Making Ordering Even More Fun

I was recently told of a site called Lookybook, and it has quickly become my new favorite place to hang out and check out books. Lookybook has a huge selection of children's books you can read online, cover to cover, with full illustrations, pretty close to having the book in your hand.

At first I thought it was just a great resource for teachers, but I soon discovered a fabulous benefit for me:it gives me a chance to leaf through the book and decide if it's something the library collection will love. Pouring over illustrations, looking for the rhythm of language that appeals to kids, and having a gander at recently published books has allowed me to discover some gems that I've added to the order, like this Canadian book I know many students and teachers will enjoy. The only negative is that I have to wait until August to have the books in my hands.

More Font Fun

Something I've been noticing lately is how, in the blogosphere, people are posting pictures with words using cool fonts (a small addiction of mine) right on the picture. I investigated and found that there are various sites that can do this, but I chose Picnik. It is almost beyond easy, which I hate to say unless it's really true. But it is. Just upload the picture, add the bells and whistles (I put a '60's look on this one of me and my mom), and save.I used it already for our Room With a View project when we wrote about the frangiapani tree, and I knew our new friends in Wisconsin might not know what that is. A quick label and they can see what we are talking about.I did mention the fonts are cool, right?