Childhood Fantasies

The True Princess by Angela Elwell Hunt         Picture Book: YES

What makes someone a true princess in Jesus’ eyes?  This book is a beautiful story told of how a young lady learns to be a true princess.  One must humble herself to become a servant to others instead of constantly being served.  The story is a representation of Jesus’ teaching of how His people should act.  The King who is portrayed as Jesus in the story, sends his little princess out of the castle, into the real world, where she must survive on her own.  Jesus sends us out into the materialistic world so that we may learn and become stronger with the Lord.  He makes us experience situations that are unfamiliar to us so that we may appreciate what He has kindly given us!  Without the King, the princess becomes scared of what to expect and how to live outside of her safety shell that was created with her father.  Outside of the castle she learns to supply her own needs.  She is placed in the role of a servant while the King is away and once he returns, he finds a changed, independent princess waiting.  Most other young ladies believe that what is expected of them is to be passive and beautiful, but not pursue anything they desire.  Quickly the princess discovers that thisis not how life is meant to be lived.  Rather, it should be used to serve our fathers, or Jesus, who is our Father in Heaven.  The illustrations are beautiful and the story goes along well with the pictures.  This book was read to me when I was a little girl and I plan to read it to my children also!  Very good book with a good moral and message within the context.

Picture Book: NO

C.S. Lewis’ Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe shows the battle between good and evil in the spiritual realm, that of what we cannot see in the real world!  Aslan is the character of God, while the White Witch plays the role of the devil.  Aslan is on the move into Narnia to bring his army together for the battle against the Witch.  He leads his army with the help of the daughers and son of Eve; Susan, Lucy, and Peter.  Unfortunately their brother Edmund betryaed them and wen of with the White Witch because he felt she had more enticing things to offer like Turkish Delight.  He gave up a lot of information of the whereabouts of Aslan and his brother and sisters.  Edmund struggled with jelousy of his brother, and whenever he heard of the possibility of him becoming King of Narnia he became so excited that he didn’t care of anyones well-being.  However, quickly Edsmund saw the true Witch who posed as the Queen of Narnia.  He soon regretted his loyalty to the Queen and wished he followed his brother and sisters.  Suprisingy, the mercy of Aslan allowed Edmund to be saved and forgiven despite his treachery.  Aslan even gave up his life in place of Edmunds, just as Jesus did for all His people.  This allegory of the story of Christian’s walk with Jesus and the struggle of maintaining a strong, loyal walk with God on the righteous path, instead of straying to the path of death and turmoil.  The moment the change in power began in Narnia, a significant sign proved the shift in faith.  The endless snow began to melt and the sun brought out the lovely flowers and green grass, or springtime!!  The hope of a better future encouraged believers to set out to defeat the Witch.  When Aslan came back to life after the breaking of the Stone Table and the reverse of death itself, He came back stronger with all the captives of the Witch who were taken from the joy they once obtained.  With a growing army and increase in numbers, it was an automatic victory on the side of Aslan and ETERNAL LIFE!!  This book was amazing and it is only one book in the Chronicles of Narnia series!  I definitely recommend this read to any child or adult!!

The Random House Book of Fairy Tales:  Beauty and the Beast by Madame LePrince de Beaumont  YES picture book

This version of Beauty and the Beast is very differnet from the well-known Disney remake.  Beauty had two older sisters and two brothers.  her father went out one night but was captured by a Beast, who demanded that he bring one of his daughters in his place to be killed.  Beauty offers herself as a sacrifice for her father because she loves him dearly.  The Beast is unusually nice to her unlike the typical Beast who in the beginning is scary and intimidating.  He continually asks Beauty to marry him but she cannot seem to get past his outer appearance and repeatedly declines his proposal.  She asks him to go home and is granted her wish to see her family.  He sends her out with all the objects from the house she wants to bring back as presents, and especailly a ring that allows her to be in the place she views through the ring.  When she gets home she realizes how good she had it at the Beast’s castle and actually starts to miss him.  She sees him sick and dying through the ring and is brought back to castle immediately.  She finds him and tells him that she loves him.  The Beast turns into a handsome Prince, and the spell is broken! 

The illustrations are not that great I would have to admit.  The Beauty is not shown as a beautiful lady as one would assume.  The Beast also looks like a big cat in some pictures.  These pictures twist the common image the readers would have of these characters in the Beauty and the Beast. 

The ring has taken the place of the mirror in the Disney version.  Also, Beauty is supposed to be an only child.  Men admire her looks and hope to win her love.  So when they hear of this Beast taking her men decide to fight for her, and in the end try to kill the Beast.  The changing of the story is very intriguing because the reader never knowss what to expect next.  I think it is better rather than having the ability to predict the next situation as is the case with the Disney version.  Both are very good stories, but I personally like a little variety now and then!

Farenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury         Picture book-NO

In this dystopian society things are not what they appear…

Ray Bradbury created this futuristic world where reading is prohibited, and gaining intelligence is discouraged and punished.  This science fiction novel was created to display the true dysfunctional society in America even today.  Guy Montag is a fireman who burns books found in peoples homes.  The number 451 describes the temperature where book pages burn and ignite fire.  Without books noone can read to get smarter so everyone stays on the same level pretty much.  The only thing available to do now is watch television.  Television prevents the viewers from gaining knowledge from literature.  It will lead to ignorance and stupidity in a world that is already influenced a lot more by television than by books and learning.  By noticing the ridiculous law of NO books at all in this society, hopefully people will realize the importance of books and encourage reading and writing to avoid anything like this, even as crazy as it sounds.  Without books life will be boring, unchanging and average.  This does not seem to excite me in any way, well does it excite you?

In this movie Love’s Long Journey, based on the book, shows the struggles of moving west in the old days.  A newly married couple set out of the trail to find new opportunites.  The wife is a teacher and helps her closest neighbors by teaching the children how to read and write.  The chance to have literacy is rare in this part due to the lack of resources.  She encourages the learning and developing of knowledge in the students.  Her determination to teach these students rubs off on the children as they get excited to learn to read.  Her love for teaching cannot be let go even though her husband thinks that she will not find any kids anywhere close to their homestead.  Despite her husbands doubting, she stays positive and looks at this adventure as a great opportunity to teach seeing as how the children and even adults have never had the ability to learn because they have never been taught.  Her enthusiasm should inspire all teachers to want to teach little kids to read and get excited when they get excited, and praise them when they do well.  This movie is encouraging in so many ways other than learning to read and write, but that definitely is one component to creating such a great book and movie.

Many students read and hear about William Shakespeare the English poet and playwriter.  His work consists of 38 plays, 154 sonnets, 2 long narrative poems and other works.  He married young, at the age of 18, to Anne Hathaway, soon to have three kids together.  He became well known in London as an actor/writer and owner of a play company.  His first works were comedies, followed by the infamous tragedies, such as Macbeth, Hamlet, and King Lear.  His last collaboration of work included romance plays such as Twelth Night, Othello, Julius Caesar and of course, Romeo and Juliet!  Many of his lines are well known and quoted constantly, “To be or not to be…that is the question.”  Shakespeare works are still very popular and read among students in high school levels.  I know when I was in high school I had to read many of Shakespeare’s masterpieces.  For the most part I enjoyed reading the plays; however, the Old English talk confuses many young readers, including me, my freshmen year of high school.  I enjoyed the strategy for us reading the plays though, because our teacher would explain the lines that confused us.  This helps the students better understand Shakespeare’s meaning of the text..

The Pilgrim’s Progress by John Bunyon Part 2

Picture Book: NO

Part 2 of this book involves Christian’s wife, Christiana, setting out with her kids on their own journey to the City of Heaven.  She regrets ever doubting her husband and decides to change her ways.  She has dreams of men looking over her saying that they will lose her like her husband, meaning that she will turn to Christianity.  The men hissed like a snake, which symbolizes the devil who in Genesis turns into a snake in the Garden of Eden.  The place where Christian’s burden had fallen off his shoulders was on the hill where the cross stood.  Great- heart says “the one who died here carried our sins on his own shoulders” (Bunyon 95), meaning Jesus.  Jesus died for OUR sins so that we may be forgiven.  He took our pain away so that we may live eternal life with the Lord and Savior.  They all fell to their knees and worshipped at the cross.  When the group followed the path they came across people who tried to discourage followers from taking the path saying it was too hard and there was better things with them.  These doubters were hung as their punishment. 

The Pilgrim’s Progress  Part 1 by John Bunyon

Picture Book: NO

The Pilgrim’s Progress children’s book is full of adventures of Christian’s journey to Mount Zion.  The whole book is an allegory of a Christian’s path to find Jesus Christ in their personal walk towards righteousness.  All of the places and characters names are given religious names or sinful names.  Christian is the main character who is on a mission to reach the Celestial City (Heaven) while escaping the City of Destruction.  He confides in Envangelist for advice, and the man tells him to follow the light to get to his destination.  Obstinate and Pliable try to prevent Christian from achieving his desired goal of escaping his former life and arriving in the Promised Land.  They attempt to find this ideal life that Christian speaks of but very soon after heading out on their adventure, they become discouraged and give up.  The devil always tries to tempt and discourage Christian’s from pursuing the Lord.  When Christian got into a dangerous situation he was saved by a man named Help, who would be the symbol of God who is always there for His followers when they fall.  Mr. Worldly Wiseman tried to persuade Christian to stray from the straight and narrow path and go into the City of Morality where the leader was Mr. Legality.  The temptation to follow what the world has to offer is very easy to succomb to as natural materialistic driven humans.  Once Christian strays from the path of righteousness, he is no longer safe from the evils of this world.  Evangelist states that the only way to enter eternal life is through the gate and that all other ways lead to death.  Interpreter shows Christian what he needs to know in order to succeed on his journey for greatness.  He explains the meanings of God’s love through demonstrations of symbolism, for example he spread dust all around and then he washed it clean just like God did for our sins when He died on the cross.  Comforter is God’s own spirit who will guide Christian through troubles he may encounter, He will keep Christian safe.  Formalist and Hypocrisy came onto the path but did not enter through the required gate like Christian.  These men were considered trespassers while Christian was invited.  These two men tried to take the easy way out instead of doing what was right.  When it came to the Hill of Difficulty they both looked at it in defeat and retreated to find an easier way to pass.  Christian insists on climbing this steep mountain to seek his reward but he was interrupted by two men, Timorous and Mistrust, running back down yelling that there are two beasts that lie on the path ahead.  He kept on and would not let that stop him from accomplishing his goal.  Lions were the beasts that the men were afraid of, but when Christian arrived to that point, the lions were chained and could not reach him, almost as if there was a shield of protection around him which God provides.  The castle he was expecting to arrive at finally came, inside he rested a few days with three sisters; Piety, Prudence, and Charity.  These names given to the women are a symbol of what Godly women are supposed to possess.  Apollyon who is the symbol of the devil who comes to lie, cheat and steal the happiness of Christians.  He is a monster who attacks Christian, but Christian has the armor of God protecting him; the sword of the spirit, the breastplate of righteousness, the shield of faith, etc.  When Christian is wounded and bleeding from the devil’s attack, the hand from the Tree of Life heals him and makes him new again, just like when one comes to know Jesus, the old is gone and the new has come.  Another man from the same City of Destruction as Christian left to find the Celestial City.  So Christian and Faithful set out together on their journey.  they come upon a man named Talkative who is full of lies and tricks, he talks of beleiving one way, yet acts a totally different way in reality.  This man tricks Faithful but Christian warns him of this man and he confronts him trying to preach truth into his soul.  Talkative refuses to listen and leaves abruptly.  Faithful and Christian come to the Town of Vanity where they get captured for not being dirty thieves like the rest of the town.  Faithful claims absurd things to these people such as Envy, Superstition, which ends up getting him beaten and killed.  Even though he must lose his life, he gains it in the end.  The men see him rise in a chariot up into the Heavens.  After this incident a changed man named Hopeful decides to leave the Town of Vanity and follow Christian to Mount Zion.  The two men stray from the path following Vain-confidence which gets them trapped.  They cry out to the Lord because of the dangers that know face them even more.  The giant Despair captures them but luckily Christian has a promise key that will open any door to the Doubting Castle.  God always provides a way out for His devoted saints.  The men come upon the Delectable Mountains which are beautiful and they belong to the Lord.  They also come upon the door that leads to hell with the fire burning, smell of smoke and cries of terror, typical mental image people have of hell.  When Faithful and Christian continue on their adventure, they are given a note to read when they need instruction.  But when the time came they were deceived and did not read the not; and therefore, got trapped by an imposter.  Luckily the Lord gives us second chances, He came and saved them from the bondage.  As they continue on their quest a man is coming their direction.  Come to find out the man is Atheist(an unbeliever in Jesus Christ) who tries to place doubt in the minds of the men by telling them he had searched 20 years for Mount Zion and that he gave up.  Further on they come across Ignorance from a land called Conceit.  He is also on his way to the Celestial City, but he did not come through the initial gate.  Ignorance believes all he needs to do is good works to enter the Celestial City.  As much as Christian tried to explain, Ignorance would not listen and go with them.  The very last test for Christian and Hopeful was to cross a river with no bridge.  Christian’s faith grew weary and he began to drown; Hopeful encourages him and they walk across together toward the Holy Mountain on which stood the City of Heaven. 

The names given to the charcters and places are all a symbols of our lives as Christians and the troubles and obstacles that come our way along the path of righteousness.  Those who try to distract and destroy are fueled by the devil who comes to lie, cheat, and steal!  Luckily God gives us second chances to repent and still be given the eternal salvation with Jesus Christ and have LIFE with Him!  This book is very encouraging to everyone on the path of salvation.  I remeber reading this in private school and ever since it has been one of all time favorites!!  Children really enjoy the adventures and the on the edge of your seat thriller of surprises throughout the book!  A very good read that I reccommend to YOU!!

Many people argue that busy work brought home as homework is pointless.  Others support the practice homework that kids are forced to submit as a grade.  Both views can be true in different circumstances I believe.  Some teachers do not believe in busy work that ends up being homework because it takes away from time with the family in the home.  However, by bringing homework into the home this can allow the parents to get involved in their schoolwork.  Many teachers may have their students bring home reading books that they must read to their parents and get them to sign of that they accomplished it.  This helps the parents have a feel for what is going on in their child’s life at school and what track she is on with regards to reading, spelling, mathematics, science, etc.  I feel that they classroom does not allow for students to fully accomplish some tasks, and the home can be a more permissive environment.  Yet whenever teachers overload the students on home work and other things, this causes stress in the house and can hurt the child’s grade when he or she cannot turn the assignment in on time, or when they have to get help with their homework because they can’t finish it all; therefore, they must get help from family members who could end up doing the homework for thm while they work on other projects.  This does not teach the students a lot because they are in a rush to finish their homework so they can go play.  They do not focus intently on what they must know and understand.  Also, when the class is a pretty simple class I find it pointless to assign homework because usually the homework is repetitive and just takes up extra time that could be spent with other homework or with family bonding.  This type of homework, if given in the classroom would be considered “busy work” and not really neccessary.  If a teacher does assign homework they must take into consideration the other teachers these students might have and the assignments/projects/tests that those teachers may also give out on the same day. 

Where the Red Fern Grows by Wilson Rawls          NO picture book

This is a GREAT story of a young boy living in the Ozark Mountains, who desires two coonhounds with whom he can use to hunt.  His parents are in financial problems being as it is the Great Depression.  However, Billy is determined to get him some hounds.  He does some odd jobs to get some extra money.  He finally gets his dogs, Old Dan and Lil’ Ann.  He goes out and hunts with them constantly, spending every minute with them.  His three younger sisters sees how hard he has worked to get his hounds.  This message is clear that anything you set you mind to, if you work hard to get it then anything is possible!  His model can help for his sisters who all love the dogs.  When the tragic death of Old Dan takes place, the force of love ties Lil’ Ann and Old Dan.  Lil’ Ann makes herself physically ill after her dear friends death and not long after Billy finds her laying next to Dan’s grave, dead.  Billy aches that now not only one dog has passed, but both!  After all the work he went through to get those dogs he gets very upset, until he stops by the grave before the family moves to Oklahoma.  He sees the graves of his dear dogs, and in between the two there is growing a sacred red fern.  The old legend that an angel planted this fern plays through Billy’s mind, and he comes to grips with the fact that his dog’s deaths happened for a reason as his father always said.  Even though the situation was tough to experience, it helped to see the fern there covered his dear friends.  This book is very inspirational and touching to both children and adults.  I definitely recommend this read to everyone!  I promise you will not be sorry!