Words and Wool

 The Penderwicks: A Summer Tale of Four Sisters, Two Rabbits, and a Very Interesting Boy is the first in an endearing series that the kids and I have come to adore. It is a modern story, set in New England, but I feel it could have taken place in the 1940's if it weren't for computers and cell phones. These books are all about normal children having good, old-fashioned fun in the outdoors, with their siblings, and involving the neighbors. After reading this book we were hooked.


 The Penderwicks on Gardam Street continues the story of the Penderwick children with the adventures involved in helping their widowed father begin to date again. Once again the children and I were glued to the story (we've listened to all of these on audio tape).


 The Penderwicks at Point Mouette is currently the last in the series and perhaps my favorite so far -- surely because it takes place on the coast of Maine in the summertime. There is plenty of adventure and even a mystery solved at the end. I can't wait until the author writes another book!

As for the "wool" in this post, here is my latest finished knitting project: a vest for Laura.

I used Pickles' Plain Vest and some yarn I had in my stash. The bright colors work well on Laura. I can't wait to show you what I've knitted for her birthday!!! And I still have to sew a little apron for her. Only two more days to go!

I am participating in Ginny's Yarn Along over on her blog Small Things. Hop on over and check out all the other great reads and lovely knitting.

Read for the Heart

I just finished Read for the Heart by Sarah Clarkson and want to recommend it to anyone looking for a good list of books for children and youth. Sarah is the daughter of Sally Clarkson, whose books I have really benefited from. Sarah grew up in a family deeply immersed in good literature and she shares that passion with her readers.

Sarah has arranged the book into several sections:

Picture Books

The Golden Age Classics

Children's Fiction

Fairy Tales and Fantasy

History and Biography

Spiritual Reading for Children

Poetry

Music, Art, and Nature

A short synopsis is given of each book or author/illustrator.

I've just made a long list for the upcoming school year and hope that my library will have most of them!

DVD Review -- Read & Share Bible

My latest Thomas Nelson Book Review:

I just finished watching Gwen Ellis’ Read & Share Bible DVD. Aimed at preschoolers, this DVD contains 13 short (3 minute) Bible stories, just perfect for the attention span of a little one.

The animations in this DVD are colorful and simple, keeping a child’s interest while not over-stimulating him. I particularly liked the music chosen for the background as it also had a soothing and calming effect.

The DVD begins with Creation and covers stories such as Adam and Eve, the Flood, Abraham, Isaac and Rebekah, Jacob and Esau, John the Baptist, Christ’s Birth, Christ’s Temptation, Jesus and Children and the Lost Sheep.

Overall I found the condensation of Bible truths and facts to be accurate. There were only one or two sentences where I would have preferred better wording. For those concerned about images of Jesus and the second commandment, three of the thirteen stories contain such images.

I was pleased with this DVD, as were each of my children (ages 3-8). I would recommend this to those looking for a good Bible Story DVD for preschoolers.

Book Review: Raiders from the Sea

The children and I just finished Raiders from the Sea by Lois Walfrid Johnson. (Thanks to Sean for the recommendation!)

This book tells the story of two young Irish children during the time of the Viking raids on Ireland. The book describes the preparations Irish families made for Viking raids and what happened when the Vikings came.

Bree, and her brother Devin, are the heroes of the story. Both are captured by the Vikings and taken on board the Viking ship, which is headed back to Norway. Can they escape and get back to their family, or will they end up in Norway?

The book has a strong Christian message. From a historical perspective, I feel as though the application of Christianity is a bit modern (not in keeping with the Christianity of the Viking era). However, this is just something I, as an adult history-lover/theology-lover notice.

The next book is on order at the library -- the kids can't wait!