tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-90929697911219492024-03-13T22:57:52.719-04:00beauty of the picture booka celebration of art and storyAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03579562485483462425noreply@blogger.comBlogger32125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9092969791121949.post-66594332440858331742014-04-24T00:00:00.000-04:002014-04-24T00:00:05.263-04:00my picture book basket with sarah of amongst lovely things<br />
If there is one thing that draws me every day to the blog <a href="http://amongstlovelythings.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #741b47;"><b>Amongst Lovely Things</b></span></a>, I would have to say that it is Sarah's heart for <b>building a family culture around books</b>. I often consult her lists -- numerous and impressive lists -- of books that she and her children have read independently and together as a family. I am especially thrilled about her newest project -- the <a href="http://amongstlovelythings.com/read-aloud-revival-the-podcast/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #741b47;"><b>Read Aloud Revival Podcast</b></span></a> -- in which she rallies the inspiration and tools we need to stay motivated to read aloud to our children in massive quantities! I will be tuning in to <b>her first episode on Monday, April 28</b>!<br />
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I asked Sarah to join us here today and name a few <b>"Must Have"</b> picture books. As a bonus, she is also giving us a few tips on reading aloud with our children.<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-c1OYhnjn5h8/U1cC641Z3GI/AAAAAAAACvw/LyaOaKHloBk/s1600/sarah+amongst+lovely+things.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-c1OYhnjn5h8/U1cC641Z3GI/AAAAAAAACvw/LyaOaKHloBk/s1600/sarah+amongst+lovely+things.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
This is what Sarah has to say ...</div>
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I believe in reading aloud so much that I'm willing to shuttle other things off the schedule entirely if that's what it takes to read aloud to my kids. I have every intention of raising children who grow up to say, "My mom wasn't perfect, she made tons of mistakes, but she got one thing absolutely right -- she read to us constantly." I like to read aloud from all kinds of books, but as my older three have grown (they are now 12, 10, and 8), I've noticed there are a few picture books that have remained favorites.<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wbI06Q2KulA/U1g0p8X85vI/AAAAAAAACww/WhHGuRcu_gk/s1600/amongst+lovely+things+read+aloud+revival.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wbI06Q2KulA/U1g0p8X85vI/AAAAAAAACww/WhHGuRcu_gk/s1600/amongst+lovely+things+read+aloud+revival.png" height="640" width="580" /></a></div>
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<h2 style="text-align: center;">
Five "Must Have" Picture Books that Grow With Your Child</h2>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>(These are affiliate links. Making your purchases through these links supports Sarah. Thank you!)</i></div>
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<b><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0684834456?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creativeASIN=0684834456&linkCode=xm2&tag=amonlovethin-20" target="_blank"><span style="color: #741b47;">Children's Book of Heroes</span></a> by William Bennett, illustrated by Michael Hague -</b>- The selections in this book are top notch, and Michael Hague's illustrations can't be beat!<br />
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<b><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0763655988?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creativeASIN=0763655988&linkCode=xm2&tag=amonlovethin-20" target="_blank"><span style="color: #741b47;">I Want My Hat Back</span></a> by Jon Klassen</b> -- There's no two ways about it -- this one is laugh-out-loud family fun for <i>everyone</i>!<br />
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<b><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1442433558?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creativeASIN=1442433558&linkCode=xm2&tag=amonlovethin-20" target="_blank"><span style="color: #741b47;">Strega Nona</span></a> by Tomie dePaola</b> -- She's everybody's favorite, isn't she? There is everything to love about Strega Nona. We enjoy all of the books in the series, but this first one is our favorite.<br />
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<b><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0140505393?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creativeASIN=0140505393&linkCode=xm2&tag=amonlovethin-20" target="_blank"><span style="color: #741b47;">Miss Rumphius</span></a> by Barbara Cooney</b> -- There is no way to read this book without getting inspired to leave a beautiful mark on the world. I have loved it since the first time I read it aloud to my kids a decade ago, and it's still a favorite.<br />
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<b><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0823407985?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creativeASIN=0823407985&linkCode=xm2&tag=amonlovethin-20" target="_blank"><span style="color: #741b47;">Anansi and the Moss-Covered Rock</span></a> by Eric Kimmel</b> -- We're Anansi fans, and Eric Kimmel does these classic African fables best! The whole series is great -- this one is our very favorite.<br />
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<h2 style="text-align: center;">
What does it mean to build a family culture around books?</h2>
It means gathering -- literally coming together -- and entering a story together. Like joining hands and hopping into the chalk art Mary Poppins-style, we jump into the story and meet new people, contemplate big ideas, and wrestle with hard issues. We experience the great drama of life -- life's greatest tragedies and most overwhelming joys -- through story. Over time, those stories form a carefully woven tapestry that folds our family up and makes it whole.<br />
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We feel it keenly when the Ingalls family dog is feared to be drowned. We laugh hysterically when Titania falls in love with Nick Bottom shroud in his donkey head. We meet a family that lives under a bridge, a boy who conquers fear and learns what it means to be a man, and a fifth grader who outwits his teacher and discovers what an invaluable role that teacher really plays. We are saddened, overjoyed, and everything in between. But the beauty of all of that isn't just that it happens. It's that it happens all together. Sharing stories knits together a family in powerful ways -- ways that are not easily forgotten.<br />
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Those shared experiences build up a family culture that will, I pray, always call my children home.<br />
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<b>1. Don't always choose books from the great or good books list. </b>Sometimes (especially when you are just getting in the habit!), just choose something fun!<br />
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<b>2. Make reading aloud a habit.</b> Families who regularly eat together... regularly eat together. :) It becomes the default mode. Set a time and stick to it for a month and see what a difference it makes in how much read-aloud time you manage to fit in.<br />
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<b>3. Keep a list.</b> It's surprising how many books you can read in a year once a good read aloud habit has begun. You won't remember them all, but it will be fun to look back over a list and see what's there.<br />
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<b>4. Make it fun</b>. Popcorn. Cocoa. Make Your own Sundaes. Family project. The possibilities are endless! Make reading aloud a cornerstone in your family life and build other traditions and memories around it.<br />
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<b>5. Rally Dad</b>. There is nothing better than listening to Dad read aloud. You've got to convince him of this, of course, because he might not believe you! Getting Dad on board goes a long way toward making read-aloud a central part of family life.<br />
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<h2 style="text-align: center;">
The Read-Aloud Revival Podcast</h2>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://amongstlovelythings.com/read-aloud-revival-the-podcast/"><img alt="Read-Aloud Revival Podcast: build your family culture around books" class="alignright wp-image-4285 size-medium" src="http://amongstlovelythings.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/Read-Aloud-Revival-Podcast-Sarah-Mackenzie-1400x1400-300x300.jpg" height="300" width="300" /></a></div>
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<b>As my children grow, I have come to realize that reading aloud to
them after they are capable of reading to themselves is just as
important as reading to a small child.</b> Those late elementary years
are a beautiful opportunity to bust open the seams on your child's
vocabulary storehouse -- filling their minds with beautiful lyrical prose
and their hearts with heroic and noble stories.<br />
<br />
Please join me in the first episode of this series on April
28. The podcast features a conversation I had with <b>Andrew Pudewa</b> about the
importance of reading aloud to older kids. I can't wait to share it with
you!<br />
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Upcoming guests include <b>Jim Weiss</b>, <b>Tsh Oxenreider</b>, and others. You can find out
all about these free podcasts at <a href="http://readaloudrevival.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #741b47;"><b>Read-Aloud Revival</b></span></a>.
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<div style="text-align: center;">
*****</div>
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<a href="https://plus.google.com/u/0/116224633720043720835/?rel=author" target="_blank"><span style="color: #741b47;"><b>Sarah Mackenzie</b></span></a> is a smitten wife, a homeschooling mama of six (including twins!), and now she's a podcaster too! :) She writes about books, babies, and heaps of grace at her blog, <a href="http://amongstlovelythings.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #741b47;"><b>Amongst Lovely Things</b></span></a>.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
You are most welcome to share your thoughts with Sarah in the comment box.</div>
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Thanks for stopping by! </div>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03579562485483462425noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9092969791121949.post-41617779436514395782014-04-21T00:00:00.000-04:002014-04-24T11:59:28.461-04:00cora cooks pancit<br />
Filipinos are well known for their hospitality. Not to be stereotypical or anything, <b>BUT</b> Filipinos are also a jovial bunch. They like to sing. They like to dance. Most importantly, though, <b>they like to feed people</b>.<br />
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When I was growing up, we would frequently visit with my mom's friends or my dad's siblings. Upon entering our hosts' home, we would immediately be encouraged to eat, whether we were hungry or not. No time for small talk and chit chat. Just sit down and eat.<br />
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So, to kick off this new series <b>Beauty in the Kitchen</b>, I thought it would be fitting to pay homage to my Filipino heritage.<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KKgxM6N0fGI/U1CEJ1vDo_I/AAAAAAAACvA/PyhH9JgoAiY/s1600/pancit+recipe+disis.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KKgxM6N0fGI/U1CEJ1vDo_I/AAAAAAAACvA/PyhH9JgoAiY/s1600/pancit+recipe+disis.jpg" /></a></div>
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I asked my blogger friend <b>Sarah Isis</b> (also Filipino) to share with us the picture book <b>Cora Cooks Pancit</b> by <b>Dorino K. Lazo Gilmore</b> and her grandmother's special recipe for authentic Filipino pancit. If you have never had pancit, then you really should try preparing and eating this wonderful dish!<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dbH_nOFePBQ/U0_67PewqWI/AAAAAAAACto/WdGZw66m0K8/s1600/cora+cooks+pancit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dbH_nOFePBQ/U0_67PewqWI/AAAAAAAACto/WdGZw66m0K8/s1600/cora+cooks+pancit.jpg" height="320" width="268" /></a></div>
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This is what Sarah has to say about <b>Cora Cooks Pancit</b>:</div>
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This picture book deals with family recipes and introducing children to cooking. Cora is the youngest of five children. Her older siblings always got the "grown-up" jobs in the kitchen like stirring, rinsing the vegetables, and preparing the noodles. But when Cora was left at home with her mother, she was given the <i>sous chef</i> position! Out of all the delicious Filipino dishes she could think of, she chose to prepare <b><i>pancit</i></b> .<br />
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The book gives a glimpse of a Filipino-American family in the United States. Cooking Filipino food helps keep the Filipino traditions and culture alive. It also shows the impact and importance of extended family members, in this case, Grandpa who handed down his recipe to Cora's mom.<br />
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I read the book to my children when I read it for the first time. The illustrations are beautiful. My four-year-old followed along and asked questions. My two-year-old was mostly interested in the illustrations. The recommended age range for this picture book is four to eight years old (I agree!). The book might be a little longer for those under four, but you can get them engaged by pointing to the dancing chicken drumsticks and lumpia.<br />
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There is a recipe in the back of the book that is easy to follow. Once you have tried it, let me know what you think!<br />
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Just like how Cora's mom remembers her father cooking his family recipe, I try to capture the flavors of my Lola's (Grandma's) pancit. I am still working on it. Here is my take on my Lola's pancit!<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_a4SSL9nHlg/U0__73Rpj3I/AAAAAAAACt4/Y9zT1e5_H_w/s1600/filipino+pancit+recipe+04.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_a4SSL9nHlg/U0__73Rpj3I/AAAAAAAACt4/Y9zT1e5_H_w/s1600/filipino+pancit+recipe+04.jpg" height="288" width="400" /></a></div>
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<h2 style="text-align: center;">
Ingredients for Pancit </h2>
<ul>
<li>2 cups of rotisserie chicken, chopped and shredded in to bite-sized pieces; or you can used leftover grilled or baked chicken breast</li>
<li>2 cloves of garlic, mashed</li>
<li>1 small yellow onion, sliced</li>
<li>1-2 tablespoons of canola oil</li>
<li>2 tablespoons of grated ginger</li>
<li>1-2 cups of snap peas</li>
<li>1-2 cups of carrots, julienned</li>
<li>1 head of cabbage, coarsely chopped</li>
<li>4 tablespoons of light soy sauce (for less salt)</li>
<li>2-3 tablespoons of oyster sauce; For the fresh, less processed kind, I suggest shrimp juice from whole shrimp. In the mid-west, this is hard to find, so I just give in and use the bottled oyster sauce.</li>
<li>1 teaspoon of sugar</li>
<li>1 package (9 oz) of rice noodles, softened per package instructions</li>
<li> 3 hard boiled eggs</li>
<li>2 stalks of green onion, chopped</li>
<li>1/2 lemon</li>
<li>salt and pepper to taste</li>
</ul>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-p4Znvz3t0gk/U1AIb4Yr0uI/AAAAAAAACuY/-TxD6TtSNno/s1600/filipino+pancit+recipe+03+590.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-p4Znvz3t0gk/U1AIb4Yr0uI/AAAAAAAACuY/-TxD6TtSNno/s1600/filipino+pancit+recipe+03+590.jpg" /></a></div>
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<h2 style="text-align: center;">
How to Prepare the Pancit</h2>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<ol>
<li>Prepare the chicken.</li>
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<li> Heat the canola oil in a large skillet or wok on medium-high heat. Once the oil is hot, heat the garlic and onions and cook until the onions are somewhat soft and shiny. Add the ginger and cook for about 30 seconds until fragrant.</li>
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<li>Add the carrots and snap peas. Cook for about 5-10 minutes until soft. Add the cabbage about half way through.</li>
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<li>Meanwhile, mix the soy sauce, oyster sauce, and sugar in a small bowl.</li>
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<li>Add the chicken once the vegetables are soft. Heat through.</li>
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<li>Add softened rice noodles. Mix well.</li>
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<li>Add the sauce and mix some more!</li>
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<li>Add salt and pepper to taste.</li>
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<li>To serve, squeeze half a lemon. Chop the hard boiled eggs and place on top. Sprinkle with green onions.</li>
</ol>
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<h2 style="text-align: center;">
Enjoy!</h2>
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*****</div>
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<div style="text-align: left;">
Sarah is a Catholic wife, mom of three, and a pediatric neurologist. When she was young, she would read rather than play hopscotch. She and her husband introduced picture books to their little ones as soon as they could sit and turn a few pages (or eat them!) When she's not in the kitchen trying new recipes, Sarah can be found shopping online and dressing up. Be sure to follow <b>Sarah</b> at <a href="http://www.disisd.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #741b47;"><b>D-Isis and the "D-Crew"</b></span></a>. Photos are courtesy of Sarah's sister, <b>Diana</b> of <a href="http://www.deananddiana.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #741b47;"><b>Find Your Happiness</b></span></a>.</div>
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As a HUGE thank you to Sarah, let's give her some love in the comments!</div>
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<b>Stephanie</b> at <b>Harrington Harmonies</b> for the <a href="http://harringtonharmonies.com/category/hearts-for-home-blog-hop" target="_blank"><span style="color: #741b47;"><b>Hearts for Home Blog Hop </b></span></a></div>
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<b>Lisa</b> at <b>Home to 4 Kiddos</b> for <a href="http://our4kiddos.blogspot.com/2014/04/try-new-recipe-tuesday-april-22.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #741b47;"><b>Try a New Recipe Tuesday</b></span></a>
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<b>Heather</b> at <b>Golden Reflections Blog</b> for <a href="http://goldenreflectionsblog.com/2014/04/good-tips-tuesday-16.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #741b47;"><b>Good Tips Tuesday</b></span></a></div>
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<b>Jacinda</b> at <b>Growing Home</b> for <a href="http://www.growinghomeblog.com/growing-homemakers-link-143/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #741b47;"><b>Growing Homemakers</b></span></a></div>
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<b>Hip Homeschool Moms</b> for the <a href="http://www.hiphomeschoolmoms.com/2014/04/hhms-favorite-posts-hip-homeschool-hop-42214/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #741b47;"><b>Hip Homeschool Hop</b></span></a></div>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03579562485483462425noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9092969791121949.post-85787381990415614112014-04-16T05:00:00.000-04:002014-04-16T05:00:02.214-04:00kid lit blog hop #37<br />
I am pleased as punch to be a first time co-host of the 37th <b>Kid Lit Blog</b> <b>Hop</b>. On the first and third Wednesdays of the month, the <a href="http://motherdaughterbookreviews.com/category/kid-lit-blog-hops/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #741b47;"><b>Kid Lit Blog Hop</b></span></a> brings together a dynamic and engaged community of children's books bloggers, authors, publishers, and publicists. You are always more than welcome to join the hop by popping in a post and hopping around to meet some of your fellow Kid Lit bloggers and authors! Please read the posting guidelines below. If you are reading this post via email or a reader, then come on over to my blog and be sure to visit the wonderful posts by our link-up participants. <br />
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Happy Hopping everyone and enjoy the Hop!</h3>
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<b><b>Kid Lit Blog Hop Rules</b></b></h2>
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<b><b>*Please Read*</b></b></h2>
1. <b>We ask that you kindly follow your hosts.</b><br />
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You can follow us any way you choose (Email, GFC, Twitter, Facebook, G+, Pinterest, etc.), but we've added our preferences below.<b> </b>If you could just give us a quick "follow" or "like" that would be much appreciated! Make sure to leave us a message if you are following us (i.e., on Twitter or Facebook or on our websites) and we will be sure to follow you back. Thanks! :-)<br />
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<b><i>Hostesses:</i></b></div>
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<a href="http://motherdaughterbookreviews.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #741b47;"><b>Renee @ Mother Daughter Book Reviews</b></span></a> <b><a href="https://www.facebook.com/MotherDaughterBookReviews" target="_blank">Facebook</a> * <a href="https://twitter.com/MDBookReviews" target="_blank">Twitter</a></b></div>
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<a href="https://snacksformax.wordpress.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #741b47;"><b>Jaymie @ Snacks for Max</b></span></a> <b><a href="https://twitter.com/snacksformax" target="_blank">Twitter</a> * <a href="https://www.facebook.com/SnacksforMax?ref=ts&fref=ts" target="_blank">Facebook</a></b></div>
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<a href="http://youthlitreviews.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #741b47;"><b>Katie @ Youth Literature Reviews</b></span></a> <b><a href="https://twitter.com/YouthLitReviews" target="_blank">Twitter</a> * <a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Youth-Literature-Reviews/605761399450597" target="_blank">Facebook</a></b></div>
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<a href="http://www.whenigrowupiwannawriteakidsbook.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #741b47;"><b>Julie Grasso, Author/ Blogger</b></span></a> <b><a href="https://twitter.com/Jujuberry37" target="_blank">Twitter</a> * <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Julie-Anne-Grasso-books/287496411357122?ref=ts&fref=ts" target="_blank">Facebook</a></b></div>
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<a href="http://carpinelloswritingpages.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #741b47;"><b>Cheryl Carpinello, Author <i>/</i> Blogger </b></span></a> <b><a href="https://twitter.com/ccarpinello" target="_blank">Twitter</a> * <a href="https://www.facebook.com/cheryl.carpinello1?fref=ts" target="_blank">Facebook</a></b></div>
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<a href="http://www.stackingbooks.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #741b47;"><b>Reshama @ Stacking Books</b></span></a> <b><a href="https://twitter.com/stackingbks" target="_blank">Twitter</a> * <a href="https://www.facebook.com/StackingBooks?ref=hl" target="_blank">Facebook</a></b></div>
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<a href="http://www.beachboundbooks.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #741b47;"><b>Stacie @ BeachBoundBooks</b></span></a> <b><a href="https://twitter.com/beachboundbooks" target="_blank">Twitter</a> * <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/BeachBoundBooks/279674928768563" target="_blank">Facebook</a></b></div>
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<a href="http://destinydawnlong.wordpress.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #741b47;"><b>Destiny @ Reading and Sharing</b></span></a> <b><a href="https://twitter.com/DestinyDawnLong" target="_blank">Twitter</a> * <a href="https://www.facebook.com/DestinyDawnLong" target="_blank">Facebook</a></b></div>
<div style="padding-left: 60px;">
<a href="http://www.pragmaticmom.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #741b47;"><b>Mia @ Pragmatic Mom</b></span></a> <b><a href="https://twitter.com/pragmaticmom" target="_blank">Twitter</a> * <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/PragmaticMom/265900409766" target="_blank">Facebook</a></b></div>
<div style="padding-left: 60px;">
<a href="http://www.best4future.com/blog/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #741b47;"><b>Lina @ Best 4 Future: Bringing Up Baby Bilingual</b></span></a> <b><a href="https://twitter.com/best4future" target="_blank">Twitter</a> * <a href="https://www.facebook.com/Best4FutureBlog" target="_blank">Facebook</a></b></div>
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<div style="padding-left: 30px;">
<i><b>Co-Host:</b></i></div>
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<div style="padding-left: 60px;">
<a href="http://beautyofthepicturebook.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #741b47;"><b>Divina @ Beauty of the Picture Book</b></span></a> <b><a href="http://mad.ly/signups/102523/join" target="_blank"><span style="color: #741b47;">Email Subscription</span></a> * <a href="https://www.facebook.com/beautyofthepicturebook" target="_blank"><span style="color: #741b47;">Facebook</span></a></b></div>
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2.<b> Link up any Kid Lit related post.</b><br />
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This can be a link to a children’s book review, a discussion about children’s literature/literacy, or a post on a recently-read children’s book or one that you love from your childhood.<br />
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<div style="padding-left: 30px;">
<i>* Don't link directly to your blog, it must be a specific post.* </i></div>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">
<i>* For Authors, we prefer you to link to your blog if you have one. Please link unique posts each time ~ no repeats please. *</i></div>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">
<i>* </i><i>Make sure you include an image relevant to the POST (e.g., book cover), not your blog button or photo of yourself.*</i></div>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">
<i>* Feel free to link more than one post.*</i></div>
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3.<b> Please visit AT LEAST the TWO LINKS directly ahead of your own and leave them some love in the form of a comment.</b><br />
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We are trying to build a community of bloggers, readers, parents, authors, and others who are as passionate about children’s literature as we are so please CONNECT and follow any or all of the blogs that interest you!<br />
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4. <b>If you like, grab the button above and put it somewhere on your blog, preferably the post you're linking up.</b><br />
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If you'd prefer, you can just add a text link back to this Hop so that others can find it and check out all these great book links!<br />
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5. <b>It would really help us get the word out about the Kid Lit Blog Hop if you would be so kind as to tweet, share, and spread the word about the Hop!</b>
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<blockquote>
Interested in co-hosting the Kid Lit Blog Hop? <b>If you've joined us before, you are welcome to join us again!</b> Please email renee @ motherdaughterbookreviews (dot) com and put Co-Hosting Blog Hop in the subject line.</blockquote>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>Happy Hopping!</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b> </b></span>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03579562485483462425noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9092969791121949.post-73420749047421760272014-04-15T00:00:00.000-04:002014-04-22T18:23:52.726-04:00the art collector<div style="text-align: left;">
<i>Society needs artists, just as it needs scientists, technicians, workers,
professional people, witnesses of the faith, teachers, fathers and mothers, who ensure the
growth of the person and the development of the community by means of that supreme art
form which is “the art of education”. Within the vast cultural panorama of each
nation, artists have their unique place. Obedient to their inspiration in creating works
both worthwhile and beautiful, they not only enrich the cultural heritage of each nation
and of all humanity, but they also render an exceptional social service in favour of the
common good.</i></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>-- from Pope John Paul II's <a href="http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/john_paul_ii/letters/documents/hf_jp-ii_let_23041999_artists_en.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #741b47;"><b>Letter to Artists</b></span></a>, 1999</i></div>
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I was pleasantly surprised when my kiddos came home from the library with <b>The Art Collector</b> by <b>Jan Wahl</b>. This sweet and simple story conveys the profound message that art is for everyone, not just for those who create it.<br />
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As a very young boy, Oscar watches a little magic happen as his great grandmother takes a piece of paper and a crayon and draws some straight and curving lines.<br />
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Delighted at the site of great grandmother's illustration, Oscar tries to draw a chicken, too. He becomes frustrated when his drawing does not turn out the way he imagines and instead crumples up his paper.
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Still enchanted with art, but not satisfied with his own attempts at drawing, Oscar purchases his first piece of art at a flea market. He gets a new frame and glass, better backing, and a wire and then hangs the etching in his bedroom.<br />
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As Oscar grows up, he continues to fill every wall in his bedroom with more artwork.<br />
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Years pass and a museum is built to house his growing and now famous collection. <br />
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As an older man with a great granddaughter of his own, Oscar still delights in the one illustration that long ago ignited his passion for collecting art.<br />
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Tell me ... what special art do <b>YOU</b> collect?<br />
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What particular piece of art or artist has inspired you?</div>
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Linking up with:</div>
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<b>Renee</b> at <b>Mother Daughter & Son Book Reviews</b> for <a href="http://motherdaughterbookreviews.com/category/kid-lit-blog-hops/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #741b47;"><b>Kid Lit Bog Hop #37</b></span></a></div>
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<b>Jessica</b> at <b>Housewifespice</b> for <a href="http://www.housewifespice.com/2014/04/wwrw-3-good-books.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #741b47;"><b>What We're Reading Wednesday</b></span></a></div>
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<b>Mystie</b> at <b>Simply Convivial</b> for <span style="color: #741b47;"><b>Weekend Reads</b></span></div>
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<b>Marissa</b> at <b>Reading List</b> for <a href="http://forfunreadinglist.blogspot.com/2014/04/cozy-reading-spot_17.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #741b47;"><b>Cozy Reading Spot</b></span></a></div>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03579562485483462425noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9092969791121949.post-14899083648767193642014-04-10T00:00:00.000-04:002014-04-23T11:10:44.213-04:00five fabulous literary finds :: 01<h2>
<span style="color: #741b47;">A Collection of Literary Goodness from Around the Web</span></h2>
<i>I often find some really awesome things -- blog posts, websites, new (to me) picture books, homeschooling resources -- that I would like to share with you. I sometimes share things on <a href="https://plus.google.com/+DivinaKoonce/posts" target="_blank"><span style="color: #741b47;"><b>Google+</b></span></a> and I am in the process of building my <a href="https://www.pinterest.com/divinakoonce/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #741b47;"><b>Pinterest</b></span></a> boards. Every few weeks or so, I will give you a little glimpse of that literary goodness, right here at <b>Beauty of the Picture Book</b>.</i><br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jc17oduVhbM/U0XiWN75MmI/AAAAAAAACpk/O4mCCYL-70c/s1600/literary+finds.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jc17oduVhbM/U0XiWN75MmI/AAAAAAAACpk/O4mCCYL-70c/s1600/literary+finds.jpg" height="190" width="400" /></a></div>
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Affiliate links are provided for the books we love!</div>
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<b>This week, we are ...</b></div>
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Thinking</h2>
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about this super idea by <b>Amy</b> of <b>Angry Chicken</b> for <b><a href="http://angrychicken.typepad.com/angry_chicken/2013/10/building-a-family-library.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #741b47;">building a family library</span></a></b>.</div>
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Rather than choosing books on her own, Amy asked family and friends for one or two book recommendations at the high school or college level and that they provide a few comments about why the books mean so much to them.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GJkcNEcuXEU/U0XtZrXApPI/AAAAAAAACqQ/0CJhBxasha0/s1600/9453871729_5dd4ec1c66_z.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GJkcNEcuXEU/U0XtZrXApPI/AAAAAAAACqQ/0CJhBxasha0/s1600/9453871729_5dd4ec1c66_z.jpg" height="218" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">photo credit: <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/onepointfour/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #741b47;"><b>by Dustin Gaffke</b></span></a>, <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/legalcode" target="_blank"><span style="color: #741b47;"><b>creative commons license</b></span></a></td></tr>
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Not knowing what books would be chosen was exciting and the thoughts about the selections turned out to be quite moving. She purchased the books on her own and designed book plates, inscribing the name of the person who recommended the book and including their thoughts about the book.<br />
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This idea is such a beautiful way to personalize a home library by connecting each treasured book to a special person in their lives.</div>
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Knitting</h2>
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(well, <b><i>wishing</i></b> I knew how to knit would be more accurate).</div>
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I mean, look at this <a href="http://ascozyasspring.typepad.com/as_cozy_as_spring/2012/10/child-of-the-forest.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #741b47;"><b>adorable ensemble</b></span></a> knit by<b> Jen </b>of<b> As Cozy as Spring</b> and inspired by <a href="http://www.indiebound.org/book/9780863154973?aff=Divina" target="_blank"><span style="color: #741b47;"><b>Children of the Forest</b></span></a> by <b>Elsa Beskow</b>. I mentioned this crafty goodness in a <a href="http://beautyofthepicturebook.blogspot.com/2014/02/monthly-pics-for-february.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #741b47;"><b>previous post</b></span></a>, but I wanted to bring it up again in case you missed it!<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YKrkoBLKpL8/U0XkcP22rtI/AAAAAAAACpw/5ihHey_Wr3Y/s1600/elsa+beskow.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YKrkoBLKpL8/U0XkcP22rtI/AAAAAAAACpw/5ihHey_Wr3Y/s1600/elsa+beskow.jpg" height="247" width="320" /></a></div>
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Loving</h2>
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everything illustrated by <a href="http://melissasweet.net/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #741b47;"><b>Melissa Sweet</b></span></a>.</div>
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Don't you just love that quote by Peter Golkin that she has on her home page?</div>
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<td><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4MprgukBoV0/U0XS7u82Z9I/AAAAAAAACow/nutLfHFavCc/s1600/melissa+sweet+01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4MprgukBoV0/U0XS7u82Z9I/AAAAAAAACow/nutLfHFavCc/s1600/melissa+sweet+01.jpg" height="200" width="159" /></a></td>
<td><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--G2wHT39gwY/U0XS7pfSCWI/AAAAAAAACo0/GQ5hH5FgVfM/s1600/melissa+sweet+02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--G2wHT39gwY/U0XS7pfSCWI/AAAAAAAACo0/GQ5hH5FgVfM/s1600/melissa+sweet+02.jpg" height="200" width="155" /></a></td>
<td><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-T8tKB0ofFi0/U0XS7u1D6SI/AAAAAAAACos/hz1q1pGCIqo/s1600/melissa+sweet+03.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-T8tKB0ofFi0/U0XS7u1D6SI/AAAAAAAACos/hz1q1pGCIqo/s1600/melissa+sweet+03.jpg" height="200" width="162" /></a></td>
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We have read <a href="http://www.indiebound.org/book/9780618243433?aff=Divina" target="_blank"><span style="color: #741b47;"><b>The Boy Who Drew Birds</b></span></a>, <a href="http://www.indiebound.org/book/9780375867125?aff=Divina" target="_blank"><span style="color: #741b47;"><b>A Splash of Red: The Life and Art of Horace Pippin</b></span></a>, and <a href="http://www.indiebound.org/book/9780061804427?aff=Divina" target="_blank"><span style="color: #741b47;"><b>Brave Girl: Clara and the Shirtwaist Makers' Strike of 1909</b></span></a>. We even played the perfect springtime board game, <a href="http://eeboo.com/store/show/BDGAR" target="_blank"><span style="color: #741b47;"><b>Gathering a Garden</b></span></a>, that she designed for eeboo.</div>
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Homeschooling</h2>
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with my hands-down favorite language arts resource.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-APE96eXTUbE/U0XcDRIS1CI/AAAAAAAACpU/-L2VeF2zxEY/s1600/brave+writer.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-APE96eXTUbE/U0XcDRIS1CI/AAAAAAAACpU/-L2VeF2zxEY/s1600/brave+writer.png" height="83" width="320" /></a></div>
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I get parenting and homeschooling inspiration from the <a href="http://blog.bravewriter.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #741b47;"><b>Brave Writer blog</b></span></a>, daily writing tips from <a href="http://www.bravewriter.com/about/about-julie/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #741b47;"><b>Julie Bogart</b></span></a>'s<b> </b>newsletter, and guidance for becoming a writing mentor to my children from the coveted <b>Writer's Jungle</b>. If you want to become an ally (as opposed to the enemy) for your children in the writing process and in homeschooling, in general, then the<a href="http://www.bravewriter.com/about" target="_blank"><span style="color: #741b47;"><b> Brave Writer philosophy and lifestyle</b></span></a> just might be your cup of tea.</div>
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Participating</h2>
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in <b>National Poetry Month</b> by submitting poems and illustrations encapsulating</div>
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all things <b>"Mother"</b> for an anthology to be published in July.</div>
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My kiddos' illustrations are ready to be scanned and submitted, but I'm still waiting on some poetry to be written. I can't wait to see what they come up with!<br />
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Julie <a href="http://blog.bravewriter.com/2014/04/03/2014-childrens-poetry-celebration-contest-cinquain-poems/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #741b47;"><b>also posted</b></span></a> about National Poetry Month and a <a href="http://preschoolpowolpackets.blogspot.com/p/2014-childrens-poetry-contest.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #741b47;"><b>children's poetry contest</b></span></a> at <b>Preschool Powol Packets</b>.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fHGEK6B4x94/U0XXWlxiXmI/AAAAAAAACpI/DsUR6Vmujys/s1600/8885641187_80eec14ba3_z.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fHGEK6B4x94/U0XXWlxiXmI/AAAAAAAACpI/DsUR6Vmujys/s1600/8885641187_80eec14ba3_z.jpg" height="280" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">photo credit: by <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/vhhammer/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #741b47;"><b>V. H. Hammer</b></span></a>, <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/legalcode" target="_blank"><span style="color: #741b47;"><b>creative commons license</b></span></a></td></tr>
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Let me know if you found something here that piqued your interest!</div>
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Linking up with:<br />
<b>Jessica</b> at <b>Housewifespice</b> for <a href="http://www.housewifespice.com/2014/04/wwrw-barbara-mcclintock.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #741b47;"><b>What We're Reading Wednesday</b></span></a></div>
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<b>Hip Homeschool Moms</b> for <span style="color: #741b47;"><b>Hip Homeschool Hop</b></span></div>
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<b>Catholic Bloggers Network</b> for <a href="http://www.catholicbloggersnetwork.com/p/2014-link-up-blitz.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #741b47;"><b>2014 Blitz</b></span></a></div>
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<b>Angie</b> at <b>Many Little Blessings</b> for <a href="http://www.manylittleblessings.com/eight-productivity-tips-for-bloggers/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #741b47;"><b>List it Tuesday</b></span></a></div>
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<b>Hallie</b> at <b>Moxie Wife</b> for <a href="http://moxiewife.com/2014/04/five-favorites-vol-54/.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #741b47;"><b>Five Favorites</b></span></a></div>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03579562485483462425noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9092969791121949.post-35416668343719820112014-04-05T00:00:00.000-04:002014-04-22T18:24:47.371-04:00fan art: dream animals<br />
We go through <b>reams and reams of paper</b> at our house. The age at which each of my four kiddos could hold a pencil, between twelve and eighteen months or so, has been the beginning of their near constant drawing. You can imagine the stacks of paper that have accumulated in all corners of our home. I do, however, often find a few treasures here and there that I like to keep.<br />
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Lately, my littlest one has taken to <b>draining our markers</b> on sheets of paper, handing the drawings to me, and saying, "<b>put this on your blog, Mommy</b>."<br />
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Okay, little one, I will.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-la6b4Uomibc/Uz8utJ3UC2I/AAAAAAAACko/B_0_FcxgDr8/s1600/marker+drain.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-la6b4Uomibc/Uz8utJ3UC2I/AAAAAAAACko/B_0_FcxgDr8/s1600/marker+drain.jpg" height="274" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">by Rafael, age 2</td></tr>
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Most of the time, though, my kiddos like to draw something from a picture book that we have read. Remember when <a href="http://beautyofthepicturebook.blogspot.com/2014/02/dream-animals.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #741b47;"><b>I gushed about the artwork in Dream Animals</b></span></a> <span id="goog_39969617"></span> by <b>Emily Winfield Martin</b>?<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WI8Q4UqUVe8/Uz8vXq-JvVI/AAAAAAAACkw/cwBfmITwjHE/s1600/dream+animals+06.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WI8Q4UqUVe8/Uz8vXq-JvVI/AAAAAAAACkw/cwBfmITwjHE/s1600/dream+animals+06.jpg" height="320" width="304" /></a></div>
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Apparently, the illustrations are wonderful inspiration for a bit of fan art.<br />
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This is what my kiddos came up with ...<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-07UElvwIsgI/Uz8unOBRLvI/AAAAAAAACkk/BEeD7xqD2Uc/s1600/dream+animals+05.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-07UElvwIsgI/Uz8unOBRLvI/AAAAAAAACkk/BEeD7xqD2Uc/s1600/dream+animals+05.jpg" height="360" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">by Francesca, age 4</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5Yb8wSiqzFE/Uz8uRAsBO-I/AAAAAAAACkE/VwyAa1Qxk1U/s1600/dream+animals+01.jpg" height="308" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">by Chiara, age 8</td></tr>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5Yb8wSiqzFE/Uz8uRAsBO-I/AAAAAAAACkE/VwyAa1Qxk1U/s1600/dream+animals+01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> </a> </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-aiDH2c7pMEU/Uz8uVWDR1TI/AAAAAAAACkQ/7SNunZ9baOo/s1600/dream+animals+04.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-aiDH2c7pMEU/Uz8uVWDR1TI/AAAAAAAACkQ/7SNunZ9baOo/s1600/dream+animals+04.jpg" height="370" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">by Chiara, age 8</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EVwedjrmIlU/Uz8uVYC0tnI/AAAAAAAACkU/lYjmabZC0Dk/s1600/dream+animals+02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EVwedjrmIlU/Uz8uVYC0tnI/AAAAAAAACkU/lYjmabZC0Dk/s1600/dream+animals+02.jpg" height="308" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">by Chiara, age 8</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zYMH4gQDv38/Uz8uPXQCBsI/AAAAAAAACj8/NBg8LJGTqkc/s1600/dream+animals+03.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zYMH4gQDv38/Uz8uPXQCBsI/AAAAAAAACj8/NBg8LJGTqkc/s1600/dream+animals+03.jpg" height="400" width="397" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">by Chiara, age 8</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WJU4DcsvuOI/Uz8uWmENSsI/AAAAAAAACkc/hDVfFY2bBYA/s1600/dream+animals.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WJU4DcsvuOI/Uz8uWmENSsI/AAAAAAAACkc/hDVfFY2bBYA/s1600/dream+animals.jpg" height="400" width="323" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">by Anthony, age 10</td></tr>
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What picture books has<b></b> your family been inspired by lately?</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03579562485483462425noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9092969791121949.post-70954598413206823262014-04-01T00:00:00.000-04:002014-04-22T18:25:10.834-04:00monthly pics for april<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Are you all excited to <b>get outdoors</b> and <b>relish in the Spring weather</b>?</div>
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I had the opportunity to <b>enjoy a bit of sunshine</b> yesterday, albeit on the heals of a snow storm. I'll take what I can get.</div>
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Last month, we read a lot of <b>picture book biographies</b>, stories about people ranging from artists and mathematicians to scientists and important women in history.</div>
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We were especially fascinated by the biographies of some of <b>America's well known naturalists</b>, and we gained an appreciation for the people who loved the outdoors, enjoyed nature, and worked hard to preserve the beauty of our country.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Affiliate links to <b>IndieBound</b> are provided. Just click on the images below to peruse the books we love!</td></tr>
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<a href="http://www.indiebound.org/book/9780060011079?aff=Divina" target="_blank"><img alt="www.indiebound.org/book/9780060011079?aff=Divina" border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-x96Fumg24n4/UzMvhVnUR8I/AAAAAAAACfI/Z709GATKHfI/s1600/seven+quick+takes+04.jpg" height="320" width="260" /><span id="goog_2140737395"></span></a><span id="goog_2140737396"></span></div>
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Losing her mother at a young age and having a lonely childhood, <b>Claudia Alta Taylor </b>found friendship and companionship among the wildflowers of East Texas. Nicknamed Lady Bird by her nanny and later marrying the future President Lyndon B. Johnson, <b>Lady Bird Johnson</b> set out to beautify the littered highways of America with native wildflowers. Later in her 70's, Lady Bird helped establish the <a href="http://www.wildflower.org/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #741b47;"><b>National Wildflower Research Center</b></span></a> where scientists study the uses and effects of wildflowers and collect and preserve seeds of flowers in danger of extinction.<br />
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<a href="http://www.indiebound.org/book/9781442414020?aff=Divina" target="_blank"><img alt="http://www.indiebound.org/book/9781442414020?aff=Divina" border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mJujj4SyoW0/UzMxmMqoRsI/AAAAAAAACfo/MHPsTx1sdtM/s1600/seven+quick+takes+06.jpg" height="262" width="320" /></a></div>
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Deemed as a landscape of art and culture, the <a href="http://www.balboapark.org/in-the-park/Gardens" target="_blank"><span style="color: #741b47;"><b>gardens of Balboa Park</b></span></a> in San Diego, California are a stark contrast against the surrounding native desert region. With a love for the woods, <b>Katherine Olivia Sessions</b> set out to become a tree hunter, asking gardeners all over the world to send her seeds that could grow in a desert. The result of her efforts in the late 1800's and early 1900's is the lush, leafy city that San Diego is today.<br />
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<a href="http://www.indiebound.org/book/9780152063245?aff=Divina" target="_blank"><img alt="http://www.indiebound.org/book/9780152063245?aff=Divina" border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Jqvdf053hYg/UzMxmE8BLmI/AAAAAAAACgA/VuFWmrF0IMU/s1600/seven+quick+takes+05.jpg" height="320" width="246" /></a></div>
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Curious about the world around her, <b>Rachel Carson</b> loved being outside, taking walks with her mother, and observing insects, birds, and plants. She grew up to be a fiercely determined and staunch protector of the environment, later writing her controversial book <a href="http://www.indiebound.org/book/9780618249060?aff=Divina" target="_blank"><span style="color: #741b47;"><b>Silent Spring</b></span></a>.<br />
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<a href="http://www.indiebound.org/book/9780803737105?aff=Divina" target="_blank"><img alt="http://www.indiebound.org/book/9780803737105?aff=Divina" border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-plzLZmOp8vs/UzMxldk6_II/AAAAAAAACfk/4hzRjsirqLc/s1600/seven+quick+takes+02.jpg" height="320" width="238" /></a></div>
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Fearing the destruction of the <a href="http://www.nps.gov/yose/index.htm" target="_blank"><span style="color: #741b47;"><b>Yosemite</b></span></a> wilderness, America's first environmentalist <b>John Muir</b> (see below) wrote a letter to <b>President Theodore Roosevelt</b> pleading for help to save the vanishing trees. The two men camped together among the giant sequoias and majestic redwoods, and discussions ensued. Whatever words were spoken between the two left impressions on each other and a legacy of national parks, wildlife sanctuaries, and national forests.<br />
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Originally from Scotland, <b>John Muir</b>'s family immigrated to America when he was eleven years old. He loved the land so much that when he was older, he traveled and lived all throughout America. He was a writer, scholar, inventor, shepherd, farmer, and explorer, but above all, he was a naturalist. His influence helped preserve many wilderness areas in America.<br />
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6.</h2>
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<a href="http://www.indiebound.org/book/9780618243433?aff=Divina" target="_blank"><img alt="http://www.indiebound.org/book/9780618243433?aff=Divina" border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-v1W04f2MVlI/UzMxlYHrUsI/AAAAAAAACfc/zgNbSJWv38Y/s1600/seven+quick+takes+03.jpg" height="320" width="255" /></a></div>
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Sent to America at age eighteen to avoid fighting in Napoleon's war, <b>John James Audubon</b> relished in his time outdoors in the woods of Pennsylvania. The mysterious disappearance of birds in the Fall and their return in the Spring begged his attention. Through a simple experiment, he became the first person in America to band a bird and help prove a complex theory. He was also the greatest painter of birds of all time.<br />
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7.</h2>
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<a href="http://www.indiebound.org/book/9781590787649?aff=Divina" target="_blank"><img alt="http://www.indiebound.org/book/9781590787649?aff=Divina" border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Rx2F6rbfFAY/UzMxm8Kp8RI/AAAAAAAACgE/SKe7fGCHGKU/s1600/seven+quick+takes+07.jpg" height="320" width="314" /></a></div>
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One of the world's preeminent naturalists, <b>Roger Tory Peterson </b>realized his passion for birds at a young age. He went on to publish <b>A Field Guide to the Birds</b> in 1934 and many volumes of the ever popular and successful <a href="http://www.indiebound.org/search/apachesolr_search/peterson+field+guides?aff=Divina" target="_blank"><span style="color: #741b47;"><b>Peterson Field Guides</b></span></a> followed thereafter.<br />
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<b>What natural areas of the world have you visited and enjoyed? </b><br />
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Linking up with:<br />
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Mia at <b>Pragmatic Mom</b> for the <a href="http://www.pragmaticmom.com/2014/04/huge-self-published-kids-book-giveaway/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #741b47;"><b>Kid Lit Blog Hop</b></span></a> <br />
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Jennifer at <b>Conversion Diary</b> for <a href="http://www.conversiondiary.com/2014/04/7-quick-takes-about-interviews-crazy-toddlers-and-why-my-hand-is-probably-going-to-fall-off-by-the-end-of-the-week.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #741b47;"><b>Seven Quick Takes</b></span></a></div>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03579562485483462425noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9092969791121949.post-31134806268992384112014-03-27T00:00:00.000-04:002014-04-07T19:41:42.292-04:00winner of a little book about confession for childrenHello everybody!<br />
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I want to thank those of you who participated in last week's <b>giveaway and link-up</b>. I was able to get acquainted with some of you and found some wonderful new blogs to follow. (Yay!)<br />
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If you did not get a chance to visit the lovely writing spaces in the link-up yet, then please do so and be sure to say hello in their comments.<br />
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<b>My Writing Space Link-Up Participants</b></div>
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<b>Meredith</b> at <a href="http://www.sweetness-n-light.com/2014/03/my-writing-space.html#.UzOMNYVB8WI" target="_blank"><span style="color: #741b47;"><b>Sweetness and Light</b></span></a></div>
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<b>Allison</b> at <a href="http://www.reconciledtoyou.com/2/post/2014/03/my-writing-space-linkup.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #741b47;"><b>Reconciled to You</b></span></a></div>
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<b>Amy</b> at <a href="http://motherhoodandmiscellany.com/my-writing-space/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #741b47;"><b>Motherhood and Miscellany</b></span></a></div>
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<b>Tracy</b> at <a href="http://asliceofsmithlife.blogspot.com/2014/03/my-writing-space-link-up.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #741b47;"><b>A Slice of Smith Life</b></span></a></div>
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I was intending to get a little post up about <b><i>my writing space</i></b>, but it's just not going to happen. :( <br />
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So, getting down to other business ... there were twenty-one entries and a random number (<b>#8 in the comments</b>) was drawn for the winner of the giveaway of Kendra Tierney's book <b>A Little Book About Confession for Children</b>. <br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4PlvaUWODZE/UzN89U36_NI/AAAAAAAACgg/er1sLkKtIUE/s1600/kendra+tierney+giveaway.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4PlvaUWODZE/UzN89U36_NI/AAAAAAAACgg/er1sLkKtIUE/s1600/kendra+tierney+giveaway.jpg" height="328" width="640" /></a></div>
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Congratulations JenniferM!<br />
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Please email your mailing address to Kendra Tierney at</div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
CatholicAllYear(at)gmail(dot)com</div>
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so she can get a copy of her book mailed to you.<br />
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I will also let Kendra know to expect an email from you.</div>
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Thanks again to all those who participated!<br />
Have a great weekend and I'll see you all back here soon.</div>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03579562485483462425noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9092969791121949.post-69197118109239261552014-03-24T21:15:00.001-04:002014-04-07T19:42:11.801-04:00more lenten reading<br />
Since my artist-in-residence has been asking me to post her drawings on her personal blog, I decided that I might as well post them here, too and update you all on the picture books that we have been reading.<br />
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A couple of weeks ago, I mentioned our <a href="http://beautyofthepicturebook.blogspot.com/2014/03/easy-reading-for-lent-and-easter.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #741b47;"><b>easy reading plan</b></span></a> for this Lenten season. One of the things that we have attempted in the past is to read a story everyday from <b>Tomie dePaola's Book of Bible Stories</b>. We have never made it all the way through, always skipping here and there, but this season I am confident that we will finally finish from beginning to end.<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CkH_QWHCDYw/UzDP7-6j65I/AAAAAAAACd0/cihgajDsR6E/s1600/tomie+depaola+01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CkH_QWHCDYw/UzDP7-6j65I/AAAAAAAACd0/cihgajDsR6E/s1600/tomie+depaola+01.jpg" height="320" width="252" /></a></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--rUjS7F9N2M/UzC_98SRuBI/AAAAAAAACcc/Y-EPAZ0iD28/s1600/bible+stories.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--rUjS7F9N2M/UzC_98SRuBI/AAAAAAAACcc/Y-EPAZ0iD28/s1600/bible+stories.jpg" height="315" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">by Chiara, age 8</td></tr>
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Monday's are fairly busy in our house, so we did not do anything spectacular for St. Patrick's Day. I usually like to cook corned beef, cabbage, potatoes, and carrots on this day, but this year it just wasn't meant to be. In other words, I didn't plan ahead of time. We did, however, manage to read <b>Patrick: Patron Saint of Ireland</b> also by Tomie dePaola right before bedtime.<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8EjxiaWw-rI/UzDSP2ZfclI/AAAAAAAACeA/15qkMcIzihM/s1600/tomie+depaola+02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8EjxiaWw-rI/UzDSP2ZfclI/AAAAAAAACeA/15qkMcIzihM/s1600/tomie+depaola+02.jpg" height="320" width="247" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Jgfgenzh8SA/UzDA5e-nVfI/AAAAAAAACcs/-QbSRboSma8/s1600/st+patrick.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Jgfgenzh8SA/UzDA5e-nVfI/AAAAAAAACcs/-QbSRboSma8/s1600/st+patrick.jpg" height="249" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">by Chiara, age 8</td></tr>
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<i>"Many years ago, during the time of the Christian Roman Empire, there lived a boy named Patrick.<br />He lived with his noble family in Britain, near the Irish sea."</i></div>
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One of our favorite books that we read last year was <b>Petook: An Easter Story</b> by Caryll Houselander and illustrated by Tomie dePaola. (Are you sensing a theme that we have here with the illustrator?)<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LXpx7RFOp34/UzDUlOFY6WI/AAAAAAAACeU/6kLYmVDUcxk/s1600/tomie+depaola+03.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LXpx7RFOp34/UzDUlOFY6WI/AAAAAAAACeU/6kLYmVDUcxk/s1600/tomie+depaola+03.jpg" height="320" width="239" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0SRvUSYrbZg/UzDFL44HIfI/AAAAAAAACdU/A5T5Yom6pxM/s1600/petook.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0SRvUSYrbZg/UzDFL44HIfI/AAAAAAAACdU/A5T5Yom6pxM/s1600/petook.jpg" height="232" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">by Chiara, at age 7 in 2013</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PhRISQoGM34/UzDXBCWScSI/AAAAAAAACeg/dv2pIRfajD4/s1600/petook+01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PhRISQoGM34/UzDXBCWScSI/AAAAAAAACeg/dv2pIRfajD4/s1600/petook+01.jpg" height="283" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">by Francesca, at age 3 in 2013</td></tr>
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Later this week, we will read <b>The Holy Twins: Benedict and Scholastica</b> by Kathleen Norris and illustrated by (guess!) ... Tomie dePaola. I suppose this story gives me hope as a parent to know that even siblings who <i>"squabble loudly"</i> can still be the best of friends.<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EZcK5kSoXFQ/UzDTqnfcKqI/AAAAAAAACeM/qAFoLc0ACVI/s1600/tomie+depaola+04.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EZcK5kSoXFQ/UzDTqnfcKqI/AAAAAAAACeM/qAFoLc0ACVI/s1600/tomie+depaola+04.jpg" height="320" width="262" /></a></div>
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(No drawing for this picture book yet from my little artist, but I am sure I will eventually find one or two at my desk to be scanned and posted at her blog.)<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
Affiliate Links to IndieBound:</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #741b47;"><b><a href="http://www.indiebound.org/book/9780698119239?aff=Divina">Tomie dePaola's Book of Bible Stories</a></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #741b47;"><b><a href="http://www.indiebound.org/book/9780823410774?aff=Divina">Patrick: Patron Saint of Ireland</a></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #741b47;"><b><a href="http://www.indiebound.org/book/9780142411117?aff=Divina">The Holy Twins: Benedict and Scholastica</a></b></span></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
I think <b>Petook: An Easter Story</b> is out of print, but it might be available at your local library!
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<b>Linking up this week with:</b></div>
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Meredith at <b>Sweetness and Light</b> for <a href="http://www.sweetness-n-light.com/2014/03/the-saints-of-lent-3-company-of-saints.html#.UzDVjoVB8WI" target="_blank"><span style="color: #741b47;"><b>Keeping the Company of the Saints</b></span></a></div>
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Monica at <b>Equipping Catholic Families</b> for <a href="http://www.equippingcatholicfamilies.com/2013-2014-seasons-link.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #741b47;"><b>Celebrate the Seasons</b></span></a> and <a href="http://www.equippingcatholicfamilies.com/2014-saints-linkup.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #741b47;"><b>Celebrate the Saints</b></span></a></div>
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<b>Catholic Bloggers Network</b> for the <a href="http://www.catholicbloggersnetwork.com/p/2014-link-up-blitz.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #741b47;"><b>2014 Blitz</b></span></a></div>
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Jessica at <b>Housewifespice</b> for <a href="http://www.housewifespice.com/2014/03/wwrw-newberys-and-theonething-i-cant.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #741b47;"><b>What We're Reading Wednesday</b></span></a></div>
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Mystie at <b>Simply Convivial</b> for <a href="http://www.simplyconvivial.com/2014/weekend-reads-4" target="_blank"><span style="color: #741b47;"><b>Weekend Reads</b></span></a></div>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03579562485483462425noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9092969791121949.post-5495084212036717362014-03-21T00:00:00.000-04:002014-04-07T19:42:37.191-04:00beyond our boundaries: a family adventure on the appalachian trail<h2>
<span style="color: #741b47;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">friday spotlight :: volume 02</span></span></h2>
I think I started reading <b>FIMBY: A Family Story Blog</b> by <b>Renee Tougas</b> in earnest a little over a year ago. I must have been searching for a book list, a vegan recipe, or something else but I ended up at her newly organized <b>homeschool help</b> page.<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wSDBoOroKeU/UyBhwBbg6ZI/AAAAAAAACVA/f6KCbCWz_so/s1600/leadership+education.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wSDBoOroKeU/UyBhwBbg6ZI/AAAAAAAACVA/f6KCbCWz_so/s1600/leadership+education.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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Being family-focused, interest-led, literature-based learners ourselves, reading what Renee had to say about freedom education and creativity tugged at my heartstrings. I found myself nodding in agreement, being encouraged, and forming a clearer vision of what I wanted for my family. I must have binged on her homeschool blog posts and videos in a few weeks time.<br />
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One aspect tied to her family's homeschooling lifestyle that has me intrigued is their <b>outdoor adventuring</b>. Totally <b>not</b> an outdoors girl myself (sad, I know), I still get inspired by and get to live vicariously through Renee's <b>beautiful outdoor photography</b> ... and now by her family's <b>new subscription video series</b>.<br />
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<a href="http://toesalad.com/affiliates/idevaffiliate.php?id=113_2_1_6" target="_blank"><img alt="Beyond our Boundaries - A Family Adventure on the Appalachian Trail" src="http://toesalad.com/affiliates/media/banners/beyond-our-boundaries-720x250.jpg" height="250" style="border: 0px;" width="675" /></a>
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Surely, you must have encountered all the internet chatter about the homeschooling family of five that is going on a <b>six month hike</b> through the <b>Appalachian Trail</b>?<br />
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Renee, along with her husband Damien and children Celine, Laurent, and Brienne will be hiking over<b> two thousand miles</b> from Georgia to Maine <b>beginning this April</b>!<br />
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When I told my kiddos about the Tougas family's upcoming adventure, they were <b>intrigued and had all sorts of questions</b>: Where will they get their food? How will they cook? How will they keep clean and take showers and do other things that require a bathroom? How will they ... ? What about bugs, insects, and wild animals?<br />
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After a few hundred "<b>I don't know</b>'s," my kiddos were ecstatic when I suggested that we get the answers to these questions by <b>watching the video series</b> as part of our <b>homeschooling curriculum</b>!<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8fdg4YW4o3k/UyBfzFxaqCI/AAAAAAAACU0/DKGafMkan08/s1600/tougas+family.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8fdg4YW4o3k/UyBfzFxaqCI/AAAAAAAACU0/DKGafMkan08/s1600/tougas+family.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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Renee says that this video series is for <b>YOU</b> - the <b>homeschooler</b>, <b>outdoorsy people or families seeking outdoor inspiration</b>, <b>families wanting to live intentional, creative, and adventurous lives</b>, <b>minimal and simple living enthusiasts</b>, AND <b>people who just like good stories</b>.<br />
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The <b>first two episodes</b> of this twenty video series are <b>now available</b>. With the Tougas family behind this amazing project, the video series is just as creative, inspirational, and encouraging as Renee's blog. <br />
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What do you say? <b>Will you join them, too?</b><br />
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For more details about the hike and video series, visit this affiliate link to <a href="http://toesalad.com/affiliates/idevaffiliate.php?id=113_2_3_2" target="_blank">Beyond our Boundaries</a>.
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and<br />
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Be sure to check back here for episode updates from April through September.<br />
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**********<br />
<i><b>Friday Spotlight</b> is a series of posts in
which I muse on a topic or highlight a blog post related to books,
reading, homeschooling or whatever I find interesting on the web. If
you have anything (picture) book or homeschool related that you would
like for me to consider highlighting here, then feel free to drop me a
note.</i><br />
<br />
<i>**********</i><br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03579562485483462425noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9092969791121949.post-74110384976199844842014-03-19T00:00:00.000-04:002014-04-07T19:43:18.878-04:00a little book about confession for children (an interview, a giveaway, and a link-up -- oh my!)<br />
Hello friends! If you are here for the first time ... a huge <b>welcome</b> to you! I'm glad you made your way here. I have a lot going on in today's post, so sit back, settle in, and do stick around until the end. <b>It'll be fun.</b> I promise.<br />
<br />
I have a <b>giveaway</b> and a <b>link-up</b>, both in which <b>YOU</b> can participate, towards the end of this post. But first, I have an <b>interview</b> with author <b>Kendra Tierney</b> of <b>Catholic All Year</b>.<br />
<br />
Have you read Kendra's blog yet? It's smart. It's sassy. It's <b>sheen</b>azing. And she's <a href="http://www.catholicallyear.com/2014/01/good-news-and-bad-news.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #741b47;"><b>got the award</b></span></a> to prove it. I am honored to have her here today answering a few questions about her new book <a href="http://www.ignatius.com/IProducts/276499/a-little-book-about-confession-for-children.aspx" target="_blank"><span style="color: #741b47;"><b>A Little Book About Confession for Children</b></span></a>.<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FiHEjyrRYsI/Uyi02ALmKrI/AAAAAAAACaM/uyUTg7n8qlM/s1600/kendra+tierney+catholic+all+year.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FiHEjyrRYsI/Uyi02ALmKrI/AAAAAAAACaM/uyUTg7n8qlM/s1600/kendra+tierney+catholic+all+year.jpg" height="310" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b>Hi Kendra! Would you please tell us a little bit about yourself?</b><br />
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I am a wife and mother of seven children, ages three months to eleven
years. I grew up in San Diego, married a Marine, and then moved seven
times in five years. But we're now happily settled in the suburbs of
Los Angeles with one fish, two tortoises, and nine chickens.<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0zw8xc1BiVQ/UxqQeP-3rAI/AAAAAAAACPs/_U1b3MRzVTo/s1600/tierney+family.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0zw8xc1BiVQ/UxqQeP-3rAI/AAAAAAAACPs/_U1b3MRzVTo/s1600/tierney+family.jpg" height="400" width="397" /></a></div>
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<b>How did the opportunity or desire for writing <i>A Little Book About Confession for Children</i> come about?</b><br />
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As I helped my eldest son prepare for First Communion, I was disappointed by the lack of resources available. I found the <b>Baltimore Catechism</b>, which is great, some pamphlets, and a picture book, but nothing was, as Goldilocks would say, "just right." I complained to my Spiritual Director about it and he told me *I* should write one! So I did.<br />
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<b>What kind of research did you have to do to write this book?</b><br />
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I read the <b>Baltimore Catechism</b>, plus the relevant parts of the big Catechism, and did research online at the Vatican website, especially the writings of Blessed John Paul II.<br />
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But the most important research I did was talking with my son. I wanted the book to answer questions he actually had and allay any of his real fears or concerns.<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gmo0S8EU1n8/Uyiz9iZlIXI/AAAAAAAACaE/wDoVLJjspK8/s1600/little+book+about+confession+02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gmo0S8EU1n8/Uyiz9iZlIXI/AAAAAAAACaE/wDoVLJjspK8/s1600/little+book+about+confession+02.jpg" height="336" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b>A few weeks ago, my eight-year-old had her First Confession, which, prior to, was fraught with nervousness and anxiety. Unfortunately, your book was not available at the time. What do you hope to achieve when a parent reads this book to their child?</b><br />
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That's exactly the reason I wrote this book. Confession is so hard to understand for so many people, kids AND grownups. But the more I learn about it, the more absolutely convinced I am of its beauty and gentleness. The IDEA of confession might be scary, but once kids understand what it really is, I hope it will be a positive experience for them in every way.<br />
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There are also practical aspects of the book that I hope will help kids be less anxious. My own kids weren't worried about going to confession, per se, but they were worried about forgetting what they wanted to say, or not knowing what was going to happen when, or not remembering the Act of Contrition. The book is designed for kids to bring in to the confessional with them, so they can follow along and not have to be worried that they'll forget something. That's been a huge help to my own kids.<br />
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<b>What keeps you focused while you are writing?</b><br />
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Writing is a great joy for me. I really feel like it's what I'm supposed to be doing. (Along with caring for my husband and children, of course!) I do have trouble getting much done during the day though. My day is so reactionary. I'm needed immediately all day long for spills, and snacks, and stories, and hugs, and schoolwork. It's difficult for me to focus on writing during the day. But once the kids are in bed and it's quiet, all the ideas that have been bouncing around in my head all day just flow out.<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pjdQCxwW9Ek/Uyekds9nxQI/AAAAAAAACYk/MWxPUtmhsw0/s1600/Kendra+Tierney+picture+books.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pjdQCxwW9Ek/Uyekds9nxQI/AAAAAAAACYk/MWxPUtmhsw0/s1600/Kendra+Tierney+picture+books.jpg" height="640" width="538" /></a></div>
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<b>What are some of your favorite picture books to read to your children?</b><br />
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Oh, there are so many I love. I still have the copy of<b> Where the Wild Things Are</b><i></i> that I had as a kid. <a href="http://www.catholicallyear.com/2013/02/picture-books-they-dont-have-to-be-pre.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #741b47;">This post</span></a> has some of my recent favorites.<br />
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<b>What is your favorite beverage or snack of choice while writing?</b><br />
<br />
I am a Dr. Pepper junkie.<b> </b>Even late at night. The caffeine doesn't seem
to interfere with my sleeping, so I almost always have one at night if
I'm up writing. But not during Lent. <sigh> Right now I have a
bottle of water on one side of me and a mug of herbal tea on the other. <br />
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<b>Your Big Purse Dump link-up was a huge hit with your readers. Now that we know what was in your purse before you cleaned it out, would you show us your workspace where you do most of your writing as it is right now?</b><br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LoMlKdssU9k/UxqRAe5NVAI/AAAAAAAACP0/TEa45Ji8AKQ/s1600/kendra%27s+writing+space.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LoMlKdssU9k/UxqRAe5NVAI/AAAAAAAACP0/TEa45Ji8AKQ/s1600/kendra's+writing+space.JPG" height="427" width="640" /></a></div>
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So, I've got my fancy new touchscreen monitor (thanks to my Dad), the tea and water I mentioned before, plus a glass of water one of the kids left there in a birthday party goblet, my phone, my iPad, an old-timey alarm clock, an envelope of photos from the baby's three month photo shoot, kids' mouth guards, leftover Christmas cards, and my favorite, favorite footed tea set.<br />
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Plus a whole lot of other stuff.<br />
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It's probably the messiest spot in the house. Except my oldest son's desk.<br />
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<b>Thank you, Kendra for joining us today! Please do keep us updated if you have any other projects in the works. </b><br />
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And now, for the <b>GIVEAWAY</b>!<br />
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Kendra is generously offering one copy of <b>A Little Book About Confession for Children</b> to one lucky reader. <strike>Just leave a comment below if you are interested in the giveaway. Please just one comment per household.</strike><br />
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<strike>Comments for the giveaway will be accepted until 5:00 P.M. Eastern Standard Time, on March 26, 2014, and the winner will be announced in a post on March 27.</strike> At the <b>very bottom of this post</b> you can choose your preference for staying updated on future posts.<br />
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At last, the <b>LINK-UP</b>! Thank you for making it this far. :o)<br />
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I think it would be fun to see where <b>YOU do YOUR writing</b>!<br />
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Just write a post about your writing space, include a photo or two, and give us a little tour. Grab that pretty image above to include in your post and link back here to <b>this post</b> so that others can find us.<br />
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<b>THEN</b> come back here and use the <b>Inlinkz tool</b> below to link up your post. <br />
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( Psssst. As a bonus, I'll count your link-up as an entry in the giveaway. That means you can comment AND link up for a <b>total of two entries</b>. )<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03579562485483462425noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9092969791121949.post-46254860790623372322014-03-14T14:40:00.000-04:002014-04-08T13:05:30.229-04:00poetry friday: the complete book of the flower fairies<br />
Did you know that<b> Cicely Mary Barker</b> was <b>educated at home</b> and largely<b> learned on her own</b> how to paint and draw?<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Zf-4pp_cIJQ/UyIY3xD3FAI/AAAAAAAACW8/72aiTo1m9bM/s1600/flower+01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Zf-4pp_cIJQ/UyIY3xD3FAI/AAAAAAAACW8/72aiTo1m9bM/s1600/flower+01.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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She is well known for her ability to uniquely combine naturalism and fantasy in her <b>botanically accurate</b> and <b>imaginative</b> renderings of <b>Flower Fairies</b>.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2r16LhmbLcY/UyIYQhYY6pI/AAAAAAAACWs/eqeZpslr410/s1600/flower+04.jpg" height="640" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="504" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Daisy Fairy</td></tr>
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Devoted to a career in painting, <b>Cicely Mary Barker</b> also wrote poetry to accompany her artwork.
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TwbJB7MBD_c/UyIYa2Wh99I/AAAAAAAACW0/J-pQ2MSrXoI/s1600/flower+02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TwbJB7MBD_c/UyIYa2Wh99I/AAAAAAAACW0/J-pQ2MSrXoI/s1600/flower+02.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Primrose Fairy</td></tr>
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Yearning for Spring, I am choosing <b>The Song of the Primrose Fairy</b> from <b>The Complete Book of the Flower Fairies</b> for <a href="http://www.kidlitosphere.org/poetry-friday/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #741b47;"><b>Poetry Friday</b></span></a>.<br />
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<b>The Song of the Primrose Fairy</b></div>
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The Primrose opens wide in spring;</div>
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Her scent is sweet and good:</div>
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It smells of every happy thing<br />
In sunny land and wood.</div>
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I have not half the skill to sing</div>
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And praise her as I should.</div>
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She's dear to folk throughout the land;</div>
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In her is nothing mean:</div>
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She freely spreads on every hand</div>
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Her petals pale and clean.</div>
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And though she's neither proud nor grand,</div>
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She is the Country Queen.<br />
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by <b>Cicely Mary Barker</b> </div>
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Visit the <a href="http://www.flowerfairies.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #741b47;"><b>Official Flower Fairies Website</b></span></a> with your kiddos for some online fun! </div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
Affiliate link to<a href="http://www.indiebound.org/book/9780723248392?aff=Divina"><span style="color: #741b47;"><b> The Complete Book of the Flower Fairies</b></span></a><span style="color: #741b47;"><b> </b></span>by Cicely Mary Barker</div>
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Linking up this week with:</div>
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<b>Kara</b> at <b>Rogue Anthropologist</b> for <a href="http://rogueanthropologist.wordpress.com/2014/03/13/poetry-friday/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #741b47;"><b>Poetry Friday</b></span></a></div>
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<b>Mystie</b> at <b>Simply Convivial</b> for <a href="http://www.simplyconvivial.com/2014/weekend-reads-2" target="_blank"><span style="color: #741b47;"><b>Weekend Reads</b></span></a></div>
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<b>Jessica</b> at <b>Housewifespice</b> for <span style="color: #741b47;"><b>What We're Reading Wednesday</b></span>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03579562485483462425noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9092969791121949.post-38716629914073391642014-03-12T15:55:00.000-04:002014-04-07T19:45:24.806-04:00my writing space :: a link-up coming soon! <br />
So, I'm hosting a link-up here at <b>Beauty of the Picture Book</b> on <b>March 19</b>, along with an interview with author <a href="http://www.catholicallyear.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #741b47;"><b>Kendra Tierney</b></span></a> and a giveaway of her new book <b>A Little Book About Confession for Children</b>.<br />
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I'm telling you this now because I would like you to get your wheels turning for a post that <b>YOU</b> can link up here on that day.<br />
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<a href="http://beautyofthepicturebook.blogspot.com/2014/03/a-little-book-about-confession-for.html" target="_blank"><img alt="http://beautyofthepicturebook.blogspot.com/2014/03/a-little-book-about-confession-for.html" border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TzOKYrfF3hk/UyC1mKOIujI/AAAAAAAACVg/m9sk2sxLTNw/s1600/writing+linkup+02.jpg" /></a></div>
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You know how Kendra's <a href="http://www.catholicallyear.com/2014/02/the-big-purse-dump.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #741b47;"><b>Big Purse Dump</b></span></a> was a huge hit? I asked her if she would show us her workspace where she does most of her writing.<br />
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And she kindly indulged me.<br />
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Well, I would also like to see where <b>YOU</b>, dear readers, <b>do YOUR writing</b>.<br />
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Just write a post about your writing space, include a photo or two, and give us a little tour. Be sure to grab that pretty image above for your post and link back to this blog so that others can find us.<br />
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Then come back here on <b>March 19</b> and link up your post for others to see.<br />
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Okay? Let's get to it!<br />
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I want to see where you all write!<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03579562485483462425noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9092969791121949.post-37393921257899569302014-03-10T00:00:00.000-04:002014-04-07T19:45:57.026-04:00easy reading for lent and easter<br />
How are we all doing with our<b> praying, fasting, </b>and<b> alms giving</b> this Lenten season?<br />
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Personally, the fasting part is a bit of a challenge for me, as this is the <b>first time</b> in <b>five years</b><b><b> straight</b> </b>that I am NOT in the exempt category. I had become so used to consuming calories to grow and nourish <i>this little guy</i> and his sister before him.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QEcyRDjz6h8/UxujD52qfqI/AAAAAAAACTA/uBLmpe3sZEU/s1600/lent+01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QEcyRDjz6h8/UxujD52qfqI/AAAAAAAACTA/uBLmpe3sZEU/s1600/lent+01.jpg" height="400" width="360" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Always asking for his favorite food.</td></tr>
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<i>Affiliate links are provided so you can peruse the books we love!</i></div>
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Last year, in my enthusiasm for Lent and Easter, I checked out a load of picture books from the library. We discovered many wonderful stories ... <a href="http://www.indiebound.org/book/9780698113855?aff=Divina" target="_blank"><span style="color: #741b47;"><b>Rechenka's Eggs</b></span></a> by Patricia Polacco and <b>Petook: An Easter Story</b><a href="http://astore.amazon.com/beautyofthepi-20/detail/0823406814" target="_blank"><span style="color: #741b47;"><b></b></span></a> by Caryll Houselander come to mind.<br />
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This year, however, I'm following <b>Meredith's</b> lead in her <b><a href="http://www.sweetness-n-light.com/search/label/%7Bspirit%20of%20Lent%7D" target="_blank"><span style="color: #741b47;">Spirit of Lent</span></a></b> series, and instead of doing more, reading more, I'm going for <b>simple</b> in order to set the tone for a <b>quiet</b> and <b>reflective</b> Lent.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7eMrs9Jqgrc/UxujEERd7SI/AAAAAAAACS8/UjhDbzV4_T0/s1600/lent+02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7eMrs9Jqgrc/UxujEERd7SI/AAAAAAAACS8/UjhDbzV4_T0/s1600/lent+02.jpg" height="400" width="360" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Thumbing through <b><a href="http://www.ignatius.com/IProducts/276499/a-little-book-about-confession-for-children.aspx" target="_blank"><span style="color: #741b47;">Kendra's book</span></a></b>.</td></tr>
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My plan with the kiddos is to read everyday from <a href="http://www.indiebound.org/book/9780698119239?aff=Divina" target="_blank"><span style="color: #741b47;"><b>Tomie dePaola's Book of Bible Stories</b></span></a> after morning prayer. For my littles, I have <a href="http://www.indiebound.org/book/9781586175085?aff=Divina" target="_blank"><span style="color: #741b47;"><b>The Bible for Little Ones</b></span></a> and <a href="http://www.indiebound.org/book/9781586175078?aff=Divina" target="_blank"><span style="color: #741b47;"><b>The Gospel for Little Ones</b></span></a> by Maite Roche. On Fridays, we will read <a href="http://www.indiebound.org/book/9780829418194?aff=Divina" target="_blank"><span style="color: #741b47;"><b>The Story of the Cross: The Stations of the Cross for Children</b></span></a> by Mary Joslin.<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ARaST_I_xiE/UxuzCiT0RrI/AAAAAAAACTo/0ZEgIppEZw0/s1600/reading+plan.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ARaST_I_xiE/UxuzCiT0RrI/AAAAAAAACTo/0ZEgIppEZw0/s1600/reading+plan.jpg" height="320" width="640" /></a></div>
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And that's it.<br />
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Simple. Quiet. Reflective.<br />
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At least that's what I'm aiming for.<br />
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P.S. In a couple of weeks I'll be chatting it up with <b>Kendra</b> of <a href="http://www.catholicallyear.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #741b47;"><b>Catholic All Year</b></span></a>. There just might be a giveaway and a <a href="http://beautyofthepicturebook.blogspot.com/2014/03/my-writing-space-link-up-coming-soon.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #741b47;"><b>link-up</b></span></a> involved, too! So, stay tuned!<br />
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Linking up this week with:</div>
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<b>Pam</b> at <b>Everyday Snapshots</b> for <a href="http://edsnapshots.com/2014/03/project-snapshot-week-10/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #741b47;"><b>Project Snapshot</b></span></a></div>
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<b>Monica</b> at <b>Equipping Catholic Families</b> for <a href="http://www.equippingcatholicfamilies.com/2013-2014-seasons-link.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #741b47;"><b>Celebrate the Seasons</b></span></a> </div>
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<b>Jessica</b> at <b>Housewifespice</b> for <a href="http://www.housewifespice.com/2014/03/wwrw-books-by-bloggers-review-from.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #741b47;"><b>What We're Reading Wednesday</b></span></a></div>
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<b>Mystie</b> at <b>Simply Convivial</b> for <a href="http://www.simplyconvivial.com/2014/weekend-reads-2" target="_blank"><span style="color: #741b47;"><b>Weekend Reads</b></span></a></div>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03579562485483462425noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9092969791121949.post-19729101438266833842014-03-06T00:00:00.000-05:002014-03-08T13:09:27.601-05:00winner of saint felix and the spider<br />
Hello dear readers!<br />
<br />
Did you all get your <b>ashes</b> yesterday?<br />
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I hope everyone is having a great start to this Lenten season.<br />
<br />
I would like to thank those of you who participated in my <a href="http://beautyofthepicturebook.blogspot.com/2014/02/interview-with-lydia-grace-kadar-kallen.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #741b47;"><b>first giveaway</b></span></a>. Thank you! Thank you!<br />
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If you left a link to your blog in the comments, then you will be getting a visit from me in the next few days. I am looking forward to finding some new blogs to read.<br />
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So, about the giveaway ... There were <b>thirty-nine comments</b> and I used the random generator to choose a number. We're a little low tech around here.<br />
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I have my kind assistant below with the announcement of the winner.<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Goys_uOaqxc/UxfcwnH0u0I/AAAAAAAACOw/vXQzI1InAm4/s1600/winner.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Goys_uOaqxc/UxfcwnH0u0I/AAAAAAAACOw/vXQzI1InAm4/s1600/winner.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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(Applause.)<br />
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<b>Pam</b> of <a href="http://edsnapshots.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #741b47;"><b>Everyday Snapshots</b></span></a> is the winner of a copy of<b> Saint Felix and the Spider</b>. Congratulations! I do believe you will enjoy this beautiful picture book.<br />
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Pam, please email your mailing address to kimberlee(at)beadsofmercy(dot)com.
I will let the Kadar-Kallen family know to expect an email from you.<br />
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Thank you again to everyone who participated! Have a blessed Lent.<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03579562485483462425noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9092969791121949.post-58033557743561551752014-03-04T00:00:00.000-05:002014-04-07T19:57:32.620-04:00fan art: the lorax by dr. seuss<br />
In honor of Dr. Seuss' birthday, which was on March 2, I have a personal story to share with you today.<br />
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When my husband and I were first getting to know each other, he was shocked to learn that I had never read nor even heard of <b>The Lorax</b>.<br />
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<img alt="" border="0" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=beautyofthepi-20&l=as2&o=1&a=0394823370" height="1" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />
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Does this surprise you? <br />
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Okay, I will admit that I was not well versed in picture books prior to getting married and having children. I knew about Dr. Seuss and most of his books, but somehow I missed out on<b> The Lorax</b> during my childhood. <br />
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Upon this discovery, my (not-yet-husband, not-even-boyfriend, just-a-friend) friend immediately insisted that we walk over to the local library, in the sweltering heat of summer no less, and check out said picture book.<br />
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With <b>The Lorax</b> in hand, we headed back to his apartment where he proceeded to read aloud to me ...<br />
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<i>"At the far end of town</i>
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<i>where the Grickle-grass grows</i></div>
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<i>and the wind smells slow-and-sour when it blows</i></div>
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<i>and no birds ever sing excepting old crows ...</i></div>
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<i>is the Street of the Lifted Lorax."</i></div>
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I was smitten (with him, of course).<br />
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And <a href="http://beautyofthepicturebook.blogspot.com/2014/01/monthly-pics-for-january.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #741b47;">the rest of our story</span></a> is history.<br />
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Enjoy this bit of <b>fan art</b> from one of our progeny.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qkAbl19XTUU/Us-TR6hvaII/AAAAAAAABr8/gOFDPDm5m3s/s1600/the+lorax.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qkAbl19XTUU/Us-TR6hvaII/AAAAAAAABr8/gOFDPDm5m3s/s1600/the+lorax.jpg" height="400" width="286" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">by Anthony, circa 2013</td></tr>
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For more fun, head on over to <a href="http://www.seussville.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #990000;"><b>Seussville</b></span></a> and check out <a href="http://www.seussville.com/loraxproject/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #741b47;"><b>The Lorax Project</b></span></a>!<br />
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Jessica at <b>Housewifespice</b> for <a href="http://www.housewifespice.com/2014/03/what-were-reading-ash-wednesday.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #741b47;"><b>What We're Reading Wednesday</b></span></a></div>
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Mystie at <b>Simply Convivial</b> for <b><a href="http://www.simplyconvivial.com/2014/weekend-reads-so-much-good-reading" target="_blank"><span style="color: #741b47;">Weekend Reads</span></a></b>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03579562485483462425noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9092969791121949.post-44386387529222770192014-03-01T00:00:00.000-05:002014-04-07T19:58:01.882-04:00monthly pics for march (moxie wife style)<br />
Are we all tired of looking at my wood floors yet?<br />
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I have been taking most of my picture book photos on the floor of our sun room where we get the best light. I decided to change things up a bit this month, provide a cute fabric backdrop and link to Hallie with <a href="http://moxiewife.com/category/five-favorites" target="_blank"><span style="color: #741b47;"><b>Five Favorites</b></span></a> at <a href="http://moxiewife.com/category/five-favorites" target="_blank"><span style="color: #741b47;"><b>Moxie Wife</b></span></a>.<br />
<br />
If you already have any of these titles or have access to a library,
then now would be a good time to<b> freshen up</b> your picture book basket for
<b>Spring</b>, which is a mere three weeks away, so says the calendar.<br />
<br />
But
who's counting?<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-w-B9386jEko/UwGfSoVyrsI/AAAAAAAACFo/Eejk5FdQE-w/s1600/five+favorites.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-w-B9386jEko/UwGfSoVyrsI/AAAAAAAACFo/Eejk5FdQE-w/s1600/five+favorites.jpg" height="544" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #990000;">Duck and Goose Series by Tad Hills</span></h2>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nlq2RAV0QRs/UwVYRWCjI8I/AAAAAAAACIU/fuh40vAXLHc/s1600/march+02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nlq2RAV0QRs/UwVYRWCjI8I/AAAAAAAACIU/fuh40vAXLHc/s1600/march+02.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
Duck and Goose are the best of friends. But then Thistle comes along and everything changes.<br />
<br />
<b>Duck and Goose</b> is the first picture book in this series, followed by <b>Duck, Duck, Goose</b> and <b>many more</b>. If you are thinking far ahead to filling your kiddos' Easter baskets, then there's even <b>Duck and Goose: Here Comes the Easter Bunny!</b>.<br />
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The adorable characters of this series will keep you entertained and on
your toes with their hilarious antics. And they just might become your
friends, too.<br />
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<h2 style="text-align: center;">
2.</h2>
<h2 style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #990000;">The Life of a Saint Series by Ignatius Press and Magnificat</span></h2>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-24FkiUOoqjs/UwVYO-f4d8I/AAAAAAAACIM/PuApwv1sLS0/s1600/march+03.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-24FkiUOoqjs/UwVYO-f4d8I/AAAAAAAACIM/PuApwv1sLS0/s1600/march+03.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
The saying "big things come in small packages" applies to these two great Saints.<br />
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Small in stature and intellectual ability, <b>John Mary Vianney</b> brought love and hope to the town of Ars and renewed the faith of the French people far and wide.<br />
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A simple fourteen-year-old girl, <b>Bernadette of Lourdes</b> had visions of a Beautiful Lady and discovered a miraculous spring. From this encounter and the events that followed, Bernadette was inspired to live her life helping, comforting, and tending to the sick.<br />
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Other books in this series include <b>Therese: The Little Flower of Lisieux</b> and <b>Francis: The Poor Man of Assisi</b>.<br />
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<h2 style="text-align: center;">
3.</h2>
<h2 style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #990000;">Kevin Henkes picture books</span></h2>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-E9SCdqKaihg/UwVYWhThyPI/AAAAAAAACIc/WEMzVXmh0Zg/s1600/march+04.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-E9SCdqKaihg/UwVYWhThyPI/AAAAAAAACIc/WEMzVXmh0Zg/s1600/march+04.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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Knowing that books are often the first exposure to art that children have, Kevin Henkes is motivated to make the very best books possible. His joy and passion for his work shines through in these picture books, <b>Little White Rabbit</b>, <b>My Garden</b>, and <b>Birds</b> -- his collaboration with illustrator Laura Dronzek.<br />
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With its broad brush strokes and a charming and clever story, <b>Kitten's First Full Moon</b> won the Caldecott Medal in 2005. <b>A Good Day</b> is another favorite around here.<br />
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<h2 style="text-align: center;">
4.</h2>
<h2 style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #990000;">
The World of Peter Rabbit by Beatrix Potter</span></h2>
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<b>The World of Peter Rabbit</b> is one of the first and best investments I made for our home library. With their charming characters, soft watercolors, and rich vocabulary, these little stories entice us every Spring to read them over and over again. Who wouldn't have fun saying words out loud like soporific, mackintosh, larder, and hunca munca?<br />
<br />
A few of our favorites in this collection include <b>The Tale of Peter Rabbit</b>, <b>The Tale of Jemima Puddle-Duck</b><b>The Tale of Mr. Jeremy Fisher</b>, and <b>The Tale of Benjamin Bunny</b>. You can't go wrong with <b>any story in the collection</b>.<br />
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<h2 style="text-align: center;">
5.</h2>
<h2 style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #990000;">BabyLit Series by Jennifer Adams and Alison Oliver</span></h2>
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The one word I would use to describe the <b>BabyLit series</b> is <b>BRILLIANT</b>. These precious board books are especially for the design savvy, art appreciating, classic literature loving mom (or dad) and their toddlers. If mom or dad is happily engaged in the book, then it's highly likely that your little ones will take an interest, too.<br />
<br />
There are fifteen books in the series with others still in the design phase. Fun playsets for re-enacting the stories are available for <b>Pride and Prejudice</b> and <b>Alice in Wonderland</b>.<br />
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Hat tip to <a href="http://www.everything-to-someone.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #741b47;">Christie</span></a> for reminding me about these.<br />
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<h2>
A Little Note:</h2>
I know it is somewhat early to be thinking about Easter,
especially since Lent hasn't even started, but I wanted to mention that I have given these picture books (numbers one through four) to my kiddos in past years for <b><i>the Sunday</i></b> of all Sundays.<br />
<br />
As we get closer to Easter, I would love to show you how I incorporated these picture books with their Easter baskets and hopefully, we can exchange some other (new to me) gift ideas.<br />
<br />
Feel free to mentally file this post away for later, or better yet, you can do that pinning thingy on <b>Pinterest</b> so you can come back to it when you are ready to think about such occasions.<br />
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See you back here soon!<br />
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<b>Linking up with this week with:</b></div>
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Hallie at <b>Moxie Wife</b> for <a href="http://moxiewife.com/2014/03/five-favorites-vol-49/.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #741b47;"><b>Five Favorites</b></span></a></div>
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Mystie at <b>Simply Convivial</b> for <a href="http://www.simplyconvivial.com/2014/weekend-reads" target="_blank"><span style="color: #741b47;"><b>Weekend Reads</b></span></a></div>
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Jessica at <b>Housewifespice</b> for <a href="http://www.housewifespice.com/2014/03/what-were-reading-ash-wednesday.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #741b47;"><b>What We're Reading Wednesday</b></span></a></div>
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<b>Catholic Bloggers Network</b> <a href="http://www.catholicbloggersnetwork.com/p/2014-link-up-blitz.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #741b47;"><b>2014 Blitz</b></span></a></div>
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<b>Hip Homeschool Mom</b> for the <a href="http://www.hiphomeschoolmoms.com/2014/03/hhms-favorite-posts-hip-homeschool-hop-3414/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #741b47;"><b>Hip Homeschool Hop</b></span></a></div>
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Anne at <b>Modern Mrs. Darcy</b> for <a href="http://modernmrsdarcy.com/2014/03/twitterature-march-2014-edition/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #741b47;"><b>Twitterature</b></span></a>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03579562485483462425noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9092969791121949.post-10394348511142507142014-02-26T00:00:00.000-05:002014-04-07T19:58:31.418-04:00interview with lydia grace kadar-kallen (and a giveaway)<br />
Have you had the opportunity to read <a href="http://beautyofthepicturebook.blogspot.com/2014/01/saint-felix-and-spider.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #741b47;"><b>Saint Felix and the Spider</b></span></a> yet?<br />
<br />
It is a wonderful picture book written by <b>Dessi Jackson</b> and illustrated by <b>Lydia Grace Kadar-Kallen</b> and made its debut a few months ago back in November 2013.<br />
<br />
Well, today I have the long awaited, much anticipated interview with the book's fabulous illustrator who was kind enough to answer a few questions about herself and the process
of illustrating her first publicly available picture book.<br />
<br />
It is with great pleasure that I share with you this interview with Lydia Grace.<br />
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<b>Let's start off with you telling us a little bit about yourself.</b><br />
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My name is Lydia Grace Therese Kadar-Kallen. I have been homeschooled all my life and graduated from high school in 2013. I like to draw, paint, scribble, scrawl, watch birds and read books. I am a native Pennsylvanian and therefore, my heritage is the Liberty Bell, Shoo-fly pie and the 28th Infantry Division. On the other hand, I am half Hungarian and therefore my heritage is eating piskota, paprikas and purple cabbage.<br />
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<b><i>Saint Felix and the Spider</i> was a delight to read! I was
especially captivated by the detail of your illustrations. Tell us
about the research you did in order to accurately portray the story's
location and time period.</b><br />
<br />
I did research on Roman villages, houses, clothing, headgear, Italian birds, etc. For instance, I figured out what kind of spider I thought Fidelis could be and did research on <i>Araneus diadematus</i> and web building, looked up pictures, and observed the local spider population on the windows.<br />
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For the soldiers, I had a page on the computer with Roman helmets and armour from different times. I had on hand while I was painting three piles of reference books: animals (birds, goats, chickens, cats, arachnids), plants (mainly for roses and trees), and Romans (a book on Roman life, books with paintings from the Great Artists on saints and early A.D. scenes for costumery). I also had a bird magazine with excellent photos of a cave.<br />
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<b>Tell us about the process of interpreting author Dessi Jackson's words into pictures.</b><br />
<br />
I started by reading the story slowly and watching the pictures come a'leaping into my head. We divided up the text and printed it out life-sized. Then I cut it up into text blocks for each page. I made loads of sketches of all sizes to get the composition right to my liking with room for the words.<br />
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Meanwhile, I thought about lighting and making each picture get the right feeling and making it noisy or ominous or a happy peaceful morning frying bacon. I proceeded to pencil sketch on the real paper and then paint. Oh, and then I redid a bunch of pictures more than once. I had my sisters pose for me doing things like wearing robes, holding brooms and cooking over an imaginary fire.<br />
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<b>What media did you choose for the story and what is your favorite media to use in general?</b><br />
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Watercolor, because it's just about the only one I use most of the time and also my favorite.<br />
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<b>What aspect of illustrating did you find the most challenging and why?</b><br />
<br />
Composition. It was hard to make the pictures do what I wanted in the allotted space. I also was always trying to make sure Fidelis the spider was big enough in the pictures that you kept noticing her, but trying to make sure the story was also about Saint Felix.<br />
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<br />
<b>Who are some of your favorite authors and illustrators whose work has inspired you?</b><br />
<br />
Authors: Tolkien mainly. Rosemary Sutcliffe's novels were good for <b>Saint Felix and the Spider</b> because they make Roman times wake up and do things. Walt Whitman and A. Lincoln, which I was reading while (supposedly) illustrating.<br />
<br />
Illustrators: Trina Schart Hyman, Garth Williams, Alan Lee in particular because he does watercolor and proves that it can be done. As to artists and illustrators outside of picture books: L.A. Fuertes, Roger Tory Peterson, Norman Rockwell, Jason Tako, J.J. Audubon, 18th Century Americans like West, Peale and Sully. Ned Smith. Pre-Raphaelite artists and the Hudson River School.<br />
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I don't know how much this has to do with illustrating <b>Saint Felix and the Spider</b> but a whole throng of artists combined results in a starving after a huge idea of 'good art.'<br />
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<br />
<b>What keeps you focused while you are illustrating?</b><br />
<br />
Listening to music helped. It was usually celtic harp.<br />
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<br />
<b>Anyone who is a long-time reader of your family's blog <a href="http://ponderedinmyheart.typepad.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #741b47;">Pondered in My Heart</span></a> knows that you all are big tea drinkers. What is your favorite beverage and snack of choice while you are illustrating?</b><br />
<br />
Chocolate while thinking up compositions and tea while painting. While working hard on a painting, I'd forget everything else and absentmindedly dunk the paintbrush into the cup of cold tea. I always have to use non-toxic paints. That's a good thing about watercolor. You can drink it and it tastes harmless. If you get acrylic paint in your tea, you have to dump the whole cup.<br />
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<b>Thank you, Lydia Grace for this interview and for providing photos of your illustrating process.</b><br />
<b>I can't wait to see more of your projects in the future!</b><br />
<br />
**********<br />
<b>AND NOW</b><br />
<br />
The Kadar-Kallen family has generously offered to give one copy of <b>Saint Felix and the Spider</b>, signed by Lydia Grace, to one blessed reader. <strike>Just leave a comment below if you are interested in this giveaway. Please only one entry per household.</strike><br />
<br />
<strike>Comments for the giveaway will be accepted until 5:00 p.m. Eastern
Standard Time on Wednesday, March 5, 2014, and the winner will be
announced in a post on Thursday, March 6.</strike> <br />
<br />
Feel free to come back before then though. We would love to have you around. :o)<br />
<br />
**********<br />
Go behind the scenes of <b>Saint Felix and the Spider</b> at <a href="http://www.quisutdeuspress.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #741b47;"><b>Quis Ut Deus Press</b></span></a>.<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03579562485483462425noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9092969791121949.post-47794812262360829042014-02-21T13:12:00.001-05:002014-04-07T19:58:57.893-04:00poetry friday: how they sleep<br />
Do you know about <a href="http://www.kidlitosphere.org/poetry-friday/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #741b47;"><b>Poetry Friday</b></span></a> over at <a href="http://www.kidlitosphere.org/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #741b47;"><b>KidLitosphere Central</b></span></a>?<br />
<br />
I have wanted to participate for a while now, so I finally decided to pull this sweet vintage book of poetry off the shelf.<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OC99NDQlvhw/UweTesIJ0JI/AAAAAAAACJg/IpMkwK5xBM4/s1600/sleep+01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OC99NDQlvhw/UweTesIJ0JI/AAAAAAAACJg/IpMkwK5xBM4/s1600/sleep+01.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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As I thumbed through the pages, I found a poem that would be the perfect followup to my post about <a href="http://beautyofthepicturebook.blogspot.com/2014/02/dream-animals.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #741b47;"><b>Dream Animals</b></span></a>. If only bedtime with my four kiddos could be this simple ...<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XBxDP8663L0/UweTqfmd-sI/AAAAAAAACJo/nVh0sPx0sAw/s1600/sleep+02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XBxDP8663L0/UweTqfmd-sI/AAAAAAAACJo/nVh0sPx0sAw/s1600/sleep+02.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>How They Sleep</b> </div>
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<br /></div>
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Some things go to sleep in such a funny way:</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Little birds stand on one leg and tuck their heads away;</div>
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Chickens do the same, standing on their perch;</div>
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Little mice lie soft and still, as if they were in church;</div>
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Kittens curl up close in such a funny ball;</div>
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Horses hang their sleepy heads and stand still in a stall;</div>
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Sometimes dogs stretch out, or curl up in a heap;</div>
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Cows lie down upon their sides when they would go to sleep.</div>
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<br /></div>
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But little babies dear are snugly tucked in beds,</div>
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Warm with blankets, all so soft, and pillows for their heads.</div>
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<br /></div>
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Bird and beast and babe -- I wonder which of all</div>
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Dream the dearest dreams that down from dreamland fall! </div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
-- author unknown
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<div style="text-align: center;">
Affiliate link to <a href="http://www.indiebound.org/book/9781402750618?aff=Divina" target="_blank"><span style="color: #741b47;"><b>A Child's Book of Poems</b></span></a> illustrated by Gyo Fujikawa </div>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03579562485483462425noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9092969791121949.post-35394597812857405152014-02-16T00:00:00.000-05:002014-04-07T19:59:24.942-04:00dream animals<br />
Are you familiar with the artwork of <a href="http://www.emilywinfieldmartin.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #741b47;"><b>Emily Winfield Martin</b></span></a> of <a href="http://www.theblackapple.typepad.com/" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #741b47;">The Black Apple</span></b></a>?<br />
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<b>Pure Eye Candy</b>. In my opinion, at least.<br />
<br />
Case in point.<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WbsJ30_alEU/Uuw1jEMlQ-I/AAAAAAAAB0Q/kpQMRCVLXTw/s1600/dream+animals+01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WbsJ30_alEU/Uuw1jEMlQ-I/AAAAAAAAB0Q/kpQMRCVLXTw/s1600/dream+animals+01.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<span id="goog_656463630"></span><span id="goog_656463631"></span><br />
<b>Dream Animals</b> is the first picture book written and illustrated by artist <b>Emily Winfield Martin</b>. Upon falling alseep one by one, seven children are transported through their own fantastical bedtime journey to worlds far and wide.<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sCrsBvaUZUw/Uuw1oVWM0sI/AAAAAAAAB0Y/SqLAZQEetOA/s1600/dream+animals+02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sCrsBvaUZUw/Uuw1oVWM0sI/AAAAAAAAB0Y/SqLAZQEetOA/s1600/dream+animals+02.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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The story's <b>simplicity of rhyme</b> lends itself to be an easy and gentle read. The depth of the story, however, lies in the <b>sophisticated illustrations</b> of each child's dream.<br />
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Even my littlest ones, ages 2 and 4, took great joy in exploring each scene and pointing out its quirks.<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-IgSZS2S6bD8/Uuw1uQnl5NI/AAAAAAAAB0g/Q4AIRtj8ZRo/s1600/dream+animals+03.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-IgSZS2S6bD8/Uuw1uQnl5NI/AAAAAAAAB0g/Q4AIRtj8ZRo/s1600/dream+animals+03.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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<i>How would you like to go to an elfin hollow hidden underground?</i></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zZeM2frXUVQ/Uuw1zcAr98I/AAAAAAAAB0o/3yrb4P_Sdy8/s1600/dream+animals+04.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zZeM2frXUVQ/Uuw1zcAr98I/AAAAAAAAB0o/3yrb4P_Sdy8/s1600/dream+animals+04.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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<i>Or ride a narwhal to attend a mermaid tea party?</i></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9OH_y74peso/Uuw14AZSkyI/AAAAAAAAB0w/FBIfcWJAkBI/s1600/dream+animals+05.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9OH_y74peso/Uuw14AZSkyI/AAAAAAAAB0w/FBIfcWJAkBI/s1600/dream+animals+05.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>How about painting the stars of the night sky?</i></div>
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If you want to lull your little ones to sleep with happy thoughts, then you should add this picture book to your bedtime routine. You won't regret it!<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
Affiliate link to <a href="http://www.indiebound.org/book/9780449810804?aff=Divina" target="_blank"><span style="color: #741b47;"><b>Dream Animals</b></span></a> by Emily Winfield Martin</div>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03579562485483462425noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9092969791121949.post-3376027649020991442014-02-12T10:00:00.000-05:002014-04-07T19:59:52.035-04:00clare and francisIf you are here for the first time from illustrator <a href="https://www.facebook.com/bimba.landmann" target="_blank"><span style="color: #741b47;">Bimba Landmann's Facebook page</span></a>, <b>benvenuti e grazie per la visita</b>! Welcome and thank you for visiting! I'm glad you're here. Enjoy the post!<br />
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********** <br />
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Do your children sometimes get so focused on an activity <b>right before bedtime</b>?<br />
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This is what happened with my girls a few nights ago when they pulled this picture book off the shelf.<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EMzjlPNPT28/UvfPgkS1NeI/AAAAAAAACDM/-5rDzEC3L4Y/s1600/clare&francis+cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EMzjlPNPT28/UvfPgkS1NeI/AAAAAAAACDM/-5rDzEC3L4Y/s1600/clare&francis+cover.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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I certainly couldn't insist that they put everything away and go to bed, now could I? They were, after all, turning the pages of a beautiful book and drawing pictures of their Patron Saints.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6Dst8TQH_KE/UvQCW-BM6dI/AAAAAAAACAQ/KQISF3fwu2E/s1600/clare%2526francis+fan+01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6Dst8TQH_KE/UvQCW-BM6dI/AAAAAAAACAQ/KQISF3fwu2E/s1600/clare%2526francis+fan+01.jpg" height="400" width="338" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">by Chiara, age 8</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FClRJ8lAnvY/UvQCYt6LrOI/AAAAAAAACAY/Ye0CEQuLCxQ/s1600/clare%2526francis+fan+02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FClRJ8lAnvY/UvQCYt6LrOI/AAAAAAAACAY/Ye0CEQuLCxQ/s1600/clare%2526francis+fan+02.jpg" height="398" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">by Francesca, age 4</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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The artwork in <b>Clare and Francis</b> is <b>stunningly gorgeous</b> with its <b>gold leaf illustrations</b> reminiscent of that found in illuminated medieval manuscripts. This is the kind of artwork I long to see on the walls of our Churches, providing focal points onto which to prayerfully meditate.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-eONTfDxLRbI/UvQCPuo55HI/AAAAAAAACAI/ft-3x0jNWyg/s1600/clare%2526francis+02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-eONTfDxLRbI/UvQCPuo55HI/AAAAAAAACAI/ft-3x0jNWyg/s1600/clare%2526francis+02.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Luminous images adorn the pages of <b>Clare and Francis</b>.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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What I love about St. Clare and St. Francis is their <b>wild abandon</b> in giving up their lives for God and putting aside their own desires to instead follow His will. The lasting influence of their charism is evident around the world in the many vibrant communities of religious and lay orders derived from the Franciscan movement.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mnYLgQG9Hrk/UvQCNjyTd-I/AAAAAAAACAA/ge6VyPeyO5c/s1600/clare%2526francis+03.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mnYLgQG9Hrk/UvQCNjyTd-I/AAAAAAAACAA/ge6VyPeyO5c/s1600/clare%2526francis+03.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>"Clare wasn't mad. Clare was free. She was sure of her path and
wanted to follow it ... </i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>She discarded her beautiful wool dress and put
on a coarse tunic made by the friars.</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>She let Francis cut her long
hair, as the flames of torches reached high up toward the sky."</i></div>
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If you are looking for a simple telling of the story of these two great Saints, then <b>Clare and Francis</b> should be in your <b>read aloud pile</b> of picture books.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
Affiliate link to <a href="http://www.indiebound.org/book/9780802852694?aff=Divina" target="_blank"><span style="color: #741b47;"><b>Clare and Francis</b></span></a>, by Guido Visconti and <a href="http://www.bimbalandmann.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #741b47;">Bimba Landmann</span></a></div>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03579562485483462425noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9092969791121949.post-40000447202834513682014-02-09T13:30:00.000-05:002014-04-07T20:00:31.290-04:00more monthly pics :: winter editionAre you still in <a href="http://beautyofthepicturebook.blogspot.com/2014/02/monthly-pics-for-february.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #741b47;"><b>survival mode</b></span></a> this winter? Or are you <b>choosing to embrace</b> this season?<br />
<br />
I think my girls have their answer to this question.<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qIllVFIsaPQ/Uve6SRdUtaI/AAAAAAAACCw/qHMk6Cqxlb0/s1600/embracing+winter.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qIllVFIsaPQ/Uve6SRdUtaI/AAAAAAAACCw/qHMk6Cqxlb0/s1600/embracing+winter.jpg" height="464" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">lounging and sunning themselves in their snowfort</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
In the spirit of embracing this winter (ahem), I am recommending <b>more snowy picture books</b> in addition to our <b><a href="http://beautyofthepicturebook.blogspot.com/2014/01/monthly-pics-for-january.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #741b47;">January selections</span></a></b>. <br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ApNlGmeOhR8/Uve91C5F6SI/AAAAAAAACC8/V-iDoqhGeOw/s1600/sledding.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ApNlGmeOhR8/Uve91C5F6SI/AAAAAAAACC8/V-iDoqhGeOw/s1600/sledding.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">from <span style="color: #741b47;"><b>Around the Year</b></span> by Elsa Beskow</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<h2>
Picture Books for Winter</h2>
<ul>
<li><span style="color: #741b47;"><b>Animals in Winter</b></span> by Henrietta Bancroft</li>
<li>numerous selections by Jan Brett such as <span style="color: #741b47;"><b>The Mitten</b></span>, <b><span style="color: #741b47;">The Hat</span></b>, <span style="color: #741b47;"><b>The Three Snow Bears</b></span>
</li>
<li><span style="color: #741b47;"><b>Katy and the Big Snow</b></span> by Virginia Lee Burton</li>
<li><span style="color: #741b47;"><b>The Tomten</b></span> and <span style="color: #741b47;"><b>The Tomten and the Fox</b></span> by Astrid Lindgren</li>
<li><span style="color: #741b47;"><b>Winter</b></span> by Gerda Muller</li>
<li><span style="color: #741b47;"><b>A Day on Skates</b></span> by Hilda van Stockum</li>
<li><span style="color: #741b47;"><b>The Story of the Snow Children</b></span> by Sibylle Von Olfers</li>
<li><span style="color: #741b47;"><b>Winter Days in the Big Woods</b></span>, <span style="color: #741b47;"><b>Winter on the Farm</b></span> by Laura Ingalls Wilder </li>
<li><span style="color: #741b47;"><b>Owl Moon</b></span> by Jane Yolen</li>
<br />
</ul>
<b>Snuggle up close</b> with your little ones and <b>enjoy</b> your winter reading! <br />
<br />
<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03579562485483462425noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9092969791121949.post-32170673814841934032014-02-07T00:00:00.000-05:002014-04-07T20:00:56.604-04:00a gift that keeps on giving<h2>
<span style="color: #741b47;">friday spotlight :: volume 01</span> </h2>
Everyone knows that <b>reading picture books with your children</b> leaves lasting memories imprinted on their hearts and minds.<br />
<br />
So, what do you do with your <b>collection of books</b> once the children are all grown up?<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-d8E91v2dxdE/UvKndshPuEI/AAAAAAAAB_k/SXBlKn1MxFY/s1600/friday+spotlight+02+edit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-d8E91v2dxdE/UvKndshPuEI/AAAAAAAAB_k/SXBlKn1MxFY/s1600/friday+spotlight+02+edit.jpg" height="265" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">photo by Dawn at <a href="http://dawnathome.typepad.com/by_sun_and_candlelight/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #741b47;">By Sun and Candlelight</span></a>, used with permission</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
You could certainly donate your books to a charity, such as your local<b> Friends of the Library</b>.<br />
<br />
Or perhaps you would prefer to keep your collection together and give it to that <b>first-time mom</b> in your neighborhood. When I had my first baby over ten years ago, my sister gave me a huge box of picture books that her own children had outgrown. We still enjoy those books to this day.<br />
<br />
You could even store your collection on your bookshelves, waiting for the day you have grandparent duty and eventually <b>passing it on to your children and grandchildren</b>.<br />
<br />
Whether you choose to donate, gift, or save your collection, know that your picture books are more than just a pile of bound paper with words and illustrations. They are a <b>true blessing</b> in providing the opportunity of time spent between grown-up and child.<br />
<br />
And that's the <b>beauty of the picture book</b>.<br />
<br />
This <a href="http://dawnathome.typepad.com/by_sun_and_candlelight/2014/02/picture-books-in-winter.html" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #741b47;">sweet collection of picture books</span></b></a> passed on to <b>Dawn</b> at <a href="http://dawnathome.typepad.com/by_sun_and_candlelight/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #741b47;"><b>By Sun and Candlelight</b></span></a> for her baby boy is what inspired this post. Do be sure to check it out!<br />
<br />
What do <b>you</b> plan to do with your collection of picture books when your children outgrow them?<br />
<br />
**********<br />
<i><b>Friday Spotlight</b> is a series of posts in which I muse on a topic or highlight a blog post related to books, reading, homeschooling or whatever I find interesting on the web. If you have anything (picture) book or homeschool related that you would like for me to consider highlighting here, then feel free to drop me a note.</i><br />
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<i>**********</i><br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03579562485483462425noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9092969791121949.post-31711327235183379432014-02-01T00:00:00.000-05:002014-04-07T20:01:27.410-04:00monthly pics for february<br />
Do you sometimes want to escape the daily grind of your homeschool?<br />
<br />
February seems to be the month in which a lot of <b>families experience burnout</b>. Sometimes <b>dropping your lesson plans</b> for the day and curling up with some good picture books is just what everyone needs.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KVK0NRXk8Xk/UtHqunhRzsI/AAAAAAAABt8/4tZtNKRCCA4/s1600/elsa+beskow+02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KVK0NRXk8Xk/UtHqunhRzsI/AAAAAAAABt8/4tZtNKRCCA4/s1600/elsa+beskow+02.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<b>Elsa Beskow</b>'s picture books are perfect for such a day. In addition to the beautiful nature-inspired illustrations, each book is filled with highly imaginative and enchanting tales of other lands or times gone by. Whimsy, charm and adventure. Just the right combination to lure each child to their own quiet reading corner.<br />
<br />
And who couldn't use a few moments of peace?<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Fo2YbJ2-siY/UtHqsRNDKRI/AAAAAAAABt4/znT39Ezt3Z4/s1600/elsa+beskow+01.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Fo2YbJ2-siY/UtHqsRNDKRI/AAAAAAAABt4/znT39Ezt3Z4/s1600/elsa+beskow+01.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<h2>
<span style="font-weight: normal;">Picture Books for February</span></h2>
<ul>
<li><span style="color: #741b47;"><b>Around the Year</b></span></li>
<li><span style="color: #741b47;"><b>Children of the Forest</b></span></li>
<li><span style="color: #741b47;"><b>Emily and Daisy</b></span></li>
<li><span style="color: #741b47;"><b>Pelle's New Suit</b></span></li>
<li><span style="color: #741b47;"><b>The Land of Long Ago</b></span></li>
<li><span style="color: #741b47;"><b>The Sun Egg</b></span></li>
</ul>
<b></b><br />
Really, any Elsa Beskow book will do. <a href="http://astore.amazon.com/beautyofthepi-20?_encoding=UTF8&node=7" target="_blank"><span style="color: #741b47;"><b></b></span></a> <br />
<br />
<br />
<h2>
<span style="font-weight: normal;">Additional Resources</span></h2>
Elsa Beskow books lend themselves to all sorts of craft inspiration. Here are just a few examples of some great ideas around the web. <br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.childrensliteraturenetwork.org/blog/sss/fairy-tale-projects/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #741b47;">Fairy Tale Projects</span></a> at <b>Children's Literature Network</b> has a comprehensive guide on craft books that would help in making gnomes, fairy tale scenes, flower figures, wool fairies and felt folk.<br />
<br />
With the craft supplies that you may already have on hand, you could make <a href="http://www.playingbythebook.net/2012/02/08/minature-landscapes-and-giant-hats/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #741b47;">miniature landscapes</span></a> or <a href="http://www.playingbythebook.net/2011/01/24/tomtebobarnen/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #741b47;">mushroom hats</span></a> like Zoe at <b>Playing by the book</b>.<br />
<br />
Is knitting your forte? Even if it isn't, you still must check out this adorable <a href="http://ascozyasspring.typepad.com/as_cozy_as_spring/2012/10/child-of-the-forest.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #741b47;">Child of the Forest</span></a> ensemble knitted by Jen at <b>As Cozy as Spring</b>.<br />
<br />
Or maybe you would rather sew: <a href="http://www.theeducatorsspinonit.com/2012/04/our-sewing-adventure-with-peter-in.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #741b47;">Our Sewing Adventure with Peter in Blueberry Land</span></a> by Kim at <b>The Educator's Spin On It</b><br />
<br />
<br />
What do <b>you and your kiddos</b> do to combat the <b>February blues</b>?<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03579562485483462425noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9092969791121949.post-8444979241742748392014-01-18T14:38:00.000-05:002014-04-07T20:01:50.210-04:00chesterton on our book shelves<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sKIHUTm-zyk/Urx_GQnEXpI/AAAAAAAAKjA/Unlma4oq98Q/s1600/Weekends+With+Chesterton+300x300.png" height="200" width="200" /></div>
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I'm linking up with <b>Sarah</b> at <a href="http://www.amongstlovelythings.com/" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #741b47;">Amongst Lovely Things</span></b></a> for her <a href="http://www.amongstlovelythings.com/p/weekends-with-chesterton.html#.UtrnFrROmzc" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #741b47;">Weekends with Chesterton</span></b></a> series.<br />
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My choices in finding a <b>G.K. Chesterton</b> quote that fits the theme of this blog were few.<br />
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But, here is what I came upon.<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RSsSa1Qra6I/UtrWsGwohhI/AAAAAAAAByw/mt9t7fvO8hg/s1600/chesterton+04.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RSsSa1Qra6I/UtrWsGwohhI/AAAAAAAAByw/mt9t7fvO8hg/s1600/chesterton+04.jpg" height="240" width="400" /></a></div>
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I have no source for this quote except for <a href="http://www.brainyquote.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #741b47;">Brainy Quote</span></a>. Is this cheating?<br />
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Well, to redeem myself I have the following photos of the bookish kind that you can always find here at <b>beauty of the picture book</b>.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DRH8EjmJdiY/UtrNUZF-3GI/AAAAAAAAByU/TLigQRnrgPk/s1600/chesterton+01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DRH8EjmJdiY/UtrNUZF-3GI/AAAAAAAAByU/TLigQRnrgPk/s1600/chesterton+01.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of the books is still wrapped in plastic. Ha!</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vPzZjNbmIjc/UtrNQ0fPs-I/AAAAAAAAByQ/8WTsxHFiGSU/s1600/chesteron+02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vPzZjNbmIjc/UtrNQ0fPs-I/AAAAAAAAByQ/8WTsxHFiGSU/s1600/chesteron+02.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Still trying to get my 10 year-old interested in these.</td></tr>
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Granted, these are not picture books, but until someone comes out with something like <i>Chesterton: A Picture Book Primer</i>, these will have to do for now.<br />
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Hmmm ... could "Baby Chesterton" be the new "Baby Einstein"?<br />
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