Recap Book Chat

The Puppets of Spelhorst by Kate Dicamlo was an amazing read-aloud! Please join Kate, Sheila and their special guest, Titus, as they discuss this unusual story. An old seaman noticed a girl puppet in a toy store window. He tried to buy her, but the seller said the five puppets must be sold as a group because they have a story to tell. Reluctantly, the seaman bought all the puppets, but he shoved the king, the boy, the owl, and the wolf in his trunk. He propped the girl puppet up on a table and wrote and wrote. Finally finished, he put his letter with the puppets in the trunk with the name, Spelhorst, on the outside. That night the man cried and cried and died. How can such a sad beginning end lead to such an intriguing tale? The giftedness of the author shines through as readers meet the arrogant king, the adventurous boy, the prideful wolf, the wise owl and the grateful girl. As one might guess, different personalities bring challenges to the box of puppets to which the girl responds, “How will it help us to fight with one another?” The puppets are sold to a rag and bones man who sells them to the uncle as a gift for his two young nieces. Adventures derail the puppet show for a bit, suspense looms as readers wonder what could be the story these five puppets have to tell. The prideful wolf learns a lesson when the youngest niece removes a tooth from the wolf and tosses it outside where it is picked up by a fox. Inside the fox’s den is a lonely place for the wolf who sums up her feelings, “It is terrible not to be understood.” Relatable comment, indeed! What a wonderful read-aloud for any family seeking to spark imaginations and conversations! Humility is also an underlying theme, readers will notice the puppets less fixated on themselves are content and tend to live in the present. Community is another theme that will not be missed as dots are connected in this timely tale. We all have a story to tell, but it cannot be told solo. Embrace those in your circle. When we live out our story well we bless those around us. As the girl puppet reminds us all, “We are happy together and that in itself is a great thing.”

As a baby, Oswald T. Campbell was left on the steps of an orphanage with a can of Campbell’s soup in his basket. Readers meet him as he receives disheartening news from his doctor; he won’t live to see another Christmas if he doesn’t move to a better climate than the Windy City. Sadly, Oswald has no one to share his devastating news with… sounds like a bummer of a book, doesn’t it? But, somehow Fannie Flagg weaves a story of hope, evolving from less concern from self and more concern for others and the tale does a 180. We all have wounds, some are visible, like the young girl, Patsy, who has a crippled leg. Others' hurts are hidden, like Roy who suffers from a broken heart and our protagonist, Oswald, who has been haunted by rejection his whole life. Oswald goes to Alabama and meets Jack, a redbird that eats Crackerjacks, who helps Roy run the General Store, a crippled girl named Patsy, and a host of other colorful characters. The community envelopes Oswald with love and care. He recognizes he has a talent for painting and he is included in all the community’s events. He helps Patsy not feel so bad about not knowing her birthday when he decides to celebrate Patsy’s, Jack’s and his birthdays altogether because all their birthdays are unknown. Join us as we recap this heart-warming festive read. The beginning may be dark but trust us the conclusion is the bee’s knees!!! Looking for a delightful holiday read that is about being present rather than getting presents? Try A Redbird Christmas.

Do you know Shakespeare’s longest play? Here’s a clue, “To be or not to be, that is the question.” Hamlet is the answer. This play has been translated into 75 languages, even Klingon! We discovered a plethora of quotes: “Brevity is the soul of wit.” “Something is rotten in the state of Denmark.” “The lady protests too much, methinks.” “…dog will have his day” “…sweets to the sweet” “…to thine own self be true” Shakespheare shows his wonderful wordsmithery as he weaves this timeless tale of brotherly love that took a wrong turn reminiscent of Cain and Abel. Hamlet’s father was poisoned by his power hungry brother and a month later this unsavory fellow becomes Hamlet’s stepfather when he marries Hamlet’s mom, prompting the classic line, “Frailty, thy name is woman.” The reader is bombarded with an abundance of themes: Truth vs Deception Thought vs Action Madness vs Revenge Mortality-we are all shuffling off this mortal coil… For those that aren’t squeamish about the main character talking to a skull, fighting in a freshly dug grave, and dueling with poisoned weapons this is the play to be read, just remember it lives up to the name tragedy. Instead of “Get thee to a nunnery” one might get thee to a library or a bookstore to meet Hamlet and “friends”. One funny quote was when Hamlet was asked what he was reading he replied, “Words, words, words.” Please join Kate and I as we recap Shakespeare’s tragedy in which Hamlet tells the lovely Ophelia, “I must be cruel, only to be kind.” What is going on in this guy’s head?

Please join Kate and Sheila as they meet a classic character, Hercule Poirot, in his first appearance as the Belgian detective in Agatha Christie’s, The Mysterious Affair at Styles. The story is told from the viewpoint of Hastings, a soldier wounded in WW I who comes to his wealthy friend John Cavendish’s estate in need of a place to convalesce. During his visit, John’s stepmother, Emily Inglethorp is murdered with poison! Hastings seeks the help of Poirot, his acquaintance who is blessed with gifted insight which is greatly needed in this case where suspects abound. “You gave too much rein to your imagination. Imagination is a good servant, and a bad master” was the advice Poirot gave Hastings, who considers himself to be somewhat of a junior detective. Hastings would prefer that Poirot just tell him what he notices and concludes instead of making him figure things out on his own. Although this format is frustrating to Hastings it is intriguing for readers because we get to be sleuths too! “If the fact will not fit the theory–let the theory go.” Clues abound in this who-done-it, the trouble is some are important and some are red herrings. See if you can solve the case before Poirot! Don’t worry there are no spoilers in this episode, just a quick gist of the story. Put on your trench coat and get a magnifying glass and get ready to give your brain a workout!

Join Kate and Sheila as they recap one of the most impactful books they’ve read this year. Habits of the Household by Justin Whitmel Earley starts with a powerful rephrased Frederick Douglass quote, “It is easier to raise strong children than to repair broken men and women” and then he goes on from there to supply readers with the nuts and bolts (ideas) on how to raise strong kids. Favorite quotes abound! Here are just a few: “The heart always follows the habit.” “Nothing important is easy.” “The struggle against boredom is really just the struggle against a fallen imagination.” “Send kids to bed with a settled soul.” “The human heart is never not being shaped by something, it is not a car, there is no neutral.” “The final role of a parent is to keep looking to Jesus.” The Pyramid of Discipline is a blessing to both kids and parents! It starts with loving authority for the foundation. There are 5 parts to the second level: 1. Pause 2. Prayer 3. Body Language 4. Understanding 5. Consequences Level 3 Confession Level 4 Reconciliation (he has his boys hug until they smile) : ) He discusses how limits are positive (not a surprise to those who’ve read the Boundaries book) and connects it to Jesus taking on the limits of being a man, disciplining Himself into a life of sacrifice. Why? So we could be free from the ultimate limitation of sin and death. We loved the sending prayer for families as they are leaving the house: Father, thank You for this day. Bless us as we work, study, and play. Be present with us in all we do. May we bring glory and honor to You. In Jesus name Justin suggests lighting a candle before mealtime and having the children say, “Jesus is the light” Then he shares a game he came up with out of necessity (the mother of invention) called The Pepper Game. Whoever is holding the pepper shaker asks a question then he/she passes the shaker. The holder of the shaker answers the question and passes the shaker to the next person. We tried this out with young and old and it was a hit! Everyone learns to listen! Trust us, this book is TOO good to miss! It will bless you in a plethora of ways! Adding value to daily routines that will impact your kids for the rest of their days!

“I’m not afraid of doing hard things. I’m afraid of a life where I do nothing.” Kara What do you know about WW I? We knew very little, but thanks to Jennifer Nielsen’s Lines of Courage we learned a lot in an unusual way. From the viewpoints of Kara (British), Felix (Austro-Hungarian), Elsa (German), Juliette (French) and Dimitri (Russian) Nielsen weaves a story that will enlighten and enrich any history buff’s mind. The assassination of the Archduke in Bosnia is said to have started WW I, but countries fought for different reasons. Some fought for power, others to support allies, others for revenge, national pride, or to gain land. There was no central issue. (Maybe this is why we didn’t learn much about it in school, too tough to tackle.) Elsa uses the analogy of a house of cards as she tries to explain to Felix how countries can quickly lose power and fall. Kara, the nurse in training, gives readers a lesson in compassion. When she helps Felix’s wounded father; her dreams of becoming a Red Cross nurse are smashed. He gives her a gold medal handed down by his father long ago because he knows she helped him at a huge cost. Amazingly, the medal makes it into the hands of each character. “This medal belongs to every one of you. At some point, each of you found yourself in a terrible situation and you responded with courage, with honor, and with kindness…” May this book inspire us all to live with courage, honor and kindness. Join us as we discuss the unbelievable conditions in which these young people let their lights shine. From a fourteen year old sent into battle without a weapon to a young girl separated from her family, this book is action packed. Lines of Courage, what an eye-opener!

Who among us does not want to parent well? However, we must ask the question, “Am I equipping my kids to be ready for the challenges that life will throw at them?” Every chapter starts with a quote, here are two of our favorites: “Life is not a spectacle or a feast; it is a predicament.” George Santayana “I have never in my life envied a human being who led an easy life; I have denied a great many people who led difficult lives and led them well.” Theodore Roosevelt This book was dedicated to children everywhere who simply want to be raised in homes where grace, love, firmness, and consistency are abundant and to parents who strive to raise their children to be ready for life. Join Kate and Sheila as they discuss this jewel for parents, grandparents, and teachers: GIST The Essence of Raising Life-Ready Kids by: Michael Anderson, LP and Timothy Johanson, MD. This book abounds with tried and true nuggets of wisdom. It gives parents hands-on strategies that can be applied today. The love of parents must evolve, that 20 year old living without direction, accountability, independence, or a sense of responsibility was deeply loved but the love did not evolve. This book teaches parents to think differently: Know the difference between fun and joy One-on-one time is important Excessive words have a negative impact(cause shame), but consequences change behavior (This chapter was entitled, Just Shut Up) : ) Kids (and adults too) do what they do because it works-make sure poor choices stop paying off (The Invisible Game) The Two Things concept is powerful because it speaks to the nature of how humans learn Self-esteem is your journey toward liking yourself, it cannot come from others (I love who I am, but I know I’m no better than anyone else) Kids are not adequately developing the skill of accurately assessing themselves A child with an accurate view of himself or herself can go through rough waters Put more energy into applauding resilience in a child than comforting the kid falls down (When gifted becomes expected, normal become defective) NO MORE DO YOUR BEST because it is unachievable, opposes the law of diminishing returns, it’s hard to figure out how to do your best, and the big one-it teaches kids to lie! Children that do not believe they can positively affect their own lives lose hope and learn to be helpless Once a child accepts that life has challenges, he or she can navigate life as a problem solver which trumps a whiner or complainer any day! As parents we want to raise kids that are not only ready for life but able to thrive!

“If only patience were contagious like mumps!” Join Kate and Sheila as they meet an impatient 17 year old, Kit Tyler, who was transplanted from her native land of Barbados to a strict Puritan community in Connecticut. She landed unexpectedly on her aunt and uncle’s doorstep with 7 trunks! After the death of her grandfather Kit had nowhere else to go but she’d neglected to give her relatives a heads up. The Witch of Blackbird Pond was Elizabeth George Speare’s first Newbery award and it does not disappoint. Readers are transported back to a time in our nation’s history that is often a big question mark. When settlers held witch trials where an accused woman had to do the swim test, if she could swim she was a witch, if she couldn’t swim she was free from suspicion, but sadly, dead. From beginning to end, readers wonder what the impulsive Kit will do next. She jumped off the boat to save a child’s wooden doll, she befriended an old widow that the townspeople believed to be a witch, and she started a schoolroom brawl by having students reenact the Good Samaritan parable. However, when her cousins got sick, she worked tirelessly day and night following the doctor’s orders to pull them through. When the widow is blamed for the town’s sickness Kit runs to her rescue. Who will run to Kit’s rescue as she is put on trial for being a witch? Her suitor, William Ashby, who is building a house for his bride to be (he never asked Kit, he just thinks he is too good of a catch to turn down) or the impetuous son of Captain Eaton, Nat, who is also a friend of the lonely widow, Hannah Tupper? When a young girl named Prudence asked Kit why the people didn’t like Hannah she replied, “Because they have never tried to get to know her. People are afraid of things they don’t understand.” What a powerful statement! Reading can transform and broaden our world, it helps readers understand in an up close and personal way the lives of people in the past, present and even the future. Jump in and enjoy this classic with us!

“Grown-up people find it very difficult to believe really wonderful things, unless they have what they call proof.”  We join Cyril, Anthea, Jane, Robert (aka Bob), and the baby (aka the Lamb) as they explore and discover a wish granting Psammed (aka ancient sand fairy). However, every wish backfires on the fivesome in many humorous and unusual ways. The kids work together to solve the problems created by each wish. Our guests, Jonah and Titus, thought the theme of the story was greed and the lesson could be that we should be satisfied with what we have. Great insight for a 7 and 9 year old! Do you feel like challenging your children with a family read-aloud? Try out this E. Nesbit classic Five Children and It and enjoy expanding your sense of wonder. She writes from the kids’ viewpoint in such a way you feel like you’re included in their adventures. Many adults choose not to stretch their imaginations, but by doing so they miss out on great reads like The Hobbit, The Wind and the Willows, and The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe just to mention a few out of the plethora of timeless treasures. Travel to a time when kids had nothing but their imaginations to transport them into predicaments that boggle our minds and tickle our funny bones. : ) “Trying not to believe things when in your heart you are almost sure they are true, is as bad for the temper as anything I know.” Be sure to let us know if you have read this novel or if you have books you would like to recommend.  You can join our Facebook Group, ⁠Recap Book Chat⁠ or leave us a voice memo. My favorite way to read is curled up with a soft blanket and a hot cozy drink in my hand. Currently my go to beverage is decaf coffee with ⁠Earth Echo's Cacao Bliss⁠ blended in. Ten powerful, organic superfoods that help with relaxation, joint pain, weight goals, and mental focus. Use my coupon code KATEM10 to get 10% off your order when you try their products. Thanks for listening! Be sure to subscribe so you don't miss an episode! Connect with Kate and Sheila online at ⁠www.recapbookchat.com⁠ Note that some of the links above are affiliate links to books and brands we love and ones we think you will too! Keep those pages turning and those book lights burning!

“No young man can live in such an atmosphere of unpunished dishonesty and lawlessness without wrecking his character.” This quote connects hauntingly well with our society today just as it did back in 1897. What guides your decision making? Where is your focus? Join Kate and Sheila as they discuss an 1890s instant classic, In His Steps. Charles Sheldon’s best seller tells the story of Henry Maxwell’s challenge to his congregation,  prompted by a tramp who wandered into his church,  spoke boldly to the congregation, then suddenly collapsed. What did the Henry’s pledge consist of? He presented them with one simple question to guide all their decision making…  What would Jesus do? Ironically, one hundred years later a youth leader shortened Henry Maxwell’s question to the acronym, WWJD. It was put on everything from coffee mugs to T-shirts.  What a powerful question! Sheldon takes readers on the amazing journey illustrating how that one question impacted  those brave enough to accept and live out the pledge in their lives.  “To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in His steps.” 1 John 2:6 During this time period the United States was suffering an economic downturn, known as the Panic of 1893. We discovered how living out that question enriched and challenged the lives of a newspaper editor, a singer, an heiress, a store owner, a college president, railroad superintendent and others. The resoluteness of these folks was inspiring!  Why is this book important? The store owner said, “The first change I made was in my thoughts about my employees…What would Jesus do?” Thoughts are powerful and they are where change begins. Thoughts feed our actions. Remember the old truism, “Two natures beat within my breast, one is cursed, one is blest, one I love, one I hate, the one I feed will dominate”? In our busyness it is easy to forget our true focus. We make decisions on the fly as we go willy-nilly through life with Jesus on the back burner but we must slow down and remember… “We can’t imitate Jesus if we don’t know Him.” Be sure to let us know if you have read this novel or if you have books you would like to recommend.  You can join our Facebook Group, Recap Book Chat or leave us a voice memo. My favorite way to read is curled up with a soft blanket and a hot cozy drink in my hand. Currently my go to beverage is decaf coffee with Earth Echo's Cacao Bliss blended in. Ten powerful, organic superfoods that help with relaxation, joint pain, weight goals, and mental focus. Use my coupon code KATEM10 to get 10% off your order when you try their products. Thanks for listening! Be sure to subscribe so you don't miss an episode! Connect with Kate and Sheila online at www.recapbookchat.com Note that some of the links above are affiliate links to books and brands we love and ones we think you will too! Keep those pages turning and those book lights burning!