Tintin in Tibet
Because we were learning about China and Tibet in our history studies recently, our book (Story of the World) recommended reading TinTin in Tibet. I had never heard of Tintin, but my husband had and he was excited for us to start. I read the book in one sitting (60 min) and both girls loved it so much that the next day they asked me to read it again! So I read our first graphic novel again. When I had to split it into 2 sittings, Laurel picked it up and read a little bit out loud to Ella, which was so wonderful to see. I had no idea how funny this book would be! We all laughed a lot.... and learned a lot too. It's really neat how they work in a lot about the country and the culture.
![]() | author: Herge rating: ![]() asin: 1405206314 binding: Paperback list price: $11.15 USD amazon price: $11.52 USD |
Journeying through the Himalayas in search of their Chinese friend Chang, whose plane crashed, Tintin and his faithful canine companion come face to face with the Abominable Snowman.
Croco'Nile
![]() | author: Roy Gerrard rating: ![]() asin: 0374316597 binding: Hardcover list price: $15.00 USD amazon price: $15.00 |
A romp through ancient Egypt, with hieroglyphics, too!Set sail for adventure with Hamut and his sister Nekatu as they stow away on a sailboat, paint a pyramid, and win the favor of a pharoah. But when conniving kidnappers threaten the pair, they discover that a crocodile in need is a friend indeed!
Jocasta Carr Movie Star
The Last of the Really Great Whangdoodles
![]() | author: Julie Andrews Edwards rating: ![]() asin: 0060218053 binding: Hardcover list price: $16.99 USD amazon price: $16.99 USD |
The Whangdoodle was once the wisest, the kindest, and the most extraordinary creature in the world.Then he disappeared and created a wonderful land for himself and all the other remarkable animals -- the ten-legged Sidewinders, the little furry Flukes, the friendly Whiffle Bird, and the treacherous, "oily" Prock. It was an almost perfect place where the last of the really great Whangdoodles could rule his kingdom with "peace, love and a sense of fun"-- apart from and forgotten by people.
But not completely forgotten. Professor Savant believed in the Whangdoodle. And when he told the three Potter children of his search for the spectacular creature, Lindy, Tom, and Ben were eager to reach Whangdoodleland.
With the Professor's help, they discovered the secret way. But waiting for them was the scheming Prock, who would use almost any means to keep them away from his beloved king.
Gobbolino the Witch's Cat (Young Puffin Modern Classics)
Gobbolino the Witch's Cat is the 2nd chapter book in a series by Ursula Moray Williams, published in 1942. The first, The Adventures of the Little Wooden Horse is a family favorite. This tale of a kitten trying to find a home is very interesting, a great book for young children to hear.
![]() | author: Ursula Moray Williams rating: ![]() asin: 0141323264 binding: Paperback |
Russian Fairy Tales (Everyman's Library Children's Classics)
This collection of classic Russian fairy tales is fascinating. Expect this book to be as violent as other classic fairy tales, complete with witches that threaten to eat you if you don't do her chores, heros that get cut up in pieces but somehow come back to life, evil step mothers and step sisters are burnt to ashes from a glowing skull, and so on. There aren't too many pictures, but the ones they do have are exquisite. This was a favorite of our (then) 5 year old, who was particularly fond of the tale "Vassilissa the Beautiful and the Witch Baba Yaga", which I think I've read over a dozen times.
![]() | author: Gillian Avery Ivan Bilibin rating: ![]() asin: 0679436413 binding: Hardcover list price: $14.95 USD amazon price: $14.95 USD |
Notable for their magnificent, jewel-like color illustrations by Bilibin, these traditional tales include "The Frog Princess," "Vassilissa the Beautiful," and "The White Duck." Though Russian Fairy Tales in the Pantheon Folklore Library is a book for adults, it has sold over 30,000 copies.
Jimmy, the Pickpocket of the Palace
Betsy and Tacy Go Over the Big Hill (Betsy-Tacy)
This is the 3rd book in the series - excellent!
![]() | author: Maud Hart Lovelace rating: ![]() asin: 0064400999 binding: Paperback list price: $5.99 USD amazon price: $5.99 USD |
Betsy, Tacy, and Tib can't wait to be ten. After all, getting two numbers in your age is the beginning of growing up--exciting things are bound to happen. And they do!
Summer of the Monkeys
This book is an absolute gem! We all loved this book as a family. Set in the late 1800s, Jay Berry is a 14 year old boy who has an amazing adventure trying to capture 29 monkeys that have escaped (from a circus trian) and are living in a wild part of his family's 60 acre farm. It is hillarious, it made us cry, it was a little scary at times. At one point I thought it was to scary to read to our girls (then ages 9 and 6) because when Jay Berry is catching a couple monkeys, the rest of them jump on him and bite him and his dog all over. However, they are not seriously hurt, Jay Berry simply lays in bed for 3 days and he's better. Also, know that Jay Berry's goal is to get a pony and gun, it was simply part of the lifestyle of a boy living back then. Overall, this is a fabulous read and I'm sure we'll return to this book over and over again throughout the years.
![]() | author: Wilson Rawls rating: ![]() asin: 0440415802 binding: Paperback list price: $6.99 USD amazon price: $6.99 USD |
The last thing a fourteen-year-old boy expects to find along an old Ozark river bottom is a tree full of monkeys. Jay Berry Lee's grandpa had an explanation, of course--as he did for most things. The monkeys had escaped from a traveling circus, and there was a handsome reward in store for anyone who could catch them. Grandpa said there wasn't any animal that couldn't be caught somehow, and Jay Berry started out believing him . . .
But by the end of the "summer of the monkeys," Jay Berry Lee had learned a lot more than he ever bargained for--and not just about monkeys. He learned about faith, and wishes coming true, and knowing what it is you really want. He even learned a little about growing up . . .
This novel, set in rural Oklahoma around the turn of the century, is a heart-warming family story--full of rich detail and delightful characters--about a time and place when miracles were really the simplest of things...













