Pigtails, Ponytails & Fairytales Do you wake up with crazy hair? Read Pigtails, Ponytails & Fairytales written by Sophia Namazy and illustrated by Eduardo Paj. Poppy is having a bad hair day. When Poppy is visited by two hairdressing fairies Flo and Sparkles each night, she wakes up with crazy hair! How will she stop […]
Jason’s Secret
Jason’s Secret Do you have an older child that stutters? Jason’s Secret written by Ellen Marie Silverman is a wonderful chapter book about a fifth grader named Jason. Jason struggles with his stuttering speech disorder in many ways including socially and academically. He is starting a new school and desperately wants to fit in. He […]
The Importance of Reading, What the Research Says…A Guest Post
Guest Post I am excited to present this guest post written by Leanne Sherred, M.S. CCC-SLP. Leanne calls Austin, Texas home but studied Speech and Hearing Sciences at the George Washington University in Washington, D.C. and gained her Master’s in Speech-language pathology from Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois. She has worked in pediatric outpatient clinics, […]
Emotion Stones
Emotion Stones Emotion Stones by Yellow Door is a wonderful therapeutic toy to help learn emotions. I saw these stones about a month ago online and had to purchase them. The set of tactile stones comes 12 in a set. Each stone is developed for a variety of ages including older children who are learning […]
The List of Things That Will Not Change
Synopsis The List of Things That Will Not Change by Rebecca Stead is a wonderful middle grade novel that can be enjoyed by both middle grade and teens. It’s also a wonderful novel to increase overall awareness and acceptance in the LGBTQ+ community. Bea is an only child that desperately wants a sister! How can […]
The True Story of Zippy Chippy, The Little Horse That Couldn’t
Who is Zippy Chippy? The True Story of Zippy Chippy The Little Horse That Couldn’t written by Artie Bennett and illustrated by Dave Szalay is a humorous, non-fiction, inspiring and wonderful story for young children. After reading this book to my children for the first time, we loved the story! Who is Zippy Chippy? Zippy […]
Sky Dragon, Author Interview and Review
Interview with author, James Blackburn James Blackburn is an elementary school teacher in South Orange County, California. He was born and raised in Laguna Hills with his triplet siblings, Juliana and Justin. James graduated from California State University of Fullerton with a B.S. in Child and and Adolescent Development. While in school, James spent many […]
Parent Resources-Free Educator Guides for Elementary and Middle Grade
Homeschooling – Links to Free Lesson Plans and Guides It’s a difficult time for us a world right now and parents are scrambling to find resources for their children at home. I wanted to write this post to share FREE educator guides for parents to either print (if you have a printer) or pull them […]
The War That Saved My Life- plus a link to a free educator guide
The War That Saved My Life The War That Saved My Life by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley is an exceptionally written and emotionally moving middle grade novel. This book is a must read for students! It can help trigger discussions about important topics such as freedom, abuse, disabilities, love, friendship, determination and trust. When I began […]
Using Picture Books to Facilitate Discussions-Tips for Home Instruction
What are Restorative Justice Discussions? Help your child build social emotional learning! As a member of the International Literacy Association, I receive a copy of The Reader Teacher. I love this publication because it helps provide me with excellent resources and wonderful tips as a parent. With home instruction on the rise due to our […]