A memory jar is a bit like a journal except that, instead of words, it houses tiny treasures that will bring back your favorite memories. Reading Tricia Goyer's new book The Memory Jar inspired me to start my first one. I've always written a journal to keep my memories fresh and remind me of where God has brought me from and through, but I'd never heard of a memory jar before. Like Sarah from between the pages of the book, I plan to start a new memory jar each year. Like the memories she carries in a jar along with the small items connected to them, Sarah carries around her emotions instead of allowing them to penetrate deep into her heart. One of the most touching stories I've read in a very long time, I often cried both tears of joy and tears of sadness for Sarah. The Memory Jar was such a powerful and touching read! Heartwarming, inspiring, romantic, sweet, and unpredictable, it had pretty much everything a good book should have. I've just discovered Tricia Goyer this year but each of her books has touched my heart. Unlike many authors, her stories seem to always be something fresh and new. Her books move at the perfect pace--never boring, captivating my interest, and not tempting me to read the last page. If you like Amish fiction you'll love this or, gosh, if you've never tried it, let this be your first!
Special thanks to the wonderful people at Litfuse for providing me with this book to review.
I was so excited to see that there's now Amish fiction for children! I had the opportunity to review Life With Lily, the first book in a new series. The author, Suzanne Woods Fisher, grew up Amish and based the books off of her own childhood. I thought this would be the perfect way to help my children to understand the Amish. I've been reading it to my children at bedtime. Since it say for ages 8 and up and Lily is only 6 years old, I was a bit surprised that the book is so long (almost 300 pages) and it's not really something most early elementary children would read. Since Lily is in first grade, I expected these books to be more like the shorter Imagination Stations series we've been reading and perhaps with more and larger pictures inside (there a few small illustrations).
Perhaps in the future, Miss Fisher will write something that a younger audience can read themselves. We are enjoying it, though, in our own way. :) Lily
is six in this story, just starting first grade in a one-room
schoolhouse in upstate New York. Her parents are busy building a farm,
and soon animals join the family—Jenny the cow and Chubby the miniature
horse. A baby brother arrives, too, which Lily has mixed feelings about. (She wanted a sister!) Aside from a mischievous friend like Mandy Mast, Lily is happy at school and even happier at home.
Trouble is brewing at the schoolhouse and change is on the horizon for Lily and her family.
Special thanks to the wonderful people at Litfuse for providing me with this book for review!
