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When Dog Was Little {My Favorite Book!}

I came across this priceless treasure recently on Thriftbooks. It may not be priceless to you, but it sure is to me! This little book was my very favorite little book when I was a younger. It was my first love when it comes to books. I made anyone and everyone read it to me over and over and over. And over. I think everyone I knew had it memorized because I had them read it to me so much. I even remember my grandma who lived in a different state quoting it. 🙂 I would look for more Little Dog books while my mom got a cart at the store each time we went.

The book is all about Little Dog and the things Little Dog did before he got bigger and went to Nursery School. Like sleep in a crib and learn to talk. And get dressed all by himself. I may have loved it so much because Little Dog was so much like me!

Once I outgrew it and moved on to longer books, I could read all by myself, my mom put it away for safe keeping because it was such a treasure with so many memories by that point. But then after my mom died, so many of her things disappeared including my favorite Little Dog book. So, when I found it on Thriftbooks, I was thrilled! It was only a couple dollars and still in pretty good condition! Apparently, it was loved by a girl named Holly instead though. Do you think she loved it as much as I did? Probably! 🙂

As soon as I opened it and read it, I remembered it like I had never lost it. I was so happy to have it back! I wish my mom was here to laugh with me at how much I made everyone read it to me. But at least I found another copy to treasure all the memories this little book helped create. Life is so short and so precious. That’s one of the things that makes kid’s books so magical. It’s a shared experience with people you love. I hope you too have a favorite book somewhere out there and you can treasure and love forever. Even better if it is one that you have shared with someone else.

Book Recommendation – A Little Princess

I know this is an oldie that’s been around forever, and most likely you’ve read it, but I just reread it for part of our homeschool Literature lessons and I remembered again how much I love it! So, so good! We have several copies as well as an audiobook version my daughter listens to all the time. I love this version from The Good and the Beautiful for many reasons but also because it comes with a ribbon bookmark. I am personally a fan of books having a ribbon bookmark. Such a nice thoughtful touch. Keeps me from searching all over for a scrap of paper to hold my place. Also helps when my younger kids find my book and pull the bookmark out. Like a prize or something. Maybe that only happens at my house…?

Anyways, if you haven’t had the pleasure of reading this wonderful book, this is the remarkable story of Sara Crewe, a darling girl I wish I was much more like in her kindness and imagination. It was written by Frances Hodgson Burnett, a wonderfully talented author, and first published as a book in 1905 but was first a play in 1902 (London) and on Broadway in New York in 1903. It’s also been adapted into film several times over the years, including a 1939 Shirley Temple version. We have a curly haired little girl in our home, so we love Shirley Temple’s movies. 🙂

Here is the plot synopsis found on The Good and the Beautiful website:

Sara Crewe is her father’s little princess, and she has an extraordinary imagination. A stuffy English boarding school like Miss Minchin’s Select Seminary for Young Ladies may stifle some children, but Sara sees all the wonders of life and excites her fellow students as she turns the most mundane tasks into majestic events. When she receives devastating news that abruptly changes her comfortable life, Sara resolves to carry herself with dignity and grace. Her possessions and her storytelling are colorful and exciting, but it is her kindness and strength of character that leave an impression on others and come back to bless her in remarkable ways.

It is so hard to come away from reading this book and NOT be inspired to be a better person. Sara is so kind and thoughtful. She is such a great example to others. These are the types of books that I love! These are the type of books I love sharing with others, especially my children. These are the types of books that should be flooding the world instead of so much of what is out there. Yikes, I’m digressing. I’ll stop eating up your time now.

If you haven’t read this book, change that today! If you have read it, it is so worth reading again! Either way, find yourself a copy and be inspired!

Happy reading!

Book Recommendation – Insights from a Prophet’s Life – Russell M. Nelson

I can’t believe it, but we are already almost to April. That means next weekend is General Conference! The last six months have flown by like they always do between Conferences. I love Conference weekend and as always, I am excited to hear what our modern-day Church Leaders feel inspired to share with us. What a blessing that we have the opportunity to soak in their wisdom! I love studying all about their lives too. Aren’t they amazing?? I am always inspired to be better when I read about any of the Prophets or members of the Quorum of the Twelve or other General Auxiliary leaders.

Even though I’ve read through it several times, this little book has been on my mind lately, so I thought I’d share here for any who are behind the times and haven’t read it yet! 😉

First off, I love the picture that was chosen for the cover and the cover design! Doesn’t it just seem so inviting? Of course, I want to read more about such a nice, friendly looking person! (That is if I didn’t already know who the book was about and want to read it based on that. 😉 ) The book is divided into four sections, each section a different phase in Pres. Nelson’s life. And each one is fascinating! So many wonderful, inspiring stories. So many amazing experiences he has had! What an incredible, intelligent but humble man! It’s hard to not come away knowing even more that he truly is one of the Lord’s prophets, taught and prepared for this purpose in these Latter Days.

Also, throughout are beautiful color photos that are so fun to look at. He has such a beautiful family. It’s hard to NOT get sucked in and not want to stop reading. Yeah? Think you can? Hmm. I dare you. Like I said, I’ve read through it several times already and still I pick it up and read through it again from time to time.

If you want to know more, here is what the cover and online description says:

More than a biography…

What kind of life preparation does the Lord give the men He will one day call to be prophet? And what are the lessons to be learned from such a life? From being raised in a home without the foundation of the gospel to the early days of his marriage and the stress of medical school to his last open-heart surgery in China, President Russell M. Nelson took advantage of every opportunity to learn and become more. In Insights from a Prophet s Life, Sheri Dew takes us through the life of President Nelson from childhood to the current day. This unique collection of life experiences is told in short episodes for the purpose of helping readers gain their own personal insights. For if we have much to learn from what a prophet says, surely we have much to learn from how a prophet lives.

If you haven’t read it yet and now you have decided you must, you can find the book at Deseret Book, either in store or online here. I’m sure you can also find it on Amazon as well because it’s, well Amazon. One suggestion, if you can – go with the hard copy! The first time I read it, I checked it out from the library and read it on my kindle (which was great) but it was difficult to see the pictures. Finally, I broke down and bought a hard copy. Deseret Book usually has a great sale over Conference Weekend, so… great time to buy! Either way, eBook or hard copy, this book is wonderful. Really, Sheri Dew did a wonderful job yet again. So, find yourself a copy and be inspired!

Happy reading!

Book Recommendation – McBroom

I am a fan of funny books. I am really a fan of funny books that are appealing to the whole family. I came across these little books a few years ago and I read them to my kids. I had never heard of them before but once I started reading them, I was glad we had added them to our little home library! We laughed and laughed the whole time we read them. We would quote lines from them to each other at random times and laugh some more. The best part is they still pop up everywhere around our house because my kids still think they are funny and read them. I found one the other day that my daughter had been reading (again), so I thought I’d share here since we think they are that good around our house. 🙂

The books are called McBroom’s Wonderful One-Acre Farm and Here Comes McBroom by Sid Fleishman. These are short, tiny little books (63 and 79 pages) so they aren’t going to be a big time commitment if you decided to read them in your family as well. If you would like your kids to read them on their own, the back of the book says the age level is 7 or 8 and up. (Just know you are missing out on the fun if you do that.) The back of the book also says they are a 2nd grade reading level. Who decided that? I don’t’ know. Is it true? I don’t know. I finished 2nd grade a few years ago and I still read and enjoyed them. Also, I think my daughter was 6 when I read them to her, and she loved them. Which is why she still pulls them out and reads them at 10.

Both books have three short Tall Tales about Josh McBroom and his family. What I do know is be sure and start with McBroom’s Wonderful One-Acre Farm. This book tells the tale of how Josh McBroom and his family end up with a farm of eighty acres stacked on top of each other. Ah, you’re curious now aren’t you! Here Comes McBroom is equally as funny as McBroom’s Wonderful One-Acre Farm. You probably could read it first if you really wanted to, but it might make more sense if you read it second. Here is the description on the back of the book and bookstores near you (such as Amazon) if you want to find out more.

When Josh McBroom learns that the eighty acres of Iowa farmland he’s purchased are all stacked up on top of each other at the bottom of a muddy little pond, he thinks he’s been bamboozled. But McBroom knows he’s got the better of the bargain when the pond dries up to reveal an acre of soil so rich that seeds spring up into full-grown plants in no time and even nickels grow into quarters.

Nickles grow into quarters? Uh Huh. But you have to read the books yourself to find out more. Bonus, your kids will enjoy the books even more the more animated you are as you read them. (Lingering habit of mine from my professional teaching days…)

If you are looking for some funny books that your whole family just might enjoy, check these out!

Happy reading!

Book Recommendation – The Spirit of Revelation

Several months ago, I bought this little book not long after it came out, excited to read what Elder Bednar has to teach us about personal revelation. In the busyness of family birthdays and the holidays and a round of a flu bug that hit our family, I set it aside and forgot to come back to it. Then last weekend one of my kids knocked over a stack of books – and there it was. (It was kind of like in the movies when someone discovers gold in a mine.) As soon as I picked it up, I felt inspired to read it even though I am reading several other books. Then I went off to church and a sister in our ward who spoke last Sunday heavily referenced it in her talk. I definitely knew I needed to read it after that, so I’ve been eating it up and reading it everywhere I go this past week. It’s been the perfect book to help prepare for General Conference next month (already!)!

The book is divided into two sections. The first section is titled Principles and is ten principles Elder Bednar has observed and discovered in his own personal study of personal revelation. They aren’t in any particular order of importance or anything. He explains each principle in each chapter in Section one and gives supporting examples as he goes along. The second section is titled Episodes. This section is a compilation of personal stories shared by him, his wife, or one of his sons in which they experienced personal revelation (some made me cry!). Each one I felt honored they were willing to share with everyone willing to read the book. After each story, there is a page with three questions related to personal revelation and space for writing under each question. It’s a wonderful way to help you recognize personal revelation better.

Reading this book, I was struck by how much it is written and organized in such a loving way! I feel so blessed to have such a great resource from one of the Lord’s apostles. (Aren’t we lucky he not only studied this topic as much as he has but he then took the time to write a book explaining and teaching it better to us as well??) I ate up the first section. Some I already was familiar with. Some were aha moments for me. In the second section I find myself reading each personal story over and over so I can really ponder the questions and really recognize the lessons and hear what the Spirit is trying to teach me personally. And yes, I am writing it in as I go along. It really does help!

You can find the book at Deseret Book. If you wait a few weeks, they usually have a sale over Conference weekend. Or you can get it now and use it to help prepare for General Conference. It seems to me the Lord wants us to really know and understand personal revelation. It is something we hear about repeatedly (The Repetition Principle). Obviously, it’s important so we need to sit up and listen!! This little book is well worth the $20. The lessons learned within are priceless.

Book Recommendation – Ponies for a King

My older kids are big into horses right now. They love riding horses. They love talking about horses. They love reading about horses. Because of this, I am always on the lookout for great horse books for them. I’m picky, picky, picky so this isn’t always easy. I came across this one recently from the Good and the Beautiful, so I ordered it to add to our little home library.

I picked it up one afternoon when I sat down for a minute and started reading it myself. It totally sucked me in! It was a quick read (which I really appreciated) – only 65 pages. I finished it in just a few sittings. The main character is a ten-year-old boy named Lynn and the Good and the Beautiful have it filed under Level 5 for reading level. My daughter is ten so she will love it. My son is 13 so it is a little easy for him, but he doesn’t care as long as it’s about horses. 🙂 In fact, the minute I finished it, he whisked it away to his room so he could read it too.

The story is about two families who have been enemies for generations. Both families raise ponies and entrust their ten-year-old sons to care for the ponies for the summer. They must live in a different area, away from their families for the summer, where the pones can find more food to eat. As you might expect, these poor kids soon encounter difficulties and away the story takes us! It was such a wonderful story about friendship, bravery, making the right choice, and being kind. I loved it. And I’m happy to recommend it to my kids and anyone else who might have an obsession with horses like two kids I know.

If you would like to find out more, you can buy the book from the Good and the Beautiful website here. You may be able to find a used copy on ThriftBooks (my favorite online used bookstore) or Amazon of course.

Happy reading!