Bøker av Molly Beth Griffin

In this collection of poems, Molly Beth Griffin approaches simple, everyday experiences with a sense of awe that gives them weight. That determination to find hope and beauty is then unleashed upon the larger issues of our time. In this way, she tackles both intimate and societal struggles in this collection, returning always to an honoring of the connections between people, creatures, and the natural world. Poems about parenting nestle in beside poems about politics, and both internal and external dramas, personal and public stories, are handled with the same deep reverence for life.

Amid the everyday dramas of a walk to the bus stop, a drive to the grocery store, a trip to the zoo, how do we slow down and pay attention to the small miracles around us? We think of mindfulness as something we get to do when we escape from our kids-sitting alone in an immaculate yoga studio or on a quiet retreat in some pristine location. But children don't have to be a barrier to contemplation. They can inspire a special kind of awe in the natural world and in the mundane details of life-but only if we stop and notice. Yes, during bath time, and while we weed the garden, our kids-especially, sometimes, our most challenging kids-can show us deep truths. And when the larger world seems to be falling apart, we must realize that our daily struggles aren't separate from those events. How are we connected-to the world, to each other, and to those parts of ourselves that we've put on hold or hidden away? How can we walk alongside our children, at their pace, and let them teach us to see the world in new ways? "I wrote these poems during the year of my son's autism diagnosis. I found that I was more able to cope with each impossible day if I could find a few beautiful moments to focus on. I would take photos, while out with my children, and then after they were finally in bed I'd go back and look through those photos and write-digging in to the meaning of those brief blessings. Even though I was exhausted and overwhelmed, I'd spend some time dwelling in that place of beauty and abundance that they'd shown me. Over time, I realized I was training myself to notice those moments. My hope is that by reading these poems, readers will be encouraged to do the same."

A heartfelt story of changing perspectives, set in the Midwest. Ten Beautiful Things gently explores loss, a new home, and finding beauty wherever you are.Lily and her grandmother search for ten beautiful things as they take a long car ride to Iowa and Lily''s new home with Gran. At first, Lily sees nothing beautiful in the April slush and cloudy sky. Soon though, Lily can see beauty in unexpected places, from the smell of spring mud to a cloud shaped like a swan to a dilapitated barn. A furious rainstorm mirrors Lily''s anxiety, but as it clears Lily discovers the tenth beautiful thing: Lily and Gran and their love for each other.Ten Beautiful Things leaves the exact cause of Lily''s move ambiguous, making it perfect for anyone helping a child navigate change, whether it be the loss of a parent, entering or leaving a foster home, or moving.

Testing week at school is coming, and Stella the Mouse, Nico the Toad, Delilah the Spider and Bo the Parakeet are stressed out. They know their brains are ready, but they're so nervous anyway, all jitters and tummy aches! Find out how the animal friends calm their nerves in this relatable early-chapter book from the Classroom Critters series.

The school is having building work, so Stella the Mouse, Nico the Toad, Delilah the Spider and Bo the Parakeet grab their hard hats and explore. The art room, music room and library are a mess, and they can't find Goldie the Goldfish. This early chapter book from the Classroom Critters series will answer that very question.

Nico the Toad is always a bit grumpy. But recently he's been grumpier than ever. Stella the Mouse, Delilah the Spider and Bo the Parakeet think the school trip to the art museum will cheer him up. But the animal friends have never left the school before. Friendship takes centre stage in this early chapter book from the Classroom Critters series.

Stella the Mouse, Nico the Toad, Delilah the Spider and Bo the Parakeet each love different subjects and different activities, so every part of the school day has something special to offer each curious creature. Thankfully the animal friends all live at the school together.