KIDS BOOKS: Book Release Day!

Today is the official “Welcome to the world, Wild Things and Castles in the Sky!” 

This new Square Halo release, something I started dreaming up summer 2020, would not have turned into the book I am so thankful for and proud of without Carey Bustard and Théa Rosenburg as my partners. I loved how we collaborate(d) together, and also how each of us have different strengths and passions that were needed for this project. 

As Wild Things and Castles in the Sky: A Guide to Choosing the Best Books for Children is not just many essays about books, but also a plethora of recommendations, here is a list of books that are important to Théa and her daughters. Another place to check out Thea’s book thoughts and recommendations, follow her at Little Book, Big Story . Théa is one of the wisest people I know about books and a favorite Square Halo editor. Following are a few of her family’s favorites….

---

When your children range in age from six to almost-fourteen, it can be tough to find read-alouds that engage and challenge everybody. A few on this list hit that sweet spot, and a few others are books that all four girls have loved when they were at the perfect age to love them.

The Complete Brambly Hedge, by Jill Barklem

I’ve never quite been able to decide if the magic in this book flows mostly from the illustrations or the stories. Probably, it’s the harmonious blend of the two: Barklem’s tales of the Brambly Hedge mice are delightful and sweetly told, and her watercolor illustrations (especially the cutaways of the homes!) have drawn our family into the world of Brambly Hedge over and over again.

The Misadventured Summer of Tumbleweed Thompson, by Glenn McCarty

When I started reading this book to my girls, I had a hunch they’d enjoy it. But this frontier story so quickly won us all over and became such a foundational part of our summer lunch read-alouds that we’ve since read every other Glenn McCarty book we can find. And how’s this for full circle: I bought this book after reading Carolyn Givens’s recommendation in Wild Things!

James Herriot’s books (all of them)

At some point, all four girls have discovered James Herriot’s Treasury for Children, and we’ve lingered together over his stories of life as a country vet in the 1930s. But as the older girls have outgrown that book (as much as it’s possible to outgrow it—I’m not sure you ever really can), we’ve discovered Herriot’s other memoirs. These books include a lot more details about birth and veterinary procedures and aren’t exactly meant for teens and tweens, but Herriot is such a fantastic storyteller, he makes even these details riveting and somehow warm and wholesome. I’m pretty sure we’ll all love these stories forever.

The Secret Life of Walter Kitty, by Barbara Jean Hicks

Barbara Jean Hicks and Caldecott-winning illustrator Dan Santat get the double life of the cat just right: they capture the inner life of Walter, a cat who answers to Fang and imagines himself as pirate, superhero, and explorer, and they set that alongside his everyday existence as a house cat—a sucker for catnip and chin-scratches, who is also willing to answer, in his weakest moments, to Snookums. We’ve loved so many picture books over the years, but this is one of those rare gems that still makes us all laugh.

The Wilderking Trilogy, by Jonathan Rogers

The summer we listened to the audiobooks of this trilogy over lunch was also the summer the girls ran along hiking trails barking like bog owls at top volume. (This was startling for other hikers and hilarious to me.) Rogers’s reimagining of King David’s story is set in a swamp filled with some of the most memorable characters you’ll meet, and it hits that sweet spot for readers who are ready for an adventure tale, but not quite ready for anything too scary or intense. But these books aren’t all fun and adventure: there are some deep, true moments in here that you’ll carry away with you and think back on for years.

KIDS BOOKS: Poetry for Easter

May this Holy Week, these days of walking with Jesus and seeing how he set his face toward his death on cross and “did not despise its shame,” find you meditating on Scripture and other good words — to enlarge your imagination concerning God’s love found in Jesus Christ and to unite your heart to praise his name.

Here are a few poems you and the children in your life can share together, as you enter in the story of the Cross.

Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe | CS Lewis 

“Wrong will be right, when Aslan comes in sight,
At the sound of his roar, sorrows will be no more,
When he bares his teeth, winter meets its death,
And when he shakes his mane, we shall have spring again.”

April | John Updike

April
It's Spring! Farewell
To chills and colds!
The blushing, girlish
World unfolds

Each flower, leaf,
And blade of turf--
Small love-notes sent
From air to earth.

The sky's a hard
Of prancing sheep,
The birds and fields
Abandon sleep,

And jonquils, tulips,
Daffodils
Bloom bright upon
The wide-eyed hills.

All things renew.
All things begin.
At church, they bring
The lilies in.

Royalty | Luci Shaw

He was a plain man
and learned no latin.

Having left all gold behind
he dealt out peace
to all us wild men
and the weather

He ate fish, bread,
country wine and God’s will

Dust sandalled his feet

He wore purple only once
and that was an irony

Quiet | Leslie Bustard 

…like a robin’s egg in a nest,

a row of yellow tulips, petals closed,

the last few shadowed moments

on the eastern horizon,

and Holy Saturday, 

as Christ was lying in the sealed tomb,

and the angels were waiting. 

The Lion, the Witch, the Wardrobe | CS Lewis 

The rising of the sun had made everything look so different – all the colours and shadows were changed – that for a moment they didn’t see the important thing.  Then they did.  The Stone Table was broken into two pieces by a great crack that ran down it from end to end; and there was no Aslan.

“Oh, oh, oh!” cried the two girls rushing back to the Table.

“Oh, it’s too bad,” sobbed Lucy; “they might have left the body alone.”

“Whose done it?” cried Susan.  “What does it mean? Is it more magic?”

“Yes!” said a great voice behind their backs.  “It is more magic.”  They looked round.  There, shining in the sunrise, larger than they had seen him before, shaking his mane (for it had apparently grown again) stood Aslan himself.

Emmaus 2 | Malcolm Guite

We thought that everything was lost and gone,

Disaster on disaster overtook us

The night we left our Jesus all alone

And we were scattered, and our faith forsook us.

But oh that foul Friday proved far worse,

For we had hoped that he had been the one,

Till crucifixion proved he was a curse,

And on the cross our hopes were all undone.

Oh foolish foolish heart why do you grieve?

Here is good news and comfort to your soul:

Open your mind to scripture and believe

He bore the curse for you to make you whole

The living God was numbered with the dead

That He might bring you Life in broken bread.

from The Jesus Storybook Bible | Sally Lloyd-Jones

And the King says, “Look!”

God and his children are together again.

No more running away. Or hiding.

Nor more crying or being lonely or afraid.

Nor more being sick or dying.

Because all these things are gone.

Yes, they’re gone forever.

Everything sad has come untrue.

And see — I have wiped away every tear from every eye!”

And then a deep, beautiful voice that sounded like thunder

In the sky says, “Look, I am making everything new!”  
—
This post was written by Leslie Bustard, one of the co-editors of Wild Things and Castles in the Sky.

KIDS BOOKS: Easter Stories for Your Imagination

The other day someone on Facebook asked, “Which book would you like to reread for the first time?”

I didn’t check the other answers so I could come up with my own idea.

After a quick moment I knew I would want to relive many of those magical first moments in The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe by C.S— like being with Lucy when she has tea with Mr. Tumnus, with the Peter, Susan, and Lucy when they come before the magnificent Aslan, and with Edmund as he trudges through the melting snow while spring musically makes its way into Narnia.  Rowen Wlliams in The Lion’s World: A Journey into the Heart of Narnia says Lewis was seeking to re-enchant us with the glories of the gospel. The Chronicles of Narnia are Great Supposal stories. Suppose there was another world, and Jesus acted in that world, what would it be like? And seeing Jesus and how he acts (Aslan) we might see him as if for the first time and our dullness to the Scriptures may be replaced with awe and gratefulness. I have experienced this. (spoiler) Reliving the death and then the resurrection of Aslan chokes me up often. I don’t remember how I felt when I first read it when I was 12, so I imagine rereading these scenes for the first time and experiencing the joy of Aslan, Susan, and Lucy romping around the broken Stone Table might enchant me even more to the glory of Christ’s resurrection. 

Epic stories like Lord of the Rings and Harry Potter capture, like The Chronicles of Narnia, the sacrificial love of Jesus without actually be allegorical. Rereading these or even excerpts from them would be a way to assist the imaginations of our young people as we invite them into the true miracle of the gospel story.  The following are several more stories that can be read during Passion Week and can help us enter into the amazingness of this time of the year and church calenar.

1.     Bare Tree and Little Wind: A Story for Holy Week by Mitali Perkins and illustrated by Khoa Le. “A lyrical, captivating retelling of the Palm Sunday and Easter story…” I love how my imagination gets caught up in the Holy Land through the characters of a tree and wind. Through these characters I witness what happens to Jesus and then I’m given the hope of his return that will restore the whole earth – people and nature.  Mitali Perkins is a wonderful storyteller and the pictures by Khao Le are colorful and captivating. 

2.     Oscar Wilde Stories for Children by Oscar Wilde, illustrated by P.J. Lynch

“The Selfish Giant” and “The Nightingale and the Rose” are short stories which beautifully and achingly point us to Jesus and his sacrifice. P. J. Lynch’s illustrations in other books have been a favorite of mine for a longtime; these are a great addition to enjoying these stories. 

3.     “Maundy Thursday” by Walter Wangerin

I found this story in Stories for the Christian Year by The Chrysostom Society, but you can also find in online through Christianity Today. 

I read this story every Maundy Thursday to my family and anyone will listen. This story helps us remember how Jesus broke the bread and shared the wine with his disciples before he was arrested and then died. It is funny and endearing; it chokes me up every time I read the end.  

4.     The Light Princess by George MacDonald and illustrated by Ned Bustard

This novella, with all the trappings of a traditional fairy tale told with a nod and a wink and clever word play offers insight into what true sacrifice looks like. (Also, the illustrations are perfect, created by my husband Ned. He fills each picture with lots of fun things to look at . . . yes, I might be slightly biased).

5.     The Biggest Story Bible Storybook written by Kevin DeYoung and illustrated by Don Clark. 

When my daughters were younger, and if I remembered (!), I would read all the Bible stories starting with Palm Sunday and ending with Christ’s death. Then on Easter and a few days after we would read the rest of the glorious story. (Each day we would focus on the stories that happened on that day.) Reading straight from the Bible is always a very, very good idea; supplementing with a storybook Bible is good, too, especially if the illustrations can capture your imagination without replacing any images in one’s mind already. This new one published by Crossway has colorful and dramatic illustrations by Don Clark, are modern-vintage; they are clear enough to give you an idea of what is going on, but because they are so stylized you don’t think it is actually how everything looked.  
—
This post was written by Leslie Bustard, one of the co-editors of Wild Things and Castles in the Sky.

KIDS BOOKS: Resources

Several recently published books have come into BookEnd (the name my husband gave to our house here in Lancaster) that just need to be shared. These are great resources for adults and teeangers. 

1.     Special Grace: Prayers and Reflections for Families with Special Needs by Elrena Evans. 

Joni Eareckson Tada shares in the forward the words of a mother with three special needs children. “I can’t tell you how many times I’ve teetered on the edge, desperate and wholly overwhelmed, barely able to utter a mere “Jesus, help me.’ How wonderful to have a Christ-loving mom articulate much heartfelt, spot-on prayers for nearly every circumstance! I so appreciate her faithfulness, her honesty, and her humor. “ I know how much I have needed the prayers of Every Moment Holy to help me trust God in everyday ups and downs, so I am excited how this book can help families with special needs children pray (and also help me pray alongside my friends). Topics include Family Life, School, Public Life, Changes, Seasons of the Year, and Thanksgivings (and other prayers).  What a gift this book is to the Body of Christ. 

2.     Rembrandt is in the Wind: Learning to Love Art Through the Eyes of Faith by Russ Ramsey. 

Several years ago I heard Russ Ramsey give several talks that linked Scripture and gospel truths with stories of certain artists and their paintings. My heart and mind could not have been happier. I’ve been looking forward to this book. Russ Ramsey writes about nine artists, including such greats as  Michaelangelo, Rembrandt, Vermeer, van Gogh, Tanner, and Lillias Trotter. This book will be great for those who love art or would like to dig deeper into the importance of art and beauty in our lives, and even grow in their appreciation of it.  My husband got to write one of the endorsements in which he praised the book, saying: “Ramsey is a deep lover of art and a student of art history. In this book he takes the reader on an amazing guided tour through an art museum that doesn't exist. In this carefully curated collection of art from around the world, he offers you an experience that only someone who really loves art can. This book inspires the reader to engage art in an eye-opening way and understand how these famous works of art bring glory to God.”

3.     Steeped in Stories: Timeless Children Novels to Refresh our Tired Souls by Mitali Perkins. 

Recently I wrote that Mitali Perkins is the Literature professor I wish I had had. This book is memoir, “classroom instruction” on the ins and outs of each story, as well as discussions on the virtues and vices these stories point us to. At the same time, she, while in love for these stories and their authors, also speaks to those challenging parts that many classics contain. It’s such a very good read. I love how she doesn’t tell us to throw away these classics but to see their value by modeling what it looks to truly be refreshed by these books; but at the same time she helps us think seriously and discerningly about legitimately troublesome parts (usually how “the other” is portrayed). Mitali Perkins discusses Little Women, A Little Princess, The Hobbit, Anne of Green Gables, Heidi, and Chronicles of Narnia. This book would be wonderful for an adult to read so they can have solid and wise tools to interact with young people they know who are reading these books – tools that can help them highlight all the good and work through the hard parts. 

4.     The Scandal of Holiness: Renewing Your Imagination in the Company of Literary Saints by Jessica Hooten Wilson  

Do I need to make a disclaimer that I am on the launch team for this book? Probably not, except to say after I heard the author speak at a conference on renewing the imagination this past September, I knew I would love this book. Getting a jump-start on reading it has been a delight. Jessica Hooten Wilson says “Novels introduce us to ways of imagining God already at work in our hearts, present in the world, transforming and sanctifying his creation all the time.” She discusses eight contemporary classics, such as Kristen Lavransdatter, The Moviegoer, The Book of the Dun Cow, Moses, and Man of the Mountain. In each chapter she narrates and highlights the plot and the main characters, as well as instructs the reader in different aspects of holiness, as each book discusses one aspect of holy living. This book would make a solid read not just for adults who love books and the life of the mind and imagination but also upper-high school book-lovers and readers who desire to think deeply about what they are reading. 

5.     Literarily: How Understanding Bible Genre Transforms Bible Study by Kristie Anyabwile

I am also on the launch team for this book that was just recently released. Kristie Anyabwile is a Bible teacher I have enjoyed listening to. She is a wealth of Scriptural and theological knowledge, a love for the Church, and has a great ability to share truths in a way that is solid and accessible. Her book Literarily will help readers of Scripture dig in deeper (to sound like a cliché) by helping the them understand the importance of the authors use of certain genres, such as law, history, prophecy, and poetry, as well as literary themes and devices used within them.  This book is an important tool in helping adults and teenagers thoughtfully encounter God’s Word.

6.     A Guide to Reading and Thinking Series edited by Karen Swallow Prior

The novels in this series are books I read in high school (Scarlet Letter) or classics I sought out in my adult years (Jane Eyre and Sense and Sensibility), as well as books I have been planning on reading sometime (Frankenstein and Tess of the D’Urbervilles). And while each book truly looks wonderful on my bookshelf (the covers look classy and feel welcoming), I have been glad for how each book in the series enlarges my mind through Karen Swallow Prior’s introduction and guidance through the themes, characters, etc. Since reading her first book Booked: Literature for the Soul of Me and then Fierce Convictions: The Extraordinary Life of Hannah More—Poet, Reformer, Abolitionist, and On Reading Well: Finding the Good Life through Great Books, I have sought her out to learn how to think more deeply about the classics.  Tess of the D’Urbervilles by Thomas Hardy and The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne, the novels with her reader’s guide, have recently been released. These books and the other ones are perfect reads for high schoolers and adults. 
—
This post was written by Leslie Bustard, one of the co-editors of Wild Things and Castles in the Sky.

KIDS BOOKS: Easter Books for Toddlers

When last year’s leaves have turned to mould in the flower beds and the vines of the clematis are black and brittle, that first glimpse of a golden crocus feels like a promise. Spring is coming! When my daughters were younger they’d wonder at each new spring flower, and I was never sure how well they remembered seeing the same flowers the previous year. Now, they are old enough to know: when we’re out walking, we’ll interrupt each other to cry, “Crocus!” and clap and maybe make fools of ourselves. And then we’ll go back to talking about middle school math, or a book they just finished. We delight in the changing season together, but we both know it happened last year and that it will (most likely) happen again next spring.

But when they were little: ah! Those crocuses were a burst of color where a second before everything had looked brown and sodden. The spring was brand new to them, and they marveled at each crocus (and then, at a certain age, most likely tried to eat it). The Easter story, nestled neatly into spring as it is, was new to them too. And over the years we found that the best Easter books for toddlers told the story of Jesus’ death and resurrection with color, promise, and joy. They gave our daughters something to wonder at, delight in, and remember. These Easter books for young readers became some of our very favorites.

Easter is Coming, by Tama Fortner

This lovely, large-format board book tells the littlest readers the story of Easter from Genesis onward. The illustrations in this one are particularly lovely.

The Garden, the Curtain, and the Cross, by Carl Laferton

This one, too, tells the whole story of Easter, from the garden of Eden to Jesus' return. But it's not as long as you'd think such a telling would be—better yet, it's now available as a board book! And while it’s not technically an Easter book, it does offer a companion Advent-style calendar for the two weeks leading up to Easter.

What is Easter?, by Michelle Medlock Adams

This sweet rhymed board book tells readers not just what happened on Easter but why we celebrate it the way we do. Where does the bunny come in? What's up with the new dresses? What is Easter? answers all those burning questions and more.

Holy Week, by Danielle Hitchen

This board book primer takes readers through the events of Holy Week, supporting each page with Scripture and emphasizing the different emotions Jesus and the disciples may have felt as the week went on. 

A Very Happy Easter, by Tim Thornborough

This one also focuses on emotions as it tells the Easter story (those toddlers and their emotions!), but it tells the story differently, in an interactive and delightful way.

Jesus Rose for Me, by Jared Kennedy

This exuberant telling of the Easter story looks forward, beyond Jesus' death and resurrection to this moment, today, and helps readers understand why Jesus died—and why his resurrection still matters so much to us. This is one of my favorites.
—
This post was written by Théa Rosenburg, one of the co-editors of Wild Things and Castles in the Sky.

KIDS BOOKS: Happy Birthday to Carey!

I checked in with Carey, my oldest daughter and a co-editor of Wild Things and Castles in the Sky: A Guide to Choosing the Best Books for Children, to make certain it was okay to use her birthday, February 16th, as an excuse to post a list of children’s books that I read to her when she was little. She said it was okay… and even reminded me of a few of our favorites. 

The majority of these books are from our very first years of reading books together. These books are also ones that are still sitting on the bottom three shelves of the tallest book shelf in BookEnd, our home in the west end of Lancaster. Although I discovered most of them in our local library, we loved them enough to buy our own copies. 

 Carey was the reason I discovered the goodness of a well-told and well-illustrated story, and how I also discovered my love for sitting on the floor, back against the couch, with a child on my lap (and later, when her sisters came, a child on one side of me, another child on my lap, and maybe another one rolling around on the floor or on top of me . . . and a book in front of us). Big cozy chairs do just fine, too. Snacks help. 

 Making a book about books with Carey has been a delight because, now that she teaches four year olds, she has continued developing her love of books and has also introduced me to many, many new books, authors, and illustrators in which to delight. It’s fun to have our roles reversed.

We spent many years going back and forth to the library, discovering stories written by people of all backgrounds and stories of all kinds… but these are the ones that got me started on my journey to learn more about books and to make reading a part of our family culture. These are the books written or illustrated by people we still remember. In the list below, there maybe be one book named with it’s author, but most likely that author has more books worth checking out. As with the suggestions in our upcoming book (Wild Things and Castles in the Sky—which should come out in early, early spring, 2022—shameless plug!), this list is just an introduction.

Read With Me Bible: An NIV Story Bible for Children 

Tomie de Paola’s Book of Bible Stories by Tomie dePaola

Sing a Song of Popcorn: Every Child’s Book of Poems by Beatrice Schenk de Regniers

Mudpies and Other Recipes: A Cookbook for Dolls by Marjorie Winslow

Children Just Like Me: a Unique Celebration of Children Around the World by Barnabas and Anabel Kindersley

The Going to Bed Book by Sandra Boyton 

Winnie the Pooh and Some Bees (and the others in the classic board book collection )

Giving by Shirley Hughes 

Tom and Pippo Go Shopping by Helen Oxenbury

What the Sun Sees by Nancy Tafuri

Make Way for Ducklings by Robert McCloskey 

My First Little House Books: The Deer in the Wood adapted by Laura Ingalls Wilder

Corduroy by Don Freeman 

McDuff Moves In by Rosemary Wells

This Quiet Lady by Charlotte Zolotow

The Lovely Present by Charotte Zolotqw

Madeline by Ludwig Bemelmans

Just Only John by Jack Kent 

Island Boy by Barbara Cooney 

Miss Fannie’s Hat by Jan Karon 

Jennie’s Hat by Ezra Jack Keats

Mr. Putter and Tabby Paint the Porch by Cynthia Rylant

Frog and Toad are Friends by Arnold Lobel

Little Bear by Elise Holmelund Minarik
—
This post was written by Leslie Bustard, one of the co-editors of Wild Things and Castles in the Sky, coming Spring 2022.

KIDS BOOKS: Winter Books

The winter months are a struggle for me. It feels like the gray sky cuts to my core and refuses to shine. On top of that, I live in New York City, and the tall, cold skyscrapers create merciless wind tunnels through which I must crawl. Suffice to say, I’ve been dreading the approach of the next few months. But today I was put in my place while reading with my Junior Kindergarten students. We start every day with Thoughts to Make Your Heart Sing by Sally Lloyd-Jones, and as always, her words were exactly what I needed:

Winter

In the winter it looks like the trees have all died. Their leaves wither and drop off. They stand like skeletons against the cold, desolate sky.

But did you know before even a single leaf falls to the ground, next spring’s bud is ready? Next summer’s leaf is furled inside that tiny buddy, waiting.

And Jesus says there is nothing broken that won’t be mended, nothing sick that won’t be healed, nothing dead that won’t live again. Because God is making everything sad come untrue!

We can’t see it now– but remember the fruit tree in winter? It looks dead. But the buds are ready to go. And come spring–blossom and fruit!

I am talking with my students about winter, snow, and animals who live in colder climates during our Enrichment time this week. Instead of me begrudgingly bringing my students along on an adventure, they guided me with their awe for winter wonderlands. They have eyes to see how detailed each snowflake is, they have the excitement you need to enjoy the icy air. You never know what could happen when you’re out walking in the cold! We looked at Renaissance painter Peter Bruegal’s Hunters in the Snow and Impressionist Camille Pissarro’s Chestnut Trees at Louveciennes and each student pointed out reasons why they would like to be tramping through those particular snowy scenes.

I was challenged to see winter in a new light, to see that we need the cold for spring to come. How can we enjoy the warm air and the green buds if we don’t experience the stark opposite? I don’t want my heart to be “always winter, but never Christmas.” I need childlike eyes to see God’s glory shine through this harsh season. And so, with the help of a few of my favorite winter books below, I invite you to get out of this frigid funk and be reminded of God’s healing hand. 

A Big Bed for Little Snow by Grace Lin

The Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats

Little Penguins by Cynthia Rylant, Christian Robinson (Illustrator)

Over and Under the Snow by Kate Messner, Christopher Silas Neal (Illustrator)

Frederick by Leo Lionni

Stopping by the Woods on a Snowy Evening by Robert Frost, Susan Jeffers (Illustrator)

Katy and the Big Snow by Virginia Lee Burton

Owl Moon by Jane Yolen, John Schoenherr (Illustrator)

Toot and Puddle: Let it Snow by Hollie Hobbie

Brambly Hedge: The Winter Story by Jill Barklem

Look at the Weather by Britta Teckentrup 
—
This post was written by Carey Bustard, one of the co-editors of Wild Things and Castles in the Sky, coming Spring 2022.