It’s All About the BOOKS!
Celebrate This Week [No. 237]
I’m honored to be the caboose on the It’s All About the BOOKS Blog Tour. I hope you are keeping up, because the tour stops not only feature the best of this book, but they also offer you a chance to win a copy of Clare and Tammy’s brand new, must-read It’s All About the BOOKS! Follow along on the tour with the following links.
Franki and Mary Lee share a Q&A with Clare and Tammy.
Colby features Clare and Tammy in his One Question Video.
Fran highlights the practical and inspirational highlights.
Katherine offers gratitude in a sweet book review.
I’ve written a very practical and very typical blog tour post.
I deleted it.
This book deserves a celebration.
It saved the writer in me.
Those who follow me closely, have come to know I’m predictable with weekly celebrations, and also know I predictably miss a celebration from time to time. It is a byproduct of living a full life.
Until now, I’ve never missed two celebrations in a row.
I missed publicly celebrating because things have moved from rocky to gnarled to nightmarish in my momma-corner of the world.
I am exhausted.
But I’ve been reading…
…and it was just what I needed.
It’s just what we all need.
Clare and Tammy give us access to the the tools of growing readers. They wrap stories around the research and they break down organizing the tools of readers — BOOKS — in a practical (and FUN) how-to guide.
The whole time I’m reading the book, I’m admiring the stories that make me snicker and make me blink back tears. Sam, the future marine biologist, still has a piece of my heart, and nudges me to listen, rather than reprimand (even those who build book towers during independent reading time).
The research is staggering. It is a complicated issue — getting the right books into the right hands; getting access to books in all schools; getting organized in order to have the tools needed to grow readers. Clare and Tammy write the research in a way that makes me feel armed to defend more books, more books, more books. I understand the scope of the issue, and I have a way to fight for the tools needed for children to become readers who will change the world.
Purchasing the book not only changes me to be prepared to fight for putting lots of books in the hands of children, but it also puts actual books in the hands of children. Clare and Tammy are donating all of their royalties to the Book Love Foundation. Book Love donates classroom libraries to teachers.
So even if you don’t win a copy of this book, go buy one.
It’s good for you and it’s good for kids.
Writing a book is hard. Clare and Tammy will tell you, because they are the real-deal. As I was reading, I kept remembering bits of conversations we’ve had, over time, about being writers. It’s not always fun to be a writer.
Sometimes life hands us moments that are harder than the others. This blog tour post was ready to roll, because I didn’t want to let down Clare and Tammy. Sure, their book is something special, but it doesn’t compare to the lights inside of each of them.
I might have decided it would be a good post to close the doors on my blogging life. The caboose of the blog tour…the caboose of my blog. Today, I opened the post box to add the links of the tour and I remembered.
I remembered the way their words — stories and research and a how-to guide — is offering light to teachers in order to find and organize the tools we need most (BOOKS) to change the lives of children. I’m glad they kept writing even when the writing became too hard.
Light is precious is a world so dark.
I think I’ll keep writing too.
After all, It’s All About the BOOKS…That Inspire Readers.
Heinemann is generously giving away a copy of It’s All About the BOOKS to one reader. Leave a comment and let me know what book inspires you. I’ll select a recipient of the free book next Friday.
This post is part of a weekly offering to celebrate in the middle of the muddle. I hope you join the celebration!
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Your writing helps us remember how to find the joy that is all around us, even in the darkest moments. Keep writing – even if you have to take a break for awhile. Your stories show us how teaching, writing, and mothering are all tied together in a beautiful, yet complicated way.
Ruth,
And what a great caboose post!
This . . .”Light is precious is a world so dark.” is so true. And “It’s All About the Books” is absolutely a shining light! So many fun, easy to do, yet quick ways to “spruce up” classroom libraries and bookrooms! Thanks!!!
Favorite lines from this post:
“Light is precious is a world so dark.
I think I’ll keep writing too.”
We need celebrations and we need your voice. So glad this wasn’t a caboose post.
A book that inspires me? How to choose among so many? A current one on my nightstand is Magical Journey: An Apprenticeship in Contentment by Katrina Kenison, (author of Mitten Strings for God).
Patterns of Power by Jeff Anderson, Big Book of Details by Roz Linder, and Dream Wakers by Ruth Culham have been big for me at school.
I have long loved Jan Karon’s Mitford series with its cast of ordinary people and quirky characters living out their lives with faith. I especially love Come Rain or Come Shine.
The momma world sometimes gets harder than we ever could have imagined. Keep on…
Thank you for sharing- many will keep you in thoughts and prayers… and be moved to kind, caring actions, too, as we keep on in our own families with all the twists and turns in the journey.
I recently finished reading aloud Because of Winn-Dixie – Kate DiCamillo to my second graders. It inspired all of us as it does every year.
My heart and breathing stopped when you said you might need to stop blogging. If you step aside for a bit, that’s okay. The world needs to read your words, whenever you put them out there, but it would be a dark world if they were never there.
What book inspires me? That’s hard to answer, but I do love the message from Kobi Yamada’s books What Do You Do With a Problem? and What Do You Do With a Chance? Those inspire me not to give up and take a chance because you never know where it will lead.
I pray for your momma-world. You are enough. Wish I could bring you a dinner of donuts. 🙂 Hugs!
Emily P. Freeman’s books are inspiring me—Simply Tuesday and A Million Little Ways. She celebrates art and everyday life, and she reminds me of what you do. I think you’d like her. I’m saying a prayer for you.
Oh, Ruth, know that you are in my heart and prayers. I noticed your words had slowed to a bare trickle in recent weeks and felt a tugging in my heart for you. I so agree on all levels: “Light is precious is a world so dark. I think I’ll keep writing too.” There are so many who need your words. xo
Dear Ruth, I hope you find the strength in you and support around you whenever you need it. I wish I could do something to help you. A cup of tea, perhaps. Your words have nudged and supported me. This post, directing me to a fabulous new book, is another example of how you support growth in others. “The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore” is a book I like to return to. It reminds me that the power of a story will save the day. Hugs to you!.
Ruth, when your post did not pop up recently I thought you were on overload and I see that I was right. Sometimes the weight of family love is heavy and that is when quiet time is needed. May your days be cushioned with hope. I have been reading about Tammy and Clare’s new book and it sounds wonderful. A book that I am reading is Kylene Beers and Bob Probst’s book, Disrupting Thinking. Kylene was the keynote at our Long Island Literacy Council in March and it was such a pleasure hearing her speak from the heart.
I appreciate your writing and the writing of the many educational bloggers out there. So many blog posts I read offer the light that I need to remain centered on the essentials and best practices of literacy. This light is needed especially when it becomes evident that poor choices are often made when it comes to literacy instruction. Others’ writing helps me remain positive and hopeful! A book that is inspiring me is Regie Routman’s Literacy Essential.
I am sorry to hear of the difficulties you have been facing. I wish you rest and renewed energy.
It’s difficult to name only one book that inspires me, but The Book Whisperer is one I have revisited often.
This is an inspiration! We have been discussing how to help our struggling, growing resders. I needed direction and this is the book I need to continue to help kids.
Your heart is real. Thank you for sharing, for being honest.
I’m sorry to hear you are going through a rough time but you are a mama through and through and you’ll get through this! I hope you are able to continue to blog but taking a break is okay too. The writing will always be there for you.
I’m so excited for Claire and Tammy’s book! I was just talking to a friend about Celebrating Writers and how we need to revisit it as we think about writing pd next year. It’s one of my favorites.
And speaking of celebrations, I’m celebrating my 8 year blogiversary this weekend! I have book giveaways and am offering writing conferences to celebrate. 🙂
http://www.teachmentortexts.com/2018/05/join-celebrating-my-eight-year.html