Book Advent & Little Owl's Snow

This is the third year we’ve celebrated "book advent." It's essentially an advent for holiday literature, beginning December 1st and running through Christmas Eve. Each night, we gather under the twinkling glow of the Christmas tree and unwrap a favorite wintry/holiday book. Our collection is a mish mash of books from my childhood, new titles purchased for my children each year, and library books. It's the perfect opportunity to pull out our favorite, beloved holiday books and read them anew.

If you're interested in starting this tradition in your own home, below is a list of some of the books that we've included in our book advent this holiday season.  Since we are a family who celebrates Christmas, our list includes several books with biblical undertones, but there are also a few non-religious, wintry themed books as well. When adopting this tradition, you could easily tailor your book list to suit your families beliefs or traditions. Here are some suggestions for those celebrating Hanukkah, Latino winter celebrations, and African American Christmas traditions and Kwanzaa.

+ Little Robin's Christmas by Jan Fearnley

+ The Jolly Christmas Postman by Janet and Allan Ahlberg

+ Mr. Willowby's Christmas by Robert Barry

+ The Polar Express by Chris Van Allsburg

+ Finding Christmas by Leslie Evans

Star Bright by Alison McGhee

+ This is the Stable by Cynthia Cotten

+ The Twelve Days of Christmas by Britta Teckentrup

+ The Christmas Fox by Anika McGrory

+ Red & Lulu by Matt Tavares

+ A Wish To Be A Christmas Tree by Colleen Monroe

+ Snowmen at Night by Caralyn Buehner

+ The Berenstain Bears and the Joy of Giving by Jan & Mike Berenstain

+ The Mitten by Jan Brett

+ Humphrey's First Christmas by Carol Heyer

+ This is Christmas by Tom Booth

+ The Wish Tree by Kyo Maclear

+ Pick a Pine Tree by Patricia Toht

+ The Little Reindeer by Nicola Killen

+ Llama Llama Holiday Drama by Anna Dewdney

+ The Christmas Eve Tree by Emily Sutton

+ The Gift of Nothing by Patrick McDonnell

The Great Spruce by John Duvall

+ Twas the Night Before Christmas retold by Jan Brett

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+ Little Owl's Snow by Divya Srinsivasan

And for more in depth reviews of the books listed above, hop on over to Lovely Little Reads, my children's channels including instagram and facebook.

This year, we added a few new titles, including The Christmas Fox, This is the Stable, and Little Owl's Snow.  The last title is especially lovely and will delight young readers, for whom the first appearance of snow provokes curiosity and utter joy.  

Little Owl observant, silently watching at the animals scurry about, preparing for the cold front, his friends abandoning him for the warmth and security of their burrows one by one. When the last leaf falls, a quiet forest is met by the falling of the first silent flakes, much to Little Owl's delight. Quickly, a few crystals glinting in the sky become a white blankets covering the ground. At one point he comments "how strange and wonderful it all was!" Such wise words to encapsulate the mystery and awe of a first snow.

And for more in depth reviews and links to the books listed above, hop on over to my blog, Lovely Little Reads or my instagram channel, @lovely.little.reads.

How about you?  Any book advent favorites this season?

Lovely Little Reads: Rosie Revere, Engineer

What can I say, I love Andrea Beaty's rhythmic rhyming text! I genuinely enjoy reading Rosie Revere, Engineer aloud on repeat at bedtime (much more than some of my daughter's other favorites like the cloying Pinkalicious, do not get me started!). Beaty's text makes the reader's voice rise and fall with such vivacious intonation and momentum, it is truly a joyful read aloud experience. 

Not to mention the message! Failure is okay? Normal? You mean, everyone makes mistakes? Everyone?! And then gets up and keeps going? Amen! 

I can only hope that Andrea Beaty will go on to create books for all of the colorful characters in Miss Lila Greer's class (as she has done with Iggy Peck, Architect and Ada Twist, Scientist) and deliver to us more whimsical, upbeat stories about the kid superpowers of curiosity, creativity, and discovery. 

P.S. Go check out my other recommendations on my instagram page!

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A Christmas Book Tradition

One of my Christmas traditions my mom initiated growing up was giving each of us a new holiday book at Christmas time.  Each of my sisters and I received a book, and inside the front cover it lists our name and the year.  As you can imagine, this amounted to quite a collection of Christmas stories.  This year, I'm excited to start this tradition with my daughter!  I realize it will be a couple of years before she can actually read these Christmas stories herself, but by then we'll have a whole shelf to pull from!  It makes me smile to think of us curled up together, reading these stories together with her as she grows up.  Now, all I have to do is find the perfect first book to kick off this tradition.

What are your favorite Christmas story books?

Holidays

What's your favorite holiday? Christmas has always been my #1 favorite holiday. While I do enjoy opening presents, this holiday is my fave for so much more; the cold weather, carolers, and delicious aromas that make that holiday so memorable and special.

In case you are a fan of the underdog holidays, read this book, Mrs. Muddle's Holidays. Mrs. Muddle is the neighbor who celebrates unusual holidays like "Puddle Jumping Day," and "First Snow Day!" I've used this book my classroom - and love how it expands beyond the usual favorites and gets kids excited about celebrating small traditions together.

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Library Love

Are you a book buyer or a library frequenter? Once upon a time, I used to be a book buyer... There's just something about a brand new book, it has that lovely new book smell, the pages are crisp and waiting to be turned, and it looks so esteemed resting on your shelf amidst all your other books after reading...

But soon enough, I had a reality check after saving receipts and realized, wow, I've acquired quite an expensive habit! As a teacher I know how nice it is to have the title you want to read to your class right there, ready to go....And for grown-up reads, I sometimes have to resist the urge to pick up that shiny new title calling out to me from the NY Times bestseller shelf.

Since I've become a teacher, I've become a library frequenter. And to keep up with the latest and greatest, I peruse Amazon to search for new titles and then immediately zip over to my library's home page to add them to my request list.

If you've never done the "library thing," I suggest you reconsider, I was pleasantly surprised how I could reserve everything online. Then, when my books come in, I get a handy email reminder. This makes pick-up a breeze, as all the titles are waiting for me under my last name.

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Wizards of Wonder

I literally cannot communicate how excited I am about Universal Studios latest theme park - The Wizarding World of Harry Potter. I may be 27, but I'm still a fool for theme parks, the thought of Disneyland makes me giddy, and now my expectations have been exceeded! Even before I became a teacher, I was an avid Harry Potter reader + follower. It's amazing to me how Universal was able to recreate J.K. Rowling's imaginative world! I literally cannot wait to visit the theme park in Orlando.

Here's a first glimpse inside the walls with some of Harry Potter's cast members. It looks AMAZING!


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video via labellevie

Groundhog Girl Power

Happy Groundhog Day everyone! While you may not celebrate this holiday much more than acknowledging it on a calendar, we do have special "Groundhog Day" activities in the elementary school world.

Thought I'd recommend a Groundhog Day read - an especially fabulous one as it promotes girl power (quick synopsis: historically the groundhog has been a boy, Punxsutawney Phil, that is until a clever and insightful Punxsutawney Phyllis came along...)image/amazon

Book Review

As an elementary school teacher, finding quality children's books is my passion, and when I find a great one - I want to share it! I recently discovered The Curious Garden, by Peter Brown. Modeled after the recent restoration of New York City's Highline Park, this lovely story is about a boy who finds an abandoned railroad and decides to plant seeds to make his neighborhood more beautiful. His efforts - though small, are noticed, and slowly the garden takes a pay it forward type effect, as his once dirty city slowly becomes more green and full of life. My students really enjoyed this story, the illustrations, and seemed inspired by it's message how even one kid can truly make a difference. Check it out!images/barnesandnoble

9-3/4

As an elementary school teacher, I am by default an avid Harry Potter fan. I have read the entire series, and seen every motion picture within a week of its release.

I just discovered that Platform 9-3/4, the magical medium through which Harry and friends travel to Hogwarts really exists in Kings Cross Station in London! Granted, it's obviously just for show, as all the train platforms are organized by whole numbers (not fractions), but regardless, next time I'm in London I am definitely taking a photo opp!

If you have no clue what I am talking about, here's some Harry Potter trivia, enlighten yourself!

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Love Tree

Ever carved you and your loved one's initials in a tree? I haven't, but I've always appreciated the idea. I love the tangible nature of carving your love into a tree, there's simply something true and honest about it.

Loving this stationary. Personalize these note cards with you and your hubby's initials for a fun set of his & her's note cards. Isn't that a cute idea? It kind of reminds me of The Giving Tree. These would be perfect to send as thank you notes, or friendly hello's to friends and relatives.image/allposters
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Reader Bug

Read any good books lately?

I'm polishing off Netherland, one of the NY Times top picks for 2008, debating whether or not to open up a recommendation from my mom, The Tortilla Curtain, and of course still dabbling with the 4th book of the Twilight series, Breaking Dawn...

In the meantime looking to add some other "must reads" to my goodreads list, any suggestions? I'm welcome to recommendations for children's books as well, after all, the teacher is always on the prowl for another great read!

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Happy

Subscribe to this motto, and let everyday be a happy day!

P.S. If you are familiar with children's literature, does this poster also remind you of Mo Willems work?

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Star of the Week

While I would sum up the majority of my blog readers to be twenty-something childless people like myself - I thought I'd give my 2 cents as a teacher, and deliver a smashing children's book review. If you haven't yet been introduced...meet Scaredy Squirrel.

This book is a Washington Children's Choice nominee (and winner at my elementary school). Author Melanie Watt's fearful protagonist is vulnerable, likable, and completely relatable. With the plot centering around a young squirrel afraid of all things unknown, this book is well suited for an anxiety prone youngster or perhaps the oldest son/daughter who is a little hesitant at taking risks.

This pioneer book is the first in a series of 3, "Scaredy Squirrel," "Scaredy Squirrel Makes a Friend," and "Scaredy Squirrel at the Beach," each tackling how this cautious little flying squirrel braves unfamiliar situations and rises to a challenge. Infused with humor, phenomenal illustrations, and a meaningful message...one can't resist the charms of Scaredy Squirrel! Hey - I own all 3, and cannot say enough wonderful things!

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Green Eggs and Ham

I do not like them in a box.
I do not like them with a fox.
I do not like them in a house.
I do not like them with a mouse.
I do not like them here or there.
I do not like them anywhere.
I do not like green eggs and ham.
I do not like them, Sam-I-am.

Sound familiar? At my elementary school, green eggs and ham is a special treat reserved for good little kindergarten boys and girls eaten with excitement to an enchanting read aloud of a Dr. Seuss story of the same name. We often combine the celebration of Dr. Seuss's birthday (March 2) with St. Patrick's day, making it an all around green affair.

While our school version of green eggs and ham usually entails a group of fabulous volunteer parents + a lot of green food coloring, I thought I'd appease those who are culinary inclined with a more "adult" version that could could even make at home. Here is the Food Network's interpretation of green eggs and ham. Now I must add my 2 cents on the topic, some things I've learned from spending the majority of my day with 7 and 8-year olds...since these "adult" eggs use spinach in lieu of food coloring, you may notice that the eggs are not nearly as green.

If you're looking for a more authentic green eggs and ham option, might want to check this book out. Happy eating!

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