Category Archives: reading

A Book and a Near Blizzard

Posted on January 25, 2026 by Jennie

“Oh, the weather outside is frightful and my book is so delightful. Since I’ve no no place to go, let it snow, read a book, let it snow.” The weather is awful.  We’re getting 18 to 20+ inches of snow. … Continue reading →

Posted in books, children's books, history, Inspiration, Learning About the World, literacy, Mother Nature, Nature, reading | Tagged , , | 61 Comments

Tigers! Tigers!

Posted on January 19, 2026 by Jennie

We are learning about India.  We started with our Big Book Atlas to find India and also where we live.  As always, geography holds a keen interest for children.  Of course we became sidetracked in the best of ways, to … Continue reading →

Posted in Book Review, books, children's books, geography, Inspiration, Learning About the World, picture books, preschool, reading, reading aloud | Tagged , , , , | 81 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

Giving – the New Amos McGee Book

Posted on January 1, 2026 by Jennie

The  Amos McGee books are wonderful. The first in the series, A Sick Day for Amos McGee, won the coveted Caldecott Medal. I love the newest book, A Snow Day for Amos McGee. Amos works at the zoo.  His best friends … Continue reading →

Posted in Book Review, children's books, Expressing words and feelings, Giving, Inspiration, literacy, picture books, preschool, Quotes, reading, reading aloud | Tagged , , , | 68 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

My Favorite Picture Books of the Summer

Posted on September 1, 2025 by Jennie

  Norman and the Smell of Adventure, By Ryan T. Higgins Norman has a best friend – Mildred.  She’s a tree.  While they have favorite things they do every day, Norman is getting bored.  He wants to do something new, … Continue reading →

Posted in Book Review, children's books, Imagination, Inspiration, literacy, picture books, reading, Teaching young children | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 69 Comments

Amanda

Posted on August 3, 2025 by Jennie

Hubby snapped this picture of me, completely engrossed in reading Amanda in Scotland The Standing Stones. Thank goodness for Amanda.  This weekend I’m busy with an annual writer’s conference on line.  I’m exhausted.  There was an hour window of a … Continue reading →

Posted in Book Review, books, children's books, Giving thanks, Inspiration, literacy, reading | Tagged , , , | 71 Comments

I’ve Lost Hubby

Posted on July 11, 2025 by Jennie

I’ve lost hubby to Dan and Willow’s new book, Poetic Justice. Isn’t that wonderful? Jennie

Posted in Book Review, books, Giving thanks, literacy, reading | Tagged , , , | 77 Comments

Gifting a Book to the Public Library

Posted on June 16, 2025 by Jennie

Discovering a great new book is one thing. Reading the book to children, over and over again, is another thing. Gifting that book to the public library is the icing on the cake.   The Little Red Chair, by Cathy … Continue reading →

Posted in Book Review, children's books, Expressing words and feelings, Inspiration, joy, Library, literacy, picture books, reading | Tagged , , | 83 Comments