The Warren & the World is Story Warren’s weekly newsletter, providing a round-up of our favorite things from around the web as well as a review of what was on our site over the past week. We’re glad you’re here!
Ember Falls News!
Our own S. D. Smith’s recent trip to Hollywood has readers excited about a potential movie version of The Green Ember, but that will take time to happen. Meanwhile, The Green Ember’s highly-anticipated sequel, Ember Falls, is available for preorder now.
Around the Web
Mental Illness in Children’s Books
I’m so sorry! Last week I included this recommendation but missed the link. Here it is again: Melissa Taylor of Imagination Soup has a list of children’s books for families dealing with mental illness.
- If you’re facing mental health illness in your family or you know someone who is, you might want to read of these children’s books.
Depression, anxiety, and bipolar disorder are just some of the mental health conditions (illnesses) that face our children and loved ones. Reading books (bibliotherapy) will build both understanding and empathy for yourself and others.
Let’s Teach Our Kids ‘Beautiful’
- On a recent vacation, I sat on the beach enjoying a sliver of one of those exquisitely designed days: clear sunny sky, warm breeze, the Atlantic Ocean that stunning mix of clear and steel blue.
My four kids were content and un-requiring (for once), so I sunk into my chair to take it all in. Almost immediately, a child walked into the expanse of sand between me and the sea. I watched as he aimlessly wandered up and down the beach, cell phone in hand, eyes squinting at his little screen, completely oblivious to everything around him.
6 Surprising Strengths of Introverted Mothers
- Around-the-clock play groups. Innumerable Mommy and Me classes. Happy hours for parents. It can seem like parenthood is built for those who thrive in the company of others. But introverted moms (and dads) have a ton of parental superpowers of their own.
When You’re Still in the (Prayer) Closet
Kris Camealy writes at her blog about living in the middle of the struggle.
- And since then, (before then, really), I’ve been in such a place, a waiting, refining place, and while Ive wanted to process it here, I have held back for the sake of following my own advice and being the person I say that I am. I have some hard junk staring me down these days, and no, in the grand scheme of life, these struggles are not catastrophic by any stretch. But pain is relative, and while my stuff doesn’t compare to world hunger, sex trafficking or any other legit atrocity, in my small world, the wrestlings are still hard, and still painful, in their own right.
Around the Warren
Jumping Back into School (With Alien Kids)
Julie Silander recommends Jen Wilkin’s podcast.
- Several weeks ago, I shared a short list of (non-parenting) books that have impacted my parenting. They’ve shaped the lens through which I view the world and, as a result, the way we parent our kids. What we read, listen to, and think about matters.
A friend recently recommended a podcast she found to be particularly insightful and helpful. When I finally made time to listen to it, I felt the same. As an unexpected bonus, my husband happened to be in the room at the time. As I cleaned out my desk and he sorted through and filed paperwork, the hour spent together was well invested. I took detailed notes. We paused the podcast to re-listen to a few sections. The ideas presented have peppered our subsequent conversations.
An Appetite for Good Reading
Liz Cottrill reminds us of the importance of an appetite for reading.
- I know I joke that if food fails in my house, my kids can just eat the books, but there is a sense in which I am dead serious.
Books are nutrition for the soul. There is a hunger as critical to life as the physical need for food. The Bible says, “As a man thinketh, so is he.” The books we read nourish our mind. Our thoughts are shaped by the thoughts we consume from the authors we read. We hide stories in our heart, and “out of the heart flow the issues of life.”
Something to Do with Your Kids
With the Summer Olympics starting this week, we have been talking about the history of the games. Check out this DIY laurel leaf crown.
And Something to Watch
I love the Olympics. There is something about people competing for their country that brings out all the wonderful moments. This year’s preparations have been full of bad news–Brazil’s not ready, Zika virus fears, etc. But a few months ago I read a piece about Michael Phelps’ return to the Olympics in Rio–and his journey through rehab, restoring relationships with his family, and more to get there. I’m excited to see him compete, probably for the last time. So I thought we’d take a glance back to one of his famous races–one of my favorites, because his gold medal was the result of a teammate’s success.
Thank you for reading. We’re on your side.
You can find her at carolyncgivens.com or on Facebook or Instagram at @carolyncgivens.
- The Warren & The World Vol 12, Issue 43 - December 5, 2024
- The Warren & The World Vol 12, Issue 42 - November 30, 2024
- The Warren & The World Vol 12, Issue 41 - November 23, 2024
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