BIB to BACKPACK SERIES
COVER STORY—Getting ready for school—or pre-school—in your neighborhood?
This week, take a look at a national publishing project we are proud to be launching: The Bib to Backpack Learning Series with United Way for Southeastern Michigan. Yes, we said “national” project, because we eventually will publish a total of six books about truly innovative programs helping families with education in early childhood. This series is part of a nationwide demonstration of the impact of publishing books about creative educators’ most successful ideas. As this series proclaims: Education Begins at Home. These six books tell the stories of nonprofit groups that have carved out innovative programs to meet the needs of young children—especially kids who face enormous challenges because of poverty or language barriers.
BOOK 1: ACCESS TO SCHOOL—This book tells the amazing story of educators working at an Arab-American nonprofit who have figured out how to kick-start early education for recent immigrants who are just learning English.
BOOK 2: SOLUTIONS FOR SUCCESS—The second book in the series is the inspiring story of a group that has served a low-income Hispanic-American community for decades. Now, the group is using the latest training methods from a national center for education research to empower not only children—but their parents as well.
Please, check out both books—and tell friends. This is very good news from some of America’s most challenging neighborhoods. And, watch for four more titles in this series to be published this autumn!
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EMPOWERING WOMEN
BALD IS BEAUTIFUL—Cancer survivor Suzy Farbman, author of GodSigns, tells the true story of creative women using their talents to empower other women in the midst of struggling with cancer. Learn about “Bald Is Beautiful” and see a short video about their work. And, please, share this column with friends, this week. . other o
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HOLIDAYS & MILESTONES
Don’t miss a date! Remember www.InterfaithHolidays.org, our master calendar...
FROM THE VATICAN—On September 2, a new St. Teresa postage stamp will be issued by the Vatican to celebrate her September 4 canonization: the official declaration of sainthood by the Catholic church. You may also want to read the Vatican’s biography of St. Teresa, which includes many inspiring details about her life and legacy.
FROM ST. TERESA—New World Library, the publisher of a special edition of her book No Greater Love, has given us permission to excerpt the chapter called “On Love.” We also have permission to share this chapter from St. Teresa’s book, which includes some very challenging teachings about the nature of work and our personal vocations.
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15th ANNIVERSARY of 9/11—Will you mark this milestone? Or is “9/11” slipping into the history books? Film critic Edward McNulty suggests we reach back and watch a remarkable collection of short films that were made in response to the terrorist attacks in 2001.
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FILM, FAITH
& POPULAR CULTURE
ED McNULTY—Enjoy all of the free resources from Ed McNulty’s faith-and-film website: VisualParables.org. Among Ed’s latest free movie reviews are:
- ENTERTAINING ANGELS—In a personal column, Ed recommends that we take a fresh look the film version of Dorothy Day’s life.
- TSAR—Ed reviews the violent and provocative new epic about the life of Ivan the Terrible, which is just coming to DVD in the U.S. (4 stars).
- INDIGNATION—Set in the ’50s and based on the Philip Roth novel, Ed gives this drama 4 stars.
- ANTHROPOID—Based on the true story of the infamous Richard Heydrich during the Third Reich. (4 stars)
- PETE’S DRAGON—Ed says that David Lowery and co-writer Toby Halbrooks prove that it is possible to surpass the original film in a remake. (5 stars)
- DOUGH—British-Austrian director John Goldschmidt’s whimsical tale of interfaith friendship could be a tonic for Americans fed up with political rhetoric demonizing Muslims. (4 stars)
- THE INFILTRATOR—Based on the dramatic case of drug kingpin Pablo Escobar, this film is absolutely first-rate, says Ed. (5 stars)
- DHEEPAN—French director Jacques Audiard’s new film immerses us in the world of immigrants so that we can feel their confusion and fears, as well as their hopes and dreams. (4.5 stars)
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