If you have a look at the Blog list on the right hand side of the pages, you will see a few links I have put up.
Two of these are websites promoting books and reading which I find useful in looking for new, up to date stuff that may be of interest here in the school library - although as kids seems to have an incredible 'fear' of books and reading, it doesn't always work well.
The other one is a link to my Pinterest boards. Pinterest is an online pinboard, where you can 'pin' links to websites and ideas that you may want to access again. You can make up boards for your own interests and keep links pinned to the relevant board, so you are curating your own materials and resources as well. Whilst I know that there have been a couple of issues with copyright, most people are happy to share their ideas.
For those of you who haven't come across Pinterest before, I thought you may like to browse my boards to get an idea of what it is all about. These update each time I add new links, and I also get to see others boards if they have linked to, or pinned from mine, and I can pin from theirs, if there is something I like.
Enjoy.
Monday, August 26, 2013
Tuesday, August 20, 2013
Fiction and History, Oh my!
Thanks to Jenn, I just got to read the latest in the 'Elm Creek Quilt' series. This is a series I stumbled across by serendipity a few years ago, and absolutely fell in love with them.
While it may seem like a stretch to have a whole series of books about making quilts, it absolutely is not. I have learnt so much history through the reading of these books; from the opening up of American frontiers to the underground slave railways. I had never realised that many of the traditional quilt designs were actually designed as a code to help slaves escape. It is amazing what you can learn by reading a well researched fiction book.
In the 'Elm Creek Quilters', each story is a stand-alone but they also link together to form a rich tapestry of history and family life that gives you a feeling of warmth, comfort and connection.
My opinion - this one is the BEST of the series - so far anyway. Check out the blurb below.
Chiaverini returns to the quilters of Elm Creek Manor and introduces several new characters in her sweet latest novel (after Sonoma Rose). When Sylvia asks the participants in Quiltsgiving, a post-Thanksgiving weeklong get-together, why they quilt and why they give, their answers point to personal tragedies and triumphs, reminding readers of the powers of generosity and friendship. Jocelyn recently lost her husband in a tragic accident, and she channels her energies into keeping his after-school programs alive. Linnea wants to keep the public library where she works open to all visitors, but a lack of funding and political squabbling make it difficult. Michaela is recovering from a leg injury sustained during a sabotaged cheerleading tryout, and she fears her future is jeopardized. Despite the particulars of each obstacle or victory, each woman finds encouragement in one another, and as they quilt, they stitch together their strengths to cope with individual struggles. Chiaverini's themes of love, loss, and healing will resonate with many, and her characters' stories are inspiring.
While it may seem like a stretch to have a whole series of books about making quilts, it absolutely is not. I have learnt so much history through the reading of these books; from the opening up of American frontiers to the underground slave railways. I had never realised that many of the traditional quilt designs were actually designed as a code to help slaves escape. It is amazing what you can learn by reading a well researched fiction book.
In the 'Elm Creek Quilters', each story is a stand-alone but they also link together to form a rich tapestry of history and family life that gives you a feeling of warmth, comfort and connection.My opinion - this one is the BEST of the series - so far anyway. Check out the blurb below.
Chiaverini returns to the quilters of Elm Creek Manor and introduces several new characters in her sweet latest novel (after Sonoma Rose). When Sylvia asks the participants in Quiltsgiving, a post-Thanksgiving weeklong get-together, why they quilt and why they give, their answers point to personal tragedies and triumphs, reminding readers of the powers of generosity and friendship. Jocelyn recently lost her husband in a tragic accident, and she channels her energies into keeping his after-school programs alive. Linnea wants to keep the public library where she works open to all visitors, but a lack of funding and political squabbling make it difficult. Michaela is recovering from a leg injury sustained during a sabotaged cheerleading tryout, and she fears her future is jeopardized. Despite the particulars of each obstacle or victory, each woman finds encouragement in one another, and as they quilt, they stitch together their strengths to cope with individual struggles. Chiaverini's themes of love, loss, and healing will resonate with many, and her characters' stories are inspiring.
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