Book 1
Charlotte's Web by E.B. White is a great cuddle book with the kids. I found more then once the other children sneaking in to hear what happens to Wilbur next (even though I read it to them when they were 5). I think the best thing about Charlotte's Web was hearing the insights of my 5 year old. "Mommy, why doesn't anyone see how special Charlotte is? She's the one who spins the word webs." "Do you think that it's right to eat pigs? I know they don't really talk, but do you think they mind if we eat them?"
*Spoiler~ "Do you think that Charlotte went to spider heaven?"
Book 2
The Travels of Marco Polo, finished book 1 Journey from the Lesser Armenia to the Court of the Great Khan at Shangtu. The print is small, which hurts my eyes a bit even with my bifocals on. The chapters are short though many. I wanted to get an idea of what it would have been like to read his account during his time so I didn't consult a map. As I read I could really "see" the land, this place of wonder, of the unknown. It was like reading about Neverland or what Alice saw on the other side of the looking glass without the attention to detail. Imagining some of the amazing things Marco Polo saw on his travels and the dangers he encountered at such a young age was fun. The only other criticism that I have is that his writing is a bit mater fact, it doesn't allow for frills. Still, looking forward to reading Book II.
Book 3
Raising Gifted Kids by Barbara Klein, Ph. D. this reading Chapter 2 really stuck out, How to Be a "Good-Enough" Parent to Your Gifted Child. Something I struggle with at times. When the questions never end, and your head is pounding from too many questions and meltdowns (very common in our home), that's when I need to just be a good enough parent. Perfectionism goes deep in our family. Either we do it perfect or not at all... which for the parent units is not a good thing. After all it doesn't really matter if your undies are washed perfectly or just generally clean. Yes, I needed the reminder that I don't have to be supermom of the century. Not much of a book review I know, but as far as parenting books go and gifted education books this one is pretty good... like with all topical books of this nature it's got its good and its bad. I think the general overview of the book is worth the read even if your offspring are more on the brightish, talented or of a different kind. Basically if your kids are on the peculiar side as mine are.
So these are the books I've finished last week. And I am so proud of myself (I'm not much of a deadline kinda girl).
Next weeks list looks something like this
Books to finish reading:
{1} Wind in the Willows
{2} Poor Richard (have to wait till Jo Bean finishes it)
{3} Marco Polo Book II and begin Book III
{4} The Beginning
{5} Continue Treasure Island (I hope to finish it by months end)
{6} Continue Trial and Triumph (read-aloud for Jo Bean & Moca)
{7} Continue This Country of Ours (read-aloud for Jo Bean & Moca)
New Books I intend to begin this week.
{1} The Epic of Gilgamesh
{2} Gulliver's Travels Jonathan Swift
{3} The Confessions of Saint Augustine Edited by Temple Scott
{4} Plutarch: the lives of noble Grecians and Romans Translated by John Dryden
{5} The Trumpet of the Swan by E. B. White (read-aloud for Z-train)
{6} The Princess Tales by Gail Carson Levine (read-aloud for Princess Sugar Plum)
{7} And I want to start on a Bible study book or a book of Christian poems or sayings (maybe something like Oswald Chambers books). Not sure yet what though.
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