Author Archives: stephanielowden

Ahhhh…summertime, and the livin’ is easy.  Or should be.  Never mind that it’s still cold and most of us have to continue working (although I gave up substitute teaching in the summer a few years ago. Unairconditioned schools and I … Continue reading →

I just looked over my post from last time. It was snowing.  Guess what?  Snow was in the forecast again this week! So far, we’ve been lucky—if you consider it lucky to be in the midst of a cold snap … Continue reading →

It snowed again the other day: March 18. Alright already, enough! However, I know spring is nearly here, not just by the calendar, but by the fact that every day there’s a baseball story in the Sports section.  I was … Continue reading →

I titled this a Nod to the Dreamers because two books exhibit particularly creative approaches to poetry and one chronicles the roots and meaning of a well-known song. Poets are nothing if not dreamers. Frederick, written and illustrated by Leo Lionni.  … Continue reading →

Who knew that George Washington was born on February 11, 1732 but that because eleven more days were added to the calendar in 1752 George’s birthday was celebrated on February 22.  What?  Eleven days were added to the calendar? Who … Continue reading →

  In honor of Martin Luther King Day, I’m re-posting a review of three books that celebrate the history of African Americans and their struggle for civil rights. “Rosa sat so Martin could walk. Martin walked so Barack could run. Barack … Continue reading →

This week’s reviews are of three retold folktales.  The first will appeal to even the youngest child while the other two are appropriate for ages five and up. The Ugly Duckling: Retold and Illustrated by Rachel Isadora. G.P. Putnam’s Sons, … Continue reading →

I recently became a grandmother, so of course I have even more of an excuse to buy picture books than I had before.  Looking over my rather vast collection it occurred to me that I already own some lovely books … Continue reading →