He Leadeth Me

I may be just a little biased, but I think this is one of the cutest Raggedy Ann's I have ever seen. My grandma Bergeron made this little dress for Kelly when she was about Cora's age.  I know she would have loved seeing her great-great granddaughter wearing it. Cora is teaching us all a lesson in patience.  Instead of being frustrated with her cast and all the things that she can't do, she has been such a little trooper and her smile is contagious.   This is the first time she has played with the Raggedy Ann doll that Grandma Bergeron made, but I have a feeling it won't be the last. What a little ham!  She knows when a camera is pointed her way (as they so often are) and she looks up and flashes her dazzling smile. She can travel quite well on the hardwood floor, but only backwards. It's funny to watch her scoot, get stuck under a chair or other object, and then wait for her certain rescue. I have a picture somewhere of Cora's pretty...

Ghost Hawk by Susan Cooper My rating: 5 of 5 stars This is the BEST book I have read in a very long time.  If you enjoy Historical Fiction, please read this book.  It deserves to win the Newbery Medal. View all my reviews

My very creative son, Jeremy, made me coasters for Christmas that he knew would put a smile on my face each time I use them. Now, I am going to allow you to join in the fun by guessing what children's books the coasters represent. Be the first to get all 5 correct without using Google and you will win, either a  picture book or one of the professional books that I have written for using Children's Literature to teach  reading and writing  skills. YOUR CHOICE. I will mail the book to the winner. (USA winners only--Sorry!) You must leave your answers in the comment section of this blog (not on FaceBook). Ready, Set, Go! #1 #2 #3 #4 #5 A winner (along with the correct answers) will be posted in the blog comments of this post on Wednesday, January 15th, 2014, so don't forget to check back.

The Boy On The Porch by Sharon Creech My rating: 5 of 5 stars A beautiful story of what love can accomplish.  Satisfying throughout. View all my reviews

I just love it when people who are creating play spaces for children know their children's literature. Welcome to Zuckerman's Farm, the setting of the classic children's book Charlotte's Web . Caleb is busy climbing Charlotte's web. Wilbur is looking on as Aaron slides down one of the barn's slides. Charlotte is keeping watch over everyone. This is "SOME PIG". Charlotte is perfect for a little ride. Thank you, Jeremy, Caleb and Aaron for introducing me to this special park about 10 minutes from my house. There is also an Alice in Wonderland  park in the same area, but I'll save those photos for another blog post.

The Monster at the End of this Book by Jon Stone My rating: 5 of 5 stars I cannot begin to count the number of times I read this precious book to my own children and now it is a favorite of Caleb and Aaron their dad tells me.  No wonder it found its way to the 100 Favorite Picture Books list. View all my reviews

And Then It's Spring by Julie Fogliano My rating: 5 of 5 stars For this relatively new gardener, this book is magic.  Since I now live in Colorado instead of Houston, Texas, I have to wait longer for Spring to arrive. View all my reviews

Z Is for Moose by Kelly Bingham My rating: 5 of 5 stars This is one of the most entertaining alphabet books that I have seen in a very long time.  I can't wait to read it to my grandchildren. View all my reviews

Today was a big day in the world of Children's Literature. The American Library Association gave out their  YOUTH MEDIA AWARDS. The 2 best known are the Caldecott Medal & The Newbery Medal. If you would like to see some of the best books for children published last year, click HERE .

Little Dog, Lost by Marion Dane Bauer My rating: 5 of 5 stars If I could give this book more than 5 stars, I would.  Beautifully written!  Although this is an overused word, this is definitely a sweet book.  But beware, if your child reads this book, he/she will probably ask for a dog. View all my reviews

My third grade teacher was a very special lady named  Mrs. Nadine Monroe. Mrs. Monroe taught me in third grade at Freeman Elementary as well as my two brothers and sister. I credit her with my desire to become a teacher and with starting my love of Children's Literature. It was Mrs. Monroe who first read me Charlotte's Web , when our class returned from the lunchroom each day. She also read us a book called The Bird's Christmas Carol by Kate Douglas Wiggin. I remember crying at the end of the book and of borrowing Mrs. Monroe's copy and trying to copy the whole book down in a Big Chief tablet. For years, I wanted my own copy of the book, but didn't know where to find one. Years ago, one of my fourth grade students found a copy in her bookshelf and told me about it (since I had told my students how much I loved the book.) The Scholastic version shown above was reissued in 1972 with a new title Carol Bird's Christmas . I now own fou...

Son by Lois Lowry My rating: 5 of 5 stars This was an amazing sequel to The Giver.  I am so glad that Ms. Lowry decided to write the book to let us see the end of Jonas and Gabriel's story.  I LOVED it. View all my reviews

Every year, I set a reading goal for myself. Some years I reach the goal; other years I do not. This year, I have reached my goal of 112  (because it is 2012) books and it is only November 6th.  Who knows how many more books I might read? The final two books were finished today. Both books were by authors that my niece, Jenny, the middle school librarian, recommended to me. I listened to this book on CD while driving in my car. That's a great way to get extra books read. It was hilarious!  I found myself laughing out loud at several places.  I wonder what the drivers around me were thinking. Laugh with the Moon by Shana Burg was a fantastic read.  As the book flap promises, it is wise, warm, and brilliant. For some of you, the following message is "preaching to the choir", but be patient with me. If you have not read any children's or young adult books lately, treat yourself.  They are some of the mo...

Glory Be by Augusta Scattergood My rating: 5 of 5 stars This is an excellent debut children's novel.  Set in Mississippi during the turbulent 60's, it shows a very human side to the civil rights struggle.  I highly recommend it.

If you are looking for a fun Halloween picture book, look no further.  Frenkenstein:  A Monstrous Parody is adorable.  On the front cover, you see a Caldecott looking sticker which says, "A CaldeNOT Horror Book."  A great spoof of the Madeline books. Frankenstein by Rick Walton My rating: 5 of 5 stars I loved this book.  Children will especially enjoy it if they have read the Madeline books.  The back book jacket says "Ludworst Bemonster is the pen name for author rick Walton and artist Nathan Hale, who got bored one Halloween and decided that thier favorite children's book would be much, much better if there were monsters in it.  Perfect for Halloween. View all my reviews

For today's Ten on Ten, I thought I would feature some of the most beloved children's books of all times. Little Golden Books These are some of the Little Golden Books my children had when they were young. We often read this one at bedtime. This one is backless because it was so well loved. We must have really loved this one because we still have not one, but two copies. This is a favorite of many, many children. I don't think Jeremy was too fond of this one, but Kelly loved it. A Christmas classic. Excuse the blurriness of this photo. Our books ranged in price from 39 cents to 89 cents. This one was really special because it helped teach my children how to be true friends. If you would like to know more about the history of Little Golden Books , Leonard Marcus, an excellent children's literature historian, has written a delightful book called Golden Legacy . Photo above  Copyright © 2012 Follett Library...

I am impressed with the crafts that David is getting in his Bible Class. This week, he had on this Bible time costume.  I was asking him about it. I felt sure it must be Joseph's coat of  many colors.  He was adamant that it was about Jesus and hugging his children. He also got a candy ring. Kelly has figured out that it must be the Prodigal son who got a coat and a ring from his father who then hugged the wayward son. She'll have to ask his teacher. Are you wondering what he is so captivated by? He had checked out I Stink , an adorable alphabet book about a garbage truck from the library. I just happen to have the video and he wants to watch it over and over and over again.

I'm not sure if I should thank my friend Mindy for letting me know that Kohl's is featuring Skippyjon Jones items in their stores, or whether I should send her the bill for the items I purchased. I actually restrained myself (although all items purchased are not displayed in the picture.) There are many more Skippy Jon Jones items at your local Kohl's. Let me just give Kohl's  and their Kohl's Cares program a shout out. I am so impressed with their commitment to local charities benefitting children. All the items above were $5.00 each with the total proceeds going to charity. "Kohl's Cares thanks you for over a decade of dedication and hundreds of millions of dollars raised.  100% of the net profit from the sale of this item will be donated to support kids' health and education initiatives in communities nationwide. Since 2000, more than $180 million has been raised through our Kohl's Cares cause merchandize program." For more information, vi...

Sometimes it seems I am defined by the books in my life, the ones I have read, the ones I am reading, and the ones waiting to be read. My UHCL class is using two new textbooks this fall. I am enjoying learning new things to teach my students, but new textbooks are a lot of work. Our preacher, Patrick Mead, suggested this book.  It is by Sara Barton, who served as a missionary in Uganda with our friends, Greg and Jill. Sara is stretching my thinking. Another friend from church told me about Inspired Reads, a FB app which  tells you about Christian Fiction. I have downloaded several books on my IPad free of charge. Oh, dear, another way to read. I "have" to read lots of children's and young adult books for my job as an instructor of Children's Literature. This is my current shelf of library books waiting to be read. I received an e-mail from a mother the other day asking if I had some books that her children have to read for summer readin...