Hanna's Suitcase by Karen Levine

"Once there was a little girl named Hana Brady. She lived in Czechoslovakia with her beloved family. She liked to ski cross-country with her brother and play with her wolfhound and her fluffy, white kittens. She helped her father at the family’s general store. More than 50 years later, a suitcase with her name on it was sent to an education center in Japan. School children learned all about Hana and what happened to her during the Holocaust, a story told with words and photos in Hana’s Suitcase." For some audio - check out - http://www.radio.cz/en/section/curraffrs/hanas-suitcase-a-tragic-story-from-the-holocaust-with-a-message-of-hope  This is a wonderful book for anyone interested in this time in history.  Powerful!

Claudette Colvin by Phillip Hoose

A  book by Phillip Hoose, "Claudette Colvin, Twice Toward Justice," describes how the girl stood her ground, yelling, "It's my constitutional right" as the cops pulled her off the bus, threw her into the back of a cop car, and handcuffed her through the window. In Hoose's telling, a teacher named Geraldine Nesbitt had emboldened her students, teaching them about the 14th Amendment. "It just so happens they picked me at the wrong time—it was Negro History Month, and I was filled up like a computer," Colvin tells NEWSWEEK, "I felt like Sojourner Truth was pushing down on one shoulder and Harriet Tubman, the other".

Check out this biography when you start to intoduce or review the ideas of civil rights.

Peaceful Heroes by Jonah Winter

This inspiring book chronicles the biographies of men and women who have acted heroically without using violence. A remarkable volume in both text and illustration, Peaceful Heroes will soon become a favorite on every school and library bookshelf. The entire family can read and discuss it together; teachers will find it great for discussion starters and research. The figures profiled are Jesus, Gandhi, Martin Luther King, Sojourner Truth, Clara Barton and nine others. The introduction traces the word “hero” from its historical meaning to today's usage, and challenges readers to develop their own list of peaceful heroes.

Women's History Month - Women in Space - Female Astronauts and Cosmonauts

These scientists and astronauts have "paved" the way for young women to explore areas, including space!  Check out these names and accomplishments.  Biographies found as well.   Did you know ..........SVETLANA SAVITSKAYA - The first woman to perform a space walk was Soviet cosmonaut Svetlana Savitskaya in July 1984.  For some notable famous scientists ................

March is Women's History Month - a collection of lesser known, but still famous women

Check out these sources for stories about famous women, these are names that you may never have heard, but still have logged great accomplishments!
Some important dates in women's history, found in a timeline format. Try helping your youngster make a timelime of their life.
Download book marks to use in your favorite biography here, as well as reading about more current women making history at this very time.

Some coloring book pages as well, help to display this memorable month.

And who can resist checking out these famous women children's book illustrators - from Beatrix Potter of Peter Rabbit fame to one of my favorites, Tasha Tudor and her corgies!

March is Women's History Month - Beatrix Potter

March is Women's History Month - Helen Keller

There are so many resources and stories about this courageous woman.  From picture books, to primary resources actually written by Miss Keller, readers are able to learn so much more about diabiities, historical times and the determination of a teacher and her student.  Check out some of these titles and activities - from the American Foundation for the  Blind,

Take  a "road trip" to visit her birthplace in Alabama.  A rare 1930 video shows both her teacher and the student, not sure of its authenticity, but interesting none the less.

March is Women's History Month - Elizabeth Blackwell

US "physician, author".  she was the first woman to receive an MD in modern times, 1849; founded London School of Medicine for Women, 1875. Some great children's biographies will introduce young readers to this famous person.  Check out "My Hero" for a report on her life.

"It is not easy to be a pioneer -- but oh, it is fascinating! I would not trade one moment, even the worst moment, for all the riches in the world."

March is Women's History Month - Eleanor Roosevelt

Another first lady, but not your average "first lady".  A champion of social causes, Mrs. Roosevelt's life has been chronicled in a number of books.  One I just have to share by a favorite author and illustrator - Barbara Cooney.  This biography shares the early life of this famous American and the challenges she faced. Another title for readers is Eleanor by Russell Freeman.  This Newbery Award winner shares the life of Mrs. Roosevelt using beautiful pictures and factual details. 

Some classroom connections and activities such as writing a letter, a virtual; trip to the U.N, making a timeline, etc. are fun.

March is Women's History Month - Jane Goodall

A sciencetist and champion of animals, Jane Goodall's life is fascinating.  An Institute has been established and more information about her causes may be found there. Children love learning about her and the wonderfully, funny and interesting life of the chimpanzes that she has made famous. See videos on Animal Planet.  There is also a chimp quiz you can take. She has written books about her adventures. More detailed information about her intersting life is found at http://www.notablebiographies.com/Gi-He/Goodall-Jane.html 

Check out this famous woman adventurer.

Happy St. Patrick's Day

Happy St. Patrick's Day!  Just a few fun ideas to share ................. Check out this Gail Gibbons book about the famous saint. Here are some coloring pages as well for your creative leprechaun. Jan Brett has some activities to celebrate the day, bookmarks, postcards, and a great placement for your holiday meal! Check out some of her wonderfully illustrated stories about March 17th as well.  One of our favorites by Tomie de Paola shares some familiar facts about the famous saint.

March is Women's History Month - Marian Anderson

This singer, born in Philadelphia PA, made history not only in the music world, but politiaclly as well.  A great person to share with young adults, she was thrown into the limelight when she gave a concert on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial in 1939 following events that led to being banned from singing in another venue.  A Museum and Historical Society have been formed in her name and are both located in Center City Philadelphia. While I am not an opera fan, one can appreciate her talent. Listen to her sing!  A video of her performance in front of 75 000 and millions on the radio is inspiring as one listens to God Bless America.

Pam Munoz Ryan shares Ms Anderson's story in When Marian Sang, a wonderful picture book to share with all ages.  

March is Women's History Month - Georgia O'Keeffe

Born in Sun Prairie, Wisconsin, Georgia O'Keeffe was a painter known for her unique, individualistic style. Her work is evoking the sense of the subject of the painting -- and somehow both realistic and abstract.
Georgia O'Keeffe painted both New England -- including New York -- and the Southwest. Her paintings of flowers and bones are perhaps the most recognizable of her images.

Georgia O'Keeffe (Getting to Know the World's Greatest Artists) by Mike Venezia is a great picture book to share. This is part of a series of books that include artisits Calder, Cezanne, DaVinci, Degas, Van Gogh, and many, many others.  Check them out. In the meantime, enjoy some of O'Keefe's most famous works at her museum.....................

March is Women's History Month - Where to start?

A little change of pace today - I thought I might share some internet resources to highlight many famous women this month, rather than just one.  So for all of you looking for something to do with your young people on a Friday in March ............... here we go ......................

Start with an internet scavenger hunt from Education World to learn the names of over 20 women of note, then there is the National Women's History Project to check out, then take a look at Distinguished Women Past and Present. This site features over 5000 links to over 1800 women. Here's your webquest and quiz for today - do you know anything about Sarah Caldwell, Phillis Wheatley, Queen Liluokulani or Coco Chanel? Well, now you do!  While you are searching, check out The State of Women in the World Atlas by Joni Seager. Share with a friend and both of you will have gained important historical and social knowledge!

March is Women's History Month - Marie Curie

For all those inquisitive young minds out there - check out Marie Curie. A Nobel Prize winner in Physics in 1903 (yes, a woman, 1903). There are many biographies written about this famous woman, more slanted toward adults.  There are a few children's books out there to introduce our young aspiring scientists to this woman.  Gotta love the title - Get a Life - Marie Curie, by Philip Ardagh.

March is Women's History Month - Maria Tallchief

Born on a reservation and moving to Los Angeles as a young girl, dance lessons opened up the wonderful opportunities to this famous ballerina.  A must know for any child interested in dance and music. Dancing in Firebird, her performance was called "electrifying". Experiences with the American Ballet Theater and the New York City Ballet, she danced with Rudolf Nureyev, premiering on television in 1962.

The children's book Tallchief: America's Prima Ballerina by Rosemary Wells, introduces children to the life and accomplishments of this determined woman. Check out book reviews for this picture book.

March is Women's History Month - Dolley Madison

I recently saw a great show about this first lady - PBS American Experience.  Widowed at an early age, her first husband died in the Fever epidemic in Philadelphia in 1793 (see former post), she married James Madison and was the first woman to champion causes as first lady. 

Another Adler biography traces the accomplishments and historical facts sourrounding this courageous lady who saved a painting during the War of 1812.  This is a great story to begin sharing with young girls (and boys). 



Check out another book on this same topic.

Women's History Month - Emily Dickinson

A mysterious, yet intriguing truly American poet - check out a wonderfully illustrated book by Barbara Cooney - Emily by Michael Bedard. Set from the point of view of a child, this fictionalized account takes a look into the life of this poet. Read more about this poet and book. Some great vocabulary activities, complete with audio pronunciation are included. Be sure your sound is enabled.
Check out other wonderful books written and illustrated by Cooney.

"Not knowing when the dawn will come, I open every door." —Emily Dickinson

March is Women's History Month - Sandra Day O'Connor

As the first female justice on the Supreme Court, Ms O'Connor has secured a place in United States history.  A wonderful opportunity for girls (and boys) to read about the journey people have taken to reach their dreams.

Another series of books entitled - "Meet My Grandmother: She's a ........................." are interesting and thought provoking.  They certainly remind us that "grandmothers" can do amazing things!

March is Women's History Month - Maria Mitchell

An astronomer, educator and first woman elected to the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, she discovered a comet from her Nantucket Island rooftop observatory in 1847. A graduate of Vassar College, she blazed a trail for women to study the sciences. Check out Maria's Comet by Deborah Hopkinson and Maria Mitchell by Beatrice Gormley. An Association has been established at her home in Massachusetts.

 "When we are chafed and fretted by small cares, a look at the stars will show us the littleness of our own interests."