After I finished reading this book aloud during our afternoon tea time, Hope, not wanting yet to leave the beautiful story, she slipped off to read it again herself. Another Victorian read that still touches a sweet place.

The Whole Story series of the classics are the ones I always check out of the library, as their sidebar definitions, explanations of seldom used words, illustrations and interesting tidbits, not only intrigue, but make a classic story accessible to children who might otherwise become confused by the terminology of a different time era. The Whole Story books always get snatched up right away here.

Here is a woman who loves other women well. A must read!

We are on our third set of these books. Enough said. (Okay, I’ll say this too ~smile~: We never tire, we never wane; they remain forever evergreen, always new: signposts of the most endearing, memorable writing. Can I still keep reading these when I have no little children in our house? Please?)

Just so needed...

While entirely taken with the Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, Hope has yet to read the other in the series. This is good, as I prefer this series to be read when older. I first read it when I was seven and, strangely, did not like it in the least. It was only when I was older and understood the allegorical meaning that I relished each book.

This the best gift to give yourself to change the way you see yourself and your one so-called ordinary life.

A family read aloud that again got squirreled away for one-on-one engaging in the nook underneath the stairs. There isn’t much nicer for a young girl than a book like Heidi and being tucked in with a pile of pillows in a little hideaway, is there? She always smiles when she says, “Heidi.”

Though this book was on many recommended booklists, I long avoided it. I wasn’t interested in having anyone here read about witches. And now I entirely forget how the book found its way through the front door, but I clearly remember reading it aloud with reluctance. And then I fell in love with Kit. And I couldn’t stop reading. And the children couldn’t stop listening. And the witch is but an accused witch... and the exquisite story (writing second to none) is too about not making hasty judgements about people. Which is exactly what I had wrongly done with this book. Touche. Highly recommend.

Another read aloud that whet appetites for more... set in 1948 in Alaska, this story of a teacher in a one- room schoolhouse inspires curiosity in art and literature and creativity. A story that found a place in our hearts ... and lives on.

The initial impetus for this event was a book that Jamin and Kyle had published: The Way of the Dragon or the Way of the Lamb. They have recently released a new edition of the book and I am now more than ever convinced of the importance of this message — and cannot recommend this book and it’s life-changing truth highly enough to you…

I don’t remember how we found this book, but I do know we’ve never forgotten it. A truly powerful book about a young black girl who wins a Bible-quoting contest... and then discovers how hard it is to live out that Bible’s call to forgive. Exploring faith, racism and what it means to be deeply human and truly loving, this is a beautifully written book we often speak of... (Her father is killed, so not for younger readers) A book that will stay with you. Highly recommended for older readers.