Ironically, it seems only teachers know why teachers are leaving the profession because every time I ask someone that question, they think it’s about money or lack thereof. That’s up there of course, but the real reason is stress and their mental health.

If you're like me, you absolutely ADORE seahorses. From their quirky shape to their unique parenting to their ability to hide within plain sight, they are one of my favorite creatures. I was so very pleased to read a new book ENTIRELY about seahorses by author Sara T. Behrman and illustrated by Melanie Mikecz: The Sea Hides a Seahorse. It is packed full of beauty, knowledge, and creativity. 

Naples Art Institute is thrilled to announce the opening of "Childhood Classics: 100 Years of Children's Book Illustrations" on May 11, 2024. This exhibition celebrates children's literature's rich history and enduring impact by showcasing the illustrations and illustrators behind beloved stories.

Childhood Classics: 100 Years of Children's Book Illustrations Opens at Naples Art Institute

I'm so excited to share an extraordinary, hilarious new book...and an interview with the author! Matt Sprouts And The Curse Of The Ten Broken Toes, written by educator and master storyteller Matt Eicheldinger, is SUCH a joy to read. 

 Matt Sprouts And The Curse Of The Ten Broken Toes

Reading is a pastime now hundreds of years old, and it has firmly cemented its place as one of the most all-round beneficial hobbies to have. Research profiled by the Reader’s Digest shows how reading can make you happy and enhance cognitive ability, but make you live longer, too—people who read for just 30 minutes a day lived up to 2 years longer than their peers. 

I recently discovered an incredible and important new book series by writer Lisa Sterne, called Onyx Says. The series is designed to help children develop coping skills while creating themselves. The first book, What If I Try, gave me goosebumps when I first read it, and I teared up to think of the powerful way that Onyx helps kids help themselves. It's an excellent and fun read, both inspiring and full of joy. Highly recommended!