Category Archives: children’s books

Make Way For Ducklings – Happy Easter

Posted on April 9, 2023 by Jennie

This is a favorite post from Easter many years ago. Photo courtesy Universal Hub Robert McCloskey’s classic story, Make Way for Ducklings, is immortalized in bronze statues in the Public Garden on Boston Common.  Mrs. Mallard and her eight ducklings, Jack, … Continue reading →

Posted in art, children's books, Imagination, Inspiration, literacy, picture books, Teaching young children, The Arts | Tagged , , , | 57 Comments

Just Another Day in the Classroom… Oh, Boy!

Posted on April 6, 2023 by Jennie

photo from Pixabay  I often write about the great moments in the classroom, when a spark ignites and learning explodes, or when goodness, laughter, and discovery happen. Every day is not like that.  Today was was one of those ‘not … Continue reading →

Posted in Book Review, children's books, Early Education, Expressing words and feelings, Inspiration, music, picture books, preschool, reading aloud, Singing, Teaching young children | Tagged , , , | 64 Comments

The Art of Disguise, “Swimmy” and Snow Geese

Posted on April 3, 2023 by Jennie

Cindy Knoke’s photography cindyknoke.com is nothing short of stunning.  From birds to wildlife to nature, she captures it all in breathtaking detail.  When I saw her recent photo of snow geese flying from a predator, I nearly jumped out of … Continue reading →

Posted in Book Review, children's books, Early Education, Imagination, Inspiration, Leo Lionni, literacy, Nature, picture stories, preschool, reading aloud, reading aloud | Tagged , , , | 53 Comments

Early Childhood Literacy & Purple Prose

Posted on March 26, 2023 by Jennie

Originally posted on Elizabeth Gauffreau:
Image: greenmountainwriting.com *Shaggy Dog Story Alert* A Confession I must confess that I have a fondness for purple prose–although not, of course, in contemporary writing. Perish the thought! Writing of the florid persuasion must stay…

Posted in children's books, Early Education, Inspiration, literacy | Tagged , , , , | 12 Comments

From Little House in the Big Woods to Little House on the Prairie

Posted on March 10, 2023 by Jennie

My book is ‘well loved’ and completely falling apart. That shows children how important it is. I finished reading aloud Little House in the Big Woods to my preschoolers, and have just started the next book, Little House on the … Continue reading →

Posted in America, chapter reading, children's books, geography, Inspiration, Learning About the World, reading aloud, Teaching young children | Tagged , , | 51 Comments

Hector Fox at the Eric Carle Museum, and More

Posted on February 26, 2023 by Jennie

Few museums give patrons an up-close, personal experience.  The Eric Carle Museum in Massachusetts is a master at doing just that.  Their three rotating exhibits are grounded in the best art of illustrators, and patrons can be inches away from … Continue reading →

Posted in art, Book Review, children's books, Diversity, Dogs, literacy, museums, picture books, reading, reading aloud | Tagged , , , , | 70 Comments

Goodnight Moon – It’s a ‘Rap’

Posted on February 23, 2023 by Jennie

Before children learn to read, first they must hear the words.  It’s developmental, like learning to crawl before learning to walk.  The auditory piece, including singing, hits both the brain and the soul in learning.  In my preschool class, reading … Continue reading →

Posted in chapter reading, children's books, Early Education, Expressing words and feelings, Inspiration, literacy, music, picture books, preschool, reading aloud, reading aloud, Singing, Teaching young children | Tagged , , | 50 Comments

Reading Aloud Heals Just About Everything

Posted on February 18, 2023 by Jennie

My favorite ‘reading aloud movie’ is “The Princess Bride.”  Yes, it’s a wonderful movie about a fairy tale…but more importantly it’s a grandfather reading aloud the book to his sick grandson, a reluctant listener.  Eventually the grandson is fully engrossed … Continue reading →

Posted in children's books, Expressing words and feelings, picture books, reading aloud, Teaching young children | Tagged , , | 72 Comments

Kelly the Reader – Her Story

Posted on February 12, 2023 by Jennie

Kelly has learned to read.  She is so proud!  Most children are happy to just keep reading, once they have crossed that threshold.  Not Kelly.  She wanted to show her skills to the world, to read aloud on YouTube, but … Continue reading →

Posted in children's books, Early Education, Imagination, Inspiration, literacy, reading, reading aloud, wonder | Tagged , , | 76 Comments

E.B. White

Posted on January 27, 2023 by Jennie

E.B. White’s thoughts always go through me like a Fourth of July sparkler.  He has a way with words, and he ‘knows’.  His wisdom is as remarkable as his writing.  He was the observer, the one who paid attention and … Continue reading →

Posted in Book Review, books, chapter reading, children's books, E.B. White, Early Education, Expressing words and feelings, Inspiration, literacy, reading aloud, reading aloud, Teaching young children | Tagged , , , | 74 Comments