The Hiding Place by Corrie ten Boom

The Hiding Place, written by Corrie ten Boom, is a true story about the author's experiences during the holocaust. Corrie ten Boom was a leader in the Underground. With the help of her family, she kept many Jews safe from the Nazis. However, she was eventually caught, and along with her family, thrown into prison and a concentration camp.

This inspirational story is about how Corrie found faith and held onto it for dear life. She witnessed many miracles, but the greatest miracle to me, is that Corrie and her sister, Betsie, were able to maintain such a positive outlook because of their unwavering faith in God. I mean, Betsie prays IN GRATITUDE for the fleas in the bunker, which do, amazingly enough, turn out to have a good purpose.

Here is a brief excerpt:

"Corrie Ten Boom stood naked with her older sister Betsie, watching a concentration camp matron beating a prisoner. "Oh, the poor woman," Corrie cried. "Yes. May God forgive her," Betsie replied. And, once again, Corrie realized that it was for the souls of the brutal Nazi guards that her sister prayed."

The Hiding Place is a life-changing classic. It is a quick read. Although it is about the holocaust, it is not deeply depressing but enlightening. I hope you enjoy it! It is one of the best books I have ever read.

The above review was published on this blog in 2008.

Grace's Note, 2019: What an incredible book. I'm 13 and I loved it. Have your kids read it! It's informational about WWII and uplifting.

For the Little Truck Lovers

There are two books that I am currently reading to Wy-Wy about 500 times per day. Surprisingly, I'm not too terribly sick of them either, because they are super fun, with great rhythm and rhyme. Both of these are highly recommended for little truck lovers.

And once you've read them a few million times, start leaving words out at the ends of the lines. Let your little one try to fill in the rhymes.

Goodnight, Goodnight, Construction Site by new author, Sherri Duskey Rinker, and experienced illustrator, Tom Lichtenheld


Crane, Cement Mixer, and Dump Truck have worked and played all day at the construction site. Now they're tired, and getting ready to sleep in the soft dirt.

As they go to sleep, your little one will want to follow suit because of the contrast between the fun play and the soft sounds of night.

Wy is obsessed with dump trucks, so I'll share with you his favorite pages.

Dump Truck loves to work and haul.
He carries loads both big... and small,
He moves the dirt from place to place,
Then dumps it with a happy face.

One final load spills on the heap (crrrunch!);
Now Dump Truck's tired
And wants to sleep.

He lowers his bed, locks his gate,
Rests his wheels; it's getting late.
He dims his lights, then shuts his doors,
And soon his engine slows to snores.

Shh...goodnight, Dump Truck, goodnight.

Cute, huh? I knew it would be love at first sight for Wy...What I didn't know, is that I would love it, too.

 Little Blue Truck by Alice Schertle, illustrated by Jill McElmurry

We've had this book for a few months, and I think any member of the family could quote parts of it.

Little Blue Truck is happy-go-lucky and kind to everyone. The farm animals all say hello when he passes.

But when a big, dump truck comes along, speeding through town, feeling very self-important, the animals don't pay much attention.

Zooming around a corner, the Dump gets stuck in the mud. He calls for help, but the animals ignore him.

Along comes cheery Blue to save the day, but the job is too big for him alone. When Little Blue calls for help, all the animals come running.

There was one part of the rhyme that took me a couple tries to get, but the rest is flawless in its rhythm.

Little Blue Truck has definitely become a favorite around here (and not just with Wy-Wy.)

Little Women by Louisa May Alcott

Little Women by Louisa May Alcott

I recently finished reading Little Women by Louisa May Alcott (on my new Kindle  :) What a wonderful classic! I thoroughly enjoyed it...but I wonder if most teens today would struggle with it. It is long, and it isn't particularly exciting. It's just a picture of life in the 1800's. An idealistic picture full of morals...which might be unwelcome to some...but turned out to be just what I was in the mood for.

Page after page, I found myself drawing welcome advice from Alcott's wisdom. I almost saw it as a manual for motherhood hidden within a fun, romantic story.

Four daughters are being raised by their mother while their father is away fighting in the Civil War. The family struggles with poverty but tries to make the most of what they have. The sisters and their mother are close and loving as can be as they face trials together.

Here are some quotes that stood out to me...

Marmee (mother) was a "tall, motherly lady with a 'can I help you' look about her which was truly delightful. She was not elegantly dressed, but a noble-looking woman, and the girls thought the gray cloak and unfashionable bonnet covered the most splendid mother in the world." The maid said of her, "Some poor creeter came a-beggin', and your ma went straight off to see what was needed. There never was such a woman for givin' away vittles and drink, clothes and firin'."
-Wouldn't you like to have such things said about you? I would.

The girls often put on plays. What could be better, honestly? "It was excellent drill for their memories, a harmless amusement, and employed many hours which otherwise would have been idle, lonely, or spent in less profitable society." Yes! The value in spending time with our families and amusing ourselves together.

When the girls left the house, "they always looked back before turning the corner, for the mother was always at the window to nod and smile, and wave her hand to them. Somehow it seemed as if they couldn't have got through the day without that, for whatever their mood might be, the last glimpse of that motherly face was sure to affect them like sunshine."
-I want to be sunshine to my kids...not the tall person that growls when they don't make their beds.

"For love casts out fear, and gratitude can conquer pride."

When the youngest sister, Amy, is punished for something at school with a strike to the hand, it says, "She had been governed by love alone (at home), and a blow of that sort had never touched her before. The smart of her hand and the ache of her heart were forgotten in the sting of the thought, "I shall have to tell at home, and they will be so disappointed in me!"
-This is ideal, I think...getting our kids to want to do what is right. Not because it will free them of a spanking, but because Mom (and their Father in Heaven) will be disappointed...though always loving.

Marmee tells her daughter, Jo, how their father helped her by saying, "He never loses patience, never doubts of complains, but always hopes, and works and waits so cheerfully that one is ashamed to do otherwise before him...he showed me that I must try to practice all the virtues I would have my little girls possess, for I was their example. It was easier to try for your sakes than for my own." Later, in another teaching moment, she says, "If I don't seem to need help, it is because I have a better friend, even than Father, to comfort and sustain me. My child, the troubles and temptations of your life are beginning and may be many, but you can overcome and outlive them all if you learn to feel the strength and tenderness of your Heavenly Father as you do that of your earthly one. The more you love and trust Him, the nearer you will feel to Him, and the less you will depend on human power and wisdom. His love and care never tire or change, can never be taken from you, but may become the source of lifelong peace, happiness, and strength. Believe this heartily, and go to God with all your little cares, and hopes, and sins, and sorrows as freely and confidingly as you come to your mother."

"I'd rather see you poor men's wives, if you were happy, beloved, contented, than queens on thrones, without self-respect and peace."

I like that Marmee allows the girls to make some mistakes. When they desperately want a week off from their responsibilities, she allows them to make an experiment of it. She says, "I think by Saturday night you will find that all play and no work is as bad as all work and no play." To solidify her point, she and the maid take time off, too. As you can imagine, things don't run very smoothly when no one is cooking, cleaning, and making fires.

"The clocks were striking midnight and the rooms were very still as a figure glided quietly from bed to bed, smoothing a coverlet here, settling a pillow there, and pausing to look long and tenderly at each unconscious face, to kiss each with lips that mutely blessed, and to pray the fervent prayers which only mothers utter." Sound familiar? It's a special time at night, isn't it? Before mother snuggles into her own rest, she checks on her babies, makes sure their warm, uttering silent prayers for them?

Anyway, this post is super-long...but I wanted to share the inspiration this book brought to me.

Anne of Green Gables by L. M. Montgomery

Book Review: Anne of Green Gables by L. M. Montgomery

Isn't Anne of Green Gables a perfect classic? We just finished listening to it.

Poor Anne has had a difficult life, moving from one house to another, always taking care of children, and then ending up in an orphanage. Although she doesn't pity herself, she longs for a home (with a large scope for imagination, of course).

Finally, someone wants to adopt her, and her little heart can hardly dare to hope it will work out. She almost falls apart when she discovers that Mathew and Marilla of Green Gables meant to adopt a boy and intend to send her back.

But who can resist Anne with her wild imaginings and endearing ways? She is a great character: well-drawn, imperfect but trying to be good, and quite entertaining.

Don't miss this book!

And now for a different kind of review...

We listened to Anne of Green Gables on LibriVox.org. This website has been a great addition to our homeschooling. Books that are in the public domain (in other words, classics published before 1923) have been recorded by volunteers. You can listen to them for free from your computer or download the mp3 and use it however you'd like!

We are now listening to A Christmas Carol while we do handcrafts together.

The only negative that I have found with LibriVox, is that sometimes you won't like the voice of the reader and sometimes different chapters of the same book are read by different readers. But...what do you expect? It's free!  The most popular classics have been recorded multiple times, so if you don't like one reader, you can always try another.

Secondhand Charm by Julie Berry

Oh! I just finished the best book. You know how I love romantic Young Adult fairy tales? Well, this one fit the bill perfectly.

Secondhand Charm by Julie Berry

Evie has always dreamed of following in her parents' footsteps and becoming a doctor. Unfortunately, in her small town, there aren't many opportunities for a girl.

When someone comes and reports that the young, handsome bachelor King is coming to their small town, everyone goes into an uproar, trying to make everything suitable.

The King, impressed by Evie, awards her entrance into the University. But that doesn't mean life will be easy. Bandits, stolen kisses, and theater performers make for a wild adventure. Oh, and one more thing, Evie finds out that she is a serpentina, who is bonded to a sea creature for life.

Like I said, I really enjoyed this fun story. I couldn't put it down. It's a quick, easy read, with unique twists and turns that kept me guessing.

Did you ever read Julie Berry's other book, The Amaranth Enchantment? I gushed over that one too, but I think this one is even better. See my interview with Julie Berry about The Amaranth Enchantment and the writing process here.

Enjoy!

Favorite Board Books

Are you thinking about stocking stuffers yet? Here are some perfect ones for your littlest listeners! Today we're talking board books. Our current favorites are...

Baby Baby Baby! by Marilyn Janovitz

What do babies love more than...well, babies? This rhyming book is full of fun. Listen to the rhythm. It sounds like a song.

"Bitsy bouncy baby
On a bumpity lap
Mommy's little baby likes to
Clap Clap Clap!
Teeny tiny feet
Tippy toes prance
Daddy's little baby likes to
Dance Dance Dance!"

My little Y is really enjoying this story. He asks for it over and over, saying, "Baby Baby Baby boooook". It's pretty darn cute!

Another big plus for this book, is that it shows a traditional family, which is unfortunately becoming more and more unusual. It shows baby playing with mom, dad, Grandma, Grandpa, and the puppy and kitty.

Yay for family!

Little Quack by Lauren Thompson, illustrated by Derek Anderson

This is an endearing story about a duck who is afraid to leave his nest. The pictures are adorable, and the story even throws in some counting. You can't beat this cute story.

Here's a glimpse into the book: "Come, little duckling!" Mama called once more. "Paddle on the water with me."
"No, Mama, no!" cried Little Quack. "I'm scared! I'm just too scared!"
"You can do it," Mama said.
Little Quack looked at the water. He sniffed the water. He touched the water with his foot. Could he do it? Did he dare?"
Find out in the story.  :)

Bear Snores On by Karma Wilson

I hope you've seen this book by now. It is one of my personal all-time favorite stories for children.

Bear's friends are having fun in his cave while he sleeps and sleeps all winter. Will he miss all the excitement?

Here's a taste of the rhyme...

"In a cave in the woods,
in his deep, dark lair,
through the long, cold winter
sleeps a great brown bear.

Cuddled in a heap,
with his eyes shut tight,
he sleeps through the day,
he sleeps through the night.

The cold winds howl
and the night sounds growl.
But the bear snores on."

Bubs and I can read this whole story with our eyes shut.  :)

What are your favorites?

Learning With Picture Books

As a homeschooler, I'm always looking for fun ways to teach various concepts to my kids. Here are a few great books we are using.

Geography and Cultures





Children from Australia to Zimbabwe: A Photographic Journey around the World by Maya Ajmera and Anna Rhesa Versola

This beautiful book is a good way to introduce kids to various cultures around the world. It has a two-page spread for each country from A-Z, including a flag, map, and a few photos of the people in their country. It also tells a little about life in the country and has a list of facts. We'll be making our way through this book one country at a time.

Art and the Classics

Come Look With Me: Enjoying Art with Children by Gladys S. Blizzard

This book is a good introduction to learning to appreciate art classics. Classic paintings of children by famous artists grace the pages. Opposite each one, there is a brief biography of the artist and description of the painting. There are also a few questions to help you analyze the artwork with your children.

For example, across from the oil painting Two Young girls at the Piano by Renoir, the author asks, "Would you like to join these girls? Why?" and tells us to "Find something you could smell."

Math

Galileo's Leaning Tower Experiment by Wendy Macdonald

The story of Galileo's discovery that Aristotle was wrong. Objects will fall at the same speed, regardless of their size and weight.

This version of the story is told in an interesting, child-friendly way, with bright attractive illustrations. It is a fun way to teach young children about the great Galileo and how he changed the way the world saw things.

A Second is a Hiccup by Hazel Hutchins

A fun, well-written story that teaches about time. "A second is a hiccup--the time it takes to kiss you mom...Or jump a rope...Or turn around. How long is a minute? Sixty seconds to a minute, Sixty hiccups, sixty hops. Or if you sing just one small song Chorus, verses, not too long That's just enough to fill A minute."

I highly recommend this one. It's vibrant and exciting. Perfect along with learning to tell time.

Sir Cumference and All the King's Tens: A Math Adventure by Cindy Neuschwander

I'd recommend this book (and the other Sir Cumference books) for older children, probably second grade and up. In this book, the people are preparing a great banquet for the king's birthday, but they don't know how many people are there, needing to be fed. They try different ways of counting, but finally realize it is easiest by arranging everyone in groups of ten and then groups of hundreds.

It's definitely well-done and teaches the concept if your kids are ready for it. I think this book goes right over my 5 year-old's head.

Anyway, that's good for now. I'm wilting. Time for bed.