Saturday, March 31, 2012

Off the Shelf - March

March was a busy month, but even with having one day a week banned from reading, we found some books to enjoy.

Picture Books
The warm weather this month had us eager to read about the gardening - and various other topics

How Groundhog's Garden Grew by Lynne Cherry
The illustrations in this book made me eager for gardening season. There was actually a lot of good garden info in this book about Groundhog's gardening adventure.

When Ruby Tried to Grow Candy by Valorie Fisher
My children were dreaming about what they would grow in their garden if this book was reality!

Trashy Town by Andrea Zinnerman
Only boys could adore a book about a garbage collector!


The Sea, the Storm, and the Mangrove Tangle by Lynne Cherry
Fascinating story of a mangrove tree and the life it protects.

 A Butterfly is Patient by Dianna Hutts Aston
Beautiful paintings and amazing information on butterflies.

Tricking the Tallyman by Jacqueline Davies
Combining a fun story about the history of the first US census with the importance of honesty.

Read Aloud Chapter Books
The list of books we finished this month looks long but some of these we have been working on since Christmas. We usually have several books that we are reading at the same time. Books read before naptime, for school, before bed with Ed, or audio books in the van. It may sound confusing to be reading through several books at the same time, but I figure it is good memory practice.



A Pioneer Sampler by Barbara Greenwood
The drawings and descriptions of pioneer life made this book a favorite. It was one I found the children pouring over in between reading sessions.

Yonie Wondernose by Marguerite de Angeli
I wasn't sure whether to place this book under picture books or chapter books. It has pictures, it is short enough to read in one sitting, but it is longer than most picture books. We are trying to collect all this author's books and this story about an Amish boy and a barn fire did not disappoint.

Coals of Fire by Elizabeth Hershberger Bauman
This book was a refreshing change from all our history reading of kingdoms fighting to overcome other kingdoms. Each chapter is the true story of someone who returned good for evil under very difficult circumstances.

The Adventures of Chatterer the Red Squirrel by Thornton W. Burgess
Burgess books are always entertaining and this one is no exception.

Swiss Family Robinson by Johann Wyss
We listened to this recording in the van and I was surprised how much we parents also enjoyed the story.

Adult Books



Legacy of a Pack Rat by Ruth Bell Graham
The short stories and free verse in this book was perfect to pick up for a few pages of encouragement at the end of a busy day.

The Baronet's Song by George MacDonald
A little unrealistic perhaps, but an entertaining tale from a great writer.

Personality Plus by Florence Littauer
Reading about the temperaments was a new topic to me. Interesting.

A Symphony in Sand by Calvin Miller
A lovely thought provoking retelling of the Christmas story.

As always, I won't say I agreed with everything in each of these books. There is no perfect book except the Bible. This post contains affiliate links. 

What are you reading?

6 comments :

  1. I always enjoy your book recommendations, esp. the childrens' books :) Pioneer Story was one of our very favourites when I was homeschooling. Hard to believe they are all grown up and married now. We still keep the dog eared copy, ready for the grandchildren.

    Have a blessed Lord's Day
    Niki

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  2. Thank you for sharing your recommendations! We use the Sonlight cirriculum which is literature based. We just finished Missionary Stories With the Millers and Little Pear. My little girl (6) really enjoyed both books and would beg me to read each day. My little boy (3)liked to sit in and listen to the adventures of Little Pear.

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  3. These books that you read are they books from your library or are they books from the public library? If they are from your library where do you buy most of your books?

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  4. Thank you for these lists and brief comments Gina. I stopped going to the library empty-handed a few years ago. I like to go armed with a list of specific books for myself and grandaughter. We usually have to order our books, they are not readily available in the library. Like you, I also collect great books to keep and I find most of them at Thrift Stores!

    Your followers may find it interesting to note: I work at several public schools. Currently I work at 3 middle and 3 high schools. One high school teacher I was talking with last week, was lamenting that her students generally don't want to read ANYTHING. She has seen a change in her years as a teacher, not for the better.

    I do think that a love for reading must be instilled and nurtured in most of us. Reading helps us all to grow in so many ways, not the least of which is thinking and language skills!

    Sorry to go on so long, but you've hit on (another) subject that many of us are passionate about!

    Many thanks for your lovely blog!!

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  5. Thos sound like fantastic books, Great fun to read !!
    Have a good Sunday !!

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  6. I get a lot of books from the library. As one reader commented, I always go armed with a list of book recommendations, and often use the interlibrary loan online to reserve books.

    I do have a large collection of books that I own. Most come from the thrift store or used book sales. I recently went to our library book sale and came home with 68 books for only $34.00. I love that I can get good old books so cheaply.

    Thanks for the recommendation of Little Pear. I'll look for it!

    And, Grandma Ruth, you are not the only teacher I've heard mourn the lack of reading today.

    Gina

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