RAE’S READS

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This year (2025) finds me with 53 years of teaching “under my belt.” I have taught all levels from pre-K “(library lady” or “book lady”–volunteer) to juniors, seniors, and graduate students enrolled in my Advanced Writing class at the university where I have just completed 34 years. My first paying teaching job was junior high, and I spent 13 years with ages 12-13, the “difficult years.” I had some of the “funnest” experiences with this age group. When I was no longer the “young, fun teacher,” I taught in an elementary school setting before sixth graders went on to junior high, teaching language arts blocs, an assignment that was a “dream-fit” for me. After completing graduate school in my 40s, I went on to community college, then university teaching. This past fall I accepted a part-time teaching job at Apogee Gulf Coast Schools in its first year at the Alvin campus. After my Better Half died n 2022, I achieved a lifelong dream: opening a bookstore of my own, Rae’s Reads. A year later, I sold the house we had lived in for 47 years and moved into the bookstore. My goal is to circulate and repurpose books. Just as teaching is “in my blood,” so is a passion for reading, writing, libraries, and everything bookish. This blog will be open to anyone who loves books, promotes literacy and wants to “come out and play.”

SATURDAY MORNINGS FOR KIDS, DEWEY’S EDITION

Just as Saturday mornings were a time for kids’ cartoons in the 50s and 60s, PWR features books recommended for kids on Saturday Mornings. This Saturday morning happens to also be Dewey’s 24 Hour Readathon.
3:30 p.m. Check in

Today’s recommendation for kids is a special anthology of poems, all addressed to Planet Earth. This fine book is a Cybils nominee.

Hello Earth! is a 2021 Contender.
Poems from kids to Planet Earth, asking questions is a lovely book of poetry which appeals to kids of all ages and the parents and grandparents who may read it to them.

Interesting facts about the formation and qualities of our planet are included as answers to the queries of children who live there. Questions about gravity, orbit, natural resources all come together in an organized, fluid collection of poems. One simply leads into another, ending with a message encouraging good stewardship of our natural resources.

Here is an example of the last half of one of the poems:

As you can see the illustration are excellent.

HERE WE ARE AT THE 3:30 PORTION OF THE READATHON.

I have very little to report except that I have finished the newspapers, read two Cybils poetry nominees, made a trip to Houston to Half Price Books and purchased a journal for a Christmas present, a tote stating that “Teachers Rule!,” and a first-reader book featuring the superhero, Thor, boldly on the cover. My young neighbor who stopped on his way to school to see if my LFL had such a book will be pleased. His primary school will have a dress up day next week where each student will dress in their Halloween costume and bring a book, reflecting that character. I hope he gets it in time!

We also had a “warmed over” lunch of barbecued pork ribs, pasta and peas casserole as a side, corn seasoned with turmeric and paprika, and wheat rolls. I enjoyed putting these together as a “clean out the refrigerator”lunch.

AND, IT’S BACK TO READING…

I plan to take it easy this afternoon and read,read, read.
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3 responses to “SATURDAY MORNINGS FOR KIDS, DEWEY’S EDITION”

  1. Rae Longest Avatar
    Rae Longest

    Reblogged this on blogging807.

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  2. Deb Nance at Readerbuzz Avatar
    Deb Nance at Readerbuzz

    I think this is a book of poems that is much needed. I’ve enjoyed the poems of Joyce Sidman in the past.

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  3. Carla Avatar
    Carla

    That book sounds wonderful. A fun way to answer questions about the Earth for kids. I love clean out the refrigerator meals, yours sounds yummy. You had a great start to the readathon.

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