Good conversation starters with children are ones that aren’t threatening.  Talking about favorites improve thinking skills.  Ask “What is your favorite smell, color, type of transportation, dessert?”  Also, sharing a personal memory of your favorite childhood toy, place to visit or reading material makes good conversation.

Did you read about U.S. presidents last month?  If not, try a book this month.  Presidents add to our literary materials in numerous ways by inspiring others to write their biographies. Some biographies are very accurate and a good read.  It is important to decide if you want thorough research and accuracy, or if you just want to enjoy a story about a president.

Besides being written about, most presidents have written themselves.  Early presidents wrote their own speeches.  Some presidents also wrote publishable materials. John Quincy Adams published a book of poetry in 1832. Thomas Jefferson helped write "The Declaration of Independence."  Both Franklin Roosevelt and Theodore Roosevelt wrote well.