Lullabies of the World

 Lullabies of the world  by Metronome Films is a collection of animated films based on lullabies of different nations. I'm really not sure if this is even for sale anywhere as I can't seem to find it for sale, but I'm in LOVE with the clips I'm seeing on Youtube.  My children only very, very rarely request lullabies at this point in their lives, but I would love this just for me.  It reminds me of when my daughter was a toddler (she is now 11) and we got the the Baby Bach DVD.  We watched it all the way through and at the end my husband turned to me and said, "that was so relaxing I'd watch it everyday."  Hee...hee!!  I feel the same way about these videos.  Beautiful, intriguing animations and lovely songs combine to create very enjoyable viewing that both children and parents will like.

There are several on Youtube; French, Yiddish, Greek, Indian are a few I saw.  The link I provided above takes you to several more too.  The videos I've embedded here were posted by the creators of the film.  The Turkish Lullaby is my favorite, but I love the portrayal of weary parents in the beginning of the Chukchi Lullaby.

Gerald McBoing-Boing

Dr. Suess' birthday this week is the perfect excuse for me to share one of my favorite animated shorts, Gerald McBoing-Boing.  This story written by Theodore Geisel is one of my favorites because of the animation style.  I love the Mid Century style of the UPA Cartoons from the 50's and 60's.


If you enjoy this too search for "UPA Cartoon" on youtube for more (Jot the Dot was a UPA Cartoon). 

Nancy Drew Revisited

Recently I visited a new blog, Books, Movies and Chinese Food, and while there saw a Nancy Drew Challenge which caught my interest.  The challenge is to read all 56 books that are in the original series by December 31, 2010.  This challenge is to read specifically the yellow spine covers which are versions of the books that were "revised" beginning in 1959.  Personally, I would like to read the original books from the 30's.  The originals are longer and I'd like to read Carolyn Keene's original intent.  But since I have three of the yellow spine covers from my childhood I started there.  My books were purchased in the early 70's and I noticed the tag on one said it was $1.79!!!  And it's a hardback!!  Wow!!!

I read #3, The Bungalow Mystery.  Although I know I have read all three of the books I have, I remembered nothing in the story.  Well, it has been a long time after all.  Another interesting thing is I really enjoyed it!  What really struck me was how Nancy is so “perfect.”  She is pretty, even tempered, smart... you name it! I was laughing as I read aloud a passage to my husband in which she has car trouble.  Nancy jumps out, opens the hood and figures out what’s wrong in about 30 seconds. She thinks to herself, "good thing I took that automotive repair class."  It was very funny, but at the same time I realized that Nancy is a good role model for girls. Nancy's character models for girls that they are capable and they can do a great deal for themselves. But at the same time she is very feminine. She cooks, she dresses appropriately for all occasions (who knew there was appropriate dress for sneaking around someone's house late at night), and she is very kind.  Nancy has compassion for people and her sleuthing is more from her desire to help others than from a thrill seeking nature.  I think she is a great role model. Is she real…no…is there ANYONE out there like Nancy Drew…probably not…but I believe, like Plato, that there is a perfection that exists that we may not be able to obtain, but that we should spend our lives striving towards.  We shouldn't beat ourselves up when we aren't perfect as we know it's impossible to achieve, but the joy is in the journey after all.

So I highly recommend Nancy Drew Mysteries for your readers and maybe even for yourself!  If you want to take part in this challenge check it out for yourself at Books, Movies and Chinese Food.

And if you'd like to take this further watch the old black and white Nancy Drew movies which are a lot of fun.  Start with this one on Youtube.  It's in several parts which you can find on the right side of the screen if you fully open Youtube.

L.M Montgomery Reading Challenge

I've decided to participate in the L.M. Montgomery Reading Challenge offered by Reading To Know.  My goal is to read the very first book in the Anne series, Anne of Green Gables.  Believe it or not I have never read this classic children's story!  I watched the entire series on PBS and loved it and I've always wanted to read these books but never have.  So this seems like a good excuse to do so.

If you'd also like to join this challenge you can do so at Reading to Know.  She is even having a contest to go along with the challenge. If you haven't read any of these books, only a few or want to reread them join me!  I'm hoping to get my daughter interested as well.  Leave me a comment and let me know what you think.

Great Backyard Bird Count

Time again for the Great Backyard Bird Count.  A really great way to contribute to information about bird species and their numbers while learning about the birds in your area.  The time commitment is vey small.  Just 15 minutes a day of looking for birds in your yard and then reporting them online.  All the information you need is at the site including some information for teaching children about birds.

The Handbook of Nature Study - FREE!

I have often blogged about and linked to the Homeschool Freebie of the Day site.  It's one of my favorites for sure.  This week they are featuring two great resources for followers of Charlotte Mason and Amblesideonline.org.  First Comstock's Handbook of Nature Study.  They have divided it into parts and are doing one part a day.  Right now you can start with Monday's download of part one as it is still up.  But who knows how long? 

In addition this week is a free download of a radio program about the poet Eugene Field and a free e-book of his poetry.  Field is near and dear to my heart as he is a fellow Missourian.  This was featured yesterday but is still available!  Check it out quick!

Fun for a Rainy Day

This video even shows how it was done at the end. 

Free Habit Training Download

Habit training is foundational in the Charlotte Mason Educational Philosophy.  But it seems to be one of the hardest things for me to do.  Perhaps that is because of my own habits that need retrained!  If there is one thing I have learned it is that we all have bad habits to remove and good habits we need to replace them with.

Simply Charlotte Mason is providing a free download on habit training called Smooth and Easy Days With Charlotte Mason.  If you aren't familiar with Charlotte Mason SCM is a great resource with lots of articles on this method and how to practice it.  SCM wrote my favorite habit training book Laying Down the Rails.  I urge you to get both!  It's a New Year and a great time to start building good habits.

I'm sure many of you have already experienced the delightful period drama called Cranford based on the novel by Elizabeth Gaskell and produced lavishly for television and shown on PBS. The novel takes place around 1840 and is about life in a small town in England.  You can find out more here.

But what's REALLY exciting is that for a limited time you can view all the episodes online!!!!!  I would definitely not delay in watching these because who knows how long they will be available??  And it's so charming you'll really want to.

Even MORE exciting is that after you watch all three episodes of the first production...you'll be ready to watch Return to Cranford which is starting January 10th!!!  Suddenly all this snow we have seems much cozier.

Gaskell is one of my favorite authors and Masterpiece Theatre also aired a lovely production of her delightful novel, Wives and Daughters. You can see it on YouTube of all places.  Or borrow it from your library...or buy it.  It's really worth it.  Oh and definitely read the books!  They are not only humorous with an excellent story and charming, but also feature spunky young women that your daughters might enjoy.  I certainly did.