The Calm Before the Storm

Posted on August 3, 2020 by Jennie

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Mother Nature is giving us a delightful and playful calm
before tomorrow’s storm.
Wispy clouds are dancing, like children.

Jennie

Posted in Imagination, Inspiration, Mother Nature, Nature, wonder | Tagged , , , | 47 Comments

Home schooling and how it has impacted my attitude towards teachers

Posted on August 3, 2020 by Jennie

Parents and teachers are anxiously waiting as schools take steps on how to reopen. As a parent whose children have different learning styles, Robbie writes an excellent post on distance online learning at home. As a teacher, I know she is spot on. This is a must read for educators and parents.

robbiesinspiration's avatarRobbie's inspiration

Gregory in a school concert when he was 8 years old

My sons have been home schooling since our schools first closed on 18 March this year. That equates to four and a half months of my having to drag my youngest reluctantly from his bed each school day, feed him and force him to sit in front of his computer for at least some of the day. It also involved me having to try to get to grips with all his Google classrooms, on-line tasks and their submissions and even his school email. It has been hard work to say the least.

I had no such issues with Gregory, my older son. Greg is exactly like me, hugely driven and determined. Nothing was going to stand in the path of his personal goals and success. Greg simply got stuck in and spend most of my 8 hour working day…

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

Posted on July 31, 2020 by Jennie

After visiting the Angels exhibition at the Eric Carle Museum, I viewed the art of Maira Kalman.

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I knew this dog, at least I thought I did.  While there was something familiar here, I had to admit I don’t really know the author or her books.  It’s a good thing I toured her exhibit.  What I recognized was her style.  Most of Maira Kalman’s art that I had seen was on many covers of The New Yorker magazine.  How prolific to write and illustrate children’s books, and also grace the covers of well known magazines.

There’s more.  Maira Kalman illustrated the book, The Elements of Style, co-authored by William Strunk and E.B. White.  This book is a classic for writers.  I was both impressed and surprised to learn that she did the illustrations.

Here’s where it gets even better.  Alongside every exhibit at the museum are the books by the author and illustrator.  Visitors can sit and read while admiring the art. Which is exactly what I did.  Thank goodness, as I discovered Fireboat, The Heroic Adventures of the John J. Harvey.

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Are you familiar with the John J. Harvey fireboat?  I wasn’t either.  It was launched in New York City in 1931, the same year Babe Ruth hit his 611th home run, and Snickers hit the candy stores.  The popular word Hot-Cha was invented.

The book opens with events and structures in New York City, such as the George Washington Bridge suspended over the Hudson River.

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All the illustrations are beautiful.  The reader becomes part of the city in years gone by. Time passes.  We learn about the working parts of the fireboat and the crew.  The John J. Harvey helps to fight the fire on the ocean liner NORMANDIE.  Sometimes it goes out in the water just to celebrate, shoot water, and have fun.

By 1995 there were many fireboats, and the Harvey was set to be retired and sold for scrap. Of course the people who loved her rallied to save and buy the boat.  She was repaired and spent her days on the water, visiting other boats.  Did you know that four toots means hello?

Then something terrible happened at 8:45 AM on September 11, 2001.

The John J. Harvey wanted to help and get back to work.  We learn what each crew member was doing at the time, before they rushed to the fireboat.  No, she was too old to fight the fires, but she could help rescue people… and then at last she got “the call”, she was needed to supply water to the firefighters.  She was once again a real fireboat.

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Can you see the many firefighters in this illustration?  That is one of the paintings at the exhibit.  A lump-in-your-throat painting.  The John J. Harvey was a hero.  The book shows the award she received, and a beautiful illustration of the harbor and the fireboat.  Among the last words are, “All that’s left to say is HOT-CHA and thank you.”

You can believe I will be reading this book to children.

Thank you to the Eric Carle Museum for another wonderful exhibition.  I learned much.  I am once again filled up.

Jennie

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

A New Exhibit, Eric Carle’s Art Comes Full Circle…and More

Posted on July 30, 2020 by Jennie

After months of having to close its doors to the public, the Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art in Massachusetts has reopened.  I was thrilled.  The number of visitors and safety procedures were controlled, yet the experience was full and open – I was once again a child on discovery.

And discover, I did.

In my customary note of appreciation to the museum I said,
“It always astounds me that every single visit to the Eric Carle Museum is nothing short of remarkable.  Really.  Today was no exception.  The angels exhibit was nothing at all like what I expected, and one of the best exhibits I have seen.”

As a member of the museum, I was greeted so warmly upon my return by the staff- like an old friend.  They gave me extra copies of their spring newsletter (where I am featured), and asked to take my picture.  I shared some stories of past visits, and heard “That was you?”  It was a lovely “welcome back.”

Eric Carle has a new exhibition- Angels.  I imagined it would be soft colors, sky and clouds, perhaps tissue paper art.  I was very wrong.  Walking into the exhibit, I immediately saw it was An Homage to Paul Klee.

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Wait a minute.  Of course.  Paul Klee, one of the “degenerate, forbidden artists”.  An artist who was instrumental in shaping Carle’s style of art.  An artist he revered.

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When Eric Carle studied art in Germany, at the height of WWII, his art teacher risked his own life to show Carle the art of Matisse, Picasso, Kandinsky, and Klee.  That changed Carle’s life.

I will never forget learning that.  In many ways, it changed my life, too.

Here’s the interesting part; Klee was a big fan of angels, and Carle was not.  Yet, at nearly 90 years of age Carle is drawn to making the art of angels.  He is pulled to Klee, and feels the need to pay homage, say thank you, and make his interpretation of the art Klee loved.

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Angelus Novus by Paul Klee

Yet, it is deeper than that.

Eric Carle has always enjoyed self expression in his children’s books.  His art is among the best.  His children’s books have a theme and a focus, and his art follows suit.  Now, he has made art that is unbridled – there is no children’s book, there is art in a joyous and deeply moving way.

8E009658-4DA7-43CC-8C94-A82B95C7DA137755D9F9-606B-4551-8343-2D367768714DI couldn’t get enough of this angel.  The wings, the thick paint, the face…

1041CCFC-7529-4651-A600-C3E7394C7794This angel is playful, almost celebratory.

D0ED693A-1C47-4C3E-BD47-CE33624C4592Look closely at the fingers and body.  Using ‘tools’ on hand makes a wonderful angel.

2A8CE1E1-6FF9-409B-B2DF-3A016FEE1AA1This angel was perhaps my favorite.  I love the paint!

There is more!  Stay tuned for the Maira Kalman exhibit which was on display as well.  I found a fabulous book she wrote, which I must share with you tomorrow.

Jennie.

Posted in art, Eric Carle, Expressing words and feelings, Giving thanks, Inspiration, museums, The Arts | Tagged , , , , , | 48 Comments

The Sky, and Really Talking

Posted on July 27, 2020 by Jennie

A hot night and a beautiful sky.
We dangled our feet in the water and looked up.
The wonder and conversation began.

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The quarter moon a few days ago is now a half moon.
Did the first caveman watch the changes in the moon,
or did he watch the changes in the plants?
Which was most important?

What was the biggest discovery?

Hubby thinks it was figuring out that moonlight is the reflection of the sun,
and the Earth revolves around the sun.
I think it was discovering the Earth is round and not flat.

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We talked about the changing colors in the sky.
How did early artists paint the sky?
How did they feel when looking at what we are looking at tonight?
I wonder what Vincent was thinking when he painted Starry Night.

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We walked through history and science and art, together.
We talked for a long time.
The sky can open up wonders.

Jennie

Posted in art, Imagination, Inspiration, Learning About the World, Mother Nature, Nature, wonder | Tagged , , , , , | 46 Comments

Look Up, Look Down

Posted on July 25, 2020 by Jennie

We can all take a lesson from children.  They notice everything.  They look up, and they look down.  They stop to look, really look, and to wonder.  They remember what they see, and if an adult is around they ask questions.

The wonder children see is always there.  We just have to stop and look up and look down.  I did that tonight.

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I looked up.

 

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I looked down.

 

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The moon began to rise.  Do you see it on the left?  I stayed to watch, and it looked like the Northern Lights were in the sky.  The sky changes quickly, so I pay attention.

 

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The moon is high.  The sky and trees are beautiful.  It reminds me of summer camp and slow evenings of wonder.  It reminds me of the lyrics to Taps, played by a bugle.

Day is done, gone the sun,
From the lake, from the hills, from the sky;
All is well, safely rest, God is nigh. 

Take it from children, look up and look down.  I do.

Jennie

Posted in Early Education, Expressing words and feelings, Inspiration, Nature, summer camp, wonder | Tagged , , , , , , | 87 Comments

Inhale and Exhale of Timeless.

Posted on July 22, 2020 by Jennie

ram H singhal's avatarLanguage of Essence

Sunrise and Sunset are inhale and exhale of Time .

Love and Happiness are inhale and exhale of Timeless.

Love all.

(c) ram H singhal

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Thank You to the Eric Carle Museum, and Kate DiCamillo’s New Book.

Posted on July 22, 2020 by Jennie

Just before the pandemic hit, the Eric Carle Museum asked me if they could include in their quarterly newsletter my story, my blog post, about visiting the museum and hearing author Kate DiCamillo speak.

Yes!  Of course, yes!

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They enjoy reading my blog posts about my visits to the museum.  Well, how can I not write about a visit?  Every one is remarkable.  When I heard Kate DiCamillo speak, the blog post flowed.  She is one of my favorite authors- for many reasons.

Little did I know that my inclusion in the newsletter would be a full page.  What an honor!  Thank you Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art!  Their write-up was terrific.

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Good News!

The museum is opening this week for members only (I snagged my reservation right away) before it opens in August for the public.  Yes, the protocol procedures will be strictly enforced.  I will have two (wonderful) hours to visit.

Kate DiCamillo has published a new book in her Tales From Deckawoo Drive series.  It is phenomenal.  Before I tell you about this book, I need to give you some background.  ‘Kate 101’.  She was a struggling writer, like many of us, and was ready to quit at rejection letter  #473, after five-and-a-half years.  Few if any writers have had that many rejections or as much persistence.  She hung in there a bit longer, and then got a hit.  Not only that, the book won the Newbery Medal.  For those of you not familiar with children’s books, the award is the Holy Grail.

The book was Because of Winn-Dixie.  Yes, many of you know that book.

She continued to write more winners, like The Tale of Despereaux.  My favorite is The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane.  Next, she wrote books for the very young, a series titled ‘Mercy Watson’.  Mercy is a pig who… well, you have to read the books.  The characters in this series became popular ‘household names’, and she wrote a series of books for slightly older readers titled ‘Tales From Deckawoo Drive’, based on these characters.  Her new book is about one of those characters, Stella.

Kate then wrote a book for older readers, Raymie Nightingale.  I was glued to the book.  There are three characters, and the other two now have their own book.

My point?  Kate DiCamillo can write at many different age levels.  That is an enormous task few writers can do.  I am amazed and ever-inspired.  Her new book is Stella Endicott and the Anything-Is-Possible Poem, in the Deckawoo Drive series.

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Stella adores her new teacher Miss Liliana, yet dislikes the brainy know-it-all and irritating classmate, Horace Broom.  When I read the words Stella’s teacher said, “Class, I want you to know that I believe in listening closely and speaking softly and singing loudly.  I also believe in examining mysteries.”- I was hooked.  Courage and curiosity are Stella’s mantra as she and Horace are on the way to the principal’s office.  Horace has much to learn, even though he knows most everything about the planets.  When he showed Stella the planet Venus through his telescope, she said, “It’s beautiful and bright.  It’s a heart humming in the night.”

Kate DiCamillio’s character development is subtle, humorous, and well-crafted,  leaving the reader with a smile, and feeling as if a good lesson was woven into a great story.  This newest book does not disappoint.  I highly recommend the Deckawoo  Drive series.

“If you are going to get anywhere in life you have to read a lot of books.”
-Roald Dahl-

Jennie

Posted in Book Review, books, children's books, Early Education, Eric Carle, Expressing words and feelings, Giving thanks, Inspiration, reading, Teaching young children, Writing | Tagged , , , , , , , | 70 Comments

“Hitch Hiking” 196 Blocks Through New York’s Central Park! Peering Into Alfred Hitchcock’s “Rear Window!”

Posted on July 19, 2020 by Jennie

Enjoy a Sunday walk through Central Park in New York City, courtesy of John Rieber. This made my Sunday morning a beautiful day.

johnrieber's avatarjohnrieber

“Hitch Hiking” Through The Urban Jungle!

My wife Alex came up with the idea of “Hitch Hiking” – a cool hike followed by a classic Hitchcock thriller – and as we are all living a #quarantinelife, I can’t share new hikes right now.

Alex and I are eager to share more shadows like this one, but for now, let’s look at one of my favorite urban hikes!

The Majesty Of Central Park!

This incredible view from W. 57th street shows the magnitude of the park – it’s 2.5 miles long between 59th Street (Central Park South) and 110th Street (Central Park North), and is 0.5 miles wide between Fifth Avenue and Central Park West.

A single day doesn’t even scratch the surface of what there is to see in this park, but since we needed to get an urban hike in, we were going to see how far we could…

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My Happy Garden of Children

Posted on July 17, 2020 by Jennie

Today the flowers in my garden, my children, are happy.
You might spot a fish or two.
They are the caretakers.

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Jennie

Posted in Giving thanks, Mother Nature, Nature, wonder | Tagged , , , | 62 Comments