Review: Things I've Said to My Children

Father and graphic designer, Nathan Ripperger, shares Things I've Said to My Children. He selected a few choice phrases he's told his children and illustrated them! Such a clever, short book to read and share with parents, grandparents, friends, teachers, or anyone who relates to having children around them. Children are curious, imaginative, and frustrating, but they are learning. They are learning how things work as well as learning their limits. As a librarian, one of my favorite phrases in the book was "We do not poop in books." Indeed! We do not poop in books.

I know of many parents who capture funny phrases their children say in little notebooks, but this is a fun reverse book of funny phrases parents say to their children. Most family notebooks are not illustrated, but they are shared with others, usually family and friends. This book could be a launch pad for so many ideas for art, gifts, or humor to share with family, friends, and strangers!

I think this book pairs well with another humorous parenting book, Reasons My Kid Is Crying or Dad is Fat. All three titles offer great chuckles! They could also be shared as silly new parents gifts.

Looking for more information about Nathan Ripperger? He's sharing his artwork on Etsy. He's also on Flickr and Twitter.

I received this book for free from Blogging for Books for this review.

Title: Things I've Said to My Children
Author: Nathan Ripperger
Publisher: Ten Speed Press
ISBN: 9781607748304

Review: The Mistress of Tall Acre

Happy release day, Laura Frantz! The Mistress of Tall Acre from Revell is now available and it is a fantastic historical fiction book!

The Mistress of Tall Acre takes place after the American Revolutionary War. General Seamus Ogilvy returns to his house Tall Acre with his young daughter. His neighbor, Sophie Menzies from Three Chimneys, is still his neighbor, but rather destitute and a bit of an outcast because of her father's political leanings. The Ogilvys need help as well as Miss Menzies. There different difficulties could be repaired by joining forces, but will a sensible arrangement bring them closer together or farther apart?

Key words that were used to describe this book include triumph, tragedy, loyalty, and betrayal. I would agree! I greatly enjoyed reading Frantz's story. The characters are trying to put their lives together after a war that torn their country a part. Sophie and Seamus are seeking security, hope, truth, and family. It seems obvious at times that of course Sophie and Seamus will work everything out and they will get their "happy ever after" but others in the story add twists and surprises to their lives. No all the surprises are good and not all the surprises are bad. I think it was a great mix of both. I also appreciated how faith was woven into the story. It wasn't heavy handed or too light. They needed the Lord and prayed to Him. Sophie knew she needed to keep the Lord's promises in front of her.

I had many favorite passages while reading this story. I'm looking forward to sharing them on GoodReads. I also want to read the whole story over again! I better add The Mistress of Tall Acre to my to-read book pile again and come back to it after reading a few other books on that pile.

Time Period: 1783, Post Revolutionary War
Location: Roan & Williamsburg, Virginia, USA

Reviewed from a complimentary copy. Thank you, Laura Frantz and Revell!

Title: The Mistress of Tall Acre
Author: Laura Frantz
Release Day: September 8, 2015
ISBN: 9780800720445