Picture book
Parents wanting to introduce young children to manners in public
settings could do no better than Judy Sierra's Suppose You Meet A
Dinosaur. A young cart pushing shopper with a totally oblivious
mother is startled to see a dinosaur in the grocery store. This, the
author notes, doesn't happen every day. Fortunately our heroine has
the presence of mind to greet the reptile and indicate her pleasure in
meeting her. From then on the two carry out just about every
interaction in which youngsters can be reasonabky expected to know the
polite thing to say.
The illustrations are wonderful. The dinosaur's formidable
appearance and size are softened by glittery pink glasses and tiny
flowered pocketbook. She and the child show grace and dignity in
their interactions. The startled expressions of grocery store
employees are priceless.
This lively, up beat volume would be perfect also for a class
library or gift from a grandparent.
On a personal note, election day is getting closer. Less than two
weeks. Yikes!
A great big shout out goes out to all people who treat others--
including those who disagree with them--with respect and consideration.
Julia Emily Hathaway
Sent from my iPod
Sunday, June 3, 2012
Saturday, June 2, 2012
Secrets of the Garden
Picture book
Each year as days grow longer and warmer, even if there's still
snow on the ground, I find myself daydreaming of the Orono Community
Garden. I yearn to prepare soil, plant seeds, tend growing veggies,
and harvest healthy food for our dear senior citizen friends. The
feel and smell of the earth, the cool relief of water on a sunny day,
the sight of growing plants, the sound of bees at work, the taste of
freshly picked spinach...all a delight for the senses and soul.
As the price of healthy food goes up and the ingredient lists of
many mass produced products in kitchens bear more resemblance to
science fair products gone horribly awry than something a sane person
would consume, a home garden or piece of a community one would be a
smart option for many families. Kids are more willing to eat well if
they participate in growing and preparing food. They can feel the
pride of contributing to the family economy. And what a way to get
you all away from electronic distractions and into the good fresh air
and sunshine for quality time!
Families with such a plan would do well to invest in Kathleen
Weidner Zoehfeld's Secrets of the Garden. Daughter Alice tells the
story of one year of her family growing veggies. All including Honey
the cat participate enthusiastically. Their story is interwoven with
that of the other residents of their summer home and their
interconnectedness in nature's food web. Talk about fascinating!
On a personal note, I have a larger family to sell this idea to, my
RSU 26 family. I have long been a believer in school gardens to
provide local food for cafeterias, not to mention kids in food
insecure families during the summer, make science more hands on,
create nutrition awareness, and provide another venue for community
involvement. Because of this I was invited to a neighboring
community's planting of a school apple orchard. Lucky for me they
were short a volunteer. I was able to work with 3rd, 4th, and 5th
grade students. They loved being out there, digging in the dirt,
carefully and respectfully handling earthworms. They related this
experience to classroom learning. They were proud of making a real
contribution to their community. It was amazing! I want nothing less
for RSU 26. I intend to bring the right people from the school and
community together to make sure that this happens. :-)
A great big shout out goes out to our RSU 26 principals, teachers and
staff, and students and the equally gifted and talented community
members who I know will help make this dream a reality.
Julia Emily Hathaway
Sent from my iPod
Each year as days grow longer and warmer, even if there's still
snow on the ground, I find myself daydreaming of the Orono Community
Garden. I yearn to prepare soil, plant seeds, tend growing veggies,
and harvest healthy food for our dear senior citizen friends. The
feel and smell of the earth, the cool relief of water on a sunny day,
the sight of growing plants, the sound of bees at work, the taste of
freshly picked spinach...all a delight for the senses and soul.
As the price of healthy food goes up and the ingredient lists of
many mass produced products in kitchens bear more resemblance to
science fair products gone horribly awry than something a sane person
would consume, a home garden or piece of a community one would be a
smart option for many families. Kids are more willing to eat well if
they participate in growing and preparing food. They can feel the
pride of contributing to the family economy. And what a way to get
you all away from electronic distractions and into the good fresh air
and sunshine for quality time!
Families with such a plan would do well to invest in Kathleen
Weidner Zoehfeld's Secrets of the Garden. Daughter Alice tells the
story of one year of her family growing veggies. All including Honey
the cat participate enthusiastically. Their story is interwoven with
that of the other residents of their summer home and their
interconnectedness in nature's food web. Talk about fascinating!
On a personal note, I have a larger family to sell this idea to, my
RSU 26 family. I have long been a believer in school gardens to
provide local food for cafeterias, not to mention kids in food
insecure families during the summer, make science more hands on,
create nutrition awareness, and provide another venue for community
involvement. Because of this I was invited to a neighboring
community's planting of a school apple orchard. Lucky for me they
were short a volunteer. I was able to work with 3rd, 4th, and 5th
grade students. They loved being out there, digging in the dirt,
carefully and respectfully handling earthworms. They related this
experience to classroom learning. They were proud of making a real
contribution to their community. It was amazing! I want nothing less
for RSU 26. I intend to bring the right people from the school and
community together to make sure that this happens. :-)
A great big shout out goes out to our RSU 26 principals, teachers and
staff, and students and the equally gifted and talented community
members who I know will help make this dream a reality.
Julia Emily Hathaway
Sent from my iPod
Wednesday, May 30, 2012
Farmyard Beat
picture book
Don't let the deceptive simplicity of Lundsay Craig's Farmyard
Beat fool you. It's a lively read aloud that will have little kids
tapping their feet, clapping their hands, and chiming in confidently.
Marc Brown's collages--a fascinating change from his Arthur books--
will provide inspiration for older kids.
Hearing a beat, chicks are unable to sleep. Their peeps wake up
the sheep. Eventually the cat, cows, dog, and even the garner have
joined the party.
Marc Brown has created collage illustrations that are
outstanding but not intimidating. They could spur intermediate or
middle school kids, singly or in groups, to produce their own collage
illustrated books to share with younger kids. Talk about a win win!
On a personal note: My older daughter, Amber, a recent college
graduate turned 22. I could not have asked for a more wonderful
baby. And every day of her years on thus Earth has been richer for
her being there.
A great big shout out goes out to Courtney Harvey, Veazie Community
School art teacher extraordinaire.
Julia Emily Hathaway
Sent from my iPod
Don't let the deceptive simplicity of Lundsay Craig's Farmyard
Beat fool you. It's a lively read aloud that will have little kids
tapping their feet, clapping their hands, and chiming in confidently.
Marc Brown's collages--a fascinating change from his Arthur books--
will provide inspiration for older kids.
Hearing a beat, chicks are unable to sleep. Their peeps wake up
the sheep. Eventually the cat, cows, dog, and even the garner have
joined the party.
Marc Brown has created collage illustrations that are
outstanding but not intimidating. They could spur intermediate or
middle school kids, singly or in groups, to produce their own collage
illustrated books to share with younger kids. Talk about a win win!
On a personal note: My older daughter, Amber, a recent college
graduate turned 22. I could not have asked for a more wonderful
baby. And every day of her years on thus Earth has been richer for
her being there.
A great big shout out goes out to Courtney Harvey, Veazie Community
School art teacher extraordinaire.
Julia Emily Hathaway
Sent from my iPod
Tuesday, May 29, 2012
The Carpenter's Gift
Picture book
It will be quite awhile until our teachers and librarians begin
culling Christmas books for holiday celebrations. But stories that
move heart and soul are never out of season. David Rubel's The
Carpenter's Gift is one such book.
The day before Christmas Henry goes with his father to New York
City in a borrowed pick up truck to sell trees they've cut down.
Friendly construction workers help them set up next to their job
site. At the end of the day they give them the left over trees as a
sign of gratitude. The largest is decorated with paper and cranberry
garlands, tin ornaments, and a star Henry fashions out of newspaper, a
star that carries his heartfelt wish that someday his family will have
a warm home.
Christmas morning Henry wakes up to the sound of car horns. The
construction workers have arrived. They want to use leftover lumber
to give the family a hand. Henry is given chores so he can be part of
the project. It's not long before his wish becomes reality.
Henry plants a pinecone from the special Christmas tree. It
grows through years and decades. One day he is approached by someone
who wants the tree for that year's Rockefellar Center Christmas tree.
After it brings joy to millions of visitors it will be milled for
lumber to help build a home for a needy family. At the tree lighting
he meets the family who will receive the new home. He sees the
daughter pick up a cone that has fallen to the ground...
On a personal note: I just returned from a three day leadership
conference at a truly posh resort. I learned a lot of stuff that will
help me on RSU at no cost whatsoever. I also stayed in the loft
bedroom of an amazing cabin, ate scrumptious food, and was spoiled
rotten.
A great big shout goes out to my chum Laura who volunteers in the
children's wing of Orono Library with me. We call ourselves the
Dynamic Duo. Saturday she did me such a mitzvah. I left my purse
with my camera with my treasured pictures and my iPod in the library.
She went to the trouble of tracking down someone with a key,
retrieving the purse, and delivering it to my house. Now that was
decent!
Julia Emily Hathaway
Sent from my iPod
It will be quite awhile until our teachers and librarians begin
culling Christmas books for holiday celebrations. But stories that
move heart and soul are never out of season. David Rubel's The
Carpenter's Gift is one such book.
The day before Christmas Henry goes with his father to New York
City in a borrowed pick up truck to sell trees they've cut down.
Friendly construction workers help them set up next to their job
site. At the end of the day they give them the left over trees as a
sign of gratitude. The largest is decorated with paper and cranberry
garlands, tin ornaments, and a star Henry fashions out of newspaper, a
star that carries his heartfelt wish that someday his family will have
a warm home.
Christmas morning Henry wakes up to the sound of car horns. The
construction workers have arrived. They want to use leftover lumber
to give the family a hand. Henry is given chores so he can be part of
the project. It's not long before his wish becomes reality.
Henry plants a pinecone from the special Christmas tree. It
grows through years and decades. One day he is approached by someone
who wants the tree for that year's Rockefellar Center Christmas tree.
After it brings joy to millions of visitors it will be milled for
lumber to help build a home for a needy family. At the tree lighting
he meets the family who will receive the new home. He sees the
daughter pick up a cone that has fallen to the ground...
On a personal note: I just returned from a three day leadership
conference at a truly posh resort. I learned a lot of stuff that will
help me on RSU at no cost whatsoever. I also stayed in the loft
bedroom of an amazing cabin, ate scrumptious food, and was spoiled
rotten.
A great big shout goes out to my chum Laura who volunteers in the
children's wing of Orono Library with me. We call ourselves the
Dynamic Duo. Saturday she did me such a mitzvah. I left my purse
with my camera with my treasured pictures and my iPod in the library.
She went to the trouble of tracking down someone with a key,
retrieving the purse, and delivering it to my house. Now that was
decent!
Julia Emily Hathaway
Sent from my iPod
Farmyard Beat
Picture book
Don't let the deceptive simplicity of Lindsay Craig's Farmyard
Beat fool you. It's a lively read aloud that will have little kids
tapping their feet, clapping their hands, and chiming in confidently.
Marc Brown's collages--a fascinating change from his Arthur books--
will provide inspiring for older kids.
Hearing a beat chicks are unable to sleep. Their peeps wake up
the sheep. Eventually the cat, cows, dog, and even the farmer have
joined the party.
Marc Brown has created collage illustrations that are
outstanding but not intimidating. They could spur intermediate or
middle school kids, singly or in groups, to produce their own collage
illustrated books to share with younger kids. Talk about a win win!
On a personal level: my older daughter, Amber, recent college
graduate, turns 22 today. I could not have asked for a more wonderful
baby. Every day of her years on this earth has been richer for her
being there.
A great big shout out goes out to Courtney Harvey, Veazie Community
School art teacher extraordinare.
Julia Emily Hathaway
Sent from my iPod
Don't let the deceptive simplicity of Lindsay Craig's Farmyard
Beat fool you. It's a lively read aloud that will have little kids
tapping their feet, clapping their hands, and chiming in confidently.
Marc Brown's collages--a fascinating change from his Arthur books--
will provide inspiring for older kids.
Hearing a beat chicks are unable to sleep. Their peeps wake up
the sheep. Eventually the cat, cows, dog, and even the farmer have
joined the party.
Marc Brown has created collage illustrations that are
outstanding but not intimidating. They could spur intermediate or
middle school kids, singly or in groups, to produce their own collage
illustrated books to share with younger kids. Talk about a win win!
On a personal level: my older daughter, Amber, recent college
graduate, turns 22 today. I could not have asked for a more wonderful
baby. Every day of her years on this earth has been richer for her
being there.
A great big shout out goes out to Courtney Harvey, Veazie Community
School art teacher extraordinare.
Julia Emily Hathaway
Sent from my iPod
Monday, April 30, 2012
Waiting for the Biblioburro
Picture book
Recently I took a fellow RSU 26 board member and his delightful
children on a tour of the Orono Public Library. They were highly
impressed with all it had to offer: the plethora of books with so
many more available on inter library loan, the CDs and DVDs, the
puppet theater and sunny reading nooks... It saddens me that so many
people in our country take one of their community's greatest treasures
for granted. Guess they haven't read Monica Brown's Waiting for the
Biblioburro.
Ana, a little girl growing up in Columbia, treasures her one and
only book. She has read it so often she knows it by heart. She tells
her little brother stories to help him fall asleep.
One day Ana awakens to the sound of hoofs. She sees a man with
a sign, Biblioburro, and two burros laden with books. She and other
children run to meet him. He introduces himself as a librarian with a
moving library. He reads to them and helps the youngest with the
alphabet. Ana is able to borrow books and take them home. The next
time her librarian returns she has created a book for him.
Most of us, with ready access to a universe of books, would seem
truly blessed to a child like Ana. Let's be cognizant of our great
good fortune and help people both abroad and at home have more access
to the wonderful world of books.
On a personal note, I adore volunteering at the Orono Public Library
Children's wing. Just recently I did a program on the Titanic.
A great big shout out goes out to my fellow children's wing volunteer,
Laura K. We are, without a doubt, a dynamic duo.
Julia Emily Hathaway
Sent from my iPod
Recently I took a fellow RSU 26 board member and his delightful
children on a tour of the Orono Public Library. They were highly
impressed with all it had to offer: the plethora of books with so
many more available on inter library loan, the CDs and DVDs, the
puppet theater and sunny reading nooks... It saddens me that so many
people in our country take one of their community's greatest treasures
for granted. Guess they haven't read Monica Brown's Waiting for the
Biblioburro.
Ana, a little girl growing up in Columbia, treasures her one and
only book. She has read it so often she knows it by heart. She tells
her little brother stories to help him fall asleep.
One day Ana awakens to the sound of hoofs. She sees a man with
a sign, Biblioburro, and two burros laden with books. She and other
children run to meet him. He introduces himself as a librarian with a
moving library. He reads to them and helps the youngest with the
alphabet. Ana is able to borrow books and take them home. The next
time her librarian returns she has created a book for him.
Most of us, with ready access to a universe of books, would seem
truly blessed to a child like Ana. Let's be cognizant of our great
good fortune and help people both abroad and at home have more access
to the wonderful world of books.
On a personal note, I adore volunteering at the Orono Public Library
Children's wing. Just recently I did a program on the Titanic.
A great big shout out goes out to my fellow children's wing volunteer,
Laura K. We are, without a doubt, a dynamic duo.
Julia Emily Hathaway
Sent from my iPod
Subway Story
Picture book
Most of us, discovering a bit of fascinating info, may comment
about its coolness, share it with a family member or friend, or turn
on the computer for an Internet search. That's usually the extent of
it. Fortunately for us, Julia Sarcone-Roach took her discovery quite
a bit further. Subway Story is the most exciting recycling tale I've
ever read.
Jessie, the subway car, was born in Missouri and sent to New
York City just in time for the 1964 World's Fair. Strong and fast,
with gleaming paint, large windows, and sturdy seats, she took
passengers all over the city--even in a tunnel under the river. After
awhile parts broke down and had to be replaced. Eventually repairs
weren't enough. For awhile she was left in a yard with other cars.
Then one day she was cleaned up, taken out minus her doors, and
dropped into the ocean where she became an artificial reef to provide
a home to marine creatures great and small. I mean how cool is that?
She's one of many that gained this reincarnation in the Atlantic
Ocean. In other countries old subway cars have become artist studios,
homeless shelters, schools, and restaurants.
Think of the inspiration this book can give to the budding
scientists and engineers in your life!
On a personal note, I'm campaigning for reelection like crazy, going
door to door, talking to my constituents, and loving it. Being
unopposed would be no excuse for complacency.
A great big shout out goes out to my friends who run the Orono Thrift
Shop, keeping so many treasures from ending up in landfills and
raising money for really important causes.
Julia Emily Hathaway
Sent from my iPod
Most of us, discovering a bit of fascinating info, may comment
about its coolness, share it with a family member or friend, or turn
on the computer for an Internet search. That's usually the extent of
it. Fortunately for us, Julia Sarcone-Roach took her discovery quite
a bit further. Subway Story is the most exciting recycling tale I've
ever read.
Jessie, the subway car, was born in Missouri and sent to New
York City just in time for the 1964 World's Fair. Strong and fast,
with gleaming paint, large windows, and sturdy seats, she took
passengers all over the city--even in a tunnel under the river. After
awhile parts broke down and had to be replaced. Eventually repairs
weren't enough. For awhile she was left in a yard with other cars.
Then one day she was cleaned up, taken out minus her doors, and
dropped into the ocean where she became an artificial reef to provide
a home to marine creatures great and small. I mean how cool is that?
She's one of many that gained this reincarnation in the Atlantic
Ocean. In other countries old subway cars have become artist studios,
homeless shelters, schools, and restaurants.
Think of the inspiration this book can give to the budding
scientists and engineers in your life!
On a personal note, I'm campaigning for reelection like crazy, going
door to door, talking to my constituents, and loving it. Being
unopposed would be no excuse for complacency.
A great big shout out goes out to my friends who run the Orono Thrift
Shop, keeping so many treasures from ending up in landfills and
raising money for really important causes.
Julia Emily Hathaway
Sent from my iPod
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