Books, Family, Lists, Reviews

Magic Monday – East or West, Home is Best!

A little bit of the old and a little bit of the new in this post, as I am still in that mode of endings and beginnings; of looking forward and also looking back; of dusting off posts from the archives while breathing fresh life into it with something new as well. And discovering after even a brief trip all over once again that universal truth; that east or west, home is best!!

East or West, Home is Best

This saying, according to The Phrase Finder website, first appeared in print in a collection of international proverbs by the English writer Walter Keating Kelly, Proverbs of all Nations, 1859. It appears that Kelly introduced it into English as a translation of an earlier German proverb: Ost und West, daheim das Best.

page from a book with title Home, that shows origins of saying East or West, Home is Best
Image from the book at The Internet Archive (link provided with book title)

This post contains Amazon and other affiliate links, that at no additional cost to you, I may earn a small commission. Please see the full disclosure for more information. I only recommend products I would (or have already) use myself.

The Something Old

Book Review (From January 2012)

Isabella, Girl on the Go

Book Information

Title: Isabella, Girl on the Go
Author: Jeniffer Fosberry
Illustrator: Mike Litwin
Length: 32 pages
Genre:  Children’s Fiction/Exploring (4 – 8 years, and up)
Publisher: Sourcebooks Jabberwocky (February 21, 2012)
Source: Digital review copy from Netgalley

Get it here

My Thoughts

This is the second book in the Isabella series and I have to yet read the first one. Reading this book has inspired me to go read the first one as well. In this book, Isabella explores the world right in her backyard and we are introduced to famous landmarks around the world while Isabella dabbles at different professions. 

Little readers are introduced to some of the most wonderful landmarks in the world including the Sphinx, Big Ben, and the Mayan pyramids as Isabella plays at being in a different profession each time and learn they can be architects,
astronomers, and more. After the world has been discovered, Isabella returns to her favorite place – home – she knows that ‘East or West, Home is Best’.

The story is told in simple, humorous language that shows the loving bond between father and daughter. The illustrations are bright, adorable, and apt, cleverly showing the landmarks hidden right in Isabella’s backyard as well as showing Isabella dressed up as whom she is pretending to be in the place she wants to explore.

A great read which is fun and educational at the same time – perfect for little girls and little boys too. It teaches children that imagination is a great tool while they learn more about this wonderful world we live in. There is a helpful index about the places and the professions mentioned in the book.

In Summary

A wonderful read for curious young readers.

Disclaimer: I received this book from NetGalley in return for an honest review and these opinions are totally my own.  Rating: A – this receives an A from my little ones (almost 6 year old daughter and my 9 year old son as well) and from me as well.
Reading Level: Ages 4 and up
Publication Date: Feb 2012

2022 Update: I did read another book in the series in 2013. Here is my review of Isabella: Star of the Story

Monday Memes

(from the January 9, 2012 post; with current updates)

What are you reading? is a weekly meme hosted by Book Journey. It is a time when we share what we’ve read, currently reading, or what is up next on our reading list.

2022 update: this meme is now hosted by Kathryn at The Book Date

Completed reading:

  • Dreaming of Mr.Darcy‘ by Victoria Connelly (review coming soon here – as of 2022, of course)
  • To be Perfectly Honest‘ by Phil Callaway (review coming soon here – as of Jan 2022)
  • ‘Just Like Heaven’ by Julia Quinn

Currently reading:

  • ‘The First Men in the Moon’ by H.G.Wells (reviewed here in 2012)
  • ‘The Sari Shop’ by Rupa Bajwa (reviewed here in 2012)

Next to read:

  • ‘The Twentieth Wife’ by Indu Sundaresan (reviewed in 2012, and revived in 2021!)

And the Something New

Book Reviews

Go Out and Play

Book Information

Title: Go Out and Play
Author: Adam Ciccio
Illustrator: Katrien Benaets 
Length: 32 pages
Genre:  Children’s Fiction/Exploring (5– 11 years, and up)
Publisher: Clavis (October 26, 2021)
Source: Digital review copy from Netgalley

Get it here

My Thoughts

The artwork is simply adorable, brimming with vibrant rich colors, loads of cuteness, and a myriad details. I love the theme of the book where the focus is on going out and playing; the very obvious concept that there is so much to explore around us, right in our backyards too. The book encourages readers to step out, away from devices, and discover the outdoors; and yet, there is a homeliness and coziness about it; a warmth that makes it all wonderful.

I enjoyed the rhyming verses despite their uneven-ness at times since they are all fun (and beautiful) to read and so very true as well. For example, these two verses that go like this: “Skip a flat rock on a glossy lake. / Memories are made by the experiences you make.” Sure, they don’t follow a meter but readers can still stay these out loud and think, “of course!”

This review as well as the previous review (Isabella…) both go towards IMWAYR over at TeachMentorTexts

Monday Memes

(for January 2022!)

What are you reading? is a weekly meme hosted by Kathryn at The Book Date. It is a time when we share what we’ve read, currently reading, or what is up next on our reading list.

Completed reading (review coming soon):

  • Twelve Wishes of Christmas by Ruby Basu
  • The Christmas Bookshop by Jenny Colgan
  • Crushing (review coming January 11th)
  • Plus a few more Cybils YA reads I plan to review over the coming days

Currently reading (too many books, but here are a few of them)

  • Once Upon a Wardrobe by Patti Calahan
  • The Girl With No Name by Reine Andrieu

Next to read:

  • The Little French Bookshop by Cecile Pivot
  • Bibliophile: An Illustrated Miscellany by Jane Mount

Related Reads for Home is Best

And Now, the End of This Post

Dear reader, have you read any of the listed or featured books? What are your thoughts on the phrase: “East or west, home is best”? Is it true for you? Or are you a nomad at heart? What do you consider home? And if you have moved a few times, which place has been your favorite one to live in?

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