It's Thursday somewhere, right? Oh wait, that only works with 5:00. Oh well. Here's what we've been reading...
CHAPTER BOOKS
CHAPTER BOOKS
Still working through The Moffats. My only complaint about this one (and complaint really is a lame word) is that the chapters are really long. Like, longer than what one sitting usually is for us, especially as this is a book that I pegged for mealtime/snack-time reading. But don't let that deter you. It really is a great book. Has anyone read the rest of the books in this series?
Gemma and I read The Prairie Skies trilogy recently, which included:
Gemma and I read The Prairie Skies trilogy recently, which included:
Pioneer Summer
Cabin in the Snow
Our Kansas Home
I would highly recommend these books. They introduced slavery in a very understandable way for their target audience and provided some great opportunities for discussion. We also read The Sod House, which I thought was okay but nothing special, and to go with it I also checked out Sod Houses on the Great Plains which was a really good explanation of the "why?" and "how?" of sod houses. These books on the westward expansion have been fun and informative, so in keeping with the theme I think we may read the Latsch Valley Farm series next. I requested the first two through ILL and you never know with that how long it might take them to come, but I'm hoping it will be soon. Any other recommendations along that vein?
For Kolbe, we've been reading Leroy Ninker Saddles Up.
Cabin in the Snow
Our Kansas Home
I would highly recommend these books. They introduced slavery in a very understandable way for their target audience and provided some great opportunities for discussion. We also read The Sod House, which I thought was okay but nothing special, and to go with it I also checked out Sod Houses on the Great Plains which was a really good explanation of the "why?" and "how?" of sod houses. These books on the westward expansion have been fun and informative, so in keeping with the theme I think we may read the Latsch Valley Farm series next. I requested the first two through ILL and you never know with that how long it might take them to come, but I'm hoping it will be soon. Any other recommendations along that vein?
For Kolbe, we've been reading Leroy Ninker Saddles Up.
FROM THE BOOKSHELF
I was at Kohls the other day to get Gemma's uniform shirts and we stumbled upon their Kohls Cares for Kids display and oh my word did that ever make my day. For $5 each we got our very own brand new hard copies of A Sick Day for Amos McGee and And Then It's Spring, both of which have been on my wishlist for quite some time. I'm still wondering if I should have gone ahead and picked up Bear Has a Story to Tell and If You Want to See a Whale...
I was at Kohls the other day to get Gemma's uniform shirts and we stumbled upon their Kohls Cares for Kids display and oh my word did that ever make my day. For $5 each we got our very own brand new hard copies of A Sick Day for Amos McGee and And Then It's Spring, both of which have been on my wishlist for quite some time. I'm still wondering if I should have gone ahead and picked up Bear Has a Story to Tell and If You Want to See a Whale...
FROM THE LIBRARY
We've had several Leo Lionni books recently, and Kolbe has taken a particular liking to them. I pointed them out on the shelf to him last time we were at the library, and the next time I turned around he had chosen one of each, HA! I enjoy all these books, but my very favorite by Lionni is An Extraordinary Egg.
WEEKLY THEME BOOKS
Currently we have "summer" books in the basket, and next week I intend to toss some Independence Day ones in as well. Some faves:
When Lightning Comes in a Jar - I can not read this book with out turning into a horrible sappy mess at the end, no matter how hard I try.
Summer Wonders and Summer Days and Nights seem to make their into our basket every year (probably because I request them every year....)
The Gardener was neat, and would go well with a study of The Depression Era.
Come On, Rain! is so great, I think it falls into the "magical" category. Maybe not as meaningful when we're not experiencing a drought, but magical nevertheless.
The Watermelon Seed always causes copious giggles and to go along with it we have Watermelon Wishes and Icy Watermelon.
Aunt Minnie McGrannahan was a very sweet story, and while not necessarily summer, it went nicely with Aunt Minnie and the Twister, which is a little more summer specific in these parts.
Adele and Simon in America is one we enjoy every year, and this year we have our very own (former library) copy. No, I didn't steal it from the library, in case you were wondering.
How to Bake an American Pie is always good
The Star Spangled Banner seemed necessary, and I can honestly say I don't know that we've ever gotten this version.
We have a Ugandan priest visiting our parish, and the kids (namely Gemma) are going to be sending some hand-me-down clothing and shoes with him back to Uganda to share with our brothers and sisters there, so I have a pile of books about Africa (I believe there is one that is Uganda specific) to share with them some day here soon. I got my inspiration here.
Well, that's all, folks! Happy reading!
Currently we have "summer" books in the basket, and next week I intend to toss some Independence Day ones in as well. Some faves:
When Lightning Comes in a Jar - I can not read this book with out turning into a horrible sappy mess at the end, no matter how hard I try.
Summer Wonders and Summer Days and Nights seem to make their into our basket every year (probably because I request them every year....)
The Gardener was neat, and would go well with a study of The Depression Era.
Come On, Rain! is so great, I think it falls into the "magical" category. Maybe not as meaningful when we're not experiencing a drought, but magical nevertheless.
The Watermelon Seed always causes copious giggles and to go along with it we have Watermelon Wishes and Icy Watermelon.
Aunt Minnie McGrannahan was a very sweet story, and while not necessarily summer, it went nicely with Aunt Minnie and the Twister, which is a little more summer specific in these parts.
Adele and Simon in America is one we enjoy every year, and this year we have our very own (former library) copy. No, I didn't steal it from the library, in case you were wondering.
How to Bake an American Pie is always good
The Star Spangled Banner seemed necessary, and I can honestly say I don't know that we've ever gotten this version.
We have a Ugandan priest visiting our parish, and the kids (namely Gemma) are going to be sending some hand-me-down clothing and shoes with him back to Uganda to share with our brothers and sisters there, so I have a pile of books about Africa (I believe there is one that is Uganda specific) to share with them some day here soon. I got my inspiration here.
Well, that's all, folks! Happy reading!
