by Carolyn | Character Training, Imagination, Older Elementary, Parenting, Picture Books, Preschool, Recommendations
I adore picture books, but it’s rare for me to run across one and think, I have to dedicate a whole post to this book. But Big Friends by Linda Sarah is one of those rare books. It’s a book about friendship. Big Friends asks the question, can a twosome...
by Carolyn | Adventure, Character Training, Fantasy, Imagination, Juvenile Fiction, Middle School, Middle-grade, Older Elementary, Read Alouds, Recommendations, Spiritual Allegory
I’ve been wanting to write a post about my favorite middle-grade series for a while, but it’s so hard to write. I guess I’m afraid I won’t get it right. Because I really do want you to love The Wingfeather Saga as much as I do. And now that...
by Carolyn | Adventure, Chapter Books, Fantasy, Imagination, Juvenile Fiction, Middle-grade, Older Elementary, Picture Books, Poetry, Recommendations
Books for Christmas are pretty much a staple at my house. The books I owned myself as a child hold a special place in my heart. In fact, I still have most of them to this day. Other presents my kids receive they will eventually break or grow out of. But a good book is...
by Carolyn | Adventure, Audiobooks, Character Training, Fantasy, Imagination, Juvenile Fiction, Middle School, Middle-grade, Recommendations
Circus Mirandus, by debut author Cassie Beasley, is a book about a boy, his dying grandfather, and a magic circus. But that’s just the surface. This book, in my opinion, is really about faith. Like most good books, Circus Mirandus can be enjoyed on multiple...
by Carolyn | Adventure, Animal books, Audiobooks, Character Training, Fantasy, Imagination, Juvenile Fiction, Middle-grade, Older Elementary, Read Alouds, Recommendations
I just finished reading an advance copy of Ember Falls by S.D. Smith, and it is magnificent! Ember Falls, the sequel to The Green Ember, is full of twists and turns, intrigue, and action. Heather and Picket have grown into confident, mature characters, but all their...
by Carolyn | Adventure, Character Training, Fantasy, For fun, Imagination, Juvenile Fiction, Middle School, Middle-grade, Mystery, Older Elementary, Read Alouds, Recommendations, Scary Stories
I have three words for you: Mysterious Benedict Society. If I made a list of my top ten read-alouds, this would be on it. We listened to the audio book recently, and although we’d read the book to my older kids before, it was fun to see my six-year-old...
by Carolyn | Book Lists, Education, Parenting, Read Alouds, Reading, Recommendations, Resources
I was recently challenged by my librarian to participate in the adult summer reading contest. And that got me thinking. What books can I recommend to parents who want to instill a love of reading in their children? After all, summer is a great time to do a little...
by Carolyn | Biography, Book Lists, Education, Nonfiction, Older Elementary, Picture Books, Recommendations
When I was a kid, I was pretty certain history was the most boring subject ever. All those names and dates to memorize. Who cared. I’m pretty sure today’s historical picture books could have changed my mind and made history interesting. The Right Word:...
by Carolyn | Book Lists, Education, Parenting, Recommendations
Practical gifts are great, but sometimes you just want to give something meaningful or sentimental, especially as a child moves from one stage in life to another. Giving picture books for graduation gifts can be a great way to memorialize the occasion whether your...
by Carolyn | Education, Fantasy, Imagination, Parenting, Recommendations, Resources
I’m so excited to share with you my appearance on the Read-Aloud Revival Podcast with Sarah Mackenzie. We talked all about Fantasy Books for Christian Kids. It’s episode #41, and you can find it right HERE. If you didn’t grow up reading fantasy, you...
