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Reading Room:  Suggestions for Violet's library, speak up!!!  |
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FebruaryViolet
True Blue Farmgirl
4810 Posts
Jonni
Elsmere
Kentucky
USA
4810 Posts |
 Posted - Apr 21 2009 : 08:28:03 AM
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I received a gift certificate to a wonderful independent children's bookstore (The Blue Manatee) for Easter in Violet's easterbasket and wanted to get her some books. I have a list of favorites from childhood, but feel like I'm "missing" some...Here are the ones I can think of that I'd like to purchase:
The Secret Garden
Little Women
Anne of Green Gables.
Where The Red Fern Grows.
What are YOUR favorites? What shaped you as a girl?
Musings from our family in the Bluegrass http://sweetvioletmae.blogspot.com/ |
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one_dog_per_acre
True Blue Farmgirl
1572 Posts
Trish
Sandpoint
ID
USA
1572 Posts |
Posted - Apr 21 2009 : 09:11:28 AM
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My favorite books that Owen received as gifts are
Zen Shorts by Jon J Muth
One Potato, Two Potato by Cynthia DeFelice and Andrea U'Ren
Love You Forever by Robert N. Munsch and Sheila McGraw
The Three Snow Bears by Jan Brett
Owen & Mzee by Isabella Hatkoff, Craig Hatkoff and Dr. Paula Kahumbu, and Peter Greste for obvious reasons
As a kid, my dad would buy me the classics to read, but I mainly liked Judy Blume and the adventure books where you have a choice which page to turn to.
By the way, we bought YOUR BABY CAN READ DVDs, and well, my baby can read. He knows at least 13 words, and I just let him watch the video, I don't use flashcards when the tv is on, or really follow the program strictly. When you call to order, they will tell you it costs $160. I got it brand new on ebay for $90 including shipping. The first time he read words, I cried.
I know you hate ebay, but if you pay with paypal, you'll be ok. If you want, I can fish through my feedback to find the seller.
Trish
Make cupcakes not war!
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one_dog_per_acre
True Blue Farmgirl
1572 Posts
Trish
Sandpoint
ID
USA
1572 Posts |
Posted - Apr 21 2009 : 09:45:41 AM
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So I'm scrambling eggs, thinking about kids books, and forgot to mention my fave of all time, The Velveteen Rabbit. I think I lovd it so much as a child because I was an only child for so long, and my stufed animals were important and real to me.
Trish
Make cupcakes not war!
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ranchmama
True Blue Farmgirl
360 Posts
Elise
Rosebud
MT
USA
360 Posts |
Posted - Apr 21 2009 : 10:00:56 AM
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Horton Hatches the Egg was my favorite. I read it to my kids all the time.
I enrolled 2 of my kids in the Scholastic program. The 3rd childs program quite me half way through.. But I've got all the Disney and Dr. Suess books. Lots of good classics in there.
When I read on my own.. E.B. White books Charlotte's Web and the Trumpeter Swan.. Laura Ingalls Wilder of course! I too liked theose choose your own adventure books, forgot about them till Trish Mentioned them! I liked the Narnia books too. Shel Silverstein is another good author to get. ALso you could pick an American Girl and collect those books, or just get them all! lol Kirsten was my favorite :)
Elise
Every Child Deserves Our Love &
A Bear of Their Own
http://ATeddyForKeeps.org
http://ranchmama.blogspot.com/ |
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Alee
True Blue Farmgirl
22941 Posts
Alee
Worland
Wy
USA
22941 Posts |
Posted - Apr 21 2009 : 10:26:20 AM
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Well you might consider waiting to get those titles for a while- Violet is going to need lots of Board style books until she is about 1.5 or so and can look at a book without tearing the pages.
I suggest:
Goodnight Moon
Guess How Much I love You
But if you are looking for classics- there is a book about Gnomes that is so fun- sure to spark lots of imagination! I'll have to find the book to get the exact title. It's something like "The Encyclopedia of Gnomes" or "The Complete book of Gnomes" remember the cartoon "David the Gnome"? The illustrations are like that.
Alee
Farmgirl Sister #8
www.awarmheart.com
www.farmgirlalee.blogspot.com
www.allergyjourneys.blogspot.com
Put your pin on the farmgirl map! www.farmgirlmap.blogspot.com |
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4forMe
True Blue Farmgirl
166 Posts
Dawn
Easton
MD
166 Posts |
Posted - Apr 21 2009 : 10:27:15 AM
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We LOVE children's books in this house. While my children were babies they really enjoyed anything by Eric Carle but especially the Very Busy Spider and the Very Quiet Cricket.
The Napping House is fun by Don and Audra Wood.
Mike Mulligan and his Steam Shovel by Virginia Lee Burton. Also, by Burton, the Little House (one of my absolute faves).
Go Dog Go from the Dr. Seuss collection.
I also joined the Children's Book of the Month club when my oldest was a baby and we had great fun every month when that box came. I still have many treasured books from 11 years ago and my 11 year old will still come in from another room and sit down when he hears me reading to one of the younger kids.
Yard sales and school and church rummage sales are great places to find gently used children's books, cheap.
Sewing, knitting, gardening mom of 4. |
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doglady
True Blue Farmgirl
435 Posts
Tina
Howard
Ohio
USA
435 Posts |
Posted - Apr 21 2009 : 10:28:54 AM
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The Giving Tree
Robert the Rose Horse
10 Monkeys Jumping on the Bed
You can tell your dog all of your secrets and they'll never say a word!
www.kennelcreations.com |
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one_dog_per_acre
True Blue Farmgirl
1572 Posts
Trish
Sandpoint
ID
USA
1572 Posts |
Posted - Apr 21 2009 : 10:54:35 AM
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We have tons of homeschoolers here in N. Idaho, so there are always really nice books at the thrift. I am stockpiling for when Owen reads something other than board books. I recently discovered that some books are made especially for toddlers with super tough pages that don't rip.
Elise, what is this Scholastic pogram you speak of? I Put an ad on Craigslist to ask local kindergarten moms if I could order off of their monthly forms, and I would buy them books for helping me out, but I got flagged :(
I understand wanting to buy books that are important to you early. It is nice to add an inscription, and you can tell your child that you had it for them since they were born. I need to start looking for a beautiful edition of Watership Down. I think that every boy should read it about ten or so.
Trish
Make cupcakes not war!
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Amie C.
True Blue Farmgirl
2099 Posts
Finger Lakes Region
NY
2099 Posts |
Posted - Apr 21 2009 : 10:56:23 AM
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Don't forget the Little House on the Prairie Books (you can get them in a box set). My mom started reading them to me out loud when I was 3 or 4, and they were among the first books I read for myself once I learned how.
I've got loads of favorites, but I'll probably have to go home and check some titles. I remember Robert the Rose Horse! Also, Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile and Harry the Dirty Dog were good ones. |
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FebruaryViolet
True Blue Farmgirl
4810 Posts
Jonni
Elsmere
Kentucky
USA
4810 Posts |
Posted - Apr 21 2009 : 11:17:15 AM
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Thanks for all the suggestions! Trish, you and I think so similarly about books, and like you, my stuffed animals were my constant companions and yes, very real to me, too. I loved the Velveteen Rabbit. Do buy an edition of Watership Down for Owen--one of our absolute favorite stories as well. We have my husband's copy from childhood. I had a "book shower" for her, in which I asked all the attendees to bring a book that shaped that was important to them--from childhood, young adult, adult, etc...I have some really wonderful books from that. My close friend, Ron, worked on the Obama campaign, and is very active and dedicated to local and national politics, so he bought Violet the Obama book written for children, and lovingly inscribed it so that she might understand what this election meant in terms of social change.
Oh, and the Trumpeter Swan! Excellent. In fact, I just watched a moving "illustration" of the book a few days ago on our pbs station. It was basically the book, but read by a voiceover.
I'm really trying to collect books for all aspects of her life...My mother was a librarian, so books were always important at our house. She read to me from her Childs Garden of Verses (1946) which is a collection of verse by Robert Louis Stevenson, from the time I was born--long before I was reading myself, and I loved that time with her, especially when I was a toddler.
When Violet is reading on her own, I'd like for her to be able to walk into her room, pull a book and peruse it, whether she's at that reading stage or not--that's what I did. Until I could read them, I would make up my own stories to go with the illustrations, but mom always made sure I went back to them when I could read.
Musings from our family in the Bluegrass http://sweetvioletmae.blogspot.com/ |
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AuntPammy
True Blue Farmgirl
488 Posts
Pamila
williamstown
wv
USA
488 Posts |
Posted - Apr 21 2009 : 11:33:55 AM
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I always loved Beatrix Potter books...Yes, The Velveteen Rabbit,is a keeper.Curious George is also a favorite around here.
"Keep your face to the sunshine and you will never see the shadow." Helen Keller
www.auntpsalmostheaven.blogspot.com |
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electricdunce
True Blue Farmgirl
2544 Posts
Karin
Belmont
ME
USA
2544 Posts |
Posted - Apr 21 2009 : 12:17:58 PM
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Prepare for a long list
The Color Kittens by Margaret Wise Brown (only available as a golden book)
Catch Me and Kiss Me and Say it Again by Clyde and Wendy Watson.
The little Fur Family by Margaret Wise Brown
The Mousehole Cat illus by Nicola Bayley, can't remember the author's name
Angelina Ballerina series
William Mayne Hob Stories
Just so Stories by Rudyard Kipling
Tim and the Brave Sea Captain by Edward Ardizzone
Lucy Brown and Mr. Grimes by Edward Ardizzone
George and Martha series by James Marshall
also any of James marshall retellings of Goldilocks, the three litlle pigs etc are so wonderful, hiw illustrations are just delightful
The Night Kitchen by Maurice Sendak
Chicken Soup and Rice by Maurice Sendak
oh I could just keep going and going.
Karin
Farmgirl Sister #153
"Give me shelter from the storm" - Bob Dylan
http://moodranch.blogspot.com
http://domesticnonsense.etsy.com |
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Miss Bee Haven
True Blue Farmgirl
4331 Posts
Janice
Louisville/Irvington
Kentucky
USA
4331 Posts |
Posted - Apr 21 2009 : 12:40:32 PM
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Well, you'll be welcome to come to the farm and rummage through the children's books I've accumulated. The past couple of years, I've found a lot of natural history/science books geared for children. Last month I bought an old reader for children that told the story of Shakespeare and even has a sketch of the breakdown of the theater and 'who sat where' and what they did when it rained! :O
(I'm looking forward to our yearly 'free Willie' as they call it...free Shakespeare in Central Park. This year, it's Romeo and Juliet and Macbeth.)
Farmgirl Sister #50
"If you think you've got it nailed down, then what's all that around it?"
'Br.Dave Gardner' |
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ranchmama
True Blue Farmgirl
360 Posts
Elise
Rosebud
MT
USA
360 Posts |
Posted - Apr 21 2009 : 1:08:21 PM
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quote:
[i]
Elise, what is this Scholastic pogram you speak of? I Put an ad on Craigslist to ask local kindergarten moms if I could order off of their monthly forms, and I would buy them books for helping me out, but I got flagged :(
I understand wanting to buy books that are important to you early. It is nice to add an inscription, and you can tell your child that you had it for them since they were born. I need to start looking for a beautiful edition of Watership Down. I think that every boy should read it about ten or so.
Trish
Make cupcakes not war!
Trish I'm speaking of the at home mail program from Scholastic. Where you get 2 books mailed to you every month for like $14. The Disney books are the same as the movies.. Lion King, Peter Pan, Bambi etc. ans as I got closer to the end of the list I was getting Mickey Mouse and Goofy stories. Like Mickey and the Beanstalk and Sir Mickey and the Dragon. And I mean I was at the end of the list! I have well over 100..
The Dr. Suess are the same, I just got those for my daughter. There is Cat in the Hat, Green Eggs and Ham A Fly Went By, Berstien Bear stories and lots of easy read ones. I finished that list too.
I started the I can Read one for my 3rd, but as I said Scholastic quite me! Those are the Danny the Dinosaur, Morris the Moose, Forg and Toad, and Amelia Bedelia.
I loved getting the Disney books for my oldest, he loves movies and that's all we had when he was younger. It was so neat to see his face light up when I would give him the Lion King book as he watched the movie. They told me he was to young for thoses books, but he could still look at the pictures!
I just tried to find a web site, I don't think they have that club anymore.. Now I just get books for the kids through the school when my oldest brings them home. I just pick a few for each kid. I did the clubs because I wanted each child to have their own books. Like I would keep them and then pass them on when they had kids and a family. Thinking like that... But is was always fun to get books in the mail, they loved getting them.
I would order for you/with you, but it seems like we don't have more than a week to pick them out then turn them back in. Course the school year is over now. Have you tried your local elementary school to see if you can order from them?
(wow! sorry so long hee hee)
Elise
Every Child Deserves Our Love &
A Bear of Their Own
http://ATeddyForKeeps.org
http://ranchmama.blogspot.com/ |
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FebruaryViolet
True Blue Farmgirl
4810 Posts
Jonni
Elsmere
Kentucky
USA
4810 Posts |
Posted - Apr 21 2009 : 1:15:59 PM
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Wow!!! Karin! Great mind, girl! I'm ecstatic over the list. And, how silly of me, being a ballerina, to have forgotten the Angelina Ballerina series? And I love Margaret Wise Brown.
Janice, I will take you up on bringing Violet to the farm--but only if you'll let us help in the garden!!
I am printing out the lists and I will laminate it (yes, I'm THAT weird) and take it to our half-priced book store, too :) It's a great resource for books!!!
Musings from our family in the Bluegrass http://sweetvioletmae.blogspot.com/ |
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gramadinah
True Blue Farmgirl
3557 Posts
Diana
Orofino
ID
USA
3557 Posts |
Posted - Apr 21 2009 : 1:56:55 PM
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Click Clack Moo and If You Feed a Mouse a Cookie
This is what my grandbabies want to here right now.
Diana
Farmgirl Sister #273 |
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Mumof3
True Blue Farmgirl
3890 Posts
Karin
Ellenwood
GA
USA
3890 Posts |
Posted - Apr 21 2009 : 3:42:53 PM
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Here's a few of my children's favorites, Jonni:
Miss Rumphius by Barbara Cooney
If You Give Moose a Muffin and If You Give a Mouse a Cookie (oh, darn. who wrote those? Laura something)
The Borrowers by Mary Jo Norton
The Mitten by Jan Brett
Charlotte's Web by E.B. White
The Shoe series (Ballet Shoes, Skating Shoes, Dancing Shoes) by Noel Streatfeild
Mr. Popper's Penguins by Richard Atwater
Caps for Sale by Hmmmmm, I don't remember
Stellaluna by Jannell Cannon
A Wrinkle In Time by Madeleine L'Engle
Chrysanthemum by Kevin Henkes
These are just a few. :)
Karin
Farmgirl Sister
# 18 :)
www.perfectlittlemiracle.blogspot.com
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FebruaryViolet
True Blue Farmgirl
4810 Posts
Jonni
Elsmere
Kentucky
USA
4810 Posts |
Posted - Apr 21 2009 : 3:52:56 PM
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Thanks so much, all. My list is compiling :) I had forgotten Madeline L'Engle, Karin. Thank you so much for putting that down. It's amazing...all the things I thought I would remember to tell Violet, to show her, I've forgotten. Justin and I had to look up "Hey diddle diddle..." a few days ago. We simply could not remember the parts!
Musings from our family in the Bluegrass http://sweetvioletmae.blogspot.com/ |
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bushelnpeck
True Blue Farmgirl
262 Posts
Debbie
Sparks
Nv
USA
262 Posts |
Posted - Apr 21 2009 : 4:46:23 PM
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My kids loved the animal stories by James Herriot. Lots of good ones have been named and I agree with all of them...a library in the making I would say...Debbie
Farmgirl Sister #324
duty makes us do things, but love, makes us do things beautifully... |
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lilyblossom
True Blue Farmgirl
416 Posts
Donna
Evansville
IN
USA
416 Posts |
Posted - Apr 21 2009 : 4:57:48 PM
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If Violet does not have her own copy of The Mother Goose Nursey Rhymes book, then I suggest she needs a copy. Miss K still sits down and reads hers. All of her critters love listening to the rhymes.
Donna...true blue KY farmgirl |
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FebruaryViolet
True Blue Farmgirl
4810 Posts
Jonni
Elsmere
Kentucky
USA
4810 Posts |
Posted - Apr 21 2009 : 7:02:53 PM
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Oh yes! James Herriot...I have a hard bound version of All Creatures Great and Small...mom got that for me when I was 12.
Donna, very good idea...and it comes highly recommended if Miss K reads it to her critters!!! Give her my love, won't you?
Musings from our family in the Bluegrass http://sweetvioletmae.blogspot.com/ |
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prariehawk
True Blue Farmgirl
2914 Posts
Cindy
2914 Posts |
Posted - Apr 21 2009 : 8:00:25 PM
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I would heartily recommend any book by Margarite Henry--books like Misty of Chincoteague, Brighty of the Grand Canyon, Justin Morgan had a Horse--I loved those books when I was young. Now I'm trying to get my nieces hooked on them. They're not just good horse stories, but real tales of family and of building character. I also remember a book called "Higgledy-Piggledy Pop! Or There Must Be More To Life." I've never been able to find it since I was young, but it left a lasting impression on me.Maybe someone else out there knows where to find it..
Cindy |
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miraclewelsh
True Blue Farmgirl
138 Posts
Samantha
Northern
Wisconsin
USA
138 Posts |
Posted - Apr 21 2009 : 8:35:44 PM
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Lots of wonderful suggestions on this thread!
One suggestion that I didn't see mentioned yet was the Betsy-Tacy series by Maud Hart Lovelace.
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Miracle Welsh Mountain Ponies
http://www.miraclewelsh.com
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dutchy
True Blue Farmgirl
4427 Posts
4427 Posts |
Posted - Apr 21 2009 : 9:50:18 PM
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Little house on the Prairie
Beatrix Potter
Hugs from Marian/Dutchy, a farmgirl from the Netherlands :)
My personal blog:
http://just-me-a-dutch-girl.blogspot.com/
Almost daily updates on me and mine :)
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FebruaryViolet
True Blue Farmgirl
4810 Posts
Jonni
Elsmere
Kentucky
USA
4810 Posts |
Posted - Apr 22 2009 : 05:37:52 AM
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More wonderful suggestions! Thanks Prairiehawk for remembering the Misty of Chincoteague series. I was one of those little girls that loved, loved, horses and I am hoping Violet will be the same! You are so right about them being more than just pony stories.
And yep, the Betsy-Tacy series. My mother wants to find them for Vi...
I've been thinking about this and here's what I've come up with. When I compile my list, I'm going to keep it on the fridge and in her room and when holidays, birthdays etc. come up, and the 3 sets of grands and a gazillion Aunts ask what she wants, I can give them each a title and we'll have this list knocked out before you know it!!!
Musings from our family in the Bluegrass http://sweetvioletmae.blogspot.com/ |
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electricdunce
True Blue Farmgirl
2544 Posts
Karin
Belmont
ME
USA
2544 Posts |
Posted - Apr 22 2009 : 10:39:49 AM
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Jonni, I knew you were a ballerina,k and I always wanted to be one, well and a cowgirl too, my daughter loved those books, the illustrations are luscious. The all time fave was a little Golden book, no longer published called Over in the Meadow. It is a little counting book in verse, with lots of animals. The first time I read it chills went down my spine as I realized I KNEW this book. My mother must have read it to el. We still have Susannah's copy, she ate part of the back cover when she was teething. Even before she could walk she would make her way over to me and put a book in my hand to read it to her.
You are going to have such a wonderful adventure with Violet, my mother gave away all my childhood books, but my kids made me save all theirs, and I honored that, but i hope they get room fro them in their own spots some day. Of course I always have a supply here for the imaginary grandchildren (my children tease me about that) and to read to any visiting children....
Right, I've got to get moving, going to the beach for a walk...
Karin
Farmgirl Sister #153
"Give me shelter from the storm" - Bob Dylan
http://moodranch.blogspot.com
http://domesticnonsense.etsy.com |
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Reading Room: Suggestions for Violet's library, speak up!!! |
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Suggestions for Violet's library, speak up!!!
