MrsK Books: 01/01/2017

Friday, January 13, 2017

Walking on Water by Madeleine L'Engle

ISBN: 978084189279

Publisher's Synopsis:

In this classic book, Madeleine L'Engle addresses the questions, What makes art Christian? What does it mean to be a Christian artist? What is the relationship between faith and art? Through L'Engle's beautiful and insightful essay, readers will find themselves called to what the author views as the prime tasks of an artist: to listen, to remain aware, and to respond to creation through one's own art.

"A book, too, can be a star, explosive material,

capable of stirring up fresh life endlessly,

a living fire to lighten the darkness,

leading out into the expanding universe."

MrsK's Review:
As to a response to this books calling, "...to listen, to remain aware, and to respond to creation through one's own art," I must admit that there is a desire to applaud the many essays within the covers of this book.

As the author expresses her life-long discernment, the quality of word choice is seasoned with her voice of wisdom and is profoundly woven with grace and respect for the art of expression, design, and creativity. How do you live your talents? What brings you joy in your life? When in service, what inspires you to be at your best?

Once you've read these essays, re-read with a pencil and hi-lighter. Mark up those pages as you are "listening" for inspiration. Then, I challenge you to re-read once again as you journal your thoughts (use the discussion questions as your guide). Then revisit... often!

These reflections are crafted with an intention towards listening, contemplating, and learning. Multiple readings is recommended. Savoring the well seasoned bits of advice is what brings you joy.
This is a personal gift for you from Mrs. L'Engle...
Enjoy the journey,
MrsK

"You have to write the book that wants to be written.

And if the book will be too difficult for grown-ups,

then you write it for children."

Amazing experience...
Added to my reflection table for continued visits!

Meet the Author:

Madeleine L'Engle was an American writer best known for her Young Adult fiction, particularly the Newbery Medal-winning A Wrinkle in Time and its sequels A Wind in the Door, A Swiftly Tilting Planet, and Many Waters. Her works reflect her strong interest in modern science: tesseracts, for example, are featured prominently in A Wrinkle in Time, mitochondrial DNA in A Wind in the Door, organ regeneration in The Arm of the Starfish, and so forth.

As the years passed and the children grew, Madeleine continued to write and Hugh to act, and they to enjoy each other and life. Madeleine began her association with the Cathedral Church of St. John the Divine, where she has been the librarian and maintained an office for more than thirty years. After Hugh's death in 1986, it was her writing and lecturing that kept her going. She has now lived through the 20th century and into the 21st and has written over 60 books and keeps writing. She enjoys being with her friends, her children, her grandchildren, and her great grandchildren."

"I received this book from Blogging for Books for this review."

Thursday, January 12, 2017

I'm Going to Give You a Bear Hug! by Caroline B. Cooney

Caroline B. Cooney
ISBN: 9780310754732

Publisher's Synopsis:

I’m Going to Give You a Bear Hug!, written by bestselling author Caroline B. Cooney, is a playful and comforting bedtime book that imagines all the wonderful ways a child might give and receive a hug.

Whether it’s a big bear, gasp for air, knock over a chair hug or a wet and drippy, slimy, slippy fish hug, children will giggle their way through all the imaginative examples. Cooney’s sweet and simple rhymes encourage playful interaction between parent and child and ultimately help them wind down before they snuggle into bed and drift off to sleep.

MrsK's Review:

Did you know that there are more than "bear hugs?" In this delightful read aloud, there are many types of hugs. There are hugs to help you "sleep like a log." Hugs that shout... "Yes, oh yes, of course!" Plus there is the discovery of a duck, pig, fish, or whale hug which are quite endearing. And yet, nothing can compare to a "Way beyond compare hug."

When a story is woven with perfected illustrations, every reader and listener experiences joy so beautifully crafted that every night it becomes a favorite choice. With pure delight, you and your little one can have precious moments comparing hugs.

As I shared this book with my little ones, our giggles became fun-filled huggles!
Enjoy this engaging story over and over,
MrsK

Simply delightful!

A must for every home and school library.

Meet the Author:

Caroline Cooney knew in sixth grade that she wanted to be a writer when "the best teacher I ever had in my life" made writing her main focus. "He used to rip off covers from The New Yorker and pass them around and make us write a short story on whichever cover we got. I started writing then and never stopped!"

When her children were young, Caroline started writing books for young people -- with remarkable results. She began to sell stories to Seventeen magazine and soon after began writing books. Suspense novels are her favorites to read and write. "In a suspense novel, you can count on action."

To keep her stories realistic, Caroline visits many schools outside of her area, learning more about teenagers all the time. She often organizes what she calls a "plotting game," in which students work together to create plots for stories. Caroline lives in Westbrook, Connecticut and when she's not writing she volunteers at a hospital, plays piano for the school musicals and daydreams!

Meet the Illustrator:
Tim Warnes (Papa Bear) has his home in the countryside of Dorset, England, with his wife, illustrator Jane Chapman (Mama Bear), and their son, Noah (Little Bear). When asked how he felt about illustrating this book, Tim says, "My Christian faith is central to my life, so I jumped at the challenge to illustrate Jesus Loves Me! -- what a great way to use the gift God gave me!" Tim has drawn closely on his own experiences to give us a pictorial celebration of family life, and to share God's love for all of us. The hens you see in the pictures are from Tim's very own backyard.
With over forty picture books currently in print, award-winning illustrator Tim Warnes has been published in more than twenty countries. This is his first book with Simon & Schuster.

MrsK's Reading Bio

Reading is important! No questions asked, not even a blink of the eye from any student I grew up with. On the first day of the First grade, we were given our first books. Day two we all read aloud, round robin of course. Day three we were place in our first basal, now known as a lit circle group. Books were so important, publishers designed new curriculum so that every student was reading by the end of the first week. These early readers had images that looked like what we could see in the classroom, beyond the classroom, even on the big screen. Reading is important, throughout history every generation has believed that “Reading” opens up the world for endless possibilities.

I adore the 1950’s Dick and Jane books. Actually, most reading specialists and experienced (45+) educators believe that every student learned to read with Dick and Jane. Since these books are being re-issued, I have heard many parents, grandparents, and students claim that Dick and Jane stories of repetition does teach students to read.

Early influences from my mother influenced my desire to read. I would watch her read and we would go on “secret” excursions to the library. The library became my playground. I owned every book I could carry home, of course they needed to be taken back to their home after visiting with me for a week or two. My first book that I could pull off of the library shelf and read was, Father Bear Comes Home. I only saw my dad on Sundays for a few hours. I would pull this beginning reader off of the library shelf every week. Every week I would try to read the first chapter. Every week I got further in the story. My mom would let me check it out, only if I could read it myself (She didn’t like the illustrations therefore she didn’t want to take time to read it to me). One day, I pulled the book from the shelf and when mom came to get me from the children’s corner, I realized that I had read the whole story. I ran to the check out desk and the Librarian KERCHUNKED the checkout card. My mother, brother and neighbors read. My teachers read. We all read aloud all day long in school. The Priest read aloud every day at mass, even in Latin. Everybody in the Doctor’s office read. People on the bus read. Dad’s waiting in their cars as the Mom’s and children grocery shopped, read. In fact, once you could read and write, Sunset Magazine considered you a reader and sent you mail every day.

Reading is important; I’ve spent my life reading. I’ve traveled around the world and into space through books. My favorite genre is whichever book I have open at the time. Children’s Literature is my passion. Book clubbing is one of the best past times, especially if food is involved. In fact my friends of old are in a book club and we are about to embark on a beach trip to “read” and discuss our newest selection.

My “home-run” book story has helped every student find his or her own “home-run” reads. Every year, I have shared my, Father Bear Comes Home, and every year my students have brought in their “home-run” books. That’s the “diving board” into our Lit. Studies.

In “Growing Up Digital,” Tapscott’s insights into the new generations enthusiasm for the Net reminded me of my generation’s enthusiasm for reading, movies, TV, parties and our driving permits. The Net-Generation, as Tapscott describes, “are learning, playing, communicating, working, creating communities, and enforcing a social transformation.”
N-Geners are interactive “techies” who are always looking for a way to “work it” verses the TV Generation of “Baby Boomers” who started out looking for “how it works.” Reading development is tougher today, society moves too fast to invest their “non-working” free time into a book or even “home work.” Since I stepped into my own classroom, I have seen students being told to read, being forced to read, and threatened into reading. Homework is not any longer the vehicle for students to gain their future lifestyles or careers with. Yet, the Internet does create an enthusiasm for learning. Since I have been enrolled in these courses, I have used the computers in every subject. My students are using the newest technology in the classroom because I am giving them investigative sites to use as they learn from each other and books. I agree with Tapscott, in order to bridge the gap with this up and coming generation we must “live and learn with them.”

FTC Required Disclaimer: I receive these books from the publishers. I did not receive monetary compensation for these reviews. These reviews have been posted in compliance with the FTC requirements set forth in the Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising (available at ftc.gov/os/2009/10/091005revisedendorsementguides.pdf)