Brookfield Zoo is offering three fabulous virtual opportunities for educators to explore animal behaviors, adaptations and conservation through art. Educators will engage in one hour of free professional development. Upon completion, access to lesson materials, activities, and resources will be provided.
Anderson’s Bookshop has announced an Educator Book Club!
Dearest Readers,
I am beyond thrilled to share that Anderson’s Bookshop has announced an Educator Book Club beginning in January 2024 with CPDUs available for all that participate!!!
Eeeek!
The first Educator Book Club title is Joanne Rossmassler Fritz’s Ruptured! Beginning in January 2024, the book club will meet in-person on the first Tuesday of every other month, and virtually via Zoom on the first Sunday of every other month.
Order and read more about the book, see book club meeting dates and locations, and RSVP by clicking the button!
See you on Zoom!
—Jenn
Anderson’s Bookshops
22nd Annual Children’s Literature Breakfast
February 24 at 8AM
Located at: Bobak’s Signature Events, 6440 Double Eagle Drive, Woodridge, IL
Join Anderson’s Bookshop for a morning of Children’s Literature, Keynote Speakers and Breakfast fare. Local authors will be seated at every table.
Keynote Speakers include: Kate DiCamillo, Kazu Kibuishi, and Andrea Beaty
22nd Annual Children’s Literature Breakfast offers:
*100% of proceeds raised from our raffles will be donated to charity.
Check-in opens at 7:00 am! Come early, as the event will begin promptly at 8:00 am. Author signings will follow at 12:00 pm.
See you there!
—Jenn
December 29, 2023
Armed with coffee, road trip snacks and an eclectic Spotify playlist we began 2023 traveling the midwest in search of Indie Bookshops. Most of our destinations were day trips excluding The Drama Book Shop in New York. Each bookshop was welcoming and offered a carefully curated selection of literature, author events, and sometimes coffee. For your next Indie Bookshop adventure, please consider visiting the following bookshops. They will graciously welcome and assist in securing your next read and/or addition to your TBR.
—-Jenn
**Please note: At this time, I am not affiliated with the bookshops linked above (wink, wink I would love the opportunity). Direct links are included for your convenience.
*Please include Bookshop Name & Location.
Monday, November 6, 2023
On November 1, the trees began to twinkle and carols were sung. Some may say it’s too soon, but others will agree that we need the season of joy and wonder to return. It’s been a challenging school year and this educator is weary. My heart becomes more and more weary with each passing day.
I formally apologize to the Thanksgiving turkey. It’s not you it’s me. I need more than a meal that will fill my belly. I need a holiday that will fill my soul with joy and wonder. I need a holiday that spreads love and peace. I need a holiday where strangers smile at each other and well wishes are extended. I need a holiday where the world sparkles. I need a holiday where grace is extended. I need a holiday where we straighten each others crowns. I need a holiday where kindness is encompassing. I need really need a holiday from the cold and darkness.
Twinkle lights, eggnog and the fresh smell of pine bring back memories of simplicity and joy. Merry Happy Thankful November has me unpacking my tress; hanging silver bells; changing out the doormat to a snowman with joy; and lighting the magical snow globe that reminds me to believe once more in the magic of the Christmas season. So, for those of you that are weary and/or struggling, take a moment; light a festive candle and drink in the joy of possibilities.
Wishing you and your family a Merry Happy Thankful November.
—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
Thursday, August 31, 2023
As kids, we would play hide-and-seek in our neighborhood. We would find the most obscure hiding places. Sometimes, if you were lucky or really great at hiding, no one would find you. There was great pride in not being found. Your besties would cry out, “Ollie, Ollie, Oxen Free!” I’m not certain where the phrase originated, but its meaning was clear. It’s time to come out of hiding.
Reason for the story and hike down memory lane, I’ve been hiding in plain sight. Yup. It’s completely possible. Last night, my daughter called me out of hiding. It’s all too easy to hide behind school, work and family responsibilities and disregard self care. Guilty as charged. I have been working from the moment I wake until I fall asleep. In between setting up my classroom; reuniting with colleagues and my teaching besties; meetings & professional development, I barely managed to squeeze some time at the beach. My tan is or rather was fabulous. My healthy glow is beginning to fade and is slowly being replaced with anxiety. Anxiety in the form of not sleeping, nightmares, and a twitch below my left eye. Not a sustainable lifestyle. It’s time for a reset, reboot, and rethink. Reset priorities, reboot my inner peace, and rethink how I spend my life (not time) outside of the classroom.
Back to blogging and enjoying conversations over coffee.
Ollie, Ollie Oxen Free!
—-Jenn
Thursday, July 13, 2023
While enjoying my morning coffee, I came across this little nugget. Love, love, love Katherine Applegate and her books. At the risk of completely fan girling, oh my gosh she is going on a book tour!!! Fellow literature enthusiasts, this is a must attend event. Click on the link below to reserve your ticket, which includes a copy of her book and a spot in the signing line. The author talk has yet to be posted on Andersons’ website. It came across her Facebook feed and I’m still recovering. Oh my gosh! I’m going to meet Katherine Applegate & Gennifer Choldenko!!!!
—Jenn
conversations-over-coffee.blog 