After reading Linda Joy Singleton’s newest picture book Cash Kat we think she is the coolest grandma in the world! This book was inspired by a game with her grandson where he learned to count money by helping out and then buying rewards with the money he earned.
Cash Kat starts out with Gram Hatter and Kat setting off on a treasure hunt. This crafty grandma folds many hats as the pair encounter new challenges volunteering for the park clean up day. Throughout the day Kat has her eye on the ultimate prize, ice cream; but in the end she must choose between her favorite treat or donating her findings to the park.
In celebration of the launch of Cash Kat here is a pattern to make your own paper hat and set out on your own adventure!
Meet the author and illustrator of Cash Kat by visiting the book’s homepage. Where there are many more activities including the “For Creative Minds” section.
Enter to win your very own copy of Cash Kat in our Goodreads giveaway!
Danica McKellar
My generation knows Danica McKellar best as Winnie from The Wonder Years, and West Wing fans know her as Elise Snuffin (8 episodes). But that’s not why I chose to write about her on my blog on a Monday–it’s because she’s helping girls around the world (especially in the United States and Canada) improve their math skills, treat themselves and others with respect, and strive for high self-esteem and self-confidence. I am a new fan of Danica McKellar and her math series for girls. Here are the three books:
I had seen these books at Borders and Barnes and Noble and thought they looked interesting. But I never really had a reason to pick one up. Then, through my job reviewing books for The News-Gazette, I was lucky enough to review a copy of Hot X: Algebra Exposed a couple weeks ago, and I fell in love with this book. That’s hard to say about a non-fiction book that helps girls do math, isn’t it? But it’s the truth.
What I love about these books is how easy they make math–I was even working algebra problems I hadn’t solved in 20 years. But the best part of Danica McKellar’s math series is the message she is sending to tween and teen girls: “It’s OKAY to be SMART! Being SMART is WONDERFUL! Math is nothing. You have the power over math.” Love it! Love it! Love it! We need a beautiful celebrity spouting out this message, and Danica McKellar is doing just that. Besides math explanations that your daughters and students will actually understand, Danica provides advice and tips for dating, dealing with friends and low self-esteem, and lots of other problems that girls endure. She offers tips from her own life as well as quotes from REAL girls. She even has QUIZZES!! You know teens love quizzes.
If you have a daughter or a female student (the book really is for girls) who is struggling, struggling, struggling with math, then recommend any one of these books.
On a side note, Arlene from Adventure Salon (a blog about your Bucket List!), recently gave me this award: 
As part of the award, I am supposed to pick 5 blogging friends whom I can pass on the award to. All they have to do is mention my blog when they tell their readers about the award, and then pick 5 blogs that they enjoy. So, here are my five:
Thanks, Arlene. Readers, I hope you will check out these other blogs!
