A Teacher Like You: Picture Book Review and Giveaway

If you've been following my blog for awhile, then you will have seen my posts about A Girl Like You and A Boy Like You by Frank Murphy and illustrated by Kayla Harren. This week I have two more books in this series by Sleeping Bear Press that will be enjoyed by young readers, or would make great holiday gifts. Later in the week I'll bring you A FRIEND LIKE YOU. But today's post is about A TEACHER LIKE YOU. By the way, this book is co-authored by Barbara Dan, who teaches with Frank at Holland Elementary in Bucks, County, Pa. 

REVIEW

This first illustration captures the spirit of this book:

I love this page too,

The book sings praises to teachers who "soar through story after story" and learn about "life from new perspectives." And highlights teachers who teach children how to be creative and express themselves.

Coaches are teachers too:

Good teachers inspire by example (like volunteering) and create a safe place for learning to happen and for potential to be discovered. 

Teachers care, comfort, and challenge.

The refrain, "I needed a teacher like you" is repeated throughout this book. I think, the teacher in your child's or grandchild's classroom need a book like this.

GIVEAWAY

To enter this giveaway, please leave me a comment (and your email address if you are new to my blog) by December 9 at 6 PM. Educators, librarians, and home school educators --let me know where you work and I'll enter your name twice!

And congratulations to Beth Schmelzer who won MIGHTY INSIDE from last week's blog. Thanks to all of you who left comments. Tough competition! 

There is No Place Like It In the World

If you live in North Carolina then you know that twin jewels bedeck its geographic crown: the mountains and the sea.

What you might now know is that each coast also hosts a unique educational treasure: The North Carolina for the Advancement of Teaching.

Begun in 1985 by the state legislature, NCCAT is a leader in providing professional development for North Carolina's teachers. Both locations (Cullowhee and Ocracoke Island) provide renewal seminars on topics related to the sciences, arts, humanities, technology, communication, leadership health and wellness. 

Joyce and I enjoy spring outside our seminar room.

For four years Joyce Hostetter  and I have had the honor to teach "Is There a Children's Book in You?" We both enjoy meeting teachers, librarians, and guidance counselors who love books and want to explore the possibility of writing a children's book themselves. Joyce shares her expertise as a published author of historical fiction, and I teach about creating a character, setting, plot, and share information on getting published.

Teachers write

wherever they want to!

This year we added three new components to an already packed week. Joyce taught them how to make a book out of a paper bag, which is an easy and fun activity for adults and kids.

 

I set up a wiki so that Joyce and I could provide more information about writing and publishing, and the teachers could upload their writing as well as receive comments and critiques.

The third addition was a fun Skype visit with author-illustrator Katie Davis. She shared the story behind her new book, Little Chicken's Big Day, as well as the process of writing the book and creating the illustrations.





In her honor, we recorded this video. We are each holding her book Kindergarten Rocks (courtesy of NCCAT):



It's always a sad time when we say goodbye. The moment is commemorated by a "pinning" celebration. Each participant receives a NCCAT pin, reminding them of the great week of renewal which they just received.  

The teachers appreciated the opportunity to explore ideas which would ultimately invigorate their teaching. As one teacher wrote in her evaluation, "I have learned the importance of writing as a craft, not just as part of a teacher's schedule. I learned that writing can be and should be presented and experienced as a means of enjoyment."

It was a privilege to be a part of an organization that is devoted to enriching the lives and skills of North Carolina educators.  

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