I’m starting a series of short posts about children’s books I recommend. In each post, I will list five aspects of the text that strike me as memorable, magical, or noteworthy. My goal is to showcase great books while highlighting effective writing techniques. To kick off the series, I present an award-winning, nonfiction picture book… Read more »
For Teachers
Comfort Food for the Soul
Come January, do you find you want to reread favorite books, re-watch favorite movies, or listen to favorite pieces of music? I do. Other times of the year, I prefer discovering something new. But in January, even as we begin a new year, I find myself recalling things from the past that I want to… Read more »
Matching Dolls, Mirrors, and Diversity in Kids’ Books
Earlier this month, I had the privilege of hearing Linda Sue Park speak via Zoom. Park won the 2002 Newbery Award—aka the Most Distinguished Contribution to American Literature for Children—for her book A Single Shard. You may also be familiar with her book A Long Walk to Water, which is based on the true story of a boy in… Read more »
The Wisdom of One
Our high school offered a virtual open house this year. Instead of hurrying through hallways to get from biology lab to Chinese to the choir room, I sat on the sofa and watched videos posted by my daughter’s teachers. I missed meeting them in person, but the videos were a great way to put faces… Read more »
From Nancy Drew to Annie Dillard… and Beyond
I love nonfiction. I love to read it, and I love to write it. But when I was a child, I mostly liked fiction: Amelia Bedelia, Nancy Drew mysteries, From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler, and so many more. I hardly remember any nonfiction. And while I enjoyed researching topics like stars… Read more »
Tea of the Week
Iced tea recipe: Pour four cups boiling water over 2 large Lipton decaf tea bags and 1 Celestial Seasonings Country Peach Passion teabag. Brew 3-4 minutes; chill and pour over ice.
Great with a handful of dark chocolate covered almonds for an afternoon break!