Category Archives: books

Best Children’s Christmas Books – and a New One

Red and Lulu, by Matt Tavares is the story of two cardinals who live in a mighty evergreen tree.  They love their home, their tree.  Best of all, they love it when winter arrives and Christmas carolers sing close by.  … Continue reading

Posted in Book Review, books, children's books, Giving thanks, Inspiration, literacy, Nature, picture books, preschool, reading, young children | Tagged , , | 64 Comments

The Library – Reading and Book Bears – Part 1

Thursdays at the library are my favorite days.  I get to read aloud to elementary school children.  And, I get to host Book Bears, a book discussion on a book everyone in the group has read.  How could I resist … Continue reading

Posted in Book Review, books, children's books, Inspiration, reading, reading aloud | Tagged , , , , | 59 Comments

Terrific Children’s Books – #3

Books #1 and #2 dealt with the all-important social and emotional issues – friendship, fear, worry, kindness, courage, giving…and more. Here is #3, a story on the same important path, but at a much more complex level.  Oh, this one is … Continue reading

Posted in Book Review, books, children's books, Inspiration, Learning About the World, reading | Tagged , , , , , | 91 Comments

A Day at the Eric Carle Museum

There is always something new at the Carle. I say this all the time, because it’s true.  Every visit there is ‘something’ that floors me – sets me off like a sparkler. Marc Brown, author of the beloved “Arthur” books … Continue reading

Posted in art, Author interview, Book Review, books, children's books, Early Education, Eric Carle, Expressing words and feelings, Giving thanks, Inspiration, literacy, museums, picture books, reading, reading aloud, reading aloud, Teaching young children, The Arts | Tagged , , , , , | 60 Comments

E.B. White’s Letter to the Library Children

Early-1971, in an effort to attract as many youngsters to the premises as possible, Marguerite Hart — children’s librarian at the newly-opened public library in Troy, Michigan — wrote to a number of notable people with a request: to reply … Continue reading

Posted in books, chapter reading, children's books, E.B. White, Early Education, Expressing words and feelings, Inspiration, reading | Tagged , , , , , | 57 Comments

E.B. White Book Signing

This weekend was special for me. E.B. White’s grandniece hosted a book signing. She signed my two copies of “Charlotte’s Web”.   Her first edition copy, gifted to her by E.B (Uncle Andy) was on display. Also on display was … Continue reading

Posted in books, children's books, Death and dying, E.B. White, Expressing words and feelings, Inspiration, reading, reading aloud, Writing | Tagged , , , | 74 Comments

Reading Aloud – a Trilogy.

I love this cartoon. A child sees the sign in the library “Read To Them!  They’ll Remember Forever.” She joins story time at the library. The librarian is reading, “Stories For Children.” The child then reads aloud to her stuffed … Continue reading

Posted in books, chapter reading, Early Education, Inspiration, preschool, reading aloud, reading aloud, Teaching young children | Tagged , , | 46 Comments

The Flights To and From LA – Book Stories

My flight to LA to appear on the Kelly Clarkson Show was packed.  I was in the three-seat section along with a nice young couple.  After a few hours in the air, it was apparent that she was pregnant.  He … Continue reading

Posted in books, chapter reading, children's books, Early Education, Inspiration, literacy, music, preschool, reading aloud, reading aloud, School | Tagged , , , , , , , | 77 Comments

Jennie Video on The Kelly Clarkson Show

For my blogging friends who are unable to see The Kelly Clarkson Show, here is a clip of my part on the show.  Many bloggers have wanted to see me on the show, so here I am: https://www.nbc.com/the-kelly-clarkson-show/video/preschool-teacher-gets-huge-surprise-after-35-years-connecting-kids-with-books/824261977 I cannot … Continue reading

Posted in books, Early Education, Expressing words and feelings, reading, reading aloud, reading aloud, Teaching young children | Tagged , , , , | 113 Comments

The Most Important Things in Life

Bottom line = times have changed, but children have not.  What they need and want is the same as it has always been.  Academics are one thing, but in order to get there, children have to be grounded in the … Continue reading

Posted in Book Review, books, Early Education, Expressing words and feelings, Inspiration, self esteem, teaching, Teaching young children | Tagged , , , , | 115 Comments