Recently Read: Complications

Complications: A Surgeon's Notes on an Imperfect Science by Atul Gawande

This was a book club pick that was a compelling read. I wasn't sure what I would think about it (and I was nervous about possible graphic descriptions of invasive medical procedures), but this book offered some interesting insights into the medical system. Interesting, worth reading.

Books for Back to School

If you have a child starting preschool or kindergarten this year, these books might help get them in the mood!

If You Take A Mouse to School by Laura Numeroff

Corduroy Goes to School by Don Freeman

Llama Llama Misses Mama by Anna Dewdney

How Do Dinosaurs Go To School? by Jane Yolen and Mark Teague

David Goes to School by David Shannon

The Kissing Hand by Audrey Penn

Scripture of the Week: Matthew 16:19

"And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven."
Matthew 16:19

Our Family Home Evening focused on the temple. We played the game from the August 2009 Friend magazine and talked about how we can prepare to go to the temple. Then we watched this Mormon Messages video.

Recently Read: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows by J. K. Rowling

This is my second or third time reading this. Mostly I've just been in the mood for some Harry Potter and some fun reading. This book is a great conclusion to the Harry Potter series.

Recently Read: Reading Magic

Reading Magic: Why Reading Aloud to Our Children Will Change Their Lives Forever by Mem Fox

I saw this book recommended on Once Upon a Good Time. Their review states:

"The book illustrates how reading aloud to your kids can prepare and even teach them to read, improve their speaking skills, expand their vocabulary and (my favorite) strengthen the bond between parent and child. Mem Fox comments, “The time spent reading together provides clear evidence to a child of a parent’s love, care, and focused attention. And it gives the parent a chance to close off the rest of the world, relax, and connect with the child wonderfully.”

My first thought was, "I know reading aloud to children is very important--so why do I need to read this?" But I am glad I picked up a copy from my library. This book brought back my focus to the simple pleasure, enjoyment and importance of reading to my children.

From Mem Fox's website, here is the short version of the book:

Mem Fox’s Ten Read Aloud Commandments

1. Spend at least ten wildly happy minutes every single day reading aloud.

2. Read at least three stories a day: it may be the same story three times. Children need to hear a thousand stories before they can begin to learn to read.

3. Read aloud with animation. Listen to your own voice and don’t be dull, or flat, or boring. Hang loose and be loud, have fun and laugh a lot.

4. Read with joy and enjoyment: real enjoyment for yourself and great joy for the listeners.

5. Read the stories that the kids love, over and over and over again, and always read in the same ‘tune’ for each book: i.e. with the same intonations on each page, each time.

6. Let children hear lots of language by talking to them constantly about the pictures, or anything else connected to the book; or sing any old song that you can remember; or say nursery rhymes in a bouncy way; or be noisy together doing clapping games.

7. Look for rhyme, rhythm or repetition in books for young children, and make sure the books are really short.

8. Play games with the things that you and the child can see on the page, such as letting kids finish rhymes, and finding the letters that start the child’s name and yours, remembering that it’s never work, it’s always a fabulous game.

9. Never ever teach reading, or get tense around books.

10. Please read aloud every day, mums and dads, because you just love being with your child, not because it’s the right thing to do.

Recently Read: Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince

Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince by J. K. Rowling

This is my third time through reading this book (at least). I recently saw the movie, so it put me in the mood for a little more Harry Potter. Always an enjoyable read.

Scripture of the Week: Luke 22:19

"And he took bread, and gave thanks, and brake it, and gave unto them, saying, This is my body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me."
Luke 22:19

This scripture was chosen to go along with our Family Home Evening Lesson adapted from Lesson 27: The Sacrament Helps Me Think About Jesus Christ in Behold Your Little Ones: Nursery Manual.