My visits to Lady Liberty get better with every trip to NYC.  On my first trip to the Big Apple, I was able to view her from a great distance in the early morning fog from Battery Park.  Several years later, when we took our children there for the first time, we circled the island on a Circle Line Cruise.  On our most recent trip, we were able to tour the island, but not go in.  It is my goal the next time I visit to actually have the experience of climbing up to the crown.  

Like many Americans who have seen the iconic patina image on the news and in advertising, I truly believed that she was enormous in size.  I think that enough evening news reports with the helicopter hovering above her had distorted the truth.  Don't get me wrong, she is big and NOTHING can take away from the overwhelming feeling I had when I walked around her, but in comparison the neighboring skyscrapers across the water, she is on the smaller side.   As an educator who LOVES teaching her kids about NYC, the experience of actually being on the island brought tears to my eyes. It is hard to imagine the overwhelming feelings that early immigrants had to feel as they entered our country in hopes of a better life.

Over the years, I have felt much joy watching my students fascination with this American icon. Her story is unique and inspiring for young learners.  There are countless books to be found on Amazon. Additionally, the NPS has great resources for both educators and students to download.  Please use the link below to find out more.

Yesterday would have been Eleanor Roosevelt's 130th birthday.  If you don't know much about Eleanor, I encourage you to take the time to do so...she was a remarkable women in so many ways1 From being the traveling voice for her husband to fighting for human rights, Eleanor lived her entire life fighting for her beliefs.

One of my new favorite books was recently released by Sleeping Bear Press (a favorite publisher of mine) titled Hot Dog! Eleanor Roosevelt Throws A Picnic.  I first learned about this little slice of history in the movie Hyde Park On Hudson and was thrilled to see in put into a children's book.  If you haven't read the book or know the story, I encourage you to check it out.