Love 2 Learn.net

First reviewed:

12-1-05

The Lady of Guadalupe

Author(s):

Tomie dePaola

Number of pages:

44 pages

1980

ISBN:

9780823403738

Publisher:

Holiday House

Binding:

Sewn Hardcover

Subject(s):

Grade / Age level:

Resource Type:

Review:

This has been one of my family's very favorite picture books since our oldest was a toddler. It is a beautiful re-telling of a beautiful story with illustrations that complement it nicely and which are very appealing to children. I especially like Tomie de Paola's attention to detail. It's informative enough to be interesting even for adults.

The story tells of Mary's apparitions to an Indian convert, Juan Diego, in Mexico, in 1531. She asked Juan Diego to tell the bishop that she wished a church to be built. On his second visit, the bishop asked Juan to ask "the lady" for a sign. Mary sends Juan back to the bishop with fresh cut roses - even though it's the middle of December. When Juan opens his tilma (like a cloak) to show the roses to the bishop, they discover that Our Lady's image has been miraculously imprinted on his tilma. This tilma has remained intact and is displayed even today in the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Mexico City.

The author also avoids some of the mistakes and biases often present in renditions of the story. By explaining how the Bishop interrogated Juan Diego and carefully recorded all the details, the author makes it clear that this story is not a legend, but an actual occurence. (A note following the story also gives information about the miraculous condition of the tilma today - which is amazingly intact after more than 400 years.) The author also seems to have avoided any politically correct bias. I was particularly impressed with his portrayal of the bishop who was a very holy man with a genuine concern for all the people of Mexico.

Perspective:

Catholic

Reviewed by:

Advent and Christmas Stories

First reviewed:

1998-99

The Last Straw

Author(s):

Frederick Thury

Illustrator(s):

Vlasta Van Kampen

Number of pages:

32 pages

2006

ISBN:

0881061522

Publisher:

Charlesbridge

Binding:

Sewn Hardcover

Subject(s):

Grade / Age level:

Resource Type:

Review:

To celebrate Christmas, in addition to baking Christmas cookies, setting up the manger scene, decorating the tree, and numerous other seasonal activities, we also like to pause in out preparations to cozy up together and read good books that encapsulate the true meaning of Christmas. The Last Straw by Frederick H. Thury is one such book.

Hoshmakaka is a grumpy, old camel, who would rather do anything than carry gold, frankincense, and myrrh to Bethlehem. He is sleeping peacefully one night when he is visited by voices informing him that the wise men have chosen him for this task. He balks at the idea, providing feeble excuses, but when a furious wind blows the sand, he changes his mind.

The next day as the servants of the wise men are placing the precious gifts on his back a group of young, admiring camels comments that he must be very special. His pride puffed up, he brags that he is “as strong as ten horses” and then allows the young camels to accompany him along the journey. This could be his downfall. Will they find out the truth?

Along the way, one after another person or animal begs Hoshmakaka to carry a gift to the newborn king, creating a mountainous pile on his back. Finally, he comes within sight of Bethlehem. Feeling the strain of the weight, he doubts he will make it when a small voice asks him to carry one more gift for the baby.

Can he do it? Will he make it?

The pictures are delightful. My children enjoyed picking out the gifts piling up on his back. It has also become a familiar line in our home to say, “My joints, my gout, my sciatica.” And the ending is superb! All ages will enjoy this wonderful story.

Perspective:

Judeo-Christian

Reviewed by:

First reviewed:

12/4/2007

The Lemon Sisters

Author(s):

Andrea Cheng

Illustrator(s):

Tatiana Mai-Wyss

Number of pages:

32 pages

2006

Publisher:

Putnam Juvenile

Binding:

Sewn Hardcover

Subject(s):

Stories for Children

Resource Type:

Review:

Reviewed by:

First reviewed:

8-4-2007

The Library Of Alexandria

Author(s):

Kelly Trumble

Illustrator(s):

Robina MacIntyre Marshall

Number of pages:

76 pages

2003

ISBN:

9780395758328

Publisher:

HarperCollins Publishers

Subject(s):

World History

Grade / Age level:

Elementary

Resource Type:

Review:

My fourth grader and Classics-minded daughter loved this one! The product description does a good job of explaining what the book is all about:

The Library of Alexandria was the largest library of its time and a major center for learning and scholarly research, particularly in the fields of astronomy, geography, mathematics, and medicine. Caesar and Cleopatra, Erastosthenes and Euclid, Archimedes and Alexander the Great are just a few of the famous people connected to its story. Today, historians still argue about how the library was destroyed, and no one knows exactly what it looked like, yet there is no question that the library continues to fascinate and intrigue us. This extensively researched look at what we do know about the Library of Alexandria features Kelly Trumble"s short, accessible chapters, and richly detailed full-color paintings by Robina MacIntyre Marshall. Together, they tell the story of one of the wonders of the ancient world, and show how its influence as continued long after its destruction. Glossary, suggested reading, selected bibliography, index.

Reviewed by:

Ana Braga-Henebry

First reviewed:

March 12, 2009

The Little Bear Treasury

Author(s):

Else Holmelund Minarik

Number of pages:

189 pages

1960

Publisher:

HarperCollins

Binding:

Glued Hardcover

Subject(s):

Easy Readers

Grade / Age level:

Grades K-2

Resource Type:

Review:

This treasury incorporates the stories Little Bear, Little Bear's Friend and Little Bear's Visit - sweet stories from the "I Can Read" series of the 1950s and 60s. Little Bear is a walking and talking bear who makes friends with other animals and a girl named Emily. The stories involve humorous adventures and stories told by Little Bear's parents and grandparents. The stories involving Little Bear and his mother are especially sweet and portray some of the simple questions and worries of childhood. Another family favorite.

Additional notes:

Copyrights 1957/1960/1961

Reviewed by:

First reviewed:

11-15-2000

The Princess and the Kiss

Author(s):

Jennie Bishop

Number of pages:

32 pages

2000

Publisher:

Warner Press

Binding:

Sewn Hardcover

Subject(s):

Stories for Children

Grade / Age level:

Grades K-2

Resource Type:

Review:

"Long ago, in a wonderful castle on a mountain of splendor, a beautiful princess was born." So begins the story of The Princess and the Kiss, a tale of a young woman's - in this case princess's - first kiss. On the day she is born, her parents present her with this special gift from God. In a secret room in a castle tower, it is kept safely hidden away under glass. When she is old enough, her parents explain the treasured value of this precious gift and warn her to not give it to just anybody. Heeding their wise advice, she is not one to be bamboozled by the many interesting suitors who vie for her hand, from Prince Peacock to Prince Romance to Prince Treasurechest. She wonders if there ever will be a young man special enough for her to give her first kiss. At last, she meets a young man who impresses her with the purity of his heart.

In this day and age of sexual amorality, the ideal of purity and saving one's first kiss for another pure heart is refreshingly beautiful, especially since both of them have saved their first kiss for each other. For my four-year-old and seven-year-old daughters, this is one of their favorite stories, quite worn out already.

Additional notes:

originally appeared in Heart and Mind Magazine, Summer 2005 - used with permission

Reviewed by:

First reviewed:

1998-99

The Salamander Room

Author(s):

Anne Mazer

Illustrator(s):

Steve Johnson

Lou Fancher

Number of pages:

12 pages

1991

Publisher:

Dragonfly Books

Binding:

Softcover

Subject(s):

Grade / Age level:

Resource Type:

Review:

The Salamander Room is a beautifully illustrated picture book that is sure to captivate the nature-loving child. Brian finds a salamander and asks his mother to keep him as a pet. Rather than saying "no" his mother asks leading questions as to where the salamander will sleep, what he will eat, where he will play and if he'll be lonely. Eager to keep his new pet, but also desiring to give him a happy home, Brian reassures his mother that he will bring moss into his room, wet leaves, boulders and insects to make the salamander happy. Brian's mother continues to question, and Brian continues to imagine bringing the out of doors--in. He says he will bring trees into his room and birds... and by the end, Brian has lifted the roof off his room in order to let in the sun and rain. In fact, so much of the salamander's home has found its way into Brian's room that the only thing recognizable about Brian's room is Brian's bed where he hopes to sleep under the stars beside his new pet salamander.

Reviewed by:

Suzanne Temple

First reviewed:

8-16-2007

The Saving Name of God the Son

Author(s):

Jean Ann Sharpe

Number of pages:

22 pages

2009

Publisher:

Bethlehem Books

Binding:

Other

Subject(s):

Grade / Age level:

Resource Type:

Review:

Bethlehem Books has just released the first in a set of three new board books on the Blessed Trinity. This first one is about God the Son and it's gorgeous! Each page has a lovely painting by early Renaissance artist Fra Angelico, illustrating a scene from the Life of Christ. The paintings are accompanied by short, rich text that speaks of who Jesus is. It's a very quick read, just a few lines per page, but thoughtfully put together and one that can be reflected on over and over again. The series description has some interesting things to say about the intentions of the publisher for this series:

The Teaching the Language of the Faith Series presents read-aloud books that foster reflective interaction between the child listener and the adult reader. Thoughtful religious art is chosen to interrelate with words pertinent to faith understanding. Each aspect extends the meaning of the other. As children gain a familiarity with words and images relevant to Christian truth, they are prepared to enter more fully and more personally into the beauty and mystery of the Christian faith.

An "Art and Text References" segment in back includes references to the Bible and the Catechism of the Catholic Church for each painting. These would be great for further discussion and family study. Kudos to Bethlehem Books for recognizing the great capacity of very young children for beauty and mystery! Note: Bethlehem Books has a free PDF page of suggestions for how to use this book with your child.

Perspective:

Catholic

Reviewed by:

First reviewed:

9-28-2009

The Squire and the Scroll

Author(s):

Jennie Bishop

Number of pages:

36 pages

2004

Publisher:

Warner Press

Binding:

Sewn Hardcover

Subject(s):

Stories for Children

Grade / Age level:

Grades K-2

Resource Type:

Review:

With colorful, dramatic illustrations and a story to inspire children, The Squire and the Scroll is sure to be a favorite. Written as a parable set in an imaginary kingodm, a wicked dragon has stolen the Lantern of Purest Light. This is not just any ordinary light, but a "Lantern that gave freedom to all the kingdom." Who will be brave enough to bring back this precious Lantern? Although many young men try, none return, until one day a poor squire who had been taught by his parents "how to guard his pure heart by the words from a simple scroll" accompanies another daring knight.

As in the journey of Ulysses, they encounter several trials along their quest, in their case, testing the purity of their senses. Will they survive the tests or succumb to the same fate as all the other knights? In the story, children will be challenged on many levels. Will they follow the example of the squire or the knight? Will they obey their parents and listen to the wisdom of God's word or will they succumb to the enticements of the world? Will they guard their purity or squander it? Will they receive as the squire hopes "the promise of a reward from God in return for faithfully guarding his heart?"

Additional notes:

originally appeared in Heart and Mind Magazine, Summer 2005 - used with permission

Reviewed by: