An African Orchestra (Wendy Hartmann)

Beautiful images and beautiful sounds of Africa. The author is from South Africa.

This would be a nice story to read while learning to write elaborative detail for settings.

Goodreads says:

A magical journey that celebrates the African sounds of nature. In the beginning, when all things began, these were the sounds which were music to man. Cicadas, crickets, beetles and frogs Seedpods, cocoons, hollowed out logs Crackling fires, the patter of rain Thundering hooves on the African plain Birds in the air, in the treeson the land Wind in the grass through the leavesover sand. With magical illustrations from Joan Rankin, and poetry from masterful storyteller, Wendy Hartmann, The African Orchestra lyrically captures the magic of the African sounds of nature. From the clicking of crickets to the crackle of the fire, follow the journey that celebrates these sounds, in the rhythm and music of Africa.

When the Moon Comes (Paul Harbridge)

Ah. That great Canadian experience of waiting until the ice is frozen and thick enough to skate on it. This book caught that feeling.  The illustrations in this book are beautiful. You can FEEL the cold! This book turns hockey into poetry. Now that's a good author! LOL

In a land so inescapably and inhospitably cold, hockey is the chance of life, and an affirmation that despite the deathly chill of winter we are alive.
-Stephen Leacock

Goodreads says:

In this atmospheric story, a group of kids play hockey on a frozen lake by moonlight. At once nostalgic and timely, this is a gorgeous book that will speak to readers young and old.

The beaver flood has finally frozen--perfect ice, without a bump or a ripple. For the kids in town, it's Christmas in November. They wait, impatiently, for the right moment. 

Finally, it arrives: the full moon. 

They huff and puff through logging trails, farms, back roads and tamarack swamps, the powdery snow soaking pant legs and boots, till they see it--their perfect ice, waiting. 

And the game is on.

The Worry Box (Suzanne Chiew)

Anxiety seems to be a growing topic among children. This could be a good discussion starter.

I loved the page where they were climbing a tree because you have to turn the book sideways to see it all. Makes the tree look so big!


Goodreads says:

Murray Bear is supposed to go to the waterfall with his sister, Molly, to meet a friend, but Murray is worried. “What if it’s too LOUD?” he cries or “Or what if I get swept away!” So Molly tells him about her special worry box. “When I’m worried about something,” she says, “I write it down, and then put it inside.” She offers to help make one for Murray, and he takes it on their journey—but will it really help? 

Mira Forecasts the Future (Kell Andrews)

Well, she forecasts the future by learning to forecast the weather. Science rules!

Great story about weather and science and sticking to your guns when you know you're right.

Goodreads Says:

Telling the future is a gift: you either have it, or you don’t. And Mira, daughter of the famous fortune teller Madame Mirabella, just doesn't. When Madame gazes into the crystal ball, magic swirls. When Mira looks . . . nothing. Then one day Mira gets a pinwheel and a windsock, she finds her own form of “magic” in the science of predicting the weather—and saves the day for everyone! This engaging tale, with a fun touch of science thrown in, helps kids understand that we all have our own special talent. 

Ella Who? (Linda Ashman)

You know how now and then you leave the door open and someone or something wanders in? Well, in this story, it's an elephant. Only, all the adults don't see it and don't really listen to what she is saying.

Super cute illustrations.

This book could be used in all three of the Open Court units we usually do!

Goodreads says:

Mom . . . there’s an elephant in the living room. 
It’s moving day—and look who slipped in the door: an elephant! But when a little girl tries to tell her family about their unusual guest, the distracted grown-ups just say, “Ella WHO?” Even as children giggle at the girl’s adventures with the smallishpachyderm, and at the fun, recurring refrain, they’ll relate to the poignant theme about making—and sometimes letting go of—new friends. 

Margo Thinks Twice

 Is this story an example of how parental hovering induces anxiety into children's lives? Let Margo play, I say!

I didn't love it. But, hey, the author is Canadian! One point for that.




Goodreads says:

Margo is an imaginative, adventurous little girl who has just one problem — worry has found its way into her life. She sometimes feels nervous and uncomfortable, especially inside the wild world her imagination creates. Whenever her mom gives instructions, Margo’s mind turns the everyday advice into worst-case scenarios. Mom tells Margo to be careful with the craft glue, and Margo imagines becoming stuck to all the furniture and decorations in her room. Mom advises Margo not to swing too high, and Margo envisions ending up on the roof.

Monica Arnaldo’s warm and inviting mixed-media artwork brings these flights of fancy to life, playing out Margo’s fears and highlighting her expressive face. Luckily, Margo’s mom comes up with an idea to ease her daughter’s anxieties and encourage her inventive spirit in a positive way. Careful readers will pick up on subtle hints throughout the book before the secret is revealed: Margo’s family adopts a pet dog! He’s energetic, friendly, clumsy, and messy—just the outlet she needs to be distracted from her worries.

Saints (Volume 1)

This is now available on the Gospel Library app and on www.lds.org  It is easy to read and touches on many things that people have had trouble accepting in church history. I am eager to read the following volumes! It will be useful for seminary next year, I'm sure.

There is no summary on Goodreads - but other people have written interesting things about it. I'm sure more will be added to Goodreads in time.