Family Read Alouds {2021 Summer/Fall}
Finally sharing what we’ve been reading lately… and not so lately as the time as flown by! These read alouds carried us through the second half of 2021.
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The Twenty-One Balloons by William Pene du Bois. This story won the Newbery Award in 1948, and I had never read it prior to this summer. I was looking for a humorous story to read during the summer months, and this was suggested on a message thread… I wouldn’t say it was funny, but we enjoyed it. Professor William Waterman Sherman decides to spend a year crossing the Pacific Ocean in a hot air balloon, but he is found after 3 weeks floating on wreckage in the Atlantic Ocean with 21 balloons! The story is his retelling of what led to this dramatic turn of events. There were a lot of creative descriptions of inventions which were lengthy (in my opinion boring, but my 6 and 8 yo guys loved it).
Skunk and Badger by Amy Timberlake; ill by Jon Klassen. This was a fun, relatively short book (120 pages, some illustrations). We learned a bit of geology and about chickens… but the greater themes were friendship, accepting others’ differences, and forgiveness. Set in his ways, curmudgeonly Badger prefers to be alone, doing his Very Important Rock Work in his aunt’s (loaned) brownstone. When free spirited Skunk appears on his doorstep, announcing that said-aunt has granted him a room to stay as well, Badger is Not Happy. The story that ensues is funny and heartwarming at times, zany and meandering at others. There are also chickens. Many chickens. And a rocket potato, which made my kids laugh hysterically for basically days. As it turns out, you can learn a lot from someone who is very opposite from you. I particularly appreciated the final chapters of the book as Badger realizes that mistakes he has made, even though unintentional, are still hurtful, and he works hard to make amends through personal sacrifice. Doing what is right, valuing others’ feelings, is not always easy but is always important.
Wishweaver (Tales of Whimsy, Book One) by J.H. Winter. This was a pretty quick read for us, with black & white illustrations on every page and a quick moving plot. As a Christian, I didn’t love the heavy involvement of magic and mystical elements. Personally I chose not to abandon it because I was able to have some conversations with my kids about wish-making versus prayer, and a comparison of the “Wishweaver” versus God. For families not concerned about those elements, there is a lot to love about the book– there is an emphasis on community, responsibility to others, and assessing risks. The title character, Whimsy, is a relatable, endearing character.
The Little Pilgrim’s Progress by Mildred L. Taylor; Adapted by Joe Sutphin. We LOVED this! This was a long standing read aloud for us– it’s 300 pages long, and a large trim size so it’s just all around pretty hefty. BUT, deep in content as well, and with gorgeous illustrations throughout.
The original Pilgrim’s Progress was written in 1678 by John Bunyan and has never gone out of print! In the 1950s, Helen Taylor adapted the story for younger readers, Little Pilgrim’s Progress. This summer the story was published in a “reimagined” version, with illustrations by Joe Sutphin. The characters have been reimagined into woodland creatures. There are over 100 illustrations in the new version, with a new prologue, intermission, and epilogue, told entirely in sketches. And it’s simply gorgeous!
I wasn’t familiar with the original, so this was entirely a new experience for me reading to my kids (age 6.5 and 8.5). I found that each reading stayed with me, truly an allegory with teaching power to transcend the story and connect with my life. My children were enthralled by the story and always begged for more chapters. (Chapters are short, too, which always helps build that energy.) Although there are some intense scenes (the most intense being the few chapters when the main character and his friend are imprisoned for their faith and beaten; the friend is martyred). My older boy is very sensitive, but he was able to handle this. It was written so powerfully and beautifully that the joy of serving and loving their Good Prince covered all of the hard edges.
The Hoboken Chicken Emergency by Daniel Pinkwater. This is the zaniest story and my kids loved it. Not a new one (copyright 1977) and a few aspects feel dated but the story is fun. Arthur is sent to pick up his family’s thanksgiving turkey but finds there was a mix up at the butcher and there is no bird for his family, nor any in the whole of his town. Desperate, he comes across a mysterious ad for Professor Mazzocchi, inventor of the “chicken system.” Arthur ends up heading home with a 266 pound super chicken on a leash, who he makes his pet… until things get even whackier. There are some interesting themes of the spread of misinformation before the era of the internet as neighbors panic and report sightings of a crazed 15-foot polar bear, or possibly a gorilla. A town-wide dose of compassion and empathy save the day.
The Family Under the Bridge by Natalie Savage Carlson. A few days into reading this in December, my 7yo declared “Mom, I think we should read a more Christmassy book.” Although I insisted that it IS in fact a Christmassy book, he had a pretty good point. This classic story takes place in December and concludes at New Year’s. This was a re-read for my older son, but he didn’t remember it well (or perhaps much at all). A classic and beloved by many, this is a heartwarming story about family that sheds light on homelessness.
The Twenty-Four Days Before Christmas by Madeleine L’Engle. I just had to track down an out-of-print copy of this one when I read the description… a family preparing for the birth of a new sibling around the holidays! I’ll always have sweet memories of reading this snuggled on the couch with my two boys as they felt for baby kicks of their little sister. It was an equally sweet story, a quick read (48 pages long) and old fashioned in the best way. I especially loved the simple advent activities the mother planned for her family with things she had laying around the house.
How Winston Delivered Christmas by Alex T. Smith. We all adored this book! Initially I didn’t think we’d have time or opportunity to read this as it was out at the library and not due till too close to Christmas… but it came and we devoured it! Although it’s intended to be read a chapter per day through December, the chapters were too short and each one was a “cliffhanger” so we really couldn’t help ourselves! Adorable, pure hearted Winston finds a letter to Santa on Christmas Eve and realizes he must deliver it himself in order for it to reach the North Pole in time. The adventures he encounters as he completes his selfless mission are so fun! After each chapter is a fun activity for readers to try out– (although, truth be told, we did not) recipes, simple crafts. The illustrations are lovely as well! We will be re-reading this in future years I’m sure! But first, the sequel.
Audiobooks
Firefly Hollow by Alison McGhee. This story follows three woodland creatures (a firefly, vole, and cricket) who have big dreams that lead them on an adventure, defying the rules of their Nations, and bringing them face to face with a Giant (a boy). My kids liked this a lot more than I did. Some of the themes of questioning of authority were a bit much for me (disrespect toward elders) but opened some good conversations.
Time Cat: The Remarkable Adventures of Jason and Gareth by Lloyd Alexander. This was recommended at our co-op for its history tie-ins. Jason’s time traveling cat whisks him away on various adventures through time– ancient Egypt and Japan, meeting Leonardo daVinci. None of us loved it, but it did serve as a way to bring many historical times to life in a unique story.
Chitty Chitty Bang Bang by Ian Fleming. This was another re-read that my kids didn’t remember, but I did! Such a fun read, that I was happy to revisit with them. I wondered if it would be too intense for my sensitive firstborn, and I think it was juust on the brink for him. No nightmares, despite the “bad guys” and kidnapping involved in the plot.
A Place to Hang the Moon by Kate Albus. When we finished this gem, my 6yo said, “They really want to make you quit before you get to the good parts” 😂 He’s right though, that there are so many heart-wrenching parts to endure before the story takes a turn in favor of the protagonists. It’s worth it in the end for the beautiful conclusion… and the town librarian is the hero of the story ❤️ (I should add that myself and my older boy are sensitive souls.)
Siblings William, Edmund, and Anna are orphaned as the story begins, as London children are being evacuated in 1940 during WWII. Their solicitor for their family’s estate hatches a plan to have them go with the evacuees and find a host home, in hopes of forming a bond with their new family before revealing they need a permanent home. In their new lodgings, however, they encounter unfair and harsh treatment at every turn. I personally could hardly stand some of the scenes the children find themselves in but it certainly was an exercise in empathy building as we listened, and an eye opening historical period to learn about. References to books and stories abound as the librarian is the bright light during the darkest times and the siblings are voracious readers. My kids loved that they had read many of the same classic stories the characters were reading. I had tears in my eyes at the end, in the most satisfying way.
The Miracle on Ebenezer Street by Catherine Doyle. This story accompanied us on all of our Christmas errands in the car, keeping my boys content to run around doing less-than-fun tasks! Inspired by Dickens’ A Christmas Carol, this book doesn’t shy away from sadness– much of the story revolves around grief. My heart broke for the protagonist and his father as they processed the death of the boy’s mother the previous Christmas Eve. I’d like to revisit this in the future after my boys have read the Dickens original, as there were so many references and would be a great novel for comparing and contrasting.
Abandoned
A Wolf Called Wander. I’d heard many rave reviews of this one, and we did give it a solid chance… but it was too intense for my sensitive listeners. We may revisit this in the coming years.
And that’s a wrap! 2021 in the books! Next up, I’ll post our top favorites. Our New Year’s Eve tradition is to reminisce through the books we’ve read over the past year and select our favorite reads 🙂 Follow me on instagram or facebook for updates!
