Little Red Riding Hood

Bethany, 7, has been dancing to a song in her clogging class called "Little Red Riding Hood".  For that reason, or maybe not, she has been asking me for some time to find a book about Little Red for her to read.  Since she has been reading easy chapter books this year, I thought maybe I could find something appropriate for her on that level.  I couldn't.  I did, however, find this cute little book.  Little Red Riding Hood - A Newfangled Prairie Tale by Lisa Campbell Ernst is really a nice retelling of the traditional story.  Bethany and Brecklyn loved it.  At the end of the book is a recipe for Grandma's Wheat Berry Muffins.  Yes, they are delicious!  Made with wheat flower, blueberries (fresh or frozen) and a secret yummy, healthy ingredient they are good for you, too. 


Inspired by the story, Bethany and Brecklyn made a batch of muffins and a quart of lemonade.  Bethany donned a red hoodies sweatshirt and they went next door to Grandma's house and delivered the package.  They knocked and introduced themselves as Little Red and the Wolf.  Then they and Grandma had a little snack.  Grandma was so excited.  She told all her friends at the temple and her sisters about her fun visitors.


Then, because Amazon can practically read my mind by this point, it suggested I buy Petite Rouge by Mike Artell and Jim Harris.  Now, this is my favorite Little Red Riding Story EVER!  I have read it out loud to my children at least four times in the past couple of days since we have had it and this is why:  the entire story is written in a cajun accent and it is so fun to read.  The read-aloud value is priceless.  Every mom should take a stab at it.  I don't think it would be at all fun for a child to read to himself, however.   With the introduction at the beginning of the book about the heritage of the cajun people and the brief glossary of French words and their meanings that are found in the story, this book is also an opportunity to learn about this group of people.  Of course, we added a map and talked about swamps and the bayou.  Add a discussion of alligators and you could really have history, science, and geography all covered for a morning.  Plus, it is just darn fun!
                                          

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A Small Shift in my Blogging Style

I have not posted in quite some time.  Blogging recently has seemed more like a chore than a joy, and since I have plenty of chores, despite the nagging voice in the back of my head, I have avoided it.  I have also been contemplating why this is so and I have come to some conclusions.  I have tried to create a book blog because I love to read, but I have compartmentalized the material too much and after time it has seemed to be the same thing over and over.  I could just as easily posted a list of books I like, some better than others, and maybe give them a point on a scale of 1-5.  But the truth is, I like different books for different reasons and that mostly has to do with the rest of my life.  I am going to start blogging more about all the aspects of my life.  Sometimes they will tie in with a book.  Sometimes they may not, but I have many experiences that I'd like to share and learning opportunities for myself and my family that maybe someone else may benefit from. 

In other words, I'd like my blog to be more inclusive of my entire life.  I hope you continue to enjoy it and read it and I hope this change will inspire me to be more enthusiastic about blogging.
Have a great day!
Jamie

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Museum of Thieves

Amanda, 12, recommended that I read this book, and I asked her to write a review of it for my blog.  She was very enthusistic about how great it was.  Here is her review:

  "I thought that Museum of Thieves by Lian Tanner was a great book.  It was written well and the story was so different than any other book.  It was about a girl who lived in a distopian land and she runs away and gets caught in this museum that only thieves can find their way through.  And some people are trying to hurt the building so the book is about how they save this moving mystery building and save the town at the same time.  I would recommend it to 11-12 year olds."

I have admit that it was fantastic and I was glad I took her advice.  It is the first book in a trilogy and I have ordered the second one.  Neither of us can wait until it arrives.  I hope it is as good as the first.  I am not going to add to Amanda's recommendation except to add these two quotes that I loved from the book:

     "Listen to me carefully, child.  I do not want to glorify theft.  There are people in this world who think they are better than others, or deserve more.  People who would rob their grandmother of her last coin and laugh as they did it.  I have not time for such people.  To move quietly, to be quick of hand and eye, that is a gift.  If you use it to hurt others, even in a small way, you betray yourself and everyone around you......
     But there are some things, child, that you should steal.  That you must steal, if you have enough love and courage in your heart.  You must snatch freedom from the hands of the tyrant.  You must spirit away innocent lives before they are destroyed.  You must hide secret and sacred places."

AND....

     "The people of Jewel treat their children like delicate flowers.  They think they will not survive without constant protection.  But there are parts of the world where young boys and girls spend weeks at a time with no company except a herd of goats.  They chase away wolves.  They take care of themselves, and they take care of the herd......
     "And so, when hard times come-as they always do in the end-those children are resourceful and brave.  If they have to walk from one end of the country to the other, carrying their baby brothers and sisters, they will do it.  If they have to hide during the day and travel at night to avoid soldiers, they will do it.  They do not give up easily......
     "Of course, I am not saying that it is a good thing to give children such heavy responsibilities.  They must be allowed to have a childhood.  But they must also be allowed to find their courage and their wisdom, and learn when to stand and when to run away.  After all, if they are not permitted to climb the trees, how will they ever see the great and wonderful world that lies before them--"

That should leave you with something to think about.  I think some great discussions could come from these ideas.

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