The Book Lady Blog

I am often asked if I have a favorite children’s book.  To narrow it down to one is almost impossible, since hundreds of books have influenced me and made an impact on my life, however I tend to go back to the book that I loved the most as a child, the book my mother read to me countless times – “Little Black A Pony” by Walter Farley. 

Little Black is a small pony, but he is envious of Big Red, a horse that can jump and run fast and do things that a little pony cannot do.  Little Black’s self esteem plummets until he is faced with a task that Big Red cannot do – to run on the ice of a pond and save a young boy from drowning.  Little Black learns that he is valuable too, and that everyone has special gifts and something to contribute. 

When I am asked to read to an elementary school classroom, I usually chose to read “Little Black.”  I think the moral of the story is as strong today as it was when it was written in 1961.  I started to think of other books that have taught me life lessons. 

The other day I stumbled upon a book that actually deals with that subject – what

Have you learned from children’s books?  The book is titled, “Everything I need to know I learned from a children’s book” by Anita Silvey.

I haven’t read this book yet, but am looking forward to delving into it soon, to see what others have learned from children’s books.  Do you have a children’s book that taught you life lessons?  Something you read years ago that is influencing your life today?

Write to me and share – and until then – happy reading!

The Book Lady

My husband’s 5^th grade class is doing a play this week – a “Walk Through The Revolution.” The students portray a different character of that time period, such as Betsy Ross, Ben Franklin, John Hancock, and Paul Revere.

Being the wife of a teacher, you get “recruited” to help for all kinds of projects.  As a huge history buff, this was one that I actually enjoyed. 

So during this holiday weekend, we spent our time building sets and collecting props.  We have Betsy Ross’s flag, a feather pen for John Hancock to sign the Declaration of Independence, and our crowning glory – a British war ship made out of huge poster board. 

I made a Union Jack out of multiple pieces of felt, and found Ben Franklin’s glasses (not the original ones!) on eBay.

I love reading about history, and one of my favorite series to share with kids is the “If You Lived” books.  Appropriate for 3^rd, 4^th, or 5^th grade – I love to read about what life was like during different times in American history.  Other titles include, “If you lived in Colonial Times, if you lived when there was Slavery, if you lived with the Indians of the Northwest Coast, if you lived when Women won their rights, and if you lived at the time of the Civil War.”

Have fun reading - and you don’t even have to build sets or collect props to enjoy them!