Book Sharing Monday - Thomas and the Prize Pig

O is our first Thomas the Tank Engine fan, L & K were never keen.It never ceases to amaze me how he knows all the engines and their names, matching numbers with names and colours of engines despite supposedly not knowing either.

This little board book is a favourite, a simple tale of taking a pig to show at the Country Fair.

Yesterday, as we headed to a local Country Fair, O knew exactly what to expect and happily told us all the animals he'd see there.His list came from his little book, right down to Dora the runaway pig !

We saw 4 lovely little pigs , which I forgot to photograph ! I blame the heat, it was 37 degrees, we are more use to dodging showers at these events.

This handsome fella was my favourite, O's was an alpaca who shared his name.

O had a fantastic day seeing all the animals from his book and more, hubby won a whole ewe's cheese after correctly guessing how much milk 3 sheep would give at their morning milking ( 4.1l spot on guess ! ) we had a wonderful picnic and all caught alittle sun.

Heres to more Summer Days.

Take a look at more people taking part in BSM

http://canadianhomelearning.blogspot.com/

Book Sharing Monday - Life Without School ( the quiet revolution ) by The Robinson Family

My copy arrived Saturday morning and was finished by Sunday afternoon, from the first page I was hooked.
From the magical family that collectively bring us The Mother Magazine, this book is full of family life and all that such a rich and varied environment has to offer our children's ( and us adults ) education.

Each family member shares their thoughts on a variety of subjects,I love Bethany and Eliza's chapters - full of their hopes, dreams and experiences.

Veronika and Paul open their hearts and share the good and the bad of their unschooling journey.

Recipes, photos, music and ideas for seasonal fun, add to make this a wonderful resource but it goes much deeper than that, sharing a deep and true love of family, of life and of self.

http://www.starflowerpress.com/shopping.html

Inspirational.

For more families taking part in BSM - http://canadianhomelearning.blogspot.com/

And another amazing giveaway over at Garden Mama

http://gardenmama.typepad.com/my_weblog/2010/02/welcoming-spring-fivepart-giveaway.html

Book Sharing Monday at Imbolc

A mix of books shared with O today to match the time of year.

With frost filled mornings, more snow forecast and chilly evenings, Spring still seems so far away and yet those brave little buds pushing through the cold earth in my garden, tell me different.
First snowdrops spotted, last Thursday, promise Spring is not too far away.


The sun is gaining strength, days are slowly growing longer and the seeds are stirring.

We breathe deep, the new freshness in the air.

And so we celebrate with song, dance and ritual, encouraging Mother Earth to awaken again.

We light candles to match the spark of life, just beginning again in the ground.

Filling ourselves with this new energy.

We dream dreams of things to come, of adventures unfolding, promises of starting anew.

Allowing ourselves to truly acknowledge all that we are and all that we can be.

Everything is possible.

Blessed Be.

Book Sharing Monday - Luna Moon Hare by Wendy Andrew

Our family Yule gift, a book to treasure.

" A magical journey with the Goddess "

Stunning illustrations and beautiful story, a gentle guide through the seasons and festivals, weaving a wonderful tale full of animals, fairies and folk lore.

A book to bring magic to your life.

Wendy Andrew is a true Goddess.

http://www.paintingdreams.co.uk/luna_moon_hare.php

More bloggers taking part in Book Sharing Monday

http://canadianhomelearning.blogspot.com/

List part way down on the left.

A mention for the lovely Jacqui over at Corridor Living, wonderful blog and great book sharing.

http://livinginacorridor.blogspot.com/

Book Sharing Monday - Snow by Uri Shulevitz

An enchanting book with beautiful illustrations and a simple text ... the people of the town are shocked when first one snow flake falls, then 2, then 3 but no-one believes it will settle except "boy with dog "

O and I made "no flake " as O calls them, he coloured ( with new Yule gift ) and I cut.

He is so proud of the results that anyone and everyone has to be taken to admire them even if they've already seen them many, many times.His excitement over them is infectious though and his clapping, jumping and " look, look, look " makes you smile and clap all over again too.

To make some very naughty but oh so nice snowflakes

http://imlearningallthetime.blogspot.com/2009/02/snow-balls.html

Design a snowflake on-line

http://gwydir.demon.co.uk/jo/symmetry/snow.htm

Take a look at Snowflake Bentley's amazing snowflake photos

http://snowflakebentley.com/snowflakes.htm

All our snow has gone now but with more due Wednesday, still time for alittle more snow fun.

Book Sharing Monday - A Squash and a Squeeze by Julia Donaldson & Alex Scheffler

I can't tell you how many times O has brought this lovely book to me today and requested that I " read it Mummy " and after listening to it all again, wandered off saying " squash, squeeze "

Book Sharing Monday - The Autumn Collection

Have been forgetting Book Sharing Monday for too long now, so thought I'd do a round up of our Autumn favourites ( I do remember it but not until about Wednesday/Thursday ! )

Autumn by Gerda Muller - This simple picture board book holds the joys of the season on each page, apples to eat, kites to fly and friends to play.

Brambly Hedge, Autumn Story by Jill Barklem - I could look at these beautiful pictures all day, the wonderful details, so much to see, brambles, rose hips, blackberries and a lost little mouse.

Woody, Hazel and Little Pip by Elsa Beskow - The magic of the season captured in stunning pictures and a delightful story. A favourite round here.

Pleasant Fieldmouse's Halloween Party by Jan Wahl - One of my best charity shop finds.The woodland animals are planning a party with treasure hunts, fancy dress and apple bobbing.

The Jolly Witch by Dick King-Smith - We love the Jolly Witch and all her adventures but this one is extra special, holding memories of reading it to my children and their friends around a Halloween camp-fire in our garden complete with hot chocolate and plenty of goodies.

The Old Woman and the Red Pumpkin by Betsy band - A wise old woman out-wits the animals of the forest.

An Acorn for Tea by Julie Sykes - O's favourite. The animals of the wood are too busy to go collect their own dinners so ask Rufus to find them leaves, nuts and berries while gathering his own.

What Autumn inspired books are you enjoying ?

Book Sharing Monday - The return of PP

Postman Pat is back, big style in our house and I'm not sure who's enjoying it more ?

L adored Pat and Jess when he was little and is now having fun introducing O to the joys of Pat's Postal Adventures.Gentle tales of lost letters, escaping sheep and surprise parties.O has such a delightful way of saying Mrs Goggins, that we all melt and watch or read just one more with him.

K's favourites were the Tweenies, who are certainly no match for Pat.

Although there is a new kid on the block, one we've never spent time with before, so O is blazing his own trail and we are following along learning all about Bob, Wendy, Muck and Dizzy.

Book Sharing Monday - Happy Families by Allan Ahlberg

Fantastic characters,wobbley waitresses, Mr and Mrs Hay ( the front and back end of a pantomine horse ! ) scary Mr Creep the Crook and so many more.
We have borrowed them all so many times from the library but now we are slowly adding to our collection, picking them up in charity shops, library sales and this weekend scoring these 5 nearly new books for £1 at a car boot sale.
K has loved them and I have loved reading them to her.I think we both will be fighting over who will get the pleasure of introducing them to O.

Book Sharing Monday - I've forgotten Edward by Susan Hill

Picked up for 15p at a Blue Peter Bring & Buy Sale ( remember them ? ) years ago, this became an absolute favourite of L.

Sam realizes he's forgotten his bear, Edward, when him and Mum are too far down the road to go back and collect him.

All the lovely shopkeepers offer Sam goodies to cheer him up but all he wants is Edward.

Even meeting Grandad at the park doesn't lift Sam's spirits.

All ends well on the return home, cuppa for Mum and a cuddle with Edward for Sam.

Lots more people taking part in Book Sharing Monday,info here.

http://canadianhomelearning.blogspot.com/

Book Sharing Monday - Summer Solstice by Ellen Jackson

It had to be really, didn't it ?

A book full of facts, stories and lovely artwork.
I love sharing this with the children reminding ourselves that celebrating this day connects us back with our ancestors in honouring the Earth.

Book Sharing Monday - Little House by Laura Ingalls Wilder

I have loved rereading this Little House treasury, which contains the first three books in the series.
Full of simple family life but so rich in characters, drama and ofcourse tear-jerkers.
A great book for reading aloud or as I did snuggled under the covers waiting for Spring to arrive.

Book Sharing Monday - Big Momma Makes The World by Phyllis Root

A book I had lusted after, long before I amazingly spotted it at a car boot sale.
This book is an absolute delight from start to finish with glorious illustrations by Helen Oxenbury.

What this Mama can't do with a babe on hip, ain't worth doing.

The washing can pile up, who cares.

This Mama doesn't mess around, she gets on with whats important.

Creating a beautiful World.

For everyone to share.

Book Sharing Monday - Harry Builds a House by Derek Radford.

An old family favourite, passed on to us from friends around 12 years ago.
L ( now nearly 15 years ) loved this and had anyone and everyone who visited us for any length of time read it to him at least once.

The pictures are fab, I mean who couldn't love a team of hippos building a house ? The information is great - ceiling joists, electric wires, screw plugs, it's all here.

Then there are the big guns - the diggers, the loaders .. oh my !

We all use to know this by heart but I have to admit after afew years of being neglected on the book case, we are all alittle patchy, not for much longer I feel, O is definitely a Harry builds a House type of kid.