The Big Orange Splot: Read-Aloud Thursday

In all of our beautiful chapter book reading the past few weeks, I feel like we've lost sight of the fact that we have a six year old (and a 10 year old for that matter!) who still love picture books!   I'm making an effort to pull at least one of our favorites each day to read to them.   This time spent with my children is such a gift for all of us. 

The book to share this week for Read-Aloud Thursday is a KEEPER.    We've had this one for a couple of years, but just recently pulled it out and read it again.  It was given to me by my older sister - it was a favorite of her son's when he was growing up.   Now, it's one of our favorites, too.    It's worth purchasing, or at the very least checking out of your local library!

 The Big Orange Splot is a wonderful story about the importance of being true to yourself. (click on the link to watch a very cute reading of the book on Youtube!) When a Big Orange Splot is found on Mr. Plumbean's house (dropped there by a seagull carrying a can of orange paint!), Mr. Plumbean takes the opportunity not to repaint his house to look like everyone else's, but to paint the house of his dreams!    Eventually, he inspires all of his neighbors to do the same!

We had a talk about being individuals and how it is important to stay true to yourself and not just do something because it's the "in" thing or what's "cool".   

The book, written by Daniel Pinkwater in 1977, is still available.   I found it on Amazon for $4.99 in case you're interested!    Wouldn't it be fun to read the book to your children and then have them draw the house of THEIR dreams??  I'm thinking we might have to give this a try. 

~ Linking up to Amy @ Hope is the Word for Read-Aloud Thursday

Multiple Read-Alouds

We've been reading LOTS aloud this week.    Last week we had started (and finished) Shiloh, and this week dad is reading Shiloh Season to the children each evening.  They are such good books - everyone loves them!  Be warned that there is a little bit of rough language, and one of the main characters drinks heavily and totes a gun.    It's all a part of the setting in the West Virginia countryside.




A few weeks ago, I won a tote full of books from The Booksource!  When it came in the mail I was so excited.  This week we have finally broken into the bag.   From the cover I could tell that Iron Hans was going to captivate my children, and I was right!    A retold Grimm's fairytale, it stresses the point of humility and using what you have been given for good.   The children were so interested in the book that after we read it I asked them to draw a picture from the story... I loved what they did and we had fun talking about the book while they were drawing.   This is also a great thing for me to save and put in their portfolios so we can remember our books more vividly.  

Our big read-aloud which corresponds with The Story of The World (we are currently approaching the time of Jesus) is The Bronze Bow by Elizabeth Spear.  Two years ago we read The Witch of Blackbird Pond, and The Sign of the Beaver (thank you Sonlight!) and loved each of them, so I'm sure another book by Spear will not disappoint.  We are just a few chapters in, but you can tell it's going to be a book we'll always remember. 

Finally, I wanted to tell you about a book you MUST READ to your pre-teen and teenage daughters:  Beautiful Girlhood by Karen Andreola.  I haven't seen another book or resource that deals with the changes taking place in our girls at this age.  When you first start the book it may seem old fashioned, but this is where the beauty lies -- it takes me back to a time when the family was more important.   I'm reading this aloud to my daughter a little at a time and I'm surprised how much she enjoys listening... it's definitely something we will reread as the years go by.  The Christian approach to the transition between girlhood and womanhood is so refreshing!    Here's a little excerpt:

The most precious earthly treasure a girl can have is good character.  Her character is what she really is.  If she will look beyond what she appears to be, and what people think of her, and look at her heart fairly and honestly, judging herself by the standards of right and wrong to which her own conscience gives approval, then she can know whether she has a good character...  

Character is not given to us:  we build it ourselves.  Others may furnish the material, may set before us the right standards and ideals, may give us reproof and corerctions, may guide our actions and mold our thoughts.  But we build our own character.  

  (pp. 29-30)

I used to believe that children had trouble keeping multiple stories straight - so I would just read one large book at a time.  Now, we always have three or four books going, and lots of picture books on hand.    We are addicted to books, which is why I love linking up with Amy each Thursday for Read Aloud Thursday!   Click the box below to go to Amy's blog... today she's sharing a poetry book with you called "Around the World in 80 Legs"!      

Read Aloud Thursday - How Do I Choose??

So many wonderful books, so little time!!   I've been so overwhelmed with books the past couple of weeks (in a good way).    I have a whole shelf of "want to reads" for this coming year.  Then, we go to the library and I come across a few more titles I "just have to add into the schedule"!   Does this happen to you, also?

This week we finished another book in the 26 Fairmount Avenue Series.  I will say it again and again:  My children love these books!    This book, Why: The War Years, got much more serious because it deals with the beginning of WWII and the death of one of Tomie dePaola's favorite cousins who was a soldier.   There is a lot of talk about air raid drills, black out curtains, rationing, and all the other things that went along with the war.  There still is, however, Tomie's ever light-hearted tone and humor.  In my opinion, this is a wonderful way to learn history... we have been talking with my husband's father about this time period and he can add so much to the children's learning.   




Yesterday we began a book we've wanted to read since last spring.   Shiloh, written by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor,  was finally checked in at our local library and it's every bit as good as we heard it would be.  I just love how it is narrated by an 11 year old boy, Marty (I think we like these stories that are told by children!), and he has quite a conscience and love for an abused beagle, Shiloh.   It's tugging at our heart strings and we're only seven chapters into the book.   I know there are two other books in this series, too.   


The book takes place in rural West Virginia and some of the language gets a little rough (lots of "shut ups" and a few "damnits" and "hells"), but the bad language is also only used by the villain in the story... so in context it is obvious to my children that the language is known to be inappropriate (if that makes any sense!).   


That's Read-Aloud Thursday in a nutshell.  Visit Amy, at Hope is The Word, to submit your RAT post!