished by children's stories.

The book reads like a series of essays rather than a coherent whole. In fact, you could easily read one or a few of the chapters individually without confusion. Kalpakgian explores the mysteries of life, wishes, luck, goodness, truth, beauty, children, play, friendship, home, nature, divine providence, and stories. The chapter on nature seemed the least coherent to me, though perhaps I just didn't have enough time to spend on it. I enjoyed the chapters on wishes and luck the most. Before reading them, I had not thought much about how the depictions of wishes and luck in fairy tales might reflect reality.

True wishes are unwavering and constant; they do not disappear. True wishes are answered as a result of good deeds. Their realization often comes as a consequence of effort, suffering, and sacrifice...Genuine desires seek happiness only in moral ways and do not seek satisfaction through devious, dishonest methods.

The final chapter, "The Loss of Mystery and the Loss of Childhood," is completely different from the others. In it, the author argues that our modern society devalues everything he has unearthed from children's literature in the previous chapters, all inevitably stemming from our failure to protect life in the womb. I would not say I disagree with the author's assertions in this chapter, but it all seemed a little overwrought to me.

In short, children's classics are pro-life, pro-family, and pro-God. All of life is sacred, magical, and mysterious, and every aspect of the world is full of poetry, adventure, and romance. Goodness, truth, and beauty abound in infinite supply.

My main problem with the last chapter is that someone who was merely interested in the concept of children's literature as a source of the greatest mysteries of life might just dismiss the whole book after reading the last chapter, even if the previous ones were intriguing. A belief in a Christian God is an important part of every chapter, though, so perhaps I am mistaken and no one like that would ever get so far in the book.

Overall, this book is a good resource for those who are interested in sharing truth, beauty, and goodness with children through literature. The author gives clear examples of how specific stories and books reveal aspects of reality in ways children can contemplate without oversimplification. He also shows how they can lay a foundation of respect for families, home-life, and children. Though only twelve books are used as examples, it is possible to extrapolate the patterns to discern similar themes in other books and stories.

My Favorite Picture Books: The Girl and the Bicycle

The Girl and the Bicycle illustrated by Mark Pett

This adorable wordless picture book shows a young girl who works steadily to earn enough money for a new bicycle, in the process developing a relationship with a neighbor. It's a book of perseverance, success, disappointment, generosity, friendship, and family. All of my children have spent time engrossed with the illustrations and "reading" it over and over again.

This book is a kind of sequel to The Boy and the Airplane, but I like it even better than the first one.

The Amazon links above are affiliate links. I checked this book out of the library. This review is my honest opinion.

Advent 2013 and 2014 Picture Books of interest

Somehow Advent 2013 passed and my blog was never updated with any of the picture books we read. To remedy that, I have one big post to cover the new noteworthy books we read in Advent in 2013 and 2014.

Each year, I wrap a picture book for every day of Advent. The children take turns opening them and we read them together. Just in case you've never done such a thing and are intrigued, let me share what I've learned since we started this tradition back in 2010.

• One book a day is sufficient. Trust me.
• Be selective in your Nativity story picture books. Fewer is better. I try to limit myself to one a week.
• Don't make them all long and serious. Put in a few silly ones.
• Choose at least a few absolute favorites to read every year and feel free to mix up all the others.
• If you miss a day or two, don't despair. This year we did better than ever and still read about five books on a later day.
• Wrap library books! The kids don't care.

Now that you are (hopefully) no longer overwhelmed at the thought of a picture book a day during Advent, here are links to all the Advent and Christmas posts I've written.

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)


Finally, here are the noteworthy new books we read during Advent 2013 and Advent 2014.

Advent 2013

Christmas Is Here, words from the King James Bible illustrated by Lauren Castillo was my favorite new-to-us-book for Advent 2013. These are not the gloriously beautiful illustrations in other Nativity stories, but simple and sweet. They are just right for reading to little ones and work well with the biblical text. Highly recommended.

This Is the Stable by Cynthia Cotten, illustrated by Delana Bettoli, is a quiet repetitive book with lovely illustrations. I especially like how the Holy Family is depicted because they are not white.

Christmas Lullaby by Nancy Jewell, illustrated by Stafano Vitale, is a poem of small gifts brought to the infant Jesus by many different animals. The paintings by the illustrator are truly artistic and quite different from most children's Nativity books. I loved how the stable and Jesus appear a bit closer on each page.

Marta and the Manger Straw by Virginia Kroll, illustrated by Robyn Belton, is the story of a girl who is generous despite her poverty and receives blessings in her own need. It's one of my new favorite Christmas books. (I included it in my Twelve Christmas Picture Books I'd Carry Into the Wilderness list.)

A Christmas Tree for Pyn by Olivier Dunrea is another one I really liked. It's not about the meaning of Christmas if you think only of the birth of the baby, but the way Pyn lovingly prepares for a Christmas tree, trusting in her father, and the way his heart is comforted and he gives her the one thing she wants most sweetly hints at the Love Christ brings to the world.

Snipp, Snapp, Snurr and the Gingerbread by Maj Lindman is one of many books about triplet brothers (Snipp, Snapp, and Snurr) or triplet sisters (Flicka, Dicka, and Ricka). Some of these are better than others and the gingerbread book is one of my favorites. The children loved it.

Night Tree by Eve Bunting, illustrated by Ted Rand, is one I should have found years ago. I was hoping it would inspire the children to make some "ornaments" for one of our trees, but we ended up reading it in a rush late one night after some busy December day. I still think it's lovely, as are Ted Rand's illustrations.



Advent 2014

Apple Tree Christmas by Trinka Hakes Noble is a lovely story of a young girl's memorable Christmas, one she thought would be sorrowful and instead was beautiful.

The Christmas Giant by Steve Light is about a giant and an elf entrusted with growing the Christmas tree for the North Pole. Usually I avoid Santa books (other than books about the real St. Nicholas and the classic The Night Before Christmas), but this one was sweet and creative. Humphrey and Leetree make good on their mistake with ingenuity and beauty.

The Stone: A Persian Legend of the Magi by Dianne Hofmeyer, illustrated by Jude Daly, is one I intended to read last year when we started school again in January, but everything had been disrupted by our holiday travels. I scheduled it earlier this year. The illustrations are different from most of the other books we read. I love the idea of a gift from Christ to the Wise Men and what it becomes.

The Storyteller's Candle / La Velita De Los Cuentos by Lucia Gonzalez, illustrated by Lulu Delacre, is a good book for Epiphany, though we read it before Christmas. I love how this book combines the compelling story of a real librarian in New York City, the isolation of immigrants and newcomers, and how traditions (old and new) lift us up and can show us the light of Christ. Even better, traditions shared allow us to be that light for others.

A Kenya Christmas by Tony Johnston is a tale of Father Christmas visiting a remote village in Kenya. I found it while seeking out picture books in Africa to read to Second Daughter and knew she would enjoy it.

Mim's Christmas Jam by Andrea Davis Pinkney with illustrations by Brian Pinkney is from one of my favorite picture book writing and illustrating teams. This book is set during the building of the New York subway system. A father is working far from his family on Christmas when some homemade jam changes the hearts of his bosses. I always like to include a few more historical books in our selections and this was a nice addition. There's a recipe at the end for the belly-hum jam, but we didn't have a chance to make it.

The Mitten by Jan Brett is a wintry tale more than a Christmasy one, which might be why we hadn't read it during Advent before, but it's my favorite Jan Brett book and the children all enjoyed it.


The Fourth Wise Man by Susan Summers was recommended by a friend after I posted about The Story of the Other Wise Man by Henry Van Dyke. This book is easier for young readers than Van Dyke's book without eliminating all of the rich language. I liked the illustrations, too.

Over the years I have built quite a library of Christmas and Advent books. A few we have received as gifts (at my request), a few I have purchased used on Cathswap, and many I have received from members of PaperBackSwap. You may have to wait a few years for copies to be available, but if you have young children, you have a few years before they'll outgrow the tradition. My 11 year old son hovered only rarely during the readings (though he was often near-by) but the 8 year old, 6 year old, and 4 year old were snuggled up close for every book.


All Amazon links are affiliate links. If you click through, add something to your cart, and make a purchase, I receive a small commission. If you click on PaperBackSwap.com (here or above), sign up, and post ten books, I receive a free book credit. Thanks!

November 2014 Book Reports

Draw-a-Saurus by James Silvani - read my review here (review copy from Blogging for Books)

Another Whole Nother Story by Dr. Cuthbert Soup is the second in a series of middle grade fiction. It is just as silly as the first with the addition of actual time traveling. I think First Son is going to enjoy these tremendously. I'm pretty sure they'd be fine for him to read, but I'll probably pre-read the third one. These would be summer reading. (library copy)

A Shepherd Looks at Psalm 23 by Phillip Keller is a book I found at a library book sale just after reading about it at Afterthoughts. Written by a man who was an actual shepherd in the Middle East, it provides tremendous insight into the twenty-third psalm (and other sheep and shepherd analogies in the Old Testament). I found this book particularly interesting given the prominent place of the Good Shepherd in Catechesis of the Good Shepherd (which I teach at our parish), but the best parts of the book were those in which he explained how shepherds and sheep interact rather than his explanation of how the metaphor works in modern life. Those parts weren't terrible, just not as interesting. (purchased copy)

The Last Lecture by Randy Pausch with Jeffrey Zaslow is a brief book of advice and memories as dictated by Dr. Pausch to a reporter after the overwhelming response to his last lecture (which I have not actually watched), a farewell speech he prepared after learning he was dying of pancreatic cancer. It contains much of the special memories he wanted to share with his very young children. It was sweet and sad, but I think it's nice now and then to step back from the business of our lives and make sure we're concentrating on what's most important. This book is a nice way to focus on that for a while. (library copy)

The Search for Delicious by Natalie Babbitt was one of the books listed in The Reading Promise. I found the title intriguing so checked it out right away from the library. I loved it because Gaylen, a young boy sent to poll the citizens about the food they find most delicious finds himself in the middle of intrigue to overthrow the king and then must decide whether to act. Should he intervene? Does he act for what is right? In the end, we don't even know if his actions made a difference, which is most marvelous of all. Sometimes doing what is right takes great courage and the act itself is what is most important, not the results. I think First Daughter (an excellent reader in second grade) could read this herself, but it's a perfect family story, so I've added it to our read-aloud list. (library copy)

The Sign of the Beaver by Elizabeth George Speare is a book I never read when I was younger about young boy left in the wilderness of Maine for a summer while his father journeys back to retrieve his mother and sister. After a series of mishaps, he is rescued by a Native American elder who arranges for him to teach his grandson, Attean, how to read and write. I'm not sure how authentic a story it is, historically, but it is a fine tale of friendship between two boys who initially view each other as enemies. I think this will be an option for First Son's summer reading. (library copy)

The Light at Tern Rock by Julia Sauer is a quiet tale of a young boy who is disappointed to find himself stuck at a lighthouse for Christmas. I like how the focus is not on how the lighthouse keeper misled them, or what his punishment will be, but on how our reactions to circumstances make our own lives better (or worse). It's quite short, only four chapters, so it's an easy one to add to our read-alouds for Advent. It was recommended by a member of the Read Aloud Revival Community facebook group. (library copy)

The Best Christmas Pageant Ever by Barbara Robinson is the story of six unwanted unruly kids who bully their way into a Christmas pageant and begin to discover the glory of Jesus' birth, teaching some of the townspeople a bit as well. I plan to read this book to the children this year during Advent. They will think it is hilarious. I would caution there is a lot of misbehavior in the book. I always worry such descriptions will give my children ideas, but there's not much in here they would do that they don't already do (like lighting things on fire or smoking cigars). (library copy)

The Caine Mutiny: A Novel by Herman Wouk - read my review here. (library copy)

Books in Progress (and date started)

• Open Mind, Faithful Heart by Pope Francis (January 2014) 
• The Education Of Catholic Girls by Janet Erskine Stuart (February 2014)
• Norton Anthology of English Literature Vol 2 (sixth edition) (August 2014)
• Men and Women Are From Eden: A Study Guide to John Paul II's Theology of the Body by Mary Healy (September 2014, with our parish adult education class)
• The Little Oratory: A Beginner's Guide to Praying in the Home by David Clayton and Leila Marie Lawler (September 2014)
• The Bible Compass: A Catholic's Guide to Navigating the Scriptures by Edward Sri (September 2014)
• The Religious Potential of the Child: Experiencing Scripture and Liturgy with Young Children by Sofia Cavaletti (September 2014, with a book club at our parish)
• Good Poems ed by Garrison Keillor (October 2014) 
• The Joy of the Gospel by Pope Francis (November 2014, for Blogging for Books)

Links to Amazon are affiliate links. Other links are not affiliate links.

Book Review: Clementine's Letter

Clementine's Letter by Sara Pennypacker, pictures by Marla Frazee

I picked up this book to introduce myself to the Clementine series, which I thought might be a good one for First Daughter. She loves books about precocious little girls and she loves books in a series so she can read a bunch one right after another.

The illustrations in this book are adorable; I love Marla Frazee, and so do my girls who recognize her style instantly from the many times they have gazed lovingly at her illustrations in The Seven Silly Eaters. I also loved how Clementine teasingly calls her little brother vegetable names (because her name is a fruit), different each time. They even take a trip to a Chinese grocery so she can learn new vegetable names. Her description of her brother's morning ritual of saying hi to each of his feet made my mother's heart happy.

Do you sense the "but" coming?

Right away I was a little concerned about the family of Margaret, Clementine's best friend. Her parents are divorced with her father living in Hollywood (making commercials) and visiting them in Boston one week out of the month. Divorced parents of friends in books is not great, but I could probably let it slide. What's more problematic is the mom's boyfriend, who seems to live with them. I'm not sure I want my seven year old daughter to think that's acceptable or normal, even though I realize out in the world that kind of thing is not uncommon anymore. Still, it makes me uncomfortable.

Even then, I thought...maybe...after all,  First Daughter is unlikely to really think the boyfriend is living with them since it's not overtly written in the story and she doesn't know about that sort of thing.

A subplot of the book, which isn't mentioned anywhere in the blurbs, is that Clementine would like to earn $20 to surprise her mother with an organizer for her art supplies. In itself, this is a great idea and could be a nice way to show how Clementine learns the value of hard work and perseverance. (Sense the "but?")

But, instead of working to earn the money, Clementine finds some bags in the basement under a sign that says "CHARITY COLLECTION - DONATE YOUR UNWANTED ITEMS FOR A GOOD CAUSE." It's even in all capital letters like that in the text. She pulls the stuff out of the bags and sets up a little rummage sale table in the lobby, quickly making $22 by selling it to other people in the building. She happily pockets the money, because buying her mom an art supplies organizer is a "good cause."

That's right: She steals from charity to buy her mom a present.

She does end up in trouble for this little escapade, but not as you'd expect. Are you ready for it?

The neighbors find out their friends were discarding what had been gifts from others in the building and were angry. They were angry at their friends for donating the gifts they had given and they were angry at Clementine for showing the whole building they had given away gifts they received. Clementine goes door-to-door, apologizing to all the tenants, not for stealing but for revealing their decision to donate the gifts.

Then Clementine and her father have a long talk about how she doesn't think through her actions. It's really sweet, actually, how he tries to guide her to being a better person, but he's oblivious. Clementine's transgression was not showing off what others had decided to do with their own belongings; it was taking the items in the first place.

Sigh, and then it gets a little bit worse. (Didn't think it could, did you?) When Clementine's father sees what she has bought with the money (which no one even contemplated asking her to give to the charity; he told her she had to offer to return the money to those who bought from her, but they all loved what they bought), he says, "Well, I guess it makes it better then--what you did. It's a good reason...wanting to make someone happy."

Oh dear.

A third grader's culpability for stealing charity items to see to buy her mother a present is certainly less than that of an adult stealing millions of dollars from an organization to buy illegal drugs and a mansion in the Canary Islands, but that's not the right response. Maybe something more like, "I understand you thought you had good reasons to do what you did, but it was still wrong to steal from the charity. What do you think you could do to make it right?"

In the end, Clementine asks if they can build a wall around the charity donation area so no one can see what others are donating.

Really? How about so no one can steal the donations?

She does put the extra $2 she earned inside the wall, for what that's worth. (Apparently, in Clementine's imaginary Boston, there's no sales tax. I wish there hadn't been sales tax when I lived in real Boston.)

To sum up, the rest of the Clementine books may be adorable and lovely, but we won't be reading them. I don't want to have to read them all and I wouldn't be comfortable putting any of the others in First Daughter's hands without reading them first.