A Net in Time

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For All The Saints

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For all the saints is another hymn from the Lift up Your hearts hymnal. I don’t recall singing this lovely hymn very often as I was growing up.  I’m trying to recall where I picked it up… perhaps in the Baptist church I attended for a while.  They had LOVELY hymn sings every month which were a whole lot of fun.  🙂

Lyrics

For all the saints,
Who from their labors rest,
Who Thee by faith
Before the world confessed,
Thy name, O Jesus,
Be forever blessed.
Alleluia, Alleluia!

Thou wast their rock,
Their fortress and their might;
Thou, Lord, their captain
In the well fought fight;
Thou, in the darkness drear,
Their one true Light.
Alleluia, Alleluia!

O blest communion,
Fellowship divine!
We feebly struggle,
They in glory shine;
All are one in Thee,
For all are Thine.
Alleluia, Alleluia!

And when the strife
Is fierce, the warfare long,
Steals on the ear
The distant triumph song,
And hearts are brave,
Again, and arms are strong.
Alleluia, Alleluia!

From earth’s wide bounds,
From ocean’s farthest coast,
Through gates of pearl
Streams in the countless host,
And singing to Father,
Son and Holy Ghost:
Alleluia, Alleluia!

This Hymn has many stanzas, to see them all visit The Cyber Hymnal. 

For all the saints

History

Will­iam W. How is the author of For all the Saints.  He was the son of a lawyer and became an Anglican Priest.   He eventually became Bishop of Wakefield.  How was known as the ‘Poor Man’s” bishop.  Author of more than 50 hymns he is known to have said “A good hymn is something like a good prayer—simple, real, earnest, and reverent.” (source)

Thinking Deeper

Can you imagine writing a song with 11 stanzas?  What all would you say in such a song?  Author William How covers saints, evangelists, soldiers, apostles and martyrs. He not only shows the work they do, but the struggles they have. This reminder is given for all these hard-working folks: the King of glory is coming, a better day awaits. 

This Light Between Us

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raincoast FTC

WOW… this book opened my eyes. I knew the horrors that the Germans visited on the Jewish people. As I read about the American treatment of the Japanese post-Pearl Harbour filled me with such sadness.   This Light Between Us also tells, through letters, of a friendship that crossed oceans. 

This Light Between us

What I am Reviewing

This Light Between Us is written by Andrew Fukuda.  An unlikely friendship spills out of 384 pages in this hardcover tome.   I received a ARC copy and am reviewing on behalf of Raincoast books.  A young adult novel it is both emotionally compelling as well as steeped in history. Countries at odds with each other, fighting a brutal enemy and yet…Deeper thoughts.   Line drawings occasionally pop up, but mostly it is story with letters interspersed.   Published by Torteen Books

In 1935, ten-year-old Alex Maki from Bainbridge Island, Washington is disgusted when he’s forced to become pen pals with Charlie Levy of Paris, France – a girl . ….From the desolation of an internment camp on the plains of Manzanar to the horrors of Auschwitz and the devastation of European battlefields, the only thing they can hold onto are the memories of their letters. But nothing can dispel the light between them.

The Details for This Light Between Us

sample letter from This light between us

This is an excellent piece of historical fiction, a great look both sides of a World War 2.  I wrote on my instagram page that I had never really thought before of what the Japanese internment would have meant to the children.  These AMERICAN born Japanese children and teenagers to be taken away to those internment camps as if they had done something wrong.   Can you imagine the anger and hurt that would have created?

illustration from This Light Between us

Since I received an ARC copy of this book a lot of the graphics that will be included I couldn’t see. Overall I’d say there was one sketch per every six to eight chapters.  They are all simple line drawings, much like you’d see from a beginning cartoonist which is what Alex is.  You can well imagine him drawing them to amuse Charlie. 

This light between us sample page

Recommendations

I deliberately didn’t read all the way to the end, that way I wouldn’t be tempted to give the ending away.  But I’m captivated, it’s a really good read showing both sides so well.   

I was planning on finishing it and handing it over to my lad. My plans changed when I was telling him what I was reading and he was curious ergo we’re now reading it together.  WW2 is what he’s studying for history this year. This will give him another perspective on the war I don’t see talked about much.

I fell in love with the characters and found myself rooting for them against the odds they were facing.  I hope my lad will see the fear and prejudice, understand the different ways of reacting against it, see the understanding of why people didn’t fight back, and the parallels in this war.  It’s not always an easy read, but it is an enlightening one.  I only hope This Light Between Us is not heart-breaking at the end.

I like tables

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I love what a member of my family .. who very specifically said “Don’t tell anyone I told you this” gave me when I said “the five minute Friday word is Table.  What I am going to do for Table? ”  Suddenly these words came falling out of his mouth and I wrote them down.  Enjoy the quirkiness. 🙂  A first, rambling poem.  I Like Tables. 

I like tables (text) with blue background with table

I Like Tables

I like tables
I store my tables on top of tables
and my table stores tables on top of other tables
and I sleep on tables
and I sit on tables
and I don’t even have furniture just tables.
If you think about it
Houses are just giant tables gathered together to make giant boxes
I live in a table.
I eat my table shaped food off of minatures tables
My cutlery is tables.
The sharp edge functioning as a knife
The legs as forks.

End Thoughts

I love it!  What I love even more is how quickly it came spilling off his tongue and his willingness to repeat it so I could actually write it all down.  Not telling which marvellous member of my family helped me out, but the knowledgeable will probably guess.   If you comment, and it’s nice, I’ll let him know.  🙂

Oh and before I forget.  JOIN us!  It’s Five minute Friday time.  Miss Kate awaits your wonderful posts!

My Friend Earth

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Earth day is coming!  Can you believe it!   A day to celebrate all that is good about the earth and to think of ways to help perserve her. My Friend Earth which I am reviewing today helps youngsters see all that the earth is.  It also serves as an inspiration in caring for our world. 

My Friend Earth

What I am Reviewing

Patrician MacLachlan wrote My Friend Earth, a beautifully illustrated hardcover book with interactive elements. Francesca Sanna, illustrator, brought together vibrant colours with multiple shades of greens and browns to tell Earth’s story.  Chronicle Books produced this 44 page picture book that is written for preschool and kindergarten children.    My Friend Earth teaches children about the earth, it’s seasons, and the environment. 

Reviewed on behalf of Raincoast Books. 

The Details of My Friend Earth

sample page from My Friend Earth

Just look at those colours eh?  So bright and inviting!  The cut outs help create action and movement resulting in drawing you in to learn more.   See birds flit, fish dart, and water flow.  

my friend earth, sample page

You’ll be delighted with the antics of whales, the coursing of horses, and fierce winds that blow hard.   The seasons will come and go, showing the earth in action.

sample page My Friend Earth

The text fits within the images, flowing as the images pass. The lines aren’t poetic in nature but just fit. Easy words to read the help you delight a child with the turn of page.  What will happen next?  What might Earth do or see or cause to happen? Are there flaps to lift?  Holes to peer through?

Recommendations

Celebrate Earth day with your littles.  This delightful book is geared for them.  So much to see and talk about on each page.  I love the peek-a-boo holes.  It’s wonderful to read of the variety of animals and see the gentle change in seasons.  For all the activity that happens within the pages, this is a very calm, peaceful picture book.  Introduce your littles to the environment of the world, talk about how we can preserve it, and have a great Earth day!  My Friend Earth.

Evening Basket Time

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Every once in a while I read a post (or three) of the importance of having a moring basket time.  A time where a family can gather together to learn specific things together.  You pick materials that can work for all members of your family. Might be devotionals, history, biblical principals, favourite books or literally whatever you want to make it.  I read those posts and I think, oh, wouldn’t that be lovely? Then reality hits…the idea of doing a MORNING basket time in my household…not so much.  As I got to thinking about it I realized that for years I had an evening basket time. A time when my lad and I could gather for family time in a relaxed, easy-going manner that a “morning basket time” time allows for.  Let’s talk.

Evening Basket Time

What is Basket Time Meant for?

I have to say, basket time differs from family to family and even season to season.  Depends a lot on the needs of the educating parent and the needs of the family.  Are there character issues that need to be addresed, or bible verses that would be good memorize?  Perhaps a favourite book from your youth to share, or reading books together that cross curricula.   Some families use this time to learn music, memorize hymns, go through living history books, and to practice phrases in a new to them language. 

What you make of your basket time is completely up to you. 

There is one lady I’m starting to follow who puts together topical studies for her teens.  It’s their basket time.  You’ll find those on my homeschooling highschool pinterest board.  They look very intriguing.

In Our House, a journey of books

When my son was young we had an extensive bedtime routine.  We’d play for a bit, then I’d grab up my books.  I had a stack, that some nights felt a mile-high, but in reality was only maybe 10 books. 

  1. Devotional or Faith based book.   My son loved the light-keepers series and later on History lives.   Good books about people of faith from our history. 

2. Favourite reading books. 

Oh boy, did we read novels and picture books. Some were old favourites, others were new.  Many came from the library, but most we bought. We wanted to savour them, not rush through so purchasing seemed the better option.   Some of what we read are amazon affiliate linked below.   

I learned quickly The Hardy Boys didn’t cut it for my lad, he went through periods of toilet humour, and times of intense focus (the warrior cats).  Some books delighted (A Nest for Celeste) and caused bunny trails the following school day.   Reading The Long Winter in the summer brought shivers! 🙂  And interestingly enough, no desire to read in the series.  

3. A book on Canada.  Sometimes these were picture books, other times chapter books, and once a history encyclopedia just on Canada.   I wanted my lad to know Canada.   The Jasper series was a huge hit, and reading a about the Halifax harbour explosion is one my son remembers clearly.  We read about some of Canada’s historical figures, scientists, and athletes.  I made sure we didn’t forget about the animals within our borders as well.   For a while on my blog I did a series on Books on Canada. 

More Specific Learning

4. History.   I always had at least one book on history.  Learning from our past intrigues me greatly, and saves time if we learn well.

We purchased a fair number of encyclopedias at thrift stores and we’d read one page spread per day.  IT WAS FASCINATING.  As my son got older we’d go back and we’d compare the viewpoint of the editor/author.  Same event or historical period, and different points of view brought out different aspects of the history.  We learned how the environment influenced trade, weaponry, work practices and more.  We saw amazing artwork and unique historical finds.    The affiliate links below are not the exact books we used, but similar to the variety. 

5. Extended Learning: Occasionally our books would draw us into wanting to know more.  One time in the warrior cat books there was an eclipse.  This led us into exploring outer space for a couple of weeks.  Or when reading about Terry Fox, cancer and robotics was a curiousity. 

Now?

Now my lad is in high school, he rises later, goes to bed later so we’ve needed to revamp our lives a bit.   (go figure that eh?)   We don’t have our extended reading time at night anymore, but we do still read together.

We are currently working through Comforting Hearts, Teaching Minds by Starr Meade.  It’s a walk through the Heidleberg Catechism.   Reading bible verses together, sharing information that is new to us (even with mom and dad), and delving deeper into matters of faith.   It’s good.

The Unbreakable Faith Course has become a new part of our together time as well.  This course makes for some interesting discussions which I enjoy.

At supper time we read through 1-2 chapters of a World War 2 based book.  This gives the lad time to share information he has learned that connects with the book we are currently reading.  Currently we are reading through 
Seized by the Sun. 

We do less educational and fun stuff in our time together, but the discussions we have are deeper and I hope helping to prepare our son for adulthood and making what he believes his own. 

Evening Basket Time

What about you?

Do you have a morning or evening basket time?   Perhaps you do a mid-day break?  What’s your routine for spending time with your family learning together?

alphabet

Others in this Series

Christ is Made the Sure Foundation

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I was leafing through Lift Up Your Hearts hymnal and saw Christ is Made the Sure Foundation and started singing.  My hubby looked at me oddly since we were also watching a TV show at the time.  🙂   Good to prove to him I can multi-task eh?  🙂

Regent Square, the Tune I grew up singing.

Lyrics

Christ is made the sure foundation,
Christ the head and cornerstone;
Chosen of the Lord, and precious,
Binding all the Church in one,
Holy Zion’s help forever,
And her confidence alone.

All that dedicated city,
Dearly loved of God on high,
In exultant jubilation,
Pours perpetual melody,
God the One in Three adoring
In glad hymns eternally.

To this temple, where we call Thee,
Come, O Lord of Hosts, today;
With Thy wonted lovingkindness
Hear Thy servants as they pray.
And Thy fullest benediction
Shed within its walls alway.

Here vouchsafe to all Thy servants
What they ask of Thee to gain;
What they gain from Thee forever
With the blessèd to retain,
And hereafter in Thy glory
Evermore with Thee to reign.

Laud and honor to the Father,
Laud and honor to the Son,
Laud and honor to the Spirit,
Ever Three and ever One;
Consubstantial, co-eternal,
While unending ages run.

Westminster Abbey, This tune is new to me

History

The author is this lovely hymn is unknown.  It was translated by John M. Neale in 1851 for the hymnal Med­iae­val Hymns.  Generally it is sung to either the tune Westminster Abbey (a new tune to me) or Regent Square (which I grew up with).

Christ is Made the Sure Foundation

One of the things that is good to do when considering what song to sing to look at the words.  Consider well the first verse of this lovely hymn. 

Christ is made the sure foundation,
Christ the head and cornerstone;
Chosen of the Lord, and precious,
Binding all the Church in one,
Holy Zion’s help forever,
And her confidence alone.

Isn’t that just good theology?  Seeing who Christ is… chosen of the Lord, his precious one (beloved son). Christ who holds all the church together, one in whom we have confidence. That hope we have in Christ keeps us all-together and reminds of us the help we have in him.  A good song eh?

On the Horizon

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“Back home, in his
small New York town,
friends got Christmas cards
that year from Silas.

He’d mailed them nine days
before he died.” (p 23, on the horizon)

On the Horizon by Lois Lowry is a quiet reflective look in both sides of World War 2.  Seeing the pain and loss of Pearl Harbour, and later, seeing the pain and loss of Hiroshima.  Poetry that shows the effects of devastation both sides of the war. 

Sometimes we are hit hard by the unexpected.  I did not expect how this lovely book would affect me.  My heart begs you to read this book as well.

In On the Horizon, Lois Lowry did an excellent job of reminding me of the horrors and heroism of the war.  Carefully written lines helping us to the the poignant beauty in people caring for each other in a time of utter stress.

A soldier carrying a boy safely to his dad, a wounded twin crying out in determination to save a brother, a four year riding a tricycle – buried with it, a band ready to play – called to duty – dying in the process.  Hard words, softly written.  Definitely worth a read. 

On the Horizon

Art Work for On the Horizon

Simple drawings dot the pages, just gray-scale pencil drawings. Kenard Pak is the illustrator. In the ARC sample that I received, not all the drawings were complete. The ones there were all relevant to the poem they were connected with, like the outline of a young person standing on a beach or a child riding a tricycle.

On the Horizon

Details about What I am Reviewing

80 pages, 41 pages divided into three sections.  These sections are On the Horizon, Another Horizon, and Beyond the Horizons. She closes with a personal note about her history. So fascinating to see how these events connected with her own personal history.  Reading these personal notes just added to the deepness I felt.

A most excellent book well worthy of being read. I am so delighted that Raincoast books sent it to me!  🙂  Youth (and perhaps their parents) in grades 5-7 should find On the Horizon an easy read. American military history brought to life, showing the impact of war.