October 6 2018:
Black Whiteness – Admiral Byrd Alone in the Antarctic
We so very much enjoyed learning about Admiral Richard Byrd’s Antarctica adventure. He spent six months alone on the continent of Antarctica in 1934. We liked it so much I reserved from the library his autobiography and another juvenile book about his journey. Awesome book!!
September 29 2018:
One City, Two Brothers
Wonderfully illustrated telling of Solomon’s tale of two brothers who live in separate villages. Yet, they meet to farm the land and share kindness with one another. Enjoyed by all!
September 15 2018:
Julio’s Magic
Absolutely wonderful book about the loving kindness of a young wood-carving boy. Surprise ending that absolutely warms the heart!! We loved it!
September 1 2018:
The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind
The story of William Kamkwamba. The people in the village called him crazy, but he knew he could succeed at bringing electricity and running water to his desperately poor village in Malawi Africa. Incredible story of determination and following one’s heart!
August 18 2018:
Crossing Niagara – The Death-Defying Tightrope Adventures of the Great Blondin
Exciting story of Jean Francois Gravelet, the one known as the Great Blondin. Mostly about his claim to fame of crossing Niagara Falls on a tightrope.
He not only crossed on a tightrope, he crossed on a tightrope blindfolded, reading the paper, with a wheelbarrow, on stilts, with his feet and hands chained, with his feet in buckets, and with a man on his back. Great person to learn about.
August 11 2018:
talkin’ guitar – A Story of Young Doc Watson
All sounds were music to a blind young man by the name of Arthel Watson. He made music out of whatever he could get his hands on and became one of the most celebrated and beloved figures of folk, bluegrass, and old-time music – Doc Watson.
Another winner!!
August 4 2018:
Marvelous Mattie
As a young girl Margaret E. Knight carried with her a notebook labeled My Inventions. She made creations for her mother and brothers and when she was twelve she designed a metal guard to prevent shuttles from shooting off looms and hurting workers.
Later she invented a machine that would cut and glue together a square-bottomed paper bag. Many of the paper bags we use today are still processed using Mattie’s invention.
An inspiring story of a girl and woman who knew in her heart she was an inventor and never backed down from that belief. Even in a time when it was believed women couldn’t understand the complexities of mechanical equipment.
July 21 2018:
Elephant Moon
A wonderful book which highlights the African elephants and their intricate social structure. It’s from 1993 so also points out issues with the ivory trade. We all enjoyed this and I especially loved the simple illustrations.
July 14 2018:
The Noisy Paint Box
“I let myself go. I had little thought for houses and trees, drawing colored lines and blobs on the canvas with my palette knife, making them sing just as powerfully as I knew how.” …. And …. “I could hear the hiss of the colors as they mingled.” ~Vasily Kandinsky
An historical fiction of the life of Vasya Kandinsky who was one of the very first painters of abstract art. So interesting to learn that he could hear the colors. They literally made sounds that he could hear.
It is believed that he had synesthesia; a condition where one sense triggers another sense. He knew in his heart how he wanted to paint and kept straying from it to please others. He finally let loose!!
Lillian was glued to this as she loves creating and learning about abstract art. Thomas and I loved it too!
July 7 2018:
Manfish – A Story of Jacques Cousteau
Beautifully illustrated story of a boy who fell in love with the sea and dreamed of breathing beneath the waves.
“Il faut aller voir.” ~Jacques Cousteau (We must go and see for ourselves.)
An inventor, adventurer, explorer, poetic writer – a remarkable person.
This was another fun book to read!
