Another Whole Nother Story (2010)
by Dr. Cuthbert Soup (aka Gerry Swallows)
Dr. Cheeseman and his kids are back in another wacky adventure. This time they’ve traveled back in time to 1668 to help break a curse and save their mom. This sequel is just as laugh-out-loud funny and enjoyable as the first one. I’m ready for the third book of the series!
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A Whole Nother Story
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I Capture the Castle (1949) by Dodie Smith
“Journaled” by 17-year old, Cassandra Mortmain, I Capture the Castle tells the story of the endearing and slightly eccentric Mortmain family. Although extremely poor, the family lives in an old English castle. At the beginning of the story, their lives seem destined to continue in the same manner forever, but things quickly change for them after meeting their new neighbors, The Cottons. From the lovely Midsummer’s Eve rites to the hilarious meeting of Simon and Neil, Cassandra captures everything and everyone perfectly in her “journal.” Her humanness and appreciation of life make me feel I’ve found a true kindred spirit. Cassandra takes on such a life of her own that she really feels like so much more than just a character in a book.
One review of this book says, “It’s as fresh as if it were written this morning and as classic as Jane Austen,” which sums up my thoughts perfectly. Full of humor, surprise, romance, family, and self-discovery, I Capture the Castleranks as one of my all-time favorite books. I read it at least once a year, and it’s a treat every single time. I cannot recommend this book highly enough.
(I refuse to see the film version, of course, as I feel Cassandra (Dodie Smith) has done such an excellent job capturing life at the castle that I see everything very clearly played out on the pages, and I couldn’t bear to ruin that.)
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Hanukkah Bear (2013)
written by Eric A. Kimmel, illustrated by Mike Wohnoutka
Bubba Brayna’s delicious-smelling latkes attract a very large and hungry guest whom the elderly woman mistakes for the rabbi. The good-natured Bubba Brayna encourages her guest to enjoy an evening of Hanukkah activities and traditions, despite some initial confusion and resistance by Bear.
This is a sweet, fun story for Hanukkah, and I absolutely adore Wohnoutka’s illustrations of Bubba Brayna and her cottage.
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Bear Snores On
Hanukkah books list
If I ever need cheering, there’s nothing like watching the amazing talent of Donald O’Connor in “Make ‘Em Laugh.” Truly remarkable.
Sometimes as a parent, you just have to laugh about it all. It’s either that or go bonkers. So I began making a habit of finding parenting pictures or videos that would help me laugh out loud and realize I’m not alone.
This video is hilarious, and I think of it every time we leave the house. Don’t get wrapped up in reading all the comments, as I accidentally did. Just enjoy it.
[If I wanted to get all deep about it, I could say how the “people who don’t have kids have no idea” thing can be seen so many ways. There’s a lot of struggle in parenthood that can never be understood by those outside the parenting world, but there are also a lot of truly beautiful, golden, life-affirming moments that will never fully be understood either. (And I really don’t mean to exclude folks here who desperately want children and are facing difficulties making that become reality–I’m so sorry. This is by no means supposed to be any comment on those tough situations.)]
Michael McIntyre on “People Who don’t Have Kids Have No Idea”
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