Issue link: http://educator.cta.org/i/1535219
Often educators' creativity spills over into a book, album, blog or vlog, or other work. We showcase our members' talents: Lit From Within Compiled by Amy Peruzzaro Got something for these pages — a book, an album, a podcast or more? We lean toward content that can be used in the classroom. Let us know at editor@cta.org with "Lit From Within" in the subject line. (Check out past issues at cta.org/lit.) Peaceful Transition A retired Escondido Education Assn. member and grades 2–4 teacher for 23 years, Donna Tabone has written Earth Falls Asleep. Tabone drew inspiration for this story from many summer evenings spent in her backyard enjoying the tranquil moments before the sun sets. The book follows various characters on their final tasks as nature prepares to rest. Through peaceful observation of the natural world's subtle shift from day to night, the quiet atmosphere it creates over all living creatures can be appreciated. An ideal story for readers of all ages with the goal of ending each day with peaceful calm. Women and Quake Science High school English teacher and Santa Ana Educators Assn. member Lori Polydoros has written the non-fiction Quakechasers: 15 Women Rocking Earthquake Science, part of a series called Women of Power. This middle-grade book introduces 15 women who have made major discoveries in earthquake science. Among others, you'll meet Dr. Debbie Weiser, who studies quake damage in places like Japan, geologist Edith Carolina Rojas, who looks for clues in volcanoes and deserts, and geophysicist Lori Dengler, who helps communities prepare for tsunamis. Readers learning about women in STEM and earthquake science will feel empowered to tackle challenging problems impacting our world. Read about Polydoros' other books at loripolydoros.com. Stories to Learn and Inspire Garden Grove Education Assn. member and elementary school educator Kaitlyn Truong has written two books, Water, Take Me Far Away and Let's Practice Counting With Boba (both available in English and bilingual English- Vietnamese versions). Let's Practice Counting, geared toward young readers, introduces a playful cat, Boba, who makes learning numbers an engaging adventure. Ideal for readers 7 and up, Water, Take Me Far Away is Truong's true story of escaping Vietnam by boat as a little girl with her family, after the Vietnam War in 1975. It is a journey of courage and survival, and a testament to the strength of the human spirit. Continued on Page 55 56 cta.org Our Union