Survive! Inside the Human Body

This is the third volume of Survive! Inside the Human Body.

Geo and Dr. Brain travel to the brain and learn all about the cerebrum and synapses. Then they discover that Phoebe has a tumor in her brain so they take a sample of it to find out whether it's benign or malignant. They escape through the eye, and with the help of Kay, they find out that it's benign, but the tumor is pressing on the brain stem which could kill Phoebe. Kay and Geo go back inside Phoebe inside the SS Hippocrates (their ship). Dr. Brain uses the syringe they're in and injects near Phoebe's spine. They destroy the tumor with microbubbles and all is well.

I learned about that wrinkles that separate the different sections of the brain and can also save space because the brain, if there were no wrinkles, would be about the size of a newspaper. Ze End.

[Mom's Note: This is a graphic novel translated from Korean, sorta along the same lines as Magic School Bus.]

- Nino, 8

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

I Sure Am Glad To See You, Blackboard Bear

This is one of those books that is so adorable in its illustrations, so appealing to the eye, so lovely in concept... BUT.... as a parent, this is not the type of book I like to read to my child. I understand that there are many kids who need to deal with bullying in their lives, and hopefully this is one book that will help them. (I'm not sure how, but perhaps that *is* the target market here.) There's a bit too much focus here on "getting back" at the other person, I think, that might not be helpful at all to those kids who need some good solid advice -- or even just comforting -- on what to do when other kids are being mean to you. Sigh.

To Catch the Moon

I'd say "Eh, don't bother," but this book does have an element of cuteness about it which may be attractive to some kids/parents. Certainly our toddler liked it enough to ask that it be read to him several times. I think he also likes that big brother Paco's name is in it. I *think* the message is that some things are better appreciated from afar, or that we need to think our actions through to make sure we'll be okay with the consequences.... but these may be messages that a toddler won't appreciate.... yet. For that reason I'll say this is more suitable for older kids and leave it at that. (The illustrations are somewhat reminiscent of Babar.)

Mariel Of Redwall

 I like Mariel of Redwall because of the big adventure she had. First she was thrown by Gabool into the sea and she was thrashed about by the waves, she met the hares and they led her to Pakatugg and then HE led her halfway before she got angry at him because he wouldn't give her any food then she found Tarquin and HE led her to Redwall were she met Dandin and Durry, then she went to find her father Joseph the bell maker with Tarquin, Dandin and Durry, found him and found out that he had formed an army against Gabool and his rats with Rawnblade the badger of Salamandastron and was victorious!


Favorite part:Mother Mellus, Sister Sage and Sister Serena battle gallantly with Storm Gullwacker (Mariel when she forgot her name.)       

A Gift

Keeping our heritage alive is one of the reasons we homeschool.  While our kids are very American in the way they talk, act, think, they also have kept a lot of their Filipino-ness, we believe because we kept them home with us.  They have time to observe and absorb and appreciate what makes us unique as Filipinos. 

This book is about learning about, keeping in touch with, and appreciating one's heritage.  It's a book about family, distance, coping, and the good that can come out when families continue to care about each other even when they are apart. 

Boxes for Katje

This book tells about one girl's generosity and how it touches lives in another part of the world.  The story is based on something the author's mother did and is a great lesson on how a spirit of giving can transcend nationalities, differences, etc.  Also would be good for a lesson on WWII and its effects.

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.

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 Complete Bike Book

Kids can learn how to check their bikes, (wheels and frame for example) they can learn about different types, their uses, such as racing, mountain biking, BMX, and just regular biking.

-Migi 11 year

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.

Young Mary of Nazareth

What an absolutely beautiful book!!  Marianna Mayer is one of my favorite authors and this is another winner.  From Anne and Joachim's faith, to Mary's own, and then Joseph's, it is page after page of classic artwork and an invitation to trust in God's plan and providence.  I do have a few quibbles with Mary's story (e.g., that she was in pain on the journey to Bethlehem), but this is a book that we proudly keep on our shelves and read often, especially around Mary's feast days throughout the year.

This book would also be an excellent springboard for a study of religious art.

For a discussion of Marianna Mayer and this book, click here.  For discussion on the birth of Jesus, specifically whether Mary experienced pain or not, click here.  Also a related thread.

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

How Robin Saved Spring

How Robin Saved Spring is one of My favorite books because in the end Robin wakes Sister Spring from the long sleep Lady Winter put her in. -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 Christmas Miracle Of Jonathan Toomey

What the book is about: One day in early winter the widow McDowell comes to ask Mr. Toomey to carve a new nativity set.

-Migi 11 years

There's also a movie available!  Well-made.

Linnets and Valerians

Linnets and Valerians is a really good book for kids.
For my part i love how they go on a search with Ezra for the missing Valerians, see the Witch Emma, her cat and in the end see there father again who had to go far off places and work there.


-Yena 8 years-old 

The Indian In The Cupboard

Indian in the Cupboard

What the book is about: For Omri's birthday, he is given a cupboard from his brother, Gillon; and from his friend Patrick, a little Indian figure.

When he puts the figure into the cupboard and locks it, he soon discovers that the Indian is Little Bear; and it begins a lasting friendship.

-Migi 11