British author/illustrator, Emily Gravett, adds a measure of intrigue, and a dash of humor to her deliciously simple, perfectly fun picture book, Orange Pear Apple Bear. With just the four words in the title (plus one), and expressive, yet uncluttered illustrations, this read-aloud is sure to take a prominent spot in any toddler book basket.… Read More
Most of us will never see firsthand the precious Arctic habitat of polar bears, or the ocean depths that are home to the blue whale. Our adult connection to the wildness of these extreme environments may be described as tenuous. But for children, wildness is the stuff of favorite story books and imaginative play. The… Read More
We’ve all seen a cat . . . right? But author/illustrator, Brendan Wenzel, cleverly reminds us in his latest picture book that “seeing” is personal. They All Saw a Cat follows the same cat making its way through its neighborhood. “The cat walked through the world, with its whiskers, ears, and paws …” The cat… Read More
Selecting literature for the classroom is an important part of preparing the environment. The books that you choose should reflect your students’ needs and interests, while supporting the curriculum. However, navigating the world of children’s books to reach classroom goals can be daunting. In support of 21st century readers, classroom libraries must reflect a variety… Read More
“Finding the ‘Hook’: Montessori Strategies to Support Concentration”, Columbia, MD… Read More
Maybe Something Beautiful How Art Transformed a Neighborhood By F. Isabel Campoy and Theresa Howell Illustrated by Rafael López This truly beautiful picture book is a triumphant celebration of collaboration and the transformative power of art. It is based on the true story of Rafael and Candice López and the birth of San Diego’s Urban… Read More
My search for picture books that portray the power of fathers to foster empathy with nature. I recall from my childhood that the sight of a fly in the kitchen would put my city-raised mother into “Rambo” mode. She would take command, wielding the fly swatter with precision, offering no forgiveness to any insect that… Read More
Wordless picture books are a treasure trove of quality illustrations that engage both younger and older students. Without the support of words, these richly illustrated books offer a visual landscape of intriguing details that invite the “reader” to interpret. Wordless picture books have wide appeal. Non-readers, English language learners, emergent readers, early readers . .… Read More
Water is Water – A Book About the Water Cycle By Miranda Paul; Illustrations by Jason Chin A biracial brother and sister and a diverse group of friends play and explore outdoors through the four seasons in this poetic look at the many forms water takes on its trip through its cycle. From rain to… Read More
Storytelling is an important part of children’s play in nature. It is at the core of how they come to understand their outdoor experiences. Listening closely to the stories can reveal much about the child’s awareness, understanding and connection to nature. My favorite picturebook depiction of the child in nature is the classic Wild, Wild… Read More