January 20 2018:
On a Beam of Light – A Story of Albert Einstein
Beautiful book about a boy who was endlessly distracted by the wonders of the world. When riding his bicycle as a boy, Albert Einstein, imagined himself traveling on a beam of light – a speed beyond imagining at the time.
We have enjoyed all the books written about Albert Einstein. Each has it’s own focus and they are all wonderful!
January 6 2017:
Mountain Chef
Beautiful and colorfully illustrated book about Tie Sing. A Chinese American who lived during a time of terrible discrimination against ethnic Chinese in the United States. In 1882 Congress passed the Chinese Exclusion Act, which prohibited Chinese people from entering the country. The act also declared that Chinese-born people already in the United States would never be allowed to become citizens.
Tie Sing hiked the mountains with mapmakers, whipping up gourmet meals for them. His reputation grew and became known as the best trail cook in California. Sing cooked for the thirty men that Stephen Mather took on a days long hike to convince them that national parks needed to be protected. This was the beginning of the National Park Service.
Great book! We loved learning about this time in history and about Tie Sing.
“Long may you build the paths through the mountains.” ~Tie Sing, July 1915
December 30 2017:
Spic-And-Span! – Lillian Gilbreth’s Wonder Kitchen
We adored this book! Learning more about the life of the woman who was the subject of two movies: Cheaper by the Dozen and Belles on Their Toes was made all the more interesting with Monica Kulling’s writing style.
During Lillian Gilbreth’s lifetime she was an efficiency expert, an industrial engineer, an inventor, a psychologist, an author, and a professor. And, she always said that her favorite role was that of a mother.
January 13 2018:
Peace to All Beings – Veggie Soup for the Chicken’s Soul
I initially put this book on hold thinking it was an easy and short children’s book that we could read before bed. When it came in, I saw that’s not what it was at all. I asked Thomas if he wanted to read it. After looking at it, he left it on the kitchen table.
One day last week, I sat at the table and was moved to pick up the book, turn to a random page and read. I did not put the book down until I had nearly read to the end of the book (from where I had randomly opened it). After that, I began at the beginning of the book.
I am a vegetarian so obviously this book speaks to me. It wasn’t only that, though. It seemed to be speaking directly to other areas of my life as well. I’m not even sure how to describe this one. So, I will pull a quote or two from it with a few more of my own words added.
“Every thought is a prayer,
Therefore, let us
Think compassion
Think love
Think peace
For all beings everywhere.
Every act is a prayer.
Therefore, let us
Be compassion
Be love
Be peace
For all beings everywhere.”
This is a powerful book about peace, compassion, and reverence for life; with references to St. Francis, Jesus, Albert Schweitzer, Gandhi, Martin Luther King, Jr, and many others of similar persuasion. The overall theme of the book is Ahimsa.
“Each object in the world is not merely itself, but involves every other object and, in fact, is everything else.” -Avatamsaka Sutra
The words and concepts in this book spoke to my soul so deeply and powerfully. To say I loved and enjoyed it is an understatement!
December 16 2017:
Toulouse-Lautrec – The Moulin Rouge and the City of Light
In this book we learned about Toulouse-Lautrec who was a wonderful painter and draftsman famous for being the father of the poster. He was a painter of Paris nightlife and especially The Moulin Rouge!! Interesting reading!
December 2 2017:
Rare Treasure – Mary Anning and Her Remarkable Discoveries
The story of the woman who became the first commercial fossil collector. Mary Anning left school at age eleven, but she spent a lifetime teaching herself about fossils and combing the rocky beach at Lyme Regis.
We really enjoyed this one!!
Flamingo Sunset
Vibrantly illustrated book about magnificent and graceful flamingos. We learned how they live, mate, take care of the eggs, when they take flight, how they migrate, and natural enemies.
We also learned that due to the loss of their natural habitat in the United States, they no longer nest anywhere here. The flamingos featured in the book are the “greater flamingos” of Bonaire, an island in the Caribbean.
December 9 2017:
Amazing Peace
Beautiful Maya Angelou poem.
Perfect for this time of year and always … ” …. speak the word aloud, Peace.”
The Amazing Discoveries of Ibn Sina
Beautifully illustrated story of Ibn Sina, a genius of the Islamic Golden Age (c.622-c.1258). We learned he was a polymath, distinguished by his historically crucial contributions in the medical field.
His famous work, The Canon of Medicine, has made his name live through the centuries. He wrote hundreds of books on subjects including architecture, mathematics, philosophy, music, chemistry, education, medicine and meteorology.
GREAT book and it was wonderful discovering Ibn Sina!
November 18 2017:
The Amazing Discoveries of Ibn Sina
Beautifully illustrated story of Ibn Sina, a genius of the Islamic Golden Age (c.622-c.1258). We learned he was a polymath, distinguished by his historically crucial contributions in the medical field.
His famous work, The Canon of Medicine, has made his name live through the centuries. He wrote hundreds of books on subjects including architecture, mathematics, philosophy, music, chemistry, education, medicine and meteorology.
GREAT book and it was wonderful discovering Ibn Sina!
