frosted fresh and white

"Over the snow, the world is hushed and white. But under the snow exists a secret kingdom of squirrels and snow hares, bears and bullfrogs, and many other animals that live through the winter safe and warm, awake and busy, under the snow. Discover the wonder and activity that lies beneath winter’s snowy landscape in this magical book."  ~ Chronicle Books

Over and Under the Snow


Over and Under the Snow is a lovely book for kids (& grown ups) who enjoy exploring nature & snow. It follows a little girl and her father as they ski through the woods on their way home. As they ski, they talk about all the animals living beneath the snow, their habitats, and how they survive the winter. Kate Messner is a favorite author of mine who I follow on twitter (@KateMessner), and Christopher Silas Neal's illustrations are beautifully simple and stunning.

keep reading, keep reaching

To reach the top, we stand on the books we've read.

things I love...

... nerdy book humor.

From a recent episode of the Simpsons... Bart asks Lisa if she really needs all this Kurt Vonnegut. Lisa replies, "They self-reference each other!"

often go wrong

I finally ordered the book, The Pull of Gravity, by Gae Polisner.
It's embarrassing to say, but I have been avoiding this book because of the cover. 

Take a look:

Ugh... right?

But, with my new found love of Steinbeck, and this being a book about a book (Of Mice and Men)... I had to get past my petty judgement... Gang aft agley


How can I possibly avoid a book that contains 3 of my favorite things: troll dolls, Yoda, and Steinbeck?

but in ourselves

I love John Green, how can I not? 
I also love nerdfighters and brotherhood 2.0 and vlogbrothers.


So, of course, I bought a copy of The Fault in our Stars.  I have been looking forward to reading it, but I could not find where I put it (which can be frustrating and exacerbates my nagging fear of being a disorganized book hoarder).


Come to find out, my copy of The Fault in our Stars ended up being donated in the auction basket for the Learning Lab tomorrow. Mystery solved and hoarder disorder avoided (for now).


Here's a clip of John Green. I know you'll love him. He shares my ongoing irritation, fascination, and annoyance with the oxford comma - another one of his endearing qualities.  



Here's one more John Green video blog that I love... I just couldn't help myself.

one tiny, one tall

One of my favorite early reader books is Bink & Gollie by Kate DiCamillo and AlisonMcGhee, illustrated by Tony Fucile.

Bink & Gollie are two best friends... 

one tiny (Bink), one tall (Gollie).

This book is amazing and charming beyond all expectations. 

I love to give it to all the 7 year olds I know.

And now... there's more... coming in June!

iPad literacy apps

Question Builder is designed to help children learn to answer abstract questions and create responses based on inference.

Popplet is a productivity app that also works as a mind mapping tool. Use the app to begin structuring the writing process. The app can also be used to create graphic organizers, classroom visuals, organize material according to text structures (list, sequence, compare–contrast, cause–effect), and to practice sentence combining and complex sentence creation by connecting individual "Popples." Not ready to commit to the $4.99 price tag? Try out Popplet Lite for free.

SimpleMind is a basic mind mapping tool that turns an iPhone/iPod into a brainstorming, idea collection and thought structuring device. SimpleMind's limited options make it a good tool for students that are new to mind mapping. Not ready to commit to the $6.99 price tag? Try out SimpleMind Lite for free