Category Archives: picture books

November – “Ox-Cart Man”

As I drove home tonight and looked at the sky, I immediately knew it was an “Ox-Cart Man” sky, the one in November where he finally arrived back home.  Do you know “Ox-Cart Man” by Donald Hall? It is one … Continue reading

Posted in Book Review, children's books, Early Education, history, Particia MacLachlan, picture books, Poetry, reading aloud, reading aloud, Teaching young children | Tagged , , , , , , , | 75 Comments

StoryWalk – An Eric Carle Book

A StoryWalk is a book, told with a series of signs, planted outdoors along a walk, that take you through each page of a book.  You follow along, walking from one ‘page’ of a story to the next.  It is … Continue reading

Posted in Book Review, books, children's books, Early Education, Eric Carle, Imagination, Inspiration, Nature, picture books, Teaching young children | Tagged , , , , , , , | 60 Comments

Trees

This autumn has been gorgeous.  The trees are brilliant in a variety of colors.  They make me look up.  They make me stop to really look. Summer was dry, so it is surprising that our autumn is especially colorful.  I like to … Continue reading

Posted in Book Review, books, children's books, Early Education, Einstein, Imagination, Mother Nature, Nature, picture books, Quotes, reading aloud, reading aloud | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 65 Comments

Reading Aloud “The Giving Tree”

My post yesterday about The Giving Tree was well received.  Only one thing was missing – reading the story aloud.  Thank you John Howell at Fiction Favorites for his comment: Darn.  I settled in and thought you were going to read the … Continue reading

Posted in Book Review, books, children's books, Expressing words and feelings, Giving, Inspiration, picture books, reading aloud | Tagged , , , , | 44 Comments

The Giving Tree

There is a tree on the playground that is old and big.  Its branches dip down.  Each one seems to have a mind of its own.  The boughs sway and reach, and children look up. I wonder if the tree … Continue reading

Posted in Book Review, books, children's books, Early Education, Expressing words and feelings, Giving, Inspiration, Kindness, picture books, reading, reading aloud, Teaching young children | Tagged , , , , , | 104 Comments

Books, Reading, and Puzzles

I can’t say enough to the families of the children I teach, about books and reading. The more they know and understand, the better it is for their child. This is a newsletter I sent to families yesterday: Hi Families, … Continue reading

Posted in books, chapter reading, children's books, Early Education, Inspiration, picture books, reading, reading aloud, reading aloud, Teaching young children | Tagged , , , , , , | 68 Comments

My Summer of Books – Part 2

In  Part 1 I talked about many of the picture books in this photo, which shows all the children’s books I read this summer. Part 2 continues with the picture books, and bridges to older children’s books. Pigs in the Mud in … Continue reading

Posted in Book Review, books, children's books, Early Education, Expressing words and feelings, Inspiration, Particia MacLachlan, picture books, reading | Tagged , , , , , | 79 Comments

My Summer of Books – Part 1

My summer has been filled with reading children’s books, from new picture books to books for older children, and classics.  Every one has been satisfying and thrilling, yet in different ways.  Some books are funny, some are filled with history, … Continue reading

Posted in Book Review, books, children's books, Early Education, picture books, reading | Tagged , , , , , | 78 Comments

More at The Carle, the Art of Maira Kalman, and “Fireboat”

After visiting the Angels exhibition at the Eric Carle Museum, I viewed the art of Maira Kalman. I knew this dog, at least I thought I did.  While there was something familiar here, I had to admit I don’t really … Continue reading

Posted in art, Book Review, books, children's books, Early Education, Eric Carle, Giving thanks, history, Inspiration, museums, picture books, reading, reading aloud, Teaching young children, The Arts | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 52 Comments

“Blue Sky, White Stars”, the New Book about America and our Flag

How do you teach children about America – past and also present? How do you teach about our flag? How do you smile a deep down smile, with childhood memories? How and what do you you remember? Blue Sky, White … Continue reading

Posted in America, American flag, books, children's books, Early Education, history, patriotism, picture books, reading aloud, Teaching young children | Tagged , , , , , | 51 Comments