Old Book

(1890 Bible at the Presby House Museum)

One of my favorite books! A true classic.

Untouchable.

My honey and I discovered this version of a family Bible on a recent road trip through Goldendale, Washington.

The Presby House Museum is located in the Presby House, built in 1902. It is filled with many wonderful, baffling, exciting, sentimental, and old objects. All three floors of this home are open for visitors, as well as two outside buildings.

The docent was very friendly and helpful, advising us of important items on display throughout the beautiful home. One item that caught Kevin's eye was this old, old Bible. Being a pastor, he loves checking out old Bibles. Fragile though they be, the old language, period style illustrations, and sheer variety of sizes of the Bibles he finds, draw him in like a moth to a light.

In this case, very much like a moth to a light! Beware, OLD BIBLE alert. The docent gave us a quick peek inside to see the yellowed but readable pages. I estimate that this Bible was between 9 and 9 inches thick, and over a foot in length. That would require a serious commitment to hold on to it, let alone read it!

An antique (anything over 100 years is an antique, right?), but totally current and modern. Oh, I dare say, some words may need translating into common language. But overall, the message is the same.

A keeper of a book.

Families on Mission, Ideas for Teaching Your Preschooler to Love, Share, and Care

Families on Mission, Ideas for Teaching Your Preschooler to Love, Share, and Care by Angie Quantrell (Woman's Missionary Union, New Hope Publishing, 2005)

Families on Mission, Ideas for Teaching Your Preschooler to Love, Share, and Care was written when I was deep in the midst of preschool and early childhood education. After teaching four and five-year-olds for several years, I was full of ideas of ways to involve preschoolers in missions. This book is a catalog of simple activities for families to do along with their young children.

For preschoolers, missions is loving, caring, and sharing. Learning to reach out to other people in loving ways, helping them, praying for them, and caring for them, are important concepts that families need to teach and live out as they raise children that grow up to continue doing the same thing. The world is really a small place. Becoming a caring member of any community is important in our world.

Loving, caring, sharing, praying, giving, doing, helping, my friends, my church, my neighborhood, and my world are the themes for the eleven chapters in this book. Each topic has multiple activities, ideas, and suggestions for parents. This book is also appropriate for teachers, grandparents, families, daycare workers, and anyone else who works with young children and wants to model a lifestyle of reaching out and loving others. The ideas are geared for young children. Some activities revolve around the nuclear family. Other ideas involve extended family, church members, or community members.

Make a difference in the life of your preschooler. Choose and adapt the ideas for your situation. Have fun!

Enjoy missions - loving, caring, sharing, praying - with your preschooler.

I Can Be More Like Jesus

I Can Be More Like Jesus by Angie Quantrell (Woman's Missionary Union, 2006)

Philippe and Etienne enjoy life with their family. Journey with the two French brothers as they discover ways they can be more like Jesus. Helping others, praying for others, embracing nature, using manners, and giving help are just a few of the ways they learn to be more like Jesus.

In this photograph/watercolor illustrated book, French is the featured language. French phrases for every page focus are printed, along with pronunciation. Additional ideas are included at the end for families, teachers, and anyone who has or works with children.

I Can Be More Like Jesus is the fourth book in the I Can series. I am particularly proud of this book because I took the photos, using family and friends as characters. My graphic illustrator used a fancy computer program (sorry, not my specialty) to make the photographs appear to be made from watercolor painting. I love it!


I Can Pray
I Can Give
I Can Do It!
I Can Be More Like Jesus

Families on Mission, Teaching Your Preschooler to Love, Share, and Care

Read more about these books at www.wmu.com or call 1-800-968-7301.

Picture Book 10 for 10 Jog - 10 Books I Can't Live Without!

From a person who loves children's picture books, think of how difficult this exercise in frugality of books is going to be! But alas, I shall try to choose 10 favorites. For the moment. I have so many favorites, that tomorrow would probably be a different, or at least enlarged, list!

Drum roll please! (in no particular order)

1. Pete the Cat I Love My White Shoes by Eric Litwin.
My students LOVE Pete the Cat with the read along recording. We are always humming or rocking to the music.

2. Pete the Cat Rocking in My School Shoes by Eric Litwin.
So glad this book came out. The kids really love Pete but also the catchy tunes. I love the themes.

3. I Want My Hat Back by Jon Klassen.
I stumbled onto this book and fell in love. It is hysterical! It's fun to see if the children notice what is going on...sometimes two reads helps.

4. Frankie Works the Night Shift by Lisa Westberg Peters.
The pictures in this book are great. A good counting but also fun reading book.

5. The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle.
Who can live without the hungry caterpillar? Especially in spring?

6. Hi, Pizza Man! by Virginia Walter.
I always have this book in the pizza unit. The students get the pattern, but then it changes just a bit. They love it!

7. The Mitten by Jan Brett.
My students know I love Jan Brett. She is one of the first authors we focus on. This version of The Mitten is great.

8. Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus! by Mo Willems.
Again, hysterical!

9. King Bidgood's in the Bathtub by Audrey Wood.
The illustrations and language make this a favorite. Attention to details really draw readers in to the action.

10. I Can Be More Like Jesus by Angie Quantrell.
I'm excited about this book, having been given the opportunity to write it. I'm also very pleased about the illustrations, since I took the photos and the graphic artist ran a watercolor program on them. I can spot family members and friends throughout the book. ;0

I Can Do It

I Can Do It by Angie Quantrell (Woman's Missionary Union, 2003)

Did you know that young children are able to do many things?

Join Meiying and her family as she realizes the many things she can do to show love and help others. Meiying interacts with her family, friends, and community members as she reaches out to others. Chinese language phrases are written top to bottom on book pages (using Chinese characters) and a pronunciation phrase for the same characters is given for readers. The illustrations done by Cathy Lollar are colorful and delightful.

Check out I Can Do It. Share with your young readers and family members. Visit www.wmustore.com or call 1-800-968-7301 to order I Can Do It.

And this author says, THANK YOU!

DragonQuest

DragonQuest by Donita K. Paul (WaterBrook Press, 2005)

Book 2 in the Dragon Keeper Series, DragonQuest, is just as delightful as the first book DragonSpell.

In DragonQuest, Kale, the Dragon Keeper, goes to school, but soon finds herself headed out on a new adventure - searching for another dragon egg. Her immediate family of minor dragons is enlarged by one surprising member. Kale continues to exhibit her true personality, faults - doubts - bursts of emotion, everything. But still she is a lovable character. She shows her growth in trust in Wulder. Throughout this book, the reader sees Kale beginning to bloom.

Twists, turns, and unexpected events kept this reader continuing to turn the pages. Even after this one was supposed to be asleep!

Go ahead. Enjoy the journey of Kale (and her dragons), Bardon, Dar, - oh, and all the cast. You'll be happy you did.

PS Good clean fun!

I Can Give

I Can Give by Angie Quantrell (Woman's Missionary Union, 2003)

Whoo-hoo! Happy 10 years of publication, I Can Give! I just noticed that it has been 10 years since publication. How time flies.

Meet Juan Carlos and his family in I Can Give. Juan Carlos learns many different ways that he can give to help others. He can give his time, his energy, his ideas, his help, his friendship, his thanks, his praise - even his money. Juan Carlos learns that giving is not just about money, but much more.

I Can Give features single phrase sentences for young preschoolers. Each simple sentence is also given in Spanish, together with the pronunciation. For older children and beginning readers, a longer story tells about Juan Carlos and his adventures. Adorable illustrations show Juan Carlos as he gives to others.

I am so excited to realize that I Can Give is 10 years old. That is a decade worth of young readers. Happy Birthday, I Can Give.

Visit www.wmustore.com or call 1-800-968-7301 to purchase I Can Give. Thank you!

Hmmmm. I'm thinking it's time for some happy cake!

I Can Pray

I Can Pray by Angie Quantrell (Woman's Missionary Union, 2000)

Abby is a young child with a family getting ready for a big change. The words tell about Abby's discovery of her ability to pray for different situations while the illustrations show her family and the world around her. By the end of I Can Pray, Abby is empowered by her prayer connection and understands that she can pray for anything or anyone.

Written for preschoolers and young children, I Can Pray has easy to read, large text. For the youngest readers (or listeners) one sentence lines tell the main points of the story. For beginning and practicing readers, the full page text is large, matches the illustrations, and contains many sight words. Tips for using the book and extra ideas are included for parents, families, grandparents, caregivers, and teachers.

I love this book! My very first book in print - what joy and memories it brings! The hours spent at Inklings Bookshop at a little cafe table plotting and writing away...

Go to www.wmustore.com to get a copy. Please. :)

Other I Can Books:
I Can Give
I Can Do It
I Can Be More Like Jesus

Dragonspell

Dragonspell by Donita K. Paul (Waterbrook Press, 2004)

I have discovered a favorite author!

Donita K. Paul is not new to the field of writing. Nor is my love of her characters and writing style recently discovered. I have been reading her books for several years. Notice my worn copy of this first book in her DragonKeeper series.

After stumbling upon her books while searching for a new read, there has been no turning back. Dragonspell has delightful and real characters set in a fairy tale world. The world of Amara has a spiritual base of Christianity. Wulder and Paladin guide the inhabitants of Amara who choose to follow their leading. Others who choose the opposite follow Risto and his plans.

Meet Kale, a used-to-be-slave-girl, who is recruited by Wulder as a gifted dragon keeper. She has the special talent of discovering dragon eggs. In the scheme of things, there is one very special egg, a meech egg, that is diligently sought out by Risto, who has not so good plans for the egg.

Paul has the fine fingers and voice of storytelling. Realistic details, character personalities and actions, and social interactions of beings on a quest make for a very good read. Paul's writing reminds me somewhat of C.S. Lewis. Now you have to read her books.

Check out Donita K. Paul's Web site to find out about other books, e-books, and even Monday night chats. Visit www.donitakpaul.com.

Happy 10th Year of Publication (2014)!

Tuesdays at the Castle

Tuesdays at the Castle by Jessica Day George (Bloomsbury Publishing, Inc., 2011)

Princess Celie has a special relationship with the castle. The castle in return, seems to favor Princess Celie.

Not a normal castle by any means, this castle sprouts new rooms, makes new pathways and shortcuts, and even boots out unwanted guests. Everything is fabulous as Princess Celie spends her time mapping new rooms and routes. And then the King and Queen disappear.

This story is great for elementary readers (and some adults, like moi). I enjoyed the imaginative setting, creativity, and fun writing of this book. Perhaps I shall make sure my grand-daughter reads it when she is a bit older.

Definitely a good read.

Stronger, Trading Brokenness for Unbreakable Strength

Stronger, Trading Brokenness for Unbreakable Strength by Jim Daly, President, Focus on the Family; with James Lund (David C. Cook, 2010)

"...choosing the broken road that leads to God and greater strength. We've also explored some forks in the trail that offer more choices. When we choose well, the paths of surrender, relationship, acceptance, and trust lead us even closer to Him and His power." (p. 125).

Tales of tragedy, heart break, loss - brokenness - fill this book with real life examples of people who have gone through storms, no hurricanes, in life, and have survived. Survived stronger.

Jim Daly (with James Lund) simply tells stories from peoples' lives. And then shares how Scripture and the strength of God are available to help us get through terrible situations. Not around them or to make them disappear, but how to get through them. And come out better on the other side. In fact, God uses seemingly insurmountable events to draw us closer to Him; and to make us stronger as we rely on His strength. But first, we have to choose our reaction to the situation - are we going to be beaten, bitter, or broken?

If you are dealing with any significant issue in life, ANY issue, there is probably a story similar to yours in this book. Don't think you are going through this alone. Reach out for help and hope. Read this book.

The Dragon and the Turtle

The Dragon and the Turtle and The Dragon and the Turtle Go On Safari by Donita K. Paul and Evangeline Denmark (sorry, I would give publisher and date, but the books are at school!).



I love books! I recently received (autographed!!!) both The Dragon and the Turtle and The Dragon and the Turtle Go on Safari.

After chatting with Mrs. Paul (yes, she has a Monday night chat group that chats about writing and plots and characters and food and stuff), she helped me get copies of the books for my classroom of wild and rowdy boys. Who love adventure. And dragons. And safari's (sleep overs). Thank you, Mrs. Paul and Evangeline!

The books were a hit. Being a group of all boys, they especially liked the crunchy bug bits and the sleeping out in the tent. They were very attentive to the illustrations and problem solving in both books. The friendship theme is especially helpful when working with young children (even older children) who are just learning what it means to be a friend.

So jump on board the wonderful fantasy world(s) of Donita K. Paul and her daughter, Evangeline Denmark. Roger (turtle) and Padraig (dragon) will entertain you and the young ones in your life.

www.donitakpaul.com


(I told them to hide their faces but look at the books!)



(Yet another weird blog thing. This photo IS correct on the computer and camera, but sideways in this blog...they are excitedly discussing the illustrations and story I have just read.)

How to Etch Glass, A Guide to Personalized Glass Etching

How to Etch Glass
A guide to personalized glass etching, Eric Robert (2012)

Email: eric@glassetchingsecrets.com
www.glassetchingsecrets.com
Copyright 2012. Eric Robert



This handy e-book found me! And it's free!

If ever you wanted to know anything about etching glass (and I didn't know there was so much that you could know!), this is the source for you. Eric Robert's e-book includes excellent photos and step by step directions on how to etch glass. Many different projects and ideas for projects are included.

For instance, I didn't understand that you could sand-blast etchings. Voila! You can. It's also possible to use a safer and less harsher chemical to etch glass. Conversely, I suppose you could also use the more dangerous and skin melting option to etch glass (FYI: not recommended). I truly appreciate the great ideas of ways to use glass etching.

No longer a thing of the past, but a fun and useful skill/craft/hobby.

Try it. You'll like it. Visit the Web site above to download your free copy. :)

Tell Eric that Angie sent you.


P.S. This is the link for the free e-book. Click on it or copy and paste. Enjoy!
http://www.glassetchingsecrets.com/howtosteps.html

Rook

Rook (Hunter's Oath, Book 1) by Ken Nobles
(Green E-Books, April 2013)

What a find! One of my good friends FB'd me and told me her husband had published his first book. We met eons ago in Germany. We haven't physically seen each other since, but remain friends. From that trip, she knows I enjoy reading fantasy and good books.

Welcome to a new series (again, I have started reading a series that is not complete...hurry up Ken!). This book is a great adventure filled with interesting characters, relationships, and mystery! Danger, mythical creatures, and the discoveries of delving deeper into the history of the characters and their story came together to make me want the next book available now.

So, I say, find this book for your e-reader. And help put some pressure on Mr. Nobles to get crackin.'

PS I tried to get a photo here, but was unable to do so. You are on your own. Check Amazon.

I Want My Hat Back

I Want My Hat Back by Jon Klassen (Candlewick Press, 2011)



I want this book! It cracks me up. The illustrations perfectly marry the text. Simple, funny, catchy...It even rated several "Read it again!" comments.

No wonder it won awards. Read it.

Joseph - Seeing the Big Picture

"Giant Problems Become Pebbles in the Hands of God"
Prayer Patterns
Missions Mosaic, Woman's Missionary Union, February 2013

As a writer, it's ALWAYS exciting to see the finished product of sweat, tears, study, research, anxiety, spell check, editing, writing, brainstorming, word counting, mapping, outlining...

Just out is my latest Prayer Patterns, "Giant Problems Become Pebbles in the Hands of God." Prayer Patterns is a regular feature in Missions Mosaic, a magazine that encourages and leads women to be on mission with God at home, at church, and throughout the world. Prayer Patterns is comprised of daily devotions and a call to pray for missionaries (on their birthdays) and believers serving all around the planet we call home.

It's all about story. Joseph from the Old Testament has a heart breaking, challenging, and rewarding story. God's hand can be seen everywhere as He cares for Joseph and His people.

I love the story of Joseph. It reminds me of God's Big Plan. It tells me that God is at work, no matter what happens. He has a plan for me.

I also love Missions Mosaic. Check out this magazine for current topics about everything - from young mothers to ministry ideas to world wide issues such as human trafficking. Visit www.wmustore.com and see what it's all about.

It's all good.

The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian

The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie (Little Brown & Company, 2007).

I didn't realize I was reading such a hot topic and controversial book when I picked up The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian at Inklings (Yakima, WA) when I used a gift card I had received for Christmas.

AFTER I finished the book, I noticed a local school district having conversations with parents about using this book with younger high school students. Ah-ha. I knew what they were talking about!

This book is a great book. Yes. It has teenage and adult themes and situations in it. The language is blunt and many times extremely colorful (not colorful as in skin color, but colorful metaphors = no longer deleted words heard on everyday TV and most movies).

But what a conversation starter. The peer and rivalry interactions could really resonate with young adults. The experiences and comparisons between on reservation and off reservation locations should cause all of us to stop and consider how the other half lives. Teen issues are well represented, clearly and often humorously.

I am somewhat familiar with the culture surrounding a reservation. Not an expert by any means, but having lived and completed high school on a reservation, this book gives much to contemplate.

Read this book, but not with or to anyone younger than high school. Be prepared to deal with real life.

C.S. Lewis - The Man Who Gave Us Narnia

C.S. Lewis, The Man Who Gave Us Narnia by Renee Taft Meloche (Heroes for Young Readers, YWAM Publishing, 2008)

I love Narnia and reading C.S. Lewis work. This tome for younger readers is written in prose. It actually gives quite a life history for C.S. Lewis, beginning when he was a young child and continuing through his death in 1963.

What I enjoyed about this book were the illustrations (way to go Bryan Pollard) and how author Renee Taft Meloche shared life circumstances (of Lewis) that directly translated into the fantasy world of Narnia. Lewis' strong Christian beliefs made the journey to Narnia and gave a great biblical foundation to the imaginary world of Narnia.

If you enjoy Narnia, this book is a good one to give young readers a short history on a fascinating, creative author, C.S. Lewis. Even older readers will appreciate the historical poetry.

The Sweet Life in Paris

The Sweet Life in Paris, Delicious Adventures in the World's Most Glorious - And Perplexing - City by David LeBovitz (Broadway Books, 2009).

I turned 50 last November. I'm the first in our group of regularly meeting college friends to hit the big mark. We've decided to throw our own 50th birthday party next summer where each of us brings a very nice gift with a $50 price tag. Some game will decide who gets which gift, but the important thing is we are celebrating a monumental life marker.

Ouch. 50.

But a wonderful surprise arrived in my mailbox, from one of my French-loving college friends. Actually, her maiden name was French. If that had been mine, I think I would have considered long and hard about keeping my maiden name instead of switching to hubby's. Alas, my maiden name wasn't French, so I'll go with the Quantrell, as in Quantrell raiders. Better to have an outlaw connection in the family, eh?

The Sweet Life in Paris poured onto my palms as I opened the wrapping. What a treat! (Pun intended.) Not only does this entertaining book share about life in Paris, it is filled with delicious recipes adjusted for our side of the pond. I can't wait to try them.

To make this book even more meaningful, she had put personalized sticky notes alongside some of her favorite dishes and recipes from France. Not only are the recipes and conversation about Paris fantastic, but the hand written sentiments make the book that much more special.

Way to go, Miss French!

Let's Learn About...

Let's Learn About... by Angie Quantrell (Woman's Missionary Union, SBC, 2012).

It's here! I finally got my excited little fingers on my copy. :)

And it looks great.

This book is written for preschoolers and their parents, teachers, family, church, and school. It's also a Molly and Mikey book (missions). Molly takes Mikey on a tour of a Mission Friends classroom to show what kinds of things he will learn about when he is at church.

The focus of the book is to introduce and reinforce the concept areas in a Christian preschool setting. These concept areas are important and should be included in every preschool setting to provide a comprehensive learning environment for preschoolers. The concept areas are Jesus, Bible, Church, Self, Family, God's Creation, World, Community, and God.

Illustrations are a cool combination of photographs, graphics, and icons to signify which concept is being explained. This book also includes Bible thoughts for each concept area and extra activity ideas for the concept areas.

I hope you enjoy this book! Visit www.wmustore.com or wmu.com/preschool for more information. Purchase your copy at www.wmustore.com. Thanks!

Anna and the French Kiss

Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins (Dutton Books, 2010)

Not about what it sounds like. Well, sort of. I was sold on the word French and the cover illustration of the Eiffel Tower.

Geared towards high school/college aged readers, this love story is well written, interesting, and has wonderful character development. Personally, I will read almost anything that is set in Paris or France. Perkins gives readers a tour of some of the most famous Parisian icons.

Besides a great setting and believable characters, complete with teenage hormones and angst, parental issues, and peer conflict, Perkins adds the adventure of spending senior year in Paris. Anna, against her wishes, is forced to study in Paris (how she could be forced is beyond me, as who wouldn't want to study in Paris? But, if that were not the case, the story would not work.) Anna joins a group of friends, one of which (Etienne) becomes her love interest, though he has a steady girlfriend.

This is a quick, entertaining read. Anyone who enjoys travel, France, love stories, and relationships will enjoy this book.