Primo picture books

How To Read A Book 

Crown: An Ode To The Fresh Cut 

A Is For Audra

     In our still standardized test as benchmark obsessed schools, reading instruction often focuses on quantifiables such as speed, phonetic accuracy, and ability to fill in bubbles.  True engagement becomes collateral damage in this war for recognition and resources.

     Kwame Alexander, who writes beautifully for children at all stages of development, teams up with award winning artist Melissa Sweet to present a much more natural way of reading starting with the all important step of finding a comfortable place.  Readers at all stages stand to gain from his wisdom including those most set in their ways...

     ...adults.

"You come in as a lump of clay

A blank canvas, a slab of marble.

But when my man is done with you,

They'll want to post you up in a museum!"

     Derrick Barnes wrote Crown: An Ode To The Fresh Cut in the very unusual second person.  That's because he's directly addressing the reader.  He's conveying the pride building magic of a visit to a barbershop for a Black boy based on his own growing up experiences.  

"...That fresh cut made you more handsome.  It made you smarter, more visible, and more aware of every great thing that could happen in your world."

     This lively read aloud makes for great parent child sharing.

"W's the wondrous 

Ms. Lillias White 

Whose riffs, runs, and scats 

Sound so wonderfully right."

      Every time I think I've seen all there is to see in alphabet books I'm proven wrong.  John Robert Allman's A Is For Audra is the latest abecedarian volume to set me straight.  It's a celebration of Broadway's leading ladies past and present.

     The pictures are full on glamorous.  The artist represents a wide range of races, body types, facial features, and musical styles, allowing many children to see themselves in at least one star.

     Who knows?  As they learn their letters maybe a few kids will start dreaming big dreams.

On a purrrsonal note, last school year I really enjoyed working in Wells Dining Commons.  Over the summer I learned it will be shut down 2022-23 because of declining enrollment.  It was no secret that other venues had been trying to steal me.  Skills and work ethic.  So I went free agent like the major league baseball players.  Hilltop gave me an offer I couldn't refuse.  So I've signed with them. (Jules)

Food is so important.  ( Tobago)

A great big shout out goes out to you, dear readers, with best wishes for a fabulous weekend.

Tobago and Jules Hathaway 

     

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