Tales to Welcome Your Little Ones to School Spotlight #1- Biscuit Loves the Library

     As we welcome the month of September, the countdown to the days before the start of a new school year for our little ones has begun.  Now is an absolutely perfect time for you and your little ones to read stories together that are guaranteed to bring a smile to their understandably nervous faces as they prepare to embark on a new journey that will be filled with lots of adventure, knowledge and imagination.  

      Over the course of the next two weeks, I'll be shining a spotlight on some of the latest as well as those familiar classic "Back-to-School" tales that will provide your little ones (and, well, let's face it, you too!) with a comforting sense of reassurance as they begin the start of a brand-new school year. For this "Throwback Tuesday", let's take another look at a tale that I featured a while back, Biscuit Loves the Library. 

       The sweet adventures of Biscuit, the cuddly little Golden Retriever puppy continue with beloved author Alyssa Satin Capucilli's Biscuit Loves the Library.  As our tale begins, it's "Read to Your Pet Day" at the library and the curious puppy and his best friend, the little girl, are so excited as they join other  two and four-legged furry friends to explore all the many things that the library has to offer.

     As our duo searches for what we liked to call in the library at the elementary school I used to work in, as that, "just right book," Biscuit, just like most puppies, is very inquisitive and easily distracted by so many new things around him--- the straw basket filled to the brim with soft, snugly puppets, to not quite getting a grasp on why he can't get a nibble of the big, juicy looking bone on the cover of a book on dinosaurs. But, just when their search for that special book seems to be heading nowhere, along comes a friendly, helpful librarian to show the way with a very touching surprise guaranteed to bring smiles.
    Alyssa Satin Capucilli's text is filled with easy, repetitive words designed for building early recognition skills, and it is just right for beginning readers to handle. A simple tale that is perfect for sharing at nighttime story time, not only provides your little ones with a perfect introduction of libraries (much to my joy!) but gives them a gentle lesson on the power of kindness.

Biscuit Loves the Library (I Can Read!-Shared My First Reading)
Written by Alyssa Satin Capucilli & Illustrations by Pat Schories
Publisher: Harper, an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers (2014)
Website: www.harpercollinschildrens.com
Retails for $16.99 (Hardcover)
For ages 4 thru 8
ISBN: 978-0-06-193507-7

Rest in Peace, Dolly Parton

There are no words really that can truly express how sad I am to hear about the passing of the legend that is Dolly Parton. Obviously known for paving the way for generations of women in the music industry, Dolly accomplished all of this with a mixture of determination, guts and remained so humble and so kind to all who were so lucky to be inspired by her. This is a true rarity today.

She never forgot where she came from, and it is her work through establishing the Imagination Library that I have the utmost admiration for. Dolly’s tireless work to help countless generations of children to have access to books and develop a love of reading that she had as a child, started in the hills of her beloved home state of Tennessee. Thirty years later, the Imagination Library has now grown not only nationwide but across four countries. “Because books my friends, are true magic bound between two covers,” she stated. 

I am comforted knowing that she is reunited with her beloved husband, and I know most certainly that the heavens choir of angels now has a beautiful soloist in their midst. You were my Uncle Bill’s favorite, Dolly. Please say hello to him in heaven. 

Dolly truly was a beautiful light in a very broken world. Rest in Peace.

Flashback Friday- Sam's Birthmark

     For my very first Flashback Friday post,  I am shining a new spotlight on Martha & Grant Griffin's What Makes Me Shine: Sam's Birthmark which was published in 2012. Martha and Grant and my family share several things in common--- both of our sons were born on a very warm day; both of us exclaimed that are boys were, "just perfect" moments after their births, and both of our sons share something that makes them very special---they were born with a vascular birthmark (Barron was born with a Port-Wine Stain and our son was diagnosed with a Hemangioma when he was four weeks-old).

     "It's unique to be different.  Unique is a good thing," said Martha Griffin during our recent phone conversation.  They are the words that have not only helped to sustain and comfort both her and her husband; they have been instilled in their little boy who approaches his birthmark with a very matter-of-fact reasoning that it's, "only his birthmark, and it's no big deal," and are the driving force behind their very first book, What Makes Me Shine:  Sam's Birthmark.

     As our tale begins, little Sam delights in all those favorite activities as other little boy's do---playing with trucks, running in the park and chasing after his dog, Shakespeare.  Life seems typically ordinary for Sam until one day, while playing in the playground, a little girl points at his face and asks, "What is that big red mark you have on your head?"
        "It's my birthmark," replied Sam, I've had it from day one."  But, when the little girl bluntly tells Sam, "Well," said Amy, "it makes you different from everyone!" Sam asks his mother if this was true.  Gently, and with calm honesty, Sam's mother explains that when he looks around at all of the people in his life, there are many things that make them all different.  "Will's red freckles and Elise's curly hair make them one-of-a-kind."
         Filled with lovely illustrations by Mary Anne Smiley, the Griffin's simple, refreshingly honest tale warmed my heart.  As the mother of a child with a vascular birthmark, I too, faced many of the same questions, unwanted comments and stares when my son was a baby, and I longed for a book that would also help to reinforce the same advice that my husband and I instilled in our son.  I am extremely grateful that the Griffin's saw this need and have created a beautiful story for all of the families like my own to share with their children.
     As for the Griffin's literary future, Martha revealed that they plan on following up with a series of books in the future that will, "embrace all that makes our children unique." Whether you are looking for a story that promotes tolerance and acceptance of others as part of an anti-bullying lesson for your class, or if you are just interested in a story that celebrates what makes our children one-of-a-kind, What Makes Me Shine:  Sam's Birthmark will be a perfect fit.

     What Makes Me Shine:  Sam's Birthmark is available on Amazon.com 


Momma's Side Note:
     For those of you who are unfamiliar with the various types of vascular birthmarks, here's a little bit of info: The American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) states that of the nearly four million children born in the United States each year, nearly 1 in ten infants, or 400,000 are born with a vascular birthmark. 
     The Nemours Foundation, based in Wilmington, Delaware, explains that Port-wine stains occur in about three out of every 1,000 births and are diagnosed equally among males and females.  Port-wine stains develop when an area of skin doesn't receive an adequate supply of nerve fibers to assist in keeping the blood vessels contracted.  When there is a lack of nerve fibers, capillaries (small blood vessels) continue to expand, allowing a large amount of blood to flow into the blood vessels, causing a stain to appear under the skin. 
      Port-wine stains are commonly found on the face, but they can also appear anywhere on an infant's body.  Port-wine stains appear flat in shape and are commonly pink/red in color at birth, and they will darken to a reddish-purple color as a child grows.  Laser therapy has made a tremendous impact on treatment, as this is the only method available that not only has the capability to destroy the tiny blood vessels in the skin, but also causes the least amount of significant damage to a child's overlying skin.
     For further information about vascular birthmarks, please visit the Vascular Birthmark Foundation's website at: www.birthmarks.org

Summer Reads Before the Season Slips Away!

 

      It seems like we all blinked too fast and now, here we are in August!  Although the end of summer is quickly approaching this month, I wanted to share a few tales for you all to carry along in a beach bag or in the car, to soak up at a leisurely pace before you and your little ones have to say goodbye to this sunny season!

Paddington at the Beach  

     Once I turned the first page of this tale, I was immediately transported back to my childhood growing up on the North Shore of Long Island, where I lived minutes away from the beaches along the Long Island Sound.

     As our tale begins, a series of mishaps plague everyone's sweet, favorite bear at what was meant to be a serene day at the beach.  Paddington loses his bucket as it's carried away by the waves from the safety of the shore.  His attempts to enjoy flying his new kite go awry as it snaps in two and crashes into the water. And, a flock of gathering seagulls who witness poor sweet Paddington's peaceful day at the beach turn into a series of disappointments, notice that he has a honey bun in the inside of his coat pocket. They decide to team up to steal his treat! Will Paddington be able to save his snack from the hungry pack or does he have a trick up his sleeve?  This engagingly simple tale also makes a perfect way to reinforce number learning skills with your little ones.

Paddington at the Beach
Written by Michael Bond & Illustrated by R.W. Alley
Publisher:  Harper, an Imprint of HarperCollins Publishers
For ages 4 to 8
Retails for $17.99 (Hardcover)

Penguin on Vacation     

     Ahh.... a tropical island paradise.  What I wouldn't give to be able to transport myself to a place where I can sit, relax, listen to the waves of the ocean while reading a good book.  The very sight of the cover of author/illustrator Salina Yoon's story--featuring a little penguin, clad in a magenta flowered lea, holding onto a suitcase, and clutching a beach ball on the seashore, brought these wonderful thoughts to my mind, as well as an instant smile on my face.  

     As our tale begins, after dealing with months of continual snow, poor little Penguin decides that the time has come for him to escape on a vacation.  But where should he go?  Quickly, inspiration strikes as he spots a cruise ship in the distance.  "That's it!  I'll go on vacation to the beach."  He packs his suitcase and sets off, adrift on an iceberg heading for surf, sand and sunshine!  

     However, as soon as he arrives, sweet little Penguin quickly starts to realize that the warm draw of the tropics isn't quite what he anticipated and begins to feel homesick.  A little crab, instinctively sensing Penguin's feelings, kindly shows him that even though the island isn't quite like his snowy hometown, he has so many new things to learn, see and explore on the island.  But alas, all good things come to an end, and Penguin bids goodbye to his tropical paradise, and his new friend, and returns home.  A surprise comes Penguin's way, in the form of a visit from his pal crab, who, just like Penguin, was starting to grow tired of the island, and longed to see the snowy land that Penguin calls home.  And, just as Penguin's vacation ended, little crab has to return home to the island, but he leaves Penguin with a sweet note that arrives in, what else, a crab shell that says, "I shell return."  Penguin on Vacation is an absolutely adorable book that shows children in a gentle way the joy of experiencing new places, trying new things outside of our comfort zone, and the power of friendship.

Penguin on Vacation
Written & Illustrated by Salina Yoon
Publisher:  Walker Childrens, an imprint of Bloomsbury Publishing (2013)
For ages 3 to 6
Retails for $14.99 (Hardcover)

Flip & Fin-Super Sharks to the Rescue! 

       Flip and Fin, the sand shark twins, inspired by their favorite Saturday morning television show, really want to be able to save the day just like their favorite characters, Sammy Saw Shark and Harry Hammerhead. "Faster than a sailfish!  Tougher than a clamshell!" (these words quickly brought back memories of the opening lines from one of my favorite shows when I was young- Batman with Adam West and Burt Ward!) 

     Swimming around their home in the ocean through the coral reefs, they meet their friends, Swimmy and Moll.  All four quickly decide to become super sharks and race to the top of the surface. Zipping and flipping their way through the huge waves, they encounter something very unusual. It was round, and when Flip decided to do a flip on it, this strange thing bounced!  Realizing that this bouncy round thing belonged to the humans and that they might be missing it, the fantastic four decide that they will be the ones to bring it to them!

     But when they arrive at the shores of the beach where lots of humans were enjoying cooling off in the water and greet them while Flip balanced the round bouncy thing on his nose, the humans get into a panic at the sight of the sharks, hightailing it back to the beach.  Will the fantastic flipper four be able to win over the humans?  This delightfully goofy tale is a perfect read aloud for the littlest shark enthusiast and is right on time this month for the annual Shark Week!

    

Flip & Fin-Super Sharks to the Rescue!

Written by Timothy Gill & Illustrated by Neil Numberman

Publisher:  Greenwillow Books, an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers

For ages 4 thru 8

Retails for $15.99 (Hardcover)

In Memory of Simon of Simon Sits

     Like many, I have followed the New York Times Best-Selling Author of Dogs, Boys and Other Things I've Cried About, Isabel Klee's Instagram page, Simon Sits, for almost three years. And, like many this past weekend, my heart broke over the passing of a beloved dog that most of us never had the opportunity to meet but were honored to share along in the privilege of watching this most special duo shine a huge light on the power of fostering the most vulnerable, abused, medically complex dogs. Isabel and Simon working together inspired countless people across our nation and the world to start the journey of fostering as well as opening their homes forever for these precious dogs that all too often are overlooked.  

     Our family has much in common with Isabel. Both of us opened our doors and our hearts to rescuing medically complex, senior special needs dogs. Our beloved special needs senior Buttons, blessed our lives for two years, passing in 2024, and now our three-year-old Oliver, who brought the joy back to our home, was diagnosed with a chronic eye condition called Keratoconjunctivitis sicca (KCS) in May of this year. We have been tremendously grateful for Isabel's efforts in shining a spotlight on these souls-caring and nurturing these dogs physical and emotional needs while helping them find their forever homes.  Sweet Simon supported his mom throughout her journey in fostering, lovingly shared his home, his toys and his humans with countless dogs who came through their Brooklyn, New York doors.  Followers like me, watched in awe of Simon's gentle, knowing ways, helping to guide his foster siblings to trust again, all the while being medically compromised himself as he suffered from severe seizures and sadly was recently diagnosed with inoperable cancer.  Last week, Simon's parents made the heart wrenching decision to end Simon's suffering.  

    Author Martin Dejnicki most aptly wrote once that, "Dogs leave pawprints on our hearts." The pawprints that Simon left on all of our hearts are immeasurable. May this most special boy be welcomed to heaven, as he was truly an angel on earth.

     In honor of Simon, I'd like to share a beautifully touching story called Champ's Story:  Dogs Get Cancer Too!, which was published in 2010 by award-winning children's author/medical journalist Sherry North and Illustrated by Kathleen Rietz.  I featured this story here back in 2014, and I believe that it is very fitting to share it once again with you all.

     As our tale begins, young Cody and his ever-faithful Golden Retriever puppy named Champ, are busy practicing for an upcoming agility course competition.  As Champ skillfully manages to jump through hurdles and tunnels with ease, Cody gets very excited about their chances.  As he pets his puppy, he feels a bump underneath Champ's fur and decides that they need to go see the vet.  When Cody and his father take Champ to the vet for tests, they soon learn the devastating news that his puppy has cancer.  Cody is in disbelief, as to him, Champ doesn't look or act sick.  The vet gently explains that sometimes, this is, "...the strange thing about cancer.  Patients can seem fine even though they are sick inside."  Noticing how the little boy has become scared and understandably confused at this turn of events, as he questions whether Champ will ever be okay, the vet honestly tells Cody that, "we have strong medicines to fight the cancer, but she will have to come here every week, and she won't like it."  That, we soon learn, is an understatement, as we see how Champ, just like a human, doesn't like to take her medicine.  But her friend Cody finds ways that help hide the taste but coating the medicine with yummy peanut butter!  You and your little ones will feel humbled as you join this journey of how a loyal little boy stands beside his sick puppy throughout the course of her treatment.
    As a mother, and former teaching assistant, needless to say, I have always been a strong proponent of providing children with the knowledge that will help them to process all of the many issues and struggles that life will give them to face.  North's heartfelt yet powerful story, filled with four pages of facts about cancer (which include a "True or False" quiz to assess their familiarity with the disease; to how children who have been diagnosed with cancer like Champ, learn to cope with their condition as well as their treatments; to a discussion on the many ways that we can try to live healthy lives) will provide your children and students with essential information that is told in a simple yet profound way, and in my eyes, this is most certainly a 'must have' book in any library shelf.

Champ's Story:  Dogs Get Cancer Too!
Written by Sherry North & Illustrated by Kathleen Rietz
Publisher:  Sylvan Dell Publishing (2010) Now Arbordale Publishing
ISBN: 978-1607180777 (Hardcover)
For ages 4 thru 9
Retails for $16.95 (Hardcover; also available in Paperback and as an eBook in English & Spanish)

Ways to Keep Read-Aloud Time for Your Little One Enjoyable

   

  "Being read to as a child is one of the great experiences in life." - American poet Billy Collins

     It is well known that there are a multitude of benefits gained when children hear stories that are read aloud to them. Reading aloud helps to not only grow your little one's vocabulary but assists them in the understanding of the world around them.  Research published in the Developmental Psychology and Child Development journal states that children who experience frequent read-alouds will enter school with a stronger vocabulary, comprehension and phonemic skills.  These skills will guide children to develop an eagerness to engage and learn. Additionally, a 2019 Ohio State University study found a 5-year-old child who is read to daily would be exposed to nearly 300,000 more words than one who isn’t read to regularly.

       However, there was a remarkably compelling study conducted by HarperCollins UK in April of 2025 with a goal to gain a further understanding of children's increasing disengagement with reading. The impact of this study has been eye-opening for both parents, caregivers and early childhood experts/educators. One of the most startling findings of this study that I discovered was that, despite reading aloud to be a proven way to boost enjoyment of reading, the number of parents/caregivers reading aloud to their little ones is at a significant decline. About half (41%) of children between the ages of 0 to 4 years-old are read aloud, a sharp downturn from 64% back in 2012.  Most telling for me as a boy mom is the differences in the ways boys are treated from girls.  Only 29% of 0–2-year-old boys were read to every day/nearly every day, compared to 44% of girls in the same age group.    

     This dislike of reading aloud can possibly be traced back to parents' experiences in their own childhood, where reading may have been emphasized more as a skill for testing rather than one for something done for enjoyment.  These low percentages can also stem also from a growing dependence on online programs that have very limited benefits for learning. A National Institutes of Health study conducted in 2019 that surveyed U.S. parents of nearly 4,000 children, found that 12-month-old children averaged 53 minutes of screen time daily; by the age of three, that daily amount jumped to a whopping 150 minutes per day.

     How can we, as parents, caregivers, educators and society as a whole, attempt to try to fix this before a generation of children lose out from these proven benefits?   I set out to gather some insightful tips from parents as well as from elementary educators that can help you to make read aloud time engaging and fun for your little ones and for you!

• Setting Aside Time in a Busy Schedule- Making the effort to set aside time, however small, in your daily routine will go a long way in building your little one's sense of confidence. Additionally, over the course of time, it will strengthen their reading stamina. Reading should never be considered as a chore, and it doesn't have to happen all at once.  A few pages here.  A short chapter there.  These early inroads that you are making together will help your children stay on the road of being a life-long reader.  "I read to all my kids every night.  They got to the point that they would beg for it," explains Michelle Visco, a mom of four. "If I was sick and wasn't in the mood, it still happened.  As they got older, it became finding a book on a topic that they had interest in.  I would read a chapter, and they would read a chapter.  They still, to this day, talk about our reading time together."   
• Building a Home and Mobile Library- When my son was little, we would always make it a habit to pick a few books from his bookcase to take along with him when we went out. And when he grew older, whether it was during a car ride to school or to soccer practice or any other trip, he always had a book with him. Making sure to keep a wide variety of books readily available whether you're on the go or relaxing at home isn't difficult to do. There are plenty of places and resources available in your community where you can find inexpensive books- garage sales, thrift shops and don't forget your local library (many of which often hold book sales) or your neighborhood Little Free Library.  Tina, a mother of two and a third-grade elementary school educator, makes sure that access is key for both her own children and her students.  "I have lots of books available for them.  When I purchase new books for my classroom library, I'll ask them for names of books that they like.  Seeing their excitement and enthusiasm when I bring in new books is worth every penny that I spend on the books."  When books are nearby and readily available in the home and classroom setting, reading becomes an easy choice.  

• Make Story-Time Fun & Interactive- Act out scenes while you're reading your tales aloud together, complete with facial expressions; using common household items as props, and funny voices for the characters can go a long way in making read aloud a shared time filled with imagination and laughs. "I used to read to my son with a British accent.  He loved it," says DonnaJoy Regolino, a mom of two and founder/creator of Holistic Prairie Mama.

• Strengthen The Family Bonds- Kimberly Dolan McCormick, a mom and elementary school educator, remembers that besides reading to her daughter until she turned 12, "she also saw me read every evening and weekends and attended book clubs.  I also talked to her about the novels they were reading at school, so I guess you could say conversations about books was always encouraged in our home."  This is a time when you can put aside the hecticness of the day, relax together and share in a tale.  Ask questions about the photos or illustrations in your tale, while at the same time, you can encourage your little one to describe their feelings about the characters and the storyline. 

   

Tea with Oliver

     Aesop, the storied Greek philosopher and fabulist, had two reflections on friendship that immediately came to my mind when I came across our latest tale, Tea with Oliver, written and illustrated by Mika Song.  First, "little friends may prove great friends," and most importantly, that "no act of kindness, no matter how small, is never wasted." The promise of friendship is a mighty force that can grow in the face of tremendous differences. These beginning connections can be formed even between the most unlikely of companions- cat and mouse.

My Oliver Enjoyed This Book, Too!

     As our tale begins, Oliver the cat longs for a friend that would enjoy sharing one of his most favorite things to do- afternoon tea.  As Oliver despairs that he may never find a companion, he fails to realize that there is someone right under his nose that also wishes for a friend to have tea with, a shy little mouse named Philbert. Little Philbert is lonely just like Oliver, but he is determined to conquer his reluctance.  First, he tries talking to Oliver, but Oliver doesn't hear his soft voice. Then, Philbert decides that maybe a letter would be the perfect way for Oliver to notice him. But when he leaves his letter right by Oliver's couch, Oliver sweeps it up while doing his chores!  

     Tries as he might, little Philbert's attempts to gain Oliver's attention seem to be futile, until one afternoon, there's a knock on the apartment door.  Oliver's cousin Lester comes crashing through the door complete with a guitar strung over his shoulders. When Oliver asks Lester for tea, he announces that he's going to throw a party instead (in Oliver's home!)  Guests immediately start to arrive and chaos quickly takes over.  Between the loud music and voices, little Philbert gets scared and hides under the safety of the couch.  Oliver tries to serve his tea to the crowd of fellow felines, but they ignore him.  The uninvited dancing guests then bump into Oliver, causing him to lose his balance and his cherished tea set goes crashing to the floor! The guests leave the apartment in a flash, and Oliver is left in despair.   

     Little Philbert, moved by the sight of poor Oliver lying exhausted and crying on the floor after cleaning up the mess left behind from Cousin Lester and his wild feline friends, gathers his courage and finally overcomes his shyness to get Oliver to finally notice him.  He hands Oliver his letter and a tissue to dry his tears.  And with this simple act of kindness, a friendship is blossomed.

     The beautifully illustrated watercolors feature prominently throughout Mika Song's delightfully humorous story, bringing a heartfelt sense of warmness to her readers.  Tea with Oliver can be a perfect read aloud to go along with the start of a new school year or for a family who is experiencing a move to a new place in order to help your little ones overcome any hesitancy that they may have over the idea of making new friends.

Tea with Oliver

Written & illustrated by Mika Song

Published in 2017 by Harper, An imprint of HarperCollins Publishers 

 For Ages 4 thru 8 ISBN: 978-0-06-242948-3

 www.harpercollinschildrens.com 

 For further information on Author/Illustrator Mika Song, please visit her website at: https://www.mikasongdraws.com/about