Today is Maria Montessori's 142nd birthday.  I love her educational philosophy.  You can read about her here.  I wonder what she would think of the fact that the method she developed while working with the children of low-income families is now really only accessible by a wealthier group...

Not to worry though, I had this book which is a great summary of the philosophy!

Talking of books, Nicholas had book week at school while I was away.  He enjoys reading Zac Power books so before I packed to go to Darwin I whipped up something easy - a Zac Power id card and a SpyPad.  Unfortunately Nicholas' school did not seem to have a dress up event for Book Week, but at least he now has them for play at home.

Nicholas LOVES his chapter books at bedtime and the threat of him going to bed without one always gets a response to what we need him to do beforehand!  We have been through a number of Enid Blyton and Rohld Dahl books and, well to be honest, I'd like a little break.  So I am going to introduce him to one of my favourite stories when I was younger - The Borrowers by Mary Norton.  Nicholas is looking forward to them.  I remember when I was younger my mum and dad took us to various public libraries on the weekends and it was always a thrill to go to a new one and look at books we hadn't seen before.  I can remember going to Kingston Library and borrowing a book on miniature houses - I dreamt of making the tiny furniture and accessories.  The houses in the book were all period homes and I remember I loved he Tudor House.  I can remember reading another library book that was about a girl that went back in time, I just can't remember the title - not Playing Beatie Bow by Ruth Park (another favourite).  I'm glad my kids love stories!

this weeks library book

 While We Were Out by Ho Baek Lee is absolutely gorgeous!   Nicholas, Audrey and I had so much fun reading it, and when we finished we read it again.  Unfortunately it is out of print, but I have tracked down some second hand copies and plan to accumulate a few to give away.  the illustrations are beautiful, and I am always a sucker for well illustrated childrens books.

What happens when the family go away and the pet rabbit is left home alone?  Who forgot to close the door?

this weeks library book

If you can fall in love with a book, I am absolutely in love with Maudie and Bear by Jan Omerod and illustrated by Freya Blackwood.  It is delightful.  The stories are gorgeous and the illustrations are breathtaking.  I love Freya Blackwood's illustrations and we own at least 7 of the books she has illustrated.  This one however, takes the cake.  I want to look at it all the time!

The first night we brought it home I read it when the kids went to bed!  I think I have read it once a day since.  It is destined to become a classic.  I knew it was one we had to own!  A colleague at work had a gift voucher from Borders and needed to use it, so asked if there was anything I wanted... I knew immediately!

The book is a collection of five stories about a little girl named Maudie and her bear, who loves her unconditionally.  When I read the first page I immediately thought of Audrey - Maudie reminds me of her.   I wish she had every dress Maudie wears.

The illustrations are so beautiful they are beyond description - the colours, the sketches, the scenery...

 

Another one to add to my list of recommendations.

This weeks [not a] library book

Before we went to the coast I read all of the kids books about the beach to them.  they included 'Spot's holiday', 'Grandpa and Thomas', 'Magic Beach' and 'There Is A Sea in my Bedroom'.  Audrey particularly loves the last one.  I read it to her about twice a day - even now.  I find her playing the story - she comes and says to me "Mama, there's a sea in my bedroom!"

The story is about a boy who is fightened of the ocean, but loves collecting shells.  His father tells him if he holds the shell to his ear he can hear the sea.  He imagines his bedroom has turned into the sea and plays and swims.  This helps him overcome his fear of the ocean.

this weeks library book

Again, A Walk In the Woods by Liz Jones has gorgeous illustrations and a fun story.  It is about a girl who goes for a walk in the woods with her dad.  The sketches of their home in the woods and their sheds, vegetable gardens and the trees that surround them are a joy to look at with the kids.  The little girl is scared of seeing a fox.  Her father reassures her, while teaching about where foxes live, what they eat and how they hunt.  meanwhile, her toy rabbit falls from her bag without her knowing.  Each page that follows shows the fox following close behind, with the toy rabbit in his mouth. He quietly delivers it right back home, where the rabbit waits for the girl to arrive back from her walk in the woods.
* * * * * * *
A favourite, regular outing: story time at the local library.  This week, lots of dragon stories and activities.  And the class monkey came along too!

 

 

This weeks library book

This book is called Caterpillar Butterfly, by Vivian French.  It is part of a series of nature Storybooks.  Part of the appeal it also has a cd, which is great for the car.  It tells the story of a little girl whose grandfather grows nettles, because certain caterpillars make cocoons on them. At the end butterflies hatch.  Audrey loves butterflies.  Nicholas loves nature.  It is nice to have them remind me to notice the small things.

And look at the progress of the cubby house now - colours! 

And the most satisfying 15 minutes of sewing I have done lately - these snack sacks.  The kids love them, but I am sure it is more for what snacks are in them.  I love them just because I think they are so cool.

I have to run and vacuum for bible study tonight.  The lesson is on why we should not simply imitate Christ.  One of the questions revolves around the scenario of Jesus being transported to do your job.  What would he do.  Today I realised what my answer will be:  He overturns the tables!!  Please God, can I do that?  Just once?  And not lose my job... I need to pay the mortgage and all....

I tell you, my work is SO not the place I like to be.  Today I questioned the third highest person I work for (not saying much as I have never been one for hierarchy).  Twice.  It felt good.

This Week's Library Book

We read a lot of books about farms. Working on farms, living on farms and lots of stories about various farm animals. When we visit the farm I plan to spend a week reading various farm stories.
Audrey in particular likes pigs. Nicholas borrowed Pigs Love Potatoes. It is about a little pig who is hungry, so his mother cooks potatoes. Gradually siblings, family members and neighbours arrive so she has to add more potatoes to the pot. A simple story, but nice as we could do lots of counting.

I particularly liked the picture of the piglets helping to wash the potatoes.

this week's library book

This morning we went to Story Time. When we first moved to our house, Nicholas was as old as Audrey is now. I remember how much I enjoyed Story Time with him. there were never many people there and he would sit quietly on the mat, listening intently to the stories.
It is certainly an adventure with them together!! Today they sang songs together, participated in the stories and while Nicholas listened to the stories, Audrey rolled around on the ground and jumped on me. I am putting together a nice list of children's books I hope to add to their library. With my reading of the Beatrix Potter tales, and admiration for her illustrations I am loving it. We have also been reading Little Golden Books from the 1970's. Some probably not considered PC, but enjoyable all the same.
Speaking of politically correct, I am [hopefully] one of many who is really annoyed that publishers are replacing some of the wording in Enid Blyton books... mean, really, 'mother' and 'father' are dated?? My children won't be able to understand what a 'tunic' is??

ps: I came across this blog and one of the categories is 'this week's library book'. I am totally stealing that idea. Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, isn't it? Anyway, before I post about one of our library books, I wanted to link to one of hers, as I had completely forgotten about this book - I loves it when I was in primary school. It is nice to be reminded of things that we enjoyed when we were young.