Here's a listing of the books we've all been reading:
The Wizard of Oz - L. Frank Baum (Carla, Austin, Aidan). This was the first read-aloud book, and boy was it appropriate as we arrived in St. Vincent mere hours before it was hit by a hurricane. Apparently, Blue Lagoon, where Singing Frog was moored on a hurricane mooring, felt gusts of up to 90 mph on October 30-31. In the first chapter, this quote really had me feeling the synchronicity of selecting this book for the debut of our read-aloud adventures: "At first she had wondered if she would be dashed to pieces when the house fell again; but as the hours passed and nothing terrible happened, she stopped worrying and resolved to wait calmly and see what the future would bring." On several occasions, I felt the same way - this was nature taking over, and we could only remain calm and wait for our future to unfold.
On October 30, I read Chapter 2 and this quote struck me as the most appropriate for the day, as I settled into the acceptance that I had left behind the life that I knew so well, for a temporary foray into something completely different: "I'm afraid, my dear, you shall have to live with us." The Good Witch of the North was breaking the news to Dorothy that there was no way out of the land of Oz, so she needed to be prepared not to see Kansas again.
We spent Halloween at the Beachcombers Hotel, visiting with an engaging couple from Comox (what a small world!) who were in St. Vincent to charter a sailboat with Barefoot Yacht Charters. For much of the day, we were without power or running water in our room. By candlelight, I began to read the third chapter. Here's the quote of that day: "So she went to the cupboard and cut herself some bread, which she spread with butter." Seems like a pretty benign or boring selection ... but it struck a chord with me. Food was being rationed at the hotel, and we were down to bread and butter, and sandwiches made with canned corned beef, which none of us could stomach.
Austin finished reading this book on his own, and Aidan and I read it aloud together, taking turns. Aidan really enjoyed the characters and I enjoyed the rhythm and language of a book that was written at the turn of the twentieth century! Both of the boys have increased their vocabulary after hearing/reading this book.
Ender's Game - Orson Scott Card (Skye & Austin): Skye read this book aloud to Austin.
Where Eagles Dare - Alistair MacLean (Skye & Austin): Skye read this book aloud to Austin from the iPad. I noticed Austin asking a lot of questions about Hitler and speculating how our world may be different if Hitler had never been in a position of power. Austin is particularly interested in politics, and with the election scheduled for December 13 in SVG (St. Vincent and the Grenadines), Austin enjoyed discussing local politics with Kishorn and others on St. Vincent.
The Reader - B. Schlink (Carla): I enjoyed reading this book, which shed light on the insidious harm that can be caused by feelings of shame. One of the main characters in this story, was illiterate, and she viewed her inability to read as a crime worse even than murder or crimes of war. I puzzled long over this quote: "The arm doesn't register that it is being pinched by the hand, the hand registers that it is pinching the arm, and at first the mind cannot tell the two of them apart. But a moment later it distinguishes them quite clearly."
An Embarrassment of Mangoes - Ann Vanderhoof (Carla, Skye & Katie): This book is an absolute must-read for anyone planning to spend any length of time cruising in the Caribbean. Or for anyone who is even curious as to what the lifestyle could be like. I think that it's hard to capture it in words but Ann comes close. It provided sheer enjoyment and threaded tasty recipes throughout. This book prepared me for what to expect in the Islands. Worth a second (or third) read.
The Shell Seekers - Rosamunde Pilcher (Carla): This book was recommended to me by my good friend, Tammy. I've only started reading it, so I can't make any useful comments yet, but I particularly enjoyed reading the author's foreword, which told of how the book came about.
The Story of Doctor Dolittle - Hugh Lofting (All): We ordered this audio book through Library-to-Go, using my North Vancouver Public Library card. We listened to the entire story three times. Aidan inquired on more than one occasion, with a hopeful tone, "Is this a true story?" I could see the wheels turning as he imagined what it would be like to speak animal languages. He frequently offered suggestions for how the story could unfold, or what Doctor Dolittle might do if he were here with us.
The Voyages of Doctor Dolittle - Hugh Lofting (Carla, Austin, Aidan): We've been reading this book aloud. The language is beautiful and rhythmical, and the boys' vocabulary is expanding further. I believe this book was written in the early 1920s, and although some references to humanity (particularly race relations) are not in keeping with our times, the book has a very positive message. I was intrigued to read a passage about how humans are not caring for the earth for future generations, and even interrupted the story to remark how very little humans have changed over the course of time between now and when this book was written.
Baby's Toys, Baby's Bedtime, Baby's Bathtime, Baby's Mealtime - Fiona Watt (Read aloud to Aaron): These Usborne books, illustrated by Rachel Wells, are simple and entertaining for Aaron. He knows the books are special just for him. Aaron brought a stuffed bunny along (a baby gift from Papa), and the baby in the books has a bunny he likes to hug.
Spot lift-the-flap books - Eric Hill (read aloud to Aaron): Aaron likes to read the parts under the flaps. He's gotten really good at remembering what comes next in the story, because if the reader changes a word, he good-naturedly and patiently corrects us.
The Lorax - Dr. Seuss (All): This was on our must-pack list. The message in the Lorax is one near and dear to our hearts. We are all concerned about the impact of over-fishing or over-foresting to our beautiful home on earth. While Austin and Aidan still feel compelled to ask us to buy toys and more toys, Skye and I were hoping to have a break from the consumerism that has been so pervasive in our lives. In St. Vincent & the Grenadines (SVG), we almost have the opposite problem. It's difficult to buy or find some of the things we need, stores or banks are not open at reliable times, nor do they reliably carry the same stock selection.
Island Trilogy - Gordon Korman (Austin): Austin read all three of these books in a 24-hour time frame. He read the second book through most of a night, then read the entire third book the next day, after only about 4 hours of sleep. The story is about a group of teenagers aboard a schooner that becomes shipwrecked. The books introduced marine vocabulary, of which Austin was already familiar. I think Austin enjoyed how one of the characters was challenged to use the correct terminology for bed = "berth" or toilet = "head." Austin said he didn't really enjoy the books, but he couldn't put them down.
Hamish X Goes to Providence Rhode Island - Sean Cullen (Austin): Austin had already read the first two books of the Hamish X trilogy (Hamish X and the Cheese Pirates and Hamish X and the Hollow Mountain). He thoroughly enjoyed this third and final novel in the trilogy, and has repeatedly suggested that I read it, too. I think Austin would also enjoy Sean Cullen's latest book, The Prince of Neither here Nor There.
Green Eggs and Ham - Dr. Seuss: (All)
World Without End - Ken Follett (Skye)
Old Man's War - John Scalzi (Skye)
The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo - Stieg Larsson (Skye)
Bumfuzzle - Just out looking for pirates - Patrick Schultze (Skye) This is basically a summary of Pat and Ali's blog (www.bumfuzzle.com) with a few new comments thrown in. If you want to read about the whole trip read this, as this is the quicker way to get to the good bits. But the blog is still good and there you can follow along as they prepare for another adventure on the high seas (as parents this time). It's fun to read about other people who didn't grow up sailing, going for it.
The Girl Who Played With Fire - Stieg Larsson (Skye)
The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest - Stieg Larsson (Skye)
Time Travellers Never Die - Jack McDevitt (Skye)
Lavinia - Ursula K. Le Guin (Skye)
Echo - Jack McDevitt (Skye)
The Worthing Saga - Orson Scott Card (Skye)
Old Man and the Sea - Ernest Hemingway (Skye read aloud to Austin and Aidan). Shortly after finishing this book, Aidan referenced a tropical game fishes chart to pick out which types of fish the old man would have caught. Skye and Austin went trolling in the dinghy, and Austin remarked that he thought it was too bad that Santiago couldn't keep the big marlin he had caught.
The Twits - Roald Dahl (Aidan, Austin). This book was one of the many books that Katie gave us when she moved to Moncton. Aidan enjoyed this book and was eager to read more books by the same author.
The BFG - Roald Dahl (Aidan, Austin, Carla). Aidan tried to read this book slowly, allowing Mom time to catch up with him, but he just couldn't put it down. I think he's read it twice now, and he often refers to passages from the book, in our day to day living. He shared this favourite book with a boy at the Mount Airy reading program on January 15.
Matilda - Roald Dahl (Katie read aloud to Aidan, Austin). Katie brought this book from Moncton and read it aloud to Aidan. Aidan treasured this time with Nana, and enjoyed recalling his favourite parts from the movie version. Austin read this book on his own.
Stone Fox - John Reynolds Gardiner (Katie, Carla, Austin, Aidan). This is a story about a boy named Willy, his dog Searchlight, a dogsled race, and the power of human compassion.
The Last Olympian - Rick Riordan (Austin). Austin was inspired to re-read this book after watching the movie, "The Lightning Thief," on the iPad. He got through the whole book in a few hours, and it seems it was equally entertaining the second time through - several times, laughter erupted from his cabin as he read.
Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance - Robert M. Pirsig (Skye). A number of times, Skye commented that the philosophies in this book would appeal to Carla. Carla hopes to read this book soon.
Away to Bequia - June Stoute (Read aloud to Aaron). This is a great children's book that we purchased from the Bequia bookstore. It's about a family sailing trip from Barbados to Bequia. Its rhyming rhythms and factual tidbits appeal to our kids. The illustrations are great, too. We've read this book many times, each of us taking turns to read to Aaron.
Shelley - Katherine Orr (Austin, Aidan, Carla). This book is about the life of a queen conch. Austin and Aidan found this book very interesting and all of us were surprised at how these creatures grow and develop into the beautiful shells we've seen lining dinghy docks and some decorative gardens in the Caribbean.
The Phantom Tollbooth - Norton Juster (Carla reading aloud to Aidan).
Ingo tetralogy - Ingo, The Tide Knot, The Deep, The Crossing of Ingo - Helen Dunmore (Austin, Carla). Austin read these books out of order - first The Deep, next The Crossing of Ingo, then he went back to read The Tide Knot and Ingo. Carla has been reading aloud Ingo to Austin on evenings when time allows. The fantasy stories are about a brother and sister who discover they are able to "breathe" underwater. The books are rich with relationships, and they expand the imagination.
The Pearl - John Steinbeck (Skye reading aloud to family)
We borrowed this book from our cruising friends on Ouma - thanks! This book illuminates one of the reasons we decided to leave our lifestyle behind this year, pack up and go sailing with the kids. For those who have read this fine novel, you know it is rich with messages and inspiration for philosophical discussion.
