My Hunger Games, Catching Fire, Mockingjay Fanboy

 When "The Hunger Games" books came out, our then-middle-school child loved them. They left me cold. Post-apocalyptic dystopian lit ain't my thang. But I'm a good teacher and respect all genres. And as an ex-home-schooler, I revere books. I bought the series. Hey, I figured, at least it's not Twilight. Then my husband developed a fanboy crush on Catching Fire, Hunger Games and Mockingjay. And now they're a household staple. My Hunger Games Mockingjay Fanboy

Watch Agatha Christie Labours of Hercules, The Big Four Free Online

I am an Agatha Christie addict. I've read all the books cover to cover, multiple times. I've watched every film adaptation I can find. We get new Marple films (Geraldine McEwan/Julia McKenzie) regularly. But the David Suchet Poirot movies stopped a few years ago. We were tantalized with rumors of new Poirots, but none materialized.  So I was delighted when Season 13 aired in October. But they are a little difficult to find. I'm happy to share links to watch
Watch Poirot Season 13 Labours of Hercules, The Big Four Free Online

Free Printable Catholic Saints Coloring Pages

November 1 marks the Catholic holy day of All Saint's, making October 31 All Hallow's Eve (or Halloween). Use these free printable activities to explore Catholic saints, holy days and All Saint's Day and Halloween. There are pictures of Bible stories and characters to color, too.Free Printable Catholic Saints and All Saint's Day Coloring Pages

Youtube Acorn TV has UK Murder Mystery, Detective Fiction Classics

If you're like me, and have read every Christie, Sayers, Marsh you can find, and want to watch the movie versions, you need to read this. If you love Campion, Lord Peter, Poirot, Miss Marple, Sherlock, Miss Fisher, read on. If Prime Suspect, Foyle's War, Inspector Lewis, Bonekickers are your guilty pleasure, also read more. We don't have cable or even network TV (our antennae is defunct). So I'm Youtube-dependent. And I found all my UK favorites on Acorn TV. Subscribe to Acorn TV or Not? Tis the Question

Free Reading Crafts, Literature Response Lessons

Kids rejoice when released from school for vacation. But parents and teachers often worrry that learning will lag with too much time away from books? Here are reading activities and book-based crafts and literature response lessons.  Free Summer Reading Activities, Book Crafts, Literature Response Lessons

Anti-Bullying Bibliotherapy Books for Kids

This is the 75th anniversary year of the prestigious Caldecott Medal for children's book illustrations. Books are essential to learning and bibliotherapy is an important tool in teaching affective lessons. I use children's literature to defuse a gamut of emotionally charged issues. Bulling tops the list. Here's a reading list that helps kids deal with bullies in proactive ways. These books are funny and light-hearted. Anti-Bullying Bibliotherapy Books for Kids

Phryne Fisher Books, Miss Fishers Murder Mysteries Movies Jazz Age Haute Entertainment

I became hopeless addicted to Phryne Fisher, the saucy, sensitive, savvy Jazz Age Aussie lady detective of Miss Fisher's Murder Mysteries. She's part tart, part humanitarian, part intelligentsia, all tough cookie. Yeah, we gals are layered like that. Phryne's like a vampy Jewish mother hen. Another thing we women rock--taking caring everyone and looking dem fine whilst doing it. And can Miss Fisher hold her Mother-of-Pearl revolver and gin! Tres elegante! Read Kerry Greenwood's books. See ABC Australia's films. Check out the website for more chic Art Nouveau graphics like this.You'll be thanking me.Anticipating Miss Fishers Murder Mysteries Season 2

Why We Raised Bibliophile Kids Without Television

As young parents my husband and I were so radical it hurt. In the ultra-conventional 80s, nonconformity did not enjoy the vogue it does now. We were hipsters when that word still meant jeans! One of our biggest phobias was TV. Steeped in the organic childhood wisdom of Dr. Maria Montessori, I demanded only the purist in educational activities for my kids. Reading books like Marie Winn's "The Plug-in Drug" underscored my TV concerns. Even when we were dating, husband and I agreed: nature is nurture. I give us credit looking back. We'd seen nothing yet of internet, video games, Blu-Ray, cellphones and cyber culture. VCRs were pretty young. We worried about cable television and vowed never to have a TV set in our home. We'd grow our kids on books we said. Technology-Free Family--Why We Raised Kids Without Television

Memoriam To Our Daughter, Isobella Raine Sachteleben, 6/28/2004

when did it happen
i'd really like to know
she was so alive
just why did she have to go?
sweet child grew
tiny heart beat
sleeping baby beauty
in my secret deep 

--Love mama (read on To Our Daughter, Isobella Raine Sachteleben Born and Died June 28, 2004)

Help, my child hates to read! Tips to inspire the reluctant reader

Habits, both good and bad, are generational. Children absorb, by osmosis, the vices and virtues of their parents. I'm a reader, as were my parents before me. My husband's family were bibliophiles. Our children grew up reading and being read to. Now in middle school and adulthood, they've continued the reading habit. Are you struggling to find ways to spark a love of reading in your kids? Here are some thoughts.  read more

Free Earth Day Lesson Plan-- Poster Contest

Earth Day, celebrated on April 22, is the new name for the former holiday called Arbor Day. Arbor is the French word for tree. Earth Day is a global celebration that focuses our minds on caring for our earth. Ironically, some Earth Day activities are not really green. Printable for Earth Day, such as coloring pages and worksheets generate more paper waste. I include myself in this indictment because I've written articles for free printables for Earth Day. Here is a truly green lesson plan which is safe for our earth, educational and enjoyable for students of all ages.Free Earth Day Lesson Plan

Free Printable 'Stations of the Cross' Lenten Prayer Book

 Lent begins on Ash Wednesday of the Catholic liturgical calendar and continues for 40 days up to Easter. We try to imitate Jesus with prayer, fasting and alms-giving. Here are free printable Stations of the Cross coloring pages to guide lent devotions. Each year during Lent when our family was homeschooling, we drew images, one for each of the Station of the Cross, to use as a guide for prayer and devotion. We hung them at different places in our home or yard. The children would begin each Friday in Lent by following the Stations of the Cross. The older children drew images for the each of the Stations of the Cross, but for younger children I used the Fr. Lovasik coloring book. Here is are several sets of free printable Stations of the Cross. Print a booklet for CCD and religious education classes, Catholic school, homeschooling and family devotions. Free Printable 'Stations of the Cross' Lenten Devotional Booklet 

Pope Joan for Women's History Month? Was Everyone Real Taken?

March is National Women's History Month and in honor of that event, who has Reelz Channel chosen to highlight? A real woman who made contributions to the betterment of her gender? No. They're airing "Pope Joan" a schmaltzy fantasy movie based on a fictional account (by Donna Woolfolk Cross) of a medieval legend. What, National Women's History Project, is this the best representative you think we women can provide? Were no flesh-and-blood female heroes available that you had to go with a myth? Here's a list of real women or at least more appropriate literary choices. Pope Joan for Women's History Month? Were No Real Gals Available?

Celebrating St. Patrick's Day, Irish history with Books

St. Patrick's Day is a feast day, celebrated on March 17, in the Catholic liturgical calendar. Like Valentine's Day, it has also become a major U.S. holiday. Patricus, a Roman Briton was taken from his home as a slave, but returned as a bishop to bring Christianity to Ireland. Speaking as a descendant of Irish immigrants, I'd like to see the day celebrated with fewer green shamrocks and more focus on the religious and cultural significance of the holiday. Here are ways to celebrate the man we call St. Patrick and explore Irish traditions with kids.  Celebrating St. Patrick's Day, Irish history with children

Best Valentine's Day Gifts for Mothers and Wives

Men often put off shopping for Valentine's Day gifts for their sweethearts. At the last minute, they grab chocolates and flowers. Booorrrring!! Here are Valentine gift suggestions for her that will delight. There are two important rules of thumb to remember when shopping for women. First, we can spot a 'quick grab' gift with no thought involved a mile away. Next, we're suckers for a guy who knows us and buys special things he knows we'll like (books by favorite author, signature scent, favorite wine, wall art by favorite artist, poetry that speaks to us personally). Create a personalized book gift basket, reader's corner or spa getaway with books. Best Valentine's Day Gifts for Mothers and Wives

Herge's 'Tintin' Children's Series--Racist or Reflective of Period?

 "The Adventures of Tintin," a Belgian children's graphic novel and cartoon series by Herge (nom-de-plume of Georges Remi), is finding popularity with U.S. film-going families as an animated feature. However, fans of Tintin were in danger of losing one book of the series, "Tintin in the Congo," which came under threat of banning for inciting acts of racial hatred. A Brussels court has just handed down its verdict: they found Tintin did not violate Belgium's anti-racism laws, says Reuters. The Tintin fracas reflects prevailing cultural mores about what's defines bigotry." Like efforst to sanitize Mark Twain's Huckleberry Finn, Agatha Christie's "Ten Little Indians" and others, it may not take into account the social and cultural milieu of the time. Can we indict authors in retrospect for not recognizing what will offent future generations. Is there a unilateral definition of racism and hatred? Or does the time period effect the author? Here are facts on Tintin and Herge to help us decide, at least in this case. Herge's 'Tintin' Children's Book Declared Not Racist

Are Fantasy Books Healthy for Kids?

Is fantasy literature safe for children? Let's look at addictive, psychological and separation issues. Opponents of fantasy literature worry about the fearful aspects of fantasy. They contend that fantasy literature threatens emotionally fragile children by its unreality. Fantasy may create an existential crisis wherein the child cannot separate fantasy from reality. Reading fantasy literature may produce what is called in special education "perseverative behavior." The concern is that kids who read fantasy literature will only read fantasy and never explore other genres. Here are some issues. Children's Fantasy Literature Concerns