Oz the Great and Powerful: Discussion Questions
Introduction Last week I had the happy opportunity of watching Disney’s new Oz the Great and Powerful. I had to turn around a review that night for World Magazine–CLICK HERE to read that review. (Or see my radio review at TW&E.) I had expected a mediocre movie based on reviews I read beforehand, but I…
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Classics for Kids: The Greek and Romans
Introduction With the popularity of Rick Riordan’s Heroes of Olympus series , kids’ books containing themes and allusions to Greek and Roman mythology and culture are perhaps more plentiful than ever. It may not seem immediately apparent why Christian families would be pleased about this development. Isn’t it just paganism, repackaged for modern kids? But…
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Three for Black History Month
I know—Black History month just ended. I’m not a fan of segregated “histories”: in case you haven’t noticed, this is the first day of Women’s History Month and we’ll have a chance to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month beginning in mid-September, which overlaps with LGTB History month in October, which is also Filipino American History Month.…
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Home Mission: Letter to the Helpless Mom
Today some of my dear friends in the blogging world stop to honor and encourage a beautiful and brave woman of God. Our sweet sister-in-Christ, store Desiré from the blog When You Rise, will soon give birth to her third son, Caleb. This little boy is a precious gift from our Heavenly Father who has…
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The Real George Washington
When did history get so complicated? Not too long ago, “The father of his country” was a monumental figure deserving nothing but praise. Now, depending on who you talk to or read, he’s either the “Indispensable Man” or a wealthy slave-owner (of the 1%, no less) who used his influence to his own advantage. History…
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Words and Pictures: a Talk with Doug TenNapel
Yesterday we reviewed two graphic novels by a rising star in the world of “comics” who also happens to be a Christian and a homeschooling dad. Doug TenNapel, California-born and bred, began his career as an animator and moved into video game design. In that world he’s probably best known as the creator of Earthworm…
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Metaphysics, Graphics-Style
For some folks, graphic novels are actually a discipline to be learned—their eyes don’t know where to go first and they tend to jump from word to word. It takes a little effort for them (okay–for me) to slow down and glean from the pictures. But we all know people, of the male persuasion particularly,…
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What is Virtuous Romance? A Discussion with Gina Dalfonzo and Rea Berg
What is Virtuous Romance? Tonight at dinner, my husband, two daughters and I had our first conversation about…boys. They had curled up with daddy on the couch Sunday to watch a western with John Wayne, and for the first time, they were smitten with one of the young gunslingers. It didn’t seem to matter when…
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Happy Birthday, Mr. Lincoln
I’ve heard that aside from William Shakespeare, more books have been written about Abraham Lincoln than any other historical figure. That makes it difficult to come up with a fresh angle, but Lane Smith has succeeded, and Russell Freedman has at least written a readable history that opens up a few windows for fresh air.…
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Web Newberys (Feb 11)
Alas, it is Monday and I have a cold (again). On the upside, though, it’s Valentine’s Day week! And that means I get to talk books AND eat lots of chocolate in the next few days. So it’s not all bad! Web Newberys (Recent Book-related Stories of Interest) Book Boys of Mumbai: A heart-breaking but…
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