Children’s Books that Build Character

A column called A bicycle for a little girl had me thinking about its connections to children’s literature, reading and learning. “Aren’t you the little girl who is always in here looking at bikes?” Emily nodded. “Is this going to be your bike?” Again she nodded. He smiled and turned to me, “You know, the…

The maternal effect: How mother deer protect their future kings

Do mothers invest more care in their sons if they believe their child is destined to be a king, president or a high-powered leader? The answer is definitively yes – as long as those mothers and their sons happen to have hooves. It always comes up when people are comparing their most traumatic movie experiences:…

SQUISH #4: Captain Disaster and other great middle grade books

SQUISH #4: Captain Disaster by Jennifer L. Holm and Matthew Holm When trouble calls, there is a single cell who has the courage to do what’s right….Squish! “Even the mildest young boy will see something of himself in Squish. Super Amoeba is an energetic, good-hearted escapade, one that young readers will enjoy.”—New York Times Book…