The Angels of Abbey Creek book review

I suggested to my 9 year old daughter that she might like to review the book by answering some questions and she eagerly agreed.

How long did it take you to read? 
A couple of days. It was hard to put it down.

Describe your favourite part of the book?
I can't pick a favourite part because it was all really good.

What was different about the book?
It's hard to find a novel about a Catholic family.

What ages do you think would enjoy this book?
Probably 7 - 12 year olds

Would you recommend this book to others?
Yes, definitely! I'm reading the book again now.

I agree with everything my daughter said, it's a terrific book and a breath of fresh air to the young Catholic reader. The book is available from Amazon, Fishpond and the Book Depository. Sue has another book "Grief, Love and Hope" about the loss of her son Thomas, which you can read more about here.

You can find out more about Sue and her unschooling family on her blog. 

"Can you find Saints" book review

I purchased this book by Philip D. Gallery recently after reading about it on Catholic Icing. I wasn't sure what to expect other than a "Where's Wally" style fun book.

But it's much more than that.

Not just a fun book but an educational tool that doesn't feel like education. It's a chance to reinforce the saints you already know and read small snippets of those you may not know so well. The short readings on the saints to be found really make this a multi age book. For younger children, you can read briefly to them about each saint before they get to spot them in the pictures. For middle children who can read, it can be read together and the saints can be found together. And for older kids, it's a brief, fun picture book that teaches them something. Each of my children (aged 4, 6, 8 and 13) enjoyed this book and are asking for the other books in the series.

Something I like about the book is that it can be used as a tool for further discussion and research. Besides the saints who are described and that you search for, there are many, many other saints in every picture and they are labelled with their names (there a quite a few that I haven't heard of!) There are also optional extras to find on each page for children who really like to search and find.

As my husband pointed out to me, when you look at the "Where's Wally" books, although they are clever and entertaining, they often make light (a mockery even?) of horrific historical events. It is refreshing to find a book that is completely good for a child, faith enriching, educational and fun! 

I highly recommend this book for children of all ages :)

If you click on this link to purchase the book you will be blessing me and my family with a small percentage of the total sale, thank you.

"Secret Garden" book review

I bought this book recently after seeing it on Mary Corbet's blog Needle n Thread. I wasn't disappointed when it arrived.

So, what is this book? A colouring book! But it's more than that. It is a beautiful book of intricate and original designs. The author/ illustrator Johanna Basford has filled the pages with pictures inspired by the flora and fauna of her homeland, Scotland.

There are a few ways you could use the book. Firstly, as a special colouring book, secondly as a base for ideas for pictures of your own and thirdly, you could use it from a design perspective for things like embroidery, as Mary has done. If you take a moment to look at what Mary is doing you can see the potential for such wonderful designs!

To be honest, it is the sort of book that I am attracted to but would write off as a "too frivolous" buy.  At around $16.40 it isn't too extravagant, but unless you photocopy pages to use rather than colouring directly in the book, it is consumable.

My plan for the book is still a secret (at least from my children). It is sitting on top of a shelf as yet unseen by them. I will wait for the right moment - a day well spent, extra chores done or some other achievement and then allow a picture to be chosen to colour in with our best quality pencils. The picture can be dated and named. Gradually, the children will have these beautiful pictures to look back on and enjoy. (I think the little one will have to wait a while to have her turn ;) )

* If you purchase this book via this link you will be blessing me and my family with a small commission - a very valuable thing for a family of book lovers!