Posts by Megan Saben
The Empty Pot by Demi
The Empty Pot is a lovely tale from China about the rewards of honesty and integrity. The Empty Pot by Demi, Square Fish. 32 pages. Ping is a talented child-gardener who especially loves to grow flowers. When the emperor invites all the children to accept special seeds and plant them as a test to determine…
Read MoreGrowing Patterns, Mysterious Patterns, and the Power of Snow
If fractals, Fibonacci numbers, and powers of multiplication aren’t exciting to you, you need these three books and a long walk outside. Growing Patterns by Sarah C. Campbell, photos by Sarah C. Campbell and Richard P. Campbell. Boyds Mills Press, 2010. 32 pages. Mysterious Patterns by Sarah C. Campbell, photos by Sarah C. Campbell and…
Read MoreSaint Valentine the Kindhearted, Saint Patrick the Forgiver, Saint Nicholas the Giftgiver by Ned Bustard
Three godly men from the church history are worthy of remembering for their character and service to Christ. Saint Valentine the Kindhearted retold and illustrated by Ned Bustard. IVP Kids, 2024. 32 pages. Saint Patrick the Forgiver retold and illustrated by Ned Bustard. IVP Kids, 2023. 32 pages. Saint Nicholas the Giftgiver retold and illustrated…
Read More2024 Geisel Roundup: Fox Has a Problem, Henry, Like Always, and Worm and Caterpillar Are Friends
The 2024 Geisel Award: One Winner and Three Honors The Geisel Award, which honors Dr. Seuss, is given to books for beginning readers. Here are this year’s honors and the winning title. Fox Has a Problem by Corey R. Tabor. Balzer & Bray, 2023. 32 pages. This is not the first time one of the…
Read More2024 Newbery Buzz #3: The Puppets of Spelhorst
Kate DiCamillo’s very first book won a Newbery honor, and she has won two Newbery medals on top of that. Is The Puppets of Spelhorst worthy of another award?
Read MoreWe Are Branches by Joyce Sidman
We take branches for granted, but have you ever considered what a wise design they are, with so many applications in nature? We Are Branches reminds us of a few. We Are Branches by Joyce Sidman, illustrated by Beth Krommes. HarperCollins, 2023. 40 pages. Trees have branches. Rivers have branches. Have you ever thought about…
Read MoreBehold the Octopus! by Suzanne Slade
With text that is both simple and detailed, and with beautiful illustrations, Behold the Octopus introduces a fascinating ocean creature. Behold the Octopus! by Suzanne Slade, illustrated by Thomas Gonzalez. Peachtree, 2023. 32 pages. An extraordinary invertebrate like the octopus takes effort to visit if you don’t live close to an aquarium, but there is…
Read MoreEvergreen by Matthew Cordell
Evergreen is the story of a fearful young squirrel who learns bravery on her quest to obey her mother and deliver soup to ailing Granny Oak. Evergreen by Matthew Cordell. Feiwel and Friends, 32 pages. Evergreen is a very fearful squirrel. When her mother asks her to take an acorn of healing soup to Granny…
Read MoreHidden Hope by Elisa Boxer
Hidden Hope tells of a brave young lady who smuggled papers in a child’s toy to save lives during World War II. Hidden Hope: How a Toy and a Hero Saved Lives During the Holocaust by Elisa Boxer, illustrated by Amy June Bates. Harry N. Abrams, 48 pages. Many stories have emerged from memories and…
Read MoreStocking Stuffers for Book Lovers
Of course books make the best gifts for bibliophiles, but some of those oversize tomes don’t fit comfortably in a stocking. Here’s a list of alternative stocking stuffers. We are affiliates for Goldspot and Amazon. Sippable: Burnable: Books and pens: Notable: Literary souvenirs: More ideas: Fine print: We are participants in the Amazon LLC affiliate…
Read MoreBabble! And How Punctuation Saved It
Babble! is a short, lively, memorable story that SHOWS writers understand the importance of those little indicators. Babble! And How Punctuation Saved It by Caroline Adderson, pictures by Roman Muradov. Tundra Books, 2022. 48 pages. in a certain land the people talk without expression or are they thinking no one really knows but its extremely…
Read MoreMegan’s Favorite Books, Old and New
We are excited to be partnering with Story Glory Kids for our Winter Book Fair this year! In the past, we linked to amazon for all of our Christmas gift suggestions, but this year, whenever possible, we’ll be directing you to Story Glory for your book-related shopping. Like amazon, we get a small commission. Unlike…
Read MoreThe Boy in the Striped Pajamas by John Boyne
Bruno is a 9yo German boy living during World War II who isn’t happy with his father’s new work assignment until he makes a friend who lives on the other side of the fence. The Boy in the Striped Pajamas by John Boyne. David Fickling Books, 2006. Bruno doesn’t want to leave his friends and…
Read MoreThe Hiding Place, A Christmas Carol, Hinds Feet on High Places, and Les Miserables: An Engaging Visual Journey
The four books in the Engaging Visual Journey series provide beautiful, dignified forms to stories that are dearly loved spiritual classics. The Hiding Place by Corrie Ten Boom with Elizabeth and John Sherrill, illustrated by Jill DeHaan, Daniel Strange, and Nicola Evans. Tyndale, 2022. 150 pages. A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens, illustrated by Jill…
Read More*Memories of Survival by Esther Nisenthal Krinitz and Bernice Steinhardt
A Jewish woman who lived through World War II in Poland and had to hide in order to survive tells her story through fabric and thread. *Memories of Survival by Esther Nisenthal Krinitz and Bernice Steinhardt, Art and Remembrance; 2nd edition, 2010. 64 pages. These are the memories of a woman who remembered her childhood…
Read MoreMusic for the End of Time by Jen Bryant
Music for the End of time is a picture book biography, a story of hope found through creating beauty in the midst of affliction. Music for the End of Time written and illustrated by Jen Bryant, Eerdmans Books for Young Readers. 32 pages. Did you know that Olivier Messaien’s “Quartet for the End of Time”…
Read MoreDragonology: The Complete Book of Dragons, 20th Anniversary Edition
Those who love dragons and long for more lore will find this field guide an excellent companion. Dragonology: The Complete Book of Dragons, 20th Anniversary Edition. Candlewick, 2021. 32 pages I firmly believe that there were once fire-breathing dragons, though I’m probably thankful that I don’t have any in my back yard. (If you’re curious…
Read More*Jumper: A Day in the Life of a Backyard Jumping Spider by Jessica Lanan
A girl and a spider share adventures. Don’t overlook this masterpiece of creation that probably lives in your own backyard. *Jumper: A Day in the Life of a Backyard Jumping Spider, written and illustrated by Jessica Lanan. Roaring Brook Press, 2023. 32 pages. A jumping spider and a girl in a yellow dress share similar…
Read More100 Things to Know About Inventions by Clive Gifford
A fun, visual book about the history of inventions and some relationships between them, ideal for those who are mechanically minded. 100 Things to Know About Inventions by Clive Gifford, illustrated by Yiffy Gu. Happy Yak, 2021. 112 pages. Inventors and their work build on one another through the centuries. So many are related (cars…
Read MoreThe Brilliant Calculator: How Mathematician Edith Clarke Helped Electrify America by Jan Lower
The Brilliant Calculator is a good introduction to a woman engineer whose work allows us to communicate better. For that, I am grateful. The Brilliant Calculator: How Mathematician Edith Clarke Helped Electrify America by Jan Lower, illustrated by Susan Reagan. Calkins Creek, 2023. 44 pages. Edith Clarke had a mind for puzzles, especially if they…
Read More*William’s House by Ginger Howard
Wouldn’t it make sense that a house built in the style of a home in England would work just as well in America? *William’s House by Ginger Howard, illustrated by Larry Day. Millbrook Press, 2001. 32 pages. Wouldn’t it make sense to think that a house built in the style of a home in England…
Read MoreGertie: The Darling Duck of WWII by Shari Swanson
A sweet story about a mother duck whose unusual nesting spot provided a welcome diversion from from the war, both in local news and beyond. Gertie: The Darling Duck of WWII by Shari Swanson, illustrated by Renee Graef. Sleeping Bear Press, 2023, 32 pages. In 1945, just a few years after another duck family was…
Read MoreBeneath the Swirling Sky by Carolyn Leiloglou
Vincent and his cousin Georgia travel through the Corridor and art masterpieces to rescue Vincent’s little sister while trying to undo the villainous efforts of the Deconstructionsts. An art adventure woven with truth and beauty.
Read MoreMy Head Has a Bellyache and More Nonsense by Chris Harris
Poems about nail clippings, sausages, and page numbers?! Yes, and many more.
Read MoreA Kid’s Guide to Backyard Bugs by Eliza Berkowitz
Fascinating, familiar specimens of insects AND arachnids are found in this lovely guide for young naturalists.
Read MoreBooks and Schoolhouse Battles
Those of us who homeschool admire the one-room schoolhouse model of previous centuries. With simple resources, a wide-range of ages, and a school year that fit the needs of the community, one male or female teacher reigned in the classroom. …Unless there were “big boys” whose sole purpose in showing up seemed to be disturbing…
Read More*Bright April by Marguerite De Angeli
Themes of loving nature, loving one’s neighbor, and loving Truth are woven through Bright April, a story that gracefully handles racism and the dignity of each human in a middle grade book that was originally published in the 1940’s. It’s a story well-worth reading. Bright April by Marguerite De Angeli. Purple House Press, 88 pages.…
Read MoreHow to lead a book discussion without really trying, part 2: The book club
Often the best way to do discuss books effectively is to not plan it all out ahead of time.
Read MoreHow to lead a book discussion without really trying, part 1: The motif journal
Often the best way to do discuss books effectively is to not plan it all out ahead of time.
Read MoreThe Story of God With Us, The Story of God Our King, and The Forgotten King
Three beautiful picture books emphasize the promise that God will one day dwell with us and that He will restore the glory of His people through the kingship of Jesus Christ.
Read MoreWhy Disney’s original animated Sleeping Beauty is the best cinematic fairy tale adaptation
In Megan’s humble opinion, the best fairy tale adaptation ever is the Disney classic animated version of Sleeping Beauty (1959). Here’s why. If you haven’t seen this one, do try to watch it. You won’t be disappointed.
Read MoreBefore Music: Where Instruments Come From by Annette Bay Pimentel, illustrated by Madison Safer
Before Music broadens the reader’s horizons on the origin and creativity of people who can’t help delighting in making interesting sounds and music.
Read More*Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH by Robert C. O’Brien
A glorious story of heroism in which a mother’s deep love for her children shines brightly.
Read MoreBright Star: The Story of Esther by Holly Mackle, illustrated by Marlena Sigman
Bright Star is a lively-written volume in Kaleidoscope’s series of Bible storybooks for elementary-age children that adds helpful context to the Scriptural account.
Read MoreWhy Your Church Nursery Needs a Library
The Lord has been challenging my reading skills and assumptions lately, both humbling and teaching me in the process. I had offered to teach a Sunday School class of two-year-olds, and keeping their interest isn’t easy. I had also been asked to read to the littles in our homeschool group once a week just before…
Read MoreThree books about Jesus: The Darkest Night/The Brightest Day, The Acrostic of Jesus, and Who is Jesus?
Three books from New Growth Press are helpful for teaching children who Jesus is and what he has done for us.
Read MoreA Place for Peter by Elizabeth Yates
A Place for Peter is a good choice for boys who are avid readers and enjoy character-driven, literary coming-of-age stories
Read MoreLove in the Library by Maggie Tokuda-Hall
Love in the Library offers a tender picture of humanity and the miracle of love, and hope in the midst of a Japanese internment camp.
Read MorePoetry on Earwigs (and Also Goats With Beaks)
My husband still teases me about my first poem, which has hitherto never been published. There once was a goatWho lived in a boatHe went to town every week, And to all he would not speak.But the funniest thing about himWas that he had a beak. By Megan E. VanderHart, age 8 (Taking a bow.)…
Read MoreBookish Gifts for Boys
What makes good gifts for book lovers besides more books (and infinite bookshelf space)? Here are some lovely things we’ve recently discovered for boys that would be perfect to wrap in brown paper and tie up with string.
Read MoreBookish Gifts for Girls
What makes good gifts for book lovers besides more books (and infinite bookshelf space)? Here are some lovely things we’ve recently discovered for girls that would be perfect to wrap in brown paper and tie up with string.
Read More*This is the Feast by Diane Z. Shore
There aren’t many picture books about Thanksgiving; This is the Feast is one of the best. This is the Feast by Diane Z. Shore, illustrated by Megan Lloyd. HarperCollins, 2008. 32 pages. Reading Level: Picture books, Ages 4-8 Recommended For: Ages 4-8, Ages 8-10 This is the Feast describes the trials of the pilgrims from…
Read More*Heaven and Nature Sing by Hannah Anderson
Heaven and Nature Sing is a collection of advent essays on the curse that sin imposed on nature and the grace that allows us to enjoy God’s glory while we anticipate our Redeemer’s return. *Heaven and Nature Sing by Hannah Anderson. B&H Publishing, 2022. 166 pages. Reading Level: Teen/Adult Ages 16 and up Recommended For:…
Read MoreFun picture books for young listeners: How to Apologize, Not That Pet!, Sometimes Cake, and Mom, There’s a Bear at the Door
Four books featuring animals and young children are imaginative, instructive, and fun to read aloud to little ones. How to Apologize by David LaRochelle, illustrated by Mike Wohnoutka. Candlewick 2021, 32 pages. Reading Level: Easy Readers, Ages 4-8 Recommended For: Ages 4-8 It would be easy to be didactic with a book like this, but…
Read MoreReformation Day Holiday Traditions
Inventing a Celebration I’ve never had much use for Halloween. We didn’t celebrate it when I was growing up, substituting other family fun that day, and now I am simply turned off by the ugliness of the decor. But give me a reason to celebrate, and I love inventing traditions! Most conveniently, Reformation Day also…
Read MoreTruth and Story
(Note: Betsy and I are indebted to Ethan Pettit, librarian and Children’s Literature professor from Covenant College, who enlightened us so much in seeing Christ in literature and taught us to discern Truth and Story.) “The earth is the Lord’s and the fullness thereof, the world and those who dwell therein…” Psalm 24:1 (ESV) This verse…
Read More*Baby Believer Board Books
Theologically solid Baby Believer series provides a beautiful way to introduce littles to Scripture and church doctrine. Baby Believer board books series by Danielle Hitchen, illustrated by Jessica Blanchard. Harvest Kids, various dates, unpaged. Reading Level: Board books, ages 0-4 Recommended For: Ages 0-4 My first introduction to Hitchen and Blanchard’s theologically solid series for…
Read MoreHome Library Management: Curating and Storing the Collection
A solution for managing your books before investing in more bookshelves. When the books overflow the shelves into piles on the floor, on every surface, and in bins under the beds, what’s a home librarian to do? Curate the collection Did you know that museums and library special collections own far more than they put…
Read MoreHome Library Management: Weed out the M.U.S.T.Y. titles!
NOTE: This post is an expansion of the previous post, “Analyzing the Situation.” If you feel like the MUSTY acronym is helpful for you or you would like advice about what to do with the books you remove from your collection, then read on! If you feel like you have a handle on it, you…
Read MoreHome Library Management: Analyze the Situation
Home Library Management is a mini-series based on a presentation I originally gave to a homeschool group when I was a professional librarian years ago. These are updated thoughts based on my current experience as a home librarian surrounded by five boys and lots of books. I’d love to hear your thoughts as we walk through…
Read MoreHome Library Management: Where do I begin?
Home Library Management is a mini-series based on a presentation I originally gave to a homeschool group when I was a professional librarian years ago. These are updated thoughts based on my current experience as a home librarian surrounded by boys and overflowing bookshelves. I’d love to hear your thoughts as we walk through the library…
Read MoreHome Library Management: Heart Issues
Help! I have too many books! Is this a familiar concern? Of course you wouldn’t want to blame the books. An abundant home library is a good thing…isn’t it? Isn’t the problem really not having enough shelves? Like yours, my beloved bookshelves are painfully overflowing, and when our home library outgrows its boundaries, the shelves…
Read More*Tree Street Kids: Lions to the Rescue! and Mystery in Crooked Creek Woods
The Tree Street Kids series continues as Jack, Ellison, Roger, Ruthie and Midge develop new and better friendships, and also solve a mystery. Tree Street Kids series by Amanda Cleary Eastep, illustrated by Aedan Peterson: Lions to the Rescue! and Mystery in Crooked Creek Woods. Moody, 2022. Reading Level: Middle Grades, ages 8-10 Recommended For:…
Read MorePicture books for and about school: *We the People, Pterodactyl Show and Tell, and My First Day
Three picture books are perfect for going back to school: We the People, Pterodactyl Show and Tell, and My First Day. *We the People: The Constitution of the United States by Peter Spier. Doubleday Books for Young Readers, 2014, 48 pages. Reading Level: Picture book, ages 4-8 Recommended for: ages 4-8, ages 8-10 Every illustration…
Read More*Wonderfull: Ancient Psalms Ever New by Marty Machowski
Wonderfull is a guide to the Psalms that introduces young people to modeling their devotional life after that of the Psalmist.
Read More*Room for Everyone by Naaz Khan, illustrated by Mercè López
A lively rhyming story about a generously overcrowded daladala on its way to the beach in a delightful read-aloud about siblings in Zanzibar.
Read MorePicture Book Round Up: The Big Wide Welcome, God Cares for Me, Love Is, Rice From Heaven, My Breakfast With Jesus
Three picture books remind young listeners to love people as Jesus loves, to show compassion for the sick, and provide an opportunity to see a familiar passage of Scripture in a new context. The Big Wide Welcome by Trillia Newbell and illustrated by Catalina Echeverri. The Good Book Company, 2022. 32 pages Reading level: Picture…
Read MoreWhat do you have in your hand? Eight simple enrichments for homeschool or life in general
The truth is, Betsy and I are both busy moms. We always have greater aspirations that we can EVER accomplish, more so when we read blogs about how to enrich our children’s lives. How DO we find that tender balance between giving them plenty of time to play while expecting them to develop good habits…
Read MoreBrave and Bold by Marty Machowski
Brave and Bold draws on Machowski’s knowledge of Scripture and experience in the Army to firmly call young men to integrity and excellence. A wonderful gift for graduation or other occasions. Brave and Bold by Marty Machowski. New Growth Press, 2021. 128 pages. Reading Level: Teens, Ages 12-15 Recommended For: Ages 12 and up Machowski…
Read MoreMore Than a Story by Sally Michael
More Than a Story assumes that all of Scripture is written for instruction of all ages, and that both parents and children will benefit from a Bible story book that emphasizes. More Than a Story: Exploring the Message of the Bible With Children (Old Testament) by Sally Michael, illustrated by Fred Apps. Truth:78, 2020, 432…
Read MoreThe Velveteen Rabbit Turns 100: A Bunny Booklist
The Velveteen Rabbit turns 100 There was once a velveteen rabbit . . . Once upon a time, there were three little rabbits and their names were. . . In your head did you just hear “Flopsy, Mopsy, Cottontail, and Peter? (If your head is like mine, it was probably with a nice British accent!)…
Read MoreA Jesus Easter by Barbara Reaoch
Explore the story of Easter with A Jesus Easter, a family devotional for Lent with interactive questions and journaling prompts. A Jesus Easter: Explore God’s Amazing Rescue Plan by Barbara Reaoch. The Good Book Company, 2022. 112 pages. Reading Level: Middle grades, ages 10-12 Recommended For: The Whole Family A journaling devotional invites the reader…
Read MoreThe World of Tumbleweed Thompson books by Glenn McCarty
Humorous and winsome, tales from the World of Tumbleweed Thompson will engage young fans of Tom Sawyer and Homer Price. Reading Level: Middle Grades, Ages 10-12 Recommended For: Ages 10 and up The Misadventured Summer of Tumbleweed Thompson by Glenn McCarty, illustrated by Joe Sutphin, 2018. 327 pages. Twelve-year-old Eugene Appleton is a lively storyteller,…
Read MoreRetreat Reflections (2022)
In which the Redeemed Reader team has a retreat after eight years, talks about books, eats wonderful food, talks about books, plans strategically, and talks about books and culture. Reunion Eight years ago the RR team members met in person for the first time (Emily Whitten, our co-founder, was part of that gathering, but she…
Read MoreValentine’s Day Picture Books: Valentine, Be Mine, The House of Love, and Ballad of Valentine
Three picture books about Valentine’s Day: Valentine, Be Mine is practical, The House of Love invites the reader to anticipate a party at home with a big family, and Ballad of Valentine is so tender and sweet…do sing it to the tune of Clementine, if you can. The Ballad of Valentine by Alison Jackson, illustrated…
Read More2022 Geisel Roundup: Fox at Night, Nothing Fits a Dinosaur, I Hop, and Beak and Ally
The 2022 Geisel Award: One Winner and Three Honors The results for the 2022 Geisel Award are IN! The Geisel Award is given to books for beginning readers in honor of Dr. Seuss. This year, the Geisel Award committee selected three honors in addition to the winner. Fox at Night by Corey R. Tabor. Balzer…
Read MoreNonfiction about Nature
Reptiles Everywhere, Bruno the Beekeeper, A World of Plants, and Fungarium offer plenty of fascinating information about the natural world.
Read More*The Double Dangerous Book for Boys
The Double Dangerous Book for Boys by Conn, Arthur, and Cameron Iggulden is a clean, engaging, fascinating, and robust book for boys, just like the original. The Double Dangerous Book for Boys by Conn, Arthur, and Cameron Iggulden. William Morrow, 2019, 320 pages. Reading Level: Middle Grades, ages 12-15 Recommended For: Middle Grades, ages 12-15…
Read MoreHoney for a Child’s Heart, 50th Anniversary edition
Honey for a Child’s Heart is a beautiful resource, a guide full of book lists, to have in your home library.
Read MorePicture books for boys (and girls) who love action and humor
A reader-inspired hunt for a roundup of favorite picture books for boys and girls who love action and humor A reader asks: “What I continue to look for is stories of a grand scale but at a 4-5 year old level. So many kids’ books feel too… soft and cuddly, I’d have to say. My…
Read More3 recent picture books for Advent and Christmas
Looking for picture books for advent or Christmas to share with your own littles or give as a gift? Here are some to consider. A Night of Great Joy by Mary Engelbreit. Zonderkidz, 2020. Board book. Reading Level: Board Book, ages 0-4 Recommended for: ages 0-4 A very child-friendly pageant presents the story of the…
Read More‘Twas the Season of Advent
‘Twas the Season of Advent is an advent devotional for littles that hearkens back to the classic poem “Twas the Night Before Christmas” but focuses on anticipating the coming of Christ. ‘Twas the Season of Advent by Glenys Nellist, illustrated by Elena Selivanova. Zonderkidz, 2021, 32 pages. Reading Level: Picture Book, ages 4-8 Recommended for:…
Read MorePicture Books on different times and places: Thukpa for All, How I Learned Geography, Come On, Rain!, and Kamishibai Man
ukpa for All, How I Learned Geography, Come On, Rain!, and Kamishibai Man, offer new perspectives on different times and places.
Read More*Little Hearts Prepare Him Room by Holly Mackle
Little Hearts Prepare Him Room by Holly Mackle is a simple Advent devotional with deep theology, suitable for a variety of ages. Little Hearts Prepare Him Room by Holly Mackle. CDM Discipleship, 2019. 74 pages. Reading Level: Ages 8-10 Recommended For: Ages 0-10 Little Hearts Prepare Him Room recognizes that many well-intentioned attempts to sit…
Read MoreThe Expected One and The Risen One by Scott James
There is much to anticipate in both Christmas and Easter, but the Story is much bigger than the significant events, as Scott James demonstrates in a pair of devotional books. *The Expected One by Scott James. B&H Publishing, 2021. 121 pages. *The Risen One by Scott James. B&H Publishing, 2021. 121 pages. Reading Level: Adults…
Read MoreSomething Better Coming: The life of a new author
In which Megan’s books arrive and she and her boys have fun with them, and why the books will not be sold through Amazon. The long-awaited arrival of 2000 copies. The fort built out of books. (My boys wish I had ordered an extra thousand copies and wondered if the boxes would make good airsoft…
Read More*Little Pilgrim’s Progress
The greatest allegory of the Christian life, retold for younger children, is significantly improved with masterful illustrations.
Read MorePicture Book Roundup: Old Testament, New Testament, and Gospel Music
The Night Walk, The Rescuer of Tiny Creatures, and The Lost Package focus on simple pleasures and everyday services we take for granted.
Read MoreStealing Home: Jackie Robinson against the odds
Stealing Home: Jackie Robinson Against the Odds by Robert Burleigh. Simon & Schuster, 2007. 32 pages. Reading level: Picture books, ages 4-8, ages 8-10Recommended for: Ages 4-8, ages 8-10 “I need a player with guts enough not to fight back.” That’s what the Dodgers’ manager told Jackie at the start of his career. Jackie Robinson…
Read MoreA Cookie Story Tea
A cookie story tea is a great place to share my personally developed recipe for chocolate chip cookies. May these books enhance your pleasure in making and sharing them! Golden Key Members find a themed Story Tea printed in each copy of Redeemed Reader Quarterly. Have you tried any of them yet? Which is your…
Read MoreAre You Reading Under Law or Under Grace?
I have a fat file of booklists, recommended reading by people I respect who have read certain books I haven’t read yet, and I struggle with feeling inadequate because I haven’t checked off as many titles as they have. When I do read, I agonize. Should I read this title or that one? Why am…
Read MoreOrdinary Homeschooling: Reflections on just serving dinner
Resources we actually used Last summer in a post titled Just Serve Dinner, I shared some of the best resources we have enjoyed over the years, the ones that are an ongoing blessing to our family. Here are a few more that have pleasantly surprised me in how much I have enjoyed using them. I…
Read More*Tree Street Kids: Jack vs. the Tornado and The Hunt for Fang
Authentic characters and classic themes shine in a God-honoring series about Jack, his sister, friendship, and a great clubhouse. Tree Street Kids series by Amanda Cleary Eastep, illustrated by Aedan Peterson: Jack vs. the Tornado and The Hunt for Fang. Moody, 2021. Reading Level: Middle Grades, ages 8-10, ages 10-12 Recommended For: Ages 8-12 Some…
Read MoreThe Best Pet of All and Bertha Takes a Drive
The Best Pet of All and Bertha Takes a Drive are picture books about boys and moms. In the first, a boy asks his mom for a dog. In the second, two boys take an unusual ride. The Best Pet of All by David LaRochelle, illustrated by Hanako Wakiyama. Dutton, 2004, unpaged. Reading level: Picture…
Read MoreRecent Picture Books About Families
Milo Imagines the World, Outside Inside, and Off to See the Sea plunge readers into a child’s eye view of public places, pandemics, and bathtime
Read MoreOversize Nonfiction: Math, Anatomy, and Classification
Do you see order, beauty, and relationships in the world around you? Three recent oversized picture books require special shelving, but offer a feast for the mind. Anatomicum by Jennifer Z. Paxton. Big Picture Press, 2020. The Welcome to the Museum series is extraordinary, and Anatomicum is no exception. An elegant introduction to the extraordinary…
Read MoreBack Porch Book Chat: Ryan Flanders, illustrator of Something Better Coming
Back Porch Book Chat: A casual, virtual conversation about books. Our guest today is Ryan Flanders, illustrator of the forthcoming picture book written by Megan Saben titled Something Better Coming. Interview conducted by Megan. Getting to Know Ryan Flanders Brother, our families have enjoyed a lot of fellowship since you started coming to our church…
Read MoreWe missed you at the birthday party!
If you missed it, here’s a brief summary of a delightful conversation as well as the books mentioned by the team and inspiration from the friends who joined us.
Read More*See the Cat: Three stories about a dog
A dog on a rug is quite understandably aggravated by the narrative narrator through three very short stories for beginning readers. Brilliant, clever, and hilarious. See the Cat: Three stories about a dog by David LaRochelle, illustrated by Mike Wohnoutka. Candlewick, 64 pages. Reading Level: Easy readers, ages 4-8 Recommended For: Ages 4-8 Last August,…
Read More2021 Newbery Buzz #3: Skunk and Badger
We’re continuing our annual “Newbery Buzz” series today with round #3 for 2021. (We have already discussed Chirp and King and the Dragonflies earlier this month.) As a reminder, we do not know which books the actual Newbery committee is seriously considering; we discuss books we’ve been hearing lots of “buzz” about in the children’s…
Read MoreAncient Romans, Alphamaniacs, and Incredible Jobs
Three critically-acclaimed picture books tackle big subjects like the size of the universe, the scope of humanity, and the power of words
Read MoreThree picture books for preschoolers: Catch That Chicken!, This, or That?, and What I Like Most
Three picture books that are ideal for sharing and snuggling with a little one. Catch that Chicken! by Atinuke, illustrated by Angela Brooksbank. Candlewick, 2020. Unpaged. Lami is not the best in the village at spelling or braiding hair, and she is not brave around the bulls, but she is the best chicken catcher and…
Read More*Beyonders Trilogy
Jason, an ordinary American boy, is summoned into a world that needs a hero. Original, highly imaginative, full of action and characters who are ready to give their lives for a worthy cause. The Beyonders Trilogy by Brandon Mull. Aladdin Books. (paperback) A World Without Heroes Seeds of Rebellion Chasing the Prophecy Reading Level: Teen/YA,…
Read MoreRoad Trip USA
The sensible way to plan a vacation would be to decide months in advance where you want to go and how you want to get there, make reservations, buy tickets, and put it on the calendar. But life doesn’t always go as planned, and sometimes you need a change of scenery anyway. Our family wanted…
Read MoreFour Good Books for Littles
Young children need Truth, and it’s never too early to begin. Board Books by Danielle Hitchen, illustrated by Jessica Blanchard. Baby Believer series. First Bible Basics: A counting primer An excellent God-centered, doctrinally solid, appealing introduction to the Bible and the Trinity. One God, two natures of Christ, three persons in the Trinity, four gospels…eight…
Read MoreOrdinary Homeschooling: Just serve dinner.
This is a dangerous post. If you’re like me, you’ll see the resources that our family has chosen and think “Ooh, THAT’s what I need to improve my life!” I can’t promise you that, any more than an instant pot cookbook will revolutionize your meal planning. But I can show you a few resources that…
Read MorePurple House Press: An interview with Jill Morgan
Purple House Press revives delightful out of print stories for a new generation. 1. What motivated you to start Purple House Press? Back in the 90s I sold out of print children’s books. My customers kept requesting the same books over and over even though they were hard to find. One of them was Mr.…
Read More*God’s Very Good Idea by Trillia Newbell and Catalina Echeverri
God’s design for diversity was beautiful from the beginning but marred by sin, requiring a Redeemer to rescue us from our mess. *God’s Very Good Idea by Trillia Newbell, illustrated by Catalina Echeverri. The Good Book for Children, 2017. 32 pages. Reading Level: Ages 4-8 Recommended For: Ages 4-8 What are your favorite ideas in…
Read MoreLibrary’s Most Wanted
Libby intends to round up all the offending library users for crimes of mistreating library resources, but the cost of her vigilance is high. Library’s Most Wanted by Carolyn Leiloglou, illustrated by Sarah Pogue. Pelican, 2020, 32 pages. Reading Level: Ages 4-8 Recommended for: Ages 4-8 Libby loves helping her aunt in the library and…
Read MoreLois Lenski Books: A Sampling
Lois Lenski books continue to be enjoyable and insightful reading for all ages. Lois Lenski Books Yesterday I shared a long-overdue introduction to an author who has greatly influenced my life. Isn’t it funny how it happens? First, Mom read Puritan Adventure and Strawberry Girl aloud. Then, because most of Lenski’s regionals were housed in…
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