Sherlock and Shakespeare

A Fairy Song

Over hill, over dale,
Thorough bush, thorough brier,
Over park, over pale,
Thorough flood, thorough fire!
I do wander everywhere,
Swifter than the moon's sphere;
And I serve the Fairy Queen,
To dew her orbs upon the green;
The cowslips tall her pensioners be;
In their gold coats spots you see;
Those be rubies, fairy favours;
In those freckles live their savours;
I must go seek some dewdrops here,
And hang a pearl in every cowslip's ear.

William Shakespeare

All Photos for Blue Monday and Mellow Yellow Monday

After a leisurely stroll amidst the yellow mustard fields nearby and walking passed the beginning blooms of a blue royal madera plant, my grandson who is 4, discovered a few thing along the nature path. I used PhotoShop for this "bug" but I tell you, one simple magnifying glass from the Dollar Store provides tons of fun!

  Sherlock is all set for spring with his binoculars, butterfly cage and magnifying glass!

Book Sharing Monday

Barefoot Book of Stories from the Opera

The Barefoot Book of Stories from the Opera

Watch as the curtains open and the opera begins. The seven operatic stories in this beautiful collection are each proceeded by an introduction about the origins of the story. There are also extensive notes about opera houses, behind-the-scenes terminology, famous opera houses and composers, and more. Book with double CDs edition includes stories read by actress Miranda Richardson.

Ages 8 and up

Retold By: Shahrukh Husain
Illustrated By: James Mayhew
Narrated By: Miranda Richardson

The reviews on this paperback book with 2 cds is wonderful. I have sold this one to some of piano students who homeschool. The illustrations are great.

Happy Reading on a Blue Monday!

“You can’t get a cup of tea big enough or a book long enough to suit me.” — C. S. Lewis

Bandana Kids

Bandana Kids

My grandchildren, 4 and almost 2, had a blast with a couple of bandanas. It's funny how the littlest thing can bring so much fun and pleasure, plus occupying their time.

Blue Monday

My grandson, wearing the blue bandana, had so much fun acting out a little skit!

Mellow Yellow Monday

Of course, with a big huge smile and a happy child that my granddaughter is... are you noticing the sweet yellow barrette in her hair?

Book Sharing Monday

Classic Poems

The Barefoot Book of Classic Poems

Become inspired by this breathtaking collection that brings together seventy-four of the finest poems in the English language, celebrating all manner of human experience. Features introduction from UK Poet Laureate Carol Ann Duffy.

For all ages
Illustrated By: Jackie Morris

Today is William Shakespeare's Birthday! April is also Poetry Month. I love The Barefoot Book of Classic Poems.  It is one of my favorites to read because of the choice of authors and lovely illustrations. Here is an example of what's inside:

All the World's a Stage 
(reminds me of the photo of my grandchildren playing up above.)

All the world's a stage,
And all the men and women merely players.
They have their exits and their entrances;
And one man in his time plays many parts,
His acts being seven ages. At first the infant,
Mewling and puking in the nurse's arms.
Then the whining schoolboy, with his satchel
And shining morning face, creeping like snail
Unwillingly to school. And then the lover,
Sighing like furnace, with a woeful ballad
Made to his mistress's eyebrow. Then a soldier,
Full of strange oaths, and bearded like the pard,
Jealous in honour, sudden and quick in quarrel,
Seeking the bubble reputation


Even in the cannon's mouth, And then the justice,
In fair round belly with good capon lined,
With eyes severe and beard of formal cut,
Full of wise saws and modern instances;
And so he plays his part. The sixth age shifts
Into the lean and slippered pantaloon,
With spectacles on nose and pouch on side,
His youthful hose, well saved, a world too wide
For his shrunk shank; and his big manly voice,
Turning again toward childish treble, pipes
And whistles in his sound. Last scene of All,
That ends this strange, eventful history,
Is second childishness and mere oblivion.
sans teeth, sans eyes, sans taste, sans everything.

-- William Shakespeare

“You can’t get a cup of tea big enough or a book long enough to suit me.” — C. S. Lewis