In this category, any post about books that I’ve been reading to my kids, stories that they read to me, or just books and adaptations that we’re talking about
I cannot say anything about Homer's "Odyssey" that hasn't been said before, so I'm going to take a personal angle on this one. I'm going to try to describe why I loved "The Iliad" even in high school but have never gotten around to its sequel until now. To sum up, I think I loved … Continue reading The Old Beggar and the Sea
When I was 8 or 9, I remember finding an old movie playing on television one afternoon, about an old man and what looked to me like a swordfish. I came in only near the end and my goodness it left an impression, though I retained no clear memory of how the story ended. I … Continue reading The Old Man and the Sea
My 10-year-old daughter and I recently read Carlo Collodi's 1883 story, "The Adventures of Pinocchio." Now, it turns out that the story is fairly dark, much more than the famous Disney movie of 1940. Parents may wish to be careful with this one, and a full plot description of Collodi's story can be found on … Continue reading Pinocchio and Moby Dickens
My son recently told me that Napoleon -- you know, France's short Emperor -- was "poggers." Now, definitions may be in order for those who, unlike my son, are not avid video gamers. Poggers: Originating from an emote on the streaming platform Twitch, poggers or pog is an Internet slang term used to express enthusiasm, … Continue reading Napoleon was poggers, says Le Miz
It does make a difference to re-read a book after 40 years, especially if you've become a parent in that time. I was about 14 when I first read George Eliot's "Silas Marner," and I recall being moved or disturbed by many things in the story. But the mere fact that Silas raises a child … Continue reading Modern parenting in Silas Marner
I'm re-reading George Eliot's "Silas Marner," almost forty years since first reading it in grade-school. I've just started, so this post won't be a full review. I'm going to share some of the reading experience I've had thus far, both by myself and with my kids, who've shocked me a bit by asking me to … Continue reading The Weaver of Raveloe
I've been reading the Birchbark House series to my kids, before bedtime. I read the series myself a year ago but reading it to them I've experienced these stories through their eyes, and they have been enthralled. We've read to my son practically since he was born and he's always loved it. Even now at … Continue reading Reading to my kids
In honor of a sad sapling, and his Christmas tree. Hark! the herald angels sing,"Glory to the newborn King:peace on earth, and mercy mild,God and sinners reconciled!"Joyful, all ye nations, rise,join the triumph of the skies;with th'angelic hosts proclaim,"Christ is born in Bethlehem!" Refrain:Hark! the herald angels sing,"Glory to the newborn King" Christ, by highest … Continue reading Charlie Brown Christmas
On a Saturday morning three years ago, my son offered to write up something if I would type it for him. He was just shy of his eight birthday then so he dictated it to me, and I typed it up without any changes. Jacob often expresses what he's thinking or feeling, or reflecting upon, … Continue reading The Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup Bible
October 18, 2020 There’s a 1979 animated version of “Don Quixote,” parts of which I showed the kids yesterday, translating for them as we watched. They actually liked it, despite the pace, which is glacial compared to anything today. But it felt just right, just like the book. And in Spanish, in the clips uploaded … Continue reading El Quijote, animated
