People often ask about my favorite parenting books.

It’s a fair question, particularly because I am a prolific reader. If you were to peek into my childhood, you would see a girl with a worn-out library card, binders of favorite poems, and a certificate for winning 3rd place in the spelling bee.

Even now, I choose books over television ten times out of ten (In fact, our family doesn’t own a TV). Because I read at an above-average speed, I go through books at a tremendous rate.

Despite this, I can’t name a single “parenting” book that I would highly recommend. Not a one.

Most parenting books take a tactical approach. Say these magic words. Implement this routine. Set up this procedure. And your kids will surely be obedient and successful.

But these promises are deceptive. I’m afraid that it’s much more difficult than that. Raising children requires that we raise OURSELVES…to higher standards.

Although parenting books are not necessarily a poor investment of time, they tend to neglect the most important thing. Parenting is not, by and large, about “discipline” or schedules or self-esteem or “love & logic.” The painful, honest truth is that it’s about example.

Our kids see us with brilliant clarity. Do we gossip about our coworkers? Do we extend grace when mistakes are made? Do we pray? Are we sarcastic? Are we wise with our money? Do we – ahem – say “please” and “thank you” and “I’m sorry”? Do we exercise with regularity? Are we good listeners? Are we thankful? Do we consume media that is intelligent and pure? Do we yell when we should be gentle? Do we whisper when we should speak loudly with conviction?

As Ann Voskamp wrote so eloquently, “The parent must always self-parent first, self-preach before child-teach, because who can bring peace unless they’ve held their own peace?“

This truth is both terrifying and liberating: Who I am striving to BE is who they will BECOME.

In light of this realization:

• I work to develop my character – to cut out bad habits, to implement good practices.
• I gather wisdom from unexpected places like Stafford’s Too Small To Ignore and classic works of fiction and stories from other fathers & mothers.
• I pray - not as much as I ought to - but daily, desperately.
• I cling to the Words that have the power to heal and transform.

And when I fail, I get up again. Because I know they are watching it all.

Here are a few recent favorite reads.

The Help was well-written and worthwhile. It was a nice reminder about how the courage of a few determined individuals can transform a community.

You absolutely must read the Little House on the Prairie series.

Don’t be deceived by what you may have heard – these books are not solely for little girls. On the contrary, they’re sure to be treasured by anyone who takes in the words from the pages.

The books are full of adventure, heartbreak, suspense, and fascinating details about life in the 1800′s. Part-fiction, part autobiography – the books follow the life of Laura Ingalls Wilder from her childhood into adulthood.

“Just one more chapter!” my 5-year-old says each night.

I usually give in without blinking – even if it is past her bedtime.

WIN IT! One winner will receive the Complete Little House Nine-Book Set (valued at $62.99)! To enter, leave any topic-related comment on this post prior to Friday, December 23 at 11:59 p.m. All generic comments like “Enter me!” or “Love it” will be disqualified. Winner must provide a US mailing address.

* Thanks to HarperCollins for providing two boxed sets – one for review and one for this giveaway.  

*UPDATE* The winner is #35 Kelly. Congratulations!

Written by Harry Allard and James Marshall, Miss Nelson is Missing is a hilarious and colorful story – with the perfect combination of mystery and humor. The worst-behaved class in school is in for a surprise when their kind teacher Miss Nelson goes missing…and is replaced by the wicked Miss Viola Swamp! Who is the woman in black? And what happened to the students’ beloved teacher? You’ll love to watch your child’s expression as he/she discovers the truth.

Equally wonderful to read-aloud is the sequel: Miss Nelson Has a Field Day. The illustrations are super fun and the ending has a twist that will keep kids guessing until the final page.

If you can get a copy of either book with the accompanying CD, do. If not, be sure to use your own “voices.” These books are meant for entertainment.

WIN IT! One winner will receive both books in the series – Miss Nelson is Missing and Miss Nelson Has a Field Day! To enter, leave any topic-related comment on this post prior to Wednesday, December 7 at 11:59 p.m. All generic comments like “Enter me!” or “Love it” will be disqualified. Winner must provide a US mailing address.

* Thanks to Houghton Mifflin Harcourt for providing copies of the books – for review and for this giveaway.  

*UPDATE* The winner is #22 Brandy. Congratulations!

modern day prairie girls - always barefoot

I lay back on the queen size mattress, sandwiched between a lanky 5-year-old and a squishy 2-year-old. My right arm encircles my expanding belly.

Kayla hands me the book, her finger hooked at our spot.

We hold our breaths and jump in the time machine. I let the words roll off my tongue, creating pictures in our imaginations. The girls listen in rapt wonder.

Liv usually falls asleep about halfway through the second chapter. Kayla stays awake, always begging for “another one” when the chapter ends. On most nights, we read for about an hour.

For the past few months, we’ve been wrapped up in farm life – droughts and fires, sunbonnets and grasshoppers, the frying of doughnuts and the churning of butter. Tim usually listens in, caught up in the history and suspense. “This is great American literature,” he remarked without sarcasm, when we first began the series.

This week, we’ll begin the 6th book of the The Complete Little House Nine-Book Set Little House series. It seems fitting to be reading them now – as we blaze these trails, carving out a new contented life in the deserts of Arizona.

Do you read chapter books aloud to your children? Have you read the Little House series?

“The Man Who Walked Between the Towers” is a creative re-telling of Philippe Petit’s unauthorized walk on a wire between the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center in 1974. Gerstein is a master writer, carefully choosing his words to maximize their potency. Awarded a Caldecott Medal in 2004, the dramatic narrative is sure to thrill the minds and imaginations of little ones.

WIN IT! One winner will receive a copy of “The Man Who Walked Between the Towers“ ($6.99) by Mordecai Gerstein! To enter, leave any topic-related comment on this post prior to Sunday, August 7 at 11:59 p.m. All generic comments like “Enter me!” or “Love it” will be disqualified. Winner must provide a US mailing address.

* Thanks to Macmillan for providing two books – one for review and one for this giveaway.  

The entrance was grandly themed like the renaissance with costumes to try on, an old-time kitchen with pretend food, a blacksmith shop, and more. A child’s imagination is bound to come alive in such a place.

The children’s area was equally entrancing with visual book displays aplenty, a play area, a puppet theater, and a free craft area. In addition to books, the library offers toys, games, and dozens of puppets for check-out.

There was also a section specifically for Job Hunting, a cozy fireside reading room for adults, glass-encased study carrels, an ultra-cool teen zone, and an on-site cafe. Truly a reader’s paradise!

AND the library hosts picnics on their lawn! Families bring their own dinners. The library provides beverages, dessert, and entertainment. Superb!

It was pretty close to being perfect. My dream library, however, also has (1) a slide to enter the kids’ area, (2) a costumed staff – dressed as storybook characters!, (3) a multilingual area for kids – with second language classes!, and (4) Kindle books for check-out.

What is the best library you have ever been to? What programs does your neighborhood library offer? What would your DREAM library be like?

We pulled “What Charlie Heard” off the shelf, got in the car, and…listened (it came with an audio CD  - read by the author himself!). I knew from the get-go that it was a treasure. The lyrical book chronicles the life of musician and Pulitzer Prize winner Charles Ives. Written to be read aloud, the true story abounds with positive messages about pursuing passion, persevering in spite of opposition, and opening our ears to the music all around us.

I’d love to see more children’s books like this – books that creatively record the lives of famous authors, musicians, scientists, and artists. I hope Mordecai Gerstein keeps writing them. He’s a master storyteller.

I highly recommend that you pick up a copy of the book at your local library or – better yet – from an online bookstore. If you can get a copy with the audio, that’s even better.

WIN IT! One winner will receive a copy of What Charlie Heard ($13.26) by Mordecai Gerstein! To enter, leave any topic-related comment on this post prior to Monday, July 18 at 11:59 p.m. All generic comments like “Enter me!” or “Love it” will be disqualified. Winner must provide a US mailing address.

* Thanks to Macmillan for providing two books – one for review and one for this giveaway.  

*UPDATE* The winner is #17 Susan Varney. Congratulations!

Author Brian Lies, however, has managed to write and illustrate a text that has all of the characteristics of a classic. Bats at the Library is a tale of grand creativity – a librarian leaves a window open and the bats swoop in for an evening of literacy.

The graceful text is a delight to read aloud and the darkly-colored paintings have plentiful detail to make the reader want to linger on each page.

Because it was published in 2008, it looks like this story missed the chance to win a Caldecott Medal (a shame!), but it still deserves a winning chance to be on your bookshelf.

WIN IT! One winner will receive a copy of Bats at the Library ($10.88) by Brian Lies! To enter, leave any topic-related comment on this post prior to Friday, July 8 at 11:59 p.m. All generic comments like “Enter me!” or “Love it” will be disqualified. Winner must provide a US mailing address.

*UPDATE* The winner is #6 Christine Jensen. Congratulations!

I was struck by inspiration as I put my 2-year-old to bed…the words danced across my mind in sudden symmetry. As soon as she succumbed to sleep, I tip-toed out and sat down at my laptop, fingertips firing. Tim raised an eyebrow at me. “I’m writing a children’s book,” I said non-chalantly. And I did.

It needs some editing, but it’s actually pretty decent for a first draft. I’ve been repeating the lines out loud for the past few days. That’s a good sign – lyrical lines, easy to memorize.

Now, I have to find an illustrator. Most great children’s books have great artists behind them, don’t you agree?

I also came up with the BEST business idea yesterday. My 4-year-old has been talking about it ever since – she and I are both starry-eyed about it. You should have heard us at the dinner table tonight!

P.S. I think I’m going to stick with the “Metropolitan Mama” name, but there’s going to be a fresh design – plus new tabs and focuses. Can’t wait.

Have you ever written, published, or dreamed of writing a children’s book?