Unlikely Advent Reads
There are many good and worthy meditations for the Advent season. There are also stories that would not make an obvious choice […]
The Coziest Cookbook Ever? The Tasha Tudor Cookbook
After spending time with extravagant teas, massive breakfasts, and hearty suppers filled with Marmaduke Scarlet’s British cookery in “The Little White Horse,” […]
Just How Boring Are Kids?
It’s not uncommon for people to remark that they could never “stay at home” with children because it is so boring. Just […]
Elizabeth Goudge’s “The Little White Horse” Revisited: I Was Wrong
Having reread “The Little White Horse,” I can say with confidence that I was a nincompoop for not appreciating it more the […]
Books to Give as Gifts to Everyone You Know
There are picture books I’ve given as gifts no less than a dozen times. Whether the oldest child in the family is […]
Annis Duff’s “Bequest of Wings”: The Pure and Timeless Pleasure of Good Books
Through another bookish blog I discovered Annis Duff’s “Bequest of Wings: A Family’s Pleasure with Books.” I learned so much, including that […]
Gordon Neufeld’s “Hold On to Your Kids”: Getting to the Heart of the Matter
One of the most remarkable aspects of childrearing is how miserable it can make people. No one chooses to have children with […]
Russell and Lillian Hoban’s “The Sorely Trying Day”: A Minor Masterpiece on Family Life
Long a fan of Russell and Lillian Hoban’s collaborative “Frances” books for children, “The Sorely Trying Day” is, arguably, even better. The […]
Armstrong Sperry’s “Call It Courage”: A Hero’s Journey, a Universal Tale
The treasury of Newbery winners is vast and deep. One we recently enjoyed was Armstrong Sperry’s “Call It Courage,” which won the […]
How Do You Combine Writing with Motherhood?
Recently, someone asked me how to fit together writing and motherhood. Can one complement the other? How do you prevent writing from […]