Maridel Willer

Salem Ridge Press (www.salemridgepress.com), owned by homeschool graduate Daniel Mills, re-publishes old books that have strong moral values and encourage positive character. We thoroughly enjoyed the 3 Salem Ridge Press books sent to us to review as a member of the TOS Crew. Here is a quick summary of the books we read:

Mary Jane, Her Book by Clara Ingram Judson
This is a sweet wholesome book about a 5 year old girl and her family that was originally published in 1918. The suggested reading level is ages 6 to 10, but it would also be a good choice for a read aloud to younger girls. My almost 10 year old daughter first thought the book would be too young for her, but when asked to “review” it for TOS, she read the 183 page book in an afternoon and immediately asked me to order the second book for her. Some of the adventures that Mary Jane has include getting her finger stuck in the wringer of the old fashioned washing machine (my daughter’s favorite part), and many girlhood activities such as picnics, parties, and learning to sew and garden. Two books of this 19 book series have been re-published. I hope that more of them will be available soon.

The American Twins of the Revolution by Lucy Fitch Perkins
I read this book to my children last year while studying the American War for Independence and they always cried, “more, more”, when I ended a chapter. I have a very old set of Ms. Perkins Twins Series and, as they are truly “gems”, I am glad to see them coming back into print. This book is an adventuresome tale that is based on a true story of a brother and sister, who are asked by their father, a general, to help their mother hide a shipment of gold intended to pay Washington’s discouraged troups in Pennsylvania. It is important to note that the family owns slaves, which are referred to as “servants” and are called “aunt” and “uncle” by the children who have a loving relationship with them. If reading aloud, you will have to get used to sentences like ”I reckon I bettah stay right yer now wid de goods, fer if dem Redcoats once gits a smell ob dem hams, dey won’t nuffin hold ‘em”. Some might find the dialect objectionable or cumbersome, but in context it adds humor and realism to the story. The suggested age range is 8 to adult.

Glaucia, the Greek Slave by Emma Leslie
This book was my first introduction to the church history series by Emma Leslie. It is recommended for ages 10 to adult. I chose to read this book myself as I thought the topics where a bit too intense for my children. It is realistic fiction about a brother and sister who are sold as slaves in Athens during the first century at the time that the apostle Paul is in prison. The author well describes the process that the Lord uses to draw many of the characters in this book away from the many gods that they worship into a relationship with the one true God. The book contains a number of unfamiliar words, but their definitions are found at the bottom of the page, helping to increase the reader’s vocabulary. I look forward to sharing this book with my family in a couple of years, and will definitely add additional volumes from the series to our library.

Would you like to have the most relaxed, Christ filled holiday season ever? Two secrets for preparing your heart and home are finding a special advent devotion and writing down your plans for the coming weeks. I’ve just pulled out the fantastic resource that I found last year to cover both of these items in one package - The Twelve Week Holiday Planner by Sheri Graham, which includes Ann Voscamp’s “The Glorious Coming” Jesse tree advent devotional.

I know, it is less than 12 weeks to Christmas (I have never been able to get started than early), but you don’t need to have started last month to get alot of good ideas from Sheri’s planner.

Twelve Week Holiday Planner
Click here to view more details

We so enjoyed Katherine’s  devotional, The Promised One, last Christmas and we are anticipating savoring the spiritual truths she shares in Jesus, the Life Giver.

This is a one week family devotional that starts on Palm Sunday (March 16th this year).  Each day includes a well written reading with related scripture references, a “Think About” section to spark discussion, and a prayer. 

Katherine’s engaging writing is appropriate for all ages, from little ones to adult.  This e-book includes a printable hands-on activity that helps children remember the daily lessons by creating a paper flower garden.

There is still time to get this great resource in time to start this Sunday as it is now available as a down loadable e-book.

For more information on this product, click here.

I recently had the privilege of reviewing a wonderful book called Purposeful Planning, written by my on-line writing pal, Phyllis Sather.

This thought provoking book describes how you can devote one weekend per year to setting your family goals. 

I really appreciate how thoroughly Phyllis described the goal setting process and how many examples she gives to help you develop unique goals for your family.
 
Does having your spouse’s undivided attention appeal to you?
 
Planning weekends give you time to dream, to talk together about what you wish, or want, at a time when the other person is really listening.
 
Do you need a plan to keep your family moving in the direction the Lord is leading you?
 
Phyllis takes you step-by-step through the process of planning a time together for your family to help determine the path the Lord is choosing for each area of  life.

The e-book format of the book allows you to print out the planning forms that are included for each section, so you can create a custom plan year after year.
 
Her family has followed this format for over 12 years and has found that it provides the compass they’ve needed to plan and stay on course.
 
This time-tested method of planning will give your family new direction for the future. Start today! Choose the dates for your planning weekend, read her book which has the entire “how to” included, and go for it!

Click here to purchase or find out more about this great resource.

I am delighted with my recent purchase of Ann Voscamp’s  The Glorious Coming:  A Jesse Tree Advent Celebration along with The Twelve Week Holiday Planner by Sheri Graham in a down-loadable e-book format. 

I love e-books!  It is so nice to have the information I am looking for instantly and it is so convenient to be able to print all or part of a book as many times as I need for my personal use.  E-books are less expensive than a printed and bound book would be, and there are no shipping costs!

The daily family devotions in The Glorious Coming are a perfect way to keep your family focused on Jesus amidst the busyness of the holiday season.  The format for each day of December includes  scripture verses plus short devotional readings that will draw you closer to God and each other.   A printable ornament is included for each day with directions on making a Jesse Tree to make your devotional time even more memorable.

The Twelve Week Holiday Planner for Christian Families can help you remember and keep track of all the details of all of your holiday activities and celebrations.  The e-book format of the planner allows you to print and re-use the pages of this planner year after year.  Sheri Graham has thought of everything you can think of to put in the planner and includes many great ideas to make family memories.  Find out everything that is included in this package by clicking here.

I received an email today from a friend asking for book suggestions to help build character in children, in particular how to help a child who is hurt and offended when they are ignored by a friend who is playing with someone else. 

You can approach this issue by teaching your children how to treat others with respect, how to forgive others who do not treat you with respect, and how to choose a good friend (how to identify character in others).  Here are some resources for you, all of which can be used for family devotions.  

“A Child’s Book of Character Building” (Books 1 and 2):  Each book has 12 character traits with a scripture and 4 short stories illustrating the trait in the bible, at school, at home and at play.  Book 2 includes a section on  forgiveness.  These are good to read aloud and discuss with ages 4 to 10.  My children enjoyed these stories and my 8 year old daughter reads them herself for fun. 

There are 2 fun books by Joshua Harris:  “Rules for Young Friends” and “Uncommon Courtesy for Kids” that have a list of rules with coloring pages for each and a list of scriptures. 

A more in depth bible study for families is “Character Building for Families”, volumes 1 and 2.  You spend a week to a month on a character trait doing daily bible studies that involve looking up scripture and answering questions together.  I am planning to use this in the fall as part of our homeschooling curriculum.

In addition to devotions, using wonderful literature from years past is a very good way to build character.  Today’s children have a shallow understanding of real suffering.  Their empathy can increase by reading stories that depict real life suffering.  Older literature does this in a way to build character and teach morals.  Today’s books for children no longer do that and often teach bad morals. 

A really great book to read aloud or listen to on tape (because it is long!) is “Elsie Dinsmore” by Martha Finley.   It was written in 1868 and is about an 8 yr old girl who is unfairly treated by others due to her unfortunate circumstances.  The little girl’s love for Jesus and how she turns to him for comfort is very powerful.   

Other wonderful, heart warming 18^th and 19^th century literature that builds character in your children can be found at www.graceandtruthbooks.com  (in paperbacks – reasonable prices) and www.lamplighterpublishing.com (heirloom quality hardback books).