Tag: STEAM

Especially for Educators: “Five Fantastic Geology Activities for Young Children” by Leslie Barnard Booth

October 6, 2023

This week we’re featuring another gorgeous picture book about geology! Author Leslie Barnard Booth shares some fantastic classroom activities for educators based on her new book A STONE IS A STORY.  Leslie is also offering a giveaway of a 30-minute virtual classroom visit! Just leave a comment after the post to get in the drawing! … More Especially for Educators: “Five Fantastic Geology Activities for Young Children” by Leslie Barnard Booth

Especially for Educators: “A Nature Walk Activity Inspired by ‘Just a Worm'” by Marie Boyd

April 7, 2023

Think back to when you were a child and dared to hold a wiggly worm or lifted rocks in search of fishing bait. Worms fascinate despite the EW factor. Marie Boyd’s JUST A WORM can be the beginning of an exploration for kids. Here she shared a nature walk to use with the book.  Be … More Especially for Educators: “A Nature Walk Activity Inspired by ‘Just a Worm'” by Marie Boyd

Mining for Heart: “Making Learning Real in Traditional Expository Nonfiction” by Julie Danneberg

January 21, 2022

Writing expository nonfiction has its own challenges, and finding “heart” may be one of them. Julie Danneberg shares her approach to this genre and how she brings it home to middle grade readers. Her post might send you directly to your closet! Don’t miss Julie’s GIVEAWAY! Leave a comment below for a chance to win … More Mining for Heart: “Making Learning Real in Traditional Expository Nonfiction” by Julie Danneberg

Cover Reveal! Franz’s Phantasmagorical Machine

October 29, 2021

I was a kid blessed with a father who had a workshop—a section of the basement with work benches, tools, hardware, and LOTS of scraps! I could go down there to create, experiment, and “invent” (crude versions of things that had already been invented). I distinctly remember a stirring device I built with a crank … More Cover Reveal! Franz’s Phantasmagorical Machine

The Stuff of Stars

July 26, 2019

Stardust! We are made of stardust! What a mind-boggling concept! Today’s Perfect Picture Book takes a complex topic, makes it beautifully simple, and aims it straight at the heart. Amazing! Title: The Stuff of Stars Written by: Marion Dane Bauer Illustrated by: Ekua Holmes Candlewick 2018 Suitable for ages: 5-10 Themes/topics: universe, nature, stardust Opening: … More The Stuff of Stars

Just Like Rube Goldberg

May 10, 2019

Who doesn’t love to tinker? It’s Perfect Picture Book Friday, and here’s an inventive biography to check out.  Title: Just Like Rube Goldberg, The Incredible True Story of the Man Behind the Machines Written by: Sarah Aronson Illustrated by: Robert Neubecker Suitable for ages: 3-8 Themes/topics: STEM/STEAM, perseverance, creativity Opening: Question: How do you become … More Just Like Rube Goldberg

Doctor Esperanto AND Lights! Camera! Alice!

February 22, 2019

It’s Perfect Picture Book Friday! Today, we’ve got a double-feature – two new picture book bios by the incredible Mara Rockliff! AND on March 1st, Mara will share her process of Mining for Heart. Come back and hear the story behind the stories. Title: Doctor Esperanto and the Language of Hope Written by:Mara Rockliff Illustrated … More Doctor Esperanto AND Lights! Camera! Alice!