Norway

Norway by Udo Bernhart, Rasso Knoller and Christian Nowak is a book for anyone who enjoys a good photography book or anyone who would like to travel to Norway.  There is very little text and lots of high quality photos.  This is only one in the series of Spectacular Places.  Some other titles in the series include Sweden, Guatemala, The Alps, Switzerland, and The Mountains. 

Cookie Boo

Cookie Boo written and illustrated by Ruth Paul is a fun book for the season.  Written with short rhyming sentences, it should keep the attention of preschool students.  Older children who celebrate Halloween would likely enjoy it as well.  In the story, seven decorated sugar cookies escape from the cookie tin when Monster opens it.  They have lots of fun scaring others, but then encounter the Monster who is interested in eating them.

The Boy Who Grew a Forest

The Boy Who Grew a Forest is written by Sophia Gholz and illustrated by Kayla Harren.  

This book tells the true story of Jadav Payeng, a boy from India who noticed that the lack of trees caused other problems.  After talking with the elders of his village, he planted a few trees.  He cared for them as they grew.  He kept at it, making a big difference a little at the time.  The thing that stood out to me was the way his steps seemed small, but with effort and patience, his work had a tremendous effect.  Any age of elementary students would enjoy this story, and it could be used for a read aloud in a science class for middle and high school students as well.  

Seaside Stroll

Seaside Stroll by Charles Trevino and illustrated by Maribel Lechuga is a great book to share with children.  The girl and her mom go to the sea one snowy afternoon and experience the beach, including losing her doll.  I enjoyed the story, but I especially appreciated the skill the author had in telling the story with words only beginning with the letter S.

50 Little Gifts

50 Little Gifts complied by Susanne Woods is a book worth looking at if you are interested in sewing some hand made gifts.  I have made some of the projects.  

One idea that was unique to the book was the memory game.

This little basket is another project that went together quickly.

I also made a water bottle holder.  

More projects in the book are a checkbook cover, a variety of bags and pouches, a baby bib, and a few pincushions.  

twenty years ago

 

Twenty years ago today, I was walking on the Great Wall of China with my sister Anita.  That's me in the red tee, white cap and sunglasses.  The things that I remember the most are the crowds, the heat and humidity, and the vendors selling bottles of cold water.