Tag: Inspiring

The Secret Garden

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The Secret Garden (1911) by Frances Hodgson Burnett

I am absolutely in love with this classic children’s story!  I know many movie renditions have been made, and I’m sure they are full of lovely garden footage, but I just stick to the book and my imagination.

I’m realizing I have a theme in the books I love, whereby a young (usually orphaned) girl moves to a new place and helps others find their happiness.  The big difference in this one, of course, is that Mary Lennox does not begin the story as a happy-go-lucky girl; she, too, goes through a transformation.  I love watching how four of the story’s characters experience a reawakening, just as the garden is doing the same.  It reaffirms life and all that is good.

When I read this book, I feel like I can actually breathe in the fresh garden air and feel the wind of the Moor on my face.  This book helps me take deep, renewing breaths.  It makes me want to garden and play outside more.  I read this book at least once a year, and I find a deep, new appreciation for life every time I do.

 

Some suggested activities/further learning:  (Spoilers included!)

–Draw pictures or create another form of art to show what you think the secret garden looked like before Mary’s discovery and at the end of the story.

–Use clay or other materials to create what you think the key to the “secret garden” might look like.

–Many flowers and plants are mentioned in this book.  Research one of them and see if it will grow in your climate.  Try growing a mini-garden.

–Martha brings Mary a skipping rope.  Use a jumprope you have or make one for yourself and practice skipping rope.  Do you know any songs to skip to?

–Mary is fascinated by Martha and Dickon’s “Yorkshire talk.”  Research this accent and see if you can find any movies where actors speak “Yorkshire.”  Try it for yourself.

–The book describes some of the rooms and hallways of Misselthwaite Manor; draw a floor plan based on what you read.

–Many of the characters in The Secret Garden change their outlooks on life.  The book describes how these “inside” transformations effect the characters’ outward appearances, as well.  Draw a before and after picture of either Mary, Colin, Mr. Craven, or Ben Weatherstaff.

–One of Mary’s new friends is a robin bird.  Research the European robin.  What does it eat?  Where does it live?  How is it different from the American robin?

 

You may also enjoy:
There’s No Such Thing as Bad Weather

The Twelve Gifts of Birth

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The Twelve Gifts of Birth (2001)
By Charlene Costanzo

“At the wondrous moment you were born, as you took your first breath, a great celebration was held in the heavens and twelve magnificent gifts were granted to you.”

I picked this book up years ago, before having children, and I immediately fell in love with it.  I wanted to buy a copy for every new parent I could find.  This simple, heartfelt book lists twelve gifts granted to us all—hope, courage, love, etc.—and how those gifts will help guide us through life.  Each page is accompanied by a hand-colored photograph of children.  Every time I read it now, I think not only of our daughter and how much each of these “gifts” resonates with what I want for her as a parent, but also the fact that these are gifts I possess as well.  It’s an uplifting, powerful and simple book.  The Twelve Gifts of Birth would make a great gift for a new parent, but also for a teen about to venture out into the world.

Ms. Costanzo’s website is amazing!  I highly recommend a visit.  She has posted inspirational stories, quotes, and ideas.  She has a downloadable poster, which I adore.  There are reading suggestions, coloring pages, activity ideas, and wonderful ideas for nurturing our children.  Free of any ads or links, this is truly just a gift to anyone out there.  Her messages and ideas are pure and inspirational.

Frindle

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Frindle (1996) by Andrew Clements

Nick Allen isn’t a bad kid, but he certainly uses his clever ideas and wit to his advantage.  So, when he asks his 5th grade teacher, Mrs. Granger, about her favorite book, the dictionary, he’s really only trying to stall that day’s lessons.  But what she says in her answer leads to one of his biggest ideas yet.  In an experiment with how words are made, Nick creates his own new word for ‘pen’–‘frindle.’  What starts as a 5th grader testing his teacher, becomes something bigger than any of them could have guessed.

This is a super quick read, and I’ve read it far too many times to count.  It’s fun, sweet, and a great commentary on how change is created in our world.  And, if you’re anything like me, Frindle will leave you with some happy tears at the end.  If you haven’t read this yet, please do yourself a favor and do so.

Princess Academy

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Princess Academy (2005) by Shannon Hale

Fourteen-year-old, Miri, lives in the small village of Mount Eskel where almost everyone works in the quarry mining a special stone called linder.  Miri, who is exceptionally small for her age, has been forbidden by her father to join in quarry work.  Although she has her insecurities about not being able to contribute, Miri covers them with her funny stories, carefree talk, and good-natured personality.  Life is rough on the mountain, but nobody ever leaves.  That is, until, one day, a delegate from the palace arrives to announce that Mount Eskel was prophesied as the location of the prince’s future bride.  Now a princess academy is being set up at the base of Mount Eskel for all girls of eligible age.  Not many are pleased by this news, but they must obey the king.  An unfair tutor presides over the small academy, but despite a rough start, Miri proves her intelligence, determination, and bravery will change the fate of their village forever.

This book is a beautiful story that hits all the marks–friendship, courage, romance, family, learning, suspense, self-worth, community, and, yes, even a ball.  I have read this book too many times to count, but I will say that when I first stumbled across it many years ago, I was hesitant.  I’m wary of the “princess” culture that has bombarded our young girls in recent years and wasn’t so sure how I would feel about a book with the title, “Princess Academy.”  In truth, it was the lovely folk art style of the cover that drew me to the book (which I cannot find a link to now), and I’m so glad I judged this book by its cover, because everything inside is beautiful and perfect.  I’m delighted beyond belief that this is only the first of a trilogy of books, but I’ll always return to this one as my favorite.  This was also the book that brought me to Shannon Hale, and for that, I am forever grateful.

 

You might also enjoy:
Princess Academy: The Palace of Stone
Princess Academy: The Forgotten Sisters

Pollyanna

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Pollyanna (1913) by Eleanor H. Porter

Talk about “Keeping in the sunlight!”  I grew up watching the Haley Mills film version of “Pollyanna,” but it wasn’t until well into adulthood that I actually read the book.  Since then, I’ve been reading it at least once a year; it is a true gem!  This year is the 150th birthday of author, Eleanor H. Porter.

I know the term “Pollyanna” is sometimes used with a pejorative context meaning someone who refuses to see the realities of a situation, but I find Pollyanna’s sunny outlook absolutely endearing and inspiring.  This story reminds me how changing my outlook on a situation can immediately shift my whole world.

During my most recent reread of this, my 5-year old caught sight of it and we ended up reading the whole book together.  This book definitely ranks in my top five.  Not to be missed.

(The only thing that may require some maturity in our current day, is the author’s heavy use of a certain word that means “to blurt out.”)

 

You might also enjoy:
Pollyanna Grows Up

 

Suggestions for Activities/Further Research (SPOILERS included):

–Pollyanna plays the “Glad Game” and teaches it to the people of Beldingsville.  Try making a list of some things that seemed like negative situations at first, and see if you can find a way to be glad about them.

–Pollyanna and Mr. Pendleton experiment with prisms.  Research Isaac Newton’s discovery about colors and prisms.  See if you can find some fun projects that involve prisms.

–There is some talk in the book over the controversy of automobiles.  Research the automobile’s history and the public’s reaction.

–Pollyanna often delivers homemade goods to Mrs. Snow.  Is there anyone in your neighborhood who could benefit from a homemade meal or treat?  Perhaps someone is sick or has recently given birth.  Talk to your parent and see if you can arrange making and delivering a special meal.

–The doctors in this book make house calls.  Although this is rare in the U.S. these days, there are still places where doctors do this.  Why would a house call make sense?  When did these stop becoming a normal practice?

–Pollyanna’s name is made from a combination of her two aunts’ names.  What would your name be if you combined the names of two of your relatives?  (aunts, uncles, grandparents, or parents)

–There used to be a board game called the “Glad Game,” inspired by this book.  Although it is discontinued now, consider creating your own “Glad” board game to play.

–There also used to be “Glad Clubs” based on this book.  What do you think a Glad Club would be like?  Try creating your own, even if it’s only for one meeting.  (There was – or is?-  still one club in existence until recently; research to see if you can find out where it is.)

–Every June, Littleton, New Hampshire celebrates “Glad Day.”  If you’re in the area, go see the Pollyanna statue and celebrate!

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