Thirty Days of Thanksgiving - Day 19


Today I am a bit frazzled.  It's normally that way as I am about to leave town.  I love going somewhere new but I don't really love the pre-travel prep or the actual traveling.  I am really hoping that they develop some form of instant transportation or teleportation in the future.  And  I am always surprised that I don't leave more things that I need at home especially since I am usually packing at the last minute.  However, I am checked in for my flight.  Somehow, I will be packed and ready to leave when my friend picks me up to go to the airport.  I still have to decide which books that I am going to take with me across country. And I am trying not to look at my presentation any more because if I do, I will likely change something again.

Regardless of the pre-travel anxiety, I am really thankful to have this opportunity to travel across the country and attend the National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE) Annual Convention.  And if you are at NCTE '13, please say "hi".

....and since this is also picture book month, and with an eye towards Thanksgiving, here is my daily picture book recommendation:


'Twas the Night Before Thanksgiving
by Dav Pilkey 
Scholastic, 1990

Thirty Days of Thanksgiving - Day 18


Late this afternoon, I had the opportunity to reconnect with many of my staff from San Rafael Elementary School as we came together to celebrate the retirement of our Community Assistant, Elizabeth Roman.  Mrs. Roman worked at the school for 29 years. Amazing when you think about it.  With some families, she influenced three generations. What a compassionate and strong and caring woman and I am thankful that our lives intersected. 

I am also thankful for the lives of the teachers, and instructional assistants and other staff who were there this evening.  I was reminded at how thankful I am for all the staff at the school.  I miss the community that we had created.

....and since this is also picture book month, here is my daily picture book recommendation, I am giving a shout out to Salina Yoon's new book:

Penguin in Love
by Salina Yoon
Walker Childrens (December 3, 2013)

Thirty Days of Thanksgiving - Day 17


How bad would it be if I shared that I was thankful for Holiday Movies on Hallmark? HaHa! Yep, I am.  Today, while I worked on the computer, I probably watched four of them.

Other things that I was thankful for today...

...hanging out with a group of fifth graders that meet monthly to talk about ARC's (Advanced Readers Copies).  We meet at a local bookstore and the kids read the books and give us their thoughts on what is coming out.  It is fun to hear what they think and see what they like. They are better than professional reviewers, and they really know what they like and don't like.

...leftovers and good friends.  As you can imagine, we had leftovers from yesterday's birthday party. Lots and lots of leftovers.  A few of us joined together tonight to hang out in front of an outside fire (yes, I live in Southern California and we can do this in November), talk, laugh, and eat a lot of leftovers.

....and since this is also picture book month, here is my daily picture book recommendation:


by Oliver Jeffers
Philomel (2005)

Thirty Days of Thanksgiving - Day 16 (a morning late)

I have been doing my Thanksgiving posts at night.  Well last night, I was so tired I couldn't even finish the last 30 minutes on an audiobook.  So, I am doing last night's post this morning.

Yesterday, I was thankful for a number of things...

...for my presentation, at the Association of Mexican American Educators Conference, which went well.  It was a great trial run for my NCTE presentation.

...for the birthday party for my dear friend who was in serious condition in the hospital a month ago.  He has come so far and his family and friends were excited to celebrate with him.


...for Matt de la Peña writing books that resonate with teens.  My godson, Jay, has not been convinced that books have meaning.  After looking at Jay's choices for school required reading this summer, I suggested he read Matt's book Mexican White Boy.  I thought if any of the books would resonate with Jay, then this one would.  Yesterday, I asked Jay what he wanted me to tell Matt about the book.  I don't have exact quotes but I was excited to hear him praise Matt for writing in a way that sounds like teens would talk.  As a biracial teen, Jay also resonated with this aspect of the story.  And for all of this, I am super thankful.

....and since this is also picture book month, here is my daily picture book recommendation in honor of books that deal with being a biracial child:


by Monica Brown; Illustrated by Sara Palacios
Lee & Low Books (September 2011)
 
 

Thirty Days of Thanksgiving - Day 15


I almost skipped this  post today.  In three plus years of blogging, I have never done four posts in the same day. Two maybe but never four.  However, I just couldn't see combining gratitude posts. So this will be short.

Today I am thankful for practical things...

...like the coat and boots that arrived in time for my trip to Boston.

...several things at work finally came together.

....and since this is also picture book month, here is my daily picture book recommendation:


by Birgitta Sif
Candlewick Press (October 2012)