Tag: Writing

Eight Exciting Picture Books

Published on by Abigail Rehmert2 Comments

Head’s up: this blog post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

Grizzlies, skyscraper rooftops, night escape, mystery!

Maybe your children are a little older but you still want to bond and engage with picture books. Here are a few exciting (sometimes deliciously scary) children’s books, and some of them are even true stories. Reading aloud is such a gift we can together and enjoy art, history, thrill, beauty, drama and truth. Here are eight exciting adventure picture books your family will enjoy.

THE BIGGEST BEAR by Lynd Ward

This is an award-winning, personally special story in our family growing up (we have a thing about bears). The Biggest Bear is not for the faint of heart — young Johnny Orchard wants to keep a bear for a pet and then must deal with the serious, dangerous consequences. It’s heartwarming and witty with a happy ending, thankfully.

Side note: if you ever drive through the midwest and want to see a National Treasure, there’s a small-town library, home of a large chainsaw-carved bear reading this very book and grinning (carved by my dad). “Better a bear in the orchard, than an Orchard in a bear.” –Johnny’s grandpa

The Man Who Walked Between the Towers

This picture book conveys a true story of a French tightrope walker who set his heart on walking between the twin towers. I will not spoil it. But it’s a fascinating nod to the twin towers and an excellent way to visit (and let’s hope learn from) the past. It’s very cool, and the artist really captures the breathtaking height, but I have to agree with one reviewer who kept thinking, “GET DOWN FROM THERE! YOU COULD FALL ON SOMEONE’S SWEETIE!”

Flight for Freedom: The Wetzel Family’s Daring Escape from East Germany 

Flight for Freedom (Kristen Fulton) makes my heart beat faster. The intrigue, the suspense, the escape in the darkness! From its Amazon summary: “Peter was born on the east side of Germany, the side that wasn’t free. He watches news programs rather than cartoons and wears scratchy uniforms instead of blue jeans.” This is a true historical account about a family who developed a unique plan to escape to West Germany via a homemade hot air balloon. Excellent, nail-biter history to help kids understand the Berlin Wall. There is some bonus behind-the-scenes pages in the back.

Mirette on the High Wire by Emily Arnold McCully 

Don’t worry, I’m not trying to entice my children to become high wire walkers. Thankfully, our experiences through fiction give us a chance to vicariously experience the lifestyle! Mirette is a charming French girl who lives at a boarding house in Paris and becomes acquainted with the retired Great Bellini. Mirette decides she too wants to take to the rooftops. Lovely watercolors with a lesson in courage and perseverance.

The Night Gardner by Terry Fan and Eric Fan

The Night Gardener depicts a mysterious transformation that happens in a drab little town. Whimsical magic blossoms through the streets when a night gardener takes his talent to the trees one by one, much to the delight of the children. Creative, stunning art. The book gets more colorful as the beauty spreads and the seasons change.

Owl Moon by Jane Yolen

A cozy read-aloud of Owl Moon will bring a frosty shiver up your back and refresh you with eerie moonlight. Vivid language and sound effects (yes) may have contributed to my son’s hesitancy toward owls. We haven’t encountered an owl face-to-face yet, but this fictional owling through the woods will make you feel like you have. “When you go owling you have to be brave.” –Owl Moon

The True Story of Noah’s Ark by Tom Dooley

The True Story of Noah’s Ark is a must for every home library! We have worn ours out already. The artist’s imagination surrounding Noah’s ark helps build faith and spur worship. It’s just an experience to study each page as it moves through God’s mercy and power at bringing a family safe through a worldwide catastrophe. The author does an exquisite job of setting the stage, and posing potential ways these biblical characters may have dealt with some of the logistics of building the ark and taking care of the animals.

Dinosaurs Unleashed

Dinosaurs are cool, but even more so when you imagine what must have been their relationship with humans. Both the creation science and imagination-full art within this book will fascinate the whole family.

HAPPY PAGE-TURNER READING! I would love to hear if you have enjoyed any of these or perhaps about another exciting picture book from your childhood.

From Dinosaurs Unleashed
From the Man Who Walked Between the Twin Towers
From Owl Moon
From The True Story of Noah’s Ark
From The Biggest Bear
From Mirette On the High Wire
From The Flight to Freedom
From The Flight to Freedom
From The Night Gardener

The Company You Keep

Published on by Abigail Rehmert2 Comments

I met her many years ago, when I was 13.

Her name is Millie Keith, and she remained a great friend to me through all my life’s seasons. She also was 13, the oldest of eight children, and a fairly new Christian, desiring to follow Jesus’s footsteps. The biggest difference between us is that she lived in the early 1800s. She wasn’t even real at all.

The Millie Keith series captured me with humor and dynamic characters and plot, and showed me how wrestling with doubts as you learn to trust God is normal. Millie moved to the frontier from Ohio, leaving everything familiar. The Keith family shares the gospel with whoever they can, on steamboat or stagecoach. Later, due to a chronic sickness, Millie would visit the deep South to try to heal her lungs. While there, she stood up against slavery and . . . lost her heart. Finally, in her 20s, she would answer the call to a foreign nation to share Christ with a place far different than anything in America.

Many Christian fiction books mention “God,” “faith,” and “prayer” a few times and that’s it. That’s fine. Not all art must spell out truth, some just reflects it. Christians have also written stunning analogies (like Pilgrim’s Progress and the Narnia books). They’re desperately needed. But as a young person, I was most encouraged when reading about believers who apply God’s Word to their every day scenarios, like loving a little brother when he is annoying or giving grace for a legalistic religious friend. Millie prays in an ongoing conversation to God throughout her day, lifting up her worries and praise at His goodness. While the Keith family’s lives are bright, humorous, and full of good things — they also encounter difficult questions, suffering, and the hardships of the frontier. Fiction is good, because it reminds us “both what the world is, and what it should be” (said by a fellow writer friend).

Millie’s Aunt Wealthy, an eccentric mentor character, says, “Life is not a tea-party my dear, but a wild adventure.” She inspires us to search for “divine appointments,” opportunities God brings to minister to a variety of different people who cross our paths.

I wanted to be like Millie. I wanted a Bible with hot chocolate stains on it.

“(Millie) had been in the habit of reading her Bible at least once a day since she had become a Christian two years before. Papa had knelt with her when she prayed to accept Jesus as her Lord, and then he had given her his own Bible… Millie had carried the book with her not only to church and to school but up trees and under hedges — all of her favorite reading places.”

Millie’s Unsettled Season

“The pages had been stained with tears, shaken with laughter, and endured at least one cup of hot chocolate spilt in the book of Lamentations, but Millie’s fingers knew each and every book, and many verses, by feel.”

Millie’s Remarkable Journey

Keep Good Company

Have you been influenced by fictional people? Paxton Hood said, “Be as careful of the books you read, as of the company you keep; for your habits and character will be as much influenced by the former as the latter.”

In my experience, not all “Christian” fiction is wholesome. And not all wholesome fiction is “Christian.” So be watchful in your reading, and consume only the best. “Be wise to what is good, and innocent as to what is evil” (Romans 16:19).

I love to spur others to read all things excellent and pure! “One must always be careful of books and what is inside them, for words have the power to change us.” –Cassandra Clare

Christians certainly could only read the Bible, biographies and commentaries . . . but oh what they would miss in the world of fiction.

There are dozens of reasons to read quality fiction, and many have said it better than I can. I believe it gives us a beautiful gift of common grace — creativity and imagination realized. It teaches us to think outside ourselves. Ann Voskamp wrote in an article about audiobooks, “When reading is  your favorite pastime – you enter into other lives and gain more time.”

Fiction helps shape us to see who we want to be and understand who we shouldn’t be. It provides a healthy way to pick apart a character (without the sin of gossip and unkind criticism).

Stories can give us aspects of the gospel in new lights and personify truth. The very elements of a story — plot twists, beginnings, happy endings, — mirror our Maker’s great redemption story for us. And the ending will be oh so good and happy.

Create the Company

Not only consume good fiction, but please create it! If you are nurturing the draft of story, don’t give up on it. Etch all the excellence you can muster into the paragraphs. We need more God-honoring word-art in our world.

“Stories are verbal acts of hospitality.”

Eugene H. Peterson

Be like Kersten Hamilton, and pour your soul into your craft. She was tasked with adapting Martha Finely’s work into the Millie Keith series I talk about so much. She bravely enhanced the plot and characters, added much biblical truth, and brought history to life. These books are out of print unfortunately, so they may cost a bit more (they’re worth it, though). You can read my interview with Kersten here where she shares about the fascinating process of adapting this series. Her word arrangements sing, so I value her advice to young writers.

C.S. Lewis said, “Since it is so likely that (children) will meet cruel enemies, let them at least have heard of brave knights and heroic courage. Otherwise you are making their destiny not brighter but darker.”

Let’s aim to keep (and create) fictional company that will inspire brighter destinies and wild adventures — all for Christ’s glory.

Either Way, We’ll Be All Right

Published on by Abigail Rehmert1 Comment

I went back to some timeless favorites of mine! Life’s too short not to read the best.

To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee

Every time this story just grips me, and I can’t put it down. It’s just a profoundly layered and thought-proving story. The intrigue mixed with the heavy topics are lensed with the wit and bluntness of a child… an excellent novel.

For The Children’s Sake by Susan Schaeffer Macaulay

This book (written by Frances and Edith Schaeffer’s daughter) was my first exposure to Charlotte Mason. I certainly agree with the author in that we should cherish, nurture, and enrich children in their education. Our culture will press anything the opposite of good, and we must be intentional to feed children’s minds and souls with goodness and truth. It’s nothing short of a war to do so.

The Blue Castle by L. M. Montgomery

I’ve reviewed this book on the blog before, so I’ll just say, this is an easy read with mystery and beautiful writing.

Snow Treasure by Marie McSwigan

This based-on-a-true-story takes place in a little Norwegian town during the winter of 1940. Nazi troops captivated Peter’s village. No one wanted the Nazis to get ahold of the country’s hidden nine million dollars in gold, knowing they would only use it to progress the killing of innocent lives. The Norwegian children would play a part in smuggling it to safety one sled-load at a time…before the spring would melt the snow.

Becoming Free Indeed by Jinger Duggar Vuolo

I’m grateful Jinger told her story. She is one of the Duggar kids closest to my age, and I used to wish I could know her better. Her testimony magnifies the importance of Scripture and the understanding of its context, application, and study. Jinger articulates (with grace) the difference between fear and true faith in the gospel of Christ. Disentangling the truth from the lies rather than “deconstructing.” I would recommend this book to anyone, even if you have no idea who Bill Gothard is. More Bill Gothards will come — they always do. “Be wise as a serpent and as innocent as a dove.” May this book help point people to Christ and His Word!

Either Way, We’ll Be All Right by Eric Tonjes

Eric Tonjes writes “an honest exploration of grief” and eternity in the midst of his wife’s terminal cancer. It’s a serious, thought-provoking read, one that made me grateful for the joys to come. I had the privilege of meeting his wife at a family wedding, and she was resigned that she was dying but wanted to “steward the cancer well.” I think she and her husband both used it to bring glory to God. I love the phrase of strength “either way, we’ll be all right” and want to make it part of my thinking.

Cheaper By the Dozen by Frank B. Gilbreth Jr., Ernestine Gilbreth Carey

This books is rich with vintage humor, fascinating history, and the detailed inner lives of a family with an eccentric Motion Study Expert for a father, and a calm, capable, intelligent mother. (YES, it’s a true story, told by two of the children themselves). Every chapter is a masterpiece. If you’re planning to read out loud to little ears, you’ll want to edit out the language and some subtle references. PS. The movie is not the same thing as the book.

Belles on Their Toes by Frank B. Gilbreth Jr., Ernestine Gilbreth Carey

The sequel to Cheaper by the Dozen, it holds an equal wit and charm. This book features the mother after her husband passes away. She was a remarkable woman.

Teaching to Change Lives by Dr. Howard Hendricks

Some friends and I went through this book chapter by chapter, discussing its principles or “laws of teaching.” It’s a memorable, practical book on impacting others on a heart level. A great read!

Little Women by Louisa May Alcott

If you follow me on Instagram, you might have noticed I’ve been camping out on this subject! Some friends and I just held a delightful discussion on the layers of this story. HOW FUN. I’ve also been reading a biography on Louisa May Alcott which brings out a whole different dynamic to the author’s behind the scenes (I know more than I ever wanted to know about the Alcotts now). The characters in Little Women are so likable and so appropriately flawed. FIVE STARS times a hundred. I’ll post the character quote quiz I made for the discussion here on the blog — one of my favorite parts of the book is the witty, realistic dialogue.

Time Saving Mom by Crystal Paine

This book is simple and plain, but Crystal claims the principles work, and she would know! I especially liked her reminder to write things down and “habit stack.” She has a great way of organizing her priorities, too.

This Momentary Marriage: A Parable of Permanence by John Piper

John Piper has some great thoughts in his book, not just about marriage but — about hospitality, about roles, about singleness, about children and about the church. I appreciated Piper’s words on this aspect of purpose in marriage: “The meaning of marriage in relation to children is not mainly ‘Make them,’ but ‘Make them disciples.‘ … Marriage is not absolutely for making children. But it is absolutely for making children followers of Jesus.”

The Diary of Anne Frank by Anne Frank

I’ll never forget the first time I read this when I was about Anne’s age . . . the diary just stops. I didn’t know what happened to her until that point. This account is harrowing, but her writing is beautiful. This diary makes me all the more grateful for God’s grace, and that I’ll never have to go through anything like WWII without His presence. It also reminds me of the hopelessness of striving to be good without Christ. A heavy and fascinating read.

And now I’m ready for something light and humurous again. Ideas?

Young America, a wooden doll, and The Loveliest Place

Published on by Abigail Rehmert1 Comment

Book review time!

I read only one of these following books (my thrifted copy of Hitty) in tangible form. Because I sure love my audiobooks. Since I can’t be Belle — in a castle with a giant library and dishes that wash themselves — at least I can wash the dishes while someone reads aloud to me. Still a princess-like luxury, if you think about it.

Here are some brief notes on each of these books. I’d love to know your thoughts if you’ve read any of them, or if you plan to give them a try.

Addy: An American Girl by Connie Porter
I just listened to all 5 of the books in the Addy series (takes about 5 hours). I remember loving them as a young teen, and I still think they are a treasure. I appreciate the glimpse into Civil War era history, the exciting plot and characters, and the emphasis on kindness and forgiveness.
She was always my favorite American girl (but sadly, I never had the Addy doll).

Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte
The first time I read Jane Eyre I didn’t really care for it, and I didn’t like Mr. Rochester even to the end. I still don’t. But this time through, I better understood the thread of redemption and enjoyed the deep emotion and drama of the storyline. Still not my favorite, but I have a feeling I’ll like it even a little bit better next time I read it.

These Happy Golden Years by Laura Ingalls Wilder
I enjoyed the relaxing listen to this book, and it was fun seeing Laura as a young woman. It makes sense — her independence streak! It’s also interesting to see Pa and Ma parent a grown-up daughter. This book renewed my interest in the Ingalls family and inspired me to research their journeys. I used to live on that same prairie, after all!

Persuasion by Jane Austen
I had forgotten about the plot twists in this story and also enjoyed watching the movie after. The ending is just so satisfying! Gotta love Captain Wentworth.

Laddie: A True Blue Story by Gene Stratton-Porter
I reaffirmed Laddie as one of my top favorite books (find the one narrated by Laurie Klein). In this book, “Little Sister” commentates all of her large family’s affairs, through her shrewd and wholesome lens of childhood. She sweetly carries her older siblings’ burdens personally, but gets into plenty of mischief of her own. She is a little problem solver and isn’t afraid to tell the truth, even though she hasn’t learned when it’s best to keep quiet and when it’s helpful to speak up. This book is sweet, humorous, romantic, with very lovable characters. I always loved stories about the dynamics of big families and even wished for more details about more of the siblings. But Laddie truly does deserve the center stage and the title, as he’s the best older brother “Little Sister” could ask for.
Bonus observation of the family’s worldview: They are pious and moral people, who work hard, and put a huge emphasis on physical appearance. Both in their affirmation of good looks, and how circumstances will appear to their neighbors. I love the parents’ heart for the least and the lowly; their generosity and care for the outcast is indeed admirable. However, their motivation seems to be a “good work mentality,” trying to earn their salvation.
One of the children, referring to their mother’s constant hospitality, asks:
“‘Mother, have you ever figured out how many hundred sheets you’ve washed?”
Mother said: ‘No, but I just hope it will make a stack high enough for me to climb from into Heaven.” Laddie, Gene Stratton-Porter
This quote illustrates that the outward show of good deeds that Laddie’s family tries to achieve, misses the true heart of God’s grace and gospel. We’re saved for good works, not by them (Titus 3:5).
That being said, I do highly recommend this true, blue early American story as a great family read aloud.

Betsy-Tacy by Maud Hart Lovelace
Sometimes children’s books are too simple, no matter their nostalgia, to hold my interest. I often shelf them for later, to read aloud to my future kids someday.
But this one — is truly a timeless delight. Betsy and Tacy, friends from age five, have endearing imaginations, reminiscent of me and my sisters.
Lovelace wrote off her own early 1900s childhood, weaving history and beauty and humor with each chapter.
In fact, I’m savoring my way through the entire series, and I’ll likely write more on these soon. In the meantime, find a copy of Betsy-Tacy to read to your little girl! Or for your own delightful amusement (if you love beautiful, true-to-life, historical, darling fictional adventures!)

Hitty: Her First Hundred Years by Rachel Field
Hitty is a doll fashioned from mountain-ash wood for a little girl in early America, the state of Maine. Through many daring adventures, Hitty maintains her dignity and charm as she is passed frown owner to owner through uncanny events, seeing the country and century pass by. It’s such a charming and witty story, with a rich vocabulary. I think children and adults alike can enjoy the world travels of a doll who becomes an antique, with a memoir of gold to prove it.

The Loveliest Place by Dustin Benge
We all need a refresher on who the church is and why she exists.
We often forget that the church is the Bride of Christ, and she is beautiful and precious. I love how this author dives to the heart of Scripture to draw out the aspects of the Body of Christ. This book helped renew my appreciation for the church and look forward to the day when we’ll forever be with the King. He always keeps His promises to us, and every word He uses to describe His bride will reign true.


In Need of Practice and Grace

Published on by Abigail Rehmert3 Comments

“Discipline, Winifred, Discipline!”

This line from one of my favorite Disney movies reminds me why I write tonight. Not because a torch of inspiration guides me or a clear way to say something old in a new way strikes me. At least, nothing I can pull together before my laptop battery dies!

But I need to write to practice, to stretch, to explore, and I may end up deleting all of it. But just how one workout is better than none, I’m here for the out-of-breath-ness of arranging words.

I’ve savored some beautiful writings recently, and they tasted good. They intrigued me, caused me to ponder, and stirred the familiar ache to create my own. If you are a writer, keep up the good work. We’re enjoying the sweet, salty, hot, cold, gritty, fresh, spiced or sizzling nature of your work of words. Keep delivering truth with the sweet aroma of Christ.

I must take my own advice and pick up the pen, with priority and purpose.

Discipline, Winifred.

But also grace.

If you could bundle the enchantment of Christmas, the scent of an oven warming Thanksgiving rolls, the adrenaline of a mountaintop view of jeweled lakes, the gift of a gold-pink massive sunset, a baby’s grin when he tastes carrots for his first food ever — we’d only glimpse the chasm of joy available when we begin to grasp the deepness of God’s grace.

“For all things are for your sakes, so that the grace which is spreading to more and more people may cause the giving of thanks to abound to the glory of God.” 2 Corinthians 4:15

No longer slaves to sin, no longer attempting performance, but as adopted heirs in God’s family, we know mercies galore. Answered prayers, endless love, light piercing darkness, eternal life.

I hope our Father receives an abound-ment of thanks in this season we’re entering. He deserves it all. My weak thanks will join a chorus of the many people who have received grace upon grace. All for His glory!

Thank YOU for following my blog as I practice, moving forward in the discipline of writing, but also in the resting enjoyment of grace.

I’d love to know — what are you thanking God for right now?