September was lovely. We have had more going on this year than we’ve had in several, and enjoying every minute. No matter how busy we are we always find time, both together and individually, to read great books. This month was no exception.
Three of these books were included in Our Morning Basket. A couple of others were personal reads for mom. One was a suggestion from a fellow homeschooling family and friend. Here’s a rundown of the books we enjoyed during the month of September:
- Owls in the Family (Farley Mowat) – Farley Mowat’s funniest book tells the adventures of Wol and Weeps, two owls from Saskatchewan who shape up a whole neighborhood turn a house topsy-turvy, and outsmart Mutt, the dog hero of The Dog Who Wouldn’t Be.
Read for our monthly book club, Owls in the Family was not as amusing or funny as we’d hoped it would be. It was heartwarming and cute, however. This was a short read and not unenjoyable, but not one we’d be likely to read again. - The Family Under the Bridge (Natalie Savage Carlson) – This is the delightfully warm and enjoyable story of an old Parisian named Armand, who relished his solitary life. Children, he said, were like starlings, and one was better off without them.
But the children who lived under the bridge recognized a true friend when they met one, even if the friend seemed a trifle unwilling at the start.
This book was part of our morning basket as well, included because I’d seen it on Read Aloud Revival and thought we too would give it a shot. The story was fairly short, and an easy read. While very simple, the story was appealing and sweet. There’s no great action, adventure, or emotional roller coasters thrown in. But, you’ll find it to be a character building story and worth your time. - Questions God Asks (Israel Wayne) – Why would God ask anyone a question? We ask questions when we don’t understand. Yet, the Creator of the universe who spoke all that we see into being asks questions. Unimaginable power and wisdom are already His. As strange as it may seem to us, the Bible is filled with questions God asks. He is not the one who needs answers – these questions help us to understand both God and ourselves.
As always, Mr. Wayne never disappoints. While this book was intended for personal devotion, I couldn’t wait to share this with our children. Thus, this became our morning’s devotional for the month. A blessing through and through. But, what else would we expect? - Mouseheart (Lisa Fiedler) – The Warriors series meets Redwall in this first book in an epic animal adventure series set in the subway tunnels of Brooklyn. Hopper is just an ordinary pet shop mouse before he escapes. Soon he finds himself below the bustling streets of Brooklyn, deep within the untamed tangles of transit tunnels, and in Atlantia, a glorious utopian rat civilization.
Suggested by our friends and fellow homeschoolers, Gratia Veritas Lumen, this was a fun read. While this wasn’t part of Our Morning Basket, several of us took our turn reading. It was cute. We can’t wait to read the next two books in the series. - How to Teach Your Children Shakespeare (Ken Ludwig) – In How to Teach Your Children Shakespeare, acclaimed playwright Ken Ludwig provides the tools you need to instill an understanding, and a love, of Shakespeare’s works in your children, and to have fun together along the way.
This book has been on my list for the single reason that I wanted to see if there is anything missing from our study of Shakespeare. I am happy to say there isn’t. Whew! A great book and highly recommended for those struggling in this area. It’s filled with great ideas and helpful tips. - The Shakespeare Book (DK Publishing) – Learn more about the work of William Shakespeare with The Shakespeare Book, packed full of infographics, inspirational quotes, character guides, and more bonus material that illuminates the bard’s work, from Shakespeare plays like Twelfth Night, Julius Caesar, Hamlet, and As You Like It, to his best-loved sonnets, and even obscure lost works. Every comedy, tragedy, history, and poem of Shakespeare’s is collected here in this comprehensive guide.
Part of a series published by DK Publishing, The Shakespeare Book is incredible. Every. Single. Shakespeare. Play. Covered thoroughly and completely. Everything you could ever want to know about the history of the play, the play itself, the circumstances surrounding the play, the era the play was written for, and more. Want to know if there’s a movie adaptation? Yeah, it’s in there, too.
Thus far in the series, I’ve read The Movie Book and The Sherlock Holmes Book; both were fantastic. I don’t know that I’d recommend all books in this series. Their coverage in The Religions Book might be a bit sketchy, but several are definitely worth a look.
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