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DianaC Forum Pro
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Posted: Oct 21 2010 at 11:24am | IP Logged
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Can anyone recommend a book along the lines of The Princess and the Kiss for older girls. The summary for this book gives an age recommendation of ages 4-8. My daughter is a mature 10 1/2 yo and I would like to read something with her with this same type of content.
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Mackfam Board Moderator
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Posted: Oct 21 2010 at 11:31am | IP Logged
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Beautiful Girlhood originally written by Mabel Hale in 1922, revised by Karen Andreola.
The original by Mabel Hale is available at google books. We read aloud and discuss together. It's a chapter book with a lovely theme that would be a good fit for a young lady between 10 - 12.
Edited to say...this is not a Catholic book, but there is nothing anti-Catholic in the book.
__________________ Jen Mackintosh
Wife to Rob, mom to dd 19, ds 16, ds 11, dd 8, and dd 3
Wildflowers and Marbles
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DianaC Forum Pro
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Posted: Oct 21 2010 at 11:51am | IP Logged
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Thanks, Jen. Funny, I just received this book - I got it through paperbackswap. I've only had time to read the first couple of pages so far. Did you find that it keeps your daughter's attention? Also, do you think that it addresses protecting one's purity in the wake of today's pressures adequately?
My daughter is so tuned in to fashion and makeup and styles - which is all beyond my interest. But, I recently heard a speaker say that "we can teach our daughters the difference between dressing to attract and dressing to adorn the dignity of our body made in the image and likeness of God". Could you tell me if this book encourages girls in a similar sense?
Thank-you!
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Mackfam Board Moderator
Non Nobis
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Posted: Oct 21 2010 at 1:09pm | IP Logged
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DianaC wrote:
Did you find that it keeps your daughter's attention? |
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It did for my daughter. I felt it important to read together and discuss together afterward.
DianaC wrote:
Also, do you think that it addresses protecting one's purity in the wake of today's pressures adequately? |
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It was originally written in 1922, but Karen Andreola revised it in 1994 so keep that in mind. It isn't going to address modern issues directly, but the ideas within are timeless - the dispositions and attitudes appropriate for a young lady. My daughter and I enjoyed discussing how ideas in the book would apply to her today.
The book doesn't go into nitty gritty type stuff though, it deals more with attitudes aprropriate to a young Christian lady as well as preparing them for the changes upcoming in their life. Again - no detailed accounts, no graphic explanations. I found the language to be sensitive and delicate while also being straightforward enough to be understandable and accessible. Does that make sense? It isn't flowery, but I wasn't looking for a book with graphic informational explanations either.
DianaC wrote:
My daughter is so tuned in to fashion and makeup and styles - which is all beyond my interest. But, I recently heard a speaker say that "we can teach our daughters the difference between dressing to attract and dressing to adorn the dignity of our body made in the image and likeness of God". Could you tell me if this book encourages girls in a similar sense? |
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Yes! I think you will find that type of encouragement in this book, but again, the style is gentle and delicate. Some girls really do not care for that style of writing, so I'm saying that to let you know.
I am certain there are other books that encourage along those lines so hopefully others can chime in. Some parents are looking for concrete, detailed, modern language in a book like this. If that is the case, this is NOT that type of book. However, I recommend Beautiful Girlhood in following along your original guidelines of The Princess and the Kiss which conveys a respect and reverence for purity in delicate language which is more formational rather than INformational.
And, just to let you know, I followed up a year of reading Beautiful Girlhood with Father Lasance's, The Catholic Girls Guide. The Catholic Girls Guide is well suited for a maturing young lady (12+) and has prompted some wonderful discussions. Keep in mind that it too was written some time ago, in 1955. This is before Vatican II changes in the Church and therefore some of the writing reflects this (for example, when discussing marriage between a Catholic and non-Catholic). We've found these to be good discussion starters though.
Hope this is helpful in deciding if this is the right book for you and your daughter. I'm always on the lookout for books along these lines, and am hoping that Jenn Miller has a few recommendations (particularly Catholic ones) up her sleeve (out of print welcome)!!!!
__________________ Jen Mackintosh
Wife to Rob, mom to dd 19, ds 16, ds 11, dd 8, and dd 3
Wildflowers and Marbles
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JodieLyn Forum Moderator
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Posted: Oct 21 2010 at 1:29pm | IP Logged
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The revision by Karen Andreola is minimally changed.. mainly some wording here and there and if I remember right some of that didn't even make sense.
Yes I got both books and went page by page scanning them for differences.
I can't lay hands on the book right this moment but I'm pretty sure I kept the original and passed on the revision because of what I saw as awkward wording changes.
But the content was not really changed at all between the two so whichever you can get there won't be much difference.
__________________ Jodie, wife to Dave
G-18, B-17, G-15, G-14, B-13, B-11, G-9, B-7, B-5, B-4
All men who have turned out worth anything have had the chief hand in their own education.
-Sir Walter Scott
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JodieLyn Forum Moderator
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Posted: Oct 21 2010 at 1:47pm | IP Logged
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Oh and while the story of The Princess and the Kiss may be 4-8yrs.. I think as long as the child would be drawn in with a picture book that TPATK could be used for discussion with much older children.. get at what does the book mean by "the kiss" and all that sort of thing
__________________ Jodie, wife to Dave
G-18, B-17, G-15, G-14, B-13, B-11, G-9, B-7, B-5, B-4
All men who have turned out worth anything have had the chief hand in their own education.
-Sir Walter Scott
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JennGM Forum Moderator
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Posted: Oct 21 2010 at 5:18pm | IP Logged
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JodieLyn wrote:
Oh and while the story of The Princess and the Kiss may be 4-8yrs.. I think as long as the child would be drawn in with a picture book that TPATK could be used for discussion with much older children.. get at what does the book mean by "the kiss" and all that sort of thing |
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I agree with that, Jodie. Veiled language doesn't mean you outgrow it. While the youngers enjoy the story, it takes on greater meaning the older they get. I would keep it for this age.
Mackfarm wrote:
Hope this is helpful in deciding if this is the right book for you and your daughter. I'm always on the lookout for books along these lines, and am hoping that Jenn Miller has a few recommendations (particularly Catholic ones) up her sleeve (out of print welcome)!!!! |
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Well, 10 1/2 is a hard age. I don't have much in this area. I have more ideas as they get older. But this area is so intertwined with vocational discernment and preparation, home economics, learning Faith and morality, it's hard to separate exactly.
From my personal experience, at that age I read so many lives of the saints with the modesty and virginity weaved in that they were living examples. Some that I remember in particular:
St. Maria Goretti: In Garments All Red
Wind and Shadows, OOP Encounter book by Daughters of St. Paul on St. Joan of Arc.
Stories about St. Gemma Galgani, St. Rose of Lima (rubbing pepper on her face), St. Catherine of Siena, St. Zita not wanting to give in to the vanity of the world. St. Jane Frances de Chantal choosing to not look in the mirror. Those spoke volumes to me....
There is one book OOP that doesn't have many copies out there. I hate to start a run, but it's called Charm for Young Women by Anne Culkin, printed by Deus Books of Paulist Press in 1962. There's an imprimatur. It's a charm book, but based on Catholic living. It's really nicely done. Of course the nutrition and such might be outdated, but pulling out this volume there was such a powerful section on modesty I was just wowed. Just a little peek:
Quote:
Fashion Principles of the Refined that Never Change
CONSPICUOUS DRESS IS NOT SMART DRESS OR IS IT IN KEEPING WITH GOOD TASTE. The old saying "be not the first to try the new or the last one to put the old aside" proves forever timely. Applied it means that when a fashion is introduced which calls for DRASTIC CHANGE, a change that will not be accepted by the MAJORITY of women particularly the first season, it has no place in her wardrobe....
Simplicity is Elegance....
Dress Speaks Even when the Tongue is Silent....
Modesty in Dress--This is no attempt to tell you how many inches the neckline, the sleeve, the back or the hemline of the dress should be. It iwll be better if we bring conscience into play instead of a tape measure in discussing modesty of dress. And this we can do by accepting a basic fact of life. It is simply this--WOMN EXPRESSES EMOTION MUCH MORE THAN MAN. Do you remember the last time you saw a "sad movie" with a boy? You cried, didn't you? What did he do? Probably laughed because you credied.
But as far as PASSION is concerned, the boy's come to the surface more readily than yours is also much more easily aroused. You do not have any lustful thoughts or desires when you see him scantily dressed at the beach, do you?....
False Modesty.... |
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EDITED TO ADD: Elipses are continued text that I didn't quote.
That's all I have time to quote, but it goes on some more with sound advice. It would be aimed a little older, but if a child is advanced, this might be helpful.
But it's hard to find, so I hate to rave about something like that.
__________________ Jennifer G. Miller
Wife to & ds1 '03 & ds2 '07
Family in Feast and Feria
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DianaC Forum Pro
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Posted: Oct 22 2010 at 8:52am | IP Logged
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JennGM wrote:
From my personal experience, at that age I read so many lives of the saints with the modesty and virginity weaved in that they were living examples. Some that I remember in particular:
St. Maria Goretti: In Garments All Red
Wind and Shadows, OOP Encounter book by Daughters of St. Paul on St. Joan of Arc.
Stories about St. Gemma Galgani, St. Rose of Lima (rubbing pepper on her face), St. Catherine of Siena, St. Zita not wanting to give in to the vanity of the world. St. Jane Frances de Chantal choosing to not look in the mirror. Those spoke volumes to me.... |
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Jenn, thank-you for these recommendations. DD and I have been reading through many of the vision saint books, but have not read about these yet. I think that this will be a perfect way to weave in and direct our discussions on vanity and beauty and dignity.
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DianaC Forum Pro
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Posted: Oct 22 2010 at 8:54am | IP Logged
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JodieLyn wrote:
Oh and while the story of The Princess and the Kiss may be 4-8yrs.. I think as long as the child would be drawn in with a picture book that TPATK could be used for discussion with much older children.. get at what does the book mean by "the kiss" and all that sort of thing |
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I think I may still get this book and read it over tea as a conversation starter.
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DianaC Forum Pro
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Posted: Oct 22 2010 at 8:59am | IP Logged
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Mackfam wrote:
The book doesn't go into nitty gritty type stuff though, it deals more with attitudes aprropriate to a young Christian lady as well as preparing them for the changes upcoming in their life. Again - no detailed accounts, no graphic explanations. I found the language to be sensitive and delicate while also being straightforward enough to be understandable and accessible. Does that make sense? It isn't flowery, but I wasn't looking for a book with graphic informational explanations either. |
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Jen, this is just what I wanted to know! With my daughter, there are types of books that work as our fun read-alouds, and others that are tea-time books, and yet others that we enjoy but are not as fun or captivating that we tuck in during other snuggling on the couch to read times. Your information helps me to know that the book will likely fit what I'm looking for and how best to include it in our day.
I'm sorry for the multiple posts - i'm having difficulty with the multiple quotes.
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SuzanneG Forum Moderator
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Posted: Oct 26 2010 at 12:46am | IP Logged
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DianaC wrote:
Mackfam wrote:
The book doesn't go into nitty gritty type stuff though, it deals more with attitudes aprropriate to a young Christian lady as well as preparing them for the changes upcoming in their life. Again - no detailed accounts, no graphic explanations. I found the language to be sensitive and delicate while also being straightforward enough to be understandable and accessible. Does that make sense? It isn't flowery, but I wasn't looking for a book with graphic informational explanations either. |
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Jen, this is just what I wanted to know! With my daughter, there are types of books that work as our fun read-alouds, and others that are tea-time books, and yet others that we enjoy but are not as fun or captivating that we tuck in during other snuggling on the couch to read times. Your information helps me to know that the book will likely fit what I'm looking for and how best to include it in our day. |
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I recently skimmed through Beautiful Girlhood and liked it a lot! Diana, can you get it through your library? Ours has several copies. My daughter is 9.5, and I was thinking of using it when in a year or so...which would be at about the age of your daughter. There are many things that she'd enjoy talking about now....but also many things she'd "get" better in a year or two. I like the examples and the conversation examples in it...I think they're very helpful.
__________________ Suzanne in ID
Wife to Pete
Mom of 7 (Girls - 14, 12, 11, 9, 7 and Boys - 4, 1)
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JodieLyn Forum Moderator
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Posted: Oct 26 2010 at 12:48am | IP Logged
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Beautiful Girlhood is free online
__________________ Jodie, wife to Dave
G-18, B-17, G-15, G-14, B-13, B-11, G-9, B-7, B-5, B-4
All men who have turned out worth anything have had the chief hand in their own education.
-Sir Walter Scott
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SuzanneG Forum Moderator
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Posted: Oct 26 2010 at 12:59am | IP Logged
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DianaC wrote:
My daughter is so tuned in to fashion and makeup and styles - which is all beyond my interest. But, I recently heard a speaker say that "we can teach our daughters the difference between dressing to attract and dressing to adorn the dignity of our body made in the image and likeness of God". Could you tell me if this book encourages girls in a similar sense?
Thank-you! |
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In reference to this....you might want to check out All Things Girl. There is a past thread HERE when the books first came out. The thread addresses a few of the problems with these books....but you may want to try to get your hands on Mirror Mirror On the Wall, What is beauty after all and Modern and Modest. They are way over priced, there is a "hey-girlfriend" tone, and there are grammar and spelling errors, not to mention sentence structure annoyances. But, the "content" is good and they are Catholic with references to the catechism, etc.
__________________ Suzanne in ID
Wife to Pete
Mom of 7 (Girls - 14, 12, 11, 9, 7 and Boys - 4, 1)
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Jenifleur Forum Newbie
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Posted: Oct 26 2010 at 2:55pm | IP Logged
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Not sure if this is too off topic but perhaps introducing her to saints like Gemma Galgani would be helpful too. I don't know if you have ever seen a photo of her but she is stunning. She dressed very simply - I am not advocating this for your daughter since to dress attractively but modestly is good in itself - but teaching her about women who had depth of character and knew their worth beyond their looks and attributes I think would speak volumes. St. Gemma Galgani is on the cover and has a chapter in the book Modern Saints here.
__________________ Wife and mother of five . . . so far :)
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leanne maree Forum All-Star
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Posted: Oct 26 2010 at 9:05pm | IP Logged
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I too would suggest Beautiful Girlhood and All things girls series.
__________________ God is Love
Leanne
Loving wife to Dermot and Adoring mother to Louise, Kristie, Kieran & Brid
http://leannemaree.blogspot.com/
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