NURSERY RHYMES  One of the first gifts we were given after the birth of our first child, Claire, was a book of nursery rhymes. It was a gift from my parents to my husband for reading aloud to her, and read aloud we did! Fast forward almost 21 years, and here I am this morning pulling out the nursery rhyme books for my 4th, 7th, and 10th graders. No, I'm not cuddling them up for a reading time, I'm challenging them to write their own version of a nursery rhyme over the next couple of days. They are allowed to use the beginning line of a familiar rhyme and branch off with their own or they must follow the rhythm structure of a well known rhyme and create a new one. I was going to write that you never know what type of rhymes I'll get, but then I remembered the originals have to do with being kept in a pumpkin or shoe, jumping over a candle, flying on a goose, etc. I think we're good!

THE ONE THING YOU'D SAVE by Linda Sue Park I wasn't a big fan of this book at first, but once I understood it, it has been a great launching pad for myself and my kids. Linda Sue Park is the well known author of A Single Shard and A Long Walk to Water, so when I came across this little book with the title The One Thing You'd Save, I was intrigued. In the book, Ms. Chang asks her class a question, " If your house is on fire and your family and pets are safe, what is the one thing that you'd save?" What follows is a series of students' answers. We don't know anything about these kids, but we learn a little about their lives in their short responses. Some students share out loud and some we read their thoughts as they wade through the difficult decision of what they'd grab. I finished the simple book, set it down, and was a little disappointed. The responses were interesting. It made me feel a bit like I was back in a classroom again, but there was no back info or explanation to each answer. Then I flipped to the back and read the author's note. This book is a series of poems written in a traditional Korean form called Sijo (Shee-zho). Park explains the characteristics of this style, and suddenly the text form made sense. Now my kids are working on writing Sijos. We're using the original topic and then branching out from there. One thing that makes writing certain types of poetry challenging is that you only have a certain number of syllables to work with so word choice is everything to make your message understood. So, if you could save just one thing what would it be? Oh wait ...could you please write that in a Sijo?

SING A SONG OF SEASONS by Frann Preston-Gannon. Illustrated by Fiona Waters My Easter basket wasn't made up of the traditional candies this year (although I do admit a love for Robin's Eggs- those delicious chocolate malt balls with the colored crunchy shells!). Instead I had a beautiful bouquet of flowers and imagine this - two new books! One I'll share about today! If you struggle with finding great poetry books to share with your kids, Sing a Song of Seasons: A Nature Poem for Each Day of the Year selected by Fiona Waters is an absolute winner! This anthology is not a small book. With 319 pages, you and your children will experience all different types of poetry from many different poets. Great names like Shakespeare, Robert Louis Stevenson, Christina Rossetti, Beatrix Potter, Margaret Wise Brown are mixed with many names I wasn't as familiar with. An additional bonus is Frann Preston-Gannon's beautiful artwork throughout this book. Flipping through the pages and looking at the pictures is as much a treat as the poetry! This book is truly a worthy "coffee table" book for kids. ALONGSIDE ACTIVITIES- - For the month of April put a poem in your day for your kids! Start the day off with one or share one around the supper table.

THE BEST LOVED DOLL by Rebecca Caudill. Illustrated by Elliott Gilbert It's time for a flashback to my childhood. When I was in 5th grade and my sister in 2nd grade my dad had a job transfer to Dayton, Ohio for 1 year. That was not an easy year for our family. I went from a small, country elementary to a city elementary, and I did not settle in well. My parents ended up pulling me out and my mom, who was an elementary teacher, ended up homeschooling me. (This was in the mid 80s) My sister did well in the new school, and so she remained there. My entire family longed to go home. However, in the middle of the struggle, there were some bright spots and interestingly, a couple of them revolved around books. The first one was we read Heidi together. My dad read it out loud to us all, and oh how we could relate to that little displaced girl. But this post isn't about Heidi. The second is a book my sister fell in love with called The Best Loved Doll by Rebecca Caudill. The Best Loved Doll is based on a true story of the author's daughter. Betsy is invited to a friend's birthday party where she is to bring one doll. Prizes will be awarded for the oldest, best dressed, and the doll who can do the most things. Betsy has dolls that would fit each of those categories, but they aren't the ones she loves the most. Jennifer is, but Jennifer's hair is loose, only one eye closes, her toes are worn away, etc. Betsy chooses to take Jennifer with her anyway, and in the process her best loved doll is honored in a special way. This story is absolutely magical if you have ever had a doll like Jennifer. My mother knew my sister's love for this story, and somewhere there is a photo of neighborhood kids each holding their own precious doll or stuffed animal at my sister's birthday party. Each doll and animal is wearing a homemade ribbon that honors them in some way. Now meet Katie, one of the very loved dolls from my own childhood. She was made by my aunt and was a constant companion in my younger years. While she still has all her parts, she bears the stains of a little girl who loved her immensely-me! So here's to all the best loved dolls and stuffed animals that we have had in our lives. If you have the chance to read this book with a younger child, do so. Grab their favorite doll or animal and cuddle up. Don't forget to share your own memories in the process!

SWEET HOME ALASKA by Carole Estby Dagg Sweet Home Alaska by Carole Estby Dagg is a wonderful story about a family that has a 9 year old girl named Terpsichore, her younger twin sisters named Cally and Polly, and a little brother named Matthew. Their father wants to move to Alaska to make a new start but their mom's not so sure. Terpsichore doesn't mind the idea so much as long as she and her best friend are able to move to Alaska at the same time. Terpsichore and her family make the move to Alaska, but her mom agrees to give it one and a half years and then she will decide if the family will stay or not. Terpsichore and her sisters want to stay. Before they left, to head to Alaska, Terpsichore's mother had to sell her beloved piano. Now, Terpsichore's teacher is going to sell her piano for 75 dollars. Terpsichore wants to buy it before her mother makes her final decision and just maybe change her mother's mind, but will it be enough?

DREAM, ANNIE, DREAM by Waka T. Brown For those of you that know my Annie, she loves basketball and dramatic arts. When I came across the book, Dream, Annie, Dream whose protagonist has the same loves, I couldn't pass it up. Annie is entering seventh grade. This opens a whole new world of opportunities such as basketball teams, plays, and crushes. At the same time it brings a whole lot of challenges. Who could have guessed that one of the greatest challenges that Annie would face would be her Japanese American heritage? Then she has an opportunity to write her own play, a spin-off of her all time favorite book, Alice's Adventures in Wonderland. Only her version is going to be a middle school take of the classic. Where else does a kid have so many obstacles to overcome? HEADS UP- There is some language in this book including using the Lord's name in vain.

THE JUNGLE by Upton Sinclair Upton Sinclair's book, The Jungle, is eye-opening historical fiction into the immigrant world of 1906. Following a family of Lithuanians who come to America seeking freedom and opportunity, this read tells the story of the sobering reality for many immigrants who ended up working in factory settings. Arriving in America, strong with a seemingly unbreakable work ethic, they are quickly employed in various jobs around Packingtown (a slaughterhouse industry). Excited to purchase a home, they don't realize how much the industry owns them as they can never get out of debt. How are they making money? Their work conditions are atrocious. Every one of their jobs will steal their strength away and subject them to sickness or the potential of serious bodily harm. What began as a journey to freedom quickly becomes a slippery slide to a ball and chain hole of no escape. This book offers a lot of great discussion topics such as what is the role of an employer, what is the role of an employee, is capitalism the enemy, is socialism the answer, what happens when we abuse the freedoms that we have been blessed with in this country, the role of government offices such as the FDA, what does God expect of us in each of the above situations if we claim to be Christians? You can go on and on! HEADS UP- This book does have a sprinkling of language. It also deals with prostitution (a way to make a few extra bucks), alcoholism, and the underworld between the owners and the unions that are beginning to form.

HARRY AND THE DIRTY DOG by Gene Zion. Illustrated by Margaret Bloy Graham HARRY AND THE GUINEA PIG by Nancy Lambert I grew up on Harry the Dirty Dog by Gene Zion. This great picture book tells the story of Harry, a dog who runs away so he doesn't have to have his bath. The problem is he gets so dirty while running away that when he tries to go home, his family doesn't recognize him. It's a wonderful book that helps to reinforce the importance of obedience and clean habits without being preachy. Now Harry is back in a new story written by Nancy Lambert. Harry is used to being the center of attention, so when his family agrees to watch a guinea pig for their neighbor, Harry struggles with some jealousy. He tries to act like the guinea pig and ends up accidentally letting it go. Thus begins the search for the runaway rodent, but the only way Harry can be a help is to be the dog he is!

EASTER READS It's Easter download day! I've pulled some wonderful books to share with you. Some are not necessarily Easter related directly, but stick with me, and I'll share my thoughts on how they parallel the greatest story of all! I'm also going to give you a peek inside a couple of the books listed. Rechenka's Eggs by Patricia Polacco- I will forever beat the drum telling of our love for Polacco's books. You just can't go wrong! Typically her books are based off of true life experiences, but this one is a sweet Easter take where kindness is repaid. Miz Fannie Mae's Fine New Easter Hat by Melissa Milich- Momma needs a new hat for Easter, but nobody anticipated the surprise that came with it! The Ugly Duckling by Hans Christian Anderson illustrated by Jerry Pinkney- As I was pulling books out and noticed this one, I was reminded of how ugly in sin we are until Christ changes us. It may be a bit of a reach, but there is certainly a theme of "new life" in this classic fairy tale. Resurrection iWitness by Doug Powell - Powell goes through and examines evidence for Christ's resurrection. It also includes some of the theories and why they couldn't work. This book may be a lift the flap book, but it is one for older kids - Upper elementary and above. There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Chick by Lucille Colandro - If you enjoy There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly, you'll enjoy this Easter version. Miss Fannie's Hat by Jan Karon - Miss Fannie always wears a hat. They each hold very special memories for her. This Easter her church needs money to help the building be restored. Can Miss Fannie part with one of her hats to help raise the money? Amon's Adventure by Arnold Ytreeide- This delightful book will take you right into Jerusalem during the days of Jesus' ministry. Follow along with Amon, a 13-year-old boy, as he tries to prove his father's innocence and meets Jesus along the way. A Tale for Easter by Tasha Tudor- A sweet, little book that shows all the delightful ways a family prepares for Easter in Tasha Tudor's delightful way. One Lost Sheep by Rhonda Gowler Greene - the amazing parable by Jesus that demonstrates what his earthly mission was. Each of us (who are saved) was a lost sheep pursued and rescued by Christ.

HERO TALES by Dave and Neta Jackson If you are on the search for a great series of books to introduce your children to true heroes of the faith and help instill good character traits at the same time, look no further than Hero Tales by Dave and Neta Jackson. The stories of Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Eric Liddell, Corrie Ten Boom, Florence Nightingale, and many others are shared in the books as they turned their lives away from sin or persevered through tough circumstances. These are the types of heroes we should want our kids to model instead of the often fighting, self-serving individuals that are wrongly labeled "heroes" in today's world. These books are perfect to use for family devotions or personal devotions for an older child.

CHARLIE AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY by Roald Dahl Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl is one of my all time favorite chapter books. As a kid I was sucked in immediately, and it was such a joy when the same just happened for Callie! Willy Wonka is the world's most amazing inventor of chocolate and candy. His factory hums, smokes, and fills the town with the most delicious of smells. That is until his secrets are stolen by competitors and produced in other factories. The gates to the chocolate factory are closed and locked never to open again, or are they? One morning there are noises heard behind the gates. Mr. Wonka makes an announcement that 5 golden tickets have been hidden inside the wrappers of 5 Wonka candy bars. The five children who find them will gain admittance inside the fantastic factory and a lifetime supply of chocolate. But is that the only reason for the opening of the gates or does Mr. Wonka have a plan that no one else is privy to?

C.S. LEWIS ON WRITING AND WRITERS by C.S. Lewis Can you imagine receiving writing advice from C.S. Lewis? Several people did! Corresponding by letter, they would submit manuscripts or parts of manuscripts to this great author for him to critique. C.S. Lewis On Writing (and Writers) is a collection of excerpts from those letters coupled with parts of his own writings, organized into different topics. Lewis never minced his words, and he doesn't here either while addressing topics such as writing fiction, poetry, children's literature, etc. The book ends with Lewis' thoughts on a lot of different authors. Some of the authors mentioned I have never read. On those I have, I found it very interesting. I even enjoyed a good chuckle over some of his comments. (I nodded my head in agreement on his thoughts about Jane Austen.) This is not a book that you need to read straight through. Due to the different topics, it is easy to jump in and out of. It is also a book that can be referred back to. I especially enjoyed the children's literature part and will definitely visit it again.