book reviews

new for us friday: bipper bSafe (FREE safety app for smart phones)

January 13, 2012

Every single day I hear about some sort of new and snazzy app that I have to download, that I must try, that will absolutely change my life. (Okay, maybe not change my life–but at least entertain my kids, teach them a little something, or help me organize my purchases, household, or writing.) And many [...]

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learning during read-alouds: non-fiction that WORKS

December 12, 2011

The first few times Owen had media at school this year, he came home with the most random books. His first book was an Arthur book that we already have here at home.  Then he came home with a non-fiction book about Chihuahuas. The next week, he picked yet another book that we have here [...]

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just 1 book: author melissa ridenour (& signed book giveaway)

November 14, 2011

It’s not always an easy topic to cover with children, but stranger safety should be tops on our list of must-cover items with our children. Today’s just 1 book contributor has written a book that will help caregivers with this difficult task, and the author shares the heartbreaking event in her life that led her [...]

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just 1 book: author mabel katz (& signed book giveaway)

October 24, 2011

Welcome back, just 1 book! It’s been a bit since we’ve run this feature, but we are ready and rarin’ to go! I’ve met so many incredibly talented people in the last few months, since the uber busy Smart Summer Challenge (which put the ‘just 1 book’ feature on hold), but we’ve finally got an [...]

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national book festival and gala: what I learned

September 26, 2011

My most favorite night of the year was last Friday night: The National Book Festival Gala. The National Book Festival is in its 11th year, and this year for the first time ever, it was two days of festivities on the Mall in DC–more than 100 authors, poets, and illustrators were there. It. Is. SototallyawesomeIcannotevenexplainit. [...]

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new for us friday: newmark learning early reading resources (and FOUR giveaways!)

September 9, 2011

Nearly every parent I know wants to do what he or she can to support early learning for their children. We all want to see our kids grow to enjoy reading, to master their math facts, to develop a love of learning, and to carry a natural curiosity about the world around them. But it’s [...]

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trying tapas: rockville restaurant week (& giveaway!)

September 7, 2011

For the last few days, Cora and I have read Susan Middleton Elya’s Bebé Goes Shopping more times than I can count. In the story, Mamá y Bebé take a trip to the supermercado, and along the way. . . . . . [j]ust as Mamá is ready to throw up her manos, she gives [...]

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learning during read-alouds: making back-to-school connections

August 29, 2011

Today I sent the big O-man off to Kindergarten and Maddy off to second grade, and I absolutely cannot believe it. If I think about it too much, I seriously might burst into tears.  Weren’t they just in diapers? Crawling around on the floor?  Where’s the time going? Though Cora and I will soon adjust [...]

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just 1 book: author Ann Malaspina (& signed book giveaway!)

May 9, 2011

This guest post, by author Ann Malaspina is one of my absolute faves because I found a kindred spirit–another person who loves and was moved by Sandra Cisneros’ The House on Mango Street.  One of my absolute favorite units to teach when I was teaching high school, Cisneros’ work moved my students like no other [...]

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making connections with nonfiction texts (and our new turtle friend)

April 28, 2011

Between the insane weather we’ve been experiencing over here (tornadoes! wind gusts! rain, rain, and more rain–and then the next second–sun!?), we’ve had some really cool outside learning going on lately.  And it’s been the kind of really awesome natural, in-the-moment kind of discovery that couldn’t unfold the way it does even with the best [...]

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just 1 book: illustrator ken min (& signed book giveaway!)

April 25, 2011

I’m so excited about this just 1 book post by illustrator Ken Min! Ken is fabulously talented and has his first book, written by F. Zia and published by Lee & Low Books, Hot, Hot Roti for Dada-ji is going to be released in just a few weeks.  But Ken Min and  Lee & Low [...]

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under a shady tree
can you feel the soft cool grass?
can you feel it with your toes?
we can sit here while it grows.
laurie berkner, "under a shady tree"


i know nothing with certainty but the sight of the stars makes me dream
. . . vincent van gogh