Lindsay

Review: You’re Not Listening

Posted on February 12, 2020 by Lindsay Books

I know we’re only two months into 2020 and it’s not really fair of me to have a favorite book already, but I was so enthralled with this book that I willingly spent hours walking at the gym just so I could listen to it. I am not much of a gym rat, so that is saying something.

What is this magical book, you ask? It’s called You’re Not Listening: What You’re Missing and Why It Matters, and it’s written by journalist Kate Murphy. While I checked out the audiobook from my library through the Libby app, the print version of this book would be just as good, and part of me wants to check it out again to highlight parts that stood out.

You’re Not Listening is a book about the importance of actually listening to the people in your life. I thought I was actually a pretty good listener before I finished this book, and I think most of us have an inflated opinion of how well we listen to each other. I soon realized I can be a much better listener –and that it’s going to take some work.

Part of the problem, Murphy explains, is that we have so many ways for people to express themselves today. Because we can all indulge in soliloquies on social media or send videos to people whenever we want, we have forgotten that we also have to listen to what the people around us are saying. We also have to make an effort to look at the person we’re speaking to and not be distracted by a phone or a long to-do list.

One of the most fascinating parts of this book was the chapter about silence and how our discomfort with it makes us jump in when we really should be listening. Because I am introverted and work from home most of the time, I crave a quiet home and don’t mind sitting in silence for hours. I know most people don’t enjoy this (and don’t get this luxury).

However, I find I am less uncomfortable with pauses in conversation when they happen, and this book made me more determined to stop jumping in immediately when someone stops talking. I always appreciate the people who listen without an immediate solution or opinion, because I know they are trying to understand what I’m feeling.

The chapter also reminded me of something that really frustrates me in my church. The first Sunday of each month is called “testimony meeting,” and it’s a chance for anyone to stand at the pulpit and share their feelings about God and other parts of their religion. I’ve been in meetings where someone stood and said they “couldn’t handle the silence anymore” (because no one had shared anything for a few minutes).

Another time, I left furious because a leader had closed a meeting I was in charge of early because he didn’t want people to sit in silence anymore. Silence is how people process their feelings and figure out what they’re going to say. If you jump in whenever there’s a pause, you stop people from forming ideas and opinions. I have tried to teach my kids that it’s healthy to be quiet and to sit in silence with nothing to do sometimes.

I also loved the chapter on deciding NOT to listen, because you do get that choice. Murphy points out, however, that you must be careful using this choice, because listening is how you make another person feel loved and understood. We’ve all been in that situation where someone is checking their phone or watch or looking around the room while you’re talking. It makes you feel like you don’t matter.

I could go on and on about this book, but you really should just check it out from the library or buy it and read it yourself. If you give it a shot, drop me a comment! I’d love to hear what you thought.

10 Valentine’s Day picture books you’ll love

Posted on February 2, 2020 by Lindsay Books

Valentine’s Day kind of gets a bad rap as a “Hallmark holiday” or “Singles Awareness Day.” Honestly, I did not love this holiday after we stopped handing out valentines and candy in grade school and everyone became obsessed with romantic love.

Today, though, it’s one of my favorite holidays! I hang heart banners in the window and decorate with red and pink, and of course I read lots of books about love (though not romantic love) to my kids. For me, it’s a day to celebrate love for my family and friends.

Here are 10 of my favorite books about love for Valentine’s Day!

Love Monster and the Last Chocolate by Rachel Bright. I saw the original Love Monster book on Instagram and checked it and all the sequels out from the library this week — and I have to say that sometimes the sequel is better than the original. In this one, Love Monster returns from a trip to find a box of chocolates on his doorstep and agonizes whether to share them with his friends (because then he might end up with a yucky coffee chocolate). The ending surprised me and was SO sweet. I’m already planning to buy this one for our collection.

Love Is by Diane Adams. I read this adorable book to my kids a few years ago and immediately bought a copy. It’s that cute. A little girl rescues a duckling who got separated from its family and cares for it at home for a while. In the process, she learns how to feed and bathe and take care of it and then has to return it to the park when it grows too big to keep as a pet anymore. The illustrations are absolutely darling, and I love the message about how love is taking care of others.

Mirabel’s Missing Valentines by Janet Lawler. In this sweet book, a timid mouse named Mirabel makes valentines for all the kids in her class and is anxious about delivering them during the school party. Unfortunately, all of the valentines fall through a hole in her backpack as she walks to school, and other people in town pick them up thinking they’re for them. It’s a fun story about how you can brighten someone else’s day with kind words.

Somebody Loves You, Mr. Hatch by Eileen Spinelli. A lonely man, Mr. Hatch, receives a heart-shaped package filled with candy and tied with a note that says “Somebody loves you!” He has no idea who the package is from, but he starts to be happier just because he knows he has a secret admirer. Of course, there’s a twist and he discovers the mystery behind the package (but it has a happy ending). This is a great one for little kids and helps you have a discussion about how everyone deserves love.

I Heart You by Meg Fleming. I just discovered this book a few weeks ago, and I thought it was appropriate for Valentine’s Day. The rhyming verses talk about different ways to show love (I hide you. / I tease you. / I find you. / I squeeze you.), while the beautiful illustrations show lots of animals with their children. One page finally leads to a little girl and her mother. Little kids will love the rhythm and rhyme and sweet pictures.

Hedgehugs by Steve Wilson. I bought this a few years ago as a gift for a friend who has a pet hedgehog, but then I ended up loving it and buying my own copy. Two hedgehogs, Horace and Hattie, love to play together but have realized that they can’t hug each other because it’s just too poky. As the seasons pass, they try different tactics like covering themselves in leaves to soften their sharp quills, but nothing quite works. The solution they come up with is SO cute. I also like this because I’m trying to teach my kids that not everyone likes hugs and it’s OK to not have a hug if you don’t feel comfortable.

Plant a Kiss by Amy Krouse Rosenthal. My kids absolutely LOVE this book, and I do, too. A little girl plants a kiss in the ground, and then it sprouts and grows lots of sparkly glitter — which, of course, is raised, touchable glitter that you have to run your hands over. The kiss grows and spreads love to everyone! I love all of Amy Krouse Rosenthal’s books AND Peter H. Reynolds’ illustrations, and this is a match made in heaven.

My Heart by Corinna Luyken. Have I mentioned that I really like children’s books that help kids understand and process their feelings? Only all the time, I know. But this one has stunning illustrations and rhyming text all about the emotions your heart feels. It’s also a great way to tell your child that they’ll be angry and hurt and even heartbroken sometimes, but their heart can heal and open up again. This one is on my kids’ bookshelf, and the cover always makes me smile.

Love by Stacy McAnulty. This book has beautiful illustrations of people of all different colors and sizes and talks about the many different ways to show love, like giving someone flowers, sharing video phone calls with a parent overseas in the military, speaking in sign language, and cooking dinner together. I love all the diversity in this book and the message that love (and life) isn’t perfect.

The Day It Rained Hearts by Felicia Bond. This book is nearly 40 years old, and yet somehow I never read it as a child. One day, it rains hearts, and a little girl catches them and realizes they would be perfect to use for making valentines. She decorates the hearts and sends them to her animal friends! The pictures are adorable, and fans of If You Give a Mouse a Cookie will recognize this author and illustrator.

I want to hear your favorite books about love (or Valentine’s Day specifically). Any great ones you read each year?

10 middle-grade fiction books you and your kids will love

Posted on January 18, 2020 by Lindsay Books

A friend recently texted me looking for books her 11-year-old son would like, and I went through a mental list of the novels I loved when I was a kid. While I was coming up with recommendations for her, I realized I’d read several middle-grade fiction books lately that were SO GOOD. This list is a mix of books from my own childhood and newer releases I enjoyed. Whether you have a tween who needs ideas or want new options yourself, these books are all stellar.

Words on Fire by Jennifer A Nielsen. I just finished this book a couple days ago, and WOW. It treads the line between middle-school and young-adult fiction (I wouldn’t give it to a kid younger than 11) and follows a 12-year-old girl living in 1893 Lithuania. Audra discovers her parents have been hiding secrets from her for years: They and other villagers have been smuggling Lithuanian books, which are forbidden by the Russians who currently control the country. Audra has to decide whether books are worth risking her life to save — and discovers more about her own family in the process.

Island of the Blue Dolphins by Scott O’Dell. I first read this book in sixth grade and still look lovingly at it whenever I see it in bookstores (which to me is the mark of a great book). Karana is a young Native American who learns to live alone on an island when her family is killed. Even 20+ years later, I can still remember the emotions I had reading this book but also her resourcefulness in making her own clothes and shelter and learning to live off the land. What 11-year-old doesn’t think it would be so awesome to have your own space sometimes?

The Cricket in Times Square by George Selden. I remember laughing out loud at this book about a cricket blessed with perfect pitch and the extraordinary ability to play music in New York City. While the first two books on this list are geared toward older tweens, this one is perfect for younger kids, too (probably 8 and older). A warning: Even when I was a kid, I knew there was something wrong with the Chinese character’s dialogue (he can’t pronounce the letter l very well). That being said, this book is 60 years old, and I think it’s still worth reading. When my kids are old enough, we can have a good discussion about racism in books — and you can always discuss this with your kids when they’re ready.

The War That Saved My Life by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley. I was absolutely stunned by how good this book was. Everyone should read it, not just the tweens/teens it was written for. It takes place in England during World War II and revolves around 10-year-old Ada, who’s never been allowed to leave the house because her mom is ashamed of her club foot. When the Germans begin bombing London, Ada and her younger brother are sent to the country where they’ll be safe. While living with Susan, the woman who takes Ada and Jamie in, Ada learns to trust again and also that she’s capable of way more than she anticipated.

Snow Treasure by Marie McSwigan. My beloved fourth-grade teacher read this to my class when I was 10, and I remember sitting on the edge of my seat the entire time. It’s based on the true story of Norwegian kids who helped smuggle gold out of Norway during WWII so the Nazi occupiers couldn’t steal it. What’s crazy is that they literally put gold bars on their sleds and somehow slipped by the soldiers without notice. It’s such a fun, adventurous story for kids!

A Slip of a Girl by Patricia Reilly Giff. This new release about a young girl living in Ireland during the potato famine captured my heart. It’s told in free verse, so it’s probably better for older tweens and teens, but I think you could also read this aloud to younger kids (9- and 10-year-olds). When Anna’s mother dies and her father is arrested for failing to pay rent to the landlord, Anna has to escape and figure out how to help her family, especially her special-needs sister. It’s a quick read, but a powerful one.

Tuck Everlasting by Natalie Babbitt. Somehow I never read this as a child, but reading it as an adult was probably even more meaningful. A young girl, Winnie, accidentally discovers a spring in the woods near her home that gives whoever drinks from it everlasting life with a twist: They never get a day older. Winnie then meets the Tuck family, who all drank from the spring and constantly have to move around before people begin to get suspicious. While this is appropriate for kids about 10 and older, it also has more adult themes you can discuss with your children or even in a book group. Everlasting life really isn’t as great as it may seem.

Hatchet by Gary Paulsen. This is the ultimate “guy book” about a teen who’s the sole survivor of a plane crash and has to figure out how to live on his own in the Canadian wilderness. Technically this is young adult fiction, but I think it’s appropriate for 11-year-olds and older tweens/teens. I remember loving this book and the other companion books (like Brian’s Winter) when I was in junior high, and this is the first novel that came to mind when my friend asked for recommendations.

A Long Way from Chicago by Richard Peck. I vividly remember my brother coming home with this book when he was in fourth grade or so and laughing out loud while reading it, so of course I had to read it. It is legitimately one of the funniest children’s books I have ever read. The story reads almost like a memoir written by two kids remembering a series of summers spent with their eccentric grandmother. It’s set in the ’20s and ’30s, so it gives kids a sense of the past while also feeling incredibly timeless. We all have crazy grandma stories to share (or maybe it’s just me). Oh, and the sequel, A Year Down Yonder, is just as good, if not better.

Esperanza Rising by Pam Muñoz Ryan. This book was published when I was in high school, so I didn’t read it until a few years ago, but MAN. It is excellent. Esperanza and her family are wealthy and live on a large ranch in Mexico until they are forced to leave the country and start over in California during the Great Depression. Suddenly, Esperanza faces poverty and racism and has to learn to take care of her family when her mother becomes ill in a migrant camp. This book has heavier themes, so I wouldn’t give it to kids younger than 10, but it’s an important and beautiful read.

I seriously love middle-grade books right now. These are the coming-of-age stories that will help shape your child’s life and love of reading — and they’re also poignant to read as adults. Tell me your favorites! What should I read next?

The 10 best picture books of 2019

Posted on January 1, 2020 by Lindsay Books

I read at least 500 picture books to my kids in 2019, mainly because I was trying to meet the 1,000 books before kindergarten challenge I discovered about a month before they started kindergarten.

While I don’t plan to replicate this in 2020, I do try to keep an eye on new releases and check them out from the library. 2019 had some fantastic new releases, and some even made their way to our bookshelf (a big deal, since I don’t buy a lot of books). Here are my picks for the 10 best picture books published in 2019.

Saturday by Oge Mora. I have loved Oge Mora’s illustrations since reading Thank You, Omu! in 2018, and this book is just as beautiful. It’s about a girl and her mom who have a special routine on Saturday, the only day the mom doesn’t work. When everything goes wrong, they find a way to be optimistic and still have a great day together.

Just Like Rube Goldberg: The Incredible True Story of the Man Behind the Machines by Sarah Aaronson. I am not always a fan of nonfiction picture books, because some of them include way too much detail and simply aren’t in a good format for kids. This book was AMAZING. My kids and I loved looking at the hilarious machines Goldberg came up with and learning more about his life. I had no idea he was a cartoonist!

A Boy Like You by Frank Murphy. Yes, I included this in the list of books I gave my kids for Christmas, but it’s definitely in my 2019 top 10 list. There are far too few empowering books for boys out there, and I love the messages and illustrations in this one. Buy it for your kids!

Unicorn Day by Diana Murray. I have been on a quest to find unicorn books for my daughter, who absolutely loves them. This one is SO great. It has fun, colorful pictures of unicorns and a fantastic rhyme scheme that begs to be read aloud. It’s also a story of friendship and acceptance when the unicorns discover an impostor at their party.

The Proudest Blue: A Story of Hijab and Family by Ibtihaj Muhammad. I saw this on Amazon as an upcoming release and waited for months for it to come to my library. It was worth the wait. This story about a girl who watches her sister wear her hijab to school for the first time beautifully illustrates a part of Islam. It also shows the relationship between siblings and students. I really loved this book.

Maybe: A Story About the Endless Potential in All of Us by Kobi Yamada. You have probably seen other inspiring Kobi Yamada books out there, but I think this is his best. It’s about how each person is here at this time for a reason and that we all have limitless potential. The illustrations are also stunning and go along perfectly with the text.

Tallulah Plays the Tuba by Tiffany Stone. Somehow this book escaped notice when it was published. It only has four reviews on Amazon! I laughed and laughed while reading this story about a tiny girl who really wants to play the tuba and won’t take no for an answer when everyone keeps telling her she is too small to hold it. It’s hilarious, but it’s also got a great message about determination.

Ruby Finds a Worry by Tom Percival. Have you noticed a theme for this year? Apparently I really like books that help kids understand and process feelings. I LOVED this story about a little girl and the Worry (who looks like a colorful blob) that follows her around until she learns to talk about it. This would be such a great addition to any classroom.

Between Us and Abuela: A Family Story from the Border by Mitali Perkins. There were so many diverse books released this year, and I loved reading them with my kids! This one tells the story of a family visiting their grandmother on the border of California and Mexico for Christmas. Apparently there is a celebration that allows families to meet for a few minutes along the border when they can’t pass into each others’ countries. When the kids realize they can’t give their grandma their gift through the border, they find a unique way to get it to her. This is a sad story but also a hopeful one. It’s a great way to start talking to your kids about immigration.

How to Walk a Dump Truck by Peter Pearson. If you have a vehicle-lover in your house, this quirky book about kids that have a dump truck for a pet will be delightful. My son kept looking at this over and over when we got it from the library, and I ended up buying it for Christmas. Who doesn’t like pictures of dump trucks on a leash and eating nuts and bolts for dinner?

Give me your favorite picture book recommendations! We’re headed to the library this week for something new now that Christmas is over.

My top 10 books of 2019

Posted on December 28, 2019 by Lindsay Books

Friends, I read a lot of books in 2019. Most of them were pretty good, some of them had me ranting on Goodreads, and a few were absolutely amazing. If you got an Amazon gift card and are itching to buy a few new books or are simply wondering if this year’s new releases were worth the hype, I’m here to help. Here are my top 10 favorite books published in 2019.

All the Impossible Things by Lindsay Lackey. This book blew me away (a pun you will get once you read it). But really. I was not expecting a middle-grade novel to be so powerful and have such deep themes. It’s about a girl who goes by Red who’s been jumping from foster family to foster family while her mom is in prison. The twist is that Red also has a hard time controlling her emotions, and when she’s angry, she can literally stir up a storm outside. I’m not into fantasy at all, but this has enough magical realism to keep things interesting.

Talking to Strangers: What We Should Know About the People We Don’t Know by Malcolm Gladwell. This book has been getting a lot of mixed reviews, but I found it absolutely fascinating. It’s different from Gladwell’s other books, but it still has his signature voice and is crammed full of studies and statistics that prove his points. Essentially, Gladwell uses a bunch of historical examples to prove his point that we can’t make judgments about people we don’t know — and this includes judges, police officers, and even teens on college campuses. If you’ve read this, I’d love to hear what you thought!

The Downstairs Girl by Stacey Lee. I absolutely loved this young adult historical fiction about a 17-year-old Chinese girl in the late 1800s who begins writing a column under a pseudonym for the local newspaper and hitting on hard topics like racism, women’s rights, and Southern culture. Jo also works as a lady’s maid for a wealthy family in Atlanta and ends up solving mysteries about her own family, who abandoned her as a baby. This was really hard to put down and taught me a lot about Chinese immigrants in the South.

The Giver of Stars by Jojo Moyes. I had long been anticipating this book, since I’ve loved everything Jojo Moyes has written, and it was not disappointing. It’s set in 1930s Kentucky and follows an Englishwoman named Alice who marries an American to escape her rigid life in England and ends up helping other women deliver library books to poor people living in the Appalachians (based on a real-life traveling library run by women). It’s no Me Before You, and I wish the ending hadn’t tied things up so quickly, but it’s an enjoyable read (and I want to talk about it with someone, so please read it and tell me your thoughts).

The Remarkable Journey of Coyote Sunrise by Dan Gemeinhart. This is one of those books I will touch lovingly when I see it in the bookstore because I had so many emotions while reading/listening to it. Coyote and her dad, Rodeo, have been traveling across the country in a yellow school bus for five years to escape the grief of losing her mom and two sisters in an accident. Along the way, they end up meeting and helping lots of different people as Coyote realizes she has to make it back to her hometown in a matter of days. I laughed and cried and felt all the feelings with this one.

Finding Chika: A Little Girl, an Earthquake, and the Making of a Family by Mitch Albom. Yes, I am not ashamed to admit that I love Mitch Albom and have ever since I read Tuesdays with Morrie for the first time. There’s something so earnest about the way he writes, and his books always remind me that each person matters. This latest memoir that came out in November is about a little girl named Chika whom Albom and his wife cared for until she died at age 7 of a rare brain tumor. Albom met Chika through the orphanage he manages in Haiti, and it was fascinating to learn more about this impoverished country and how he and his colleagues are trying to help the children there. It also made me so glad my own children are healthy, as I can’t imagine watching my child battle such a crippling disease.

Evvie Drake Starts Over by Linda Holmes. I read several really corny and unrealistic romantic comedies this year, and to finally find a book with a flawed hero and heroine was a breath of fresh air. Evvie is in her early 30s and freshly widowed and has become a recluse, so her friend suggests she rent out the rooms at the back of her home to earn a little money and maybe meet someone new. She ends up renting to an MLB player who’s suddenly lost his touch and needs to escape the criticism and frustration of life as an athlete. The dialogue and the characters are SO great in this book, and my description is not doing it justice. I promise it was wonderful.

The Rest of the Story by Sarah Dessen. When Emma Saylor’s dad is getting remarried several years after her mom’s death, he decides to leave Emma with her mom’s family for a few weeks while he and his new wife go on their honeymoon. Since Emma doesn’t know her mom’s family very well, she’s suddenly meeting cousins, aunts, and uncles she never had and learning a lot more about why her mom acted the way she did. This book tackled some hard topics like addiction and alcoholism and family secrets and just felt so real. Just writing about it made me want to reread it.

The Moment of Lift by Melinda Gates. I wish every leader could have a copy of this and read it. Melinda Gates has met thousands of women through her foundation with her husband, Bill Gates, and this book is full of reasons why lifting women only lifts everyone. She shares experiences of women she’s met and ways we can all help the women around us to rise up. It’s such an inspiring book, and it’s number two on my list for a reason.

Maybe You Should Talk to Someone by Lori Gottlieb. I finished this book and felt this sense of loss like you do when a friend you haven’t seen in years has to go back home again. Lori Gottlieb works as a therapist and shares experiences from her own clients (names have been changed, of course), but then she also shares how her sessions with her own therapist went as she battled a depressing time in her own life. I immediately bought a copy of this book after I got it from the library, and I NEVER do that. Add this to your list (but have some tissues, because you will laugh AND cry).

I’m dying to hear what your favorite releases of 2019 were — or just your favorite books from the year. What should I read next?

7 picture books my kids are getting for Christmas

Posted on December 12, 2019 by Lindsay Books

Can you believe there are just two weeks left until Christmas? December is flying by. Fortunately, I really only have to get gifts for my husband (the hardest person to shop for) and my in-laws and parents, so I’m feeling good about that.

One way I keep the stress low when buying Christmas gifts is stocking up on picture books throughout the year and saving them until Christmas. We check out A LOT of books from the library, and I keep an eye on the ones my kids absolutely loved. Then I order them from Amazon, Barnes and Noble or eBay (yes, I even buy gently used books as gifts) when they’re on sale and keep the stack in my closet until December.

Whether you need some last-minute gift ideas or just want some non-Christmas books to break up all the Santa stories right now, here’s the list of books my kids are actually getting for Christmas.

The Pigeon HAS to Go to School by Mo Willems. My kids love all of the Pigeon books (and they’re funny for adults, too), so I ordered this from the book order way back in the summer and quietly slipped it away for Christmas without them noticing. This one was also a great read for this year, since my kids just started kindergarten.

Three Cheers for Kid McGear by Sherri Duskey Rinker. If you have a truck- and vehicle-lover in the house, you’ll love the newest book from Goodnight, Goodnight, Construction Site author Sherri Duskey Rinker. When I bought this book, though, I actually didn’t realize that the skid steer is female! It’s a subtle but important way to make it clear that girls love trucks and tractors just like boys do. Bonus: Somehow this book is only $7.99 right now on Amazon, which is WAY less than I paid!

Miss Lina’s Ballerinas by Grace Maccarone. My daughter has been in ballet for a year and adores dancing, and she really liked this cute book about what happens when a ninth ballerina throws off all the pairs (spoiler alert: they learn to work together). The illustrations are darling and remind me of the Madeleine books.

Be Kind by Pat Zietlow Miller. We talk about kindness all the time in our home, and this book explains why it can be hard to be kind and child-friendly ways to help other people. I really like the pictures and the simple text, and my kids liked this one, too.

Dear Girl, by Amy Krouse Rosenthal. We read this one a while back, but I decided we needed to add it to our library this year. I love the empowering messages for girls and inspiring words about being yourself. I did NOT like the version for boys, written after Rosenthal’s death (which is probably the problem), so my next pick is…

A Boy Like You by Frank Murphy. I nearly cried when I read this book, because THIS is the story I wanted to write for my own son. Frank Murphy is an elementary school teacher, and his message is that you don’t have to be brave or put on a face all the time. He also empowers boys to be themselves and figure out what they’re good at, because the world needs them as they are. This really is such a beautiful book that I have been waiting for.

How to Walk a Dump Truck by Peter Pearson. This quirky book about kids that have a dump truck for a pet delighted both my kids, but especially my son. Since he hasn’t been as interested in reading as his sister (though he’s improved a lot this year), I really want to get books that grab his attention. This one made us all laugh.

Do you like to give your kids books for Christmas? I want to hear what’s going under your tree this year!

Christmas picture book advent: 24 books you’ll love

Posted on November 28, 2019 by Lindsay Books

One of my favorite Christmas traditions is reading a different Christmas picture book every night. My husband and I wrap up all our books a few days before December starts and put them under the tree, and then our kids take turns picking what they want to open.

After Christmas, all the books go back into the Christmas decoration box, so it makes it extra special to pull them out just once a year. Each year, I’ve been weeding out some of the more childish ones as my kids get older (Pete the Cat Saves Christmas didn’t make it, for example), and of course there are always some new books I love.

Whether you want to do a Christmas picture book advent or just want some great books to read with your children this season, I hope you find this list helpful! Here are 24 Christmas books to check out.

How the Grinch Stole Christmas by Dr. Seuss. It’s a classic for a reason, and last I checked, it was only $9 for a sparkly hardcover on Amazon. My whole family loves this one and the classic cartoon.

When Santa Was a Baby by Linda Bailey. This cute book about what Santa was like as a kid (and how he ended up becoming Santa) has darling illustrations and a sweet story.

I Spy: Christmas by Walter Wick. What kid doesn’t like to find hidden pictures? This holiday-themed I Spy book is really fun to look at and has the most detailed photographs. It’s also the only I Spy book we own (why, I don’t know), so it’s extra-special when we pull it out for Christmas.

The Christmas Train by Thomas S. Monson. A retold story from my church’s former president, this sweet tale about a boy who is reluctant to share with another boy in need has become a favorite in our home. My son loves trains, so he particularly likes the illustrations of the electric train.

The Polar Express by Chris Van Allsburg. The illustrations make this story absolutely magical. I always hoped that a train would come pick me up as a child on Christmas Eve, and jingle bells remind me of this beautiful book. Also, we always skip the movie. Tom Hanks’ multiple characters were a bit too kooky for me.

Red and Lulu by Matt Tavares. I seriously stopped in my tracks when I read this gorgeous book for the first time. It’s about two birds who end up finding each other again after their tree is cut down to be used as the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree in New York City. The illustrations are stunning.

The Christmas Wish by Lori Evert. My dad served a mission for our church in Norway 40 years ago, and my family has long had an appreciation for Nordic culture and Christmas traditions. This story is told through amazing photographs of a little girl and her reindeer and always makes me want to live in Norway.

A Pirate’s Night Before Christmas by Philip Yates. A friend recommended this book last year, and I immediately bought it after we checked it out from the library. It is SO GOOD. The rhyming text is spot-on, and you’ll love seeing what the pirates hope Santa will bring them for Christmas. Bonus: You have to read this in a pirate voice. The text just begs it.

The 12 Sleighs of Christmas by Sherri Duskey Rinker. If you have a vehicle-lover in your home, you’ll love this book by the author of Goodnight, Goodnight Construction Site. Santa’s sleigh is broken, so his elves come up with lots of different designs for a new sleigh. My son adores this book.

Pick a Pine Tree by Patricia Toht. I love this cute book about a family that picks out their Christmas tree together and then decorates it. The rhyming text is fun, and the illustrations are just beautiful. This author and illustrator also collaborated on my new favorite Halloween book, Pick a Pumpkin.

The Berenstain Bears Meet Santa Bear by Stan and Jan Berenstain. I grew up reading this one and still love it. Sister Bear is concerned about how Santa Bear will get down their chimney and how many gifts she should ask for. In the end, she learns that Christmas is about giving, not receiving.

Mr. Willowby’s Christmas Tree by Robert Barry . This is one of my favorites! When the Christmas tree is too tall for Mr. Willowby’s home, the butler chops it off and a bunch of people and animals keep chopping off the top of the tree to make it fit in their own homes. It’s a classic you’ll want to own.

Santa Claus: The World’s Number One Toy Expert by Marla Frazee. I absolutely adore Marla Frazee’s illustrations, and this book is darling. It explains how Santa picks out toys for all the kids and delivers them. Such a sweet book!

The Christmas Miracle of Jonathan Toomey by Susan Wojciechowski. If you have small children (probably younger than 4), you may want to wait to read this one to them, since it requires a longer attention span. It’s about a gruff carpenter who makes friends with a widow and her young son and begins carving a nativity for them. The pictures are beautiful, and the story is such a great reminder about why we celebrate Christmas.

Construction Site on Christmas Night by Sherri Duskey Rinker. Clearly we are big fans of this author, since this is the second book by her on the list. My son just loves all things tractors and trucks, and the rhyming text and fun illustrations make this a great one. All of the trucks and tractors work together to build a new home for the fire engines before Christmas.

Llama Llama Holiday Drama by Anna Dewdney. I love all of the Llama Llama books, but this one is such a great way to talk to kids about having patience while they wait for Christmas to come — and a gentle reminder to parents that the holidays can be overwhelming for little ones.

The Night Before Christmas illustrated by P.J. Lynch. You can find a bunch of different versions of this classic poem, but I immediately bought this one from our local bookstore when I saw that P.J. Lynch illustrated it. He also illustrated The Christmas Miracle of Jonathan Toomey listed above, and I love his work.

The Little Reindeer by Nicola Killen. We LOVE all of Nicola Killen’s animal friend books (we also have her Easter and Halloween stories), and this one has beautiful illustrations and a cute story about finding a lost reindeer in the woods. Bonus: The pages have foil, and there are cut-outs!

Snowmen at Christmas by Caralyn Buehner. I wish snowmen really did come alive and have parties at night the way they do in this book (and the other ones in the series). The illustrations make it look so fun!

The Berenstain Bears’ Christmas Tree by Stan and Jan Berenstain. There is actually an updated version of this book that apparently isn’t as good as the original, so make sure you buy/check out the one published in 1980. In this story, Papa and the cubs go out to find the perfect Christmas tree in the woods, even though Mama suggested they just get a tree from the nearby lot. It ends up snowing and they come back empty-handed, only to find that there are no Christmas trees left. Luckily, all the woodland creatures have banded together and decorated their treehouse for Christmas to say thank you for not cutting down the trees where they live.

The Princess and the Christmas Rescue by Caryl Hart. All of Caryl Hart’s books are cute, and I love the message of friendship and acceptance in this one. Princess Eliza is bored all alone in her castle, and then she stumbles upon the elves, who are backed up and not going to get the Christmas gifts out in time. She figures out faster ways of making the toys and makes a bunch of new friends in the process.

The Day Santa Stopped Believing in Harold by Maureen Fergus. This is an off-beat Christmas book about how Santa and a boy named Harold stop believing the other exists. On Christmas morning, however, they both get the surprise of their lives. This story is so funny and charming at the same time!

Silent Night by Lara Hawthorne. If you want a peaceful book that reminds you of Christ’s birth, this is it. Lara Hawthorne’s gorgeous illustrations perfectly complement the lyrics from the hymn “Silent Night,” and you’ll finish this book with more appreciation for Mary and Joseph. I just discovered Lara Hawthorne also illustrated Twelve Days of Christmas. I’m adding that to our collection.

The Nutcracker illustrated by Valeria Docampo. I wanted a whimsical, pretty version of this classic story for my little kids, and this one fits the bill. My daughter and I have begun going to the Nutcracker ballet each year, too, so I love to read this before we go.

Your turn! What are your favorite Christmas books? Do you do a Christmas picture book advent?

The personal style book you should read + why I care so much about children’s clothes

Posted on November 24, 2019 by Lindsay Books Life

It’s no secret that I love children’s clothes. In fact, one of my favorite parts of the week is getting my kids dressed up for church and then taking a picture of them on our front porch. It’s been fun to see them grow over the four years since we bought our home, and it’s also been fun for me to search for classic children’s clothes I can pass on to other families when my kids outgrow them.

While it may seem superficial to worry so much about the clothes your kids wear, I think it is SO important to teach your kids how to pick out flattering clothes and get a sense of style. Here are a few reasons I focus on this every week:

It gives your kids confidence. The way you dress sends a big message, even when you’re a kid, and you can’t start teaching them this too early. I know I’ve found a dress my daughter loves when her eyes light up and she doesn’t want to take it off right after church. I am also trying to be careful about not praising my kids’ appearance (things like “You look so pretty in that dress”) and instead saying things like “That dress is fun to twirl in!” or “That bow tie works well with your sweater.” I want my kids to feel confident and then forget about what they’re wearing and participate in whatever they want to do.

It helps your kids understand how to put outfits together. The other day, my son walked outside wearing his orange jack-o-lantern shirt and a pair of pale orange shorts because he thought the colors should go together. I will admit that I asked him to put on different pants, mainly because it was way too cold outside for shorts, but also because I wanted to teach him that the outfit didn’t really work. I think there’s a gentle way you can explain how colors coordinate and why it usually doesn’t work to wear a striped shirt with checkered shorts. Sure, it’s fun to see what kids come up with, and it doesn’t matter if they wear two shades of orange. For me, though, it’s a chance to set my kids up for success later by teaching them to put together more flattering outfits.

It teaches your kids to try new things. Several friends have asked me how I get my son to wear bow ties or my daughter to wear my jeans, because their kids only want to wear casual clothes. Honestly, I have been dressing my kids in dressier clothes since they were babies, so they don’t know anything different. I also expect them to wear nice clothes to church, and they know that. I do try to make dressing up more fun and personal by picking patterned button-ups and colorful bow ties for my son to pick from and twirly dresses, colorful tights, and velvet hair bows for my daughter. If you want your kids to dress a certain way or try something other than leggings, start early. And if you can’t start early, show them by example. Buy yourself a flattering new dress, or get your husband a new tie and show them that trying new clothes can be fun.

Now for the book you should read: The Curated Closet by Anuschka Rees. I read this several years ago, but I think about it often when I’m deciding whether to buy new clothes. It’s all about getting rid of clothes that don’t work for you and creating a wardrobe with just a few pieces that go together. I’m actually thinking I should check this out again for a refresher, because it has some great tips about determining your personal style.

I used to go through phases where I hated everything in my closet and wanted to get rid of everything. Honestly, I still have moments like that, but they’re much less frequent because I’ve figured out the types of clothes that work for me thanks to suggestions from this book. I also have completely stopped buying cheap shoes, because I’m tired of them falling apart so quickly or hurting my feet (another sign that I am getting old).

AND the best part of this book is that it teaches you to be realistic about your lifestyle and then buy clothes that fit that. I don’t own any heels because I’m only wearing dressy shoes to church or occasionally to fancier events (and I’m tall AND they hurt my feet). I also have been investing more in comfy, well-made tees because I work from home most of the time and don’t have to dress up for the office. When you really think about the clothes you need and why you’re buying them, it helps you cut back and buy only clothes you’ll really wear and love.

Do you have any favorite books about personal style? I want to hear! I’m especially interested in books about children’s clothing styles. It seems so fun to read about.

8 great books made into fantastic movies

Posted on November 21, 2019 by Lindsay Books

Winter is approaching quickly, and one of my favorite things to do when it’s cold is snuggle up on the couch with a blanket and a good movie — and it’s even better when that movie is based on a cherished book.

I will admit that the book is usually better. There are some things you just can’t capture in a film (like poetic phrases), or you imagine characters in a certain way and are disappointed by the people they cast. Sometimes, though, the movie is just as good as the book! Here are a few of my favorite books made into movies.

Little Women. I often get the itch to reread this classic during the winter, but it really works for all seasons since it encompasses several years of a family’s trials during the Civil War. I have seen several movie versions, and I have to say that the 1994 Winona Ryder film is the most true to the book. I LOVE this movie. Who can compete with Christian Bale as Laurie? I’m also looking forward to the new version coming out this Christmas with Emma Watson. Do yourself a favor and read the book and watch one of the films this winter.

The Help. Yes, Octavia Spencer won an Oscar for her role as Minny in this film (and she definitely deserved it), so you already know that this is a good one. I’m laughing just thinking about the part where Minny bakes the pie. However, the book by Kathryn Stockett is just as good. I loved this story about African-American maids in Mississippi in the 1960s, and it’s the perfect blend of human rights, feminism, and family. I highly recommend it to everyone!

The Book Thief. This book has been in my top 10 ever since I read it in college. Death narrates the story about a little girl named Liesl living in Nazi Germany with her foster parents after the rest of her family dies. The language and descriptions in this novel are so amazing, and I was worried that the film wouldn’t be as memorable. I was wrong. Geoffrey Rush is so great in this movie, and the kids who play Liesl and Rudy are perfect. If you haven’t read this book, know that it is REALLY sad, so maybe don’t watch it on Christmas if you’re looking for something happy.

To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before. I flew through this entire young adult series about a teen who writes love letters to guys she used to love as a way of dealing with her feelings — and then her sister mails them out without her knowing. The books have some strong language and some allusions to sex, so know that going in (I probably would be cautious about having teens read these, even though they are YA), but they are SO GOOD. The Netflix movie of the same name was also really well done, and I ended up being pleasantly surprised.

The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society. In this case — gasp — I think the movie is actually better than the book. I read it years ago and remembered liking it but not thinking it was worth all the hype. Then I watched the Netflix movie when it came out and fell in LOVE with Dawsey and Juliet all over again, so I reread the book. I finally realized that the original author got sick before finishing the book, so her niece finished the rewrites. I can totally tell where the old story ended, because the ending fell so flat. So. Read the book, but then watch the movie for a much more satisfying ending.

Me Before You. I absolutely adored this book (actually, the whole series is great) about a woman who’s hired to help care for a quadriplegic man and discovers he doesn’t want to live anymore. I know the ending is controversial, so I was surprised when they made the movie, but I love it just as much as the book. Casting Emilia Clarke as Lou was the PERFECT choice, because she can play the quirky, joyful character so well. This is another sad movie (so don’t watch it on Christmas), but it’s so well-done and funny at the same time. I recommend reading the book first, though!

The Perks of Being a Wallflower. Confession: I actually read this book after I saw the movie, but the movie was so captivating that I knew I needed to read the book. This is a quick read, but the movie does it justice. There’s some language and mature scenes in both the book and the movie, so proceed with caution, but I think this story is a fantastic way to talk to older teens about abuse and about the importance of having good friends and being kind to everyone. Plus, Emma Watson really shines in this role.

The Fault in our Stars. My friends were joking a few weeks ago that I only read sad books, and looking at this list you would probably agree with them. This young adult novel focuses on two teens battling terminal cancer (though one is in remission) who fall in love and take a trip to Amsterdam to find out what a beloved writer really meant in his book. That is WAY oversimplifying it, but I loved this book and also loved the movie. As with the other YA books/movies on this list, there is some language and mature scenes, so use your judgment (and don’t watch it with little kids in the room). As a cancer survivor myself, I really appreciated that this book is a realistic view of how teen cancer victims feel. We don’t want to be called a “hero,” and all we want is to be treated normally (though this rarely happens). Watch this one with a box of tissues.

I am snuggled up with my blanket and ready to watch some new movies this winter. What are your favorite book adaptations?

8 Thanksgiving picture books you’ll love

Posted on November 15, 2019 by Lindsay Books

Ah, Thanksgiving. This is basically the only time of year when I eat pie, and you can bet I’m looking forward to it — and my mom’s famous marshmallow-topped yams.

While I’m all about celebrating holidays with themed books, I don’t ever remember reading Thanksgiving books as a kid and only read a few of them to my own kids last year. Therefore, we plowed through a ton of Thanksgiving books to find options that were fun (there are a lot of dumb turkey books out there), touched on gratitude, and explained the history of the holiday. I hope you and your family enjoy our Thanksgiving picks and can snag some from the library before the big day!

Giving Thanks: A Native American Good Morning Message by Chief Jake Swamp. This stunning book is written and illustrated by Native Americans and shares a traditional Thanksgiving address still given by the Iroquois at ceremonial events. It’s not technically about the Thanksgiving holiday as we know it, but it’s about giving gratitude to the earth for everything we have.

A Plump and Perky Turkey by Teresa Bateman. My kids and I laughed at this story about a smart turkey who outwits an entire town trying to find him and eat him for Thanksgiving. The illustrator gave the turkey the best facial expressions, and the rhyming text is fun to read aloud. I also just discovered that the author was born in the same city I was and that we attended the same college. How cool is that?

The Memory Cupboard: A Thanksgiving Story by Charlotte Herman. This sweet book is about a girl who accidentally breaks a family heirloom during Thanksgiving dinner at her grandma’s house. Instead of scolding her, Grandma teaches her that family is most important. We loved this one!

Balloons over Broadway: The True Story of the Puppeteer of Macy’s Parade by Melissa Sweet. If you buy just one Thanksgiving book this year, make it this one. We read it last year, and I can still remember the bright, colorful illustrations and the amazing story of the puppeteer who started the tradition of giant balloons in the Thanksgiving Day parade.

One Little, Two Little, Three Little Pilgrims by B.G. Hennessy. This is a counting book geared to younger kids, but older kids will have fun listening to it, too. My 5-year-olds really liked the illustrations and the rhythm of the text (I sang it to the tune of “Ten Little Indians,” but you could just read it). It describes life for both the pilgrims and the Wampanoag tribe in a simple way that kids can understand.

Apple Cake: A Gratitude by Dawn Casey. You could read this book anytime, but I think it’s perfect for fall and Thanksgiving. A little girl says thank you for lots of different things, like farmers, eggs and milk, and the illustrations are adorable. At the end, you discover she is thankful for all the ingredients that go into an apple cake, and then there’s a recipe on the back page. This book was absolutely darling!

Sarah Gives Thanks: How Thanksgiving Became a National Holiday by Mike Allegra. There’s actually another book about Sarah Hale called Thank You, Sarah: The Woman Who Saved Thanksgiving that is great, too, but I preferred this one because it offered more insights into Sarah’s life and the illustrations were more accessible for younger kids. It explains how it took 38 years for Sarah Hale to get the president to make Thanksgiving an official holiday. There are a lot of interesting details here!

I Know an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Pie by Alison Jackson. The illustrations and fun rhyme and rhythm make this book a winner. I even found myself chuckling as the old lady swallowed a giant cooking pot after turkey, pie, cider, and other various Thanksgiving foods. The “swallowed a fly” books are not always my favorite, but this one is hilarious.

Share your favorite Thanksgiving books with me! I’m on the hunt for even more great options for this season.

Lindsay

Lindsay

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