A Trio of Stories



I've been trying to read more, and I am trying out chapter books with the kids.We just completed some good ones. I read Thursdays With Naomi by Phillip R. Thorne and Kisses from Katie by Katie Davis. As a family, we read, Cinnabar, the One O'clock Fox by Marguerite Henry.

  I spent a quiet afternoon reading Thursdays With Naomi at my in-laws house. I saw it sitting there and thought I'd give it a try. I proceeded to read the entire book! The stories are sweet and memorable and I love how each one points to Christ in some way. This book turns every day encounters between a grandpa and his granddaughter into life lessons. It's an easy read with quick chapters. Each chapter leads into the next, introducing the characters and inviting the reader to become part of the family for a little while. I really enjoyed this book.

   Kisses from Katie is an amazing true story that is not over, the book simply tells the beginning. I am inspired and challenged to read about the faith and courage of Katie Davis. I think of her as modern day Mother Teresa or Gladys Aylward, yet the book reads as if she were my neighbor, or girlfriend. She followed God's call, and her heart, to Uganda and lives each day to serve God and her new family as best as she can. She keeps a blog of her ongoing journey. I would recommend that you read the book, the beginning of the story, if you plan to follow the blog. Be humbled, be inspired and then begin saying "yes" to God in your own life. That's what this book has done for me. After reading this book I am challenged to listen to God's call each day of my own life and try to say "yes", to whatever He is asking.

 
   Cinnabar the One O'clock Fox, what a fun story! The kids really loved it and the timing perfectly followed our trip to learn about red foxes. The way this book is written makes it a great one for younger listeners because the chapters are action packed, relatively short and each one has a climactic ending. Often after finishing a chapter, the kids wouldn't move. The would look at me with anticipation in their eyes. I'd say, "that's it", and then their eyes would get bigger and we'd read another chapter. This story is set at Mt. Vernon, Virginia during the time of General George Washington and would be a great addition to a unit study on our first president or the birth of our nation. I didn't follow up on any of the history included in this book. Actually, we didn't delve into the science (agriculture and animals) in the story either. This one we simply read for fun.

      "Four little fox cubs, out upon a spree;
       One found a rabbit trap. Then there were three!
       Three little fox cubs, nothing much to do,
       Met up with fox hounds. Then there were two!
       Two little fox cubs saw a great big gun
       A man was behind it. Then there was one!
       One little fox cub, coy and full of tricks,
       Met a little dog-fox. Now there are six!"
           Cinnabar The One O'clock Fox, Marguerite Henry

 

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