The Legend of the Easter Robin

Dandi Daley Mackall has written another story for our young listeners that explains legends behind Christian symbols or traditions.  I so enjoyed this legend of the Robin and how he got his red breast all tied in to Easter and Christ on the cross.  It's an Easter story you can share with your little ones that shows real compassion and faith using nature and the tender relationship between a grandmother and her granddaughter.  The illustrations by Richard Cowdrey are also tender and colorful adding much to the storyline.  This would be a fantastic read aloud in a Sunday School or Christian school setting.  I guarantee after reading this, you will look with new eyes at a Robin.



*I was sent a copy of this book by the publisher for an honest review on my blog.

Chinese Culture in Children's Books

I was sent two books to review that I was not familiar with at all - but having two daughters born in China, struck a chord with me.  They are created by the China Institute in America to introduce children to Chinese culture at an early age and are in the We All Live in the Forbidden City book series.

What Was It Like, Mr. Emperor? is a fun book that allows kids to see the life of an emperor and learn about life in the palace.  Some fun facts about certain emperors are even included to make it more personal and take an active look at history.  The book is fun for kids to read and the illustrations keep it engaging.

Bowls of Happiness is a book that, in such a fun way, explores the tradition and uses of porcelain art found in the Palace Museum's collectibles.  Readers can see first-hand how the bowls are made and can see the culture and value of Bowls of Happiness in the Chinese tradition.  The illustrations in this one are whimsical and fun.


Both are wonderful to add to a collection of books on history or Chinese culture and are ones my girls are thoroughly enjoying!

*I was sent copies of the books by the publisher for an honest review on my blog.

Beatrix Potter and the Unfortunate Tale of a Borrowed Guinea Pig

What is there not to love about a tale of Beatrix Potter?  This latest tale of Potter's early life is simply wonderful!  Deborah Hopkinson delivers a tale that was found in one of Potter's journal entries.  It is the story of young Beatrix wanting to draw a guinea pig - so she borrows one from her neighbor to use as a model and alas, the little guinea pig eats the paper, some string and more that is left lying on the desk and when Beatrix finds the model guinea pig dead, she knows she has trouble ahead!

Truly a tale to relish with a young one on your lap.  The illustrations are the icing on the cake.  One can only hope they find more stories in Potter's journals - what a wonderful life!

The Gift of Friendship

A friend is a treasure - but friends can be quirky...relationships can be hard....we are all human!  I think that is what I LOVE about Dawn Camp's new book, The Gift of Friendship - it celebrates all that friendship is - the good and the bad.  It is a beautiful compilation of stories that all revolve around friendship.  This is a book that I can not devour in one sitting, it must be savored slowly as in fine, dark, chocolate!  It's a coffee or bedside table book that draws you in, lets you savor, and allows you to keep ruminating for hours. 

Let me share one of my favorite paragraphs:

I'm putting out a call to be brave.  To embrace the sweetness and depth of real friendship.  To hold ourselves to a higher standard than silence.  To become the kind of friend we pray our daughters have.  This kind of friendship isn't easy.  It's hard and messy and can come with real heartache.  But it can also come with richness and love and someone to really do life with too, and it is so worth it.

Do not miss this one - it is fabulous!

*I was sent a copy for review purposes on my blog for an honest opinion.