Needed: hard workers
Duties: fly, wander, buzz, sip
Pollinate: thank you
Help Wanted by Angie Quantrell
Welcome to my Happy Hump Day Haiku Challenge! Have you ever applied for a job? Followed a help wanted sign? What would it be like if bees had to fill out applications before they got to work on our flowering plants?
Tiny little pens and papers. Background check. Chat with references.
You’re hired!
Her Fearless Run, Kathrine Switzer’s Historic Boston Marathon
Written by Kim Chaffee
Illustrated by Ellen Rooney
Page Street Kids, 2019
Blurb from the book:
“Girls weren’t supposed to sweat. Girls weren’t supposed to compete. They were too weak, too fragile, to run distances like the Boston Marathon. That’s what most people thought.
Kathrine Switzer changed their minds.”
Thanks to Writers’ Rumpus, I received a gift copy of Kim Chaffee’s Her Fearless Run, just born this year! Thank you so much, Kim, Ellen, Carol, and Writers’ Rumpus!
I’ve always envied women who have the desire, drive, and determination to run long distances. I do not have those qualities, and would rather hike or walk long distances.
“I didn’t set out to make history; I was just a girl who wanted to run.” – Kathrine Switzer
Her Fearless Run is the fascinating story of Kathrine Switzer, a woman committed to opening the doors for women to run long distances during a time when it was frowned upon and not allowed. At all.
What I love about Her Fearless Run:
~ I love how skillfully Kim Chaffee wove together real life information with the story of Kathrine standing up to the expectations of a male-dominated sport. I love that Kathrine kept plodding along, facing each obstacle with grit, just as she would in marathons and long distance running.
~ I love the vibrant and informative illustrations and how they lend the air of the past to the story.
~ I love the messages of Her Fearless Run. Girls can do anything! Hard work and perseverance pays off. Individuals can make a difference and impact others. You can do things you enjoy.
~ I love the ease of reading and interesting story that kept me glued to the pages of Her Fearless Run.
~ I love that I can share this book with other young readers and inspire them to go after their dreams and passions.
Amazon Blurb:
Kathrine Switzer changed the world of running. This narrative biography follows Kathrine from running laps as a girl in her backyard to becoming the first woman to run the Boston Marathon with official race numbers in 1967. Her inspirational true story is for anyone willing to challenge the rules.
The compelling collage art adds to the kinetic action of the story. With tension and heart, this biography has the influential power to get readers into running. An excellent choice for sports fans, New Englanders, young dreamers, and competitive girls and boys alike.
KID KANDY:
Go for a Run!
Materials: chalk, running journal, drawing supplies (crayons, pencils, markers), snack
1. Read Her Fearless Run. How did Kathrine start out as a runner? Can you follow the steps she took?
2. Invite someone to run with you. Use chalk marks to count your laps.
3. Relax after your run by searching online for information about Kathrine Switzer and the Boston Marathon. Are there any marathons hosted near your home? Perhaps you could go and watch one. Our city has a race with adults and younger age groups.
4. Eat a healthy snack, drink cool water, and record your laps in a running journal. Draw a picture of yourself running.
5. Repeat!
Note: Nana Angie here. For a bit of fun, I’m challenging (urging, coercing, guiding) my grands to be guest bloggers. This first time, I typed as we discussed and they told me what to write. Perhaps the older 2 will be able to type their own posts later this summer, which I know will zoom past. I’ll probably alternate blogging families so that I can keep up with what is happening behind the scenes as two of us at a time focus on blogging…(5 kids + 1 puppy = 8).
Hope you enjoy our escapades. Happy first day of summer!
Hi, I’m Hayden. I’m 10 years old and just finished 4th grade. Next year I’ll be in middle school. I’m so glad it’s summer.
This summer I’m spending lots of time with my Nana. Last week we were learning about birds. And we made a bird nest out of play dough and pine needles. I found a fallen bird nest at our apartment and it was just sitting on the ground. I picked it up and took it to my Nana’s house and we observed it. It was cool and stinky!
We also went on a walk around the field and looked at birds. We found a hawk. It was cool. It was looking for food. Other bird activities we did were painting bird houses, stamping bird pictures on paper, and reading bird books.
Next we are going to learn about gardens. See you next time!
Hi, I’m Khloe. I’m almost 8 years old and just finished 2nd grade. Next year I’ll be in 3rd grade. I always swim at the pool at my apartment in the summer. That is going to be fun!
My Nana is teaching me and my brothers French words. I know “Bonjour, Grand-mere, merci, s’il vous plait, and counting to sept (1-7). It was fun learning about French.
We also learned about birds. My brother picked up a bird nest for us to look at and study. My favorite bird activity was making a bird nest out of play dough. I used sticks, pine needles, play dough, and leaves and rocks for my nest.
I will see you next time!
My name is William Gage Aucutt. I’m 4. I’m going swimming. I’m going to the apartment. And I go to the RV. Then I go to the park. I liked painting my bird house. I like to paint. And I like to go everywhere. Everywhere.
sunflower forest
shadowing minions below,
giant bird fodder
sunflower forest by Angie Quantrell
This year, another garden experiment. Last season, giant birds (to the minions living below) messily (and carelessly) tossed seeds as they gobbled from sunflower trees. This season, let’s see what grows.
A forest!
The Broken Bees’ Nest
Beekeeping, Makers Make It Work
By Lydia Lukidis
Illustrated by Andre Ceolin
Kane Press, Inc., 2019
I won a copy of Lydia’s book, The Broken Bees’ Nest, through Kathy Temean and her blog, Writing and Illustrating. Thanks to Lydia for the delightful copy and to Kathy for introducing me to The Broken Bees’ Nest.
What I like about this book:
I love bees, so this picture book is perfect for me. My current dream is to capture a swarm and put a hive out in our pasture. Guess what The Broken Bees’ Nest is about? Capturing a swarm from a broken hive!
This book is about a beekeeper and how she helps two children rescue bees from a broken hive. It’s also about family and being outdoors and engaging in fun play while enjoying nature. I loved learning more about bees-from the story, the sidebars, and the back matter pages.
This book is easy to read, includes vibrant illustrations, and provides lots of bee information in a fun, engaging way. As my granddaughter said the first time we read it, “Again!”
We’ll keep reading The Broken Bees’ Nest! I think this will help her overcome her fear of bees.
Amazon Blurb:
Arun and Keya find the perfect tree for a tree house. Too bad it comes with a battered bees’ nest! These bees need a new home―right away! Tying into the popular Makers Movement, Makers Make It Work is a series of fun easy-to-read stories that focus on problem-solving and hands-on action. This charming story explores the Makers theme of Beekeeping and includes explanatory sidebars and an insect-related activity for young makers to try themselves!
Freedom’s Highest Flight
Written by Casey McCall Corbett
Illustrated by Patrick Powell
Mascot Books, 2019
I received a review copy of Freedom’s Highest Flight from Mascot Books. Thank you!
Happy May 7, 2019, book birthday, Freedom’s Highest Flight!
I was attracted to Freedom’s Highest Flight because of the bald eagle and football connections. I’ve always been interested in birds of prey and football is on my list of favorite fall activities.
Written in rhyme, Freedom’s Highest Flight tells the tale of both Freedom, the bald eagle mascot for Georgia Southern, and Erk Russell, one of the most famous football coaches for that university.
I enjoyed the imaginative story telling by Erk as he shared Georgia Southern football history with Freedom. I learned more about football strategies, plays, and players. By the end of the book, I was proud of GSU and all of their championship accomplishments. Interesting backmatter is a great addition to the story. Freedom’s Highest Flight is a fun read!
For lovers of college football, team mascots, and football history, Freedom’s Highest Flight is the perfect book choice.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Mascot Books Publishes Freedom’s Highest Flight
By Casey McCall Corbett
Herndon, VA, May 7, 2019: Mascot Books announces the release of Freedom’s Highest Flight by Casey McCall Corbett; Illustrated by Patrick Powell.
Fans of Georgia Southern University will love this tale about one of the most famous football coaches in school history, Erk Russell. Join Freedom the eagle and his pal Erk on a high-flying journey through history to recount the rise of GSU’s football program to winning multiple championships.
Growing up with a father as a football coach immersed Casey into the world of football at an early age. Several of her father’s high school athletes went on to play with Georgia Southern during its infancy of Erk Russell football, when the school was just a college and the program itself had very little funding. Little did she realize she was watching the history and legacy of Georgia Southern football develop and where it would lead her later on in her life.
Her affection for the outdoors and wildlife led Casey to a career as the education coordinator at the Center for Wildlife Education at Georgia Southern University in 2009. It was in this position while being trained to fly Freedom, and the other raptors, that ideas of a book about Georgia Southern Football began to form. The memories of her football past and growing up with a connection to Erk Russell football made her realize she had come full circle with an exciting story to tell.
To set up an interview, reading, signing, or for information regarding Freedom’s Highest Flight, please contact Chris Baker at chris@mascotbooks.com.
Freedom’s Highest Flight is registered with the American Wholesale Book Company, Baker & Taylor, Follett Library Resources, and Ingram, and available online with the following retailers:
About Mascot Books
Mascot Books is a full-service, multi-genre, independent book publisher and distributor. It is a hybrid publishing company headquartered in Herndon, Virginia. Co-founded in 2003 by Naren Aryal, Mascot has published more than 2,500 books in a variety of genres, including fiction, nonfiction, children’s, cookbooks, and coffee table books. Learn more at www.mascotbooks.com.
cotton candy clouds
effervescence, bees’ delight
pink blossom carpet
cotton candy by Angie Quantrell
I love spring blossoms and the buzz of happy bees. Welcome, pink!
lollipop curl road
dancing, growing, reaching high;
what flavor opens?
forest lollipop by Angie Quantrell
Don’t these fern swirls look exactly like fuzzy lollipops? Of course, I don’t want to lick treats containing fuzz, but my imagination considers what interesting tastes live in forest lollipops.
Happy Haiku Day!
Senior Prom, 1981; Dress made by my mama, hair by Aunt Helen, hunk complements of his parents!
My honey keeps track of the ‘little’ big important days.
I know birthdays, anniversaries, holidays, that sort of thing. But for remembering the dates for first date, first kiss, first trip, and so on, he wins the prize.
First, he tells me that Tuesday (today) is a special day.
“What is Tuesday?” I ask, wracking my brain.
“I’m not telling you, you have to figure it out.”
Great. I am not good at this game. We’ve known each other a very long time. More than 40 years.
After several comically wrong guesses, I vaguely recall this time of year being when we finally got together as a couple.
“40 years ago, you agreed to be my girlfriend!”
Aww. He is absolutely right. I think. 40 years ago today, we started dating. As his mother used to say, “No, you keep him, you’ve had him longer.”
I agree. I’ll keep him. I have had him longer. I still want him. 🙂
Happy Earth Day, neighbors!
I love this old earth. It’s the only one I’ve got, so I suppose I should help take care of it. Earth Day reminds me to do something, not just talk about it or ignore the problems I see.
For example:
~Yesterday and today, I planted thyme and basil, both edible yumminess for humans and flowering treats for bees.
~I’m trying to convince my pasture mowers to leave the dandelions as is for bee food.
~We avoid spray unless absolutely necessary and spend more time hand weeding.
~I keep planting baby trees from the Arbor Society to create habitat for birds and small animals.
~I always have water out for the cats, but wildlife benefits from the source of hydration.
~I’ve been noticing lots of trash along roads and paths, so it’s time to carry along a trash bag and pick up as I go on walks.
~We pay extra in our valley to allow us to recycle trash items like cans, cardboard, and certain plastics.
I know there are many ways to help Planet Earth. These are only a few ideas to be good stewards of the beautiful environment God created for us to enjoy and care for. Spend some time outside today and pay special attention to how awesome our Earth is.
How about you? I’d love to hear what you do, especially if you have fresh ideas!
Love, Laughter, and Life 