November has come and almost gone and one thing I am very thankful for is that I came from a family that loved to read and that love was shared with me. Reading has helped me to learn. Reading has been a favorite way to spend my time learning or traveling and imagining. Reading has led me to learn to love to write since I was 9 years old. I encourage you to read and read to the children around you and encourage them to read. Reading is a great way to let your mind wander in a healthy way. It can help you fight depression, learn new things and take you to places you might not be able to ever go to. Here are my 7 Books for November 2023:
Green on Green by Dianne White
Green on Green by Dianne White
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Green on Green by Dianne White is a poetic book about the seasons and family changing throughout the year. The illustrations by Felicita Sala are beautiful and engaging and full of things to talk about before bed or any good story time.
I really enjoyed this book.
I got this book from the Longview Public Library. You can get your own copy of Green on Green by Dianne White on Amazon.
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Clifford’s Manners by Norman Bridwell
Clifford’s Manners by Norman Bridwell
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
Clifford was very popular when I was growing up so it was fun to visit him again in Cliffords’ Manners by Norman Bridwell. In this book we learn important ways to use our manners to be thoughtful of others. This is a very cute read.
I got this book from the Longview Public Library. You can get your own copy of Clifford’s Manners by Norman Bridwell on Amazon.
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The Proudest Blue A Story of Hijab and Family by Ibtihaj Muhammad and S.K. Ali
The Proudest Blue by Ibtihaj Muhammad
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
The Proudest Blue A Story of Hijab and Family by Ibtihaj Muhammad and S.K. Ali is a beautiful story about 2 sisters, one older and one younger. The older sister is now ready to begin wearing hijab or a head scarf meant to celebrate her Muslim religion, modesty and strength. Her younger sister is so proud of her and wants to support her even as both girls must remember how their mother has prepared them for abuse from people that don’t understand. This touching story is informational and inspiring and the illustrations by Hatem Aly make it all the more realistic.
I got this book from the Longview Public Library. You can get your own copy of The Proudest Blue A Story of Hijab and Family by Ibtihaj Muhammad and S.K. Ali on Amazon.
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Blueberries for Sal by Robert McCloskey
Blueberries for Sal by Robert McCloskey
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Blueberries for Sal by Robert McCloskey is a Caldecott Honor Book originally published in 1948. It is a story about Sal and her mother and a bear and her cub collecting blueberries for in winter in their own ways and how they managed to run into each other on a beautiful late summer day. The black and white illustrations are simple and sweet and really help to tell the tale.
I enjoyed this story as a child and I enjoyed it today.
I got this book from the Longview Public Library. You can get your own copy of Blueberries for Sal by Robert McCloskey on Amazon.
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Wild Blue: Taming a Big-Kid Bike by Dashka Slater
Wild Blue: Taming a Big-Kid Bike by Dashka Slater
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
I still remember when my training wheels came off and soon I graduated to a larger bike only to be told by my father that if God had wanted me to ride my bike without using the handle bars He would not have put them on the bicycle — I wanted to be like the big kids in my neighborhood.
Kayla is the main character in this book and she has out grown her little pink “pony” with training wheels so her dad has taken her to pick out a bigger bike which she names, “Wild Blue.”
Wild Blue: Taming a Big-Kid Bike by Dashka Slate is about the adventure most of us have as we learn to ride a bicycle. Yes we fall off and we even get hurt but eventually we learn how to match our rhythm with the pattern of the bike and we peddle hard, stop wobbling and we ride.
I really loved this story and the illustrations by Laura Hughes we’re very fun too!
I got this book from the Longview Public Library. You can get your own copy of Wild Blue: Taming a Big-Kid Bike by Dashka Slate Slater on Amazon.
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The Little Engine That Could by Watty Piper
The Little Engine That Could by Watty Piper
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
“Puff, puff, puff, chug, chug, chug,” went the Little Blue Engine. “I think I can — I think I can — I think I can — I think I can — I think I can — I think I can — I think I can — I think I can — I think I can.”
The little train filled with toys and good things to eat for the children on the other side of the mountain had gone through the loss of their engine and the rejection of mightier engines and one that had no self-esteem only to be blessed by the Little Blue Engine. I grew up with this story, that my wife chose at the library for me. This book reminds me of my wife because she is always willing to try and give her all. This important mantra of, “I think I can,” led the Little Blue Engine to be able to say, “I thought I could.”
The Little Engine That Could by Watty Piper was first published in 1930 and I am sure it will continue to give joy and inspiration to children and readers for another 90+ years.
I got this book from the Longview Public Library. You can get your own copy of The Little Engine That Could by Watty Piper on Amazon.
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Jump In by Shadra Strickland
Jump In! by Shadra Strickland
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
What a fun book about having fun in your community. Jump In by Shadra Strickland doesn’t just have the children playing but the adults join in too! Whether it is with a jump rope, basketball, skate board or bicycle this neighborhood and their dogs enjoys sports together. The illustrations are as colorful as the people at the park. I really enjoyed this book.
I got this book from the Longview Public Library. You can get your own copy of Jump In by Shadra Strickland on Amazon.
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As we travel through the holidays I hope you find ample times to share stories with each other. Stories are a great way to bond and share our history with each other. I hope you had a beautiful Thanksgiving and that your holiday season is shiny and bright. Happy reading!
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Feel free to leave your comments below!
My name is Summer. That is how you can call me. I hope that I am a blessing to you. I am not perfect. I will fall again. But I am forgiven.
For anyone reading this that isn’t a Christian, unapologetically, I am a Christian, but I believe there is room for lots of beliefs and religions in the world. It is not my intent to offend people with different beliefs than I have and I would be open to open-minded conversations with no goals of changing anyone’s mind, but sharing information.
If you are interested in becoming a Christian…Do you know Jesus? Do want the Holy Spirit to fill you and give you understanding and salvation? Ask Him. Want someone to pray with you? Contact me.
If you would like to know Jesus as your friend, but want to make this amazing commitment by yourself please pray something like this:
Thank you Jesus that You are the Son of God, the God that created heaven and earth. Thank you Jesus that You came to earth in the form of a man so that You would be able to empathize with my humanity. Thank You that You did this in order to fulfill the promises You made at the foundation of the world.
I realize that I am a sinner and do things that hurt myself and keep myself away from you. Thank You that You died for my sins so that You could defeat death and bring me into Your life. Please forgive me.
I ask You to be Lord of my life. I ask you to heal my hurts and show me what my new life, empowered by You looks like. Thank You for Your mercy.
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