booktalk Archives - Page 20 of 1353

Our Christmas Tree Farm
by Lisa J. Amstutz (Author) and Christina Forshay (Illustrator)

Booktalk: Customers have arrived at the Christmas tree farm, and Kate’s whole family comes together to help-even Daisy the dog! Popping corn, setting up sleds, and bailing trees keep the family busy while they maintain a watchful eye on one truly special tree.

Throughout the years, Papa has trimmed the trees, Mom has mowed the paths, and one extra special tree was planted for Kate. She and her tree are both seven years old and-finally!– the tree has grown tall enough to be brought inside and decorated for Christmas. Little brother Henry loves the tree so much that the family decides to graft a piece of it so they can grow Henry his very own Christmas tree too.

The backmatter includes facts about Christmas trees and tree farms, how to graft a new tree from a twig, and the eco-friendly way to recycle a Christmas tree.

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The author, Lisa J. Amstutz, is one of my former students.
Copyright © 2025 Anastasia Suen All Rights Reserved. (*bookstore affiliate)

Who Was Wilma Mankiller?
by Andrea Page (Author) and Stephen Marchesi (Illustrator)
@ Amazon | Bookshop

Booktalk: Wilma Mankiller grew up immersed in the Cherokee community and culture of Oklahoma. When her family moved to San Francisco as part of the Indian Relocation Program, she had to quickly adjust to city life. Along the way, Wilma never lost her dedication to her people and their centuries-old traditions. She grew up to become a major political activist. From aiding the Occupation of Alcatraz in 1969 to making history as the first woman principal chief of the Cherokee Nation in 1985, Wilma never wavered in her support for her community. She spent her life fighting for the rights of Native Americans and inspires political activism to this day.

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