Category Archives: Inspiration

Giving – Dollar General, Kelly Clarkson, Dolly Parton, and Me

Posted on December 23, 2021 by Jennie

It is the season of giving.  I can’t tell you how much it meant for me to give to Read Aloud West Virginia.  This would not have happened if I hadn’t been a guest on the Kelly Clarkson Show.  Her … Continue reading →

Posted in books, children's books, Early Education, Giving, Inspiration, Jim Trelease, literacy, reading, reading aloud, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , | 88 Comments

Best Children’s Christmas Books – and a New One

Posted on December 21, 2021 by Jennie

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

An Arcing Contrail Against a Full Moon

Posted on December 20, 2021 by Jennie

At school, December has been a month of learning about the planets, stars, and light.  We have watched a video of the Atlantis Space Shuttle launch in 1985, and hoped to see the new James Webb telescope launch into space.  … Continue reading →

Posted in Inspiration, Learning About the World, Nature, Quotes, Teaching young children, wonder | Tagged , , , | 48 Comments

Best Christmas Commercial – From Darlene Foster

Posted on December 19, 2021 by Jennie

Thank you to Darlene at Darlene Foster’s Blog  for sharing this wonderful Christmas Commercial!  Yes, I recommend having a tissue on hand. Merry Christmas, Jennie

Posted in Expressing words and feelings, Family, Giving, Giving thanks, Inspiration | Tagged , , , | 39 Comments

Best Christmas Commercial

Posted on December 19, 2021 by Jennie

Here is my all-time favorite Christmas Commercial.  I have watched this hundreds of times, and it fills me up – always.  I hope it brings you the same joy.  You might want to have a tissue handy for those happy … Continue reading →

Posted in Expressing words and feelings, Family, Giving, Inspiration, Love, music | Tagged , , , | 77 Comments

The Library – Reading and Book Bears – Part 2

Posted on December 18, 2021 by Jennie

In Part 1, I introduced how reading aloud at the last few minutes of Book Bears became a ‘thing’, something very popular with the children.  That year the book was “Summer of the Monkeys”.  A few minutes of reading aloud turned … Continue reading →

Posted in Book Review, chapter reading, children's books, Diversity, Expressing words and feelings, Inspiration, literacy, reading aloud | Tagged , , , , | 41 Comments

Terrific Children’s Books – #5

Posted on December 15, 2021 by Jennie

Children’s Books #1 – #4 have been about the all-important things that children need – kindness, giving, empathy… those social and emotional skills.  #5 is two books that I discovered at the Eric Carle Museum last month.  I always find great books … Continue reading →

Posted in Book Review, Early Education, Eric Carle, Expressing words and feelings, Inspiration, literacy, Nature, picture books, reading, Teaching young children | Tagged , , , , | 38 Comments

Army-Navy Football, It’s Far More Than a Game

Posted on December 11, 2021 by Jennie

Today was the 122nd Army-Navy football game.  I watch it every year.  I am glued, because it is far more than a football game.  It is a rivalry between brothers.  I call it a ‘band of brothers’, much like how … Continue reading →

Posted in Expressing words and feelings, Giving thanks, Inspiration, military, patriotism, Singing | Tagged , , , | 58 Comments

The Library – Reading and Book Bears – Part 1

Posted on December 10, 2021 by Jennie

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 – #4

Posted on December 8, 2021 by Jennie

                                                           Kindness Matters Social and emotional development are critical to young children.  … Continue reading →

Posted in behavior, Book Review, children's books, Expressing words and feelings, Giving, Inspiration, Kindness, picture books, preschool, reading aloud, Teaching young children | Tagged , , , , , , | 65 Comments