July 30, 2014
This year for Eliza’s birthday party she wanted to invite a handful of friends to join her for two favorite activities. Painting. And sharing good books.I loved the idea.
So we scheduled a date at the painting store, as my children call it. And for what they provided (including the fact that I didn’t have to plan, prepare, or clean up – sometimes that is priceless), I thought the cost was quite reasonable.
Each girl chose a small animal to paint. They settled into chairs and swabbed color onto panda bears, turtles, elephants, kitty cats, geckos, and dolphins.
Eliza was in heaven. The girls chatted busily about Les Mis (no kidding), painting techniques, and what they were doing with their summer. This is Eliza with her favorite backyard friend, Delaney, who is moving to London for a year. Sigh… we’re gonna miss this dear girl.
After all the animal creations were finished and slated for the kiln, we brought out cupcakes and tuned our singing voices.
I love these girls. Full of personality, grounded, kind to each other. I’m getting to know most of them in new ways since being called to teach their primary class at church. I love watching them read from the scriptures, ask difficult questions, make real connections.
I hope these friendships for Eliza always bless her life.
She blew out nine candles.
Then we came back to our home and opened presents on the front lawn. In lieu of regular gifts, we asked each friend to bring a book. One of their favorites to share with Eliza.
Eliza was elated at the stack of reading she unwrapped. Each girl told us a handful of her favorite titles. I wrote them all down and rounded out the list with some of our favorites from the last year. And now, I share it with you!
(I could go on and on about some of these. Like The Tale of Despereaux and its powerful message of forgiveness, all the Roald Dahl books – he’s simply masterful. Or the way we cried when we finished Stone Fox and The Hundred Dresses.)
Moving Day – Meg Cabot
I will say, Eliza loved Wonder so much, it inspired the writing of her own book. The story of a flying book that takes you to different spaces or memories from your past. She called it Seen.
This list is great for young readers ages 6 – 12. And I recommend any of them for reading aloud.
So far this summer, I’ve read aloud Escape from Mr. Lemoncello’s Library, The Tale of Despereaux, The BFG, and we’re currently working through The Long Winter (Little House Series).
I recently received an email from a very engaged father who was curious as to how we read to not one or two children, but to five, and how we get our children excited about reading.
I told him good books are key. I rely heavily on trusted recommendations And most evenings, reading is the reward at our house. I try to make it fun by reading in new and different locations. Like outside on the lawn chairs, on a blanket in the backyard, on the neighbor’s trampoline, or in one of the kids’ bedrooms.
The couch is also a standard spot, with children flanking us on both sides. I’ve said it before but I believe reading aloud is one of the best ways you can prepare your children to be good students. As well as strengthen family relationships.
And while it isn’t the most popular thing to say, the truth is, we have very little screen time. My kids don’t own any devices. We have a few games and learning apps on an iPad. But most days are totally screen-free. Unless it’s Khan Academy, movie night, or a moment of desperation when I’ve GOT to take a shower without kids maiming each other and destroying the house.
I also encourage the kids to read on their own. This summer the girls have had a goal of reading at least 30 minutes every day from a chapter book and scripture.
Eliza’s newly shelved books.
A week after the party, we went back to the painting store to get the girls’ animals they painted. And picked up this cute plate the store painted for Eliza.
Ali and Sami (who are a little younger, age 7) have been enjoying the Ramona series this summer, along with Mr. Popper’s Penguins, Pippi Longstocking, and Milly-Molly-Mandy. Some of which I know I’ve recommended before.
One last way we love to digest books is via audio. In the car. This summer we’ve listened to A Wrinkle in Time, Ivy & Bean, two Nancy Drew mysteries, and Little Women.
Even my boys listen without complaint. I love to stop the audio sometimes and discuss what is happening, drive home an important point or observation. Like how Beth treats her sisters in Little Women, or how Meg’s love for Charles Wallace conquers darkness and evil, as illustrated so beautifully in L’Engle’s Wrinkle.
Good books teach truth. And sharing them with my children brings me so much joy.
As for our sweet Eliza? Some day I’ll write about her creative mind and how I can barely keep up with her projects and ideas. How is it that she is nine?
catharvy
Also recommended by friends via a FB discussion of this post:
Luke the Engine Driver, Ronja Robber's Daughter, The Mysterious Benedict Society series, Mrs. Piggle Wiggle books, Narnia series, The Kingdom of Wrenly, The Mixed Up Files of Mrs. Basil, Hugo, Wonderstruck, Anne of Green Gables books, Half Magic, A Cricket in Times Square, and the Shel Shilverstein books for fun poetry.
Selwyn
Wonder was truly amazing, I loved it. Also check out The Underneath (Kathi Appelt), The One and Only Ivan (Katherine Applegate), and – for a different style – The True Meaning of Smekday (Adam Rex). That is a fantastic party and gift giving idea Cath, and what a sweetheart is your daughter Eliza.
Ace and Waleena...Two people, actually
Here is a darling book that I enjoyed 50 years ago not long after it was first published, and my daughters enjoyed just as much…a very sweet story called Little Witch by Anna Elizabeth Bennett. I know your family would have fun reading it if it is still available. Happy reading!
Shells
User error replying today, so if you end up with three of these comments from me, oops!
I polled my older two (9 year old boy and almost 11 year old girl for those who don't know us). They both love Harry Potter (still), Calvin and Hobbes, the Rick Riordan series Percy Jackson and Heroes of Olympus and Louis Sacher's Wayside School series. My boy loves action and adventure or comedy – current faves are the Brandon Mull series Fablehaven and Sky Raiders. He also loves the Origami Yoda series as well as The Fake Mustache from Tom Angleberger. Lastly, he really enjoyed Fortunately the Milk by Neil Gaiman. My daughter has been enjoying some books by Carl Hiasson, notably Flush and Scat. She also loved The Hobbit much to the happiness of dad. I love watching my kids read, something magical about it.
catharvy
Kel – you always have such great recommendations. Thanks for chiming in!
Ace and Waleena – just bought it. thank you! Perfect for my twin girls as school starts.
Michelle – LOVE all these recommendations from H and E. We've been devouring Calvin and Hobbes this year. Using old books (mine and Doug's). The kids are finally old enough that the humor isn't lost on them. This might be the year Eliza blazes into Harry Potter. She's been wanting to start those. And I bet H loving The Hobbit delighted Dave! 🙂 Thank you so much for this list with a few more boy recommendations. Something we'll need in the coming years. Always grateful for your input here. xoxo