Picture books that educate young readers have come a long way in recent years. Gone are the days of dry, snooze-inducing text. In fact, there are many children’s books out now that creatively engage audiences while instilling loads of information. One fantastic way to capture kids’ (and adults’) attention is through humor. But don’t think […]
May
26
Resilient Readers: 10 books for Teaching Persistence by Megan Fink Brevard
posted by CBethM
Resilience is a quality of the human condition that is essential for growth. Adults and children need this ability to rise above adverse conditions and to persevere despite obstacles. Angela Duckworth writes in her book GRIT, “growth mindset leads to optimistic self-talk…which leads to perseverance over adversity.” As a librarian, I admire books for kids […]
May
24
A BIT OF EARTH by Karuna Riazi – Review by Bridget Hodder
posted by CBethM
People change. So do stories. Sometimes, when a story holds a certain special magic, woven by compelling universal emotions, it endures through the years, decades and centuries. As it is told and retold, it takes on characteristics of the personalities and cultures who tell it. In the case of Cinderella, for example, she started out […]
May
23
A Calculated Process by Malia Maunakea
posted by CBethM
Every writer has their own method for crafting a story. Mine might be a little more math-based, a little less creative than most folks. In college, I majored in civil engineering and old habits die hard. My mind loves equations and spreadsheets—making order from chaos. When I began to write my middle-grade Hawaiian mythology-based story, […]
May
16
How a Dream Became Reality by Susan Goldman Rubin
posted by CBethM
During the pandemic I wanted to do anything rather than straighten up my messy sock and lipstick drawers, or do gardening like many of my writer friends. I wanted to keep writing. I love movies, and for a long time had the idea of writing a book about the early silent screen actresses such as […]
May
15
When I Was a Witch by Laurel Snyder
posted by CBethM
Something black Something white Something stolen Something tight Something new Something old Something silver Something gold An older girl we’ll call Kelly taught me these words, when I was 12. She asked me to memorize them, and I did. I chanted them as I walked through the halls at school, as I fell asleep […]
May
12
The Art of Being Good (Or Trying, at Least) by John David Anderson
posted by CBethM
“We read to know that we are not alone.” C.S. Lewis I was not a very good kid. I mean I was “good” in the all kids are wellsprings of purity and grace sense of the word, but not in the more practical, why-is-your-kid-vandalizing-my-bathroom-wall sense of the word. My parent’s friends would frisk me whenever […]
May
11
Lighthouses and Chapter Books by Kirby Larson
posted by CBethM
Five miles from shore, near Sequim Washington, stands the New Dungeness SpitLighthouse. “New” is a relative term; the lighthouse has been in service since 1857, its beacon reliably guiding ships to safe passage. A few months ago, three writer friends and I werehauled out to the very tip of the spit in enormous trucks rolling […]
May
10
Heart Berry Bling: Navigating Life’s Complexities through Indigenous Children’s Literature by Jenny Kay Dupuis
posted by CBethM
Indigenous children’s literature is a powerful tool for exploring complex themes and subjects in storytelling. From identity and resilience to healing and culture, the messaging in these captivating stories can help young readers navigate the complexities of life and experience joy. However, for authors who specialize in this genre, the challenge lies not only in […]
May
09
Looking at Math Through Chicken Eyes by Ann Marie Stephens
posted by CBethM
It’s no secret that I don’t really care for math. However, it wasn’t always that way. As a kid, I liked studying about coins and then shopping with them at the Woolworths near my house. When I mastered tellingtime I could use the TV guide to find a show and know how many minutes until my flute lesson. (I realize my references age me, but we won’t worry about that […]
Nerdy Book Club 