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A Few of Our Favorite Books

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Thursday, March 28, 2013

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Well, it has been some time since I started a series on books and reading.  One minor home renovation later, here, finally is part two.

Trying to narrow down our list of favorite books has proven to be quite a challenge!  I’ve been puzzling for the last month or so over which books to include and which to skip.  In an effort to save space and avoid being redundant, I will skip some of the more obvious classics which nearly everyone loves (The Chronicles of Narnia, The Lord of the Rings, The Secret Garden, Good Night Moon etc.) and try to present some of our less well known favorites.


Board Books
I love board books for their durability and the fact that you can read one to your child in just a few moments.  So without further ado-
·         Fifteen Animals  (and just about anything else) by Sandra Boynton.  “I have a cat named Bob, and a dog named Bob and two fish called Bob and Bob.”  Meet one little boy’s pets in this cute book.  Boynton’s lively pictures and clever stories make her books enjoyable – fun even for parents to read over and over.
·         Guess How Much I Love You by Sam McBratney.  Little Nutbrown Hare tries to express his love for Big Nutbrown Hare.  “I love you as high as I can jump” said Little Nutbrown Hare.  But Big Nutbrown Hare can jump higher.  How can Little Nutbrown Hare measure his love?  This is a very sweet bedtime story.
·         Good Night Gorilla by Peggy Rathman.  Another great bedtime story about a zookeeper who is putting all the animals to bed.  This book has very few words, but the pictures speak volumes.
·         Hug by Jez Alborough.  A little chimp is lost in the jungle, and a pair of elephants helps out.  A sweet story, perfect for cuddle time – accompanied by lots of hugs.


Picture Books
Most children love to look at picture books.  But even the most dedicated parent will admit that some books get really old after you read them a hundred times.  And so a few favorites that even I enjoy reading and rereading and rereading and…
·         Should I Share My Ice Cream by Mo Willems.  This is not your average book about sharing.  Gerald gets an ice cream cone, and then agonizes about whether or not to share with his best friend, Piggie.  The solution to Gerald’s dilemma is anything but expected.  The other books about Gerald and Piggie are just as enjoyable.  These books are suitable as a read –aloud for young children or as easy books for beginning readers.  Also check out Edwina the Dinosaur Who Didn’t Know She Was Extinct, Leonardo the Terrible Monster, and other books by Mo Willems.
·         You Can’t Move a Hippo by Michael Catchpool and Rosalind Beardshaw.  On a hot, lazy afternoon in the jungle a sleepy hippo is lying on the bridge, and he is in the way.  The efforts of the other animals to push, shove and bounce the hippo out of the way are quite amusing.  This is a great book for story time, and the little lesson on politeness goes over well.
·         Who is Melvin Bubble? By Nick Bruel.  Meet Melvin Bubble as described by … his dad, his mom, his teddy bear, and many others.  Fresh and funny, I really like how each person adds a new perspective on Melvin Bubble.  Boing! by the same author is also a good read.
·         Tacky the Penguin by Helen Lester, illustrated by Lynn Munsinger.  Tacky’s friends, Goodly, Lovely, Angel, Neatly and Perfect are model penguins.  Tacky is a bit of an odd bird.  From marching to diving to singing penguin songs Tacky doesn’t quite get it.  But when hunters come with maps and traps and rocks and locks, it is up to Tacky to save the day.  Humorous, and with four or more sequels, even I don’t get tired of reading these.


Read-Alouds
Many of the books on this list could be read and enjoyed by older children, but some books are just meant to be read aloud.  If you have ever shared a favorite story with your child, you know that the connection goes deeper than the words on the page.  I still listen in when my husband or one of the grandfathers reads with the kids.
Some of these books contain references to other religions, or light use of magic which not every parent will be comfortable with.  For our own family, we feel it is more beneficial to teach them to discern right from wrong and good from evil.  Books are a good, safe place to expose our children to teachings that oppose our own, and to guide them toward the truth.  Perhaps we will discuss the use of magic in literature at more length in the future.  For now, I encourage parents to read the book before reading it to their children in order to make their own decision.
·         Old Mother West Wind by Thornton Burgess.  A collection of animal tales, including “Why Grandfather Frog Has No Tail”, “Reddy Fox Goes Fishing” and “Johnny Chuck Finds the Best Thing in the World”, these are delightful stories.  Although the animals are given human qualities, each behaves true to its animal nature.  The chapters are just the right length for reading aloud – not too long, not too short.  This is a great book for younger children.
·         The Golden Goblet by Eloise Jarvis McGraw.  Set in Ancient Egypt, the Golden Goblet centers on Ranofer, a young boy who aspires to be a gold smith.  When his father dies, Ranofer is forced to live with his abusive half-brother, Gebu the stone cutter, and become his apprentice.  This is a beautiful story of friendship and determination.  It would dovetail well with a study on ancient Egypt, or enjoy it for the story itself.  Be aware that as with any authentic story, the religion of the time and place plays heavily into the story, so you may want to discuss this with your kids.
·         The Gammage Cup by Carol Kendall.  Muggles is just an ordinary Minipin.  She wears a green cloak, she goes about her duties quietly, and she definitely does not paint her door vibrant colors.  But one discovery in a dusty cellar will change Muggles’ life forever.  Our family has enjoyed this book for two generations.
·         Puck of Pook’s Hill by Rudyard Kipling.  Two children perform a scene from “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” in a cow pasture on Midsummer Night’s Eve.  Mischievous Puck appears, and throughout the course of the summer introduces them to men and women who lived on the land long before they did.  What a wonderful way to learn British history!  Don’t miss the sequel, Rewards and Fairies.
·         Howl’s Moving Castle by Diana Wynne Jones.  Sophie Hatter lives a quiet, boring life until she refuses to sell a hat to the Witch of the Waste.  Turned into an old woman, and unable to tell her secret, Sophie sets out to find a cure for her curse, and stumbles upon the moving castle.  Inhabited by an unusual array of characters, Sophie must help them so that they can help her.  Although this book does contain some magic, it is not at all dark, and the story itself is hilariously funny.

I will leave you with those for now, and pick up again soon with chapter books for personal reading.

Homeschool Day At the Capitol

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Monday, March 11, 2013

Home School Day At the Capitol
April 11th, 2013

Having hundreds of homeschoolers attend this Capitol Day makes the statement that South Carolina homeschool families are passionate about their children and the right to educate them at home without government intervention. Our legislators heard that, now they need to see you. Direct grassroots contact from constituents can have a tremendous impact on the political process. Legislators are more likely to act on a request when they have had direct input from their constituents. You proved that in February. It is also our opportunity to educate the legislature regarding home education and let them see what true parent-led, privately funded education looks like. You will be ambassadors for home schooling.

You can turn the day into an educational field trip for your children by touring the capitol, attending the workshops, being introduced to the South Carolina House or Senate, and touring the capital grounds and the Governor's mansion. Don't miss out on this opportunity to catch a little of the passion and vision for liberty and for homeschooling from those who have been on the front lines of the battle.

If you don't speak out for homeschooling, who will? 

Join South Carolina Home Educators Association (SCHEA) for this Capitol Day tour in Columbia on April 11th, 2013.  For tour information, visit their website www.schea.net, and feel free to email them at schea1@schomeeducatorsassociation.org.

Cataloochee Horse Camp

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Tuesday, March 5, 2013

Enjoy a week of horseback riding and spiritual enrichment in the Great Smokies of North Carolina.

Youth for Christ's Outdoor Mission Camp and Cataloochee Ranch have partnered to bring you Cataloochee Horse Camp!  CHC is for homeschool girls ages 12 - 18 from advanced beginners to intermediate riders who would like to improve their riding skills and grow spiritually.

A Cataloochee Ranch wrangler and an equine vet with thirty years of experience will provide instruction in riding skills and horse care while Outdoor Mission Camp directors Ruffle and Jamie Shackelford, a former homeschool family, will provide meals, housing, and opportunities for spiritual development.

The camp runs from the 15th to the 20th of September, 2013.  Activities will include daily devotions, instruction in horse care and horse-packing, day rides, and an overnight pack trip in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

Campers are asked to arrive at 4:00 pm and be ready to depart at 10:00 am on the 20th.  The total cost of the camp is $450.  If finances are an issue, please contact Outdoor Mission Camp for fundraising opportunities.

What: Cataloochee Horse Camp
Where: 2514 Fietop Rd., Maggie Valley, NC 28751
When: 15th - 20th September, 2013
Price: $450
Who for: Homeschool girls ages 12 - 18
Host: Ruffle and Jamie Shackelford
Phone: (828) 926-3253 / (828) 593-7180
Website: www.OutdoorMissionCamp.org / www.CataloocheeRanch.com
 

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