Issue link: http://educator.cta.org/i/1525262
Often educators' creativity spills over into a book, blog, app or other work. We're happy to showcase members' talents. Lit From Within Got something for this page? Tell us at cta.org with "Lit From Within" in the subject line. Check out past issues at cta.org/lit. Appreciating Differences Covina Unified Education Assn. member Jennifer Ritter 's latest children's books deal with celiac disease. The Magical Cookie and Jacq Has Celiac (both for ages 4–10) are about young girls who feel excluded at school birthday celebrations and during school lunch because they cannot eat the same foods as their friends. With parental support, they find inner strength, empowerment and a solution. Jacq's solution helps all her friends — including those on other restrictive diets — feel connected while having school lunch together. At heart these works by Ritter, who is gluten intoler- ant and a celiac mother, promote inclusion, empowerment and developing respect and sensitivity for others. On Amazon. Mistakes Are Gifts First-grade teacher and Walnut Creek Teachers Assn. Member Maria Cedolini Thompson has published her third and fourth books: Anything is Popsicle, Messages of Perseverance (ages 5–8) and Mistakes are Gifts (ages 3–11). Both have themes around social-emotional learning and perseverance. Popsicle is filled with messages that teach lessons about determination and the power of hard work. Mistakes follows shy first- grader Luca, starting at a new school. When his teacher tells the class, "Mistakes are gifts; your brain just grew," Luca gains confidence and realizes that mistakes are not stumbling blocks but steppingstones toward greatness. On Amazon. Continued on Page 55 Capture Grateful Moments Fontana Teachers Association member Debbie Dee Hornaday has published a book on gratitude called "Moments: A Guided Gratitude Journal Designed to Reveal Your Happiness." Prompted by her own experiences of teaching during the Covid lockdown, Hornaday was able to get through this stressful time by journaling to reflect on her feelings. This journal offers readers a way to reflect on their thoughts and regulate their emotions to help improve stress and confidence. It can also help one to look at the silver lining in life's many different circumstances. On Amazon. 56 cta.org Our Union