Get Out the Vote!
A close and fascinating look at the illustrations in three Caldecott books about political figures ... and how those books have been updated over the years.
Ekua Holmes
Poetry Teatime
On Halloween morning, Pooh Bear came for a visit on our porch. There was coffee for her parents and hot chocolate with whipped cream and sprinkles for her, as well as a round of pastries for all. A lovely morning, however distanced and masked we had to remain.
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, parent or grandparent, raise your hand if you’re a pandemic teacher.… more
Brenda Sederberg and Her Reading Team
September 2019
Bookology readers first met Brenda Sederberg’s Reading Team partner Sylvie when she was only two days old. At that time the two were sharing one of their very first read-alouds. Now Gram and Sylvie have had the chance to share a whole wonderful year of reading together!
To celebrate Sylvie’s first birthday, Brenda is highlighting the three books that have become Sylvie’s favorites over that special year.… more
The Animals in The Stuff of Stars
When I first read The Stuff of Stars by Marion Dane Bauer and Ekua Holmes, I was captivated by the beauty of the book and its lyrical thoughts about the earth and our environment. Ms. Holmes’ illustrations invite us to look closer, to discern the creatures she’s so artfully included. Ms. Bauer’s text includes a list of animals that roam the earth, bringing to mind all of the stories and facts about these specific animals, birds, insects, and reptiles.
… more Constance Van Hoven and Her Reading Team
February 2019
For this addition to our Raising Star Readers feature, we’re delighted to be showcasing another new Star Reader: Baby Nikhil was just 2 months old when he joined the Reading Team that also includes his grandmother Constance Van Hoven (Connie) and his big sister Priya (2). The team was celebrating Connie’s first opportunity to meet her new grandson, who lives with his family in Colorado.… more
Bookstorm™: The Stuff of Stars
Before the universe was formed, before time and space existed, there was … nothing. But then … BANG! Stars caught fire and burned so long that they exploded, flinging stardust everywhere. And the ash of those stars turned into planets. Into our Earth. And into us. In a poetic text, Marion Dane Bauer takes readers from the trillionth of a second when our universe was born to the singularities that became each one of us, while vivid illustrations by Ekua Holmes capture the void before the Big Bang and the ensuing life that burst across galaxies.… more
Deb Andries and Her Reading Teams
January 2019
We’re delighted to feature Bookology follower Deb Andries and her grandchildren to kick off our new Raising Star Readers column! The column’s goal is to showcase different Reading Teams as they read together during milestone celebrations.
Deb, a.k.a. “Grammy,” was able to enjoy two milestone read-togethers to kick off her Christmas season. In the photo above, Grammy shares The Polar Express, by Chris Van Allsburg, with grandsons Grayson (5) and Finley (3) in Wisconsin.… more
The Stuff of Stars
I’ve been anxiously awaiting the book birth of The Stuff of Stars by Marion Dane Bauer, illustrated by Ekua Holmes. I heard the text a year ago and forgot to breathe while the author read it out loud. And then I heard who the illustrator was. Let’s just say, what a pairing!
When I opened my much anticipated copy — after oohing and aaahing over the cover — and read the first page, I heard cello.… more