Children's Book Pick for the Month of April

Hey everyone!
I have a new book to recommend for your library.
Actually this is more of an author recommendation.
There is an author named Doreen Rappaport who writes WONDERFUL picture books.

Here is a little blurb about her directly from her website:
"Doreen Rappaport is an award-winning author of children’s books known to educators, parents, children and young adult readers for thirty-eight fiction and non-fiction books that celebrate multiculturalism, the retelling of folktales and myths, history, the lives of world leaders and the stories of those she calls ‘not-yet-celebrated.’"

One of her most famous book is Martin's Big Words (another MUST have in your library!!)

For April, I'd like to recommend....

(note the title is in braille & english- love that the publishers thought of that!)

Recently, I read Helen's Big World: The Life of Helen Keller to my kiddies and they absolutely loved learning more about the famous Helen Keller. I don't think kids ever get deeply exposed to Helen Keller's life other than learning that he was deaf and blind but Helen's Big World does a wonderful job of going deeper into Helen's life and the book accurately portrays just how difficult life was for Helen and it also highlights the works of Annie Sullivan, Helen's teacher and greatest friend.

In summary:

April's Recommendation: Helen's Big World: The Life of Helen Keller

Author: Doreen Rappaport

Good for ages: Grades 1-4 (ages 5-9)

Purpose: To learn about how Helen Keller overcame obstacles and challenges in life and accomplished great things with the help of her teacher, Annie Sullivan. 

Surviving Testing Season 101

If you are a parent or a teacher of a child in grade 3 or above, you know what season it is...
that's right.... it's officially TESTING season.

My kiddies will be taking their New York State English Language Arts exam this week.
April 16th,17th, and 18th to be exact and the following week,
they will take the New York State Math exam.
These tests are designed to measure student progress from this school year. The exams are long and especially challenging this year because it will follow the new common core state standards.

Testing season can be stressful for teachers, parents, and students a like.
Today, I'd like to share some helpful tips on easing test anxiety.

If you or your child is anxious or nervous about the upcoming tests, here are a few pointers to help you (& your child) feel at ease.

Testing Survival Tips 101

1) If you're a parent, please try to calm your own worries before you try to help your child. If you look or act worried, the child will pick up on it and become worried as well. 

2) Remind your child that he/she has been doing a great job so far and this test is no different than the other test they have taken this year. 

3) Remind the students to just simply try their best because that's what counts!

4) The day before the test, have your child do something outdoors or do a  fun arts and crafts activity at home with you. Please don't try to cram in any last minute studying!

5) On the day of the test, make sure your child eats breakfast! Carbs & protein! 

Lastly, remember that although these are state exams it's just a test.
Most students do just fine on these exams.
If there was anything to worry about, your child's teacher would have let you know early on so that remedial help could be offered to your child.

I hope that these tips give you some peace of mind.
Now, let us be CALM & SURVIVE on~!

Love,
Ms. Kimpop

Goodbye Animal Crackers... Hello Snackimals!

If you know me personally, you know that I am a HUGE snacker. I love snacks!
I am a HUGE fan of Cheddar Bunnies which are a great alternative to Gold Fish.
I am happy to share that I have found ANOTHER great healthy snack that is MUCH tastier than most animal crackers I've ever had.

I was in Queens Health Emporium a few weeks back when I discovered these bad boys.

Snackimals!

They are just like animal crackers and 100% natural AND come in all different flavors. 

So far, I've tried the vanilla & chocolate chip... both were delicious!

As written on Amazon, snackimals are 

• Made with Certified Organic Grains
• No Hydrogenated Oils or Trans
• No Artificial Ingredients - Ever
• Available to Wheat Free Oatmeal Variety

I can't wait to try the other flavors such as chocolate, oatmeal, snickerdoodle, and peanut butter! 

I think these snacks would be great for kids because they are healthier and tastier than traditional animal crackers. Not sure where you can purchase them near you but amazon.com definitely carries them! 

Happy snacking everyone!

PS. Nutritional facts for the vanilla flavor for those who are interested:

Snackimals Vanilla

30g

Amount Per Serving
Calories 110  Calories from Fat 35

% Daily Value*
Total Fat 4g	6%
Saturated Fat 0	0%
Trans Fat 0
Cholesterol 0	0%
Sodium 65mg	3%
Total Carbohydrate 17g	6%
Dietary Fiber 0g	0%
Sugars 5g
Protein 2g

Vitamin A	0%	Vitamin C	0%
Calcium	4%	Iron	8%

*Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 Calorie Diet.

INGREDIENTS: ORGANIC UNBLEACHED WHEAT FLOUR, UNSULPHURED MOLASSES, ORGANIC EXPELLER PRESSED SUNFLOWER OR SAFFLOWER OIL, NATURAL VANILLA WITH OTHER NATURAL FLAVORS, SEA SALT, SOY LECITHIN, BAKING SODA, ALUMINUM FREE BAKING POWDER (NON-GMO CORNSTARCH, BAKING SODA, MONOCALCIUM PHOSPHATE).

CONTAINS SOY. MANUFACTURED IN A FACILITY THAT ALSO PROCESSES WHEAT, MILK, EGGS, PEANUTS, HAZELNUTS, ALMONDS, PECANS, PISTACHIOS, CASHEWS, WALNUTS, AND COCONUT.