Anderson’s Bookshops (Naperville) is hosting their Fall Educator Extravaganza on October 20 at 3:00 pm. Spend the afternoon exploring phenomenal kid lit, and earn 1 free hour of professional development.
Reserve your free tickets before they are gone.
Anderson’s Bookshop is bringing K-8 educators & #kidlit creators back together in the Chicago suburbs for a day-and-a half of community, learning, and celebration of all things literacy! Anderson’s Bookshops gives a 20% discount to items educators purchase for their classrooms or libraries, and this will be honored at LITapalooza. As an added bonus, educators will earn CPUDs.
Hope to see you there!
—Jenn
Who’s coming to LITapalooza 2024?
Keynote Speakers: Minh Lê and Dan Santat
**Your ticket includes a free signed copy of Built to Last, written by Minh Lê and illustrated by Dan Santat.
Guest Authors:
Vera Ahiyya, John David Anderson, Cale Atkinson, Tracey Baptiste, Bethany Barton, Cece Bell, Ashley Belote, Tadgh Bentley, Terry J. Benton-Walker, Valerie Bolling, Jessica Burkhart, Nidhi Chanani, Johnnie Christmas, Ben Clanton, Abby Cooper, Lindsay Currie, Sayantani DasGupta, Cori Doerrfeld, Antwan Eady, Vicky Fang, Saadia Faruqi, Josh Funk, Alyson Gerber, Chris Grabenstein, Andrew Hacket, Nathan Hale, Kate Hannigan, Mary Winn Heider, Jennifer L. Holm & Matthew Holm, Alan Katz, Lisa Katzenberger, Supriya Kelkar, Lily LaMotte, David LaRochelle, Kari Lavelle, Jarrett Lerner, Loren Long, Stephanie V.F. Lucianovic, Kekla Magoon, Laurie Morrison, Jamar Nicholas, Rex Ogle, Jarrett Pumphrey, Jerome Pumphrey, Rekha Rajan, Jean Reidy, Mae Respicio, Michael Rex, Barb Rosenstock, Katherine, Roy, Blythe Russo, Sarah Sax, John Schu, Stephen Shaskan, Sheetal Sheth, Cynthia Leitich Smith, Esme Symes-Smith, Ruth Spiro, Elly Swartz, Jamilah Thompkins-Bigelow, Jana Tropper, Refe & Susan Tuma, Colleen AF Venable, Jasmine Warga, & Kaz Windness!
Schedule
**Lunch – A variety of food trucks will be available to purchase lunch and snacks throughout day 1. You can also have lunch on your own.
Morning (located right outside the auditorium):
Lunch Food Trucks
Location
Where: Neuqua Valley High School, 2360 95th Street, Naperville, IL
Tuesday, April 26, 2024
Dearest Tree Hugging Readers,
It is with TREE-mendous excitement that I am sharing Arbor Day literature and resources.
My love affair of trees dates back to my earliest childhood memories. Our family planted and cared for a variety of fruit trees. Apple, peach, pear, cherry, and plum trees provided shade on sunny days; fresh juicy snacks; and sweet confections that were canned or baked. As we grew, so did the trees.
When my daughter was younger, we became members of the Morton Arboretum in Lisle. Our summers were spent under the shade trees beside Meadow Lake. It was there that we played cards; drew pictures; ate picnic lunches, and escaped the noise of the world.
May this Arbor Day bring your family back to the forest.
—-Jenn 🌳
Literature for Young Sapling 🌱
Literature for Mature Trees 🌳
Resources
Tuesday, April 9, 2024 – National Unicorn Day
Breaking News…there was a rare unicorn sighting early this morning. If you were driving to work and witnessed this magical event, rest assured you were not alone. Thelma the Unicorn once again joined me in the carpool lane. We journeyed to the magical Land of Wonder & Academia. Truly the absolute best part of teaching is the unique holidays that make us giggle and take pause. Today, we explored these mystical creatures. How could I not share my Scottish heritage with my scholars?
Fun Fact: Scotland’s National Animal is the Unicorn.
Literature
May this curated list bring you joy, wonder and dreams of glittering unicorns.
**Please note: At this time, I am not affiliated with the bookshop links above (wink, wink I would love the opportunity). Direct links are included for your convenience.
The 38th Annual Scottish Festival & Highland Games
WHEN
June 14-15, 2024
Friday: 1:00pm-10:00pm
Saturday: 9:00am-10:00pm
WHERE (New location this year.)
DuPage County Fairgrounds
2015 Manchester Road
Wheaton, IL 60187
March 13, 2024
Registration is open for Tuesday, May 7 at 4:30pm at the Downers Grove shop and virtually on Sunday, May 5 at 6:30pm via Zoom.
March 12, 2024
Anderson’s Bookshop is hosting a Spring Educator Extravaganza at both of their bookshop locations. It’s time to spring clean your bookcase to make room for your new TBRs. There are still seats available for the Naperville location on April 7 at 3:00 p.m., and at the Downers Grove location on April 9 at 4:30 p.m. This event is not to be missed!
Click the registration link below to secure a free ticket.
Sunday, February 18, 2024
On the way to the theatre, we took a detour and stumbled across a charming independent bookshop. Opening the door was a magical experience. It was as though we fell down a rabbit hole with Alice. The aisles were narrow and the shelves were never ending. As I scanned the titles, there was a sense of familiarity. There were new and gently beloved copies of every genre imaginable. While strolling up and down the aisles, you could hear the rattling of the L. It was then that I realized I was home.
Open Books also had an amazing children’s literature section. There were nooks and crannies with comfortable seating and a reading stage. Sadly, our visit would be cut short. We had theatre tickets and needed to scurry. I look forward to returning to Open Books in the near future.
A heartfelt thank you to Open Books for providing a respite from technology and a peaceful safe haven from the noise of the world.
—Jenn
Open Books
651 W. Lake St.
Chicago, IL 60661
Hours:
10:30am-6pm Monday through Thursday
11:30am-7pm Friday through Sunday
February 10, 2024
We are off on another adventure! Drunk Shakespeare in Chicago. I simply can not wait! Today we are riding the rails into the city. I had planned on writing but I managed to snag a pen that ran out of ink. So, I sit here over caffeinated and words racing through my brain. My daughter is my traveling companion for the day. She wisely grabbed a short novel and stowed it into her city bag. Still no working pen. I prefer pen and paper. There’s something therapeutic about writing and scratching out words and the editing process. I had planned on doodling in the margins and free writing on the train ride. Instead I sit. Typing on my phone. Wondering if my thoughts will last longer than my phone battery.
Our destination is Union Station and from there we walk to the theatre. She wants to take a bus. I could use a walk. Clear my mind. Listen to the city. Bus rides are well it’s a bus. I had the misfortune of sitting in a mysterious liquid last summer. I’ve convinced myself it was a leaky Stanley cup. Pssst. We all know it wasn’t.
The Bard. Shakespeare. Libations. Live theatre. It poses to be an entertaining evening. This past week has been draining. My soul needs to laugh. To be surrounded by strangers. Yes.
Next stop, Hollywood. This stop always makes me giggle. We live in the Midwest in a town that is not glamorous. No celebrities. Not even Pedro Pascal. Maybe, Jeremy Allen White in the city. I read an online article that filming is set to begin in the city. Probably not likely today. Again, we live in a town where nothing really ever happens.
Down to 88% battery. Thoughts still racing. Intruding thoughts of a never ending list to do. Lesson plans, laundry, nuts…,family conferences. There’s more. The train car is silent. It’s not a silent car. I imagine most are drafting mental to do lists. She’s still reading. So jealous. I grabbed my journal to write. Conductor prerecorded message watch your step and caution the doors are about to close.
86% battery. Mental battery -42%.
Less than zero percent attention span today. Again. This past week was draining.
Thoughts are now tuned to I should paint the kitchen. Oooooh new light fixtures and curtains we be sweet too. Is it curtains or drapes? Same thing or different? Is there a difference? Coffee would be nice. Still on the train. Coffee and a pastry. How is she still reading? I should have brought a book to read.
84%
Bouncing and bumping along. Conductor making another pass.
83%
Another stop. I miss the express train. There’s something to be said about zipping along and arriving sooner. Less time for random thoughts and lists of procrastinated things to do. I used the last beach towel this morning. Laundry. Milk. Why didn’t I buy milk last night? Target. Go figure. I’m so distracted lately. More coffee would be helpful? Coffee has become my comfort food.
Yes! I can see the city!!!
Post Trip Notes: Drunk Shakespeare exceeded my wildest expectations! It’s for the 21 and over theater goer. Arrange for a sitter and click the link below to purchase your tickets!! There’s a cozy Starbucks nearby and a parking deck adjacent to the theater. What more could you ask for?
Cheers!
—Jenn 🍷
Monday, November 6
It’s a big week for books!
Anderson’s Bookshop has arranged for two of my favorite authors to chat about their new book releases on Tuesday, November 14 and Thursday, November 16.
Click on the links provided below to secure a book and a place in the signing line.
Anderson’s Bookshop – Matt Tavares Tuesday, November 14
Anderson’s Bookshop – Andrea Beaty Thursday, November 16
Tuesday, September 5, 2023
It’s was late Sunday night and we just arrived home from a long day trip to Michigan. Before leaving St. Joesph, we picked up carryout for dinner. Our meal came with an extra plastic fork, which neither of us needed at the time. I’m that person. Yup. Let’s save it for later. You know. Just in case. We might be able to put it to use.
Now, look closer. Some may say, “Jenn, it’s just a disposable fork wrapped in plastic.” Is it? I see a digging tool for sand at the beach. Or maybe, this fork could be used to eat that unexpected cake in a parking lot at the grocery store. You might have a rough day. Don’t judge. We all have done it or thought about it. Nonetheless, let’s agree there are a million uses for that disposable fork. After all, it’s a fork.
Alright, take that fork a step further. What if our student(s) are like the plastic fork? Let’s say he/she is “wrapped in plastic.” A little different. Maybe it’s their odd sense of humor. Or, maybe no one has been able to reach them. They’re out there. Not quite like the other scholars. Different. Embrace them! These “forks” are the dreamers; the creative minds; and the out-of-box thinkers. I have a passion for the “forks.” Embrace them. Find a way to reach them. Our world needs them.
One last step. Are you still with me? Awesome! There are authors and illustrators that have written picture books for dreamers and out-of-box thinkers. If you happen by Anderson’s Bookshop or another Indie Bookstore, stop in and pick up any (or all) of the following books for a great classroom read aloud. Here goes…a long over due list of picture books/chapter books that celebrate our students and their uniqueness.
*Please note: At this time, I am not affiliated with the bookshop links above (wink, wink I would love the opportunity). Direct links are included for your convenience.
conversations-over-coffee.blog 