tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-587924420483022432024-02-28T18:42:53.286-05:00Enjoy and Embrace LearningMandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12082337415906808358noreply@blogger.comBlogger1357125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-58792442048302243.post-69268636401102400952023-11-10T23:47:00.004-05:002023-11-11T06:24:02.077-05:00Familiar Is and Isn't {Poetry Friday}<span style="font-family: verdana;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuf-bhlNqt3QR_C2atrZJzHyVGYVARS_zc2Fyf9zKdDhVyQVL38M8k8Jpc-zQCo4CGeuY35fQfLwoV0oKOH1edn7iRaDNjAN5a9zX2C3hnLxC3qEvk9Tgq-v3BMiTYZH7SAgsFeTcixWHKCu83ePcCcPA8gmft2dauU9BEFAFwLi_6w-T5kO8SBeVmeA/s3024/FullSizeRender.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="3024" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuf-bhlNqt3QR_C2atrZJzHyVGYVARS_zc2Fyf9zKdDhVyQVL38M8k8Jpc-zQCo4CGeuY35fQfLwoV0oKOH1edn7iRaDNjAN5a9zX2C3hnLxC3qEvk9Tgq-v3BMiTYZH7SAgsFeTcixWHKCu83ePcCcPA8gmft2dauU9BEFAFwLi_6w-T5kO8SBeVmeA/w200-h200/FullSizeRender.jpeg" width="200" /></a></div><br /><br /></span><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">morning walk</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">no plan</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">no direction</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">end of the road</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">turn left?</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">turn right?</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">head towards the water</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">wander down a path</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">in a familiar direction</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">there's a twist</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">familiar is and isn't</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">different direction</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">different viewpoint</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">flashback</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">younger me</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">throwing dried corn</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">over the railing</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">feeding carp</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">missing </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">all that made </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">the familiar direction</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">©Mandy Robek, 2023</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); color: #1a1a1a; text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Thank you to Karen who has the Poetry Friday Roundup</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); color: #1a1a1a; text-align: start;"> at </span><a href="https://karenedmisten.blogspot.com/2023/11/poetry-friday-im-hosting-no.html" style="box-shadow: currentcolor 0px 1px 0px 0px; box-sizing: inherit; color: #007acc; text-align: start; text-decoration: none;">The Blog With the Shockingly Clever Title</a><span style="color: #1a1a1a;"><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26);"> this week.</span></span></span></div></div>Mandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12082337415906808358noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-58792442048302243.post-61411479221195637582023-07-03T17:03:00.004-04:002023-07-03T17:04:40.574-04:00You are Only Just Beginning by Morgan Harper Nichols #{IMWAYR}<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwLfxFQTSuDXdKID0XP5xzFx2bBv31Yr8SZblnl7oilyGbP0lvFqll90qhy9l4tVHlKuoDZQzXelzn7Dt5qaWTL70ctYXqYJhUcJKttbwGpJH4q5mPAY_ZdXi8ZVMBoLDup-n5B_pVk9BK3CqDhER3z6U6jKrvDsbHGvk0RUtc0J8-JoNSiPBLwsb40Q/s1080/It's%20Monday!%20What%20areyou%20reading-7.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwLfxFQTSuDXdKID0XP5xzFx2bBv31Yr8SZblnl7oilyGbP0lvFqll90qhy9l4tVHlKuoDZQzXelzn7Dt5qaWTL70ctYXqYJhUcJKttbwGpJH4q5mPAY_ZdXi8ZVMBoLDup-n5B_pVk9BK3CqDhER3z6U6jKrvDsbHGvk0RUtc0J8-JoNSiPBLwsb40Q/w200-h200/It's%20Monday!%20What%20areyou%20reading-7.png" width="200" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br />It's Monday, What are you reading? and my answer </span><u><span style="font-family: verdana;">You Are Only Just Beginning</span></u><span style="font-family: verdana; text-align: justify;"> by <a href="https://morganharpernichols.com">Morgan Harper Nichols</a> because it to me last week.st read.</span><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">The book is beautiful. I was participating in a writing retreat and we jigsawed our introduction to the book. I read the last section - Reintegrating with Where You've Come From, Lessons from Butterflies. Each section of the book starts with a page that begins with What We Learn From followed by a collection of poem with uplifting illustrations. Each section ends with a list - a list of signs based on the reading and poetry just read. </span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">I usually consider poetry a slow red for me and have it on my what can I read for a short amount of time list and fill my bucket. I came home and poured through the first two sections; Beginning a New Adventure; Lessons from Sunlight and Finding Your People; Lessons from Elephants. </span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">It's been raining here a lot lately and I'm hoping for one more rainstorm tonight so I can grab a cup of tea and this gem of a book. Her website is filled with so much information about her and places her work is. She has a podcast, a storyteller app, and much more.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana; text-align: justify;"><br /></span></p><div class="post-body entry-content" id="post-body-1299874132338172117" itemprop="description articleBody" style="line-height: 1.4; position: relative; width: 709px;"><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="color: #333333; text-align: center;"> Thank you Jen at </span><a href="http://www.thestoryexploratory.com/blog.html" style="color: #009eb8; display: inline; outline: none; text-align: center; text-decoration: none;">Teach Mentor Texts</a><span style="color: #333333; text-align: center;"> for co-hosting this event</span></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: verdana; text-align: center;"> with </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: verdana; text-align: center;">Kellee and Ricki from</span><span style="color: #009eb8; font-family: verdana; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white;"> </span><span style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://www.unleashingreaders.com/" style="color: #959595; display: inline; outline: none; text-align: justify; text-decoration: none;">Unleashing Readers</a><span style="text-align: justify;">.</span></span></span></p><div style="clear: both;"></div></div><br class="Apple-interchange-newline" />Mandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12082337415906808358noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-58792442048302243.post-17103909066512826292023-06-26T16:09:00.003-04:002023-06-26T16:09:45.184-04:00It's Monday, What are you reading? {#IMWAYR}<p><span style="background-color: white;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: verdana; font-size: 13.2px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOarZ_YSuMSlP4197IRm2VlMkxhQHGHQk_mG4t-bWumtcbP-0NDC8C2jZWfIKg9EcPpCdl8j94qBY5rqdS2FQWyZTNLrsuciOAfxtAW8knIonm1WquS9ls5a2e5M2jS-oPHnYH1y5zWCHgs4k8UwqcF99cPp4VDQ_vCC39KVMbivGub7pUD0JkhbO2YQ/s1080/It's%20Monday!%20What%20areyou%20reading-5.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOarZ_YSuMSlP4197IRm2VlMkxhQHGHQk_mG4t-bWumtcbP-0NDC8C2jZWfIKg9EcPpCdl8j94qBY5rqdS2FQWyZTNLrsuciOAfxtAW8knIonm1WquS9ls5a2e5M2jS-oPHnYH1y5zWCHgs4k8UwqcF99cPp4VDQ_vCC39KVMbivGub7pUD0JkhbO2YQ/w200-h200/It's%20Monday!%20What%20areyou%20reading-5.png" width="200" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">It's Monday, What are you reading? and my answer is I'm just starting </span><u style="font-family: verdana;">A Work in Progress</u><span style="font-family: verdana;"> by <a href="https://jarrettlerner.com">Jarrett Lerner</a> because my friend recommended it to me.</span></div><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="background-color: white;">I'm literally just starting it because I had to finish my book from last week, <u>The Little Paris Bookshop</u> by Nina George. I started this book and then put it down for some professional reading. I found it hard to keep track of the characters at first and my space on and off reading pace probably aided my confusion. I almost abandoned it and I never abandon books. I have seriously only abandoned 1 in my life. I stuck with it yesterday and I'm happy I did. I think for me it was a book that needed daily progress or maybe some annotating to help my focus and comprehension. I enjoyed it and wonder if I would have loved it.</span></span></p><div class="post-body entry-content" id="post-body-1299874132338172117" itemprop="description articleBody" style="line-height: 1.4; position: relative; width: 709px;"><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="color: #333333; text-align: center;"> Thank you Jen at </span><a href="http://www.thestoryexploratory.com/blog.html" style="color: #009eb8; display: inline; outline: none; text-align: center; text-decoration: none;">Teach Mentor Texts</a><span style="color: #333333; text-align: center;"> for co-hosting this event</span></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: verdana; text-align: center;"><span> <span> <span> <span> <span> <span> <span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span>with </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: verdana; text-align: center;">Kellee and Ricki from</span><span style="color: #009eb8; font-family: verdana; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white;"> </span><span style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://www.unleashingreaders.com/" style="color: #959595; display: inline; outline: none; text-align: justify; text-decoration: none;">Unleashing Readers</a><span style="text-align: justify;">.</span></span></span></p><div style="clear: both;"></div></div><div class="post-footer" style="background-color: #fdfdfd; border-bottom-color: rgb(243, 243, 243); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; color: #7b7b7b; line-height: 1.6; margin: 20px -2px 0px; padding: 5px 10px;"></div><p><br class="Apple-interchange-newline" /></p>Mandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12082337415906808358noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-58792442048302243.post-15764904327901438352023-06-20T05:00:00.002-04:002023-06-20T05:39:22.646-04:00Digital Citizenship in Action by Kristen Mattson {Professional Read}<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPcctZ_JbRkQ4pdABRm0oT80HWqZ1nXYY3ij2FvKffYn5aqO05Uw5RXpTXg6sp9Swqb_6zPf4fRYUJGtW5zsY85zcCTrWa98_kuJr-psXOLoHt49aAoQtDRzdBtMZecaaURtMBKXaOr5i8k7pZO8TUUULUVesV9maOp6Ct4_bsTI_aTPbWPgNMHSj-zg/s438/Screenshot%202023-06-19%20at%2011.16.33%20PM.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="438" data-original-width="280" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPcctZ_JbRkQ4pdABRm0oT80HWqZ1nXYY3ij2FvKffYn5aqO05Uw5RXpTXg6sp9Swqb_6zPf4fRYUJGtW5zsY85zcCTrWa98_kuJr-psXOLoHt49aAoQtDRzdBtMZecaaURtMBKXaOr5i8k7pZO8TUUULUVesV9maOp6Ct4_bsTI_aTPbWPgNMHSj-zg/w128-h200/Screenshot%202023-06-19%20at%2011.16.33%20PM.png" width="128" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br />My district has implemented Coffee and Conversations to bring grade levels together and it's done virtually before the school day starts. I really enjoy the information shared relevant to our grade level or district initiatives and connecting with other teachers also teaching third grade. This year they added a drawing a professional development book and I won - <u>Digital Citizenship in Action - Empowering Students to Engage in Online Communities</u> by <a href="https://www.drkmattson.com/about-me">Kristen Mattson</a>.</span><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">The intended audience for this book is 6 - 12 educators, curriculum directors and library media specialist. I almost passed this book along to a friend and since I won it at a third grade meeting I thought there might be something in here for me to learn. I'm really glad I didn't pass it along.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">I remember when digital citizenship was all the buzz and students received a lot of safety messages with don't do within the idea. This book nudges us to help students become "participatory citizens." Participatory citizens engage with others in meaningful ways that foster relationships to collaborate, share ideas, foster understandings, and make changes. Each chapter highlights a story showing the ideas in action and then offers suggestions for you to give something a try in your classroom.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">I took ideas away from each chapter so I would expand the intended audience to include grades 3 - 5.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">When I read professional books, I look for nudges I can try in my own classroom.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">- modify the "Getting to Know You" Digital Citizen Survey</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">- involve the students in an expectations and norms discussion</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">- discuss the difference between consuming and contributing - modify activity</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">- anchor chart for effective and ineffective online discussions, sample provided</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">- mentor students as they navigate and connection in discussion boards</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">You will find my favorite quotes on my instagram account - <a href="https://www.instagram.com/mandyrobek_edu/?hl=en">mandyrobek_edu</a></span></p><p><br /></p>Mandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12082337415906808358noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-58792442048302243.post-12998741323381721172023-06-19T15:20:00.001-04:002023-06-19T15:20:25.850-04:00It's Monday, What are you reading? {#IMWAYR}<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: white; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-EhrOiXdXuevPK3XnokxBWZ7qqh-yESri1cOx5JrohCNwx4X2GVFvCclP34AE4c2pR2WDRQwlx2Xkn94tHo9lJxOVfLgZFfCmnDJpJa6rwivGGag9tFV9CruRuFLIeEzFFUs6SwNlhCDwJx6vv8sO3jqTKmL3UVVZSj4mVo0nKWAZCR3g8HfCbCmrmQ/s1080/It's%20Monday!%20What%20areyou%20reading-4.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-EhrOiXdXuevPK3XnokxBWZ7qqh-yESri1cOx5JrohCNwx4X2GVFvCclP34AE4c2pR2WDRQwlx2Xkn94tHo9lJxOVfLgZFfCmnDJpJa6rwivGGag9tFV9CruRuFLIeEzFFUs6SwNlhCDwJx6vv8sO3jqTKmL3UVVZSj4mVo0nKWAZCR3g8HfCbCmrmQ/w200-h200/It's%20Monday!%20What%20areyou%20reading-4.png" width="200" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br />It's Monday, What are you reading? and my answer is The Little Paris Bookshop by <a href="http://www.nina-george.com">Nina George</a>. I found this one during the spring at my favorite independent book store; The Book Loft right here in German Village, OH. If you are able to attend NCTE this year it is just down the road.</span><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: white; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">I'm about a quarter of the way through this book and am feeling less </span></span><span style="font-family: verdana;">frustrated. The beginning had a rhythm and then I felt lost. I'm still not sure if there was a change in time with a flashback. I did some rereading and couldn't quite figure out what was causing my comprehension confusion. </span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">I decided to keep going and I think my understanding is back on track and the story is moving forward. </span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">I read three professional books while traveling last week and have to work hard to keep reading adult for fun books. I also find it hard to stick with a book I'm a little uncertain about when two from the public library are waiting to be read and let's not discuss my TBR pile.</span></p><p style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: verdana; text-align: center;"> Thank you Jen at </span><a href="http://www.thestoryexploratory.com/blog.html" style="color: #009eb8; display: inline; font-family: verdana; outline: none; text-align: center; text-decoration: none;">Teach Mentor Texts</a><span style="color: #333333; font-family: verdana; text-align: center;"> for co-hosting this event </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: verdana;">with </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: verdana;">Kellee and Ricki from</span><span style="color: #009eb8;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: verdana;"> </span><span style="font-family: verdana; text-align: left;"><a href="http://www.unleashingreaders.com/" style="color: #959595; display: inline; outline: none; text-align: justify; text-decoration: none;">Unleashing Readers</a><span style="text-align: justify;">.</span></span></span></div>Mandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12082337415906808358noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-58792442048302243.post-41430202895581544662023-06-12T14:27:00.002-04:002023-06-12T14:27:21.473-04:00It's Monday, What are you Reading? {#IMWRYR}<div><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWCs8SKiOOri3AID86hPm4NjITon-3n3_wS3dPtsKZuayiuK9sZCmIOrQ1h4I1cuqrDmDjbLPumgn6h1u8IXflxjNWiG8IgHnigshi7Vt0rBmhvWWeVI34TG5auUHixiALRk6-t5zoTumRDMqhF3L6D4tNguoqnCHVhljdMmcXIsg48xHKt-YNCH0/s1080/It's%20Monday!%20What%20areyou%20reading-3.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWCs8SKiOOri3AID86hPm4NjITon-3n3_wS3dPtsKZuayiuK9sZCmIOrQ1h4I1cuqrDmDjbLPumgn6h1u8IXflxjNWiG8IgHnigshi7Vt0rBmhvWWeVI34TG5auUHixiALRk6-t5zoTumRDMqhF3L6D4tNguoqnCHVhljdMmcXIsg48xHKt-YNCH0/w200-h200/It's%20Monday!%20What%20areyou%20reading-3.png" width="200" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">It's Monday, What are you reading? and my answer is <u>Lessons in Chemistry</u> by <a href="https://www.bonniegarmus.com">Bonnie Garmus</a>. My oldest daughter gifted me this book for Mother's Day this year after she got to see her at Boulder Bookstore in CO. I have gifted her books her whole life and it was so nice to hear her excitement on the phone about see Bonnie in person. </div></span></span></div><div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><span style="background-color: white;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">She had already read the book and said it was one of her favorites of all time. She wrote a love note inside the front cover and I keep reading the book from the lens of making connections to the text and how she decided on the words for her small love note. </span></div></span></div><div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><span style="background-color: white;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">I'm just about a third of the way through the book and the first big surprise just happened. I'm intrigued by the characters and wonder what's next.</span></div></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></span><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">My favorite line so far was is on p6.</span></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></span><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">"We both know food is the catalyst that unlocks our brains, binds our families and determines the future."</span></span></div><p><br /></p>Mandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12082337415906808358noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-58792442048302243.post-13412524661060389372023-06-09T16:59:00.000-04:002023-06-09T16:59:01.852-04:00The Sound of Kindness by Amy Ludwig Vanderwater {Poetry Friday}<p style="text-align: justify;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWQAQy9iow0No-7TPlUlhKnFYhKHntrgMh19b4oQtmGCL3Ol7WX96GTHgvowi7ce0V9FWWJhEjmU-049wdsU6zRnSKSgKC0CkS7Tl2GyrUMxNLl29pLmUyY7vVwjcNsPWTJoayFmLKpFPfCIUVA9ySygmxK00uv5b9FP4JH62dwl6zJf9z-Mtq8vc/s674/Screenshot%202023-06-09%20at%204.58.14%20PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="674" data-original-width="540" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWQAQy9iow0No-7TPlUlhKnFYhKHntrgMh19b4oQtmGCL3Ol7WX96GTHgvowi7ce0V9FWWJhEjmU-049wdsU6zRnSKSgKC0CkS7Tl2GyrUMxNLl29pLmUyY7vVwjcNsPWTJoayFmLKpFPfCIUVA9ySygmxK00uv5b9FP4JH62dwl6zJf9z-Mtq8vc/w160-h200/Screenshot%202023-06-09%20at%204.58.14%20PM.png" width="160" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">I'm so excited to have a sneak peak at <a href="https://www.amyludwigvanderwater.com">Amy Ludwig Vanderwater'</a>s new book, coming in August! <u>The Sound of Kindness</u> gave me a different lens for thinking about kindness. Instead of showing examples of kindness this book is asking us to listen for kindness. Readers follow the journey of an adult and child on a kindness walk. A kindness walk is when we listen intentionally for words showing kindness.</span><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Amy shows readers we can hear kindness through questioning, encouragement, empathy, understanding, invitations, walking, teamwork, and validating. This book encourages us to slow down and be aware of things going around of us. There's another message encouraging us to listen to the language of kindness; reminding us our words matter. </span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/teresamtzjun/">Teresa Martinez</a> is the illustrator and she did a very interesting illustration move that I didn't notice until I read it a third time. There are several people on each two page spread. The faces of the people not engaged in the kindness conversation are shown with muted colors. They blend in with the setting. The people engaged with the kindness conversation are natural skin tones and are wearing brighter clothing. I'm excited to see if my students notice this in the fall.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Here's an example.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfOkOmbs0Vr2vwpnJ86UOeWQeGdV8RNQ7sX4WDwy-K9joNTqg25PsVh3b76azq13REiFoRIy5dwQI0aBXmvMFKwbNS_NZLZdhiAi78bSjubw3R7_6KScgmE7eCttW7EPpEf_0-IwcrsbO6sO946K-TIRhjFR8xhd9As63ECGZ85tsLllneLtxDTO8/s2522/Screenshot%202023-06-09%20at%204.42.23%20PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1488" data-original-width="2522" height="189" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfOkOmbs0Vr2vwpnJ86UOeWQeGdV8RNQ7sX4WDwy-K9joNTqg25PsVh3b76azq13REiFoRIy5dwQI0aBXmvMFKwbNS_NZLZdhiAi78bSjubw3R7_6KScgmE7eCttW7EPpEf_0-IwcrsbO6sO946K-TIRhjFR8xhd9As63ECGZ85tsLllneLtxDTO8/s320/Screenshot%202023-06-09%20at%204.42.23%20PM.png" width="320" /></span></a></div><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">I reached out to Amy and asked if this was one poem spread across the entire book, like she did with <u>Every Day Birds</u> and she said yes. I hope she shares the full version on her blog when it's released. I know my students are curious when they learn a poem is one picture book and they want to know what it looks like together on a page. I think it adds a layer to their understanding/comprehension for the text.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">There are some notes in the back for readers describing a kindness walk with variations. I can't wait to find kindness discoveries in the fall in our classroom and our school community.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Thank you <a href="https://buffysilverman.com/poetry-friday-the-camouflage-edition/">Buffy Silverman</a> for hosting Poetry Friday this week.</span></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Mandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12082337415906808358noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-58792442048302243.post-83992222797993202432023-06-07T18:37:00.003-04:002023-06-07T18:37:55.661-04:00Twenty Questions by Mac Barnett <p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimVIFkaSY6ggDt5iNaZsJL8xcP00I_rcgrqklDX-0icN4TtP3LAJtacltPi1GwSMHbns5FlrQ5HWhPcVbLZRF2wciizXsodt4eQ6fI5M32FAh1EDtF8fcvhOnu-DcolA_slh4IZQyIhHqquHT6CnaMfKqt86KG1s9AAO6e14F3jSxwrEQWgF3qvCs/s590/Screenshot%202023-06-07%20at%206.37.08%20PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="590" data-original-width="492" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimVIFkaSY6ggDt5iNaZsJL8xcP00I_rcgrqklDX-0icN4TtP3LAJtacltPi1GwSMHbns5FlrQ5HWhPcVbLZRF2wciizXsodt4eQ6fI5M32FAh1EDtF8fcvhOnu-DcolA_slh4IZQyIhHqquHT6CnaMfKqt86KG1s9AAO6e14F3jSxwrEQWgF3qvCs/w167-h200/Screenshot%202023-06-07%20at%206.37.08%20PM.png" width="167" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br />I'm so grateful for friends who tell me I need a book. Thanks to Mary Lee Hahn, I purchased <u>Twenty Questions</u> by <a href="https://www.macbarnett.com">Mac Barnett</a> and illustrated by <a href="https://www.theartoffun.com">Christian Robinson</a> without even seeing it in person. Mary Lee knew I needed this book and I tried it out right away on two of my young adults on an ice cream date.</span><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">The first page sets readers up for success with a very concrete, right there question. Readers are asked to count the number of animals on the page. The girls looked at me with a puzzled look and I felt a hesitation with a quiet so....... shared.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Then the second page spread completely changes the readers thinking with an open ended question. "Which of these ladies just robbed a bank?" We each picked a different lady and could justify why we picked her. The justifications were varied and believable. </span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">The book continues in this format; a two page spread illustration and a question to ponder. As we stood in line waiting for ice cream we kept reading through the pages and discussing our answers. Some of them were realistic and some were not. Even if the justification wasn't realistic it could be possible with we used our imagination and asked why not.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">This book has entry points for all readers. It sparks inquiry and conversation. It invites multiple perspectives and accepting different ideas than your own. I can't wait to use it this coming school year. It's a book you can start and then revisit one two page spread at a time. It's a book to start and revisit during the year because we grow as thinkers.</span></p><p><br /></p>Mandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12082337415906808358noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-58792442048302243.post-80852268780477748222023-06-05T21:22:00.004-04:002023-06-05T21:36:39.139-04:00It's Monday, What Are you Reading? {#IMWAYR}<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzwZgcfvEAjK81Ut2l6Dm7geRKa8ciRcIlWyQcCJqesMVzwEygaocOsSE93YKxt8Rf2bPJP6NMzW0BzdzSGqIRjgSjak173EXEMKaOb3WBjLS32aUfnyS7RP2E1-yTvtv81RHSmh9WJrCaQfmhXwjlwSlu6ePjGZkwj2MkD_jRcY1mFUqjXp4vtiA/s1080/It's%20Monday!%20What%20areyou%20reading-2.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzwZgcfvEAjK81Ut2l6Dm7geRKa8ciRcIlWyQcCJqesMVzwEygaocOsSE93YKxt8Rf2bPJP6NMzW0BzdzSGqIRjgSjak173EXEMKaOb3WBjLS32aUfnyS7RP2E1-yTvtv81RHSmh9WJrCaQfmhXwjlwSlu6ePjGZkwj2MkD_jRcY1mFUqjXp4vtiA/w200-h200/It's%20Monday!%20What%20areyou%20reading-2.png" width="200" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br />It's Monday, What are you reading? and my answer is The Book of Boundaries Set the Limits That Will Set You Free by <a href="https://www.melissau.com">Melissa Urban</a>. I usually start the summer off with a self improvement book and this has been in my TBR pile for a few months. I'm enjoying the gentle advice and organization of this book.</span><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Part One goes over boundary beginnings and guidance for using the book. Part Two is organized by different settings we need boundaries for; work, balance, parents, neighbors, friends, partners - that's how far I am and I'm about half way through the book. </span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">My biggest love so far is the different scenarios described and Melissa's scripts for setting a boundary. I never imagined levels for boundary setting. Melissa offers three suggestions for each scenario and they are color coded by green, yellow, and red. Some boundaries can be simply shared in generally positive manner and some need to be pretty direct.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">I'm finding I can read a scenario - see if it applies to my life now or maybe in the future and breeze through a few pages at a time. </span></p><p><span style="color: #333333; font-family: verdana; text-align: center;"> </span></p><p><span style="color: #333333; font-family: verdana; text-align: center;"> Thank you Jen at </span><a href="http://www.thestoryexploratory.com/blog.html" style="color: #009eb8; display: inline; font-family: verdana; outline: none; text-align: center; text-decoration: none;">Teach Mentor Texts</a><span style="color: #333333; font-family: verdana; text-align: center;"> for co-hosting this event </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: verdana;">with </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: verdana;">Kellee and Ricki from</span><span style="color: #009eb8;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: verdana;"> </span><span style="font-family: verdana; text-align: left;"><a href="http://www.unleashingreaders.com/" style="display: inline; outline: none; text-align: justify; text-decoration: none;"><span>Unleashing Readers</span></a><span style="text-align: justify;">.</span></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #009eb8;"><span style="font-family: verdana; text-align: left;"><span style="text-align: justify;"><br /></span></span></span></div>Mandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12082337415906808358noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-58792442048302243.post-73946477804036878542023-05-31T10:09:00.000-04:002023-06-02T10:10:04.002-04:00Rain Before Rainbows by Smriti Prasadam-Halls {Mental Wellness}<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH0-WN-tc5PIM98ptwsfvwyO1-atcYeJ76Sv5Ee0DU9xi1YKIZo6F8NVQfphhm9R6LxaoUt-xl4AQgZ2LJWA-wCL2NUlojItfdzO7THwBXpdKhDzFiWsWIIvSTz7IJcwzt7Pm9a9zgZtYTNToReq8O5Vq4YA7YkCjSlLaU6k_l0a54G0sGEjNqBDk/s438/Screenshot%202023-06-02%20at%2010.07.29%20AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="438" data-original-width="384" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH0-WN-tc5PIM98ptwsfvwyO1-atcYeJ76Sv5Ee0DU9xi1YKIZo6F8NVQfphhm9R6LxaoUt-xl4AQgZ2LJWA-wCL2NUlojItfdzO7THwBXpdKhDzFiWsWIIvSTz7IJcwzt7Pm9a9zgZtYTNToReq8O5Vq4YA7YkCjSlLaU6k_l0a54G0sGEjNqBDk/w176-h200/Screenshot%202023-06-02%20at%2010.07.29%20AM.png" width="176" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br />When I share books to help us with our emotions and mental wellness I usually end with this book. Rain Before Rainbows by <a href="https://www.smriti.co.uk">Smriti Prasadam-Halls</a> because I've learned it can rain really hard and rainbows can appear. Hanging on to the moments of rainbows will help you get through the rain.</span><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">This book takes readers on a journey with a girl and fox. As this friendship pair begins walking the reader senses they are leaving something behind. The author gives great examples of things that were and what they can be offering readers - a feeling of forward movement. For example, "Night before daybreak. The old day is done." </span></p><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">I love the encouragement I felt about the hardships we all face. "Dark days may shake us and worries creep in, with dragons to duel and battles to win." Girl and fox discover friends who are helpful and kind. I just wanted to say YES! friends are a rope to hold on to especially when it's so easy to keep things to ourselves when life gets hard. The story ends with the reminder that morning is bright. </span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Illustrator <a href="https://www.davidlitchfieldillustration.com">David Litchfield</a> used ink and paint and then rendered the images digitally and all I can say is WOW! The shading and intentional use of light brings softness to each page. This softness on the pages of darkness makes the darkness seem natural. We all have mountains to climb. </span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">As I opened the book Rain Before Rainbows by Smriti Prasadam-Halls something caught my eye in the small print section with all the publishing and copyright information. "Inspired by Psalm 30:5 - "Weeping my tarry for the night, but joy comes with the morning." I hope to find an interview with Sriti Prasadam. I'd love to know more about this.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">My Bibliotherapy moment - </span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">"Rain before rainbows, clouds before sun, night before daybreak - a new day's begun."</span></p><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div>Mandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12082337415906808358noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-58792442048302243.post-25439878057485930432023-05-30T17:23:00.038-04:002023-06-01T17:35:09.590-04:00The Little Book of Joy by His Holiness the Dalai Lama & Archbishop Desmond Tutu {Mental Wellness}<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpzBIGcBfJ0H44Zw8o6BWC6Dd4JomO8HPlpwsmCDizRTqh40PNQLYfNeuMpZE95J-mxQtH_lGt_1Xf5VZGvg-iormdsufe0s4dRHW22fegx38AifasjgjYrT9GZGC-Tn8TldusdZt5DZbPSpJFXJ7me6vBJK8jvv8W70PNRl7EQXQCZo8MS6YXqig/s434/Screenshot%202023-06-01%20at%205.34.34%20PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="434" data-original-width="388" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpzBIGcBfJ0H44Zw8o6BWC6Dd4JomO8HPlpwsmCDizRTqh40PNQLYfNeuMpZE95J-mxQtH_lGt_1Xf5VZGvg-iormdsufe0s4dRHW22fegx38AifasjgjYrT9GZGC-Tn8TldusdZt5DZbPSpJFXJ7me6vBJK8jvv8W70PNRl7EQXQCZo8MS6YXqig/w179-h200/Screenshot%202023-06-01%20at%205.34.34%20PM.png" width="179" /></a></div><br />A friend gifted me the book, </span><u style="font-family: verdana;">The Little Book of Joy</u><span style="font-family: verdana;"> by His Holiness the Dalai Lama & Archbishop Desmond Tutu when my world felt a little bit uncertain and it brought me a lot of comfort. I teared up reading with several moments of bibliotherapy. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">I'm going to share the bibliotherapy moment that tugged most at my heart. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">"Even if you slam the door and your joy can't get in, it's just not he other side waiting in al loving hug."</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">I was reminded while I couldn't feel joy right now and missed it, it was waiting and would return which is the message of this entire book. His holiness the Dalai Lama and Archbishop Desmond Tutu share their story of growing up away from each other longing for a friend. They share if we look at just sadness that is all we see and encourage readers to look around for joy.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Their examples of joy are easy to find; the warm sun on us, being silly, a cozy bed, and rain puddles to name a few. They also share once they found joy they found sharing their joy created more joy.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">I think it's a great mentor text for writing a list of joyful things. I think it's a great text to launch sharing joyful things from our classrooms into the world. I'm going to be pondering how to do that more intentionally this summer for next year.</span></div>Mandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12082337415906808358noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-58792442048302243.post-59871530978872784642023-05-29T13:49:00.000-04:002023-06-01T17:23:26.922-04:00Maybe Tomorrow? by Charlotte Agell {Mental Wellness}<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><u></u></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><u><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDiIlYCvE0gvDS3RZ4HNjzgJk_zpx6IvrRWUKUQzPBL6rB923-udHyl6gWBQbN6jvUbCJFmqli8gYN-hu_WRC0lw6LMR-tBahULRdKgJc6IW3VrlqODRb1c-ITS3koPQ2T-Z0CwbW8Oz_EkqLgi-set9GJzg_b01yiAAlm5Red6fGdzREFbrH_kt0/s690/Screenshot%202023-06-01%20at%201.33.20%20PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="690" data-original-width="518" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDiIlYCvE0gvDS3RZ4HNjzgJk_zpx6IvrRWUKUQzPBL6rB923-udHyl6gWBQbN6jvUbCJFmqli8gYN-hu_WRC0lw6LMR-tBahULRdKgJc6IW3VrlqODRb1c-ITS3koPQ2T-Z0CwbW8Oz_EkqLgi-set9GJzg_b01yiAAlm5Red6fGdzREFbrH_kt0/w150-h200/Screenshot%202023-06-01%20at%201.33.20%20PM.png" width="150" /></a></u></span></div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><u><br />Maybe Tomorrow?</u> by <a href="https://www.charlotteagell.com">Charlotte Agell</a> is a tender story about getting low, feeling bogged down and finding others to help us realize there is a tomorrow. Elba is a purple hippo with a big block she drags around with as string. Norris is a green alligator who dances everywhere. </span><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Elba and Norris meet in the park and we watch Norris try to engage Elba with a picnic. Norris wants to know what is inside Elba's block. They have tea in the rain and Norris keeps trying to find out what is in the box with no luck. As they walk to the ocean, Elba shares she misses Little Bird and is sad. Elba tells Norris all about Little Bird. The block starts to shrink and get lighter. </span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Elba and Norris model what friendship filled with kindness and empathy can do to bring comfort to a sadness. Sometimes we all need a little encouragement and checking to try the next tomorrow.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">My bibliotherapy moment - </span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">"How?" whispered Elba.</span></p>Mandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12082337415906808358noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-58792442048302243.post-3950515962132468602023-05-28T21:19:00.000-04:002023-05-31T21:30:59.791-04:00Lemonade Hurricane by Licia Morelli {Mental Wellness}<p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE9mybyldqq4Fr8Mlpu-h6rCuQ0OF-kIA0WeQMKCTKG3GEMiSwvcRGrJdc0wa1wdUyJok5sS6loJfn0Ad32oSXh6G8u-C-8vcBCnE9PhTXmbSZOHuUuszv6SnGq0opJH8vyQWWV2coFg/s1600/61QokrvVfdL._SX428_BO1%252C204%252C203%252C200_.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="430" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE9mybyldqq4Fr8Mlpu-h6rCuQ0OF-kIA0WeQMKCTKG3GEMiSwvcRGrJdc0wa1wdUyJok5sS6loJfn0Ad32oSXh6G8u-C-8vcBCnE9PhTXmbSZOHuUuszv6SnGq0opJH8vyQWWV2coFg/s200/61QokrvVfdL._SX428_BO1%252C204%252C203%252C200_.jpg" width="171" /></a><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span></p><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><u>Lemonade Hurricane A Story of Mindfulness and Meditation</u> by <a href="https://www.liciamorelliwriter.com">Licia Morelli</a> is told from he point of view of a sibling with a very active younger brother. Emma likes moments in her day to rest and Henry is very active with running, wrestling, and noises. Henry has days filled with activities and really enjoys karate putting all his energy in to it. Emma calls all his energy - a lemonade hurricane.</span></div><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">She'd love for Henry to slow down and tries to show him how to be still. Henry is all over the tree and the yard while she is sharing how to pause and breathe. Then she shares an idea of riding an elephant and Henry can sit and breathe with Emma.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">I love hearing about the emotions and journey a sibling has while trying to share strategies for an overactive family member. </span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">The author's note shares an analogy for mindfulness and meditation to a glass of lemonade. A great visual to use with readers. She also shares strategies for practicing mindfulness and meditation. </span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">My bibliotherapy moment - </span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">"When I sit I can feel the ground beneath me. I can hear the birds chirping. I can smell the grass."</span></p>Mandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12082337415906808358noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-58792442048302243.post-59250317772357053912023-05-27T20:27:00.000-04:002023-05-31T20:31:40.068-04:00When Sadness is at Your Door by Eva Eland {Mental Wellness}<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center; text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGLCOe3v5bhWEb0uNlJkgJXGB-RX_z8nc8c8Xv_NruKYuq64MplOYzNSo1PMgx33HZkv_91KGikPu38hLf6sw4bC8wKm9ZjyxJ3Yb_ADZvQ5UVApLMCTkE15_lHzwekkWpjCI4vX5QA2OuFOseOq5hNb_J8hxr9-iy4gNybl64Y40XJSNbYV4Pgx4/s566/Screenshot%202023-05-31%20at%208.26.25%20PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="566" data-original-width="502" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGLCOe3v5bhWEb0uNlJkgJXGB-RX_z8nc8c8Xv_NruKYuq64MplOYzNSo1PMgx33HZkv_91KGikPu38hLf6sw4bC8wKm9ZjyxJ3Yb_ADZvQ5UVApLMCTkE15_lHzwekkWpjCI4vX5QA2OuFOseOq5hNb_J8hxr9-iy4gNybl64Y40XJSNbYV4Pgx4/w178-h200/Screenshot%202023-05-31%20at%208.26.25%20PM.png" width="178" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><u style="text-decoration: underline;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">When Sadness is at Your Door</span></u><span style="font-family: verdana;"> by <a href="https://evaeland.com/about-eva/">Eva Eland</a> is my favorite book about sadness. We need to talk about sadness more and picture sadness. Eva has taken a topic often illustrated with dark hues and uses a light aqua teal to represent sadness. Along with brown, choral, and a smooth white/ivory background readers are encouraged to accept sadness.</span></div><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Eva reminds us sadness surprises us. Sadness lingers. We can try to hide it. Then she writes giving readers ideas for living with sadness. We need to name it, listen to it, understand where it comes from and what it needs. We don't have to understand it and we need to sit with it. </span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Sadness can want us to sit and not do very much. This is okay and we need to do opposite action activities - things that we don't really want to do so we get engaged and moving. Eva shares ideas like drawing or listening to music to name a few. Reminding us that tomorrow is a new day.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">A great follow up is a writer's notebook entry about things that make you sad.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">On Eva's website she has <a href="http://evaeland.com/wp-content/uploads/When-Sadness-Comes-to-Call-CLPE-resource.pdf">teaching notes</a> to guide our work with her book.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">My bibliotherapy moment - </span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">"If you don't understand each other, just sit together and be quiet for a while."</span></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Mandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12082337415906808358noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-58792442048302243.post-31423039749723668982023-05-26T20:05:00.001-04:002023-05-31T20:31:27.266-04:00A Day So Gray by Marie Lamba {Mental Wellness}<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqU0zJww0tAHNkXeadr8zWZQ8ypJ5sjoQINqWHyrj9Oq49OmCVhmuhUFmr98BFcSu0OxlOdD6lWSzth2pbI97EOYJeMpihT0komoKMf4zMxEdLTokcEUuWU4rXBztKfexCYbOAA-DmwKp0Wz7UX5VynWxFuzpq7EXoMoipix6aMI0nDNHkxpSBx4s/s568/Screenshot%202023-05-31%20at%207.56.22%20PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="568" data-original-width="464" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqU0zJww0tAHNkXeadr8zWZQ8ypJ5sjoQINqWHyrj9Oq49OmCVhmuhUFmr98BFcSu0OxlOdD6lWSzth2pbI97EOYJeMpihT0komoKMf4zMxEdLTokcEUuWU4rXBztKfexCYbOAA-DmwKp0Wz7UX5VynWxFuzpq7EXoMoipix6aMI0nDNHkxpSBx4s/w163-h200/Screenshot%202023-05-31%20at%207.56.22%20PM.png" width="163" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br />I love <u>A Day So Gray</u> by <a href="https://marielamba.wordpress.com">Marie Lamba</a>! It's a book for mindset, opinions, and changing the way we think. Two friends are bundled up for a walk in winter. The first page makes me laugh and and if you live in Central Ohio you might have said this yourself, "This day is so gray." The friend replies, "No, it isn't." </span><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">As the page is turned, readers automatically think then what is it. The descriptive language and the power of seeing beyond the obviously really made me soak in the illustrations. Imagine this - "It's deep soft brown, and shining blue, and silver splashes on bright yellow."</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">The girls walk more following the pattern of a negative thought with a positive reflection. Then they come inside and it continues for a bit more until they settle down to a warm fire and both agree it is cozy. Which helps our negative thinker find some reflective descriptive thinking about a blanket, and hot cocoa, and the sunset outside. </span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Sometimes it's easier to see, feel, and experience the gray. The sad and negative; pausing to live in these for a moment can be necessary and it's helpful to learn to see beyond.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">I think this book would be a great springboard for looking at a piece of art with a gray hue and writing down what else we see. </span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">There's a <a href="https://marielamba.wordpress.com/2020/12/14/heres-a-free-winter-scavenger-hunt-for-the-family/">winter scavenger hunt</a> on Marie's website that might be nice to do with your students or share with families as a follow up the book.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">My bibliotherapy moment - </span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">"And we are cozy, too, on this day what was so much more than gray!"</span></p>Mandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12082337415906808358noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-58792442048302243.post-50236218382600410692023-05-25T09:49:00.000-04:002023-05-30T09:52:30.341-04:00the Circles All Around Us by Brand Montague {Mental Wellness}<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHHtzlIAK71_TEPuGRFuHObvjNWjJzDlMhdTF9KnQ_BEGyx3Q3aPZLoN1Hjwd4kZ2yebeYQU-j1AmSXaJzsQHF8bmh5IbW58F85yzkZXMgxWGUoAEFWtvj69EC6Buc97WjdD3ZMe4tFVXu4KLAdFI4PP_DLw9t-9KxyEq6yI-K62YEhzRVmV9kVRw/s600/Screenshot%202023-05-30%20at%209.48.51%20AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="600" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHHtzlIAK71_TEPuGRFuHObvjNWjJzDlMhdTF9KnQ_BEGyx3Q3aPZLoN1Hjwd4kZ2yebeYQU-j1AmSXaJzsQHF8bmh5IbW58F85yzkZXMgxWGUoAEFWtvj69EC6Buc97WjdD3ZMe4tFVXu4KLAdFI4PP_DLw9t-9KxyEq6yI-K62YEhzRVmV9kVRw/w200-h200/Screenshot%202023-05-30%20at%209.48.51%20AM.png" width="200" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br />the Circles All Around Us by <a href="http://montagueworkshop.com/books">Brad Montague</a> is all about connections. The story begins with child drawing a circle with child around themselves. While this circle is safe it can also be lonely. We follow the child expand their circle to include family, extended family, and then friends. Our circles change depending on where we are and sometimes our circles of connections and bring discomfort. As our circles grow so does our caring. The ending of this story is reminder about caring for ourselves while maintaining these circles of connections.</span><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Navigating people can be hard when someone is working on their mental wellness and yet connections have been proven to be necessary to help our mental health. This book reminds us connections are needed and our circles can change, grow, and shift.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">My bibliotherapy moment - shifted from the first time I read this book.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">First read - "So let us create bigger circles all around us for the rest of our days."</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Second read - "It doesn't mean the circle is easy. It can get harder the more we share."</span></p>Mandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12082337415906808358noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-58792442048302243.post-23937574695772458402023-05-24T21:43:00.003-04:002023-05-24T21:43:36.756-04:00You Are Your Strong by Danielle Duffer {Mental Wellness}<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><u></u></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><u><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL-zqq8tp3seIx0Zao97jj-pdWhWyIXPQUxu6sEBBiCmfGj_3Y35Zclh7hvtr4A1PsfNn4UwLnnTdpDt4P5qGOQHbAnuT6gzm4Z9hDxe_MCGPA8Yc6RcY60iuWz5ULccEkY6xggYRfXz5H3zv6G1T9imbJZlUQVAJF5Qc9cTG9idMi3PLbvnpSLj4/s530/Screenshot%202023-05-24%20at%209.42.20%20PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="530" data-original-width="426" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL-zqq8tp3seIx0Zao97jj-pdWhWyIXPQUxu6sEBBiCmfGj_3Y35Zclh7hvtr4A1PsfNn4UwLnnTdpDt4P5qGOQHbAnuT6gzm4Z9hDxe_MCGPA8Yc6RcY60iuWz5ULccEkY6xggYRfXz5H3zv6G1T9imbJZlUQVAJF5Qc9cTG9idMi3PLbvnpSLj4/w161-h200/Screenshot%202023-05-24%20at%209.42.20%20PM.png" width="161" /></a></u></span></div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><u><br />You Are Your Strong</u><span style="text-align: justify;"><u> </u>by <a href="https://www.danielledufayetbooks.com">Danielle Dufayet</a> discusses a wide range of emotions. Emotions that can be hard to manage; worry, scared, sad, and mad. Each emotion has a different pair of characters. The child feeling the emotion and then the adult who helps the child. The adult helps shift the current emotion away for the child and replaces it with a more positive one. </span></span><p></p><p><span style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">As the story grows the each child returns and this time they are able to share ways they independently find something different to change their feelings to an opposite emotion. For example a little girl is afraid of monsters and the dark. She tells funny stories to help her feel brave. </span></span></p><p><span style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">There's a fabulous two page spread at the end with a note to parents and caregivers with advice and suggestions for helping children and the many emotions they can feel. These tips also apply to our classrooms where children spend a great deal of their day during the school year.</span></span></p><p><span style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">My favorite bibliotherapy moment - </span></span></p><p><span style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">"Inside you, your Strong is a light that shines like the sun." </span></span></p>Mandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12082337415906808358noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-58792442048302243.post-66470878491621636492023-05-23T16:39:00.007-04:002023-05-23T16:46:37.217-04:00BRAVE EVERY DAY by Trudy Ludwig {Mental Wellness}<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center; text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir_o05-RuOZ9V6idG6M0RZyCk_rXyLnJVF002Dry6lxbP80rjh_s7XHxwlQ0F30YTzBf0iEZVmXjt5wInQkiF6_EkkaB6HT-ArCK8dNUMKkSTITypI9hc1jx014Xa9Nj9Gp1B6UD5FzW9cMbOSFZ57E02aGy5OnfbK_adQY6SHHKuaBlj2bjcxhhI/s652/Screenshot%202023-05-23%20at%204.38.01%20PM.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="652" data-original-width="512" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir_o05-RuOZ9V6idG6M0RZyCk_rXyLnJVF002Dry6lxbP80rjh_s7XHxwlQ0F30YTzBf0iEZVmXjt5wInQkiF6_EkkaB6HT-ArCK8dNUMKkSTITypI9hc1jx014Xa9Nj9Gp1B6UD5FzW9cMbOSFZ57E02aGy5OnfbK_adQY6SHHKuaBlj2bjcxhhI/w157-h200/Screenshot%202023-05-23%20at%204.38.01%20PM.png" width="157" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><u>BRAVE EVERY DAY</u> </span><span style="font-family: verdana;">by <a href="https://trudyludwig.com">Trudy Ludwig</a> is a must have for every school, classroom, and house. Camila worries and when she worries she hides. She has many worries and readers can connect with her. Her worries start with phrases like what if, I can't, and I'm scared. </span></div><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">A class trip to the aquarium is coming up and Camila's worries grow and her classmates are aware of them. Sadly, she's teased and her worries increase. The field trip day comes. The class arrives and Camila makes a plan to hide only to discover Kai behind the same plant she wanted to use to hide.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Kai loves reading about animals and isn't thrilled with visiting them in person. Camila and Kai connect over their worry and support each other to use the phrase, I'll try. </span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">I'll try are such important words as we navigate each day and might just be the encouragement someone needs while experiencing worries.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">This book has a recommended reading for kids list about worries and anxiety. The author also offers a list of questions to guide discussions before, during, or after reading this text.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">My bibliotherapy moment - </span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">"Seeing Kai so nervous makes Camila realize her heart is bigger than her fears."</span></p>Mandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12082337415906808358noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-58792442048302243.post-37420432268849465042023-05-22T07:09:00.004-04:002023-05-22T07:09:19.513-04:00BE STRONG by Pat Zietlow Miller {Mental Wellness}<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><u></u></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><u><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPiLw_mJ3FxrNeU0VmL2w1Ob3Qp5JLdI9XlwGlbS1mb5MIVnOWDT1TJn9V6fQdVGRS_tEvpzqux-F2ZJMzPMT1J2Z8xQT_7eWjfwDcuGAAOcELDqiOP3P1zWBlue6cXw-R8E7t7xPbO2mdcGi3wt0eyPI3v26I6DDY1q-kgL-12vicbkaRLMwGyuc/s546/Screenshot%202023-05-22%20at%207.08.34%20AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="546" data-original-width="494" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPiLw_mJ3FxrNeU0VmL2w1Ob3Qp5JLdI9XlwGlbS1mb5MIVnOWDT1TJn9V6fQdVGRS_tEvpzqux-F2ZJMzPMT1J2Z8xQT_7eWjfwDcuGAAOcELDqiOP3P1zWBlue6cXw-R8E7t7xPbO2mdcGi3wt0eyPI3v26I6DDY1q-kgL-12vicbkaRLMwGyuc/w181-h200/Screenshot%202023-05-22%20at%207.08.34%20AM.png" width="181" /></a></u></span></div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><u><br />BE STRONG</u> by <a href="https://www.patzietlowmiller.com">Pat Zietlow Miller</a> helps readers understand the layers of meaning with the word strong. The opening scene is all about physical education class and the physical strength needed for the climbing wall. Our main character doesn't have the muscle strength to do it.</span><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">She comes home deflated and her family expands the meaning of strong for her. "My family says being strong get you through life. When hard times happen and things don't go as planned."</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">She sets out wondering how can she be strong. What follows is just beautiful in text and the illustrations as she notices and learns from her community.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Strong is...</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">showing up</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">speaking up</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">not giving up</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">sticking to a promise</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">giving up a would like to</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">make things happen</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">turn nothing into something</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">moving forward</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">care</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">cry</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">help others and receive help</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">When we expand the layers of meaning for strong, I think we all use one of these each day. I've been trying to have a read aloud on Mondays related to emotions and then always collect ideas in our writer's notebooks. I can't wait to see how my student's interpret they are strong after hearing this book.</span></p>Mandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12082337415906808358noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-58792442048302243.post-55621030221425122902023-05-21T21:46:00.003-04:002023-05-21T21:46:50.557-04:00Never, not Ever! by Beatrice Alemagna {Mental Wellness}<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><u><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqxHMYxXhDghbfA39jkMiJVSTt8yoVwK9ec75eN__M6MWDI1t8XHCB-CI5jIyzxtSVUzhb71IADh4e2P-UcHTq3QwOSoma04Vv-rH96RRNvj0l6OZgcSgNPrFSZzvzd0R-sxfegH0JdwAGgi7VenbPdT-jz7VymRb71TlHktPKvtOYQN_xX0fG2Fs/s634/Screenshot%202023-05-21%20at%209.46.12%20PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="634" data-original-width="506" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqxHMYxXhDghbfA39jkMiJVSTt8yoVwK9ec75eN__M6MWDI1t8XHCB-CI5jIyzxtSVUzhb71IADh4e2P-UcHTq3QwOSoma04Vv-rH96RRNvj0l6OZgcSgNPrFSZzvzd0R-sxfegH0JdwAGgi7VenbPdT-jz7VymRb71TlHktPKvtOYQN_xX0fG2Fs/w159-h200/Screenshot%202023-05-21%20at%209.46.12%20PM.png" width="159" /></a></div><br />Never, not Ever!</u> by <a href="http://www.beatricealemagna.com">Beatrice Alemagna</a> is a picture book all about letting go and starting adventures. In this story, Pascaline is a bat starting school at five years old. Her bat parents join her after she streaks so loudly they shrink in size and spend the first day with her hidden under her wings. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">They attend school because Pascaline feels hesitant, reluctant, and determined not to go. She's so determined that her go to phrase about anything related to school is "Never, not ever." I love the illustrations that following showing what these emotions can look like in action; grabbing, clenches, and clutches.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">When Pascaline gets to school, she finds having her parents hidden becomes a bit of a problem. They talk when they aren't suppose to, get hungry, fall into her lunch and really cause her stress. She can't even nap like everyone else. They are excited to return to school the next day and surprisingly Pascaline says, "Never, not ever."</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">I think it's helpful to talk about emotions in different scenarios and characters different than humans. The illustrations and text really describe and show readers the tug and pull of doing something new and what different can feel like. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">A mental health journey can be filled with letting go and starting over. A mental health journey can be filled with lots of emotions and learning to accept and sit with them. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">My bibliotherapy moment - </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">"You're going to learn so many things," her parents insist."</span></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Mandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12082337415906808358noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-58792442048302243.post-537741835736955782023-05-20T08:26:00.000-04:002023-05-21T08:26:54.795-04:00How to be a Lion by Ed Vere {Mental Wellness}<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><u></u></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><u><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiidey1LpShvBJeYzNxO1NrjU78d797PHDyXFGrmmj2OAZEaRT53jiTFH5yaPS_Xkc67bpu5APG14yVENpLVy-XQ6p5mNfbLDOMPkk-bNAAwTCkDNpbbH65lmCasD-jJwLF2jl-wpxmX_r4ErGYRPOrgYRMDYfU9OTu_N_juf3y5k4HG0mAthoDLyY/s1272/Screenshot%202023-05-21%20at%208.26.15%20AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1272" data-original-width="970" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiidey1LpShvBJeYzNxO1NrjU78d797PHDyXFGrmmj2OAZEaRT53jiTFH5yaPS_Xkc67bpu5APG14yVENpLVy-XQ6p5mNfbLDOMPkk-bNAAwTCkDNpbbH65lmCasD-jJwLF2jl-wpxmX_r4ErGYRPOrgYRMDYfU9OTu_N_juf3y5k4HG0mAthoDLyY/w153-h200/Screenshot%202023-05-21%20at%208.26.15%20AM.png" width="153" /></a></u></span></div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><u><br />How to be a Lion</u> by <a href="http://www.edvere.com">Ed Vere</a> is my favorite boo for helping readers think about stepping outside ideas of who they should be and embracing unusual friendships. Leonard is not your usual lion. He loves to walk alone, think alone, daydream, and play with words. </span><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Yes, Leonard writes poetry! Leonard also has a friend Marianne who is a duck. Together they think and play with words while normally, lions would eat a duck (according to this text). They spend a lot of time together meandering and thinking. They ask questions and ponder solutions together. At this point in the story I pause with readers and think about what we each like in a friendship. </span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">One day Leonard and Marianne cross paths with a pack of fierce lions who are upset about their friendship; directing Leonard to be fierce. Together Leonard and Marianne think and ponder this request. They brainstorm ideas on their thinking hill and compose a poem to share with the pack of lions. </span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">This is an important book to share with someone struggling to find their own way and step away from what is perceived as social norms. </span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">My favorite bibliotherapy moment - </span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">"Let nobody say just one way is true. There are so many ways that you can be you."</span></p>Mandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12082337415906808358noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-58792442048302243.post-52130403360588030602023-05-19T12:00:00.001-04:002023-05-19T12:00:00.145-04:00all the beating hearts by Julie Fogliano {Mental Wellness}<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><u></u></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><u><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZunDiMAYl06pPu3xLJNLmB2VwCExW8-WHFaedqjuPgeW2jJKUM4dEqydm5TbNEbmXQCEwDA3EWZx9RkyYZhn2TzACK-Vv24rKEouEYVSNO0FCr007vjZhudLpM9s5ECoyRN07F3wr-WXRDlC7tnrr1NhBdBNDcXLnBzd3BuF-WtDiA7CaVnCCs0E/s598/Screenshot%202023-05-19%20at%206.52.47%20AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="598" data-original-width="514" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZunDiMAYl06pPu3xLJNLmB2VwCExW8-WHFaedqjuPgeW2jJKUM4dEqydm5TbNEbmXQCEwDA3EWZx9RkyYZhn2TzACK-Vv24rKEouEYVSNO0FCr007vjZhudLpM9s5ECoyRN07F3wr-WXRDlC7tnrr1NhBdBNDcXLnBzd3BuF-WtDiA7CaVnCCs0E/w172-h200/Screenshot%202023-05-19%20at%206.52.47%20AM.png" width="172" /></a></u></span></div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><u><br />all the beating hearts</u> by Julie Fogliano celebrates self acceptance and our individuality. The structure of the story is a journey through a day from sun up to sun down. Our days start with hopefully eating, getting dressed, having somewhere to go and the choices of work, play, and maybe both. I love that she included both because they are both needed. Then she reminds us we may have days with not much going on and I found this a gentle reminder that this is okay.</span><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">There's a two page spread with an infant and a parent where we watch the caregiving roles flip as they both age. A gentle reminder about what love looks like at various stages in life. </span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">The story reminds us about things coming and going, growing, changing, and busy. Yet at night when we rest "we are al just hearts being in the darkness." The story then nudges us to realize above the bustle of a busy day our hearts are still beating individually. The book ends reminding readers we are strong and steady. </span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">In our busy emotional thoughts this book helps us slow down and pay attention to our beating hearts and realize that is a connection between us all.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">My bibliotherapy moment - </span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">"...here and alive together but apart the same but exactly different."</span></p>Mandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12082337415906808358noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-58792442048302243.post-10689685582011173472023-05-18T06:29:00.000-04:002023-05-19T06:38:02.726-04:00Feelings by Libby Walden {Mental Wellness}<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkKIwHUFUlNLlOvJcfGLIm_6RYbBP02v9qNF_CiAThSQBHa7CVctVE8HDgfd-VxIPKIdF9KSodSc-QCTMM700FxUmikKwCMr6xd3EXq5mTEGHBT58pt4dRv51j9Z1Jqt-q--q5rhx8g4rQw5F9vuts6NIWpw6r2YIiBUyaYscCKXmBHBsrXHRxXQU/s632/Screenshot%202023-05-19%20at%206.27.54%20AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="632" data-original-width="506" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkKIwHUFUlNLlOvJcfGLIm_6RYbBP02v9qNF_CiAThSQBHa7CVctVE8HDgfd-VxIPKIdF9KSodSc-QCTMM700FxUmikKwCMr6xd3EXq5mTEGHBT58pt4dRv51j9Z1Jqt-q--q5rhx8g4rQw5F9vuts6NIWpw6r2YIiBUyaYscCKXmBHBsrXHRxXQU/w160-h200/Screenshot%202023-05-19%20at%206.27.54%20AM.png" width="160" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br />Inside my heart and in my head...Feelings by <a href="https://littletiger.co.uk/author-illustrator/libby-walden-2">Libby Walden</a> opens with words embracing all that feelings bring us; dwell, spark, bounce, beneath, bubble, stir and brew. Her six lines of text captures action and examples that make emotions beautiful and sometimes a lot. </span><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">The book then names an emotion and she uses a two page spread with four lines defining and offering examples to understand the named emotion. I love the sequence she uses brave, sad, angry, happy.... </span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Illustrator <a href="https://www.instagram.com/apaintedmouse/?hl=en">Richard Jones</a> has used warm muted shades with a peek through technique. There is a cut away on the front cover and each page which highlights the main character alone for each emotion double page. On the last page readers are surprised to find other children with the main character. Another interesting illustrative move is the nature setting for throughout the page. I think it sets the a tone for accepting the various emotions naturally and spending time with them. </span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">My bibliotherapy moment - </span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">"Everyone is different, and their feelings aren't the same; and what you feel is who you are - it's something you must claim."</span></p>Mandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12082337415906808358noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-58792442048302243.post-3758814056054595832023-05-17T05:04:00.004-04:002023-05-17T05:04:00.131-04:00Niko Draws a Feeling by Bob Raczka {Mental Wellness}<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center; text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBsTbVz-xe_y4yBo6RIy3ND3HaZdpGGDQtpKK-uQ2ilaP606mcMUw2DEQgOzLQiEi5loVZO1QT3QhDY3kwuBKsWgohvz7aJ5lyGma6llWcGlse__waNTJ79LNQjRNoGPPUcLhYz8mvMzkwvTdoOP4wMyiFcCpV9ChWugjmbC2pHVolF3hq4m3GBoQ/s606/Screenshot%202023-05-16%20at%209.23.08%20PM.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="606" data-original-width="510" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBsTbVz-xe_y4yBo6RIy3ND3HaZdpGGDQtpKK-uQ2ilaP606mcMUw2DEQgOzLQiEi5loVZO1QT3QhDY3kwuBKsWgohvz7aJ5lyGma6llWcGlse__waNTJ79LNQjRNoGPPUcLhYz8mvMzkwvTdoOP4wMyiFcCpV9ChWugjmbC2pHVolF3hq4m3GBoQ/w168-h200/Screenshot%202023-05-16%20at%209.23.08%20PM.png" width="168" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><u style="text-decoration: underline;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Niko Draws a Feeling</span></u><span style="font-family: verdana;"> by <a href="http://www.bobraczka.com">Bob Raczka</a> and illustrated by <a href="http://simoneshin.blogspot.com">Simone Shin</a> reminds us about the power of observation and drawing. Niko carries a sketchbook with him everywhere. As he shares his pictures with others and offers an explanation for what they are about. Often his viewers don't see what Niko shares. The illustrations show some disappointment in Nikko's face. </span></div><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Then shortly after these disappointing moments he notices a moving truck next door and meets Iris. He invites Iris over and she starts to notice his collection of drawings. She comments that one of his drawings is sad and Niko is surprised she knew.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Niko draws a picture for Iris and he's not sure what it is. Iris tells him what she sees and it is so sweet. Niko shows readers there's power in drawing and sharing our ideas. Blank paper and drawing tools can be an invitation for processing this world and our thoughts. We should all carry a notebook with us, I think.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">My bibliotherapy moment - </span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">""Iris thought. It looks like how I feel. You know, sad because I had to move." Suddenly, Niko felt a window opening in his brain."</span></p>Mandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12082337415906808358noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-58792442048302243.post-43357634685158314422023-05-16T21:01:00.004-04:002023-05-16T21:01:56.944-04:00Take a Breath by Sujean Rim {Mental Wellness}<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEr5yloyoa6nopxo2Kon7C5yi4NEiGT3kT8-j_R6smkmwpQtfmhRNEzvT8n_nJhNvijMxf0tJTKTJYJwqKASX7hoEd6vn7YmXAEl0_AOM26ppJlC5WzznBqlXetJGiJUxan7LAuupeaokdz65h9x6HqL1m7QeaK96P16gz67xdXNwcShMUlrP3I4Q/s788/Screenshot%202023-05-16%20at%208.59.03%20PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="698" data-original-width="788" height="177" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEr5yloyoa6nopxo2Kon7C5yi4NEiGT3kT8-j_R6smkmwpQtfmhRNEzvT8n_nJhNvijMxf0tJTKTJYJwqKASX7hoEd6vn7YmXAEl0_AOM26ppJlC5WzznBqlXetJGiJUxan7LAuupeaokdz65h9x6HqL1m7QeaK96P16gz67xdXNwcShMUlrP3I4Q/w200-h177/Screenshot%202023-05-16%20at%208.59.03%20PM.png" width="200" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">This book might be the funniest book I have in my collection of mental wellness stories. Bob is a bird not like the others in his flock. He's a bit different because he can't quite fly yet. As the flock takes flight he does things on the ground. He listens to music using headphones while mowing the lawn and plays checkers with a turtle instead of flying. </span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Bob does try to fly and his trials get funnier as he persists more. Bob is dedicated and when his dedication doesn't help him fly worries and feeling of nervousness creep in. Tears emerge and so does Crow. Crow shares a similar experience for himself about perching with his flock. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Crow thinks Bob just needs to take a breath. Crow guides Bob through a breath exercise and let's just say Bob has a lot of energy and might have exhaled too much. Crow tries again and models side by side the steps for better breath work. This helps shift Bob's thought patterns and he tries to fly again...</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">My bibliotherapy moment - </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">"Sometimes you just have to be grounded before you can fly."</span></p>Mandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12082337415906808358noreply@blogger.com0