by Carolyn | Book Lists, Education, Parenting, Recommendations
Practical gifts are great, but sometimes you just want to give something meaningful or sentimental, especially as a child moves from one stage in life to another. Giving picture books for graduation gifts can be a great way to memorialize the occasion whether your...
by Carolyn | Adventure, Fantasy, Imagination, Juvenile Fiction, Middle School, Middle-grade, Scary Stories, Sci-fi
Have you ever wished you could have a do-over? That’s exactly what Sam Miracle in N.D. Wilson’s Outlaws of Time: The Legend of Sam Miracle gets, but with much higher stakes: life or death for himself, his sister, and possibly millions of other people. And...
by Carolyn | Book Deals, Chapter Books, Girls, Juvenile Fiction, Kindle
I love old books. I was an English major, after all, so reading a book that’s 100 years old appeals to me. However, we shouldn’t fall into the trap of allowing our kids to only read old books. Past generations have had their own faults, and I believe we...
by Carolyn | Uncategorized
What do you think of when you think of poetry? Maybe rhythm and rhyme? Maybe free verse? Maybe limerick or haiku? All of these are poetry, but there are also plenty more forms of poetry you may not be familiar with. Let me introduce you to one I think you and your...
by Carolyn | Adventure, Character Training, Fantasy, Imagination, Juvenile Fiction, Middle-grade
I’m breaking from my usual posting schedule because I just have to share something with you before it’s too late. If you haven’t heard, Andrew Peterson has teamed up with some talented people to create a short pilot episode for his The Wingfeather...
by Carolyn | Book Lists, Education, Picture Books, Poetry, Read Alouds
Spring has sprung! Here in Texas, spring means bluebonnets. But since spring looks a little different in different places, picture books about spring can be a great way to introduce the concept to kids. Here are a few of my favorite picture books about spring…...
by Carolyn | Adventure, Boys, Fantasy, Imagination, Juvenile Fiction, Middle School, Middle-grade, Scary Stories
I just re-read one of my favorite juvenile fiction series so I could share it with you. It was just as good the second time around (maybe better). The 100 Cupboards Series by N.D. Wilson (100 Cupboards, Dandelion Fire, and The Chestnut King) is the story of Henry, an...
by Carolyn | Imagination, Nature, Picture Books
I have been reluctant to return this book for imaginative children to the library. I’ve simply fallen in love with it. So, since I’m out of renewals and must return it, I’ll first share it with you. This is Sadie by Sara O’Leary describes a day...
by Carolyn | Animal books, Book Lists, Imagination, Older Elementary, Picture Books, Read Alouds
A while ago I posted about my favorite soothing bedtime books for little ones. But sometimes our big kids like to have their own special bedtime books too! These books may be slightly longer, have rich vocabulary, and beautiful illustrations just brimming with...
by Carolyn | Cultural Diversity, Fantasy, Girls, Highschool, Imagination, Juvenile Fiction, Middle School, Newbery, Young Adult
I’ve been on a bit of a Shannon Hale kick recently. I listened to three of her books in a row this past month: Goose Girl, Princess Academy, and Book of 1,000 Days. I love reinvented fairy tales (so long as good versus evil isn’t turned on its head). And...
