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!
Tumbleweed Thompson Kickstarter
Our own Glenn McCarty has launched a Kickstarter campaign to push this book across the finish line. If you’re not familiar, Kickstarter is a platform that allows you to pre-order the project in order to provide the funding that makes it possible. When you pre-order, you’ll also have a chance to order exclusive rewards available only to people who buy through Kickstarter. Do it!
Around the Web
In Which We are Beginning to Find Our Way
In this essay, writer Shawn Smucker shares the new normal their family has decided on: giving Mom a chance to find her creative self again. It’s a beautiful picture of a family seeking to serve each other so that everyone can thrive.
- “I thought Mom went to college to be a Mom,” Sammy said, and he was completely serious, and we all paused for a moment before laughing hysterically, and therein surfaced one of this family’s major problems, from beginning to end, stated in ten simple words.
* * * * *
Once upon a time two English majors, both writers, fell in love and got married and lived a quiet life in Florida where they spent entire Saturdays reading on the couch and finding their way as a newly-married couple and traveling up and down the East Coast. These were simple times, though they did not realize it.
Do Not Read That Now, You Will Read It In 5th Grade
Joshua Gibbs writes at the Circe Institute, exploring the benefits of reading a book before you’re “supposed to.”
- If an elementary school student is a voracious reader, he will often set his eyes on books which are part of school curriculum from forthcoming years. His teachers or parents will say to a 3rd or 4th grader, “Oh, don’t read that book yet. You’ll read it in 5th grade.” But often enough, this is unfortunate advice.
I will grant that some books are thrill rides and mysteries best experienced for the first time in community.
Children’s Books About Aging, Memory Loss, and Alzheimer’s
Melissa Taylor has a book list at Imagination Soup for kids who know someone who is aging or dealing with memory loss.
- As grandparents grow older, we must often help our children understand about aging, memory loss, and even, Alzheimer’s. These picture books and chapter books tell stories that will help you learn more about and discuss old age and the changes that may go with it.
It can be a confusing time for children. (And us!) I hope these books help.
What Does It Mean to Find My Hope in Christ?
Autumn writes at Risen Motherhood on centering your hope in Christ.
- One of the first lessons a pilot learns is to trust his instruments over his feelings. There will be times when he loses his sight as he flies through storms or heavy cloud coverage, and in situations with limited visibility, a pilot easily becomes confused about his flight position—is he flying right-side up, upside down, straight, or zigzagged through the sky? The gauges, meters, and compasses are the only trustworthy sources of information as he navigates difficult situations. A pilot’s feelings may mislead, but his plane’s instruments provide him the true information to keep him safe and focused.
Around the Warren
Discernment Muscles
Helena Sorensen writes of teaching her son to use his own discernment muscles.
- My son has been reading voraciously for the past couple of years. Somewhere between seven and eight, when we moved into a house where he had his own room, his own nightstand, and his own reading lamp, everything clicked. He went from reading Bob books under duress to devouring Mr. Popper’s Penguins, the whole Narnia series, The Boxcar Children, Beverly Cleary, Jennifer Trafton, and on and on. His excitement has brought me so much pleasure, and most mornings we spend a few minutes talking about what he read the night before.
One morning over oatmeal, our conversation took on a different tenor. Silas was troubled by what he’d read before bed.
Pre-Order The Misadventured Summer of Tumbleweed Thompson Today
Our very own Glenn McCarty has a new book coming out and S.D. Smith is here to introduce us to it–and Glenn–and how we can help make it happen.
- May I reintroduce you to my friend, Glenn McCarty? He has been writing excellently for Story Warren for many years. But now, he is on the edge of sharing something truly special. It is a book. A book for middle-grade human children. And it is wonderful. Let me count the ways. Wait! There is too much, I will sum up. Let me count…three ways.
The Misadventured Summer of Tumbleweed Thompson is funny. In an informal poll of my kids, I was voted best judge of funniness (like, ever) and I assure you it will have you and your kids laughing.
Something to Do with Your Kids
Over at The Spruce they’ve got a whole list of fun things to do with your family during the month of April. Best hurry up and start–we’re more than half way through the month!
And Something to Watch
Ever heard of walking water? If you’ve got a couple of hours at home, check out this cool science & color exploration.
Thank you for reading. We’re on your side.
Carolyn Clare Givens is a displaced Northerner exploring the foreign ways of the South. She lives in Charlotte, North Carolina with her literary cat, Lord Peter Wimsey. She's the author of The King's Messenger and Rosefire and in her free time helps run Bandersnatch Books.
You can find her at carolyncgivens.com or on Facebook or Instagram at @carolyncgivens.
You can find her at carolyncgivens.com or on Facebook or Instagram at @carolyncgivens.
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