It was Christmas Eve 1956 when Michael Bond purchased a stuffed bear for his wife in a store near Paddington Station. 

That impulsive gift would inspire Mr. Bond to write a book,  A Bear Called Paddington, that would introduce the world to Paddington Bear, delighting children of all ages and nations. 

From deepest, darkest Peru, Paddington travels in a lifeboat across the ocean eating marmalade to stay a live. With a suitcase in his hand and a note on which is written, "Please look after this bear. Thank you." You see his Aunt Lucy grew old and had to move into the Home for retired bears. 

This whimsical tale begins with Paddington being found by the Brown family at Paddington Train Station in London, England. And so, the adventure begins. 

You will love Paddington's well-meaning, but often misguided attempts to right a wrong (as perceived by Paddington, but usually a misunderstanding). His escapades are hilarious and he is the sweetest, most well-meaning bear ever! 

Little Lloyd Llama goes on an adventure to discover what kind of animal his friends' mothers are in this delightful picture book by Deborah Gaurino and illustrated by Steven Kellogg. 

Little Lloyd Llama questions all his friends about their mothers with rhymes that are fun to say and fun to hear. His friends answer back in rhyme, too.

Though his Mama is a Llama, only one of his friends have a llama for a Mama.

When you read this book aloud to your little ones, they will meet a bat, a swan, a cow, a seal, a kangaroo, and a llama. They will also learn a little bit about each animal.

The first time you read Is Your Mama a Llama, your children will try to guess what animal Lloyd is talking about. The second time you read it, they will remember and squeal with delight when they give you the right answer.. 

Who can resist rhymes and riddle questions? What a fun combination for children to enjoy! 

Lucie, a curious little girl, is searching for her pocket handkerchief, when she comes across a little house high in the hills. Her knock on the door is answered by Mrs. Tiggy-Winkle, who invites her in. 

Lucie spends the whole day with Mrs. Tiggy-Winkle helping her with washing and ironing. You see, Mrs. Tiggy-Winkle does all the washing and ironing for the animals who live nearby. 

As the lovely day comes to a close, Lucie realizes that Mrs. Tiggy-Winkle is a hedgehog. 

What is more charming: the delightful story or the enchanting illustrations?

Beatrix Potter, the author and illustrator takes us into an imaginary world where animals wear clothing, talk to one another, make mistakes, learn from their mistakes, and having fantastical adventures. It is lovely to spend a day in Beatrix Potter's world meeting hedgehogs, rabbits, squirrels, kittens, ducks, mice, and toads. 

I love the way Beatrix Potter spins her stories. You can't help but smile as you read her tales aloud to your children. Your children will love the stories and the accompanying illustrations.  In fact, they will want to hear about Mrs. Tiggy-Winkle again and again. Even her name is fun to say. 

What are the most important books to read in  your lifetime? 

Different folks have different ideas on that. Here are the 100 books I think everyone should read at least once in their lifetime.

So many books; so little time. 

The Holy Bible is the only book written by God. Yes, God wrote through men, but He is the Author. The Lord has so much love, truth, and wisdom to reveal to every heart in the world through His Word.  In fact, this is the only book you could read for five hours every day of your life and glean new insights each day. God is so good! I love the Bible!

Pilgrim's Progress by John Bunyan is a timeless classic written in the 1600's by a Puritan preacher who was arrested for his faith. Now, here's what's so cool about this book: John had a dream and wrote the dream down. Pilgrim's Progress is an allegory, a tale within a tale. The surface adventure is full of action with every place, character, and action representing a spiritual truth. In Colonial America and Early America, every household had at least two books: The Holy Bible and Pilgrim's Progress. 

Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens is a timeless classic written in the Victorian Age and set during the French Revolution. Moving between England and France, this story is the best historical fiction story ever written with a beautiful picture of genuine love as a man gives his life for another. Wow! This book is an exciting story with characters you will love and others you will hate. And of course, it begins with the classic "It was the best of times. It was the worst of times."  

Uncle Tom's Cabin by Harriet Beecher Stowe is mentioned in every history book I've ever read, but so few Americans actually read this classic. "Is this the woman who wrote the book that started the Civil War?" Abe Lincoln asked when he met the author. Find out why it is such a powerful book by reading it! You will love Tom. He is an amazing Christian man who returns evil with good. What a great story! 

We love to snuggle up and read books in our house. So, when we decided to study the 20th Century for a year, the first thing we did was look for books.
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​There are so many good books to choose from. It was hard to narrow it down.

We looked at ​HIS Story of the 20th Century​ to choose books that would dovetail nicely with the material covered in each decade.

​Here are the books we chose.

Kim ​by Rudyard Kipling is set in Colonial India when it was under British control. Kim gives us a great look at what is was like to be in the British Empire generally and India specifically. The story is an engaging one, though frustrating at times as Kim makes choices that will keep him from knowing the Lord. An Irish subject in the British Empire, Mr. Kipling shows us his roots in several ways--maybe you can find them. One of the things that impacted me was an up-close look at how the culture in British colonies influenced the English as much as they spread their culture to the lands they ruled over. It was said that "The Sun Never Set on the British Empire." ​Kim ​will give a taste of that empire, as well as an exciting story.

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​The Singing Tree ​by Kate Seredy is supposedly for younger children and my kids were teens. But who can resist this story that takes you into the heart of a industrious, loving Hungarian family who is drawn into World War I? I love the opportunity to see the war from the other side. Of course, there is ​All is Quiet On the Western Front​, but I find that book dull and preachy. So, we dove into ​The Singing Tree​. Yes, it was an easy read, but a great story set in Hungary.

​​Cheaper by the Dozen ​​by Frank Gilbreath, Jr. and Ernestine Gilbreath Carey is a delightful zany adventure set in the Roaring Twenties into a family with 12 children. Written by two of the children, it is refreshing to read about a large family whose parents planned to have so many children. Of course, the changes of the 1920s affect this family much to father's consternation. The book is a lighthearted and fun trip back to the 1920s.