Going Retro!

1963

A funny thing happened to me the other day. I was trying desperately to remember the name of a book of my childhood and could only picture the image. No title, no author, nothing. I tried an online search without success and determined I'd just have to live with the fact that I'd never see my beloved book again. A few weeks after this conclusion I found myself face to face with it in a neighborhood library. The book is called "The Quarreling Book" by Charlotte Zolotow. I was beyond elated! All I could remember of the story was that it involved a family that was angry with one another, yet found happiness in the end, which brings me to the purpose of this post. Going retro at times is great for your children. From this story they learn it's okay to be angry at times, but never to take that anger out on others and this book will drive that point home in a subtle, yet entertaining way!

Journey To The Past

 2012

I've been feeling a bit nostalgic lately. Yearning for things from the past, wanting to step back in time when life seemed simpler. A time without modern technology and today's distractions that so ruin a good ghost story. So what did I do? I bought my 15 yr old sister a new book that promised to take the reader back to that place and time I so desperately wanted to lose myself in and I read it before my sister even knew it was missing from her book shelf! That book was "The Poisoned House" by Michael Ford. It tells the story of 15 yr old Abi, an orphaned servant girl living in 1850's London. Aside from carrying out her scullery maid duties, she's being haunted and this tale is terrifyingly spooky. There's no "ghost in the machine", but rather a presence felt lurking behind the stairs in the dark of a large mansion with nothing but the candle for light. This book is ideal for teens who love scary stories as well as historical fiction and is a true treat for anyone seeking to escape and take a journey to the past...

 

 

The Holiday Season

1958

It's cold outside. Winter is near and the holiday season is rapidly approaching. It's the perfect time of year to snuggle up next to your little ones and dive into some great holiday themed reading! The Story of Holly & Ivy will not only entertain your children , but will give them a true appreciation for the many blessings in their lives. This book tells the story of an orphan child named Ivy who ends up in a small town all alone and spies a beautiful Christmas doll named Holly in a toy shop window. Besides a family, the doll is all she's ever wanted! This story has a wonderful and happy ending that's sure to please the children in your life and will give you holiday cheer as well.

Turning On The Spotlight

1985

There are a vast number of books in children's literature that merit an award. Books that teach children valuable lessons while still managing to entertain them and hold their interest. One such book in that category is without-a-doubt "Miss Nelson Is Missing" by Harry Allard & James Marshall. I remember the first time my mother read me this book. It was truly magical. I loved the plot of naughty students who gave their sweet, caring teacher a hard way to go and what she eventually did about it. This book is not only humorous, but shows kids the importance in appreciating others. This book is a classic and deserves to have a "spotlight turned on it"! Dozens of the books of "yesteryear" still apply to today's youth. So pick up a copy today. No home library would be complete without this book.

Don't Knock It Til You've Read It

2011

I don't necessarily want this site to be about everything creepy, but we just can't help but love these spooky stories. "The Ghost of Crutchfield Hall" by Mary Downing Hahn tells the story of a young girl who is an orphan. Growing up in a girl's home, she is surprised to learn she has a wealthy uncle that has requested she be sent to his rambling mansion to live. There are shocking secrets and creepy mysteries within this book and you never quite know how it will end. Today's topic is all about giving kids what they love and if the answer is mystery, horror or thriller, some times you just have to let them have it for the sake of reading a book at all. The greatest mistake that can be made in the quest to get your child to read, would be to "force" the types of books on them you would have them read. If a great ghost story is not your idea of entertainment, don't knock it if you haven't read it. Test the waters and give that book a try. You just might end up understanding the allure it has for your children.

"Old" is In...

1902

1906

1956

In today's age of Facebook, Twitter and modern technology, one would think that children and teens would only be interested in everything new and 21st century. If only the adults in these young people's lives would take time out of their own use of such vehicles, they would learn that today's youth don't always want to read about today's time. Part of the fun of reading is to step out  of one's environment and get lost in some other place and time, thus the phrase, "Old" is In, becomes true to life. There are so many parents out there practically screaming, "How do I get my child to read and love it?" The answer is quite simple. Allow your children to read about things that interest them. Be it mystery, adventure, horror or supernatural romance. My 14 yr old sister loves any story that involves orphans and if that is what gets her reading, so be it! Thus bringing me back to today's topic. For many children and teens "old" or in this case, Classics are In. "Anne of Green Gables", "The Boxcar Children" and any story by Beverly Cleary will do. Think back to what you read when you were a kid and what your parents read when they were children. You'd be surprised how much your kids will fall in love with those stories. I'm suggesting three books. One for the younger readers would be "The Tale of Peter Rabbit" by Beatrix Potter published in (1902). For middle school aged kids try,  "The Racketty-Packetty House" by Frances Hodgson Burnett published (1906). For teens give "Fifteen" by Beverly Cleary a go! It was published in (1956).