Today on “Take Five” I’m recommending Before We Stood Tall: From Small Seed to Mighty Tree. This picture book was written by Jessica Kulekjian and illustrated by Madeline Kloepper (Kids Can Press, 2021). From the front flap: “Discover the extraordinary life cycle of trees—in reverse! From mature tree to young tree to sapling to sprout… Read more »
For Teachers
Introducing “Take Five”—Book Talks in Five Bullets
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 »
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 »
Tea of the Week
Earl Gray
It has turned windy and cold here in the Midwest, and hot tea is a daily afternoon ritual now!