i love me

I Love Me

I took myself out on a date
and said I'm looking grand,
and when I got my courage up
I asked to hold my hand.
I took me to a restaurant
and then a movie show.
I put my arm around me
in the most secluded row.
I whispered sweetly in my ear
of happiness and bliss,
and then I almost slapped me
when I tried to steal a kiss.
Then afterwards I walked me home
and since I'm so polite
I thanked me for a perfect date
and wished myself goodnight.
There's just one little problem
and it kind of hurts my pride.
Myself would not invite me in
so now I'm locked outside!
--Kenn Nesbitt


When browsing on the Internet for Children's Poetry I came across this poem which immediately caught my attention. At first when reading this I thought it was about a person who never did anything for themselves and finally, for once, decided to put themselves before others and do something to make themselves happy rather than waiting around for someone to come along who could make them smile. But after reading it a few times and analyzing it, I realized this poem could also be about those who are selfish and think they are above anyone else in the world. I found it ironic that my two interpretations were almost completely opposite of each other and wish i could talk to the author and ask him what he was thinking when he wrote this poem.

Reasons to enjoy fantasy

Reasons I enjoy fantasy:
1) Reading fantasy gives readers a break from the normal and stressful world.
2) Fantasy provides a source of entertainment for readers.
3) Fantasy is always an original piece of work, you can never read the same thing twice.
4) Reading fantasy allows for the ability to make personal connections on more of an imaginary level.
5) There are no limits on fantasy, it is a chance to make the impossible possible.
6) Fantasies are often unpredictable and they make you think outside of the box where you can create your own image of different things in your head.

Alice's Adventures in Wonderland

After our discussion in class on Friday I am very excited to begin this book. I have not previously read the book or watched the movie so I think I am in for something new and exciting. Friday we talked about the theme of identity and how it is carried throughout the beginning of the book with Alice and the misunderstanding of her size and its fluctuations. As a reader this is one theme I always enjoy reading about. I myself have always had the personal struggle with identity and reading a book where others are in my same situation, even though they are fictional characters is somewhat comforting.

fairy tale evaluation

After completing the section of this course based on fairytales I thought I would go back and re-read the different fairy tales to decide which ones I really enjoyed most and would concider reading to children in my own classroom some day. Of all the tales we read, I seemed to enjoy the Little Red Riding Hood tales the most. I wasn't a big fan of the versions of Little Red Riding Hood that were meant to be more comical where Red ended up killing the wolf before he could eat her. The brothers Grimm version which is concidered to be the most traditional version of Little Red Riding Hood was my favorite and one I will enjoy reading to my own children and students one day.

ways to improve childrens literature

Although Childrens literature has made many advancements since its beginning time, I believe there are still ways to improve childrens literature to make it more effective in todays society. Hundreds of years ago fairytales were seen as being demoralizing for younger children. I believe writers should begin to write books that can teach children better morals in order to make the world a better place. For example, instead of writing so many fictional novels where spells are cast they could still write fictional novels but instead of casting spells there could be more lessons taught.

Howdy Reveille

Howdy Reveille is a childrens book by Aimee Aryal which takes readers on an adventure through aggieland. The author uses the main character, the Texas A&M mascot, Reveille to lead a journey through aggieland in order to describe many of the different places and traditions of TAMU. Aryal starts the book explaining how Reveille is going to watch a football game at Kyle Field, on her way and asks readers to join her in looking around aggieland. First, Reveille encounters the Corps of Cadets practicing their marching. Then Reveille makes a stop at the traditional century tree where a couple says hello to her. Next, she passes by the Academic building where a professor greets her. Reveille then continues to the MSC until she makes her way to Kyle Field where she barks on the field for the football team.
I enjoy this book simply because it is a children's book about a University that holds a big place in my heart. Being a daughter of an aggie, I know I would have loved to hear this story when I was younger in order to learn more about the University my father always told me I would be a part of. I believe it has the ability to spark the attention of a child because of it's great illustrations and children seem to enjoy listening to and reading books where characters are animals. This is a book I would concider reading in my own classroom someday.

A study of fairytales

Throughout our study of fairytales over the past few weeks I have come to have much appreciation to the authors of these stories which have been passed down over the centuries. I was very suprised at how one basic plot line could be altered so many times to make a variety of different fairytales. For example, the story Little Red Riding Hood had more than five different versions written about her. I was also suprised how Cinderella had three different types of versions written. One fairytale we did not study but I would like to look into in the future is the Three Little Pigs. I remember in elementary school the librarian read many different versions of this story to us and eventually I would enjoy looking into how the versions of The Three Little Pigs has changed over time.

Dr. Seuss

When many think back on some of their favorite rhyming childrens books, Dr. Seuss is often the first author to pop into many minds. His well known works such as One Fish Two Fish Red Fish Blue Fish, Green Eggs and Ham, or Cat in the Hat are many times remembered as favorite childrens books. Theodore Seuss Geisel was born on March 2, 1904 in Springfield, Massachussets to his parents Henrietta Seuss and Theheodore Robert Geisel. Before Seuss was concidered a famous childrens author, he was creating advertisements for a living. He later began creating political cartoons. Seusses most famous work of literature, The Cat and the Hat was created in order to promote literacy to children. After reading an article in Life Magazine about how children were having troubles reading because they were not intrigued by stories, he decided to create a book from 2oo words that everyone should be able to read and understand. Later on Seuss began writing books for adults. Seuss died in June of 1968 but his works of literature still remain to inspire many. Today there is the Dr. Seuss National Memorial Sculpture Garden in memory of this famous author and many of his characters in his books.

Gender issues in childrens literature

Currently one of the major problems addressed in children's literature is the issue of gender bias. Many believe males dominate through childrens stories and fairy tales. According to research conducted by Manjari Singh, the majority of childrens books are dominated by male characters. Manjari states that in an annalysis of book titles, male names dominated by twice the amount of women. Majari also explains how throughout childrens books, the male characters are usually perceived as being strong, adventurous, independent, and capable whereas the female characters are represented as being caretakers, princesses needing to be rescued by prince charming, or mothers. As we look back on many of the fairytales we have been studying over the past few weeks, I believe this issue is very apparent. For example, in the Grimm's version of Little Red Riding Hood, Red was described as being extremely nieve which resulted in her being taken advantage of by the wolf. Cinderella and Snow White both needed to be rescued by prince charming. However, through the fairytale Hansel and Grettle, Hansel starts out as the male dominating character as in many other fairtales but in the end Grettle ends up being the one who is responsible for their survival. I believe more childrens stories should end like this. In my opinion, women are still not seen as being equal to men through society. Often women are belittled because of their jobs. If children's literature can start changing the way they describle their women characters, maybe there is a chance women can measure up to men in society today.

Stories to warm your heart

Lately I have been reading the collection of inspirational stories in the book Chicken Soup for the couples Soul. The Chicken soup serries is a collection of books that contain many true life stories written and submitted by everday people who have inspiring stories to tell. I enjoy reading all chicken soup for the soul books because they always have poems and stories in them which I can relate to. At points in my life when I am going through a hard time and need a smile, I can always pick up one of Jack Canfields books and am guaranteed a warm feeling in my heart. Some day I would like to send in a piece to the editors of this book. I would like to have the ability to warm others hearts just as many have done to mine.

Butterfly Kisses

There's two things I know for sure:

She was sent here from heaven and she's daddy's little girl.

As I drop to my knees by her bed at night

She talks to Jesus and I close my eyes and

I thank god for all the joy in my life

Oh, but most of all

For butterfly kisses after bedtime prayer;

sticking little white flowers all up in herhair;

"Walk beside the pony, Daddy, it's my first ride."

"I know the cake looks funny, Daddy, but I sure tried.

"In all that I've done wrong I know I musthave done something right to deserve a hug

every morning and butterfly kisses at night.

Sweet 16 today

She's looking like her mama a little more everyday

One part woman, the other part girl.To perfume and make-up from ribbons and curls

Trying her wings out in a great big world.
But I remember

Butterfly kisses after bedtime prayer; sticking

little white flowers all up in her hair.

"You know how much I love you, Daddy, But if you

don't mind I'm only gonna kiss you on the cheek this time.

"With all that I've done wrong I must have done

something right to deserve her love every morning

and butterfly kisses at night.

All the precious time

Like the wind, the years go by.

Precious butterfly.Spread your wings and fly.
She'll change her name today.

She'll make a promise and I'll give her away.

Standing in the bride-room just staring at her.

She asked me what I'm thinking and I said

"I'm notsure-I just feel like I'm losing my baby girl."

She leaned over...gave me butterfly kisses with her mama there,

Sticking little white flowers all up in her hair

"Walk my down the aisle, Daddy-it's just about time."

"Does my wedding gown look pretty, Daddy? Daddy, don't cry!"
Oh, with all that I've done wrong I must have

done something right.

To deserve your love every morning and butterflykisses

-I couldn't ask God for more, man this is what love is.
I know I gotta let her go, but I'll always remember

every hug in the morning and butterfly kisses.

Every time i hear the song Buterfly Kisses by Bob Carlisle i get goosebumbs down my arms and chills in my heart. When I was a child my father would read me the childrens book based on this song very frequently. We would always laugh about how this would one day be the song we danced to on my own wedding day. Through this song as well as the illustrated chilrens book, Bob Carlisle expresses his love for his daughter and how he has enjoyed every second he has had to spend with her through her years of growing up. The song begins with childrens background noise. The sound of many children playing on the playground. When the lyrics start to play the father reflects on his daughters days as a young child when she would make him cakes and need him by her side in all she tried to accomplish. Then the daughter moves into the stage of a teenager and he describes how her life is changing, how she has gone "to perfume and makeup, from ribbons and curls". As she is growing up she seems to not need him as much anymore. He states how she is trying her wings out and starting to fly just as a butterfly does when it is maturing. Towards the end of the song it become a very difficult time as a father when he is giving her away to her husband, he expresses how he "feels like he's losing my baby girl". As the time comes for her to walk down the aisle he reflects on the great feelings of being a father. He ponders on how even though he has made mistakes in the past, overall he has been a good father because he is worthy of receiving her butterfly kisses.

This song is so special to me. It really makes me think back on how as a person you really are a lot like a butterfly. A beautiful butterfly starts out as a cacoon that no one stops twice to look at, but as it grows and matures more and more people start to realise what a beautiful creature it really is. My life has been like this. I was always the child who no one really thought would do something big with her life. I was the shy child who just wanted to please others. Today I feel like I have matured into a beautiful butterfly, one people turn their heads twice to look at and can smile and say "wow" just as many do when seing a beautiful butterfly.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qgZftrobqlg

(this is the link for the video of this song)