The Giving Tree Message

 

As a parent and teacher, I use Shil Silverstein's The Giving Tree to teach the concept of gratitude(Click Here and Here and Here) and the consequences of selfishness.  I read, with great interest, a recent post  at The Misfortune Of Knowing entitled "Teaching Children About Uncomfortable Truths (a Defense of Shel Silverstein’s The Giving Tree)". 

 

It was one of those posts that made me go Hummm.  First, let me say, I share the sentiments of the blogger, but she also offers up some interesting opposition by other readers of  The Giving Tree that I had not expected.  It always amazes me that the same piece of literature can give such varied interpretations.  As for me, my use of The Giving Tree will remain the same, but when I teach the "Gratitude Lesson" again next year, I will also use this post to analyze the students' reaction to an opposing theme versus the more accepted view point. 

 

Take a peek at The Misfortune Of Knowing post and let us know how you feel, and if you have a moment check out my sister blog, The Writing Whisperer, which I use to inspire/teach writing  to my English students.

 

Happy Reading☮

The Things You Can Read!
Believe In Truth, Beauty, Freedom, Love, and the Power of Books!

 

 

 



Sherlock Holmes in the Public Domain

According to several news reports, Sherlock Holmes stories written before January 1, 1923 are now considered works in the Public Domain.  Here is what The Millions had to say on the subject:

Sherlock Holmes has solved his greatest mystery yet. It only took 125 years, but Arthur Conan Doyle’s famous detective is in the public domain. A federal judge has ruled that all Sherlock Holmes stories published before January 1, 1923 are no longer under U.S. copyright law.

Want more on this book worthy story check out The New York Times article for the full details. If you'd like to download a free version of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes and/or other related stories then check out the  Free eBooks and Free Audio Books collections at Open Culture.

Laurie R. King, author of the Mary Russell series, shared her thoughts on this developing story.  Check out her post on Goodreads.

 

What's your take on this recent development?  Better yet, what other works would you like to see hit the public domain list?  Let us know here at The Things You Can Read!

Happy Reading☮

The Things You Can Read!
Believe In Truth, Beauty, Freedom, Love, and the Power of Books!

Merry Christmas!

 

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

FROM,

THE THINGS YOU CAN READ!
 

Happy Reading☮

The Things You Can Read!
Believe In Truth, Beauty, Freedom, Love, and the Power of Books!

'Twas the Night Before Christmas!

 

HAPPY CHRISTMAS EVE

FROM,

THE THINGS YOU CAN READ!

Happy Reading☮

The Things You Can Read!
Believe In Truth, Beauty, Freedom, Love, and the Power of Books!



Can You Really Judge People by the Books They Read? You Decide!

 

I always found a great deal of truth behind the humor in Seinfeld, which is what made it such a good and memorable show.  I personally think you can learn a lot about a person from the books they choose to read, it is one of two questions I ask to access quickly someone I don't know well!  What do you think?  Let us know here at The Things You Can Read, and for all those Seinfeld fans out there Happy FESTIVUS.

 

Happy Reading☮

The Things You Can Read!
Believe In Truth, Beauty, Freedom, Love, and the Power of Books!

 

 



Gifts for Book Lovers: Suggestion 10

  

With only 2 days left till Christmas, do you still find yourself looking for something a bit more unique for that book lover on your list? Well, here is yet another option for the children on your list, checkout Penguin's Children's Gifts and Clothing for great options that all connect to reading. Spread the love of reading to the younger book lover on your list with selections like the Very Hungry Caterpillar Zoobie to The Madeline Book and Toy Box.  What a perfect gift for those younger book lovers on your list!

 

 

 

Checkout our latest suggestion and let us know what you think of Gift Suggestion 10, here at The Things You Can Read!

 

Happy Reading☮

The Things You Can Read!
Believe In Truth, Beauty, Freedom, Love, and the Power of Books!

 

 

Gifts For Book Lovers: Suggestion 9

 

With only nine more days till Christmas, are you looking for something a bit more unique for that book lover on your list?  Well, here is yet another option, checkout tartx  for this great looking Alice and Flamingo in Wonderland organic baby infant one piece.  This is the gift for the bookish parents of a brand new infant who want to start early spreading the love of literature to their newest addition.  What a perfect gift for those book lovers who want their children to wear their favorites authors for other to know that the family that Reads Together, Stays Together! 

 

 

 

Don't worry if you are not an Alice Fan, checkout William Shakespeare!

 

 

Wait not a Fan of Will, then checkout Jane Austen!

 

 

Checkout our latest suggestion and let us know what you think of Gift Suggestion 9, here at The Things You Can Read!

Happy Reading☮

The Things You Can Read!
Believe In Truth, Beauty, Freedom, Love, and the Power of Books!

 

 

 



Gifts for Book Lovers: Suggestion 8

Are you looking for something a bit more unique for that book lover on your list? Well, here is yet another option, check out Cyperotix for this great looking Retro-Vintage Typewriter Scarf.  This gift allows for the stylish book reader on your list to not only feast their eyes on the printed word, but actually wear a facsimile of this antique form of recreating the printed word.   What a perfect gift for those book lovers who like to wear their love of books to let others know just how much they love to read!

Cyperotix describes their Typewriter Scarf as follows:

Underwood manual typewriter in "spring green"! This model is from 1934. The Underwood is an icon of an antique yet truly modern machine. Original illustration from my very own Underwood! Black ink on a spring green scarf.

As it is a big bold print, this design not only works on our ties, but works super well on our hand-woven, Fair-Trade* silk scarves! The entire image of the typewriter adorns the end of this scarf. Just like the ties, we hand-screen them all in our Detroit studio.

Checkout our latest suggestion and let us know what you think of Gift Suggestion 8, here at The Things You Can Read!

Happy Reading☮

The Things You Can Read!
Believe In Truth, Beauty, Freedom, Love, and the Power of Books!

 

 

 

Gifts for Book Lovers: Suggestion 7

 

Are you looking for something a bit more unique for that book lover on your list? Well, here it is, check out Gone Reading  for the Car Decal that expresses your family's love of reading to everyone who passes you on the highway. This gift for the Family, who not only loves books, but who also loves to let others know just how much they love to read.  What a perfect gift!

 

Here is how Gone Reading describes this Book Loving Gift:

Car Window Decal Collection – The Reading Family

Proclaim your family’s love of reading with our adorable car window decal collection! Mix-and-match from among our six family members pictured to the left, and create your own “GoneReading” family of car window decals!

Check it out and let us know what you think of Gift Suggestion 7 here at The Things You Can Read!

Happy Reading☮

The Things You Can Read!
Believe In Truth, Beauty, Freedom, Love, and the Power of Books!

 

 

 

Reading Quote

 

 

Happy Reading☮

The Things You Can Read!
Believe In Truth, Beauty, Freedom, Love, and the Power of Books!

 

How Children Succeed by Paul Tough

One of my favorite sites to visit out there on the Internet is Brain Pickings.  I am always amazed at how much information just one person is able to decipher, and then publish in a meaningful publication in one weeks time, but Maria Popova does it week after week.  If you have never visited Brain Pickings, I can't recommend this site highly enough.  After a visit to Brain Pickings I always learn something.  This week one of the books featured in an article entitled "The 13 Best Psychology and Philosophy Books of 2013" is one that I have been interested in reading, How Children Succeed: Grit, Curiosity, and the Hidden Power of Character.  I am always mystified, as both a teacher and parent, at what makes one child successful and another not. Below is an excerpt from the article.  Read on...and if this is something that makes you go Humm...then click on over to read Brain Pickings full article or better yet pick up the book from your local bookstore or library.  

In How Children Succeed: Grit, Curiosity, and the Hidden Power of Character (public library) – a necessary addition to these fantastic reads on education – Paul Tough, whose writing has appeared in The New Yorker, Slate, Esquire, The New York Times, sets out to investigate the essential building blocks of character through the findings and practical insight of exceptional educators and bleeding-edge researchers. One of his core arguments is based on the work of pioneering psychologist and 2013 MacArthur "genius" grantee Angela Duckworth, who studied under positive psychology godfather Martin Seligman at my alma mater, the University of Pennsylvania, and has done more than anyone for advancing our understanding of how self-control and grit – the relentless work ethic of sustaining your commitments toward a long-term goal – impact success.-BRAIN PICKINGS

Let us know here at The Things You Can Read your thoughts on what makes one child successful and others not.  Happy December reading!

Happy Reading☮

The Things You Can Read!
Believe In Truth, Beauty, Freedom, Love, and the Power of Books!

 

Gifts for Book Lovers: Suggestion 6

Library of America is offering complete boxed sets and as they say:

LOA Boxed Sets: Something for Every Reader on Your Christmas List 

The Library of America’s boxed sets are available directly from the LOA Web Store, from your favorite independent bookstore, and from most online booksellers.

Check out the variety of sets available, and let us here at The Things You Can Read know which set will work for the book lover on your list.  We've pictured two of our favorites below:

Happy Reading☮

The Things You Can Read!
Believe In Truth, Beauty, Freedom, Love, and the Power of Books!

Gifts for Book Lovers: Suggestion 5

Are you looking for something a bit more unique for that book lover on your list? Well, here it is, check out LaPupaHuman for a pair of truly exceptional shoes. For the girl who not only loves books, but shoes as well, here is the perfect gift.

laPupaHuman

Take a gander at the pair pictured below , and let us know what you think.  Will this work for a book lover on your list?

Happy Reading☮

The Things You Can Read!
Believe In Truth, Beauty, Freedom, Love, and the Power of Books!

Gifts for Book Lovers: Suggestion 4

Are you looking for something in the under $10 range, say maybe a stocking stuffer?  Well here it is, check out Yesware over at Etsy to see their wide range of Literature inspired buttons!  Take a gander at the Bronte buttons and The Grapes of Wrath collection shown below, and let us know what you think.  Will this work for a book lover on your list?

Happy Reading☮

The Things You Can Read!
Believe In Truth, Beauty, Freedom, Love, and the Power of Books!