Great Books = Great Gifts

A few weeks ago I received a collection of books for review, but I've been having a really difficult time with it.  The reason...

I can't get the books out of my son's (and husband's) hands!

Every time I think I have some time to settle in and enjoy the collection of Reader's Digest Kids Books.  my second grader has once again hide them in his back pack or under his pillow.  

When I finally got my hands on the first title, I was indeed entertained by the facts and tidbits.  I enjoyed brushing up on geography knowledge as I read through the book in no time.  There are a lot of words on a page, similar to a chapter book, but there are also many clever illustration, charts, and tables.

I Wish I Knew That: Geography: Cool Stuff You Need to Know  By James Doyle

Explore the world's continents, countries, and capital cities, and marvel at the planet’s most extraordinary physical features in a lighthearted mix of text, diagrams, maps, and amusing illustrations that will captivate children and encourage them to keep trekking.  Filled with hundreds of cool ways to remember the tallest, largest, longest, and most desolate, I Wish I Knew That: Geography is the perfect companion to help kids get a grip on the globe.

The next title I brought in the car with our family on a road trip and we used it to quiz ourselves on the kind of facts that would help us win a trivia game.

I Wish I Knew That: Cool Stuff You Need to Know By Steve Martin, Mike Goldsmith, Ph.D., and Marianne Taylor

How would you feel if you knew hundreds of fascinating tidbits—on everything from art, literature, and history to geography, science, and math—from just one quick-and-easy read crammed with fun and cool stuff you shouldn't have to wait to find out about? With I Wish I Knew That readers will speed through science, whiz through history, and take a dip into the classic Greek and Roman myths in no time at all.

There were two other books we read through quickly, but will likely use for reference for years to come.

Write (Or Is That “Right”?) Every Time: Cool Ways to Improve Your English By Lottie Stride

Need a bit of grammar guidance? Want to spell like a champ? This lighthearted, informative guide makes it easy and fun for kids to conquer grammar, spelling, and punctuation challenges and put their struggles in the past tense. Write (Or Is That "Right "?) Every Time provides a fun-and-easy way to tackle tenses, sort out spelling slip-ups, put a full stop to punctuation problems, and conquer clauses.

and

i before e (except after c) The Young Readers Edition: Easy, Cool Ways to Remember Facts by Susan Randol

Just like adults, kids need easy ways to recall stuff—especially now, when they don't even have to remember a phone number because their cell phones remember it for them. This book is jammed with easy-to-use tricks for remembering lots of stuff—especially stuff they need to know for school. Kids will like learning fun ways to remember stuff and will love getting the good grades that follow.

The books are geared toward middle school and early high school age students, but proved to be engaging for our early elementary children as well.  I appreciated the simple to read, and sometimes giggle inducing, language as well as the engaging graphics and layout in all four of the books.

This set from Reader's Digest would be an enjoyable gift for a family, an upper elementary student, a middle school student, or anyone who wants to brush up on some important basic information.

Thanks to FSB Associates for allowing our family the opportunity to take a look at the review copies of the four books mentioned in this post.

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My Mommy is a Blogger by Sommer Poquette

We consider students' academic needs, brainstorm appropriate objectives, plan engaging activities, assess their understanding of the new material...

... then post the lesson photos and outcomes online to share with all of our other teacher/mommy friends. 

Right?  

My own children have become suspicious.  Why are you taking pictures of our papers again?  How did my project already get on the computer?  What are you going to write about it?  Why are you doing that?  These are all questions I have heard from my oldest two who are becoming more aware of what I do when I am on the computer.

Have you ever explained blogging to your children?

This summer I had the privilege of meeting Sommer -  a preschool teacher, an engaging public speaker, a social media expert, a blogger, an environmentally conscious mommy, and the author of My Mommy is a Blogger.

My Mommy is a Blogger is a clever story about how one child comes to understand what blogging is while celebrating her mother during career day. The text is humorous and the colorful illustrations are very kid friendly. Reading this story with my children helped me explain a bit about social media, tweeting, review posts, linky parties, and more. (Maybe it would be helpful to read it with my husband too, so he can better understand - wink!)

In addition to explaining blogging as both a hobby and a career, the book provides a great reminder of the importance of language.  It points out the gap between what we sometimes think we are clearly explaining to children and what their actual understanding is based on our actions and unfamiliar vocabulary. I also love the obvious ties between blogging and creativity, graphic design, story telling, and grammar - all necessary components of a successful online site.



When you order an autographed copy you will be given a link to download  a complimentary activity and lesson plan readers response eBook that accompany the book.  I enjoyed offering a bit of input as Sommer put this activity packet together.  Using her teaching background she has created a useful resource for parents and classroom teachers to build excitement about online writing opportunities.

The follow up activities are appropriate and FUN for students PreK - 3rd Grade.  The packet includes  resources and engaging activities for using the blogging platform to enhance writing instruction for children.

Not only is this a great book to share with our own children who may not understand why we spend time documenting their many learning adventures for the rest of the world to benefit from;), it would be a fun addition to an elementary school library collection.

Disclaimer: This is not a sponsored post.  It was my pleasure to meet Sommer during a West Michigan Blogger's Meet Up and I was excited to share her work here on ABC & 123.  I have a personal copy of the book that I purchased myself.  The links in this post are affiliate links.  When I began putting together this post I became aware of the program. When you click through you will also have the opportunity to sign up to be an affiliate if you are interested.

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Rip the Page: Adventures in Creative Writing

Update:  This giveaway is now closed.  The winner has been chosen by Random.org

"Brandy said...
My daughter is gifted in language and would adore this book! She gets so giddy over word play and is constantly writing creatively. Thank you for this chance!"

Enjoy!
April is National Poetry Month.  Poetry is one of those creative writing ventures that you can't just teach with a simple 1, 2, 3.  There are many formula type poems: Bio Poems, Haiku, Acrostics, Limericks, and more.  Yet, quality poetry requires a different way of thinking, looking at the world, and honestly reflecting on it.

True poetry requires word play, imagination, open ended questions, and plenty of blank pages for words to roam.  Rip the Page! provides just what writers of all ages need to turn on their creative writing brain.  Karen Benke, an experienced teacher of poetry, has put together an exciting resource for writers who are willing to explore.

My first grader and I have spent many April evenings diving in to the adventures offered on each page of this "Just Do It" book.  I would never describe myself as a creative writer, but I will tell you what this book makes it fun!  We started with the first exercise in the book, an open ended statement, "I Write with..."  It was exciting to see Gavin begin to think beyond his pencil and paper.

Another exercise encouraged us to name each of our fingers and toes.  It was interesting to watch my son thoughtfully consider what each one of his fingers should be named and why.  Since I have never named his fingers as pointer, ring man, and pinky he really had no schema tying his imagination down on this one.

Rip the Page encourages vocabulary and word experimentation in a way that is zany and entertaining.

As writers work their way around the book they are encouraged by notes from famous authors such as Annie Barros, Lemony Snicket, and Patricia Polacco.

According to the press release for the book,

"The exercises in Rip the Page! aren’t designed like a school assignment or extra-credit composition. They’re meant to amuse and inspire your child, showing him or her how fun and freeing creative writing can be even when it’s not being graded. Benke, who has led creative writing workshops for children for sixteen years, knows what kinds of prompts excite her students and how to get their pens moving."
This eye catching, engaging book would be a wonderful addition to any classroom.  With a very reasonable price it would be a nice gift for your favorite teacher during Teacher Appreciate week or as a year end gift. for ordering information, additional reviews, and a workshop possibilities check out Karen's site.



We are pleased to be able to offer one of our readers a copy of the book thanks Shambhala Publications, Inc.  Leave a word or two of your own in the comment blank to be entered to win. 

There is no special consideration necessary for entry, although we would love if you would also take a moment to vote for ABC & 123 on the list of TOP 25  Homeschool Blogs or if you would look us up on facebook!

We will use Random.org to select a winner from the comments below after entry closes on May 1 at 10PM EST.

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The Write Start: A Guide to Nurturing Writing at Every Stage, from Scribbling to Forming Letters and Writing Stories

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I think it's the wanna be occupational therapist in me that was immediately drawn to The Write Start: A Guide to Nurturing Writing at Every Stage, from Scribbling to Forming Letters and Writing Stories, a new release from Jennifer Hallissy. I've always been interested in developing fine motor skills, especially since teaching my students how to write was one of the hardest things to do. The old school teaching method is to throw worksheet after worsheet at the kids. Anyone who's ever dealt with a child who's is already frustrated and reluctant to try knows how that doesn't work! Not only are they not interested in doing their best job, they rush through it or throw a tantrum.

From the Publisher:

Jennifer Hallissy is a mom and occupational therapist who simply wanted to raise her children to love to write. In The Write Start, she shares the secrets for supporting young writers and inspiring creativity with fun activities. By giving kids a solid foundation of writing at a young age, Hallissy believes that they will develop a love for words and language that will last a lifetime.

The Write Start contains fifty-two playful activities that are presented in ways to invite your child to write, and includes reading exercises, games and crafts. Hallissy recognizes four major categories of young writers; the first, Spellers and Storytellers, encompass pre-writers and emerging writers. At these levels, children are just discovering their own coordination and understanding of letter, word and sentence structure. As children move up the ladder they are considered Storytellers and Scholars, who are more concerned with captivating an audience than mastering the alphabet.

On a larger scale, The Write Start is not only helping parents raise confident creative writers. Hallissy makes the connection between a child’s early writing skills and effective communication, as well as the connection between literacy and academic success. “Strong writing skills are vital to business and professional success, as is clear and purposeful thinking,” she writes. Giving kids a solid writing foundation at a young age not only helps them develop efficient communication skills—it may even help them succeed as an adult, and The Write Start helps parents kick-start this lifelong process.

Our Thoughts:

I was glad to see the book includes a section on theory, outlining the path to writing readiness. This includes defining the stages of writing, a concept that I've found through being a classroom teacher, many parents are unware of. From the descriptions, parents will be able to pin point where their child is. Mine is in the spellers stage. This is followed by ways to support your child at each stage.

The next few chapters of the book are devoted to basic tips that are always worth seeing in text and good to have to refer back to, such as the correct pencil grip and reinforcing that developmentally appropriate tasks like cutting, playing with dough, using tongs, etc. are work and not just "playing" for our youngest writers.

This first portion of The Write Start is all good reference material but the real meat of the book is in the 52 activities divided into Learn, Make, Do, Play, and Connect. I was impressed by the variety of ideas, several were new to me. Many including ways to expose children to other concepts like 'What's in the Bag?" which supports a hands-on multi sensory approach to learn about the shape and feel of each letter. This prepares them to write letters as well as identifying them.

Each activity is presented in a clear and organized manner, starting with a brief description that provides the why behind the activity. The materials and a numbered How-To make each one easy to glance at quickly and find an appropriate one. The best part is that each one provides variations for each level of writer, making this a valuable resource that can be used again and again as your child progressed through the different developmental stages.

The Write Start is a valuable resource and reference for any parent, with easy to implement activities that will encourage interaction between parent and child and a fun learning experience. I highly recommend it to teacher and parents alike. If I was still in the classroom, I would definitely add it to my parent reference sheet.

Disclosure: This book was provided to us by Shambhala Publications, Inc. for review purposes. The opinions expressed are personal and unbiased.

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Fur and Feathers: Blog Tour and Giveaway

Welcome! New to ABC and 123? Please check out our FAQ in the sidebar.

We don't normally do this, but today I wanted to let you know about an exciting blog book tour I'm hosting at my personal blog: Katie's Nesting Spot.

Come and learn more about one of my family's favorite children's authors Janet Halfmann. I've got an author interview to share along with a giveaway for new book Fur and Feathers!

I know so many of you are really passionate about children's literature so I am excited to share with you that Janet will be stopping by my blog, along with the illustrator Laurie Allen Klein, to answer reader questions! If you've ever wanted to "talk" with a children's author or illustrator, now is your chance!

You can view the book trailer below to learn a little bit about it (if you're reading this via email subscription please click over to see it.)

If you are unfamiliar with Sylvan Dell, I'm happy to introduce you to children's publishers that specialize in math and science through literature. I've seen several of their titles through their ebook program and they are a great resource for educational stories that are engaging with lively stores and beautiful illustrations.They support their titles with online resources like the Teaching Activities for Fur and Feathers that enhance the learning experience. Plus each book has For Creative Minds section at the back, part of the one for this titles is shown above. Sylvan Dell books are great additions to home and classroom libraries. Each month a featured ebook can be viewed online for free, look for it at the top left of the homepage, and check this award winning publisher.Book Giveaway!

Janet and Laurie have personalized a hardcover copy of Fur and Feathers for one of my readers at Katie's Nesting Spot. You'll have to visit me over there to enter☺ US residents only.

Don't forget author Janet Halfmann and illustrator Laurie Allen Klein, will be stopping in and looking for any questions directed to them in the comment section.

Anyone who leaves a question in the comments for Janet or Laurie will automatically get an entry.

For More Chances to Win:
I'm the second blog to host the Fur and Feather's Blog Tour. They'll be more chances to win a copy of the book or an e-license to Sylvan Dell's books at many of the stops so check it out!



Disclosure: A review and giveaway copy of Fur and Feathers were provided. The post relates my own unbiased opinions and experience with the book and yours may differ.

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Read With Friends and Family: Readeo

Welcome to ABC and 123!

Numerous families today live miles and miles from grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins, and as families grow and there are more little ones to care for, it becomes increasingly difficult to stay in touch between visits. Sometimes I wish more than anything that 3 1/2 hours didn't separate my parents from my family here in the DC Metro area. Although I know that some families have a much greater distance between loved ones, I can't help but dream.

So when I was asked to take a look at a new literacy-related product designed to let families to "See, Hear, and Read with each other, even when you're far away" you can imagine that I jumped--leaped!--at the opportunity.

Here's the skinny on this wonder product, Readeo:

• Readeo: Combine "the best children's books" on the market and a state-of-the-art video conference call, and you have Readeo. Really. Readeo allows friends and family to connect via the computer and read a book together. It's incredible, and we love it.
  

Maddy, Owen, and Cora have had an absolute blast reading new books with their aunts and uncles for the last few days. Whether it was the early morning or right before bedtime, it has been a riot for them to be pajama-clad here in Maryland yet still be able to share books with their cooler-than cool uncles and aunts back in Pennsylvania. I'm really looking forward to getting my parents (who just need a little more technical support than most) set up when we see them for Mother's Day; I'm betting that reading with Nanny and Pap will take the cake as far as my kids are concerned!

Watch this quick video to see how Readeo works:

How Readeo Works from Readeo on Vimeo.

Although the set-up took some time and energy for both me and one of my sisters, it was well worth it. Logging in and getting her webcam to work was extremely easy for my other sister, so it really depends on the quality of your computer equipment and your familiarity with it to determine the ease with which you can get Readeo up and rolling. I used my EeePC notebook because it has a built-in webcam, and because of the size of the screen, I did have to play with my screen resolution settings in order to better view the book and videos below.

One of the great parts of this product is that even if you're not in a "BookChat" with one of your Readeo "friends", your kiddos can still "Read Solo" by choosing any one of the numerous books from Readeo's Library. And because the folks at Readeo have partnered with solid publishers like Simon & Schuster, Chronicle Books, Candlewick Press, and blue apple books, the book choices are awesome. We are a book-focused family, bibliophiles, lovers of all books, but the dozen books we read both solo and in BookChat were all new to us. Seriously, we were in heaven.

The graphics of texts are fantastic, and the pages look like they're turning naturally. All three of my children enjoyed adding books to their "bookshelves" so that we could easily return to their favorites.

CEO Coby Neuenschwander founded Readeo in 2009 in an attempt to establish a more meaningful relationship between his parents and his young son. Because the miles between them alowed for only a few visits a year, forging a strong relationship between grandparents and grandson was difficult. What better way of carving out meaningful time together, long-distance, than reading a high-quality children's book and being able to see each other as the book is read?

Ready to try it for yourself? The kind folks at Readeo have offered ABC & 123 readers a free one-month trial of this product by entering the code "goreadeo" at checkout. Try it--I'm betting your family will totally dig it.

And because April is the "Month of the Military Child," Readeo is offering military families a free six-month trial of their product. Learn more on Readeo's website, their blog, or follow them on Twitter!

Happy Readeo-reading, and thank you, thank you to Readeo for offering a free three-month subscription of Readeo to my family in exchange for a review of their product to be shared here at ABC & 123. My opinion was in no way influenced by the kind folks at Readeo; it is mine and mine alone, influenced only by my 6, 4, and 3 year-old.

Posted by Amy, of teach mama & we teach

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Flip Along Fun: Children's Book Review, Giveaway, and Coupon Code

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Today we wanted to share a great learning tool, that one of our founder's is featuring on her personal blog today.  The review is below, but be sure to head over to Katie's Nesting Spot to find out how you can save $3 off a copy now through Valentine's Day and enter to win a copy!
We recently got a fantastic new book for our home library. I am always interested in children's literature, but this one really got me excited. It's a simple concept done very well. It also happens to be perfect for my daughter, right now. Children ages 2.5-6 will enjoy it a lot.

Flip Along Fun: Mix Up To Match Up...The Right Answer by Michael J. Dowling, illustrated by Sarah Dowling, is a mix and match storybook. Meaning that there are three different panels that are used to make up a simple addition "story". The whole thing is set to simple rhyming verse and colorful animal pictures.
The reader picks flips through the first and second set of panels finding an animal picture for each, that the story will feature. In the third section they find the picture that has both animals from panel one and two to complete the story. As the story is completed the animals add up.

It's hands on and interactive, the stories are delightfully funny, the concept of addition is illustrated for the kids, and the numeral on each page is enlarged and bolded. Children can see, hear, and make an addition story all at once. My daughter really likes this one:
Panel One: 3 pink pigs dancing jolly jigs.
Panel Two: Spied 2 yellow cats swinging baseball bats
Panel Three: and all 5 had a laugh as they sat in the bath.

That gets her giggling over and over, she thinks it's funny to imagine our two kitties in the bath tub. "That's so silly," she says while she rolls her eyes and usually falls over from laughing.
Another thing that I like about this Flip Along Fun is it's sturdy laminated board book cover and pages, not only will it stand up to years of little hands using it, but you can easily use it like a desk top easel activity. Perfect for teachers to use during center times with small groups. It would be a great tool to use with parent volunteers leading small groups to review and reinforce math concepts. Students could use a book to make their own addition story, have the parent read it to them, and then copy the problem down into their math journal. To challenge the students, you could also have them reverse the problem into a subtraction problem.

It's an engaging read for preschoolers and an excellent resource for parents and teachers alike. I can think of many great ways to use this book because besides the math concepts, it could also be used in conjunction with word family and rhyming lessons. There is also a great video on the website, showing how the book works, see for yourself what a fun resource Flip Along Fun is!

If you'd like to save $3 off a copy of this book and enter to win one, you can find the details at Katie's Nesting Spot.  Hurry giveaway open through February 2nd and the coupon code until Valentine's Day.

Disclaimer: Thank you to the author for the reviewers and giveaway copy of the book, this post related Katie's personal and unbiased opinion and experience with the book.  Yours may differ.

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Thanksgiving Book Reviews

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Shannon's daughter Faith, 7 years old, wrote two Thanksgiving book reviews as part of her writing practice last week and submitted them for us to share with you. Thanks Faith!

The two books she chose are early reader, I Can Read, books. They are simple chapter books and from my (List Maker Katie) second grade teacher perspective they are very popular with 7 & 8 year old readers.

Silly Tilly’s Thanksgiving Dinner
By Lillian Hoban

This book is about a mole who does not remember what she does. When Mr. Bunny came to visit, she did not remember that it was Thanksgiving .When she bumped into a tree, she could not see. She had fog on her glasses! She has trouble remembering everything. I thought that this book was fun for children to read.

I Am the Turkey
By Michelle Sobel Spirn

There were a couple of days until the school play. There were pilgrims and a rock and tree. The boy was the turkey. He felt happy at first, but then he didn’t. He thought the play would be ruined, but he saves the day. This book made me feel like I could laugh all day!

On a different note, if you are already gathering ideas for next year's Thanksgiving unit you will appreciate the book suggestions, craft projects, and notes in Run the Earth, Watch the Sky's Thanksgiving submission.

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Teacher Feature: The Read Aloud Handbook by Jim Trelease

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First, I want to say “Thank You” to Katie and Katie for inviting me to write a review of The Read Aloud Handbook. I am delighted to share this information and be a guest on your outstanding blog. You provide parents with many valuable ideas that promote healthy living and learning. I admire you both!

Now onto The Read Aloud Handbook by Jim Trelease……


This is a powerful and treasured handbook that explains the importance and benefits of reading aloud to children beginning in infancy through middle school. Jim Trelease states, “This is not a book about raising precocious children. It’s about raising children in love with print who want to keep on reading long after they graduate.” It was first printed in 1979 and recently revised and updated for the 2006 edition. This is a testimony to its' value - 30 years in print and still in demand!

It has 2 major sections. In the first section, there are chapters to guide you as you Read Aloud with your child. Some of the chapters are: Why Read Aloud? When to begin? The Stages of Read Aloud, Testimonials, and the Do’s and Don’ts of Read Alouds. Within the chapters you will find compelling information that motivates you to read daily with your child. The research and studies he sites correlates early exposure to books and later success in school and life. Jim Trelease suggests practical ideas to use daily to enhance your child’s vocabulary, comprehension, enjoyment and promote a positive attitude towards reading.

The second section is a “Treasury of Read-Alouds.” And that is what most people call it – a Treasure Find of the best Read Alouds! The list takes the guesswork out of finding them on your own. There is a short synopsis of the book to help you make your selections. It is a list of read-aloud picture books to novels. The books in this list indicate a “listening level” rather than a reading level because children can listen to a book and comprehend it at a higher level than their reading level. This list is not meant to be a comprehensive list, but instead a starter list and time saver for you.

Make sure you put this on your reading list and maybe it is a good gift idea for the upcoming holidays!
Susan Maguire
http://www.togethertime4families.com/

AMJ9ENU7W5CW

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A Special Needs Student Resource

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Thanks to Lyla for sharing this elementary resource with us.



Stuttering Stan Takes a Stand
by Artie Knapp (Author)
Barbara L. Gibson (Illustrator)



Lyla says,
"There is a new book for kids who stutter that I would highly recommend. The book is titled Stuttering Stan Takes a Stand, and it's about a little squirrel who stutters. I bought this book because of the great reviews, and it actually exceeded my expectations. It's perfect for a read aloud environment like in the classroom."



NSAStutter.org also has a PDF synopsis of this book available for your review.

To read more reviews on this book, check it out on Amazon .

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Teacher Feature: Book Review

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The following book was reviewed by Amy @ Teach Mama on Sunday, April 19, 2009 & is re-posted here with her permission.

The Gardener, by Sarah Stewart and illustrations by David Small, is honestly one of the most beautiful children's books I have ever read.



The story takes place during the Depression and is told through letters that Lydia Grace writes to her Grandmother and parents after she leaves them to spend a year working with her surly uncle in his bakery in the city. She brings her love of gardening to her uncle's shop and ultimately brings some sunshine to a previously depressed town.

The Gardener: Because we've been re-potting our terrarium, talking about our upcoming tour at a garden center, and beginning to start our outside garden, this was a great book to read tonight before bed.


Maddy has also been doing a lot of reading in her own books, so I could tell that Owen's been feeling frustrated. Tonight, I wanted to show them both how some authors use pictures to tell the story. Several parts of this book use two-page illustrations to carry the narrative, so I modeled how to examine the inside cover illustration.


I modeled my thinking:
"Oh my goodness! Look at this incredible garden! I can see so many plants and vegetables growing here. Look at the sunflowers! See the lettuce? What else do you notice? . . . Look at the little girl showing the woman--maybe her grandma?--that huge tomato! It looks like she must feel proud of that tomato. They must work very hard to make their garden grow."


Then we looked closely at the following pages' illustrations and talked through what we saw.

We asked questions and made observations:
I wonder why those two people look so sad?
What will they say when the little girl comes back with food from the garden?


When I finally got into the reading, Owen got the hang of it and could clearly explain what he saw. When he talked us through Lydia Grace's arrival at the train station, I cheered--You did it! Owen, you're reading! You don't always have to use words to read; sometimes there are no words, so you use the pictures! That's exactly what reading is--using the words and the pictures to tell the story! That's exactly how Maddy is learning to read her books--and you're doing the same thing. Good for you.


And that's how we walked through The Gardner, talking about how the author uses both Lydia Grace's letters and the illustrations to tell the story. What a beautiful walk it was--I'll take this kind of learning any day.

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Teacher Feature: Book Review

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Rules by Cynthia Lord



This Newberry Honor Book was reviewed by Annie H. (6th Grade Teacher)

Twelve-year-old Catherine is striving to be like any other normal kid her age….and she almost succeeds, if it weren’t for David. David is her kid brother who has autism. Catherine has spent many years being an advocate for her brother, teaching him appropriate social cues and behavior. She comes up with simple “rules” to help David remember small pieces of information at a time. Over the years, David has memorized a few of the rules and has no problem sharing them with the people who cross his path.

Catherine attends therapy with David, waiting in the lobby during his sessions. It is there, in the lobby, that Catherine meets and befriends Jason. Jason becomes her special friend and makes Catherine really think about how she treats people. She has a new neighbor, Kristi, and Catherine wants so badly to appear as “normal” so that Kristi will want to be her friend.

Through her time spent with David, Jason and Kristi, Catherine questions whether it is better to be popular and accepted or is it more important to have actual friendships? Follow Catherine on her journey of self-discovery as she tries to answer the question: “What is normal?”

Think About It:
Can you think of an example from your own life that reflects each of the following "rules"?

~Not everything worth keeping has to be useful.
~If you can only choose one, pick carefully.
~At someone else's house, you have to follow their rules.
~Solving one problem can create another.
~Looking closer can make something beautiful.

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