Instagram story viewer> @curriculum_love> Posts

Erin

@curriculum_love

2.2K

followers

2404

following

To empower teachers with standards-based, SEL-focused tools while
championing their self-care. Curriculum Developer, Literacy Coach, MA and M. Ed

POSTS STORIES REELS

Happy Fourth of July! 🇺🇸❤️🤍💙

Watermelon ✔️
Family ✔️
Sunshine ✔️
Grateful hearts ✔️

Here’s to slowing down, soaking up summer, and celebrating the people who make life beautiful. Wishing everyone a safe, joyful holiday filled with laughter, good food, and unforgettable memories.

🍉 What’s one tradition you never skip on the Fourth?

#HappyFourth #FourthOfJuly #SummerFun #Watermelon #FamilyTraditions by @curriculum_love

A year and a half ago, our dear Teddy passed away. He was one of the kindest souls I’ve ever known, and one of his greatest loves was books.
In the midst of unimaginable grief, his mom, @jaclynngail created @booksforteddy : a beautiful way to honor his life by sharing the two things he gave so freely: books and kindness.
Books for Teddy donates books to pediatricians’ offices, little free libraries, group homes, and other community spaces, offering children and families a quiet moment of comfort, hope, and escape when they need it most.
As Books for Teddy works toward becoming a nonprofit, they currently rely on donated books to keep this mission going. With a new school year approaching, they’re hoping to replenish their supply so they can continue spreading Teddy’s love of reading to even more children.
If Teddy’s story touches your heart, would you consider purchasing a book (or two) from their Amazon wish list? Every single donation helps place another book into the hands of someone who could use a little comfort.
Thank you for helping keep Teddy’s love of reading alive. ❤️📚
Books for Teddy Wish List: https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/33LXHIXXWVF6T?ref_=wl_share by @curriculum_love

🐺✨ Book Review: The Wolf King ✨🐺

I picked this one up after seeing it all over everywhere, and it ended up being exactly what I needed. I’ve been struggling lately with finding the right the book, but The Wolf King hooked me almost immediately. The pacing was fast, engaging, and made it easy to keep turning pages.

This story delivered so many of my favorite tropes: enemies to lovers, hidden powers, destiny versus choice, morally gray characters, and plenty of political intrigue. What impressed me most, though, was how well the twists were executed. Every reveal felt earned because the author planted details throughout the story that paid off later. Nothing felt random; all the pieces fit together in a way that made the journey satisfying.

If you’re looking for a fantasy that’s easy to fall into, packed with tension, romance, secrets, and enough twists to keep you guessing, this one is worth adding to your TBR.

❓ QOTD: What trope will instantly convince you to pick up a book?

#TheWolfKing #FantasyBooks #Bookstagram #EnemiesToLovers #FantasyRomanceReaders 📚 by @curriculum_love

📚✨ Book Review: Babel by R.F. Kuang ✨📚

Some books tell a story. Some books make you think. And then there are books like Babel: books that feel like works of art.

This novel is a masterpiece in its depiction of colonialism, power, privilege, and systemic racism. Kuang brilliantly peels back the layers of how institutions operate, exposing the ways bias can be woven into systems so deeply that it becomes almost invisible. The conversations about language, translation, and who gets to control knowledge were fascinating, especially as an English teacher who loves etymology and the history hidden within words.

What makes this book so powerful is that it tackles incredibly heavy topics through the lens of fantasy. The magic system rooted in language allows readers to engage with difficult realities in a way that is both accessible and deeply poignant. Fantasy creates just enough distance to process the ideas while somehow making them hit even harder.

The world building is extraordinary, and the characters are written with such depth and humanity that I found myself carrying their struggles long after I put the book down. Their journeys feel complete, heartbreaking, and profoundly meaningful.

That said, this wasn’t a book I could binge. The intellectual and emotional depth often required me to pause, reflect, and read in smaller pieces. There were moments when the weight of its ideas felt overwhelming, but that’s also part of what makes it such an important read.

Babel is not just a fantasy novel. It’s a conversation, a critique, a history lesson, and a work of art all at once.

QOTD: Have you ever read a book that changed the way you think about the world? What was it?

#Babel #RFKuang #DarkAcademia #FantasyBooks #BookstagramReads by @curriculum_love

Spring books just feel different 🌼🐝
Soft sunlight through the windows, tiny hands turning pages, and stories that make the world feel full of wonder again. Little Bee’s Book of Blooms has become one of our favorite spring reads: the illustrations are absolutely stunning, and we love following Little Bee as she explores flowers, sunshine, rain, and all the beauty nature brings this season.

It’s one of those books that slows us down in the best way and reminds me how magical spring feels through a child’s eyes. 🌸☀️

QOTD: What’s your favorite sign that spring has finally arrived? 🌷

#springbooks #childrensbooks #bookstagram #springreading #readingwithkids by @curriculum_love

Spring hit, and I think we all needed it more than we realized. 🌿 Or at least I sure did.

I haven’t been posting much lately because life has been… a lot. Between balancing responsibilities, trying to stay present, and figuring out what I actually need in this season, I’ve found myself stepping away from my phone and leaning into slower moments instead.

This winter felt long. Heavy in some ways. And I think my soul has been craving sunlight, fresh air, long walks, gardens, trees, and the reminder that everything has seasons: including us.

Lately, I’ve been trying to spend as much time outside as possible. Letting the world slow down for a minute. Letting myself slow down too. And honestly? It’s been healing in ways I can’t fully explain yet.

The laundry can wait. The emails can wait. The pressure can wait.
Sometimes what we really need is to stand in the sun and remember we’re allowed to breathe.

This is my season for grounding, softness, and being present. 🌱

QOTD: What’s something you’ve been needing more of lately?

#springvibes #slowliving #natureheals #mindfulliving #momlife by @curriculum_love

We had so much fun reading I Love You Like Yellow. 💛🌼

This book feels like a warm hug wrapped in sunshine. The illustrations are absolutely gorgeous, and we loved all the comparisons between love, colors, feelings, food, nature, and everyday little moments together. My toddler especially loved pointing out all the bright yellows and greens while we talked about our own favorite colors and things we love.

It’s one of those books that feels gentle, comforting, and playful all at once, the kind of story you read cuddled together and immediately want to reread again. The sweetest reminder that love can be found in so many little moments. 💛

QOTD: What color reminds you most of love or comfort?

#ChildrensBooks #PictureBooks #ToddlerBooks #Bookstagram #ReadAlouds by @curriculum_love

One thing Ali Hazelwood does so well is create characters who feel messy, intelligent, vulnerable, and real. I love the way her stories center strong women who are ambitious and imperfect, while also giving us male characters who deeply respect and admire that strength instead of trying to diminish it.

What I loved most about The Love Hypothesis is how much of the story is really about self worth. Olive’s journey isn’t just about falling in love: it’s about learning to believe she deserves care, support, success, and happiness. The romance blooms because she slowly begins to see herself differently, and I think that emotional growth is what makes this story hit so hard.

Plus… fake dating, academic chaos, and painfully soft moments? Absolutely yes. 💕🧪📚

QOTD: What’s your favorite romance trope?

#TheLoveHypothesis #AliHazelwood #Bookstagram #RomanceBooks #FakeDatingTrope by @curriculum_love

A few weeks ago we wandered into @booksofwonder and my toddler instantly fell in love with this plushy from the book Big before we had ever even read the book. 💕 We absolutely had to bring her home, so our next stop was the library to check the story out… and wow. This book is stunning.

The illustrations are breathtaking: soft, emotional, and so full of heart. Every page feels like a piece of art. But beyond the beauty, I loved the message so much. Big tells the story of a little girl learning to love herself even when she feels like she doesn’t fit the mold other people try to place on her. It’s powerful, honest, and hopeful in such a gentle way for little readers.

I always gravitate toward stories that remind toddlers that they are enough exactly as they are, and this one does it beautifully. I also loved that the main character finds strength within herself and learns to reclaim her own voice. And honestly… I need to mention the illustrations one more time because they are THAT gorgeous. ✨📚🩰

QOTD: What children’s book completely surprised you with how powerful or emotional it was?

#ChildrensBooks #BookstagramKids #ToddlerBooks #ReadAloudMagic #PictureBookLove by @curriculum_love

We picked up So Cute! Penguins because honestly…how could we not? The adorable penguin pictures pulled us in immediately, but the fun little facts are what kept us turning every page. 🐧❄️ My toddler was completely hooked by the fluffy baby penguins, the silly waddling facts, and all the cozy huddling moments. The perfect mix of cute + educational = a huge win in our house. 💙

QOTD: What animal facts did you love learning about as a kid?

#ToddlerBooks #NationalGeographicKids #PenguinLove #LearningThroughBooks #FamilyReading by @curriculum_love

This book has quietly become one of our favorites 🖤 We love how simple it feels, but how BIG the ideas are: creativity, doubt, and what it really means to make something your own. Also, how being supportive and kind can inspire others to see themselves in a new positive way.

Watching this story unfold through my little one’s eyes makes it even more special… and yes, we’ve already read it multiple times today.

There’s something so beautiful about a story that grows with both the child and the adult reading it.

✨ QOTD: Do you prefer simple stories with big messages or detailed stories with lots of action?

#ToddlerReads #PictureBookLove #RaisingReaders #BookstagramKids #MomLifeReads by @curriculum_love

This book has officially become our new favorite! 📖✨

We’ve read it at least ten times today, and each time, it just keeps getting funnier. It’s silly, unexpected, and exactly the kind of humor we adore here. It’s perfect for my toddler, who loves all things weird and giggly. 😂

But what I truly love is how it subtly sparks meaningful conversations about the future and the changes that occur over time.

If you have a silly toddler, I highly recommend this book. 💚

QOTD: If you could create one silly rule for the future, what would it be?

#toddlerbooks #readaloud #childrensbooks #momlife #bookstagram by @curriculum_love