this year of books V

Last round of fun books...


The Wonderful Thing about Hiccups -- Cece Meng

I love storybooks that transition from page to page with a cause and effect.  This is one of those about getting hiccups in the library...and the hilarious results thereof.


Hey Mama Goose! --Jane Breskin Zalben

Another topsy turvy nursery rhyme where the Old Woman in the Shoe runs out of room and decides to move.  This promotes a moving frenzy by lots of characters who are all looking for greener pastures.  The moral is true.  It is not always better somewhere else and they find themselves back at home again before the end of the book.


***Is Everyone Ready for Fun? -- Jan Thomas

Three cows (ahem, D, E, and A) decide to jump on the couch at chicken's house.  They don't quite understand the request to not jump so more antics ensue until they get all exhausted out and finally nap.  The reason I enjoyed it so much is rather self-explanatory.


***Once Upon a Time, The End -- Geoffrey Kloske

How often am I guilty of not wanting to tell a long story at bedtime.  These fairytales become all mixed up after a dad decides to condense them.  Very funny as an adult and kids who are familiar with the stories might just catch on...


The Day the Cow Sneezed -- James Flora

As already mentioned, I love the cause and effect style books.  This one is a great example of how one mistake can have some serious ramifications.  Totally exaggerated and blown out of proportion, of course...


Mole Had Everything --Jamison Odone

An opportunity to teach your kids that having "everything" does not equate to being contented.  We can choose to be content whether with much or little...the secret of being content in any and every situation. (Phil 4:12)


***Will You Carry Me? -- Helene van Rossum

This reminds me of my childhood.  Rather than carrying her son home from the park, the creative mom comes up with alternatives that make going home fun.  Flap those eagle wings!  (right, mom? -- Isaiah 40:31)


And with that, I will try to keep up better with the latest and greatest.

this year of books IV

And in the same vein of kid's books...


Animal Crackers Fly the Coop -- Kevin O'Malley

I seem to have a thing for books that have lots of puns and humorous undertones that only older children will get.  This book was full of those.  It tells the tale of the Musicians of Bremen but with jokes all along the way as they thwart the robbers.  Kids will enjoy it and the fun illustrations.  Older kids and adults will chuckle at the plays on words.


Dog in Boots -- Greg Gormley

This book (like A Hat for Ivan) teaches children that the best shoes are the ones that God has given.


Texas Mother Goose -- David Davis

This is perfect for those who want a break from the traditional nursery rhymes.  How can it get any better than nursery rhymes Texas style?


The Fourth King -- Ted Sieger

This tells the story of a 4th magi who went seeking the Christ child.  He does not arrive in time nor with a gift due to quite a few "interruptions."  But the Bible application is clear.  Matthew 25:40 "Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me."  He gave a precious gift to the Lord as he gave to others.  


Who Loves the Little Lamb? -- Lezlie Evans

This sweet book is perfect for all kids but especially the younger crowd.  It reminds them that Mommy loves them even when they are not at their best.  This is a wonderful illustration of unconditional love.


No Fighting, No Biting!  -- Else Holmelund Minarik (illustrations by Maruice Sendak)

This was a short chapter book that David read to all of us.  It is particularly humorous sitting on the couch with three children who are constantly "fighting" and "biting."  It is written by the same author who wrote the charming Little Bear stories.


Who's Afraid of the Big Bad Book?  -- Lauren Child

This is another of Lauren Child's quirky humor and cartoonish illustrations.  This one is about Herb, a boy who defaces a fairytale book only to find out that the characters are not appreciative.  Good lesson in why not to write on books.  :)


Lady Lupin's Guide to Etiquette -- Babette Cole

For kids who won't ready Emily Post's etiquette book, this is a good introduction to manners as taught by a Scottish deerhound.  My kids enjoyed learning the do's and don'ts as set out by this manners book.


Apples and Oranges -- Sara Pinto

This book of pairs compare lots of unrelated items and find funny similarities.  It was either written by an early elementary child or a parent of one.  Many of these ridiculous but funny comparisons could have come straight out of my kids' joke telling.


***M is for Mischief -- Linda Ashman

If you have the perfect child, don't read this.  It might give them ideas.  If you already have a rambunctious child, this book is hilarious.  It is poems of 26 different mischievous children, in varying degrees of badness.  The illustrations are fun and the imaginative rhyme is fantastic.  I was sure to reinforce the rottenness of all these children.  Definitely don't want my children to pick up further bad behavior.


I guess I have read quite a lot...these are only a small selection of all the books we have read over the past year; I still have 1-2 more posts coming.

this year of books III

I have done some reading but it has all been reading for the kiddos.  Here's some more of those fun reads.


Zany Zoo -- William Wise

This story is fun for kids primarily because of the fun and crazy illustrations.  The book is all written in rhyme and full of lots of humor and play on words that only adults will catch.  Definitely witty.  If you have kids who like to understand every word, steer clear or see it as a vocabulary building experience.


The Woman Who Won Things -- Allan Ahlberg

I think I like this one because I can relate a bit to this story on many levels.  I have been the woman who won very random things.  I have written a collection of stories about the father who has a lot of different jobs.  And I love the little bit of mystery (although it is pretty obvious to adults from chapter 1 or 2).  My kids enjoyed this book although it is a chapter book.  It is short and very quirky.


I Will Never Not Ever Eat a Tomato -- Lauren Child

As a mom who had two extremely picky eaters, I loved this book.  The girl swears up and down she will never eat a tomato (as well as other food).  This resolve changes after her perspective of food changes.  The illustrations are the usual Lauren Child illustrations-- Very graphic and cartoony...


***The Mice of Nibbling Village -- Margaret Greaves

It was the sweet Beatrix Potter style illustrations that first attracted me, but the verse is wonderful too!  It is all in rhyme.  Each story is an introduction to a different mouse who lives in the village.  Some are naughty.  Some are honorable.  They all are charming.  My kids really liked this one.  A classic that I will likely pick up for our own library.


***Did I Ever Tell You How Lucky You Are?  -- Dr Seuss

Not just the usual Seussian rhyme, this book is both fun to read and thought provoking.  A very easy  and fun way to teach your kids that no matter how difficult things might be, they could be far worse off.  I turned it into a tool to teach thankfulness and gratitude to the Lord for our blessings He has given us.


Why Cowboys Sleep with Their Boots On -- Laurie Knowlton

Maybe it's living in Texas that adds to the fun of this.  This one is an explanation for why cowboys sleep with their boots on.  (Do they?)  Leastwise, in this story, the cowboy finds some mischievous animals at work while he sleeps.


Stuck -- Oliver Jeffers

I love the logic followed in this story of how a boy gets a kite out of the tree.  Preposterous but laughable as you can see a child taking the first few illogical steps...some a few more.


Once Upon an Alphabet -- Oliver Jeffers

I hesitate to include this book because so many have found issue with it as a kid's book.  I enjoyed it (as an adult) and did not have an issue with reading it to my kids because they are young enough to take it more lightheartedly.  It gives little rhymes for each letter of the alphabet.  I like the fact that while they are all individual, there are little connections.  And the vocab is expansive and intentional. It is purely by coincidence that this happens to be by the same author as the previous book.  We picked them out from the library at different times.  Perhaps better suited to an adult who will understand the metaphors and the tongue in cheek humor.  But the illustrations are fun and rather Parisian looking and would appeal to kids too.


The Giant and the Beanstalk -- Diane Stanley

The traditional tale of Jack and the beanstalk is told here a bit topsy turvy from a nice giant's perspective as he is trying to get his magic hen back from Jack.  If you are familiar with other nursery rhymes and fairy tales, you will love how they are all interwoven in this tale.  Start thinking of how many Jacks there are in all these stories...!


***The Princess and the Three Knights -- Karen Kingsbury

This sweet tale is perfect for any little princesses in your house who aspire to marry a Godly man one day.  It tells the tale of how the king chooses a husband for the princess.

this year of books II

On to some kid's selections (***favorites)...


Raggedy Ann and Andy and the Camel with the Wrinkled Knees -- Johnny Gruelle

An old classic that has never gone out of style.  It is sweet and reminiscent of the Oz series.  Quite imaginative.

Seen and Not Heard --Katie May Green

The title first attracted me.  I have often commented on how the generations have changed from "seen and not heard."  I want to instill a bit of the old generation in my kids.  This book shows a bunch of portraits on the walls.  Perfect little boys and girls!  Albeit, the minute all are asleep, the children in the portraits are up to all sorts of mischief.  

The Beckoning Cat -- Koko Nishizuka

This tells the folkstory behind the little waving cat that you see in most oriental restaurants and shops.  The cat has always touched my sense of humor and now I appreciate him that much more now that I know his story.  My kids comment on the cat now too every time they see one.  

***What Can You Do with a Shoe? -- Beatrice Schenk de Regniers

I love Maurice Sendak (Where the Wild Things Are) so I was particularly thrilled to read this book with fun illustrations.  I was not prepared for the story to be as fun as the illustrations...albeit the illustrations tell the story as much as the words.  This book gives a lot of different things you can do with a shoe as the brother annoys his sister.  So funny and appropriate, I am already intending to purchase this one for our library.  

***The Fantastic Adventures of Baron Munchausen -- Heinz Janisch

Somewhere in the back of my mind, I was familiar with the Baron Munchausen.  He is a definite tall-taler who has done everything under the sun in a most fantastical way.  (at least he claims to have). The exaggeration in these stories is loads of fun and even younger kids will pick up on the fact that it is a tall tale.  

Raising Sweetness -- Diane Stanley

Sweetness and the other orphans have to find a way to get some good cooking and housekeeping.  Their adoptive sheriff "Pa" doesn't see a problem but is longin' for his long-lost love.  The book is fun to read with all the Texas drawl.  And things turn out all right in the end...

Operation Alphabet (Ministry of Letters) -- Al McCuish

Beautifully illustrated.  Looks like an old-fashioned book despite being a new release.  It is sort of a mystery with the alphabet letters involved.  Probably a lot of it would go over younger kids' heads but the pictures are lovely and it is a fun way to introduce the letters.  My eight year old could relate to the boy in the book!

***A Hat for Ivan -- Max Lucado

I am not a huge fan of Christian moral stories because they are often rather cheesy.  This one was incredibly poignant in a very well-written way.  It shows kids the importance of fitting the task that their Heavenly Father has suited for them.  All other "hats" are cumbersome.  And we are only called to take on God's plans for our life...not all the plans others make for us.  

***Horton and the Kwuggerbug and more Lost Stories  -- Dr Seuss

As a serious fan of Dr. Seuss books, this is yet another good one with familiar characters from his other books.

Snow White and the 77 Dwarfs -- Davide Cali

I almost hesitate to add this one.  It probably belongs under adult reads.  This book is a kid's book retelling the story of Snow White from her perspective.  But instead of a sweet kid's tale, it is a very humorous look at what it would be like to take care of some messy, noisy dwarfs day after day.  Probably better read alone by all the moms than a traditional read-aloud.  This book really touched my sense of humor though because it strikes a chord with the feeling of being exhausted and a bit overworked.  

More coming in another round.  

this year of books

I seem to not update nearly as frequently as I intended.  In fact, the last book update was almost 1.5 years ago!  I do want to keep track of the more fun books we have read.  The photos I took before returning books to the library will help rebuild this list.

I am ashamed to say that there are only 2-3 "adult" books among the list.  In fact, the last book I finished was a young adult book and it had been about a year since the previous book.  Again the excuses of flooding, homeschooling, three kids and life.  But really, it is just that I am too tired at nighttime to sit down and read.  And always seem to be busy with other things at every other time of day.

Here goes...

Tuesdays at the Castle - Elizabeth Day George

My most recent read.  A young adult book probably written for a 3rd or 4th grader but the subject is unusual enough it might not be grasped except by a slightly older child.  This had come recommended years ago by a friend.  I finally got around to reading it after checking out/renewing the book from the library for about 5 months.  It only took one afternoon.  This is a rather quirky, unusual and imaginative book.  It is an easy read.  The title comes from a castle that changes regularly-mostly on Tuesdays: adding and deleting rooms and aiding and abetting the people it wishes to rule by opening doors or windows or secret passages.  It is a lighter read in the vein of Harry Potter.  There are magicians, but it is less sinister.  There was a bit of a mystery that kept me guessing for much of it.  I did find the ending very abrupt and hurried.  But if you don't mind the magical elements, a fun read.


The Art of the Steal- Frank W. Abagnale

Written by the real-life man of "Catch Me If You Can."  He is a con artist turned con-artist catcher.  This book is written to enlighten the average man on various cons and how to avoid them.  I found it fascinating!  It is quite dated in parts (maybe written in 2002) but the premise remains and lots of fascinating information.


Leading Little Ones to God-- Marian M. Schoolland

What we have been using for our Bible devotional for a while.  This book was part of the Sonlight Curriculum and while I hadn't planned to purchase it, when I found it on clearance at Half Price Bookstore, I decided to pick it up.  I love how systematic they are in teaching kids about God's attributes, what he has done for us, and how we are to respond.  Each day is broken up into a short section that gives a scriptural basis for the day.  There is also Bible memory verses, hymns, prayers, comprehension questions etc...I have been really happy with this rather old-fashioned book.  And the kids like it and are getting it.


Lego Design- Jordan Schwartz

We are lego nuts at our house...adults and all.  This is one of the cooler Lego books that walks through the foundation of any lego building.  How to make certain shapes, how to get certain texture, etc... It also gives lots of ideas to build.


The Lego Book- DK publishing

Also for lego nuts.  This goes more into the history of lego, its various collections, the pieces, and minifigures.  It is a fascinating look at Lego through the years.


So sad to say, there was only one "real" adult book among the mix.  But...another post or two coming dedicated to other fun reads that the kids and I enjoyed over the past year and a half.

the juggling act

I am still not sure how teachers used to do it in one room schoolhouses.  We entered the world of juggling two grades this year and it is a whole different game!  The largest issue is exactly what I anticipated.  Having a boy with ADHD tendencies is quite challenging when you are trying to teach another child in the same room.  I started the first day of school running from room to room as I seated D and E in different rooms.  This did not work well at all.  And then I happened upon (and I do believe it was God's sweet provision) a blog that was suggesting to set up homework stations with trifold cardboard boards (the type you use for science fair projects).  Elementary school was too long ago for me, and I had completely forgotten that some teachers did provide small divisions between kiddos.  We went out and bought two cardboard dividers so each child could have their own "cubicle."  This helps immensely!!!  I also use them to hang important papers, incentive charts etc...  David no longer is nearly as distracted when he can't visually see E and I.

David began 2nd grade.  Elizabeth is Kindergarten.

School was a rough start as we had taken off 4.5 months in the summer because of the flood.  D had forgotten almost all his math.  God has been so gracious to answer many prayers.  He is now not only completely caught up but pretty proficient in all his addition tables all the way through.  And so most of the second grade math can now be done in a flash!  His reading has always been strong (reading several grades above his grade) so the spelling and other grammar is coming along well too.  He is amazing me by writing complex creative writing paragraphs of 3-4 sentences.  Not without error but quite legible.  We are enjoying interesting science books that were already on our shelf.  Right now we are studying insects.  The history book is also a fun read aloud (David again reading to us).  Doing abeka American history book.  Bible is various stuff: devotion books, straight Bible etc...

E has done exactly as I suspected she would.  I (guilty) never spent the time to teach her the alphabet or numbers before we started kinder.  And yet...she can count to 20 and beyond with almost no help.  She remembers how to form all the numbers and has excellent penmanship.  Months previous, she had already been telling me addition problems -- a skill we just started this week.  When going through the alphabet flashcards the first time, she already knew about 1/2 the alphabet and their phonics sounds.  After a week of review, she knew all but 4 or 5.  And after 3 weeks, she now knows all but "W".  Hah!  Weyler!  Not quite as confident as she needs to be, but months ahead of the game. She writes them all quite well too. We started trying to read simple three letter words last week.  This was where I was amazed.  I figured she would fly through this.  Not so.  What was natural to David once he finally learned his phonics sounds, is not natural to E.  She really struggles to put the sounds together once she sounds each one out.  I had to remind myself this is only the 3rd week of school and she is just 5 1/2.  She will mature and be reading in no time.  Patience.

This is actually the advice I have given to many over the past few weeks. I have learned through the several years of homeschooling that kids learn when they are ready.  If you force it before then, there will be a lot of tears and frustration by both mom and child.  Sometimes, it is better to just back off for several months and even with no further learning, a lightbulb is likely to go on one day.  I have to remind myself constantly not to push beyond their readiness.  David's reading skills are proof of that since he was not reading for 2.5 years and one day woke up overnight and can read almost anything!

So thankful that A loves to entertain herself and rarely causes trouble.  We have been able to do science and history and Bible together.  Then D does English while E plays for a few minutes.  Normally I give him writing to do while I work with E on English.  And then she does math while I give D a break.  Once she is started (very much an independent worker), I get D started on math.  And he wraps up while E is free to spend the rest of the day playing.

I hope this juggling continues as smoothly as it has.  We are finding a routine and making it work.  And it so, so lovely to see the reaping of several years of work!

God's clear direction

I have referenced our two weeks of vacation and an upcoming change.  This change needs to be documented as a memorial stone to God's faithfulness.

We have known it was time for a change with M's job for a while.  I have a very loyal husband though, and he was hesitant to go looking for a new job.  After God clearly provided direction/even the blessing of management to go look, we knew it was time (just one of the many clear signs along this road).  

Michael put out feelers primarily through LinkedIn and applying for a few very specific jobs.  I admit to feeling a bit discouraged at the outset.  I quickly realized how unlikely it would be in this economy to find another job in his narrow and specific industry.  However, after a week, he had interviewed with several recruiters over the phone.  Company #1 was in Dallas.  We both were interested in seeing where this went with family nearby and the thought of moving to a lovely city (even with all its faults).  He had several interviews with them before agreeing to a final face-to-face interview.  They were very interested and our only concern was that the company was not exactly a heavyweight in the industry.  Meanwhile, some random recruiter sent out a canvas email to LinkedIn members who had WV PE licenses asking if they or anyone they knew was interested in a position with a large oil and gas company.  I knew M was not actively seeking another "engineering" job, but he decided to respond.  Immediately, Company #2 set up a face-to-face interview.  With all the other things on his plate, M did no preparation for the interview because it was merely to be a good practice for the other "serious" interviews later. He came home from his interview, however, only about 1 1/2 hours later telling me that they had offered him a job already.  They offered him a position as principal engineer managing a group of 15 or so.  When they asked base salary, M gave them his number (already including bonus structure he currently gets).  They told him they really wanted him and would he seriously consider it if they bumped it up another 25%?!  M came home a bit confused.  The commute was pretty long, it was not in the forensic field, but they did make an attractive appeal with the salary and management opportunities.  I was not certain and told M I would prefer he not take the job.  All the while, M had been talking to Company #3.  They were his first choice (very close commute, doing the identical to current job).  They told him they wanted to hire him but he would have to interview face-to-face with the Columbus, OH office.  They pushed the interview to happen on a Thursday.  (Co. #2 was to make paper offer on Wed. and offices were closed on Fri).  In the midst of our sick period, M had his face-to face with Co. #1.  We discussed it on the way home on Monday, and M had some hesitancies.  We were pretty certain that they would make an offer but thought the offer would be low.  We prayed on the drive home that God would make it clear and (like it or not) He would shut all doors but the direction He wanted.  The next morning (Tues) less than 12 hours later, they emailed and told us they wanted to go in a different direction.  Wow!  Sure thing with door slammed.  As nice as it was to have clear direction, it made me a bit nervous.  We did remember to thank the Lord though!  Now, Co #2 actually got us the paper offer on Tuesday and requested an answer by Thur pm.  Michael had not even had the opportunity to ask any questions because the interview all happened so quickly so we bought a few more days by asking the questions now.  We begged until Monday morning.  The offer was indeed generous and they even threw in an unexpected extra week of vacation because they valued his experience.  And God was beginning to work on my heart to open me to this path if God so desired.  M went to his interview on Thursday on Ohio.  I was feeling torn because I so desired clear direction but was pretty certain we would be left with a difficult choice.  Hadn't the manager in the office of Co#3 said they wanted Michael?  Michael came home feeling happy with the interview.  I was praying that M would represent himself accurately.  Friday morning arrived.  I got a voicemail on my google phone number with a less than accurate transcription.  It said, 

"Hi Daniel This is Gina corner and I'm calling you from the department instruction with your park ice tea. Hey we wanted to let you know that they have, gone with another applicant for the position that they were hiring four. But we definitely I want you to know you did a wonderful job. It was very hard decision, you did. Great on the task that were done. Daniel. You know if you're looking for something in the district be sure to watch that job board because you are my wonderful employees at the district so. Keep that in mind if you have any questions, or you want to call me back please do so. 7106 and again. It was wonderful meeting you, Daniel. Thank you. Bye bye."

I was puzzled as to how they got my google voice number and unsure about "Daniel" but thought perhaps a word ending in "D" and Michael had turned into Daniel.  M interviewed with a girl named Jeanne and was awaiting the call.  I was trembling as I dialed the number to actually listen to the message, but praising the Lord for clear direction despite not really wanting to hear "No!"  The voicemail ironically was for a Daniel who had interviewed for a position and was rejected.  I get maybe 1-2 google voice calls every 6 months and always for me.  What are the odds that I would have a voicemail that day for the wrong number from someone with a similar name suggesting they had gone with another candidate?  No!  That was the Lord!  He was preparing me for what was to come.  

An hour later, Michael got a call telling him that they felt he was not a good match for Company #3.  Ironically, the things they pointed to were indisputably and accurately Michael and were definitely only negatives in the Lord's sovereignty.  Wow!  Another and even more "sure thing" slammed in his face.  We took a few minutes to talk things over and then tentatively overjoyed at God's clarity, we accepted the position with Company #2 (despite not needing to give an answer until Monday and them not even being in office until Monday).  

30 minutes later, things were tossed in the air again.  I knew my husband had misgivings about leaving the forensic world to go back into "just plain" engineering.  He received a phone call from Company #4 whose recruiter he had talked to casually over a month before.  It was in the forensic industry.  The recruiter was told that he had already accepted a position (just only) but that M would be open to talking to him if it was serious until the final paperwork was completed.  The recruiter told M that his was the only resume the VP had wanted to talk to.  This firm is headquartered in Houston but the VP in Atlanta wanted to talk to M.  M agreed to an interview on Monday morning.  The VP called on Sunday afternoon instead...knowing the time crunch.  M again mentioned his intention to follow through with the offer of Co#2, but the interview went well enough that Co#4 called early on Monday to say that they were rushing through an offer.  M had told them what he needed to even consider the job...minimum salary, realtor fees, etc...  Both of us were open to the move if there were no other factors in play.  But I felt that M had given his word (perhaps hastily at my suggestion on Friday) and needed to follow through.  I did not want my husband to be tempted to be less than honorable.  I prayed that God would somehow make the offer either ridiculously low (what were those odds since they knew they had to woo him from other offer) or close the door with Co #2.  Tuesday am he received the other offer.  It was almost laughable.  (in my case, I think I did laugh, for joy at seeing the Lord's clear direction once more).  The offer was the bare minimum required for salary.  Benefits were 2-3 times more expensive.  Fewer vacation days.  And huge dealbreaker, they would not reimburse for realtor fees.  They also wanted him to sign a very stringent non-compete (which would require a move if he ever lost his job) and the whole thing was worded in such a way that they almost dared him to take the offer.  It showed no sign of appreciation for him and, in fact, was worded, 

"We want to start out on a positive note, Mr. Weyler, but..." 

I mean really?  Who writes an offer that way?  "But!"

Michael astutely wanted to wait to reject the offer until after the other offer's final details were finalized.  However, when they dragged on, He decided he had to trust the Lord with the plan He had so clearly set out.  Michael turned down this offer from Company #4.  A few hours later, the Lord rewarded him by sorting out the last details.  The saga was not complete yet, but the work in our hearts was.  Company #4 then called him from the Houston office saying that as he had turned down the Atlanta office, Houston now had a shot.  They pursued but my husband now had the confidence to say, "I am taking the position of Principal Engineer at Technip."

Whoever claims that God does not deal with the specifics is wrong!  This is a testimony to that.  I know there have been/will be plenty of other times that God has not/will not provide such clear direction, but for today, I shall rejoice in His answer!  And thank Him for His clarity!  (and all this took place within a period of about 2 weeks!)