Tag Archives: juvenile fiction

Old Ellen and Otis

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Does anyone else feel nostalgic for the older covers of the Beverly Cleary books, especially now with a modernized telling of Beezus and Ramona due in theaters soon? This copy I have of Ellen Tebbits is literally falling apart, but I’ll not throw it away, even when the book is unreadable due to falling out pages.

Look at these faces! Classic Ellen and Otis!

And a cover page view of Ellen.

I understand the modern covers for a new generation of readers, yet I wonder: Are the new illustrations true to the story? I suspect not.

You had me at imagination

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Books That Build Character by William Kilpatrick and Gregory and Suzanne M. Wolfe

From Books that Build Character (A Guide to Teaching Your Child Moral Values Through Stories) by William Kilpatrick and Gregory and Suzanne M. Wolfe:

If you’re a parent, you’ve got a battle on your hands — a battle with popular culture over your child’s imagination. And like every battle this one has moments when it seems impossible to carry on. But it’s not all grim, because one of the best ways of empowering your child’s imagination is also one of the most enjoyable. The books we’ve listed are stories of virtue and character, but they are many other things as well. Some of them are hilarious, some mysterious, some adventurous, some heart-breakingly poignant, some a combination of all of these.

As a mother and homeschooler, I’m  loving this book. From page 60 to 313, it’s lists of picture books, juvenile fiction, YA, fantasy and science fiction, biographies, fairy tales, historical and contemporary fiction, folktales, myths and legends – all with the indent to build into the moral lives of young readers. There is even a small list of sacred texts.

This is the kind of book you want to bring with you when it’s time to go book shopping.

The author’s summarize each book so you can do a quick preview. Good if you are unsure a book is a good match for your reader.

For more about teaching good values using great literature, especially to boys, visit the MOB society blog today.

Disclaimer: Yup, affiliate links. Yet this is a book I purchased, learned to love, and now want to spread the word, just one book-loving, homeschooling parent to another. Hope it helps your homeschooling adventure.