Grace's Bookshelf for Age 6

In honor of Grace's sixth birthday today, I want to share with you some of her favorite books.

1. Lillie-fry by Michelle Boyte.
This book was written by our cousin, in memory of her little girl Lillie, who died of Neuroblastoma (a rare form of childhood cancer that is particularly aggressive). Proceeds of the book go to help children with cancer.

2. Charlotte's Web by E.B. White.
This year we began reading chapter books. Charlotte's Web was the first.

3. Beezus & Ramona by Beverly Cleary.
We've enjoyed the whole Ramona series.

4. A Bad Case of Stripes by David Shannon

5. Veggie Tales' God Loves Me!

6. The Three Little Pigs and the Big Bad Wolf by Eugene Trivizas & Helen Oxenbury

7. Tikki Tikki Tembo retold by Arlene Mosel

8. National Geographic's Little Kids First Big Book of Animals

9. Uni the Unicorn by Amy Rosenthal

10. There is a Bird on Your Head! (An Elephant & Piggie Book) by Mo Willems

Looking for more? 

• The Book with No Pictures
• Grace's Bookshelf for 4-5 Year Olds
• Grace's Bookshelf for 3-4 Year Olds
• Iggy Peck
• Grace's Bookshelf for 2-3 Year Olds 
• Grace's Bookshelf for 1-2 Year Olds

Amazing Grace (My Chains Are Gone)

Chris Tomlin performing Amazing Grace (My Chains Are Gone):

Encourage

My word for the new year is Encourage. Encourage defined is to inspire with courage, spirit or confidence; to uplift; to promote. Jesus embodied encouragement toward his disciples and in His words to the people. There are so many people hurting and suffering in the world today. I know as just one person, my personal reach does not actually extend very far. However, if I encourage those around me, hopefully the encouragement will spread around my own circle and begin from there.

***

"Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do."
-- 1 Thessalonians 5:11

"Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers."
-- Ephesians 4:29

" But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; "
-- Hebrews 3:13a

"A word of encouragement during a failure is worth more than an hour of praise after success."
-- Unknown

"In the middle of every difficulty lies opportunity."
-- Albert Einstein

"When you encourage others, you in the process are encouraged because you're making a commitment and difference in that person's life. Encouragement really does make a difference."
-- Zig Ziglar

Book Releases: January 2015

Releasing this month:

• Allen, Sarah Addison - First Frost. (1/20)
• Bradley, Alan - As Chimney Sweepers Come to Dust (Flavia de Luce, #7). (1/8)
• Carter, Ally - All Fall Down (Embassy Row, #1). (1/20)
• Conrad, Hy - Mr Monk & the New Lieutenant (Monk, #19). (1/6)
• Cornwell, Bernard - The Empty Throne (Saxon Tales, #8). (1/6)
• Grahame-Smith, Seth - The Last American Vampire. (1/13)
• Grippando, James - Cane & Abe. (1/25)
• Hawkins, Paula - The Girl on the Train. (1/13)
• Hoag, Tami - Cold, Cold Heart. (1/13)
• Kava, Alex - Breaking Creed. (1/27)
• Koontz, Dean - Saint Odd (Odd Thomas, #7). (1/13)
• Niven, Jennifer - All the Bright Places. (1/6)
• Patterson, James - Private Vegas (Private, #9). (1/26)
• Todd, Charles - A Fine Summer's Day (Inspector Ian Rutledge, #17). (1/6)
• Woods, Stuart - Insatiable Appetites (Stone Barrington, #32). (1/6)

2015