Renowned author’s autobiography wins Newbery Honor

A beginner chapter book series for fans of Tomie DePaola

Jennifer Minicus | Apr 7 2017 | comment

26 Fairmount Avenue Seriesby Tomie DePaola
written for ages 7-10 | highly recommended
published in 1999 | Puffin Books

Renowned author Tomie DePaola charms fans with this beginner chapter book series recounting his childhood in Connecticut in the late 1930’s and early 1940’s. Readers become intimate friends of the DePaola family as they build a house on Fairmount Avenue and Tomie begins kindergarten. DePaola shares the secret behind the spelling of his name and his dreams of stardom.

It will come as no surprise that Tomie was frustrated at having to wait until first grade to learn to read and that he was always a talented illustrator. DePaola recounts his memories from the perspective of a grade school boy with delightful wit. Visits with Nana Upstairs, a bout with the chickenpox, the death of a cousin in World War II and other challenges and fears of “the duration” are all explained in the voice of a 6-7 year old, but always with delicacy.

A perfect reading level for emerging readers, parents themselves will enjoy this account of strong faith and family life as they guide children through this worthwhile and realistic series.

A former teacher, Jennifer Minicus is currently a full-time wife and mother.

- See more at: https://www.mercatornet.com/bookreviews/view/renowned-authors-autobiography-wins-newbery-honor/19603#sthash.e5a8iPgo.dpuf

April 8, 2017

Shocking headline this week: "Young men want stay-at-home wives". Traditionalism rears its head. Must be something to do with Trump. Is the gender revolution in the home stalled? (Is it perhaps finished altogether, I hear someone hopefully asking?)

I have nothing against men doing more stuff at home, or being househusbands when they need to be. But the idea that that there should be a 50-50 split between mum and dad in household chores and, ideally, that both of them should be out earning full-time in the marketplace, even when they have young children, has always seemed to me lunacy.

Well, it turns out that fewer people who are in a position to choose are actually living like this these days – at least, in America. And that is probably one reason why increasing numbers of millennials don’t think it is freakish for mum to specialise in the home and dad to be the main breadwinner. Details below and here.