How Does Your Garden Grow?
To instill or nurture an interest in gardening, five Caldecott Honor books feature the wonders that gardens hold as places providing sustenance, restoration, and a sense of mystery.
community
The Power of WE
In Minneapolis as we write this post the power of community is strong, both in standing up to ICE and also in protecting and helping all our neighbors.
Spreading the Joy
In this season of gratitude and celebration we want to add stories about community and sharing.
Who We Are
These books all remind us of an important truth. We are more than just ourselves. We live in community.
I Love Blueberries!
Celebrating a terrific book for young people that will get them excited about growing their own food. Hydroponics, yummy blueberries … you’ll want to share this one.
Community in Action
Our communities in action: suddenly, many books that felt like distant history have become topical once again. Reading about the desperate challenges our forebears have faced, especially in well-researched novels and nonfiction, give us all hope that we can find a bridge to the better side.
Our Beautiful Homelands
There are those among us who are doing vitally important work. Merna Ann Hecht is a bright light among those wonder-workers.
Community Building: Picture Books
a booklist featuring picture books that relate stories of peace through community building
Community Building: Novels
In this booklist, we recommend novels for ages 9 to adult that tell stories of characters who build a caring community around them.
We Miss You, George Floyd
Our democracy asks that every citizen has the right to life. This picture-book tribute to George Floyd is eloquent and powerful in its simplicity. The words flow like a song.
War and Peace
“What happened to me must never happen to you.”
Caren: Those were the first words Sachiko Yasui, a Nagasaki atomic bomb survivor, told me as we began our work together writing her story. On August 9, 1945, at 11:02, six-year-old Sachiko was playing outside with her friends, making mud dumplings, when the second atomic bomb of World War II exploded over her city of Nagasaki.… more
Compassion and Empathy in Peace-making
One of the activities I do with young people is called speed dating. It’s an empathy building exercise because, I have found, we actually have to practice talking to each other and really listening.
Peace and the Sense of Belonging
Caren: “More Together than Alone,”
Peace and the Sense of Belonging Home. Community. A sense of belonging. Don’t we all long for love and connection? And when the anchored sense of belonging disappears, we spot it — on the drawn face of a child alone on a playground or on an elderly face of someone alone on a park bench. Haven’t we all felt that moment of dislocated loneliness?… more
Peace and the Sense of Belonging Home. Community. A sense of belonging. Don’t we all long for love and connection? And when the anchored sense of belonging disappears, we spot it — on the drawn face of a child alone on a playground or on an elderly face of someone alone on a park bench. Haven’t we all felt that moment of dislocated loneliness?… more
Back-to-School Favorites
This list was contributed by Deb Andries and Maurna Rome, friends, educators, and colleagues!
Favorites from Deb Andries:
Alma and How She Got her Name by Juana Martinez-Neal
Dreamers by Yuyi Morales
A Quiet Place by Doug Wood and Dan Andreasen
The Day You Begin by Jacqueline Woodson and
Truman by Jean Reidi and Lucy Ruth Cummins
Drum Dream Girl by Margarita Engle and
How to Read a Book by Kwame Alexander and Melissa Sweet
Why by Laura Vaccaro Seeger
Each Kindness by Jacqueline Woodson and E.B. Lewis… more
Joining Forces
Creating a Library Exchange Network
Last year, I had the distinct honor to attend a professional development opportunity at MIT (Massachusetts Institute of Technology). As part of the training, we were given a chance to see some of the projects students and professors are working on in fields such as education, fashion, and healthcare. I was surprised to learn from Dr.… more
Earth Day
Whether you are celebrating Earth Day this week or next week or every week, there are books here that will enchant your students or your family, opening up possibilities for good discussions.
Earth: My First 4.54 Billion Years
Stacy McAnulty, author
James Litchfield, illustrator
Henry Holt, 2017
primary and elementary grades Told from the viewpoint of the anthropomorphic Earth itself, this book tells the life story of our home planet, introducing it to “alien visitors.”
… more Stacy McAnulty, author
James Litchfield, illustrator
Henry Holt, 2017
primary and elementary grades Told from the viewpoint of the anthropomorphic Earth itself, this book tells the life story of our home planet, introducing it to “alien visitors.”
Words of Wisdom
I may never be asked to give the commencement speech at my alma mater — or yours for that matter. However, just in case the opportunity presents itself, I am ready. After considerable reflection on my 25 years as an educator, I can sum up my message for aspiring teachers who are about to embark on a career in the classroom with the following words of wisdom.… more
