The Girl Who Heard the Music: How One Pianist and 85,000 Bottles and Cans Brought New Hope to an Island Written by: Marni Fogelson with Mahani TeaveIllustrated by: Marta Alvarez Miguens On the island of Rapa Nui, Mahani learned to love music and play piano. She traveled far away to study music. When she returned,Continue reading “G is for the Girls”
Author Archives: Christina Dankert
F is for Fighting…with love
Fighting with Love: The Legacy of John LewisWritten by: Lesa Cline-Ransome Illustrated by: James E. Ransome Written and illustrated by a wife and husband team, this book shines a light on the power of fighting with love to do what is right. “Hold only love, only peace in your heart, knowing that the battle ofContinue reading “F is for Fighting…with love”
E is for Extraordinary
Extraordinary Magic: The Storytelling Life of Virginia Hamilton Written & Illustrated by: Nina Crews A story told through poetry about Virginia’s life as a child, loving writing, growing up through adversity and realizing her words held power. “Virginia traveled across the US and around the world. But her most extravagant trips were in her mind.Continue reading “E is for Extraordinary”
D is for Digging
Digging for Words: Jose Alberto Gutierrez and the Library He BuiltWritten by: Angela Burke KunkelIllustrated by: Paola Escobar One Jose is a young boy who looks forward to Saturday each week. Another Jose is a garbage collector who rescues books and opens his special library on Saturdays only. This book celebrates the joy of readingContinue reading “D is for Digging”
C is for Cactus & Cicada
Cactus Queen: Minerva Hoyt Establishes Joshua Tree National Park Written by: Lori Alexander Illustrated by: Jenn Ely A powerful story about perseverance and determination. Minerva saw the beauty in the Joshua trees that people were removing from the desert in the 1920s. She had a goal and a dream to turn the desert into aContinue reading “C is for Cactus & Cicada”
B is for Balloons & Book Itch
Balloons Over Broadway: The True Story of the Puppeteer of Macy’s ParadeWritten & Illustrated by: Melissa Sweet Many people watch The Macy’s Day Parade, but most do not know how it started. Tony Sarg loved marionettes and figuring out how to make other things move when he was little. He then made puppets and designedContinue reading “B is for Balloons & Book Itch”
A is for Amazing Abe & Activist
Today begins the A to Z Blog Challenge 2025! This year I will work through the alphabet featuring nonfiction picture books. Know a parent or teacher who would find this interesting? Please share! If you are participating in the challenge, please let me know so I can read your posts. Amazing Abe: How Abraham Cahan’sContinue reading “A is for Amazing Abe & Activist”
The Kindness Machine Turns 3!
Three years ago, “The Kindness Machine” was released into the world! Thank you to all who have read the story, purchased/gifted copies, added copies to Little Free Libraries, donated copies to classrooms, etc. I continue to be surprised when I see the book in libraries, on a classroom shelf or read a new review. LastContinue reading “The Kindness Machine Turns 3!”
A to Z Blog Challenge 2025
I am thrilled to participate in the A to Z blog challenge for the 4th year! This year the theme will focus on gratitude and I encourage anyone to join who is interested in writing one blog post for each day, except Sundays, for the month of April. In 2022, I wrote about character strengthsContinue reading “A to Z Blog Challenge 2025”
The Night Before World Kindness Day
‘Twas the night before World Kindness Day, and all through the house,Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse;The teachers and parents prepared stories to share, In hopes that our world would soon learn to care. The children were nestled all snug in their beds;While visions of kindness danced in their heads;The mom whispered, “beContinue reading “The Night Before World Kindness Day”
Christina Dankert 