Category Archives: Diversity

Wishtree, by Kathrine Applegate – Then and Now

Posted on May 9, 2026 by Jennie

When I visit with the grandchildren, a beloved ritual is reading a story before bedtime. The musicality of words floating into the ear and going into the mind becomes an arrow that pierces the heart.  It always happens that way. … Continue reading →

Posted in Book Review, chapter reading, children's books, Community, Diversity, Expressing words and feelings, Heart, Imagination, Inspiration, Library, literacy, reading, reading aloud | Tagged , , | 82 Comments

Welcoming Gloria Back to the Classroom – Katy!

Posted on May 4, 2026 by Jennie

Gloria, we missed you!  You made a friend from England?  Yes, and her name is Katy.  She brought you into the classroom.  The children were thrilled.  She wore an English hat, a boa, and long white gloves. Katy is famous … Continue reading →

Posted in Community, Diversity, England, Family, geography, Gloria, Inspiration, Learning About the World, preschool, School, Teaching young children | Tagged , , | 62 Comments

Talking With Owen, the High School Student

Posted on April 28, 2026 by Jennie

I can’t get the conversation out of my mind. Owen was one of the high school students who interviewed our kindergarteners and wrote their stories, turning them into a book. Today I got a lovely card signed by the students. … Continue reading →

Posted in Community, Diversity, Expressing words and feelings, Inspiration, School, storytelling, teaching | Tagged , , | 60 Comments

Gloria’s Return From England

Posted on April 19, 2026 by Jennie

Gloria is back home, safe and sound… yet she’s a little different.  Yes, she misses Willow (and Earl and Olivia), but do you see how different her necklace is?  She now wears, with pride, England’s Royal British Legion’s 100th anniversary … Continue reading →

Posted in Diversity, England, geography, Gloria, Heart, Inspiration, joy, Kindness, School, teaching, Teaching young children, wonder | Tagged , , , , , | 104 Comments

Storytelling to High Schoolers

Posted on March 17, 2026 by Jennie

I was invited to tell stories to our local prep school high schoolers, and help them write stories with a cultural perspective.  They have a winter break, and students sign up for an event.  Many signed up for me, and … Continue reading →

Posted in children's books, Community, Diversity, Early Education, Expressing words and feelings, Imagination, Inspiration, literacy, picture books, preschool, wonder | Tagged , , , , | 47 Comments

Bon Voyage, Gloria

Posted on February 27, 2026 by Jennie

Gloria is going to England!  Yes!  Fellow blogger/writer/poet Willow Willers at willowdot21  invited Gloria to come and visit her.  Willow has always loved my posts about Gloria.  Well, she just loves Gloria, and when you love someone, you need to be … Continue reading →

Posted in Diversity, Expressing words and feelings, geography, Gloria, Inspiration, Learning About the World, School, Teaching young children | Tagged , , | 120 Comments

Gloria’s Surprise Santa Gift

Posted on December 28, 2025 by Jennie

Gloria is spending Christmas and the holidays with me and my Hubby.  She is very happy!  On Christmas Eve I asked her if she wanted to write a letter to Santa.  Yes, and no.  She felt awkward telling me that … Continue reading →

Posted in behavior, Diversity, Early Education, Expressing words and feelings, Giving thanks, Gloria, Heart, Imagination, joy, Kindness, Love, Play, preschool, School | Tagged , , , , | 68 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

Happy Thanksgiving!

Posted on November 27, 2025 by Jennie

Happy Thanksgiving! Jennie

Posted in Community, Diversity, Expressing words and feelings, Family, Giving thanks, Heart, Inspiration, Kindness, Love | Tagged , , , , | 71 Comments

More on Diversity

Posted on November 7, 2025 by Jennie

I’m reading Katherine Applegate’s award winning book, Wishtree, to my library Read Aloud group.  The story is told by Red the tree, who is over two centuries old.  Red is the Wish Tree in the neighborhood, carrying on a long tradition … Continue reading →

Posted in Book Review, chapter reading, Diversity, Expressing words and feelings, Gloria, Inspiration, Kindness, literacy, reading aloud | Tagged , , | 75 Comments