Monday, December 12, 2016

It's Monday! What are you reading?


Our fifth grade Book Lunch Bunch groups will have all met twice after today! I enjoy both types of groups--the two that discuss personal reading, because they give me insight as to what's popular in that grade level (hint: Harry Potter is still a strong contender); and the two that do group books, because they often stretch me as a reader.

Group Four's last book pick was Happy Birthday, Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle by Betty MacDonald and Anne MacDonald Canham, illustrated by Alexandra Boiger.
Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle is part Mary Poppins, part child psychologist as she helps parents navigate the more common problems of childhood--picky eating, bullying, disorganization.  Children whining for more television time?  Saturation will do the trick--let them binge-watch t.v. until they realize how much sleep and fun with friends they are missing.  Disorganization an issue?  Paint the furniture with magic paint that makes your drawers spit back clothes that aren't put away correctly.  (I imagined myself in that last scenario, and felt a bit guilty when considering the state of my own desk these days!)

The Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle series was originally written by Betty MacDonald.  Happy Birthday, Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle was published posthumously by her daughter, after finding the manuscript among her mother's belongings.

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On a personal note, I am enjoying Home for Christmas: Stories for Young and Old, compiled by the editors of Plough publishing.
This is not your usual collection of holiday stories, with passages by Pearl S. Buck, Henry Dyke, Madeleine L'Engle and others.  There are twenty short stories, meant to be read one each night during December.  I've been reading them at bedtime, though I've often wished that our lives were not so harried this season that I could read them aloud with my husband and son.  Each story leaves me pondering the lessons of love, kindness, giving, and forgiving that the celebrations of winter stir in our hearts.

It's Monday!  What books are on your nightstand this winter?

6 comments:

  1. I was a big fan of the Mrs. Piggle Wiggle books as a kid and was surprised that my students haven't embraced them in the same way I did. I would love to hear what your group thought of the book when you are finished.

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    1. They all gave it a thumbs up, and were forthcoming about the children with which they identified. I was very surprised!

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  2. The Mrs. Piggle Wiggle books are a bit dated in their style of writing, which makes them slightly less appealing to readers today. There are so many choices today- when I was young, most of the books in my school and public library were at least 20 years old!

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    1. I thought the same, Ms. Yingling, so was not expecting a positive review from the group--but they all said they enjoyed the book! One of the boys said the author's note explaining the posthumous publication surprised him, though after some discussion, the students could see the details that were dated.

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  3. It's always interesting to see what classic books kids will love. Our school had a lit circle set of Half Magic that was always a hit when I used with grade 3 and 4. It really is hard to find reading time these days isn't it?

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