"A true hero isn't measured by the size of his strength, but by the strength of his heart." Zeus from "Hercules"

                                                               Pinterest Inspirational Hero Quotes 

I have several great nieces and great nephews, and I buy toys for them each Christmas.  Even with all the battery-operated and Internet driven toys today, their favorite toys are still trucks and dinosaurs and building blocks and other games to use the imagination. I always like the toys that exercise the imagination!

I saw a new toy introduced by Mattel last week that caught my attention.  Mattel has introduced a line of dolls (sort of like Barbie dolls) that are patterned after real  American women on the front lines of COVID.  Mattel has created these dolls to look like the real women they are - a nurse, a psychiatrist, a professor, and doctors, right down to their tattoos!  I like this idea so much, because it tells girls that if they can dream it, with hard work, they can be it. These dolls teach young people that heroes are much more than mythical people like Batman and Spiderman and Wonder Woman. 

Here is a link to an interview with Professor Sarah Gilbert, Project Manager of the Oxford/AstraZenaca vaccine.  The doll features her red hair and large black glasses.

https://www.cbsnews.com/news/mattel-barbie-doll-oxford-atrazeneca-covid-19-vaccine-sarah-gilbert/ 

To see the full list of the women honored by Mattel dolls, please click on the link below to take you to the full article. 

https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210803006181/en/Mattel-Once-Again-Says-ThankYouHeroes-by-Supporting-First-Responders-Children%E2%80%99s-Foundation-and-Honoring-Global-Frontline-Medical-Workers-with-One-of-a-Kind-Barbie-Dolls

My darling 5 year old great niece Lily just might be getting a special doll for Christmas this year! 

As always, I welcome your comments and suggestions. Rittman Publishing, LLC ®

Please invite GRADY GETS GLASSES (and me) into your school, in person, or on Zoom. Email us at GradyGetsGlasses@gmail.com

I do college and university presentations for student teachers with my practical "Dede's Three C's for Classroom Success: Confidence, Communication, and Creativity" in person or via Zoom. Please email me at DedeRittman@gmail.com

Please invite Grady Gets Glasses (and me) into your school.  if you are not in the Pittsburgh area, we do virtual field trips with groups called Field Trip Zoom and Streamable learning . We will come into YOUR classroom via ZOOM. GRADY GETS GLASSES was the winner of Best New Children's Book 2016 and 2018 (new edition) from The Authors' Zone. Grady also won a 2018 prestigious Moonbeam Award for Best Children's Book with Merchandise.

Visit Dede's web page for complete details on her award-winning book, STUDENT TEACHING: THE INSIDE SCOOP FROM A MASTER TEACHER. Many colleges have made the book required reading. Signed copies are available  www.dederittman.com Dede is also a national speaker on The Three C's for Classroom success: Confidence, communication, and Creativity; Avoiding Teacher burnout; and many other inspirational topics. 

I LOVE writing. And I love writing children's books- my newest passion. Although it will be a ton of work, I am looking forward to selling my books.  Since I was a secondary teacher, I know that I have much to learn about elementary students, and I will have to follow my own advice and be my genuine self.  However, I also know that I am passionate about helping kids who have to wear glasses, and that GRADY GETS GLASSES sends a positive message. I am willing to work hard and do all the things that also made me a successful teacher for 37

years. I remain inspired! 

Elementary teachers in Western Pennsylvania and beyond - I am willing to come into your classroom in person or as a virtual field trip through a group called Field Trip Zoom.  Check them out!  http://www.fieldtripzoom.com/ 

Teacher friends- let me know if you want me to read GRADY GETS GLASSES at your school. I am willing to come in to discuss the creative writing process, why writing is important, and personal fulfillment through writing, along with reading my book.  I would appreciate the exposure, and I would make signed copies available for purchase in your classrooms following the reading.  Please email me at dederittman@gmail.com  The website www.gradygetsglasses.com now has plush Grady bunnies for sale!

 Please like Dede's new page Grady Gets Glasses for updates about her children's book. https://www.facebook.com/gradygetsglasses?ref=hl 

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