While I love a great many of Ms. Bunting’s books, this may be my favorite. It’s a great book to use to begin to expose children to some of the varying needs in the world while also underscoring the importance of hope in all situations.

It may not be as realistic a book in our post 911 world, but it’s still a very sensitive and touching portrayal of a homeless boy and his father who live in an airport. They spend their days trying not to get noticed. The homeless community in the airport take care of each other and work together. The boy’s father works, looks relentlessly for an affordable place to live and tries to convince his son that the airport is a great place to live.

The book does not tread lightly on the feelings of the boy. He feels anger at the injustice that others have a home to go, but he does not. Thankfully, though, the book ends in a place of hope, though not an easy ending.

I’ve read this book numerous times with my adult students and I’m touched every time. It’s a great reminder to be thankful for what we have, while remember those in different situations.

Ten out of ten.

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Have you ever inherited a surprise? That is what happened to the main character in this story. After her father died, she found out that he was WEALTHY and left her over one million dollars (dream come true, huh?). The inheritance comes with a catch though - her father wants her to give it all away. This book explores how that changes her relationships and how she decides to spend the money (providing spa treatments for weary and well-deserving women). It also explores how the recipients react to this “gift.” I love the premise. The book is a fairly quick and easy read - slow in places, but overall a great escape.

I buy tons of books at Sam’s Club because they are very reasonable in price (CHEAP). If it looks like a Christian book or just a plain good book into my cart it goes. This was one of those books. Amazon doesn’t even offer it anymore except used. The copyright date is 2005, so my guess is it didn’t do well. If you are interested in reading this type of book, however, Amazon is offering used copies at a VERY good price.

My school kids and I are really excited about some very cool books by Loreen Leedy. She has written three that I’m aware of and can highly recommend because I’ve read them all of them to my class. The titles are “Measuring Penny,” “It’s Probably Penny,” and “Mapping Penny’s World.” The first book is the book I am the most familiar with. “Measuring Penny” has as its main character a little girl Lisa. Lisa measures her dog, Penny and many others dogs at the park in a variety ways including length, weight, volume, standard and nonstandard measure. What appeals to the children are the varied dogs used because they love animals and they can relate to the measurement activities because they are learning about them. The children beg me to read this book over and over. I will talk about the other books in another post at another time (-:

Choose a special project to complete with your child such as making cookies, building a model, putting together a bird feeder, or some other craft. Have your child read the directions to himself/herself or have him/her listen to you as you read them aloud. Ask your child to follow each direction step by step after you read it. If your child is not following a step correctly, reread that step. Offer help if needed. Display the project proudly. Here is an easy recipe to try.

Super Snack

1. Place 2 cups of popcorn in a large bowl.

2. Add 1/3 cup small pretzels, 1 tablespoon shelled peanuts, and 1/4 cup animal crackers.

3. Stir in 1/8 teaspoon powdered butter and a pinch of salt.

4. Stir the snack.

5. Eat it up!

I came across this idea and it fits right in with our second grade California standards. I thought others would find it interesting and useful as well. The directions you follow should be fairly simple and do-able. Have fun providing this special and important experience to your child!

We all know Astrid Lindgren for her “Pippi Longstocking” books - who can forget a girl with bright orange hair in tight braids that lives on her own with her pet monkey and horse, has a trunk full of gold, and whose father is a cannibal king? Though Lindgren’s “The Children of Noisy Village” may be less known, it is just a sweetheart of a book. The book is a collection of stories written from the perspective of a 10 year old girl in Sweden. The stories are about her adventures growing up with two brothers and 3 other neighborhood children. We share with Lisa a whole year - her birthday, Christmas, New Year’s, Easter, the last day of school - and amidst the mischieviousness of the children and the humor of the stories, we get to experience traditions of the holidays as a Swedish child would. We enjoy the relationships between the children and between the children and their parents and others in their lives. There is nothing but sweetness about this book, and truly I was wishing for more stories - that it would go on. So you can imagine my delight when I discovered that there were sequels! I have yet to read them but the titles are “Christmas in Noisy Village” and “Happy Times in Noisy Village.” Also, as I was looking for a picture of the book to add to this post I discovered that a movie had been made of “The Children of Noisy Village” in 1995. It is directed by Lasse Halstrom. I haven’t seen the movie, and it might be fun - but in my opinion - always read the book first!

From the publisher: Not even a big budget can help Alex make her sister’s wedding the event of the year. The usually calm and collected Alex is rattled when the man who walked out on her sixteen years ago to pursue a rock-and-roll career returns to be the best man. In desperation, she calls on her three best friends to help pull off the shindig, and keep her away from the devastatingly handsome Josh. Tomboy Ellen, shy Jan, and vivacious Sue Ann join forces to keep Alex on track. But fate won’t be stopped in this small seaside town. Alex finds it as impossible to avoid Josh as it is to deny that he’s a changed man. Is it too late for their love? Only faith, family, and best friends will tell.

My Review: I thought this book was a great romance. The four friends that make up the Bosom Buddies ( I imagine there will be a book for each) are very diverse and there’s enough groundwork laid to be very interested in how all of their stories will play out. This story, while a bit predictable, was still very enjoyable. Windsor’s writing style is solid and the romance was believable. Josh is a great hero, but it seems I’m reading a lot of books lately with ex-Nashville star heroes! Piper Cove is an appealing setting and this book is a solid effort. I happily give it 8.5 out of ten stars.

There’s just one week left to participate in the March contest. Read more here.

Recently I’ve seen these three book covers:

I loooovvvee this cover. And I love the title, Love Starts with Elle (by Rachel Hauck). This book doesn’t come out until August!! How dare they tempt me with this gorgeous cover and most beautiful title and then make me wait so long!

And then there’s this one:

I think this is just one of the most beautiful and enticing covers I’ve seen in awhile. I mean it’s just gorgeous and perfect for spring! Only one more month to wait for this one! (The Convenient Groom by Denise Hunter)

And last but certainly not least is this one:

I mean wow!!! What a gorgeous cover!! (A Constant Heart by Siri Mitchell) But guess how long we have to wait? Until October!!!

So as you can see, I’m easily swayed by the cover of a book. I love a beautiful cover and truth be told I love to look at the cover while I read a book and also after I finish a book I love.

What about you? What are some of your favorite covers? Have you ever liked a cover more than a book? What are some books you’re looking forward to? Do you like these covers?

Hi! I’m here to recommend a great exercise program via the book “Walk Away the Pounds,” by Leslie Sansone. I was introduced to this program several years ago when I became a “lifetime” member of “Weight Watchers” while living in St. Louis. The move to sunny California put that program on hold and over the past few years I’ve been gaining weight again and decided to go back to Weight Watchers and Leslie Sansone. This book has a six week jump start program including a 1-mile walk DVD, which is great! She has great ideas and suggestions. Leslie has many DVD’s available with different workouts. She even has a Christian-centered one called “Walk the Walk” which uses Christian music. At my age, I have to include exercise (as much as I hate it) in order to lose weight and this is fun and upbeat. Another advantage is you exercise in your own home at your own time. This is way better for me than joining a gym - I tried to join a gym and it is too much trouble for me with my schedule to do this, but Leslie Sansone DVDs fit in perfectly with my hectic schedule. I have been doing this for five weeks, and I have lost some weight; but most of all, I feel terrific. I’m sleeping better than I have in years! I highly recommend this book and this program!