What We've Been Reading: September/October 2013

Below are some of the books that we have been reading over the past couple of months.

Toddler

Home for a Bunny (Little Golden Book) by Margaret Wise Brown, illustrated by Garth Williams

This is the only book that my little boy will allow me to read to him. I have tried reading or looking at pictures in other books with him, but he takes them away, turns multiple pages, etc. Some children have their blankie; my son has his book. Like many blankies, this book is looking like it might need to be replaced.

Preschool - Third Grade Read Alouds

Catholic Children's Treasure Box Books

After I finish working with Elizabeth each day, I try to remember to tell her to choose a book for me to read to her. More often than not, she will pull a Treasure Box book from the shelf.

Manners in God's House

My pastor told me that he would like to get a few copies of this book. I am thrilled that Tan Books has acquired Neumann Press and that this and other books are still available. Elizabeth and Finnian thoroughly enjoy looking at the pictures and listening to the three books that are included in this one.

Randolph Caldecott's Picture Books
This is a delightful book that includes classic pictures and stories. My children have appreciated listening to This is the House that Jack Built and more. I have found the book lying all around the house which makes me suspect that some of my older children have been benefiting from reading these familiar and not so familiar tales.

My Father's Dragon by Ruth Stiles Garnett
Patrick and Elizabeth liked listening to this story. Finnian thought that it was "weird".

Pamela Walks the Dog by Christine Marlin, illustrated by Hilda van Stockum

This simple story has fascinated all of my children over the years. Those who listened to it this time, kept asking their older siblings and me, "Would you ever tie one of us up and take us for a walk?"

My Jesus and I by Bishop Louis LaRavoire Morrow, S.T.D.

Aesop's Fables illustrated by Milo Winter

I read this book to my older children when they were younger. I did not realize how much they enjoyed it, until I found Brendan reading it to himself and Bernadette reading it to Patrick. Patrick, Finnian, and Elizabeth are delighting in these tales and I occasionally hear a giggle coming from one or all of them as I read.

Third Grade

Thunderhoof by Syd Hoff

In a People House by Dr. Seuss

Sixth Grade

Dulac's The Snow Queen, and Other Stories by Hans Christian Andersen, illustrated by Edmund Dulac

Theresa liked this out-of-print book. Elizabeth and she spent many hours looking at the illustrations. I was happy to see that Dover is making The Snow Queen available again. Amazon has it for preorder. I wish that Dover or another publisher was republishing the book that Theresa read in its entirety, but this is a start.

The Black Stallion by Walter Farley

Mariel of Redwall (Redwall, Book 4) by Brian Jacques

Salamandastron (Redwall, Book 5) by Brian Jacques

Pollyanna by Eleanor H. Porter

The Mitchells: Five for Victory by Hilda van Stockum

Canadian Summer by Hilda van Stockum

Friendly Gables by Hilda van Stockum

Francie on the Run by Hilda van Stockum

Pegeen by Hilda van Stockum

Charlotte's Web by E.B. White

Theresa couldn't wait for her dad to finish reading this book. I remember being the same way when I was in second or third grade and heard my teacher reading this book out loud to my classmates and me. In fact, the copy that my husband has been reading is the copy that I asked my mom to buy for me at the time.

If All the Swords in England: A Story of Thomas Becket by Barbara Willard

Seventh/Eighth Grade

The Legend of Sleepy Hollow by Washington Irving, illustrated by Arthur Rackham

I don't think that this book and illustrator need any introduction. My mom introduced me to Arthur Rackham's illustrations when I was a child and I still like them.

Mariel of Redwall (Redwall, Book 4) by Brian Jacques

Salamandastron (Redwall, Book 5) by Brian Jacques

The Singing Tree by Kate Seredy

My oldest son wasn't thrilled to be reading this book, but he didn't complain after he started doing so.

Ninth Grade

The Log of a Cowboy by Andy Adams

I checked this book out from the library for Brendan to read. However, as soon as Bernadette saw the horse on the front cover, she decided that she needed to read it. I heard her giggle more than once while she was reading it. Hopefully, her brother will be allowed to read it next. Bernadette has told him that he will like it.

The Myth of Hitler's Pope: Pope Pius XII and His Secret War Against Nazi Germany by Rabbi David G. Dalin

Mariel of Redwall (Redwall, Book 4) by Brian Jacques

Salamandastron (Redwall, Book 5) by Brian Jacques

The Languages of Tolkien's Middle-earth by Ruth S. Noel

The Book of Lost Tales, Part Two (History of Middle-Earth) by J.R.R. Tolkien

The Fellowship of the Ring by J.R.R. Tolkien

This daughter of mine seems to always be rereading something by Tolkien.

The Two Towers by J.R.R. Tolkien

The Mysterious Island by Jules Verne, illustrated by N.C. Wyeth

Eleventh Grade

Mary Poppins by P.L. Travers

Elizabeth saw this book on a library shelf and asked her big sister to please check it out for her. Catherine was happy to comply and enjoyed having an excuse to reread this book.

The Mysterious Island by Jules Verne, illustrated by N.C. Wyeth

Me

Forty Dreams of St. John Bosco: The Apostle of Youth

I will be rereading parts of this book to my children. St. John Bosco's dreams provide a lot to ponder for both young and old.

The Man Who Got Even With God by M. Raymond, O.C.S.O

This book was loaned to us by a friend. After starting to read it themselves, my two older girls recommended that I read it. I think that it would be a good book for my oldest son to read too, but he hasn't shown any interest in doing so, yet.

Read Aloud

Charlotte's Web by E.B. White

This book has been a long time favorite of mine. I think that Charlotte's Web belongs in every child's personal library.

Sixty Saints for Girls by Joan Windham

A friend gave me this book last spring after I told her about Sixty Saints for Boys. My children and I thoroughly enjoy the stories in both of these books.

Audiobooks

Freddy and the Ignormus by Walter R. Brooks