Uncategorized - Kristen Remenar

Subscribe

Uncategorized

A collection of 17 posts

Go! Go! Go! for Kende! Kende! Kende!

Craft and Structure

Go! Go! Go! for Kende! Kende! Kende!

So many kids will relate to Lolie, who from the time she was little always wanted to go! go! go! But a scary day comes when her family quickly has to go from their home because it is no longer safe. Lolie goes by wheelbarrow, by foot, by truck, and

"Grandma Heaven" & "Grandpa Heaven"

"Grandma Heaven" & "Grandpa Heaven"

Shutta Crum and Ruth McNally Barshaw are two of my most favorite people in the kid lit world. They have two new books out, “Grandma Heaven” and “Grandpa Heaven” that sweetly feature my own parents as two of the people enjoying the afterlife. Is Heaven a fun-filled place of laughter,

SQUIRREL NEEDS A BREAK!

Craft and Structure

SQUIRREL NEEDS A BREAK!

See these cuties from GROUNDHOG’S DILEMMA? Well, they get to be the stars of their very own companion book! SQUIRREL NEEDS A BREAK, written by me and illustrated by the wonderful Matt Faulkner will by published by Charlesbridge in Spring of 2024! Watch this space for more updates. Hooray!

On a Snow-Melting Day: Seeking Signs of Spring

On a Snow-Melting Day: Seeking Signs of Spring

April is Poetry Month and in Michigan it’s also a month full of “puddle-sploshing, crocus-poking, mitten-soaking” days. This month’s book is On a Snow-Melting Day: Seeking Signs of Spring by Buffy Silverman. This simple poetry book is full of rhyme and imagery paired with gorgeous photos. It’s

It's important: "Let's Talk About Race"

Craft and Structure

It's important: "Let's Talk About Race"

Talking about race is hard for me, but that doesn’t let me off the hook. Racism isn’t either/or, as in I don’t shout hateful slurs therefore I’m not racist. I’m racist because I’d rather hide any prejudice I have from growing up as

Easy choice: GROUNDHOG'S DILEMMA!

Easy choice: GROUNDHOG'S DILEMMA!

In Michigan, the only predictable thing about the weather is its unpredictability, and I bet it’s like that where you live, too. Weather makes life so hard for Groundhog in Groundhog’s Dilemma – my book! Half of Groundhog’s friends want him to predict an early spring, and the

"One Family" is one you need for Thanksgiving!

"One Family" is one you need for Thanksgiving!

Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday, but it’s a challenge to find Thanksgiving picture books that connect with kids (I find many “pilgrim and Indian” books that are cringeworthy with stereotypes). This year, I’m focusing on the “thanks” in Thanksgiving and sharing One Family by George Shannon with pictures

It's allergy-safe, no cost, promotes reading = it's the perfect Halloween treat!

It's allergy-safe, no cost, promotes reading = it's the perfect Halloween treat!

Every year at Halloween, a kid (maybe your own) asks for a scary book and you think, how scary is scary for this kid? Do they like zombies, or are carrots that eat bunnies more their speed? Trick or Reaters will help you find just the right book – and give

I'm New Here

It’s September, the start of a new school year. I have no apples for you teachers, but I do have the perfect back-to-school picture book to teach empathy and point of view: I’m New Here by Anne Sibley O’Brien. Maria, Jin, and Fatimah are new to their

Here Come the Humpbacks!

Here Come the Humpbacks!

Happy March, everyone! This month I’m sharing a terrific informational picture book about humpback whales and a fabulous, free activity guide that will have your students up and moving as they process information. For those Nature Smart students who’re fighting the winter blahs, this kind of reading will

Free Books from ReaderKidZ!

Free Books from ReaderKidZ!

My recommendation for this week: go to ReaderKidZ.com where you can enter to win free books like Princess Posey and the Christmas Magic written by Stephanie Greene and illustrated by Stephanie Roth Sisson! December is Free Book Give-away Month on ReaderKidZ.com, a wonderful free website with resources, book

My First Author Gig

My First Author Gig

Next week I am speaking to a group of elementary teachers about writing and publishing. It’s my first gig speaking as an author to a group of adults. I am 1/3 nervous, 1/3 excited, 1/6 fearful that I will be revealed as an imposter, and the

From Bright Idea to Bookshelf

I had no idea when I started writing children’s books that it would take me more than twelve years to make my dream come true, or that the path to publication is rarely a straight line. So, on my new page “The Groundhog! From Bright Idea to Bookshelf”, I’

My Book!

Every week, I write about a terrific picture book to read aloud to students along with a lesson plan or an extension activity. I am jump-up-and-down, wave-my-arms-like-Kermit-the-Frog excited to finally be able to write about my picture book! The title is To See Or Not To See. It’s the

Looking for the Helpers in a Time of Need

Looking for the Helpers in a Time of Need

I haven’t known what to say since the shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School – there are no words for this tragedy. I have held my own children tighter, cried for the grieving families, and given thanks for the amazing teachers in our lives. Once again I find myself turning

Good news!

I am so excited to announce that the Remenar seminar is expanding! In January of 2013 I’ll start teaching a new seminar tentatively titled “The Best Books to Teach the Common Core State Standards in Reading (grades K-3)“. My seminar covering great books for preschoolers and kindergartners is still

How 32 pages can add up to a lifetime love of learning

Aside from my deep, abiding love for chocolate, children’s books are my passion*. And unlike chocolate, the more books I get my hands on, the better. Thank goodness I became a children’s librarian so I can spend my days reading and sharing children’s literature and still earn