Book Report: Father to Nobody's Children

"Father to Nobody's Children" by David E. Fessenden is a short book about the life and work of Thomas J. Barnardo among the homeless boys in London.

With plenty of direct quotes and first-hand accounts, this book pulled together the threads of comments and themes in others I have read.

Readers of "Anne of Green Gables" by Lucy Maud Montgomery may remember how Marilla had declared she would only adopt a Canadian born boy. "At first Matthew suggested getting a Barnado boy. But I said ‘no’ flat to that. ‘They may be all right—I’m not saying they’re not—but no London street Arabs for me."

And "Dusty Diamonds, Cut and Polished" by R. M. Ballantyne highlights a couple of street boys who ended up taking the opportunity to move to Canada, which Barnardo gave to the boys he saw would do well building a new life out of the city.

Overlapping the latter half of the life of the famed father to orphans, George Muller, you can notice some similarities in Barnardo's work, as well as some clear differences. God leads each of His children to do His work in unique ways!

Keep reading...

~ Hannah

"Thunder Cake" Book Review

A little thunder, a little hail...

...and a good dose or two of rain suddenly turned our world green in early May!

• Lily of the Valley moving into the brick path •

• Wild Ginger •

But not everyone enjoys thunder as much as I do. Especially not little ones, which is why books like "Thunder Cake" by Patricia Palacco were written. (And why my sister got it for her kids!)

In a delightful way, the author teaches children that they can choose to do things even when they are scared... and that they don't actually need to be afraid of a sound.

We love this book's vivid artwork highlighting the author/artist's cultural background - especially her Babushka (Grandmother).

And when asked what was her favorite part of the book last week, my 3 year old neice said "the cat." Plus she likes the part where they are gathering the ingredient "milk" for baking a Thunder Cake.

▪︎ My little shadow and her big shadow ▪︎

"The Greatest Thing in the World"

When unpacking boxes and totes of books from our home library which had been stored in the garage for 3 years, I found this little gem. 

There is no publication date on this edition of The Greatest Thing in the World. A search shows it may be from 1970, but the texts I find online date back at least as far as 1891. And the Introduction by D. L. Moody tells how this book came out of an impromptu, fireside chat with friends in England in 1884.

Author Henry Drummond, a Scottish scientist, teacher and church leader, was a classmate of Robert Louis Stevenson. His writings were circulated more widely than the popular novels of his day, and this little book still continues in print.

So, what does the author describe as "the greatest thing in the world?" Or as he puts it: "What is the summum bonum - the supreme good? You have life before you. Once only you can live it. What is the noblest object of desire, the supreme gift to covet?"

The answer: Love! 

But maybe not just in the way you are thinking this Valentine's Day 2025. This book takes us through 1 Corinthians 13 in detail... which of course is all about Love. 

This excerpt in particular sticks out to me:

"Love is not a thing of enthusiastic emotion. It is a rich, strong, manly, vigorous expression of the whole round Christian character - the Christlike nature in its fullest development."

After all... God Is Love! - 1 John 4:9

Drummond continues, "And the constituents of this great character are only to be built up by ceaseless practice. What was Christ doing in the carpenter's shop? Practicing. Though perfect, we read that He learned obedience, and grew in wisdom and in favor with God. Do not quarrel, therefore, with your lot in life. Do not complain of its never-ceasing cares, its petty environment, the vexations you have to stand, the small and sordid souls you have to live and work with. ... That is the practice God appoints you... Do not grudge the hand that is moulding the still too shapeless image within you. It is growing more beautiful, though you see it not. "

Happy Valentine's Day!

~ Hannah

Refilling Our Library

The day after Thanksgiving 2024, I emptied the last box for our main library shelves! There are still plenty of boxes of school books and family history which don't fit in the refinished, rebuilt shelves in our basement. But all the books we were missing during three years of storage due to mold remediation and the long rebuilding process are now accessible once again. 

This sight still makes me smile and thank the Lord for a beautiful, new basement! 

We have a lot of good reading ahead!

~ Hannah

Book Review: Shipwrecked! by Rhoda Blumberg | The True Adventures of a Japanese Boy

Shipwrecked!

Adventure, Drama, History, Culture and more are packed into this easy read by Rhoda Blumberg.

The best part is, this is a true story! Manjiro was the first Japanese boy to live in United States, and the things he faced, learned, and accomplished both before and after that time were remarkable. He even helped open Japan to the rest of the world.

Don't miss this fascinating part of world history! I am glad my relative told us where to find this book in the children's section of our local library.

~ Hannah

Find more book suggestions on

Instagram: @storytime.with.hannahmary

Facebook and YouTube: Storytime with HannahMary

Charlotte Mason Companion: Children are Hungry Creatures

Finished! This book was my companion through many hours of solo noon meals. As you can tell by my page markers, there are several bits I want to go back and review from Karen Andreola's "Charlotte Mason Companion."

Maybe more quotes will find their way into future posts. But for now here is one from Mrs. White living high in the French Alps in the 1950's:

"Charlotte Mason tells us that children are hungry creatures. Not only wholesome food for their bodies is required: their minds demand and digest an incredibly large amount and variety of knowledge. So what happens if good food for the mind is not available? Surely they absorb whatever there is, unwholesome as it may be: wretchedly-written books, comic strips, unsuitable television programmes, newspaper headlines, backdoor gossip, etc. Isn't this an explanation of the aimlessness and the wrongly-directed activities of some of our brave new young?

"How sad it is to find people who cannot read. Not that they are illiterate, but that they are incapable of sustaining interest in any literature above the level of the glossy magazines..."

A Favorite Biography | John Flynn

The last book I finished is one of my favorite biographies to date! If any of the below topics interest you, make sure to read "John Flynn" by Janet & Geoff Benge!

In fact, read it even if you aren't into them... because I loved learning about topics in which I had no particular interest before!

Among other things, John Flynn can be described as:

• Teacher and Mentor

• First Aid Lecturer in the Outback

• Travel Photographer and Presenter

• Struggling Student

• Minister

• Patrol Padre for the Outback 

• Clinic Builder 

• Mission Founder

• Map maker 

• Wireless Radio Visionary 

• Founder of the Royal Flying Doctor Service

• Australian Delegate to the First International 

  Congress on Aerial Medical Services 

• World Traveler

• Fictionalized Hero

• Honorary Doctorate x2

• Lobbyist

• Moderator General

• Awarded the Order of the British Empire

• Tireless Advocate for those cut off in the interior of Australia

Australia's Prime Minister described John this way: "Dr. Flynn possessed two qualities seldom found in one man. He had vision and the executive ability to get things done. He was a modern apostle Paul."

Why You Are Where You Are

Do you ever feel like you were born in the wrong time or place or just wish your circumstances were different?

Why would God have put you here and let you face all this? As Joni Tada says in her new devotional book, "The Practice of the Presence of Jesus":

"The answer is in Acts 17:26-27:

'From one man he made every nation of men... and he determined the times set for them and the exact places where they should live. God did this so that men would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from each one of us.' (NIV84)

"There's no mistaking: God placed you in this century, in this country, in your family, and with your friends for a specific purpose. He arranged the optimal circumstances and put you with the ideal individuals to cause you to seek Jesus, reach out for him, and find him.

"And be encouraged, for Jesus says, 'You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart' (Jeremiah 29:13).

"How do your circumstances and people around you make you reach out to Jesus?"

~ Joni Eareckson Tada

New Year's Thoughts from 1905

I just finished re-reading the 1904-1905 journals of my mother's father's mother's mother which I typed into a digital version years ago. 

Yes, that means these are the words of my great-great-grandmother! And since it was written in Norwegian [albeit while living in rural, midwestern USA], her daughter later translated the writing into English.

What perfect timing to come across the following entries of a New Year's 119 years ago!

Keep in mind that Great-Great-Grandma Johanna was widowed just 2 years prior and had 13 living children, ages 5 through 27. Nine of the youngest were still at home on the farm most of the time, and 1904 was very difficult in many ways. Yet Johanna knew where to find Hope! As she wrote:

"Dec. 31st - Nice and mild weather. All have been busy. [Then follows an explanation of who drove the horses in to meet an older son and wife at the train depot plus others coming for visits... all ending up at the Christmas program with tree and gifts at the Norwegian church.] 

"This is the last day of 1904. God grant grace to leave our old sinful habits. He assured us that our sins are forgiven for Jesus sake, so we may enter the New Year with peace and joy in our hearts.

"1905: Jan. 1 - Sunday. [After description of walking to church and prayer for as good a pastor to replace the beloved one who was resigning...] 

"God grant that the New Year may give:
Less of grief and sorrow.
Less of gnawing loneliness and need.
Less smarting blows and strikes,
Less of roughness and deceit.
Less of anguished sighs and cries.
Less of anger, revenge and hate.
Less of empty cupboards and dishes.
Less of slavery and tyranny than the year that now is past.

"God grant that this new year may give:
More of the spirits of springtime,
More of good fortune for women and men in their homes and huts by mountain or shores,
More of truth and honesty,
More of brotherhood and peace of heart.
More of concern for righteousness.
More powerful forward drive.
More of that which lifts our spirits.
More of that which strengthens our hand.
More of that which makes us free,
than the year that now is past."

• Johanna T.

[Footnote by my great-grandmother: "A very poor translation. It is beautiful in Norwegian."]

What is your prayer for this new year of 2024?

~ Hannah

Thanksgiving Resources

A blessed Thanksgiving, family and friends! 

These two resources have been helpful in reminding our family of the deep meaning and real lives behind the first Thanksgiving. 

As this excellent Focus on the Family Radio Theatre production points out, somewhat like the history of Joseph in the Old Testament, Squanto was stolen into slavery and spent years learning and serving... which then prepared him to return home and be raised to a position of influence at the right time to help save the lives of others.

Those "others" were the Pilgrims, part of whose history is so interestingly recounted in Barbara Rainey's book (with accompanying music CD which we enjoy each year.)

Speaking of the time when the Pilgrims dropped anchor on November 11, 1620 off the shores of what would become New England, one of their young leaders, William Bradford, wrote:

"I cannot but.. stand half amazed at this poor people's present condition;... Being thus past the vast ocean, and a sea of troubles... they had now no friends to welcome them nor inns to entertain or refresh their weather-beaten bodies;... What could now sustain them but the Spirit of God and His grace?"

And the rest of the history shows that sustaining grace through all the hardships. How thankful we can be for such a heritage represented in this celebration! 

Praise God from Whom all blessings flow! 

"Mountain Born" and Raising Men

I think good books are always worth re-reading!

So I borrowed this little one from my nephew for a second time and was not disappointed. Instead I was struck deeper with the straightforward, yet kind way in which the boy, Peter, was being raised to be a man of character, strength, and courage.

Are you raising any boys to be men? Don't miss out of this little gem of a book! (Even girls learning to be women shouldn't miss it.)

 

"Wolves were not heard of again in that countryside. No tracks were seen in the snow during the winter; no hungry howling came on the frosty wind at night; and none of the farms knew loss.

"'There are some things,' Benj commented on it to Peter, 'that can't seem to live right with the rest of the world. They cause trouble to the good things and so they have to leave. I don't like what has to be done at times like that, but--' he sighed heavily, 'a man's got to be able to do it.'

"'David was able, wasn't he, Benj?'

"Benj thought a long time. 'He was so, and he wasn't afraid to stand up to a big one named Goliath who was causing trouble in his countryside. Easygoing is the way we all like best to be, but we can't let easiness take the fight out of us.'

• "Mountain Born" by Elizabeth Yates

Free Audiobook by Alistair Begg

Through the end of August 2023 you can download this FREE audiobook written and read by one of my favorite Bible-teachers! 

Focusing on the life of the captive-turned-prophet Daniel in Babylon is amazingly fitting for this time.

Request your free download here: 

https://info.truthforlife.org/brave

A Lamp to my Feet

To illustrate the Swedish Proverb shared in my previous post, I recently re-read a good book which has been a favorite since I first found it in our home library in my youth. When young I mainly enjoyed the exciting story. But through all the [dozen or more] times of re-reading it since then, The Princess and the Goblin amazes me more each time with the truth which George MacDonald fit "between the lines." For example:

"She jumped up: she had but to keep that light in view, and she must find the house.

"Her heart grew strong. Dark as it was, there was little danger now of choosing the wrong road. And – which was most strange – the light that filled her eyes from the lamp, instead of blinding them for a moment to the object upon which they next fell, enabled her for an instant to see it, despite the darkness. By looking at the lamp and then dropping her eyes, she could see the road for a yard or two in front of her, and this saved her from several falls, for the road was very rough."

Maybe you need to read the story to see the connection clearly, but this little description is to me a beautiful picture of how God's word is our light through all the dark and rough paths of life. If only we will keep looking to it/Him as our guide and focus.

Your word is a lamp to my feet
   and a light to my path. 

• Psalm 119:105

The Princess and the Goblin:
Free audiobook on LibriVox: Listen or Download Here
Free e-book on Gutenberg: Read or Download Here

The Best is Between the Lines

 

In a good book, the best is between the lines.

This Swedish Proverb explains why good stories written for children and youth continue to be some of the most inspiring to me all through the years!

When a deep truth is tucked into an engaging story, stirring adventure, or masterful word-picture, it sticks with us in a way that an essay packed with facts usually cannot.

At least for me. How about you?!

A Note from Amy Carmichael (& picture from home)

I am shut up, and I cannot come forth. (Psalm 88:8)
Rejoice the soul of Thy servant. (Psalm 86:4)

"Very few of you are shut up. For those few who are, these words will be, I think, a great help. The way of joy is the way of release for our spirit, even though the flesh (which is the least part of us) cannot come forth.

"But I write the words for you today because I think perhaps some are shut up in another way: some difficult thing has to be done, and you do not feel you can do it; you are shut up in discouragement, and you think you cannot come forth. Thank God, you can. There is liberty and victory for you. Look up to Him whose joy is your strength. Pray this prayer: 'Rejoice the soul of Thy servant.' For you too the way of joy is the way of release."

~ Amy Carmichael in Edges of His Ways - March 11

The Lamb Shall Overcome

Near the end of December, I came to this entry in the daily devotional "Edges of His Ways" compiled from notes written by Amy Carmichael:

These shall war against the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome them, for He is Lord of lords, and King of kings; and they also shall overcome that are with Him.
(Revelation 17:14, RV)

These last nine words have been truly spirit and life to me. Sometimes it seems as if the war were against us, but it never is. It is against the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome. It is impossible to imagine anything else but victory for "the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world" (13:8). So all that matters is that we should be with Him, "called and chosen and faithful."

O God of peace, strong is the enemy,
     But Thou art nigh;
And he must fall beneath our feet,
     Because of Calvary.

~ Amy Carmichael



For another excerpt from this book and a free book list including several of my family's favorite devotional books, see the caption of this YouTube Short: https://youtu.be/ZTHYmEvwRNY

Reading Log

Do you keep a list of what books you've read? Here are some reasons I do:

- Makes a good list from which to recommend books to others

- A place to rate how good [or bad] books are

- Easy resource for choosing a book to re-read

- Provides an overview to gauge your mental diet and what should be added or cut back

- Brings back memories years later

- The yearly totals are fun to track!

In 2021 I read a total of 99 books, 40 of which were new to me.

In 2022 I read only 82 books, but more than half (48) were first-time reads.

The only way I can read this much in a year is by enjoying audiobooks while knitting 43 pairs of mittens, cleaning, washing dishes, doing laundry, etc.

And if these numbers still look high, realize that several are little books for kids and a bunch more were written for youth - such as the YWAM biographies which are 5-6 hour audiobooks. Besides enjoying literature for the young myself, I am always on the lookout for good books to recommend to families.

No matter how many or few books you read this year, try writing down and rating each one!

Family Read-Alouds: Adventures of an Arctic Missionary

Autumn is a great time to start a new family read-aloud! Evenings are getting longer, and there is nothing quite like the memories made, stories enjoyed, and lessons learned through sharing a good book.

 

Last winter our family read Mik-Shrok aloud together. This month we began the second book in the series. 

No matter the age [from my 2 year old nephew to his 71 year old grandpa], families will find these stories interesting and well-written. 

Set in Alaska before it became a state, the adventures, challenges and joys have a foreign feel. Look for the Adventures of an Arctic Missionary series by Gloria Repp!

A few tips for family read-alouds:

- Pick a book that will last through several days or weeks of reading.

- Make it a screen-free zone.

- Have activities available for busy hands, such as drawing, play-doh, handwork...

- Do not allow the reader to read ahead alone!

- Never feel that you have to be a professional reader or do any special voices or accents unless that is something you do naturally. Your family already loves your voice!

What to Read: Part III, Books for Her

Don't we all wish at times that we could be writing our own life-story to “fix” all the things that seem to have gone wrong?

I love how this cosy book addresses that:

"’Wouldn't you like to be writing that book with us all in it, Mother, and make Daddy come home soon?’

“Peter's Mother put her arm round him suddenly, and hugged him in silence for a minute. Then she said:— ‘Don't you think it's rather nice to think that we're in a book that God's writing? If I were writing the book, I might make mistakes. But God knows how to make the story end just right— in the way that's best for us.’

"’Do you really believe that, Mother?’ Peter asked quietly.

"’Yes,’ she said, ‘I do believe it— almost always— except when I'm so sad that I can't believe anything. But even when I can't believe it, I know it's true— and I try to believe. You don't know how I try, Peter.’”

• The Railway Children by Edith Nesbit 

Hans Christian Andersen put it this way: “Every person’s life is a fairy tale written by God’s fingers.”

Stories have a way of illuminating truths that would just go over our heads in a sermon. That is why I found it such a joy to voice the oldest girl, Roberta, in the LibriVox full-cast recording of The Railway Children.

I mention this to bring up the fact that there are many ways to enjoy books these days. While still a big fan of holding a hard copy in my hands and turning paper pages, I am grateful for all the digital versions currently available for free.

[“Currently” – meaning there has been legislation considered which would threatened free access to public domain audiobooks such as those recorded by volunteers on LibriVox.org. But for now we can still download as many as we choose – as well as a wealth of free e-books from sites such as Gutenberg.org and Archive.org.]

Just as in the Books for Him book list, I hope these Books for Her will provide more than mere entertainment, enjoyment, or even increased knowledge. In addition, you will find beautiful role models, true faith, and sanctified imagination.

Before wrapping up, I want to acknowledge that there is much overlap between my book lists for Him and Her. After all, I have read both lists during my life as a girl and woman! 

Not having grown up with any brothers, I had to prepare the masculine list based off what I have seen my boy-students, cousins, and friends reading, as well as what my sister used with her tutoring students. But I also included books I knew from my own reading to have at least half or more of the focus on boy-characters. Not every guy will be into some of those books, just as not every girl will be into all the books on today’s list. And that’s fine!

But for the readers who just can’t get enough books, I am including a master-list of both book-lists combined, called WHAT TO READ. There are even a few bonuses in this list – including several daily devotionals at the end!

Click below for your free, downloadable book lists. And please share this post with others who may be blessed by it!

Books for Her  PDF link

What to Read  PDF link

Happy reading!

~ Hannah

What to Read: Part II, Books for Him

As stated in the Elizabeth Yates quote I shared in my previous post, “A man must have a care to what he puts in his mind, for when he’s alone on a hillside and draws it out, he’ll want treasures to be his company, not regrets.”

Do you have trouble finding books worth “putting into” your mind or those of your children? I hope today's book-list will help!

When gathering books for boys (and men), I looked for more than just adventure, mystery, or daring deeds. Those are included! But I also wanted to provide good role models, true faith, and sanctified imagination.

For example, Amos Fortune: free man by Elizabeth Yates is one of those books that is meaningful and inspiring no matter what age you read it. I first met Amos Fortune this winter of 2022. Even though he died in 1801, I say "met," because he was a man whom everyone would want for a friend.

Despite all the pain he came through - including being captured by another African tribe and sold into slavery in his teens, spending decades earning money to buy the freedom of more than just himself, losing loved ones, and being mistreated - Amos had a soft and grateful heart. It wasn't easy, but he lived out his faith in a very practical way and learned the value of following Jesus' direction to “turn the other cheek.”

"Amos watched the fire climb slowly at first, starting from a dozen different places; then like a wall of destruction it moved up the steep sides until the flames met and linked in a vast pyramid of fire at the summit, consuming everything that could be consumed and leaving the mountain bare and smoldering.

"Hate could do that to a man, Amos thought, consume him and leave him smoldering. But he was a free man, and free at a great cost, and he would not put himself in bondage again."

On my Books for Him list, you will also find older titles you most likely have not heard of, including several featuring boys by Johanna Spyri – Swiss author of the famous Heidi.

As C.W. Stork wrote in the forward to Vinzi, "Madame Spyri's panacea for the ills of life is an old one, but it is doubtful whether anything better can be found than her combination, which is: Faith in God, active helpfulness toward all around, love of beauty, fresh mountain air, and good food."

From the lively animal-characters of Beatrix Potter or Thornton Burgess, to the riveting lives of Brother Andrew and George Muller, readers of any age should find some “treasures” to store away and pull out in the years to come.

Click below for your free, downloadable book list. And please share this post with others who may be blessed by it!

Books for Him  PDF link

~ Hannah