I have a new second favorite children’s book. As I’ve shared here at Story Warren, The Napping House by Audrey Wood is my absolute favorite (http://www.storywarren.com/playing-favorites-the-napping-house/). But there’s now another children’s book that is coming in a close second. It’s a book by Mo Willems, an imaginative retelling of a classic tale. His version is…
My older son was born the same week as the Pixar movie Wall-E, and I’ve always felt a bond with the little trash-collecting robot. Like Wall-E, I’m a bit of a pack rat, I have a fondness for old musicals, and I have a tendency to run into things when I’m trying to impress someone….
Brimming with energy, the little girl bounded out of the room. She cartwheeled into the hallway with an unmistakable air of vitality but the flapping of her hospital gown betrayed the scene. Seeing her level of activity, the doctor’s first impulse was to send her home. Not to get too technical, but patients feeling well…
A few weeks ago I had the chance to see a screening of the biographical documentary Many Beautiful Things, about the life of Lilias Trotter. Lilias (from England, 1853-1928) was a talented artist early in her life, showing promise from a young age. She was mentored by John Ruskin, who at the time was one…
But when Jesus saw it, he was indignant and said to them, “Let the children come to me; do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God. Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it. Mark 10: 14-15 …
Think about your favorite movie. Now think about the point in that movie where the main character is at his or her lowest point. Maybe it’s Rocky, bruised and battered, swaying on his feet – staggering but still upright. Maybe it’s Elinor Dashwood, cruelly treated by envious women who only pretend friendship. Now notice something…
I love January. I know it’s cold and dark and most people are miserable, but I’m not. I like the excuse to stay in, huddle under a blanket, and make soup. This is probably the month when I like homeschooling the most, because while the rest of the world is outside waiting for buses and…
I hope you all had a wonderful Advent and Christmas season. It’s a time of year when it’s somehow easiest for me to believe that the stories are true. The Story is true. All true. Mary’s impossible conception. Joseph’s dreams. King David’s descendent, born humbly in Herod the Great’s shadow. The shepherds’ unbelievable tale. Angels….
‘Tis that time of year! Story Warren has, for the last several years, mostly shut down this time of year. I encourage you to read this post about why. We hope you’ll take time this advent season to be close to the people you love, to slow down, and to remember the Savior of the…
Author’s note: I shared these thoughts in part during the closing session of Hutchmoot, which is the weekend conference of the Rabbit Room community. If you don’t know what Hutchmoot is, you can check out the website here. For many of the Story Warren crew, it is a blessed time to be inspired and energized…
This summer, thanks to a timely inquiry with the utility company, we had a large, mostly-dead pine tree in our side yard chopped down. I arrived home from work one afternoon to see the chunks of stumps and logs jumbled in the yard like oversize Jenga pieces. Well, boys being boys, it didn’t take long…
