We recently made our weekly trip to the library to check out some books for the younger children. I love books of all kinds and especially love to find and read good children's books that contain both thoughtfulness and gorgeous illustrations...it must be the elementary school teacher in me. After all, my favorite college class was Children's Literature. That is what I miss most about teaching school...access to so many books!

I found a wonderful book on our recent library trip and I just had to share it with you. What caught my attention at first was the beautiful cover. It has a grandpa sitting in a rocking chair with a young boy sitting on his lap. It reminded me of my dad (my children's grandpa) and I immediately sat down to read it. I know since he recently passed away my kids will not have too many memories with him, especially my younger ones, but I hope to tell them a lot about him, so they can know and remember his life.

The book is called Making Memories written by Janette Oke and illustrated by Cheri Bladholm. I must, first of all, give the illustrator praise for capturing such sweet and breathtaking works of artistry that show so vividly the loving and kind expressions on the boy and grandpa's face. It made me want to join them in the conversation and be right there with them on that porch.

The book begins with the boy asking grandpa, "How do you make memories?" The grandfather gives a rich and descriptive explanation from someone who has enjoyed a blessed life with wonderful memories...by teaching the young boy along the way how to pay attention and appreciate all of God's wonderful gifts....small and big. From a green frog with funny spots on his back to the rich spicy aroma of grandma's apple pie...to the great blessing of hearing a laugh from his baby brother--all are gifts from God and are memories in the making.

This book beautifully celebrates family, tender moments, simple things of life, and the realization that God has already given even a young boy many memories of his own. This book is a treasure!