I carry my office wherever I go. I write on my laptop and try to squeeze in time to write whenever I can. It can be in the middle of my family room …
or in a corner of one of my favorite bookstores (Books & Books in Miami)
or even in a favorite coffeehouse (although this isn’t the one I usually go to.)
I’ve even been known to carry my laptop out to a soccer field while my kids have practice — but I never bring it out during a real game…those are just too exciting!
Download a copy of this post to share with students HERE.
I hope you enjoy reading my book, THE RED UMBRELLA. I wrote this book because it wasn’t only a piece of American history, it was part of my own family history! My parents were part of the more than 14,000 Cuban kids who were sent by themselves to the U.S. from 1960-1962 in what came to be known as Operation Pedro Pan. Yet, even though so many kids were part of Operation Pedro Pan, not much had been written about it…I wanted to change that.
Writing and researching THE RED UMBRELLA was a lot of fun because I was able to learn more about my own family history, but you have a story to share, too! Every family has their own story to tell and who better to write about it than you? Yours could be a story about how your family came to the U.S. or it could be a tale about a family member who fought valiantly during a war or it could be someone in your family who is known for making the best apple pie in the whole wide world! Really, each family has their own unique stories and it’s up to you to ask questions and listen. Parents and grandparents are a great place to begin, but don’t forget to ask other people in your family, too! Soon you’ll have your own book of family history ready to share with others.
The main thing to remember is to have fun listening, writing, and reading your stories!
All my best,
Christina
Click HERE to download and share Christina’s letter with students!
by Helen Recorvits, illustrated by Gabi Swiatkowska was a Back-to-School pick in Beyond Boundaries several weeks ago.
Last week, Literacyhead also featured MY NAME IS YOON in “The Art of Teaching Reading: Using Art to Understand Stories.” They write:
“This week’s feature book is possibly the most moving exploration of names, identity, and school. My Name is Yoon captures all the anxiety of a new school, new friends, and a new teacher, approaching them with “Shining Wisdom.”
Follow the link HERE to Literacyhead’s featured lesson.
Cooperative Children’s Book Center: 50 Multicultural Books Every Child Should Know:
The CCBC defines “multicultural” literature as “books by and about people of color: African and African Americans, American Indians, Asian/Pacific and Asian Pacific Americans, and Latinos.”
Find their listing of the 50 essential books and a range of authors and illustrators for children HERE.
Compliment the experience of reading THE CHALK BOX KID with this chapter-by-chapter comprehension guide created by www.gardenofpraise.com.
With an intensive, careful reading of the book along with the added support provided by this guide, the heartwarming story of Gregory and his garden may well become one of your family’s favorites! The Chalk Box Kid Discussion Guide
Yasmin rides to work in her father’s rickshaw but what she longs to do is learn to read. As she hammers away at bricks every day, all day, she earns money so her family can buy rice. She also dreams, imagines, and dares to reach for her goal. She has an idea and soon she has a secret plan that promises a new beginning for her family.
Told in the engaging voice of a storyteller, this book tells the true account of a seven-year old Pawnee girl growing up on a Navajo reservation and sent to a government-run Indian school. Tears and laughter and a celebration of courage are richly shared in this award-winning book.
This week’s BOOK ROOM recommendations are what the ReaderKidZ like to refer to as “Old Favorites.” These are the books kids enjoy at the beginning of every new school year. They’re also the ones children are fond of revisiting often.
For our Back-to-School picks, we’ve selected just a few of our picture book favorites. What are some of your child’s or class’s favorites for the new school year?
Miss Nelson is missing and the students in her class are not happy. That’s because their substitute, Miss Viola Swamp, means business! Besides that, she’s a “real witch” who loads them down with homework and doesn’t even read a book for story hour.
The class is convinced something terrible has happened to Miss Nelson and they’re determined to track her down, bring her back, and get rid of Miss Viola once and for all.
It’s the first day of school and the new teacher is a monster. A real monster. Her name is Mrs. Green and she really is! Green, that is. She has a tail, breathes fire, and has her own unique way of teaching fractions.
Kids love THE TEACHER FROM THE BLACK LAGOON, as well as all the other books in the “Black Lagoon” series.
Froggy’s a little nervous about his first day at school, but that doesn’t stop his enthusiasm from bubbling over. Before long, Froggy’s sharing about the summer he learned how to swim, and the whole class, including Mr. Mugwort, the principal, is joining in. FROGGY GOES TO SCHOOL is one of many Froggy books that young readers giggle over and love to share with friend.
A back-to-school book with dinosaurs as the main characters? A sure-fire win in any primary classroom! With Jane Yolen’s rhyming verse and Mark Teague’s lively illustrations, readers will be wishing an Iguanodon and Dsungaripterus like the ones in HOW DO DINOSAURS GO TO SCHOOL? would spend a day or two in their classrooms.
Mission Statement
To provide teachers, librarians, and parents with the resources and inspiration to foster a love of reading in kids, K-5.
or in a corner of one of my favorite bookstores (Books & Books in Miami)
Illustrated by 
