Books Read to Z-baby this week:

Puss in Boots, illus. by Paul Galdone.

The Berenstain Bears and the Escape of the Bogg Brothers (By the way, I detest the Berenstain Bears in all their incarnations, but Z-baby is a fan. I usually try to get someone else to read the BB books to her.)

Pippi Longstocking by Astrid Lindgren, illustrated by Lauren Child. I got this new edition, new translation, from the publisher because it was nominated for the Cybil Award for Middle Grade Fiction. We decided that the book didn’t really qualify for the award since it’s a new translation, not a new work. However, this new edition of Ms. Lindgren’s classic story is worthy of something. The illustrations by Ms. Child make it worth buying for your family library, and of course, the story is worth a re-read. Z-baby is enjoying it a chapter a night.

Other notes from the homeschool front:

We read more about the Peloponnesian War this week: Alcibiades, the Athenian delinquent, and Lysander, the Spartan commander. I didn’t know that the Spartans won that war. Sometimes I think my education was sadly lacking.

We also read about Joe’s stomach and intestines in our book, I Am Joe’s Body. Did you know that most stomach ulcers and stomach aches are actually located in the intestines? Or that depression and stress both cause the digestive system to malfunction, either to slow down to nothing or speed up to handle food inefficiently? Woory and grief really can give you a stomach ache.

And the little girls learned about Nebuchadnezzar and Daniel and about the bull-jumpers of Crete. If you’re an adult and you’re interested in historical fiction about ancient Crete, I suggest two books by Mary Renault: The King Must Die and The Bull From the Sea. I’ve read both books more than once and found them to be fascinating, but some adult content is included.

Readers:

Betsy-Bee,age 8, read Clarice Bean Spells Trouble by Lauren Child and wrote her review. She also read the edition of Pippi Longstocking that I referenced above., finished it last night.

Karate Kid, age 10, is reading The Arkadians by Lloyd Alexander. It’s a fantasy story based on Greek mythology and history.

Brown Bear Daughter is reading Goddess of Yesterday by Caroline B. Cooney. Ms. Cooney is my new discovery in authors, and I’m busy devouring several of her books. Wrap-up post to come soon.