Tag Archives: children’s books

No Words Needed

Posted on August 11, 2017 by Jennie

“Imagination is more important than knowledge.  Knowledge is limited.  Imagination encircles the world.” – Albert Einstein- And, a picture really is worth a thousand words~that light the fire of imagination.  What if there were books that could do just that? … Continue reading →

Posted in David Wiesner, Early Education, Einstein, Eric Carle, Imagination, picture books, reading, Teaching young children | Tagged , , , , , , | 78 Comments

Meeting Yet Another Author

Posted on August 8, 2017 by Jennie

Mount Holyoke College in Western Massachusetts hosts children’s book authors, and recently Patricia MacLachlan was a speaker.  Remember Sarah, Plain and Tall?  It was the first book that made me cry as an adult.  Mandatory reading for my children when … Continue reading →

Posted in Author interview, Early Education, Imagination, Inspiration, Patricia MacLachlan, picture books, reading, reading aloud | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 45 Comments

Meeting an Author

Posted on July 31, 2017 by Jennie

Last week I met Eric Carle. Let me say it a little louder, “Last week I met Eric Carle!”  The man, a world renowned children’s author and illustrator, is 88 years old.  His history is fascinating.  So is he. My author … Continue reading →

Posted in art, Author interview, Early Education, Eric Carle, Leo Lionni, museums, picture books, storytelling, Teaching young children | Tagged , , , , , , | 73 Comments

Being A Late Bloomer

Posted on July 16, 2017 by Jennie

I was a late bloomer.  It’s a term that is mostly used for flowers today.  Way back when, children who didn’t seem to grow as quickly as their peers were often called “late bloomers”.  I struggled to read.  I sucked … Continue reading →

Posted in Diversity, Early Education, picture books, reading aloud, Teaching young children, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , | 44 Comments

Children Don’t Forget

Posted on June 23, 2017 by Jennie

I wish I could remember everything important, like the titles of all the books I intend to read this summer.  I can recall stories galore of yesteryear, with crystal clear pictures in my head.  The present often seems cloudy in … Continue reading →

Posted in chapter reading, Early Education, Imagination, reading, reading aloud | Tagged , , , , , | 62 Comments

Last (and Best) Parent Newsletter of the Year

Posted on June 20, 2017 by Jennie

My final newsletter to parents.  I tell them in a nutshell everything that mattered; the best thirty minutes of the day that made children’s minds come alive and made their hearts beat.  And every day, every thirty minutes, it happened. … Continue reading →

Posted in chapter reading, Early Education, Imagination, Jim Trelease, reading, reading aloud, Teaching young children | Tagged , , , , , , | 30 Comments

“The Stop Game”, From Dinosaurs to Poetry

Posted on May 17, 2017 by Jennie

I invented a game for reading-aloud children’s books that are, well…long or potentially boring in the eyes of the child.  Poetry!  Fact books!  In my heart, I know these books are hugely important.  I just needed to find a way … Continue reading →

Posted in Early Education, Imagination, Poetry, reading, reading aloud | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 37 Comments

Isabelle’s Story

Posted on May 6, 2017 by Jennie

I read-aloud at the library; great literature and a captive audience of children. Isabelle is part of my book group that includes first and second graders.  As the year has progressed she has grown from shy and quiet to relaxed and chatty.  … Continue reading →

Posted in chapter reading, Early Education, reading, reading aloud, storytelling, Teaching young children | Tagged , , , , , , | 63 Comments

The Best of Jim Trelease

Posted on May 3, 2017 by Jennie

I love a good story, especially one that involves reading aloud and the stunning difference it makes with children.  Here is a favorite story of mine, from the million-copy best selling book, The Read-Aloud Handbook by Jim Trelease: “During his … Continue reading →

Posted in chapter reading, Early Education, Jim Trelease, picture books, reading, reading aloud, storytelling, Teaching young children | Tagged , , , , , , , | 18 Comments

A Gift of Charlotte’s Web

Posted on March 22, 2017 by Jennie

When Sydney’s mother asked me if she could get every child in the class a copy of Charlotte’s Web, I was speechless. “Scholastic has the book for a dollar this month.  It’s really not much”, she said. Not much?  Are you … Continue reading →

Posted in chapter reading, Early Education, Imagination, reading, reading aloud | Tagged , , , , , , | 49 Comments