"This collection of poems was written to honor literacy educators for all that they do." So writes teacher and poet Steven L. Layne, who for years has delighted audiences by performing his poems at conferences and publishing them in The Reading Teacher. Layne has gathered 40 of his favorite poems about literacy and teaching into this unique collection that will touch the heart of anyone who has ever been a classroom teacher. 
 The poems in Life's Literacy Lessons range from serious to hilarious as Layne takes poetic license with the stuff of teachers' daily lives: beginning readers; grammar, spelling, handwriting, and composition instruction; adolescent literacy issues; reading aloud; and standards and teachers. A "story behind the poem" accompanies each piece, so that readers can understand the poem's inspiration. 
 As Layne states in the book's preface, "Discovering the truth of personal experience inside a simple poem engenders a wonderful bond of community." The honesty and wit in this collection will undoubtedly strengthen the bond of community among teachers of all grade levels.

Life's Literacy Lessons: Poems for Teachers

Literature & Fiction

Layne, Steven L.

Poetry

Intl Literacy Assn

Something wicked this way comes; in this case it's Jack Barrett's father, whose inherent drive for perfection has spiraled into a raging obsession ever since he began working for the mysterious Eden Corporation. When his father forcibly relocates the family to Paradise, a village that is literally owned by Eden's enigmatic CEO, Jack uncovers a sinister plot that threatens the lives of everyone he loves. Delving even further into the secrets of the village, he soon learns just how high the price for perfection can be . . . and to what lengths some people are willing to go to obtain it.

This Side of Paradise

Teen & Young Adult

North Star Books

A student's mysterious transformation becomes the center of a deadly conspiracy. The sequel to This Side of Paradise, this thriller offers even more twists and surprises! When former wallflower Chase Maxfield starts the new semester as a hunky high schooler, Jack suspects there is something sinister behind his transformation. Jack's fear increases as strange things occur and lives are jeopardized. He must risk his life to discover the truth before it's too late.

Paradise Lost

Children's Books

Science Fiction & Fantasy

Pelican Publishing

“Everybunny needs a puppy!”In the fourth book of Steven L. Layne’s Growing with Family Series, he captures a child’s longing for a pet and introduces the realities of owning one. Ard Hoyt’s playful illustrations provide a hilarious look at Puppy’s antics page after page providing a story within the story.Brother is excited to get his new puppy but he soon tires of the Puppy’s boundless energy. Puppy wants to play all the time! Even worse, Puppy gets into things that Brother has to clean up. Sick and tired of everyone telling him to go “play with puppy,” Brother tells Puppy to go away. What will he do when Puppy actually disappears? Find out in this colorful picture book for the very young.

Play with Puppy

Animals

Anxious about his teacher's Great Geography Test tomorrow, Thomas has trouble sleeping. In come the sheep to the rescue!

Thomas's Sheep and the Great Geography Test (ABC Series)

From yellow school buses and one-room school-houses to the roles of principals, nurses, and custodians, enjoy a behind-the-scenes peek at one of the most important buildings a child will ever enter.

T Is for Teachers: A School Alphabet (Alphabet Books)

Layne, Deborah Dover

Education & Reference

Sleeping Bear Press

This school year promises "no more teachers' dirty looks." They'll be too busy smiling and reading from the pages of T is for Teachers: A School Alphabet. From the first verse, teachers and their kids will have great fun learning from the behind-the-scenes look at one of the most important buildings any of us enter. T is for Teachers: A School Alphabet is a charming education on education. Crisp, clever text from the minds of Steven and Deborah Layne keep children engaged as they are taken on an educational tour of the one room school houses, the roles of custodians and principals, quizzes and more that lay between the covers. Quick rhymes engage the reader while fact-filled text expound of each letter's topic. And no school tour would be complete without a stop in the art room. T is for Teachers' art class features Doris Ettlinger busy painting yellow busses, red bricks and every page with great care and straight A's. T is for Teachers: A School Alphabet is sure to find its way into the hands of students, parents and teachers alike. As a perfect introduction to the year ahead of a new student or as a great thank you to the teacher who makes a difference, this alphabet book will charm everyone who picks it up. T is for Teachers is a perfect complement to any classroom setting and proves once again that learning is indeed fun!

T Is for Teachers: A School Alphabet (Sleeping Bear Alphabets)

Lake Shore Drive, the Magnificent Mile, Navy Pier...just the mention of these iconic sights conjures up a skyline known the world over as the Windy City. Welcome to Chicago! And there's no better guidebook to the city than W is for Windy City: A Chicago Alphabet. Following the alphabet, the city's character and familiar landmarks are fully captured in poem and expository text. A is for Art Institute or Adler Planetarium. And if we want a "triple A," we'll add the Shedd Aquarium. Young readers can marvel at the treasures on display at the renowned Art Institute, go window shopping along Michigan Avenue's mile-long Magnificent Mile, or take in an afternoon game at Wrigley Field with the Chicago Cubs. W is for Windy City brings this famous city to life.A faculty member in the Department of Education at Judson University in Elgin, Illinois, Dr. Steven L. Layne is a respected literacy consultant and keynote speaker, working with educators and children at schools and conferences throughout the world. With more than 20 years as an educator, Deborah Dover Layne has worked at elementary and middle school levels and has been a reading specialist. Currently, she is an elementary principal in Elgin. The Laynes live in St. Charles, Illinois. Rhode Island School of Design graduate Michael Hays teaches illustration and drawing at Columbia College and lives in Oak Park, Illinois. Judy MacDonald and Michael started Painted Pony Studio in Chicago several years ago, each of them bringing their own unique style to the drawing table while illustrating books and creating art for children.

W is for Windy City: A Chicago City Alphabet

Geography & Cultures

A seamless blend of verse and illustration that is both accomplished and inspirational. These poems cross the boundaries of age, race, and gender and honor the heroes closest to home-our dads.

Verses for Dad's Heart

Driven by love, nourished by hope, and sustained by faith, thousands of families adopt children internationally. A unique opportunity for every reader to take part in an intimate family journey and to witness the shared joy of relatives and friends upon a homecoming.

Over Land and Sea: A Story of International Adoption

Growing Up & Facts of Life

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Books by Layne, Steven L.