Books
February Picture Book Basket
As I started to put together this month’s book list, I was thinking of saints’ feast days and St. Valentine’s Day. However, after adding Eve Bunting’s The Valentine Bears and Else Homalund Minarik’s A Kiss for Little Bear to our basket, I went down a little bear trail. In addition to reading the books below, I am…
Read MoreJanuary Picture Book Basket
This month’s book basket contains the following books: Akiak: A Tale From the Iditarod by Robert J. Blake A sled dog refuses to give up during the Iditarod, despite being hurt. Annie and the Wild Animals by Jan Brett The Big Snow by Berta and Elmer Hader (added 1/13) A Day On Skates by Hilda Van Stockum* This will…
Read More2009 Read Alouds
My husband read all of the books below to our children, save for the last one. I read that one for our First Communicant in the spring. The Small War of Sergeant Donkey by Mary Daly Big John’s Secret (Living History Library) by Eleanore M. Jewett The Lost Baron by Allen French Blood Red Crescent Henry…
Read More2009 Personal Reading
The books that I read in 2009 were: Dressing with Dignity by Colleen Hammond Grace Cafe Serving Up Recipes for Faithful Mothering by Donna Marie Cooper-O’Boyle Haystack Full of Needles, A Catholic Home Educator’s Guide to Socialization by Alice Gunther Managers of their homes: A practical guide to daily scheduling for Christian home-school families by…
Read MoreChristmas Books 2009
As I shared last year, each of our children receives a Christmas book from us on December 25. This year’s books, in no particular order, are: The Little Boy’s Christmas Gift by John Speirs This is a cute story about a young boy who gives a recognizable gift to the Christ Child. The pictures are exquisite.…
Read MoreChristmas, Feast Day, and Winter Books
One of the things that I like about this time of year is snuggling up with my children and reading picture books. Each year, we read a lot of Christmas, Feast Day, and winter books. This year, some of the books are new to us, but most of them are old favorites. The books that we have read…
Read MoreChristmas, Feast Day, and Winter Books
One of the things that I like about this time of year is snuggling up with my children and reading picture books. Each year, we read a lot of Christmas, Feast Day, and winter books. This year, some of the books are new to us, but most of them are old favorites. The books that we have read…
Read MorePromoting Reading for Boys (and Girls)
Recently, a friend asked me how I got my oldest son to progress past short books. The key to my son reading chapter books was involving Dad in read alouds and finding books that grabbed my son’s interest. Some of the books that Brendan really liked listening to his father read are: The Matchlock Gun by Walter…
Read MoreYoung Ladies’ Literary Club 2008-2009
I am blessed with a friend who started a girls’ book club. My two eldest daughters thoroughly enjoyed reading and discussing books with their friends last year. They are looking forward to their first meeting this year. The 2008-2009 books were: I Am David Escape from Warsaw (Original title: The Silver Sword) The Witch of Blackbird…
Read MoreObedience
“Obedience does not mean the execution of orders that are given by a drill sergeant. It springs, rather, from the love of an order, and love of Him who gave it. The merit of obedience is less in the act than in the love; the submission, the devotion, and the service that obedience implies are…
Read MoreEarly Morning Gifts
At 4:30, this morning, Finnian gave me some gifts, saying, “Mommy, I have something for you. I have some books for you. I have plenty of books for you.” His gifts were piled on me as he spoke. Then came a few of my favorite words, “Mommy, read to me.”
Read MoreHaystack Full of Needles
A couple of weeks ago, I received a signed copy of Haystack Full of Needles: A Catholic Home Educator’s Guide to Socialization. It is a beautiful book that nurtures love of God, love of family, love of friends, and love of neighbors. Alice shares numerous ideas for activities and clubs that can be started by…
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