Month: March 2020

Bookshelf

Curious minds want to know!  What’s all the fuss about these germs we can’t even see?  Here are just a couple of books to help bring some factual information (and a little humor too) to the conversation about what’s at the root of a contagious virus:  microbes.

The Bacteria Book: The Big World of Really Tiny Microbes by Steve Mould

This book includes tons of fun facts along with real-life photos and funny illustrations, which will provide hours of informative reading enjoyment. Want to know about microbes? Check. Cells and bacteria? Check. Check.  What is a virus? Check.  How to fight a virus? Check.  Fungi, algae, and so much more?  Absolutely!  With a table of contents, glossary, and full index at the back, this book may be a dream come true for your budding future microbiologist!  (Ages 7-10)

Do Not Lick This Book by Idan Ben-Barak and Julian Frost

Who would’ve thought that a book full of germs could be so fun?  This interactive book combines real microscope photos with cartoon illustrations to explain how microbes are found everywhere.  Get an up-close look at some of the places microbes live, as you move “Min the microbe” from one location to the next. 

Keep your eyes peeled for the wit that will engage kids of all ages, including my favorite little bit of humor (that I actually missed the first time I read the book).  Much like Min, it’s so small on the back cover that you might miss it too.  (Ages 4-8)

If you really must lick this book, please do so here

All reviews are completely my own and I only recommend books I truly believe are worthy of sharing with others. (Believe me, I read many books I do not recommend, which means you won’t see me writing about them!)

This post contains affiliate links. This means if you use these links to make a purchase, I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you.

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Bookshelf

Spring is just around the corner and there are little glimmers of new life in our neck of the woods.  I have always loved spring!  It might be due to the fact that many moons ago I was born on the first day of spring.  So when I was younger, spring meant a birthday … but now my anticipation is more about nature in full bloom and warmer days.

As you anticipate the arrival of spring, I’ve pulled together five recommendations to help you get excited about warmer weather and longer days. This short list also includes a little something for ages 0 to 8.

Spring is Here by Taro Gomi

This book includes simple text and illustrations that make this the perfect choice for reading aloud to the very young, especially the board book version.  With no more than four words on each two-page spread, this delightful book starts in spring, goes through the four seasons, and ends back in spring. Spring is Here is also a great choice for an emergent or new reader, who is ready to explore simple text on his or her own. Although this book was published in 1989, as a personal favorite, I just had to include it in my short list of spring must-reads.

The Little Rabbit by Nicola Killen

The illustrations for The Little Rabbit were the first thing that stood out to me about this book!  Killen uses muted tones and limited colors, with splashes of golden petals throughout this delightful story.  There are also little peek-a-boo cutouts on some pages that add a fun element.  Spring has arrived, so Ready for Ollie and her bunny go outside on a magical adventure that includes some impossible twists and turns that leave the imagination soaring.

The Song of Spring by Hendrik Jonas

When spring arrives, all the birds sing their special songs to attract their friends.  But little bird has a problem.  He can’t remember his song. Each time he attempts a sound, he makes the noise of another animal … which, of course, attracts other animals.  This fun storyline will be a delight to preschoolers.  Originally, written and published in German, this book has been translated into English.  As a result, be sure to look for the interesting response from cow (I love books that include these little teachable moments and expand our world ever so slightly). I particularly enjoyed the use of mixed-media art in the illustrations and found them to be engaging and fun!

Spectacular Spring: All Kinds of Spring Facts and Fun by Bruce Goldstone

Bright and colorful, this book is truly full of spring fun facts!  The amount of text on each page is not overwhelming, which also makes this a potential read-aloud to younger kids. Topics include everything from what you will find in nature to how umbrellas work.  In fact, there are even craft ideas with instructions at the end.  For those who want to explore beyond spring, Goldstone now has a book about summer, autumn, and winter too!

 TheWorld is Awake: A Celebration of Everyday Blessings written by Linsey Davis with Joseph Bottum and illustrated by Lucy Fleming

I have to admit, this is not a book about spring … but this is exactly how I feel when the world starts waking up after a long winter’s sleep.  The book begins “This is the day the Lord has made,” then moves into a lyrical, rhyming text that takes note of the simple, everyday blessings in the world around us.  I love spring and the new life, but I also love summer … and this book reminds me not only of the blessings of today, but of the simple blessings to come!

All reviews are completely my own and I only recommend books I truly believe are worthy of sharing with others. (Believe me, I read many books I do not recommend, which means you won’t see me writing about them!)

This post contains affiliate links. This means if you use these links to make a purchase, I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you.

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Grit & Grace

You can’t open up social media, turn on the television, or even walk through the store without being inundated with messages about the COVID 19 virus. My sister and I both work in Highered and our responsibilities, our “normal”, has been turned upside down, as campus’ scramble to provide a safe learning environment in the wake of health concerns. On top of this, today, my daughter’s school announced they will be closing for at least the next 2.5 weeks! The uncertainty of it all, well, can just feel a bit much at times.  

As I quieted myself for a few moments, I remembered a sunny summer day, while swimming in Lake Michigan, that I found myself drawn out to deeper water. Our family had been standing close to shore as we monitored the children playing in the gently tumbling surf. I ventured out past the first sandbar, beyond the buoy dancing on the waves, leaving behind all the other swimmers.

The sounds of humanity began to melt into the warm breeze as I turned my back to the shoreline, released the air in my lungs, and allowed my body to give way to the rise and fall of the incoming swells. I looked out across the horizon and got lost in the cool blues and greens illuminated by the glistening rays of golden sunlight. Peace.

The darkness of the deep water closed in around my body. I moved my feet in a circular motion to keep my head above the waves. I gave no thought to what might be lurking below me. I was too caught up in the moment to be concerned about the unknown. I just knew, in that space, I felt at rest, and the pressures and anxieties of life seemed nonexistent.

As I allowed my cares to be washed away, my mind began to reflect on Isaiah 43:1-5.

When you go through deep waters, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown. When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up; the flames will not consume you.

Isaiah goes on to express God’s deep love and heart of restoration for his people.

The promise of God is not to keep me from experiencing the deep waters, or the rivers of difficulty, or the fire of tribulation, but that he will be with me. He will be present. Close. He promises he is fully aware of our circumstances, whether we were brought to that place because of our own choices, the choices of others, or just life circumstances. He will be near.

Sometimes there is beauty to be found in the deep waters. There can be peace in the midst of the unknown. I don’t have to have it all figured out, or know what lies beneath me. I can rest in the ebb and flow of the waves, keeping my eyes on the horizon, watching the Light bring the colors of my world to life. Experiencing peace, beyond the buoy.

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