Beth's Favorite Things of 2020

2020 has been the year of staying home. As much as this introvert is a homebody, there has been very little joy for the reasons we've been staying home. So in the same vein as Oprah's Favorite Things, here are Beth's Favorite Things. Because "The Things That Made Beth's 2020 More Bearable" just didn't have the same ring to it. 

*Most of the provided links are affiliate links, which means I earn a small percentage if you purchase from that link. 

These masks from The Stockist that are made of soft, cooling material against your skin. 

These mask frames to allow for better breathing while wearing face masks.

A pulse oximeter. Because COVID. 

A temporal thermometer because I was tired of taking my temperature before work every day with my old under-the-tongue thermometer

This book that has taught me to embrace my sensitivity rather than admonish it. 

Having a weighted blanket has been important for helping me when my anxiety is high. 

The decision fatigue struggle is real. Which is why meal kits are a godsend. I love cooking but I don't loving deciding what to cook. We have accounts with Home Chef, Blue Apron, and Hello Fresh, but Home Chef is my favorite. 

This enamel cast iron Dutch oven from Ayesha Curry that is not only more reasonably priced than Le Creuset, but it's beautiful too.

Stop using disposable K Cups. Get these reusable ones so you're not throwing away so much plastic every week. 

This message board that is both magnetic and a pin board

This 3-in-1 charger for my phone, Apple watch, and Air Pods.

What have been your favorite things of 2020? Or the things that made 2020 more bearable? 

It's Monday! What are you reading? 12-14-2020

It's Monday! What are you reading? Is a wonderful community of readers, teachers, and librarians. Hosted by Jen over at Teach Mentor Texts along with Kellee and Ricki at Unleashing Readers, participants share their reading adventures from the past week along with their reading plans for the week ahead.

My Monday posts are generally just a highlight of what I've been reading during the week so if you'd like to see all that I've been reading, follow my Goodreads page.

Last week I read and loved:

The Barnabus Project by The Fan Brothers

The Barnabus Project puts me in mind of the work of Shaun Tan, but with more accessibility for younger readers. While Tan's work is beloved and critically acclaimed, it can be quite ambiguous and avant garde for readers to grasp who don't yet think abstractly, so this book could be a good reading ladder to Tan's work.

I Am the Storm by Jane Yolen and Heidi E.Y. Stemple, illustrated by Kristen & Kevin Howdeshell

Gorgeous, powerful text with equally moving illustrations

My Hair is Magic by M.L. Marroquin, illustrated by Tonya Engel

An absolutely stunning book that affirms for young Black girls that they are perfect just the way they are, the way their hair grows naturally All Because You Matter by Tami Charles, illustrated by Bryan Collier There are some books you just have to read to understand the power and profundity of words. After a few pages, I had a hard time reading through all my tears. I’m so glad this book exists. Currently reading: In the Wild Light by Jeff Zentner Currently reading with my ears: Root Magic by Eden Royce

It's Monday! What are you reading? 11-30-2020

  

It's Monday! What are you reading? Is a wonderful community of readers, teachers, and librarians. Hosted by Jen over at Teach Mentor Texts along with Kellee and Ricki at Unleashing Readers, participants share their reading adventures from the past week along with their reading plans for the week ahead.

My Monday posts are generally just a highlight of what I've been reading during the week so if you'd like to see all that I've been reading, follow my Goodreads page.

I recently read and loved:

The Black Friend: On Being a Better White Person by Frederick Joseph

In an enjoyable but firm conversational tone, Frederick Joseph designed this book to be frank with readers, the way a good friend might be if you did something unintentionally hurtful and now must make amends. It's no longer ok for white people to be oblivious and "color blind" to race, and Frederick Joseph lays out why that is in The Black Friend. Sometimes People March by Tessa Allen A timely and timeless book that speaks to the democratic value of the right to protest On Account of the Gum by Adam Rex A humorous cumulative tale that would be perfect for fans of Stuck by Oliver Jeffers Carmen and the House That Gaudi Built by Susan Hughes, illustrated by Marianne Ferrer A fictional story based on fact, revolving around the work of the famous and beloved architect Antoni Gaudi. Thao by Thao Lam An innovative picture book about the frustrations of having a name that most Americans don't know how to pronounce so instead make a mockery of. Pair this book with Your Name is a Song to discuss the sacredness of names and the need to learn them rather than feign ignorance. My only criticism is that I wanted the book to be longer. Just as I was leaning in and loving the story, I felt like it ended. I Am! Affirmations for Resilience by Bela Barbosa and Edal Rodriguez A brief and profound mindfulness meditation for young children and even not-so-young children (and maybe even some adults too) My First Day by Phung Nguyen Quang, illustrated by Huyuh Kim Lien A gorgeous tale about an unusual (for Americans) but typical (for a Vietnamese child living along the Mekong River) trip to school. I wish the illustrator lived in the U.S. because I would love to see this book eligible for the 2022 Caldecott. The Problem with Problems by Rachel Rooney, illustrated by Zehra Hicks Charming rhyming text that addresses problems as adorable creatures that are more easily addressed than we think they are. A sweet and empowering way for kids to face their problems head-on. Lubaya's Quiet Roar by Marilyn Nelson, illustrated by Philemona Williamson Teachers, can we talk? How can we honor our introverts and quiet thinkers in the classroom without forcing their loud and vocal participation? When I read Quiet by Susan Cain many years ago, I realized that the world caters to and accommodates extroverts and forces introverts to try to change to be loud and brash and overly assertive in sharing their opinions. That’s not how introverts operate. And we need to live in a world that makes space for both the quiet and the loud thinkers. I’m CONSTANTLY thinking of ways to honor the Lubayas in my classroom. I want them to find ways to feel comfortable sharing their views and being part of the discussion while not forcing it on them. Because sometimes their quiet presence can be just as profound and influential as the extroverts. Currently reading:  The Highly Sensitive Person by Elaine N. Aron Currently reading with my ears: Early Departures by Justin A. Reynolds

It's Monday! What are you reading? 10-26-2020

 

It's Monday! What are you reading? Is a wonderful community of readers, teachers, and librarians. Hosted by Jen over at Teach Mentor Texts along with Kellee and Ricki at Unleashing Readers, participants share their reading adventures from the past week along with their reading plans for the week ahead.

My Monday posts are generally just a highlight of what I've been reading during the week so if you'd like to see all that I've been reading, follow my Goodreads page.

Last week I read and loved:

What Grew in Larry's Garden by Laura Alary, illustrated by Kass Reich

This book had my heart. A little girl named Grace likes to help her neighbor Larry with his beautiful backyard garden and throughout their friendship, they find ways to problem-solve not only in the garden, but in the community as well.

This Old Dog by Martha Brockenbrough, illustrated by Gabriel Alborozo

A succinct, yet stunningly written and heartfelt book that reminds us all what a privilege it is to love an old dog.

Saturdays are for Stella by Candy Wellins, illustrated by Charlie Eve Ryan

George loves that he gets to spend every Saturday with his Grandma Stella. They do all sorts of fun (and sometimes not-so-fun) things together. Until one day Stella is no longer there to spend every Saturday with. And now George has decided to cross out all the Saturdays on his calendar. That is, until a new Stella enters his life. A story that is a testament to the beauty and heartbreak of the cyclical nature of life. The Suitcase by Chris Naylor-Ballesteros It's really difficult to explain the emotional impact of this story without reading it for yourself. It manages to be lighthearted while also possessing a gravitas that is not overly didactic when it comes to how we should treat refugees and asylum seekers. This story is going to linger in my mind for a long time. Peanut Goes for the Gold by Jonathan Van Ness, illustrated by Gillian Reid Jonathan Van Ness, of Queer Eye fame, has created a lovely story about a guinea pig who identifies as nonbinary and marches to the beat of their own drum. This isn’t so much a teaching book as it is a book that seamlessly utilizes the singular they pronoun as a way to normalize it in speech and writing for kids and adults alike. There is no direct instruction here about what it means to use the singular they. it is just used in the story and is therefore normalized. I Talk Like a River by Jordan Scott, illustrated by Sydney Smith A moving poem about a boy with a stutter. The writing uses accessible figurative language to give the reader an opportunity to better understand what it means to live with a stutter. Currently (Still) Reading: I Have Something to Tell You by Chasten Buttigieg The Black Friend: On Being a Better White Person by Frederick Joseph\ Currently (Still) Reading with My Ears: Parkland by Dave Cullen

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? 10-19-20

 

It's Monday! What are you reading? Is a wonderful community of readers, teachers, and librarians. Hosted by Jen over at Teach Mentor Texts along with Kellee and Ricki at Unleashing Readers, participants share their reading adventures from the past week along with their reading plans for the week ahead.

My Monday posts are generally just a highlight of what I've been reading during the week so if you'd like to see all that I've been reading, follow my Goodreads page.

I recently read and loved:

Just Mercy by Bryan Stevenson

A moving account of one man's quest to right the wrongs of the unjustly imprisoned and sentenced to death. We Are Called to Be a Movement by William J. Barber II This book is a sermon given by Reverend William Barber at the National Cathedral in Washington DC. Reverend Barber is one of the foremost civil rights leaders of our country right now and deserves to be placed in the pantheon of other great civil rights leaders of past and present. His connection to social justice with scripture is masterful and his words give me hope. This sermon connects two verses of scripture one from the book of psalms and one from the gospel of Luke to show that the people that society shuns and rejects are the ones Jesus calls on to be a movement for change. So in rejecting the rejected, we are going against the teachings of Jesus and scripture. Resistance: A Songwriter's Story of Hope, Change, and Courage by Tori Amos Tori Amos became the defining musical artist of my adolescence and young adulthood. Reading this beautiful memoir took me back to many memories from that time. While I can’t say I generally understand all the words of her songs, the music still speaks more than the words. And while Tori’s artistic process is clearly not typical, bordering on avant-garde, her ability to articulate how art is political by its very existence is on full display in Resistance. The Lost Girl by Anne Ursu This beautiful story about how two twin sisters navigate the world in very different ways moved me so deeply. I’ve never read a middle grade novel where a main character was clearly an empath and for Anne Ursu to pair that with magical realism and feminist/girl power themes makes this one of my favorite middle grade novel I’ve read in a really long time. Lift by Minh Le, illustrated by Dan Santat Lovers of Journey by Aaron Becker will see many comparisons to Lift by Minh Le, a story about a little girl who recovers an old elevator button in the trash that whisks her away to new and wondrous places. Gnome by Fred Blunt A funny story that explains the “origin” of the garden gnome: rude gnomes get turned to stone by witches who then put the gnomes in their garden collection. Kevin the Unicorn: Why Can't We Be Bestie-corns? by Jessika von Innerebner A great book that illustrates to kids that you don’t have to be friends with everyone if you’re not compatible — it’s perfectly OK to just be friendly. Felix and the Monsters by Monica and Josh Holtsclaw I love how everything in this book is done subtly, whether it’s the political message that walls designed to keep people away are for tearing down or the humorous use of music, with the main character earnestly playing the keytar, Felix and the Monsters just begs to be read aloud to groups of kids of all ages. Girl on a Motorcycle by Amy Novesky, illustrated by Julie Morstad A beautiful book with stylish, moody illustrations that celebrates the beauty of travel and the reminder that the quote by Tolkien is true: not all who wander are lost. Southwest Sunrise by Nikki Grimes, illustrated by Wendell Minor Jayden moves from New York City to New Mexico and is sure he’s going to hate it, especially all the beiges and lack of color in the desert. But slowly he comes to appreciate all colors he does find and eventually discovers the wonder of his new home.

Currently reading:

I Have Something to Tell You by Chasten Buttigieg

The Black Friend: On Being a Better White Person by Frederick Joseph\

Currently Reading with My Ears:

Parkland by Dave Cullen

Short & Sweet by Josh Funk

Josh Funk is back with another Lady Pancake and Sir French Toast adventure, this time the two friends are feeling a little stale. Professor Biscotti has a contraption in his lab that will help to despoil them, but in an attempt to make them fresh again, they instead transform into little kids! Now it's a race against the clock for Professor Biscotti and Baron von Waffle to try to transform Lady Pancake and Sir French Toast back to their old selves.

I adore every picture book that Josh Funk creates, but I hold a special place in my heart for his Lady Pancake and Sir French Toast books. Not only is Josh one of the most effective and adept authors when it comes to rhyming picture books, which can get hokey really quickly, but this series speaks to the foodie in me loves his playful use of food in these stories. Phrases like the Fjords of Farfalle, Bran Canyon, and the Great Wall of Pine Nuts gave me a good chuckle (and made me a little bit hungry). 

But even better than his rhyming and clever use of foodie phrases, are his incredible book trailers which he created, recorded, and SANG himself. Yes, I think it's safe to say that Josh Funk is a jack of all picture book trades. 

Also watch the trailers from the previous books in the Lady Pancake and Sir French Toast series:

Short & Sweet by Josh Funk, illustrated by Brendan Kearney

Published: September 1, 2020

Publisher: Sterling

Pages: 40

Genre/ Format: Picture Book

Audience: Primary

Disclosure: Digital copy of book provided by author

If you buy this book or any book through Amazon, it is my hope that you also regularly patronize independent bookstores, which are important centerpieces of thriving communities. While I am an Amazon Affiliate, that by no means implies that I only buy my books through their website. Please make sure you are still helping small, independent bookstores thrive in your community. To locate an independent bookstore near you, visit IndieBound. 

It's Monday! What are you reading? 9-14-2020

                              

It's Monday! What are you reading? Is a wonderful community of readers, teachers, and librarians. Hosted by Jen over at Teach Mentor Texts along with Kellee and Ricki at Unleashing Readers, participants share their reading adventures from the past week along with their reading plans for the week ahead.

My Monday posts are generally just a highlight of what I've been reading during the week so if you'd like to see all that I've been reading, follow my Goodreads page.

Last week I read and loved:

Your Name is a Song by Jamilah Thompkins-Bigelow

A beautiful book that is a reminder to everyone, teachers especially, that names are sacred and we must respect them enough to learn how to pronounce them. A Journey Toward Hope by Victor Hinojosa and Coert Vorhees, illustrated by Susan Guevara A beautiful, heart-wrenching story about a group of children making the dangerous journey from Guatemala and El Salvador to seek asylum in the United States. Currently Reading: Just Mercy by Bryan Stevenson Point-less: An English Teacher's Guide to More Meaningful Grading by Sarah Zerwin My Life in the Fish Tank by Barbara Dee Currently reading with my ears: Invisible Ghosts by Robin Schneider

It's Monday! What are you reading? 9-7-2020

It's Monday! What are you reading? Is a wonderful community of readers, teachers, and librarians. Hosted by Jen over at Teach Mentor Texts along with Kellee and Ricki at Unleashing Readers, participants share their reading adventures from the past week along with their reading plans for the week ahead.

My Monday posts are generally just a highlight of what I've been reading during the week so if you'd like to see all that I've been reading, follow my Goodreads page.

Happy Labor Day! Since my last post at the end of July, a lot has happened. I have started school in person. I am now teaching 8th grade English again. And while I am grateful that I still have a job and I have an amazing class this year 1) I am grieving not being in the library this year and pray that this job shift is only temporary 2) I am extremely worried about being back in person, especially since I live and work in a college town.

But anyway. Here's what I've been up to reading-wise the past six weeks.

Say It Louder! Black Voters, White Narratives, and Saving Our Democracy by Tiffany D. Cross
Excellent. Excellent. Excellent. I loved Tiffany Cross's conviction in both her writing style and her narration of the audioibook.

Despite a media narrative that states otherwise, Black voters are not a monolith. And the criticism that they blindly vote for Democrats because there's some sort of unspoken rule in the Black community is incredibly disingenuous and lacks any sort of intellectual curiosity when it comes to Black America's motivations. The fact of the matter is, the Black community recognizes that all politics and systems in America seek to harm them in some way; they just choose to vote for the party that harms them the least. They are under no delusions that voting for Democrats is also not going to harm them in some way. They're just choosing the path of least resistance and least harm.

I love how Tiffany Cross provides readers (and listeners) with historical context and supplants that sense of intellectual curiosity that has been lacking in the media as to why Black America votes the way they do.

Cloud and Wallfish by Anne Nesbet
Berlin is my absolute favorite city in the entire world. The past and the present hold hands with each other in such interesting and seamless ways, and yet the city has a youthful energy that is almost palpable. So reading a book that takes place in East Berlin in 1989 just as the Iron Curtain is crumbling, it reminded me of all of that intrigue and beating pulse of the city.

Salma the Syrian Chef by Danny Ramadan, illustrated by Anna Bron
Salma just moved to Vancouver, Canada from Syria as a refugee. Despite missing her home and her father back in Syria, Salma and her mom are building a community in their new home. But Salma still sees the sadness in her mother and wants to cheer her up. She decides to enlist the help of her new community and make one of her mother's favorite dishes, but not without a few problems along the way. This is a beautiful story that shows just how powerful and impactful a welcoming community can be that provides safety nets for people who are struggling or in danger.

Natsumi's Song of Summer by Robert Paul Weston, illustrated by Nisa Saburi
An enchanting story of family, friendship, and summertime in Japan.

Izzy and Frank by Katrina Lehman, illustrated by Sophie Beer
Izzy loves her lighthouse home and especially loves her seagull friend, Frank. But then she has to move away from the home and friend she loves to the big city and she is sure she'll never see Frank again. But then one day, Frank finds her and brings her memories of her old home.

How to Write a Story by Kate Messner, illustrated by Mark Siegel
An excellent mentor text to use with students when doing any sort of fiction writing in class. I plan to use this when I do NaNoWriMo with my 8th graders.

That's Life! by Ame Dyckman, illustrated by Cori Doerrfeld
If this book had been written by a different author, it would have come off as hokey, didactic, and full of nothing but cliches and platitude. It's basically the picture book version of the Frank Sinatra song of the same name. But somehow the way Ame Dyckman does it, paired with Cori Doerrfeld's endearing illustrations, this book is an inspiring revelation.

Drawing on Walls: A story of Keith Haring by Matthew Burgess, illustrated by Josh Cochran
An inspiring and heartfelt picture book biography of the artist Keith Haring. His work really takes me back to when I was a child/teen in the late 80s/early 90s because his work really was part of the cultural zeitgeist.

How Women Won the Vote: Alice Paul, Lucy Burns, and Their Big Idea by Susan Campbell Bartoletti, illustrated by Ziyue Chen

A compelling account of women's suffrage in America 

Shirley Chisholm is a Verb! by Veronica Chambers, illustrated by Rachelle Baker
Fighting Shirley Chisholm, Unbought and Unbossed, was the first Black woman ever elected to Congress and the first woman to run for president. The fantastic biography, emphasizes all the ways Shirley Chisholm lived her life by doing.

Luci Soars by Lulu Delacre
What if your shadow is what is keeping you rooted to the ground and preventing you from flying?

Currently Reading:

Just Mercy by Bryan Stevenson

Point-less: An English Teacher's Guide to More Meaningful Grading by Sarah Zerwin