One of the things that I have learned as a mama is that I can't do everything well. I just can't. It's not just that there's not enough time; it's also that I am just not talented at everything. Making our own bread, for instance, is something that happens in our house maybe once a year. Do I think it would rock if I was able to do that every day or every week? Yep, absolutely. But it's just not something that I can do well or willingly, at least not at this point in my mothering journey.
So I'm learning to major on the majors. By which I mean that I'm learning to do the things I'm good at, and do them well, not waste my time feeling guilty about not being able to do everything else.
So here's what I do well: reading. Reading is my thing. I love reading and have been an avid reader for as long as I can remember. Keith is an avid reader too, and we very much desire our children to have a deep love for good books. It's not just that we think reading is fun; it's also that we are quite convinced of what an excellent thing it is for a person to love to read, not only for personal entertainment but really for every area of intellectual growth. So I read with my little ones often, and I make sure that the books we read are truthful, beautiful, high-quality ones. I search for ones that have won awards or come highly rated by friends, request them through our interlibrary loan system, and filter out the lame ones. (If you haven't been to the children's section of a library lately, let me just tell you, there are a LOT of lame ones!) With the books that we buy and keep at home, I evaluate every word and sentence, and I often take white-out to a book to readjust the words. I'm sure that might sound extreme, but given how often our children memorize the books that we read and then assimilate them into their worldview, I feel like it's warranted.
(On a practical note, because we read so often, I am also careful to cover all of our children's books with clear packing tape on the spines and on other areas that might wear down quickly. It has already worked to preserve many of our books from the damage of frequent reading, and I really recommend doing it to all books for small children!)
I wrote a post last year about books for little ones in which I listed some of the good books that we've discovered in the last few years. We've found some more good ones since then, so I'd like to pass them along to anyone who might be interested. These ones are some favorites from the last several months which are interesting to both Priscilla and Abraham, and I think several of them would also appeal for up to age five or seven or more. Seriously, these are all great books... ones that are really worth taking the time to request from your interlibrary loan system, or to purchase if they sound appealing enough to you. Some of them are available for really good used prices on Amazon.
So I'm learning to major on the majors. By which I mean that I'm learning to do the things I'm good at, and do them well, not waste my time feeling guilty about not being able to do everything else.
So here's what I do well: reading. Reading is my thing. I love reading and have been an avid reader for as long as I can remember. Keith is an avid reader too, and we very much desire our children to have a deep love for good books. It's not just that we think reading is fun; it's also that we are quite convinced of what an excellent thing it is for a person to love to read, not only for personal entertainment but really for every area of intellectual growth. So I read with my little ones often, and I make sure that the books we read are truthful, beautiful, high-quality ones. I search for ones that have won awards or come highly rated by friends, request them through our interlibrary loan system, and filter out the lame ones. (If you haven't been to the children's section of a library lately, let me just tell you, there are a LOT of lame ones!) With the books that we buy and keep at home, I evaluate every word and sentence, and I often take white-out to a book to readjust the words. I'm sure that might sound extreme, but given how often our children memorize the books that we read and then assimilate them into their worldview, I feel like it's warranted.
(On a practical note, because we read so often, I am also careful to cover all of our children's books with clear packing tape on the spines and on other areas that might wear down quickly. It has already worked to preserve many of our books from the damage of frequent reading, and I really recommend doing it to all books for small children!)
I wrote a post last year about books for little ones in which I listed some of the good books that we've discovered in the last few years. We've found some more good ones since then, so I'd like to pass them along to anyone who might be interested. These ones are some favorites from the last several months which are interesting to both Priscilla and Abraham, and I think several of them would also appeal for up to age five or seven or more. Seriously, these are all great books... ones that are really worth taking the time to request from your interlibrary loan system, or to purchase if they sound appealing enough to you. Some of them are available for really good used prices on Amazon.
A Butterfly Is Patient by Dianna Hutts Aston
The illustrations in this book are just gorgeous. Our children are fascinated by the array of butterflies, as well as the corresponding pictures of caterpillars. We don't usually read this one word for word, and there is one part with which we disagree, but it's really just beautiful. Both of our little ones love it and have learned quite a lot from it; Priscilla now asks to be tucked in "as tight as a caterpillar in a chrysalis" at bedtime, and she told me the other night (not while reading the book) that her favorite butterflies are the Rice Paper, the Blue Morpho, and Anna's Eighty-Eight. Even Abraham can identify several butterflies now! I think it would appeal to readers up to age 8 or so (although Keith and I have also enjoyed learning from it!).
I Will Rejoice by Karma Wilson
This one is lovely for little girls. It goes through the day of a little girl from morning to night, rejoicing all the while and including things like breakfast, playtime with a friend, lunch, reading before naptime, her daddy coming home from work, and playing together before bedtime. It's sweet, not sappy, and Rilla just loves it. I do too. Probably appealing up to age 4 or 5.
Noah's Ark by Jerry Pinkney
The illustrations in this one are fantastic. It follows the biblical account of Noah's ark accurately and is remarkably beautiful. Probably best for ages 3-6, maybe older.
Over the Rainbow by Judy Collins
This one is the words to the song "Over the Rainbow" along with beautifully bright, imaginative paintings. Priscilla and Abraham both love it. Probably best for ages 2-5.
(New copies are bargain priced on Amazon right now for $7.18!)
Red Sings From Treetops by Joyce Sidman
This book is just so different! It has delightfully whimsical pictures that coordinate wonderfully with the poetic words. It mixes metaphors about colors and seasons in a fantastically creative way. I haven't read any other books that are artistic and creative and well-worded in quite the same way. I think it would be most appealing from ages 2-8, depending on the reader.
What about Heaven? by Kathleen Long Bostrom
Wonderful book from the Little Blessings line that covers all sorts of theological questions about God, but does it in a way that is sweet and Scripturally accurate and makes heaven sound appealing. This is one that I'd love to share with all little children. Best for about ages 2-4.
What Do You Do With a Tail Like This? by Steve Jenkins and Robin Page
This book says that it's intended for ages 5-10, but my kids think it's fascinating! One page spread has five noses, then a follow-up spread of who those noses belong to and what they do; a mole digs, an alligator breathes while hiding underwater, and so on. It continues with the same theme on different ears, eyes, mouths, feet, and tails. It's really a fun way to learn about animals.
Wonderful book from the Little Blessings line that covers all sorts of theological questions about God, but does it in a way that is sweet and Scripturally accurate and makes heaven sound appealing. This is one that I'd love to share with all little children. Best for about ages 2-4.
What Do You Do With a Tail Like This? by Steve Jenkins and Robin Page
This book says that it's intended for ages 5-10, but my kids think it's fascinating! One page spread has five noses, then a follow-up spread of who those noses belong to and what they do; a mole digs, an alligator breathes while hiding underwater, and so on. It continues with the same theme on different ears, eyes, mouths, feet, and tails. It's really a fun way to learn about animals.
What Is God Like? by Kathleen Long Bostrom
Another wonderful book from the Little Blessings line. This one really does a good job of explaining who God is, but like the other one, is really appealing and graspable for little ones. Both of these books have relevant Bible verses at the end to back up every sentence.
Let me know if you end up trying out any of these, and how you and your children like them! I'd also love to hear suggestions for other books for small children... we are always hungry for more!
Another wonderful book from the Little Blessings line. This one really does a good job of explaining who God is, but like the other one, is really appealing and graspable for little ones. Both of these books have relevant Bible verses at the end to back up every sentence.
Let me know if you end up trying out any of these, and how you and your children like them! I'd also love to hear suggestions for other books for small children... we are always hungry for more!
Thank you for these, Jamie! We are always on the lookout for good quality books to explore, and I consider you an expert on the subject. :)
ReplyDeleteYay! new books to try out. my kids absolutely love poetry right now. Anna Kate, my writhing little can't sit still acrobat, will even sit for a good stretch of time. we love Gyo Fujikawa's illustrated versions of A Child's book of Poems and a Child's Garden of verses but we're looking for a few new compilations if you have any suggestions. We also just finished The complete works of A.A. Milne which I find reads like poetry at times (my tongue gets tired) and Beatrix Potter is always a hit even for my just turned four year old. Gretta on the other hand loves to be read to but has this strange fascination with "Go Dogs Go" which has almost become disturbing :)
ReplyDeleteWe've been in a book slump lately so I need to get to the library. Now that Anna Kate is older, she spots the lame Dora Books and Barbie books and wants to check those out and I'm sure the librarian thinks I'm the most controlling mom ever.
We used to cover books with ConTac paper in the Dominican and Haiti to keep them from getting worn out as quickly and I had forgotten about that! I often think about whiting out and changing words for the same reasons as you but for some reason I always feel weird doing it so I just change things as I read if it is a book that I otherwise really like, trouble is that then Dan also has to remember as well because Aneliese especially memorizes very very quickly.
ReplyDeleteI'm looking forward to checking these books out...we won't be buying books any time soon and sadly it takes forever to get books in here, so we haven't had a lot a great new books lately.
Have you heard of Miss Suzy by Miriam Young? it is a quite an old book about a squirrel who gets chased from her tree by squirrel bullies but because of her kindness to others is helped to return. Aneliese loves squirrels and so she really enjoys this story. I like it because it encourages kindness and bravery without being preachy.
There are others but I can't think of them right now, too tired!
Jamie, when you disappear for this long from your blog you make me think you are having a baby. Maybe I'll go get on facebook to see if there is any action there :)
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