Exploding glass, the Jesus Story Book Bible, birds, Mondrian windows. We’ve got it all for you guys this week. Including EXPLODING glass, my friends.
Around the Web
How to Lead a Generation that is Really Good at Looking Good
Sharon Hodde Miller challenges us on our desire to be nice.
- In the age of Instagram discipleship, quasi-spiritual self-help, and a culture that values tolerance and positivity as its highest virtues, teachers like myself are confronted with a disconnect between what Scripture says, and what our society seems to want.
Women like myself respond to this tension in different ways, but for years I relied on the power of “niceness.”
I resolved to be unflappably upbeat. Messy but not unhinged. Authentic but cute.
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Super Jake and the King of Chaos by Naomi Milliner
The folks at Redeemed Reader review this book for middle grade readers.
- Ethan Miller, age 11, was inspired to go into magic by Magnus the Magnificent, one of his favorite illusionists. And he’s pretty good at it—good enough to perform at kids’ birthday parties and make a little pocket money. He has a lot going for him otherwise: a close-knit Jewish family, grandparents nearby, a mildly annoying little brother named Freddy, good friends at school—and Jake.
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You Are More Than The Best (and Worst) Thing You’ve Ever Done
Grace Bonney reminds us that our identity is not what we do.
- I’ve been struggling a lot over the past few years to reckon with how big of a role my work life plays in my self confidence and identity. I don’t think I realized until just a year or two ago that I judge and define myself based almost entirely on my professional output. How good I feel about myself and my future seems to be so wrapped up in how much I work and how much I can churn out.
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Author Access with Sally Lloyd-Jones (author of The Jesus Storybook Bible)
Sarah Mackenzie interviews Sally Lloyd-Jones–why wouldn’t I share this with you!
- In this very special episode of the Read-Aloud Revival, we’re sharing an Author Access with the wonderful Sally Lloyd Jones. Sally also shares beautiful tips for young writers, which was the most challenging Bible story for her to write, something that means even more to her as a writer than medals and awards.
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The Faerie Queene: An Invitation to Discover a Forgotten Epic
So sorry! I missed updating the link when I included this last week. In case you didn’t go to find it, here it is again.
Rebecca Reynolds recently announced a new project she’s working on, and this post at the Rabbit Room goes into many of the exciting details. If you’ve got 12-16 year old readers in your house, there might even be a way for them to be involved!
- It’s mid-July and unusually hot for Oxford. Sweat rolls down your spine, and your feet are on fire. Half a block down, you see an indie bookshop. No air conditioning, but they have a basement.
Eighteen slapdash shelves—children’s books and clearance—this is going to be a hunt. Still, there’s that library smell. Oh, glory. It makes your arms tingle. A rattly dehumidifier gurgles in the next room.
You can hear the owner and his son upstairs, arguing about the book of Exodus. Puccini is playing on Radio 4. Time is slow here. It could be 1936, or 1952, or whatever it is now. You’ve forgotten. Doesn’t matter.
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Around the Warren
Time for Timelessness
From the archives, we share this piece from Zach Franzen on the desire for timeless books.
- I recently spoke with a nice woman who works in publishing. I asked her why publishing has abandoned timelessness in favor of timeliness.I will summarize her answer:
Librarians used to drive the market. That explains the success of Robert Lawson, Eleanor Estes, and Richard and Florence Atwater. Librarians measure current works according to the yardstick of the classics. However, librarians are no longer the market driving force they once were. Today the market is driven by moms. Moms overwhelmingly prefer timeliness, which has made celebrity publishing a thing. Moms have single-handedly qualified Madonna, Molly Shannon, Perez Hilton, Katie Couric, Jewel, and Tyra Banks to be children’s authors.
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Books for Your Bird Lover
Anne Marshall has a book list for us.
- We have bird lovers at our house and so I’ve been collecting whole and living bird books for quite some time. There is something fascinating and remarkable about birds that continually captures our imagination. Here are some of our family’s favorite bird themed books.
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Something to Do with Your Kids
These Mondrian windows from Erica at What Do We Do All Day are a fun way to brighten up a room.
Something to Watch
Destin at Smarter Every Day unpacks the mystery of Prince Rupert’s Drop. Or, wacky-crazy exploding glass, you guys.
Thanks for reading. We’re on your side.
- The Warren & The World Vol 13, Issue 5 - February 15, 2025
- The Warren & The World Vol 13, Issue 4 - February 1, 2025
- The Warren & The World Vol 13, Issue 3 - January 25, 2025
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