Videos about Books and Art
Stories from
Winter's Edge
Reading and art can be our inspiration in moving us from cold places to beautiful places of growth.
About: Because by Mo Willems
Because is a beautiful book by Mo Willems and Amber Ren. This book reminds me of how much we need each other. Amber Ren’s illustrations are beautiful! Not only does she tell the story visually, she hides what illustrators call “Easter eggs” for the viewer to find. Alley the Alligator can’t help but to join in the conversation.
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My goal is to connect people with books that their family might enjoy. As parents, you are your child’s first and most important teacher. You know what your family values. Though I will share links to book reviews on my website, please do your research to determine if a book is best for your family. What reviews do you already trust? You make a world of difference! Keep reading with purpose!
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Book Reviews:
Common Sense Media: https://www.commonsensemedia.org/book-reviews/because
Good Reads: https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/38791999
Blog: https://www.findingzest.com/inspiration-from-others-mo-willems-because/
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Author and Illustrator Websites:
​ Matt de la Peña’s website: https://mattdelapena.com/
Mo Willem’s Website: http://www.mowillems.com/
Amber Ren’s Website: https://www.amber-ren.com/because
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About: Last Stop on Market Street by Matt de la Peña
About: The Sunflower Parable by Liz Curtis Higgs
This video is an introduction to Last Stop on Market Street and Alley the Alligator can’t help but to join in the conversation. Last Stop on Market Street is a vibrant! It was written by Matt de la Peña and illustrated by Christian Robinson. It is a charming story of CJ and nana’s rainy Sunday. Published in 2015 by G.P. Putnam’s Sons, Last Stop on Market Street has earned many awards including a Caldecott honor, Newberry medal and a Coretta Scott King honor. To read more about this book and its awards, check out the “From the Publisher” section below. My goal is to connect people with books that their family might enjoy. As parents, you are your child’s first and most important teacher. You know what your family values. Though I will share links to book reviews on my website, please do your research to determine if a book is best for your family. What reviews do you already trust? You make a world of difference! Keep reading with purpose!
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Book Reviews:
​https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/matt-de-la-pena/last-stop-on-market-street/
https://www.commonsensemedia.org/book-reviews/last-stop-on-market-street
Author and Illustrator Websites:
​ Matt de la Peña’s website: https://mattdelapena.com/
Christian Robinson’s website: https://www.theartoffun.com/
From the Publisher: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/310757/last-stop-on-market-street-by-matt-de-la-pena-illustrated-by-christian-robinson/
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The Sunflower Parable is a charming book for children ages 3 – 7. Maybe that’s why Alley the Alligator jumps in the video. Published in 1997, it continues to warm harts today. Scripture verses are included on most pages.
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My goal is to connect people with books that their family might enjoy. As parents, you are your child’s first and most important teacher. You know what your family values. Though I will share links to book reviews on my website, please do your research to determine if a book is best for your family. What reviews do you already trust? You make a world of difference! Keep reading with purpose!
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Book Reviews:
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/26160331-stolen-treasures-at-pictured-rocks
https://www.amazon.com/Stolen-Treasures-at-Pictured-Rocks/dp/098233513X
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Author and Illustrator Websites:
About: The Secret Olivia Told Me by N. Joy
About: Stolen Treasures at Pictured Rocks by Mary Morgan
This video introduces the book The Secret Olivia Told Me, written by N. Joy and illustrated by Nancy Devard. It is a timeless story that helps us understand the impact of secrets and the power of words. This beautiful picture book is a Coretta Scott King Honor Book. The author shares wonderful discussion questions at the close of the book.
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My goal is to connect people with books that their family might enjoy. As parents, you are your child’s first and most important teacher. You know what your family values. Though I will share links to book reviews, please do your research to determine if a book is best for your family. What reviews do you already trust? You make a world of difference! Keep reading with purpose!
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Book Reviews:
https://www.amazon.com/Secret-Olivia-Told-Me/dp/1933491361
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2575342-the-secret-olivia-told-me
https://booksthathealkids.blogspot.com/2010/03/secret-that-olivia-told-me.html?m=0
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Author Website:
https://www.enjoywrites.com/product/the-secret-olivia-told-me/
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Teacher Guide:
https://justusbooks.com/content/Teacher%27s%20Guide_template_SECRET%20%281%29.pdf
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This video is an introduction to a chapter book. Stolen Treasures at Pictured Rocks is the first of the National Park Mystery Series by Mary Morgan, illustrated by Dawn McVay Baumer. The Coopers are on vacation in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. Twins Ben and Bekka end up with an adventure they hadn’t bargained for.
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Reading tools are included at the back of this book, including recipes and the semaphore alphabet. Discussion questions are at the close of the video.
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My goal is to connect people with books that their family might enjoy. As parents, you are your child’s first and most important teacher. You know what your family values. Though I will share links to book reviews on my website, please do your research to determine if a book is best for your family. What reviews do you already trust? You make a world of difference! Keep reading with purpose!
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Book Reviews:
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/26160331-stolen-treasures-at-pictured-rocks
https://www.amazon.com/Stolen-Treasures-at-Pictured-Rocks/dp/098233513X
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Author and Illustrator Websites:
About Artist Kim
Kim is a mixed media collage and encaustic artist. In this video she explains types of art, including encaustic and eco-printing. Kim also shares why she creates and teaches art to others. The current pandemic has impacted each of us, Kim describes how she is approaching her work during this time.
At the close of this video you can check out various images of her original artwork. Layered paper and fiber collages shared here include Don’t Hold Me Back and Night Light. Images of her encaustic paintings include Grey Gear and Changing Seasons.
You can find more images of her artwork and contact her through her website: https://www.kimensch.com/ In the future we hope to join Kim in the studio and capture her creating her work.
About: Out of My Mind by Sharon M. Draper
This video is an introduction to the book Out of My Mind by Sharon M. Draper. Melody Brooks loves words, but because she is unable to speak people don’t know how bright she is. Even when circumstances are outside of our control, we can influence our world for good. At the end of the video discussion questions are shared.
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Atheneum Books for Young Readers published Out of My Mind in 2010. The book has a reading group guide in the back.
My goal is to connect people with books that their family might enjoy. As parents, you are your child’s first and most important teacher. You know what your family values. Though I will share links to book reviews on my website, please do your research to determine if a book is best for your family. What reviews do you already trust? You make a world of difference! Keep reading with purpose!
Book Reviews:
https://www.commonsensemedia.org/book-reviews/out-of-my-mind
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https://www.publishersweekly.com/9781416971702
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https://www.publishersweekly.com/9781508229414 (about the audio book)
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https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/6609765-out-of-my-mind
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https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/sharon-m-draper/out-of-my-mind/
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Author Website:
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From the Publisher:
https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Out-of-My-Mind/Sharon-M-Draper/9781416971719
About Artist Diane
Diane is a stained-glass artist. She takes us through the process of creating a stained-glass piece and why she began making it. She also shares a brief history of stained-glass.
Steps to Creating a Stained-Glass Window: 1. Idea 2. Sketch 3. Full sized cartoon 4. Carbon copy, label pieces and indicate grain 5. Cut apart copy 6. Select glass (consider color, texture, translucence) 7. Cut glass and smooth edges 8. Wrap glass – be sure of fit 9. Form “frame” with wood slats 10. Solder front and back 11. Add edge (if desired) and hangers 12. Wash 13. Patina 14. Wash and polish 15. Hang the finished piece
About: Nature's Friend: The Gwen Frostic Story by Lindsey McDivitt, illustrated by Eileen Ryan Ewen
This video is about the book Nature’s Friend: The Gwen Frostic Story (2018, Sleeping Bear Press) written by Lindsey McDivitt and illustrated by Eileen Ryan Ewen. This non-fiction book gives encouragement and hope to the reader. We can do things like make and write cards to give a message of hope to people in our lives. Discussion questions are shared at the end of the video.
My goal is to connect people with books that their family might enjoy. As parents, you are your child’s first and most important teacher. You know what your family values. Though I will share links to book reviews on my website, please do your research to determine if a book is best for your family. What reviews do you already trust? You make a world of difference! Keep reading with purpose!
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Book Reviews:
https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/38203479-nature-s-friend
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https://www.onlypicturebooks.com/2018/11/05/natures-friend-gwen-frostic/
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Author/Illustrator Websites:
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https://www.lindseymcdivitt.com/
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http://www.eileenryanewen.com/about.html
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From the Publisher:
About: What is Easter? by Michelle Medlock Adams
This video is an introduction to the book "What is Easter?" written by Michelle Medlock Adams and illustrated by Amy Wummer. Discussion questions are shared at the end of the video.
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My goal is to connect people with books that their family might enjoy. As parents, you are your child’s first and most important teacher. You know what your family values. Though I will share links to book reviews, please do your research to determine if a book is best for your family. What reviews do you already trust? You make a world of difference! Keep reading with purpose!
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Book Reviews:
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1494395.What_is_Easter_
https://www.amazon.com/What-Easter-Michelle-Medlock-Adams/dp/0824918789
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Author and Illustrator Websites:
https://michellemedlockadams.com/
https://childrensillustrators.com/AmyWummer/portfolio
From the Publisher:
https://www.hachettebookgroup.com/titles/michelle-medlock-adams/what-is-easter/9780824918781/
About: Grandma's Purse by Vanessa Brantley-Newton
This video is about the book Grandma's Purse, which is written and illustrated by Vanessa Brantley Newton. A purse or bag can be filled with gifts and treasures; a book is filled with gifts and treasures. Discussion questions are shared at the end of the clip.
My goal is to connect people with books that their family might enjoy. As parents, you are your child’s first and most important teacher. You know what your family values. Though I will share links to book reviews below, please do your research to determine if a book is best for your family. What reviews do you already trust? You make a world of difference! Keep reading with purpose!
Book Reviews:
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/34647486-grandma-s-purse
https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/vanessa-brantley-newton-3/grandmas-purse/
Author and Illustrator Websites:
https://www.vanessabrantleynewton.com/
From the Publisher:
About: My Old Pal, Oscar by Amy Hest
This video shares information about the picture book “My Old Pal, Oscar” by Amy Hest and Illustrated by Amy Bates. Since the book’s setting is on the beach, I chose to record near the water as well. This was recorded in Dunedin, Florida, on a windy day so words are provided at the bottom of the screen. Discussion questions follow a quick overview to spark conversation about the book. I hope you are able to find a copy of this delightful story to read. Keep reading with purpose! My goal is to connect people with books that their family might enjoy. As parents, you are your child’s first and most important teacher. You know what your family values. Though I will share links to book reviews, please do your research to determine if a book is best for your family. What reviews do you already trust? You make a world of difference. Keep reading and parenting with purpose!
Book Reviews:
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/26240667-my-old-pal-oscar
https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/amy-hest/my-old-pal-oscar/
Author and Illustrator Websites:
From the Publisher:
https://www.abramsbooks.com/product/my-old-pal-oscar_9781419719011/
About Artist Jean
This video is an artist's story. Jean shares her background in the greenhouse business and how she began as an artist. She says, "I may be close to 90, but I still want to learn."
When we are able to connect again, I hope to share a video of Jean actually painting. Her subjects are typically nature related and she works with oil on canvas.
She attended Michigan State University. The image of a dormitory used in this video is from https://msu.edu/