As the editor of Ethan's Bookshelf, I understand how important it is for you to have a good sense of who I am and why I am qualified to give you book and reading advice. Let me tell you a bit about myself.
I am a teacher, a mother, and a reader. I am a graduate of Muhlenberg College and of the Bank Street College of Education. I am a licensed reading specialist and classroom teacher who has taught in the New York City public schools for a number of years. I have tutored many children who needed help with their reading – either because of some true reading difficulties or because of a perceived dislike of books. I have worked at a top-notch graduate school of education, teaching teachers about reading, writing, speaking and listening, and have coached new teachers along the way.
Our Mission
As a teacher, I believe that all children can become lifelong readers; that they just need to develop a reading passion that is right for them. For one child, it may be a love of architecture that gets her to read one book on the subject after another. For another, it may be the thrill he gets when he reads a fantastic, twisty mystery. It is our job to raise children that want to read, rather than children that have to read.
I am also a mother. My husband and I have been reading to our son, Ethan, since the day we found out I was pregnant! Our reading time is my most favorite time of the day, and I would like to believe that it is Ethan’s, as well. Choosing books to read with him has taken on such importance. I want to expose him to new ideas, courageous, kind characters, rhythmic language and beautiful illustrations. I want to build time into our days so that, as he gets older, we always read and talk about books. I hope to nurture a real love of reading in him.
Finally, I am a reader myself. There is nothing I love better than curling up with a good book and a cup of coffee. I love to read books and talk about books and embrace or challenge the ideas that I read. Books have given me a worldview that I would never have developed otherwise. I have learned about other cultures and value systems…I have come to love characters and entirely made-up worlds.
I would like to help in any way I can as you nurture your own young readers. These reviews, this website, is my way of doing that.
A note about choosing books for this site:
I have selected books that I love. It is as simple and as complicated as that. I did not choose bestsellers (though many books reviewed here are), nor did I choose award winners (though many books here have won Newbury or Caldecott medals). I chose books that move me, that excite me, that engage me, that challenge me. I chose books that I have watched kids fall in love with and read, recommend to their friends and reread. I chose books that I think are special. You may not agree with my list, you may think that there are books omitted that should be included or books included that don’t deserve to be. You may be right. Recommend a book for me to review and I’ll give it a look. Assuming I agree with you, I’ll add a review. In the meantime, enjoy this list and these reviews. I’ll keep adding new books as I fall in love with them!