The Families of the World educational DVD series has added three new titles - More Families of Mexico, Families of Guatemala, and Families of Panama – to its 23 title (and growing) catalogue. Just in time for National Hispanic Heritage Month, parents and educators can invite their children and students into the world of modern day families living in Mexico, Guatemala, and Panama through the three most recent releases.

Each of the DVDs is approximately 30 minutes in length and contains an episode following a child living in a rural area of the featured country, as well as an episode following a child from an urban area. A wide diversity of living and economic situations are depicted throughout the series for a diverse exposure to life in the country being explored.

Each child’s daily life is captured on film as an English-speaking child shares observations, and explanations revolving around the daily tasks taking place in the film. The families all speak in Spanish and no translation for their conversations is provided. However, English subtitles for the English commentary are provided and can be turned on or off as desired.

Typically covering a period of two or three days from morning wakeup to evening bedtime, vast arrays of educational concepts are presented within a rich, living context. Children are able to see first hand what the families eat, what they do for work, how their children are educated, their religious practices, climate, history, and much more are all woven into the narrative that accompanies the video footage. With this information naturally woven into a child’s daily life it is much easier to absorb and seems far more relevant than dry facts in a geography textbook or atlas. These are living, breathing children whose lives serve to teach our children about their country and culture.

Ranging in age from seven- to twelve-years-old, the lives of the children featured throughout these new releases will appeal the most to those in approximately the same age range. With children their own ages to study, comparisons are easily made between their own lives and those of the children living in these families in other countries. That being said, even our youngest at one-year-old, and the adults in our home were fascinated by the first-hand depictions of life as it is lived amongst the inhabitants of the country.

When Families of Mexico was released in 2006 the positive response was great enough to warrant a second disc that follows the daily lives of Mexican children and their families, resulting in this month’s release More Families of Mexico. No familiarity with the first disc is required to enjoy this new release, as each episode stands alone.

Families of Panama captured our attention with a factual description of how the Panama canal operates during an explanation of how important rain is to Panama’s economy. I doubt that I’ll ever forget that the least amount of money paid to cross the canal was $0.36 for a man who swam the 50-mile canal in ten days, and the most was nearly a quarter of a million dollars. Somewhat obscure facts such as these become much more memorable when related in context. Parents may want to note that one of the episodes on the disc does contain a performance of some native dancers whose breast tissue is not entirely covered.

Families of Guatamala contained our family’s favourite episode of all. Seven-year-old Marieelena lives on a farm in the mountains of Guatemala, and it is here that we were able to watch her family and their employees roast coffee beans, shell macadamia nuts, and milk cows. Mayan agricultural practices are explained, and her grandmother bags cream to sell in small, transparent plastic bags – extraordinarily interesting.

The production quality resembles that of an excellent home video or mediocre documentary. For the most part, this level of quality is more than adequate for the job, but at times when there is a noted contrast between areas of shadow and light, or there are large white objects, the glare in the areas of light can become nearly blinding. This heavy glare at times obscures details and makes some scenes difficult to watch. My six-year-old daughter was also somewhat bemused when the seemingly omniscient abilities of the child-narrators first appeared. “How does he know what his mommy is doing while he’s in school?” she asked.

A .pdf teacher’s guide is included on each disc and contains a full script of the episodes, discussion questions, quizzes, additional activities, recipes, and more for each country. A mini-unit can be quickly pulled together with the use of the materials provided on the DVD, or the film can be used as a supplement to any geography or social studies curriculum. I do recommend some time between the discs; due to the similarities in culture, climate, and many other factors between these Spanish-speaking countries it is easy for elementary-aged students to mix up the facts they’ve learned and attribute them to another of the nations they’ve recently studied.

All in all, these new additions to the Families of the World series are wonderful additions to the educational DVD collections of educators, libraries, and ambitious parents everywhere. I know that my children are invariably curious about the lives of other little people like themselves – it’s this curiosity that drives the opportunities for education found within each disc. I’m very pleased to use this natural desire to learn more about other children to develop a good general overview of the lives of other families around the world.

In print since 1985, Julie Brinckloe’s Fireflies – selected as a Reading Rainbow book – has found a comfortable, ongoing status as a minor classic of modern children’s literature. Having far outlasted the glut of flash-in-the-pan picture books found in any recent decade, Brinckloe’s snapshot of one summer evening filled with wide-eyed wonder and discovery clings to its status as a solid library add.

Both illustrated and authored by Brinckloe, Fireflies spins an enchantingly evocative story that vividly portrays the emotional tenor of summer evenings spent catching fireflies, and glorying in the wonders of nature. From the thrill of anticipation, to the joy of the chase, the glow of possession, and the bittersweet compassion of release, Brickloe’s carefully developed prose rings true.

Illustrated with action-filled pencil drawings filled with feathery texture, the only glimpses of colour Brinckloe adds from her palette are blue and yellow watercolours, sparingly used for accentuation. Undeniably lovely, these understated illustrations may not be appreciated by young audiences if there only exposure to picture books has been the blaringly bright, cartoonish, or hard-edged illustrations that are so dominant in today’s picture books.

Proving itself a well-written title, my six and three-year-olds were drawn into the story the first read through. They immediately settled as I read, and listened intently to the lyrical story of a boy who captures an entire jar of fireflies, only to release them reluctantly as they fade on his night table. Though they asked for a repeat reading as soon as I finished, Fireflies doesn’t seem to have made a deep impression on my children so far. When I asked my oldest for her thoughts she was distinctly neutral in her opinion. Perhaps additional repeated readings will awaken a deeper appreciation for the book in her; she still seemed somewhat confused as to the boy’s mixed emotions at the end of the story.

Parents of children who use scissors inappropriately may want to note a scene wherein the main character uses his mother’s scissors to punch holes in the lid of the jar he’ll use to catch his fireflies in. Knowing of his mother’s displeasure should she learn of his unauthorized scissors use, he acts stealthily and without permission. Having found my own children cutting (and consequently destroying) a wide variety of household items, this page made me groan and quickly add a warning to my own youngsters. If their misdemeanors have taught me anything (other than hide the scissors up high), it’s that the boy in question is acting in an entirely believable fashion.

Nostalgia for adults, familiarity for children, and the emotive flowing quality of Brinckloe’s work are clearly the winning ingredients that have allowed Fireflies to withstand the test of time. Having lived too far to the west to have grown up with chances to catch fireflies for myself as a child I now feel a vague sense of regret for having missed out on what is clearly a quintessential experience in the lives of many youngsters.

CLICK HERE TO BUY NOW AT AMAZON.COM OR AMAZON.CA!

I’ll admit it.  I’ve been a Christian for three years this fall, and I still haven’t read through the Bible once.  I’ve read the New Testament, I’ve read Genesis several times, Exodus, parts of the Psalms, parts of Proverbs, and of course bits and pieces everywhere during times of study (and many story Bibles!)  But I’ve never read the entire thing.

That’s all going to change during this next year!  I’m joining the ongoing challenge at Operation Actually Read Bible.  I’m going to read through The Daily Bible (NIV, 365 daily readings).  I’ve already begun, and am quite enjoying it – I think I’m around Genesis 8 – but don’t quote me, my Bible’s in the bed.

I’m making it my goal to read through in one year, and to read the Bible BEFORE I read ANY other book for the day.  I’ve just started a new category to put my updates in, so if you’re interested in keeping me accountable, feel free to check the “Operation Actually Read Bible” category on the left for recent posts.

So…does anyone want to join me?  You get to pick your version, and even your goals!  It’s very flexible, let me know if you decide to jump in, and what your reading goals are.

I’ll admit that normally I’m a Google girl.  Most of my referrals come from that engine as well.  Today I learned of a search engine that’s a bit different – Aafter.com.  Billing themselves as a web search with privacy , alongside the typical search results, there are built in internet applications that are very handy.  For instance, by typing in a zip code links appear for weather reports, allergy reports, pollution levels etc. for that zip.  It doesn’t work for postal codes here in Canada, but it sure is handy if you’d like to quickly access that information for your region.

Likewise – typing a long url into the search box provides you with a short url and post title if it’s a blog posting that you can copy and paste into twitter of facebook – very neat.  Typing a website url into the search box brings up a variety of domain research links including one to the website’s traffic stats, another to their WhoIs information, and more.

There are quite a few other features, so if you’re looking for a way to cut some time off your internet surfing you might want to check out what they have to offer.

Well, it’s been pretty quite around here for the past few days, that’s because we’ve been in the BIG city.  I had the chance to visit with an old friend from high-school who was in town, and to get some shopping done!  When you only go to the city once a month the shopping really piles up!  We got everything done this time around though, except for one stop…maybe next month!  I have to say though – I’m tired.  Shopping and visiting for 2 days straight really tires me out, I’m very, very thankful to have gotten some loose ends tied up though.

It’s true that while the first person I met who wore compression stockings was a grandma, there are many younger women (and even a few men) who turn to medi stockingss for support for weak veins and prevention of additional varicose veins forming.  If you’ve ever tried to buy compression stockings at the local medical supply store, chances are you’ve fond the pickings slim.  Though I don’t wear them myself, a number of women in my extended family suffer from bulging veins.  The standard-issue, thick, tan, and hot compression stockings aren’t very appealing.

However medi stockings offers a huge array of compression levels, colours, styles (calf to full), and even compression socks for men.  Some of their discount medical stockings can even pass as regular nylons due to increased levels of softness, sheerness, and breathability over the “old-school” types.  With hundreds of options to choose from, one of medi-stockings six trained fitters can help you find a stocking that both meets your compression needs AND attractively blends into your wardrobe.

I’m going to be sharing this company with those I know who’ve been prescribed compression stockings, but who often refuse to wear them due to discomfort.  Perhaps they’d find the sheerer, more breathable styles a comfortable, stylish, and even affordable option.

My paternal grandma tried teaching me to knit when I was around the age of my oldest daughter.  However, without my own knitting supplies, and consistent instruction at home it just never caught.  It was only after I married, and was expecting a little one that I bought a few knitting books and taught myself.  I still can’t do much – hats, mittens, slippers, scarves – you know, the basics.  I’m a utilitarian knitter, I don’t go in for fancy embellishments or intricate patterns, I just want clothes that work for my family.

My children absolutely ADORE the small pieces I make for them, my oldest has been asking me to make her new slippers since her old pair have grown too small.  So, today I picked up my needles and dug in.  Sitting beside me with her large, color-coded starter needles and some bulky yarn, she joined me.  She’s had a little bit of instruction from her Aunty, and from me in the past, but it’s never clicked like today.  She put 200 stitches on, and hardly any mistakes!  WOW – she’s off to a better start than I made as an adult!

I’m so excited to see the natural inclinations towards the textile arts that God has given her – I’ve tried to teach her Dad (upon his reque

Bestselling novels are often printed in a variety of formats throughout their lives in print. Hardcovers, paperbacks, first editions, 10th anniversary editions, deluxe editions etc. can all be expected for blockbuster classics. Is it any wonder then, that the world’s all-time #1 bestselling non-fiction title – the Bible – is available in such a plethora of translations, formats, editions, and so on?

The newly released Transformation Study Bible from David C. Cook combines the fourth best-selling Bible translation (2008/2009) – the New Living Translation or NLT – with Bible teacher Dr. Warren W. Wiersbe’s highly respected commentary. The NLT is a modern English translation of the Bible, featuring easy-to-read language, and is based upon a translation method that relies both upon formal equivalence techniques (word-for-word), and dynamic equivalence (thought-for-thought).

This being my first encounter with an NLT Bible, I was quite pleased with the easy-to-read, yet accurate text. After reading several important passages, I’ve found that this version supports a literal seven-day creation period, and in no way detracts from God’s absolute sovereignty and authority over the earth and all that is within it. Though this is certainly a given for long-time NLT readers, the modern equivalencies of weights, measurements, time, etc. are a huge blessing. Easy to read without a Bible dictionary at hand for looking up formulas for translating these antiquated measurements into ones I’m familiar with, this is incredibly convenient (original measurements and such are provided in the footnotes.)

After satisfying myself with the content and theological basis of the translation itself, I turned my attention to Wiersbe’s commentary. Drawn from his vast collection of popular “Be” series titles – 50 expositional Bible studies which focus upon the application of God’s word to the lives of believers – this commentary is the result of over 30 years of work. I found Wiersbe’s commentary to be both helpful, and accurate; whether dealing with Paul’s theological writings in Romans, or narrative stretches of scripture, Wierbe’s explanations are clear and balanced.

Bible ‘extras’ include cross-references in the center column (I love these), words of Christ in red, a small, standard selection of full-colour Bible maps, preaching outlines by book, and a very respectable dictionary/concordance – the most comprehensive built-in concordance I’ve seen. Formally structured book outlines provide an overview of the pain points and occurrences within each portion of scripture. A conversational introduction to the book, and “Be Transformed” section help readers to discern the meaning of the book, and its potential to apply directly to their lives. The “Catalyst” sections spread throughout the text do an excellent job of focusing in on the “big picture”, the overarching themes of God’s plan, illumining the personal relevance of important events and sections of scripture.

Incredibly accessible, I highly recommend the Transformation Study Bible for anyone who may have read through certain portions of the Bible and wondered how what they were reading fit into God’s larger plan, or how the text applied to their spiritual growth. I’ve only just skimmed the surface of this large volume (2300+ pages), but I’m looking forward to reading through the Bible with an increased sense of meaning, depth, and personal relevance as I continue to explore its pages.

CLICK HERE TO BUY NOW AT CHRISTIANBOOK, AMAZON.COM, OR AMAZON.CA!

147 years ago today (September 22nd), the first Emancipation Proclamation was issued by American President Abraham Lincoln. This major, initial step towards ending slavery in America brought freedom to thousands of slaves the day it went into effect. The latest release in Sleeping Bear Press’ Tales of Young American Series takes young readers back to a time when little girls and boys slaved all day long picking cotton, facing uncertain futures over which they and their parents held no control.

Written by the celebrated author of historical fiction for children Gloria Whelan, The Listeners relates the story of Ella May, a young slave girl. Told in the first person, Whelan’s writing is careful and measured. Objectively and matter-of-factly relating the events of her life, Ella May speaks to us from Whelan’s pen in cadences influenced by the speech of southern slaves. She calmly relates her daily routine and that of her family, days of hard work, poverty, and segregation that are followed by long evenings spent listening beneath the windows at the great house.

With no control over their future, and no access to outside news, or upcoming plans of the Master, Ella May and her young friends’ listening trips are the community’s sole access to vital information concerning their lives. Mike Benny’s rich watercolour paintings are particularly evocative during the scenes of listening. The gap between the lives of the children in the great house and Ella May is strikingly exposed through Benny’s artwork against Whelan’s understated text.

Allowing children to draw their own conclusions, Whelan carefully creates scenes of segregation, lack of property, benevolent neglect, harsh taskmasters, forced familial separation, and other hallmarks of slavery. Still, her writing is appropriate for young children. Graphic depictions of violence are absent from the text and illustrations, as children are led into an experience of the injustices of slavery while avoiding the worst of its brutalities.

Particularly heart-rending is the segregated worship service, followed by a jubilant outdoor time of praise in the forest. Clinging to God’s deliverance of the Israelites in the book of Exodus, they wait in anticipation of their own delivery from slavery. They wait for their own Moses.

By the book’s end I was swept away in tears of hopeful sorrow. The joy exhibited by these people at the first glimpse of freedom at the beginning of a long road to their complete deliverance from bondage rendered me incapable of answering my children’s questions as I sobbed. It is a rare occurrence for a picture book to move me so deeply, to dig into the caches of shared human experiences and longings that we all hold in common.

The Listeners succinctly captures a vital moment, a turning point, the first glimpse of dawn after a long, dark night. Made personal and accessible through Ella May’s observations, this title is an unforgettable introduction to a painful, but likewise unforgettable period in history

A free downloadable teaching guide from Sleeping Bear Press usesThe Listeners to further explore the themes of democracy, equality, and the Underground Railroad. Extension activities are provided for language arts, geography, and more.

CLICK HERE TO BUY AT AMAZON.COM OR AMAZON.CA!

Back in June I wrote a post describing ShopWiki’s easy to use price comparison website.  You just punch in what you’re looking for, and bingo, you can compare prices, features, and much more without hopping around from site to site.  The results are compiled from crawling the web, and aren’t based upon pay-for-listings.

Not only is it so, so very easy to compare prices, but ShopWiki also has informative purchasing guides available on a variety of subjects.  I checked out their guide on How to Buy Childrens Books and was pleasantly impressed.  As a mom who spends countless hours reading to her children, selecting high quality books, buying books, and reviewing books (whew!), I can attest to the fact that the choices they highlight are sound.  Handily divided into age groups, classics such as The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle are listed, with easy links to the price comparison search pages.  For example, the board book edition is listed at prices between $1 and $14 at 53 online stores (many of which have store reviews that you can read at the site as well).  Who knows, you may even find a new favourite (cheap!) store amongst their listings.

I can think of so many applications for the site off the top of my head.  Their Toys and Games information pages are also fairly comprehensive collections of resources for beginners once you get past the first page and down into the specific categories such as Educational Toys and Games.  I think these types of informative pages are very helpful for new parents, friends and relatives without kids, or just individuals who’ve been out of touch with the latest developments in the toy and game marketplace (think grandparents here).

I haven’t seen a way to filter for stores based on their location, I’d love to be able to single out Canadian vendors, as shipping from the U.S. just keeps going up!  The site does have a little “US” designation on it, so maybe one day we Canadians can look forward to our own version?