I've never noticed Teacher Appreciation Day (maybe because it has been overshadowed by Cinco De Mayo? Is there a coincidence? Do Teachers celebrate the day by partying like they're South of the Border?), but since a friend of mine started teaching, I thought I would take the opportunity to celebrate (geeky bookworm style)!
So being that this is a book blog, I decided a book-themed gift was the way to go. This awesome girl who, who has a degree is political science, is actually teaching California History. Did I mention she didn't grow up in California? Oy Vey. She's extremely charismatic and devoted to her students so she does an amazing job, but I thought I'd get her something to make California seem a bit more interesting then a bunch of Spanish Missions. And something to make the Spanish Missions a bit more interesting.
The first book I got her, which made me snicker when I read the title, was Speaking Ill of the Dead: Jerks in California History by Maxine Cass. It's basically a history of all the con artists and other bad guys that made a significant mark in history.
The second book I got for her was California Missions Coloring Book by David Rickman. Yes, coloring books are "books", and yes, coloring books can be for grownups. They're a great stress reliever, I swear! Also, have you ever looked at your coloring pages when you were a kid and wished you colored better? No? Just me.... Moving on.....
Finally, you can't give someone a coloring book without providing them with the proper coloring supplies, right?! I saw this really cute project on Pinterest where you take a double insulated tumbler and fill it with Sharpie pens. Now, I am an avid devotee of Sharpie, but it would be absolutely criminal to give someone Sharpies with a double-sided coloring book, so I went with Crayola Twistables because they're basically my favorite crayon-like substance ever (although peeling back the paper on a real crayon is severely underrated).
(As I was putting this post together, I realized I bought colored pencils instead of crayons. Whoops.)
So that's my Teacher Appreciation Day: California History Edition project. I hope she loves it as much as I loved putting it together, and I'd like to send a big shout out to all the teachers who go above and beyond for there students every day.
P.S. Teacher Appreciation was on May 5th, but since one of the books arrived later than expected, I'm doing a belated celebration. Sorry!