After two glorious springlike days here in New Hampshire, we’re experiencing snow again on March 9.  However, it’s not unusual to have snow in March and some of our worst storms.
When I was growing up, we children heard stories of the “Blizzard of ‘88″ and my grandparents’ experience.  In the eastern part of the United States, the storm began on March 11 and paralyzed cities, towns, and the countryside.  My grandfather told of shoveling snow from the house to the barn that was above his head.  Others tales related how people got lost in it and froze to death.
An earlier blizzard occurred in the western part of the …read more

Tonight we turn our clocks ahead…and get up an hour earlier in the morning.  I enjoy the longer evenings of daylight and somehow find I get so much more done.
However, until the year approaches its longest day, in June, our mornings remain darker.  If we’re earlier risers, we’ll find it dark or dawn.  But…we may have the glorious adventure of watching the sunrise rather than having it fully daylight when we get up.
Do you find Daylight Savings Time affecting your schedule, lifestyle and the youngsters?  Or do you look upon it as an adventure, a time to get more done and …read more

Banning children’s books, because of lead concerns, remains somewhat in limbo.  The latest interpretation to come down the pike seems to say that vintage books and those published pre-1985 are banned because of possible traces of lead in some books due to the publishing/printing process.  Even giving these books away may violate the law, the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act of 2008,  that went into effect Feb. 10.
For more unformation and updates on the topic, you may want to read these articles.  They’re only a few of those circulating in print and online publications.
Congress Orders Up a Beatrix Potter Bonfire
The Death …read more

Abraham Lincoln, our 16th President, has come into the news recently:
*Barack Obama chose to go by train, over Mr. Lincoln’s route, as he made his way to Washington for the weekend of celebrations and the Inauguration.
*He also chose Mr. Lincoln’s Bible to use for taking his oath of office during the Inauguration.
Many youngsters may not have heard of Abraham Lincoln or are aware of his significance and relationship to black people in America.  Mr. Lincoln was President during the Civil War years and issued the Emancipation Proclamation giving the slaves freedom.
For more Lincoln information:
Lincoln by David Herbert Donald
A Picture Book of Abraham …read more

Whether you voted for Barach Obama or someone else, your children will be learning about him as the 44th President of the United States and the opportunities that exist for any natural born citizen of this country.  Most schools featured live TV coverage of the Inauguration for teachers, support staff and students.  Books already are out about Barack Obama.
As youngsters study Obama and the Presidency, you may want to acquire books, too, for your own library or home study program.
A few suggestions:
Barack Obama, President for a New Era (Gateway Biographies) by Marlene Targ Brill
Barack Obama: Our 44th President by Beatrice …read more

It’s imperative that we have youngsters who can think, solve problems and see beneath the surface.  So many act impulsively and haven’t learned to consider before they act.  They also often don’t analyze what they see and hear. 
I was impressed when I talked with a teen yesterday and listened to her reaction to President Obama’s Inaugural speech.  (Many schools provided TV coverage of the Inauguration for students, teachers, and support staff to watch.  If it were lunch time, students took their trays back to the classroom or central area with TV.)  This teen’s reaction showed she is learning to think for herself …read more

We often encounter discussions about the censorship or control of books published, read in schools, and available in libraries.  The debate ranges from free access to books to strict government control of the ideas presented.  This often becomes a heated topic.
What about more control of the Internet and thus what is available there for kids, as well as adults?  When is control/governmental restrictions a good idea, and when does it infringe upon individual control and parents’ responsibility for raising their children?
Aaron Brazell, at Tchnosailor, has an interesting post, UK Plans to Keep Kids Safe on the Web, Ignores Hisory, that gives insight …read more

Gov. Sarah Palin

After a long line of celebrities that offer young girls examples of drugs, drunkenness and jail time, Sarah Palin comes through as a breath of fresh air, providing them with a vision of accomplishment, goals achieved and patriotism.
Has she made mistakes – Yes. 
Is she perfect – No  
Are all celebrities poor role models – No
However, Sarah Palin offers a vision for girls (and their moms and grandmothers), that they can be all round youngsters and teens, can believe in themselves and their ideals….and go on to achieve what they set their mind on that is good and right.
What do you want to be …read more

OneBookTwoBook.com
Children also encounter Alzheimer’s when a family member becomes stricken.  They can learn to accept it as part of life and still enjoy that person or become fearful, depending on how you approach it.
Today, September 21, has been designated at World Alzheimer’s Day, when activities focus on world awareness of Alzheimer’s disease.  Various events, such as walkathons, workshops, get-togethers have as their goal…creating more awareness of this disease and the people who have been stricken with it. 
My grandchildren never knew my mom (their great grandmother) without Alzheimer’s, so they accepted Grandma DeeDee as the person they visited in the nursing home.  …read more

OneBookTwoBook.com

Remembering 9/11 occurred across the country today. 
 At the school where I was substitute teaching, the students and faculty gathered at the flag pole in front of the building.  Police and firemen from the community, along with other citizens joined them for a short talk, pledge of allegiance, and to sing “This Land is Your Land.”
On 9/11/01, I also was substitute teaching, in first grade that day, when the principal stopped by my room and handed me a note, mentioning what was happening and that the television in the teacher’s room was on.  Until we knew more, we weren’t to alarm …read more