Audrey Hepburn will always be remembered for her grace, candor, wit, and infectious smile. She could wear jewels like a princess and had some fun things to say. Recently I found this quote and thought that about summed it up: Growing up watching her classic movies, and her iconic style, she taught me a few key lessons in life. How to smile – My Fair Lady – a modern retelling of Cinderella, with a Cockney twist as a young girl struggles to be transformed act like a refined lady. How to have more fun in life – Roman Holiday –…
The Glass Sentence: A Different Reality With Amazing Imagination – Book Review
The Glass Sentence by S. E. Grove My age recommendation: upper middle grade through young adult. Novel’s strongest point: Amazing premise and unrivaled descriptive abilities for a contemporary work while keeping a tight pace. A bit about… Take a modern world-map and crumple it in your hand. Then pretend each wrinkle is a territory border, and each section has split into a different time. This is what really happens in The Glass Sentence though a Great Disruption in 1789 that threw all continents into different time periods, different eras coexisting in a chaotic mix and match of generations and…
The Grimm Legacy: A Magical Library Where Stories Come To Life -Book Review
The Grimm Legacy by Polly Shulman My age recommendation: upper middle grade through young adult. Novel’s strongest point: Whimsical and amusing premise, use of the author’s real-life background as a librarian in an inventive way that makes it come alive. A bit about the book… Elizabeth Rew knows what it’s like to have some serious bumps in life, and then have a magical encounter. New school, new stepmother, and a best friend moves away all at the same time! She finds herself friendless until Mr. Mauskopf, her social studies teacher, recommends her for a position at unique library. The New…
Finding Your Greatest Adventure
I’m often asked this question: “I want to try new things but am afraid others will laugh. How do I begin?” What if the best way to uncover your own dreams in life, your deeper sense of adventure, could be held in your very hands? What if, like a magic potion or Jeanie’s wish, you could fly with airplanes in a dogfight, or search undersea for forgotten lands, or hike high mountain ranges without ever leaving your house. “Oh, wait a minute, I know what she’s about to say,” you think. “Books? What?” Yes, I’m encouraging you to read. Not…
The Stay and Go. Stay.
Are you at the end of the school year or a very busy season? Take time to slow down. I mean to watch the neighbor mow his yard slowly back and forth, or pick some flowers from the garden, or do a puzzle with a child in your life. Enjoying a slow-down moment does not mean you’ve compromised your dreams, or really stopped being productive. Instead, it can lend renewed perspective to what’s really important in life and what will bring you more longevity. I’m mentioning this because, of course, I’m trying to learn it myself. It’s been incredibly busy…
News And Class Awards!
Time for some fun updates before we launch into summer. And I mean launch! I’m working with the technical experts to assemble the last pieces for the new website. I’ll be sure to post about the transition as we get closer to launch. Awards announcement for my favorite classroom! I’ve been helping to teach a unit about the elements of fiction and got to work with wonderful tweens on their first stories. It’s been so rewarding and I love their enthusiasm and creativity! I especially loved seeing their progression to finish. Their teacher, Mrs. Root, is amazing too for taking…
Top 10 Favorite Tween Fantasy Books
Elizabeth Van Tassel, resilience expert and fantasy writer, in her snowiest setting of white backdrop in honor of those snowed in this week, walks you through some favorites stories for boys and girls ages ten and up, and younger ones that read above their grades. From gripping plots and great locations with S.E. Grove, amazing magic from Lissa Evans, and unbelievable dragons with Gail Carson Levine these books have many hours of fun to offer. And there’s a few you may not know yet, too. Hope you enjoy this video blog (VLOG) and let me know what books you enjoy…
Bubbles of Childhood Joy
I walked to school to get my boys at the end of a busy day, and in front of me a young girl skipped down the sidewalk. Then she returned close to her Daddy’s side, never going too far ahead. First she squeezed her Daddy’s hand, then she looked at him, tall above, and decided she couldn’t give up holding his hand. Yet, I could see her dancing a bit, and perhaps she wanted to skip once more. Dad wasn’t into skipping so she just took smaller steps, bouncing up and down while beaming a large smile up to her…
Design Your Own Land
Recently my son had an interesting history assignment: Design your own land and put elements of it in a box to share with the class. The whole class considered all kinds of variables, like transportation, government, systems, food, fun, family activities and more. You were allowed to choose a favorite land and enhance it. My son Jonathan chose Tomorrowland, like in the Disney movie. But he stepped it up a notch. Junk food became healthy. People invented things for the betterment of everyone’s life, nothing bad happened. Music had lots of applications. It made me think, what if I could…
Wandering in Tomorrowland
We were walking through Disneyland and began to notice ladies and gentlemen dressed in period clothing. They looked very nice. Suddenly, I glanced all around and it was like being on the movie set for Tomorrowland with lots of hats, heels, and poofy skirts, too. We had inadvertently visited during Dapper Days and it was like taking a time-warp back to the 1950s or 60s. Here’s some of the best photos! By now we really felt immersed in a story, a new one melding Disney and a snapshot of time. It was beautiful! Now, there was a dark side….
Recent Comments