Half Magic

If you had a magic charm and you knew the magic was all used up,
what would you do with it?

Julia (6): "I would test it a couple of times to see if it would work and then I would leave it at the door and when one of my friends comes they would put it in their pocket and be surprised when they made a wish."

Gabe (4): "I would be-stroy it!"


Mom's notes: My mom made sure to introduce us kids to all her favorite "E" authors: E. Nesbit, E.B. White, Edward Eager, and Elizabeth Enright. I have a mission to to the same! I remember her saying she loved when magic happened to ordinary kids in their ordinary world. I love it too. It makes you believe anything can happen. And that's exactly what Edward Eager's magic series suggests. I vividly remembered some specific elements of this story, even reading it 20+ years later. I hope my kids do too!

Dinosaurs Before Dark

What kind of book would you choose from a magic tree house?

Julia (6): "I would choose a princess book because I would love to see Cinderella."

Gabe (4): "I would choose a vampire book. Because it's Halloweenish!"

Mom's notes: A friend suggested this series, and it is simple and fun. But it's really one the kids should read on their own. We like more meat to our read-alouds!

Pippi Longstocking

What is the silliest thing Pippi did in this story?

Julia (6): "That she put on the sponges and skated the sponges onto the floor."

Gabe (4): "Ruin all the pie at the party! And she did naughty things like at the coffee party."


Mom's notes: That Pippi is naughty! But her story is a fun, quirky one that the kids just ate up. Luckily it's ridiculous enough that they know it's not to be taken seriously.

The Doll's House

Which doll was your favorite? 

Julia (6): "Tottie, the wooden doll ... because she's the person all about this book. And Apple because he's so cute. And I like the mom because she saved Apple's life."

Gabe (4): "Darner. Because he's a dog!"


Mom's notes: We borrowed this treasure from Nana's library. Of course it was especially appealing to me, given my love of dolls as a child and still today. The kids were invested in Tottie and all the dolls as well. When Birdie gave her life to save Apple, we all shed tears and reflected on the symbolic nature of her sacrifice.

Charlotte's Web

If you were a spider, what would you write in your web about Wilbur?

Julia (6): "Special" and "Great Pig"

Gabe (4): "Funny"


Mom's notes: We all adored this classic barnyard story of friendship, sacrifice, and love. Julia related to Fern and her devotion to the runty pig. Gabe cried and cried over Charlotte's unexpected passing. And I loved introducing them to E.B. White's characters that will stay with them throughout their lives.

Little House in the Big Woods

Would you like to live in the Big Woods? Why or why not?

Julia: "I would like to so I could learn how to go hunting when I grow up."

Gabe: "No! There was a wolf!"

Mom's notes: Surprisingly, this was the first Laura Ingalls Wilder book I've read. I purchased the whole set years ago, and we were prompted to read the first one to go along with a Pioneer-themed book club activity. The kids were very interested in how different things once were and we all enjoyed the stories of day-to-day life in a log cabin. We'll read more!

Regarding the Fountain

Mom's notes: We hosted a water-themed neighborhood book club. I wondered how this one would do as a read-aloud, but if the kids sat close so they could look at the funny pictures and letters, it was a blast. I'm sure they will find this witty book even funnier when they're a little older and can follow all the puns on their own. I always enjoy books written in correspondence format, and Kate Klise makes this one extra hilarious!

Below are the fountain designs by Julia (6) and Gabe (4)

Sunrise Over Fire Rock Field

If you could be a dinosaur, what kind would you be?

Julia (6): "I would be the dinosaur with the long neck so I could see a lot of places and reach leaves and see what's coming after me."

Gabe (4): "I would be a T-Rex because I just like it."

Mom's notes: There's nothing extra note-worthy about this neighborhood book-club pick, but it was a fun read and dinosaur-crazed Gabe was wild about it!

My Father's Dragon

If you were setting out on an adventure like Elmer was, what would you pack in your backpack?

Julia (6): "I would pack a picture of my family, my nose whistle, and a bag of snacks of Hershey kisses."

Gabe (4): "Gum because I like it and he bringed gum to the tigers. And toys like my doggies and my fire fighters legos."

Mom's notes: This book was just the thing for our second read-aloud. It's simple, playful, imaginative, and endearing. I know the stories of Elmer and his dragon will be read and loved many times in this home.

Five Children and It

If you could ask the Psammead for a wish, what would it be?

Julia (5): "It would be that Cinderella came to my house for real life!"

Gabe (3): "A horse. I would ride it to Disneyland everyday."

Mom's notes: I have vivid and happy memories of my mom reading to us seven kids, from this book when I was very young to David Copperfield when I was in high school. So it was natural for me to choose a beloved classic from my childhood for our first read-aloud. When we began reading, however, I was unsure if we'd make it through. E. Nesbit is a glorious writer, but definitely old-fashioned and wordy, at least by today's children's literature standards. (I personally relish in the vocabulary exposure. I purposefully seek out books that my kids may never see on the library shelves at school.) But nearly 6-year-old Julia and just about 4-year-old Gabe surprised me with their attentiveness, comprehension, and retention of this magical story. We usually read a chapter after lunch while Evy napped. I'll never forget those sunny afternoons we spent on a picnic blanket in the backyard, reading about the temperamental, wish-granting sand fairy.