Snowglobe World

January 5, 2017 Rachel Boyle

I wonder if the snow loves the trees and fields, that it kisses them so gently? And then it covers them up snug, you know, with a white quilt; and perhaps it says, "Go to sleep, darlings, till the summer comes again." —Lewis Carroll, Alice's Adventures in Wonderland & Through the Looking-Glass

When it snows, you have two choices: shovel or make snow angels. Sadly, I’ve chosen to shovel. How else are we gonna get out of the driveway? It’s been snowing unbidden for the past 48 hours. My neighbor thinks shoveling is cathartic. Snow removal hardly feels like therapy to me. But the chill winter air is invigorating—and a fine blanket of white snowflakes, God’s most fragile creations, always inspires wonder. British sculptor/photographer Andy Goldsworth believes that “snow provokes responses that reach right back to childhood.” Maybe that’s what has me thinking about some of my favorite children’s snow stories?

If the powder continues to fall soundlessly through the night, I’ll plug in the Cocomotion Hot Chocolate maker when morning arrives. Me and the kids will have a cup of the salted caramel kind and these are the books I’ll pull from the shelf to celebrate our world clad with radiance.

The Snowy Day by Ezra Keats

Peter’s adventures will make you anxious to pull on the mittens, hat, and down coat to experience the sheer joy of playing in the snow. Guaranteed.

Toot & Puddle: Let It Snow by Holly Hobbie

Is there a more winning combination? Holly Hobbie’s lovable characters Toot and Puddle never disappoint. Throw in the white stuff and you’re bound to arrive at magical. This book will warm you and yours.

The Snowman by Raymond Briggs

This is a family favorite. The book without words has inordinate charm. We love the video version of Briggs’ boy who imagines flying with the snowman he builds. In fact, my 21-year-old daughter watched The Snowman this Christmas holiday. I found myself drawn in—equally mesmerized.

Posted by Tracy

Hello 2017!

January 4, 2017 Rachel Boyle

I divide all readers into two classes; those who read to remember and those who read to forget. —William Lyon Phelps

Was anyone else ready to put 2016 to bed? While I’m normally a sunny girl, Prince and Bowie dying prematurely was pretty heavy. (If I were a closet George Michael fan, and I’m not saying that I am, that just added insult to injury.) Ali, the greatest, is floatin’ like a butterfly; lawdy, I hope Arnie is nearby. The election was sobering. The aftermath was alarming. Not to mention my sweet mother is struggling with heart health issues. And Rachel’s seriously loveable dog probably has cancer. That’s a lot for tip-of- the-iceberg stuff, isn’t it?

Glad you’re here 2017. I’ve made a few goals because my older self recognizes that I get too ambitious sometimes. I have yet to set a reading goal for the new year new me. A close friend of mine, who is as smart as she is kind, decided she was going to read/listen to 100 books this time last year. As in one zero zero! She hit the century mark before the ball dropped in Times Square. But she said she’d probably never attempt it again—too much melted together. My aging brain immediately understood.

When asked which of the 100 she loved most, naturally, she had to think about it. With confidence, she eventually answered, "The Great Bridge.” I had no idea master historian David McCullough spun a dramatic story about the building of the Brooklyn Bridge. How could I have missed it? Another keeper for my master list. While I haven’t landed on a numeric goal yet, I am going to carve out more time for stories this year. If I’m being honest, stories offset the tip-of-the-iceberg stuff—they may even make me feel a bit like the unsinkable Molly Brown.

Posted by Tracy

Playing Favorites 2016

January 2, 2017 Rachel Boyle

“If you have read 6,000 books in your lifetime, or even 600, it's probably because at some level you find 'reality' a bit of a disappointment.” Joe Queenan, One for the Books

Pretty sure you're onto something there, Joe. Books are a reality-weary girl's best friend. They lift, they teach, they comfort and cheer. They are respite on a page. They expand our thinking, challenge our perceptions, and encourage us to be better. At least the best ones do.

Here are the three best books I read in 2016:

Tracy picked When Breath Becomes Air as the top book she was eyeballin' to be a hit in 2016. She was spot on, as usual. That girl does have a knack for picking winners. I want everyone I know to read this beautiful book. Read my review here.

I went in to this one with high expectations after loving Towles first book, Rules of Civility. Thankfully, A Gentleman in Moscow did not disappoint. I loved every glorious line of it. Read my review here.

You'll be making a huge mistake if you skip The War that Saved my Life because it's a children's book. As the great C.S. Lewis said: “A children's story that can only be enjoyed by children is not a good children's story in the slightest.” This is a very good children's story and you should read it. Read my review here.

*To see last year's list click here.

Posted by Rachel

January Book Club Selection

December 30, 2016 Rachel Boyle

"And at home by the fire, whenever you look up there I shall be—and whenever I look up, there will be you."

We're back. Let's pretend we've been abroad and out of internet range, shall we? That's far lovelier than the cold hard truth: the holidays kicked our trash. But hey, we're all about new beginnings (new year, new us) so here's to 2017 being the year we become responsible bloggers! Ya'll just sit back and prepare to be dazzled.

Here's hoping Far From the Madding Crowd will do its fair share of dazzling too. We've been hankering to read it since picking up lovely clothbound editions on our annual beach trip. January feels like the perfect month to stay home by the fire, curled up with a classic, doesn't it? When we're finished, we can all heat some cocoa, pop some corn, and settle in to watch the movie. A happy New Year, indeed.

Posted by Rachel

Winter Soulstice

December 21, 2016 Rachel Boyle

“Be Still and Know that I am God.”

It’s midnight and the fire has died. Good thing I’ve got my toasty True North socks on—the pair I bought in Park City with my adventure buddy Rachel. What I need now is Buddy the Elf. Honestly. Then I might find myself making snow angels for two hours, ice skating, eating a whole roll of Tollhouse cookie dough (fast as I can), and more importantly, snuggling. That sounds right nice. But it doesn’t remotely resemble my life. That’s when I remembered I should be taking Rachel’s advice: I Need a Silent Night.

“The Time of Being Still” could cure what ails me right now. There’s no way to get a full week of stillness, but I’m going to take today. My son turns 12 on this Winter Solstice. We’ll go to his favorites: Five Guys and Nickel City. That’s not all—we’ll watch the BFG because we haven’t yet and we read it together. He’ll demand some corn and a cup o’ root beer and I’ll serve them up. Happily. I’m not gonna worry about work or college essays or wrapping and least of all mailing. Doesn’t sound like the traditional still I know, but when the birthday candles light my boy’s face I’ll fill up on tranquility and a wince of nostalgia. It will make me smile for sure. And then I’ll think of Buddy the Elf: “I just like to smile, smiling’s my favorite.”

Posted by Tracy

Jump to the Skies

December 13, 2016 Rachel Boyle

“We watched, and he taught us like he did every day we were with him. He showed us how to forgive.”

Something wicked this way came. In the form of the flu. I’ve been in bed for 21 straight hours, in and out of consciousness; there have been hazy moments where I wondered if Rachel thinks she’s ridin solo. A slightly strange thought to have in the throes of sickness I know, but still they came. So here’s my attempt to give Rachel some reassurance and Mr. Terupt his due.

The honorable Mr. Frost said, “There are two kinds of teachers: the kind that fill you up with so much quail shot that you can’t move, and the kind that just gives you a little prod behind and you jump to the skies.” Mr. Terupt’s fifth graders find the azure thanks to their teacher who understands that the classroom is far bigger than most imagine. Yes, he uniquely teaches math and science, but he also underscores kindness and forgiveness every bit as much. Terupt teaches lessons that last well beyond the bell. Without knowledge of their personal struggles, he gives his students the gift of perspective—and they are the wiser and more able because of it. Would I trade my very own fifth grade teacher Mrs. Collins for Mr. Terupt. You betcha. And while I’m just guessing on this one, I think Luke and Jonah would too.

Two thumbs way up for Mr. Terupt! Much as I don’t love sequels, something tells me I’m gonna be on the hook for Mr. Terupt Falls Again, and Saving Mr. Terupt. My boys are all in.

Posted by Tracy

Weekly Wrap-Up

December 10, 2016 Rachel Boyle

“One can never have enough socks," said Dumbledore. "Another Christmas has come and gone and I didn't get a single pair. People will insist on giving me books.” —J.K. Rowling, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone

WHAT WE LOVE THIS WEEK

Christmas books. Sorry Dumbledore, you can keep your stinky socks, we'll take new books every day of the year, especially at Christmas. Is there anything better than gathering the kiddos around the tree for a winter's tale? We don't think so. Which is why for years it was our go-to gift for each other's kids. It takes a captivating story to keep the tots still with all those sugarplums dancing in their heads, so last year we shared some of our favorite Christmas classics here. Be sure to click on over! If there was a Holiday Book Hall of Fame, they'd be in it. Right beside the obvious tales: How the Grinch Stole Christmas and The Polar Express.

Today we're sharing a few more worthy contenders, including a couple newer ones we haven't picked up yet but like the look of them, like Walk this World at Christmastime pictured above and The Christmas Wish below.