Banned Books, Cancel Culture, and Home Libraries

In A Thomas Jefferson Education by Oliver Van DeMille, the author presents the concept of a national book. A national book is something that almost everyone in the nation accepts as a central truth. At the time of our founding, the Bible and later The Declaration were our national books and remained so up until some time in the 1980s, as purported by the author, when we began failing to recognize a national book. Since then a national book has not replaced the Bible nor the Declaration of Independence.

The issue of a nation existing without a national book is that the nation becomes one without a shared culture, or at best in the process of losing it.

In 2020 we saw an attack on the founders and figures of our nation as monuments and statues of people such as Christopher Columbus, George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, and others were vandalized, removed, and in some cases destroyed. Now in the first few months of 2021 the printed word has come under attack. First as I will address in regards to Dr. Seuss and secondly in a book banned by Amazon last week.

Yesterday, March 2, 2021 the birthday of Dr. Seuss witnessed the demoralization of one of America’s most beloved children’s authors under the guise of accused racist publications. The Random House publishing company announced they would no longer publish six Dr. Seuss stories including: And to Think That I Saw It on Mulberry Street (1937), If I Ran the Zoo (1950), McElligot’s Pool, On Beyond Zebra!, Scrambled Eggs Super!, and The Cat’s Quizzer.

Our family owns and loves If I Ran The Zoo. The other titles on this list of newly banned books I am not familiar with. I have only scanned And to Think That I Saw It on Mulberry Street and had not even heard of these other books until this week. Frankly I am not a huge fan of Dr. Seuss for a few reasons pertaining to personal taste. However, our family values and semi-regularly reads a few of our favorite Dr. Seuss books: The Sneetches and Other Tales, If I Ran The Zoo, Thidwick the Big-Hearted Moose, Horton Hears a Who, The Foot Book, Mr. Brown Can Moo Can You?, and How the Grinch Stole Christmas! I have never once considered a Seuss book to be racist in general and primarily because most of his creatures are made up and nonsensical and therefore pertain to no race at all.

In addition to a national book, there are books which our society historically considers classics. I would put Dr. Seuss’ works for children into a more modern classic category. Certainly one in which all Americans can easily recognize central characters and quote a few lines of the text.

As summarized by Oliver Van DeMille, If we will let them, the classics can teach us lessons without the pain of repeating certain mistakes ourselves. They can show us correct choices which will get us where we want to go….The most challenging struggles of life are internal and the classics can help…. Classics help us connect with individuals whatever their race, creed, age, culture and even place in history.

Inarguably when I think of classic literature I lean more towards Dickens, Bronte, Alcott, Montgomery, A. A. Milne, Shakespeare, Austen, etc. However, concerning national, modern classics Dr. Seuss would certainly be at or near the top of that list.

A brief overview of three of Dr. Seuss’ books will highlight the messaging that Seuss books convey:

The Sneetches teaches a wonderful lesson about a community of creatures who gauge status on the presence or absence of a star on their belly. The story summarizes the futility of judging people on the basis of their outer appearance and rather understanding that we are all the same on the inside. I particularly love this book for its lesson on humanity and because of its phrase stars upon thars. It’s delightful to read aloud!

In Horton Hears a Who, we are admonished that a person’s a person no matter how small. I’ve considered this a pro-life message since I began reading the story to our children over a decade ago.

The Butter Battle Book published in 1984 is lauded as teaching tolerance and respect and I would further add that it is a cautionary tale of war. I couldn’t help think of the Cold War the one and only time that I read the book with my kids. It’s one I intend to revisit.

When we erase historical events and people in our history with whom we may or may not agree , we erase our national identity and our shared heritage of both the virtuous and the vile. Additionally, when we ban books and limit the free speech and expression of authors and artists we are weakening the ties that bind us as a culture and nation. We are stifling learning, discussion, debate, and connection within and among our people.

Last week Amazon removed the book When Harry Became Sally: Responding to the Transgender Moment by conservative author Ryan T. Anderson from their platform. This book was published in 2018 and had been sold on Amazon since its release at that time. You will want to listen to The Briefing with Al Mohler to summarize this topic and then to his interview with the author on Thinking In Public which took place in 2018.

Make no mistake, a minority of our population which communicates with the majority megaphone wants to dismantle our country’s heritage and further strip away all sacred beliefs exercised in the secular realm. Put another way, our country’s Judeo-Christian principles are systematically under siege and we must determine as a populous and as individuals where we will draw the line and upon what ground we stand on.

While Dr. Seuss and Ryan Anderson’s books are for two vastly different audiences and entirely different purposes the attacks on them come from the same point of reference: that which is deemed counter to the current woke narrative must be erased and silenced.

It is time we reencountered our original national book. It is the only one that will save mankind–God’s Word.

Let me go on record as saying: As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord. As for our home library, my husband and I will determine which literature to allow and what to ban for our family’s consumption. In the words of Martin Luther: Here I stand, I can do no other. God help me. Amen.

Please visit my online bookshop where you will find books for life. BrookesBookshop.com.

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Fear Not: COVID Christmas Part 2

Last week just after posting Christians and a COVID Christmas my family drove surrounding neighborhoods to look at Christmas lights. We hadn’t driven long when we came upon a house I will never forget. It wasn’t one of those with the coordinated FM station and a light show, although we saw one of those too, it wasn’t a larger than life inflatable Santa or a handcrafted nativity. It was simply two words in big, bold lights:

FEAR NOT

It took our breath away in such a manner that I can only imagine what the shepherds thought as they encountered a heavenly host and the angel of the Lord saying

Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord. Luke 2:10 KJV

2020 has been a year of fear. Fear of an unknown virus. Fear of infection, death, the overwhelming of our healthcare system. Fear of loosing employment and paying the bills. Fear that children living in abusive homes will not be reported and rescued. Fear of isolation. Fear of violence. Fear of the loss of our democracy. You name it and it most likely has been a fear this year.

But God.

In His infinite wisdom and divine love our Creator sent His angels to remind the shepherds and every generation after them to FEAR NOT for His joy had come; He sent His Son our Savior Christ the Messiah.

I find it immensely comforting that the calendar concludes each year with the celebration of Christ’s birth. No matter the year behind us or the future before us we are reminded each December that Jesus fully empathizes with all of our earthly struggles and reminds us that He doesn’t treat those who are in Christ Jesus as our sins deserves because He remembers that we are but dust.

The celebration of Christ’s birth reminds us that this world is not our home. We live for a heavenly kingdom that cannot be taken away from us. So that indeed we can fear not.

No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:37-39 ESV

Whatever fears we have as we exit a world-changing year and enter into another year full of the unknown, we can confidently lay our fears at the foot of the cross and follow Him as He leads us in His love.

Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near. Hebrews 10: 23-25 ESV

I believe that this letter from C.S. Lewis (see here) is as timely today as in the day in which he wrote it. If you have found any comfort in the words I’ve shared I am sure you will find even more there.

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Christians and a COVID Christmas

When the wise men traveled to see the Messiah they were entertained by King Herod who played the part of a fellow honor giver but whose real intentions were to crush any opposition to his rule. This Christmas I am awakening to the fact that Herods are among us and giving their condolences that Christmas must be crushed once again.

Consider this: Numerous government officials from coast to coast repeatedly tell citizens to stay at home, wear a mask, avoid congregating, especially in church, and don’t eat inside with other people outside your household. In fact, don’t dine out at all. Don’t even go to work.

These same leaders are caught on camera dining in with people out of their household without wearing a mask, getting private haircuts and not wearing a mask, and taking private airplanes to the beach with friends and not wearing a mask all while telling you we have no other option. Oh, and they get to keep their jobs too.

If this were a substantial threat and reason to stay at home while neglecting our sacred duty and right to go to church at the very least, then the following would be true as well:

Politicians would be in bunkers not at the beach.

This would really be about public health including their own and not private wealth.

Masks would be worn at all times and not simply while on camera.

Meals would be eaten in the privacy of politicians homes and not in the most expensive restaurants while the rest of their constituents can’t even go to work and are encouraged to take one for the team… alone.

In short, this is about control not safety or you can bet the tyrant politicians would be protecting themselves first and foremost.

We need to question everything and test every claim by real facts not fancies. Christians ask yourself, do I want my children to grow up heedless of the words of Hebrews to not neglect meeting together and all the more as you see the day approaching?

Our toddlers will turn into teens and then they may not want to go to church. It is imperative to set those practices now or you may forever train them that convenience and safety are higher priorities than gathering for worship.

Some people have real health problems for which they should take all the proper precautions. These words are not for them. These words are for the rest of us.

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Your Baby’s First Library Essentials

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Having your first child brings a multitude of checklists including but not limited to: finding a pediatrician, choosing hospital bag items, determining theme of nursery items, making a registry …on and on it seems to go. 

I’ve decided to make one list for you: Your Baby’s First Library List!

Below are around 30 essential books to starting a home library for your new baby. For more seasonal selections see my other posts via the search bar on the bottom right of the screen. For everyday reading, which is essential to the cognitive and linguistic growth of your baby, not to mention the bonding time that reading provides, you’ll want to snag a copy or two of these. 

As a small side note, I’ve opened up my own bookshop over on Instagram! I would love for you to do some of your shopping with me. You can find me here: Brooke’s Bookshop  

Feel free to make requests for books that you would love for me to find! 

Happy Reading!

 

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Picture Books to Jump Start Second Language Learning

Have you ever wanted to teach your children Spanish but were’t sure where to start? That’s exactly how I felt the beginning of this summer. 

Our family’s quest to learn Spanish all began with my oldest’s daughter’s prompting.  I asked a few homeschooling friends what they used and they suggested Duo Lingo and so she commenced her studies using this free online program. Next, I remembered a podcast in which a guest suggested using picture books to teach second languages, so I begin grabbing all the picture books with Spanish text I could find. Now the whole family, particularly my two year old daughter, is using our new, though limited, Spanish vocabulary throughout the day! 

Here is a list of our favorite picture books along with a few chapter books to get your family started learning Spanish in a fun and informal way. I intentionally chose books sprinkled with the language, but you can find many of your favorite picture books entirely translated into Spanish. Here is a good place to look. Let me know if there are any books you recommend.  Gracias! 

Juana & Lucas is a delightful chapter book filled with Spanish words that tell of a young girl learning English in school. 

Esperanza Rising, written by Pam Munoz Ryan, is a beautiful coming of age story dealing with migrant workers in California.  I loved listening to the audio recording of this book for pronunciation of the beautiful Spanish words speckled throughout the book. 

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Classical Conversations Cycle 2 Booklist: Medieval History to The Gulf War

Welcome all Classical Conversation families! Additionally, welcome to homeschooling families that use this list to supplement their medieval history study!

A few notes about the arrangement of books in this post:

    1. This booklist is a tool and not a checklist! Please use it to supplement your morning time routines or studies of CC memory work.
    2. My family will not read all these books listed each week. Instead, this will be a reference list for me to utilize in weekly book selections and in chapter book read alouds or read alones.
    3. The pictured links in the twenty-four week lists are arranged by picture books first followed by chapter book selections.
    4. Additional chapter books, audio books, missionary studies, and fine arts books, including a poetry section, are listed after the twenty-four week suggestions. 
    5. I will not be providing a download of this list, but encourage you to write these suggestions in under the Memoria section of your Foundations Guides.

It is my hope that this list proves to be a wonderful resource for your family enabling you to make memories around the shared experience of reading great books. Enjoy!

*All links below are affiliate links.

Week 1:

What Really Happened In Medieval Times is a wonderful resource filled with 8 biographical short stories on figures such as: Joan of Arc, Saint Patrick, Martin Luther, and more.

Week 2:

 

Geography: English Channel

Week 3:

Geography Selections: France

I Juan de Pareja is a chapter book set in Spain and based on a true story. This is one you will want to read to the entire family ages 8/9 and up! A personal favorite of mine.

Week 4:

 

Week 5:

The Book of Boy holds some religious beliefs that you may want to clarify or discuss. Perhaps it is a good one to read like a book club with your older students such as 5th and 6th grade. Check out this review over at Redeemed Reader. 

Timeline:

Week 6:

Week 7:

Week 8:

Week 9:

Geography Selections:

Week 10:

Geography Selections:

Week 11:

I was unable to find many resources on the French Revolution, with the exception of the two chapter books listed above (one of which was suggested by a reader), so I have opted to provide more books featuring France instead.  Please  leave  your  suggestions  in  the  comments  section. I welcome them!

 

Week 12:

Week 13:


Week 14:

Week 15:

Week 16:


Week 17:

Week 18:

Week 19:

A Single Shard is one of my all-time favorite books. Perfect for a meaningful read aloud!

Week 20:

Inside Out and Back Again is a book written in prose. The protagonist is based on the author’s real life experience moving to Alabama as a refugee after Vietnam. This book will provide many good discussion points about the treatment of people who are different from us in nationality, traditions, and religion. Check out Redeemed Reader’s post for discussion questions! 

I suggest these two incredible books by Gary Schdmidt for read alouds. The Wednesday Wars for upper elementary and middle school, and the second for middle school due to sensitive content. These are two of my very favorite books! The Wednesday Wars ties in Shakespeare as well which is a bonus!

Week 21:

My Brigadista Year is a coming of age story set in Cuba just before the Bay of Pigs. Probably a good fit for 5th or 6th graders knowing that propaganda is woven in the story as a reality of the time and setting. However, I loved this story because it tells how Cuba became a literate nation in such a short amount of time. You can read more about this book over at Common Sense Media. 


Week 22:

Week 23:

Week 24:

 

Audio Resources:

Additional chapter books to read aloud or to read alone:

On the Edge of the Dark Sea of Darkness is the first of a four book series by Andrew Peterson. Read more about the series here The entire set is found in this book:

 

 

Missionary Biographies set during or just after WWII:

Supplemental Geography:

Books about our Great Artists:

 

Music for Composers Study:

Poetry:

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Picture Book Biographies of 30 Influential Americans

Picture books pack a punch for the whole family. Yes, even your teenagers! The beautiful illustrations and text with rich vocabulary targets a wide age range which is especially good for larger families. With picture books, you gain a great overview of a topic in a very short amount of time. Plus, if something or someone particularly peaks your interest, now you have a springboard from which to find more books on that topic. 

Since summer is quickly approaching, I have compiled a list of 30 picture book biographies of influential Americans, most likely many of whom you have never heard of before. Head to your local library or the Amazon links below and choose which people of American History you most want your family to learn about this summer. From artists to architects, authors to library advocates,  computer programmers to female firefighters, and inventors to scientists almost all fields of interest are covered!   

Below you will find the biographies listed in chronological order and divided into women and men. Enjoy your summer read aloud time!

Evolutionary time frames mentioned.

For more picture book biographies please see this post on the Ingri and Edgar Parin D’Aulaire books and this post on Kadir Nelson’s books. 

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New Books for Mother’s Day

Mother’s Day is the perfect time to treat your mom, or any special woman in your life, to a new book, a gift card to her favorite restaurant, and a heartfelt handwritten note.

Here are some recently published books that I recommend. Each book focuses on women while providing back stories and behind the scenes looks at some of our most beloved stories including: Little House, Anne of Green Gables, The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, and the wife of C.S. Lewis. I devoured each of these books and hope you and the women in your life will eat them up as well. Happy Mother’s Day!

What new books would you recommend?

 

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10 Children’s Book Illustrators You Should Know: Tomie DePaola and Ingri & Edgar Parin D’Aulaire

As we end this series, I must say that narrowing my choice to only ten children’s book illustrators you should know is more of a difficult task than you might presume. I have at least three others I could recommend to you, but alas, I will keep to the ten I initially promised and provide you with one for whimsy and one for historical content to finish up.

First up, Tomie DePaola. Tomie Depaola was born in 1934 in Connecticut. He has illustrated and or written over 260 children’s books. His work has won numerous awards including the Newberry Honor Award and the Caldecott Honor Award as well as the Smithsonian Medal from the Smithsonian Institute.

I love Mr. Depaola’s childlike illustrations for their vibrant colors, their fun spirited appeal, and their friendliness. His autobiographical stories are my very favorite and are sure to tickle your funny bone! Here are a few for you to enjoy:


Ingri and Edgar Parin D’Aulaire were a husband and wife team who immigrated to America from Europe shortly after their marriage. They were both born at the dawn of the 20th century and both passed away in the 1980’s. Ingri and Edgar collaborated on the art and text of all their works including their incredible biographical accounts, one of which, Abraham Lincoln, earned them a Caldecott Medal. The couple traveled and studied extensively for their biographical accounts making these children’s books notable for historical context in addition to the stunning stone lithograph illustrations.




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10 Children’s Book Illustrators You Should Know: Kadir Nelson and Sophie Blackall

Today’s first children’s book illustrator that you should know is perhaps the most talented illustrator among the ten I am highlighting throughout this series. Kadir Nelson, an American artist born in 1974, is most widely known for his stunning oil paintings capturing African American history. His oil paintings have been displayed throughout the world and his art work commissioned by Sports Illustrated, The Coca-Cola Company, The United States Postal Company, and Major League Baseball to name a few.  He has authored and illustrated several books and illustrated for multiple authors, including former President Barack Obama. 

Kadir Nelson has won multiple awards many times over including the Coretta Scott King Award and the Caldecott Award to name just two. Here are my favorite of his works. Perfect selections for February as we celebrate Black History Month and President’s Day. The pictures are feasts for the eyes and the historical content is rich for discussion.  

 

Sophie Blackall, originally born in Australia but now residing in Brooklyn, New York, is a two time Caldecott award winning illustrator. She is also the recipient of other awards including the Era Jack Keats Award, Society of Illustrators Founders Award, Publishers Weekly Best Children’s Book, and New York Times Top Ten Picture Book. 

My family, from youngest to oldest, immediately fell in love with the stunningly illustrated book, Hello Lighthouse, and the charming story, Finding Winnie. Additionally, the beauty and richness of A Fine Dessert: One Dessert Over Four Centuries, captured our history and baking loving older children. Ms. Blackall has illustrated a few multicultural books including Ruby’s Wish and Big Red Lollipop highlighting Chinese and Pakistani culture respectively. Parent warning: The Baby Tree is a book to be read with a child when they are ready to know where babies really come from. So please, don’t plop down with this picture book until you are ready to answer this question with anatomically correct terminology. However, when you are ready, this book may prove the perfect choice for your child!

Here are our favorite selections illustrated by Sophie Blackall, a children’s book author and illustrator you and your family should know. 







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