Tuesday, November 13, 2012

[Closed] Gratitude Giveaway 11/15/12 - 11/25/12



This hop is hosted by I Am A Reader, Not A Writer. I am giving away a stationary gift set as my way of saying Thank You! for visiting my blog and following it. I have made so many friends through this blog of mine and appreciate all the comments, advice and kind words that so many of you have made over the years. Thank you so much!

Rule: 
Please leave a comment with your name, email and how you follow this blog (via email, GFC or Facebook pageFollowing this blog is NOT a requirement but it is appreciated :D

As always, this is a blog hop with over 150 blogs participating, so please feel free to visit any and all of the participating blogs for more fun and cool giveaways!


Friday, November 9, 2012

Perfect Picture Book Friday: Virgie Goes to School With Us Boys

Title: Virgie Goes to School With Us Boys


Author: Elizabeth Fitzgerald Howard

Illustrator: E.B Lewis

Publisher: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers; 2000

Suitable for: 5 and up

Topics: School life, African-American history, Women’s Experience

Opening: Virgie was always begging to go to school with us boys. All summer long she kept asking and asking.

Book Summary: All Virgie wants is to go to school with her brothers George, Will, Nelson, Val, and C. C. But they keep saying she's too little for the long, seven-mile walk, and that girls don't need school.
Well, Virgie doesn't agree, and she's not gonna let anything stand in her way.

Links to resources:
Lesson Plan for this book on page 28 of document recommended for grades 1-2: 
Reinforcing activity 
Lesson plan for grades 3-5 

Why I like this book:
In post Civil War South, Virgie is determined to prove she can go to school just like her brothers. The story is written in the point of view of her brother, Cornelius (C.C) but you can clearly see, hear and feel Virgie’s strength and determination. Virgie shows a lot of courage stepping outside of the role that society has placed on her. She is brave, determined and enthusiastic. I love that she not only learns what she can at school, but she also takes that knowledge back to her parents, “that way, might seem like they’ve been to school too. Learning to be free, just like us.” This is a great book for all children but especially for girls, including the girls who are not really into school. In this book, they see just how lucky they are to be able to go to school and receive an education without the prejudice and challenges that girls and women had in the past and those that still can't get equal educational opportunities in many oppressed and poverty stricken countries today.

To see a complete listing of all the Perfect Picture Books with resources, please visit author Susanna Leonard Hill’s Perfect Picture Books. Or click on the Perfect Picture Book Fridays badge in the right sidebar.

Wednesday, November 7, 2012

[Closed] Thankful for Books Giveaway Hop! 11/8 - 11/13


It's a Book Giveaway Hop!


I have so much to be grateful for. For this hop, I will give away two prizes, one to the winner and the other will be donated to a non-profit organization, that caters to the care and welfare of children, of the winner's choice.

The prize is a $10 Amazon giftcard

To be eligible, there is one rule,
 leave a comment below with your name, email and which organization you would like to send $10 prize to should you win.

As always, this is a hop so hop along and see what treasures can be found from over one hundred participating blogs. :)
Happy Hopping!
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Friday, November 2, 2012

Perfect Picture Book Friday: Quiet in the Garden

Title: Quiet in the Garden


Author: Aliki

Illustrator: Aliki

Publisher: Green Willow Books: Feb 3, 2009

Suitable for: 4 – 8 years

Topics: Gardens, Animals, Food

Opening: I love to go into the garden.
I sit quietly.
I see flowers and plants.
It makes me feel peaceful.
If I am very still,
I see birds, insects,
and creatures I had
not noticed before.
I can even hear them!

Book Summary: Sitting quietly in his garden, a little boy observes the eating habits of birds, butterflies, bugs, and other small animals.

Links to resources:
The book includes instructions on how to make your own garden and detailed illustrations of plants typically found in a garden
Classroom Activities from the publisher.
Garden Activities for Children 
Garden coloring pages 
Garden Critters coloring page 

Why I like this book:
Quiet in the Garden takes children on a journey through a garden. They learn about the animals that live in our gardens. It starts off with a little boy sitting quietly in his garden enjoying the peace until he realizes the garden is alive and busy. Turns out, the garden is not so quiet after all with all the munching and conversations of the different animals. In the end, the little boy has a picnic with all his garden friends. Quiet in the Garden encourages children to safely explore nature, respecting the animals that live in nature. Children will notice that the little boy does not disturb or interfere with the animals as he watches them, quietly.

To see a complete listing of all the Perfect Picture Books with resources, please visit author Susanna Leonard Hill’s Perfect Picture Books. Or click on the Perfect Picture Book Fridays badge in the right sidebar.