#findmestories_persist

[noodlenuts]

I've been known to bemoan the fact, as a Canadian, that so very many picture book biographies seem to focus not only on American historical figures, but on those whose contributions and impact are really mostly important only in the context of that country's history. However, as both a woman and a Jew, I have always held great admiration for Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, so I was thrilled when I found a wonderful picture book detailing the story of her life, perseverance and hard-won triumphs. "I Dissent: Ruth Bader Ginsburg Makes Her Mark" (2016) by Debbie Levy, illustrated by Elizabeth Baddeley, is an absolutely fabulous book. Thoroughly written and entertaining from start to finish, it touches not only on the sexism that Justice Ginsburg faced, but the horrific anti-Semitism as well - an issue that has become far too topical again as of late, unfortunately. But with a wonderful spirit, it presents her as strong and resolute against opposing voices, and reminds us all to take counsel from that. In this month of stories of bold, brave women, I can't think of a better one. For more of these stories, follow the hashtag #FindMeStories_Persist and check out my fellow Read With River book club members on the final slide! ⚫ ⚫ ⚫ #noodlenutskidsbooks #idissent #ruthbaderginsburgmakeshermark #debbielevy #elizabethbaddeley #ruthbaderginsburg #ruthbaderginsberg #ruthbaderginsburgismyhero #rbg #notoriousrbg #supremecourtjustice #supremecourt #antisemitism #lawschool #womenjudges #womenlawyers #womeninlaw #womenshistorymonth #womenshistory #womenontherise #igreads #feminism https://www.instagram.com/p/B99-J18HYHM/?igshid=1s2jjd9bczlxx

[noodlenuts]

This is not a drill! At your wits' end after only a few days home with the kids? It's definitely time for some sympathy and laughs! And I can't think of a better book for several days into social distancing from everyone BUT your kids than Matthew Cordell's wonderful "King Alice" (2018). It hits every right note at the moment, including our theme this month of bold, outspoken girls and women - because Alice is nothing if not outspoken! When a snow day is declared, a poor dad that any parent can relate to is greeted as he stumbles out of bed, barely awake, by his bright-eyed daughter, having declared her sovereignty over the household ("KING Alice! The First!") and with BIG IDEAS about what to do with their day. Looks like dad is going to get neither work nor relaxation in ... but it's so worth it. Keep an eye out for the details in this one. Cordell has a wonderful gift for the child's voice and perspective, and it's that hilariously, definitively KID-NESS of everything Alice says and does that makes this work so well. For more great books on amazing girls and women, use the hashtag #FindMeStories_Persist and check out the other pages tagged on the final slide. ⚫ ⚫ ⚫ #noodlenutskidsbooks #kingalice #matthewcordell #authorillustrator #snowday #socialdistancing #socialdistancing2020 #stayathomemom #stayathomedad #stayathome #breakinggenderstereotypes #genderrolessuck #girlking #yeskidsbookstagram #picturebookoftheday #picturebooks #raisingstronggirls #littlefeminist #wereinthistogether #biracialfamily #biracialkids https://www.instagram.com/p/B94gIUQHpVi/?igshid=mbgvstwmrd7r

[noodlenuts]

I love to learn new things, and when those new things involve strong, brave women, so much the better! Many people are familiar with the fact that Golda Meir was the fourth Prime Minister of the State of Israel, and only the THIRD woman ever to be elected a modern head of state. What they may not know, though, was that this amazing woman actually grew up in Europe and the United States, and was a budding young social activist long before she was a stateswoman!! "Goldie Takes A Stand! Golda Meir's First Crusade" (2014) by Barbara Krasner, illustrated by Kelsey Garrity-Riley, tells the story of how as a schoolgirl in Milwaukee, young Goldie organised her friends and classmates, mostly fellow immigrants, to help buy textbooks for other immigrant kids who couldn't afford them, in order to help them gain a headstart on a better life. A wonderfully positive tale of community, this is exactly what I think of when I think of this month's RwR Book Club theme of bold women and girls. For more great stories like this, follow the hashtag #FindMeStories_Persist and check out our other club members tagged in the last slide. ⚫ ⚫ ⚫ #noodlenutskidsbooks #jewishnoodlenuts #goldietakesastand #goldameirsfirstcrusade #barbarakrasner #kelseygarrityriley #goldameir #goldameirquotes #womenshistorymonth #womenshistory #womeninpolitics #womenpoliticians #womeninhistory #raisingfeminists #feministkids #feminismforkids #immigrants #immigrantkids #historyforkids #iteachhistory #iteachelementary https://www.instagram.com/p/B9zct1BnU7g/?igshid=48iqune1rogf

[noodlenuts]

My love of intergenerational stories is no secret, but today's is particularly special to me. So many of the Jewish holiday stories that we see are written about the traditions and from the perspective of Ashkenazi Jews, those of us whose families, exiled during the Roman and Babylonian Empires, ended up in Eastern Europe. But Judaism is a religion that exists across the world, and the traditions of Sephardi, Mizrachi, and other Jews from varying regions are so beautiful and important as well! In "A Persian Princess" (2020) by Barbara Diamond Goldin, with gorgeous illustrations by Steliyana Doneva, young Raya prepares for Purim with her grandmother, Maman joon, and in doing so learns about both their unique Persian Jewish traditions for the holiday, and the amazing story of Maman joon's home of Hamadan and its special connection to the history of Purim and the Jewish people. And like the story of Purim itself, and Queen Esther who saved her people, I love that this is a story of the strength of women and girls, in this case passing on traditions and entrusting cultural ties to the next generation. Longer, more detailed notes in the back give further information about the history of the Jewish community in Iran/Persia for older children and adults who are interested. For more amazing stories of women, check out the hashtag #FindMeStories_Persist and see the other members of the RwR book club, tagged in the final slide. ⚫ ⚫ ⚫ #noodlenutskidsbooks #apersianprincess #persianprincess #barbaradiamondgoldin #steliyanadoneva #persianjewish #persianjew #hamadan #koloocheh #mamanjoon #mizrachi #sephardic #purim2020 #purimcostume #jewishnoodlenuts #jewishlit https://www.instagram.com/p/B9hrlAbnamq/?igshid=178a5gzofiyiq