Xapa to the World

Category: Books

  • Favorite Library Finds in 2021

    Towards the end of the year, and a little more willingness to get out into the world after the start of the pandemic, the kids and I began venturing to the library to pick out books. Now, I will say that for several weeks, we stuck to requesting them online and then picking them up in the drive-thru. But in the early part of 2022, the library opted to start the toddler/preschool storytimes again and we were so glad to have a safe-ish place to see other people and engage with reading and the library as a whole.

    My son was really beginning to nurture a joy of being at the library by the time the pandemic began, and I was anxious to get my daughter in the same routine. I also was turned on to the incredible reading lists from Read Aloud Revival and also from Brightly. Our favorite finds are from a combination of those lists and some that little hands randomly pulled off the shelves.

    I’m going to make this list highlighting the ones we really enjoyed and then give our honorable mentions (just the other books we also checked out and weren’t terrible. haha)

    “Mama, Do You Love Me?”
    by Barbara M Joosse
    and Barbara Lavallee (illust)

    Children’s Storytime Book, Arctic and Wild Animal Picture Book, Native American Books for Toddlers
    (0-12y)

    “Hand, Hand, Fingers, Thumb”
    by Al Perkins
    and Eric Gurney (illust)

    The dancing, prancing monkey musicians in this Bright & Early Board Book will have kids (and their lucky parents) drumming and humming along with the story as they learn to identify their hands, fingers, and thumbs.
    (0 – 3y)

    “Mail Duck”
    board book with flaps
    by Erica Sirotich

    Mail Duck is delivering differently shaped packages to all his friends on his mail route. (Trudy likes triangles, and Harry likes hearts!) Lift the flaps to peek inside and guess what each friend received. Then head back to the post office for a big surprise…
    (0 – 3y)

    “First Snow”
    by Bomi Park

    In this beautiful book from debut creator Bomi Park, a young girl wakes up to the year’s first snowy day.
    (2-4)

    “Wolf in the Snow”
    wordless book
    by Matthew Cordell

    A girl is lost in a snowstorm. A wolf cub is lost, too. How will they find their way home?
    (2 – 6y)

    “The Birds of Bethlehem”
    by Tomie dePaola

    On the morning of the first Christmas, the birds of Bethlehem gather in the fields–not only to eat but to share the exciting news.
    (3 – 5y)

    “City Dog, Country Frog”
    by Mo Willems
    and Jon Muth (illust)

    In spring, when City Dog runs free in the country for the first time, he spots Country Frog sitting on a rock, waiting for a friend.
    (3 – 5y)

    “Because of an Acorn”
    by Lola & Adam Schaefer
    and Frann Preston-Gannon (illust)

    Because of an acorn, a tree grows, a bird nests, a seed becomes a flower.
    (3 – 5y)

    “Last Stop on Market Street”
    by Matt De la Peña
    and Christian Robinson (illust)

    This energetic ride through a bustling city highlights the wonderful perspective only grandparent and grandchild can share.
    (3 – 5y)

    “High Five”
    by Adam Rubin
    and Daniel Salmieri (illust)

    Discover the lost art of the high five and improve your slapping skills just in time for the annual high five contest!
    (3 – 5y)

    “Dumpy to the Rescue!
    by Julie Andrews Edwards & Emma Walton Hamilton
    and Tony Walton (illust)

    After bringing dinner to some of his farm animal friends, Dumpy helps Mama Goat search the farm for her missing baby and solve the mystery of the farmyard thief.
    (3 – 5y)

    “The Mitten”
    by Jan Brett

    Grandmother knits snow-white mittens that Nikki takes on an adventure. Readers will enjoy the charm and humor in the portrayal of the animals as they make room for each newcomer in the mitten and sprawl in the snow after the big sneeze.
    (3 – 5y)

    “One More Acorn” (Earl the Squirrel)
    by Don & Ron Freeman

    An adorable, heartwarming story about a squirrel looking for that one last acorn.
    (3 – 5y)

    “Blizzard”
    by John Rocco

    Based on John Rocco’s childhood experience during the now infamous Blizzard of 1978, which brought fifty-three inches of snow to his town in Rhode Island.
    (3 – 5y)

    “Bunny Slopes”
    by Claudia Rueda

    Shake to help Bunny make it snow, tilt to help Bunny ski down the slope, and turn to help Bunny escape a cliff in his path. Is there any obstacle Bunny can’t conquer?
    (3 – 5y)

    “Hank Finds an Egg”
    wordless book
    by Rebecca Dudley

    From delicate ferns to the glow of Hank’s little campfire, Hank Finds an Egg immerses you in its vivid miniature world.
    (3 -6y)

    “Goodbye Autumn, Hello Winter”
    by Kenard Pak

    As leaves fall from their trees, animals huddle against the cold, and frost creeps across windows, everyone knows–winter is on its way!
    (3 – 6y)

    “Little Penguins”
    by Cynthia Rylant
    and Christian Robinson (illust)

    As the snow starts to fall, the excited penguins pull out scarves, mittens, heavy socks, and boots, and Mama helps them bundle up.
    (3 – 7y)

    “Gary”
    by Leila Rudge

    Most of the time, Gary is just like the other racing pigeons, eating and sleeping and dreaming of adventure. There’s just one thing that separates him from the ordinary pigeons: he can’t fly.
    (3 – 7y)

    “Red and Lulu”
    by Matt Tavares

    Red and Lulu live in the most beautiful evergreen tree. But one day, they are separated and it will take a miracle to bring them together again.
    (3 – 7y)

    “Every Friday”
    by Dan Yaccarino

    All week long, a boy and his father look forward to their Friday ritual–breakfast at their favorite diner.
    (3 – 7y)

    “Billy and Goat at the State Fair”
    by Dan Yaccarino

    Billy and Goat are best friends, but very different from each other. Goat is excited to go to the State Fair, but Billy isn’t sure about all the crowds. Can they both have a good time?
    (3 – 7y)

    “Snowman’s Story”
    wordless book
    by Will Hillenbrand

    One wintry day, a hat lands on the head of a newly made snowman and brings him to life. But, this hat wasn’t empty!
    (3 – 7y)

    “The Christmas Fox”
    by Anik McGrory

    One by one, from field and forest, the animals make their way to a barn, bringing a gift for a special new baby. What could the fox possibly give?
    (3 – 7y)

    “Can You Make a Scary Face?”
    by Jan Thomas

    Help the lady bug throughout this book by making a scary face and other antics.
    (3 – 8y)

    “Outside My Window”
    by Linda Ashman
    and Jamey Christoph (illust)

    Children living in different parts of the world see very different things when they gaze out of their windows.
    (4 – 8y)

    “Strega Nona”
    by Tomie dePaola

    Strega Nona–Grandma Witch–is the source for potions, cures, magic, and comfort in her Calabrian town. Her magical everfull pasta pot is especially intriguing to hungry Big Anthony.
    (4 – 8y)

    “Strega Nona Does It Again”
    by Tomie dePaola

    Angelina is so beautiful that all the young men in the village are chasing her, but the one she has eyes for doesn’t know she exists. At his wits’ end, her father sends her to his dear cousin–Strega Nona.
    (4 – 8y)

    “Waddle! Waddle!”
    by James Proimos

    Waddle…waddle… belly slide! into a charming and funny story about friendship, featuring three adorable penguins!
    (4 – 8y)

    “Happy Thanksgiving, Biscuit!”
    by Alyssa Stain Capucilli
    and Pat Schories (illust)

    Biscuit has so much to be thankful for on his first Thanksgiving. How will he and the little girl spend this special day?
    (4 – 8y)

    “Kitten’s First Full Moon”
    by Kevin Henkes

    It is Kitten’s first full moon, and when she sees it she thinks it is a bowl of milk in the sky. And she wants it.
    (4 – 8y)

    “Baby Bear’s Book of Tiny Tales”
    by David McPhail

    This collection of simple, short, and irresistibly sweet stories are about Baby Bear finding things–and figuring out what to do with them.
    (4 – 8y)

    “Doug Unplugged”
    by Dan Yaccarino

    After a morning spent learning facts about the city, Doug suspects he could learn even more about the city by going outside and exploring it.
    (4 – 8y)

    Honorable Mentions

    • “My Heart Fills with Happiness” by Monique Gray Smith and Julie Flett (illust)
      (0 – 2y) Native American
    • “A Midsummer’s Night’s Dream – Fairies Primer” board book by Jennifer Adams and Alison Oliver (illust)
      (0 – 3y) – Poetry, Classics
    • “Do Crocs Kiss?” Salina Yoon
      (0 – 3y) – animals, sounds, lift the flap
    • “We All Play” by Julie Flett
      (0 – 7y) – native American, animals
    • “That’s Not My Bee…” board book by Fiona Watt and Rachel Wells (illust)
      (0+) – touch and feel
    • “What’s on My Farm?” Roger Priddy
      (1 – 4y) – farm life, slide and find
    • “The Story of the Snow Children” by Sibylle van Olfers
      (2 – 5y) – snow, fairytale
    • “Where is Christmas Jesse Bear?” by Nancy White Calstrom and Bruce Degen (illust)
      (2 – 6y) – Christmas
    • “King Jack and the Dragon” by Peter Bentley and Helen Oxenbury (illust)
      (3 – 5y) – fear, imagination
    • “City Block” board book by Christopher Franceschelli and Peskimo (illust)
      (3 – 5y) – city life
    • “Unspoken” wordless book by Henry Cole
      (3 – 7y) – history, America, slavery
    • “The Busy Tree” by Jennifer Ward and Lisa Falkenstern (illust)
      (3 – 7y) – Autumn
    • “On Christmas Day in the Morning” by John Langstaff and Melissa Sweet (illust)
      (3 – 7y) – Christmas, music
    • “Chalk” wordless book by Bill Thomson
      (3 – 7y) – fantasy
    • “Birdsong” by Julie Flett
      (3 – 8y) – Friendship, seasons, Native American
    • “The Nosyhood” board book by Tim Lahan
      (3 – 8y) – neighborhood, silly
    • “Flora and the Flamingo” wordless book by Molly Idle
      (4 – 6y) birds, dancing
    • “Snowflake Bentley” by Jacqueline Martin and Mary Briggs Azarian (illust)
      (4 – 7y) – January
    • “Berlioz the Bear” by Jan Brett
      (4 – 8y) – animals, Ukrainian
    • “Who’s that Knocking on Christmas Eve?” by Jan Brett
      (4 – 8y) – Christmas
    • “Night of Las Posadas” by Tomie dePaola
      (4 – 8y) – Christmas, Latino
    • “A Bargain for Frances” by Russell Hoban and Lillian Hoban (illust)
      (4 – 8y) – friendship
    • “The Hundred-Year Barn” by Patricia MacLachlan and Kenard Pak (illust)
      (4 – 8y) – Americana, farm life

  • Book Promo: Hidden in My Heart

    A little diversion from the current blog series. When I was in Japan, I met a family serving in Hiroshima. They hadn’t been in the country for all that long, I think no longer than I had at that moment, but we had some good discussions and I gave them some tips on ESL ministry. They are a super sweet family.

    I won’t give their family history here, but they are a mom and dad, twin daughters, and three adopted sisters. They are precious. Every month, they send out updates on their family and work. I believe they are planning to head back to Japan soon, with the whole family. Wow!

    Taylor, one of the twins, recently had a book published! There’s a term that’s fairly common with missionary kids or kids that are born into one culture, but raised in another. The term is Third Culture Kids, or TCK’s. They don’t really feel they belong to either culture, so they have a third culture that’s a mix and in between of the other two. This can result in a whole bunch of emotions and they are hard to process. I don’t know what it’s like to be a TCK, that’s not part of my life story. But here’s an excerpt from the email update Taylor gave.

    A few months after we arrived in America, my mom and I were walking on the causeway. We were talking about Japan, and she had begun to notice my anger. We drove to a coffee shop afterwards, and when she asked me what was truly wrong, I started crying. She asked me why, but I didn’t know. I was asking myself the same question.

    We talked two hours. Toward the end of our conversation, she asked me to write down a list of emotions that I had felt during our time in Japan. Then she told me to write prayers to God about each one.

    I quickly wrote the list. As I sat on the floor with my laptop next to a bright, sunny window, I began writing prayers to God. I cried some more. I asked God to show me what I had missed. I took a few steps back and examined my anger. I opened my ears and truly listened for the first time in four years.

    Who is your anger directed toward?  I heard God gently ask. I stopped typing, stunned. Was my anger directed toward someone?

    Yes. He responded.  Think about it.

    I read through the prayers I had written and thought about it some more. The truth slowly surfaced. And it horrified me.

    God… I felt more ashamed than ever, but unlike the last few years I was ready to accept it. My anger is directed toward You, God, isn’t it?

    I kept writing. I uncovered my self-centered nature, and I revealed stories that I would much rather keep hidden. I asked forgiveness for the anger, bitterness, and discontentment that had taken root in my heart.

    What a reflective young woman she is. I’m glad that I had a chance to meet this family in person, even for just a short time. But I wanted to help promote her book. It is a gathering of the prayers and thoughts she had written down about not having a set physical home. I haven’t read it yet, but Taylor is very articulate and descriptive. I’m sure it will be a great read.

    Here is the link.

    Hidden in my Heart

    If you can’t see the picture above, please click here.

  • Discussion Questions: Mansfield Park

    Mansfield Park, by Jane Austen

    1. Mansfield Park was written after a silence of more than a decade. During this period, Austen moved several times, saw the deaths of her father and a potential suitor, and became the dependent old maid we find so often among her more pitiable characters. The Napoleonic Wars continued; England embarked on imperialistic adventures. Austen followed both with interest. Do you see evidence of these things in the novel?
    2. At the heart of its plot, Mansfield Park has three sisters. What kind of family life do you imagine would account for Mrs. Bertram and Mrs. Norris and Mrs. Price? Find something good to say about Mrs. Norris.
    3. Fanny is an Austen heroine who, throughout the course of the book, has nothing to learn. In this she stands in sharp contrast to Emma Woodhouse. Do you like Fanny as well as you like Emma? Less? More?
    4. In one of the book’s most famous scenes, Fanny sits wilted in the heat at the Rushworth’s estate, while the other characters come and go around her. Discuss the ways this epitomizes the entire plot of the book.
    5. The various roles played in The Lover’s Vows often result in Austen characters who are, under the cover of the play, allowed to act in ways more congruent with their real natures than polite society permits. They perform themselves.Meanwhile, William H. Galperin suggests that, when Fanny Price insists she cannot act, she is actually demonstrating her “inability to know one is always acting.” Galperin speaks of “a fundamental duplicity in which one literally performs one’s inability to act.”

      Think about this until your head explodes.

    6. Plato has suggested that one cannot be both a good actor and a good citizen. What do you imagine he meant? Discuss the relevance of this to Mansfield Park.
    7. In most books, the villains are identifiable through their mistreatment of the hero/heroine. In Mansfield Park, the Crawfords are among the tiny handful of people who see the value of Fanny Price. Are they ever unkind to her?Why is Fanny so little moved by their interest and esteem?

      In your opinion, is any of this esteem genuine?

    8. The Crawfords are superficially the most attractive characters in the book. Where do their virtues become vices? Answer the same question with regard to Fanny and Edmund.
    9. Kingsley Amis said, “Edmund and Fanny are both morally detestable and the endorsement of their feelings and behavior by the author . . . makes Mansfield Park an immoral book.” Do you agree? Is there any difference in your mind between Austen herself and the book’s narrator?
    10. Earlier Austen novels suggest a society in positive transformation; earlier heroines struggle towards the possibility of improvement. In contrast, Mansfield Park is about a society threatened with transformation. Fanny Price makes no positive movement. She protects Mansfield Park by her resistance, by her refusal to change. In the end, the society represented by the estate of Mansfield Park will not and cannot be saved? What in that society seemed valuable to you? Is there anything to regret about its loss?

    From Reading Group Guides.com