Sea of Monsters By Rick Riordan

I am now a Percy Jackson junkie. Sea of Monsters. Crazy good sequel to Lightning Thief. Going to read a few then onto #3.

Can't tell you much except for... it involves the Bermuda Triangle (woo scary music), Lot's a cyclops stuff and Luke, that no good demi-god.

Books Children Love By Elizabeth Wilson

A Guide to the Best Children's Literature



This would be a great book for a homeschooling family. The author lists title author, publisher etc. as well as a summary of the book. It is helpful how she also lists grade level.

The chapters include:

Animals
Art and Architecture
Bible and Moral Teaching
Biography
Celebration Days and Seasons
Crafts, Hobbies and Domestic Arts
Dance, Drama
Growing Plants Indoor and Outdoor
History and Geography
Humor
Language
Literature levels I, II, and III
Poetry and Rhymes
Mathematics
Misc.
Music
Nature, Science and Technology
Outdoor Activites
PE and Organized games
Reference, Research and Study skills
Special Needs

ISBN:1-58134-198-9

The Lightning Thief By Rick Riordan

My daughter and I are reading the Percy Jackson series together.

I liked this book and would feel very comfortable reading it to any child.

While similar to Harry Potter, it did not leave me feeling uncomfortable with the subject matter as did Harry Potter (call me a prude, the kidlets tease me all the time).

Instead of witches and wizards, this book is about the gods of mythology. We all learn about them sometime in school. My daughter actually learned about them in second grade. I think I was in high school.

Percy is a Half Blood. Find out Who's his Daddy, what Mt. Olympus/Zeus is like and how about Tartarus/ Hades. Of course there is a quest involved.

I read through this book pronto-speedy because, yes, it was fun and the plot entertaining but also because I have not only one stack, but several stacks of books I am going to read this year (and five of them are Percy Jackson).

Now if she would just finish book two. I want to read as many as possible before the movie comes out next month

ISBN: 978-078685629-9

A Return To Christmas By Chris Heimerdinger

Dear Chris Heimerdinger,
Please write more books.
ASAP.
Very Fondly,
MachMomma and Her Little Mustangs

OK. So I think I did it. I have now read read everything he has written. Yes, loved them all. Some say this story is predictable, but I didn't see it coming. Maybe it was the fact that I read at 11:30 pm and am half asleep. None the less. This story haunted me for days.
I really want my children to read it when they are done with their current reads. And since we are all fans of Mr. Heimerdinger that shouldn't be a problem.

The story line is: Artemus and Andrew are twins. But at three years old, Andrew is killed in a tragic accident that his father blames himself for. It happened on Christmas Morning, so the family not only fore goes Christmas festivities, they are in a horrible sense of mourning during the season.

But through an unexpected turn of events...

Christ Centered Christmas By Sharon Velluto and Suzanne Meredith

If I were to purchase ONE book for the Christmas season for family lessons and activities. This would be it. ( Outside of Church publications that is)

I have used it for nearly ten years and still haven't been all the way through it.
What it contains:
*A short Christ Centered lesson based on familiar Christmas symbol
*Simple ornament depicting the traditional symbol designed to accompany the lesson
*Suggested hymns/songs from the Hymn book and Children's Songbook.
*Scripture references from the four Standard Works
*Optional materials including thoughts, inspirational articles, stories, games, recipes, etc

For a more complete review visit my other blog here

I Believe in Santa Clause by Diane Adamson

Love this book. I bought it 2 years ago when my daughter started asking if Santa was real.
The children at school had burst her bubble. It was confusing to her because every year the Sunday before Christmas, he actually comes to our home.
I have never went one way or another. Christmas to me is more Christ centered. But I do feel it is important to "have a childhood" so to speak.
The author does the perfect job of comparing the symbolism of Santa to the symbolism of Jesus Christ.

I cannot recommend this book enough. ISBN #0-9673571-0-1
I purchased mine at Deseret Book

Curious George By Margaret and H.A. Rey's

At this time of the year, you can find all sorts of wonderful books at Costco. I bought the Curious George Library a few years ago, thinking it was a classic. I, myself did not particularly love George, however; my daughter loves George. I read these books so many times that I could close my eyes and snooze for a few seconds and still be talking/reading.

Her favorites? All of them, just at different times. She went through a phase when it was Curious George Goes Camping to Curious George and the Puppies . I like the old school simplicity. A great investment.

The Complete Karen Katz Collection

Last year, I saw these books at Costco. My favorite section at Costco is the pre-made meals which is second place to the book section.

Although, I bought these for my near one year old. They would make a great gift for a smaller baby or even a two year old.
My nearly four year old loves them as much as her little sister. She has them memorized and actually reads them to us.
The collection included 8 books. When taking the pic,I could only find four. The girls love them and carry them around the house. As of late, we read "Pop" (Grandpa and Me) and "Gramma" (Grandma and Me) every. single. night. for the past two months.
The pictures are bright, vivid, colorful. The flaps (they are flap board books) are sturdy, however, several have been ripped off and put back together with tape.
They are very simple books. For example, on the Grandma and Me it says
"Someone special is at the door, who could it be?"
Under the flap it says "Surprise It's Grandma!"
Derci would not hold still when I started reading to her before bed at 17 months. These were the life saver. Now she is good through Dr. Seuss style books. We read for the recommended 20 minutes minimum every day.
They are all delightful.
"Where is Baby's Belly Button", "What Does Baby Say", "Mommy and Me", "Daddy and Me", "Peek a Baby" are the titles. I have seen them also sold separately.

The Stripling Warriors and Warriorette Workout By Shane Barker

We are reading this as a family every night and quite enjoying it. The author has good stories that are connecting with my 16 and 14 old sons especially. It's so hard to be a young person right now. I suppose it always has been, but I'm a pretty young mom and even the stuff I went through and my oldest (23) is nothing like now. It could be because we have moved and it's definitely different in South Utah County versus Draper. In Draper is was "cool to be good". Here it is not.

Some of the chapter titles are: Being a Valiant Teenager, Keeping Yourself Clean, Becoming Pure in Heart, Being Courageous, Being an Example and Developing Integrity.
At the end of the chapters he itemizes it and lists "Warrior Workout Tips".
In the Keeping yourself Clean chapter, he outlines the steps to repentance with out sound preachy.
I actually bought this book last Christmas and forgot I had it. We read it fairly quickly and I know it is the right time to read it. I really feel like the spirit is working on my son who always is "pushing the envelope".
I highly recommend this book, if your teens won't read, then read it to them, just a section or chapter every evening. So far this is my second favorite gospel teen book (Righteous Warrior by John BytheWay, all time fav. Read it twice to the kidlets). Easy and enjoyable to read.

Secret of the Cupboard -Lynne Banks

This is the third book in the "Indian in the Cupboard" series (there are 5 or 6 ). It is by far my favorite. I listened to this book on tape while traveling to Vernal (3hour drive). It was so intense that my forearms woke me up in the middle of the night aching. I gripped the steering wheel so hard while driving.
Why does the cupboard turn plastic figurines into real people? This sequel tells the story behind the story. SOOO Good! I suggest you read aloud as a family. I would just start from the beginning book-Indian in the Cupboard. There was a reason this won the Newberry Award.
I enjoy reading the same books that are appropriate for my children. Heaven knows we are a book on tape, always reading a book together family...