Valarie Budayr's Blog, page 78

Love Abraham Lincoln? Here’s the Ultimate Abe Lincoln Booklist

Abraham Lincoln has always been one of my favorite presidents. When I was 9 I became obsessed with him and read every book I could get my hands on. Many years later, I had the honor of giving birth to the sweetest little boy on Abraham Lincoln’s birthday. Today my sweet boy is 16, and nearly as tall as President Lincoln.

In celebration of my favorite president and my only and favorite son. I thought I’d share a few fun facts as well as some favorite “Honest Abe” reads.

Abraham Lincoln Fun Facts:

Abraham Lincoln was born on February 12, 1809 in Hodgenville, Hardin County, Kentucky.
He was born in a log cabin to an extremely poor family.
He was largely self-educated and taught himself law.
Abraham Lincoln was 6 feet 4 inches tall, and was reported to have kept money in his stove-pipe hat!
He became the 16th president of America in 1861, when he was 52 years of age, he served for 4 years until 1865.
Major events which happened during the presidency of Abraham Lincoln included the Civil War which lasted from 1861 until 1865 and the raising of the Emancipation Proclamation which secured the liberty of slaves.
Abraham Lincoln hated having his name shortened to Abe, and often chose to use his surname/last name, Lincoln. Sources suggest that even his wife even called him Mr. Lincoln!
Abraham Lincoln was the first American President to wear a beard!
When Abraham Lincoln was called two-faced by a rival, he was quoted as saying “If I had another face, do you think I’d wear this one?”
The Proclamation was issued by Abraham Lincoln on January, 1863 and slavery ended with the passage of the 13th amendment.
Abraham Lincoln married Mary Todd Lincoln on November 4, 1842, together they had 4 children, they were all boys.
He led the Union into the Civil War to protect the nation and put an end to slavery.
His celebrated career came to an end when he was assassinated on April 15 1865, five days after the Confederate armies surrendered the Civil War.
Abraham Lincoln died on April 15, 1865, the day after being shot at Ford’s Theatre in Washington, D.C. He was assassinated by John Wilkes Booth and was buried at Oak Ridge Cemetery, Springfield, Illinois

The Ultimate Abraham Lincoln Book List

1. A Picture book of Abraham Lincoln by David A Adler and John C. Wallner: Follows the life of the popular president, from his childhood on the frontier to his assassination after the end of the Civil War.

2. I am Abraham Lincoln (Ordinary People Change the World) by Brad Meltzer: #1 bestseller Brad Meltzer is on a mission to give kids the right role models in this lively, funny picture book biography series.”Kids always search for heroes, so we might as well have a say in it,” Brad Meltzer realized, and so he envisioned this friendly, fun approach to biography – for his own kids, and for yours.

3. Who Was Abraham Lincoln? by Janet Pascal and Nancy Harrison: Born to a family of farmers, Lincoln stood out from an early age—literally! (He was six feet four inches tall.) As sixteenth President of the United States, he guided the nation through the Civil War and saw the abolition of slavery. But Lincoln was tragically shot one night at Ford’s Theater—the first President to be assassinated. Over 100 black-and-white illustrations and maps are included.

4. National Geographic Readers: Abraham Lincoln by Caroline Crosson Gilpin: The most effective method used to influence children to read is to incorporate the information that interests them the most. National Geographic Readers are educational, high-interest, and comprehensive for children. In this title, readers will learn about the fascinating life and legacy of our 16th President of the United States, Abraham Lincoln and his historic decision to abolish slavery. Readers will also learn why this decision impacted the United States, as well as the extent of Lincoln’s impact as a fearless leader of the Civil War.

5. Abraham Lincoln by Ingrid and Edgar D’Aulaire: A Caldecott Medal Book, A Child Study Children’s Book Committee: Children’s Book of the Year. This edition is published from the original 1940 printing and we were able to recreate the vivid colors originally intended by the d’Aulaires. This is a must have for any fan of the d’Aulaires’.

6. Abe Lincoln’s Hat by Martha Brenner and Donald Cook

7. Meet Abraham Lincoln by Barbara Cary: This warmly told biography of our sixteenth president is enriched by many authentic but seldom told anecdotes and complemented by bold color illustrations that capture the spirit of Lincoln and his era.

8. Abe Lincoln: The Boy who Loved Books by Kay Winters: In a tiny log cabin a boy listened with delight to the storytelling of his ma and pa. He traced letters in sand, snow, and dust. He borrowed books and walked miles to bring them back. When he grew up, he became the sixteenth president of the United States. His name was Abraham Lincoln

9. Magic Tree House Fact Tracker: Abraham Lincoln: A Nonfiction Companion to Magic Tree House #47. By Mary Pope Osborne and Natalie Pope Boyce: When Jack and Annie got back from their adventure in Magic Tree House #47: Abe Lincoln at Last!, they had lots of questions. What was it like to grow up in a log cabin? How did Lincoln become president? What was his family like? Why did the US fight the Civil War? Find out the answers to these questions and more as Jack and Annie track the facts.

10. DK Biography: Abraham Lincoln by Tanya Lee Stone: Abraham Lincoln, sixteenth president of the United States, led the nation through its darkest hour-the Civil War. Find out about Lincoln’s childhood on a frontier farm, how a struggling small town lawyer became president, and why he became one of America’s most revered leaders.

In this groundbreaking new series, DK brings together fresh voices and DK design values to give readers the most information-packed, visually exciting biographies on the market today. Full-color photographs of people, places, and artifacts, and sidebars on related subjects add dimension and relevance to stories of famous lives that students will love to read.

11. Lincoln: A Photobiography by Russell Freedman

12. Abraham Lincoln for Kids: His Life and Times with 21 Activities by Janis Herbert:2008 National Parenting Publications Awards (NAPPA) Honors Award winner. Providing a fresh perspective on one of the most beloved presidents of all time, this illuminating activity book tells the rich story of Abraham Lincoln’s life and details the events of his era. Highlighting Lincoln’s warm, generous spirit and impressive intellect, the guide teaches children about his fascinating life story, his struggles at the onset of the Civil War, and his relevance in today’s world.

13. Magic Tree House # 47: Abe Lincoln at Last! By Mary Pope Osborne: Jack and Annie are! They are trying to get a special feather that will help save Merlin’s baby penguin, Penny. When the magic tree house whisks them back to Washington, D.C., in 1861, Jack can’t wait to meet Abraham Lincoln himself!

14. Abe’s Honest Words: The Life of Abraham Lincoln by Doreen Rapapport and Kadir Nelson: From the time he was a young boy roaming the forests of the unsettled Midwest, Abraham Lincoln knew in his heart that slavery was deeply wrong. A voracious reader, Lincoln spent every spare moment of his days filling his mind with knowledge, from history to literature to mathematics, preparing himself to one day lead the country he loved towards greater equality and prosperity.

**some of these links are affiliate links

Don’t forget to grab your FREE copy of my Read Your World Multicultural Booklists and Activities for Kids.

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Secret Garden Wednesday-Because Book Inspired Fun is HEALTHY

“I’m in the garden !!!” The Secret Garden to be precise. This time of year in the Secret Garden the earth is sleeping under a cloak of beautiful white snow. The birds have migrated off leaving the garden quiet from birdsong. This is the time of year when we clean up the garden when snow and rains allow. In the not to distant future, our garden will be exploding with life once again.

I thought we’d spend these last few weeks of winter together enjoying a few moments inside our book A Year in the Secret Garden. Marilyn Scott-Waters and I had more fun than two women should creating this activity guide to one of our favorite childhood books The Secret Garden.

Every Wednesday you can drop by here and find new and special happenings in the Secret Garden. There’ll be crafts, great food, fun and laughter. So please be sure to come by and see us in our Secret Garden created just for you.

One of the things I love most about The Secret Garden is that together, Mary , Colin and Dickon hold the key to unlocking the natural world. Through their struggles, triumphs, and adventures they unlock the wonders of nature and magic to us too.

According to Richard Louv, 2008 Audubon Medal Recipient and author of Last Child in the Woods, kids today are becoming more and more removed from nature, at the expense of their own psychological and physical well-being. Children are spending more time in structured activities and on electronic devices, leaving little time for unstructured play in nature. With this book, Marilyn and I have created an innovative and enchanting book inspried by a classic children’s tale that encourages kids to step away from electronics and initiate creative play. Here’s a quote from an article done about A Year in the Secret Garden:

“We wanted A Year in the Secret Garden to be the catalyst in introducing the beloved children’s classic, The Secret Garden to a new generation of families, Budayr shared. “ This guide uses over two hundred full color illustrations and photos to bring the magical story to life, 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.”

It may be too chilly (or snowy!) right now to do garden activities but A Year in The Secret Garden is filled with other fun activities and ideas that are inspired by the classic children’s tale Secret Garden. Within these pages your family will find new activities, crafts, recipes and lessons (inspired by the book) in a something-to-do-every month format. With over 120 pages, 150 original color illustrations and 48 activities, your family and friends will be crafting, cooking, enjoying, learning and playing together!

Watch for the first installment in this fun new series next week and in the meantime, go here to get more details and grab your copy.

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Weekend Links: Caldecott Winners Booklists and More

Each year the American Library Association honors books, videos, and other outstanding materials for children and teens. Recognized worldwide for the high quality they represent, the ALA Youth Media Awards, including the prestigious Newbery, Caldecott, Printz, and Coretta Scott King Book Awards, guide parents, educators, librarians, and others in selecting the best materials for youth. Selected by committees composed of librarians and other literature and media experts, the awards encourage original and creative work in the field of children’s and young adult literature and media.

The 2015 Youth Media Awards were announced at 8:00 a.m. Central time on Monday, Feb. 2, 2015, during the ALA Midwinter Meeting & Exhibition in Chicago. The Randolph Caldecott Medal is awarded annually , to the artist of the most distinguished American picture book for children. The award is administered by the Association for Library Service to Children, a division of the American Library Association.

Caldecott, Newbery and More 2015 Winners!-Pragmaticmom

Melissa from Imagination Soup offered up a post on 2015 Newbery and Caldecott Winners

Reading is Fundamental has a great list of 10 Years of Caldecott Winners

Great Kids Books- 2015 Caldecott Awards: a terrific range & selection of books!!! (ages 4-14, yes really!!)

Scholastic Books has a list of Caldecott Medal Winners for Grades 1-2

More 2015 Caldecott Picks & Picture Book of the Day-Pragmaticmom

 

WAIT! Winter blues and cabin fever making your family a bit “cray-cray??” A Year in The Secret Garden is a gorgeous book inspired by the classic children’s tale Secret Garden. Within these pages your family will find new activities, crafts, recipes and lessons (inspired by the book) in a something-to-do-every month format.

Award-winning authors and co-creators Valarie Budayr and Marilyn Scott-Waters have come together to create A Year in the Secret Garden as an opportunity to introduce a new generation of families to the magic that is The Secret Garden. With over 120 pages, 150 original color illustrations and 48 activities, your family and friends will be crafting, cooking, enjoying, learning and playing together with monthly activities inspired by the characters and events of the original children’s classic. Every month readers will get to meet another Secret Garden character, as well as experiencing original crafts and activities based on the book.

So much fun and great way to get families AWAY from the computer or electronics and into the kitchen and craft room! Get more details and grab your copy here.

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Have you Heard of the Mystery of the Giant Masks? Mystery of the Giant Masks of Sanxingdui by Icy Smith

Author Icy Smith is one brilliant story teller. In her book Mystery of the Giant Masks of Sanxingdui, she carefully weaves a story about tradition, honor, art, respect and beauty.

Brother and sister team Wei and Min prepare for the Warrior festival with their family and friends. Part of the art and tradition of the Shu people was bronze crafts. People would come from far away to admire their tall bronze statues and masks as well as smaller wares that were for sale.

As Min’s brother Wei becomes a warrior during the Warrior Festival, a great flood hits the village.  Many homes were destroyed. As they begin to clean up from the storm and flood, news of a coming attack reaches the Shu people. What should they do, stay and fight a war or leave and let peace stay and linger ? Min and Wei, lead the villagers to flee their homeland but before they do they release the spirits of the bronze statues and masks and bury them in deep pits along with all of their other bronze objects.

There they sit for over 3000 years. In 1986 the giant and incredible statues, masks, and artifacts of Sanxingdui in Sichuan Province China we discovered and declared the 9th wonder of the world.

This story completely captivated us. Icy Smith uses beautiful and gentle language to offer an invitation to the Shu people, who they were, how they lived, and the beauty of their life in that place. The back of the book offers an up to date account of how the bronze masks and statues were found and the museum that has been built around them.

Artist and Illustrator Gayle Garner Roski beautifully illustrates this story with vivid and detailed watercolors.

We were so honored to read this book and thank author Icy Smith for giving us a review copy. While I was at the NCSS convention in Boston I had the honor of meeting Icy Smith and she generously gave me a few of her books to read and jump into. Look for more stories, books, and adventures to come from this amazing author.

Something To Do

Let’s find and discover Sanxingdui and the Sichuan Province in China.

Many Chinese archaeologists have identified the Sanxingdui culture to be part of the ancient kingdom of Shu, linking the artifacts found at the site to its early legendary kings. The Shu kingdom was founded by Cancong.Cancong was described as having protruding eyes, a feature that is found in the figures of Sanxingdui.

The Sanxingdui archaeological site is located in Chengdu Prefecture in Sichuan Province China.

The city was built on the banks of the Yazi River, and enclosed part of its tributary, Mamu River, within the city walls.  The city walls were 40 meters at the base and 20 meters at the top and varied in height from 8–10 meters. There was a smaller set of inner walls.

The walls were surrounded by canals 25–20 meters wide and 2–3 meters deep. These canals were used for irrigation, inland navigation, defense, and flood control. The city was divided into residential, industrial and religious districts organized around a dominant central axis. It is along this axis that most of the pit burial have been found on four terraces. The structures were timber framed adobe rectangular halls. The largest was a meeting hall about 200 m2.

Let’s Paint: A Story Cloth

In Mystery of the Giant Masks of Sanxingdui, Min and her Aunt paint a story cloth telling the story of a great flood which had happened in the past to their people. Story cloths have been used all over the world to record and actual event which has happened to a certain group of people. A story cloth can also be myths or legends. It’s a craft and tool used to remember something very important by a specific group of people.

There’s a couple of ways you can do this.

First you could paint the story of the Shu people and their beautiful masks. Taking a large piece of paper draw and paint the story of the archaeologist finding the large masks.
Next you could paint the mask themselves and telling the story of the Shu warriors.
Another idea is that you can choose a story you know already such as Noah’s Ark and paint that. Whenever anyone asks you about your painting, you can tell them it’s a story cloth.

Look and Discover: The Masks of Sanxingdui

I LOVE this Sanxingdui Mask Activity from one of our Multicultural Children’s Book Day Reviewers A Field Trip Life!

 

The Bower Museum

Let’s Discuss:

Since the Sanxingdui site has been discovered many questions have been asked?

1. Who were the Shu people?

2. Who burned and buried these sacred treasures and impressive masks ?

3. What do you think happened before they were buried ? Why were they buried ?

4. For ancient people, how did they know how to use advanced bronze making techniques ?

5. How advanced was the Shu culture ?

6. What made the Shu culture disappear ?

Rediscover the Wonder of The Ultimate Guide to Charlie and the Chocolate Factory PDF

 

The post Have you Heard of the Mystery of the Giant Masks? Mystery of the Giant Masks of Sanxingdui by Icy Smith appeared first on Jump Into A Book.

Weekend Links-A Recap of the Wildly Successful Multicultural Children’s Book Day

Wow! what an amazing week!

Mia @pragmaticmom and I started off Multicultural Children’s Book Day with a bang on January 27th!!!

We had a wonderful blogtalk radio interview with Kori Miller from Back Porch Writer. There we discussed why we started Multicultural Children’s Book Day as well as the importance of children having diverse books in their hands, schools, and libraries.

Our MCCBD linky went wild with incredible reviews of books from our publisher and author sponsors as well as people putting up links to reviews and activities they’ve done in the past. If you have a link you’d like to share which deals with a multicultural or diverse children’s book please fill free to link HERE. The linky is up for a couple more days.

Twitter Party! Our first-ever twitter party for MCCBD was a huge success and we had 11 lucky winners win multicultural book bundles including a Grand Prize bundle of 12 children’s books!

I loved seeing comments from party participants like this one:

I don’t think I’ve ever had an hour fly by so fast! We had 11 lucky winners who won multicultural book bundles. Lots of great reading for the winter months Here’s a Storified recap of the MCCBD Twitter Party thanks to the wonderful Kim Vij at Educator’s Spin on It .   Miss the party ? Don’t worry !! Did you know that with Storify you can still interact with everyone on the twitter party as if you were at there with us. Just click reply or retweet and bring this party back to life. Remember to use the hashtag #ReadYourWorld.

Friends Celebrating with Us!!!
Author Sherri Graves Smith was on 11alive in Atlanta on January 22nd celebrating and promoting Multicultural Children’s Book Day. Have a look at her inspiring and motivational interview.

Sherri is a champion in so many ways. She is the author of more than 40 books !! To read more about Sherry, her daily journey with cancer, plus her incredible philanthropic heart raising over $400,000 with Coca-Cola for the Atlanta Cancer Care Foundation, providing patients with their daily expenses so that they can afford to seek treatment, have a look HERE.   Get ready to be inspired!

Other friends celebrating with us this week is the Association of Jewish Libraries (AJL) who announced the winners of the 2015 Sydney Taylor Book Awards for Jewish children’s and teen literature. You can find a listing of all the winners HERE. There are so many wonderful books on this list and few of them I’ll be reviewing here in the next few weeks.

Our friends and Platinum Sponsor Wisdom Tales Press celebrated Multicultural Children’s Book Day by having  Wisdom Tales staff do several readings of Pine and the Winter Sparrow by Alexis York Lumbard and Beatriz Vidal at University Elementary School here in Bloomington. Here is our very own senior editor, Roger, telling the story to some eager 2nd graders. We hope everyone had as good a time as they did.

Multicultural Children’s Books Day is such a celebration which has created a vast resource of multicultural books and authors on our website.

LAST CHANCE to grab your FREE gift to YOU. This copy of my Read Your World Multicultural Booklists and Activities for Kids will not be available much longer.

Thank you for all of your support!

[View the story “Multicultural Children’s Book Day #ReadYourWorld Twitter Party hosted by Creators Mia Wenjen & Valarie Budayr ” on Storify]

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Today’s the Day! It’s Multicultural Children’s Book Day!

Are we excited or what!? Today is Multicultural Children’s Book Day and both Mia Wenjen from PragmaticMom and I would love it if you’d celebrate with us.

This is our second annual event and is bigger than ever before. Along with 17 sponsors , 9 blog co-hosts, and 150+ bloggers, we’re reading our world in many amazing and wonderful ways.

Head on over to www.multiculturalchildresnbookday.com/blog and have a look at our linky party. There you will find many great multicultural and diverse books to read.

Twitter Party! Join us for Multicultural Children’s Book Day Twitter Party on Jan 27th 9:00pm EST.

Use hashtag: #ReadYourWorld to win 10 book packages! This Twitter Party is hosted by myself and Mia Wenjen from PragmaticMom! View the prize list HERE.

 

 

How it all Began

So many times Mia and I are asked how “it all began” with Multicultural Children’s Book Day so we teamed up to make this video that answers that very question:

Let’s get LINKY! Link up your multicultural children’s book review and let’s create an amazing resource for teachers, parents and librarians!

 

 

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Weekend Links: Amazing Sources for #ReadYourWorld Books Ideas for Kids

We are just a few short days away from our second Multicultural Children’s Book Day and the WWW is BUZZING with great multicultural book information for young readers! Here are some of the highlights of the Amazing Sources for #ReadYourWorld Books Ideas for Kids  found this week.

12 Chapter Books About Diverse (and Loving) Families via What Do You Do All Day

12+ Books to Read Your Little in 2015 from Leah Pilhaja

25 Resources for Teaching Kids about Diversity-via @Multicultural Kids Blog

Announcing our 2014 New Voices Award Winner Lee and Low Blog

 

Children’s Africana Book Awards and Kid Lit Blog Hop at PragmaticMom

At Maries Pastiche- West African Folktales

Another way to meet your world is through literature. Multicultural Children’s Books Day is such a celebration which has created a vast resource of multicultural books and authors on our website.

My Gift to YOU!

Don’t forget to grab your FREE copy of my Read Your World Multicultural Booklists and Activities for Kids.

The post Weekend Links: Amazing Sources for #ReadYourWorld Books Ideas for Kids appeared first on Jump Into A Book.

Love to Time Travel? Sophia’s Journal Book Review

We are just a few short days away from our second Multicultural Children’s Book Day. I’ve been matched with one of our Platinum Sponsors Daybreak Press and Global Bookstore and a really cleverly written book called Sophia’s Journey by Najiyah Diana Maxfield.

This book is for middle school and above readers.

Sophia’s Journal does a very fine job of weaving. Yes weaving. It takes a 21st century muslim teenager, Sophia, who has a bad fall in a river. This dramatic tumble sends her back to the year 1857 and all that means. This beautifully written book looks at the ideas of race, religion, and bigotry from a multi century view. It gives us a front row seat and a glimpse into pivotal moments in American history as well as what it’s like to be a practicing muslim in the 21st century.

Sophia has to get use to new food and some times the lack of food, new entertainment such as knitting, and a new family. Sophia gets a first hand view at slavery and Native Americans from the year 1857.  The characters in the story are well developed and the sense of adventure and self discovery are greatly inspiring.

One of the things that really struck me as I read this book is that it dispels the “over there” mentally that we can so easily become a participant in. For example: “Muslims are those people over there,…….” Often times being viewed as the enemy. This myth is dispelled as author Najiyah Diana Maxfield intersperses the daily rhythms and gentle practices of the world’s muslims into this thoughtful coming of age tale. This is later reflected when the slave William is also a muslim from Africa.

Often times we look at things from the past as truly history. In Sophia’s Journal we deal first hand with the ideas of slavery, slave owners and the abolition movement as well as the poor view and treatment of Native Americans, there is even a mention or two of the suffragette movement. We could so easily say, that happened then and doesn’t concern us now. Not so. These topics are still very much alive today and currently continue to unfold.

I greatly admire this book and recommend it. First because is gives a positive light to both teenagers and muslims. Secondly because it is a well written story that is so captivating that I couldn’t put it down.

 Something To Do

In the back of Sophia’s Journal are a couple of wonderful recipes as well as two glossaries. One for the 1850’s and the other of Arabic terms commonly used by Muslims around the world.

I our something to do we are going to create a Time Traveler’s Journal where we will write notes about our explorations into 1850’s Kansas as well as Islam.

Take a blank sheet journal, pens, photos that you have printed off the computer and some glue and create a beautiful Common Book Journal about your journey into the world of Sophia.

A Look into Slavery

Slavery in America began in 1607 and continued until 1865. These links tell you more about this controversial but, for a long time, legal practice.

Here are some great book resources as well.

A Look at the Native Americans of Kansas

Kansas, a word readily recognizable as derived from the Native American tribal name Kansa, or “Wind People,” is a state possessing a rich Native American heritage.

The land we now call Kansas had been home to many Native American tribes. The Arapaho, Cheyenne, Comanche, Kansa, Kiowa, Osage, Pawnee, and Wichita are tribes that are considered native to present day Kansas.

To learn more about the traditions of the Kansas Plains Native Americans I find Big Orrin’s website to have many facts geared towards children.

To learn more about these tribes and the history of the region please have a look here.

 

 

A Look into Prairie Life in Kansas

Here’s a good look at life on the Kansas prairie in 1850.

Want to know more about Sod Houses and how to build them have a look here.

A fun reading history book list about the prairies.

A Look at Islam

Islam is a world religion practiced by 1.7 billion people.  PBS has put together this fact sheet about muslims and the religion of Islam and here’s another look from CNN.

 

Another way to meet your world is through literature. Multicultural Children’s Books Day is such a celebration which has created a vast resource of multicultural books and authors on our website.

My Gift to YOU!

Don’t forget to grab your FREE copy of my Read Your World Multicultural Booklists and Activities for Kids.

The post Love to Time Travel? Sophia’s Journal Book Review appeared first on Jump Into A Book.

What If the World Were a Village ?

We are busy as bees over here getting ready for our 2nd Multicultural Children’s Book Day on January 27th 2015. We hope you’ll join us along with our 17 sponsors, 9 co- hosts, 150+ bloggers and many author sponsors to celebrate those books that celebrate multiculturalism and diversity. Please check out the excitement here and “save the date” for our huge Twitter party with oodles of prizes on 1/27/15 (9:00-10:00 ET)

Author David J. Smith and I are kindred spirits.  Both of us promote “world mindedness.”

He says,” This book is about “world-mindedness,” which is an attitude, an approach to life. It is the sense that our planet is actually a village, and we share this small, precious village with our neighbors. Knowing who our neighbors are, where they live and how they live, will help us live in peace.”

In his book If the World Were a Village, he explores the idea of exploring the world as if it were a village. At this time there are nearly 7 billion people on the planet. It’s oftentimes hard to wrap around our brain around this idea. David J. Smith brings it down to size for us. What if we took 100 people from around the world and look at the world as if it is a village.

In this village of 100 people there would be 21 people who speak Chinese, 10 who ear only a dollar a day, 13 who cannot read or write, 28 who have a television in their homes, only 37 would have enough to eat. 83 people would have access to clean water while 17 others would spend most of every day in the search for clean water.

If the World Were A Village shows us who we are, where we live, what languages we speak, how fast we’re growing, and what religions we practice. This well thought out book also asks, “What will our village look like in the future?” Will there be enough food, housing, jobs, money, electricity, water etc.

One of the things I like so much about this book is that it takes a very large concept such as world population and how that effects the planet and the people on it, and brings it down to a very manageable size. The illustrations by Shelagh Armstrong are bold and colorful bringing the diversity on this planet richly to life.

Something to Do

Let’s Map the World

It’s important that kids have a really good sense of how the world is laid out. Make sure you have a current and up to date world wall map hanging up.

One really great way to learn the world is to create it. I’m a huge fan of Mr. Nussbaum. He has this wonderful website and this really great activity called Super Map. Super Map is a new map-making tool on MrNussbaum.com that allows students to custom-make their own maps of the United States, North America, South America, Europe, Africa, or Asia. Students can create map keys, add state or country names, rotate names, change colors of oceans, continents, nations, or states, add longitude or latitude lines, zoom in or out, and add text about each nation or state that appears on the map when it is printed out. Works on touchscreens as well as traditional computers. And then…you get to print it out!

Can you name ?

Playing a roving game of Can you Name helps kids learn and experience the “details” of a region or country of the world.

Can you name the capitals of every state in the US?
Can you name the capitals of every country in the world ?
Can you name the continents ?
Can you name the biomes in the United States ? In your country ? Around the world ?
Can you name the language spoken in ( pick a country and/or a region )
Can you name the religions worshipped in a particular country ?
Can you name the form of government ?

What’s next to ?

This is a game where one player chooses a country in the world and the person next to them has to name a country next to that one.

Is there Enough ?

Have a conversation with your children while looking at a map and you might like a computer near by so you can search. Pointing to an area of the world ask the following questions. If you don’t the answer to these, look them up.

Is there enough food ?
Is there enough clean water ?
Do children go to school ? What are the requirements for going to school. Many 3rd world countries require that you have a uniform to go to school. Most people are too poor to afford one and so their children do not go to school.

Meet Your World

As important as it is to know how the planet is laid out by countries, capitals, people , religions, languages etc, it’s also equally important to meet different people from a variety of people on our planet. Go to a celebration from another culture near you.

Finding a pen-pal with someone from another country is another way to make a connection with someone else on the planet.

Another way to meet your world is through literature. Multicultural Children’s Books Day is such a celebration which has created a vast resource of multicultural books and authors on our website.

Understanding the geography of the earth, how and where the people on the planet live,  what languages they speak, what religion they believe in, what challenges they face is a starting point into knowing our world better and for teaching our children “world mindedness.”

My Gift to YOU!

Don’t forget to grab your FREE copy of my Read Your World Multicultural Booklists and Activities for Kids.

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Weekend Links: Great Martin Luther King Jr. Links and Resources

On January 19th Martin Luther King Day is celebrated all over the world to honor a hero of human and civil rights for all people. As you can imagine, I have come across some simply amazing links, articles and resources that I think your family will cherish. Enjoy!

Flashlight Worthy Books has a wonderful resource page that has Children’s Books about Martin Luther King, Jr. book suggestions broken down by grade.

Leanna at Multicultural Kids Blog is excited to let everyone know about an opportunity to promote these wonderful early education resources for Martin Luther King Day. Daria is generously offering them for FREE until January 19. Check them out HERE.

I simply LOVE this! Celebrate Martin Luther King Jr. Day with this “I have a dream” printable from 30 Handmade Days.

11 Inspiring Multicultural Biographies For Kids – I’m Not the Nanny

Multicultural Kid Blogs also has a great list of MLK books for kids

 No Twiddle Twaddle has a great round-up of links and resources for music, crafts, booklists, activities and more in honor of MLK.

 

Don’t forget to grab your FREE copy of my Read Your World Multicultural Booklists and Activities for Kids.

 

The post Weekend Links: Great Martin Luther King Jr. Links and Resources appeared first on Jump Into A Book.