01

Dec

With over 42 million books in print, Jan Brett’s exquisite art is universally recognized as being among the finest in children’s books today. For over 30 years she has brought the glories of winter to millions of youngsters, their teachers, and parents.

The Snowy Nap, a prequel to the all-time classic bestselling picture book, The Hat, stars Hedgie, Brett’s trademark character. Inspired by his friends’ tales of their marvelous past winter adventures, he is determined not to sleep through all the fun again. Hedgie is dazzled by seeing the icy chicken coop sparkling like a palace, the frozen pond shining like a mirror, and the tinkling of sleigh bells. Readers will delight in Brett’s return to the Danish farm on the island of Funen. And Readers will be charmed by her meticulous and detailed illustrations, from the local houses with thatched roofs to the beautiful birch bark flourishes on every page.

05

Dec

In the spring of 2013, approximately 12,000 children in Chicago received notice that their last day of school would be not only the final day of the year, but also the final day of their school’s very existence. The nation’s third-largest school district would eventually shutter 53 schools, citing budget limitations, building underutilization, and concerns about academic performance. Of the thousands of displaced students, 94% were low-income and 88% were African-American, leading critics to accuse district CEO Barbara Byrd-Bennett and Mayor Rahm Emanuel of racism. “[The mayor] says that he wants to turn around the city of Chicago, make a new Chicago,” one activist told a reporter. “Does that new Chicago mean no black folks? Where are people going to go?”