Author of the Month. . Chris Van Allsburg

I remember the first time my college professor read us the Polar Express.  I had not heard of the book before.  She passed out silver bells with purple ribbons and told us to always remember that someone believed in us.  I did the same each year with my students and my children.  I was and still am fascinated by Chris Van Allsburg and his amazing illustrations.

Chris Van Allsburg has a wonderful website filled with his books, how he got started in art, and updates on his life.  There are many activities on my Pinterest Board using his books across the curriculum. There is a great interview on Reading Rockets about his life.

Enjoy reading his books this December.
~Becky

Nature Girl-a guide to caring for God's creation by Karen Whiting and Rebecca White

Being a “green girl” for God means more than just caring for our planet. It also means appreciating God’s creations and understanding our responsibility in caring for the earth.

Each chapter covers different topics like water, air, energy, recycling, and renewing the earth, and includes crafts, Scripture verses, games, quizzes, interviews with real people and quotes from real girls. The book also contains science-based activities, career ideas, plus resources for more information.

Part of the bestselling Faithgirlz brand, Nature Girl: A Guide to Going Green is a fun read for any girl who enjoys science or the outdoors and a great resource for parents, homeschoolers, and educators.
 

Nature Girl is a fun-filled book for girls ages 8-12.  The book has crafts, recipes, helpful tips, career ideas, quizzes, experiments, and ways to connect the reader to God’s creation.  It is formated so the reader does not have to read straight through the book, but  can choose a topic of interest and go directly to that spot.

I was thrilled to find this book.  The book is a wonderful way to engage girls in science.  The quizzes are fun and teach you to save water, encourage recycling, reduce your energy usage, and explore science careers.  The recipes include how to make air fresheners, body scrubs, smoothies, dog treats, and baked goods.  I was inspired to try some as I was reading!

All of the activities used items that are easy to find around your house or a local grocery store.  I loved that the book did not use technology, encouraged girls to work with their hands, and get outdoors!  The book would be an excellent way to supplement your science curriculum, as a central resource in a unit study, or just a fun gift for any girl who loves to explore.  I highly recommend this book!

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookLook Bloggers <http://booklookbloggers.com> book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”