Valarie Budayr's Blog, page 58
April 17, 2016
Weekend Links: Poetry Booklists for kids (and Activities!)
This is my much-anticipated chance to share all sorts of great links and resources that I have encountered during my weekly Internet travels. I have all sorts of goodies for you today!
Did you know that April is National Poetry Month and also Poem in your Pocket Day?
The internet is buzzing with great book ideas and things to do to celebrate a love of poetry and share it with others. Here are a few of my favs:
Unique and Creative Non-Boring Poetry Books to Make You Love Poetry via What do we do all day
Celebrate poetry month with author Shel Silverstein! Get poems, activities, and fun all month long.
This site is so bright and colorful, it just makes me smile! And it has some great book ideas as well. Mrs. Wheeler’s First Grade Tidbits: Poetry Ideas
I adore these 28 Must-Share Poem images for Elementary School from WeAreTeachers! Of course, the Roald Dahl one is at the top of my favorites list:) http://stfi.re/jnaldb
Creekside Learning also had a wonderful poetry booklist for kids
What great poetry finds did you discover this week?
Before you go…
Do you know what Hans Christian Andersen liked as much as his fairy tales?
Paper! He was an addict to paper. He wrote on it, he drew on it and he use to cut in it. Just like a sculptor carves the figure out of stone, Hans Christian Andersen use to cut his stories out of paper. In fact he was a very popular paper cutter. (images courtesy of the Odense Museum)
In order to amuse his friends and their children, Hans made his very famous paper cuts. Wherever he would go he would carry his bag filled with paper and these very large monstrous scissors which he used to cut out the most elegant figures.
Would you like to create a very special item that is inspired by the paper cuttings of Hans Christian Andersen?
I’ve made a FREE off the shoulder felt story bag craft and tutorial just for this occasion! This simple craft is something the whole family can participate in creating it will make a delightful gift for the book lover in your life. I hope your little bag of tales holds as many wonders for you as ours has.
Click the image below and get instant access to this Hans Christian Andersen-inspired shoulder bag!
The post Weekend Links: Poetry Booklists for kids (and Activities!) appeared first on Jump Into A Book.
April 14, 2016
27 Books that Hug the Earth: An Earth Day Booklist for Kids
Today is Earth Day-one of my favorite days of the year. It’s a time when humans share a like-minded cause of remembering to care and cherish our Earth. Here at Jump into a Book it means, along with getting outside to frolic in nature, that it’s a great opportunity to take a good book along with you.
Here are a bunch of Earth Day Books for Kids to get you going. All of these books are favorites here and have a place not only on the book shelves, but also on coffee tables and night stands all throughout the house! I’ve also added some nature-loving/earth friendly activities and links for you to take a look at too.
Hope you enjoy them and have a very Happy Earth Day!
What Does it Mean to Be Green? This colorful, insightful story, demystifies for children what it means to be green by helping them to view everyday tasks through an environmentally-friendly lens. The book empowers children to do whatever they can to protect the earth’s precious resources.
Whole World: Connect with the whole wide, wonderful world with this green book that rejoices in the marvels of our environment. The catchy rhyme in this new take on a traditional spiritual begs to be sung aloud. Includes lots of facts about the Earth’s eco systems and tips on how to be eco-conscious.
Olivia’s Birds: Saving the Gulf {by Olivia Bouler}One 11 year-old girl can make a difference-as budding ornithologist and artist Olivia Bouler has proven, single-handedly raising over $175,000 for the Gulf Coast oil spill recovery. Devastated by the disaster and eager to do her part, Olivia wrote a letter to Audubon, “11 years old and willing to help” offering her own bird paintings to raise contributions for Gulf recovery efforts. The idea took flight, and Olivia proceeded to send out over 500 paintings, many of which are captured in this lavish picture book that recaps her valiant campaign to save birds affected by the spill. Olivia has been a guest at JIAB and I have also had the pleasure of meeting this delightful young lady in person.
The Magic School Bus and the Climate Change
Like it or not, global warming is a hot topic, and it will affect the younger generation the most. So why not turn to the teacher kids like the most, Ms. Frizzle! Only the Friz can boil all the hoopla down to the scientific facts in a fun and informative way.
The World is Waiting for You {by Barbara Kerley}
“What do you want to be when you grow up?” is a question kids get asked over and over. But very few connections are made for kids between the present and the future. This book shows kids a pathway from their current interests and talents to a future career or interest. And in so doing, it also encourages adventure, exploration, and discovery, three core principles of National Geographic’s mission. It’s a celebration of possibility–so simple and so profound.
Care for Our World {by Karen S. Robbins}
Get ready to meet some truly wonderful wild animals from every continent on Earth. As children turn the pages of this book, they’ll encounter dozens of playful creatures in their natural habitats and will learn about the importance of caring for all the plants, animals, and people that call planet Earth their home. A timely reminder of the responsibility every generation shares: to nurture and respect life in all its many forms
P.S The author also has a wonderful playset available! The Care for our World play set includes everything you need to create and explore your own wildlife habitat. Simply punch out and assemble the pre-cut animals and plants, and use the habitat box as a backdrop for hours of imaginative play.
2012 Playset of the Year, Creative Child Awards
2012 Top Toy of the Year, Creative Child Awards
2012 Runner-up in the Children’s Books Category, Green Book Festival
10 Things I can do to Help my World { by Melanie Walsh} Even young children are eager to help the environment — and here is a bright, inviting novelty book that offers simple ways to make a difference.
Outside Your Window: A First Book of Nature By Nicola Davies
This stunning book takes us through the 4 seasons and beacons us out into the natural world. From listening to the pond in Spring to seeing bird tracks in the snow, this exquisite column of nature poems captures the sights and sounds of a child’s experiences from building dens to planting acorns, watching the birds above and tasting a crisp apple. Children soon appreciate that whatever is outside their window they are free to venture and explore. Be sure and take a peek at a past book review JIAB did of this book and profile of author Nicola Davies.
If You Spent the Day with Thoreau At Walden Pond by Robert Buleigh: In this lovely picture book, Robert Burleigh and Wendell Minor imagine a special day spent with the celebrated writer and naturalist through the eyes of a child. Together Thoreau and the young boy watch small but significant wonders such as swimming fish, fighting ants, and clouds in the sky. It is a day full of splendor and appreciation of the outdoor world.
A Year in the Secret Garden by Valarie Budayr and Marilyn Scott-Waters:A Year in the Secret Garden; a modern spin on a timeless classic. With over 120 pages, with 150 original color illustrations and 48 activities for families to enjoy, learn, discover and play together, A Year In the Secret Garden is an opportunity to introduce a new generations of families to the magic of creating special learning and play times outside in nature. This book encourages families to step away from technology and get into the kitchen, craft room and garden.
THIS STRANGE WILDERNESS by Nancy Plain. This wonderful books is the winner of the Spur Award for Best Western Juvenile Nonfiction and is an excellent of biography of John James Audubon.
I Love Dirt:52 Activities to Help You and Your Kids Discover the Wonders of Nature {by Jennifer Ward} Protect our earth by learning to cherish it. I Love Dirt! presents 52 open-ended activities to help you engage your child in the outdoors. No matter what your location—from a small patch of green in the city to the wide-open meadows of the country—each activity is meant to promote exploration, stimulate imagination, and heighten a child’s sense of wonder.
COMMON GROUND:The Water, Earth, and Air We Share {by Molly Bang} A simple story of our planet’s natural resources with jewel-like paintings by Caldecott Honor author Molly Bang. Through the example of a shared village green and the growing needs of the townspeople who share it, Molly Bang presents the challenge of handling our planet’s natural resources. Full color picture book.
Let’s Go Outside: Outdoor Activities and Projects to Get You and Your Kids Closer to Nature by Jennifer Woods
From Author Richard Louv:
Last Child in the Woods: Saving Our Children from Nature Deficit Disorder
The Nature Principle: Human Restoration and the End of Nature-Deficit Disorder
Sharing Nature With Children 20th Anniversary Edition– Joseph Bharat Cornell
From Fiona Danks and Jo Schofield
Nature’s Playground: Activities, Crafts, and Games to Encourage Children to Get Outdoors
Go Wild!: 101 Things to Do Outdoors Before You Grow UP
Make it Wild!: 101 Things to Make and do Outdoors
Run Wild: Outdoor Games and Adventures
The Stick Book: Loads of Things You can Make or Do With a Stick
From Sharon Lovejoy
Sunflower Houses: Inspiration from the Garden- A Book for Children and their Grown-ups
Hollyhock Days” Adventures for the Young at Heart
Roots, Shoots, Buckets, & Boots: Gardening Together with Children
Toad Cottages and Shooting Stars: Grandma’s bag of Tricks
**some of these links are affiliate links. If you click through and buy a book, I get a tiny little commission at no extra cost to you.
Something To do
Earth Day Coloring & Activity Book from the EPA: One of the most popular publications for young children, this is an 11-page coloring book full of tips for making the Earth a better place. Download a printable copy and feel free to make as many copies as you’d like. You can also order a printed copy of “The Happy Earth Day Coloring and Activities Book” from US EPA Region 5 on the publications order page.
Repurposing Ideas- Laundry Bottle Pet Food Scoop:Even your pets can go green for Earth Day! Recycle an empty laundry bottle into a use scooper for your pet’s food. We even have a suggestion for the part of the bottle you cut off and don’t use! Get directions HERE.
Got Ugly Sweaters? Upcycle them! Upcycling is taking something old and repurposing it into something new. Check out these adorable Upcycled Sweater Pillows from DiyInspired.com
How’s this for thinking out-of-the-box..or..bag..um..anyway: Recycle Your Chip Bag Into a Book Cover! Along with school shopping and choosing a new lunch box, one back-to-school tradition is covering your school books. Some schools require it, some don’t, but your kids are sure to get a kick out of customizing their books with covers made from recycled materials. Check this out from Make And Takes.
Visit kind-friendly Nature Sites Online:
Nature. Play. Trips. by GoExploreNature.com eases families into the outdoors with travel ideas, kid-friendly nature activities, and play-infused parenting
Earth Day Groceries Project – An easy, cost-free environmental awareness project. Students decorate borrowed grocery bags with environmental messages about reuse, recycling, wildlife, etc. The bags are then returned to grocery stores, and on Earth Day customers receive their groceries- along with the message that kids care about our environment- in the decorated bags.
Kids For Saving Earth (KSE), providingEnvironmental Education Curriculum for all ages.
Environmental education curriculum by mail and online for free at Kids For Saving Earth. Environmental
education topics such as conservation, endangered species, rainforests, forests, toxic waste sites, health issues, ecological concerns and more is covered on this website. Earth Day should be every day!
Nat Geo Kids inspires young adventurers to explore the world through award-winning magazines, books, apps, games, toys, videos, events, and a website, and is the only kids brand with a world-class scientific organization at its core. National Geographic Kids magazine (10 issues per year) and Little Kids magazine (six issues per year) are photo-driven publications and are available on newsstands or by subscription in print and on tablets.
Here’s some more great resources for parents and kids for Earth Day:
Earth Day Lessons, Worksheets and Activities
Earth Day 2012 – EnviroLink Resource Guide
Children and Nature Network
Reconnecting Kids With the Outdoors | The Conservation Fund
Outdoor games for kids | Nature activities for children and adults!
Experience the magical story of a family of foxes that took up residence right in the front yard of the author and publisher, Valarie Budayr. The Fox Diaries: The Year the Foxes Came to our Garden offers an enthusiastically educational opportunity to observe this fox family grow and learn together.
From digging and hunting to playing and resting, this diary shares a rare glimpse into the private lives of Momma Rennie and her babies. Come watch as they navigate this wildly dangerous but still wonderful world. Great to share with your children or students, The Fox Diaries speaks to the importance of growing and learning both individually and as a family unit. It is a perfect book for story time or family sharing. Not only can you read about the daily rituals of this marvelous fox family, there is an information-packed resource section at the end of the book that includes lots of facts and even a few “fox movies” that you can enjoy with your family. Grab your copy of this beautiful and inspiring book HERE.
The post 27 Books that Hug the Earth: An Earth Day Booklist for Kids appeared first on Jump Into A Book.
April 12, 2016
National Library Week: Librarians Share Thoughts on Multicultural Books
Help us kick off National Library Week 2016 with a bang! This year’s theme is Libraries Transform, reminding all Americans that today’s libraries are not just about what we have for people, but what we do for and with people.
Head to your public, school or academic library during National Library Week to see what’s new and take part in the celebration. Libraries across the country are participating.
Find more ways to celebrate National Library Week at ilovelibraries.org. To learn more about what’s happening in today’s libraries visit librariestransform.org
Honorary Chair for National Library Week 2016 is Gene Luen Yang, award-winning graphic novelist and the 2016-2017 National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature.
As you may already know, much of my book focus these last 6-8 months has been on multicultural children’s books. As co-founder of Multicultural Children’s Book Day, our initiative has been to get picture books into the hands of under-served kids who would benefit from seeing themselves in the pages of a book. I personally think this focus fits nicely with the theme of National Library Week so I thought I would poll some librarians to discover what their biggest challenges are with diversity children’s books and what areas they could use some help with.
Here are their thoughts:
Jolene Bradley, Brainerd Public Library manager (Minnesota)
Q:When it comes to multicultural children’s books, what do librarians struggle with the most?
Jolene: I think that one of the hardest parts of trying to having a well-balanced children’s collection is to find a variety of books within our normal parameters of ordering and within our budget. We are seeing a growing number of regular series books incorporating in Spanish and multiple races but the message isn’t always as strong as it could be… but it is a start! We now have the norm of Dora, Deigo, Handy Mandy and more bring the Spanish language and a bit of the culture into the regular story. We hope this trend will increase with other cultures and languages over time. Something that will become the norm rather than the exception.
Q:What is lacking with diversity books that they could use help with? Is it creative displays to get titles in front of young readers? Having quality books on and with multicultural themes?
Jolene: I think that at times the diversity books can tend to be a bit more serious. I would like to show my son through the books that I read him that a mix of races and cultures can be an amazing combination. Bringing different strengths together to solve problems.
I also think that one of the best ways to incorporate books with diversity is with well-loved characters. Even pigs, bears and elephants can express diversity in a meaningful way! Sesame Street has done an amazing job of doing this throughout the years. Overall, I think it is just important to let authors and publishers know that we strive for diversity in our children’s books and truly appreciate what it can bring to our children and our future.
Q:When it comes to multicultural children’s books, what do librarians struggle with the most? What is lacking with diversity books that they could use help with?
Quality books containing diverse characters. It’s hard to get books into their hands if the books don’t exist.-Pam Margolis from An Unconventional Librarian,
I think all librarians would like to see more good quality multicultural books written for the age of the child, not ones filled with stereotypes or complicated information. The good books that do exist are not getting in front of librarians because they don’t show up in the guides and periodicals that they turn to for book reviews, etc. This is especially true for books from small presses or indie books. If we could be made more aware of these high-quality diversity children’s books, it would help-Amy Muscoplat Bruker, Children’s Librarian, Storyteller and Kids’ Coding Instructor.
Multicultural Book Recommendations
TOP TEN Read-Aloud Books for Students with Special Needs by Aimee Owens
Amazing Multicultural Books-A Wisdom Tales Press Booklist
Esperanza Rising Book Review & Activity
19 Books Celebrating China with Author Demi
33 Latino Middle Grade Chapter Books You Should Know
More Excellent Book Recommends HERE!
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Looking for more ways to not only get your youngsters reading, but get them OUTSIDE as well? Enjoy more month-by-month activities based on the classic children’s tale, The Secret Garden! A Year in the Secret Garden is a delightful children’s book with over 120 pages, with 150 original color illustrations and 48 activities for your family and friends to enjoy, learn, discover and play with together. AND, it’s on sale for a limited time! Grab your copy ASAP and “meet me in the garden!” More details HERE!
The post National Library Week: Librarians Share Thoughts on Multicultural Books appeared first on Jump Into A Book.
April 10, 2016
Weekend Links: For the Love of Poetry! (Poetry Month Printables & Links)
This is my much-anticipated chance to share all sorts of great links and resources that I have encountered during my weekly Internet travels. I have all sorts of goodies for you today!
Did you know that April is National Poetry Month and also Poem in your Pocket Day?
The internet is buzzing with great links and things to do to celebrate a love of poetry and share it with others. Here are a few of my favs:
Great Poetry Resources:
Keep A Poem in Your Pocket pdf Download Keep A Poem In Your Pocket
Kenn Nesbit’s Poetry4Kids
Giggle Poetry by Meadowbrook Press offers several poetry activities.
Word Mover App for Kids (helps kids form their own poems)
Diamante Poem interactive, kids create verse in the shape of a diamond.
RhymeZone’s Rhyming Dictionary helps kids in their struggle to find words that express their feelings and ideas.
Jack Prelutsky Website for Kids
Shel Silverstein Printables for your pocket
Favorite Poetry Reads
20th- Century Children’s Poetry Treasury edited by Jack Prelutsky
A Hatful of Seuss by Dr. Seuss
A child’s Garden of Verses by Robert Louis Stevenson
The Missing Piece by Shel Silverstein
You Read to Me, I’ll Read to You by John Ciardi
Revolting Rhymes by Roald Dahl
Joyful Noise: Poems for two voices by Paul Fleischman
Big Talk: Poems for Four Voices by Paul Fleischman
**some of these links are affiliate links
Creative Ways to celebrate National Poetry Month
Take it to the streets: Pick a favorite line from a poem and choose a clean piece of sidewalk or pavement to write on. You can search for a poem on Poets.org or check your bookshelf for an old favorite. Use brightly colored chalk to attract attention to your work, and add drawings or artistic flourishes to create some extra fun.
Hide Poems in Fun Places: Leave a copy of a poem in an unexpected place. Donate some poetry books to your local coffee shop or leave them in your doctor’s waiting room. (All those magazines are probably out-of-date anyway, and poetry doesn’t expire.) Post a poem beside the want ads on your supermarket message board. – See more ideas here.
Slip a Poem Into your Loved One’s Lunch Box: Putting notes in lunches is always fun, but how how making the note in the form of a poem? Your surprise poem can be one you love, or one you created yourself.
How will you celebrate National Poetry Month?
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Do you know what Hans Christian Andersen liked as much as his fairy tales?
Paper! He was an addict to paper. He wrote on it, he drew on it and he use to cut in it. Just like a sculptor carves the figure out of stone, Hans Christian Andersen use to cut his stories out of paper. In fact he was a very popular paper cutter. (images courtesy of the Odense Museum)
In order to amuse his friends and their children, Hans made his very famous paper cuts. Wherever he would go he would carry his bag filled with paper and these very large monstrous scissors which he used to cut out the most elegant figures.
Would you like to create a very special item that is inspired by the paper cuttings of Hans Christian Andersen?
I’ve made a FREE off the shoulder felt story bag craft and tutorial just for this occasion! This simple craft is something the whole family can participate in creating it will make a delightful gift for the book lover in your life. I hope your little bag of tales holds as many wonders for you as ours has.
Click the image below and get instant access to this Hans Christian Andersen-inspired shoulder bag!
The post Weekend Links: For the Love of Poetry! (Poetry Month Printables & Links) appeared first on Jump Into A Book.
April 6, 2016
Board Books based on Children’s Classic Books: Cozy Classics
The Cozy Classics series is the brainchild of two brothers, both dads, who were thinking of ways to teach words to their very young children. They hit upon the idea of “the classics” as the basis for their infant primers, and the rest as they say, is history.
Every book in the series is condensed into twelve child-friendly words accompanied by a beautifully hand-felted illustration, which accurately and humorously summarize each books plot.
I think this is where I need to mention that we aren’t talking about “kids classics” but adult classics turned into baby board books. They are simply delightful, captivating, and magnificently retell these age old classics.
Just released are Great Expectations by Charles Dickens, Moby Dick by Herman Melville, War & Peace by Leo Tolstoy, and Pride & Prejudice by Jane Austen.
I know what you’re thinking because I was thinking it too…..how do you adapt these books for babies or small toddlers ? Well they do it very well I might add. These incredible and inventive books aren’t just for babies. They are good and great for all ages.
I love the whale from Moby Dick !!!
And let’s not forget the ship that said whale is going to attack.
Of course things can get muddy in Pride & Prejudice.
Love the one for Read! It’s perfect.
This series is exclusively published by Chronicle Books. They will be adding two new Cozy Classics each year and will re-issue 3 more Cozy Classics with a new design. We can expect The Nutcracker (New), Huckleberry Fin, Emma, and Les Miserables in the Fall.
Since we are on the topic of reading the Classics, I’d like to invite you to join our Kids Classics Challenge.Every month during our Read Kids Classic Challenge we are going to present one classic that we can’t live without. We’d like you to join as well.
But that’s not all
When you sign up for the 2016 Read Kid Classics Challenge every month you will get a PDF that you can download which will have loads of activities on the particular book we’ve chosen to share at Jump into a Book. Each edition of Read the Kids Classics will highlight the story, have good things to eat in our kitchen called Table of Contents, give behind the scenes gossip about the author, easy crafts that kids can do on their own in our craftiness section, questions for the curious, explorations into the world of our featured books, as well as further connections via books like this one and topic booklists so you can find more good reads and finally a visit to the word wizard for some word play.
And Still There’s More-Free Books!
Sign up and join Jump Into A Book’s #ReadKidClassics Challenge to participate in our monthly adventure of sharing personal classic children’s favorites and activities.
On the last day of every month, JIAB will go on a book adventure; an adventure that will put participants in the running to win a bundle of book classics to fill your shelves with. This adventure could be in the form of a Instagram scavenger hunt or as easy as commenting here on JIAB. We just want participants to have fun and earn free books!
As part of this fun book-ish adventure, I will be creating free monthly PDFs of a #ReadKidClassics book and book extensions to give to all participants for their own family reading and fun.
We’re so excited about our challenge. Sign up below and we’ll see you there !!
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The post Board Books based on Children’s Classic Books: Cozy Classics appeared first on Jump Into A Book.
April 4, 2016
#ReadKidsClassics- Celebrating April with Miss Rumphius
Hello and Welcome to our 2nd installment of the Read Kid’s Classics Challenge! I’m so glad you’re here and I can hardly wait to see what you’re reading as well. As many of you already know, I am a huge fan of children’s classics and over the years my family has actively read old classics and discovered new ones. In 2016 one of my many goals is to discover even more classics and share them with you, my valued readers.
So from now on, every month during my Read Kids Classic Challenge, I am going to present one classic that I simply can’t live without! You can check out March’s Classic Kids Pick HERE.
Joining me in this book-ish and fun campaign is a handful of powerhouse bloggers who are excited to share their very own #readkidsclassics picks! Please feel free to visit these five #ReadKidsClassics bloggers to see what classic book reading fun they have created.
Jodie at Growing Book By Book
Author Barbara Ann Mojica
Cindy at Too Cool for Homeschool
Lisa at Squishable Baby
Susan at Sock Fairies/Ever Ready
Katie at The Logonauts
So today, we will be sharing the day with a very dear friend of mine Miss Rumphius. How many of you love Miss Rumphius? I Do! I Do!
Miss Rumphius by Barbara Cooney is a classic. I’ve read it to a variety of school children, nieces and nephews throughout the years, and my own children grab it often. Miss Rumphius is an old friend that we go back to again and again.
Miss Rumphius is the life story of Miss Alice Rumphius (otherwise known as the Lupine Lady) as told by her young niece, Alice. When she was a young child, Miss Rumphius set two goals for herself; she would follow in her grandfather’s footsteps by traveling to faraway places and then settle down in a home by the sea. Alice’s grandfather tells her there is one more thing she must do.
She must do something to make the world more beautiful.
Alice agrees to honor her grandfather’s request, but does not yet know how she will do it. Alice grows up and accomplishes her goals of traveling the world and finding a home by the sea.
Still, Miss Rumphius wonders how she will make the world more beautiful.
Then one spring day, after having spent many months in bed with a bad back, Miss Rumphius discovers that the lupines she had planted in her garden had spread to a nearby hill. Miss Rumphius orders five bushels of lupine seed and begins to sow them wherever she goes that summer. By the next spring lupines are growing all over her seaside town and Miss Rumphius, now known as the Lupine Lady, has accomplished her grandfather’s request.
Now a very old woman, Miss Rumphius graciously entertains the neighborhood children with stories of faraway places. Her niece Alice says that she will follow in her aunt’s footsteps by traveling to faraway places and then settling down in a home by the sea. Aunt Alice tells her that there is one more thing she must do.
She must do something to make the world more beautiful. Young Alice agrees to honor her aunt’s request, but she does not know yet how she will do it.
This is a legacy story. Just as Alice was asked by her grandfather and then Alice asked her niece, “what will you do to make the world a more beautiful place?”
I’m now asking you. I asking, “What will you do to make the world a more beautiful place ? “ It’s completely alright if you don’t know what that is yet. The joy is in the discovery. Here’s a few ideas to get you started:
10 Ways to Make the World More Beautiful
1. Smile
2. Eat and Buy Locally
3. Start a garden – Plant a Tree
4. Be Kind
5. Recycle – Repurpose – Reuse
6. Be a Good Neighbor
7. Ride Your Bike – Walk
8. Participate in a Community Clean-up
9. Give a Compliment
10. Conserve Water and Electricity
**what will you do to make the world more beautiful today?
Looking for better guide for successful homeschooling? The Waldorf Homeschool Handbook is a simple step-by-step guide to creating and understanding a Waldorf inspired homeschool plan. Within the pages of this comprehensive homeschooling guide, parents will find information, lesson plans, curriculum, helpful hints, behind the scenes reasons why, rhythm, rituals, helping you fit homeschooling into your life. Discover how to educate your children in a nurturing and creative environment.
The Waldorf Homeschool Handbook is a simple step-by-step guide to creating and understanding a Waldorf inspired homeschool plan. Within the pages of this comprehensive homeschooling guide, parents will find information, lesson plans, curriculum, helpful hints, behind the scenes reasons why, rhythm, rituals, helping you fit homeschooling into your life. Discover The Waldorf Homeschool Handbook: The Simple Step-by-Step guide to creating a Waldorf-inspired homeschool.
Grab your copy HERE: The Waldorf Homeschool Handbook: The Simple Step-by-Step guide to creating a Waldorf-inspired homeschool. http://amzn.to/1OhTfoT
The post #ReadKidsClassics- Celebrating April with Miss Rumphius appeared first on Jump Into A Book.
April 3, 2016
Weekend Links: Land, Water and Nature Books for Kids
Welcome to Weekend Links! This is my chance to share the best-of-the-best in children’s books, resources and booklists that I have encountered during my online travels throughout the course of the week.
With the occurrence of World Water Day this month, and Earth Day just around the corner, I have seen many fabulous book finds and links that celebrate land, water and nature this week. Enjoy!
Cry of the Sea by D.G. Driver is a YA fantasy novel that won an award from Green Book Festival for its environmental theme about water pollution from oil spills. Learn more at www.dgdriver.com/cry-of-the-sea.html
Seven Children’s Books to Celebrate World Water Day via @LEEandLOW
Outside Your Window: A First Book of Nature By Nicola Davies at Jump Into a Book
Free Days at National Parks in 2016 at KCEdventures
One Well The Story of Water on Earth by Rochelle Strausse (I have not read this book yet, but it looks very interesting!) Seen from space, our planet looks blue. This is because almost 70 percent of Earth’s surface is covered with water. Earth is the only planet with liquid water — and therefore the only planet that can support life. All water is connected. Every raindrop, lake, underground river and glacier is part of a single global well. Water has the power to change everything — a single splash can sprout a seed, quench a thirst, provide a habitat, generate energy and sustain life. How we treat the water in the well will affect every species on the planet, now and for years to come. One Well shows how every one of us has the power to conserve and protect our global well.-Rochelle Strausse.com
Check out her teaching resources here.
Book-Jumper Summer Reading Series-The Great Redwood Tree Booklist
National Parks: Top 10 Kids’ Books from thechildrensbookreview.com
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Concerned that your kids aren’t getting enough “outside time?”
Despite data that shows that 80% of natural vitamin D comes from the rays of the sun, many children, roughly only 23% are spending enough time outside and welcoming the sun’s rays. Most children do not get enough vitamin D from food alone and are at risk of deficiency if they are spending prolonged periods of time indoors. Valarie Budayr from Jump Into a Book and Marilyn Scott-Waters from The Toymaker have combined their respective talents to not only create a clever solution, but also an amazing guidebook to help parents help their children regain their interest and love of nature.
With over 120 pages, with 150 original color illustrations and 48 activities for families to enjoy, learn, discover and play together, A Year In the Secret Garden brings the magical story to life while also enjoying nature and the great outdoors.
With fascinating historical information, monthly gardening activities, easy-to-make recipes, and step-by-step crafts, designed to enchant readers of all ages. Each month your family will unlock the mysteries of a Secret Garden character, as well as have fun together creating the original crafts and activities based on the book. Our goal is to not only raise awareness for the necessity of families spending more quality “unplugged” time together, but to also share monthly activities that incorporate nature and the outdoors as well. Get your kids moving, exploring and playing today. Get access to this wonderful children’s activity book here.
Meet you “in the garden!”
The post Weekend Links: Land, Water and Nature Books for Kids appeared first on Jump Into A Book.
March 31, 2016
If you’re a Gutsy Girl-Read This!
March is Women’s History Month and we’re bringing the month to a close by celebrating in grand style. Before women make their history, they first had to have some focus, bravery, and perseverance to get them there. Let’s face it, all women have hurdles to jump over, but every woman that makes, and contributes, to history qualifies as a “Gusty Girl!”
Before we continue, we need to pause for a…..
WARNING !!!
” Many of the situations that the author encounters in this book have inherent dangers and can lead to serious or even fatal injuries. One particular undertaking-Climbing the Golden Gate Bridge-is also illegal and should not be attempted. Readers should not venture into any of these situations without professional instruction, suitable training, and proper supervision. Neither the publisher nor the author assumes ay responsibility for any injuries incurred by the reader.”
This is the first page of one of the greatest reads of the year. You’re probably in one of two camps after reading this warning. The first camp can’t wait to find out what could be in this book to create such a warning and the second camp will run as fast as they can. Just so you know, I’m in the first camp BUT I greatly advise people of the second camp to take a deep breath and read it anyway. There’s something for everyone to help unveil the gutsy in all of us.
First I had to know more about that Golden Gate Bridge story and second I just had to know more about author Caroline Paul, what type of woman is she and what escapades in her life led her to write a guidebook for tween girls about creating such adventures? The Gutsy Girl:Escapades for Your Life of Epic Adventure is probably one of the finest reads I’ve picked up so far in 2016.
Backstory
Author Caroline Paul was one of the first women on the San Franciso firefighting force as well as an experimental plane pilot, throughout the pages of her book we also learn that she is a recovering/rescue scuba diver. All this from a woman who says she was the biggest scaredy cat in the world as a child. Caroline greatly believes that girls are taught to be frightened by being instilled with the language of “fear”, while boys are fed that bravery and resilience are the goals to aspire to.
The Gutsy Girl: Escapades of Your Life of Epic Adventure is her antidote to empower tween girls to embrace their own bravery and resilience. This book is FUNNY and extremely imaginative and really intelligently written. Inside she shares her own stories one by one and the lessons and bravery she learned. Not all of them have happy endings but all of them have a take away to a new understanding of who she is or was at that time. This book is also part manifesto using language, insights, and encouragement into bravery and shear gutsiness. This is a guidebook however, and guidebooks mean you have to take action. Caroline Paul has also placed many great and inventive activities called Daring-Dos, as well as journal pages to reflect on ones own Daring-Dos experiences.
While sharing her escapades, author Caroline Paul is brilliant about showing the boundary lines between being gutsy and being stupid. She is always cautioning against being reckless and the difference between recklessness and being adventurous . She just doesn’t say it once, it’s sprinkled everywhere throughout the book in many different ways.
Some of My Favorite Parts
I learned some fun new things….
The illustrations in The Gusty Girl :Escapades for Your Life of Epic Adventure are done by her partner Wendy Macnaughton who also has a great sense of humor. One of my favorite illustrations is the Gutsy Girl International Phrase Book. It had me howling probably because I’ve needed to ask these very questions of people in far off lands and unknown languages.
Did you know this about how to know what temperature it is ?
So cool right ?
Something To Do
Writer Caroline Paul wasn’t always brave, or adventurous.
“I had been a shy and fearful kid. Many things had scared me. Bigger kids. Second grade. The elderly woman across the street. Being called on in class. The book Where the Wild Things Are. Woods at dusk. The way the bones in my hand crisscrossed.
Being scared was a terrible feeling, like sinking in quicksand. My stomach would drop, my feet would feel heavy, my head would prickle. Fear was an all-body experience. For a shy kid like me it was overwhelming.”
She gives great examples of current gutsy girls and women. Some known most we’ve never heard of but I’m so glad to know about them now.
Right within the pixels of Jump Into a Book we’ve had the pleasure of reviewing books based on Gutsy Girls. Here are a few of my favorites:
Wilma Rudolf (The Quickest Kid in Clarksville)
Malala Yousafzai (The Right to Learn)
Helen Keller (Helen and Annie booklist)
Below you’ll find a list and some links to some more gutsy girls. Go discover them and see what their bravery and adventuresome spirit inspires you to do.
Please Meet
Laura Dekker who set sail on the boat she made and remodeled with her father. Just shy of her 15th birthday, she set sail around the world to become the youngest person to ever circumnavigate the globe ALONE.
Learn more about her here. She also has a blog and a book called One Girl, One Dream.
Marie Antoine started climbing trees as a kid for fun. Now she does it as her job. She’s one of the few botanists who work in the canopies of the world’s largest trees the redwoods. From 325 feet up in the air, you’ll find her munching her lunch and taking a little snooze in the hammock she brings along. That’s a long long way down. One of my personal daring dos is to climb up into a Redwood tree. Just thought I’d share that. I first learned of Marie from the book The Wild Trees by Richard Preston which talked about her and her husband Stephen Stillet and the work they do way up there. Here’s a great look at their lives.
Shark Whisperer Cristina Zenato grew up is the African Congo. She is an accomplished diver. Christina calms the sharks by rubbing around their nose and mouth along small jelly filled holes. This quiets the shark into a semi-paralytic state for up to 20 minutes. During the time the sharks are hypnotized, Christina pulls out fishhooks, removes parasites from their skins, and extracts various samples for scientific research. In lieu of being fearful of these large sea creatures, she calls them family and says they are greatly misunderstood. Do you know who else says that ? My eldest daughter, “Bun-Girl” who also has had her own adventures with sharks.
To find out more about Christina Zenato have a look here.
This book honestly speaks to girls and women of all ages. I found it to be timeless in it’s appeal. She beckons us to embrace the spirit of adventure or at the very least to explore the idea. She shares what it means to be brave, that perseverance is how to get through it, that we don’t need to be perfect just present and the most important take away for being a Gutsy Girl is to laugh at oneself a lot. That’s an important skill especially when trying to do nearly impossible things.
Are you a Gutsy Girl?
–
Ready to get your “sleuth” on? My Secret Codes, Mysteries and Adventures Activity PDF for kids will keep young minds percolating for HOURS!
Inside young super detectives will discover:
*19 pages of sleuthing fun for your family to enjoy.
*Use Pilot Frixion Pens and craft paper to create Invisible Secret Notes!
*Make I Spy Cookies!
*Discover a President of the United States who was a Master Code Creator!
This free activity guide is a great way to encourage kids to pull books off of shelves, discover the power of imagination and build a new excitement and anticipation for reading. Fill out the info below and grab your FREE copy. Enjoy!
My free gift to YOU!
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The post If you’re a Gutsy Girl-Read This! appeared first on Jump Into A Book.
March 29, 2016
What you DON’T know about author Hans Christian Andersen
International Children’s Book Day is celebrated every April 2nd, inspiring children to pick up a book and get reading!
April the 2nd was chosen to mark this day for young literature lovers as it’s the same date as Hans Christian Andersen’s birthday, the author of many famous children’s stories like The Little Mermaid and The Ugly Duckling.
Did you know that Hans Christian Andersen was a paper-cutter as well as a marvelous fairy tale writer? Love him.
The Hans Christian Andersen award is announced on April 4th. That’s a HUGE children’s book award. They’ll announce it at the Bologna Children’s Book Festival and I was absolutely thrilled to see one of my favorite authors, Lois Lowry, on the short list for nominees! You may know Lois as the author of The Giver. You can read a book review that I did on Gathering Blue here.
Organized by the International Board on Books For Young People, or IBBY, the aim is to promote books and reading to young people. IBBY was founded in Zurich, Switzerland in 1953 and today there are 70 National Sections from all parts of the world.
During International Children’s Book Day there will be a number of events held around the world, including writing competitions and talks from famous authors and illustrators.
Hans Christian Andersen’s stories have been made into so many movies, musicals, operetta etc. Though we have his great stories, can you imagine that, as he would tell them, he would be cutting paper? And at the end of his story he would have a paper cutting that reflected the story he was telling (keep reading and you’ll see what I mean).
He was magical AND a bit odd; but aren’t we all? 
It’s no secret how much I love Hans Christian Andersen’s children’s books. His stories have been made into so many movies, musicals, operetta etc. Though we have his great stories, can you imagine that, as he would tell them, he would be cutting paper? And at the end of his story he would have a paper cutting that reflected the story he was telling. He was magical AND a bit odd; but aren’t we all?
Here’s a few more details about his life and craft:
The Storyteller Series: Many of our favorite authors not only bring to life stories which hold our attention, they were and are actual people who hold a variety of talent passions and interests. These have become part of the woven cloth of the storytellers themselves. This series sheds a light on the writers and their passions giving us a glimpse and experience into their daily lives.
Once, not so very long ago, a man of middle age could be seen walking down the streets of Copenhagen Denmark with a bag strewn over his shoulder. Where was he going? Well to visit the King of course. He had been invited like many times before, to entertain and delight the King and his guests with his wonderful stories of words and paper.
Who could this man be?
It could be none other than Hans Christian Andersen, creator of fairy tales extraordinaire.
In fact, Hans Christian Andersen’s own life was very much like the fairy tales he told in many ways.
Just like some of the characters from his fairy tales, the storyteller was born to very poor parents in Odense, Denmark. His father worked as a shoemaker and his mother a washerwoman. His father would entertain him with old Danish legends before his untimely death when Hans was 11.
The people of his small town didn’t know what to make of this tall, awkward boy. He would recite long passages from plays, do clumsy dances and sing ridiculous songs all to make the townsfolk laugh.
Hans Christian Andersen birth house Odense, Denmark
His mother wanted him to become a tailor but Hans would have none of it. “I’m going to be famous,” he would say.
Though he was famous to the people of his small town, to become really famous he would need to leave Odense and go to Copenhagen. And that’s precisely what he did.
At the age of 14 he moved to the capital city of Copenhagen hoping beyond all reason to be an actor in the Royal Theater. Many wealthy people tried to help him succeed but to no avail. His dancing master gave up, as well as his singing coach. Directors of the royal Theater did their best to support his script writing efforts but nothing worked. Finally it was decided that he should go to school.
Hans Christian Andersen’s apartment bldg on the right
He was much older than the other students and he was made fun of by his school teacher. He was so depressed that when the people paying for his education found out, they brought him back to Copenhagen to study with a private tutor.
After his schooling, Andersen spent many years traveling and writing poems, books, and plays. It was not until he was thirty that he wrote any fairy tales. His first small book of tales became an instant success and from then on his fame grew as well, all over Europe and eventually the world.
Hans Christen Anderson put many pieces of his own life into his fairy tales. His own mother was forced to go begging as a small girl. This led him to write “The Little Match Girl,” a story spinning compassion for the unfortunate ones of our world.
Little Match Girl
His very own personal experiences were shared in his tale of “The Ugly Duckling”, which points out that the qualities that make one feel different and lonely are also the very same qualities that make us shine when used properly.
Do you know what Hans Christian Andersen liked as much as his fairy tales?
Paper! He was an addict to paper. He wrote on it, he drew on it and he use to cut in it. Just like a sculptor carves the figure out of stone, Hans Christian Andersen use to cut his stories out of paper. In fact he was a very popular paper-cutter. (images courtesy of the Odense Museum)
In order to amuse his friends and their children, Hans made his very famous paper cuts. Wherever he would go he would carry his bag filled with paper and these very large monstrous scissors which he used to cut out the most elegant figures.
There isn’t a direct connection between his paper cuts and his fairy tales but he use to accompany his paper cutting with a fantastic tale, and end the tale by unfolding the paper to amazed listeners.
Not only were the paper cuts beautiful but they held the secret to the story meant to challenge the mind. Often there was a hidden meaning in the paper cuttings, just as there was a secret meaning held in his fairy tales. On the outside it was amusing and impressive and deep inside the meaning could amaze.
Hans Christian Andersen went on to become a most beloved and cherished national and world treasure. After traveling in Europe over several years, he returned back to Copenhagen to be heralded as a national hero. The people of Copenhagen crowded the square to get a glimpse of the famous storyteller from the balcony. To welcome him home every house in Copenhagen lit candles in the windows to celebrate the legacy of their beloved story-teller.
It is tradition to read Hans Christian Andersen’s fairy tales by candlelight, thereby giving them the name Candlelight Stories.
Some Fun Facts:
Hans Christian Andersen was born in April 2, 1805 in Odense, Denmark.
He is the author of The Little Mermaid, The Princess and the Pea, the snow Queen, The Fir Tree, the Little Match Girl, The Emperor’s New Clothes and Thumbelina. You can find a very special treasury of his books here.
He wrote around 169 fairy tales in all.
He died August 4th 1875 in Copenhagen, Denmark
**some of these links are affiliate links which means, if you click on the image or link of a book, and purchase that book, I will get a small commission at no extra cost to you. I use this money for buying new books to review, supplies for activities and postage.
One more thing…..
Would you like to create a very special item that is inspired by the paper cuttings of Hans Christian Andersen?
I’ve made a FREE off the shoulder felt story bag craft and tutorial just for this occasion! This simple craft is something the whole family can participate in creating it will make a delightful gift for the book lover in your life. I hope your little bag of tales holds as many wonders for you as ours has.
Click the image below and get instant access to this Hans Christian Andersen-inspired shoulder bag!
The post What you DON’T know about author Hans Christian Andersen appeared first on Jump Into A Book.
March 27, 2016
A look at what makes Jump Into a Book tick (and a free gift!)
That was the line I created many years ago when Jump Into a Book was just a seed of an idea in my brain. Back then, I wanted an online gathering place where parents, teachers and librarians could not only discover amazing children’s books and booklists to add to their own reading library, but ways to pull stories off of pages and books off of shelves.
In 2010, I turned that seed of an idea into what is now the popular and vibrant blog that continues to grow by leaps and bounds. I feel like a proud mama when I look back on all that this site has achieved.
In a nutshell, you don’t need a magic wand to pop into the pages of your favorite books or pull the stories from the pages. Only the intention and imagination to create and play together via the pages of your favorite children’s books.
Imagine if the stories you read aloud at night could come to life to delight and engage your entire family. Stories that capture your imagination, take you on adventures, and create memories for your family and friends.
That is the mission of Jump into a Book.
Every week we share:
How to create a vibrant book culture in your home,school, and community.
How to create collaborative play moments between kids and adults through books reviews and book extensions.
How to make and take a book adventure via crafting,singing,cooking, playing games and exploring the pages of our favorite stories.
How to pick the next read aloud from our booklists.
How to share your love of reading through giving back via mentoring and book donations.
From time to time we also take a peak into the lives of cherished authors and go to the movies when our books are re-created for the big screen.
It’s always been my hope that visitors to this site will discover the joy and adventure of living inside the pages of their favorite books and learn how to create memories which will last a lifetime.
Is Jump into a Book for you?
Yes, if you like:
Reading Books
Playing, crafting, singing, cooking, and discovering together.
Sharing with friends
Unplugging and getting lost in the pages of a good book.
Using imagination and play to learn more about the world around us.
Creating incredible memories.
Would you like get started on creating your own memories and book inspired play? Let’s start by being secret agents, spies or detective (everyone loves a little mystery, right?!). Here are a few mystery-inspiring book posts that are sure to please your middle reader:
Gone Away Lake Something To Do Book Review & Creating Your Own Mini Mystery
Horten’s Miraculous Mechanisms Book Jump Adventure
Creepy Castles, Dark Dungeons and Powerful Palaces! Haunted Histories by Marilyn Scott-Waters and J.H. Everett
The Girl from Felony Bay by J.E. Thompson
Holes by Louis Sachar (And some Holes-inspired Activities)
Now pair one of these wonderful book choices with the free gift I am offer below. My Secret Codes, Mysteries and Adventures Activity PDF for kids will keep young minds percolating for HOURS!
Inside young super detectives will discover:
*19 pages of sleuthing fun for your family to enjoy.
*Use Pilot Frixion Pens and craft paper to create Invisible Secret Notes!
*Make I Spy Cookies!
*Discover a President of the United States who was a Master Code Creator!
This free activity guide is a great way to encourage kids to pull books off of shelves, discover the power of imagination and build a new excitement and anticipation for reading. Fill out the info below and grab your FREE copy. Enjoy!
My free gift to YOU!
* indicates required
Email Address *
First Name
Last Name
The post A look at what makes Jump Into a Book tick (and a free gift!) appeared first on Jump Into A Book.
