Issue XXIV

I’m in book preview mode. Every summer, as part of my preparation for next school year, I make reading suggestion lists available to our school community. These lists provide parents with vetted book titles that will correspond to the history cycle our school is studying the following year. This spring, I’m brushing up our lists by previewing books about medieval and renaissance times. Right now, I have 77 books checked out from the library, most of which are part of this preview process. Some books are instant winners. Others are instantly returned to the library bag. Some need a full read-through; for others I can just scan the index or read a few pages at random. I’m happy with the list that’s taking shape! In the meantime, here are a few recent winners (and one obvious loser) that I’ve come across in my library piles.
 
Thimbleberry Stories by Cynthia Rylant was perfect for my growing six-year-old reader. Nigel the chipmunk lives on Thimbleberry Lane. Each tale in this sweet collection introduces a new neighbor or friend of Nigel and an idyllic adventure they share. Reminiscent of The Wind in the Willows, the stories feature small wild creatures and highlight generosity, patience, and thoughtfulness. (No, it’s not about the Middle Ages, just a gem we found recently that was new to me.)
 
A blanket recommendation for Bill Bryson would be unwise. Some of his material, though fascinating and skillful, is also crass and sarcastic. Bill Bryson’s Shakespeare: The World as Stage, though, is safe to suggest for high school or adult readers. A short look at the known details of Shakespeare’s life (there aren’t many) is laced into a historical exploration of his era. It’s history, the fun way. Facts about life in Elizabethan England bring the time period to life and help us realize that even if we can’t know much about Will for sure, we can at least settle his context pretty firmly.
 
Roman Numerals I to MM by Arthur Geisert was a slightly silly take on learning Roman numerals. Each page features pigs on their farm, and helps young readers learn Roman numeral values by counting the pigs. It’s funny, but hopefully effective. Worth a try if number games are something your child likes.
 
I’m already a Shakespeare fan, so I’m easy to please with books about the Bard. But Will’s Words by Jane Sutcliffe was truly a lot of fun. Vivid illustrations are paired with explanations of words and phrases coined by Shakespeare. With citations from the plays in which they appear, each word or phrase is defined and given context. Add this to your list when we reach our Shakespeare studies in the coming year.
 
My ten-year-old did a preview read of The Sword in the Tree by Clyde Robert Bulla for me. He assessed it as perfect for upper elementary, with large text, short chapters and some occasional illustrations. It’s a story set in the time of King Arthur and would make a great leisure read for students studying medieval times. A fun piece of old literature about even older times.
 
Everyday Life in Bible Times by John A. Beck provided helpful information on ancient pottery making for my ten-year-old’s research speech this spring. It also looked like a promising resource for information on many aspects of the biblical time period. Topics are arranged alphabetically and include things like Engrave, Sacred Stone, Smelt, Stiff-Necked, and Yoke. Though I’m truly glad this is available at the library, this is also a book worthy of a permanent spot on any bookshelf.
 
And finally, an un-recommendation. I started Kathleen Krull’s Leonardo da Vinci with high hopes. It looked just right for middle grade: beefier chapters than a picture book, but not too overwhelming. I had only reached chapter four, though, when things took a turn. The chapter outlines da Vinci’s arrest for homosexuality, even implying that his arrest (if such an arrest occurred) was unfair. While I have no knowledge of da Vinci’s innocence or guilt in this matter, the fact that it appears in a book for ten-year-olds alarms me. My takeaway from all this was the importance of pre-reading (or at least pre-skimming) the books we give to our children. It is not enough for a book to check all the boxes externally. If the worldview of its author and publisher are not aligned with your own, you will want to assess what your child is being fed. We make choices every day about which snacks our children get, which produce to buy, which ice cream brand, which cereal. I remind you, even as I remind myself, to research just as much about the mental diet we provide for our kids.
 
Soon, the library will have these books back on their shelves. Until then, a library of my own is sprouting up in the dining room!