Columbus Day is a school holiday but my kids only learned about why they [really] get the day off when they were in preschool. Why don’t they learn more in elementary school? Perhaps it’s because of the controversy over his “feat.” There are three main sources of controversy involving Columbus’s interactions with the indigenous people…
Month: October 2013
I’m Wild for Mr. Tiger Goes Wild!
Kids of all ages probably feel that rules and social norms are confining. Think of all the rules preschoolers have to learn! Adults feel that same way too. I feel that way a lot and I’m in good company. Author and illustrator Peter Brown says this is his most autobiographical picture book to date! I’m…
Friday Fun Blog Hop!
I’m excited to be co-hosting the Friday Fun Blog Hop along with my four other lovely cohosts: Emily of Love, Pasta and Tool Belt Rebecca of Caravan Sonnet Shannon of Smile and Write Jess of Sleepless in DIY Bride Country Our hosts are: Anne of The Pink Momma Rea of Home for 4 Sweet Home/b> We are happy to…
Rebecca Stead on Grokking and Other Matters
I’m thrilled to welcome Newbery winning author Rebecca Stead today as my guest blogger courtesy of Walden Pond Press since Guys Read: Other Worlds, edited by Jon Scieszka, is out today and includes a wonderful short story by Rebecca Stead. I met Rebecca though the Random House Read and Play Community along with Newbery winner…
20 Gentle Chapter Books for a Young Girl
My reader Natalie has a young daughter who has been reading enthusiastically at a young age: My daughter read the first books of Penderwicks and Half Magic, but I should look into their sequels to return her to a more gentle universe 🙂 My daughter is probably a little unusual since she is reading since…
Domestic Violence Books for Kids
My mom friend Sarah Perry heads up The Second Step, a non-profit in Newton that provides comprehensive support services to survivors of domestic violence. She reminded me that October is Domestic Violence Awareness month. I don’t think about Domestic Violence much but when I researched books for kids on this topic, the titles alone broke my…
Asian Furniture Design and Asian Furniture Designers
I’m been researching Asian American and Asian furniture designers and artisans. Grasshopper and Sensei is enjoying the finds I am discovering and now she’s even talking about being an architect or furniture designer someday when she grows up. It’s not just the beautiful forms I’m searching for; it’s also the stories behind the designs. Take George…