Website of the week

Maybe I'll start doing this regularly, maybe not. This is what we (more particularly my 6.5 year old) have been enjoying on the web this week.



Jan Brett.com - I've got to think everyone knows about this site already. But, it is wonderful and bears reminding. Plus, if you haven't been there for some time you might be interested in the videos that are now on the site. Most of the videos are mini-art lessons with Jan, some are of her reading her books. There are also read-a-long audio stories made just for the webstie. You'll also find coloring pages of all types and right now a contest that could win you a visit to your library!

My littlest has enjoyed the drawing lessons and St. Patrick's day coloring sheets the most.

Another kind of ELF

There's been a little buzz about library elf. Sarah's post last week had a commenter who mentioned it in a response to her plea for ideas to keep track of library books. A couple days before that Tracy mentioned it in a homeschooling yahoo group. I signed up right away. If you could use a service that tracks as many library accounts as you want under one name,(ie all your kids in one account), and sends you an email and/or a text message when they are overdue, you'll love library elf!

You'll have to check through their list of libraries as I doubt it is available in all systems, however, in the Philly area you can use it with the following: Chester, Montco, Berks, Delaware, Philadelphia, Wissahickon Valley and Bucks in PA; New Castle Co. in DE and many libraries in NJ!

Get 'em before they are gone!

I've been reading Here in the Bonny Glen, the blog of Melissa Wiley, author of the Little House in the Highland books and homeschooling mom. This week she's posted about the fact that her own books are going to be reissued in an abridged form and the full-length books will probably go out of print. Because of this decision by the publisher she has decided to not write any more books in this series. There are several available at Book Closeouts for only $3.49 each.

• Down in the Bonny Glen
  


• The Far Side of the Loch
  


• Little House in the Highlands
  


• On Tide Mill Lane
  


• Beyond the Heathered Hills
  

I ordered mine this week. Then a few days later, she posted about the possibility that the Betsy-Tacy books may also go out of print. What a shame that would be! My daughter loved these books and most of them we checked out of the library. I guess if I want to be sure she has some to pass on to her daughter, I may have to buy them as well. The library copies were pretty worn softcovers, they won't be making it through many more seasons. Of course, we can write the publisher and try to keep them in print as well. The first one is also at Book Closeouts.

If you order from Book Closeouts using these links, I get a percentage of the sale to spend in their store (which is how I ordered the Highland books - thanks to whoever ordered in January!). I'd really appreciate it!