Raising Star Readers
Constance Van Hoven and Her Reading Team
In this latest post, contributor Constance Van Hoven shares the ways that books helped her reconnect with her Reading Team now that they are able to be together in person once again.
Catherine Urdahl and Her Reading Team
It’s been a month since I’ve seen my grandchildren, who live five hours away — a month since we’ve snuggled up with our favorite books. For me, a month is a long time.
Constance Van Hoven and Her Extended Reading Team
March 2021
I’ll be honest, this installment of Raising Star Readers should be called “Raising Gigi’s Spirits.” The thing I miss most about spending time with my Reading Team is sharing laughter — everything from giggles to rolling-on-the-floor belly laughs.
Deb Andries and Her Reading Team
February 2021
Reading teams do read together, and my Reading Team(s) and I have been doing just that. However, as you view the photos of the twins, Hayes and Myles, now seventeen months, you see them reading by themselves.
Ann Angel and Her Reading Team
February 2021
Our Raising Star Readers contributor Ann Angel always has a unique take on selecting books for her Reading Team. Here, Ann talks about books that encourage what she calls “mindfulness moments” — titles that help kids (and adults) slow down and focus during our current “wild” times: Our house is home to three generations. So husband Jeff and
Anita Dualeh and Her Reading Team
January 2021
Raising Star Readers is grateful to have regular reminders from Anita Dualeh’s Reading Team that reading aloud isn’t an activity reserved only for families with small children. Instead, sharing and talking about books as you read them aloud together is something a family can grow into …
Constance Van Hoven and Her Reading Team
December 2020
As we bring this year-like-no-other to a close, Raising Star Readers contributor Constance Van Hoven shares a reflection on the power that books hold to connect us in so many ways: across time, across space, and across generations. Here is Connie’s moving reminder that “’tis the season for Reading Team angels”: Here’s my reading team ready to head outdoors.
Catherine Urdahl and Her Reading Team
December 2020
Raising Star Readers is delighted to introduce a new Reading Team, this one led by children’s book author Catherine Urdahl. Here, Catherine shares some heartwarming reading moments, with enough book-love and remembered summer sunshine to take the chill out of the coldest of December winds: I read to my daughters from the time they were infants, and
Constance Van Hoven and Her Reading Team
November 2020
Despite the coronavirus pandemic and a way-too-long physical separation from her Reading Team, Connie Van Hoven has continued to find creative ways for them to enjoy books together. Here, Connie describes some of the tactics she’s using — including technology and canine love — to assist her in Raising Star Readers: My Reading Team is going to the dogs! I have
Deb Andries and Her Reading Team
November 2020
Raising Star Readers is delighted to drop in again on Deb Andries and her Reading Team as they celebrate diverse new offerings from Deb’s local library. Here’s how Deb describes the books that are helping to bring her joy: Reading remains a joy. Reading remains a treasured moment and a teachable moment. Reading is shared. Joyful reading occurs when
Anita Dualeh and Her Reading Team
October 2020
It’s always fun to catch up with one of our Reading Teams and see what titles have become new favorites for them. This month, however, Anita Dualeh and her sons are revisiting OLD favorites: picture books that were once beloved by Anita’s boys, but that they have now outgrown at ages 10 and 12. Below,
Brenda Sederberg and Her Reading Team
October 2020
Raising Star Readers is delighted to hear that Brenda Sederberg’s Reading Team has added to its membership: welcome, Baby Phoebe! Brenda is also focusing on adding something else — she is expanding on the list of her Team’s old favorites by intentionally looking for books that are diverse and inclusive
Ann Angel and Her Reading Team
September 2020
As our Raising Star Readers column kicks off another school year, educators and caregivers both continue to face the kind of challenges few of us could have imagined last fall. Here, Ann Angel describes how her Reading Team is countering the “pandemic bubble” by adding nonfiction books to their list of favorite reads: Hey there,
Ann Angel and Her Reading Team
May 2020
In this Raising Star Readers update, Ann Angel shares how reading aloud helps carry on her family’s heritage of storytelling. Here’s how Ann describes it: With Stay-at-Home a requirement in most states, mine included, I only see some of my grandkids via Skype and Zoom. But I have a daughter and grandson living with us. That means we’re balancing
Deb Andries and Her Reading Team
April 2019
We’re especially delighted to celebrate with Deb Andries (a.k.a. Grammy) this month as she launches her newest Reading Team. Here’s how Deb describes the experience: My heart has always felt this “explosion of love” when we’ve welcomed a grandchild into our family. I vividly remember when our grandson Parker, now 14, was born, and the pure and