Winnie the Pooh and The House at Pooh Corner

Who is your favorite character in The Hundred Acre Wood? 

Michael (6): My favorite character is Tigger because he's funny. It's kind of funny when Tigger comes in Pooh's house. Well, it's not that funny. I just like Tigger! I also like Rabbit... because he's a rabbit." 

Daniel (6): "Owl! He's my favorite my animal... and he's kind of funny. And I like Christopher Robin because he's always nice to all the animals."

Evy (8): "I like piglet. He's the funniest. I like the 'tiddly-pums'!"

Gabe (11): "I think the funniest one is Winnie the Pooh. He says lots of funny things. And my favorite character is Small... he and his brother Alexander are tied."

Julia (13): "I like Roo because he's really cute, and he says funny things that remind me of little kids." 

Mom's Notes: We love Winnie the Pooh! And we can't believe we didn't really know that until now. A friend recommended reading the books. She said they just capture childhood so well. I definitely agree. A.A. Milne did a masterful job bringing these distinct characters and enchanted places to the world. Of course, on a deeper level, everyone can relate to the various characters in different ways. The stories had us laughing (a lot!), thinking, and drawing! (We even compiled a book of the drawings. There are lots because we listened to the stories over the course of a few months. The WtP phase lasted a long time! A lovely illustrated book fro Christmas revived it and we had a "Hundred Acre Wood Day" for our first homeschool theme day of the new year.) 

At first the buddies, Julia, and I listened to the audio book on our way driving Julia to Ensign Academy. We loved the stories so much that we had to share them with the rest of the family. We listened to the first book en route to Colorado over fall break. (We were glad Jonny got to be involved since he usually misses out on read-aloud books during the school year.) Peter Dennis is a phenomenal reader and his love for the stories and personal friendship with Milne are evident in his playful delivery. We listen and re-read favorite chapters often! 

Why did Armand's life change after meeting the Calcet children? 

Julia (13): "He softened up to them." 

Gabe (11): "He was able to see that kids aren't as bad as he thought and he found out they were fun to hang out with."

Evy (8): "Because he actually got to know what kids are like."

Michael (6): "Because he wanted to make them happy."

Daniel (6): "I don't know... what did Michael say? ... Well, that's what I was about to say!"

Mom's Notes: This book has been sitting unread on our shelf for years and years. I pulled it out because I heard the little story takes place at Christmastime. We read it in a few sittings and cheered in our hearts for the sweet Calcet family and their "Grandpa" who get a home by a sweet mercy in the end. Once Armand was willing to put himself forward and work for those he had come to love, the pieces fell beautifully in to place. The kids wished we could have read about the Calcet's reaction upon moving in, but I thought Armand's vision of the shabby apartment becoming a home was more than a perfect ending. 

 

Black Hawk

 

Mom's Notes: We read this as we learned in about the Native American tribes. It was sobering to read about the hardships, prejudices, problems of miscommunication, and tragedies for all involved during this difficult time in history. But I'm so grateful we did. It helps so much to be able to see through the eyes of Black Hawk as he struggles with how to preserve his people. I hope to read his autobiography someday. 

Jo's Boys

Mom's Notes: We made it back to Plumfield! Honestly, I really can't decide which book in this series is my favorite. Dan's story in this one is so raw and heart-wrenching. The characters are so dear to us! There is much to learn and admire as we follow their failings, growth, successes, and change. It's been an honor and a joy for me personally to read several of Lousia May Aclott's book over the past year. Her short Christmas stories are currently being read and loved in our home. I definitely want to read many more of her books, and plan on revisiting this series every few years. She may have "closed the curtain on the March family forever," but we can lift it right back up to see them all at it again! I'm already looking forward to it...

Slave Boy in Judea

Mom's Notes: This book reminded us a lot of Bree's enslavement in the Viking Quest series. We can't even begin to imagine what it would truly feel like to be owned by someone else. These books give us an idea, and the concept of forgiving even one's captor is beautiful and freeing in and of itself. 

 

Return to the Willows

 

Mom's Notes: Julia had this one on her book shelf, as Grandma had gifted it to her years ago. All the kids were on board for more adventures with the characters they can't stop talking (and singing) about! We thought the author created a fun and creative sequel, staying mostly true to the spirit of the original story, with a little more action and whimsy. The author's asides were funny and informative. We also got a good laugh out of the chapter headings!

The Wind in the Willows

 

Who is your favorite character and why? 

Julia (13): "Ratty. I just like his style."

Gabe (11): "Mr. Otter. I like him because he's an otter, and otters are epic boiz in Redwall." 

Evy (8): "I like Toad because he's crazy!" 

Daniel (6): "Rat - because he goes on a boat. And I like swimming and going on boats."

Michael (6): "Rat - because he goes in water."

Where would you rather live: the riverbank, underground, the Wild Wood, or Toad Hall?

Julia: "Toad Hall. It's a mansion. I mean, who wouldn't want a mansion? I'd just make it a toad-free hall." 

Gabe: "I'd live in the Wild Wood so I could beat up foxes, weasels, and stoats." 

Evy: "Toad Hall - because it's fun.

Daniel: "Toad Hall - because it's a house, and it's a mansion!"

Michael: "The Riverbank - because I like being in the water."

Mom's Notes: This is one I remember my mom reading aloud to us kids. We still talk about "messing about in boats" to this day! We picked it up as a first read aloud this year for two reasons: because Julia's school group is planning to perform the musical this year, and because our science unit is about mammals. I haven't read it for a decade, and I forgot how truly delightful it is. We listened to many of the chapters via Librivox. The reader was phenomenal and we'll surely listen again in the future! I personally love Ratty and his genuine care for others. He doesn't always get it right, but he is generally quick to see the error in his ways and make it up the best he can. The way he praised Mole's humble home when all he wished for was to be in his own beloved house on the river was truly selfless.