Imagine the Possibilities

Perfect Picture Book Friday: I Will Be Fierce

Posted on January 24, 2020 by rosecappelli

Today I’m participating in Susanna Leonard Hill’s Perfect Picture Book Friday. Be sure to check it out here.

Title: I Will Be Fierce

Author: Bea Birdsong

Illustrator: Nidhi Chanani

Publisher: Roaring Brook Press, 2019

Audience: Ages 3-6 (could also be used with older children)

Themes: Courage, self-esteem

Opening lines: Today, I will be fierce! I will answer the call to adventure. I will put on my armor. I will fill my treasure chest.

Synopsis: (from Amazon) It’s a brand new day, and a young girl decides to take on the world like a brave explorer heading off on an epic fairytale quest. From home to school and back again, our hero conquers the Mountain of Knowledge (the library), forges new bridges (friendships), and leads the victorious charge home on her steed (the school bus).

Why I Like This Book: This book empowers young readers to forge their own way in the world with courage and confidence. The illustrations pair wonderfully with the spare text to show readers that everyday actions and experiences such as going to school, looking at things differently, making new friends, and speaking up require confidence. They may not always be easy, but they will always be rewarding.

For Susanna’s complete list of books with resources, please visit Perfect Picture Books.

Posted in Picture Book Friday | 5 Comments

Good Morning

Posted on January 21, 2020 by rosecappelli

Before: I walk sleepily to my office. The sun is just beginning to peek through the trees. The cardinal calls good-morning from his perch near the feeder. I linger over a Mary Oliver poem, and I am ready to start my day.

Allan is a thoughtful gift giver. He observes, considers needs, but never strays far from wants or should-haves. He knows I like to rise early and start the day slowly, reading or writing or thinking before going downstairs, before wrapping my hands around that first cup of steaming coffee. He knows that sometimes the trip downstairs for coffee breaks the spell and the solace of that early morning time. So this year he gave me a Keurig for my office.

Now: I walk sleepily to my office. The sun is just beginning to peek through the trees. The cardinal calls good-morning from his perch near the feeder. I linger over a Mary Oliver poem, and I am ready to start my day. The coffeemaker gurgles, filling the room with the robust smell of the special holiday blend.

Good morning!

Posted in Slices | 5 Comments

Poetry Friday: The Trickster

Posted on January 17, 2020 by rosecappelli

Last weekend the temperatures soared into the high 60’s. Quite a treat for January in the Northeast! It was lovely to feel the warm air kiss our cheeks, but there’s something to be said for seasonal change. It’s what we expect, and when nature fools around with those expectations, it’s confusing. I decided to personify January and write a poem showing that I wasn’t taken in by such trickery, even though I appreciated it.

The Trickster

Oh, January!

How clever!

Teasing us

with April’s warmth.

The chickadee is confused.

The crocus rubs her sleepy eyes.

But I’m not fooled.

Your icy winds

and swirling snow

are waiting…

Ready to pounce!

(but thank you)

What a difference a week makes! There’s snow in the forecast for tomorrow. Today’s Poetry Friday round up is at Reading to the Core. Thanks, Catherine!

Posted in Poems, Poetry Friday | 10 Comments

Perfect Picture Book Friday: A Fist for Joe Louis

Posted on January 10, 2020 by rosecappelli

Today I’m participating in Susanna Leonard Hill’s Perfect Picture Book Friday. Be sure to check it out here.

Title: A Fist for Joe Louis and Me

Author: Trinka Hakes Noble

Illustrator: Nicole Tadgell

Publisher: Sleeping Bear Press, 2019, Historical Fiction

Audience: Ages 6-9 (and up)

Themes: Friendship, loyalty

Opening lines: Every Friday, after he came home from working at the auto plant, my father gave me a boxing lesson. “Keep your fists up, Gordy,” he’d say, holding up his big strong hands like targets.

Synopsis: Gordy and Ira form a friendship against the backdrop of Detroit and the Great Depression. They share a love for boxer, Joe Louis, who is set to fight Max Schmeling in 1938’s Fight of the Century which comes to symbolize good vs. evil. As their friendship grows, Gordy learns what it means to stand up for a friend.

Why I Like This Book: Trinka Hakes Noble is a master at creating tender stories within a historical background, and this one is no exception. The characters are stand-outs with authentic dialogue that connects to readers. The realistic illustrations enhance the reactions and feelings of the characters. An author’s note (always a plus) provides contextual background and reveals the source of the idea. This would be a wonderful addition to any classroom library and can be used in social studies curriculum.

For Susanna’s complete list of books with resources, please visit Perfect Picture Books.

Posted in Picture Book Friday | 5 Comments

Antics at the Feeder

Posted on January 7, 2020 by rosecappelli

My OLW for 2020 is Astonish. Since I’m a big fan of Mary Oliver, it fits. I want to discover the moments, objects, feelings, and connections that astonish me and tell about them.

I was inspired by a fellow slicer to write something that astonished me today in the form of an acrostic (thanks, Terje).

A fresh supply of

Seed for my feathered friends.

The squirrel topples the roof

Off the feeder, but still the

Nuthatch perseveres.

Inside I watch the antics as

Seed scatters to the ground.

Hungry critters feast.