Armchair Travels…

 

You may feel like transporting yourself to another time or place these days.  I keep thinking of “apparating” from the Harry Potter novels. Apparation, you may recall, allows a person to disappear – and then quickly reappear – in another place. According to Harry, apparating feels like “being forced through a very tight rubber tube.” Armchair travel is far less painful. You can make a snack, sit in a cozy chair, and apparate yourself anyplace you’d like to go!

Here are some ideas for books that will take you (safely) away….

The Worst Class Trip Ever by Dave Berry (“airplane reading” for kids. A light and entertaining novel about a class trip to Washington, D.C. that goes – unsurprisingly – wrong.)

The London Eye Mystery by Siobhan Dowd (During his visit to London, Salim rides on the London Eye, a giant Ferris wheel, but when it lands back at the start, Salim has vanished! This mystery novel is also a bit of a puzzle.)

From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler by E.L. Konigsburg (The classic novel about two kids who spend the night at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. You could read this, watch the Night at the Museum movies, and then explore some of the many virtual museum tours available online.)

The Cities Book by Lonely Planet Kids (I love this book. It’s a good one for kids who want to learn details about different cities. Facts, pictures, and drawings of 86 cities. Boston is not one of them, but remember we are traveling to explore new places! Did you know that a popular sandwich in Toronto is the Peameal Bacon Sandwich? Peameal, in case you are wondering, is a wet-cured unsmoked bacon.)

The Red Pencil by Andrea Pinkney (A novel in verse about Amira, a twelve-year-old Sudanese girl who, after her village is attacked, lives in a refugee camp. The gift of a red pencil opens Amira’s eyes to new possibilities.)

The Invention of Hugo Cabret by Brian Selznick (The ultimate escape: the walls of a Paris train station in the 1930s!)

Melanie Martin Goes Dutch by Carol Weston (A breezy story told in diary format about two girls spending the summer in Amsterdam.)

Atlas of Adventures by Rachel Williams (Not a novel, but a “coffee table book” for kids. This is one of the browsing books in the Inly Library, and it appeals to kids from age 6 to 12. Open any page and land in a carnival in Brazil, go skiing in the Alps, or explore the pyramids in Egypt.)

Another way to travel would be graphic novel adaptations of classic children’s books.

A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L’Engle (This is not about apperating, but close. Meg Murry uses the tesserect which, even after reading the book five times, is still beyond my understanding, but Meg does save the world!)

Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery, graphic novel by Mariah Marsden (I really like the graphic novel adaptation. The colors and illustration style capture the beauty of Prince Edward’s Island.)

And, of course, you can always travel to Hogwarts….

Happy Reading – and Traveling!

 

Notes from Home….

These are not ordinary times. We are going into the 7th week of lockdown, and it looks like we will be staying close to home for awhile. Here are some things that might distract, help entertain your children, or inspire…

I’ve been reading Magic Tree House books for 20 years, and I keep thinking that they will lose steam. I read many of Jack and Annie’s adventures to my son when he was young, and he’s 25 now. But kids continue to check them out – in order – from the Library. Number 34, Late Lunch with Llamas will be out in July. Now, in response to children spending more time at home, Mary Pope Osborne has launched Magic Tree House Home Adventures, a weekly activity guide. Here’s a link:

http://www.magictreehouse.com/go/

 

In 1916, a bookstore opened in New York City called Sunwise Turn. One of the first bookshops to be owned and operated by women, it was open until 1927. I only learned about it this past week while watching a documentary about the art collector, Peggy Guggenheim. Guggenheim interned in the shop in 1920 and the logo caught my eye. I think someone should revise it for their bookshop.

One of the many illustrators I follow on Instagram is a person named Shato. With their permission, here are a few of my favorite posts.

Earlier this week, The New York Times had a two page spread of illustrations titled: 17 Artists Capture a Surreal New York From Their Windows. Each of the artists captured something about this period, especially its stillness.  Here is my favorite from the series – and a link to all of them:

 

Hike by Pete Oswald is a new book that is especially perfect for this particular spring. A nearly woodless story of a father and child spending a day outdoors together, it’s beautiful – and the adventure they share will inspire you to put the kids in the car and head outside….

The picture at the top of the post was taken near the Scituate Lighthouse. Happy Reading….

 

https://www.magictreehouse.com/go/

https://www.magictreehouse.com/go/

 

 

https://www.magictreehouse.com/go/

Middle Grade Novels to Brighten Quarantine…

 

My favorite emails right now are the ones from kids asking for book recommendations. We are all looking for distractions during this unsettling time, and the right book can be the perfect escape. Below are ten middle grade novels that will entertain and inspire your 5th or 6th grade reader:

The War That Saved My Life by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley (Many of my students know how much I love this book. It is truly perfect. One of the best middle grade novels of the past five years. The recipient of a Newbery Honor, among many other awards, The War That Saved My Life takes place against the backdrop of WWII. At the center of the novel is Ada, a girl who faces many challenges in her life in London, but when she and her younger brother are sent to the countryside to escape the bombings, things begin to change.)

Waiting for Normal by Leslie Connor (This novel was published in 2008, but still shines brightly on my list of middle grade favorites. Addie, the 12-year-old protagonist is “waiting for normal,” but living with her mentally ill mother does not provide many normal moments. Addie is a spunky heroine. She creates a memorable community of people to support her, and like all of us these days, she creates a “new normal.”)

All Rise for the Honorable Perry T. Cook by Leslie Connor (I’m going to stay with Leslie Connor for one more selection. This one features another memorable protagonist, an eleven-year-old boy named Perry who lives with his mother in a correctional facility in Nebraska. If it sounds depressing, it isn’t. In fact, it’s just the opposite. Perry is determined to learn about his mother’s crime and, in the process, learns about life and the power of love. Writing this short description makes me want to read it again!)

Flora and Ulysses by Kate DiCamillo (As Ann Patchett wrote in a recent essay in The New York Times Book Review, DiCamillo’s novels are “..beautifully written, the stories have gorgeous arcs. They twist in ways you never see coming and do not shy away from despair or joy or strangeness. They are, each one, sui generis, each one extraordinary.  I love all of DiCamillo’s books, but the story of Flora Buckman’s friendship with a squirrel named Ulysses is my favorite.)

The Season of Styx Malone by Kekla Magoon (Caleb and Bobby are brothers who love a good adventure, but when they meet sixteen-year-old Styx Malone, their adventures take on a new dimension. Styx has an idea for a scheme with high stakes, but things don’t go as planned. A funny story about risks and friendship, Styx Malone will definitely brighten any dark day.)

Front Desk by Kelly Yang (Mia Tang, a young Chinese immigrant, lives and works with her parents at a run-down motel they manage for a cruel owner. They work hard and have good hearts which endears them to other immigrants trying to carve out a new life for themselves. This is an uplifting book, and especially timely right now when the president continues to refer to the coronavirus as the Chinese virus, causing many Chinese-Americans to be victims of racism and dangerous stereotypes.)

Two more things….

First, the picture at the top of the post was taken by a friend of mine in the Public Garden. A good samaritan generously took the time to protect Mrs. Mallard and her eight ducklings.

Also, the good people at Candlewick Press created a guide to the Coronavirus which School Library Journal described in its starred review as “An elegant, effective work. Download this now, read it immediately, share it with everyone you know.” Here’s the link:

https://stayhome.candlewick.com/

Stay safe and happy reading!

Children’s Books That Provide Comfort

 

As many of us navigate our way through new challenges, we are finding comfort in our families, our homes, and the friends we see through Zoom or FaceTime. But there is no question that this is stressful. It can be overwhelming to think about how long this will last and what happens next. Of course, our children pick up on our anxiety, and like us, they are adjusting to new routines and new limitations.

Today, a list of ten books that may help to ease a young child’s anxiety. These are quiet books, perfect for the end of the day. They may also help a child to feel safe and less alone.

Here and Now by Julie Denos (The first line of this book reads: “Right here, right now, you are reading this book.” This is a book about being in the present. It could be a read aloud during Shavasana or a mindfulness session.)

Quiet by Tomie dePaola (I had to include this one as a tribute to dePaola who died last month. One thing I especially love about this book is that one of the main characters is a grandfather. In this “quiet” book, the grandfather encourages his young grandchildren to look past all of the busyness around them and sit quietly on a park bench. The illustration at the top of the post is from Quiet.)

The Rabbit Listened by Cori Doerrfeld (A sweet book that validates a child’s need for someone to listen to them)

Waiting by Kevin Henkes (This might be a good book for all of us right now. A gentle story about anticipation and patience – and the soft colors are lovely.)

Frederick by Leo Lionni (A classic – it won the Caldecott Award in 1967 – but Frederick’s message is timeless.)

Sleep Like a Tiger by Mary Logue (A beautiful book about a little girl who does not want to go to sleep. Published in 2012, this is the first book I think of when a parent asks me to recommend a good bedtime story.)

Ruby Finds a Worry by Tom Percival (Ruby is happily moving along and exploring her world until she finds – a worry!)

All the World by Liz Garton Scanlon (Look at this book for the Caldecott Award-winning illustrations. It makes me want to fall into the pages of the book about a sparkling day – the kind of day we are all looking forward to.)

A Sick Day for Amos McGee by Philip Stead and Erin Stead (Every time I read this 2011 Caldecott winner, I fall in love with it again. The story of an elderly man who works at the zoo and cares deeply for each of his animal friends, this is a perfect book about the power of kindness.)

A Stone Sat Still by Brendan Wenzel (A stone has many purposes – depending on what kind of animal is using it. This is a good book to initiate a conversation about perspective.)

I’ll post lists on different topics and for different age groups each week, but if there’s a request for a specific list of recommendations, send me an email.

Happy Reading!

These Days….

These days are hard. We are all learning to stay physically distant, but socially connected. Many of us are spending lots of time on Zoom and learning new tech tools. Many of us are also navigating all of the content out there – news related to the coronavirus and the lists of things we could be learning, watching, reading, listening to. It’s a bit overwhelming.

Nothing on this list is a “to do” item, but they are the things I’ve found interesting or helpful over the past week:

• One of the most anticipated graphic novels of this spring is Dragon Hoops by Gene Luen Yang. It was one of the books I was most looking forward to sharing with Inly’s middle school students. Here’s a link to an interview with Yang about his first nonfiction graphic novel:

• This episode of The New York Times podcast, The Daily, features kids asking questions about the coronavirus. Their questions are answered by science writer, Carl Zimmer. It’s excellent – and perfect for kids between the ages of 6 and 12.

• The writer and illustrator Tomie dePaola died yesterday at the age of 85. His books – over 200 of them – bring joy to so many people, young and old. Our family favorite is Pancakes for Breakfast. In fact, it is on permanent display in our kitchen  When our son was young, he loved this wordless story. He delighted in the old lady’s quest for pancakes!  We still refer to her determination whenever we are gathering our own ingredients.

• If you’re looking for an immersive novel for a young reader during these long days, I recently reviewed Daring Darleen: Queen of the Screen by Anne Nesbet for School Library Journal. Here’s an excerpt of my starred review:

“Nesbet’s new novel has all of the elements of classic old-fashioned adventure tales. Set in 1914, the fast-paced story centers on a motherless 12-year-old star of a silent weekly photoplay and includes a case of mistaken identity, dastardly villains, and shady characters. Darleen, who as a young child was known as Darling Darleen, is now Daring Darleen, a role that allows her to dangle from cliffs and jump between trains. But when Aunt Shirley, the manager of Matchless, the struggling film company behind Darleen’s show, comes up with a fake kidnapping scheme to attract attention to the series, things get complicated…Darleen is resourceful and smart. It’s her quick thinking, and the support of her new friends, that help save Matchless….A rollicking vintage adventure. Recommend to movie fans and readers who enjoy escapades of the past, with lots of twists and tangles.”

• My own reading has been a bit scattered, a reflection of my mind. In preparation for a (virtual) 6th grade reading group, I re-read A Long Walk to Water by Linda Sue Park. I’m also reading, at the recommendation of one of my middle school students, A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder by Holly Jackson. It’s a fun and tightly constructed mystery about a high school senior investigating a local murder case, but I think the title is making my husband and son nervous.

• And, finally, I’ve enjoyed the lists recommending comforting books to read during these unsettling days. The New York Times sent a list of “time-tested books that offer escape from the present moment.” The recommendations are from writers and editors at the Times, but I love these words by Matt Futterman, a deputy sports editor, about Charlotte’s Web:

“I read this one for two reasons — because every word and sentence is perfectly rendered, and because we are all Wilbur, needing a Charlotte to save our lives at one point or another.”

Be well. Happy Reading.

Ideas for Family Reading: Spring Blooms Edition

 

While we are all adjusting to life at home, I keep reminding myself that spring is here! Baby animals are being born. There are buds on the trees. It will get warmer, and spending more time outdoors will help us both physically and emotionally. There are many wonderful books about this time of rebirth. Your public and school libraries may be closed, but these books would be available on Kindle, at your local independent bookstore’s curbside pick-up, or through an online retailer.

Here are ten favorite picture books about spring:

Robins: How They Grow Up by Eileen Christelow (Robins are probably the first birds many children can recognize on their own. This book follows the lives of two young robins during their first year of life.)

And Then It’s Spring! by Julie Fogliano (A book about the anticipation that is part of planting – and waiting for the brown to turn to green)

The Honeybee by Kirsten Hall (A tribute to the important role bees play in creating all of the colors of spring!)

When Spring Comes by Kevin Henkes (For the youngest children, another brilliant picture book by Henkes)

Lola Plants a Garden by Anna McQuinn (Another book for young children, this one about a young girl and her mother who go to the library to check out books about gardening.)

Up in the Garden, Down in the Dirt by Kate Messner (This is one of our school naturalist’s favorite books to explain what happens in the hidden world below the ground.)

Goodbye Winter, Hello Spring by Kenard Pak (The third in Pak’s seasonal cycle of books, all of which are equally beautiful.)

Fletcher and the Springtime Blossoms by Julia Rawlinson (One of our favorite spring read alouds. A sweet story about a little fox named Fletcher who mistakes blossoms for snowflakes.)

Bloom Boom! by April Pulley Sayre (a photographic celebration of flowers)

Spring After Spring by Stephanie Roth Sisson (If you want to inspire your young naturalist, this would be a good place to start – an introduction to the life of Rachel Carson.)

One other thing – I recently bought this book in a used bookstore:

Published in 1929, it is a fun distraction to flip through during these challenging days – and a good reminder of how much social progress has been made since the 20s.

This is from the chapter, “The Buying and Selling of Children’s Books”

“Having a boys’ section composed of adventure, baseball, and college stories along with handicraft books and other distinctly boyish books is a good idea; then separating these according to age is another. The same in the girls’ branch. Place your series, mystery, and school stories here, in their proper ages, along with sewing, cooking….”

It continues:

“If you are too busy to give much time to this department, we would suggest that you choose an attractive young woman with some knowledge of children’s education as the head of that department. If she has any kind of initiative she can do a big thing for you, for your store, and for herself.”

And here are some selections from the “Window Display” chapter:

“Down the street they come – those potential book customers. They are in a hurry. They are rushing along to important engagements. They are flying for trains. They are dashing for home before dark. They are intent upon their own business and utterly unconcerned about yours. Now what are you going to do to break that intent and make them concerned about yours?”

It continues:

“When you first open your shop, take days off to study the type of person to whom you are most apt to have appeal. By this, we do not mean that down one street walk all the crossword puzzle buyers and up another all the Etiquette. But we do mean that certain localities do harbor definite demands, and you have to anticipate what those demands will be…..play up the June bride window for all you are worth. Make your rare editions speak for themselves. Make them the smart thing for the bride to receive.”

One more!

“This shop must appeal mostly to women, therefore children’s books and fiction displays are essential. Inspirational books in dull, depressed financial seasons, sell well.”  That line makes me wonder about the sale of inspirational titles right now – during this depressed financial season.

The illustration at the top is by Eric Carle – of course! Stay well out there – and Happy Reading!

 

Family Read-Alouds

One of the many challenges of our new reality is finding activities that are fun and appropriate for the whole family. Before we left school last week, a parent asked me to recommend books that both of her children would enjoy – and that would also appeal to adults.

Here are ten ideas:

The Wild Robot by Peter Brown (This multilayered novel is a perfect family book. The youngest listener will follow the story of Roz, a robot stranded on a remote island, and there is lots for an older child to discuss with a parent: what does it mean to be a family? How does Roz survive? What is the role of technology in this story?)

A Nest for Celeste by Henry Cole (A gentle and sweet story about a mouse who befriends a 15-year-old boy who is John James Audubon’s assistant. This book features beautiful pencil drawings, and would, naturally, lead you to look at Audubon’s paintings of birds.)

Bud, Not Buddy by Christopher Paul Curtis (Ten-year-old Bud is one of the most lovable characters in children’s books. Determined to find his father, Bud takes to the road in Depression-era Michigan and has a series of adventures. Music is an important element of this novel, especially Cab Calloway. Lots of good Calloway videos on YouTube that would be fun to watch while reading the book.)

26 Fairmont Avenue by Tomie dePaola (I’m including this series for younger children, grades 1-3. It’s an overlooked series, but one that deserves more attention. Based on dePaola’s childhood, the first book opens in 1938 when Tomie’s family moves into a new house and follows his adventures through the WWII era. Full of cultural references and well-drawn characters, this series realistically addresses the joys and concerns of a young child: school, family, summer vacations!)

Half Magic by Edward Eager (There are so many “older” books that are worth rediscovering. I love this 1954 novel about a coin that grants wishes – but only half the wish! Naturally, that means you have to wish for double of everything which inevitably leads to trouble.)

The Saturdays by Elizabeth Enright (Another timeless story, this one by Elizabeth Enright, an American writer who lived between 1907 and 1968. Her two most well known novels are Gone-Away-Lake and The Saturdays. The story is dated, but so charming. The story of the four Melendy children is the first in a “quartet” of novels. Fun fact: Elizabeth Enright’s mother was the sister of Frank Lloyd Wright.)

From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler by E.L. Konigsburg (This book seems like it should be a required part of childhood – along with Charlotte’s Web! Published in 1967, it’s the story of twelve-year-old Claudia and her younger brother, Jamie, who run away from home and hide in the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City. Every time I go to the Metropolitan, I keep my eyes open for Claudia and Jamie in the Armor Galleries!)

Where the Mountain Meets the Moon by Grace Lin (A series of tales inspired by Chinese folklore, this is the first in Lin’s trilogy of beautiful fantasy novels. Many families, after reading this one together, return to the Library for When the Sea Turned to Silver and Starry River of the Sky.)

The Borrowers by Mary Norton (This could be fun. Read the original 1952 novel and then watch the movie starring John Goodman. And if everyone enjoys the fantasy world of the tiny family, there are lots more books in the series!)

Stuart Little by E.B. White (Another book and movie combination – and the movie is really good!)

Besides getting my reading organized, I’m looking at art and listening to music – or at least putting things in place to do more of both. One of my current favorites is a relatively unknown artist named Albert York who died in 2009. He is one of the reasons I love Instagram. That’s where I first learned about York before ordering a book and reading more about him. In a 1995 New Yorker article, Calvin Tomkins described York as “perhaps the most highly admired unknown artist in America.” I’ll leave you with two paintings I love. We can all use more beauty these days….

Happy Reading – and Hand Washing…

 

 

 

 

 

More Time to Read?

You may be spending more time at home over the next few weeks, and although there is a lot of bad news out there, we do have more time to read! I have a big stack of books sitting by my chair, things I’ve wanted to read when I have time. I would not have wished for the “gift of time” to come from a situation like this, but here we are.

The other day, a few parents gathered in the Library to talk about what they have been reading. One of the things I most enjoy about these conversations is hearing what books have caught the attention of friends – books I may have walked past, but am now tempted to look at it again. Today’s post is an edited list of books we talked about. The next post will feature books for the family to enjoy together while we are all engaged in “social distancing!”

Long Bright River by Liz Moore (A literary thriller that takes place in Philadelphia. Mary read this one and loved it. “A smart book that combines a good mystery with a story about family, the opioid crisis, and other contemporary issues.”)

Nothing to See Here by Kevin Wilson (Several of us read Wilson’s novel and all agreed that it is a brilliant combination of laugh-out-loud moments and smart commentary on family life. Here’s a line from The Washington Post review: “[Wilson’s] most perfect novel. Paradoxically light and melancholy, it hews to the border of fantasy but stays in the land of realism. . . . You can sense the real heat radiating off these pages. . . . This novel may seem slight and quirky, but don’t be fooled. There’s a lot to see here.”)

The Stranger in the Woods: The Extraordinary Story of the Last True Hermit by Michael Finkel (The same parent who recommended this also loved Leave No Trace, the movie about the father and daughter who live off the grid in Oregon. She always brings interesting true stories to our attention. The Stranger in the Woods is about Christopher Knight, a man who lived in the Maine woods – for 27 years!  The author spent time with Knight learning about how he survived, and how he returned to society. I bought this one for my dad before our book club was over!)

The Dutch House by Ann Patchett (The parent who recommended this book grew up in the same area where Patchett’s new novel takes place. She’s listening to it on Audible and enthusiastically recommends the reading by Tom Hanks. Maybe listening to Dutch House would be a good way to keep Tom Hanks in your thoughts right now!)

A Place for Us by Fatima Farheen Mirza (This sprawling family story was enthusiastically recommended. Centered on a Muslim-American family as they prepare for the wedding of the oldest daughter, A Place For Us was named one of the Best Books of 2018 by The Washington Post and NPR.)

Strangers and Cousins by Leah Hager Cohen (Mary and I both had this one at the top of our recommendation pile. Cohen’s novel, like A Place For Us, centers on a family wedding, this one in a beloved family home in rural New York. It is smart and funny, and most of all, wise. It’s a book I would read again – which is not something I ordinarily feel.)

Saint X by Alexis Schaitkin (We did not discuss this book at our parent group, but I just finished it and it has stayed with me. Asked to give an elevator description of the book, it would sound “Gone Girl-ish” in its plot. It’s about a beautiful college student who disappears while vacationing with her family at a Caribbean resort. But that’s not what this rich and layered book is about at all. It’s about class and privilege and race and tourism. It made me a bit uncomfortable at times, but in a way that felt necessary.)

Happy Reading! 

New – and Old – Books

Over the past few months, I’ve reviewed several new middle grade novels for School Library Journal.  Here are excerpts from two of those reviews:

I was happy to read Shelley Pearsall’s new book, Things Seen From Above. Her 2016 novel, The Seventh Most Important Thing, is one of my favorite books to share with middle school students. A story of redemption and art, The Seventh Most Important Thing centers on a thirteen-year-old boy named Arthur who throws a brick at a man known as “the junk man.” Rather than being sent to juvie, his victim requests that Arthur spend his community service hours working with him.

Pearsall’s new book is totally different. This one is geared towards a little younger reader, but it still mixes Pearsall’s interesting characters with humor and empathy:

“When 6th grader April Boxler volunteers to spend time on the school playground’s Buddy Bench, she doesn’t expect it to change the way she sees everything. In fact, she only agreed to spend recess with the 4th graders to avoid dealing with her own changing friendships.  But it’s on the bench where April first watches Joey Bird, a 4th grade boy, walking in what seem to be deliberate patterns. Thanks to the help of the kind school janitor, Mr. Ulysses, April is able to get a “bird’s eye view” of Joey’s playground designs and she begins to recognize the quiet boy’s unique perspective…..Pearsall tells the story primarily from April’s point of view, but chapters giving more insight into Joey – including his “art” – enrich and expand this thoughtful novel of emotional growth……” (School Library Journal)

Another book I enjoyed is American as Paneer Pie by Supriya Kelkar:

“Kelkar depicts the life of Lehka, an eleven-year-old Indian-American girl navigating two worlds with heart and compassion in her new novel.  As “Home Lehka,” she lives with her parents in a suburb of Detroit where her family is the only Indian American family in the neighborhood. Her best friend and neighbor, Noah, is a loyal friend, appreciative of Lehka’s culture and the flavorful food her family enjoys.  But as “School Lehka,” her voice is absent. She allows teachers and students to mispronounce her name and to make disrespectful comments about her heritage. When a new Indian American family – with a daughter Lehka’s age – moves to her neighborhood, she is thrilled, assuming that her new friend, Avantika, will also prefer to keep her two identities separate. But Avantika confidently talks about  her family and traditions, even at school, and Lehka is simultaneously inspired and confused…..” (School Library Journal)

And old books….

A few of my favorite Instagram accounts are those that post illustrations from old children’s books. One of my favorites is designfortoday, an account managed by Joe Pearson, who describes himself this way: “collector and publisher, hopelessly addiction to midcentury design and lithography…” These two illustrations from a Dutch picture book called Maja are from one of his recent posts:

I want to print them and hang them on a wall – they are so beautiful. In fact, I started searching online for a copy of Maja and found one ! But….

 

I don’t think I’ll be buying it.

Another favorite account is by Martin Salisbury, a professor of illustration and founder of MA Children’s Book Illustration at Cambridge School of Art in England. He posts lots of beautiful things, including these two book jackets, both of which sent me searching online for the books:

 

They were also too expensive, but – that’s why I love Instagram!

Last thing…

During a library class this week, I looked under my desk and this is the scene that greeted me:

There are lots of cozy spots to read in the library!

A Few Things Worth Sharing….

Here are a few things that have caught my attention over the past couple of weeks:

While in Amherst to see the University of Dayton Flyers Men’s basketball team (currently ranked #4) play UMass, we stopped at Amherst Books, a small, but smartly curated shop. I had not been there for about a year so this little machine was new to me:

I immediately began going through the bottom of my bag, and luckily found two quarters, enough to buy a “wicked short” poem which was quite lovely. It’s hard to count on people having coins with them, but if I lived in Amherst, I would collect quarters and drop by the store every day to read a few words.

I spent four days in New York City last week with our 8th grade Montessori Model United Nations team. It was more of a revelation than I expected it to be. I’ve been at Inly for 20 years and talked to many students who have participated in MMUN – including my son. This was my first time as a chaperone, though, and it allowed me to see our students from a different perspective. What I saw were students who instinctually join the conversation. They easily assume leadership positions, speak up in meetings, and comfortably work with others. Of course, I knew all of this before, but to watch them enter a conference with hundreds of Montessori students and responsibly devote themselves to their work and each other was a gift.

It also made me see my son’s journey differently. He is now interviewing for PhD programs, and part of the process is attending receptions with the other finalists for these competitive positions. A friend who went through this process a few years ago told him that the professors observe his interactions with the other finalists, and that his “collaboration skills” are an important piece of his application. My son reports feeling completely comfortable in these situations and at ease with speaking up in high pressure settings. After watching our students at Inly, I could see the foundation of these skills.

One of the highlights of our trip was a visit to the United Nations during which the students were able to see both the Security Council Chamber and the General Assembly. I found an exhibit about the impact of the atomic bombing of Nagasaki, Japan especially moving. This statue of Saint Agnes was found in the ruins of a Roman Catholic cathedral which was located near the epicenter of the 1945 explosion.

After a busy but rewarding trip, I returned to school grateful for the opportunity to see the results of Inly’s emphasis on educating thoughtful global citizens.

Two more things:

First, a friend shared this picture she saw on an Instagram site called historycoolkids.  Called The Walking Library, it was taken in London in the 1930s. Kind of a cool idea, but you would need a lot of Advil to carry so many books on your back! (photo credit: VSV Soibelman Syndicate News Agency)

Finally, I’m currently reading Saint X by Alexis Schaitkin and loving it. In fact, I’m going back to it right now!

Here’s a link to the glowing New York Times review:

Happy Reading!