E.B. White’s “The Trumpet of the Swan” and Freedom Well Understood
E.B. White is likely best known for the children’s classic, “Charlotte’s Web.” White was inspired to write children’s stories by his niece, […]
The Treasure Box Reminds Us of Boredom So Sweetly Remembered
In the Catholic Children’s Treasure Box, there are many charming and imaginative stories, games, and fancies. The series, originally magazines for children, […]
Cheryl Bardoe’s “Nothing Stopped Sophie”: A Story about a Lady Mathematician That Actually Inspires
“The human spirit requir[es] more resources inside when outside it has less.” –Sophie Germain Many “empowering” books for girls are silly puff pieces. […]
Joyce Lankester Brisley’s “Milly-Molly-Mandy” Stories: Sweetness Itself and Enduring Enchantment
Anyone who has spent time in the fictional world of Millicent Margaret Amanda will recall the details of her life. Memorably nicknamed […]
The Secret to Becoming a Reading Family
Who does not aspire to have a house full of good and well-loved books? It is obvious that many people do not […]
Rumer Godden’s “The Doll’s House” and the Lesson of Beauty Found in Old Things
Rumer Godden’s imaginative stories for children evoke fairy tales. At once sumptuous and innocent, many of her stories, like The Story of […]
“Weird Al” Yankovic’s Children’s Book “When I Grow Up” Beats the Pants Off Average Library Fare
Combing the library stacks in the children’s section will often return drivel. Fuzzy illustrations of anthropomorphized bears who speak only in monosyllables, […]
Gilbreth and Cary’s “Cheaper By the Dozen” Which Has Nothing to Do with the Movie
What is it that makes large families so fascinating? A hundred years after the Gilbreth family welcomed their 12 children to the […]
J.R.R. Tolkien’s “The Lord of the Rings” and the Lost Art of Respite
“I wish it need not have happened in my time,” said Frodo.“So do I,” said Gandalf, “and so do all who live […]
The Super Great World of Super Great Kids’ Stories
Storytelling is best done in person. There’s no substitute for the human voice communicating a tale in the here-and-now. But, alas, in […]