A few weeks ago, I posted about Pulitzer Prize winners. The post received attention from Lana Cole at https://colecampfireblog.com, who has decided to read all of the Newbery winners. (See her post about it here https://colecampfireblog.com/2018/07/21/my-new-reading-goal/) She has inspired me to see how many I’ve read. Here’s the list. The ones I have read are... Continue Reading →
I'm teaching a visual rhetoric course at my new university this year. It has been so much fun to create and just as much fun to teach. I have mostly upper-level English majors and minors in the class, and they are delightful, prepared, and interested. Our first few weeks of class focused on Molly Bang's... Continue Reading →
I started "building" a miniature house in one of the rooms of my basement. I got the idea after reading this book with my six-year-old daughter. The photos are of a real miniature "mouse mansion" that the author built. Amazing! I showed it to my husband. I thought the book was enchanting. He said, "Don't... Continue Reading →
Several years ago, I posted about Susan Cain's book Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a Word that Can't Stop Talking. I loved the book. I loved its message. Today I'm posting about my daughter's reaction to reading Cain's adaptation of that book for kids, called Quiet Power: The Secret Strengths of Introverts (2016). Here... Continue Reading →
My kids and I are ready for summer. Perhaps even a “crazy summer.” But I suspect that any summer plans we make or carry out will not be as crazy as the summer the Gaither sisters have in Oakland, California, in Rita Williams-Garcia’s book One Crazy Summer (2010). Delphine, age ten, and her younger sisters... Continue Reading →
I love this bookmark. My eleven-year-old and I just finished Lord of the Flies, and now we are reading One Crazy Summer by Rita Williams Garcia. My 6-year-old and I just finished Ribsy by Beverly Cleary, and we are reading a lot of picture books lately. What are you reading with a child?
Late last night, an owl arrived at our door with an invitation for my oldest daughter. It was for a Harry Potter birthday party! The invitation is so clever and delightful, I had to share it with you. (I kind of wish I had been invited!) This theme reminded me of when my sister got... Continue Reading →
My youngest daughter is learning to read, and I've lately spent my time at the library browsing the picture books for those that will peak her interest and also give her a chance to practice her sight words. So far, I've found dozens of wonderful books, but three of them have stood out to me.... Continue Reading →
When my oldest daughter was a baby, and I was bored being at home all of the time, we used to go to the thrift store and look at books to pass the time. And we'd buy them. Who am I kidding? I wasn’t just looking. I was buying. I'd put my little daughter in a shopping... Continue Reading →
My daughter and I have read a lot of books together lately. You’ve probably noticed, given my reviews of From the Mixed Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler, Island of the Blue Dolphins, and The Egypt Game. When my dad saw that we were reading Island of the Blue Dolphins, he told us how... Continue Reading →
The Bookshelf of Emily J. 