Books, places, and books that take you places
In our house bedtime was a marathon. What should have been an easy, calm routine became, shall we say, wild. It’s a challenge getting four kids to bed but, my husband was really the instigator. He took his role as the official bedtime reader seriously and liked to dramatize every story in the pile. Finally, […]
The Case for Loving – the Fight for Interracial Marriage written by Selina Alko. Illustrated by Selina Alko and her husband Sean Qualls Arthur A. Levine Books 2015. June 12th is officially Loving Day but do you know why? In 1958, Richard Loving and Mildred Jeter fell in love. Of course they wanted to be married […]
Hello Field Trip Life Friends, Many people have asked me about my writing journey. I was recently interviewed by children’s book author, Rosie J. Pova, who has been kind enough to let me share her post with my readers. Chitchat with Author Claire Annette Noland Hello, amazing readers! Welcome back at the Oasis ― […]
TWO DOGS ON A TRIKE Written by Gabi Snyder (author) and Robin Rosenthal (illustrator) Abrams Appleseed May 2020 Picture book ages 2-6 Themes: dogs, transportation, counting Settings: land, air, water, and space The story begins: One dog stands alone. With this simple sentence the reader is invited into the pages where they can join […]
Every year, students and teachers look forward to Field Day when they can celebrate the end of the school year. As with everything else this year, the all-school Field Days have been cancelled. But I have good news. In this anything-but-normal year, many families are creating their own At Home Field Day. Unfortunately, Field Day […]
If you are like me you are finding yourself in a zoom meeting or two. Our family has started weekly meetings during this time of sheltering at home and someone came up with the great idea of building forts. We planned, constructed, and decorated our forts which had to be large enough to hold two […]
Isn’t it wonderful when you find a book that you feel personally connected to? I was born in Santa Monica, near the ocean and the famous pier. I was so excited to open DOWN UNDER THE PIER and return to my childhood days filled with sand and salt air breezes. DOWN UNDER THE PIER […]
Have you ever watched a child stoop down to examine something tiny? They can be held spellbound by a rock, an ant, or a seashell. Today’s book is one that takes fascination further and opens up a world of wonder. SMALL MATTERS: The Hidden Power of the Unseen By Heather Ferranti Kinser Millbrook Press 2020 […]
What day of the school year do children most look forward to celebrating? That’s easy – FIELD DAY! Just because kids are now staying safe at home doesn’t mean that they can’t celebrate the end of the academic school year. Since so much learning is happening online these days, everyone is ready to get […]
What child hasn’t heard that the moon is made out of cheese? Today’s book takes this fun idea and spins a tale about two resourceful cheese lovers. SPACE MICE By Lori Haskins Houran (author) and Priscilla Alpaugh Albert Whitman 2020 Picture book for ages 4-7 Themes: space travel, resourcefulness, mice Setting: the moon The story […]
It’s spring and perhaps it just finished raining where you are. Today I’d like to share a perfect book for spring day. AFTER THE RAIN By Rebecca Koehn (author) and Simone Krüger (illustrator) Beaming Books 2020 Picture book for ages 3-6 Themes: rainy day play, conflict resolution, friendship Setting: home and yard The story […]
A Field Trip Life is all about travel and celebration but these days, armchair travel is the mode of transportation. If you’re like me, you’re about ready for a celebration. Today I’m sharing a book that features a global celebration that everyone can participate in right where they are. EARTH HOUR: A Lights-Out Event for […]
As people around the world are sheltering at home, most travel has come to a standstill. But that doesn’t mean we can’t go somewhere. We just need to travel through books. Today’s selection provides a trip around the world. WHERE AM I FROM? By Elisavet Arkolaki (author) and Graffiti illustration by Platon Faraxa Publishing 2020 […]
As a child, my two favorite things were ballet and books so I am excited to discover a book that combines both. Best of all, it is the true story of a dancer who inspires others to persist in fulfilling their dreams. Ready to Fly: How Sylvia Townsend Became the Bookmobile Ballerina By Lea Lyon […]
Every family has a bedtime routine and most include books. We have our stack of favorites but after the zillionth time reading certain (ahem – I’m looking at you, Good Night, Moon) it is wonderful to discover a new one. Today we’re celebrating the release of our new favorite bedtime book: HELP WANTED: Must […]
