Why did the Easter egg hide? Because he was a little chicken…

Happy Easter everyone! Spring is here and so is painting eggs and bunny-themed everything! And while it is wonderful to spend quality time with your loved ones on holidays, sometimes some alone time with a good book can be just as relaxing! So why not stay in the holiday spirit with some Easter-themed reads? Here are some of my favorites:

• Watership Down by Richard Adams: What better way to celebrate Easter than with some literature about rabbits? This anthropomorphic novel tells a tale of social unrest, community and hope, all kick-started by man-made environmental destruction. Fiver, a young rabbit with a sixth sense, is part of the Sandleford warren. He starts having disturbing visions of his home’s destruction and, along with his older brother Hazel, tries, to no avail, to convince the chief rabbit to evacuate. The siblings take off together with 9 other members, starting a journey of adventure and struggle.
• Winnie the Pooh by A.A. Milne: More stories featuring rabbits (well, one rabbit)! This nostalgic coming-of-age story is about everything from friendship, abilities and weaknesses to childhood and imagination. Winnie-the-Pooh is a honey-loving teddy bear who lives in the forest. There, he experiences all kinds of adventures together with his friends: A piglet, an owl, a rabbit, a donkey, a kangaroo and a boy named Christopher Robin.
• The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis: If you’re looking for something less “on the nose”, give this classic a try! In this fantasy novel set during 1940s wartime, four children are relocated to a large house in the English countryside. When the youngest, Lucy, is transported to Narnia through an old wardrobe, she discovers a new and captivating world. But no world is perfect, and the siblings are soon thrown into an adventure where they must save this beautiful place they have only just discovered. As for the connection to Easter, you will notice quite a bit of religious symbolism and parallels to the biblical concept of resurrection in this novel!

I hope you have a wonderful time celebrating Easter or simply enjoying some much-needed relaxation! Let us know if you have any specific Easter book recommendations we should take a look at!

Sarah

Christmas doesn’t come from a store, maybe Christmas perhaps means a little bit more.

– Dr. Suess, How the Grinch Stole Christmas!

Sometimes getting into the Christmas spirit can be difficult. Christmas decorations galore, a dazzling tree, and perfect fluffy snowflakes falling from the sky certainly make it easier! But, for me, Christmas is a state of mind more so than something controlled by outside factors. So, in hopes of sparking some Christmas joy, here are my top literature picks for the holiday season!

• A classic for all ages: How the Grinch Stole Christmas! is a rhyming tale about the meaning of Christmas and commerce. The sheer thought of the nearing festivities so enrages the green monster everyone knows as simply the Grinch that he plans to steal the whole celebration in the middle of the night.
• A humourous twist on the Christmas song we all know: The Twelve Days of Christmas (Correspondence) tells the story of the 12 days of Christmas with a twist. Accompanied by humourous illustrations, this collection of letters narrates the arrival of extravagant gifts from the recipient’s point of view, Emily. She enjoys the lavish gifts of admiration at first, but as they become increasingly strange her gratitude lessens.
• A cautionary tale to remind you not to be a “Scrooge”: A Christmas Carol is a classic Victorian Christmas tale about Ebenezer Scrooge, an elderly, bitter gentleman who despises the festive season and everything other people love about it. One Christmas Eve three ghosts visit him. With the intention to change his perspective, they show Mr. Scrooge the Christmas Eves of the past, the present, and the future – and thereby reveal the consequences of his behavior.
• And lastly, a Christmas carol book for the whole family: The Real Mother Goose Book of Christmas Carols is an illustrated book of Christmas carols with a wide variety of songs suitable for all age groups. Ranging from Jingle Bells to We Three Kings, there’s something for everyone!

I wish you all a very merry Christmas!

Sarah

I’m sure most of us are experiencing yet another stressful Christmas time, for the older you are the more you have to think about, organise, and remember. And what’s more, you don’t even get to keep the mysterious magic of Christmas with believing in Santa Claus, the Christkind, or another Christmas entity. No, at some point it’s just *poof* and it’s gone. The holiday itself doesn’t change so much, most of you and your families have their traditions I assume. Maybe you like to go to church and savor the festive service, maybe you have lovely afternoon tea or coffee time with your loved ones. In my family, we like to dress up, we even sing under the tree, and Christmas Eve in general usually has the same procedure every year which I indeed take pleasure in. Most problematic and unnerving is probably the gift-giving. I’m in my mid-twenties and there still is a hidden expectation that I awaken my creativity and actually make something by hand. And let’s be honest: you’re studying or working, do you really set your top priorities on gift-making?

Now, I don’t want to rant, I really do love Christmas time! I particularly adore all the fairy lights and candles, the colours and comfy blankets, all the warm homes radiating their cozy vibes. I admit, it certainly is kind of stressful but that’s a reason to take a step back, have a hot beverage and take an hour just to take care of yourself. So long story short, here are some warm literature and media suggestions for these special decelerating hours or of course for bringing some Christmas vibes into your classroom:

A Christmas Carol: An all-time classic and one of my favourites! I think it captures the spirit of Christmas brilliantly and conveys positive values that we should pay more attention to. It’s also not that long and it’s ideal for reading it to someone.

The Twelve Days of Christmas (Correspondence): This collection of letters tells the story of the 12 days of Christmas from the recipient’s point of view. What starts out as a grand romantic gesture quickly becomes increasingly strange. Receiving two doves is lovely, but can the same be said for eight maids milking cows in your front yard? This book could be the perfect lighthearted story to read for those who love this classic Christmas carol!

The Real Mother Goose Book of Christmas Carols: You want to include some music and singing in your lessons? This is a perfect medium to implement with a great variety of Christmas carols.

Miracle on 34th Street: This is a magical movie about believing in Christmas and Santa Claus. Despite being quite old, I think it is a great movie for the whole family.

Dash & Lily: Maybe some of you know the Netflix series from last year which was lovely. The books about the couple, the misanthropic Dash and the enthusiastic always happy Lily, are in my opinion definitely worth reading. It’s easy to read and still provides a wide vocabulary range. I liked how the contradicting views of the two are described and combined.

I could and also want to go on and on and on with my list but I want to keep this at a length that isn’t so overwhelming. In the end, we read or watch whatever makes us feel good, and statistically the consumption of wholesome movies and literature goes through the ceiling during Christmas time. If you need some more inspiration for classroom media, have a look at our collection and feel free to recommend your own Christmas favourites!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Sarah-Sophia

Every year, I notice how many newsletters I’m subscribed to when Black Friday promotion codes start rolling into my inbox. Companies promote their “once in a lifetime deals” that seem to happen, well… definitely more than once. Black Friday marks the start of the Christmas shopping season and is used by many to get a head start on gift shopping, while also saving some money. And although it’s wonderful to get a great deal on an item you were going to buy anyway, it’s incredibly easy to get lost in a shopping frenzy. So, if you want to read up on consumerism and its effect on us and our environment, take a look at these titles!

Black Friday by Nana Kwame Adjei-Brenyah: This collection of twelve dystopian short stories exposes institutionalised racism, social injustice and the devastating effects of consumerism on contemporary and near-future society. And ironically, it’s named after the very day known for promoting excessive consumerist behavior.

Fight Club by Chuck Palahniuk: This novel is both a psychological thriller and an essential critique of contemporary capitalist society on consumerism, perfection, masculinity and rebellion. Fight Club’s narrator lives a regular life, working for an insurance company and collecting Ikea furniture in his free time. When one day his apartment mysteriously blows up, he moves in with a man named Tyler Durden, a charismatic stranger he just recently met. Together they start an underground bare-knuckle fighting club which quickly develops into an anti-capitalist terrorist organisation that attacks the global financial system. The book has since been adapted into a wildly successful film that is definitely worth a watch.

The True Cost by Andrew Morgan: This documentary explores the world of fast fashion, consumerism and the many questions it raises. How much do clothing pieces actually cost to make and what is behind that number? What is the psychology behind overconsumption along with the ethical and environmental implications that follow?

On this note, happy (and hopefully stress-free) shopping! Have you discovered any thought-provoking texts or films recently? We’d love for you to share them with us!

Sarah

Not enough appreciated and celebrated in my opinion, at least in Germany, is this special day. Here, unfortunately, you’re already bludgeoned with Christmas stuff in September, but there’s little room for Halloween or simply autumn decorations. But, even though we might not be the most halloweeny nation, we still want to suggest some texts and movies for a long eerie autumn night. Some may be useful in the English classroom, some are just for fun.

• Edgar Allan Poe: To be honest, I’m not sure which of the 32 short stories to choose, they are all perfect for this time of the year. Apart from The Masque of the Red Death which I’m certain, many of you know, I find The Black Cat and Berenice to be absolutely horrifying and disturbing, just the right amount of horror and terror. And the length of the stories is an absolute bonus feature as they make for a great scary Halloween reading session with flashlight in the dark and everything. Poe’s stories are in the public domain and you may find them here for example: poestories.com
• Nathaniel Hawthorne: Just like good old Edgar, Nathaniel Hawthorne wrote many short stories, however, much less gruesome than his fellow dark Romanticism writer. Howthorne’s stories live more from mysticism and a certain intangibility. Rappaccini’s Daughter is one of my favourites because it shows that the monsters are not always the bad guys. The Wedding-Knell is also a delightfully bizarre story that combines marriage and death. These stories are also in the public domain, e.g.: americanliterature.com
• Romantic Halloween/Autumn Novel: Not a big fan of all the Halloween hype and scary stories? Maybe you’d rather enjoy snuggling up with a steaming cup of pumpkin spiced latte and some cheesy romantic novel. The Cottage on Pumpkin and Vine is about the annual Halloween party in a cosy little B&B and filled with romance paired with halloween traditions. It’s simply an uplifting belletristic story.
• Rocky Horror Picture Show: Certainly doesn’t meet everyone’s taste but this hilarious cult film simply cannot be missing from the Halloween list. This quirky Frankenstein parody with its world-famous vocal interludes combined comedy, tragedy and transsexuality as far back as 1973. The film was released in 1975, something to keep in mind while watching.
• Movies for children: We certainly don’t want to traumatise the younger audience but still get across a little spookiness. There are, of course, the lovely stop motion Tim Burton movies like Frankenweenie and Nightmare before Christmas which treat children carefully including the right amount of scariness and cuteness and thus introducing the genre quite gently. Hotel Transylvania is another, albeit definitely more amusing, Halloween children’s film. It is definitely suitable for an easy introduction to the scary film genre and even comes with a light moral lesson. And of course last but not least, Boo to You Too! Winnie the Pooh tells the story of Pooh’s Halloween and how Piglet overcame his fear.

I’m sure our little list includes something for everyone. If you feel otherwise feel free to suggest your Halloween favourites!

Trick or Treat!

Sarah-Sophia

Dear users,

As we prepare to lay back on that sunbed again, here are some suggestions for you this summer, for whenever you peel your eyes off your local ice cream store.

• Rico’s picks: The Paper Menagerie is a short story about the struggle of a migrant woman between retaining her ‘old’ identity and simultaneously adopting a new one. Her son Jack re-tells several episodes of their lives, showcasing his mother’s special talent: When she folds animals out of paper, the little creatures come to life – a great tale for readers 14 years old and older. If, however, you are more in the mood for a scary tale, may I recommend Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark by Alvin Schwartz? A comprehensive collection of classic horror stories, this might just add the chills you need on a warm night outside but it is not for the faint of heart – campfire-roasted marshmallows anyone?!

• Sarah’s picks: The novel Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher follows the story of Hannah Baker and the path that leads her to take her own life. On each tape that she leaves behind for her classmates, she offers a new perspective on the world of bullying and peer pressure in High School. The novel is best suited for young adults around the ages 14-18. For students wanting to delve more into the realm of Fantasy, The Witches by Roald Dahl is a great read for students around the ages 10 to 14. The novel is set in a world where witches hunt down children and make them disappear in mysterious ways. It is up to a young boy and his grandmother to stop them. Although a bit dark, Roald Dahl’s stories are full of imagination and interesting twists to the stories and myths we know and love. Don’t be alarmed if you start looking for children trapped in paintings afterwards

• Simon’s picks: I do enjoy reading dystopian novels and short stories. VOX leads the reader down a dark path towards the perils of religion and an oppressive patriarchy. A religious shift in the US-American government calling itself the ‘Pure Movement’ results in women being stripped of their voices… Will the protagonist Jean McClellan prevent its rise? Saving Tally is an eco-critical story for elementary and early middle school classes. Tally, the little Turtle, and her friend Ara, a red lobster, are swimming through the Pacific Ocean when they come upon some funnily-shaped, colorful objects floating by. What seems like a dream turns into a nightmare: Tally gets trapped in trash… a heartwarming story on friendship, survival, and environmental pollution, that reminds us to keep trash out of the sea.

• Sarah-Sophia’s pick: Holes – this award-winning young adult novel follows a teenage boy, who is sent to a juvenile corrections facility after being falsely accused of theft. At Camp Green Lake, the plot explores the background stories of different characters, touching on themes such as racism, homelessness, peer pressure, and illiteracy… a film adaptation is available, too.

Also, if you come across a brilliant new story which you think the world should know about, make sure to suggest it, so we can feature it in our next holiday reading list. Enjoy the time off!

The editors