Art, History and Fiction - working like clockwork to tell an interesting story!

The Invention of Hugo Cabret

This books set in Paris during the 1930's is one of the neatest works of art, history and fiction!  

This books is amazing with the way that every page of art work helps to tell the story of a young boy - orphaned and left by his Uncle in a train station winding clocks.  The book is also a story about how History is everywhere.  That within each person we may be surprised to find out what they contributed to the world around us.   

My children loved this book - I got the book on CD for them to listen to and when I saw the photos in the book decided we would read the book and listen to it at the same time.   I would read a few chapters then they would listen to it as they went to bed.  They couldn't wait to find out what would happen next.  

The art work in this books is amazing - this will be one of those books that stands the test of time.  Click on the link above to hear about the book straight from the author Brian Selznick.

The Invention of Hugo Cabret

A Journey of a SPOILED stuffed rabbit starts with one perilous fall.

The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane  

We read this book by Kate DiCamillo some time ago now - but while thinking of books that we have read the past year, this is one I have to recommend.

I enjoyed this book - and I will admit to a few tears at the end of the story.  I was actually mopping my eyes with tissues.  My kids didn't quite get all the nuances of the story - they heard the adventures and misadventures of a rabbit.  I don't think they even picked up any of the dysfunctional family elements.

The story is really about the journey many of us take - through our own selfishness and the people we come into contact with as we realize what is really important in life:

To truly love others and to be truly loved.

The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane

Other books by Kate DiCamillo:
The Magician's Elephant
The Tiger Rising
Because of Winn-Dixie
Great Joy
The Tale of Despereaux: Being the Story of a Mouse, a Princess, Some Soup and a Spool of Thread
Mercy Watson: Three-Treat Collection: Slipcased Gift Set
Louise, The Adventures of a Chicken
Bink and Gollie
Mercy Watson: Princess in Disguise
Mercy Watson: Something Wonky This Way Comes
Mercy Watson to the Rescue
Mercy Watson Thinks Like a Pig
Mercy Watson Fights Crime
Mercy Watson Goes for a Ride

American Sign Language - MY choices for teaching ASL!

Since, I am a Child of Deaf Adults (CODA) and hold a certification as an American Sign Language (ASL) interpreter.  I thought you might be interested in my choice for teaching your children ASL.

For the elementary crowd keep it fun!

Signing Time - does just that.  It keeps it fun while teaching a lot of fundamental vocabulary.  Their website has a lot to offer.  See the links below.  They also have two series.  The first series focuses on vocabulary.  The second series focuses on putting it all together.

Signing Time Website
Sign of the Week

Search Amazon.com for signing time dvd set

For older children I recommend

ASL University - it is put out by a Deaf ASL teacher that has created this free website to learn ASL.  It is spot on and will give any student - young or old a great start in learning ASL.

The other part that you need to truly learn ASL is a community of Deaf people to use it!  You will never truly know the language until you can "read" a Deaf person signing to you!  This is the challenging part.

Timeline: website find of the century!

This timeline site is great!  HISTORY CENTRAL


World History, American History, Biographical history and that is just the beginning.  If you wanted a good timeline site I think I have found it. 


The only thing annoying about this site is the adds that scare you with the sound level of them that say you are selected to win - yadda, yadda.  Just ignore it or turn your computer on mute before you go there.