The Art of Talking with Children

 

If you work with children or have children or grandchildren, The Art of Talking with Children is worth reading.  Rebecca Rolland has done a great job at giving suggestions on how you can have conversations with children that will make them think and grow.  She addresses children from preschool all the way through adolescence.  

spring in Texas

I was in Texas last weekend and took the opportunity to go the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.  It was beautiful and relaxing.  If you get to Austin in the spring, I recommend it.

 

                 a beautiful tree blossom

The only armadillo I saw.     

Golden Groundsel

   

I'm Going to Build a Snowman

 

If you are looking for a new book to add to your winter collection for reading to children, I'm Going to Build a Snowman by Jashar Awan, is worth looking for.  A young boy wakes up one morning excited to go outside and build the perfect snowman.  He goes outside with his grand ideas of what the snowman will look like.  When he is done, it isn't perfect.  But it is just right.  It has brief text and great pictures that engage listeners of a variety of ages.

different shapes

In December and January I did a fair amount of sewing.  My niece made a hexagon pot holder, which inspired me to do the same.  I figured I would try a circle, too, and was pleased with the one in the picture.  

I Forgive Alex

I Forgive Alex by Kerascoet is a new wordless picture book worth adding to any library.  Alex is playing basketball when he accidentally ruins a classmate's artwork.  Everyone is upset, and they decide to stay away from Alex.  Later in the day, the boy who was wronged chooses to forgive Alex.  By the same author as I Walk with Vanessa, this book is a story that children (and adults) will find worth their time reading.   

Miss Mary's Christmas Mittens

Miss Mary's Christmas Mittens by Trinka Hakes Noble and illustrated by Renee Andriani is a new picture book I found.  Miss Mary is a teacher and realizes a few days before Christmas that her students all need mittens.  She goes to the store to buy yarn, but they are out and won't get another shipment until after the holdiay.  It doesn't stop her from making mittens and delivering them to her students on Christmas morning.  A sweet story that is worth reading to your preschoolers and elementary aged children.