Talking Books

It's hard to find time to read when you have two small children. I love to read, but I need to give them my time and attention. I decided to check out audio books from the library to satiate my literary hunger. It makes my errands much more enjoyable, and it seems to settle down the children in the back seat (a huge plus). I choose juvenile fiction so I can get through them fairly quickly, and I select Newbery Medal winners because the writing will remind me of poetry. I have enjoyed all the audio books so far, but I've liked some more than others. Right now I'm listening to Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry by Mildred D. Taylor, about an African-American family in segregated Mississippi in the 1930s. I thought I might dislike being read to, but it actually makes the story come to life as I hear each character's voice, showing distinctive personalities in the dialogue. I just started this audio book, but I can tell it's a winner. Here are others I've listened to and would recommend:

• A Single Shard, by Linda Sue Park
• Walk Two Moons, by Sharon Creech
• Our Only May Amelia, by Jennifer L. Holm
• Missing May, by Cynthia Rylant
• The Midwife's Apprentice, by Karen Cushman

The audio books are read by actors who have experience in the theater and film industries. It makes sense to listen to books since that's how storytelling began -- from person to person in intimate surroundings. Try it out and you'll see what I mean.

Give a little bit

It feels good to give. I decided to work on a humanitarian project in February. I asked members of the ward (congregation) to donate school supplies or funds to go toward making school kits. The Young Women's program helped out, and we met last Tuesday to stuff the bags with paper, pencils, colored pencils, rulers, erasers, pencil sharpeners, and scissors. We donated 48 completed bags plus extra school supplies with the support of the people in our community.

When I brought the bags into the humanitarian room, the missionary sister said, "Wow, wow!" and was very excited about our donation. She told me the school kits go abroad, most likely to needy children in an African country. I hope the children enjoy the fun fabrics of the bags (pre-sewn at the humanitarian room) and their new school supplies. We're fortunate to have so much in America. I'm glad that these will go to 48 children who could attend school but couldn't afford to buy anything. On my way home from Deseret Industries, the perfect song came on the radio: "Give a Little Bit." If we all give a little bit, it will make a huge difference.

** On a practical note, it's much better to gather materials for school kits during the back to school specials in the summertime. Notebooks cost much more the rest of the year! If you want more information on how to put together school kits, hygiene kits, or newborn kits, visit www.lds.org and select "About the Church" and go to "Humanitarian Services."