What is your "Betty Doll?"

The second Sunday of May is the official time to remember our mothers.

One book that does an amazing job of this is Patricia Polacco's Betty Doll. This delightful picture book begins with a letter from Patricia Polacco explaining the history of Betty Doll from her mother, Mary Ellen. Due to a fire, all of Mary Ellen’s dolls were gone and her mother (Polacco’s grandmother) saw how much pain this caused her. Mary Ellen and her mother made Betty Doll and the story takes flight. Betty Doll goes to the first day of school, recites poems at tea parties, and even comes to the rescue on a frightful snowy day. These experiences help the reader to understand why Betty Doll is such a prized possession for Patricia Polacco and is a symbol of many things for her. Check out Polacco's website to see and hear more.

About her mother and the story of Betty Doll, Polacco says, "In this story I would like to share her words with you, for in the face of bitter grief, her sweet words brought comfort, insight and warmth that still linger in my heart...and will continue to, as long as there are children who tell children about mothers they love." I believe that Betty Doll holds the memories that it does because it was made with love. Made by Polacco's mother and Grandmother after a devastating event. Betty Doll is a symbol of love that connects generation to generation.

Our question to you is..."What is your Betty Doll?" While we didn't make this together, one of our's is the bed that my daughter sleeps in. My father bought it at an auction for me when I was two years old for $2.50! I slept in this antique bed (built around 1900) until I was in my twenties. Now my sweet daughter sleeps in this bed. I love that I am able to share this bed with her and I look forward to seeing her share it with her children...just like Polacco has done with the doll from her mother.

During this "Mother's Day" season, think about what your "Betty Doll" is at your home. It doesn't have to be a doll, it could be anything that shares memories or is a prized possession--something made with love, shared with love and above all elicits memories. Maybe it's a picture, a blanket, or a stuffed animal. We'd love to hear about your special items and the role they play in your family.

If you are looking for books (in addition to Betty Doll) that highlight mothers, check out the books below that are part of the GUWB offerings...

Are You My Mother

You're All My Favorites

Little Raccoon's Big Question

My Nana and Me

Sharing memories,

The GUWB Team

Submitted by Lara

Reading Aloud: What are YOU reading?

Reading aloud to your children is of utmost importance. It's the beginning of a meaningful relationship with your child that is just waiting to be nurtured. No matter if they are an infant or a middle grade reader, all children need to be read "TO." It's the "T" in our "Read TWO Experience" at Grow Up With Books.

Patricia Polacco is the author of close to 50 children's books. In a recent response to a fan's question on Facebook, she captured the essence of reading and why we read aloud to children. "It is said that a child's entire psyche and outlook on life in general is pretty much determined before the age of 5. So it is vital for a child to hear written language, to see pictures that accentuate the writing and to hear stories that have moral impact. I don't think there is anything more meaningful than a child sitting on the lap of someone they care about and being read from a book they are both holding."

Polacco goes on to say, "When I was a child, my ear would go on the breastplate of the person holding me and their voice and the story resonated throughout my body and was a moment of amazing bonding. So that, I believe, is the value between the individual and the child to read together, to imagine together, to dream and wonder together."

Jim Trelease, author of The Read-Aloud Handbook, offers helpful hints to parents on his website with thoughts that match Polacco's as well as ours at GUWB. In his brochure, Questions Parents Always Ask About Reading Aloud, Trelease says," You read to children for all the same reasons you talk to them: to inform, to inspire, to caution, to entertain, and to connect." When talking about reading to his children all the way to high school he goes on to say, "It provided me nightly one-on-one time with each of them, time that was spent in a meaningful way that often became a springboard to conversation and created a cultural and emotional bond." Jim Trelease also states, "We can find the time for whatever we value."

So, here is our challenge for you this week. Take a look at your calendars. What do you value? What do you make time for? Is there time for reading? Go ahead...write it in pen and commit to it! Do it for yourself as much as for your child.

Suggestions from our collection....
0-2 Year Old
Gallop!: A Scanimation Picture Book by Rufus Butler Seder
The new technology of Scanimation brings animals to life in this cool new book! As you turn the pages it seems as though the animals could jump, fly, take right off the pages! Fun for all ages!

3-4 Year Old
Mercy Watson to the Rescue (#1) by Kate DiCamillo
The first in the Mercy Watson series, readers will get to know this cute and sweet pig, as well as her owners, their neighbors, and the local fire department! Mercy saves the day, but how? Your child will delight in the fun adventures of this “pet of a pig” that likes to eat “hot buttered toast!”

5-8 Year Old
Piper Reed Navy Brat by Kimberly Willis Holt
Piper Reed learns that the Navy is sending her father (Chief) to Pensacola, Florida and they must leave San Diego in the middle of the school year! She has to leave her Gypsy Club, her own bedroom, and the neighbors’ dog, Kip. Will Piper be able to face all of the challenges of moving? With her spunk and creativity, Piper is able to conquer most anything—even finding a real gypsy to tell fortunes.

9-12 Year Old
The Lightning Thief (Percy Jackson and the Olympians-Book 1) by Rick Riordan
Twelve-year-old Percy Jackson is about to be kicked out of boarding school yet again even though it’s for trying to help his friend, Grover. Crazy things are happening…his math teacher turned into a monster while on a field trip and a Minotaur is chasing Percy, Grover (a satyr), and his mother as they are trying to leave town. This chase ends with Percy and Grover safely arriving at Camp Half-Blood where Percy discovers he is a demigod surrounded by mythical creatures in the 21st century. While at camp, Percy (being intelligent and resourceful) is chosen for the quest of finding out who stole Zeus’s lightning bolt. Accepting this challenge brings about non-stop adventure as well as disaster to Percy and his friends from Camp Half-Blood. This book is a great introduction to Greek Mythology and is the first book in a series of five. Just a Heads Up: Mild Violence, Mature Content.

We'd LOVE to hear what you and your family are reading! Share some of your favorites with us.

Happy Reading!
The GUWB Team