Wonderful Expierence

What a wonderful experience it was to work at the Jan Paris Bookfest!

I enjoyed every second of it and can't wait to attend others in the future.

I caught myself tearing up several times throughout the day because I was filled with joy. I feel so fortunate that I found a career that I truly love and admire. So blessed to love what I do and look forward to what the future holds. So itching to get into the library!

Yesterday's Bookfest was a self reassurance that taking the leap to leave what I went to college to do and getting an Alternative Certification in Education and now a Master's in Library Science was worth every penny, worry and stress along the way.

Some of my favorite quotes yesterday from Naomi Shihab Nye.....

You have enough time!

Give up the word "too busy"!

You get your ideas by looking around you and listening.

Find someone to share with.

Simplify, Simplify, Simplify!

Thank you SHSU for giving me the opportunity to follow my dreams!

The Penderwicks at Point Mouette by Jeanne Birdsall

The Penderwicks at Point Mouette by Jeanne Birdsall is another lovely story about the Penderwick families adventurous summers. For the first time, the girls are separated in the story and the three younger girls vacation with their Aunt Claire in Maine while Rosalind heads another direction. Skye takes the roll on as being the "oldest" of the clan and is terrified with the responsibilities that come with it especially controlling Batty's emotions. New roles, relationships and adventures!

Another fun read that made me smile. This book started of a little slower than the others but I still enjoyed it and was not disappointed. So happy that I have a wonderful series to recommend to my higher reading third grade girls. Precious.

The Penderwicks on Gardam Street by Jeanne Birdsall

The Penderwicks on Gardam Street by Jeanne Birdsall is another adventure about the four sisters and their family. Before their mother passed away she left a note for Mr.Pendwewick insisting that years after her death he move on in search of another companion. The girls, as well as Mr. Penderwick, are not too fond of this idea and can't believe their mother would truly request such a thing. The girls plot together to keep their Father to themselves!

Love, love this sweet and comforting book even more the first. A warming realistic read that soothes the soul. When Birdsall is done with the series, I would like to see a movie!

The Penderwicks by Jeanne Birdsall

The Penderwicks: A Summer Tale of Four Sisters, Two Rabbits, and a Very Interesting Boy by Jeanne Birdsall is a sweet story about a family of four young sisters. They have an adventurous summer on the Arundel estate and meet a young boy, Jeffrey, who tags along in their fun. A down to earth realistic story about family, adventure and fun.

This is my kind of book! Loved this type of literature as a child and it stills holds a place in my heart today. There was nothing I disliked about this book! Great novels for families to read together.

The Tree is Older Than You Are selected by Naomi Shihab Nye

Naomi Shihab Nye gathered an abundant amount of wonderful bilingual poems and stories from Mexico to compose this wonderful Mexican inspired book. It contains many short and long poems as well as short stories with the translations. I find it a very useful and great resource to use on my bilingual campus as we are currently studying poetry.

Going Going by Naomi Shihab Nye

Going Going by Naomi Shihab Nye is a narrative story about an off beat teen who is unlike most of her peers. She is corky and different and confident by just being herself. Florrie takes a stand and decides to boycott the large businesses that have taken over her hometown of San Anontio. Her grass root campaign efforts are supported by her family and the few friends she does have. She gains small media attention but infinitely the battle cannot be won. She takes a stand for what she believes in and fights for her beliefs and values.

This was an easy read with many connections and references to San Antonio. It addresses the issues of changing world and the impact of large multibillion dollar businesses taking over the small family owned mom and pop shops.

Flora's Very Windy Day by Jeanne Birdsall

Flora's Very Windy Day by Jeanne Birdsall is about a little girl who becomes aggravated because her little brother, Crispin, continuously gets in her belongings and creates messes. After Crispin spills her paints, mother insists they go outside together. It's a very windy day so Flora puts on her heavy jacket and big heavy duty red boots in hopes that the wind will not blow her away. Her brother on the other hand is just dressed regular purple boots and the wind begins to blow him away. Flora removes her boots as her brother begins to be taken by the wind. The wind picks up Flora and together they fly with the wind. They meet a dragonfly, sparrow, rainbow, cloud, eagle, and moon who invite Crispin, the brother, to stay with them. Flora protects her brother and refuses their offers and responds by saying that she needs to take him back home. Finally the wind offers to take them back home as soon as he finds a great spot for her brother. She express to the wind that she really just wants to take him back home and he obliges.

This a story about a brother and sister's relationship and the struggles that siblings sometimes face. Even though they may get aggravated with each other at times, they really do love each other and Flora wants Crispin to remain her brother and stay with her forever. I though it read smoothly until I came to the page where Flora speaks with the wind. It seems as though the whole message of the story is revealed on just one page and then the story ends apruptly.

Benito's Dream Bottle by Naomi Shihab Nye

A sweet story about a little boy who is worried that his grandmother has lost the ability to dream. He sets out to help his grandmother fill her dream bottle back up. His grandmother is finally able to dream again and Benito is filled with joy.

A happy story filled about a bond held between family especially a young boy and his grandmother. Illustrations are soft and imaginative just as the story is told.