Category Archives: Inspiration

A Book and a Near Blizzard

Posted on January 25, 2026 by Jennie

“Oh, the weather outside is frightful and my book is so delightful. Since I’ve no no place to go, let it snow, read a book, let it snow.” The weather is awful.  We’re getting 18 to 20+ inches of snow. … Continue reading →

Posted in books, children's books, history, Inspiration, Learning About the World, literacy, Mother Nature, Nature, reading | Tagged , , | 28 Comments

Tigers! Tigers!

Posted on January 19, 2026 by Jennie

We are learning about India.  We started with our Big Book Atlas to find India and also where we live.  As always, geography holds a keen interest for children.  Of course we became sidetracked in the best of ways, to … Continue reading →

Posted in Book Review, books, children's books, geography, Inspiration, Learning About the World, picture books, preschool, reading, reading aloud | Tagged , , , , | 79 Comments

Happy Anniversary – 50 years!

Posted on January 10, 2026 by Jennie

January 10, 1976 January 10, 2026 Happy Anniversary! Jennie

Posted in Expressing words and feelings, Family, Inspiration, joy, Love | Tagged , | 116 Comments

Books and Magic

Posted on January 4, 2026 by Jennie

‘What an astonishing thing a book is.  It’s a flat object made from a tree with flexible parts on which are imprinted lots of funny dark squiggles. But one glance at it and you’re inside the mind of another person, … Continue reading →

Posted in books, Expressing words and feelings, Imagination, Inspiration, Library, literacy, Quotes, reading | Tagged , , , | 92 Comments

Giving – the New Amos McGee Book

Posted on January 1, 2026 by Jennie

The  Amos McGee books are wonderful. The first in the series, A Sick Day for Amos McGee, won the coveted Caldecott Medal. I love the newest book, A Snow Day for Amos McGee. Amos works at the zoo.  His best friends … Continue reading →

Posted in Book Review, children's books, Expressing words and feelings, Giving, Inspiration, literacy, picture books, preschool, Quotes, reading, reading aloud | Tagged , , , | 68 Comments

The Best Christmas Ad – My Favorite

Posted on December 23, 2025 by Jennie

I will share this Christmas ad every year, because… it’s that good. Christmas is about family and friends. It’s a time to smile and remember. Yes, remember. Because in the end, it’s our memories that stick with us. That’s what … Continue reading →

Posted in Expressing words and feelings, Family, Heart, Inspiration, joy, Love | Tagged , | 94 Comments

A Bad Day, and a Remarkable Turnaround.

Posted on December 19, 2025 by Jennie

I believe.  This is the season of believing, and what happened yesterday is proof. Yesterday was a bad day.  Period.  School was difficult, and nothing I was doing with children made an ounce of difference.  When I got home, Hubby … Continue reading →

Posted in Expressing words and feelings, Giving, Giving thanks, Heart, Inspiration, Kindness | Tagged , , , , | 101 Comments

Best Children’s Christmas Books – My Annual Post

Posted on December 14, 2025 by Jennie

This is a repost of my favorite Christmas books.  The only new edition (featured in my last post) is Mr. Willowby’s Head Over Heels Christmas.  Every year these books grow stronger, because children love them.  These are the books children … Continue reading →

Posted in Book Review, children's books, Imagination, Inspiration, literacy, picture books, The Arts | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 63 Comments

Mr. Willowby’s Book, Then and Now

Posted on December 8, 2025 by Jennie

Mr. Willowby’s Christmas Tree, by Robert Barry is a delightfully predictable tale of a tree that is too tall.  Each time the top is snipped off, it goes to someone else who has the same problem, and so on.  The … Continue reading →

Posted in Book Review, children's books, Imagination, Inspiration, literacy, picture books, reading, wonder | Tagged , , , | 60 Comments

Gloria’s Thanksgiving

Posted on December 3, 2025 by Jennie

Gloria’s adventures and weekends with children are always wonderful.  When it’s a special holiday, in this case Thanksgiving, Gloria is one lucky gal to spend the holiday with a child. First, she went to Cape Cod, Massachusetts.  She met the … Continue reading →

Posted in Community, Diversity, Family, Giving thanks, Gloria, Inspiration, Kindness, Love | Tagged , , , | 83 Comments