TALES FROM OTHER COUNTRIES I always find it so interesting to read tales from other countries about Christmas and snow. I recently enjoyed one from Sweden (part of my heritage) and one from Russia. The story of Lucia is a fascinating Swedish story. My grandparents were both Swedish on my father's side, so my siblings and I grew up surrounded by lots of Swedish decor, food, and of course, the story of how at Christmas time girls would wear wreaths of candles on their head in honor of St. Lucia. In their Lutheran church, that tradition was still a part of their Christmas celebration. Despite hearing all of this, I never knew the story behind Lucia and why exactly she wore the candles. One of you wonderful members, sent me this picture book, Lucia's Morning in Sweden, that shares a family's celebration of the day, but also includes Lucia's story as well. I am finding as I grow older, I want my children to know more about their heritage and am incorporating parts into our lives. Recently I did a post on The Snow Child by Eowyn Ivey (see previous post for details). At the end of her book she attributes the root of her Pulitzer Prize Finalist retelling of the Russian fairytale by the same name to a Scholastic book. I had to hunt it down, and I was able to order this used copy. This fantastical story of an elderly couple who are unable to have children end up with a child in a most unusual way. They create a child of snow, and the child comes to life. This tale took me back to my own childhood, not because I was created out of snow, but because some of my favorite books to check out of the library were a series of books that were fairy tales from other countries. I loved those books and eagerly dove into them each time I brought one of the copies home. This particular telling of The Snow Child ends with a satisfactory ending. I do believe that the original is tragic.

FOXE'S BOOK OF MARTYRS by John Foxe I recently finished reading Foxe's Book of Martyrs. While I do carry a book just about everywhere I go, I tend to read at night before I fall asleep. Reading the stories of those who have gone before us in the faith subjected to persecution and martyrdom was not my typical bedtime reading material. Oddly though, I found the stories reassuring. Story after story focused on the unwavering faith of these great people. There were a few that wavered for a bit, but then ultimately came to a finalizing decision for Christ that then cost them their very lives. In a culture where faith, morality, and truth change on a whim or bit of discomfort in people's lives, I found it fortifying to read stories of no compromising. HEADS UP- While I certainly believe this is an important book to read, it is not for the faint of heart. The process of how these people died is laid out for the reader. While the details are not bloody, there is little left to the imagination. It is horrific to think about what human beings are capable of doing to each other.

THE SNOW CHILD by Eowyn Ivey Set deep in the Alaskan Wilderness in 1920, The Snow Child by Eowyn Ivey is an emotional read that is very easy to get lost in. Jack and Mabel have traded in standard American living to homestead in one of the brutalist, unforgiving lands, Alaska. As time slips by, their dreams of making it and raising a family are being crushed by the barrenness of the place and the barrenness of the womb. Hurt and despair are settling in and the companionship they once shared is being replaced with the normalcy of becoming strangers side by side. After a snow, they break out of their melancholy routine and build a little snow girl together. When they wake up the next morning, the snow girl is gone, but they start seeing glimpses of a girl running through the woods. The question is is she real or are they going crazy from their being in the wilderness so long and their want of a child? This story is a beautiful read of wonder, tragedy, loneliness, healing, and more. I found myself drawn to it like a child is drawn to a fairytale, because it is based on the Russian fairytale about an elderly couple who desire a child. Bits and pieces of the original tale are woven throughout this story as Mabel recognizes what may be happening and desires to head off the disastrous ending of her favorite childhood fairytale. If you read this book be sure and read through the author's notes at the end. Ivey knows the Alaskan territory well as she resides there and works at an independently own bookstore! Okay, now for the Heads Up part. HEADS UP- There are some elements you need to be aware of. First, there is some language sprinkled around. There are no f-bombs. However, there are a couple G**D****, and a few J**** C***** explosions. They are infrequent, but present. Also, there is a point where we learn of a sexual experience going on between teens. There are no intimate details. The girl ends up pregnant, and they end up marrying.

BAT AND THE END OF EVERYTHING by Elana K. Arnold. Illustrated by Charles Santoso Well, Callie and I did it! We read all three of the Bat books together, and they did not disappoint. In Bat and the End of Everything by Elana K. Arnold, we finally arrive at what Bat and Thor's future will be, because that's been the question the whole way through the series. Without giving anything away, I will tell you that everyone is okay in the end! This is a series that you would want to start at Book One, so that you get a full picture of the story and Bat and Thor's relationship. Overall, this series is a delightful read of the adventures of a boy who is on the autistic spectrum and an orphaned skunk kit. Both help each out as Bat becomes the best skunk caretaker he can, and Thor helps Bat develop some wonderful human friendships in his life. HEADS UP- Only one minor issue to make you aware of. As previously noted in the other Bat book reviews, the parents are divorced. In the previous books there were no uncomfortable situations. In Book Three, however, we have a situation where Dad tries to introduce Bat and Janie to his new girlfriend without giving them any warning. Things go a little south with Janie, who refuses to meet her. Dad promises to not plan anymore surprise visits, and that's the end of it.

CELEBRATING THE BIRTHDAY OF THE KING DAY 12 - CELEBRATING THE BIRTHDAY OF THE KING https://docs.google.com/.../12W80I-I53YlDRw.../edit ...

AMOUNTS OF SNOW DAY 11 - AMOUNTS OF SNOW https://docs.google.com/.../1Qnz2BAp2W0s0T.../edit ...

CHRISTMAS OUTDOORS Day 10 - Christmas Outdoors https://docs.google.com/.../1l_99r4.../edit ...

DISAGREEMENTS DAY 9 - Disagreements https://docs.google.com/.../1cu0YujSh.../edit ...

CLARA BARTON: FOUNDER OF THE AMERICAN RED CROSS by Augusta Stevenson Illustrated by Frank Giacoia. If you are studying the Civil War you may want to consider leaving a little room for Clara Barton. In Clara Barton: Founder of the American Red Cross by Augusta Stevenson, we discover what a shy child Clara was growing up. The story really focuses on how she worked to overcome her shyness to become the president of one of the most recognized disaster relief organizations still in existence today. This story can really bring hope to our children that deal with shyness that great things can be accomplished by them! I also want to put a plug out for the book series Childhood of Great Americans. This series is really fantastic, and I find that oftentimes mid to upper elementary students enjoy reading about the childhoods of Americans that go on to do great things In their lives.

CHRISTMAS IN NEW PLACES Day 8 - Christmas in New Places https://docs.google.com/.../18L5WWjUtk5u7MZIFS4.../edit ...

TASTE OF SNOW DAY 7 - Taste of Snow https://docs.google.com/.../1NgXIMRaykk3RBkvoig6.../edit ...

AN OLD-FASHIONED GIRL by Louisa May Alcott Did you know today, November 29, was Louisa May Alcott's Birthday? Many of us are familiar with her wonderful novels, Little Women and Little Men, but have you ever tried An Old-Fashioned Girl? This delightful story has characters and situations you will fall head over heels for! I first read this book somewhere around 8th or 9th grade, and I was hooked. It remains one of my favorite "classics" to this day!