The weekly “little of this, little of that” feature here at Like Mother, Like Daughter!
Do you ever come away from the library as from away from a very successful, bargain-heavy shopping trip, thinking, “we made out this time!” But the library is better, because the house isn't collecting any more stuff, because it's books, and because no money has been spent (ba-dum-chish!). Love it.
But it's not every time – at least not for us. Sometimes I do feel like, huh, we kinda struck out today. But this week's trip was a good one and we have been so enjoying story time.
Would you be interested in hearing about what we're liking from the library on such weeks? If so, I can try to remember to share on here. This week we are enjoying Mud is Cake, a very pleasing poem* about the world of the imagination featuring the best illustrations my David McPhail that I've ever seen (really a whole different level from the rest of his work that I'm familiar with); Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star, as told by Jerry Pinkney (another favorite) because Finnabee requested that we get it as soon as I told her we were going to the library; and My Father Knows the Names of Things by Jane Yolen, which also has delightful illustrations by Stéphane Jorisch. (Others as well, but these are the stand-outs so far.)
*I actually alter the poem slightly when I read it aloud, because of a minor grammatical/meter choice that bothers me. But overall I think it's excellent.
This week's links!
- Has it been too long since you've heard Auntie Leila's voice? She was recently featured on the Homeschool Snapshots Podcast, so you can check that out here! Don't forget that you can access all her podcast-y-type-stuff on this page.
- For all JRR Tolkien fans, here's a lengthy interview with the author himself. “I never expected a money success.” Auntie Leila says “he reveals himself to be a bit mischievous! And he also reveals that he intensely dislikes the medieval mind, which sheds light on the fact that he didn't care much for C. S. Lewis' fiction. I love Tolkien but I don't' think we should pay too much attention to him on this matter. Instead, read this and this.”
If you're following the Synod
…and need a little input from us, here's what we're recommending as far as commentary:
- Country Club Catholicism (something to avoid). From First Things.
- Did Thomas More and John Fisher Die For Nothing? from the National Catholic Register
- At the Synod, Truths of Christ are worth a Fight from Catholic Culture
Some humor:
- A funny set of instructions for avoiding apostrophe abuse on your Christmas cards. (But she doesn't address what to do when you want to pluralize and make possessive!)
- My throat hurt from laughing after I watched this: if moms talked to each other the way we talk to our kids. Some helpful perspective on how we sound sometimes…
- Related to that last link, on the topic of what tone of voice we use with our children: Don't Wear your Child's Name Out.
- Related to the C.S. Lewis link above: A Giveaway for C. S. Lewis Fans (the giveaway part is long closed, unfortunately, but the post is still interesting!)
Mrs. B. says
Morning! 🙂
Yes, I for one would loved it if you shared library treasures. I’m very reluctant to go beyond my tried and true because now I have so much less time to spend there for my youngest than I did when I had the older ones – I just don’t have the time to peruse as much. Jim Arnosky, R Scarry, Barbara McClintock (but I’m afraid her children always look like little old people! Am I the only one thinking this?), Jim Aylesworth, Wise Brown, Jan Brett, Barbara Cooney, R McCloskey, Lois Lenski. And why did Elmer and Berta Hader write only one book? Anyone knows about others as wonderful as The Big Snow? Another good snow story, but totally different, is Terrible Storm, by Carol Otis Hurst. Cynthia Rylant is a very mixed bag for me, but we’ve always loved Night in the Country and In November.
Ok, I’m getting carried away…
Deirdre, would you mind fixing the second link in the Tolkien paragraph? I’m afraid it leads nowhere…
Leila says
Hm, works for us — try again? Maybe a different browser?
Wanda says
It didn’t work for me either:)))
Carol Kennedy says
Having the same problem with that link.
Mrs. B. says
When I go over a link with the mouse I usually see the address for it, but I don’t see anything for this one, and nothing happens when I click. (I use Firefox)
Leila says
That’s so weird. Works on my computer and on my phone. Must be a browser thing (I’m using Chrome.)
This is the link address:
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/books/authors/tolkien-interview-its-easier-to-film-the-odyssey/
Or search for Telegraph UK tolkien easier odyssey
Aimee says
I’ve been checking back periodically to see if I can get this link to work for me. It’s the second link that isn’t working, the link regarding Lewis. i hope to read it. The Tolkien interview was fascinating.
Kristin Wilde says
The Lewis link is blank for me as well.
Mrs. B. says
Leila, the interview link work for me as well, it’s the second one that doesn’t. I’m beginning to think there was never meant to be a second link? The final words of the Tolkien bit say “Instead, read this.” and they look like they’re linking to something, but they do not. Was it meant to be a repeat of the Telegraph link?
Sorry this is getting to be such a saga!
Elizabeth says
Yes, the antidote-to-Tolkien-on-Lewis link isn’t working for me either… I hoped you were going to link to something about Planet Narnia, because you’ve talked about it before, I think, and I love it! I adore Tolkien and read his letters this pas year, and found that I had to resign myself to him not liking a number of things I like (like the later Dorothy Sayers novels, for example. I was heartbroken about his view of Gaudy Night for a while!) I think he may have been a bit of a cantankerous person! The letters were great anyway, but I’m glad I read Michael Ward first to help me retain my high opinion of Lewis too, ha.
Tacy Williams Beck says
What is your opinion on the Spectator’s coverage of the Synod?
Leila says
Do you mean Damien Thompson? The official LMLD stance (that is, what the Chief thinks since we don’t read all of what’s out there but have just seen a few of Thompson’s pieces) is “interesting, not necessarily based on first-hand reports, maybe coming at it from a certain point of view that skews the results.”
Melissa D says
David McPhail is so much fun — we have his book “Sisters” and it’s just adorable (about 2 sisters who are different in many ways…but the same in that “they loved each other very, very much.” It’s been a few years but at one point my 2 girls were exactly like the ones in the book, which made it all the more fun to read.
Have you read anything by John Burningham, Deirdre? “Hushabye” is my favorite going-to-bed book ever for kids. I love how this simple picture book shows a rise in (mild) stress that is slowly resolved in denouement as each animal goes to sleep after looking for a comfy spot. And the rhythm is *perfect* …I’m keeping it for grandkids, even though they probably won’t arrive for 20 years. 🙂
Lauren says
We love our weekly library trips. At the little library, the librarians “know us” and are very patient and welcoming to my two energetic little boys. To make sure that we get a nice selection, I go on the online library system to place books on hold. It takes ten minuts tops. We have a wonderful interlibrary loan system. The boys get to pick out a few (sometimes many) books and my holds are waiting at the front desk. The library even texts when the holds are ready.
Adele says
I’ve loved listening to the Read Aloud Revival Podcast. It has reminded me of many many favorites and given me a bundle of new ideas for books. We have a lovely system at our library for keeping digital lists which you can request from the library. We keep a list of books the girls loved and books we want to try. There are even pictures of the covers to help you remember. Our most recent library treasures are A Festival of Stones: Tales of Tiptoes lightly, My Father’s Dragon, Little Fairy can’t Sleep, The Princess and the Pig, and the Brambly Hedge books. I am limiting myself to four because I could go on forever. Yay books.
Mrs. B. says
Yes, Brambly Hedge! Loveliness on paper!
Ashley says
Yes, please post the library books you’re enjoying! I have no young ones of my own yet, but many to buy gifts for, and recently found myself at the bookstore desperately combing the Library Project posts for recommendations of picture books that aren’t the literary equivalent of junk food. (Each Peach Pear Plum was a big hit, so thanks to Auntie Leila for sharing about it!) Please keep the ideas coming. Thank you!
priest's wife @byzcathwife says
My favorite picture book is The Maggie B by Irene Haas
Pam says
I was honored to have Leila on HSP. It was a delightful interview. I always love the ones where I learn from the guest as we chat. Thank you again.
NY Mom says
The video of the moms speaking in MommySpeak – when did mothers begin to talk that way? I grew up in the ’60’s and ’70’s and can assure you that no mother in my neighborhood spoke that way to their kids. It seems more pronounced when other moms are within earshot. Rather an affected tone that lacks authenticity and tenderness. It sort of says, “I have mastered mommying and have boatloads of patience”, but perhaps…not.
David McPhail…I had a crush on his work back in the ’80’s when he drew those gorgeous, lush, b & w pen and ink pictures. His children had a kind of ethereal look to them, but my kids’ favorite book was “PigPig Grows Up”. He lavishes such care on his illustrations.
logan says
I think it’s interesting that you say women didn’t use to talk like that to their kids. How was it different? I do find the way people often talk to their kids is forced and artificial. I love the “dont wear out your child’s name” is so good on that point. I wonder about the agenda of huffpost though, I feel their purpose is to further invalidate women correcting their children and I bristle to that. Obviously mother’s should correct their kids manners and sometimes that will be embarrassing to the child. I’m starting to lean children “should be seen and not heard” in my old age because I feel frazzled at he constant stream of interruptions we get from our kids.
Ann says
We love the Beatrix Potter stories. Also, books with illustrations by Kate Greenway are so pretty.
Deirdre says
To everyone who is having issues with the links in the bit about Tolkien and Lewis, here they are:
1) http://www.likemotherlikedaughter.org/2014/02/c-s-lewis-and-the-hierarchical-vision-of-life-the-library-project/
2) http://www.likemotherlikedaughter.org/2014/02/a-giveaway-c-s-lewis/
Sorry about that! Not sure why it’s working for some people and not for others!
Leila says
And also this one 🙂
http://www.likemotherlikedaughter.org/2014/02/c-s-lewis-and-the-hierarchical-vision-of-life-the-library-project/
Leila says
And also this one is the one I really meant 🙂
http://www.likemotherlikedaughter.org/2014/02/c-s-lewis-and-the-hierarchical-vision-of-life-the-library-project/
Emily says
I’m finally getting a chance to sit down and listen to the Homeschool Snapshots podcast this afternoon, and I realize I’d never heard Auntie Leila’s voice before! You sound totally different than the voice in my head when I’m reading your blog. =) I think I was imagining something similar to my mom’s voice because so much of what you say sounds like what she would say on the same topic.
I’m packing up our house to move in a couple weeks, so I’m going to go spend some going through all your podcasts/interviews links while boxing up our thousands of books.=)