Dr. Seuss

Happy Birthday Dr. Seuss! The man himself!

For those of you who don't dwell in the teaching realm, today is Read Across America Day....so if you are near by a school stop in with your favorite Dr. Seuss book and share it with a classroom.  *Note*Make sure to check in with the office first haha. I'm hoping that I have someone coming to my class tomorrow to read to the kiddos, as exciting as I am. Sometimes it is nice to sit back and have someone else read while I listen. I miss having stories read to me. It's even better when people do fun voices(I always do- the kiddos love it!)

We read The Cat in the Hat yesterday. The lower grades Headstart- 2nd are all decorating our doors with our favorite Seuss book. *Pictures to follow.* My class was very creative, actually some of the most creative I've had. Yeah, so glad I do art frequently.  It's such a shame that public schools are doing away with the arts. 

We will be making green eggs today and I have yet to decided whether or not I will add some ham to it. Chances are the kids will barely touch either, but it's at least fun to make and to think, I've never done it before. I'm pulling out all the stops this time. "I will not eat them in a boat, I will not eat them with a goat. I will not eat them here are there. I will not eat them anywhere. I will not eat them Sam I Am, I will not eat green eggs and ham." I love the rhymes of Dr. Seuss and I know that they love them too, plus they make pretty easy reads for some of my lower readers.

My class earned a party, so I think that I we will also be watching Horton Hears a Who, but if it's really really nice outside, I might just do extra recess instead. My room tends to get quite warm, what with the whole no windows deal and fresh air is quite the commodity in demand. 

If you aren't up on the new movie scene, or kid scene The Lorax comes out today. I love that book and the truffula trees. I am a little disappointed that they add people to the movie.  I always have problems when the movie industry completely changes my favorite children's books (Where the Wild Things Are, Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs, etc...) I also have a hard listening to Danny DeVito as the Lorax. I dunno, for those of you who watch Always Sunny in Philadelphia, that's all I can think of, so him in a children's movie....a little hard. 

To Read or Not to Read

Hobby of the day: Reading

I love to read! I am an avid reader. My dad got me into reading and my mom too, but more my dad.  I was read to every day and night when I was little.  My mother was an elementary art teacher now art professor and she writes and illustrates children's books- so there was always a plethora of books within my reach. 

 I love introducing my students to new books and sharing my favorite stories with them.  I especially love introducing them to something that isn't Junie B or Fancy Nancy.  Hot Wheel books and Lego books were not the big rage when I was little.  Where are the Laura Ingles Wilder books? What about the American Girl books, when there were only 3 girls, Kirsten, Samantha and Molly? Now there are like 10! Actually I don't even know that.  

My favorite series that I read in elementary and middle school were Nancy Drew- my father and I would read them together or we'd trade books once we were finished. I also loved C.S. Lewis the Chronicles of Narnia and the Hobbit trilogy. One of my favorite past times was reading with my dad.

I love anything Chris Van Allsburg, love Maurice Sendeck (Where the Wild Things are), David Weisner, Lois Ehlert, Mercer Mayer.... I really love children's books if you can't tell.......

Some of my last favorite Non Fiction books were: 

• Seal Team Six
• Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand
• Look me in the Eye by John Elder Robison
• Same Kind of Different As Me

Some of my Favorite Fiction books are:

• Harry Potter- All
• Kristin Hannah- Anything
• Lord of the Rings
• Emily Griffin Novels- Author of Something Borrowed
• Sophie Kinsella- Author of Confessions of a Shopaholic

Anyway..... the reason for my post, other than recommendations for books is: One of my F-A-V-O-R-I-T-E authors is coming to town! She just published her latest, Home Front....so far I have only cried twice.  I usually cry repeatedly throughout her books. I always cry when it comes to relationships good or bad haha.  I guess I put myself in those situations. When I saw P.S. I Love You - dragged the hubby to see it I cried the WHOLE time.  Of course now I own it and I read the book....I came out of the theater could barely see because my eyes were so puffy and red and Gary's shirt was very wet.  Can't wait to see The Vow! I'm sure I won't have much time to talk to Kristin Hannah, but at least I get to meet her and get her to sign my book and tell her I love her writing!!! SO EXCITED!

What are some of your favorite books to read? Both adult and childrens?