~ MMGM SMOKEY BEAR 75TH BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION! ~

~ MARVELOUS MIDDLE-GRADE

MONDAY SPECIAL FEATURE ~

--  SMOKEY BEAR'S 75th BIRTHDAY   --

 MY THOUGHTS: 

I am fortunate to have my own well-worn copy of this Little Golden Book of Smokey the Bear, originally published in 1955. It was gifted to me by another primary grade teacher who no longer wanted it. My students loved this little book which I read aloud several times each fall during our Fire Safety unit in October. Below is the book blurb I found on Amazon:

Ever since his rescue from a raging forest fire, Smokey the Bear has been a symbol of our national effort to fight the terrible destruction of our national woodlands by fire. The publishers are proud to present Smokey's story as a Little Golden Book. They hope that this book will help Smokey in his work. It has the official approval of the State Foresters and the Forest Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture.

I think it is ironic that even though the mascot's name is Smokey Bear, the title of this 'officially-approved' book is Smokey the Bear.

 

The real Smokey was rescued by firefighters on August 7th, 1944, so that's date his birthday is celebrated.

🎂 🎂 🎈🎈 🎊 Happy 75th Birthday, Smokey! 🎂 🎂🎈🎈🎊  

🐻 🐻 🐻 🐻 🐻 🐻 🐻 🐻 🐻 🐻 🐻 🐻 🐻

SMOKEY BEAR FACTS & STATS:
Since 1944, Smokey Bear has protected America's forests from unwanted, human caused fire. Smokey one of the most loved issue ambassadors of our time and his signature phrase, “Only you can prevent wildfires,” are truly iconic.

His message of wildfire prevention is the center of the longest running PSA campaign in our nation's history.

Though Smokey has been essential to the reduction of unwanted, human-caused wildfires over the last 75 years, he still needs help. Even today, nearly 9 out of 10 wildfires nationwide are caused by people.

SMOKEY FACTS:

• Smokey Bear is at the heart of the longest running public service campaign in American history.

• In 1952, Congress passed the Smokey Bear Act to preserve his legacy.

• The U.S. Postal Service gave him his own postage stamp in 1984.

• His messages have received more than $1.6 billion of donated media support.

• His historic campaign has been inducted into the Advertising Walk of Fame for being “America’s Favorite Advertising Icon.”

• He’s been to outer space.

• Smokey Bear is the only “person” to have their own zip code, besides the president.

• Smokey is a pop culture icon he has merchandise and toys, he’s been featured on multiple TV gameshows, his signature phrase “Only you can prevent wildfires” is part of the American lexicon, his style has inspired the likes of Pharrell, and that’s just the tip of the iceberg.

• For a 75-year-old bear, Smokey is super tech savvy. He has hundreds of thousands of followers on his social media channels and he’s even had special photo filters and frames on Snapchat.

WILDFIRE FACTS:

• The principle causes of human related wildfiresare campfires left unattended, debris burning on windy days, hot ashes and BBQ coals, and operating equipment that throws sparks.

• Nearly 9 out of 10 wildfires nationwide are caused by humans.

• It’s always wildfire season somewhere in the U.S. and every region of the U.S. has wildfires.

• There are prescribed fires that play a necessary role in some ecosystems these are planned and executed by professionals. Smokey’s unique and important role, however, is singularly focused on preventing unwanted, human caused wildfire by educating the public and encouraging them to be responsible.

• 85% of outdoor recreationists agree that they can make a difference in preventing wildfires.

• 75% of young adult outdoor recreationists who are familiar with Smokey Bear think of him as a role model for children.

Source:   Smokey Bear - 75 Years Preventing Wildfires

HOW MANY OF THESE POSTERS DO YOU REMEMBER?

  

FOR MORE INFORMATION:

ABOUT SMOKEY BEAR:
https://smokeybear.com/en/smokey-for-kids/about-smokey

SMOKEY BEAR'S CAMPFIRE SAFETY GUIDE:

http://smokeybear.adcouncilkit.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/70/2019/03/WFP_75th_Checklist_Eng_rev.pdf

SMOKEY BEAR BIRTHDAY CARD:

http://smokeybear.adcouncilkit.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/70/2019/04/Birthday-Card-Illustration.pdf

SMOKEY BEAR QUICK FACTS GUIDESHEET:

http://smokeybear.adcouncilkit.org/media-background/

 SMOKEY BEAR.COM:

 https://smokeybear.com/en

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Learn about more great middle-grade reads by visiting Greg Pattridge's 'Always in the Middle' blog to find the links to other blog posts celebrating Marvelous Middle-Grade Monday!

 

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~ CALIFORNIA VINTAGE & ANTIQUE TOWNS ~

~ TOP TEN CALIFORNIA

 VINTAGE & ANTIQUE TOWNS ~

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I originally posted this feature on Reading, Writing & Stitch-Metic on July 5th, 2018. I'm reposting it for the summer of 2019 in case any of you are traveling to California in the next few months.

👉 Please leave a comment on this post telling us where you like to find your vintage and antique treasures. I'd love to hear about your road-trip adventures!

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10. Columbia State Historic Park—This historic park has several vintage-style stores including a dry goods store that carries quilting fabric, patterns, and trims. There is also a delightful mercantile that carries many reproduction toys, tools, and kitchen gadgets.

9. Angel's Camp—This Gold Rush foothill town located on the Gold Highway, 49, has a fabulous store called Nellie Lou's that features china, figurines, artwork, small furniture and lots more! I love to browse in this neat, organized, and fun shop when I have time. They frequently have old toys and dolls on display which takes me back to my childhood days.

8. Eureka—This isolated Northern Coast logging and fishing town has many shops of interest in their Old Town Area that carry vintage linens, farm tools, books, and artwork. This area also boasts the exquisite Carson Mansion which can be viewed from the street. Many other Victorians line the streets in Eureka. The Sequoia Park, Zoo, and Garden are fun for children and adults alike.

7. Cayucos—A Central Coast town south of Hearst Castle, this beach town features a number of whimsical shops that sell everything from dolls and toys to maritime memorabilia

6. Jamestown—This Gold Rush Town has an active Main Street with many vintage shops that carry everything a treasure hunter and collector could envision!

5.  Placerville—Here is yet another foothill Mining Town located on Highway 49 near Highway 50 with lots of promise for vintage hunters! Placerville offers several shops with collectibles and other specialties such as vintage earrings, hats, gloves, brooches, toys, dolls, and small furniture.  The historic downtown also boasts a fantastic yarn and fiber shop, Lofty Lou's. They have everything a knitter or crocheter needs for their projects. My personal favorite is Kelsey's Needle Krafts on Main Street. This shop carries a treasure trove of supplies for stitchers of all kinds since they carry an abundance of cross-stitch, needlepoint, and embroidery materials. Don't miss the two historical museums in the area:  The El Dorado County Museum is located at the fairgrounds and has a plethora of displays on the area's gold mining, local, and Native American history. The other museum is in old town Placerville—the Fountain and Tallman Museum. This museum features exhibits on local dining history, the Miwok and Maidu tribes, Snowshoe Thompson, and other historical artifacts such as buttons and furniture. Up the road a few miles in Camino is Apple Hill. Be sure to stop at Boa Vista Orchards for some complimentary tastings of apple cider and produce products. (https://www.placerville-downtown.org/)

4.  Sutter Creek—This foothill Mining Town along Highway 49 has a small, but lovely Main Street with several gems that provide a vintage hound with many opportunities to find hand-crafted items as well as vintage treasures such as buttons, dolls, tools, and books. The J. Monteverde General Store Museum, depicting an authentic family general store that opened in 1898 and closed in 1971, is located just off of Main Street. The store has been preserved as it was in 1971 including shelves filled with miner's supplies, apparel, dry goods, patterns, and most amazingly—groceries.  My favorite shop in Sutter Creek is the garden shop, The Antique Gardener. This lovely garden shop is filled to the brim with vintage and antique garden tools, garden decorations, gifts, and holiday décor. They even sell plants and flowers out on their back patio. I hardly ever walk away empty-handed!  (www.suttercreek.org)

3.  Folsom—Historic Sutter Street in Old Town Folsom located southwest of Lake Tahoe has many delightful shops including a Christmas Store that carries everything Christmas. There are many vintage shops that carry books, clothing, jewelry, children's items, or anything else you are looking to find! The real treasure in this town, however, is the Folsom History Museum. Each year this museum has an antique quilt and clothing show that is simply the best I have ever seen! (www.FolsomHistoryMuseum.org)

2.  Niles District in Fremont—The East Bay city of Fremont was originally made up of five districts. The Niles District is where Charlie Chaplin filmed several silent movies. There is a fun Silent Movie Museum and a Railroad Depot Museum in this area along with many vintage/antique shops. The Main Street area is where the merchants and museums are located. However, if you walk around in the residential area located 'behind' Main Street, you will see many historic homes in the Craftsman, Victorian, Cottage, and Bungalow styles of architecture. The Niles District hosts many fun events throughout the year. Check out their website to plan your visit into the past.  (http://www.niles.org/)

1.  Ferndale—A few miles from Eureka this small Victorian village has a large mercantile that carries many collectibles and vintage and antique items for the kitchen and more. There is a newish quilt store named, Stitch, and a yarn store called, Foggy Bottoms Yarns. My favorite shops are Farmer's Daughter and Ring's Pharmacy, a Rexall Drug Store which calls itself , "The oldest continuously operating drug store in California . . ." Get out of the car and walk around the streets on either side of Main Street to see some magnificent Victorian homes and a sprinkling of Cottage and Craftsman-style homes. The Ferndale Museum and Fern Cottage are also not to be missed on your trip to this quaint village. (https://www.visitferndale.com/)

HAVE A GREAT TRIP!

**NOTE FROM BLOGGER:  All photos of the antique dolls, toys, and books shown above were taken by me with permission of the director of the Folsom History Museum. The yellow dinnerplate dahlia photo was taken at the Sequoia Park Garden in Eureka.

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~ MMGM GOODREADS CHILDREN'S BOOKS LISTS ~

~ MARVELOUS MIDDLE-GRADE

MONDAY SPECIAL FEATURE ~

--  'GOODREADS CHILDREN'S BOOK

LISTS FROM DAYS GONE BY'  --

While conducting research for my next book, I discovered a treasure trove of children's book lists on Goodreads. The books are organized by decade, beginning with the 1920s. As I read through the list for each decade, I realized that while I have read a lot of really good children's books as a child, educator, and adult, there are still dozens and dozens of good books I haven't taken a peek at yet. 

 

The prospect of reading some beloved, but unknown to me books, fills my heart to overflowing with joy. I'd like to share a few links and highlights from these lists with you in case you'd like to add to your TBR list or select some old favorites for your students, children, or grandchildren to enjoy in this new millenium.

  

“If one cannot enjoy reading a book over and over again, there is no use in reading it at all.”
― Oscar Wilde 

 

“There is no friend as loyal as a book.”
― Ernest Hemingway

 

“You have to write the book that wants to be written. And if the book will be too difficult for grown-ups, then you write it for children.”
― Madeleine L'Engle  

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Here are some covers from a few of the books from each decade that I have enjoyed as a reader and as a teacher sharing books in the classroom: 

 

*1920s:

BEST CHILDREN'S BOOKS OF THE 1920S 

 

 


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*1930s:
BEST CHILDREN'S BOOKS OF THE 1930S 



 

 

 



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 *1940s:

BEST CHILDREN'S BOOKS OF THE 1940S 

 

 





 
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*1950s:
 BEST CHILDREN'S BOOKS OF THE 1950S

 



 

 


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📚📕📗📘📙📚📕📗📘📙📚

I would love to hear about some of your old-time favorite children's books! Please take a moment to submit a comment to this blog posting telling us the titles of some treasured books from your past, or present, and feel free to include 'why' they are your favorites. Thank you, in advance, for sharing with us.

 📚📕📗📘📙📚📕📗📘📙📚

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Learn about more great middle-grade reads by visiting Greg Pattridge's 'Always in the Middle' blog to find the links to other blog posts celebrating Marvelous Middle-Grade Monday!

 

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~ WESTERN ROMANCE WEDNESDAY AMELIA C. ADAMS ~

   ~ WESTERN ROMANCE WEDNESDAY ~
             Featuring Best-Selling Author, Amelia C. Adams
                    ~Post Includes: Spotlights for Three of
                  Amelia's Sweet Western Romance Novels,
              Author Bio & Giveaways {2 winners, open to
                           US & International readers}~


Photo from Amelia's Website

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Amelia C. Adams is a wife, a mother, and a novelist. She spends her days dreaming up stories and her nights writing them down. Her biggest hero is her husband, and you might just see bits and pieces of him as you read her novels. She's also the mother of four brilliant, creative, and exceptional children, and is not biased at all.

She was born and raised right in the heart of the Old West, and has visited countless historical sites and loves learning about days gone by. She must say, though, how grateful she is for modern air conditioning, and that women no longer have to wear petticoats.

She enjoys watching good movies, taking very long naps, and finds tacos quite inspirational. Chapstick is her writing friend - the Aloha Coconut flavor being her favorite. She has reached Amazon bestseller status three times, but it's not like she's counting or anything.

CONNECT WITH AMELIA:
~WEBSITE: http://www.ameliacadams.com/
~FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/AmeliaAdamsAuthor/
~PINTEREST: https://www.pinterest.com/ameliaadamsauth/
~E-MAIL: ameliaadamsauthor@gmail.com

THE BOOKS & THE GIVEAWAY:
Amelia has generously offered to give two lucky winners Audio Codes for the following three books! {Yes, you read correctly, folks! If you win, you will receive an Audio code for all three of these sweet western romances! Thank you, Amelia.}Read the book blurbs, then enter to win in the Rafflecopter form at the end of this post.

Kansas Crossroads, Book #1: A New Beginning

Handsome young heir Adam Brody sees nothing but possibilities in the sprawling old building he's just purchased. With a little hard work, he will transform it into a hotel to meet the needs of those traveling by railroad. Aunt Caroline believes he's lost his mind, but she agrees to help him give it a try.
 
Left a widow with a small daughter, Elizabeth Caldwell must find work. When she sees an advertisement in the newspaper inquiring about cheerful young women to work in a hotel, she decides to apply. However, the hotel owner specifically requested single ladies, so she must hide her former marital status, and her child, if she wishes to get the job.
 
With cloudy pasts to overcome, both Adam and Elizabeth want to believe in a bright future. Will they find the strength they need in each other, or will their differences keep them apart?

Kansas Crossings, Book #6: The Whisper of Morning


Caroline Hampton is an unmarried, independent woman, able to come and go as she pleases. Working as the manager of the Brody Hotel has suited her, giving her both a home and a career. But lately, she has begun to feel restless, wondering what else might be out there for her.
Since the death of his wife, Wallace Dupree has spent his time alone, working as a train conductor and reading poetry. When he catches sight of the beautiful Miss Hampton, he realizes that a second chance just might be in his future. First, though, he has to convince her to give it a try.

Can a man with a soft heart and an iron will win the heart of a woman who has sworn to remain single forever?

American Mail-Order Brides, Book #3: Hope, Bride of New Jersey:


In this faithful Jane Eyre retelling, Hope Middleton was all but thrown away by the family that was supposed to care for her. Now on her own, she loses her job when the factory where she worked burned to the ground. With no other alternatives, she answers an advertisement for a mail-order bride and travels to Newark, New Jersey, expecting a simple life in a quiet community. Instead, she is thrown into the middle of the dark mystery that surrounds her enigmatic fiancé, with only the chance of falling in love as her saving grace.

This retelling brings the drama of a Bronte classic together with the romance of a mail-order bride novella.

💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕

 

~ MMGM ART BIOGRAPHY TWO BROTHERS, FOUR HANDS ~

~ MARVELOUS MIDDLE-GRADE

MONDAY ARTISTS BIOGRAPHY ~

--  'TWO BROTHERS, FOUR HANDS:

THE ARTISTS ALBERTO AND DIEGO

GIACOMETTI'  --

AUTHORS JAN GREENBERG -and-

SANDRA JORDAN

ILLUSTRATOR HADLEY HOOPER

LEARN MORE ON GOODREADS

ABOUT THE BOOK {from Goodreads}:

The inspiring true story of the Giacometti brothers, one an artist, the other a daredevil, both devoted to their craft . . . but even more devoted to each other.

Everyone who knew them agreed. Alberto was the genius of the family. His younger brother Diego was his opposite--he didn't care much for books or schoolwork, and he had no idea what he would be when he grew up. But despite their differences, the two brothers shared an intense bond.

Alberto Giacometti became one of the iconic artists of the twentieth century, whose tall, spindly sculptures grace the collections of museums around the world. Diego was always at his side, helping and encouraging, and in his spare time creating remarkable pieces of furniture, works of sculpture in their own right.

The poignant story of brothers and sculptors Alberto and Diego Giacometti is skillfully brought to life in the hands of multiple Sibert Honor authors Jan Greenberg and Sandra Jordan, and the spectacular artwork of Hadley Hooper.

This lavishly illustrated 64-page book includes extensive back matter, complete with a timeline, source notes, photographs, and an essay on how to look at a Giacometti sculpture.

MY THOUGHTS:

I'm going to be transparent here -- I had never heard of the artists Alberto and/or Diego Giacometti before I picked up this book off of the 'new non-fiction book' shelf at the local public library. But, as you may have noticed recently, I can't resist a good biography about the arts.

These interesting brothers were born thirteen months apart in 1901 and 1902 in Switzerland. Their father, Giovanni Giacometti, was a talented painter in his own right. When the boys were young, he gave them pencils and paper.

Right away Alberto showed promise as an artist. He was interested in drawing and reading and was a quiet, serious child. Diego was a complete opposite. He loved being out exploring nature, and climbing the hillsides. He was known as a dare-devil. The two brothers were extremely close, and Diego idolizes Alberto. In fact, Diego does his brother's chores so Alberto can do what Alberto likes to do.

The book follows their lives as individuals and as brothers from childhood until death. It includes some traumatic events such as the invasion of Paris during the summer of 1940 by the German troops, poverty, food insecurity and hunger, and frustration/depression about rejection of their creations from the public and gallery owners. 

The authors have not sugar-coated the situations in which the Giacometti brothers find themselves. Devotion, loyalty, teamwork, and perseverance are the major themes of this book which is filled with a multitude of 'teachable moments' for children and adults alike.

The back matter includes an Analysis of one of Alberto's most famous works of art, a sculpture entitled Walking Man; a Timeline;
a photo gallery of pieces of art made by the father and the brothers, respectively; Notes on the Text; and a Bibliography.

**Highly-recommended to fans of art history, Surrealism, modern art, twentieth-century history, European history, family sagas, and World War II history.**

 →➤ My favorite fact shared in the book is that Bruno Giacometti, Diego and Alberto's younger brother, was a famous Swiss architect who lived to be 105 years old!

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Learn about more great middle-grade reads by visiting Greg Pattridge's 'Always in the Middle' blog to find the links to other blog posts celebrating Marvelous Middle-Grade Monday!

 

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