Part 3: Picking THE Book Two Times:
​​

​Did you pick this one? At first, I didn’t. The other three had bigger themes. From civil war to emigration to volcanic eruptions. They seemed more important.

But the biggest thing to consider—my audience. Fourth graders are 9-10 years old. When I remembered that, The Hideout won. The illustrations are bright and colorful. They appeal to this age group. Fourth graders live in the here and now. They have bedrooms and play in parks. It was easy for them to find what they’d need to survive in the illustrations.

As for the other three, I read that kids don’t have the context adults have. If you mention 9/11, kids don’t remember it, so reading about it is harder. Who knew? I was on the right track after all!
​ 

​

​       This week I had to pick another book for Mrs. Brown’s class. Can you guess which one I chose?

​​If you guessed Mr. Goat’s Valentine, you’re right! The cover is bright and colorful, like The Hideout. And the story, it’s about a goat getting something for his first love. The class loved it!
​
And the other title, I picked it for my Saturday read aloud. It’s not as colorful, but it’s full of heart. Fran K. Stein (think Frankenstein) can only think of his Valentine, but that means his ghostly, monstrous, and witchy friends feel left out. The plot, it’s a Halloween-Valentine delight!

What the library said: It's time to go, but no one can find Hannah! That's because she's in the park with much to do. She needs to collect caterpillars and sticks, make a bow and arrow, and build a bed out of leaves. Deep in the shrubs, she sets up a secret hideout for herself and her companion, an Odd Furry Creature. Together, they hunker down over the campfire, lost in their own little world. But then a voice cuts through the branches and clearly says, "Where are you?" Hannah brushes off her paper, and the reader learns that Hannah was lost—not in the woods—but in her drawing. This dreamlike, lyrical picture book with shades of Where the Wild Things Are illustrates the power of imagination to transport us to new worlds.
​
What I liked: Hannah and her park. Kids can easily imagine themselves stepping into Hannah’s shoes and sharing her adventure. My concern: Is the story big enough for kids to learn something new about survival? 
​

What the library said: Rama and her family, are forced to flee their once-peaceful village to escape the ravages of the civil war raging ever closer to their home.
​
With only what they can carry on their backs, Rama and her mother, father, grandfather and brother, Sami, set out to walk to freedom in Europe. This unique picture book was inspired by the stone artwork of Syrian artist Nizar Ali Badr, discovered by chance by Canadian children's writer Margriet Ruurs. The author was immediately impressed by the strong narrative quality of Mr. Badr's work, and, using many of Mr. Badr's already-created pieces, she set out to create a story about the Syrian refugee crisis.

What I liked: The illustrations! They’re created with stones, and they’re incredible. The story is written in both English and Arabic, and it’s about a family escaping civil war in Syria to start a new life in Europe. My concern: Will kids understand the depth of this story?
​

​

What the library said: A 2018 Caldecott Honor Book that Kirkus Reviews calls "a must-read for our times," A Different Pond is an unforgettable story about a simple event - a long-ago fishing trip. Graphic novelist Thi Bui and acclaimed poet Bao Phi deliver a powerful, honest glimpse into a relationship between father and son - and between cultures, old and new. As a young boy, Bao and his father awoke early, hours before his father's long workday began, to fish on the shores of a small pond in Minneapolis. Unlike many other anglers, Bao and his father fished for food, not recreation. A successful catch meant a fed family. Between hope-filled casts, Bao's father told him about a different pond in their homeland of Vietnam. Thi Bui's striking, evocative art paired with Phi's expertly crafted prose has earned this powerful picture books six starred reviews and numerous awards.
​
What I liked: The father and son going fishing together. How they work together to stay warm, to catch enough food to feed the family, and to stay connected to their home in Vietnam. My concern: This story is really quiet. Will it engage my audience? Can they imagine themselves in this story and take something away from it?


​​

What the library said: When two scientists find themselves stranded on Iceland's newest volcanic island, Surtsey, they have to navigate fiery lava, fogged-up glasses, and dwindling supplies to survive until rescue arrives. Based on real life events, this action-packed book keeps readers guessing about the one surprising twist in the tale that's not entirely true.    
Endnotes include information about volcanoes, Icelandic culture, and Norse mythology. Perfect for young adventurers
​
What I liked: A volcano erupting on an island. A man stuck, trying to survive, then escape. Exciting! My concern: This story is so unlike anything my audience has experienced. 
 
                                                                 Tomorrow: The book that I picked…

Once a month I get to read aloud for Mrs. Brown’s fourth graders at Cridersville Elementary. I started the year with my favorite book, Neil Armstrong’s Wind Tunnel Dream. It was an easy pick!

​Part 1: The Search for Books: 
​​​

​My search started on the Ohio Digital Library website. When I read to classes on Zoom, I want the book to be the star, and the digital library always delivers a great read!   

​
​

Step 1: Click on the search bar. Then type ‘survival,’ and hit enter. 
​

​This came up on the left…Showing 1-24 of 1,888 results for survival. 
There’s no way I’m looking at all of them…
So, I narrowed my search.


​

​ Step 2: I scrolled down the left side, looking for Picture Books. 
​​

​I checked Nonfiction first. It had1 title, but I didn’t pick it.
So, I scrolled back up to Picture Book Fiction. I highlighted it for you.
Do you see 15 titles? Bingo, I hit paydirt!
I clicked. Look below and see what I found! 


​

​
If I’m interested, I check out the book and flip through the pages.
If I like it, I keep it. If I don’t, I return it.
I wound up with 4 survival titles, but I can only read 1.
Can you pick out THE Final 4?

Tomorrow: Meet them, description by description
​
​

​​                                                                                                                                     Part 2: Meeting the Books
​

What the library said: It's time to go, but no one can find Hannah! That's because she's in the park with much to do. She needs to collect caterpillars and sticks, make a bow and arrow, and build a bed out of leaves. Deep in the shrubs, she sets up a secret hideout for herself and her companion, an Odd Furry Creature. Together, they hunker down over the campfire, lost in their own little world. But then a voice cuts through the branches and clearly says, "Where are you?" Hannah brushes off her paper, and the reader learns that Hannah was lost—not in the woods—but in her drawing. This dreamlike, lyrical picture book with shades of Where the Wild Things Are illustrates the power of imagination to transport us to new worlds.
​
What I liked: Hannah and her park. Kids can easily imagine themselves stepping into Hannah’s shoes and sharing her adventure. My concern: Is the story big enough for kids to learn something new about survival? 
​

​

What the library said: Rama and her family, are forced to flee their once-peaceful village to escape the ravages of the civil war raging ever closer to their home.
​
With only what they can carry on their backs, Rama and her mother, father, grandfather and brother, Sami, set out to walk to freedom in Europe. This unique picture book was inspired by the stone artwork of Syrian artist Nizar Ali Badr, discovered by chance by Canadian children's writer Margriet Ruurs. The author was immediately impressed by the strong narrative quality of Mr. Badr's work, and, using many of Mr. Badr's already-created pieces, she set out to create a story about the Syrian refugee crisis.

What I liked: The illustrations! They’re created with stones, and they’re incredible. The story is written in both English and Arabic, and it’s about a family escaping civil war in Syria to start a new life in Europe. My concern: Will kids understand the depth of this story?


​​

What the library said: A 2018 Caldecott Honor Book that Kirkus Reviews calls "a must-read for our times," A Different Pond is an unforgettable story about a simple event - a long-ago fishing trip. Graphic novelist Thi Bui and acclaimed poet Bao Phi deliver a powerful, honest glimpse into a relationship between father and son - and between cultures, old and new. As a young boy, Bao and his father awoke early, hours before his father's long workday began, to fish on the shores of a small pond in Minneapolis. Unlike many other anglers, Bao and his father fished for food, not recreation. A successful catch meant a fed family. Between hope-filled casts, Bao's father told him about a different pond in their homeland of Vietnam. Thi Bui's striking, evocative art paired with Phi's expertly crafted prose has earned this powerful picture books six starred reviews and numerous awards.

What I liked: The father and son going fishing together. How they work together to stay warm, to catch enough food to feed the family, and to stay connected to their home in Vietnam. My concern: This story is really quiet. Will it engage my audience? Can they imagine themselves in this story and take something away from it?


​

What the library said: When two scientists find themselves stranded on Iceland's newest volcanic island, Surtsey, they have to navigate fiery lava, fogged-up glasses, and dwindling supplies to survive until rescue arrives. Based on real life events, this action-packed book keeps readers guessing about the one surprising twist in the tale that's not entirely true.    
Endnotes include information about volcanoes, Icelandic culture, and Norse mythology. Perfect for young adventurers
​
What I liked: A volcano erupting on an island. A man stuck, trying to survive, then escape. Exciting! My concern: This story is so unlike anything my audience has experienced. 
 
 
​                                                     ​

                                                                                                                             Part 3: Picking THE Book, x Two:  
​

​ Did you pick this one? I didn’t when I pulled the other three titles. They had bigger themes to explore. From civil war to emigration to volcanic eruptions. They seemed bigger and better.

But the biggest thing to consider—the audience. Fourth graders are 9-10 years old. When I remembered that, The Hideout won. The illustrations are bright and colorful. They appeal to this age group. Fourth graders live in the here and now. They have bedrooms, and they’ve played in parks. Pulling out things in the illustrations that they’d need to survive, easy peasy.
​
As for the other three, I read that kids don’t have the context adults have. If you mention Vietnam or 9/11, kids don’t know about them so reading and understanding books about them is harder. Who knew? I was on the right track after all!


​

​​       This week I had to pick another book for Mrs. Brown’s class. Can you guess which one I chose?

​If you guessed Mr. Goat’s Valentine, you’re right! The cover is bright and colorful, like The Hideout. And the story, it’s about a goat getting something for his first love. The class loved it!
​
And the other title, I picked it for my Saturday read aloud. It’s not as colorful, but it’s full of heart. Fran K. Stein (think Frankenstein) can only think of his Valentine, but that means his ghostly, monstrous, and witchy friends feel left out. The plot, it’s a Halloween-Valentine delight!

An article about 7 calming phrases for kids caught my attention, and I thought it might catch yours too. The words help parents handle tantrums by using understanding and empathy as tools to calm emotions. Then problems can be solved.

It sounds a lot like Gentle Parenting, the technique many parents use. Here’s the link to that article: https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/personalfinance/i-ve-studied-over-200-kids-parents-who-are-really-good-at-handling-tantrums-use-7-calming-phrases/ar-AA1JOOxN?ocid=winp2fptaskbarhover&cvid=af1c5db946564753bdf41ab69c2e75e9&ei=21


​

​       #1. ‘You’re having a big feeling. I’m right here with you.’
​
​The big idea for this phrase, to validate that feeling. To let kids know they’re not alone.
​
Emotions are hard to navigate, no matter your age. If someone understands and supports you, it helps. It can shrink big feelings. Over time, with practice, it will even get faster and easier for you and your child.


​

​Can you imagine the relief a kid feels after hearing that? It builds trust and helps them calm down faster. Why? They don’t have to scream to be heard.

My note of caution from the parent and teacher in me, I’d still say I believe in you, no matter what. Even if my child told me an untruth. OK, a lie, but sometimes littles don’t always understand what they’re saying or feeling, especially during a meltdown. 

 

             #3. 'Your feelings make sense.'

The big idea behind this phrase, I understand you and your feelings. Who doesn’t want to hear that?!
​
I wondered, what would you say if you weren’t sure how your child felt or why? Me, I’d start with I love you. Everyone needs to hear that. Then I’d ask about their feelings and go from there.


​

​
​The key words…not upset and help. Imagine being a kid who just threw a temper tantrum. Your parents aren’t mad; they understand and want to help.

Wow! You don’t have to worry about being in trouble. You can focus on calming down. 


​

​​
Here’s to empathy and understanding! Everyone gets mad. Kids, parents, me too, but the last line changes everything. It tells a child they’re safe, and everyone around them too. Thanks to a good parent!

We adults could use that too. We should give ourselves permission to feel angry, then channel it so we don’t hurt anyone else, including ourselves. Think of it as modeling a good strategy, while your child is learning it too.

         Tomorrow: Two more phrases, a sneak peek, plus a final conclusion

​
​

​                     6. 'Take your time. I'm not going anywhere.'

Time is a gift others give you. If your child panics and melts down, give them your time. Time to calm down until the panic disappears. When kids don’t have to hurry emotions, it’s easier.  It’s true for us adults too.

​
                         7. 'We'll get through this together.'

Have you noticed it’s easier to get through the tough stuff if you’ve got a friend around? It’s true for kids too. This phrase helps them feel supported, gives them confidence to face future challenges, and makes meltdowns less likely. Really! All because that child got to face the tough stuff with someone who loves them, like a mom or dad.


​
​

​When you look at the 7 phrases featured in this post, there’s a common thread. They’re about connecting and understanding parents and children. It’s not about parents controlling a child’s emotions; it’s about guiding children to help them control their own emotions.

These 7 phrases are like seeds. They won’t grow immediately; it takes time. Temper tantrums don’t vanish right away. Everything worth while takes time. To quote this article, “a child who trusts their own feelings, knows they’re worthy of support, and believes that love doesn’t disappear when life gets hard.”
​
I believe in a rainy day/blizzard kind of love. It sticks around when life gets tough. It never leaves. It’s always ready to help a child in need, even if they’re all grown up, like mine.

I’m a workaholic; I always have been. When I was teaching, I could enjoy vacation until the last day or two. Then I found things I had to do.
​
Now that I’m retired, I work all the time, I don’t have to, but writing and publishing took over my life. If you look, you can catch me working in these two photos.
​

In the first one, I’m pretending to read so my husband can take a picture. Lake Fun for You and Me, my second book, was coming out, and I needed a photo for social media.
​
In the second, I’m really writing. I always sit in a comfy chair with a great view. That’s where I write stories for picture books and middle grade novels. I design posts for my blog and book reviews, and I create newsletters and video scripts. It’s hard to stop writing, but I’m learning.


​​       

​​Part 1: Putting Family First:​  By the time I retired, my children were grown, and they’d moved away. Visits were precious so I tried to be present, and I wrote later.

If I visited during their work week, I’d write all day. Then take time off for dinner. When we settled in to watch TV or a movie, then I went back to work.
​
Looking back, I wish I’d put off working until my kids went to bed. I’m a night owl so it’s easy for me to stay up and write. 

BTW—these photos are not my kids or grandkids. Their images are private.


​​

​ In 2019, I published my first book, Neil Armstrong’s Wind Tunnel Dream, and my first grandchild was born. Since then, two more joined the family. Time with them is precious.

My husband and I travel 2-3 days to see them for birthdays and holiday vacations. I work all the way there. That’s easy! Once we arrive, I work hard to keep myself from writing. To invest my time in building and maintaining a relationship with them.

Writing, it’s what I do when they’re napping or down for the night. In the six years since the first grand arrived, I’ve learned how to spend my 3-5 hours of writing time. I keep up on my blog and my vlog. The biggest blessing, classic posts; That’s a nice way of saying the old ones. They’re worth pulling out and dusting off. AND, they preserve my time with the grands!

 
​

​Part 2: Hanging Out With Family:  I’m a night owl, but my children and grandchildren are early birds. To spend more time with them, I get up early too.
​
I used to be up when the grands woke, but now I’m up an hour later. It’s still way earlier than usual. With the oldest, we play a game where she tries to wake me up. So far, she hasn’t caught me snoring, but who knows? She might get me the next time!

​I also try to be present when they’re up. I don’t work. I don’t hang out with the adults. Wherever my grandkids are, that’s where you’ll find me.
​
Whatever they’re doing, I try to do. When I’m too old, too stiff to join in their fun, I turn into an audience of one, and I cheer from the sidelines. 
​

​

When I hang out with my grands, it’s all about the play. If we’re inside, I’m all in for hide and seek, Candyland, cards, whatever game they pull out.

Outside it depends…I’m terrible at throwing, catching, running, but I can still handle the swings. Slides and monkey bars, not so much either. Some things just don’t age well; at least not on me ☹

When the grands do things I can’t, I join the audience. I watch, applaud, and cheer. That way we’re all happy.

My grands can count on me as a TV/movie buddy. I’ll watch anything from Mr. Rogers to Bluey, from Frozen to the new SpongeBob movie.

I feel the same way about books. I’ll read any story they hand me until we have to stop. My favorites, the ones I gave them, of course!
​

​

Part 3: Heading Home and Staying Connected: All good things must come to an end, and so do family vacations. I treasure time with my kids and my grandkids, yet I’m also happy to get back on the road again.
​​

​​Within minutes, I’m on my computer, writing and revising again. First up, the stories I put on hold to hang out with family.


​

​I have two WIP’s, writer-speak for Works In Progress. Charley’s back, and so am I. We’re working with Callie again, and my new goal—to polish Chapters 1-3 until they’re submission ready. I’m close, and Callie will tell me when they’re done.

Now that I’m home again, it’s time to work on staying connected to my grands. For the older two, I video-call once a week. It only lasts a couple minutes; long enough for them to tell me what they’re up to or for me to ask.

​For the littlest, he taught me something new…His mom sent me a quick video. He said, “Hi grandma. Love you.” That’s it! Short and sweet! It took me a few hours to realize I could shoot a video too. His reaction—he burst into a smile as soon as he saw it. At his age, that’s HUGE! If you have a little who isn’t ready to video chat, I think it’s a great way to stay connected!

Simon at DiBella Law Office asked me to share a link to their website. I looked, said yes, and decided to add my advice as a retired teacher/parent/grandparent. I’d prepare my kids first before putting them on public transportation.

Simon’s link: dibellalawoffice.com/public-transportation-safety-guide-for-kids/ 

I live in a small town; my kids used school buses. But if you live near a city, your child may have to take public transit. It can be an opportunity to learn safety skills and independence. My goal, to help your kids do it safely. 

​​

                                                                                   
 Part 1: Talk to Your Kids: The first step is to have an age-appropriate conversation. You want to inform your child; to help them feel prepared, not anxious.

For elementary age kids, DiBella’s site suggests that parents focus on strangers. Talk about who’s trustworthy, like transit employees or moms with children, and who to avoid. I’d check in with your local transit system for safety suggestions. It’s in their interest to help you and your child.

​For middle and high schoolers, DiBella suggests that parents have honest conversations with their teens about risk, Unfortunately, that might include physical or sexual harassment. You also need to talk about how to report unsafe conditions. You should be their first contact, and their advocate.

To get them ready, I’d ride with my kids first and talk about what we see. How other people handle situations, what they did right, and what they didn’t. I’d let my kids sit by themselves, with me a few rows back as a safety net. It gives them confidence and lets them test their wings.
​
I’d also take DiBella’s suggestion to role-play situations your kids might encounter. Practicing where it’s safe, where they can make mistakes helps kids respond when they need to. A rule for teachers: repeat to remember; remember to repeat. Another strategy, ask your kids what they’d do in problem situations. The faster they can answer, the faster they can respond in real life.


​​

Part 2: Set Expectations for Behavior: Talk with your child about rules for public transportation. Help them understand there are consequences for breaking them.

Here are 6 rules from DiBella’s website. I’d also double check with your local transit company
to see if they have additional ones.

1. No running or climbing on buses or trains. It’s a safety issue.
2. Be courteous to fellow passengers. Think please, thank you, and excuse me.
3. Use headphones when listening to music and videos. It’s the polite thing to do.

4. Be aware of your surroundings and the people around you. If you’re using headphones,
I’d use 1 earbud to stay tuned in. Sit where you have the best view of the people
​around you. Consider the buddy system; 2 sets of eyes are better than 1.

5. Locate the fire extinguisher. I’d also look for exits in case there’s more than 1.
6. Share your location with your parents/guardians, just in case.
 

​​

​
​Part 3: Teach Kids How to Handle Emergencies:

No matter how hard you try, you can’t anticipate everything that could happen to your child. But you can teach them how to respond, and you can minimize harm and maximize their safety. 


​

The biggest risk for your child— getting lost or confused.
These 2 tips will help them figure out where they are.

1. Teach them how to read the transit maps so they can find their location in real time.
2. Make sure they know their route and the important landmarks on it.
​

               ​Part 4: Teach Them How to Deal with Danger:
​

When something feels wrong, tell your child to trust their gut and look around. There might be something broken, a reckless driver, or someone behaving strangely. If that happens, try these 2 tips.

1. Move away from the problem. Giving yourself distance, even backing away, is a good thing.
​
2. If things still feel wrong, get off the bus/train and contact a parent right away.
​
​

​Your kids may need to get help from the transit authority, so prepare them ahead of time.​

​ 3. Show them where to find security booths and call boxes along the routes they use.

4. Help them program the transit security number into their phone.

5. If your child gets on or off in a school zone, tell them they can go inside for help.

6. Let them know 911 is the best option for emergencies ​like fire, a serious injury, or crime.
​
​

                                                                                     Part 6: Additional Information and Resources:
​

Part of keeping your child safe is teaching them how to handle basic first aid, just in case. You’re giving your child a gift…the knowledge and confidence to handle whatever happens.

1. Keep band-aids and antiseptic ointment in your child’s backpack so they can handle small injuries like cuts.
​
2. Talk about the differences between small things and serious ones, like what to do if they’re in a bad fall. Should they ask a transit employee for help or call 911?
​

​

​1. Legal Rights & Protections for Public Transit Passengers

2. Responsibilities of Transit Authorities to Ensure Safety

3. Common Legal Issues Involving Accidents or Negligence on Public Transit

Goodbye, Penny! On November 12, 2025, the US Mint stamped its last penny. They won’t make any more new ones, but there are lots of old ones still around. I wonder, how many can you find in your house?

My Source: https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/2025/11/12/penny-discontinued-shortages-us-mint/87214531007/
​

​                                                                                                                                      Part 1: The End of the Story: 
​

It all started with the Department of Government Efficiency. Think Doge. In January of 2025, they said that 4.5 billion pennies were stamped in 2023, and they cost taxpayers over $179 million. That’s a lot of pennies!

I couldn’t do the math, and Google couldn’t either. So I checked the US Mint’s 2024 Annual Report. They said each penny made in 2024 cost 3.69 cents to make. Ridiculous! To pay four pennies to make one? That’s non-cents! LOL!
​
President Donald Trump looked over both reports and then signed an executive order in February 2025. It ordered the US Mint to quit making pennies. They stopped…ten months later. 


​

It’s only been a week, but the end of the penny is already affecting businesses like McDonalds. When you use cash, they’ll ask if you could round up to the nearest nickel. Then they don’t need pennies to make change. Why? Thousands of stores can’t get them!

Note—if you use credit cards, no problem. Banks can give you change electronically.
​
Some businesses even round down. Losing a few pennies won’t hurt the bottom line in the short term, but over a year it can. Think dollars. Hundreds, even thousands! 


​

So what can business do? Ask Congress for help. Businesses have legal issues that are much bigger than mere pennies. Did you know 10 states and some localities already have laws that won’t let business round to the nearest nickel? Ouch!

You’d think government would have addressed this, but you’d be wrong. So what can you do? Use your credit card…it’s an easy button. If you prefer cash, use it. Just round up and be generous to businesses during this time of change. It won’t last forever.

                                                                                                         Part 2: My Top Ten Quotes

​Have you heard some great lines about pennies? I picked ten famous people who had something to say about them.  
​
My Source Link: www.azquotes.com/quotes/topics/pennies.html


​

​
​1. "One penny may seem to you a very insignificant thing,
​but it is the small seed from which fortunes spring."

By Orison Swett Marden (1848-1924)
​
American inspiration author & founder of Success magazine



​​

2. "A penny saved is a penny earned."
And 
"Watch the pennies and the dollars will take care of themselves."

By Benjamin Franklin (1706-1790)

American writer, scientist, inventor, statesman,
diplomat, printer, and publisher

PS... J. Paul Getty, founder of the Getty Oil Company, said something similar…
"If you look after the pennies, the dollars will look after themselves." 


​

​3. "Human beings have the remarkable ability to turn
nothing into something. They can turn weeds into
gardens and pennies into fortunes."

 By Jim Rohn (1930-2009)
​
American entrepreneur, author, and motivational speaker

​

​
4. "Be careful who you call your friends. I’d rather have
four quarters than one hundred pennies."

By Al Capone (1899-1947)

American gangster and businessman



​

6. "Pennies do not come from heaven.
They have to be earned here on earth."

By Margaret Thatcher (1925-2013)

British stateswoman, leader of the Conservative Party,
​and Prime Minister

8. "If teardrops were pennies and heartaches were gold,
I'd have all the treasures my pockets could hold."

By Dolly Parton (1946)

American singer, songwriter, actress,
​philanthropist, and businesswoman

​10. "Whatever your dream is, every extra penny
you have needs to be going to that."

By Will Smith (1968)

American actor, rapper, and film producer




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                                                      Part 3: My Top Ten Songs
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​Can you think of any song titles with pennies? I picked the top ten from an online source.
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​​My Source Link: https://www.ranker.com/list/the- best-songs-about-pennys/reference


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​1. “Penny Lane,” was recorded by the Beatles, a 1960s English band from Liverpool. Think John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, and Ringo Starr.
 
It was released in February 1967. “Penny Lane” became a top five hit in Europe, and it reached the top of the US Billboard Hot 100.


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2. “Penny Arcade” was sung by Roy Orbison, a famous American singer, songwriter, and guitarist.
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Orbison recorded “Penny Arcade” in 1969. He took it to #1 in Australia and New Zealand, to the Top 30 in the UK, and to #133 in the US. 


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​3. “A Penny for Your Thoughts” was recorded by Willie Nelson, an American singer, guitarist, songwriter, actor, and activist.

He released it in February of 1976. 

4. “Penny Lover” was sung by Lionel Richie, an American singer, songwriter, musician, record producer, and TV personality.

​It was the fifth and final release from Ritchie’s 1983 multi-platinum album, Can’t Slow Down. “Penny Lover” was also a top ten hit on the US Billboard Hot 100. It hung out at #8 for two weeks in December 1984.



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​6. “Throw a Penny” was performed by the Bee Gees, a trio of brothers. Their first names, Barry, Robbin, and Maurice.
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You’ll find “Throw a Penny” on their 1974 album, Mr. Natural. 

8. “Pretty Penny” was recorded by Stone Temple Pilots, an American rock band from San Diego, California.

It came from their 1994 album Purple, but it was released as a 1995 promo single. 

​9. “Penny Hardaway” was recorded by Ghostface Killah and the Cool Kids.
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They released it on their album When Fish Ride Bicycles back on July 12, 2011. 


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10. “The Penny Arcade in California” was recorded by the Neutral Milk Hotel.

It came from their 1998 album, The Aeroplane Over the Sea. Would you believe they actually renamed the song when they were touring?

I was surprised when I got an email from Bella at Cooper Hurley Injury Lawyers. She asked me to share their link about driving safely when you’re pregnant. I never connected the two in the 80s when I had my kids.

I checked their link and found some great common-sense tips I’d like to share with you. Here’s the link to their web site if you want to check it out for yourself.


​                                             Link: https://cooperhurley.com/driving-while-pregnant/

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                                Part 1: Seat Belts & Safety Tips
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Seat Belts: Whether you’re pregnant or not, driver or passenger, wearing a seat belt is the safe thing to do. Take a look at this photo and check out how this mom-to-be is buckled up. She’s following National Highway Traffic Safety Administration guidelines.

1. Mama’s lap belt is under her baby belly. It fits against her hips and pelvic bone. Not across her stomach. That’s dangerous for both mom and baby-to-be.

2. See her shoulder belt? It’s on the shoulder, running across the middle of her chest. It’s not in a dangerous position, like around her neck, or under her arm, or behind her back. Keep as much space as you can between your baby bump and the steering wheel, and as little as possible between your shoulder and the seat belt. 


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​ Safety Tips:
1. Buckle your lap and shoulder belt correctly. They’ll keep you safe.
2. Check with your doctor to see if your medications might affect your driving.
3. Adjust your seat, steering wheel, or seat belt as needed. Space and comfort are good things for both of you.
4. Move distractions. When you’re expecting, focus and memory can be tricky. Things like cell phones can take your focus away from the road.
5. If you’re not feeling well, it’s ok to be a passenger, especially if you’re tired, nauseas, or in pain.

   

​ Road Trips: When you’re pregnant, long commutes and road trips can be a challenge. Think pit stops alone! But don’t worry. I found six ways to stay safe and comfortable.

1. Share your plans. Make sure someone knows when you’ll arrive. Give them a contact number in case you’re running late.

2. Plan for emergencies. Have your insurance cards and contact information ready, just in case.
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3. Pick rest stops carefully. Make sure they’re labeled and well-lit. If you run into a problem, stay in your car.

4. Take breaks, even if you don’t need them. Get out. Stretch your legs. Check out the bathroom. No one wants to feel tired or nauseous.

5. Bring snacks and drinks in case you need them. If you have gestational diabetes, pick healthy ones.

6. Travel in the right clothes. Think loose, casual, and well-worn. Don’t let cute clothes distract you. Think comfy when you’re pregnant and traveling!


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When to Stop: Listen to these 4 signals. They’ll tell you when you need a break and for how long. Don’t be a hero. You’re driving for two.
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1. Discomfort—If you can’t reach the steering wheel, or wear your seat belt properly, or sit comfortably…Take a break. Discomfort affects your focus and your driving.

2. Nausea—most moms-to-be have it. If yours is intense or you get motion sickness, stop! Your body is working for two.

3. Fatigue—anyone who’s tired should take a break. Moms-to-be, you’re building a brand-new person. No wonder you’re tired!

4. High blood pressure—whether it’s chronic or because of pregnancy, STOP! It’s dangerous for you and your precious cargo.
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Car Accidents: Would you believe car crashes happen more often during the second trimester? The rate was 42% higher than for nonpregnant women. There wasn’t data for the first trimester or the third. My guess, they’re both lower than the second trimester.

The most serious kinds of injuries: pre-term labor, hemorrhaging, placental abruption, internal bleeding, miscarriage, and birth complications. They sound like collision injuries, not the kind you get from fender-benders.
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So what do you do in an accident? First, take some slow, deep breaths to calm down. Next keep an eye out for symptoms. If you have a concern, see the doctor. If they’re serious, call 911 or get someone to drive you to the ER. If you see a doctor, follow orders. Ask questions about your condition or about changes you notice.
If you’re in an accident, exchange insurance and contact information. Call the police to make an accident report. Touch base with your insurance company. They’ll help you if you decide to make a claim or get legal advice.


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Post Delivery: Take time after you get home to recoup from childbirth and sleepless nights. If you had a normal birth, give yourself a few weeks to recover from any abdominal pain, bleeding, or soreness. Let family take care of you while you learn to care for your new baby.

If you had a C-section, you’ll need more time to heal. Maybe as much as six weeks before you drive again. Until then, rest up; follow doctor’s orders. Don’t do any lifting or heavy movements. Instead take time to catch up on your sleep and enjoy your new baby. 


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Car Seats: You probably bought yours long before baby’s due date, and you made sure it met safety standards. That it didn’t have any recalls or visible defects.

Make sure you install it a few weeks before your due date. The seat must face backwards according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration guidelines.

No matter what kind of delivery you had, car seats are too heavy for you to lift once baby’s here. Enjoy letting someone else do the heavy lifting; your turn will come soon enough.

Many strollers are designed to hold car seats safely. They’ll help you move baby around, but you’ll still need help getting it out of the car and into the stroller. Your doctor can tell you how much to carry right away, and when you’re fully healed. ​

If you’re my age, do you remember January in second grade? That’s when I learned cursive. It was thrilling! But by the time I was teaching second grade, cursive was gone. The era of teaching to the Ohio Fourth Grade Proficiency Test had begun.
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So what’s so special about cursive? Take a stroll down cursive’s timeline to see how it developed and why it might be coming back.
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                                                          My Sources: Who Invented Cursive? - Word Smarts
                                            Why Cursive Writing and Penmanship Is Important - Word Smarts


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  Part 1: In the Beginning, There was the Roman Empire
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Rome became an empire in 44BC (Before Christ). That’s when Julius Caesar decided to promote himself to emporer, but Rome had already been powerful for 600 years. This illustration features Roman chariot races in a coliseum. Think stadiums with horses and gladiators. 
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Roman scribes modeled their writing after the Etruscans of Ancient Italy. That’s Tuscany, western Umbria, and northern Lazio in modern Italy. If you want to learn more about the Etruscans, check out Wikipedia’s maps and alphabets. Funny, their alphabet only has capital letters.

                                Links: Etruscan civilization - Wikipedia   &    Etruscan alphabet - Wikipedia
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​Check out some real Roman writing! Did you notice it’s all in caps; without one single lower-case letter? It reminds me of the Etruscan alphabet.

Tomorrow: Meet Charlemagne. He came up with a new version too

                       Part 2: Fastforward to Charlemagne and the Middle Ages

​Charlemagne, the King of the Franks and the Holy Roman Emperor, enters the cursive story sometime around 768 AD. He remains on the scene until 814 AD. AD means After the Death of Jesus Christ.
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Charlemagne wanted an English monk to standardize handwriting. Over the years the monks created the first standard form of cursive. Its name, Carolingian script or miniscule.

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Look below, and you’ll see an older example. Carolingian has lower-case letters. There’s separation between each word and even punctuation, but letters aren’t connected yet. Later versions of cursive will be based on Carolingian. 
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During the Middle Ages, parchment grew more expensive, so writers pushed letters and words close together.  Then in the 1400’s the printing press was created, and typeface grew dark and heavy.

By the time the Renaissance came along, people added twists and curls to their writing, making it difficult to read. As a result, people returned to Carolingian. 
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By the 1300s Italian humanism appeared. Did you notice the print is light and elegant? Its name, italic. 

The italics we read in books today looks like this… humanism arose from the study of ancient Greece and Rome, and it spread across western Europe. Interesting, the two fonts look a lot alike.
 

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 Part 3: Cursive Comes to the New World
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When the English came to America, they brought their culture too. Their books and their handwriting. The first and most successful one written especially for the colonies, The New England Primer. Many children learned to read and write from its pages, especially in the northeast.

​This is one of its pages. The verses focus on the role of parents, the wages of sin, and on salvation. Many passages come straight out of the King James Bible. 

I can imagine children placing velum, a thin sheet of paper on top, then tracing over the letters and words. That’s how they learned to write, and it’s also why New England had so many literate citizens. Boys, especially.

Penmanship was a sign of education and wealth, but it also showed your gender. Everyone added flourishes to their writing. Ladies used curves and bows while men favored straight lines. 


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​Do you recognize this document? It’s the Declaration of Independence. 
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I thought it was written by Thomas Jefferson, but it turns out Timothy Matlack, a calligrapher, copied Jefferson’s words onto that original Declaration. The name of that early cursive, Copperplate.

Do you recognize this man? His name is Platt Rogers Spencer; I’d never heard of him either. Platt was an abolitionist. He lived during the 1800’s, and he worked to free slaves before the Civil War. But that’s not why he’s in this post…

In the mid 1850’s he came up with a new form of writing. Its original name, chirythmography. I don’t think I can pronounce it. In Greek it means timed handwriting. Would you believe Platt actually used a metronome to help writers match their pen strokes to a beat?
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BTW, a metronome is used in music to help you play at a steady pace. Not too fast. Not too slow. Funny, I never pictured it as a handwriting tool.

Chirythmography is too fancy for me. I prefer its ordinary name, Spencerian script. It’s much easier to pronounce! Spencer wanted to make penmanship available to everyone, and it worked! Look below…

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Do you recognize this logo? Platt penned it, and it’s been Coke’s logo ever since. His writing style caught on. Many schools and businesses adopted it. Why? Because good penmanship meant opportunities…for jobs and promotions.
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                                                            Part 4: The Twentieth Century and a New Millenia
                                                                     

The late 1800s brought change. Spencerian was too slow for clerks and telegraph operators who had to turn Morse code into cursive. 

​Austin Palmer had a new idea, and a how-to book. He also taught writers to use their arm muscles to write faster. It worked!

The Palmer Method became super successful for business and personal writing. If your great grandparents wrote letters during the early 1900s, their handwriting would have looked like this.

​Do you recognize Zaner-Bloser from your schooldays? I printed in it. In 2nd grade I learned cursive, and in 3rd grade I HAD to use it…on spelling tests and everything else! Imagine spelling a word right but mixing up a cursive stroke. URGH!
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Elmer W. Bloser, a classmate and friend of Zaner, bought part of the company in 1891. Five years later they renamed it, Zaner & Bloser, and in 1921 it became simply Zaner-Bloser. As of 1972 ownership of Zaner-Bloser was sold to Highlights for Children. They still own it, and children still learn their letters from them.


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So what happened to all those kids born in the late 80s like mine? All three of them print. The only thing they write in cursive is a signature. Why?

My two sources claim it’s because of keyboards and touchscreens. That’s partly true: we take tests online. But from my perch as a 2nd grade teacher, it’s testing. From 3rd grade up, tests dominate the curriculum. If it’s not on that test, teachers don’t teach it. They might want to, but penmanship isn’t tested.

In Europe, kids are still taught penmanship, and it’s coming back here in the states. Would you believe in 2024 California became the 22nd state to require that cursive be taught again? Why? Research is beginning to show that there are benefits to cursive, like increasing memory. People who take notes on paper remember things longer. 

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​My two original sources:
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1.https://wordsmarts.com/cursive-penmanship/?lctg=c4d2fe5b-125d-41db-a63c-ea78909f2d82
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2. https://wordsmarts.com/history-cursive-writing/?lctg=a98ce4ad-51ba-48fd-ac39-1bd7f46aac1d

If you’d like to learn more, check out this link. It lists twelve benefits your child will miss if they don’t learn cursive. Link: https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/other/the-death-of-cursive-writing-will-have-serious-consequences-for-your-grandkids/ss-AA1OTN8q?ocid=winp2fp

Do you recognize this landform? It’s the continent of Africa, and this is a political map from 2021. Did you know Africa is the 2nd largest and 2nd most populated continent?  Only Asia is bigger. 
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 Before she left, she had some prep work to do. There were shots to take, for yellow fever, typhoid, and tetanus. And her clothes went to a special place called Insect Shield. Would you believe they soaked them in insect repellent, then let them air dry so she wouldn’t have to worry about bug bites?


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                                    Part 1: The Inspiration for Sandra’s Trip
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​My interest in Africa started when I read the book The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency by Alexander McCall Smith. The series is enjoyable to read. I love the descriptions of Botswana in the books, and the main character, Mma Precious Ramotswe, a traditionally built lady, as she calls herself, not your typical detective.
                   
Precious enjoys drinking rooibos tea, a habit I adopted after reading the books. I also watched a documentary on PBS about a hot-air balloon ride over the Serengeti. I knew I had to fly someday over an African park and witness the animal migrations.


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​It became popular internationally in the 2000s, coincidentally when the book came out, and later it became a TV series. If you’re curious what it tastes like, Wikipedia said it has an earthy flavor and aroma to yerba mate or tobacco. In the UK, it’s known as bush tea, red tea, or redbush tea. Would you believe you can find rooibos tea on Amazon?      
 
 
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                                                        Part 2: Sandra Goes on Safari—Her Photos & Words

​My dream came true this year when I went on a safari in Kenya and Tanzania. I took a hot-air balloon ride over the Masai Mara and saw hundreds of different creatures.   
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​Seeing animals in their natural habitat, interacting with each other--
zebras with wildebeest, impalas, gazelles….

A leopard hanging in a tree…

​Lions by the side of the road…

​Giraffes munching on acacia leaves…

Cheetahs with their cubs—was incredible. TOTAL MAGIC!

(Rinda) I’m so glad Sandra didn’t forget the elephants, especially the baby!
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​Do you see it in the first photo? There must be something that alerted the adults.
They encircled the baby to protect it. That’s what elephants do when they sense danger.
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Part 3: Sandra Meets the People of Africa—Her Photos and Words
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​I also loved the people I met—their warmth, pride in their countries, and friendliness. I want to return and explore other parts of this vast continent. My memories of Africa have stayed deep in my heart. This photo came from a Masai village in Amboseli Park.

These kids are dressed for school. All children, even in public school wear uniforms. They’re on a field trip at the end of the year to the National Museum of Kenya in Nairobi. Buses brought them from villages outside of Nairobi.
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                                                                   They were very well-behaved children. 



                                                                              Part 4: Africa by the Numbers

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​(Rinda) Africa takes up about 20% of the land on earth. It’s home to 18% of the world’s population. In 2021 that was approximately 1.4 billion people. Africans are the youngest people on earth. In 2012 their median age was 19.7. Worldwide, it’s 30.4. (Median means the number in the middle.)

Africa, as of 2021 is made up of 54 nations. There are also 8 cities and some islands that belong to non-African countries. Would you believe Malta and Sicily are geographically part of the African continent, but both belong to the European Union? Algeria is Africa’s largest country, and Nigeria has the most people.

                                                                                       Source: Africa - Wikipedia


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                                                                                A Map of African Languages
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​(Rinda) Would you believe Africa has between 1,250 and 2,100 languages, depending on how you count the dialects? Some say it could be over 3,000!

There are 7 distinct families of African languages. They’re spread across the continent. Nigeria has the most people and over 500 languages.

                                                                  Learn more at: Languages of Africa - Wikipedia