In our study of Africa, we found a gem. Gold Star Book. I loved it. LOVED IT! It only took me 15 minutes to read. The chapters are short, the pictures add to the charm, and the story is fabulous. Warriors, Warthogs, and Wisdom: Growing Up in Africa by Lyall Watson is an autobiographical book about Watson's grandma (a Harley motorcycle is involved), best friend (a Zulu chieftan), and a warthog. Awesome. It makes you wish you'd had his childhood--and I had a perfect childhood myself.
There is also a little bit about eating bugs.
Seriously, read this book.
There is also a little bit about eating bugs.
Seriously, read this book.
In other good news, Miriam discovered The Hardy Boys. I never much cared for mysteries growing up so I didn't read Hardy Boys or Trixie Beldon or Nancy Drew. However, I am SO GLAD that Miriam is in love with this series because I know it is 100% clean and child friendly so I don't have to preview any of the books.
That is a such a wonderful feeling.
Besides, what is more adorable than hearing Miriam giggles from her end of the couch and see her shaking her head and whispering, "Silly Joe"? Yes, Miriam whispers out loud often when she reads. I like it because it is funny and I can hear how she is processing what she is reading. Mostly though, it is just funny.
My mother is a great believer in reading all genres. She would often hand me mysteries to read and I would turn up my nose. This annoyed her. Finally, she handed me Victoria Holt's The Night of the Seventh Moon. A mystery. She made me read it.
I loved it.
Still one of my very favorite books. Definitely my favorite mystery (along with The Westing Game).
I'm telling you this so you don't think I'm anti-mystery.
I'm just more pro-dragons. And magic. And trolls. And things like that.
Yay! We just decided that after our extremely long oceans unit (my kids LOVED it and we had some life events slow us down quite a bit), we would study Africa. I usually let Dylan's preferences guide my unit choices. I'm still WAY new at all this so I'm sure I'll adjust as I go on. But I'm thrilled to have found some Africa stuff previewed by you. So thanks again!
ReplyDeleteAlso, we tried to find Coast 2 Coast fish market and had no success. I found an address and didn't find it that way. We went driving around by Walmart hoping to just run into it, but no luck. I'm wondering if you can give me some directions. After seeing the pictures on your blog, my kids are dying to go there.