Three (Stephen Michael King)

 

I love this story! It is about a 3-legged dog who sees everything through his lens: who as four legs, who has 2 legs and what they do best with what they have. Three is grateful and optimistic and inspiring. He sees the best in every situation and doesn't dwell on what he doesn't have.

The past four years have been rough for me. There's the pandemic and covid issues. That has made this school year a challenge in a way I could have never expected. In addition to that, my husband's health has been poor. He's had some major health issues. Because it has dragged on so long, people stop inquiring after a while. It's disappointing to see the people who I thought really cared have no clue about what is going on because they simply seem to not care. It seems like they don't care because they don't inquire, stop by, check in, etc. I try to not complain and don't talk about the challenges a lot - so that doesn't help them to know. Complaining and whining doesn't change things though. I try to always look on the bright side, even with dull grey skies. I have been saddened by people who make assumptions about why we don't attend some events. It isn't something I can change. It simply tells me something about who I can count on and who I cannot. Luckily, I have a number of people in my life who do inquire and do care and have been a great help to us.

This is a great book! It has a good philosophy to live by.

Goodreads says:

Making Bombs For Hitler (Marsha Forchuk Skrypuch)

 

This is another aspect of the second world war and the terrible treatment of Jews that I was not aware of. This story talks about how Ukrainian children were taken away from their families to work in camps. After the war, Ukraine was part of Russia and the Russians would take these children back, promising them they'd be reunited with their family, but instead they were treated as the enemy since they had worked with/for the Nazis. 

The main character in this book has an amazing way of seeing beauty no matter what is happening - even though sometimes everything is so terrible. The story is a great reminder that we don't have anything even close to what they suffered. 

I finished this book while standing in line for TWO HOURS for my first covid vaccine. I felt frustrated that the line was so long. They tell you not to show up more than 10 minutes before your appointment...not sure why because the line takes FOREVER. However, as I stood in the line and read Lida's story I couldn't help realize that I have nothing to complain about.

This book was in my classroom library and I decided I should read it to make sure it was okay for grade 3 students. I decided it would be better to pass it on to a middle school teacher.

Goodreads says:

Lida thought she was safe. Her neighbors wearing the yellow star were all taken away, but Lida is not Jewish. She will be fine, won't she?

But she cannot escape the horrors of World War II.

Lida's parents are ripped away from her and she is separated from her beloved sister, Larissa. The Nazis take Lida to a brutal work camp, where she and other Ukrainian children are forced into backbreaking labor. Starving and terrified, Lida bonds with her fellow prisoners, but none of them know if they'll live to see tomorrow.

When Lida and her friends are assigned to make bombs for the German army, Lida cannot stand the thought of helping the enemy. Then she has an idea. What if she sabotaged the bombs... and the Nazis? Can she do so without getting caught?

And if she's freed, will she ever find her sister again?

This pulse-pounding novel of survival, courage, and hope shows us a lesser-known piece of history -- and is sure to keep readers captivated until the last page. 

If I Had A Little Dream (Nina Laden)

This would be a great book to read when we're learning about similes and metaphors and writing poetry. It's beautiful and optimistic and full of heart.


Goodreads says:

See and appreciate through a child’s eyes how fortunate we are to live in the world we do. Celebrate the wonder of the world - the joy, love, and beauty that is part of each and every day. Our world is full of possibilities if you look for them.

There, There (Tim Beiser)

I love the illustrations in this story! The rabbit is hilarious and the bear really tries hard to help the rabbit look on the bright side. But just like anyone, he gets tired of things too. Then along comes an innocent worm who's just living his life and thinks things are fine and it gets pointed out that his life really sucks - but he doesn't agree! Funny and a great book on looking on the bright side of things.

This story reminded me of Alexander and his No Good Terrible Very Bad Day


Goodreads says:

For fans of Penguin Problems and A Birthday for Bear, the story of a whiny rabbit pushing a patient bear to the end of his tether and learning a lesson in looking on the bright side.

Do you ever feel like everything is terrible? Like nothing is ever right and you just want to hide under your pillow? Well Rabbit does, and he's not shy about sharing it. He whines, he complains, he moans, he grumps... until Bear has had enough and decides it's time for Rabbit to learn to appreciate what he has. Using nothing but the lowly common earthworm as an example, he teaches Rabbit a lesson about taking things for granted. Something the worm knows all about...

Written in charming verse and featuring a delightfully domestic bear and a very surly rabbit, There, There is a fantastic tongue-in-cheek riff on the idea that "it could be worse..."