Art Show Preparations

Last fall we got all excited at the prospect of putting on an art show.  Then I ran out of energy and we didn't do it.  BUT the kids remembered, and it's happening soon.  They've sent out invitations and everything.  And, everyday has become project day... whether I like it or not (sometimes I really don't like it).  A few days ago was robot making day.  The kids made lots of robots... and they adore them (I do too).  Honestly I'm not even giving them ideas for projects anymore.  This thing has taken on a life of its own.  I'm hoping several major art buyers will stop by the show and purchase some of the kids masterpieces (CAUSE WHAT IN THE WORLD ARE WE GOING TO DO WITH ALL THIS STUFF AFTER THE SHOW?!?!?!) well, I got that out of my system.

I'm sure you'll see more soon...

Cindy Ellen: A Wild Western Cinderella

Hi friends, we're having some scary weather here in the US. To the folks over in Moore, Oklahoma and other tornado stricken spots, our prayers go out to families who have lost homes and loved ones! We hope you can find safety and comfort very soon.

Anyway, because I had Oklahoma on the mind, I thought I'd share this wild west version of Cinderella with you today. (And yes I know geographically Oklahoma isn't the west...but I still think a wild west story works there.)

Cindy Ellen is the heroine, her prince is a wealthy rancher (a cattle king), and her fairy godmother wields a pistol and imparts not only fancy clothes but also gumption, grit and guts! (Which I think is so fantastic!!)

Instead of a ball, Cindy wins the rancher's heart at the rodeo and square dance.  When the clock strikes twelve, of course she has no glass slipper to lose-- she's a cowgirl-- it's a diamond spur that falls off her boot and into the hands of her prince.

In the end, of course they get hitched and ride off into the sunset, just as a western happily ever after should be!  Here's hoping our tornado stricken friends can find some happy in their ever afters very very soon!

 PS- If you're looking for more versions of Cinderella, we have this post and also this one. Enjoy!

Books I'd like to meet...

As you might remember, this month Robyn and I have been playing along with the #mylittlebookcase Instagram game.  It's been fun (and occasionally challenging) thinking of books that fit the prompt for each day.

The best part, however, is seeing everyone else's photos and finding out about so many new books!! My 'need to find these books' list is growing and growing! Today I thought I'd share a few that found their way onto the list courtesy of the Instagram fun. (And believe me, these are just the tip of the iceberg)...

You're All My Favorites by Sam McBratney is a companion book to Guess How Much I Love You. How have I never seen it?  Also, Pete & Pickles by Berkeley Breathed looks very cute!

I'm hoping my library has The Magnificent Tree by Nick Bland (who has been all over the #mylittlebookcase game.) And the Odd One Out books Guido van Genechten look like a fun and unique take on look and find books.

The Wild Swans by Hans Christian Andersen with art from Anne Yvonne Gillbert looks flat out stunning! And I'm intrigued by The Foggy, Foggy Forest by Nick Sharratt. Apparently Snow White and Cinderella have a squirt gun fight in this book. Sounds great, right?

Oh...so many books, so little time...(sigh.)

Book Purge!

Whitney and I decided to clear the shelves a bit... getting rid of books?!?!?!  WHAT?!?!  How could we?  After Monday's post we both got to thinking about our personal collections (which we adore and which are both growing exponentially by the year).  Whitalics here, you all know how freaked out I was on Monday thinking I couldn't imagine parting with a single book!

Here's our conclusion... there are the books you LOVE, there are the books you LIKE, there are the books you think will come in handy someday, and then there are the books that are just okay. (Or repeat copies, or things your kids have outgrown...)  

So, what's the point on hanging onto those 'okay' books when they are taking up valuable LOVE book real-estate?  Are we wrong? We are not wrong! I need to fill that space with more books I love!! Oh right, this is about purging!

Now for the challenge:  a 50 book purge.  We were both a bit trepidations. (I'm not gonna lie, I didn't think I could do it.. 50 books seemed like ALOT!)  Guess what?  It wasn't very difficult. (At all.)  

Mine are going to my small town library (I'll know where to look if I actually do miss any of them). Mine are headed to a variety of places, one of which will be my local book exchange where I can earn back money to buy some more books---I need help don't I?

It was good for me.  Therapeutic. (Mostly I just felt dumb about making such a big deal on Monday when these 50 books are so easy to part with.)

Now if I can just do some major purging of stuff... I've got too much stuff... (I was thinking the same thing.  I need to find 50 of something else to get rid of too!!)

Pancho Rabbit and the Coyote

Duncan Tonatiuh's Pancho Rabbit and the Coyote: A Migrant's Tale was released earlier this month.  First I've gotta say, the artwork is really fantastic.  I love mixed media!  This is hand drawn then collaged digitally.  The colors are stunning.

Now, the subject matter.  The book is about Pancho Rabbit, his father left to find work in the north because of the horrible drought... but he doesn't return when he's supposed to.  So, Pancho sets out in search of him.

On his way he meets Coyote (which is slang for a person who smuggles people across the US and Mexican borders).  Coyote makes promises, but things do not go very well during their difficult journey.   In the end Pancho is reunited with his father and they return to their family (though in real life the story does not always end well).
This book is the perfect way to introduce children to the complex issue of immigration and migrants.  There are SO MANY strong feelings about the subject.  This is a great book, I highly recommend it.

ps There is an author's note, post story, which talks about this subject in greater depth.  There is also a glossary where you can find definitions of all Spanish words in the book.  Both of which I found very interesting and useful.