Piglet and Papa
by Margaret Wild. No one loves Piglet as much as his Papa. Even if Piglet does bite his Papa's tail!
Tickle the Duck
by Ethan Long. He doesn't want to be tickled, except that he does. Hoo haw hee hee.
Edwina, The Dinosaur Who Didn't Know She Was Extinct
by Mo Willems. (*****)
Before Green Gables
by Budge Wilson. Two thumbs up from this Anne fan. (****)
Better: A Surgeon's Notes on Performance
by Atul Gawande. A book of non-fiction that focuses on the idea that doctors (and others) can make a radical difference in the world just by doing things better. Excellent read. One worth buying. (*****)
Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West
by Gregory Maguire. Quite political. A bit racy. Very long. Not as good as I hoped. I prefer the musical and its Hollywoodized ending. (***)
The American Plague: The Untold Story of Yellow Fever, the Epidemic that Shaped Our History
by Molly Caldwell Crosby. Amazingly researched. Well written. An excellent narrative non-fiction about the yellow fever viral epidemic that still continues. (*****)
Astrid and Veronika
by Linda Olsson. It was okay. The characters not always sympathetic, though the storyline was poignant enough. (***)
Were You Raised by Wolves?: Clues to the Mysteries of Adulthood
by Christie Mellor. A great graduation gift. In fact, I got one for my brother. (****)
An Act of Vengeance
by Erik Larson. My cousin wrote this novel, a tale of suspense and revenge. The style is reminiscient of turn-of-the-century detective novels: detailed, mysterious, straight forward prose. (****)
Eat, Pray, Love
by Elizabeth Gilbert. While Ms. Gilbert's worldview is quite different from my own, I find her writing to be lovely and her personal adventure to be inspiring. (****)
Small Surrenders: A Lenten Journey
by Emilie Griffin. A wonderful and inspiring addition to the Lent season. (*****)
A Thousand Splendid Suns
by Khaled Hosseini. The most emotionally moving book I have read in years. I cried the last 100 pages, and for days afterwards. Incredible. Hosseini captures motherhood, the bond between women, and the struggle of Afghanistan in a powerful way. Please read this book. (*****)
Steering the Craft
by Ursula K. Le Guin. Wonderful writing prompts and literary snippets.
Teaching Writing in Middle and Secondary Schools
by Margot Iris Soven. Theory, Research and Practice well worth reading if you teach writing.
In the Middle
by Nancie Atwell. Greatly influenced how I taught writing when I was in the secondary classroom. Even though some aren't keen on the workshop method, this book still has some great ideas.
The Omnivore's Dilemma: A Natural History of Four Meals
by Michael Pollan. Engaging. Fascinating. Convicting.
« Week 205: The weekend the sun came out | Main | Week 206: The Sleepingless Beast »
Becoming the Parent You Want To Be: A Sourcebook of Strategies for the First Five Years
by Laura Davis. I just got this textbook-sized book from the library, but I've heard good things about it, so I'm seeing what it's all about.
Anne of Green Gables
by L.M. Montgomery. In honor of the 100th anniversary of this classic, I'm spending the summer working through the series (again).
Jane Clarke: Stuck in the Mud
Can't go wrong with farm animals.
Ah, to be at the age when you can get away with singing outside, pantsless.
Syd is so cute. The boots, the tights, the top---I think pink is a sunnier color than yellow.
Posted by:gretchen from lifenut | Friday, May 02, 2008 at 01:43 PM
That is just priceless!
Posted by:Jen | Friday, May 02, 2008 at 01:49 PM
Ahhh, she looks so fabulous (tights and all)! I love it!
Posted by:Rachel | Friday, May 02, 2008 at 01:58 PM
That is ADORABLE! I want a little taste of that kind of joy!
Posted by:Heather | Friday, May 02, 2008 at 02:17 PM
We could make millions if we could bottle that feeling! Beautiful.
Posted by:Alida | Friday, May 02, 2008 at 04:52 PM
Fun times to be that age and be unrestrained in joy(and sorrow)!
Posted by:Margaret | Friday, May 02, 2008 at 06:14 PM
So simple, so true. Here to joy! Wonderful post.
Posted by:Katy | Friday, May 02, 2008 at 06:37 PM
THAT'S MY GIRL!!
At least she put a shirt on.
Posted by:Carolyn | Friday, May 02, 2008 at 08:45 PM
SO GLAMOROUS! WHAT A SWEET SLICE OF HEAVEN CHILDREN ARE, WHEN THEY DO SUCH AMAZING THINGS.
BY THE WAY AIDAN BREAKS OUT INTO RANDOM SONGS ALL THE TIME, PERHAPS THE TWO SHOULD PERFORM A DUET SOMETIME?
Posted by:Priscilla Tilgner | Friday, May 02, 2008 at 10:23 PM
Ahh, your syd just makes me smile!
Posted by:Jeri | Sunday, May 04, 2008 at 11:44 AM
SO cute!!!
Got to love what those little ones do!
Posted by:Karen | Monday, May 05, 2008 at 10:57 AM