Thanksgiving every day of the year.
November 22, 2015
I can’t help thinking of William Steig at Thanksgiving. In addition to the fact that he was born in the month of November, I thank him year round for igniting my passion for children’s literature. His books showed me how extraordinary a book for children could be—with language that soars, pictures that captivate, and stories I want to go on forever and ever.
Yet as much as I adore the books he wrote, what captured my heart and mind were the questions his stories ignited. Moral dilemmas not easily solved, showing us the wonderfully complex humanity of his characters, along with his humor that always delivered a brand of wisdom, with no lesson to teach. Robust conversations are a hallmark of Steig’s books.
To have the continued opportunity to introduce children every day to Steig’s books, truly calls for a profound Thank You, with deep gratitude.
What are you most thankful for this Thanksgiving?
Stories help us hang on to our humanity.
November 16, 2015
The recent attack by terrorists on the people of Paris was an act of brutality. The attack was an act of inhumanity; The following story is one man’s response to the atrocity— his music was his effort to help restore humanity, those qualities that make us human, mortality, compassion, and kindness. In an extraordinary gesture, […]
Celebrate the freedom to read
November 9, 2015
Banned Books Week was launched in 1982 in response to a sudden surge in the number of challenges to books in schools, bookstores and libraries. The story behind why a book is challenged or banned is fascinating and merits attention. What is often overlooked or just not spoken of, is the all too often practice […]
Energetic reading offers nourishment & is a transformative experience
November 2, 2015
I am saddened to see that teaching literature is becoming more of a transaction than an experience of transformation. Forging meaning out of a book is a transformative experience, not a transactional exercise of questions and answers. To energetically read requires a reader to support assertions with proofs, to consider counterarguments, to be willing to […]
Conversation is key to literacy.
October 15, 2015
In our fast-moving, media-saturated world, reading with our children and talking with them about what matters is more important than ever before. Strong conversation skills are needed for reading fluency, comprehension, and ability to relate the ideas in a story to yourself and the wider world are the building blocks of imagination, empathy, critical thinking, […]
