2018 - Book 21

These are the three books in the trilogy. 

The copy I found at the library looked like this.
pages: 250

The boys both loved this trilogy.  We read it in four days. The story and the illustrations are delightful.  The boys were intrigued by the map in the front and back of the book. The story follows a little boy that goes on an adventure to save a baby dragon and the adventures they have together. The boy and animals can talk to each other (that is never explained). The boy leaves home several times for several days or weeks and the parents are perfectly fine with that (that is also never explained).

It was a fun read. We were gifted the books on cd for Christmas and are saving them for a car ride this summer. Do you have any other suggestions for books on tape for kids in a car? I really want to do the Narnia radio theater, but I don't think they are quite old enough... I don't want to ruin it by reading it too early.

2018 - book 20

Pages: 360

5 million people in Ukraine died in the 1932-1933 famine. It was one of several that the USSR used to purge Ukraine of its history, language, and leaders. This one was the worst. 

It was a little slow getting into this book. There was a lot of background information about Ukrainian and Russian relationships in the years leading up to the famine and of several earlier famines caused by Russia. But after that everything else is fascinating, tragic, and awful. Awful in a way that you can't stop reading and wish you could stop what is happening.  

Russia still denies the famine happened today. The last two chapters on the effects of the famine on future generations and politics today is some of the best information in the book.  It really helps frame some of the events that happen in the world today and makes them easier to understand. 

As a side note: This is also the second book this month (April) that I am reading that mentions FDR in a negative light... maybe I should read more about his presidency.  

It rained for five days and five nights.

I love rain. I love grey weather. I love sleeping with the sound of rain. I love playing in the rain and splashing in puddles and getting soaked. We have had five days of steady-never-let-up-crazy-rain-all-day weather. Five day. Five nights. My parent's field has ten inches of water and all my tomatoes and potatoes and strawberries and watermelons will die... my neighbors' yards are flooded... it is a little much. All of the bugs have had enough and are starting to seek dry land (aka my house).

In a more positive spin, because my parent's field flooded thousands of frogs decided it would be a good place to mate. The boys and I caught four pairs of frogs and let them lay eggs in a container. Hopefully we will have baby tadpoles in a week or two. It is more interesting to study the life cycle of frogs with a real life example.

2018 - book 19

Pages: 139

Read to the boys. 

Not a huge fan. 

How is this a classic?

Hiking

We've been doing a lot of hiking (when we are battling stomach illnesses or colds). And we picked the first strawberries of the year.

2018 book 18

Pages: 220

My book loving friend, Caitlin sent me this book hot-off-the-presses. I was as excited as the pictures show and equally surprised. It is wonderful when a friend "gets you" and what you love! Thanks so much, Caitlin. 

This book was amazing and challenging.  I hope to put some of it into practice soon.  I am mulling over and praying about a bunch of ideas. It is exciting (and terrifying) to be on the brink of maybe starting something new. ESL feels like that right now too. 

This is one of my top five books this year.  You should go read it. I'd love to discuss it with you if you do.

I quickly went and purchase 5 more copies to give to friends. :)