Karen Hokanson Miller

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Books can be funny, but make my stomach hurt from laughing? Not too many do that. But, I just found one. Mr.Puffball, even as a kitten, knows his destiny is to be a Hollywood Star. He makes his way to Hollywood and suffers disappointment and despair. But, with the help from Hollywood veterans he makes […]

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Some picture books can be face-timed across country. Some can’t. The artwork is so detailed, so compelling, that you must read it close up. It’s a lap book. Why Dogs have Wet Noses by Kenneth Steven and illustrated by Oywind Torsetter is one. Noah’s ark sails through seas until a chestnut size hole appears in

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                 The Juniper Tree: And Other Tales from Grimm I’ve been following the blog, Brain Pickings, and am discovering new and old books that are great for kids. This is the latest.The late great Maurice Sendak as illustrator with the never matched Grimm Brothers.

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The Book about Moomin. Mymble, and Little MyTove JanssonEnglish translation by Sophie Hannah The Moomintroll, the Gaffsie, the Hemulen, the Fillywonk, and, course, Little My and Mymble. Poor little Moomin troll is trying to take a pail of milk home. But one things leads to another and… Ha! I know what you’re thinking. What are

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South Toe Elementary  Yancey County North Carolina I spent a week at South Toe having fun with the 2nd, 3rd and 5th grade students and teachers. Using Bogeyman 101 as my guide, I introduced story structure and the steps to story writing. The kids were quick learners and so enthusiastic! I will miss them! Please

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South Toe Elementary  Yancey County North Carolina I spent a week at South Toe having fun with the 2nd, 3rd and 5th grade students and teachers. Using Bogeyman 101 as my guide, I introduced story structure and the steps to story writing. The kids were quick learners and so enthusiastic! I will miss them! Please

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Anne Ursu, in “The Real Boy,” put the reader in little Oliver’s head. What a strange place to be. Oliver thinks he’s made of wood, and that’s how he sees the world. As a teacher for many years, I had students who acted the same way. I wish I’d had this book to suggest to

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I came across The Giggler Treatment  by Roddy Doyle when I worked at Anderson’s Bookshop in the kids’ section. You probably think that I love anything that has the topics of “poop” and “fart.” Now you can add to my quirks that I find hilarious anything with a dog using the toilet (not as a drinking

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