Margriet's BOOK Blog

Fan site!

Wow, I now have my own fan page on Facebook! Makes me feel just like the Academy Award winners I just watched. A big thank you to Nicole in Nashville, TN who created my very own fan page. You can join here: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Margriet-Ruurs-Writer/394173124831?v=wall to stay informed.

Best Bets for 2009

I was thrilled to learn today that Ontario Library Asociation (OLA) lists my book My School in the Rain Forest (Boyds Mills Press) as one of the Best Bets, nonfiction, for 2009:

"My School in the Rain Forest: How Children Attend School Around the World. Boyd Mills Press School in a jungle, school on a ship and school by radio are just a few of the fascinating ways children go to school around the world. Lots of photos and personalized stories add interest and make this a book that will help foster an understanding of other cultures."

Maupin House books

Check out my blog on the Maupin House website. This is one mighty publisher: big ideas, big hearts and they accomplish so much. Maupin House reminds me of Vancouver Kidsbooks: determined, dedicated people who truly care for teachers, kids and education. Hurray for them!

http://maupinhouse.blogspot.com/2010/03/turning-your-classroom-into-global.html

Using Picture Books with Older Students

I am working on book for teachers of older students, ESL students and more. I'd love to get your feedback if you teach higher grades. Would you use a book showing how to use picture books effectively throughout the curriculum?
I believe that many picture books are not specifically for little children but can be effectively used with older students. Text is not intimidating, art is intriguing and topics are often of high interest.
My book will list the best of the best titles, give you lots of ideas for using these books in classroom discussions, writing activities, even math and science with older students, ESL students, etc. Topics will include environmental awareness, social issues etc.
Would love to hear your feedback.
Thanks!

Highlights

My Highlight this week is the fact that Highlights for Children arrived in the mail with my short story in it. It's a silly joke about a chicken who asks a librarian for a "book-book-book!" Hope you will have a chance to read the current issue of this largest magazine for children in the world.

Listen to J.K. Rowling

Here is a link to J.K. Rowling's commencement address at Harvard, 2008.
It is great for anyone who is a writer, a reader, a parent or simply.. a person!
Enjoy listening to it:

http://www.ted.com/talks/jk_rowling_the_fringe_benefits_of_failure.html

Reading Magic

Mem Fox, in her book Reading Magic says "If parents understood the huge educational benefits and intense happiness brought about by reading aloud to their children, and if every parent - and every adult caring for a child - read aloud a minimum of three stories a day to the children in their lives, we could probably wipe out illiteracy within one generation."

Thanks goodness I understand the benefits and the happiness of reading aloud! I will be reading to my brand new grandson Nico, as will his parents. And not just when he's older but starting right now. I will share with him the fun of Pooh Bear, the excitement of Curious George, the silliness of Dr. Seuss. And of course my own stories of Emma and Henry, since we have chickens running around our farm.

Give a copy of Mem Fox's Reading Magic to every new parent you know and we can work toward sharing the happiness and benefits of reading aloud!

I'm a proud grandmother now!

On January 26 our first grandchild arrived into the world! Nico weighed in at 7.2 and is 52 cm long.He is, of course,a gorgeous looking baby. We can't wait to have parents and baby safely home again. Imagine all the books we'll be reading to him. On the day he was born I gave him ON THE DAY YOU WERE BORN by Debra Frasier, a very beautiful, touching picture book of how a new baby is welcomed by all of nature.

Meeting Greg Mortenson

Last night we listened to Greg Mortenson, author of Three Cups of Tea, as he shared his experiences of building schools in Pakistan and Afghanistan. Did you know that the book is now mandatory reading for high ranking officials in the US army? It makes me feel hopeful to know that they might be listening to such a wise peacemaker. I felt honored to meet Greg and exchange books with him. His new title is called Stones Into Schools. If you are looking for a good cause to support with your students, check out his project www.penniesforpeace.org
A huge thank you to Vancouver Kidsbooks for bringing him here.
If you missed the event you can still hear Babs Alink, also sponsored by Kidsbooks: "From her years living and working in Afghanistan, refusing to work with weapons, traveling to the most remote areas and building over 300 schools and clinics, Babs has a very different and in-depth view of the situation in Afghanistan.
She is an iconoclastic activist who worked between 2002 and 2008 for three and a half years in Afghanistan. In her presentations she shares tales of her adventures and her battles with Western officials in her efforts to involve local people in developing projects. She will present photos and share her stories with you on the 28th January at the Water Carriers Fundraiser.

22nd January at the Ten Thousand Villages, 2909 Broadway, 7-9pm
28th January at Cravings restaurant/lounge, 6pm starting with live music (Randy Morisson), presentation Babs, doorprices, delicious tapas and Argentinian wines. Fundraiser for the Water Carriers Afghanistan.
Website www.watercarriersafghanistan.com