Today is my first day back at school. I'm always a little nervous on this day, wondering who will be in my class and if we'll all get along. Spending six hours a day with twenty people in one room all year long can be a great year or a very bad year depending on the mix of people!
In thinking about the beginning of the year, I'm reminded of the picture book, RUBY'S WISH by Shirin Yim Bridges. In thisstory, Bridges retells the journey of how her grandmother became one of the first woman to attend university in China.
I love Ruby's determination and love for learning that shines through in these pages. And Sophie Blackall does such a striking job with the illustrations, pulling out that common theme of the color red, which is Ruby's favorite color.
When I read this story to my students, I also tie it into family history and what life was like for our grandparents and where our grandparents came from. A great link for activities to support this is here.
You're never too old to learn a new language. Here's a link to create flash cards to learn Chinese.
And have you ever wondered what your name would look like in Chinese? Check out this link.
If you look to the left, you'll see my name in Chinese. Pretty cool, huh? Now if only I could write it that well.
Today's highlighted book on Asian literature is a picture book, THE EMPTY POT, by Demi. This is a beautifully crafted story about a Chinese emperor who must choose a successor to his throne. He gives every child a seed with the proclamation to plant it. They must return to the Emperor to see who has produced the most beautiful flower. This is a test to see who is worthy to succeed him.
Ping is thrilled to complete this task because he loves flowers just as much as the emperor. But when the time has passed and Ping has to stand before the emperor with an empty pot, Ping has to make decision whether to tell the emperor the truth or a lie.
What I love about this book: How the message of honesty is woven into the story without sounding preachy. The illustrations are rich and timeless and match the story perfectly.
What is unique about this book: I thought the ending was unexpected and satisfying.
Why should you read it? This story is set in ancient China. It's a great way to get exposed to new cultures and new perspectives.
Favorite lines: "Because the Emperor loved flowers so much, he decided to let the flowers choose."
Today's highlighted book on Asian literature is THE ROYAL BEE by Frances Park and Ginger Park. This is an elegant picture book about a boy named Song-ho from Korea who desperately wanted to go to school. But he wasn't from the wealthy families, the yangban, but instead a poor sangmin boy. So he wasn't allowed to attend.
Yet this didn't stop him. He sat outside of the school in the freezing cold, his ear pressed against the rice paper door just to listen to the master. This determination changed his life forever.
The illustrations by Christopher Zhong-Yuan Zhang cast a portrait of a beautiful age in Korea. It's an excellent way to see the dress, culture and landscape of Korea.
What I love about this book: How this story showed the courage of Song-ho to stand up for who he was as well as his determination to never give up despite the obstacles faced before him.
What makes this book unique: I especially love how this is written by two sisters and it's based on their own grandfather's experience. How inspiring!
Why should you read it? It's a story set in Korea. (Okay so I'm a little bias there). The values and morals makes this not only an excellent read aloud but inspirational as well.
Favorite lines: "shadow of the master", "The Sodang School, surrounded by golden rain trees", "when the moon shines into the Great Hall"
