Review: Faith Through Fire: Rwanda and Me

Faith Through Fire: Rwanda and Me by Randall Bennett

My rating: 5 of 5 stars



I'll be honest. When I heard that this book, written by a missionary to Rwanda who grew up in my home church, was being self-published, I kind of rolled my eyes. I thought a memoir of the Rwandan genocide would be interesting, but I was skeptical about the quality of the writing.

I was wrong. It's not Tolstoy, but I can't put it down. And (the reason I'm writing a review before I've finished the book), it's free at the Amazon Kindle store this weekend.



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Sigh.

T.G. carries the baby into the kitchen where I'm making breakfast.

Baby, pointing: Da!  Da-ee!
T.G.: Yes! I'm Daddy! I won!

I get the baby from him.

Me: Good job, Baby. Now, who am I?
T.G., offstage: Chopped liver!

Football Night in America

Baby: Wha-zah?
T.G.: That's a book.
Baby: Wha-zah?
T. G.: That's the window.
Baby: Wha-zah?
T. G.: That's my foot.
Baby: Wha-zah?
T.G: That's Tramon Williams.

Colors

Baby is bothering T.G. while he's trying to get ready for work, so I fish her out of the bathroom.

Me: I know you love Daddy, but he has to perform his ablutions. Can you say ablutions? Do you have ablutions?
T.G.: She prefers apinktions.

Review: The Great Taos Bank Robbery: And Other True Stories of the Southwest

The Great Taos Bank Robbery: And Other True Stories of the Southwest by Tony Hillerman

My rating: 5 of 5 stars



This is a wonderful collection of regional creative non-fiction. I highly recommend it for anyone who likes that genre and for New Mexicans and other lovers of New Mexico.



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Review: ABC: An Alphabet Book

ABC: An Alphabet Book by T. Matthiesen

My rating: 5 of 5 stars



My in-laws have this ABC book and got it out to read to my daughter. She likes to turn the pages, and I love the snarky tone. X is for xylophone; no matter how hard you beat it, a xylophone will never cry. O (for owls) and E (for eggs) are also notable.



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Review: Baby-Led Weaning: The Essential Guide to Introducing Solid Foods and Helping Your Baby to Grow Up a Happy and Confident Eater

Baby-Led Weaning: The Essential Guide to Introducing Solid Foods and Helping Your Baby to Grow Up a Happy and Confident Eater by Gill Rapley

My rating: 4 of 5 stars



I should probably wait and see if the baby chokes to death before I review this one, but so far, so good. I really didn't want to buy or make purees, so I got this book in an effort to bolster my laziness and reframe it as a baby-friendly feeding philosophy. Totally worked. The kiddo makes lots of big messes, and I get to pat myself on the back for fostering her independence and fine motor skills.



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Review: The Elegance of the Hedgehog

The Elegance of the Hedgehog by Muriel Barbery

My rating: 5 of 5 stars



It's been a while since I finished this one, but I loved it. Actually, when I was finished I turned right back to the front and started again.

I love stories of people who are living small lives well, and that's exactly what this is.



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Review: What's On My Head?

What's On My Head? by Margaret Miller

My rating: 4 of 5 stars



Like the rest in this series, this book focuses on photos of babies and the single descriptive word on the opposite page. Toddlers who are entertained by things being out of place would love it. My baby just liked to look at the faces.

The bad: the objects on the heads of the babies appear to be photoshopped into the pictures, which is just odd.



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Review: Very Hairy Bear

Very Hairy Bear by Alice Schertle

My rating: 5 of 5 stars



Kiddo wasn't really interested in this one, but I loved it! I'll definitely check it out again when she's older and has more interest in the sounds of words. This is really a Gerard Manley Hopkins-style, sprung rhythm poem about a bear and his nose. I found it delightful, and the pictures are equally charming.



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