“Candles behind the Wall”: Remembering Barbara J. Elliott
It was with great sadness that I learned of the recent passing of Dr. Barbara J. Elliott. Though I only met her […]
Better than It Ever Was: Fiction and the Redemption of the World
I’ve heard many people remark recently that they “just couldn’t get into the ‘Little House’ books.” By this, they mean that the […]
Why Orion Taraban is Wrong
I received a droll email from a confused internet user convinced that I was married to Orion Taraban. Perish the thought! Would […]
“Whatever you do, may you carry on all day…”
I remain an ardent fan of Super Great Kids’ Stories. Bringing the timeless art of storytelling to the podcasting genre, the weekly […]
A Must-Watch Film: “La Sapienza”
I love a heavy-handed foreign film: subtitles and hitting you over the head with repeated and unrelenting imagery. When a friend recommended […]
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 […]
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 […]
Pollyanna’s Glad Game: “Just find something about everything to be glad about—no matter what ’twas”
I like Pollyanna. One child listening to the story by Eleanor H. Porter objected to the girl Pollyanna’s overly dramatic episodes, but, […]
The Mother Who Had Six Kids, No Car, and a Big Bike
I once read a story about a mother in the Pacific Northwest who reconfigured her entire life so that she could bike […]
Diet and Lifestyle Changes: The 1% Improvement Plan and Compounding Results
After encountering a book like “Good Energy,” it’s tempting to try pitching every ounce of processed food in the trash, rid your […]