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Tea Time

The Tiger That Came to Tea by Judith Kerr In the charming tale of “The Tiger Who Came to Tea” by Judith Kerr, a delightful tiger unexpectedly visits a little girl and her mother for tea, turning their day upside down. While this beloved children’s book is filled with whimsy and imagination, it also offers […]

Think again…and again!

The Little Engine That Could by Watty Piper “The Little Engine That Could” isn’t just a children’s story; it’s a timeless source of inspiration for adults, offering valuable insights that resonate across generations. Let’s distill the essence of this beloved tale into its top three lessons for grown-ups: Incorporating these three fundamental lessons into our […]

Tough Choices…Like Cookies and Naps

If You Give a Mouse a Cookie by Laura Numeroff This is one of those hidden gems of wisdom that resonate with adults just as much as they do with young readers. “If You Give a Mouse a Cookie” by Laura Numeroff is a simple story about a boy and a mouse, but it also […]

I’m Not Grumpy!

Grumpy Monkey by Suzanne Lang In a world that often encourages us to put on a happy face and always look on the bright side, Suzanne Lang’s “Grumpy Monkey” takes a refreshingly honest approach to the complexities of human emotions. This delightful picture book introduces us to Jim Panzee, a lovable monkey who wakes up […]

Gum in Your Hair and Other Bad Things…

Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day by Judith Viorst Children are sent messages all day telling them to keep their emotions in check. Don’t cry too much. Don’t be too loud. Don’t be angry. Be happy. Stop being sad. Given that, why would we be surprised to find ourselves as adults […]

Wisdom in the Deep Dark Woods

The Gruffalo by Julia Donaldson & Axel Scheffler Oh Readers…what’s not to love about a classic like The Gruffalo. This magical world created by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler is one of the most beloved books of children for the past 25 years. (I think a few parents, teachers, and aunties can also admit to […]

Embrace the Dragon

The Crocodile Who Didn’t Like Water by Gemma Merino Happy New Year! As I considered what I wanted to offer to the world during 2024, I decided to take the advice of a dear friend and share my love of storytime and children’s books. This week we are reading, The Crocodile Who Didn’t Like Water” […]

Toxic Gratitude…

Last week we discussed the role of gratitude in making changes in our lives. This week I want to touch on something that we never ever have to be grateful for…toxic or fake positivity. Yuck! First a definition…Toxic positivity is the tendency to dismiss or invalidate negative emotions by focusing only on positive thinking and […]

Gratitude for a Change

In the US, November tends to be a time to stop and think of all we are grateful for and even though I have now spent 6 Thanksgivings in Europe, I want to spend a few weeks talking about the role of gratitude in transformation. The truth is, In the hustle and bustle of our […]