Category Archives: Inspiration

History Through a Classic Picture Book – The Little House

Last night as the sun was setting, the house next door was getting sleepy.  Just look at those window eyes closing and getting ready to say goodnight.  They reminded me of a favorite picture book, “The Little House” by Virginia … Continue reading

Posted in Book Review, children's books, Early Education, history, Inspiration, picture books, reading aloud, reading aloud, Teaching young children | Tagged , , , , , | 87 Comments

My New Books Arrived

Look what just arrived in the mail today! Jennie

Posted in books, Giving thanks, Inspiration, reading | Tagged , , , | 58 Comments

Dinosaurs Are Not Extinct

Dinosaurs are not extinct.  Way back in ‘95, a dinosaur was born.  He was lovingly painted, stuffed with paper, and tied with string.  Don’t you love the big, toothy smile? That year was a happy year for this dinosaur, hanging … Continue reading

Posted in children's books, Early Education, Expressing words and feelings, Imagination, Inspiration, picture books, School, Teaching young children | Tagged , , , , , , | 57 Comments

An Eric Carle Trilogy

Surely, The Very Hungry Caterpillar was here.   Words to live by.   The sun – Eric Carle’s most immortalized art. Jennie

Posted in art, children's books, Eric Carle, Expressing words and feelings, Inspiration, Nature, Quotes, The Arts, wonder | Tagged , , , , , | 61 Comments

Wordless – at the Eric Carle Museum

The new exhibit at the Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art is: Speechless: The Art of Wordless Picture Books Wordless books?  How can that be?  How can you read a wordless book to a child?  I’ll tell you just … Continue reading

Posted in art, Author interview, Book Review, children's books, David Wiesner, Early Education, Eric Carle, Expressing words and feelings, Imagination, Inspiration, museums, picture books, reading aloud, reading aloud, The Arts | Tagged , , , , , , , | 52 Comments

Milly’s Epilogue

This card was passed out at the memorial service. It’s an odd thing to say that a eulogy was inspirational.  Yet for Milly, how could it be anything less?  And, it’s unusual to laugh out loud at the words the … Continue reading

Posted in Death and dying, Expressing words and feelings, Giving thanks, Inspiration, quilting | Tagged , | 74 Comments

Milly – Part 10

In Part 9, Milly continued her visits to school.  The children and Gloria were always thrilled when it was a ‘Milly day’.  At last, after years of quilts that went away to places of honor, Milly made a quilt, “Our Towns” … Continue reading

Posted in Death and dying, Diversity, Early Education, Expressing words and feelings, Family, Giving, Giving thanks, Inspiration, preschool, quilting, wonder | Tagged , , , , , , , | 61 Comments

Moments #3

Moments #2 were sunsets, grandchildren, and what happens in my classroom.  My final ‘moments’ post, Moments #3, is looking up, looking down, and looking out. Rainbow around the sun yesterday at noon Rainbows under water in my pool Thank you … Continue reading

Posted in E.B. White, Giving thanks, Inspiration, joy, Nature, Quotes, wonder | Tagged , , , , , , | 57 Comments

Milly – Part 9

In Part 8, Milly and the children were guests of honor at the one-year anniversary of the Boston Fisher House.  With a full crowd in attendance, including members of the Fisher family, we presented the God Bless America quilt.  And, a … Continue reading

Posted in Expressing words and feelings, Family, Gloria, Imagination, Inspiration, Peace, preschool, quilting, The Arts, wonder | Tagged , , , , , | 62 Comments

Moments #2

Moments #1 happened in my backyard on a beautiful day.  I paid attention to the world around me, up high and down low.  Moments #2 (below) goes far deeper into the importance of little things, and how they really become … Continue reading

Posted in Diversity, Early Education, Expressing words and feelings, geography, Inspiration, joy, Learning About the World, Nature, patriotism, picture books, play performances, preschool, quilting, summer camp, Teaching young children, The Arts, wonder | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 87 Comments