The World According to Theodor Seuss Geisel

THE WORLD ACCORDING TO  THEODOR SEUSS GEISEL 

I believe that Dr. Seuss' books are an American Treasure.  Do I go too far?  I don't think so.  I really do not remember reading any of the Dr. Seuss books when I was little; however, all of them have become  "Just What I Need Books" throughout the years.  There is an uncanny wisdom in each of Dr. Seuss' books.  I often wonder if that wisdom was totally intentional or happenstance.

Theodor Seuss Geisel was born March 2, 1904 in Springfield, MA. He graduated Dartmouth College in 1925.  In 1936 on the way to a vacation in Europe, listening to the rhythm of the ship's engines, he came up with And to Think That I Saw It on Mulberry Street, which was then promptly rejected by the first 20, 27, or 28 ( it depends on which story he was telling) publishers he showed it to. Eventually in 1937 a friend published the book for him, and it went on to at least moderate success.  The rest is truly history!

Oh, The Places You’ll Go!

When I graduated from high school I received a copy of Oh, The Places You’ll Go from a lovely aunt (and co-writer) and have kept it among my treasured books ever since.  It is one that I now read to

my son, especially as his preschool graduation comes closer, and one that I read to my graduating 8th graders each year.  It always amazed me that a Dr. Seuss book, which is usually filled with silly made-up words and creatures, could be so inspiring.  Every time I read the book, I find myself thinking of all the little goals I have made for  myself and which ones  I am going to start working to reach.  I hope my excitement for the book motivates my students whenever I read it to them as well.

I have to say that I have made it to some incredible places since I received the book way back when.  I have been backpacking through Europe and spent three weeks traveling through Italy with my husband.  We have roamed the east coast and Caribbean, too.  But nothing compares to the various "places" I have been while staying right here in New Jersey.  From graduation until now, I have become a teacher, a wife, and a mother, and yet every time I pick up this book, I think of all the exciting "mountains that are still waiting for me to be on my way!"  

In terms of ways to enjoy this book outside of reading it, there are so many activities that coincide.  Since most would use this book in a classroom to discuss students' goals and future plans, we highlighted a number of activities below that can be used as a way to enjoy the book at home.  We hope it proves to be just as inspiring to you as it does for us!

Rainbow Pinwheel Cookies by Souders Cookery

 

 Inspired by the illustrations throughout the book, these cookies are a great treat to make with your children.  Then enjoy the cookies while you are reading aloud Oh, The Places You'll Go.

Balloon Craft by Sparkling Adventures of a Free Range Life

Kids can create their own hot air balloons to take them al the places they would like to go!

Oh, The Places We've Been by Home.Kids.Life.

           

I love the idea of keeping track of family trips with a map and some pushpins.  This can easily be put together with some materials from a craft store, like a map, a frame, and some pushpins.  Be as creative as you want with the frame and the pushpins to make the map more personalized.  The blog provides step-by-step directions.

 

 Incentive Jar by obSEUSSed

As someone who would much rather spend money on DOING things with my family than on toys, I loved this idea!  Kids are rewarded for good behavior by filling up an "Oh, The Places You Can Go" Jar.  The site gives some nice ideas on how to use the incentive jar we well as explains how to make one with a mason jar.  Another simple craft that the kids can help make, which will hopefully get them even more excited about using them! 

 

Oh, The Places You'll Go Globe by the Brass Paperclip Project

What a cool thing to do with a globe!  This would make a great decoration in a bedroom or playroom.

 So be sure when you step, Step with care and great tact. 

And remember that life's A Great Balancing Act. 

And will you succeed? Yes! You will, indeed! 

(98 and ¾ percent guaranteed) 

Kid, you'll move mountains.

Love and Change

 

LOVE......and CHANGE

I have never been the type of person who resists change.  As a matter of fact, I try to be forward thinking and embrace change, especially when it is a positive change.  Unfortunately, I do know that many people have difficulty with changes in their lives, be it personal or career-oriented.

When I was a school principal, I was expected to be an agent of change for my schools.  It was not always easy to have faculty, parents, and even students accept change.  Even if change translated into a better education, there was always the comment, "But this is the way things have always been done".

Often, when I was presenting and trying to warm a group to new ideas, I would read aloud a picture book that was appropriate for the topic of discussion.  Somehow, it always put the audience in a great mood.  But, more importantly, I would be able to highlight a point through a wonderful story and beautiful illustrations.

One book that I used often when change was the topic was Ezra Jack Keats Peter's Chair.  The story is about Peter who has a new baby sister and he realizes that everything is changing.  Recently, I have taken this book from my shelves because it is a "Just What I Need" book at this time in my life.

In our family we had a wonderful new change.  My niece and her husband had their second child in August.  Their first child, a little boy, has been the love and light of our lives.  Throughout my niece's pregnancy, our little guy kept telling us that he was going to have a baby brother.  Although we explained that he might have a baby sister, he kept insisting that he would soon have a baby brother.  Well, when his little sister was born, he was not very happy - for the first few minutes.  But as soon as he met her, he was in love with his little sister.

Of course, the changes that come with having a new baby in the house have been somewhat challenging for our little guy.  He loves playing with his grandfather "Pop" and when Pop has to take care of his little sister, he is not always happy.  But, as my brother, his Pop, reminds us - "It's a process!"  

And so it is with change, even when it is a happy change, it can be challenging.

  


Today, we celebrated the Baptism of the newest member of our family.  

A faith-filled event that was celebrated with great joy!

It was a wonderful day!

 

A little nostalgia - the dress that is on the doll  is actually my Christening dress!

Although I do not like to admit it, I guess it would be called an antique.
Still, it is very beautiful!

When we think about the changes in our little ones' lives, perhaps it is wise to think about what they really want from us.  Floating through Pinterest, I found this very enlightening list from HandsFreeMama.com:

The Top Ten Things Kids Really Want Their Parents To Do With Them

1. Come into my bedroom at night, tuck me in and sing me a song. Also tell me stories about when you were little.
2. Give me hugs and kisses and sit and talk with me privately.
3. Spend quality time just with me, not with my brothers and sisters around.
4. Give me nutritious food so I can grow up healthy.
5. At dinner talk about what we could do together on the weekend.
6. At night talk to me about about anything; love, school, family etc.
7. Let me play outside a lot.
8. Cuddle under a blanket and watch our favorite TV show together.
9. Discipline me. It makes me feel like you care.
10. Leave special messages in my desk or lunch bag.

Linking to:
 

Love

LOVE.....

When I was very young, I remember my mother would walk my brother and me to the library every week.  We would be allowed to explore the many books and then choose some to take home with us for the week.  Even before we could read, we were borrowing books from our public library.  

Reading was always very important in my home.  It still is today with everyone in the family.  We are always sharing books, talking about books we have read, and generally just enjoying book talk!

From my earliest memories, I remember Cinderella being one of my favorite stories.  I just loved the Disney version of the story.  I guess most little girls do!

"Well there's one thing.

They CAN'T order me to stop dreaming!"
~Cinderella

When I began teaching, I learned how many versions of the Cinderella story exist.  Today, I am fascinated by the variety of multicultural Cinderella stories available.

 

 

I always enjoy reading Cendrillon, A Caribbean Cinderella.  

Of course, my fascination might be connected to my love of the Caribbean.  However, it is really Brian Pinkney's illustrations which draw me in.  I find they are absolutely beautiful.  

You can learn about many more versions of Cinderella at the American Library Association. 

My favorite multicultural Cinderella story is Mufaro's Beautiful Daughters: An African Tale.  John Steptoe's version of Cinderella was inspired by a story collected by G. M. Theal and published in 1895 in his book, Kaffar Folktales.  Details in the illustrations depict the architecture of the Zimbabwe ruins and the flora and fauna of the Zimbabwe region.   The book was named a Caldecott Honor Book and the illustrations are most worthy of that distinction.

Wedding Invitations

At a time when teachers are busy teaching their students to write persuasive and narrative essays, it sometimes is easy to let everyday writing slip away.  After reading Mufaro's Beautiful Daughters with the class, it would be wonderful to design wedding invitations announcing Nyasha's wedding to the king.  Students could locate examples and then let the creativity flow!  Students can decide on colors and a theme, as well as learn the information that is required for an invitation.

It would also be easy to use the story as a cross-curriculum project in math to design a budget for a wedding!

Caldecott Award

Another post-reading project for the class would be to research the Caldecott Award and the criteria for receiving the award.  Many students recognize the depiction of the award, but may not be aware of its significance.  After discussing the roles of illustrations in children's books, students can then illustrate a scene from a traditional African village.  This would also make a great idea for a bulletin board.

Cinderella Stories

You can find a great collection of multicultural Cinderella stories on the University of Pittsburgh website.  Students can read several and write comparison essays; they can write their own version of a Cinderella story; and teachers can discuss common traits of Cinderella stories.

Paper Roll Snakes

http://cheapcraftymama.com/toilet-paper-roll-snake-kid-craft/

This project was inspired by Nyasha's friendship with the snake in her garden.  It is a fun project, especially for younger children and can be done in the classroom or at home.  It is also an inexpensive project that requires easy-to-find materials.  It would also be a great display in the classroom or bedroom/playroom.

African Yam Soup

http://allrecipes.com/recipe/spicy-african-yam-soup/

Since yams were one of the crops grown in the village, we decided we wanted to find a recipe that incorporated that aspect of the story.  We found this great recipe for African Yam Soup.  I love soup, especially this time of year, and my son loves yams, so this was definitely a winner!  It includes common ingredients and it would be easy to find ways for the kids to help make the soup, as well as having a taste test.

First Names

http://www.behindthename.com/

I think most children are aware of the meanings of names from movies such as The Lion King in which the characters' names are taken from the African language of Swahili.  The same is done in Mufaro's Beautiful Daughters.  "Nyasha" means mercy and "Manyara" means ashamed.  Students will easily be able to see the connection between the characters' names and their personalities.  Students can then use the website to research their own names and find the meanings.

After researching, students can design a collage with images that represent the meanings of their names.  Students can also write essays examining the connections between their names and their personalities as in the story. 

African Masks

http://africa.mrdonn.org/masks.html   

Children always love art projects and another great idea for a post-reading project is to make an African mask.  Teachers can discuss with their students the role of the masks and then have students design their own.  The link we have included gives detailed instructions on how to make one.  It would then be fun to see the students act out a scene using their masks before displaying them.

Mufaro's Beautiful Daughters is such a wonderful book to share with children.  There are so many activities that can enhance the story and bring African culture to life.  It is easy for children to get absorbed in the story and learn about a great deal of topics; from snakes to soups to masks!  However, the lesson that the story teaches our children about LOVE is invaluable.  It is a theme of such paramount importance, it is highlighted in many stories we hear as children, and then continue to hold dear throughout our lives!