book reviews
Reviews of books that explore the complexities of family throughout history and across cultures.
Elephant in the Room
I was a really lucky kid. Every evening, my dad would settle down on the couch between my younger sister and I-- both of us clutching a sippy-cup of warm milk-- and read us a bedtime story. We had an impressive collection, thanks to a bountifully stocked, local, used bookstore. We were also privileged to attend children's night at the public library every week, where a friendly librarian entranced an entire crowd of youngsters with a story followed by a craft project, and returned home with two borrowed books apiece. My parents didn't give us the world; by inspiring a love of reading from a young age, they gave us worlds.
By Tiffany Mercer5 years ago in Families
A MISTY ISLAND BEDTIME STORY
Once upon a time, there was a little girl who dreamed of oceans, islands, and ponies. To this landlocked animal lover, these subjects were magical. In her dreams an angry sea was churning, black clouds were hovering, and a wild stallion was screaming. On an ancient ship, the crew was too busy navigating the surging ocean to notice the screams of the stallion, or the rock shelf looming ahead. With a crackle of lightening, a thunderous clap of thunder, and an earth shattering shudder, the ship collided with the rocks. Spanish stallions bound for America were pitched into the raging ocean.
By Lisa Brasher5 years ago in Families
Owl in a Towel
Owl and Baby have left the nest! To get your copy of Owl in a Towel, visit the website. It comes in soft, hard, or my personal favourite, e-book! Why is e-book my favourite? Well, like so many of us, I practice the "container method" so that I can live minimally. Review continues below.
By Call Me Les5 years ago in Families
A Prayer to the Moon
Despite the phases of the moon, I always know its there. This provided a great deal of comfort as a child when both my parents were working. It made me understand that despite not physically being present or visible 24/7, they were always there watching over me ... the moon and my parents. Throughout the week, I’d see them at odd hours as they quickly grabbed a bite to eat or were finally able to rest after a rigorous workday. The weekends were full of adventures. Full of quality time. Full of wishes hoping the weekend wouldn’t come to an end. The weekend was also when my mom would get the chance to read a bedtime story for me.
By Kishan Baskaran5 years ago in Families
Beautiful Chaos
When I was young, my mother did all of the things expected of a young stay-at-home mother of two young children - she cooked wholesome, healthy meals from scratch, engaged us with crafts, and, most importantly, she read to us every single night. Usually she would read to us from our Childcraft Folk Tales book. This book contained condensed versions of some of the most beloved nursery rhymes, folk tales, and fables. I was perhaps three years old, my younger sister just a little less than a year younger. We would both rush through our nightly baths, struggling into our pajamas as we raced to snuggle down in our beds, excitedly waiting to discover which stories we would explore that night.
By Christian Kuhlman5 years ago in Families
My Naughty Little Sister . Top Story - June 2021.
Intro When I was around fourteen years old, I walked into my local bookshop, perusing the shelves, most likely looking for the next Harry Potter instalment, when I saw it. I audibly gasped. A beautiful hardback, duck egg blue cover with the looping calligraphy of "50th Anniversary Celebration" written in gold. There was the unmistakable, pencil-sketched illustration of a sour-faced tiny girl with red blotchy cheeks, a deep frown, and a pet lip—My Naughty Little Sister.
By Sh*t Happens - Lost Girl Travel5 years ago in Families
Be Inspired
Be Inspired Books are your friends, or so I was told growing up. My favorite book as a child was “The Story of Anne Sullivan”. I found it in the library of Riverside elementary school. I had to find a book for a report when I had summer school. I was always curious. I wanted to know how other people lived. I was the baby of the family and was raised by my single mother. She worked hard to provide for my two half-brothers and me. My mom never had time to read to me and when I finally learned to read, it opened my eyes to a new world. I always gravitated toward biographies. The story of Anne Sullivan was one that I loved. Anne was a teacher to Helen Keller. Helen Keller was an American teacher, author and advocate for people with disabilities. Helen was also co-founder of the ACLU.
By Veronica Somaratna5 years ago in Families
Big Bad Wolf
Who’s afraid of the big bad wolf? Yes, you guessed it my favorite bedtime story as a child was “The Three Little Pigs”. For me it was one of those Walt Disney “Little Golden Books” version. It was a second hand book I received from a garage sale for ten cents. I liked the pictures of course. Who says you can’t just a book by its cover. Those pigs were so cute. One playing the fiddle and another the flute the third dancing merrily. I love books that have rhymes or songs in them. I don’t have much of a voice but I like the way the words flow off the page into my ears. You know the part I mean. “Who’s afraid of the Big Bad Wolf, the Big Bad Wolf, the Big Bad Wolf, tra la la la la.” At one point when I was raising my own children I think I memorized the book I read it so often.
By Veronica Somaratna5 years ago in Families
