Are You Getting Enough?

  

Bagels and challah that Zack baked during quarantine.

He perfected his challah recipe so much so that I requested it for my birthday.  

Two truths and a lie:

I have a MA in Health Education.

I was an English major in college.

I almost became a professional waitress.

Truth:  I was a Psychology major, not English major.

Truth: If I didn't get into graduate school to become a health educator, I was going to go to Naples, FL to become a professional waitress.

So why bring this up?

When I was in graduate school for the Health Ed degree, I went to a conference and got a shirt that said, "Are You Getting Enough?"  I know. I know.  This is a family blog.  But seriously, it had a picture of a loaf of bread on it and was referring to just that. Bread.  I never quite got it myself.  Why do we need to make sure we are getting enough bread? Sure, I wish I got more bread but then I would have to walk two marathons a week and that's just not happening.

And what does this have to do with anything? Well, here we are five days into summer break and I haven't been sleeping well.  I keep thinking, "Did I do enough?" "What could I have done better?"  "Did I reach enough kids?"  "Did my kids get enough instruction from me?" 

Sigh. 

I'll say this.  I tried my best. Did my students get enough? I hope so. I think so?

It's like me and the bread.  They got enough but maybe I could have given them more? Did they want more? One thing is true, though, I can confidently say, I didn't just give them a slice of Wonder Bread.  They got Whole Grain, Brioche, Raisin Challah, Sourdough, Fry Bread, Everything Bagel, Tortilla, Peasant, Irish Soda Bread, Matzah, Naan...you name it.  And I pride myself on that.

If you weren't craving carbohydrates before, I'm sorry that you are now.  And just in case, you are having having trouble sleeping, I want to thank YOU for all you did.  Whoever you are and whatever you did, I know you did more than enough.  I just have to remind myself that I did, too.  Give permission to pat myself on the back every once in a while. Pat of butter, did I say? Hahaha.  Enough said!

Today is Saturday

The first day of summer was a beautiful, peaceful and socially distant day with my two friends and colleagues on Sacandaga Lake. It was fitting that it was Governor Cuomo's or, as we lovingly called him, "Andy", last daily press conference.  We actually tried to get service by the lake so we could all watch/listen together in person but alas (and, I'm not complaining), the wifi was spotty. Maybe it was better I watched late last night alone. Three tissues, one final laugh later, and it was over.

There he was alone. Not flanked by the team lead by the ever intelligent and poised Melissa or Dr. Zucker (the first time he wasn't on the dais, I worried for his health) or Rob or the bold reporters. If I ever run into Jesse locally will I have the guts to say hello?

I never planned a Google meet between 11:30-12:30. The days he was late threw us all off. The reminder text of "Andy" would pop up from my mom or from one of the three friends I watched with. I learned quickly that of our three local affiliates, only the local ABC would keep it going until most or all of the questions were answered.  We would wait patiently day after day to hear about when we would return to school. We were not fond of his two week at a time plan. However, it always kept me optimistic.

Dear Andy, you made us all laugh and cry and cry and laugh, day after day.  Three times you told us about the couple from Queens who came to Albany for Thai food.  We are still all dying to know what restaurant it was. The second time you told it you said, "I was telling someone about this couple..." I yelled at the TV, "Us! You told US!" You recycled your jokes like a good dad and it comforted us. We craved pasta because of you. I promoted and voted for my favorite mask video (It didn't win but they were all amazing). I loved your smirk when you quoted AJ Parkinson.  I'm a Queens girl. I know who he is.

We couldn't imagine a flattened curve or even you not being on every. single. day.  And yet, here we are.

These last couple of weeks, after we bent the curve, I admit I didn't run to turn you on as automatically as I did before when the alert would pop up on my phone.  But I knew you were there and would if I could. 

Thank you for the consistent comfort the past 14 weeks. Your press conferences will go in the history books and years from now I will tell my grandchildren all about them and how proud I was and always will be to be NY Tough, Smart, Disciplined and most of all, LOVING.

Yes, today is Saturday. I miss you already.

Drop the Mic

We all ate the same doughnuts.  Well, except for the pop tart eater ;-)

No honking buses.

No goodbye tears or hundreds of hugs.

No yearbooks to sign or check out lists to complete.

And yet we still went and 

Droped. the. mic.

It clearly hasn't hit me.

I'm still up late blogging.

But tomorrow I won't feel like I have to.

Or will I?

Early this morning I delivered little baggies of doughnuts to my dedicated "Pastries and Prose" fourth graders. I wanted us all to have "pastries" for our last meeting. This "before" school club never missed a single meeting because of quarantine.  We read picture books, short stories (Guys Read), and the whole Sluggers 1 by Loren Long and Phil Binder.  I left them today with I Wish You More by Amy Krouse Rosenthal and Tom Lichtenheld and Be You by Peter H. Reynolds.  I love that Be You.  I just bought a copy for my daughter for her graduation and two more copies.

It was fun driving around as the sun was rising. Some parts of our district are quite rural.  After 21 years of living here, you'd think it would feel familiar and yet I felt lost. You can take the girl out of Queens but never the Queens out of the girl. Andrew knows what I'm talking about. 

Speaking of Andrew, tomorrow will be his last daily briefing.  Teachers are not the only ones dropping the mic, I guess.  What will come of the summer? The fall?  I signed up to be a part of the reopening Task Force to try to be on the forefront of this reimagined future.

So this is it.

69 blog posts.

Over 50 books and other treats given away at book birthdays and other events.

A marathon of miles logged every week.

Dozens of unforgettable kid connections.

A serious reflection is deserved.

Maybe next week when I have the energy to pick the mic back up.

Until we leap again...

What's up with the mailbox?  When I opened it up to put in the doughnuts I found a card with my name on it stuck to the inside.  I lost it. But I still had more treats to deliver. So I pulled myself together, turned the car around and there he was, the kid that regularly, week after week, log into meet after meet, day after day.

Yep, I'll miss him...

See you in fifth grade, my friend. Sniffle. Sniffle.

Chicken Little, Doughnuts, Marches and Cake

My students and I are Sam Wedelich's newest fans.

I'm just kicking myself that we missed her book birthday by 14 days.

Does it count for anything that we celebrated it on my birth-birthday?  

It's 15 days late now, but who's counting? Here is Sam reading her book, Chicken Little: The Real and Totally True Tale.

Be sure and check out her Instagram @samwedelich for all her posts and other videos.  After we watched her video we all brought out paper and pencils and followed her directions for drawing Chicken Little.

View this post on Instagram

In this episode, we learn how to draw Chicken Little, the main character from Chicken Little, The Real and Totally True Tale. I’ll break it down into easy steps and you can follow along or watch through and then give it a go! Don’t forget to share your Chicken at #drawwithsam

So my students (and I did, too, but you don't want to see mine!) followed along.  Look at their work! I'm so proud of them!

I can't say this enough--Check out Sam's Instagram and her webpage.  She has resources there (including a coloring page for Chicken Little) and a bunch of illustrations that I want to print out and hang up all over my house.

Speaking of illustrations, you know I am a huge doughnut and Laurie Keller fan, right? So yesterday was my birthday and she sent me this digital card of doughnuts leaping. OMG.  I started leaping right there. Be forewarned family--Starting Friday, I promise you our walls will be getting a facelift.

PPS (Was there a PS?) My other talented friend, Elisha Cooper, is offering a beautiful print of the march in NYC when you make a donation.  You can find it on his Instagram (I really need to go to Instagram more often) or just below lol.  I'm telling you. Love it or list it? I'm going to love it with my new artwork hanging up!

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Here’s an idea: donate to a social and racial justice organization, and I’ll send you a signed print of this sketch from last week’s march in Manhattan for free. Below are a few organizations, though if you have another one that’s close to your heart, by all means, do! Any amount. Just message me your mailing address, and I’ll send you art (I’m printing a bunch, but will run out at some point, so please check with me before donating). Does this make sense? Hope so, and let me know if anyone has thoughts, suggestions etc… Race Forward https://www.raceforward.org Black Lives Matter New York https://www.blacklivesmattergreaterny.com Black Voters Matter https://www.blackvotersmatterfund.org Equal Justice Initiative https://eji.org Sierra Club https://sierraclub.org

A post shared by Elisha Cooper (@elisha__cooper) on Jun 16, 2020 at 9:08am PDT

One last day of school.  Unbelievable.

To my faithful readers, one regular blog post left. 

More on that tomorrow...Until then I will eat cake and then put one foot in front of the other for six miles so when I can help myself to a guilt free second helping.

Baked entirely by Zack=Yummy craziness!

 

The Teacher's March!

My daughter asked me if I'd like to join her at a protest last week.

I am a teacher who marches.

Thanks to Edelweiss I downloaded the digital F&G of this relevant book that comes out in September. I was glad to be able to share a review copy with my students right now when they are witnessing people changing history and being a part of it themselves. 

In 1965 teachers organized themselves to march for voting and equal rights.  The day of the March, they left their homes and families proactively with sandwiches and toothbrushes. They were prepared to spend the night in jail. Fortunately, they didn't have to. Their voices were heard. "Reverend Reese and his triumphant idea had gained a glorious victory."

My students were attentive during the read aloud. "I liked the book because it tells about history," one said.  "I really liked the drawings," said another.  "They were super detailed."  So true.  The toothbrushes. The perspective of the shoes lined up. The stained glass in the church. Albert Einstein on the wall.

"It made me feel a little mad because the black people couldn't vote and then I felt happy because they could," shared a third grader.  "The marchers were so brave. They marched because everyone should be equal."

One boy shared that he attended our local rally. He told me that while he was at the rally he was "taking it all in" and that he is "mad because there still aren't equal rights."  

We liked the back matter: author's note, illustrator's note, a timeline, websites and videos to learn more.  A definite Sibert Smackdown contender for next year. And don't take just my word for it. The young people have spoken: FIVE out of FIVE STARS.

I hope we have a lot of change in our country by the time this book is released in September.  Until then, we have some work to do.

Pea, Bee and Jay

You know it's a good book when a bunch of kids stay glued to the meet for nearly an hour on a beautiful June day the last week of school. I could think of a "buzz-zillion" other things they could have been doing and yet there they were.  Yes, I was giving away some "PB and J" treat for one lucky winner but really? I'm pretty sure that's not the reason they stayed on.  They stayed on because it is...

"So cute! I loved it!" declared Cooper, kindergarten.  

Or because...

"I thought the book was really good.  Plus, it's a graphic novel and I like graphic novels," shared fifth grader, Noah.

Or because, as we all agreed, it was funny.

Despite warning from Momma about weather and not to hang out with any "bad apples", Pea takes a challenge from Strawberry to roll off the farm to the BIG RED TREE. Not an easy feat for a pea. He meets up with the intellectual, Bee, who seems to be running away and hiding something. Only moments after Bee warns Pea "if you see a bird just RUN", Jay shows up with Bee's missing satchel. Yes, Bee carries a satchel.  There is some upper level vocabulary that adds "merit" to Bee's personality. Together the three new friends have an adventure.  One of the funniest parts is when they meet up with some trickster raspberries along the way.

Since this book is going to be a series (one I'm sure I won't be able to keep on my shelves), I asked the kids to predict Pea, Bee and Jay's next adventure.  "They'll get lost again," someone shared. "They'll meet another character," said another but didn't let on who. Noah thinks something will happen to Gramps and they will have to find him and/or they find Jay's family and he finally learns to fly.  All good ideas.  You jotting these down, Mr. Smith?

Check out these kids who brought their PB and J to the review party:

And the comments straight from the chat (Don't be confused by that single five rating.  That's 5/5 😀)

This is another September 1 birthday book.  Add it to your list today and it will be FLYING off your shelves when we return to school this fall. (Thanks, Edelweiss and HarperAlley for the review copy.)

Dozens of Doughnuts

Ding-Dong!

There goes LouAnn's doorbell again.

Behind it stands friend after friend coming for a doughnut.

I mean, really, I'm sure the smell of her baking is wafting through the forest so who can blame them?

But like many of us, finally LouAnn can't take it any more and she ROARS. 

Humans call that "crashing." She has had ENOUGH. I can certainly say, I've had quite a few of those days myself here in quarantine.

Her friends get it and return overwhelmingly apologetically. Hooray for them!

I shared this book with some students today and the only negative, if you call it that, comment was "it made me want a doughnut." We had fun trying to figure out who the next guest was by the tale flying through the window.  The kids were great at that! "It's an opossum!" one exclaimed as soon as I asked.

One fifth grader said he thought the rhyming was "very creative.  Rhyming isn't as easy as you think," he told me. "I'm impressed with how perfect the rhyming is because I can't really do it."  

We loved the illustrations. I especially liked the fruity pebbles doughnut on the end papers. Speaking of end papers, the front ones have fresh doughnuts and the back ones have, well, mostly crumbs.

Working on fractions and division? This book could help! Dozens divided by friends.

And of course, the message. The kids got it.  Be kind.  Better yet. Be kind with doughnuts.

I asked, "Should I buy this book for the library?" And the kids said 👇

My only request-maybe it's already taken care of-is LouAnn's doughnut recipe at the back of the book. I'm eager to bake and share (or at least have my son do the baking!).

Book birthday is July 21.  That gives us plenty of time to perfect our doughnut baking. I'm looking forward to it! 🍩💙

PS: I love when kids come to a party prepared! 👇

Ella ended up winning a doughnut so it will be delivered on Monday.  I guess two doughnuts in one day is too much?  Who knows? Maybe she had a dozen to plow through.

From the Desk of Zoe Washington

My son has been a baking fiend throughout quarantine.  We are overly stocked with all purpose ("AP" as we affectionately call it), bread flour, yeast and butter. When there is still a container full of flour and one unopened bag in the pantry, it goes on the grocery list. So it would behoove me not to have him bake my birthday cake next week.  "Do you want the seven layer rainbow cake?" he asked. Perhaps.  I consider the cleanup.  Although, I really can't complain. He has become quite responsible on that front. Then I finished From the Desk of Zoe Washington by Janae Marks and am now craving Zoe's Froot Loop Cupcakes. Hey! I call June, JunACEY so who says I can't have both?

I love 12 year old Zoe. She is strong willed and curious.  She's a future baker AND criminal justice lawyer. I honestly wonder what she will eventually become.

Zoe lives outside of Boston with her parents and next door to her best friend, Trevor.  She's been mad at Trevor for months but can she really not be on speaking terms with him all summer? Finally, she opens up as to why and he becomes her partner, not in crime, but in getting a crime undone, so to speak. 

On her birthday, Zoe opens up a letter from her biological father, Marcus, who has been in prison since before she was born.  This intrigues her and she writes him back. Turns out, Marcus has been writing every year on her birthday but her mom has always intercepted the mail before Zoe. With help from her grandmother, Zoe begins a relationship with Marcus unbeknownst to her parents. After Marcus tells her that he's innocent, Zoe puts on her investigative hat and there is no stopping her till the truth comes out.

I listened to this book and it's read by one of my favorite readers, Bahni Turpin. Sometimes you hear a voice and you can't get the other books they have narrated out of your mind.  Not with Bahni.  Even though I knew she read Angie Thomas (amazing!) and Nicola Yoon's books (and I just saw she is narrating Kimberly Brubaker Bradley's new one, Fighting Words), she was a unique Zoe. Download it now to be part of the June-is-#audiobookmonth party.

It is guaranteed that when you read the book, you will not only crave the cupcakes, but also JP Licks ice cream (I've been there!) and mac and cheese. Your ears will also want to listen to the Little Tomato playlist.  Thankfully, Janae Marks has it on her website. I'll save you the step and share it here (but do visit her site for all the extras in one place):

Now more than ever, all middle grade readers need to meet Zoe Washington. Personally, I'm always thinking about the fall and my fifth grade Newbery project.  From the Desk of Zoe Washington will definitely be at the top of my list. I'll be rooting for you, Zoe!

Time for Nachos!

My stomach was growling. I was not prepared for the preview party like Halle was.  So talking about nachos just made me hungrier.  I'll make sure I'm ready for the book birthday (August 11).

Yes. Another book to add to your to-purchase pile in August. This time the nonfiction picture book about how our beloved snack, nachos, came to be.

Third grader, Lynx, made a connection immediately. "We have a tradition in our family where we make our own tortillas." Wow. I want to go to her house the next day they do that!

We were all surprised to find out that we didn't get nachos from a mistake. One third grader thought, "someone would have tortillas and on taco night forget the meat and lettuce, just have melted cheese and that's how nachos were invented." And yet, it was really because a guy nicknamed, Nacho, was asked to make a different snack at a time when no chef was around in the restaurant to come up with something to serve.

The text was easy to follow and engaging for all of us. The muted illustrations gave the feel of the time period. Everyone agreed they were realistic.  "I liked how the bricks looked like real bricks" said one third grader. I noticed the details--the fryers in the restaurant kitchen, the colorful tiles in the house.

Don't just take my word for it.  Look what the kids had to say.👇  I'll be adding it to my Sibert Smackdown for sure.

PS-The girl in the second from left top box won a bag of tortilla chips and a jar of salsa.  Of course, she's Halle, the one who made nachos in prep for the party! Go figure. Well, we know she'll put the chips to good use! I just hope she likes mild.

Dragons and Glitchers

It's Tuesday! That means only one thing! Book birthdays!

We celebrated two of many that were born today--

You Don't Want a Dragon by Ame Dyckman and Liz Climo

Do you want a unicorn?  You really don't.  Unless you don't mind glitter, horn holes and cupcake poop all over your house. Seriously...though but maybe you want a dragon?

Yeah, I don't think so.

Just sayin'-you will never look at charcoal the same again.

We had fun at the party. Kids giggled and "ewwwwed".  So should you get a dragon? Take my advice, yeah, no. Maybe you want a hamster? Think twice, if you have a dragon nearby.

Check out this site if you want some activities to pair with the book (make sure and scroll down to the bottom for them).

Bonus: While the kids were with me, we found and then read Boy + Bot, also by Ame Dyckman. The best part was when one of the kids pulled it off from his bookshelf right away to share with us!

Glitch by Laura Martin

We took a quick lunch break and then the older kids joined me back at 1 for another party. This time with the author! To be fair, I did email Ame but since today is her anniversary she had her own cake to indulge in at home. 

We were thrilled to meet Laura and hear about her books, her life (4 kids, including a newborn!) and tips for writing. Glitchers are people who go back in time to change history. If you like adventure, science fiction or historical fiction, this book is for you.  That covers a lot of interests! It also is written from two different POV of two kids who do not get along. That could get interesting. We started the first chapter and were hooked.  Lots of thumbs up and nods that kids wanted more.

"Catch your good idea when you have it. Pay attention and write it down."

-Laura's tip for writing

I get lots of good ideas and probably jot them down about half the time, if not less. I will try and channel Laura and be better about it.

Hope it was a happy birthday Dragon and Glitch! 🎂 We definitely had fun at your parties!

PS-Did you notice that the cakes were not recycled today?  Chocolate chip "cookie" cake for Dragon and banana cake for Glitch.  Yes, I took a long walk this afternoon...

I am Every Good Thing

This week students and I will be reviewing books not yet published. Pre-book birthdays, so to speak.  Our first one was this morning for the beautiful and "calming" (their word), I am Every Good Thing by the fabulous team that brought us Crown: An Ode to a Fresh Cut, Derrick Barnes and Gordon C. James.

Ten kids in grades K-6, attended this preview party and all agreed that if five stars was the best, the book deserved way more.

Derrick's strong and powerful, metaphored and similed filled text about a young black boy and all the wonderful things that make up who he is, highlighted by Gordon's paintings, make for another award winning book. "I am good to the core, like the center of a cinnamon roll. Yeah, that good." 💜 My students thought the text promoted mindful thinking and loved all the vibrant colors throughout.

A boy with many interests was relatable.  One kindergartner's favorite page was the baseball and basketball page. Another one liked the space page.  One second grader connected to the music spread.  Any adult who watches a child on stage will relate and chuckle.You know that time when children are performing and every phone comes out to film the moment?  Gordon got that.

When I asked the kids to complete this sentence, "I think you should buy this book for the library because..." one girl said, "it can make people feel better if they are sad or had a bad day at school." The book is so positive that it should be able to lift up anyone's day.  Another kindergarten said that the message is to be "kind and caring." 

We have been huge fans of Crown since the early days. I had a farmer's son love it so much that he read it aloud to every class he could during National Picture Book Month. When I met Derrick and Gordon at ALA that summer I bought Zach a copy of the book, had them each sign it and then delivered it to the farm when I got home. (Sadly, I didn't even get one for myself.  Well, this one for sure.) Zach will be in 8th grade when this book comes out.  I just might have to surprise him with a copy.

Oh boy...here come the tears.  I was scrolling around Derrick's website and just read his message to his oldest boy, Ezra, when he turned 16. Ahhh...relatable. If you didn't already, make sure and check him out on the #KidLit4BlackLives rally. Yeah, he made me cry there, too.

But this book. It will make you smile.  And look, my students picked up on that, too.  I swear I didn't say anything to prompt them.  They came to their own conclusions and here it is. So, don't delay. Put I am Every Good Thing on your "2020-21 Order List" today.  

"What should we serve at the book birthday party on September 1?" I asked. 

"Something colorful and happy," they all agreed. Hmmm....Skittles?

Doughnut Day

I spent all week promoting National Doughnut Day on our daily announcement videos.  I made up a raffle/google form so kids could enter a chance to win a doughnut delivered by me today.  A little selfish on my part, maybe?  I would get to see the kids!  From afar but still.  By the third delivery, the tears couldn't stay in any longer.  I miss them! Not even a sugary piece of fried dough could take that away.

A dozen doughnuts. A dozen deliveries. (plus a couple of bonus teachers.  We call that a NY dozen.)

Picking up the doughnuts from Crisp Cannoli

My route mapped out and my special good luck knit doughnut from Martha.

Wipes. Hand sanitizer. Mask. Other supplies. I was set!

Can you tell my mask is all doughnuts? I love the pattern but I'm just bummed because it's not my favorite one in terms of fit.

Want to know the "hole" truth about doughnuts?  Check out this book:

The author, Pat Miller, has many great activities on her website to pair with the book, including a no-sew doughnut project, links for recipes and more.

I hope your Doughnut Day was as good as mine!  And to top it all off, we finished My Life as a Potato! Next week's delivery?  You guessed it.  Potato chips! xo

ICYMI: 

https://librarianleaps.blogspot.com/2020/03/doughnuts-and-illustrators-and-drawing.html

#KidLit4BlackLives

I planned my whole evening around it.  Prepped for dinner in the afternoon. Ate much earlier than usual. We were ready to sit down by 7.

It is archived here: #KidLit4BlackLives.

I wanted to listen and not take notes but after awhile, I just couldn't help myself.

"Crawl toward judgement. Sprint to understanding."-Jason Reynolds

"Every little bit is a lot."-Jason Reynolds

"Joy is revolutionary."-Denene Milner

When he showed us his largest version of a drawing of "Black Lives Matter" Raul the Third reminded us that we need to "Shout it out."

Jacqueline Woodson was amazing as always. Derrick Barnes read this incredible poem that made me cry. Gene Luen Yang. Cornelius Minor. Paula Chase. Sarah Crossan. Karianne Holt spoke to me.  Linda Sue Park. Christopher Myers. Kwame Alexander. Renee Watson. Chanting with Elizabeth Acevedo.

"We are raising them not to be silent."-Sara Ahmed

 

I will be more conscious. I will not just say, but I will do. As Raul the Third told us "Read books. Watch films. Listen to music." I already stock my shelves with lots of black and brown writers and illustrators, but I can always do more and I will. I will keep talking with my daughter and son. My students and friends. My husband and mom. As we raise our children not to be silent, we are making noise ourselves. Shout. It. Out. I will be an antiracist. #BlackLivesMatter

YOU MATTER

I wish many of us didn't need to be reminded often of the message of Christian Robinson's newest book, but we do.  We all matter.  In his signature fun style, he gets the point across so well.  The small ones, the ones who are first to go and the last to go, old and young ones, lost ones, alone ones. We all matter.

This page may make you chuckle and squeeze in a science lesson, too:

"Even if you are really gassy. You matter." I love the multiple meanings.

We squeezed in a belated celebration for the book today. As always, we read the book, sang "Happy Birthday", blew out the candle and had a drawing for a copy of the book.  I changed it up and stuck the candle in an ice cream sandwich.  I wasn't too upset that I had to eat it when the party was over.  Just sorry I couldn't share it with all my friends who matter.

Here are some activity pages to pair with the book. One of the kindergarteners sent one back this afternoon.  Five reasons why she matters? She has a family, she's nice, she's generous (spelled jenerise), she loves her family and 

xoxo

(Don't you love the girl on the bottom left who is "blowing" out the candle?)

Don't miss the dedication in the book:

💗

"For anyone who isn't sure if they matter. You do."

I'll try not to forget that and neither should you. xo

Keeping the Kleenex Close

After hearing this story on NPR on Sunday, I can't get the song out of my head.


Oooh child.
Things are gonna get easier.
Oooh child.
Things'll get brighter.
Ooh child

Things are gonna get easier.
Oooh child.
Things'll get brighter.
Ooh child

Someday we'll get it together and we'll get it undone
Someday when the world is much brighter
Someday we'll walk in the rays of a beautiful sun
Someday when the world is much lighter

I'm feeling so lost these past few days.
The box of Kleenex is never too far from my reach. I wish it didn't have to be.

Places are opening up and yet I'm not sure I am ready to go anywhere.
Every hour the news changes.  For the worse.

Four book birthday parties this week. A National Doughnut Day raffle happening now with doughnut deliveries by me on Friday to the winners.  Is it frivilous?  Maybe? But it makes my students smile and we could all use that right now. I know when I see them on meets I grin from ear to ear.

Every Monday morning I begin with a read aloud in Mrs. Kosinski's first grade class.  This week I chose, Smriti Halls's I'm Sticking with You (illustrated by Steve Small). Love it. Bear and Squirrel are friends and do everything together until Squirrel wants a little space. Somehow it hit a nerve. I read it before the class and cried. I thought I got the tears all out.  Nah. Maybe the kids didn't notice the frog that showed up. Tari, like Squirrel, is ready for a little more room.  But unlike Squirrel, she won't be coming back. Breathe, I tell myself..."Who shares their very last chocolate with me?...We fit together like bugs in a rug. Like jam in a doughnut..." I'm going to miss her so much. Good thing the tissues are huddled just under my elbow.



On another note, check out this free download from Smriti. It's a beautiful picture book with a message we could all use right now. "Dark days may shake us. Worries creep in. With dragons to duel. And battles to win."

However you can, fight the battle. Protest. Read. Donate. Write. Talk. Paint. Listen. Express Yourself. Vote. Love. We're in this together. Things are gonna get easier. Things'll get brighter.

In the meantime, keep your Kleenex close.

Fly Me to the Moon

Don't you wish you could fly?
Where would you go?
The Pacific Ocean? The Sahara? Antartica?
Wherever it is, I imagine it would be more peaceful than it is here right now.

I heard the news today, oh boy. The uglier it gets the sadder and madder I become.  I know I am not alone. I get frustrated, too, because how can whatever little I do really make a difference? Hence the parties. A little sunshine to poke out of the dark clouds for my students and me.

Lucky for us, we got to celebrate a book birthday today, a Monday!  All the Birds in the World by David Opie (pronounced Oh-pee, in case you were wondering) is a perfect book for right now.  The little kiwi bird is trying to figure out where he fits in the big bird family.  He's a tiny New Zealand bird that doesn't fly. I wanted to learn more about this rare bird so I checked PebbleGo.  Bummer. No entry for it 😢 I'll check other databases, or, just wait to read more about it when the book comes in.

I love the message. Who knew there were so many different kinds of birds with so many differences in beak size, number of toes, whether they fly or not, egg size, song, etc.  Did you know the ostrich egg is as big as a cantaloupe?  And the hummingbird's is as big as a jellybean? And yet, these animals are beautiful and special and, most importantly, all classified as birds. As educators and parents, we could do a lot with that. Inclusivity. I can't wait to share this book with my students in the fall and champion it during our 2021 Sibert Smackdown.

It's always great to have the author or illustrator (or both in this case) join us for our celebrations.  The singing of Happy Birthday has got to be a hoot on their end.

Woohoo! I made a new friend today! Next up, David says is All the Fish in the World.  I'll start planning the party now--Goldfish and Swedish fish for sure. In the meantime, I wonder, where would you go if you could swim endlessly?