Gayle H. Swift's Blog, page 4

Adversity: Empowering Kids to Rise to the Challenge

Lately adversity hammered the world in many directions: natural disasters of biblical scale, political confrontations that resulted in death and, most recently a madman mowed down more than five hundred innocent people. At some level, it feels like our world...

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Children and the Fight for Social Justice

The Youngest Marcher by Cynthia Levinson and illustrated by Vanessa Brantley Newton introduces the remarkable story of how children helped amplify the tide of the civil rights movement. This book is sure to impress young readers with an understanding that...

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The Climb to the Top

I loved climbing trees as a child, that exhilarating, terrifying race to the top. I can still remember the thrill of reaching hand over hand until I found myself high in the canopy of leaves. The world appeared smaller, less...

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Relationships Comfort across Time and Space

We yearn to have witnesses to life events—whether it is to celebrate, encourage or, comfort. Joy shared is joy multiplied. Fear shared is fear halved. Sun Kisses, Moon Hugs offers an engaging metaphor that can reassure little ones that the connections that tie us to the people we love endures across distances of time and space. That they can be invisible witnesses to their lives. 

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Wardrobe Choices: An Annual Back to School Challenge

Suki’s Kimono by Chieri Uegaki and illustrated by Stephanie Jorisch makes a perfect choice for reader’s who will soon be returning to school. As first-grader Suki selects her clothes for the first day of school, the spunky heroine of the...

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Marisol McDonald Series Celebrates Being Unique

Highlights the adventures of Marisol. Her rich ethnic ancestry (Peruvian-Scottish-American) & penchant for quirkiness make an interesting, colorful & fun perspective. Most of us--whether we're a child or an adult--admire spunk and the ability to be comfy in our own skin. Still, the struggle to find acceptance and to fit in is real, especially for kids.

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Every Family is Unique

https://www.amazon.com/Stella-Brings-... Stella Brings the Family written by Miriam B. Schiffer and illustrated by Holly Clifton-Brown features a little girl facing a dilemma: she has no mommy to bring to the school  Mother’s Day celebration.  Stella has two fathers but no...

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Haiku Captures Humor and Heartache, Family and Security

I’m a fan of haiku a traditional form of Japanese poetry. Its compact format distills thoughts to their essence and focuses our lens with unique precision. Sounds stiff and confining. Actually, haiku need not be aloof and formal as these...

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Get Dirty and Have Fun

This post will review two fun stories that will tempt kids to turn off their electronic devices, go outside, get dirty and have fun. Humor will engage their attention. Carries an important message of the importance of hard work and persistence, a robust imagination and good friends. It is a bonus to get dirty and have fun in the process.

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Let the Party—and the Learning Begin!

Kids will delight in discovering a holiday that provides the perfect excuse for drenching themselves and others in brilliant color, hurling buckets of water, exuberant dancing and, watching bonfires. While these elements will certainly grab their attention, children will simultaneously absorb information about the story behind the festivities. This knowledge will help build a foundation of awareness of and respect for, the traditions and beliefs from other cultures. This is a delightful and engaging book which help awaken interest in other cultures and will broaden their cultural awareness.

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