Honey is good for kids

In college, I took a course entitled “Children’s Literature”. Simple sounding title, but I think it was one of my most enlightening classes. I have always been a lover of books–but this class opened my eyes to the profound effect literature can have in children’s lives. As I worked through the projects and reading assignments given me, I grew to love the different genres and authors that I was exposed to. I also became aware of the ways that good literature can affect children.

Now that I am a mother, my “recreational reading” has gone by the wayside and my book choices are mainly informational. I covet my reading times, and therefore choose books that will help me grow and develop as a Christian, wife, and mother. And the same should be true of my book choices for my children! Although I want them to have fun while reading, and I desire that they will choose books for themselves that they like, I want the books they read to cultivate them as people.

As I was packing, I ran across a book left from my Children’s Literature class. It is entitled “Honey for a Child’s Heart” by Gladys Hunt, and is a precious resource for mothers who desire to go beyond bedtime stories and really expose their children to good books. I am planning to re-read this book over the next few months, as I seek to fill my children’s hearts with the sweet HONEY of good literature.

One of the most thought-provoking paragraphs in the book is on page 21. Gladys states:

“The instruction to ‘train up a child in the way he should go’ encompasses so much more than teaching him the facts of the gospel. It is to train the child’s character, to give him high ideals, and to encourage integrity. It is to provide largeness of thought, creative thinking, imaginative wondering–an adequate view of God and His world.”

Today’s the day!!!

Today starts the Bloggy Giveways carnival, which I am thrilled to be a part of for the FIRST time! I can hardly wait to look at all of the other fun blogs, giving away cool things. After you check out my website and leave a comment to win one of my fabulous books, don’t forget to go back and check out all of the other fun giveaways~!

Here is how mine will work:

~Go to my website, Sarah’s Bookshelf, and pick a $10 book (or books adding up to $10).
~Then leave a comment on my blog, telling me the title of the book(s) that you would pick if you win.

~Make sure you leave your blog name (with a place where I can find your email address). If you don’t have a blog, just leave an email address where I can reach you.

~The contest will end on Feb. 1, 2008 (Friday) at 12:00midnight. I will pick a winner and post the results on Saturday sometime.

~This contest is open to U.S. and Canada residents. I will ship your book to you next week!

(While browsing my bookshelf, make sure you enter the drawing on my site for $50 in free books! And if you want to host an e-show, let me know. It is so easy and so fun!!)

HAPPY CONTEST-ING! I can hardly wait to see who wins!!

Curling up with a good book….

I have been working at a daycare for the past year, and it has been both a blessing and a curse. A blessing because I could take the kids with me and have them close all morning, a curse because I was trying to raise other people’s children for 4 hrs and not paying attention to my own. The girls have come to dread going with me every day, and I can see it playing out in their behavior. So, long story short–after much prayer and deliberation, I have decided to quit. And to help make up that money, I am trying to start up my book business again.
I do not intend to use this blog to propagate business for myself, but in order to get started up again, I am hitting all of my avenues. If you need books for homeschool or want to get started on Christmas shopping, I have set up an “e-show” on my website:
1) Go to www.sarahsbookshelf.com
2) Click on the e-show under my name (it’s on the right side)
3) Order through that site–it will come straight to your house!
(And whoever orders the most will receive a free book of their choice (max. $15 value)–I will mail it to you after the show is closed!)
No pressure, but if anyone wants good, educational books for your kids–I would recommend these–ha! Email me if you want to know about any of the products. (oregongirl77@ charter dot net). Happy shopping!!!

Where is human nature so weak as in the bookstore? ~Henry Ward Beecher~

Children are made readers on the laps of their parents. ~Emilie Buchwald~