Wednesday, April 24, 2024

Tree.Table.Book {Review}

                                                         


Lois Lowry's newest book takes us deep into the friendship between two Sophies... one an eleven year old little girl, and the other, her elderly neighbor who knows so much about the world.  These two Sophies are best friends and the younger adores her mentor.  Until one day, eleven year old Sophie overhears a conversation about her neighbor loosing some of her memory and needing to go live with her son.  So she takes it upon herself to coach the elderly Sophie in order that she may pass the cognition test and stay in her home.  Throughout the book, young Sophie comes to know more about her friend's past including stories of war, hunger, and family.

This middle grade book goes where most will not.  Tree.Table.Book is a heart-felt story of love, loss, and aging.  It takes a very difficult topic and presents it in such a way that it's real, but not overwhelming.  It's also an incredible story of friendship across the generations, reminding all of us that there's much to be learned from the elderly.  This book is sad, and hopeful... filled with compassion and caring... and ultimately acceptance by both parties.

And while I'd love to whole heartedly recommend it, there were two instances that parents should be aware of.  One, eleven year old Sophie makes a reference to a game that she plays with elderly Sophie mentioning that "we even have a same-sex couple" and she goes on to describe them.  Later, she uses the phrase "D*** it all!"  Neither detail added anything to furthering the story and didn't feel like something that was necessary in middle grade fiction.

This is one of those books that I would hesitantly recommend.  Ages 8-12 seems too young, but maybe a middle school audience would be more suitable for the topic.  Or Tree.Table.Book could be used as a read aloud with discussion.  The topic is sweet and relevant, but may be too much for younger audiences to fully comprehend.

*Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book from the publisher.  All opinions are my own.

Wednesday, April 17, 2024

Now and Not Yet {Review}

 


Many of us find ourselves lingering in the "not yet."  Professions, ministry, life circumstances,... we have a vision for our futures that is "right there" and yet, we can't quite reach it.  What do we do with our present circumstances when they don't align with where we want to be?  How can we embrace the now in the waiting for more?

Author Ruth Cho Simons shares some encouraging truths about living in the present moment when our hearts long for more.  It's okay to not like the now.  It's okay to admit that life is hard and takes us through challenging situations.  But the Lord can still use these hard circumstances for his glory, if we allow him.  Simons shares real principles learned through her own life and how she balanced the tension of these two realities.  Now and Not Yet is not just a fluffy, feel good book filled with cliches.  Rather, it is an honest look into how to move forward when life isn't all it's meant to be.  I didn't come into this book with a lot of expectations, but was genuinely surprised by how relevant it is.  This is probably the most real, and still encouraging, book I've read on the subject.  Ruth Cho Simons writes as one who has lived the struggle and can still see God's constant presence in her circumstances.  This book was a HUGE encouragment in my life and I hope it will be in yours as well.

*Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book from the publisher.  All opinions are my own.

Monday, April 15, 2024

Preschool In Our Home

 *Post originally written 8/4/14 and sat in the archives.  Enjoy!


In all my planning for the new school year, I find myself back in familiar territory... preschool.  Although I sent my older two to traditional preschool, I still did lots of supplementary activities with them... talking about letters... learning sounds... practicing life skills.  And while this is familiar to me, it's also strange.  I'm now balancing teaching three grades and balance is tricky.

But preschool is all about learning through play.  Finding the joy of learning... keeping school fresh...

On that strain, these are just a few of the things we're incorporating into our preschool year:
  • Circle time-- He loves to join the older kids for circle time in the mornings.  Days of the week, months of the year, weather, time, graphing, songs... this is absolutely his favorite time of the day.
  • Letter of the week-- Each week (or two) we learn a new letter.  Sometimes he paints a block letter, sometimes he glues beans on it.  Other days he models the letter out of playdoh.  
  • Shapes and numbers--We do a similar process with shapes and numbers... sometimes even doing collage art to learn. Most of the time these activities are done while the big kids work at the table.
  • Counting everything in sight-- Beans for collage, chocolate chips in cookies, counting for hide and seek, how many otter pops each sibling gets so he gets as many as big brother... math is everywhere.
  • Community helpers-- We talk about the ambulance that drives by. Or stop and listen for the fire truck that's on it's way through town.  Or talk about what police officers do.  Most often we ask questions when the kids go to the Dr's office.
  • Family structure-- Family is all around us.  Even if they're too far away to visit, they are a great way to learn about family structure, heritage, and history.
  • Art--What child doesn't love doing art projects?  Break out the watercolors, crayons, markers, tissue paper... I've planned a few projects here and there, but I'm also open to letting him explore and learn on his own.
  • Reading-- We love to read in our house. He's always a part of bedtime reading at night and reading our chapter books during the day.  I don't expect him to sit through the whole thing 'cause it's sometimes over his head. But he enjoys it and hears vocabulary, sentence structure, history, science... all kinds of new ideas.  And although he's still young this year, I know that next year he'll be ready to learn and we'll cross that bridge when we get to it.
  • Life skills-- Helping mommy with lunch... putting on shoes... picking up after himself... these and so many more are just a part of learning at home and growing up.  And I'm excited to see him grow in all these areas in the next year.
So what about you?  Do you have a preschooler at home?    What will you be learning this year?

Wednesday, April 10, 2024

How to Be A Scout {Review}

 



Bear Grylls' How to Be A Scout is FULL of all types of scouting information... from pitching a tent to tying knots ... to identifying trees, stars, and birds.  Grylls writes with wild enthusiasm about all things scouting.  And believe me, this is a VERY thorough book.  Additionally he encourages young scouts to always do their best.  His excitement for the topic comes through, making this a fun book to read.  Grylls additionally seems passionate about the leadership opportunities available in scouting and challenges readers to pursue the activities to their utmost ability.  This book goes beyond the "how-to's" of scouting and really encourages scouts of all levels to do their best and make a difference.  How to Be A Scout would make a wonderful for scouts of all ages and abilities, or families who love spending time outdoors.

*Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book from the publisher.  All opinions are my own.



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