Children today do not often read the classics. Not in the same way they were encouraged and assigned when I was younger. But some classics and some authors have always held an important place in the discussion of literature. The works of Jane Austen are some of those works. There are two beautiful picture books … Continue reading Discovering Jane Austen
Any reader of this blog knows that we have a fascination with fairy tales. We also really love fractured fairy tales or the notion of taking a look at classic stories and re-imagining them. My 11 year old actually is planning on writing one of her own. So when the #KidLitExchange posted My Rotten Stepbrother … Continue reading My Rotten Stepbrother Ruined….
One of my favorite books when I was younger was Little Women. I still have my beloved copy for my daughters to be able to read. J has read an abridged version, but hasn't yet delved into the meaty version of the classic yet. So finding a beautiful biography of Louisa May Alcott was like … Continue reading Picture Book Biographies of Literary Giants
We have recently started encouraging our daughters to get into the "old fashioned" concept of writing letters to pen-pals. J has started writing to a cousin and some of E's closest friends will be moving away this summer. With that in mind, finding Josh Funk's new book, dear Dragon, has been an absolute delight. The … Continue reading Dear Dragon
One of the most wonderful things you can do for a child is to teach them a love of books and writing. For some, one comes easier than the other. Sometimes it is a matter of age - you can tell a story before you can actually read or write the words. Sometimes it is … Continue reading 10 Picture Books about the Writing Process
It is wonderful when a book can encourage a child to see outside of their personal bubble. In the charming series, All Four Stars, by Tara Dairman, J's eyes were opened to a variety of foods and ingredients that she had never come across. At 9, she has started to be more willing to expand … Continue reading A Culinary Adventure with All Four Stars
These days, schools focus so much on reading that it seems like they are not paying as much attention to the importance of creative writing. That kind of makes me sad. I remember being allowed to just draw pictures and then write the stories or dictate them to a teacher when I was younger. It … Continue reading Picture books for Young Writers
