Found at Birdhouse Books: Whitney Vintage Valentines
A southern girl chatting about books, ephemera, life, love, dogs and all things vintage!
Wednesday, September 30, 2015
Book Spotlight and Giveaway - The Beautiful American by Jeanne Mackin
The Beautiful American by Jeanne Mackin
Publication Date: June 3, 2014NAL/Penguin Group
Formats: eBook, Paperback, Audio
352 Pages
Genre: Historical Fiction
As recovery from World War II begins, expat American Nora Tours travels from her home in southern France to London in search of her missing sixteen-year-old daughter. There, she unexpectedly meets up with an old acquaintance, famous model-turned-photographer Lee Miller. Neither has emerged from the war unscathed. Nora is racked with the fear that her efforts to survive under the Vichy regime may have cost her daughter's life. Lee suffers from what she witnessed as a war correspondent photographing the liberation of the Nazi concentration camps.
Nora and Lee knew each other in the heady days of late 1920's Paris, when Nora was giddy with love for her childhood sweetheart, Lee became the celebrated mistress of the artist Man Ray, and Lee's magnetic beauty drew them all into the glamorous lives of famous artists and their wealthy patrons. But Lee fails to realize that her friendship with Nora is even older, that it goes back to their days as children in Poughkeepsie, New York, when a devastating trauma marked Lee forever. Will Nora's reunion with Lee give them a chance to forgive past betrayals, and break years of silence?
A novel of freedom and frailty, desire and daring, The Beautiful American portrays the extraordinary relationship between two passionate, unconventional woman.
AMAZON | BARNES & NOBLE | BOOKS-A-MILLION | GOOGLE PLAY | IBOOKSTORE | INDIEBOUND | POWELL'S
PRAISE
"Will transport you to expat Paris." - Suzanne Rindell, author of The Other Typist"A brilliant, beautifully written literary masterpiece" - Sandra Dallas, author of Fallen Women "Leaves its essence of love, loss, regret and hope long after the novel concludes." - Erika Robuck, author of Fallen Beauty
"Achingly beautiful and utterly mesmerizing...her vividly drawn characters...come heartbreakingly alive in their obsessions, tragedies and triumphs" - Jennifer Robson, author of Somewhere in France
"From Poughkeepsie to Paris, from the razzmatazz of the twenties to the turmoil of World War Two and the perfume factories of Grasse, Mackin draws you into the world of expatriate artists and photographers and tells a story of love, betrayal, survival and friendship...an engaging and unforgettable novel" - Renee Rosen, author Doll Face
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Jeanne Mackin’s novel, The Beautiful American (New American Library), based on the life of photographer and war correspondent Lee Miller, received the 2014 CNY award for fiction. Her other novels include A Lady of Good Family, about gilded age personality Beatrix Farrand, The Sweet By and By, about nineteenth century spiritualist Maggie Fox, Dreams of Empire set in Napoleonic Egypt, The Queen’s War, about Eleanor of Aquitaine, and The Frenchwoman, set in revolutionary France and the Pennsylvania wilderness.Jeanne Mackin is also the author of the Cornell Book of Herbs and Edible Flowers (Cornell University publications) and co-editor of The Book of Love (W.W. Norton.) She was the recipient of a creative writing fellowship from the American Antiquarian Society and a keynote speaker for The Dickens Fellowship. Her work in journalism won awards from the Council for the Advancement and Support of Education, in Washington, D.C. She has taught or conducted workshops in Pennsylvania, Hawaii and at Goddard College in Vermont.
WEBSITE | FACEBOOK | TWITTER
BLOG TOUR SCHEDULE
Monday, September 21Spotlight at Let Them Read Books
Tuesday, September 22
Interview at Please Pass the Books
Wednesday, Spetember 23
Review at A Bookish Affair
Review at History From a Woman's Perspective
Spotlight at What Is That Book About
Thursday, September 24
Review at History Undressed
Review & Interview at Jorie Loves a Story
Friday, September 25
Guest Post at A Bookish Affair
Interview at History Undressed
Spotlight at Book Nerd
Sunday, September 27
Review at With Her Nose Stuck in a Book
Monday, September 28
Review at I'm Shelf-ish
Guest Post at To Read, or Not to Read
Tuesday, September 29
Review at Build a Bookshelf
Spotlight at Caroline Wilson Writes
Wednesday, September 30
Review at Queen of All She Reads
Spotlight at View From the Birdhouse
Spotlight at CelticLady's Reviews
Thursday, October 1
Review at Dive Under the Cover
Interview at The Old Shelter
Guest Post at Books and Benches
Spotlight at The Lit Bitch
Friday, October 2
Review at A Fold in the Spine
Review & Interview at Singing Librarian Books
Spotlight & Excerpt at A Literary Vacation
GIVEAWAY
To enter to win a paperback copy of The Beautiful American, please enter via the GLEAM form below.Rules – Giveaway ends at 11:59pm EST on October 2nd. You must be 18 or older to enter. – Giveaway is open to US residents only. – Only one entry per household. – All giveaway entrants agree to be honest and not cheat the systems; any suspect of fraud is decided upon by blog/site owner and the sponsor, and entrants may be disqualified at our discretion – Winner has 48 hours to claim prize or new winner is chosen.
The Beautiful American
Tuesday, September 29, 2015
Did You Know Tuesday: Banned Book Week
My favorite genres to read now are children's books (still/always), mysteries, and historical fiction. One of these genres frequently contains banned books. Sadly, that category is children's books and young adult novels.
The top 10 banned books for 2014 were:
1) The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian, by Sherman Alexie
2) Persepolis, by Marjane Satrapi
3) And Tango Makes Three, Justin Richardson and Peter Parnell
4) The Bluest Eye, by Toni Morrison
5) It’s Perfectly Normal, by Robie Harris
6) Saga, by Brian Vaughan and Fiona Staples
7) The Kite Runner, by Khaled Hosseini
8) The Perks of Being a Wallflower, by Stephen Chbosky
9) A Stolen Life, Jaycee Dugard
10) Drama, by Raina Telgemeier
A few of the classic children's books that frequently appear on banned book lists include:
The Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling
The Witches by Roald Dahl
James and the Giant Peach by Roald Dahl
Forever by Judy Blume
Harriet the Spy by Louise Fitzhugh
Winnie the Pooh by A.A. Milne
In the Night Kitchen by Maurice Sendak
The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein
Bridge to Terabithia by Katherine Patterson
The Giver by Lois Lowry
Anne Frank: The Diary of a Young Girl by Anne Frank
Charlotte's Web by E.B. White
Alice in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll
Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak
The Lorax by Dr. Seuss
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl
The Wonderful Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Baum
The Chocolate War by Robert Cormier
The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain
The Great Gilly Hopkins by Katharine Patterson
Banned Book Week was founded in 1982 by First Amendment activist Judith Krug. It was designed as a way to promote intellectual freedom in libraries, schools, and bookstores. You can find out more at the official Banned Books Week site. The site includes a great list of events (state by state) including read ins, panel discussions, and celebrations of books.
As a reader, I encourage you to find out more about Banned Book Week and celebrate your freedom to read! Are you doing anything to celebrate Banned Book Week? I'd love to hear from you in the comments, below.
Monday, September 28, 2015
Music Monday - "Lightnin' Strikes" by Lou Christie (1966)
I always say that I don't like falsetto voices in music - and then I have to amend and add that I really like Lou Christie and Frankie Valli. "Lightnin' Strikes" was a number one hit in 1966, and was written by Lou Christie and Twyla Herbert.
Lou Christie was born Lugee Alfredo Giovanni Sacco in 1943 and grew up in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He was an aspiring recording artist since his teens, and had his first hit in 1962 ("The Gypsy Cried").
I remember this song from AM radio when I was a very little girl. I loved it then and still do. The recording is below, for your listening pleasure.
Lou Christie was born Lugee Alfredo Giovanni Sacco in 1943 and grew up in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He was an aspiring recording artist since his teens, and had his first hit in 1962 ("The Gypsy Cried").
I remember this song from AM radio when I was a very little girl. I loved it then and still do. The recording is below, for your listening pleasure.
Saturday, September 26, 2015
Weekend Window Shopping at Birdhouse Books
Hi vintage friends!
I went a little crazy listing some retro goodies at auction last week. As a result, I now have a record (for me!) 156 auctions running right now on eBay. I hope you'll stop by and peek at them:
Birdhouse Books on eBay
You'll find some unique items, including:
Cookbooks, like Savannah a la Carte and It's Dessert Time (a 1952 Jello cookbook):
Nonfiction, like Sojourn in Savannah (guide book with map) and Make a Merry Christmas (a 1970's vintage holiday crafts book from Current):
Unopened craft kits, like this project to embroider a Christmas angel ornament (Leisure Arts):
Vintage travel brochures, like the Fernbank Science Center (Atlanta) and Parrot Jungle (Miami):
Roadside Americana travel postcards - amusement parks, motels, restaurants, and more! Pictured here: Children's Fairyland (a story book land in Oakland, California) and the Imperial Motel (Daytona Beach, Florida).
I hope you enjoyed this peek into my shop. I'll be back next week with more -- Halloween cards coming soon!
I went a little crazy listing some retro goodies at auction last week. As a result, I now have a record (for me!) 156 auctions running right now on eBay. I hope you'll stop by and peek at them:
Birdhouse Books on eBay
You'll find some unique items, including:
Cookbooks, like Savannah a la Carte and It's Dessert Time (a 1952 Jello cookbook):
Nonfiction, like Sojourn in Savannah (guide book with map) and Make a Merry Christmas (a 1970's vintage holiday crafts book from Current):
Unopened craft kits, like this project to embroider a Christmas angel ornament (Leisure Arts):
Vintage travel brochures, like the Fernbank Science Center (Atlanta) and Parrot Jungle (Miami):
Roadside Americana travel postcards - amusement parks, motels, restaurants, and more! Pictured here: Children's Fairyland (a story book land in Oakland, California) and the Imperial Motel (Daytona Beach, Florida).
I hope you enjoyed this peek into my shop. I'll be back next week with more -- Halloween cards coming soon!
Book Spotlight and Giveaway - A Mastery Passion: The Story of Alexander and Elizabeth Hamilton
A Master Passion: The Story of Alexander and Elizabeth Hamilton: Book One: Love and Liberty by Juliet Waldron
Publication Date: March 25, 2015Books We Love eBook & Print;
428 Pages
Genre: Historical Fiction
THE MASTER PASSION is the story of the marriage of our brilliant first Secretary of the Treasury, Alexander Hamilton, and his courageous wife, Elizabeth Schuyler. It begins with a whirlwind Revolutionary War courtship at Washington’s headquarters. Conflict, however, is built into this marriage. Betsy's passion is Alexander. While Hamilton adores his wife and children, there are times when he loves America more. “...And hence one Master Passion in the breast Like Aaron's serpent, swallows up all the rest..." ~~Alexander Pope
AMAZON | BARNES & NOBLE | BOOK DEPOSITORY
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Juliet Waldron has lived in many US states, in the UK and the West Indies. She earned a B. A. in English, but has worked at jobs ranging from artist’s model to brokerage. Thirty years ago, after her sons left home, she dropped out of 9-5 and began to write, hoping to create a genuine time travel experience for her readers. Juliet’s a grandmother, a cat person, and fascinated by reading history and archeology. Juliet spends a lot of time visiting other centuries, but she’s also certain she doesn’t want to live there. Juliet gardens, bicycles and is involved in local advocacy groups. She and her husband of fifty years enjoy the winding backroads of PA aboard their Hayabusa superbike. For more information visit Juliet Waldron's website. Juliet also blogs at Possum Tracks and Crone Henge, and you can follow her on Facebook, Pinterest, and Goodreads.BLOG TOUR SCHEDULE
Monday, September 21Interview at Library Educated
Guest Post at What Is That Book About
Tuesday, September 22
Review at With Her Nose Stuck In A Book
Spotlight at Please Pass the Books
Wednesday, September 23
Spotlight at Svetlana's Reads and Views
Thursday, September 24
Guest Post at To Read, Or Not to Read
Friday, September 25
Spotlight at Raven Haired Girl
Saturday, September 26
Spotlight at View from the Birdhouse
Monday, September 28
Review at In a Minute
Tuesday, September 29
Review at Diana's Book Reviews
Wednesday, September 30
Review at A Fold in the Spine
Spotlight at CelticLady's Reviews
Thursday, October 1
Review at Bookish
Review at The Maiden's Court
Friday, October 2
Review at I'm Shelf-ish
Review at Beth's Book Nook Blog
Spotlight at Broken Teepee
GIVEAWAY
To enter to win a paperback copy of A Master Passion & $5 Amazon Gift Card, please enter via the GLEAM form below. Rules – Giveaway ends at 11:59pm EST on October 2nd. You must be 18 or older to enter. – Giveaway is open to US residents only. – Only one entry per household. – All giveaway entrants agree to be honest and not cheat the systems; any suspect of fraud is decided upon by blog/site owner and the sponsor, and entrants may be disqualified at our discretion – Winner has 48 hours to claim prize or new winner is chosen.A Master Passion
Friday, September 25, 2015
Dear Abby: Social Media
Dear Friends,
I hope you are having a wonderful week! I am so happy that it is Autumn. The weather will be cooler and nice for longer walks. Plus, there are fun holidays to look forward to in the next few months. Hooray!
I have a great question today from my friends: Barbara, her kitty Zeus, and dachshund Oz:
We have a topic for you to write about: your experiences with social media. We have made so many wonderful connections and even some lovely friendships. There are some things that we don't enjoy about social media (like gossip, shaming, judgmental comments etc.) but if you are careful and choose your connections wisely, we find Twitter & Facebook to be a really good experience. Do you have any tips to help people & pups with this? Looking forward to your next column.
Barbara, Zeus, and Oz, thank you for the wonderful question! My Momma and I love social media too. It is a great way to connect with family and old friends, and we have made some wonderful friends on social media as well!
I like the way you worded this: "choose your connections wisely." I think that is a great point about social media. It is very public, much more so than email or a phone call, so you have to choose who you want to connect to.
With online time I believe it is important to trust your instincts and if people or pups do not seem to be friendly and kind, you can just disconnect from them. We like nice people.
I do not have my own social media accounts (alas!), but I have still made friends with dachshunds, dog people, and animal lovers wherever we go.
On any of the social media sites, you can search for words like: dachshund, dog rescue, etc. and come up with lots of great results. That is a good way to find pages and groups on Facebook (those are fun places to interract with like-minded pups!). On Twitter you can search by the words on their own, i.e. dachshunds, but you can also search with hashtags, like #dachshunds.
We have learned that lists make Twitter a lot more fun. For instance, you can make lists of your dachshund friends and click on that list at any time (or save the link) in order to read the latest doxie news. Momma says you can do the same thing with blogger friends, eBay friends, etc. We like the free version of Hootsuite to read our Twitter posts. A neat feature of Hootsuite is you can display all your lists side by side. Twitter can get very overwhelming quickly with the volume of posts there; this makes it a lot easier to read.
One of the biggest issues we have with social media is it is addictive! Momma sometimes sets the timer when she is checking in on our social media sites for work. That helps!
We would love to connect with all our friends on social media. I help with these pages:
Birdhouse Books on Pinterest (check out the Cute Dogs and Dachshund boards I helped set up)
Birdhouse Books on Facebook (books, nostalgia, and links to my blog posts, too)
Birdhouse Books on Twitter (mostly Mom's work but I love to chat with dachshund friends there as well!)
I would love to hear from you about your experiences with social media! Please leave any comments below.
I'm also looking for questions for future posts, so welcome those in the comments section as well.
Wishing you a wonderful weekend!
Love from Abby xoxoxo
I hope you are having a wonderful week! I am so happy that it is Autumn. The weather will be cooler and nice for longer walks. Plus, there are fun holidays to look forward to in the next few months. Hooray!
I have a great question today from my friends: Barbara, her kitty Zeus, and dachshund Oz:
We have a topic for you to write about: your experiences with social media. We have made so many wonderful connections and even some lovely friendships. There are some things that we don't enjoy about social media (like gossip, shaming, judgmental comments etc.) but if you are careful and choose your connections wisely, we find Twitter & Facebook to be a really good experience. Do you have any tips to help people & pups with this? Looking forward to your next column.
Barbara, Zeus, and Oz, thank you for the wonderful question! My Momma and I love social media too. It is a great way to connect with family and old friends, and we have made some wonderful friends on social media as well!
I like the way you worded this: "choose your connections wisely." I think that is a great point about social media. It is very public, much more so than email or a phone call, so you have to choose who you want to connect to.
With online time I believe it is important to trust your instincts and if people or pups do not seem to be friendly and kind, you can just disconnect from them. We like nice people.
I do not have my own social media accounts (alas!), but I have still made friends with dachshunds, dog people, and animal lovers wherever we go.
On any of the social media sites, you can search for words like: dachshund, dog rescue, etc. and come up with lots of great results. That is a good way to find pages and groups on Facebook (those are fun places to interract with like-minded pups!). On Twitter you can search by the words on their own, i.e. dachshunds, but you can also search with hashtags, like #dachshunds.
We have learned that lists make Twitter a lot more fun. For instance, you can make lists of your dachshund friends and click on that list at any time (or save the link) in order to read the latest doxie news. Momma says you can do the same thing with blogger friends, eBay friends, etc. We like the free version of Hootsuite to read our Twitter posts. A neat feature of Hootsuite is you can display all your lists side by side. Twitter can get very overwhelming quickly with the volume of posts there; this makes it a lot easier to read.
One of the biggest issues we have with social media is it is addictive! Momma sometimes sets the timer when she is checking in on our social media sites for work. That helps!
We would love to connect with all our friends on social media. I help with these pages:
Birdhouse Books on Pinterest (check out the Cute Dogs and Dachshund boards I helped set up)
Birdhouse Books on Facebook (books, nostalgia, and links to my blog posts, too)
Birdhouse Books on Twitter (mostly Mom's work but I love to chat with dachshund friends there as well!)
I would love to hear from you about your experiences with social media! Please leave any comments below.
I'm also looking for questions for future posts, so welcome those in the comments section as well.
Wishing you a wonderful weekend!
Love from Abby xoxoxo
Thursday, September 24, 2015
Throwback Thursday - Comic Books
Did you know that September 25 is National Comic Book Day? I just learned about this retro holiday, and it made me immediately think of comic books from my childhood.
My favorite was Archie, and the related Betty and Veronica comic books as well. I thought these were really cool when I was little! They were, of course, about teenage kids and as a little girl, I thought it was fun to read about their high school adventures.
Later I also discovered the Partridge Family comic books. I was in elementary school when these were popular, and like most girls I knew, I had the biggest crush on David Cassidy. So of course I loved the comic books, too!
Did you like comic books when you were growing up? What were your favorites? I'd love to hear from you in the comments, below.
My favorite was Archie, and the related Betty and Veronica comic books as well. I thought these were really cool when I was little! They were, of course, about teenage kids and as a little girl, I thought it was fun to read about their high school adventures.
Later I also discovered the Partridge Family comic books. I was in elementary school when these were popular, and like most girls I knew, I had the biggest crush on David Cassidy. So of course I loved the comic books, too!
Did you like comic books when you were growing up? What were your favorites? I'd love to hear from you in the comments, below.
Book Spotlight and Giveaway: Thoreau in Phantom Bog by B.B. Oak
Thoreau in Phantom Bog
(A Henry David Thoreau Mystery)
3rd in Series
Mystery
Paperback: 320 pages
Publisher: Kensington (August 25, 2015)
ISBN-13: 978-0758290274
Synopsis
About The Authors –
B. B. Oak is the pen name of Beth and Ben Oak, who met in a literature course at Boston University and have been enthralled with Henry David Thoreau (and each other) ever since. They are members of The Thoreau Society and Old Sturbridge Village, a living museum which recreates life in rural New England and served as the model for the book’s fictional town of Plumford.
Author Links
http://www.bboak.com/
http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6579683.B_B_Oak
Purchase Links
Amazon B&N
Giveaway
One lucky winner will receive a great prize package from Kensington.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
(A Henry David Thoreau Mystery)
3rd in Series
Mystery
Paperback: 320 pages
Publisher: Kensington (August 25, 2015)
ISBN-13: 978-0758290274
Synopsis
Henry
David Thorea’s impassioned activism in the Underground Railroad leads
him away from the banks of Walden Pond into a morass of murder…
In the spring of 1848, Thoreau returns to Plumford, Massachusetts, in search of a fellow conductor on the Underground Railroad, who has gone missing along with the escaped female slave he was assigned to transport. With the help of his good friend, Dr. Adam Walker, Thoreau finds the conductor—shot to death on a back road.
When the two men discover that Adam’s beloved cousin Julia has given the slave safe harbor, their relief is counterbalanced by concern for Julia, who has put herself in grave danger. Another conductor has been murdered in a neighboring town and a letter has been found from someone claiming to have been hired to assassinate anyone harboring fugitive slaves. With all of them now potential targets, the need for Thoreau and Adam to apprehend the killer is more urgent than ever…
In the spring of 1848, Thoreau returns to Plumford, Massachusetts, in search of a fellow conductor on the Underground Railroad, who has gone missing along with the escaped female slave he was assigned to transport. With the help of his good friend, Dr. Adam Walker, Thoreau finds the conductor—shot to death on a back road.
When the two men discover that Adam’s beloved cousin Julia has given the slave safe harbor, their relief is counterbalanced by concern for Julia, who has put herself in grave danger. Another conductor has been murdered in a neighboring town and a letter has been found from someone claiming to have been hired to assassinate anyone harboring fugitive slaves. With all of them now potential targets, the need for Thoreau and Adam to apprehend the killer is more urgent than ever…
About The Authors –
B. B. Oak is the pen name of Beth and Ben Oak, who met in a literature course at Boston University and have been enthralled with Henry David Thoreau (and each other) ever since. They are members of The Thoreau Society and Old Sturbridge Village, a living museum which recreates life in rural New England and served as the model for the book’s fictional town of Plumford.
Author Links
http://www.bboak.com/
http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6579683.B_B_Oak
Purchase Links
Amazon B&N
Giveaway
One lucky winner will receive a great prize package from Kensington.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Wednesday, September 23, 2015
Book Review - Let's Learn About the Lord's Prayer by Catherine DeVries
Synopsis
Let’s Learn about the Lord’s Prayer (David C. Cook, September 2015)
In this first book of the HeartSmart series, preschoolers are invited on a playdate with Emma. Together they learn the Lord’s Prayer and practice “teaching” it to Emma’s favorite teddy bear.
Introducing HeartSmart, a Scripture memory series designed to create opportunities for children to fill their heart with God’s Word. HeartSmart combines key Scriptures with songs, giving parents a spiritual formation path for building a strong foundation of faith.
The entire Lord’s Prayer is included, along with a custom song (free download with access code).
My Review
Let's Learn About the Lord's Prayer is a board book for young children. Children will meet Emma, who is four years old, in this book, as well as her stuffed bear, Blueberry.
As Emma goes about her day, she learns The Lord's Prayer. In addition to memorizing the prayer, she also learns what the words mean in a real and meaningful way in her life. For instance, she learns:
"Forgive us our debts,
as we have also forgiven
our debtors."
She discovers that this means to forgive friends in situations like a disagreement on the playground.
I love the unique way that this book incorporates scripture in a manner that is accessible for young children as they learn the meaning and application of the words in real-life situations.
This book has cute illustrations by Ryan Jackson that will appeal to preschool children. It is sturdy and well made. As a board book, it is great for many rereads.
As a former preschool teacher, I always think it is wonderful to find books that are a great read aloud. Let's Learn About the Lord's Prayer adapts well for reading aloud at home, in Sunday School, or in a preschool classroom. Emma asks readers interactive questions, like how old they are and what their favorite food is.
There is even a link provided to download a song that accompanies the prayer. The song, along with the prayer, provides a rich learning experience for young children.
This is a lovingly crafted book, and would make a wonderful addition to a library at home, church, or religious preschool.
Author Bio
Catherine DeVries has written twenty books for children, including the bestselling "The Adventure Bible Storybook." As associate publisher of Children’s Resources at David C Cook, she leads product development for The Action Bible collection, which has sold over a million copies. Catherine lives with her husband, their three children, and their big furry dog in the Colorado forest.
I received a copy of this book from Litfuse in exchange for an honest review.
Let’s Learn about the Lord’s Prayer (David C. Cook, September 2015)
In this first book of the HeartSmart series, preschoolers are invited on a playdate with Emma. Together they learn the Lord’s Prayer and practice “teaching” it to Emma’s favorite teddy bear.
Introducing HeartSmart, a Scripture memory series designed to create opportunities for children to fill their heart with God’s Word. HeartSmart combines key Scriptures with songs, giving parents a spiritual formation path for building a strong foundation of faith.
The entire Lord’s Prayer is included, along with a custom song (free download with access code).
My Review
Let's Learn About the Lord's Prayer is a board book for young children. Children will meet Emma, who is four years old, in this book, as well as her stuffed bear, Blueberry.
As Emma goes about her day, she learns The Lord's Prayer. In addition to memorizing the prayer, she also learns what the words mean in a real and meaningful way in her life. For instance, she learns:
"Forgive us our debts,
as we have also forgiven
our debtors."
She discovers that this means to forgive friends in situations like a disagreement on the playground.
I love the unique way that this book incorporates scripture in a manner that is accessible for young children as they learn the meaning and application of the words in real-life situations.
This book has cute illustrations by Ryan Jackson that will appeal to preschool children. It is sturdy and well made. As a board book, it is great for many rereads.
As a former preschool teacher, I always think it is wonderful to find books that are a great read aloud. Let's Learn About the Lord's Prayer adapts well for reading aloud at home, in Sunday School, or in a preschool classroom. Emma asks readers interactive questions, like how old they are and what their favorite food is.
There is even a link provided to download a song that accompanies the prayer. The song, along with the prayer, provides a rich learning experience for young children.
This is a lovingly crafted book, and would make a wonderful addition to a library at home, church, or religious preschool.
Author Bio
Catherine DeVries has written twenty books for children, including the bestselling "The Adventure Bible Storybook." As associate publisher of Children’s Resources at David C Cook, she leads product development for The Action Bible collection, which has sold over a million copies. Catherine lives with her husband, their three children, and their big furry dog in the Colorado forest.
I received a copy of this book from Litfuse in exchange for an honest review.
Tuesday, September 22, 2015
Did You Know Tuesday: Lustron Houses
There was a huge housing shortage in the United States after World War II as GIs returned home. Lustron houses were designed to help with this housing need. These unique homes were manufactured in a former airplane factory and made of prefabricated enameled steel. 2948 Lustron houses were constructed between 1948 and 1950. The average sales price was $10,500.
These homes were made in four colors: Surf Blue, Maize Yellow, Dove Gray, and Desert Tan. The interiors were modern, with an emphasis on efficiency and space saving. For instance, there were built-in wall units in the bedroom and living room. The interior walls, ceilings, and kitchen cabinets were all made of enameled steel. Home owners had to hang pictures up with magnets! The sound quality inside was different because they were made of metal. The ranch homes were available in two- and three-bedroom models.
The Lustron company went bankrupt in 1950 because of production delays and distribution problems.
There are about 2000 Lustron homes still in existence, and they are treasures. One of my friends, who is an architect, found one in the Atlanta area. We drove to see it and I was very taken with the house - and the story behind Lustron homes. You can find a listing of Lustron homes on Wikipedia: Lustron homes in the United States.
Here are some more links you may enjoy:
Great resource on Lustron preservation from the Ohio Historical Society.
Interesting story with photos and a detailed PDF about a Lustron house in Arlington, Virginia that was disassembled and moved to the Ohio Historical Society for display - The story of Lustron House #549.
Have you seen one of these homes? Would you enjoy living in one? I'd love to hear from you in the comments, below.
These homes were made in four colors: Surf Blue, Maize Yellow, Dove Gray, and Desert Tan. The interiors were modern, with an emphasis on efficiency and space saving. For instance, there were built-in wall units in the bedroom and living room. The interior walls, ceilings, and kitchen cabinets were all made of enameled steel. Home owners had to hang pictures up with magnets! The sound quality inside was different because they were made of metal. The ranch homes were available in two- and three-bedroom models.
The Lustron company went bankrupt in 1950 because of production delays and distribution problems.
There are about 2000 Lustron homes still in existence, and they are treasures. One of my friends, who is an architect, found one in the Atlanta area. We drove to see it and I was very taken with the house - and the story behind Lustron homes. You can find a listing of Lustron homes on Wikipedia: Lustron homes in the United States.
Here are some more links you may enjoy:
Great resource on Lustron preservation from the Ohio Historical Society.
Interesting story with photos and a detailed PDF about a Lustron house in Arlington, Virginia that was disassembled and moved to the Ohio Historical Society for display - The story of Lustron House #549.
Have you seen one of these homes? Would you enjoy living in one? I'd love to hear from you in the comments, below.
Monday, September 21, 2015
Music Monday - "I Hear A Symphony" by The Blossoms with Darlene Love
I found this video by chance. "I Hear a Symphony" was a big hit for the Supremes (1965). It has always been one of my favorite of their songs. This cover, from about the same period, has The Blossoms, with lead singer Darlene Love, performing the song. It is from Shindig, a 1960's variety show that I have only heard of. I looked up Shindig and found it aired 1964 - 1966, and The Blossoms were regular musical performers on the show.
The Blossoms were a girl group that formed in Los Angeles, California in 1954. The group evolved, and there were a number of different women included over the years. The most famous group was Fanita James, Jean King, and Darlene Love (pictured above). They sang on their own, and also worked as back up singers (for The Ronettes, Shelley Fabares, Marvin Gaye, and more).
Here's a short video of The Blossoms. What do you think? I'd love to hear from you in the comments, below.
Author Interview - Second to Nun by Alice Loweecey
Second To Nun
(A Giulia Driscoll Mystery Book 2)
Cozy Mystery
Paperback: 270 pages
Publisher: Henery Press (September 22, 2015)
ISBN-13: 978-1941962930
E-Book ASIN: B010BUDQVI
Synopsis
Birdhouse: What is your writing day like? Do you have any interesting writing quirks?
Alice: Work, home, supper, laundry, THEN writing. We have a pond next to our deck with a small waterfall and 9 koi. Writing by it is like a mini-vacation.
My biggest quirk is my fountain pen addiction. I have one for each book I’ve written, but I can quit any time. I swear. Really.
Birdhouse: What was the most surprising thing you learned while creating this book?
Alice: Treasure hunters are True Believers. The websites are filled with people who are convinced that one more map, one more trip, one more search with metal detectors with unearth a fortune. From stashes of stolen diamonds or gold coins or bars, they believe. Some have quit their jobs to search 24/7. It’s rather eerie.
Birdhouse: Who are your favorite authors?
Alice: HP Lovecraft, Tracy Groot, CS Harris, Kazuya Minekura, KA Stewart, Dickens. I am eclectic.
(A Giulia Driscoll Mystery Book 2)
Cozy Mystery
Paperback: 270 pages
Publisher: Henery Press (September 22, 2015)
ISBN-13: 978-1941962930
E-Book ASIN: B010BUDQVI
Synopsis
The Other Side has hired Driscoll
Investigations. The owner of Stone’s Throw Lighthouse Bed and Breakfast
insists that a tarot reading told her to hire Giulia to evict the family
ghost. Since the ghost is cutting gas lines and flooding cellars,
Giulia and her husband Frank head to the B&B to discover the real
perpetrator.
The client also has a family legend: A highwayman who stole a pile of gold. Giulia has a pile of suspects, including a psychic the client hired to conduct weekly séances. So much for romance with Frank at this getaway.
Instead, Giulia’s juggling arson, creepy clown dolls, and the psychic going all Exorcist on her. Then the ghost tries to push the client off the lighthouse and throw Giulia down three flights of stairs. It should’ve known better than to mess with an ex-nun. Giulia has connections and she’s about to use them.
Related subjects include: cozy mysteries, women sleuths, murder mystery series, whodunit mysteries (whodunnit), humorous murder mysteries, book club recommendations, private investigator mystery series.
Books in the Giulia Driscoll Humorous Mystery Series:
The client also has a family legend: A highwayman who stole a pile of gold. Giulia has a pile of suspects, including a psychic the client hired to conduct weekly séances. So much for romance with Frank at this getaway.
Instead, Giulia’s juggling arson, creepy clown dolls, and the psychic going all Exorcist on her. Then the ghost tries to push the client off the lighthouse and throw Giulia down three flights of stairs. It should’ve known better than to mess with an ex-nun. Giulia has connections and she’s about to use them.
Related subjects include: cozy mysteries, women sleuths, murder mystery series, whodunit mysteries (whodunnit), humorous murder mysteries, book club recommendations, private investigator mystery series.
Books in the Giulia Driscoll Humorous Mystery Series:
- CHANGING HABITS (prequel short story)
- NUN TOO SOON (#1)
- SECOND TO NUN (#2)
- NUN BUT THE BRAVE (#3) July 2016
Birdhouse Books Interviews Alice Loweecey
Birdhouse: When did you realize you wanted to be a writer?
Alice: At age 9 I wrote a small poem about going back to school. The bug bit me then and never left. Fortunately, I shredded all my angsty teenage poetry. I’m so pleased my teen years were pre-Internet.
Birdhouse: What was your favorite book as a child?
Alice: Let’s Pretend, by Nila Mack, illus. by Catherine Barnes. It’s a book of fairytales that were expanded and used for a 1940s radio program of the same name. The writer was skilled enough to make each one memorable and the illustrations were lush. I reread that book at least 50 times. I got lost in it. I’ve unearthed my mother’s copy and will be rereading it again tonight.
Birdhouse: When did you realize you wanted to be a writer?
Alice: At age 9 I wrote a small poem about going back to school. The bug bit me then and never left. Fortunately, I shredded all my angsty teenage poetry. I’m so pleased my teen years were pre-Internet.
Birdhouse: What was your favorite book as a child?
Alice: Let’s Pretend, by Nila Mack, illus. by Catherine Barnes. It’s a book of fairytales that were expanded and used for a 1940s radio program of the same name. The writer was skilled enough to make each one memorable and the illustrations were lush. I reread that book at least 50 times. I got lost in it. I’ve unearthed my mother’s copy and will be rereading it again tonight.
Birdhouse: What is your writing day like? Do you have any interesting writing quirks?
Alice: Work, home, supper, laundry, THEN writing. We have a pond next to our deck with a small waterfall and 9 koi. Writing by it is like a mini-vacation.
My biggest quirk is my fountain pen addiction. I have one for each book I’ve written, but I can quit any time. I swear. Really.
Birdhouse: What was the most surprising thing you learned while creating this book?
Alice: Treasure hunters are True Believers. The websites are filled with people who are convinced that one more map, one more trip, one more search with metal detectors with unearth a fortune. From stashes of stolen diamonds or gold coins or bars, they believe. Some have quit their jobs to search 24/7. It’s rather eerie.
Birdhouse: Who are your favorite authors?
Alice: HP Lovecraft, Tracy Groot, CS Harris, Kazuya Minekura, KA Stewart, Dickens. I am eclectic.
Birdhouse: What are your
favorite fictional (book or movie) depictions of nuns?
Alice: Bahahahaha!
Don’t have one. I don’t do nun movies. They give me flashbacks, even after all
these years.
Birdhouse: What is your next writing project?
Alice: I’m finishing up the next Giulia Driscoll mystery, Nun but the Brave. Doomsday preppers and many online dating sites are involved. That was some eye-opening research.
Alice: I’m finishing up the next Giulia Driscoll mystery, Nun but the Brave. Doomsday preppers and many online dating sites are involved. That was some eye-opening research.
About The Author –
Baker of brownies and tormenter of characters, Alice Loweecey recently celebrated her thirtieth year outside the convent. She grew up watching Hammer Horror and Scooby-Doo Mysteries, which might explain a whole lot. When she’s not creating trouble for Giulia Falcone-Driscoll, she can be found growing her own vegetables (in summer) and cooking with them (the rest of the year).
Author Links:
Website: www.aliceloweecey.net
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/alice.loweecey
Twitter: https://twitter.com/AliceLoweecey
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4166880.Alice_Loweecey
Purchase Links:
Amazon B&N
Baker of brownies and tormenter of characters, Alice Loweecey recently celebrated her thirtieth year outside the convent. She grew up watching Hammer Horror and Scooby-Doo Mysteries, which might explain a whole lot. When she’s not creating trouble for Giulia Falcone-Driscoll, she can be found growing her own vegetables (in summer) and cooking with them (the rest of the year).
Author Links:
Website: www.aliceloweecey.net
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/alice.loweecey
Twitter: https://twitter.com/AliceLoweecey
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4166880.Alice_Loweecey
Purchase Links:
Amazon B&N
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)