Spurred on by my sister’s blog here, I have put together my own list of books for goal-setters for the New Year of 2020. Enjoy!

I read the first book, above, The Toothpaste Millionaire, about ten years ago to my older children, after finding it listed in the Sonlight Catalog.  (That’s a trick I often do, finding books from catalogs or word of mouth and then getting them at the library.) Just mentioning the book stirs up fond memories of all my children at home, with my husband taking turns with me, reading it aloud. I remember the electricity going out, which drew us all together to the living room to listen to the book being read. It was summer so the swamp cooler couldn’t work with the power out. We were too hot to move much and just relaxed listening to this book. Great times! Here’s what Amazon says about the book:

Sixth-grader Rufus Mayflower doesn’t set out to become a millionaire. He just wants to save on toothpaste. Betting he can make a gallon of his own for the same price as one tube from the store, Rufus develops a step-by-step production plan with help from his good friend Kate MacKinstrey. By the time he reaches the eighth grade, Rufus makes more than a gallon — he makes a million! This fun, breezy story set in 1960s Cleveland, Ohio contains many real-life mathematical problems which the characters must solve to succeed in their budding business. Includes black-and-white illustrations by Jan Palmer.

This 35th anniversary edition includes an exclusive author interview and reader’s guide with book summary and discussion questions.

I am jealous of all of you who get to read it for the first time!

Brave Irene is one of my absolute favorite picture books of all time! I love how it shows the reverse of mother-bear chemistry, maybe we could call it “girl bear cub” chemistry? It’s the love that Irene has for her dear mother and her mother’s beautiful work that gets her up out of the snow to complete her quest through the raging storm, to complete the task her mother gave her. So sweet!

Wilma Rudolph was amazing!

These books above and below will take away any excuse you have for not hitting your goals!

from amazon:

Nobody could capture the Phantom. She was the wildest mare on Assateague Island. They said she was like the wind, that the white “map” on her shoulders was her mark of freedom.

Paul and Maureen Beebe had their hearts set on owning her. They were itching to buy and tame her, and worked hard to earn the money that she would cost. But the roundup men had tried to capture her and for two years she had escaped them….

Pony Penning Day holds a surprise for everyone, for Paul not only brings in the Phantom, but her newborn colt as well. Can Paul and Maureen possibly earn enough to buy them both?

People made a movie out of it in the 60s that I love to watch with the kiddos, about every two years, to remind them of the power of setting goals that involve money and working your heart out to achieve them. Hey, it’s time to watch it again!

again, from amazon.com:

After World War II there is little left in Katje’s town of Olst in Holland. Her family, like most Dutch families, must patch their old worn clothing and go without everyday things like soap and milk. Then one spring morning when the tulips bloom “thick and bright,” Postman Kleinhoonte pedals his bicycle down Katje’s street to deliver a mysterious box – a box from America! Full of soap, socks, and chocolate, the box has been sent by Rosie, an American girl from Mayfield, Indiana. Her package is part of a goodwill effort to help the people of Europe. What’s inside so delights Katje that she sends off a letter of thanks – beginning an exchange that swells with so many surprises that the girls, as well as their townspeople, will never be the same.

This inspiring story, with strikingly original art, is based on the author’s mother’s childhood and will show young readers that they, too, can make a difference.

 

Read about the above one here.