The new picture book: Sneeze, Big Bear, Sneeze! by Maureen Wright is a delightful description of the windy weather that comes in Autumn. The story follows Big Bear as he sneezes his way through the pages. Despite the wind trying to tell him that she is the reason for it all, Big Bear is convinced it is his sneezing that is causing the leaves and apples to fall from the trees and the geese to fly south. Finally when she’s had enough of Big Bear’s confusion, the wind lets out a “whirling, twirling mighty shout” over a few particularly blustery pages and manages to convince bear that she is the one causing the tickle that’s making him sneeze… she is the Autumn Breeze!

Not only is autumn a time of gorgeous light and colors, it is cross-country and marathon running time. It is my best-loved season and I always look forward to running on leaf strewn trails and the crispness of the air as it welcomes the change in seasons.

The New York City (NYC) Marathon is this Sunday, November 6 and two popular running websites, FloTrack and LetsRun, have loads of coverage on the NYC Marathon and just about any other news of import related to the running world.

The California Interscholastic Federation Central Coast Section Cross Country Championships will be at Crystal Springs on Saturday,  November 12.

Stanford is hosting the NCAA Division I Cross Country West Regionals on Saturday, November 12.

The Silicon Valley Turkey Trot is scheduled for Thanksgiving Day Thursday on November 24. There were over 14,000 participants last year and race organizers are hoping to reach 17,500 this year.  The 2010 race raised $450,000 for three local charities: Children’s Health Initiative, the Housing Trust of Santa Clara county and Second Harvest Food Bank. Read the San Jose Mercury News Article, “Turkey Day’s Coming Up, and so is Annual Trot” for more statistics on the race.

I hope everyone gets a chance to enjoy one or all of these wonderful races either as a spectator or as a participant. This is a wonderful season to run and there are many races scheduled throughout the Bay Area.

Check out some titles at the San Jose Public Library to pique your interest in running and get you out on the trails, track or the road. 

The Busy Little Squirrel written and illustrated by Nancy Tafuri is a delightful book for early readers and a fun read-aloud for younger children. A diligent squirrel busily prepares for winter by gathering a variety of foods.  Several friendly animals want to socialize with Squirrel; however, he is too busy to take a break.  

Nancy Tafuri’s website contains excerpts from some of her colorful books.