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

Saints for November Calendar

November 2013 Saints

As usual, this month's pieces were made using the calendar published by the Priestly Fraternity of St. Peter as a guide. If I have made any errors, please don't hesitate to let me know. Their 2014 calendar is now available.

Prayers to St. Joseph

Yesterday, during his sermon, our pastor mentioned praying to St. Joseph for a holy death. Growing up we did this after our family Rosary each night by praying the following prayer which was found in 1505:

O St. Joseph, whose protection is so great, so strong, so prompt before the throne of God, I place in thee all my interests and desires. O St. Joseph, assist me by thy powerful intercession and obtain for me all spiritual blessings through thy foster Son, Jesus Christ Our Lord, so that, having engaged here below thy heavenly power, I may offer thee my thanksgiving and homage.

O St. Joseph, I never weary contemplating thee and Jesus asleep in thine arms. I dare not approach while He reposes near thy heart. Press Him in my name and kiss His fine head for me, and ask Him to return the kiss when I draw my dying breath.

St. Joseph, Patron of departing souls, pray for me. 

Amen

In 1889, Pope Leo XIII shared and recommended that the following prayer ("Ad te beate Joseph") be recited daily after the Rosary during the month of October, attaching it to his encyclical Quamquam Pluries. In March 2011, Pope Benedict XVI asked that the "Ad te beate Joseph" be offered for his protection and intentions.

To thee, O blessed Joseph, do we have recourse in our tribulation, and having implored the help of thy thrice holy Spouse, we confidently invoke thy patronage also. By that charity wherewith thou wast united to the Immaculate Virgin Mother of God, and by that fatherly affection with which thou didst embrace the Child Jesus, we beseech thee and we humbly pray, that thou wouldst look graciously upon the inheritance which Jesus Christ hath purchased by His Blood, and assist us in our needs by thy power and strength.

Most watchful Guardian of the Holy Family, protect the chosen people of Jesus Christ; keep far from us, most loving father, all blight of error and corruption: mercifully assist us from heaven, most mighty defender, in this our conflict with the powers of darkness; and, even as of old thou didst rescue the Child Jesus from the supreme peril of his life, so now defend God’s Holy Church from the snares of the enemy and from all adversity; keep us one and all under thy continual protection, that we may be supported by thine example and thine assistance, may be enabled to lead a holy life, die a happy death and come at last to the possession of everlasting blessedness in heaven. Amen.

It is time for me to renew my devotion to St. Joseph and to instill in my children a deep love for Christ's foster father on earth.

St. Joseph, Patron of departing souls, pray for us.

Queen of the Most Holy Rosary, pray for us.

Happy Feast of Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary!

May God bless you and your families!

Saints for October Calendar

Update (10/7): Yesterday, a friend let me know that there was an error on page 3 (October 29) of this calendar. I have corrected the error and apologize for the inconvenience. Thank you, Kathleen, for catching the mistake and letting me know about it. Happy Feast of Our Lady of the Rosary.

October Saints

As usual, this month's pieces were made using the calendar published by the Priestly Fraternity of St. Peter as a guide. If I have made any errors, please don't hesitate to let me know.

Summer Camps

This summer, my four oldest children had the privilege of going to summer camps run by Fr. Dennis Gordon, FSSP. Each day, began with Mass, breakfast, and a spiritual talk given by Fr. Gordon. Each evening ended with the children sitting around a campfire, listening to Fr. Gordon share more about the Catholic faith. My children learned a lot at the camps, while having a great time. The children are hoping to go again next year. 

My good friend, Elena, put together this slideshow of the girls' camp, Camp St. Joan of Arc. She is also the one who was responsible for my children going to the camp. May God bless Fr. Gordon, the seminarians, Elena, and all of the other parishioners who helped to make the camps such a success!

This digital slideshow created with Smilebox

Wordless Wednesday: Bee & Crab Spider

Photos taken by Brendan

8/10/2013

Summer Reading

I intended to keep track of everyone's summer reading this year, but I wasn't very good about doing so. My boys didn't share any of the books that they read with me. Luckily, my three older girls did tell me about some of the books that they read.

6th Grade

The Wonderful Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Baum

The Road to Oz by L. Frank Baum

The Lost Princess of Oz by L. Frank Baum

The Last Fort: A Story of the French Voyageurs by Elizabeth Coatsworth

The Mystery at Lilac Inn by Carolyn Keene

The Mystery of the Brass-Bound Trunk by Carolyn Keene

The Haunted Showboat by Carolyn Keene

The Mysterious Mannequin by Carolyn Keene

Runner in the Sun: A Story of Indian Maize by Darcy McKnickle

The Borrowers by Mary Norton

The Borrowers Aloft by Mary Norton

Andries by Hilda Van Stockum

The Little Duke by Charlotte Mary Yonge

9th Grade

Climb A Lofty Ladder: A Story of Swedish Settlement in Minnesota by Walter and Marion Havighurst

Big John's Secret by Eleanor M. Jewett

The Hidden Treasure of Glaston by Eleanor M. Jewett

The Green Grass of Wyoming by Mary O'Hara

My Friend Flicka by Mary O'Hara

On the Shoulders of Hobbits: The Road to Virtue with Tolkien and Lewis by Louis Markos
My daughter really enjoyed this book and has recommended that I read it.

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

The Tolkien Reader by J.R.R. Tolkien

The Little Duke by Charlotte Mary Yonge

11th Grade

Tidewater Valley: A Story of the Swiss in Oregon by Jo Evalin Lundy

Animal Farm by George Orwell
My daughter told me that this book was interesting, but definitely not something that she would want to read again. I remember not particularly liking this book when I had to read it in high school.

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

Around the World in Eighty Days by Jules Verne

Countess Kate by Charlotte Mary Yonge

Read Alouds

The Wanderers by Elizabeth Jane Coatsworth, illustrated by Trina Schart Hyman

Based on the author and illustrator, I expected this book to be a winner. I wasn't disappointed. My husband and children found the story and illustrations delightful.

Freddy Goes Camping by Walter R. Brooks
My husband and children thought this book was amusing. Brendan read these books when he was younger and enjoyed them. This was the rest of the family's first introduction to the books.