Gayle H. Swift's Blog, page 11

Happiness Is…

It is easy to get lost in the habit of waiting to be happy...We must teach kids to enjoy the blessings of what & who are in their lives in the present moment. We must teach our children to take the time to enjoy the blessings of what and who are in their lives in the present moment. This is not to invalidate their losses, yearnings and unfulfilled needs. Rather it is to teach them to hold a both/and mentality.

“Out of the Blue”

The magic of this book is the unexpected and total absence of text. The story is revealed only through exquisitely detailed illustrations which invite the reader to wonder a story line for each element. We all know how kids love to spin a tale. This brilliant book provides an awesome vehicle for them to do so.

Life’s Path: One Heart, One Compass

our hearts play: they help us to connect with our core Purpose and values. Our hearts have an inner knowing that recognizes the what and why of our lives. Of course, children are not consciously aware of such conceptual thoughts. Yet they have an intuitive ability to understand metaphor and the way it can explain big ideas. These books tackle the topic well.

My Heart Is Like A Zoo? — Talk About Love

This is not an "issues" book, rather it shows people engaging in ordinary tasks, living their normal daily activities. This sweet book easily introduces the idea that we need not look the same in order to be friends, neighbors or family. It depicts people of different races happily playing and working together.

Changing One’s “Spots” and Other Compromises

A slender and wiggly thread divides contrariness from being true to oneself. As our kids learn to discern the difference, we parents must deal with the confusion, frustration and—Dare we say it?—the irritation. Teaching our kids how to think for themselves, choose well and not follow the crowd takes patience and practice. Lots. And. Lots. Of. Patience. And. Practice. Theirs and ours!

Vanilla & Chocolate-A Bilingual Book Looks at Racism

Increasingly, adoptive families have come to understand the importance of talking about race, of awakening ourselves to the subtleties of white privilege, microagressions and how color blindness is a misguided solution to racism. Chocolate & Vanilla, illustrated by Estella Mejia and written by Maritza Mejia, explores racism for readers ages 5-8. A teacher, Mrs. M, notices that Vanilla and Chocolate, two former friends no longer play with each other. She learns this is because Vanilla's parents did not approve of their son's interracial friendship.

To combat this problem the teacher organizes, "Black and White Day," a special parent-child activity day at the park. Families bring traditional foods which they share. Watching their children play peacefully together, hearts and minds open. They come to understand that a friend is a friend whether they are the same race or not.

Because Mejia's simple story unfolds in both English and Spanish, it also serves double duty as a way to assist readers of either language improve their non-native vocabulary. Four stars

The Legend of Robert Cofresi: A Puerto Rican Hero

Young readers will enjoy learning about Cofresí’s adventuring on the seas, seizing treasure and burying it. Some might imagine themselves as treasure hunters seeking Cofresí’s still undiscovered hidden treasure. Such grand adventures might spark an interest in acquiring the science and oceanographic skills that might enable them to pursue the hunt. The story is narrated by a night-shift working dad. Though weary and ready for bed, he takes the time to share the legend with his sons. Along the way he explains the unfamiliar vocabulary. For example, the story describes Cofresí as a corsair not as a pirate. Four stars.

Being Rich

As adults, we understand that the truly valuable things in life bear no pr$ce tag. Their value is intangible and immeasurable.

How do we help our kids balance the present moment reality and attraction of material things and help them learn to appreciate the intangible blessings of their lives?

Table where Rich people sit The Table Where Rich People Sit by Byrd Baylor and illustrated by Peter Parnall offers a gentle and appealing reminder that real wealth lies not in our possessions but in the relationships and experiences that fill our world. Like beauty, being rich, is in the eye of the beholder.

Written from the child's point of view, the story focuses on her frustration with her parents.

Filling Your Child’s World With Color

American Academy of Pediatricians advises parents to read daily to their children from birth! We can begin fulfilling this intentional commitment to diversity even when reading with our babies! These 4 delightful board books have universal appeal make a fabulous and important addition to the family library and help lay the foundation for multiculturalism early in a child's life.

Love Is Always in Season

Snuggle close to your special sweetie and share this little gem. The human heart craves affirmation; sometimes a book is the perfect way to do it. Read it often. It's a great way to get used to expressing the love in your hearts...Be intentional about the many ways in which you live the love you feel for them. Help them experience it in words as well as actions. Give them more time than stuff. Connection with you is what they really crave.