Daily Archives: February 18, 2010

Alyce at At Home with Books hosts this meme – and it’s one of my favorites.  This week I’ve decided to talk a little bit about a book that I remember my mother reading to me as a child – and a book that she continues to read to children today.. guest reading in her grandchildren’s school classes or wherever she’s given an opportunity to read.

Tales of the Kingdom by David R. Mains

Summary from Amazon:

Once upon a time, not long ago and not far away, there was a boy, no longer a child and not yet a man, who lived in the Enchanted City. . . .

Before she died, Scarboy’s mother told him the ancient tales from her childhood. She insisted that a King once ruled over their city. But the evil Enchanter came and deceived the people, put a spell on the city, and exiled the King. Now the people of Enchanted City live in the darkness and sleep in the day. People with disabilities or imperfections are cast out of the city, and orphans are forced to be slaves of the evil Enchanter.

Scarboy and his brother, Little Child, escape from Enchanted City and find Great Park. Here, people live in the day and sleep in the night. Here there is safety. Come with Scarboy as he faces his greatest fear and becomes Hero.

——————————————

This book is hard to describe. I’ve heard it read out loud so many times I almost know the story by heart, and it never fails to fascinate me.

I read a lot of young adult and cihldren’s novels. I read quite a bit by myself, and even more out loud to my niece and nephew. I cannot wait to read this book to them.

The message is so beautiful it touched me as a child (I can even remember crying I was so overcome), and to this day it continues to speak to me. If your children enjoy the Chronicles of Narnia, do them a favor and introduce them to this book as well.

View all my reviews >>

Five years ago I was living in Illinois, working at a great job and learning what it was like to really be single, live on my own and find myself as a person.  Then, I got a call and I dashed out from work and went to the airport.  My sister and brother-in-law were flying me down to Georgia and I was going to help with my nephew, Cole (who was almost 2 at the time) while they were in the hospital.

I got here in time.  And I remember holding this precious, precious little girl.  Little did I know at five years old I’d be privileged enough to be a part of her daily life, to be able to hug her so many times I lose count during the day.  To see her laugh and throw her diva fits, to watch her loving princesses and singing along to Queen songs.  I love her so much it feels like my heart can’t hold it all in.

Happy Birthday, Gracie dear.