Making a Book List, Checking It Twice...

Every Christmas in these parts, one can expect to find the trifecta of book, toy, article of clothing under the tree.  Santa tries to bring what I call "the investment book."

These are books so good that we should own them, not just borrow them from the library. Oftentimes, these books happen to be books bout Christmas. Have you ever tried to find your favorite Christmas book at the library in December?  Yeah, me too.

I've come across a some good book lists this month with old favorites and new titles to add to my 2015 reading list.

This list from A Mighty Girl is designed with girl readers in mind, but has loads of crossover appeal. These stories are all about Christmas.

I've had Star Bright: A Christmas Story in my Amazon cart for awhile now after seeing the illustrator's work on Instagram.

I read this list of children's book illustrators to follow on Instagram and now I follow ALL OF THEM!  Their creative and quirky photos fill my feed with joy.

Who wouldn't want to see what Brigitte Barrager, author of Jill's very much loved The Twelve Dancing Princesses is working on now?

Or Jon Klassen, author/illustrator/humorist-genius behind I Want My Hat Back?

Here is a list of 15 Picture Books for Giving. Lots of classics on here.

Here is the New York Times List of Notable Children's Books for 2014. Many of these I have not read, but I'll get on that right away.

Lastly, my mom sent me this list titled Your not-to-be-missed Christmas list of kids' books with both tried-and-true and recently-released reads.  This list is NOT a list of books about Christmas.

I've got Mister Max: The Book of Lost Things by Cynthia Voigt in my pile right now.

If you're wondering if I've read a particular book, try googling "housewifespice and {insert title or author here}" or just email me!

If you're looking for a particular age or gender, try clicking on those keywords in my sidebar.  I've tried to be diligent about labeling my posts with keywords for easy searchability.  Or you could email me or use this comment box.

I like to think of myself as the Sommelier of Kiddie Lit. And Candy Corn. And Candy Canes. And Bacon.  And I'll stop now.

Clickables on Holy Thursday

If you don't read Rebecca at Shoved to Them you should, and you definitely need to check out her 9 year old daughter's art blog that Rebecca introduces in this post.

Peter is taking a Theology of the Body elective this semester.  He told me that they watched this TED talk in class recently:

Which led to me telling him about former America's Next Top Model contestant Leah Darrow and her journey from fashionista to chastity speaker.

Which led to him telling me about actress (former Power Ranger) and designer, Jessica Rey, and her line of modest swimsuits inspired by Audrey Hepburn.

The things she has to say about scientific research, male brains, and bikinis is all new to me (around 4:30). National Geographic is one of her sources.

Did I mention that she is a former Power Ranger?  That fact alone gives her a lot of credibility in my book.

Sweet Beth lost her little Rebecca Irene this week.  I just can't help picturing Beth and Rebecca and thinking of this mama who lost her baby too.

This video of a young man with Down's Syndrome getting his college acceptance letter made me smile.

Lastly, I have a lovely conversion story to share with you about a couple entering the Church this weekend. I am always blown away when I see people make this journey from another faith or from no faith at all.  Seeing new Catholics profess the faith at the Holy Saturday vigil is always a high point of this weekend.  

Have a blessed Easter!

Seven Quick Links

1.  This series of blog posts relates one mother's presentation on autism to her son's classmates.  Phenomenal.

2.  While I don't have an autistic child, I do have a dyslexic one.  I found this informative piece today.

3.

I saw District 9 years ago, but I remember it like it was yesterday.  That movie was so well done.  Here is Father Barron's philosophical spin on it.

4.  Buzzfeed has posted two pro-life lists this week.  Here is their list on 8 Outrageous Things Planned Parenthood Was Caught Doing.  Do yourself a favor.  Don't read the combox.  Just say a prayer for those people.

5.  Here is the other pro-life Buzzfeed list.  10 Celebrities Who Came Out as Pro-Life.  There ought to be more women and minorities on this list, but it's a start.

6.  

Speaking of pro-life stuff, I've been avoiding Pepsi products for some time now.  When my teens give me crap about that, I just say, "I don't like the taste of fetal stem cells."
I was absolutely thrilled to read this article from last month that PepsiCo “would not conduct or fund research — including research performed by third parties — that utilizes any human tissue or cell lines derived from embryos or fetuses.”  (And I have no idea why that quote is messing up my spacing on this post.  Blergh.)

Hooray!  Now, we can get sodas at Costco again!

7.  Lastly, just a video about someone's DUI.  DUIs are definitely not funny, but just watch this.  It's pretty funny.

 

Linking up with Jen at Conversion Diary, and then putting my sinus mask on to defeat this headache.

Darn It!  Today is just too gorgeous to have a migraine.