Crow Call

just have a minute to spare... we just read this book and it's sooo beautifully written and illustrated... about a little girl reconnecting with her father who had just come back from the war. true story by Lois Lowry.

Prize in the Snow

Prize in the Snow

This book takes you through the boy's thought processes as he goes on his first hunting trip.  You feel his anticipation, his excitement, you want his plans to work.  And then when he finally catches his prey, there's hesitation, fear, and finally, mercy.  He realizes that his pride in catching the rabbit is not as important as the rabbit's hunger.  He releases his catch and decides instead to feed it again the next day.  An excellent book to read to children to teach them to think of the possible consequences of the choices they make.  Lots of material for good discussion.

One Hundred Shining Candles

Lovely book about siblings helping each other to make Christmas a little lovelier. Sacrifices are made, mistakes are made, humility is learned, but overall there is a theme of giving up things for the good of others.

The Prince of the Dolomites

Prince of the Dolomites

An oldie but goodie from Tomie de Paola.  I love his retelling of old Italian tales -- most of the time they're unknown to me and I get quite an education.  It's also neat seeing places we might want to visit one day.  They're going on the "Places We'd Like to See Before We Die" list.  This book tells about The Dolomites in Northern Italy, and the edelweiss, stella alpina. ***