Kissed by the Moon

Alison Lester is a very big name in Australian kids books. She was one of our joint inaugural Children's Laureates. She helps children tell their own stories and create their own books. Alison has published over twenty pictures books including many iconic titles- Noni the Pony, Are We There Yet?, Imagine and Magic Beach. So any new book is highly anticipated. Kissed by the Moon is no exception. Indeed, it's exceptional. A beautiful book to read to babies and young children Kissed by the Moon is a perfect gift for new parents.

Beautifully illustrated with a subtle, evocative palette Kissed by the Moon is a lullaby of sorts, wishing an active, imaginative and thoughtful life for the new baby. It encourages us to be out in nature and to treat our fellow creatures well.

Kissed by the Moon is bound to become an Australian classic. It is shortlisted for CBCA Early Childhood Book of the Year Award, with the winners to be announced on August 15. I hope it wins- although I haven't read all the other books shortlisted yet, so may still develop a new favourite, but I don't think so.

http://australianwomenwriters.com

Top 10 Books on Paris

Another great Paris booklist from the Guardian with still more inspiration. See the kids list here.

This list was compiled by Malcolm Burgess, publisher of Oxygen Books City-Lit series. It's almost like he's browsed my Paris TBR shelf! I've even dragged a couple of these titles to Paris to read there, and still haven't read them, but I never get any reading done in Paris- I holiday too hard to have any energy left at the end of the day.

 Of course I have bought the City-Lit Paris book, but not read it either…

Books on France, a great 2014 challenge
 from Emma at Words and Peace

Bastille Day/Feu d'Artifice du 14 Juillet 2013

It seems almost impossible memory now but exactly a year ago today I was in Paris, enjoying my first Bastille Day celebrations. Of course the Bastille Day celebrations actually begin the day before, with the very fun Bal des Pompiers.

In the afternoon of Bastille Day we joined the rest of Paris picnicking on the Champ de Mars waiting for the fireworks spectacular at the Eiffel Tower. 

It wasn't that crowded when we got there late afternoonish

But there was a large police presence at the ready as always

The crowd building by the minute

The iron lady waiting

decked out in her patriotic finery

Everyone was hot

still there were consolations

and eventually it did get dark

and the wonderful light and fireworks show
Le Feu d'Artifice du 14 Juillet
started

I was hoping that there would be fireworks

on the Eiffel Tower herself

like they often do at New Year

but they were behind her instead

everyone stood up in their excitement
and it got hard to see at times

Apparently a nod to South Africa not a gay pride rainbow

As with most events you can sit home and watch it on the tele or your computer screen and get a better view- check out the show we watched here. Still the atmosphere was remarkable, and the whole event rather memorable. And if I never get to do this again, I did it in 2013. 

Don't plan to do anything but walk home

Dreaming of France is a wonderful Monday meme
from Paulita at An Accidental Blog

Chapelle St Vincent de Paul

Paris is full of amazing places. Some of them are really obvious like Sainte Chapelle or Opera Garnier. Some are hidden behind rather nondescript facades.

Like the rather amazing Chapelle St Vincent de Paul on Rue de Sevres in the 6th. Chapelle St Vincent de Paul was just a few doors down from our rented apartment in Paris last year. So I visited a few times. Step inside, it's cool, dark and soothing. 

Like every church in Paris there is much to see. 

Stunning details.

 But there is something very special in this particular church too.

Walk down to the far end of the church, and find the arch

 and the stairs leading up

 to the shrine of St Vincent de Paul.

You are soon face to face with the reconstructed face of St Vincent de Paul.

His skeleton was exhumed, and covered with wax.
I found it rather disturbing.
Amazing, but disturbing.

Chapelle St Vincent de Paul

95 Rue de Sevres

Paris 75006

Saturday Snapshot is a wonderful weekly meme
 now hosted by WestMetroMommy