Never Miss a Beat
Pollinator Week is an annual event celebrated internationally in support of pollinator health. It\’s a time to celebrate pollinators and spread the word about what we can do to protect them. Most of the time when we hear the word \”pollinator,\” we automatically think of bees. But, did you know, that birds, bats, butterflies, beetles, […]
National Pollinator Week is not Just for the Bees! A Pollinator Booklist Read More »
Ah, summer. Everyone has been looking forward to sun, fun, and a much slower pace. As the world slowly begins to get a handle on COVID-19 and travel begins to open up, even more readers are on the hunt for books that are not only enjoyable to read but also easy to bring with them
eBook Summer Reading Recommends for Readers of all Ages Read More »
We hear them at night and see them running through our forest. In the early morning hours, we spot them quietly moving through our yard. As Hulda gets ready to have a family of her own, I never tire of seeing, observing, or interacting with them. Their presence here is a wonderment. ~Valarie Budayr Experience
A Spring of Foxes | Their Presence a Wonderment Read More »
Maybe this news prompted you to drop your sandwich or even roll your eyes with disbelief….but I am here to tell you; Dragons are Real! How do I know? I have proof. In fact, I have MORE than proof! As children, my brother and I had a Dragon friend named Norbert for two whole
Proof that Dragons are indeed REAL! Read More »
How many of you love Miss Rumphius? I Do! Miss Rumphius by Barbara Cooney is a classic. I’ve read it to a variety of nieces and nephews throughout the years, and my own children grab it often. Miss Rumphius is an old friend that we go back to again and again. Miss Rumphius is the life story
10 Ways to Make the World More Beautiful with Miss Rumphius Read More »
When she was young, author Valarie Budayr was drawn to playing in the urban forest across the street from her childhood home. A constant companion during her adventures and pretend-play was the classic children’s book, The Secret Garden by Frances Hodges Burnett. Inspired by her favorite book, Valarie would spend hours creating mini secret gardens
Valarie Budayr Talks About A Year in the Secret Garden Read More »
In honor of my award-winning picture book, Dragons are Real, I\’m sharing a few of my favorite dragon-y reads from our favorite dragon-themed library shelf. You may not know this but Dragons love to read and are actually book hoarders. So if you’re missing a book, there’s a good chance a dragon took it! I should
Cool Dragon Picture Books for Beginning Readers Read More »
Finding Winnie: The True Story of the World’s Most Famous Bear is a wonderful children’s picture book by Lindsay Mattock and illustrated brilliantly by Sophie Blackall is not only charming in every way but completely captivating. Before it won the Caldecott Medal 2016, I had seen it sitting on a variety of bookstore shelves but hadn’t
Finding Winnie: The True Story of the World’s Most Famous Bear Read More »
Many years ago, there was a Buy Local initiative called 10% Shift Challenge: A Small Shift Can Make a Big Difference. The premise behind this campaign was to encourage people to shift 10% of their weekly buying AWAY from online sources and spend those dollars with local independently-owned businesses instead. Why? Because a 2003 study
Hybrid Book Buying | The 10% Shift Challenge Read More »
Ahoy matey! It\’s National Talk Like a Pirate Day! And we\’ll let you in on a little secret… …the children\’s book-inspired ebook *The ABCs of Bookjumping* has some SUPER COOL downloadable pirate activities, crafts, patterns, and pirate-y facts that are so darn unique, your little Scalleywag won\’t even realize they are learning history while they
Downloadable pirate activities, crafts, patterns, and pirate-y facts Read More »
