Category Archives: books

Ringing in the New Year with a Teacher- My Hero

Posted on January 1, 2019 by Jennie

Many years ago, when our children were little and things were tight, our washing machine broke. When it rains it pours. I spent weekends at the laundromat – a perfect place to read while waiting for the wash to be … Continue reading →

Posted in Book Review, books, Expressing words and feelings, Giving thanks, Inspiration, joy, Kindness, Love, reading, Teaching young children | Tagged , , , , , , | 92 Comments

Hector Fox and the Giant Quest

Posted on December 28, 2018 by Jennie

Hector Fox and the Giant Quest I have been teaching preschool for thirty-five years.  I’m the guru of picture books at school.  Frankly I’m picky, and I know a good book when I read one.  Hector Fox and the Giant … Continue reading →

Posted in Book Review, books, children's books, Early Education, Imagination, picture books, reading, young children | Tagged , , , | 45 Comments

The Best Children’s Christmas Books

Posted on December 21, 2018 by Jennie

I want to share with you my favorite Christmas books.  I love books, and I love reading to children.  After a gazillion years, these are the ‘tried and true’, stories that children love. Me, too! Grab tissues, laughter, and wonder, … Continue reading →

Posted in Book Review, books, children's books, Early Education, Imagination, Inspiration, picture books, reading, reading aloud, young children | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 65 Comments

Meeting Author Ryan T. Higgins

Posted on December 18, 2018 by Jennie

I was fortunate to meet Ryan Higgins, a favorite children’s book author, at the Eric Carle Museum last week.  He read aloud his new picture book, Santa Bruce.  I’m a big fan of his Mother Bruce books, so I grabbed that … Continue reading →

Posted in Book Review, books, children's books, Early Education, museums, picture books, preschool, reading, reading aloud, reading aloud | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 63 Comments

Carl Sagan on Books

Posted on December 17, 2018 by Jennie

Jennie

Posted in books, Imagination, Inspiration, Quotes, reading | Tagged , , , , | 49 Comments

The Guest Reader – Age 6

Posted on December 5, 2018 by Jennie

Aaryan has been asking me for days to come into the classroom and be a guest reader.  “Jennie, I have the book in my backpack.  It’s the fish book.  They’re red and blue.  When can I come in and read?” … Continue reading →

Posted in books, children's books, Early Education, Expressing words and feelings, Giving thanks, joy, picture books, reading aloud, reading aloud, Student alumni, young children | Tagged , , , , , , , | 34 Comments

The Very Hungry Caterpillar – 50th Anniversary

Posted on December 1, 2018 by Jennie

Fifty years.  That’s a very long time.  For a book to still be alive, vibrant, and read all over the world – fifty years later – is astounding.  The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle is celebrating it’s 50th anniversary … Continue reading →

Posted in Book Review, books, children's books, Early Education, Eric Carle, history, picture books, preschool, reading aloud, reading aloud, The Arts | Tagged , , , , , | 38 Comments

A Story of Reading Aloud

Posted on November 26, 2018 by Jennie

Author Kate DiCamillo tells a childhood story of her teacher reading aloud, when she was in second grade.  It is powerful.  She remembers every detail… including the class bully. “It’s 1972, and I’m 8 years old and in second grade … Continue reading →

Posted in books, chapter reading, children's books, Early Education, Imagination, Inspiration, reading, reading aloud, reading aloud, storytelling | Tagged , , , , , , | 63 Comments

The New Erma Bombeck

Posted on November 18, 2018 by Jennie

Barb Taub is hilarious.  Laugh out loud, tears streaming down your face hilarious.  She is today’s version of the Erma Bombeck of the ‘60’s and 70’s (The Grass Is Always Greener Over The Septic Tank, and If Life Is A … Continue reading →

Posted in Book Review, books, joy, reading, Writing | Tagged , , , , , | 26 Comments

Halloween Parent Email

Posted on November 1, 2018 by Jennie

An email from a parent, to all the families, late last night: Hello! I wanted to share this moment from today: while we were trick-or-treating at the library today I lost sight of Luella (truth be told, I was in … Continue reading →

Posted in books, chapter reading, E.B. White, Early Education, Expressing words and feelings, Giving thanks, preschool, reading, reading aloud, Teaching young children | Tagged , , , , | 36 Comments