Moms Inspire Learning

Open 2 Books: Turn Those Pages

I was at my local library looking for Shel Silverstein's The Giving Tree for a presentation I have to give next week, when I stumbled upon Lane Smith's It's a Book . Finally, I thought, I get to see it! I remember there being a lot of hoopla about it when it first came out, but since I don't usually review the newest of children's books, I didn't seek it out.

Instead, it found me! And I'm so glad it did, because I really needed to hear that I wasn't the only one to treasure picture books-in-print. As much as I'm amazed by the nonfiction children's books that are coming out on the iPad, there's still nothing like the beauty and simplicity of turning the pages of a real picture book.

Open 2 Books: Turnips for Thanksgiving!

Freshly picked, organic kohlrabi and turnip. Delicious!

For as long as I can remember, I've always eaten turnips on Thanksgiving. My grandmother started the tradition, and surprisingly, my mother has not continued it.

I have.

For me, not having turnips on Thanksgiving would be like not having turkey. The same goes for the carrot raisin salad my grandmother used to make, and also her apple pie. Hers was the BEST. That tradition, my mother does continue.

Her mincemeat pie, not so much.

Thank goodness for that.

Open 2 Books: Where Would We Bee? Part 2

"Bees use every part of their bodies to do their work - to take care of each other, to make honey, to communicate, to fly, and to guard the hive." ~Deborah Heiligman, as written in the National Geographic book, Honeybees

Open 2 Books: Where Would We Bee?

My teenagers and I recently started volunteering at a local, organic, community supported farm. So far, we've only done some yard work and weeding, but it's already been such an eye-opening and inspiring experience. We're really looking forward to seeing the whole process through.

Open 2 Books: Traveling Without the Trip

There's nothing like traveling the world and exploring other cultures, but let's face it: the majority of us will not cover even a small fraction of the globe in our lifetimes.

Open 2 Books: Bats, Birds, and Baseball

We're connecting the B's of spring! We started with butterflies, and today we'll flutter upon bats, birds, and baseball. I guess it would make sense to go to bees next, but bee-ing that I haven't seen any yet, maybe we'll wait until it gets a little warmer.

Open 2 Books: Hope Comes With Butterflies

"Just living is not enough," said the butterfly, "one must have sunshine, freedom and a little flower."  ~Hans Christian Anderson

These words and the following books remind me of the time my husband and I brought my teenage daughter to the butterfly zone at the zoo. She was a little over a year old, and was wearing a shirt with a floral design on it. A butterfly ended up landing on her shoulder!

Oh, the wonder of butterflies, and the hope that they carry with them.

Open 2 Books: A Steller Sea Lion for Nonfiction Monday

Most people have seen seals and/or sea lions near the ocean, or at an aquarium or zoo. They're fascinating creatures, aren't they?

Many children are naturally curious about all kinds of animals, and have a lot of questions before or after a trip. That's where the many high quality picture books come in! Whether you seek them out before, after, or during your visit, it's a great way to take learning to the next level.

Open 2 Books: Give Me a Library, and I'll Show You the World

"They sailed past volcanoes and mountaintops, past coral reefs and deserts, between dark rows of bookshelves, and right out the door of the children's room." ~Daniel Kirk, author of Library Mouse: A World to Explore

I'd love to visit that library!

Imagine a place where books come to life through art, music, and movement?! Would anyone ever be able to claim that reading is boring ever again? The youngest readers certainly would not.

Open 2 Books: The Mystery of Motivation

Okay, so following through on last week's discussion of two picture books in Daniel Kirk's Library Mouse series, Sam's friends are all book characters, until a boy named Tom discovers his secret and becomes his "pen pal." I don't want to ruin the book's mystery by giving away all of the details, so I'll just leave it at that.

I love a good mystery, don't you? When you stop and think about it, the best of teachers and writers use it to spark interest in a lesson or a book. In Daniel Kirk's case, he's using a secret to motivate children to read, write, and visit the library. What a genius!