Category: Favorite Books

Fairy Wings

Children's picture books, Out of Print books

What would you do if you were a fairy who was born without wings?


The heroine of this book is Fia, a fairy who has just that problem.  Rejected by her beautiful sisters and the other fairies, her only friends are animals.


That is, until one day she meets a boy fairy and fixes his wing.  Little does she know he is the prince.


At the ball Fia is humiliated because she has no wings.  She leaves, heartbroken.  Minutes later all the fairies are captured by the troll and Fia alone is left.  In spite of the unkindness she has suffered at the hands of her people, Fia chooses to try to save them.  It takes courage, intellingence and effort, but in the end she is triumphant.  She also receives the reward of being appreciated for who she is.


Fairy Wings is a book that reminds us that we may always choose our response.  Fia’s choice to  answer unkindness with kindness provides a lesson in taking the high road.  It is also a reminder that what we look like on the outside is not the measure of who we are.  We always enjoy reading this gem, my girls in particular.  Unfortunately, it is out of print (too many of the best books are)  but you can find used paperback copies for sale here .  Hope you enjoy it!

Hopeful Homemaker

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All the Places to Love

Children's picture books

This book was one of the first I fell in love with when, as a young mother,  I discovered the world of Children’s Literature.


It is the story of a boy who lives on a farm with his parents and grandparents.


When his Grandpa first saw him, he carved his name on a beam in the barn next to the names of his parents.  Eli grows and through the years his parents and grandparents share with him the places they love most on the farm.


His dad teaches him to love the soil and his grandmother teaches him to love the river.


His mother loves the hill.


And now, today the boy sits with his grandpa waiting in the barn for the announcement that his new baby sister is born.


Her name will be carved on the old barn’s beam next to his.  He looks forward with eagerness to introducing his little sister to “all the places to love” in their little world.


Reading this lovely book always makes me sigh.  MacLachlan’s text is simple but evocative.  Wimmer’s illustrations are rich and beautiful.  To me, this is more than a story of a boy growing up in the country.  It is the story of a boy who is swimming in love, whose life is enriched by an appreciation of simple things.  The nurturing of his parents and grandparents have created this for him, and he waits patiently for the opportunity to share simple beauties with his sister.   I guess I love what this story implies about the relationships in this boy’s family.  They’re the kind of relationships I want to create in my own home.  You don’t have to live in the country to enjoy the world around you.  You just have to be aware and appreciative.  Every time I close this book, I feel more committed to slow down and create more of those moments for my children.  It is a book that makes me yearn to be better.  And I’ll admit that it also makes me wish a I had an old barn with our names carved on the beam!

If you’ve never read this book, I hope someday you have the opportunity to.  You can purchase it here .  Meanwhile, I hope you’ll share all of YOUR places to love with your family.

Hopeful Homemaker

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The Fourth Little Pig

Children's picture books, Out of Print books

This week is National Childrens Book Week.  To celebrate I’ll be sharing one of my favorite childrens books each day.  I’ve already shared my #1 favorite from my own childhood here .  There are a lot of gems that I’ve discovered as a mother as well.  Today’s book is, unfortunately, out of print, but it’s so good that I have to share it anyway.   You can find copies if you’re willing to pay a bit more for it.  It was already out of print when I purchased my copy years ago and I haven’t regretted it.


The Fourth Little Pig is written by Teresa Celsi and illustrated by Doug Cushman.  The story begins with three little pigs in a brick house, hiding from the big bad wolf.  Only they’ve been there so long that there is no longer a wolf threat.  Their sister knocks on the door and is surprised by their fearful response to her knock.    She insists that there are other things they should be doing with their lives.


When the three brothers continue to cower in fear despite her assurance that there is no wolf, in exasperation SHE blows their brick house down and forces them to face the world.


At last the brothers look around and discover a world full of  opportunity, with no wolves in sight.


They dust themselves off and get busy experiencing life.  Their sister departs for a life of adventure.


This is a short, sweet book with very few words.   What I love about it is the message.  I love the reminder that we cannot hide behind our fears.  We’ve got to make life happen and not waste it worrying about all the things that might go wrong.  The lesson is taught in a light, fun tone.  My children always want it read again, and it’s a clever spin-off on the traditional story of the three little pigs and the big bad wolf.  I’ve also found that it can be a fun book to share with teens, as it is a good take-off point for discussion.

I’m off to find a door to open!

Hopeful Homemaker

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