WTBA is a collection of and conversation about powerful books that strengthen, elevate, inspire and help to grow powerful, resilient kids. We're a book oriented guide for parents, grandparents, educators, aunts, uncles and anyone involved in nurturing children and caring for friends.
With so very many heartbreaking images on our airwaves and in print, we thought it might be helpful to provide a small collection of favourite stories that help to develop a narrative around war. Talking about war is important in times when war is prevalent and proximate, but it also matters in times when we remain blissfully unaffected by war.
Read MoreSet in Israel, there's an overwhelming sense of 'if only' when you reach the end of this beautiful book .... If only … children really could lead the world to peace. If only … all the walls, real and metaphorical,could come tumbling down. If only … we could heal the wounds of war.
ages 4 years to grownup
This is such a fun TED talk by Mac Barnett! It's energetic and witty, with lots of parenting/teaching tip offs. Plus more from the very impressive Dave Eggers' 'once upon a school'.
Read MoreArt that is created for picture books is amazing stuff – it’s diverse, it’s accessible, it’s designed to help tell a story and it’s right there in front of us. To gaze on, ponder, critique, adore or wonder at.
Art created as a stand alone piece is a different story, pardon the pun. In this collection, we’ve selected 6 books designed for children to view and appreciate and talk about the paintings and art works of the masters.
Read MoreConnections—momentary or spread over a lifetime—change the world. Here are 5 favourite books that help to provide a foundation for children so that, when the moment arrives, they will be ready to make a connection.
Ages 4 to grown-up
I mentioned to my adult children that I was going to do a top 5 on ‘poo’ books, and Terence the Toilet was the first book they each thought of!
When you’re a ‘bog-standard’ toilet, chances are there are magazines left in the bathroom with you – magazines that show ‘exotic bathrooms in exotic places all over the world’. And that can leave you feeling restless and unsatisfied.
That’s what happened to Terence – and I wouldn’t be surprised to hear that most of us have felt that way too after leafing through the magazines left in the bathroom.
Read MoreAges 2 to 12 years
Wanna hear a joke? There was once a family of moles who decided to go for a walk in the sunshine. First there was Daddy Mole, then Mummy Mole, then Sister Mole, then Brother Mole, then Baby Mole – all walking in a line with their noses to the ground.
Suddenly Daddy Mole stopped and said, “I smell honey – do you smell honey Mummy Mole?”
Mummy Mole sniffed the air and said, “I do smell honey – do you smell honey Sister Mole?”
Sister Mole sniffed the air then said, “I do smell honey – do you smell Brother Mole?”
Brother Mole sniffed the air then said, “I do smell honey – do you smell honey Baby Mole?”
Baby Mole sniffed the air and said, “I don’t smell honey but I do smell mole-asses!” (Molasses – get it?)
My kids thought it was the funniest, most risqué joke they’d ever heard when my Dad told it – on the day we bought The Story of the Little Mole
Read MoreA conversation about books + kids. A website resource and book reviews for educators, parents, grandparents. The main focus is emotional resilience.
