Lassie Come-Home

Lassie Come-Home by Eric Knight is a book I read over the weekend.  Set in England, this book is about the devotion a dog has for it's owner.  Lassie's family sells their dog to a rich neighbor during hard times.  Repeatedly, Lassie escapes so she can meet Joe, her former master, at the end of the school day.  The neighbor is frustrated by this, and decides to move his dog to Scotland.  It seems to be a wise choice, but Lassie is determined to meet Joe at the end of the day as usual.  So she gets away and undertakes a ardous journey to be reunited with the family she loves.  This book would be good for older elementary students who like animals.  If I still taught fourth grade, it would be good for a read aloud for my class.  Now that I have read the book, I am interested to see how the book compares with the television show.

Rhoda's Rock Hunt

Rhoda's Rock Hunt by Molly Beth Griffin is a picture book most elementary aged students will enjoy.  Rhoda is hiking through the woods with her aunt and uncle.  She sees so many rocks that she wants to collect, but soon her backpack is way too heavy to carry.  Rhoda has to think of a solution since her aunt and uncle are not going to help carry any.  She decides to make rock art and just keep a handful, which works for everyone involved.  I checked this book out to share with my students to use as an example of problem solving, but I think the story is strong enough to be shared just for fun as well.  It could also be a story to be shared with a unit about the outdoors, camping, and northern Minnesota.

Vincent Paints His House

Vincent Paints His House by Tedd Arnold is a picture book I came across and enjoyed.  Vincent wants to paint his house, but every time he chooses a color, some animal suggests another color.  This repetitive book is great for kindergarten students or children learning English.  There are some elements that would be interesting to older students as well.  Each page shows some more advanced words for the colors such as amber, emerald, olive, and ebony.  The last page shows Vincent's house completed, as well as VanGogh's Starry Night as the background.

One Thousand Gifts

I read One Thousand Gifts by Ann Voskamp back in January. 
The first time I picked it up was several years ago and did not make much progress.  In January, with few choices on what to read, someone lent me this book.  So I read the whole think and I am glad.  Voskamp was determined to write down one thousand things that were gifts.  The book does not detail every single one, but she writes about the challenge and growth that came from looking for the blessings in her life.  Sometimes it is more poetry than prose, but I wrote down two quotes to share with you...

"Thanks is what multiplies the joy and makes any life large, and I hunger for it."
"To learn how to be grateful and happy, whether hands full or hands empty.  That is a secret worth spending a life learning."

I do not think I am going to reread the whole book this November, but I will reread parts, and continue to work on being thankful. 

free little libraries

I am a fan of the Free Little Libraries that people have put up in their yards.  My sister lives in a neighborhood that is several miles from a public library.  I was going to suggest she put one up in her yard, but someone a five minute walk from her house had already put one in their front yard.  I like it.  They even have a bench to sit on next to it.   

Here is one in my other sister's neighborhood.   She says that maybe she should get one in her yard since it is across the street from several districts bus stop. 

This is the one in my town.  Do you have one in your community?  Have you thought about putting one up?