My husband recently introduced me to a modern philosopher with whom he has been acquainted for quite some time (acquainted through his literature). Peter Kreeft is a professor of philosophy at Boston College. When I first heard this, I dismissed him because I equated Boston with liberalism. Yet he is like a Phillip Johnson at Berkley U.; he is a light in the midst of darkness. He is also a Catholic, which also gave pause to doubt, but he is a Catholic who truly wants to know our Lord Jesus and serve Him wholeheartedly. He has authored 45 books. We now own about 8 of them. All of them are winners!

Dr. Kreeft is the most avid scholar of Tolkien and Lewis I have ever witnessed. He has lectures that can be heard online. A number of those lectures are on LOTR and Narnia. He expressed ideas of Middle Earth and Narnia that I, a long time fan of both worlds, have never considered. Most of what he says he uses Scripture as the basis of understanding (and that not taken out of context) and then he uses other philosophers down through the centuries. I strongly encourage you to check out his website and listen to his lectures. Even if you listen to just the first, I think you will find him refreshing.

My son is a huge Narnia/Middle Earth fan also. When we asked him and our daughter to sit and listen to one of the lectures they were hesitant to sit for an hour to listen to a computer. When it was finished, their minds were alive and the discussion that followed was fantastic. Kreeft’s lecture style is not energetic nor flambuoyant. Yet he is VERY interesting. My son’s reaction was similar to my own; he reminds me of Professor Diggory Kirk!

You can hear him at: http://www.peterkreeft.com/home.htm. Let me know what you think!

Enjoy!
Rachel Sutton
( a friend from your DFW conferences)

Have you seen the My First Little House books? They are tiny stories taken from the original series and beautifully illustrated as children’s books. Our 2 and 1/2 yr old just loves them!!

Also wanted to mention the MET’s mini art series Dancing with Degas, Sharing with Renoir, Sunday with Seurat and more… They are little board books with simple rhymes. The illustrations are, of course, famous paintings by whichever artist. I was so proud when our little 2 yr old recently saw some Van Gough stationary and recognized the painting “Mommy, we have that at home!”

And I’d bet you have seen Carl R Sams II and Jean Stoick’s amazing photographic nature books such as Stranger in the Woods and Lost in the Woods. We love those too!

From one book lover to another… just had to share.

I have a question for you. The beautiful illustration that you posted to go along with this post, does it have name? Where can I find this print?

Thanks.
Jessica

Are any of these books recommended for preschool aged children? I have a 2 1/2 year old that loves to be read too and always feel so blessed when I find good children’s literature for her.

Thanks again.
Jessica

A few questions — I think I may have you pegged (only because you seem so much like me).

1. were you homeschooled?

2. you are a Christian, yes?

3. Are you married, but no children? (or perhaps in a courting relationship).

I am a Seminary Wife in the states working as a bookstore manager to pay for my husband’s classes — but what I really love is children’s literature (the good stuff) and educating my own little ones (future though they may be).