Ten Mice for Tet

Really cute counting book!  Love the embroidered illustrations, very clever.  This would be so great for a sampler!

Bunny day: Telling time from breakfast to bedtime

Cute little book for reading aloud to little ones and introducing them to the concept of time and how our days work. Even the endpapers are included in the story!  Funny and fun.  And I love that the parents are shown chillin' at the end of the day.  (A good reminder to kids that their mom and dad need down time too :).  You could also use it to begin a day.

The Crippled Lamb

Disclaimer:  I am not a Max Lucado fan.

This book, however, I like well enough from a non-fan standpoint.  I love how Mr. Lucado and his kids wove into the Christmas story the virtue of being able to conform oneself to God's will.  Sometimes we have our plans and we feel bad when things don't go as we would like, but it's always good to be reminded that our Father in heaven knows BEST, and that His plans are always so much better than any we could come up with ourselves.

The Year at Maple Hill Farm

Having dreamed of owning and running a farm almost from the time we were newlyweds, I always have to breathe a sigh whenever I read this book.  Of course, I am quite idealistic and imagine that farm life would only be all the beautiful times depicted in it.  We know it's harder than it looks.  But I still find myself wishing.

This book takes you through the season's changes and the animals' lives throughout a year at the farm.  I found out that "Maple Hill Farm" is actually the authors' home.

Love Is...

Wonderful selection for Valentine's Day, or for a study of St. Paul, or to accompany a Bible study of Paul's letters to the Corinthians.  Reminiscent of stained glass artwork.  Wendy Halperin is an amazing artist!  So much, so much is woven into these pages, that just this book itself could be used to begin rabbit trails into so many more stories and events.  Excellent gift for engaged couples, or young families.... anyone really.  But first get one for yourself :)

The Night of Las Posadas

And yet one more Christmas classic from Tomie de Paola.  I have to admit the biggest reason I love this book is because it reminds me of a beautiful church we used to attend when I was growing up in the Philippines -- its name was "Posadas".  It sat on top of a hill and the view was just beautiful.  Coupled with warm Manila summers and soft breezes blowing (less pollution at the time)... going there for Mass on Sundays was not only refreshing for the soul, but for the tired body as well.

Onto the book itself... is it just me, or are the background colors in this book more vibrant?  Perhaps Tomie de Paola chose those colors to reflect Mexican arts' usual panoply of hues.  Very, very Catholic book.  :)

Beatrice's Goat

This is the story of a little girl in Uganda whose life is changed because of a gift made through Heifer Project International.  Great book to read when you're thinking of what to do/give as a family to those suffering in poverty around the world.  Also an appropriate read around Advent or Lent when we need to reflect on the abundance that is available to us here in the US, and see where we can take steps to maybe live simpler, live with less, and give more to our brothers and sisters who live in difficult conditions.

When the Whippoorwill Calls

What is a whippoorwill exactly?  I must admit, that's one of the reasons I picked up this book.  I am such a sucker for this type of art.  (Not a bad thing, really.)   Ooh, but what a discovery.  Anyone who has *had* to move as opposed to simply wanting to move, and any child going through the stress of change, can be helped by this book.  It's also a good book to read for older kids, prior to discussing the good and bad effects of government in our lives...  (it's not government-bashing, but does make you think).

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. ***