Category Archives: Imagination

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 , , | 80 Comments

Storytelling To High Schoolers – Part 2

Posted on March 27, 2026 by Jennie

The work was done.  Well, almost.  High schoolers wrote their stories, turned it into a book, and I returned to listen to them read their stories.  After all, they would be reading the story they wrote about the kindergartner they … Continue reading →

Posted in books, Community, Expressing words and feelings, Imagination, Inspiration, literacy, picture stories, reading aloud, School, storytelling, Teaching young children, The Arts | Tagged , , , , | 51 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

Music to Inspire My Young Artists

Posted on March 10, 2026 by Jennie

“Where words fail, music speaks.” ~Hans Christian Andersen~ Music is at the heart of every emotion- inspiring poets, writers, and artists. I use music to inspire my preschoolers to paint.  Oh boy, do I ever!  First I bring in my … Continue reading →

Posted in art, Imagination, Inspiration, music, preschool, The Arts | Tagged , , , | 73 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

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

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

Look What Arrived!

Posted on November 15, 2025 by Jennie

Look what arrived today! Darlene Foster’s new Amanda book, Amanda in Ireland, The Body in the Bog. I’m so excited! Jennie

Posted in books, chapter reading, children's books, Imagination, Inspiration, Learning About the World, literacy, reading | Tagged , , , | 57 Comments

Halloween

Posted on October 31, 2025 by Jennie

Halloween is exciting for children.  At school we had a ‘Day in the Dark’, using flashlights and glow sticks for light.  Playing with black playdoh on shiny foil, painting with neon paint and using a black light, and playing with … Continue reading →

Posted in Book Review, children's books, Halloween, Imagination, Inspiration, jack-o-lanterns, picture books, preschool, storytelling, Teaching young children | Tagged , , , | 61 Comments