Podcast appearances and mentions of Vera B Williams

Here's today's letter:Coming out of last year's holiday season, I started to wonder if my kids are getting a little spoiled. My partner and I both grew up in working class families, our parents often lived check to check and we learned to be grateful for what little we had. I really think those tough times pulled us together as a family. My partner and I have been very fortunate to have more disposable income as we raise our children. What that means is they usually have new outfits at the beginning of the school year, they get lots of presents for their birthdays and Christmas, and they have never had to worry about our financial security as a family. I'm grateful for this, but now I'm starting to wonder if they are going to be missing out on some of the positive parts of our childhoods. Gratitude, a hard work ethic, not being wasteful, not feeling entitled, all of those sorts of things. Basically, we want our kids to be humble, hard working, and generous. Our kids are 7 and 4. Any suggestions?Links from today's discussion:Resources to empower kids for a more connected and caring world: learningtogive.orgChildren's Book Recommendation: A Chair for My Mother written and illustrated by Vera B. Williams https://bookshop.org/books/a-chair-for-my-mother/9780688040741Discussion Guide for A Chair for My Mother https://www.learningtogive.org/resources/chair-my-mother-literature-guideChildren's Book Recommendation: Sam and the Lucky Money by Karen Chinn (Author) and Cornelius Van Wright (Illustrator) https://bookshop.org/books/sam-and-the-lucky-money/9781880000533Discussion Guide for Sam and the Lucky Money https://www.learningtogive.org/resources/sam-and-lucky-money-literature-guideSupport the showSupport the show

Beyond Goodnight Moon: Board books for infants and the people who love themThe bookstore owners had fun thinking about books for the youngest among us and the people who love them, which led to a debate about who are board books really for -- kids or adults? Consensus was board books are for both, and then the recommendations flew. Kari recommended books by Il Sung Na such as Book of Sleep, and Emma says you can't go wrong with Natalie Nelson and Dog's First Baby and Cat's First Baby. Allie's recommendations were more interactive with puppets including selections like Little Ghostie, and Sam went slightly more classic with More More More by Vera B Williams and Sheep in a Jeep.Shelf Help is a podcast where booksellers help you answer one of life's trickier  - and we'd argue extremely important - questions: what should you read next?  If you've got a reading dilemma, you can email us a question or voice memo at shelfhelpuv@gmail.com. We're here to help your shelves. Shelf Help is a collaboration between the Book Jam, a nonprofit designed to inspire readers; CATV Upper Valley media community (NOW LOCATED AT JAM, Junction Arts & Media); three Upper Valley bookstores: Yankee Bookshop in Woodstock, VT; the Norwich Bookstore in Norwich, VT; and Still North Books & Bar in Hanover, NH.  

Here's today's letter:Coming out of last year's holiday season, I started to wonder if my kids are getting a little spoiled. My partner and I both grew up in working class families, our parents often lived check to check and we learned to be grateful for what little we had. I really think those tough times pulled us together as a family. My partner and I have been very fortunate to have more disposable income as we raise our children. What that means is they usually have new outfits at the beginning of the school year, they get lots of presents for their birthdays and Christmas, and they have never had to worry about our financial security as a family. I'm grateful for this, but now I'm starting to wonder if they are going to be missing out on some of the positive parts of our childhoods. Gratitude, a hard work ethic, not being wasteful, not feeling entitled, all of those sorts of things. Basically, we want our kids to be humble, hard working, and generous. Our kids are 7 and 4. Any suggestions?Links from today's discussion:Resources to empower kids for a more connected and caring world: learningtogive.orgChildren's Book Recommendation: A Chair for My Mother written and illustrated by Vera B. Williams https://bookshop.org/books/a-chair-for-my-mother/9780688040741Discussion Guide for A Chair for My Mother https://www.learningtogive.org/resources/chair-my-mother-literature-guideChildren's Book Recommendation: Sam and the Lucky Money by Karen Chinn (Author) and Cornelius Van Wright (Illustrator) https://bookshop.org/books/sam-and-the-lucky-money/9781880000533Discussion Guide for Sam and the Lucky Money https://www.learningtogive.org/resources/sam-and-lucky-money-literature-guideSupport the show

ST 18 - STORY TIME! Everyone gather around and listen to A Chair For My Mother by Vera B. Williams. This month's story is about turning adversity into joy. A young girl and her mother save coins in a jar in order to buy a big comfy chair to sit in after having lost all their possessions in a fire. This is a really uplifting story that focuses on the joyful spirit of loving family and friends.Make sure to check out my YouTube channel where you can see the pictures in this book. They are colorful and bright and make the story even more enjoyable. howtolife.com/chairformomNow, off to sleep or back to life.  See you next month for another Story Time.Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/user?u=61579085)

By Vera B. Williams

We’re ‘remembering when’ with flashbacks! A Chair for My Mother, by Vera B. Williams, offers us a touching tale that draws students right in. In today’s episode we’ll learn how the family’s tragedy turns to triumph in its own sweet way, and we get a chance to flashback in time to understand their story. Join National Board Certified Teacher, Reading Specialist, and Literacy Coach Dr. Julie Webb as she describes the teaching possibilities hidden inside this treasured mentor text. Try this lesson in your class tomorrow: https://litcentric.podia.com/litcentric-radio-lessons-growing-bundle

Having successfully predicted one of the Caldecott Honors in a previous episode, Kate is quick to pop Betsy's puffed up ego right from the start of this week's recording. And good thing too, since the book being discussed is none other than that Reading Rainbow classic A Chair for My Mother. Betsy talks about some of the good narrative choices made by this book, while Kate talks about some of the very strange illustration choices. Show Notes: As is mentioned at the start, Caldecott Honor winner (for Three Jovial Huntsman) Susan Jeffers passed away recently. You may read more about her life here: https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/childrens/childrens-authors/article/82277-obituary-susan-jeffers.html Read the obituary for Ms. Williams in The New York Times which reads Vera B. Williams, 88, Dies; Brought Working Class to Children's Books: https://www.nytimes.com/2015/10/21/books/vera-b-williams-who-brought-the-working-class-to-childrens-books-dies-at-88.html How lucky we are that Horn Book makes their Horn Book-Boston Globe Book Award speeches available for free on their site. Please read Vera B. Williams' discussion about the origins of this book here: https://www.hbook.com/?detailStory=a-chair-for-my-mother-vera-b-williams-boston-globe-horn-book-award-acceptance-speech For the full Show Notes please visit: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2020/02/03/fuse-8-n-kate-a-chair-for-my-mother-by-vera-b-williams/

The holidays and current events are a great opportunity to teach your child empathy and compassion.It’s your responsibility as a parent to teach your child empathy and compassion for others. This will help him have more caring and understanding for others throughout his life. Empathy starts with understanding other people’s emotions and feelings. Kids have to get in touch with their own emotions and feelings first. You can’t understand emotions unless you communicate face-to-face. Talk through what could help others feel better so your child understands how others feel. Expand your child’s experiences through travel and reading. Encourage community involvement. Community Service Show your child firsthand what other people experience through community service. Empower him to make changes in the world by doing something about it. Involve your children in altruistic activities. Listen as Dr. Corinn Cross joins Melanie Cole, MS, to share how you can develop your child’s sense of empathy and compassion. Reading List: Books on Food Donations and Soup Kitchens, Turkey Drive/Food Drives, Visiting Food Banks*Maddi's Fridge by Lois Brandt A young girl realizes her friend’s fridge is often empty. She tries to sneak her food from home. Eventually she confides in her mother that her friend’s family needs food.  Together they help the family and eventually organize a food drive. The book discusses food drives and food pantries. The Author’s Note discusses how 1 in 5 US children live in homes that are food insecure, meaning they run out of food before the end of the month.  Uncle Willie and The Soup Kitchen by Dyanne Disalvo-Ryan A young boy accompanies his uncle to work in a soup kitchen. He learns all about how soup kitchens and neighboring communities work together to feed those in need. A prologue gives some background and additional information about soup kitchens and who they serve – although this prologue is better read after the book so that children have an understanding of what a soup kitchen is and can absorb the additional information.  Last Stop on Market Street by Matt de la Peña A young boy and his grandmother leave church and take a bus through a culturally diverse community. During the ride, the young boy laments that he isn’t out playing with his friends. Instead, he and his grandmother are going to work at a soup kitchen.  By the end of the book, he realizes how important what he is doing really is. “Last Stop” is a simpler book than “Uncle Willie”. Unlike “Uncle Willie,” the reader does not experience what it is like to work at a soup kitchen. “Last Stop” is more about the journey. The beauty of the book however is that it illustrates that everyone has something to give.  Books About Veterans, Veteran’s Day, Memorial Day, Operation Gratitude *The Wall by Eve Bunting A very moving book about a young boy and his dad who travel to Washington DC to look for the grandfather’s name on the Vietnam Memorial. It helps children to understand the sacrifices these soldiers have made and illustrates that the men and women fighting for our country are someone’s parent, grandparent or child.  Books About Families Who Need Homes and Furniture, Christmas (A Carpenter’s gift is an amazing Christmas story), Furniture Drives, Habitat For Humanity-Type Projects, Losing Homes to Fires *The Carpenter's Gift: A Christmas Tale about the Rockefeller Center Tree by David Rubel An amazingly beautiful and moving Christmas story about a young poor boy and his dad who drive to NYC to sell Christmas trees. They give the last tree to a group of men working at a construction site. Later those men show up at the boy’s home with left over supplies from their building and help the father to repair and insulate their home. The book’s epilogue discusses Habitat for Humanity and how the Christmas Tree at Rockefeller Center is donated every year to provide lumbar for homes for families in need.  A Chair for My Mother by Vera B. Williams The story of how a young girl, her mother and her grandmother lose their home in a fire. The community helps to refurnish their new apartment but they still need a comfy chair.  The family works together to save money to buy a wonderful new chair. An important message in this book is that the child helps too. She gives half the money she makes into the jar. It is an empowering book.  Ada's Violin: The Story of the Recycled Orchestra of Paraguay by Susan Hood A true story of man who realizes that donating his time to teach music to children who live in a town which surrounds a garbage dump will change their lives. The children created an orchestra made of recycled products as instruments. The orchestra has been invited to play worldwide. The story shows how one man and a vision can make a difference in the lives of so many and how hard work and teamwork can lead to amazing feats.  Books About Sending Packages to Those in Need & Operation Christmas Child *Boxes for Katje by Candace Flemming A wonderful and moving story of how one girl’s packages changed the lives of a village in Holland after World War II. The girl on the receiving end is equally generous as she shares each package with those around her in need.  Books About the Elderly, Visiting Seniors & Winter Coat Drives  The Mitten Tree by Candace Christiansen This is a story of how an old woman who feels detached from her community sees that some little children are cold and without mittens at the bus stop. It is a beautiful story of how she connects and shares her talent for knitting and brings joy and smiles to the children. In turn, someone sees what she is doing and leaves her yearn to continue her work.  Books About the Environment & Youth Activism, Women & Science, Persistence Me . . . Jane by Patrick McDonnell A simple book about Jane Goodall. The “About Jane Goodall” epilogue talks about all of her efforts to make the world better – helping both animals and communities. The “Message from Jane” is wonderful, encouraging children to make positive changes in the world.  The Tree Lady: The True Story of How One Tree-Loving Woman Changed a City Forever by Joseph H. Hopkins The true story of Kate Sessions, the first woman to ever graduate from the University of California with a degree in science. She persisted in creating green parks when most thought her efforts were futile. She created the lush Balboa Park. This is a wonderful story of believing in yourself, perseverance and working toward an admirable goal for the sake of others.   Follow the Moon Home: A Tale of One Idea, Twenty Kids, and a Hundred Sea Turtles by Phillippe CousteauThis book has a great epilogue about youth activism. It encourages children to examine their community and try to make it better. Then to think about the change they have achieved and to tell that story. The story itself focuses on two children who realize the sea turtles aren’t heading toward the sea after they hatch. They involve their class and their community and by working together they are able to help the baby sea turtles find their way.  Inspirational Stories *The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind by William Kamkwamba A true story of a boy who had to drop out of school because his family had no money for tuition due to a severe drought. His whole village was hungry and starving. William depressed about not being in school started going to the library. There he read about windmills and decided he would build to power his village and an irrigation system. Using materials from the junk yard he built a windmill, powered his home and later his entire village. He has a TED talk about the experience.  Trombone Shorty by Troy Andrews While not necessarily a book about community service, it is a true story of Troy Andrews and the book conveys what it is like to grow up in an impoverished neighborhood. It is the story of how he worked hard, practiced and was helped by others. Troy went one to become a very successful musician and now has a foundation that gives back to his childhood community to help other children learn music. This story shows children that community service can be doing what you love.  It also encourages giving back to communities to help others. One Plastic Bag: Isatou Ceesay and the Recycling Women of Gambia by Miranda Paul The true story of a woman who no longer wanted her village to be over taken by plastic garbage bags. She develops an ingenious idea of how to recycle them. This not only cleans up the area but allows the women to make products they can sell. The additional information in the book shows how one woman’s efforts benefitted so many women and their community. They win grants and are able to build a community center and the region’s first public library.  Books That Encourage Kids to Serve Real Kids, Real Stories, Real Change: Courageous Actions Around the World by Garth Sundem Exactly as the title describes this a book of 2-4 page stories of real children making huge impacts in their communities. It is very inspiring and due to the format and simple narration it is easy to read just a quick story. 77 Creative Ways Kids Can Serve by Sondra Clark A simple book that gives kids ideas they can do to help others. Some things are very simple like writing a thank you to those who volunteer, helping the elderly, etc. It is a nice book to have in the reading corner to prompt kids to think about giving back. This book does have a religious slant and intermittently relates service back to Christian values.

Join Seth Day, Rebecca Hachmyer, and Chrystal Sunshine for a discussion about their favorite children's books centering around characters with visible disabilities. 1:30- Bonaparte Falls Apart, by Margery Cuyler 2:35- Roxy the Raccoon, by Alice Reeves 6:52- King for a Day, by Rukhsana Khan 6:49- Pet Show, by Ezra Jack Keats 6:49- The Snowy Day, by Ezra Jack Keats 10:08- Bell's Knock Knock Birthday, by George Parker 10:12- Flamingo Rampant 11:13:- The Zero Dad's Club 12:41- Vera B. Williams 12:53- Bringing the Rain to Kapiti Plain, by Verna Aardema 13:22- Philly Trans Wellness Conference 13:36- When Aiden Became a Brother, by Kyle Lukoff 20:30- Emanuel's Dream, by Laurie Ann Thompson 25:11- The Art of Asking, by Amanda Palmer Visit www.shiftbookbox.com for more info about their awesome subscription services! Visit www.upfordnetwork.com for more info about the other awesome shows on the network!

Home at Last was published in 2016. Its a story about family dynamics and LGBTQ makeups. I recommend using it in K-Gr. 3 for Language arts, Health, or Social Studies.