February and Valentine's Day mean all things love and hearts and friendship and pink! On this week's episode, I share my favorite picture books and ideas for Valentine's Day. There are so many great books—old and new—that make this month and holiday special. I hope you enjoy, and please reach out to me on Instagram or at ramonarecommends.com to share your favorites. Click here to listen to this week's episode!

The following are the list of books from this episode. Click the links to show my Amazon lists using my affiliate links.

House of Love

What is Love? 

Valentine's Day Jitters 

Nobody Hugs a Cactus 

Bagels in Love (Author Natasha Wing’s Episode)

Hug Machine 

Words and Your Heart

I am Love: A Book of Compassion (Author Susan Verde Episode) 

My Heart 

Valentine Foxes 

My Complete Valentine's Day Book List 

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Courtney

In today's Confetti Moments episode, I share my heart with you. My personal story is a hard one for me to tell, but also a very important story for me to share. My story explains why I started Ramona Recommends, and why I believe that picture books are for everyone! They changed my life and made me who I am today. I hope that this story will inspire you if your journey has been anything like mine, or it might give you insight into a student or a family member's struggles. After listening, please reach out if you need anything— I am just an email or DM away. I am here for you!

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Courtney

This episode is dear to my heart. I simply love sharing about how to use Social and Emotional Learning picture books to help people. This topic of books has been so helpful to me on my mental health journey. In today's episode, I am very honest about my social and emotional growth and what books you might use to help a child or friend or yourself, as well. Click here to listen to this episode and please share with others who might benefit from its message. 

Below are the books that I discussed during this episode. Like I mentioned, they are my Amazon affiliate links that help me be able to buy and review more books. Thanks for your support. 

My Monster and Me                                                 

The Creature of Habit

Ruby Finds a Worry               

                                 

The "Don't Worry" Book                           

What If?                                                                  

The Unicorn Came to Dinner

The Night Before the Dentist                                   

Wemberly Worried

Donut Worry

The Whatifs

Weasel is Worried

Maybe

•My Amazon List for Social and Emotional Learning

Open The Magic,

Courtney Hinshaw

@ramonarecommends (Instagram)

Magic Wear Shop

Ramonarecommends.com

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Courtney

Bringing the FUN onto Confetti Moments this week as I share all about National Days and how I incorporate picture books. My students would say this is one of their favorite moments of the day. Where can you find all the FUN?

Episode 63: National Days with Picture Books

Blog Post: National Days with Picture Books

Instagram Post: National Days with Picture Books

Happy New Year! I am so excited for today's episode. I am sharing all you need to know about how to celebrate National Days with some really special picture books. This is one of my students' favorite times in my class. I love being able to find just the right book to pair with a National Day, especially the really unique ones. You will also Learn all about National Open the Magic Day that is celebrated each year on September 25! Enjoy this first episode of 2022! It's going to be an amazing "bookfull" year. 

For more information, explore these links (all Amazon links are affiliate links)

January National Days List
Open the Magic Day
National Days website
The Ultimate Kid Friendly List

-------Come hang out!--------
@ramonarecommends (Instagram) 
Magic Wear Shop 
Ramonarecommends.com 

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Courtney

Every morning my students run HELLO to YOU! During this time, the schedule is read, the pledge is recited, lunch count is completed, attendance is taken, and national days are read just before Open The Magic. 

My favorite National Day is Open The Magic Day celebrated on September 25th each year to acknowledge the importance of reading picture books to people of all ages. This last Open The Magic Day, I spent my morning at Once Upon a Time a quaint children's book store in Montrose, California. 

Each morning our National Days reader shares what the national day is and sometimes I pair a book with the holiday. Below you will find my favorite national days each month and books that I think pair quite well. I have also included my personal list of the days I celebrate in the classroom. All of the days are kid-friendly. If you are looking for more days that I do not share peer into National Days website. 

The Ultimate KID FRIENDLY List. Each month I print out a new list and give to the student who reads the national days for the month. This job is one of the favorites! To work on their confidence, I have the speaker stand up and say: Today's National Day is/are and then read the events. I have a good theme. To keep the fun going, I typically create a question surrounding the theme of the day. Lets not forget I try my hardest to also find a picture book to read as well. Do you follow my monthly national picture book posts? 

Example National Day:

National Bagel and Lox Day (February 9th)

Book: Bagel in Love by Natasha Wing

Question: What is your favorite type of bagel? Toasted? Cream Cheese?

Below you can click on the picture and it will take you to my list on amazon for each month. 

Month lists here too!

January 

February

March

April

May

June

July

August

September

October

November

December

Need more suggestions about picture books you use at home or in the classroom, come chat with me on instagram @ramonarecommends.

Open The Magic,
Courtney  

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Courtney