Every year, during the month of June, the LGBTQ community celebrates in a number of different ways. Since I no longer live in a large city with parades and festivities, I'm going to celebrate Pride Month here with a selection of amazing non-fiction picture books. I'm so impressed that this is becoming a topic that... Continue Reading →
One of the wonderful things about Multicultural Children's Book Day is books promoting the fact that no matter where we live, we are one family. There are a number of books right now that show that families are family no matter where you are or how you are made up. I love the notion of... Continue Reading →
I love the idea of books that show kids that they can be whoever and whatever they like. One kid might love playing sports. Another might be a theater lover. One might want to play with trucks and another wants everything to be glittery and stylish. Friends don't have to agree on everything, as long... Continue Reading →
The year is 1977 and Allie has just moved from New Jersey to North Carolina. Her parents are divorcing and her brother recently died in an accident. Life definitely isn't easy. As she starts her first day at school she has two goals - make a friend and join the newspaper staff. Fortunately, Allie meets... Continue Reading →
One of the reasons that I love the NC Battle of the Books so much is that it encourages kids to read things that are outside of their normal scope or favorite genre. Here in this house we are getting a jump start on next year's list. The first one that I finished is Ashes... Continue Reading →
We all feel a little different from others from time to time. Sara O'Leary's sweet book, A Family is a Family is a Family, gently reminds us all that no matter what our differences, we are all the same in the one way that matters most - there are people around us who we love... Continue Reading →
Most of the books that I write about here are books that at least one of my daughters has read. There are times, however, when I am reading middle-grade fiction that moves me so much that I have to write about it before my eight year old has a chance to read it, or before... Continue Reading →