World Read Aloud Day – What Are You Doing?

Celebrate the power of words by reading aloud and sharing stories!

Go to litworld.org for inspiration.

Children’s Books Ease the Way into Difficult Conversations

As you may have noticed, I have not been actively blogging the last couple months. Other things—good, bad and confusing—have claimed my attention (I guess that’s called life!). Anyway, I hope to be on here more frequently.

One fun and interesting aspect of blogging is the ability to check your stats to see which are the most popular posts. One of my most visited and shared posts is Books for Sad and Scary Times written in the aftermath of the Boston Marathon Bombing; in fact, I was gratified to find out that a prominent center for children and family treatment had distributed copies to their therapists.

Learning a Second (or third) Language As An Adult

In previous posts, I’ve discussed how tackling brain-stimulating activities and engaging in sustainable hobbies, such as learning a new language, can help protect your brain and perhaps delay the onset of age-related memory loss. Speaking two languages benefits the aging brain, according to new research, and it can be just as beneficial to learn one later in life as in childhood: In being bilingual, you’re activating a whole range of different mental functions.  Linguists compare the act of switching between languages to a physical workout. Well, my husband and I have decided to follow that advice, ourselves, and are now studying español.

Tips for Making Smoothies with Children

Now that we’re enjoying crisp autumn days, have you put away your blender or Vita-Mix? Have you stopped making smoothies as your thoughts turn to steaming bowls of oatmeal? While there’s no denying that hot breakfasts can be a wonderful way to start the day when there’s a chill in the air, you still might want to mix it up. Smoothies are nutritious, portable, easily digestible, colorful and well…fun to make, especially with children. Or indulge in that hot breakfast, and offer the kids a nutrient-rich smoothie as an after-school snack.

Have a Grand Day: September 7

Enjoy this update of a previously run post ~

 

 

Do you know that the first Sunday after Labor Day is National Grandparents Day? This special day is meant to celebrate the important bonds between grandparents and grandchildren.

You can mark this day in whichever way suits your family best. Grandparents might give and/or receive presents. You might gather for a festive meal or make cards for each other. Be as creative as you like in how you celebrate, but I recommend that you let the usual suspects know that this special day is soon approaching.

Interview with Nili Yelin, The Storybook Mom

 

 

Today I have the pleasure of speaking with Nili Yelin, A.K.A. the Storybook Mom. A Wilmette resident and NU graduate, Nili is known throughout the Chicagoland area for her interactive style of storytelling and ability to communicate her passion for literature to her listeners. She has an extensive background in performing and developing her own material. I first became acquainted with Nili when she accepted my request to entertain at the opening of the Little Free Library in Highland Park. We bonded over our shared love of books, kids and literacy. Animated, enthusiastic and engaging, she brings stories to life, mesmerizing both mini-bookworms and reluctant readers. Some of her many activities include recording podcasts for the Field Museum, running the children’s stage at the Chicago Tribune’s Printers Row Lit Fest and serving as Chicago Ambassador for Lit World’s World Read Aloud Day.

Books for Sad and Scary Times…Redux

The news provides us with a daily dose of what is wrong and going wrong in the world. And the news is no longer confined to a half-hour at 6 P.M. and 10 P.M.—continuous coverage is on all social media. We all want—and need—to know and understand what is happening here and in other parts of the globe, but the words and images can be disturbing and confusing. Within a few minutes’ time, we may hear of drive-by shootings in Chicago, crazed gunmen, an outbreak of the deadly Ebola virus, child abuse, and terrorist organizations bent on destruction.

Very young children need to be shielded from the nightmarish images on the news; the older the children, however, the more difficult it is to completely protect them. The trusted adults in their lives will be called upon to help them cope with their feelings and attempt to answer their questions.

Some of you might find your answers in religion and through prayer, and if you can provide comfort in this way, that’s great. But be aware that children are experiencing most of the same feelings that you are, even though they might express and deal with these feelings in different, age-appropriate ways.

I looked for books that might invite children to consider and discuss their reactions to scary and sad events and this is what I found:

 

Feelings by Aliki (ages 4 – 8) is good for children who are struggling with identifying and expressing their emotions. Different stories and engaging illustrations accompany each feeling and will, hopefully, spark discussion.

How Are You Peeling? by Saxton Freymann and Joost Eiffers (ages 4 – 8) offers a creative and whimsical way to explore feelings. Photographs showcase foods with moods; this team has found various fruits and vegetables that each appear to convey an emotion and then attached two black-eyed peas for eyes, the results being surprisingly effective (I considered saying appealing, for my husband’s amusement). You and your grandchild might want to experiment similarly with produce—all mistakes being edible.

A Terrible Thing Happened—A story for children who have witnessed violence or trauma by Margaret Holmes and Cary Pillo (ages 4 – 10) wisely never shows what the main character—Sherman Smith— witnessed, so it can be applied to any appropriate scenario.Through the story, children will be reassured that it is normal for a whole host of emotions, such as sadness, anger, fear, confusion, frustration, to arise from witnessing violence and trauma. When Sherman opens up to the school counselor, they will also understand that while we often try to hide from such scary feelings, it is best to talk about it with a trusted adult. Pillo’s poignant illustrations complement the telling. An afterword written for parents and other caregivers offers suggestions and lists resources for helping traumatized children.

Sometimes Bad Things Happen by Ellen Jackson (ages 4 – 8) features bright photographs of sad and bad things happening and children’s facial reactions; the book offers simple coping strategies such as hugging a friend, singing a brave song and planting a flower. As you read together, encourage your grandchildren to acknowledge their feelings and then brainstorm positive ways to respond.

As for me, I am thinking of rereading the classic When Bad Things Happen to Good People by Harold Kushner. Rabbi Kushner wrestles with this issue in a very personal, clear and intelligent manner after his young son is diagnosed with a terminal illness. Actually, this would be a valuable suggestion for teenagers, if they are receptive.

I encourage you—and the children in your life— to unplug occasionally, take some deep breaths and spend at least a little time outside.

Bookstore Love

 

I recently read—and enjoyed—the novel, The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry by Gabrielle Zevin, a sweet homage to independent bookstores. Given my long-standing love of bookstores (and libraries), it’s not surprising this story resonated with me. I still have fond memories of the book sellers of my youth: the erudite sales staff at Kroch’s and Brentano’s, the mystique of the 3rd floor book department in the iconic Marshall Field’s, and the laid-back vibe of Barbara’s Bookstore.

Making GG’s Chicken Soup

 

Happily, many bloggers have read and reviewed my new picture book, GG and Mamela. Christina Morley of Amanda’s Books and More took it one step further and in a follow-up to her initial review, made GG’s chicken soup recipe with her youngest child, Amanda. Christina generously included wonderful photos of the process and I am sharing that post with you today. GG would be pleased with the collaboration between Christina and her adorable daughter, the delicious results and the fact that her family recipe is traveling around the globe.

Happy Father’s Day!

 

I’d like to wish the wonderful father of my children—my husband—a well-deserved Happy Father’s Day. He had his own favorite books that he read to the kids: Babar the Elephant, Good Night Moon, Go, Dog, Go!, Is it Bedtime? (a.k.a. the Daddy Foo-Foo book), Five Little Monkeys Jumping on the Bed, the Berenstain Bears series, and many others. And then, of course, who can forget the never-ending delightful Tommy-and-Robby stories (inspired by his childhood) that he created and recounted at bedtime? In honor of Rob and all the other loving and supportive fathers out there, I am rerunning an earlier post (with some changes) I wrote about my father. Enjoy the holiday!