I must admit, Twilight took me by surprise: I didn’t even know about the books, when suddenly evidences of the craze could be seen almost everywhere. Thankfully, I have recently been able to learn more about Twilight via these helpful links:

Anna Sofia and Elizabeth Botkin have written an excellent article on the emotional side of the Twilight Saga: How Twilight is Re-Vamping Romance. “Once upon a dark and stormy year . . .“

Jasmine Baucham has also written a good post on Abstaining from the Madness. “It’s an age-old story, really. . . . Except for, oh, that’s right - Edward Cullen is a vampire.”

And for Movie Guide’s review on the spiritual aspects of the Twilight Saga and vampirism, click here. (Not for young readers.) “Is it simply harmless entertainment, or does something sinister lurk behind the scenes waiting to bite you?”

I hope these links are helpful as you interact with friends or family who need wisdom in the area of dangerous fantasy literature and film.

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The fun thing about summer reading lists after graduating is that you don’t have to put all the books down once school begins! My parents have always provided good books, but this year I’m especially eager to dive into the books they gave me for my graduation:

( * Currently reading )

The Real Lincoln by Thomas DiLorenzo - A shocking exposé on his real agenda

*Art and the Bible by Francis Schaeffer - I’m just bursting in anticipation to get to this one

The Annotated Mona Lisa by Carol Strickland, Ph.D. - A lot of Art history

State of the Arts by Gene Edward Veith - I can already tell it’s a fascinating book

Color Choices by Stephen Quiller - I need more help with color theory than you know

For the Children’s Sake by Susan Schaeffer Macaulay - What can I say? I know it’ll be an excellent book!

The Family (formerly Homemaking) by J.R.Miller - Excellent

Charlotte Mason Companion by Karen Andreola - Just love this book

*How to Raise a Healthy Child in Spite of Your Doctor by Robert S. Mendelsohn, M.D. - Who doesn’t like a good medical book? Fascinating!

Prescription for Nutritional Healing by Phyllis A. Balch, CNC - May not read the whole thing: It’s enormous

Betty Crocker Cookbook - May not read all of this ;)

Holiness by J.C.Ryle - It’s about time I read this

*The Rare Jewel of Christian Contentment by Jeremiah Burroughs - I’ve already started this one in my quiet time

*Desiring God by John Piper - Started this one, too!

These are some other books I hope to read:

*For the Family’s Sake by Susan Schaeffer Macaulay - A favorite I’ve skipped around in, by am finally settling down to read cover to cover

(June 10) Boy Meets Girl by Joshua Harris - Excellent!

Imitation of Christ by Thomas à Kempis - Stepping Heavenward mentions this often, and curiosity has been aroused

Pilgrim’s Progress by John Bunyan - Second time ’round

The Institutes of Christian Religion by John Calvin - I’ve heard only good reports

Confessions by St. Augustine - I’ll be studying this book and the three previous books with Kevin Swanson’s Christian Classics Study

(June 29) Christy by Catherine Marshall - Already reading and enjoying it

Total Truth by Nancy Pearcy - Not nearly as dry as I thought it was :)

Practicing Hospitality by Pat Ennis and Lisa Tatlock - Mom and Emily and I will be going through this together

*Culture Making by Andy Crouch - I don’t agree with everything in it, but there’s a lot of good stuff

*Guns of the Lion by Douglas Bond - Lots of adventure, reading with Mom and Emily

Twenty-five books, and no real time limit. Joy!

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The other day I was playing around with some sketches for a painting, and a few familiar but nearly forgotten friends appeared. Fond memories often contribute to my ideas and drawings.

One of the most memorable stories from our early homeschool days is “The Josephina Story Quilt”. Its a story about a girl named Faith who begs her parents to bring her pet chicken Josephina out West.

The old chicken never laid eggs and was too tough to eat, and no one would take her, so Josephina was allowed to come on the condition she made no trouble. During the journey West, Faith records the story and adventures of Josephina in a patch work quilt.

Okay, it’s been long enough - I’ll show you what I’ve been working on! The Indiana Homeschool convention (IAHE) has an annual art and essay contest, and this was my last year to enter. Like last year, I made a portfolio of four pieces in four different mediums (or media, if you want to be Latin-correct). I also made a “Copy the Masters” piece, and chose Beatrix Potter.

This painting was copied from the very last page of “The Tale of Benjamin Bunny”. Started out in pen and ink. (By copy, I mean looked at and redrawn - not photocopied or traced.)

The enamelware basin in the lower left is just too sweet! (We’re big enamelware fans.) I used my travel-sized watercolor palette to keep from using too many colors. Otherwise I could have been carried away!

Aww, just look at Flopsy and Mopsy all curled up on their momma’s lap.

Cottontail and Peter fold the handkerchief, which likely smells of onions to this day.

And, the finishing touches! The 4″x5″ painting was matted in off-white and, might I add, looked quite smart. ;–)

“Books in Winter” by Jesse Wilcox Smith

This is one of my favorite paintings from one of my favorite illustrators.

Recently I have come to the conclusion that if I have in mind to become a well-rounded, well-informed children’s book illustrator (and possibly even a writer), that I had better catch up on all those books I had passed up on as a child.  I did read plenty of books as a wee girl, and still do. But somehow I did not read all the classics. Don’t ask me how it happened in the first place. Maybe I thought I was too mature for those “kid” stories, or they just weren’t my type, or I didn’t think they were very important in my overall upbringing. Whatever it was, I have pushed that aside. I am now very appreciative of all the imaginative, and creative work that goes into these tales.

I have decided to take you all on this adventure with me! So, every now and then, I will post my reviews on various children’s literature and illustration.

And for my first review, I bring you, James and the Giant Peach!

• Author: Roald Dahl

• Illustrator: Lane Smith

• Publisher: The Penguin Group

• Copyright: Text, 1961; Illustrations by Lane Smith, 1991

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The only memories I had of this story was the sticky, gloomy peach filled with creepy-crawly bugs poking fun at a poor little boy.  Of course, like any good modern American child, I had only seen the movie, and never read the book.

James’ story officially begins when he is seven years old.  As a lonely little orphan boy, he must live with his gruesome and detestable aunts, Sponge and Spiker.  One day he discovers a peach, grown to the size of a house!  Finding a hole in the side, he climbs through, and entering the door at the end, finds a surprise.  Several Surprises!  And they are all as big as he is!  Inside, awaiting his arrival, is Centipede, Earthworm, Green-Old-Grasshopper, Miss Ladybug, Miss Spider, Glow-worm, and Silkworm!  It’s only a matter of a good night’s sleep before the peach rolls away with them all to an adventure.

Throughout their journey, James’ clever resourcefulness continually saves the day. It is full of whimsical songs and poems, adding a charming touch. A journey across the Atlantic Ocean full of hungry sharks, past the ferocious Cloud-Men, and into New York City, eventually lands them all into happily ever after. I must refrain from giving away the ending for those who haven’t read it yet.

The illustrations by Lane Smith completely capture the feel of the story. Black and white may be boring to some, but I enjoyed its simplicity and room for my own imagination. If you ever get a chance to take a close look at them, see if you can find anything a little interesting in the last illustration. If you look close, you may notice something kinda cute.