At Home in the City

My brain is ruminating...and so I must ramble a bit...

...

I have always enjoyed exploring the world.

I grew up moving around to different towns in different states, so my family spent a lot of time getting to know new places.

Because of that, being a tourist is easy in one of my favorite cities.

There are the usual places to see -- the Empire State Building, the Rockefeller Center, the Statue of Liberty, the Subway, the World Trade Center.

But my favorite way to see and feel and know the city is to find a coffee shop early in the morning, sit at a table in the window, and watch the world go by. It may seem a strange way to "sightsee," and yet it gives me a chance to see the heart of the city, what makes it truly beat: a mom walking her children to school; a businessman scurrying by, coffee in one hand, a briefcase in the other; teenage girls engrossed in their music and texts, laughing together as they walk to their classes; an older couple stumbling along hand-in-hand; a gaggle of schoolchildren scattering behind two harried teachers on their way to a museum; and more.

And if I sit long enough, I'll see the process repeated in reverse, each person on his or her way home, thinking about the happenings and memories of the day, each a protagonist in his or her own story.

Wordless Wednesday

Book Review: Jocelyn's Box of Socks

I am a huge lover of children's books. It's no secret. I've been collecting them since I was a teenager. Working for Highlights for Children and Boyds Mills Press was a dream come true. Me surrounded by kids' books? Game on.

So recently I noticed that the wife of a friend (from long ago) had a children's book coming out this month, and I approached her about reviewing it on here. I think it's quite an honor to promote a fellow writer, and I plan to make these reviews a regular part of my blog.

Without further ado...

Jocelyn's Box of Socks
Written by Kristen L. Jackson
Illustrated by Tino Santanach

From the first look, Jocelyn's Box of Socks is full of cheer. The cover is bright and pink, and the illustrations are fun and cartoon-like.

To me, it was all kinds of happy before I even opened the cover.

The beauty of children's books is their appeal to multiple audiences. A good book in this genre will offer an engaging story for children with enough substance for teachers/parents/grandparents/librarians to be able to use it for teaching a lesson or discussing a value or something similar. No preaching. Many kids learn best from mimicking what they see/hear demonstrated around them. It gives them a "this is what to do" kind of lesson without just saying "don't do this."

In Jocelyn's Box of Socks, we learn from the very beginning (even in the title) that the main character, Jocelyn, loves socks. She "loves all kinds of socks -- except boring, dull, plain old ordinary, all-white socks." The reader finds out she wears them in all seasons and with all kinds of shoes. She wears them because they make her feel happy.

Then one day, Jocelyn receives a box of socks from her grandparents. Since they know that she loves socks of all kinds, they send her a box of socks with different smiley emojis on them. Each pair is a different smiley emotion. Jocelyn is instantly in love and, after (unsuccessfully) trying to wear them all, she has to decide how to choose which ones to wear. She makes the decision to wear the socks that match her mood, starting with the happy faces. After a series of events in which she has to continually change her socks to match her current mood, she feels confused and frustrated as to what to do. She consults her brother with her quandary, and he suggests that she just wear the socks that she wants to, no matter what mood she feels. She loves this idea and even sees that she can mix and match her socks no matter what her mood because wearing socks makes her happy.

The book has a lot of positives beyond the story and pictures. The underlying theme of talking about emotions and how they can change is a gift to teachers, especially of younger kids who may not be able to verbalize about feelings just yet. The cadence and repetition of the kinds of socks Jocelyn likes furthers the fun and encourages kids to join in.

All in all, Jocelyn's Box of Socks is a fun and bouncy book that opens discussions about how we all have emotions -- big and small, good and bad — and they can change quickly. A bonus classroom guide is included in the back with discussion questions and activity suggestions.

Release date is May 28.



Enjoy!!

Monday Musings

Well, it's been awhile, huh?

I know. I know. I promised I would try to do better...but, in fact, I feel like I've done worse.

It's been a busy decade or so. Changing from a mommy of two to a mom of three threw me completely out of whack. There's so much more to do and say and buy...and wash. Some weeks I just give up and sit around eating bon bons while watching soap operas...

Ha! If only.

So where have I been? Here...there...everywhere...but mostly just home -- or at least nearby. Working, momming, driving, wifeing...

My little kids turned into the "big kids." (Who knew that would happen??) They're both in college now...in the midst of finals week and preparations for next steps.

My little baby -- who is anything but little...and a baby -- is now 10 going on 75. (No, seriously. Some days I feel like he's aging quicker than I am.) He's in 6th grade this year...and very nearly finished.

I just cannot believe we're at this point in the year.

I'll probably do some kind of recaps, trying to summarize what's been happening in the past millennium gadzillion too many 10 years or so. But I'll also continue to post about new stuff about what's happening now. Because there's lots of good stuff coming up this month, especially. [Hums "Pomp and Circumstance." and "God Save the Queen" to herself.] And life doesn’t ever stop long enough for me to catch up.

We've said happy hellos to lots of new friends...and sad goodbyes to too many old friends. We’ve moved from phase to phase, trying to adapt along the way. There’s no parental instruction book. Well, not one written specifically for your kid or mine...or anyone else’s, for that matter.

2019.

Nearly halfway through it. Nearly another new decade.

Musing merrily on a Monday. It's what I used to do...every week...it's what I want to do again.

So for now, I'll keep this short and (hopefully?) sweet.

*wink-grin*

Until the next time!

Friday Fun — and Frogs

I have always been a fan of frogs. I got a large stuffed frog toy named Flippo for Christmas when I as five. He was my best friend and confidante and helped me immensely through the many moves my family made in the years that followed.

So I’m using this blog post to promote a fantastical frog book.

Check it out and enjoy!!

Adorable and fun frog book by a favorite author and poet.