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How to Compile a Great Children’s Library

Valerie Basham

June 4, 2014

My latest “old friend” found at Goodwill.

I love books and I want my children to love them as much as I do. In order to pass along this zest for reading, I am constantly on the lookout for quality literature. Because books can have a hefty price tag, I like to look for books at Goodwill and other thrift stores. I’ve found dozens of great books this way! Some are not in great condition, but considering that some of them are now out of print, I’ll settle for “readable” over “like new” any day!

I have a short list of books that I loved as a child which are no longer in print, and that’s where I start every time I shop. I’m like a prospector looking for gold. Sometimes I strike it rich, sometimes not, but I still enjoy the hunt. While my top priority are the “gold” books, I do have other, newer friends for which I’m searching, too. These are books that I have discovered since leaving home. You may have lists like mine in your head, too. If so, then just get to a thrift store and start digging! If not, I’ll give you some tips.

As a general rule, children’s literature written before 1965 is going to be pretty good. These books may not be well written, but they will be appropriate for young ones. Most of them will have an obvious moral, which I view as a plus. If you see an older looking cover on the shelf, but don’t recognize the author or the title as being your “gold standard”, then check the copyright. You’re looking at only spending a couple of dollars at thrift store (maybe only fifty cents!) so if it’s not good, you can donate it back. No big loss. I once bought a nice geography book for our library, but once I saw it was riddled with evolution, I got rid of it. That sort of thing doesn’t happen often, but it can happen. Also, if you see a “Weekly Reader” logo on the back of a book, well, that’s a good sign! Some of my favorite books are those old “Weekly Reader” books that came in the mail. Below are some examples of the “Weekly Reader” emblem:

Look for Newbery Award winners and Caldecott Medal winners. Newbery Medals are given to the “most distinguished contribution to American literature for children” each year. Caldecott Medals are awarded to the “artist of the most distinguished American picture book for children” each year. Of course, being an award winning book doesn’t guarantee you’ll love it yourself, but it’s a nice place to start. There are several other awards lists to check out, so do a web search and start reading!

Find a favorite author, and search for him or her. I have enjoyed reading aloud the historical picture books by David A. Adler. He has written many, and I have gained several from thrift stores. Another great author is Jean Fritz. I also like Arnold Lobel, Carol Ryrie Brink, Patricia St. John, Garth Williams (artist), Harry and Wende Devlin, Beverly Cleary, Tasha Tudor (artist), Eloise Wilkin (artist), Richard Scarry, and a host of others. Whenever I see a familiar name on the spine of an old, forgotten book, I can’t help but examine it. Most of the time, I will adopt it. If I get more than one copy of a favorite title or author, I can always share the love by passing it on to a friend.

Do a web search for book lists. There are award winning book lists, as mentioned above, and then there are just “tried and true” lists in various places. Sonlight Curriculum is a great source of book lists, even if you don’t use their curriculum for homeschooling. Jane Claire Lambert wrote a great literature based unit study called Five in a Row. The books are listed in several places online, so search them out. They are all great books, even without the Five in a Row activities, so give ’em a try. There are also several good books about books. Really! They are called Honey for the Child’s Heart, The Read Aloud Handbook and Books Children Will Love.

Don’t forget clearance shelves at bookstores! I do sometimes shop in a bookstore that sells new books. However, I’m always looking for deals there, too. Check the clearance tables for your favorite volumes. I found the hardback book below on sale for $4! I had been wanting it for our homeschool for a long time, but couldn’t afford the $17 (plus shipping) price tag. It was a happy book-buying day for me!

Check out book swapping sites for old books. My favorites are bookmooch.com and paperbackswap.com. You must be a member, which means you have to be willing to post ten books you’d like to part with, in exchange for receiving the books you choose for free. You pay the postage to mail your books, and then the books you’d like to own are shipped to you for free. I hope that makes sense. You can also buy credits (without posting books) for a low cost. Visit the websites for more (and clearer) information.

Disclaimer: Obviously, my reading tastes may vary from yours. Please read at your own risk. For example, I don’t like books with profanity, but I try to use my discernment in each situation. It is important that we don’t swallow a lie just because it looks like the truth. Likewise, the truth can come disguised sometimes, and we must work to find its real identity. I read with discernment, and I’m working to teach my children to do so as well.

I hope these few tips will get your library off to a good start, or help you continue to build it. Books allow us to live many lives, see new things and visit far away places. Books, as I once read, give us somewhere to go when we have to stay where we are.

How true.

Happy reading,

One Who Never Leaves

Valerie Basham

1 comment

June 4, 2014

Today, while I was exercising, I thought about writing this blog post. Because when you’re exercising, it helps a great deal to use your imagination. You forget about your lack of oxygen, your aching muscles and your tired feet when you’re doing something completely different in your mind.

I thought about Hebrews 13:5 Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.

I’m not a theologian, so this isn’t an exegesis of the passage. These are just my meager musings. I thought about how wonderful it was that Christ would never leave me. Never. I thought about the times when I felt alone as a little girl after my sister moved 900 miles away to go to college. I thought about the times when, as a teenager, I said hurtful things – sometimes without thinking, and sometimes I had it all thought out perfectly. I’m pretty sure I made my parents hold their breath until I was married. And I’m pretty sure my mom starts holding her breath again when I come back home. I thought about the times when, as a married lady, I made poor decisions. (Read: Really, REALLY dumb decisions!) Through all of those ups and downs in my life, Christ was with me. He never left me.

There have been times recently when something that I say (or wear) causes my children blush, look down and wish they could run and hide. Sometimes, they actually do run and hide. I remember when I was a teenager, occasionally, my dad would say or do something which embarrassed me, and I would look down at my shoes, make designs in the dust while desperately wishing that I could disappear. If reasonable excuses could have been given to any of the aforementioned persons to leave said embarrassing situations, we would have all taken the “out”. I’m sure you can relate. (Okay, I’m not really sure. I’m hoping against hope that you can.) When I recall even just a few of the colossally idiotic things I’ve done as a Christian, and then I think of this verse, I’m humbled before my Lord. He stands beside me through each and every mistake, He loves me in spite of all of my wrong doing. He cares about me all day, every day. He never leaves.

I ~~guess~~ know I’m kinda weird. I sometimes wonder how I’ll go to Heaven. Some days, I wake up thinking, “Will I see Christ today?” I get a little nervous, because I’ve never been to Heaven before. Then I think of this verse – “I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee” – and I know I’ll be all right.

Christian, rejoice! We have Christ, and Christ is all we need.

Spring Soccer {2014}

Valerie Basham

6 comments

May 30, 2014

Our homeschool group offered spring soccer for eight weeks, beginning the first week of April. Yes, I’m just now, nine weeks later, sharing photos. Why? Because I snapped over 300 photos and for some reason, the folks around here want clean clothes and food, so I put off editing photos. Even today, I found myself knowing that I needed to tackle this job, but still put it off. I sure hope someone out there is seeing these. Don’t tell me if you’re not there. I don’t want to know. Let me keep pretending this blog is read by thousands. Thank you.

Soccer gave me the perfect opportunity to use my Nikon zoom lens, which Terry bought me for Christmas. I was very pleased with it. In fact, I got some photos that I couldn’t have gotten otherwise.

Terry coached the U4 soccer, which was ages 2-5 (roughly). It was…an adventure! I don’t think we taught them much soccer, but they got some exercise and ate Goldfish crackers. Lots of Goldfish crackers. They sure are adorable little kiddos.

The first day.

Terry’s goal for this age was just to teach them not to use their hands. Matt learned to stop the ball with his foot. Once.

We did a lot of stretches with the U4’s .

We twisted.

We touched our toes.

Sometimes, they pulled weeds AND stretched. I love my little multi-taskers!

And they ran around a lot.

They looked mighty adorable running around.

Sometimes, they kicked the ball, too!

Once in a while, they would get on their game face.

Max liked his coach.

On game day, they all enjoyed the huddle.

At the end of the practice, or maybe even during the practice, they just wanted to take a nap.

And that’s okay. We are very accommodating over in the U4’s.

So, Matt, what did you think of soccer?

Yep. Me, too.

Laci’s game was very exciting. She gives soccer 100% of her energy. Her team won their game, too, so that was really nice.

The ball had just hit her arm in this photo. She took it and went right on.

WAIT…this is Laci we’re talking about. First, she looked at me down the field, her eyes wide as saucers and pointed at the spot where the ball hit her. I told her she was fine and to get out there and PLAY! Okay, not really. I yelled to her, “You’re okay!”

Yes, I’m the compassionate type.

If only I could Laci to show emotion; to express herself.

Ah, well. Maybe one day.

Leslie did a fine job on her team. She played her heart out and was a good sport when they came away without a victory.

I love this face! Thank you, Nikon zoom!

Hot, but happy.

Mitchell and Lauren’s games ended up being played at the same time, in the rain. This meant that I couldn’t get many photos of either of them. I pulled out the camera between showers and snapped as many as I could. Both Mitch and Lauren’s teams lost, but again, they played hard.

This first photo is of Lauren was taken the week before her big game. She had just caught the ball to stop the green team from scoring.

I’m so glad I got the above photo of her when I did, because the next week, being goalie was a bit messier:

She had to stand, and *ahem* dive in a huge mud puddle!

Ummmm…there simply are no words. Okay, yes there’s a word: HELP!

She didn’t mind. (WHAT?)

The mud didn’t bother her, but missing every ball of the game did. But what can a girl do when she is caked in slimy mud and wet with rain? Of all the kids, she gave the most. She willingly dove into the mud and tried to stop the ball.

I liked this photo of Lauren’s friend patting her on the back. Poor Lauren couldn’t get the ball for anything.

Here are the kids on the first day of soccer. It was a wonderful experience and we are so thankful for our homeschool group!

And I’m thankful for you. Your presence has made this terrible crick in my neck worth it.

This Pilgrimage of Ours

Valerie Basham

1 comment

May 25, 2014

I stopped at the large window in the master bedroom of our parsonage. The view wasn’t anything majestic; no mountains, ocean or rolling hills to see. My view was a red brick church building and an asphalt parking lot. I stared at the empty lot, watching the breeze rustle the leaves of the bushes in the flower bed. Only a few hours before, a large RV had been parked there, with cords trailing toward the building and over those bushes where it was hooked up. An evangelist and his family were passing through. We had enjoyed eating with them and talking and laughing. Now, they were gone. They had moved on. I sighed deeply, letting the loneliness wash over me. No, I wasn’t alone, but I felt alone. It seemed to me that true friends, who live in my same town, were just a dream of mine. For years I believed that I’d never really know what it would be like to have a “kindred spirit” live down the street, around the corner, or just across town. For the first time ever, I know what it’s like to have kindred spirits around me. There are no words to sufficiently describe what a joy it is! It is truly a small taste of Heaven.

I also have many kindred spirits that I do not get to see too often. I have one in Greenland and another in Brazil! I have several in Ohio, North Carolina, Illinois, Indiana, Arkansas, Texas, Tennessee and some right here in Oklahoma. Who are these blessed friends that seem tied to my own soul through invisible cords? They are fellow pilgrims. We are born again Baptist believers, striving to keep our vessels unspotted from sin – sometimes we fail, sometimes we succeed – but whatever happens, we glory in Christ and Christ alone. He is our Captain, He is our Comfort, He is our Completer. We encourage one another through prayer and a kind word. We weep when one weeps, we rejoice when one rejoices, even when our own hearts may be carrying a heavy burden. We don’t always share the heartaches we carry, but the Holy Spirit gives us a nudge and we know when one of our number needs a good word and we try to give it.

We are pilgrims in this world, just passing through. We don’t fit in at all in this world, but we fit together in Christ. Someday, we will all be together in Heaven. No more goodbyes, no more separations, no more empty church parking lots.

Front Porch Paint Job

Valerie Basham

4 comments

May 22, 2014

I don’t do a lot of outdoor work. I have terrible seasonal allergies – nasal and asthma. I also have very tender skin. I burn easily and I break out easily to grass and, of course, the dreaded poison ivy or oak! Despite all of that, today I was able to do a job that was outdoors and involved minimal exposure to my allergy triggers. What did I do? Oh, yeah, the title kinda gave it away. (snap!) I’m extremely pleased with my new front porch. Here are the before and after photos:

Before:

Please excuse my little monkeys, I mean, helpers. 😉

And now…(drumroll please)

AFTER:

I first swept it and then used a power sprayer to spray it off. I let that dry and then gave it one coat. I touched up that coat, then gave it another whole coat. It took me six hours including drying time. It was a lot of scrunching and bending, so I’m sure I’ll feel the pain tomorrow! It’s really exciting to be able to make changes to our own home. We will be homeowners for a year this month – hard to believe.

Below is a side-by-side comparison. I really like it! It should help preserve the wood, too.

I’m really enjoying the change of pace now that we’re done with the school year. I’m sure I’ll blink and it will be time to start again, but that’s okay. I am enjoying each moment the Lord gives me.

Thanks for reading!

Leslie’s 9th Birthday

Valerie Basham

3 comments

May 22, 2014

I have already shared with you that Leslie turned nine last Saturday, May 17, but I didn’t share the photos of her party. She was blessed with so many cards, gifts, and cash! My children are rather picky when it comes to cake. Some of them don’t like store bought cakes. I used to make really fancy cut-out cakes, but they didn’t like the homemade butter cream icing (the only frosting stiff enough to decorate with). So, I just make plain ol’ cakes in their favorite flavors and try to make it look as nice as possible. Leslie didn’t pick a theme, but I thought I’d go with Frozen, since our family likes that movie.

It didn’t come out the way I had imagined, but oh well. They said it tasted good!

Make a wish!

Her dad and I got her what she asked for: A Barbie sisters bicycle.

We also got her a Barbie dress. After all, Barbie can’t have enough clothes. 😉

She got lots of cards from friends and family far away. Our church family never ceases to overwhelm us with love. So many folks sent her a card or gave her a gift. I tried to get a photo of each card. I apologize if I missed someone.

Each of her North Carolina cousins wrote her a note.

My mom wrote a nice note inside the card, and this acrostic on the back. She summed Leslie up perfectly.

Everyone had a good time at Leslie’s party.

She is growing up into a sweet young lady. She enjoys doing her own hair (as seen in these photos), organizing toys, books, or anything I”ll let her organize, and reading books. Because she is growing up, it was time for a checkup at the doctor. I have yet to find a family doctor for any of us here. (I know, I’m a bad Mom!) It’s been a real hassle to find a doctor who is covered by our insurance and figure out what restrictions our insurance has. For example, not all insurance companies cover well visits every year. (I found out the hard way.) And of course, Obamacare is only complicating matters in that area. However, I was finally able to find a doctor who was a provider on our insurance and who was taking new patients. Leslie was the first of the kids to see the new pediatrician. The doctor’s office was so adorable, that I just had to take some photos.

I’ve seen some murals in my time, but never this extravagant! Some details are three-dimensional, which may not show up in the photos very well.

Leslie liked the hat on the farmer! It made her think of a hat that her Granddad Basham wears. 🙂

I have to admit, that after seeing these cute rooms (the waiting area is done in a jungle theme), I expected the staff to enjoy their jobs. I didn’t get the vibe that they did, but maybe they were just having a bad day? I don’t even want to think of looking for yet another doctor, so unless the people are truly mean or incompetent, we plan on staying with them. At least we can enjoy the view while we wait!

Mitchell’s Spring Recital

Valerie Basham

3 comments

May 20, 2014

Last Sunday evening was Mitchell’s spring recital at Cameron University, a four-year university in our town. He is enjoying taking lessons at the Academy of Music where they have many students taking lessons in piano, voice, trumpet, clarinet, flute, oboe and guitar. The recital lasted two hours and included forty-seven different songs! Mitch didn’t play till the end, so the little ones had to be very still and patient while we listened to the other performers. The highlight for the little girls was when a boy, about age five or six, sang the theme song to “Winnie the Pooh”! They loved that one. 🙂

Mitchell played two songs, “Moonlight Sonata” and “Let It Go” from the movie, Frozen. My phone was acting up, so I didn’t get a video of him playing “Moonlight Sonata”. I did, however, record him playing it at home. The first video is of “Let it Go”, which I thought was “Moonlight Sonata” at first, so I mis-labeled it, sorry! It cut off near the end, so I re-recorded it after the recital was over so we would have the whole thing. If you want to hear it “live”, watch the first one. If you want to hear the whole song, watch the second one. I believe I’ll be purchasing a camcorder before the next recital. The trouble with my phone was frustrating to say the least. Oh, and the last video is of him playing “Moonlight Sonata” at home.

He forgot to put his jacket on for his first song, “Moonlight Sonata”. I enjoyed using my new zoom lens for this shot.

Lauren took this photo of him playing “Let it Go”. He remembered the jacket for this one!

After it was over, I got a photo of him with this lovely piano.

Mitchell and his teacher, Miss Kathryn Hickman, who is also an instructor at Cameron University.

Mitchell with his certificate of achievement. He was unable to compete i contests this semester, but we hope he can in the fall.

“Let it Go” – live.

“Let it Go”, entire piece after recital.

“Moonlight Sonata”, at home.

Our next recital should feature Lauren and Leslie. Lauren is starting trumpet lessons and Leslie is starting piano this summer. Thanks for being here.

With love,

Leslie Anne is Nine

Valerie Basham

3 comments

May 17, 2014

We have a very busy weekend ahead of us, so I wanted to drop in right away and say that today, my sweet Leslie Anne is nine years old! She was the first child born after my dad died. Her precious little face and soft cooing gave me something to smile at through my tears. I was always very close to my dad, and Leslie is close to her dad. She would go to work with him everyday if she could. Her face brightens whenever she hears his voice each evening.

She is growing into a very tender-hearted little girl. She loves to clean and organize. She is careful in all she does. She loves spelling the most in school. This past year, she copied her spelling words everyday. To make it more fun, she came up with a little game: each week, she gave each child in the family a spelling word based on their ages. For example, her word was always number eight, since she was eight years old, Lauren’s word was number fourteen, and so forth. When I would call out her words, she would say something like, “That’s Mitchell’s word.” It was interesting to see how that each week, the words for each child often fit their personalities. I thought her idea was so creative.

She still loves playing with Barbie, which is a comfort to me. It means she’s not too grown up yet. She is looking more mature everyday, though. I’m excited to see what God has in store for her. Please pray that she will be saved one day and serve Christ faithfully with her life. That is my greatest desire for her, and for each of my children.

My little kitchen helper making brownies. 🙂

Leslie’s soccer coach snapped a photo of her playing a few weeks ago. Whatever she does, she does her best.

Happy birthday, Leslie Anne! I sure do love you.

Last Day of School {2014}

Valerie Basham

3 comments

May 16, 2014

Today, my son took the final test of the year. We have officially ended our school year! I have averaged the grades and everyone passed! And no, I don’t pass my kids even when they aren’t learning. But then, they always learn. I’ve noticed that as a homeschooling mom, I am able to quickly see when I have struggling child and help them in that particular area. I don’t want to embarrass my children, so I’ll not go into details, but they have each struggled in something, sometime. I’m not the perfect anything, but I love my children and I love learning with them. So far, that’s been enough.

This is some of the work they completed this year. I usually go through their papers and compile a portfolio for each child every year. I am very excited to have taught a high-schooler and lived to tell about it.

I thought it would be fun to do a photo comparison of the first day of school and the last, so here it is:

They have all gotten a little more mature looking.

They wanted to do a silly one, looking exhausted at the year’s end.

I always end each school year feeling a little zapped. This was my tenth year to homeschool and I’m feeling every minute of it right now! I know that in a week or two, I’ll long for the order and activity that comes from homeschooling.

But, don’t worry, I’ll wait until August.

Mother’s Day 2014

Valerie Basham

9 comments

May 13, 2014

I had a wonderful and very busy Mother’s Day weekend! One week ago, my husband decided to attend his alma mater’s alumni banquet which was the Friday before Mother’s Day. The Bible school he attended is out of my home church, (Victory Baptist Church in Benton, Arkansas) so, it seemed logical to just stay the weekend and be with my mom on Mother’s Day. This hasn’t happened in many years. I not only got to be there on Sunday, but I was able to attend the mother/daughter banquet as well. Several ladies in the church spoke, including my own mom. It was a great encouragement to my heart.

Because I believe in keeping it real, I must say that I received a very hateful email message from someone I love dearly right before I left for this trip. It grieved me so much that it made it hard to enjoy the visit. The email I received stemmed from a conversation between two other people, so it hit me out of the blue! The words that were said can never be taken back. I am still burdened about this situation and am praying God will work on this person’s heart to turn it to Him. Salvation isn’t a fire escape, it’s becoming a new person in Christ. From what I can tell, this person is lost and that adds to the heavy burden I am carrying. Through it all, though, the Lord ministered to my heart through my Bible reading and through the wonderful people at my home church. I don’t remember ever feeling quite so loved as I was on this last visit. Boy, did I need their kindness! If anyone from Victory in Benton is reading this, thank you! 🙂

Because I was so distracted, I didn’t take as many photos as I normally would have, but here are a few:

Me and the kids on Mother’s Day, in my mother’s Sunday school room.

Mom, me and five of her grandchildren.

Me and my wonderful mother.

I think my husband was really trying hard to cheer me up, because he bought me an amazing gift:

He bought me new bedding! He bought the comforter, bedskirt and all of the matching pillows! It’s also my favorite color! I had picked one out very similar to this one around my birthday, but didn’t buy it. He remembered!

On Sunday, I got to hold the sweetest little baby girl ever! Her name is Piper and her mommy and daddy have been my friends since I was in elementary school. (Both of their mothers, too!) They have been praying for a child for several years and in March, God answered their heart’s cry. What a joy to be in the presence of such a blessing! I also got to see my friend, Audri, and her children; my first choir director, Mrs. Marie & Bro. Stan; my friends, Amy, Jen, Bro. Jenceson and his wife, Donna; a former co-worker, Mrs. Cox and of course, my former pastor and his wife, Ken and Pam Graham and many others.

The Lord has been so good to me. Through the trials of life, I see how weak I am and how strong He is. I see how desperately I need Him and how thankful I am to know the Savior. God’s Word was a great blessing to me this past week. There were several verses that helped me, but I’ll just share one…or two. 🙂

Cast thy burden upon the Lord, and he shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved. ~ Psalm 55:22

Be merciful unto me, O God, be merciful unto me: for my soul trusteth in thee: yea, in the shadow of thy wings will I make my refuge, until these calamities be overpast. ~ Psalm 57:1

Thank YOU for reading! I hope you had a wonderful Mother’s Day! I’d love to hear about it in the comments. 🙂