Oh no! It's the Gruffalo!

Anyone read this book with their kids? Sparky went through a stage of being into this one - a gorgeous story with a couple of twists, showing that the small are not without their own resources. Though not exactly a morality tale - more about the power of wit! Well, the show is coming to Australia, pitched at 3-7 year olds. Anyone interested in going? The possibilities in Sydney are Seymour Centre 16-30 May ($17-25 each, depending - complex ticketing!), Penrith Q Theatre 4-5 June (all tickets $15 or 4 for $55), Parramatta Riverside 19 June (18 each or 65 for family). Yes, the further out from the CBD, it seems, the cheaper.

* book available from Amazon (where pic from)

Wild thing, you make my heart sing..

Trailer for the movie of Where the Wild Things are. Now, if only the movie lives up to its promise

the clown of God

most of my old children's books have been stored at my in-laws for years and today I sorted through them, looking for some that Sparky might be ready for in the next year or so to take home.

One that I took home and read to Sparky tonight is the Clown of God by Tomie dePaola. I almost couldn't finish reading it, as my voice got choked up with tears (of joy) towards the end. It was a book that was very dear to me as a child. The story follows a juggling clown who in the end just before death, juggles for a statue of the Christ child, and in this finds meaning. The clown dies in the story, but the sadness of the death is transformed into joy in the story. Sparky said in wonder that it was sad and then good. It sparked off a discussion on death that got quite involved (Next time I won't read this story JUST before going to bed). I think at 4 Sparky was just old enough for this story - it might be even better for 5-6 year olds, and can be appreciated by 35 year olds too. The illustrations re very beautiful too.

Now I am looking forward to rereading the rest of the books I brought home. I am trying not to get too disappointed if his favourites are different from mine!

Cranford

I am very much looking forward to watching this BBC series fromn this Sunday. I have reread my copy of the novel, Cranford, and have been moved anew by the sweet humility of Miss Matty (played by Judi Dench in this series). The series also interwines the stories from other Gaskell works, namely Lady Ludlow (novella), Mr Harrison's Confessions (short story) and the Last Generation of England (a non fiction essay). I did not own these, and have found them difficult to obtain hard copies of immediately, but fortunately they are long past copyright and so copies can be found online at either the Project Gutenberg or at the Nagoya University site (this is too difficult to link to because of japanese language pages, the books themselves are in English and can be found by a simple google).

Picture of DVD cover taken from Amazon, from which it is available to purchase

If your name is Max...

...you need this shirt

and the answers.....

1. The transforming power of prayer by James Houston - this book made me think a lot about how our other relationships affect our relationship with God - and vice versa.
2. Mansfield Park - I used to identify with Fanny as a shy anti-heroine - greater self knowledge has taught me I am quite different from Fanny in many ways - but there is still a little bit of me like Fanny. Well guessed Kris.
3.Raising Great kids: parenting with grace and truth by Cloud and Townsend. I almost chose Grace based parenting, but Nicole had used that already. This book perhaps didn't inspire me as much as the former, which I read first, but is probably a more consistently good, balanced approach.
4. To serve them all my days by RF Delderfield. About a welsh teacher's experience at a private English school at which he eventually becomes Principal. I have welsh ancestry, but I liked this book ever since I saw the BBC series. I love any stories of the impact teachers have, and so stories such as this one helped me to realise that I have the heart of a teacher.
5. Women in the church by Grenz and Kjesbo. This book helped me think through the issue of women in ministry. It takes a decided stand in favour of full participation in all roles, but does so with a respectful and thorough treatment of the different issues and positions.
6. Lord of the Rings: fellowship of the ring, Tolkien. Good guess Kris. This book helped me see the powerful emotional connection our imaginations can make with stories of the battle between good and evil, a connection I believe is hardwired And of course it showed me that even the smallest....
7. Christian Theology: an introduction, McGrath. This is the first theology book I read, and it made me realise that I wasn't alone in all the thoughts continually going round my head. I cried. I started to think that I was going to like studying theology.
8. The Complete English Poems, Donne. I had grown up loving and writing poetry, but Donne was perhaps my first grown up choice. He definitely affected my poetry, and my creative writing lecturer at Uni detected this by musing that at times I was a bit like a contemporary Donne (or word to that effect). Well done Nicole!
9. The Messiah by Handel. My mum passed on her copy of the score to me when I studied singing. Handel takes you to the steps of heaven. And strangely that emotional and spiritual connection to the music meant I sang it well - my singing teacher remarked it was odd that I could sing difficult pieces by Handel better than I sung simpler tunes. Well guessed Nicole again!
10. Barchester Tower by Trollope. Nicole got pretty close. I love this whole series. I think as someone who grew up a minister's daughter, I have no illusions about the church - it is packed with politics. But then also, I have had the privilege of knowing some of the most wonderful people in the church too. The Barsetshire Chronicles show the church warts and all, and yet also show the power of faith in Christ. And although the series is mostly on the side of high church, and as a Baptist I'm low church, it makes it very clear that authentic Christians are found in all the different "parties" in the church.

Well there you have a bit of insight into me. Thanks for asking me Nicole. Since Kris played along, I tag Kris.

clues to post below

1. from a prayer book on friendship with God
3. parenting book by people who like borders
4. had a bbc series and a welsh hero.
7. a book that introduced me to theology

Guess the books

Nicole tagged me to do this meme – I had fun guessing hers, so have a go on mine!

The rules:
- Take ten books, and transcribe the fifth sentence from page fifty six.
- Make sure that at least five books are fiction, provide five hints, and pass the meme on to six other bloggers.

Well here are the hints;
1. I picked 10 books that I own off the shelves in my loungeroom, which holds my theology and other Christian books, literature, science fiction and fantasy, parenting, arts (art, music, architecture etc) and psychology books . (There are no children’s books or cookbooks in this room).
2. I picked 10 books that had an impact on me.
3. the impact ranges from : my poetry, my imagination, my vocation ,my study, my theology, my prayer, my parenting, my self identity, my view of church, my musical taste.
4. Some of my favourite writers using the term broadly, are included.
5. Keep reading as I may divulge other hints in the next few days (such as authors…)

and the quotes...
1. If it is more natural for us to wear a mask than to show our faces, then how and when do we expose ourselves to God?
2. Fanny, who was sitting on the other side of Edmund, exactly opposite Miss Crawford, and who had been attentively listening, now looked at him, and said in a low voice,
3. Introduce children to the reality.
4. You’d like it down there. (it may help to know the next sentence has characters named Davy, megan and Gywnneth.)
5. In the past, the transition within renewal movements from the charismatic to the credentialing phase generally led to the loss of leadership roles for women.
6. It has everything to do with it, said Gandalf.
7. The rise and fall of Byzantiumis of particular importance to a full understanding of the subsequent development of eastern orthodoxy in Russia and Greece,,, (it goes on, and I can’t be bothered typing the rest but you get the picture)
8. So, so break off this last lamenting kiss (in this case I took fifth line not fifth sentence)
9. The prince of peace (fifth phrase in this case)
10. before a whole dean and chapter assembled in their own cathedral!

I will tag my six people later in the next week.

Peter and Jane

As promised, a post on this learner reader system.

I learnt to read using Peter and Jane. It is a system of 36 books, 3 per level, which aim to introduce children to the most common words of the English language. Strikingly, 100 words account for 1/2 the words used, and 300 for 3/4. Each level adds new words.

It is a method currently out of favour, as it in the main uses whole word recognition (though a 1/3 of the books use phonics) as opposed to the more fashionable phonics - see here for a discussion of this - though it seems now a combination of phonics and whole language is popular. Whole language seems to be more effective for children from high literacy households or with natural verbal gifting.

Sparky, who has learnt to read almost by himself, seems to favour whole word recognition and get frustrated with phonics, so I decided to use the readers I used, though also doing some phonics. I enjoyed these readers as I liked being able to go up levels, and I thought this would motivate Sparky as well.

The thing is, though, that the readers were written in the 1960s, and although revised in the 70s, still have a very old fashioned air to them. So, for instance, Peter plays ball and Jane stands by and watches. I have found myself having to explain to Sparky that when these books were written people had some funny ideas about what boys and girls could do but now we know differently. I guess he is learning to read critically already!

The picture is of some Peter and Jane illustrations, taken from http://www.theweeweb.co.uk/ a website all about Ladybird books - the publisher of this series.

So, how did you learn to read?

People of the Book

I just finished reading the book of this title by Geraldine Brooks, who wrote the excellent March (Little women from the father's view). This book, as you might have guessed, is about Jews, Muslims and Christians. It centers around the story of an illuminated haggadah (Jewish prayer book) - which was saved by muslims. Based on some actual events, although she goes back and constructs a history for the book. I enjoyed it, though not as much as I thought I would - perhaps my expectations were too high! It was competent, but not exciting. She for the most part is fairly balanced in how she presents the adherents of each religion - though I think the Jewish people fare slightly better, though this might be expected as she converted to Judaism ( though I understand for the sake of her son of a Jewish father, so that he might be a Jew). The message is obvious - that different peoples, cultures and religious understandings enrich each other rather than detracting from each other. I might want to have a greater emphasis on truth, but nevertheless, the message that humans are at their best when they are able to care for and even sacrifice for, those different from themselves, is a good one. If you have read it, let me know what YOU think!

a week is a long time in blogland

Well, sorry I haven't blogged for a week - it's been busy! Why? Sparky starting preschool, for one thing. I have photos, but haven't got round to loading to computer....

Good thing last week I sent myself a weekly blog task of appreciating the week that was, or I might not be blogging now.

This week:
1. Sparky having the dream preschool start. No tears, no dramas, and the teacher says he is happy and confident. Ah bliss.
2. Sparky confident at his second swimming lesson - what made this even better was that he afterwards told me that he was a little scared, but that he was Ok and he enjoyed it. So it wasn't fearlessness, but good fear coping strategies.
3. Spending time with Owl while Sparky at preschool. As a consequence, or at least it seemed that way to me, Owl seemed to develop by leaps and bounds this week - he nods for yes, shakes for no, and said lots more words. Very helpful, though still screams for drink.
4. getting more on top of the housework, because of 1.
5. reading lots more lately - I am currently reading the memoirs of Canon SB Babbage which fills you in on the anglican scene in Oz last century - interesting (but then I really like Trollope too, in particular the barsetshire chronicles) - perhaps more interesting to me too because I am related by marriage to him, as well as being a past recipient of a prize named after him!

I've been reading

Some very quick book reviews.

I've recently read 2 books by Sheri Tepper - sci fi - quite similar to each other - called the companions and the margarets. Both look at an overpopulated Earth interacting with aliens. I enjoyed them because she always does interesting alien cultures. What intrigued me about both these is that in both, humans have been interfered with by malign aliens at an early stage, and this explains why humans have both the capacity for great good (as they were meant to be) and great evil (as a result of the change). As a Christian, this is quite similar in some ways to the biblical view of humans. Except that the Bible says that humans are culpable for moving away from their intended selves, but then tells of forgiveness and a way out. It made me think that this ambiguous and ambivalent nature of humanity is one of the questions that this world sets us. Why are we like this? and is there a solution? I wasn't sure about Tepper's answers, but was very interested in the process of exploring them anyway.

On a different note, I just read the Memory Keeper's daughter (get this! the local library was selling books for a dollar a pop and this was one - I bought 6). A blogging friend recently reviewed this - see here. 2 things that struck me - the destructive nature of secrets, and the importance of every single person. As a twin, this book really got me in - I couldn't even imagine growing up without my twin, as happens to Paul in this book, when his twin sister with down syndrome is sent away. There are all sorts of ethical questions with this book, but in the end it is a book about treasuring people for who they are in their uniqueness. It made me resolve to bring up 2 boys who are radiantly secure in my love, that do not feel that they have to achieve something or be something other than they are. Before I was a parent I thought this was easy to do - but now I know how easy it is as a parent to unwittingly weigh your kids down with your dreams for them.

playing favourites

I just finished reading Jodi Picoult's my sister's keeper. Not my favourite author, but she does write about gripping issues. It is about a girl conceived by her parents and chosen out of several embryos to save the life of her sister who has leukemia, and the consequences for her and the entire family. While about a specific medical ethical conundrum, which was of interest in itself (I end up having problems with throwing away the other embryos, but can understand the motivation of the parents), it raises questions more generally for me about how we balance the needs of the different children in the family. Obviously, if one child is ill or has some other special need, that will affect the others greatly. But in any family, I think, this balancing act occurs. For us at the moment, Sparky our eldest, often has to be aware of the needs of the younger Owl (for instance by being quiet when he sleeps). How much of this is good for a child, as it teaches being other centred, and when does it start to affect the child negatively, for example unwittingly telling a child they are less important than the other?

possum witchery and owl stitchery

Yes, Possum magic is a lovely book. No, we won't be reading it again anytime soon. Why? We have had a resident possum since Sunday morning. He makes a lot of noise in the evening (of course it could be a she, but its toilet habits suggest a boy to me ;) - see below), which is difficult enough with 2 small kids in the house, but what is starting to make me regret the possum's protected status is that it has discovered a vent we have in the kitchen ceiling is perfect for weeing through. Fortunately this does not target anything major (like the stove...) but unfortunately it is starting to leave a stain on our wood floor - I need to move a bucket under there - I had just had newspaper, but this possum seems to have a large bladder. Plus when the possum awoke early last night, while I was cooking dinner, I kept freaking out that it would wee on me as I moved about. We have booked in the possum removalist (expensive!!) but they can't come until next week....

But in happier animal news, I have started making the owl softie for Owl. Prue made me a gorgeous pattern, and it is starting to look good. Of course, Sparky wants me to make him one too. See here for the mini mock up Prue did, though mine is different colours and larger - you will have to wait and see.

More bloggy book club - a new development

After some discussion, a new development. There will be at the ONE AND THE SAME TIME - can we do it?? a fiction and non fiction book going. So, this means if you are reading both, if you get bored with one, you can read the other for a while (sometimes i feel like fiction sometimes non fiction - dont know about you). It also means if you only want to read one that's fine too - and now you have a choice regarding which one. I am thinking, as it is excellent timing, that maybe (unless it looks bad) the winner of 2007 Man Booker Prize - which is announced Monday - so will let you know then. Meanwhile, take a look at the shortlist, and take a guess which will win:
http://www.themanbookerprize.com/prize/thisyear/shortlist

Bloggy Book club

Dear readers,
A blogger friend, the babies stole my brain, is committed to regaining said brain. In pursuit of which, she has just started a blog book club to help us to read and discuss.

I was on the verge of starting something similar, so i was thrilled to read her post on this - see here.

Who would like to join us? A variety of views and opinions are welcome as long as respect is shown. I haven't consulted her on this, but I assume that it is Ok to go in and out depending on your interest in the book under discussion at the time.

As initiating blogger, tbsmb has chosen our inaugural book - The book is called Women, Ministry and the Gospel: Exploring New Paradigms. It's a collection of essays presented at the 2005 Wheaton College Theology conference. As fas as I understand it, on my brief research on the net, this was a conference which tried to bridge the gap between those on opposing sides of the women in ministry debate. (see here for a view on the upshot of this by one egalitarian) - so this then, I think, is a book by people on both sides of the debate who have a desire for christian unity and reconciliation. We would read a chapter or 2 a week and discuss via our blogs on a set day. In the spirit of the book, I welcome those on both sides of the debate to come read it with us.

I have made a plea for fiction to be on the menu as well, so maybe next time!

If you are interested, please let either me or tbsmb know. See her post for online places to buy the book.

favourite books

my fave books - a non definitive list as I kept putting off publishing this list in case I had forgotten something - so a work in progress.

classics
love austen. fave now is pride and prejudice - right balance of light and shade. as kid loved mansfield park as i identified with fanny with more self insight now, i am much more like elizabeth...
barchester towers series by trollope - just like church politics today. a real lesson in godliness not being which party you belong to, rather whether you are like jesus - or in this series like the warden.

literary
love AS Byatt. favourite is possession. very literary without being all pretension no plot.

fantasy
lord of the rings - see title of blog. very small person and mammoth task.

sci fi
native tongue series by suzette h elgin. sees women acheive liberation through their own language.

childhood faves -
all lm montgomery - favourite anne of the island and rilla of ingleside - the romance ones!
laura ingalls wilder - my fave was these happy golden years also the romance one...
narnia series
noel streatfield books such as ballet shoes

poetry
wb yeats
robert frost

light read
hornblower - swashbuckling - but with an insecure hero.

christian
bible - fave book in that philippians
prayer by richard foster - see chapter on prayer of tears.
wounded healer -henri nouwen - through our wounds we heal
crucified god - jurgen moltmann - theodicy of the cross.

recent faves
the kite runner - Khaled Hosseini - afghanistan from the inside and outside.
gilead - marilynne robinson - unexpectedly uplifting