The Griffin and the Minor Canon

There's this griffin who has never seen his reflection. And then he finds out that there is this stone image of him on a church (the church doors). So he goes over there to check it out. And he's in a field, and basically all the people in the village get freaked out. So this dude, the minor canon, goes out to speak to him. So the minor canon comes back after talking and people find out that the griffin wants to see his image so some angry people try to destroy the griffin's image. But the minor canon protects the church so they can't crush it. And then the people (oh, I'm probably spoiling the story by now) send the minor canon away because they figure out that the griffin probably stays with him because he likes the minor canon. So the griffin gets really angry when he finds him gone. He tries to do everything that the minor canon did and since everybody freaked out, they did everything good, like the school children behaved better, the sick people leaped out of bed because they didn't want to be visited by him, and then he got really angry when they told him that the minor canon was gone. So they all freaked out again and brought the minor canon back. The End. - Nino, 8

The Truth About Bats

This book is a good book for kids because it's science about bats and it tells how they get around and find food at night.-Yena,8

Mary

Who doesn't love Demi's books?  They are beautiful, reverent, extraordinary.

This one tells the story of Mary, the Mother of God.  Each page has a small section, taken from The Book of Mary, the Gospels of Matthew, Luke and John (an added bonus:  Jesus' words are in RED, just like in some Bibles!), The Life of Mary As Seen by the Mystics... the story continues on after Jesus' Resurrection, on through the Pentecost, Mary's Dormition, Assumption and her Coronation, with more selections from Pseudo-Melito.  (If the extra-canonical sources bother you, you may want to click on the links provided in this post for a discussion of them.)  The illustrations are detailed and colorful, always accented with Demi's signature gold.  The Florentine touches are my favorite because Florentine art always manages to strike a chord deep inside me... something about elevating art to the divine.  On both end papers appear a selection of Mary's titles from the Litany of Loreto.

The Legend Of The Christmas Rose

Such a beautiful book! I love how the angel gives Dorothy flowers that she can give Jesus as her gift to him. - Yena, 8 

This is one of those tear-jerker books that *just* has to be read at Christmastime.

As a mother, I feel for Dorothy, who is compelled to see the King/Baby Jesus; I feel her nervousness, her timidity, her shame at having nothing to give.  I want to scoop her in my arms and assure her that anything she has to offer will be lovely in God's eyes.  Dorothy is every one of my children.

As a child of God, I wonder at the awesome gift He gave to us, when He came down from heaven to join us here on earth, as a babe, humble and helpless.  I am grateful that He chose to have His presence known first by shepherds -- His message is for all, not just the rich or the privileged.  I wonder at His continual gift of Himself when He comes to us daily in the Eucharist.

This would also be a good book to read alongside a study of flowers or plants.  The author's note at the back tells about the Christmas rose, Helleborus niger. 

How A Book Is Made

This book is interesting because I didn't know there were so many people that made the book in the story and it must take a long time to make just one book.-Yena, 8 

The Little Boy's Christmas Gift

I say that this book is a keeper because it is a beautiful one. - Yena, 8

This is, indeed, a beautiful book -- inspired by the illuminated artwork of the 15th and 16th centuries.  It would be a great addition for a study of artwork created in these time periods.  The story itself is simple but conveys the truth that our gifts are most pleasing to God when we put our heart into them.  It also speaks of the creativity that results when you don't have a lot of resources.  A little fun element is the "I Spy" game you can play while finding the boy "in the dust and shadows" on every page.  

The First Christmas Stocking

Claire is such a pretty, honest and happy little girl. I love how she gave the poor boy the stockings even though they were really for the rich Lady's children and that the next day she saw her last stocking full, and found cakes, tobacco for her father, a drink and all the yarn she owed to the lady. -Yena, 8 

The Best-Loved Doll

The Best-Loved Doll is one of My Favorite books because even though Jennifer is broken Betsy still loves her, and takes her to Susan's party instead of one of her other dolls. and it turns out to be good because Susan's Mother gives Jennifer a medal and it said"The Best-Loved Doll" and that is i like it.    -- Yena,8

The Soldiers Night Before Christmas

The old Christmas poem changed into a version about troops, really funny.

-Migi 11 year

This is a very timely book esp. since we have friends in the military that are away from their family at this time of the year.  It reminds the children how lucky and blessed we are that we are all together here in our home.  It also reminds us to be thankful for the sacrifices that our brave service-men and women have to go through -- and their families too -- to keep our country safe.

The Story of the Three Wise Kings

The Story of the Three Wise Kings
by Tomie de Paola

Retelling of the Bible story.  With Tomie de Paola's trademark art.  Heee.... his Herod does make me think of Jabba the Hutt.

Thank You, Sarah

This book is about Sarah Hale.  She saved Thanksgiving by writing letters to presidents, but she didn't get "Yes" until Abe Lincoln was president.  - Yena, 8

Our Abe Lincoln

The book tells about the life of Lincoln, our great President in a song. -- Migi

Mrs. Lincoln's Vanilla Almond Cake recipe is on the back of the book -- don't miss it! - Mom

Some dates this book would be good for:  

• February 12, Lincoln's birthday
• September 22, Emancipation Proclamation
• November 19, Gettysburg Address

What the book tells about Kids acting out  the story of Abe Lincoln.-- Yena  

Cougar

The book tells about the basic activities of Cougars and other habits and facts. --Migi

The World of Baseball

This baseball book tells about how baseball came to be played in so many places over the world. -- Migi

The Mountain Lion

The book tells fun facts about the mountain lion and it's young, and how they mate. -- Migi

A hunting we will go!

The book is about two kids who don't want to go to sleep because their wide awake.  They go do fun stuff for hours. -- Migi

Journey Cake, Ho!

The book tells about a kid who is helped by a rolling cake when he is sent away from his home because the animals go missing. -- Migi

New Baby train

New Baby Train is about a kid who tells his siblings how babies came to them.  He goes to the baby train and gets on, looking for a baby for his family. - Migi, 11

Goldilocks and the Three Bears

Another charmer from the Jim Aylesworth/Barbara McClintock duo.  Don't miss the "Porridge Cookies" recipe on the back of the book! - Mom

Holi

A Read About Holiday book about India's Holi.  Very interesting, especially the part where people throw paint on each other.  Maybe the precursor of paintball?