Archive for the Recommendations
Thursday, April 29th, 2010
The books are better
Talitha is a veteran when it comes to Narnia productions. She’s seen one stage production and several different movie versions.
Tonight, out of the blue, she said, “I can’t wait to talk to C. S. Lewis.”
“What will you tell him?” I asked.
“I’ll tell him I like his books a lot more than any of the plays or movies. They’re good, but the books are so much better.”
(And I’m partial to the versions of the books with Pauline Baynes’ illustrations.)
Saturday, April 24th, 2010
Andree Seu doesn’t speak. She talks.
Andree Seu says she’s not a speaker. But I don’t think anyone at our church’s women’s conference this weekend would agree with her.
In front of 700+ women, she spoke as if she was sitting in the living room getting acquainted with a handful of women in a totally natural, conversational, disarming way.
In other words, if you’re familiar with her regular columns in World Magazine, this is just what you’d expect. And if this conference was your first encounter with Andree, you have an idea what you’ll find in her writing.
Most of us came away with appetites whetted, wanting more. We can find it in her regular blog at World Magazine online (click on “blogs”) and in her books, which are collections of her essays.
They’re short pieces, in other words–ideal for the moments waiting in the car pool line-up, or while nursing the baby, or wherever you do your short reading spurts.
I’m not saying anything about the content of her talks because I want you to listen to them. I’m not sure exactly when, but they’ll be available for download at the Bethlehem website. I’ll let you know.
Saturday, April 17th, 2010
Mighty Acts of God
The other day, Orison pulled a Bible storybook off my children’s bookshelf. He wanted Jonah. Then he wanted the ten plagues, which reminded me that Moses shows up in the New Testament as well. So we also read about the Transfiguration.
Mighty Acts of God, by Starr Meade, is written for children just a bit older than the usual Bible story book crowd. And in fact, it’s not really the book you want if you’re looking for the details of each story.
This is more of a commentary for grade schoolers–and an excellent one–using aspects of each story to draw out truths about God.
Each story in Mighty Acts of God is retold in lively, modern-day language from a Reformed perspective, and is followed by an application section with several discussion-sparking questions and prayer points. By moving chronologically through both the Old and New Testaments, parents and children glimpse the person of God as one of consistency, vibrancy, passion, and love. (Publisher’s notes)
This would make a good book for family devotions or for an older child to use for his or her personal devotions.
Might Acts of God is also available as an unabridged audiobook.
Wednesday, April 7th, 2010
Beginning the day with music
Here’s another free album download.
I especially like the simple sound of the piano, occasionally accompanied by a wind instrument (recorder?). Not to mention that there are some favorite tunes of mine–Greensleeves (with a different title) and Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring, for example.
There are a few glitches, like one track that abruptly moves to the next and a mislabeled track. Maybe that’s why it’s free? But unless you listen with your eye glued to the play list, who cares?
Wednesday, March 31st, 2010
Caldecott and cultures
One thing I’ve appreciated looking over the Caldecott Honor Books recently is remembering that several I’ve particularly liked are ones that took my children and me to other places and times and cultures.
Swahili-speaking Africa – 1972
Medieval England – 1974
Appalachian America – 1983
1920s African-American city life — 1992
I’ve also posted earlier some favorite Caldecott Medal winners and other Caldecott Honor Books.
I receive a small percentage for purchases made through
the links which are included here for your convenience.
Saturday, March 27th, 2010
I love the 80s
Wait! Not those 80s! I mean the 1880s.
And actually, that’s the title of another free album download–one I almost missed because I thought the same thing you did–Do I love the 1980s? (Except of course for the stellar arrival of our Barnabas.)
Instead, here are more than 5–five–hours of what might just have well been entitled The Best of the 80s — Tchaikovsky, Mahler, Brahms, Saint-Saens, Dvorak, Borodin, Bruckner . . .
Excuse me while I lean back in my new armchair in my new study and close my eyes and listen–for a few minutes at least–before I finish turning pillowcases into dresses for little girls in Haiti.
Wednesday, March 24th, 2010
Caldecott Honors-1
On Randolph Caldecott’s birthday, I made note of my favorite of the winners of the annual Caldecott Medal for outstanding illustrations in children’s books.
I try to imagine how agonizing it must be for the judges to come up with just ONE book each year. You can see what I mean if you look over the Caldecott Honor Books, the titles that didn’t make it for the Medal, but were so good the judges just had to recognize them.
To take it one step further, these books are reminders of the other excellent work by the same illustrators–classics on a child’s bookshelf.
Here are a few of my favorite Caldecott Honor Books–from 1940, 1949, 1962, and 1971 respectively.
I’ll post more another day.
Monday, March 22nd, 2010
Caldecott
Randolph Caldecott was born on this date in 1886. Caldecott greatly influenced illustration of children’s books during the nineteenth century.
To me, his name means outstanding illustrations in contemporary children’s books. The Caldecott Medal was named in his honor and is awarded by the American Library Association to the year’s most outstanding illustrations in a children’s book.
The first Caldecott Medal was awarded in 1938.
I feel nostalgic looking over the list of winners, remembering books my children and I enjoyed together, for example the Medal winners from 1942, 1954, 1963, and 1978, respectively:
Saturday, March 20th, 2010
Music for mental work
Here’s another album to download that will cost you nothing.
I like it that most of the composers are well-known, so I know their creations are good.
But I’m not familiar with these particular pieces, and that’s the kind of music I like to have in the background while I’m doing think-work, so I don’t get distracted into humming along.
And, like this one and this one I recommended earlier, it’s free!
Tuesday, March 9th, 2010
Who can argue with free?
I just discovered an MP3 album download of “Classical Gems.” Free. No cost. So if you don’t like any or all of the pieces, you can just delete them with no guilt.
Tuesday, March 2nd, 2010
Happy birthday!
Quick!
Off the top of your head!
Which author has been read by more American children than any other? (Sorry. I don’t have any proof of this fact. I’m just guessing.)
Today is the birthday of Theodor Geisel, who once upon a time wrote and illustrated a book, signed it with his middle name, and forever after has been known as Dr. Seuss.
My youngest brother learned to read by following along in Dr. Seuss with Uncle Claude–maybe Hop on Pop or One Fish, Two Fish.
There aren’t many authors (any?) whose books I read more of and more often to my children. I especially enjoyed Green Eggs and Ham . My husband admired the sensitive, kind, persistent Horton.
You’d have to ask my children which were their favorites–I’m afraid it might have been The Cat in the Hat.
Anyway, with 44 books, there’s something to appeal to just about everyone.
Happy birthday, Dr. Seuss.
Monday, March 1st, 2010
Chopin
Today is the 200th birthday of Frederic Chopin.
I’m celebrating by downloading a free album of his music.
