Sometimes I am too tired to read a mom book. I know I fall short daily and need the wisdom they offer, but I can't even keep the house clean. Reading a book with twelve reminders of what else I am not doing is too much some days.
I know, I know, mom books aim to be helpful and inspiring and to let you know you are not alone. When my mommy brain is calm or desperate, I've find mom books to be helpful. Feathers From My Nest came along at a time when I was neither calm nor desperate. It was like a long note from a friend.
So Beth Moore isn't my in person friend (but Beth, if you you'd like to be, I'll accept), but I've done a few of her Bible studies and listened to her on video. I've laughed with her and cried with her on those videos. And I've always wondered about her. She teaches scripture with gusto and enthusiasm and vaguely references hard things in her life but never specifically. I get it. When the eyes of Christian women across the nation are on you, you want the lessons to be about God's word, not a coffee shop discussion of Beth's life.
Beth raised two daughters (like me!) and a son (for 7 years). And unlike Beth's other books, this one is personal. It isn't a biography, but you feel like part of the Moore household since she says her whole family wrote the book together (and you wish you could come over for dinner).
Each chapter is a feather (or a memory) of raising her children. And nestled in the sometimes laugh-out-loud stories is a lesson that God taught them through it. For Pruning Princesses the chapter entitled "Magazines" about one her daughter's struggles with eating is especially relevant.
When you finish the book, you will want to make Beth your friend on Facebook and your conviction to raise your kids with scripture and love will be strengthened.
Showing posts with label books. Show all posts
Showing posts with label books. Show all posts
Wednesday, July 25, 2012
Wednesday, June 27, 2012
Reading Together: One Hundred Dresses
I believe in the power of stories. To inspire. To challenge. To encourage. To influence. To produce change. Their powerful means you need to help her find the best stories that teach and help her grow in the right direction. She will check out books from the school library you have never read. And read that book and learn things you wish she wouldn't. If your girl is a tween or younger, a book mom recommends won't lay unopened on the floor of her room. And if you need a story to get into her brain, because it speaks to her life, to her dreams, to her pain, or to her future, read it together. Take turns reading aloud or read it separately and then discuss.
Bond. Ask questions. Which character does she like best? Is the story believable? What do you like? Let the opinions be opinions not reasons for correction. Stories are fodder for safe conversation about difficult life. You can point out errors in character's judgement, refer back it when the occasion arrives, or reinforce right and wrong behavior without taking a swipe at a your daughter's friends. But you have to participate by reading the book!
Ready to start? I've got a short chapter book for you. First published in 1944, this story about girls and friendship and meanness still applies today. It won a Caldecott in 1945 and has never gone out of print. One Hundred Dresses by Eleanor Estes is a perfect mother/daughter book.
Wanda Petronski is a girl from the wrong side of town who wears the same dress to school every day. She claims to have 100 beautiful dresses at home. The other girls tease her endlessly for her boast and her funny Polish last name. One day, a note from Wanda's dad arrives saying she will no longer be attending that school because of the teasing. There is no time for apologies now.
Maddie, best friend to the leader of the teasing, had watched the teasing, even felt bad about it, but said nothing. Wanda's departure pierces Maddie's conscience as she vows never to just stand by again. Eventually Maddie, and her best friend, seek a way to communicate with Wanda.
The book captures the moral dilemmas of being a child. And the end, while not the perfect happy ending my daughter hoped for, is powerful, realistic and satisfying.
Have fun reading together? What other books have you and your daughter enjoyed together?
Other reading resources on Pruning Princesses:
Read together
The Reading Hump
Book Series for Tween Girls
Finding Books Kids Love
Best 100 Children's Books
Monday, June 4, 2012
Simple Secrets to a Happy Life
So as a blogger, there is an amazing opportunity to review books. Publishers send out lists of books available and you pick one, they send it to you, you review it on your blog (good or bad) and that's all. Awesome. Welcome to my first official book review. The book was provided to me free of charge by Book Sneeze in exchange for an honest review.
Simple Secrets to A Happy Life: 50 Ways to Make the Most of Every Day
By Luci Swindoll
First I always assumed Luci Swindoll was Charles Swindoll's wife. Wrong. She is his sister. And prior to reading this book, I knew nothing about her.
Turns out she lived quite the life. Opera Singer, high level business executive with Mobil Oil, PR director for Insight for Living, single and loving it, highly adventurous and full of joy. Despite the resume I was turned off by all the quotes of endorsement for the book because they seemed to praise Luci more than her message.
Really this book is a mentoring book. It is written in 50 short chapters (most are 3 pages). Each chapter is a different piece of advice for living with joy. She covers everything from : take Jesus with you every where to set the table for company.
What I ended up loving about this book, in spite of my initial distrust, was feeling like I was sittting down with a woman who has followed God for a long time and soaking in her words of advice. Ever wish a beloved grandma had written down all her advice for living? That's what this book is like. Wise advice written in a friendly, persuasive, chatting way.
Luci's range of topics are comprehensive too. By the end of the book you've read about faith, relationships, organization, communication and health. The short chapters make this book an easy read that doesn't take much time out of the day.
Overall it is inspirational and I would recommend it.
By Luci Swindoll
First I always assumed Luci Swindoll was Charles Swindoll's wife. Wrong. She is his sister. And prior to reading this book, I knew nothing about her.
Turns out she lived quite the life. Opera Singer, high level business executive with Mobil Oil, PR director for Insight for Living, single and loving it, highly adventurous and full of joy. Despite the resume I was turned off by all the quotes of endorsement for the book because they seemed to praise Luci more than her message.
Really this book is a mentoring book. It is written in 50 short chapters (most are 3 pages). Each chapter is a different piece of advice for living with joy. She covers everything from : take Jesus with you every where to set the table for company.
What I ended up loving about this book, in spite of my initial distrust, was feeling like I was sittting down with a woman who has followed God for a long time and soaking in her words of advice. Ever wish a beloved grandma had written down all her advice for living? That's what this book is like. Wise advice written in a friendly, persuasive, chatting way.
Luci's range of topics are comprehensive too. By the end of the book you've read about faith, relationships, organization, communication and health. The short chapters make this book an easy read that doesn't take much time out of the day.
Overall it is inspirational and I would recommend it.
Tuesday, May 29, 2012
Book Series for Tween Girls
School starts after labor day in Michigan. So we have yet to reach the beginning of the summer. Usually I am more prepared for summer. Lessons lined up. Events planned. This year it seems summer is barreling toward me and I have made no real plans. Time to begin.
If you have a tween girl who loves to read, filling the summer reading list can be a chore because so many of the books marketed for her age group are not books you really want her to read. And while classics like Black Beauty or the Chronicles of Narnia are great, she wants to read about girls like her, with friend problems, parent problems, sibling headaches, interests like her. Because at this age (and every age), she wants to know she isn't alone. And mom, if you don't help her find good books to read and stretch her, she will read whatever looks appealing.
When I was 11 or 12, before the word tween existed, I read Beverly Clearly. Her books taught me I wasn't alone but also gave me expectations about what was normal. I enjoyed those books. But really, I want my girl to read books that show her God's view of the world. And there are girl series just like this, at my library, in three great varieties.
Are you familiar with Nancy Rue? You should be. My initial quest for a good tween series meant I read a bunch of them. And when I found a series I liked, I read 3-4 books in the series because sometimes series change and I don't like the new direction. But I trust Nancy Rue. The main tween girl in her books makes mistakes but always learns. In fact strengths and weaknesses of all the characters are shown. And adults in these books, they aren't stupid Big plus. And God, He is there, not in a tween-eye-rolling predictable way, but always part of the solution and advice.
The personality of your girl and her friends may be a good way to determine which of these series you want to start with. All the series are targeted at about 9-12 year-olds. And I encourage you to read with your girl. These books provide fabulous references for life's tough lessons that you can refer to at appropriate times. And since the characters are characters and not real friends, learning from their lives and analyzing their mistakes is so much less threatening.
The Lily Series: Lily is a passionate red head. Lily isn't sure what she loves to do or wants to be so when a new interest or cause develops (she gets thrilled about everything from horses to helping others), she plunges in head first. The series starts with Lily in 8th grade. Lily gives up her rock collection to pursue modeling after some encouraging comments from a modeling director. Convinced modeling is "her" thing (as she does all things) Lily learns valuable lessons about beauty. She also navigates 6th grade by forming a secret club of girlfriends in response to the creepiest boy at school. And like all female friendships at this age, there is drama to resolve. The series continues with books like Lily Robbins, MD, Lily and the Creep, etc. Each Lily book has a non-fiction companion you can buy that I also love: The Beauty Book, The Body Book, The Buddy Book, etc,
The Lucy Series: My Bird loves the Lucy series because Lucy and Bird share a love for all things soccer. Lucy's sixth grade life is totally different than Bird's. Her mother died in a job related accident. Her father is blind. She has an overbearing aunt who thinks she knows better what Lucy needs than Lucy or her dad. She is cared for by an Hispanic housekeeper who makes her do her homework and she has doesn't do well in school. Lucy questions everything. Including her faith. Still, Lucy has a strong spirit and is slowly learning to put God into her life. More so than the Lily books, the Lucy series introduces more tough life issues. Still, you gotta love a series that begins with Lucy Doesn't Wear Pink. The Lucy series is part of the Faithgirlz series.
Sophie's World: Sophie starts off in sixth grade too. She is a dreamer who likes to pretend she is in other worlds. She believes her parents prefer her over-achieveing older sister. She is has low grades and has trouble fitting in with her peers. Her parents send her to counseling concerned about how she pretends to be Antionette, a girl in the American Revolution. Eventually Sophie makes friends who also like to direct and act in movies. The Sophie series is also part of the Faithgirlz series.
All of these series are available at my library ( not really, but they are through other library loan) and they there are numerous used versions online or even Kindle versions if that is your daughter's preferred way to read. Happy Summer reading. What is on your girl's reading list?
If you have a tween girl who loves to read, filling the summer reading list can be a chore because so many of the books marketed for her age group are not books you really want her to read. And while classics like Black Beauty or the Chronicles of Narnia are great, she wants to read about girls like her, with friend problems, parent problems, sibling headaches, interests like her. Because at this age (and every age), she wants to know she isn't alone. And mom, if you don't help her find good books to read and stretch her, she will read whatever looks appealing.
When I was 11 or 12, before the word tween existed, I read Beverly Clearly. Her books taught me I wasn't alone but also gave me expectations about what was normal. I enjoyed those books. But really, I want my girl to read books that show her God's view of the world. And there are girl series just like this, at my library, in three great varieties.
Are you familiar with Nancy Rue? You should be. My initial quest for a good tween series meant I read a bunch of them. And when I found a series I liked, I read 3-4 books in the series because sometimes series change and I don't like the new direction. But I trust Nancy Rue. The main tween girl in her books makes mistakes but always learns. In fact strengths and weaknesses of all the characters are shown. And adults in these books, they aren't stupid Big plus. And God, He is there, not in a tween-eye-rolling predictable way, but always part of the solution and advice.
The personality of your girl and her friends may be a good way to determine which of these series you want to start with. All the series are targeted at about 9-12 year-olds. And I encourage you to read with your girl. These books provide fabulous references for life's tough lessons that you can refer to at appropriate times. And since the characters are characters and not real friends, learning from their lives and analyzing their mistakes is so much less threatening.
All of these series are available at my library ( not really, but they are through other library loan) and they there are numerous used versions online or even Kindle versions if that is your daughter's preferred way to read. Happy Summer reading. What is on your girl's reading list?
Saturday, April 21, 2012
A great magazine for girls and P&G honors moms
Two fun links to share this weekend for those of you raising girls....
Here's another great thing. Susie magazine is an alternative to something like Seventeen (Hurray!). It's a magazine written for Christian teen girls. The editor is the former Brio editor (Focus on the Family discontinued their teen ministry). Walmart is having a contest to see what new magazines they should put on the shelf. Check out this video about Susie and then head over here to vote if you like what you see.
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