Growing up I read book after book. However, very few of the volumes I read are remembered or revisited.
At the library I checked out whatever looked interesting: Nancy Drew mysteries, Grace Livingston Hill romance novels, or historical fiction. My random searches hid some amazing authors. Now I get to discover these imaginative writers with my children.
After lunch I read aloud Brighty of the Grand Canyon.
“One more chapter please!” begs my three-year-old.
Her five-year-old sister crowds close and grins widening bright blue eyes. Eleven-year-old brother peeks in almost every chapter. As the verbs bounce off my tongue, the suspense of the story pulls him away from Lego.
Our collection of Marguerite Henry’s horse books was rescued from the trash. Library books thrown out to make room for new stories. Brighty of the Grand Canyon taken home only once in eight years. Was this spirited burro on the shelf at my school library? If he was, I didn’t take him home either.
Marguerite Henry was not introduced to me in my youth. But I know her now.
Her stories are revisited often in this home. Benjamin West and his Cat Grimalkin roam the house resting next to Father’s side of the bed, then Mother’s. Justin Morgan Had a Horse cracks my voice and spills tears over my eyelids. Children gasp, “Why are you crying?”
For many reasons, I’m sure. Because life is full. Because ideas are powerful. Because children crowd around me to enjoy the lacing of words. Stories crafted to communicate ideas of liberty, hope, and faith. Morsels I want to savor together as we read book after book…
Written by Renae Deckard, Biblical Principled mother of 3. Find Renae’s reflections about homeschool and family life at Life Nurturing Education.
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{ 8 comments… read them below or add one }
We read Justin Morgan Had a Horse last year. It never occurred to me to look for her other books. (Imagine my shame!) Thank you! I just checked and our library still has many of her stories. I am going to put them on my list.
Jenn
Jenn´s last blog ..I’m a Winner
Do hunt down Benjamin West and his Cat Grimalkin. It is by far our favorite.
My daughter (8) just discovered Marguerite Henry and I think we may have lost her for the summer!!!
Se7en´s last blog ..Children Are People Too, Se7en Gripes…
I never read Henry’s books as a child either. Sprite has read many of these thanks to Beautiful Feet’s History of the Horse study. Brighty was her favorite one. She didn’t like Misty because she felt it was sexist against the female character. Those books were written in a different time, for sure.
Jimmie´s last blog ..Transportation in American Art
I have not read her either, but appreciate the “heads-up” as I am always looking for books that will capture their hearts. Thank you! This author is on my library list now.
Jimmie,
I actually haven’t read any of the other horse books that she wrote, but what an observation for your young daughter to make. My son was sad because the dad was so mean in beginning of Justin Morgan Had a Horse.
Renae´s last blog ..Our Jesse Tree
I know this is an old post but I had to write and let you know that my son just finished reading “Brighty of The Grand Canyon” and he loved it! We recently had snow here (only 7 snow days in the last decade!) and he made a snow sculpture of Brighty. Just wanted to say thanks for sharing this author with our family!
Heather,
Thank you so much for sharing! I know when I started homeschooling, I had lots of curriculum, but I didn’t know what books to look for. I’m glad you found a new author friend.
Do you have pictures of your son’s sculpture?
Renae´s last blog ..Silencing the Background Noise or Why I Blog