I am so excited for this new book!

This new book, The Lifegiving Home: Creating a Place of Belonging and Becoming, is written by two of my favorite people (Sally Clarkson and her daughter, Sarah Clarkson) who happen to be two of my favorite authors.

It is a lovely, practical book about the value of home.  It comes out next week and I couldn't be more thrilled.  I was privileged to review the first two chapters and it drew me right in with practical ideas.  The different viewpoints from mother and daughter lend much to the book.  Go order it now.  Really.  Today, it's less than $10 on Amazon and will be sure to go up with the release date.  There is also a companion book with more stories and more ideas organized by month.  Sigh.  Loveliness.

I did receive the first two chapters, but was under no obligation to write a review.  I just love these people and their writing and no single family has influenced my parenting more.

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Book Review: The Time Garden, A Magical Journey and Coloring Book

The Time Garden: A Magical Journey and Coloring Bookby Daria Song is an exquisite, beautiful, intricate coloring book that is also the story of a little girl and her encounter with a grandfather clock.

This is a stunning book.  The detail and imagination in each page provides rich fodder for a child or adult's mind and heart.  Combine this with the fact that the reader gets to color these pages to their likes and it's as if one has a custom book, partially created by yourself.  It really is lovely.  This would be an excellent gift to a child with the patience to color small, intricate pages or to an adult who enjoys the therapeutic value of coloring with pencils or markers.

The quality of manufacture of this book is excellent as well.  The paper is thick, the printed lines are crisp and clear and it's larger format makes it just right for working in.  I can recommend this book without hesitation!

Gorgeous!

I received this book for free in exchange for my honest review.
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Mom Heart Resources #7: A More Gentle 9/11

At our last Mom Heart group, we spoke about 9/11 and how to introduce the topic in a reasonable and safe way to our children.  I strongly believe that books are a far superior medium than television images to introduce hard topics to youngsters.  A child has no control over the images that a screen places in their minds, while a book gives their own imagination a chance to tone it down and make the scary event much less fearful.  There were a few books mentioned that are gentle and focus on the heroes of the day rather than the fear.  I will be using these with my own children.

The Little Chapel that Stood is about the chapel very close to the Twin Towers that survived the attacks and then served as a center of respite for the officers, firefighters and volunteers that served at Ground Zero for weeks afterwards.  A sweet focus of an awful tragedy.

The Man in the Red Bandanna is a biography of one hero of 9/11 that helped many people escape down the stairs to safety.  It was written by the main character's sister.  May bring tears to your eyes, but is a lovely example of heroism and courage for your children.

Fireboat: The Heroic Adventures of the John J. Harveyis a book about an old firefighting boat that came back into service the day of the attacks.  A different viewpoint of the day, again providing a hero for your children to admire and focus on.

Other Topics

And of course, we can never get enough Shakespeare.  Illustrated Stories from Shakespeare has fun illustrations and easy to read stories to introduce children to the storylines of some of Shakespeare's most famous works.

This picture book of A Midsummer Night's Dreamis a beautifully illustrated version of one of the most fun Shakespeare plays.  It is no longer available new, but is worth tracking down used.  

We have moved onto the Civil War Era in my home and this book, Famous Figures of the Civil Waris a fun way to bring some crafting to your study of history.  These figures are made to be cut out and attached together with mini brads, making a movable paper doll of sorts.  We use them for posters and/or our timeline.  I could see some children making puppets as well and acting out scenes from history.  Each person comes in a color version as well as a line drawing that can be colored in by your children.  Such fun!

And for one last fun link, MindWare Pattern Playis a wonderful game that a child can play with on his own.  It comes with many cards of different patterns that are a challenge to reproduce.  A great way to bring some logical, spatial thinking to your child in a very fun way.  This game served us for many years and is still a draw.

Mom Heart Resources #6: Art!

So many of today's books have been added to my personal wishlist.  Valuable additions to a home library.

This book has a basic summary of the major art movements throughout history.  It is a lovely introduction to seeing the different themes and styles in fine art.  Love it!  There are other books in this art series that I can't wait to explore with my children.

This is a book with ideas of simple art projects that are original and very creative.  Another gem that I look forward to implementing in our home!  This series also has several titles.

If you are looking to do some fine art picture study, these art prints from Simply Charlotte Mason are an inexpensive and high quality option,  These are each 8 1/2 x 11 in and high quality glossy, stiff paper. There are several artists to choose from.  https://simplycharlottemason.com/store/picture-study-portfolio-extra-prints/

And some art for you, Mom!  These beautiful coloring books are intricate and therapeutic for adults or children that like fine detail.  

And a few non-art items that we chatted about at our Mom Heart Group this week:

Entertaining read aloud book with NO pictures!!

This book of questions could be used as a dinner time conversation starter, or writing prompts, or just an non-threatening way to get to know your children better.

This Bible is a good transitional one for middle grade children to begin to own their personal relationship with God.

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Mom Heart Resources #5: Oodles of Great Things

This post has lots of fun suggestions for you and your family.  These came from two Mom Heart meetings- my ladies have seriously wonderful ideas!

First- two war books to gently introduce the World Wars

Next - a grand and wonderful book (for you, not your children.)  Hilarious, intriguing, I can't recommend The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie: A Flavia de Luce Mystery highly enough.  One of my favorites of the year.  (And I've been reading A LOT of fiction this year as I lay on the couch with first trimester nausea.)  

This Shakespeare book I have mentioned at least once before, but again, something I can't recommend highly enough.  A simple way to teach your children and yourself some Shakespeare.

The above are both simple, fun books for your children.  

and a fun video to inspire your lego fanatics!

Deconstructing Penguins: Parents, Kids, and the Bond of Readingis a great introduction into analyzing literature with your children.  I do not recommend all the books at the ages they do (Animal Farm in 4th grade?  No thanks.)  But their methods and discussion questions make it easy to apply in your own home.

This comes recommended by a group member with extensive experience in fermenting foods.  Health benefits galore!

If you haven't discovered the Read Aloud Revival Podcast yet, don't delay.  I often listen to these on my phone or kitchen computer while prepping meals,  Awesome and practical inspiration to read aloud with your family as well as a plethora of other tidbits of goodness.  

And lastly, some links to places for inspiration, planners or worksheets for planning;

http://www.homeschoolcreations.net/

http://www.donnayoung.org/index.htm

Well Planned Day Planners

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