Dec. 15 - Practice makes Perfect... sort of

 Who is this whistling little lamb we see here behind the shutters of Dec. 15? 

Lamby!  The Lamby Show is written and illustrated by Ruthie Nicklaus! I believe it is  her first  children’s books. I will relate as best I can the circumstances that led to the creation of this story. Years ago, Ruthie and Cam were having dinner with Artie and Julee and some other friends who had a little girl who put on a “show” with a stuffed lamb toy. I think the lamb didn’t quite cooperate, or perhaps it just tumbled over in the middle of the show, which caused the little girl to cry inconsolably. Poor sweetie, and poor lambie. I had a similar experiences with Beau, when I entered an agility contest with him and we both fell apart - he lost all concentration and so did I , which caused me to fall and actually break my wrist ( incidentally, just a week after he had been a factor in my breaking my other wrist and elbow) . Life is full of surprises and unexpected incidents. When you are young, tears come freely and quickly, but life continues.  Remember that . Falls teach us to walk, then run , then fly! 

Dec. 13 - silly and serious

 Dear children , 

Did you open the window to reveal a little spoon peeking out ? Do you remember when we talked about what kind of utensil you would choose to be if you were a utensil? Today’s book is Spoon , by Amy Rosenthal and when I first saw this book show up at the library ,  I was so surprised and delighted to think of a spoon as having a personality ! What a sweet little someone this one is !!

I now am announcing the title of the book that Neli suggested and that was on behind Dec. 11th’s shutters - Stella by Starlight , by Sharon M. Draper. I haven’t read this book yet , but it is surely a perfect example of why we read, and how the stories contained in books can teach us , and sensitize us to other’s lives . I copied the text of the review from GoodRead’s review . Thank you, Neli for this suggestion . 

When the Ku Klux Klan's unwelcome reappearance rattles Stella's segregated southern town, bravery battles prejudice in this Depression-era tour de force from Sharon Draper, the New York Times bestselling author of Out of My Mind.

Stella lives in the segregated South; in Bumblebee, North Carolina, to be exact about it. Some stores she can go into. Some stores she can't. Some folks are right pleasant. Others are a lot less so. To Stella, it sort of evens out, and heck, the Klan hasn't bothered them for years. But one late night, later than she should ever be up, much less wandering around outside, Stella and her little brother see something they're never supposed to see, something that is the first flicker of change to come, unwelcome change by any stretch of the imagination. As Stella's community - her world - is upended, she decides to fight fire with fire. And she learns that ashes don't necessarily signify an end. 

December 13 - Ramona the Brave

 Here’s another wonderful book by Beverly Cleary! I love Ramona the Brave so much! As her father says, Ramona has Spunk! I gave a collection of Beverly Cleary books to Flora last year, and wonder which one is her favorite?  Here is a good description from the Good Reads website:

“ Beverly Cleary draws here a portrait of a little girl discovering with astonishment that the way others see her is not always the way she sees herself. In the contrast lie moments of emerging self-knowledge for Ramona and of delicious hilarity for the reader. “

Have you ever had a time when you have a reason for doing something that no one else understands why, but makes perfect sense to you?  

Dec. 12 - I am way behind, but hope springs eternal.

 Ok, kids - because I didn’t keep a copy of the advent calendar with the dates written in, I don’t remember what numbers I put on which windows! Dang!! And from looking at the post Jennie put up, it is apparent that I made a mistake already and that Blairy the Pickle was today’s book, not the book on Dec. 9, as I thought! I will learn from my mistakes , hopefully. And I lost my notes and can’t remember the title of the book that Neli suggested ( Dec. 11 ) So, Neli , please help me out with a short review and title if you are so inclined. :) . On Dec. 9 , the window opens to a book that Orson suggested - Minecraft - The Island, by Max Brooks.

If you are a Minecraft user and fan , as most of you are - this sounds like a great choice! Perhaps Orson would like to give us a little review! What happens and what did you like about this book? Has anyone else read this book? The next book was also suggested by Orson and it is Laundry Day, by Jessixa Bailey.

Orson and Freddie told me that this book is hilarious! I do love funny books don’t you? 

I noticed that there are several comments made already and I so enjoy reading what you write. The best way to become a good writer is to read a LOT and to write a lot. Have any of you started keeping a journal  or diary? I am not as good at it as I would like to be, but as the saying goes - hope springs eternal. That is a proverb or saying that means  - it is human nature always to find fresh cause for optimism.  I do believe that is true and even when things don’t go right, there is always another day, another chance. 

Thank you all for your patience with me. I love you.

Dec. 8 and 9

 Sunbread by Elisa Kleven is the book to read when the days are dark and we need a little cheering up. Make a loaf of delicious bread anytime, and believe it is always a welcome nutritious yummy treat! I love the magical textural pictures that Elisa Kleven makes, and the pictures she paints with words.  

Blairy the Pickle is created, illustrated and published by Ruthie !! I love Blairy’s sparkly personality, and resourcefulness. What do you do when others test your patience? There are lots of ways to respond, and Blairy makes really good choices! And then, when someone wants to make amends, and asks forgiveness, Blairy is quick to forgive and forget, and the sparkle that was once lost comes back ! Keep shining your light , no matter what!!

December 7 - Fish in a Tree , by Lynda Mullaly Hunt

 Nélida suggested this book!  I would like to hear all about the books that she is reading, the races that Neli is running, hear and play songs with Flora, build giant colorful translucent buildings with Martin, and share  heart and soul warming soups, salsas, and tortillas with everyone. I am very sad that I won’t get to see them this winter, but looking for much better circumstances in the spring and summer. We have to be brave and strong and have resilience and patience to support families who are losing much more than we are , and to stay healthy and strong for each other.  It is hard. I am thankful for books like Fish in a Tree that give us insight into lives of others very unlike , and yet so very much like our own .  I will look forward to reading this book, just because Nélida recommends it, and because she chooses books that help us to understand each other .  Thank you Neli and we are cheering for you to Run Super Fast today at your race!! I love you so much!!!

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/22402972-fish-in-a-tree?from_search=true&from_srp=true&qid=DDDYtLNWU1&rank=1

December 6 - Ribsy, by Beverly Cleary

Did you recognize Ribsy? I love that book so much, and I was having lots of fun reading it, and will be getting another copy soon, so that we can keep on reading it. I gave my copy to Vic, and I think that Neli, Flora and Martin have a copy... does anyone else?  

I love Ribsy. He reminds me so much of Beau.  I wonder what will happen next? The last time we read he had escaped from the home of Mrs. Frawley after she tried to get him to perform for the ladies in her club - so funny! There are limits to how agreeable a natural born dog will be!!

Beverly Cleary is a most inspiring author! Did you know that she is alive and well at 104 years old! And that she is a long time resident of Oregon, and perhaps still living  in McMinnville. She is a living legend.

Read this!

https://www.beverlycleary.com/about

Oh my goodness - Dec. 4 and 5 !!

 The days are passing quickly and yet slowly.  I missed posting yesterday which ( if  you have opened window. #4 ) you will hopefully recognize as  Big Nate. I actually have not read a Big Nate story yet - but the stories sound great! Jeliya suggested a Big Nate book by Lincoln Pierce as one of her favorites - and I ask - if you have read one - which one is your favorite in the series?? Here is one that I might look for!

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/7150178-big-nate?from_search=true&from_srp=true&qid=HjXC8ermZI&rank=1

And if you opened window #5 ,  we have another character from a  series which has enormous popular appeal - you will hopefully recognize Harry Potter! which I am so embarrassed to say I have not read either!!! Of course it was added after I guessed which book might be one of Caleb’s favorites, and I would guess that some of the other of you would agree that it is a favorite among many. I will definitely be putting Harry Potter and the Sorcerers Stone, by J.K. Rowling on my 2021 reading list! 

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/3.Harry_Potter_and_the_Sorcerer_s_Stone?ac=1&from_search=true&qid=0QiTvORBE3&rank=1

December 3 - The Lion and the Little Red Bird , by Elisa Kleven

The first time I read, The Lion and the Little Red Bird was when I was a children’s librarian at the Wenatchee Public LIbrary.  It was such a wonderful job, and opportunity to learn so much from my fellow librarians. I felt so lucky to discover the many books that we shared with the families and children. Elisa’s books were always bright, colorful and told stories of wonderful magical characters. When I read this book, I imagine the sweetness of the little red bird’s curious song, and the gentleness of a lion who is a painter.  It is amazing when the author of one of your favorite books becomes a friend to you. In one of my last year’s of working at the Entiat Public Library, I invite Elisa to come to visit our branches, and was delighted to host her for about a week. She continues to be a friend, and we occasionally write and share small gestures  of appreciation for each other . 

 https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/701644.The_Lion_and_the_Little_Red_Bird

Dec. 2 Wings of Fire!

Have you read any of the Wings of Fire books? I was given this suggestion by two of my granddaughters - Flora and Jeliya! Tell me what you think girls! Did the book make you think differently than you did before you read the book? How? Did you know you can post your thoughts ( with your parents help signing in  ) right here  on The Pines Times? 

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13228487-the-dragonet-prophecy

December 1st of the Candy Cane Library Advent Calendar

 Today ( although you don’t likely have your candy cane library advent calendar yet ) the first door of the season of winter reading has arrived! If you did have your calendar, you would open the little window at the top of the library and find a sweet little pig reading and a very industrious spider looking on in admiration. Charlottes Web, by E.B. White is a favorite of many readers. For me , the friendship between animals so different from each other is an example, however fanciful, of how we each can bring  more joy into the world when we show kindness and compassion to each other. What is your favorite thing about Charlotte’s Web? 

The Candy Cane Library Advent Calendar

If you could design a library of your dreams, what would it look like?  Would the spaces be filled with light? Or would the warmth of the space envelope you in a peaceful quiet feeling? Perhaps the walls would be overflowing top to bottom with books filled with fantastic fiction and even more fantastic nonfiction.  Today I am sending off to each of you a Candy Cane Library Advent Calendar... and although Dec. 1 and a few days beyond may come and go before your calendar arrives, each day of the month you will find here the title of the book that is under the window of that date of the month.   The idea of drawing a little pic that represents each book came to me as I was working on the project. I liked doing it so much that I decided it would be fun to have a short review of each book here as they arrive throughout the month, If one of these books was suggested by you ( and each book was either a suggestion or one of my favorites ) give us a little review of sorts!   And describe to us what your dream library would look like!  We will start on Dec. 1. 

Time to Rekindle?

 Hello my family,

Maybe rekindle isn't the appropriate word as we all hope and wish and pray for rain. Rain that will lay to rest the late summer fires that are enveloping all of our lives in this oppressive, unhealthy smoke. Maybe rekindle is the right word though, because, well because.... somewhere in the world of Facebook and Instagram and Covid and my own mental and physical health issues and caring for my own small but demanding family, and everything else going on in this challenging time, I feel a bit adrift of the Superdalgas days of old. 

I have felt connected to you in that I know that I love you, and that you love me, and that you are out there somewhere, and that any of us would be there for any of the others if any need arose, but still....

Are you interested in "The Pine's Times"? A blog for just our family? Maybe a place to share some thoughts or pictures that we don't necessarily want the whole world in on? I feel like I would love it right now.