The North American Almanac 1927

Copyright 1926, The North American Almanac Co., Chicago.

I love looking at books like this. They help me imagine what daily life was like not so very long ago.  This almanac contains a lot of varied information.  You'll find calendars, information about stars, geographic facts, and articles about people and scientific discoveries.  One discovery to note:

“Astronomers no longer believe in the existence of the alleged intramercurial planet “Vulcan,” observations of which were reported about the middle of the last century.  Disturbances in the movements of Mercury formerly attributed to this hypothetical planet have been explained in an entirely different way by Einstein.”

As interesting as that is, my favorite part of old almanacs is the advertisements in the back.  This book came to mind a few weeks ago as I was leaving my parents’ house after a short visit.  I told my mother I needed to get a few things from the store.  I mentioned the items I needed:

• ·          A print cartridge for my printer

• ·         An SD card for my camera

• ·         A replacement filter for my water purifier

As I drove to the store, I thought about how, just twenty years ago, I never would have had these items on my shopping list.  Today, they seem like necessities.

I glanced in the back of this almanac to see what was advertised that wouldn't be on a shopping list today.

• ·         Pee-chee - ”the perfect white shoe cleaner”

• ·         Wanous Shampoo-Bag – “Free of soap and lather – No tiresome rinsing process.”

• ·         McCoy’s Cod Liver Oil Compound Tablets, “For skinny, underweight men and women they are guaranteed to put on five pounds of solid flesh in 30 days or money back.”  (All 60 cents!)

It makes me wonder what “necessities” will be on shopping lists of the future.

I'd like a box of House-cleaning Bombs. Just set one in your house, go outside and close the door for a few minutes.  Walk back in and the house is clean!  Can someone please invent this?  Then I'd have more time to read!

Sparrows Don't Drop Candy Wrappers

By Margaret Gabel

Illustrated by Susan Perl

Published in 1971

“Sparrows don’t drop candy wrappers. 

  Beavers build no billboards.  

 Trees don’t shed tin cans.  

 Dolphins don’t dump chemicals into the water. 

 Bears don’t belch carbon monoxide. 

 And butterflies need no pesticides. 

How did the air, the water, and the earth 

become so polluted that our sources of food,

 our lungs, and our life expectancy

 are eroding? 

We have met the enemy, and he is us, 

as Pogo has pointed out.”

      

My mother gave me this book when I was quite young. Inside the front cover is my bookplate and opposite that is my name, in my childish printing.  I did that to my books a lot.  I remember reading this book over and over.  I remember taking it to heart and feeling worried for the outdoors that I so greatly enjoyed.  The drawings of the sick looking animals made me sad.  

Some of the suggestions in this book are now a little outdated.  Instead of having to find out if there is an aluminum reclamation center near me, I can just put all my recyclables at my curb each week. Instead of putting low wattage bulbs in our lamps, we’re asked to use compact fluorescents. 

But while the particulars may have changed, the sentiment remains the same. Respect the Earth, respect the creatures of the Earth, and respect your fellow man.

Today is Earth Day.  Some of us may be called to devote our lives to Planet Earth, but most of us aren’t.  The rest of us, though, can still show respect for what we've been given by doing our small part. 

“Every living thing – you, me, the cat, the sparrow, trees, butterflies – all of us need good air and pure water and enough food.  The earth gives us air and food and water.  It keeps us alive.  Let’s return the favor.”

 What will I do? 

I’m going to try to use my printer less.  I’ve had a tendency lately to print out every little document or note.  Instead, I can save documents to my computer, or, if necessary, jot a note on a piece of scrap paper.  Oh, and that bush we just planted in our yard?  I’ll try to remember to take care of it!

What will you do?

Better World Books

 One of my favorite online booksellers:


Better World Books is on online used book store with a heart.  A portion of the proceeds from your purchase is put towards helping literacy programs around the world.  In addition, for every book purchased, they promise to donate a book to either Books for Africa or Feed the Children.  Their business model not only aids literacy around the world, but also saves books from landfills. 

Whenever I'm looking for a particular title, this is where I like to look first.  The book's condition is noted in the description.  You'll know whether there is extensive highlighting or if it's a former library book. 


They have a wide selection with great deals and fast shipping.  

But my favorite part of the buying experience is that when your order ships, you receive a creative e-mail confirmation written from your book's point of view.  Try ordering from them and you'll see!

The Churkendoose

Part Chicken, Turkey, Duck and Goose

Written by Ben Ross Berenberg and illustrated by Dellwyn Cunningham

Originally published in 1946 by Wonder Books

Recording narrated by Ray Bolger

My copy of The Churkendoose

I owe my knowledge of the children’s picture book, The Churkendoose, to my eight older brothers and sisters.  Actually, I owe my knowledge of many topics to growing up as the youngest child in a large family.  I can remember hearing the recording of this book playing on a little phonograph, and my siblings singing along,

“It depends on how you look at things,

It depends on how you look at things,

Is a baby chimpanzee any prettier than me?

Well, it depends on how you look at things.”

The story of the Churkendoose begins in the barnyard when an unusual looking egg is found.  The chicken, turkey, duck and goose all take turns sitting on it.  When the egg finally hatches, out comes a strange looking bird.  The other birds make fun of its looks while the Churkendoose tries to tell them that he’s okay just the way he is.  He’s still young.  He’ll discover what he’s good at as he grows.  As far as his looks, well,

“Can it be that I am such a sight

That when others see me they take fright?
           Though I can see what they meant,

When they said my legs are bent.
               Am I ugly? No, I'm just dif-fer-ent.”

  In the end, of course, this being a children’s picture book, the other animals come to see his worth and the tap dancing, rhyming Churkendoose is welcomed into the barnyard family. 

Although I didn’t know it then, I was learning one of the most important lessons ever.  Don’t ever put a person down because they look or act differently than you.  Each person has something important to offer if we give him the chance. 

Much like my large group of sometimes kind, sometimes teasing, sometimes just plain crazy brothers and sisters, our world is full of Churkendooses.  (Churkendeese?)  Sure, we might not all look alike, appreciate the same things, or live our lives the same way, but isn’t that what makes us great?  Imagine what a better place this world would be if we all took this message to heart!

If you want to hear a short clip from the original recording of the Churkendoose by Ray Bolger, click on this interesting link.

http://kiddierekordking.com/library.html 

Thanks to Kathy Claus for this link with the full Churkendoose recording.  You'll find it in list to the left of the page under "week 19".

http://www.kiddierecords.com/2007/index.htm 

For the Glory and Honor of Camelot

By Miriam Mitchell

2012

Adventure, suspense, friendship, humor, and a little romance– all in one book.  For the Glory and Honor of Camelot was written by 14 year old Miriam Mitchell, who also happens to be my great-niece!  Her first novel includes a little bit of everything.  

From the very first sentences, her descriptive language made it possible for me to picture all the action.  

“The clip-clop of hooves against cobbled roads echoed as they passed under the stone arch way.  The riders’ armor glistened in the sun.”

To have the “movie” begin to play in your head is a sign of good writing!

The story of young Queen Gwen, along with Merlin’s student, Merlitian and close childhood friend, Michael moves very fast through conflict and battle with a traitor and his cohort Drake.  Gwen needs to step up her courage to save herself and those who rely on her.  At times she shows immense maturity and at other times she acts like a typical young teen, such as when she storms out after an argument with her mother.  

I particularly like the little bits of comedy dispersed throughout her story.  I definitely can pick up on the family sense of humor!  I laughed picturing Gwen and Michael stuck on their backs and unable to get up after sleeping in their armor all night.  

I enjoyed your first book, Miriam, and I’m looking forward to the sequel!  I want to see what adventures are ahead for Gwen and her friends.  

Miriam’s book can be found here at Amazon.com.

The Man Who Planted Trees

Lost Groves, Champion Trees and an Urgent Plan to Save the Planet

By Jim Robbins

David Milarch has an ambitious plan.  He is on a mission to clone all of the champion trees of the world – the largest, healthiest trees that have proven to be resistant to disease caused by changes in climate.  

His team has already surprised many experts by cloning some of the world’s oldest trees, including redwoods and sequoias.   His goal is to help save the planet from the trouble caused in part by massive deforestation.   

What is so unique about Milarch’s story is how he was inspired to start this project.  After a near death experience, he claims that angels told him that he still had work to accomplish on Earth.  Not long after, he was given details of his plan by an angel.  

The author of this book, Jim Robbins, is a science journalist who writes for the New York Times.  Robbins does an excellent job balancing the science of trees with the spiritual aspect.  He has interviewed many experts and shares newer research into how trees communicate and filter our air and water.  I have a new found respect for the intricacy of trees and how they support all life on earth.  At the same time, he objectively covers both Milarch’s supernatural journey and the spiritual views of different cultures on trees.  

What comes to my mind after reading this book is Dr. Seuss’s The Lorax. 

“Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better.  It’s not.”   

David Milarch cares a whole awful lot.  His story gives hope that each one of us can make a real difference. 

The Glass Castle

By Jeannette Walls

With this memoir, Jeannette Walls has invited us into her fascinating childhood, growing up in a family with creative, brilliant, yet dysfunctional parents.  The book opens with her memory of her dress catching on fire as she stood at the stove cooking hotdogs because her mother was too busy working on a painting to prepare lunch.  The shocking fact is that Jeannette was three years old at the time.  The scars from this accident remain with her today.  Time after time, I was amazed at the strength and spirit of this little girl and her three siblings as they were carted from place to place, often with no belongings and little to eat.  

Her mother was self- absorbed and free-spirited.  Her father was an alcoholic.  When there was money, it often went towards his drinking.  One experience the author recounts affected me deeply.

“One evening when Dad was away and we had nothing to eat and we were all sitting around the living room trying not to think of food, Mom kept disappearing under the blanket on the sofa bed.  At one point Brian looked over.

                     ‘Are you chewing something?’  he asked.

            ‘My teeth hurt,” Mom said, but she was getting all shifty-eyed, glancing around the room and avoiding our stares.  ‘It’s my bad gums.  I’m working my jaw to increase the circulation.’

   Brian yanked the covers back.  Lying on the mattress next to Mom was one of those huge family-sized Hershey chocolate bars, the shiny silver wrapper pulled back and torn away.  She’d already eaten half of it.”

The idea that a mother would starve her children while feeding herself is disturbing, as are many other experiences the author recalls.  What is amazing, though, is the resilience of these children.  As they grew up, they became quite resourceful, scavenging for food, saving money, and keeping each other safe.  That is why I enjoyed this book so much.  It was inspiring to read a true story of how a person can pull themselves out of deplorable circumstances and achieve contentment and success.  

 

                I give this book 4 out of 5 stars.

Legend

by Marie Lu

My daughters and I have been enjoying the popularity of Dystopian Fiction. It all started with The Hunger Games. Now, when I try a new book in this genre and want to tell them about it, I compare my enjoyment of it to the first novel we read in this category. I might say, “Well, it’s no Hunger Games, but it’s definitely worth reading.” Recently, I read Marie Lu’s Legend. This time I told my daughter, “Wow, that’s right up there with The Hunger Games!” I can’t wait for her to read it so we can discuss it. Also, I’ve read that the movie rights have been sold, so I expect this to be another huge hit. 

The story details the lives of two fifteen year olds, both strong and physically fit, smart beyond their years, and extremely devoted to their families. However, they’ve grown up in two very different environments. 

The setting is North America, what used to be the West Coast of the United States, but is now called the Republic. Day, the Republic’s most wanted criminal, is on the run from the law, a sort of Robin Hood, fighting and stealing from the Republic but only to help his poor, oppressed family. He has been taken away from his family by the government, and his mother can’t even know he’s still alive. June is the top military trainee, very wealthy and given every advantage in life. 

The two begin to cross paths when Day, while trying to save his own brother’s life by stealing a vaccine for the plague, is accused of murdering June’s beloved brother. June is assigned the task of finding Day and bringing him to justice, thus avenging her brother’s death. Day, in the meantime, is still trying to help his family. When June enters the slums undercover and meets Day, she begins to question the Republic’s opinion of him. How can this boy who appears to be so caring be capable of the horrible crime he’s been accused of?  She begins to question everything she has been taught in her military training. As a romance between the two main characters begins, their eyes begin to be opened to how the government has been manipulating them.

Will Day be able to save his brother? Will June find out the devastating truth about her own brother’s death? When Day is jailed by the Republic, will June be able to free him in time? 

If you like to read about strong young characters dealing with life in a dystopian future society, along with non-stop action, try Legend, the first book in a trilogy from Marie Lu.

I give this book 5 out of 5 stars!

The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight

By Jennifer E. Smith

I first heard about this book through my public library’s NextReads newsletter.  It was the title that really caught my eye.  It is a Young Adult book and is a quick, easy read. 

At first, I was a little skeptical about the premise.  Girl meets boy in airport, they sit together on the plane, share deep thoughts and are instantly in love.  Unfortunately, after leaving the plane, they get separated.  As Hadley gets in a cab to get to her Father’s wedding, she assumes she’ll never see Oliver again.  

What I liked about this book is that it goes beyond the young romance.  It is as much about the two teen’s relationships with their parents, how their parents’ relationships have colored their feeling about love and marriage, and the process of healing from broken relationships.  

So while the romance may be unbelievable, the story goes much deeper as it explores forgiveness, second chances, and the risks of loving.  

                                              I give it 4 out of 5 stars.