Summer Reading

 I've actually read some books this summer.  This is huge for me!  Three or so years ago, maybe 4, while going through some turbulent times I sorta dropped reading from my life.  I didn't have the desire and also I couldn't concentrate on the text.  Becoming a reader again has been a slow process coaxed by a few great books here and there and by rejoining my Book Club.

This summer I purposely chose some easy reads to take on our vacation and lo and behold I finished 4 books!  The long plane trips helped.

I'd love to know what you've read this summer!  Here is what I've read -

Fifty Shades of Gray - Yes, I read it.  I mean them.  All 3.  After hearing about them and all the buzz that ensued I had to check them out for myself.  All the criticism they've received is right on - mediocre writing, predictable, simple story, etc, etc.  I read 'em anyway.  Have you?  I won't tell.

The Huger Games - Finally, I know.  Just like everyone I was completely taken with this story.  I have rounded up books 2 and 3 to read after I finish my summer Book Club book.  I actually needed a break after number 1 because I found it so intense and emotional.  I'm anxious to see the film.  Not Martha shared a great flow chart of what to read when you've finished The Hunger Games series.

Why We Get Fat and What to Do About It - I saw this book mentioned on a friend's Facebook page and was intrigued.  I requested it from the library and 2 months (!) later it was in my hands.   A weird book to take on vacation but it proved to be very readable.  This book is the condensed, accessible version of Taubes first book, Good Calories, Bad Calories.  In Why We Get Fat, Taubes summarizes the newest scientific and medical findings on what makes people gain weight.  He also challenges the current paradigms surrounding weight gain; namely calories in-calories out.  This book completely blew my mind.  It refutes so many of the deeply held beliefs we have about weight gain and management - eating fat doesn't make you fat!?  If you've struggled with your weight or are just interested in leading a healthy life I highly suggest this book.  I've since purchased my own copy and keep it in my kitchen.  I re-read bits now and again.  Once you understand the science behind good calories and bad calories you'll never look at food in the same way.

{Paris}

Bound and determined to see Degas' Little Fourteen Year Old Dancer, we headed to The Musee d'Orsay they next day. Eva became interested in this statue after she brought home this book from her school library. The book tells the story of Marie Van Goethem, a ballet student at École de Danse in Paris in the late 1800s. Marie began to pose for Degas to earn money to pay for her dance lessons. The result of all those hours of posing was the statue. Degas dressed his statue of Marie in her ballet uniform, including the peach ribbon she had tied in her hair. This was the detail that most intrigued Eva - her ribbon, her "real" clothes. It was interesting to watch Eva try and make that connection between the book, a young girl she could relate to, history, something famous, and something she could actually see. Yes, we saw the real ribbon that was really hers*.

Audrey got caught up in the excitement too. Although she listened to the book too she didn't really get it. She just had fun going around the sculpture saying, Degas?!?! Where's Degas? This Degas? Mom, look it's Degas!!

The book said that the statue was housed in the Louvre. But as we discovered, it's NOT!! As the Louvre guard told me, "All impressionist work is in the Orsay. " Now you know too. BTW, books are a great way to get kids excited about traveling. This book is wonderful too. We got Eva this one for her birthday as well as her own copy of Degas and the Little Dancer.

What are your favorite books about art/travel for kids?
I'd love to compile and share a list.

*There were 7-8 Marie statues cast. I don't know where the real, real, real one is housed with her real uniform and bow. But this detail didn't seem important to share with Eva.

The 2 pictures in this post were taken by our friend Jenn. Most of mine were blurry or strange. I think I was over excited too. Ha!

Read it

The Halloween section is my oldest's favorite area in the library (all year round.) I think we've literally read all the Halloween picture books there. I adore this book. It has a great rhythm when read out loud, almost like a chant. It's sing song text is creative, upbeat and would get a gold star for word choice.

We're off to Find the Witch's House
by Mr. Krieb

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Don't forget the Halloween Challenge on Monday the 20th!
It's shaping up to be a great one!
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The Dot

The Dot is my favorite book about teaching art to children - actually about teaching anything.

The story starts with Vashti who sits in art class with a blank page, convinced she can't draw a thing.


Her teacher suggests she just start with a mark. Vashti draws a dot. The next day she walks into to art class and discovers her dot framed.


Looking at her dot, Vashti knows she can draw a better dot. So she does. And so it continues.

In the end she meets another student who says he can't draw. Vashti knows just how to help.


Such an elegant example of brilliant teaching.