I’m back from my mini-vacation to St. Augustine.  More on that later.  I was supposed to have this book review done for TODAY, so I don’t have time to blog about sunny skies and warm temperatures and driving in a Jeep with the top down.

Did Blogger change its format, or is my computer all wacky?

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I am honored today to introduce to you Sarah Reinhard.  Perhaps you know her already?  If not, you are in for a treat.  I’ve “known” Sarah since before I moved to Kansas many years ago (2007).  I actually met her on that move, since she lives not too far from my brother, and I went to see him en route to Kansas.  My husband is not the sort of person to agree to drop in on a total stranger, because virtual friends are not “real” friends, right?  But I built up this plan for quite some time by telling him about Sarah, the Snoring Scholar.  I added the bit of information that she “lived on a farm in Ohio” because that adds gravitas in my world.  I’m from Ohio.  I have relatives who live on farms in Ohio.  I played on farms in Ohio as a child.  Living on a farm in Ohio doesn’t guarantee coolness, but it certainly adds in your favor.  It didn’t take long for Sarah, the Snoring Scholar, who lives on a farm in Ohio, to become a common topic in our house.  To this day, I can’t just say “Sarah Reinhard” without my husband adding in the rest.

Way back then, Sarah was just a blogger.  Now, though, Sarah has more than a few published works to her name.  I highly recommend Welcome Baby Jesus: Advent and Christmas Reflections for Families and Welcome Risen Jesus: Lenten and Easter Reflections for Families.  I have not yet read her Do I Really Have to Give Something up for Lent? but for $1.50, I don’t think you could be disappointed.

And now Sarah has a book-book, not just a pamphlet type book to brag about: Catholic Family Fun: A Guide for the Adventurous, Overwhelmed, Creative or Clueless.  That link has a bit more about Sarah, a fancy summary of what her book is all about, and some lovely endorsements from other Catholic blogger/authors.  I don’t have anything new to add to what is written, really.  I feel like a Rush Limbaugh listener who calls in and says “Ditto!”  


But perhaps I do have a few things to add.  First of all, I have two copies to give away.  Just leave a comment here, and I’ll enter your name in for a random drawing selection to be held on Tuesday, May 1st, promptly at noon.  I’ll even put it on my calender so I don’t forget.  

Secondly, I think this book is most appropriate for families with a preponderance of children under the age of 10.  This is not to say that older children would not be interested in any of the activities; it is merely to assist those of you with multiple ages in deciding if it would be right for you.  Half of my children are under the age of 10, and, experienced though I am, I still found many of her suggestions interesting and useful in sparking my own creative ideas on things to do as a family.  My older boys, though, are into a different brand of fun.  Sarah does not include canoeing, fishing, camping or anything involving fire, and I suspect that this is because her son is still but a toddler.  Definitely, though, if you have young children, this book would be great for you.  


And lastly, don’t let the word “Catholic” in the title throw you off.  This is not a book about how to make praying the rosary seem exciting or having your kids memorize the names of the books of the Bible in order or charades where you guess which title of Mary they are (is that Queen of Angels or Queen of Apostles?).  Rather, this book is primarily ideas for doing things as a family with additional ideas for how to make it Catholic thrown in (which you can take or leave).  So don’t feel that you or your family isn’t Catholic enough to enjoy this book, but also realize that incorporating our Catholic faith into normal, family fun is very easy and also beneficial.  Having fun together as a family strengthens the family, and having some faith-base to those activities strengthens our faith.


Of further interest: Sarah has a Catholic Family Fun link on her blog.  Pauline Books has a whole Catholic Family Fun website which promises monthly updates and new material.  And of course, there is the Catholic Family Fun Facebook page.


Don’t forget to enter to win by leaving a comment!