Tuesday, December 22, 2009

Four fine books


What's New At the Zoo? An Animal Adding Adventure by Suzanne Slade

The brief, rhyming text on each page ends with a question - how many ... ? Your child will have plenty of opportunity to count as high as 20.

There is more material in the back of the book, from tips on adding, an explanation of 'fact families', to an animal matching activity - you read the text, the child finds the picture.

Use this with any child learning to count, and animal lovers, too.


To the Beach by Thomas Docherty

I love this imaginative tale of a trip to the beach. It is raining outside, but this little boy still has BIG plans. He is going to the beach and all he needs is ... a plane, a sailboat, a truck, a camel, some sand, the sea and ... a friend.

The text is brief; the illustrations will bring you back to read it again and again.

For preschoolers, transportation lovers and anyone who wants to go to the beach.






My Uncle Emily by Jane Yolen

This book is decidely more serious, and looks at the relationship between Emily Dickinson and her nephew Gib. The author tells the reader in the end notes what is true about this story. The illustrations easily carry us back in time to when Emily Dickinson wrote short poems for her nephew on the backs of old envelopes. She doted on him, and she was a special person to Gib, too.

This is easily part of a history or poetry lesson, and the best part is, you, as an adult reader, will learn things, too!




Wink: The Ninja Who Wanted to be Noticed by J. C. Phillipps

I love this story about Wink! He wanted to be a ninja, was accepted to ninja school, but then discovered that a ninja was expected to be quiet, stealthy and almost invisible. But Wink wated to be noticed! Wink finds his way, not as a ninja, but as a circus performer where he becomes, 'the Nimble Ninja.' Now everyone can see his great feats, and Wink is happy.

Read this to your budding martial arts kids, the non-conformists and any who have not quite found their place in the grand scheme of things.





Thursday, December 10, 2009

Three cute picture books

A Penguin Story by Antoinette Portis


Edna, the penguin, is so bored. Everything is the same everyday. And th colors are the same - white snow, blue water and the black and white of the penguins. She is searching for something else, and finds it in the orange tent of the scientists. Edna brings ALL the other penguins to see this glorious new color. And now she wonders ... what else is there? Ages 3-6






We're Going on a Lion Hunt by Margery Cuyler

Everyone, put on your safari hat and use your imagination! The bright, colorful pages take the reader on a lion hunt, through the mud, the grass and more. Ages 4-8





Can YOU Make a Scary Face? by Jan Thomas

This fast paced book has the bug talking to the reader/listener. First, he tells the reader to stand up, then sit down, then stand up. The entire book is participatory, right up to the last page when the bug asks you to make a scary face to scare away the giant frog, and then yells, "Yikes! Not THAT scary!"

Ages 3-6

Saturday, October 31, 2009

Travel back in time and turn your face to the moon

Here is an assortment of books that cover time from Jamestown to the 1960's. Some are extremely serious, one is amusing if you pay attention to the illustrations. I hope you enjoy these as much as I did. - Melody


Finding Lincoln by Ann Malaspina


Imagine a time when a black child could not walk into a public library. It really was not that long ago. This story is set in 1951 in Alabama. Louis walked into the public library, wanting a book about Abraham Lincoln. One of the librarians made him leave. The second librarian whispered, "Come back at closing tomorrow." Louis did just that.

I really enjoyed this book. There is extra information in the back of the book about the "separate but equal" services that were never equal, and more historical facts. And that second librarian was not afraid to shake things up a bit. We still do that in the library!



I Want to Be Free by Joseph Slate

This poem is a retelling of a story - you'll be surprised where it came from ... check the author's note in the back of the book.


The poem is beautiful and may certainly move you to tears. Freedom is a universal theme throughout time and place, and that is why this book rings so true today.


E.B. Lewis' fills the pages with illustrations that carry the emotional weight of the story. Be sure to read his note at the back of the book, too.



Written in Bone: Buried Lives of Jamestown and Colonial Maryland

by Sally M. Walker
This book is for teens, or tough minded kids who want to read about bones and bodies that have been uncovered in the Jamestown area. It is a fabulously interesting book ... for the right reader. Forensic scientists try to understand what the human remains can tell them - and often they find things they were never expecting. This book tells about a body found in a basement, people who were buried in lead coffins, and more. And did I mention the full color photos? Almost every page has photos - of bones, the process of excavating the bones, and of course, more bones.





Tricking the Tallyman by Jacqueline Davies


It is 1790 and the first census is about to be conducted in the United States. Some people do not want to be counted: they are afraid of taxes, or other government regulations - so they hide. Then someone learns that the purpose of the census is for elected representation in the new government. Now EVERYONE wants to be counted. Pay close attention to the illustrations.


Faces of the Moon by Bob Crelin


I do love this book. It not only explains the phases of the moon, but does so with poetry. There is also very simple text explaining what time of day we will see certain phases. For instance, did you know the Full Moon always rises at sunset?

Friday, October 23, 2009

Dogs, a pig and an eagle - three animal stories


I don't want a posh dog! by Emma Dodd



Brief, rhyming text and big, bold illustrations help us see all the kinds of dogs this little girl can do without: snappy dogs, gruff dogs, speedy dogs, itchy scritchy scratchy dogs. She wants a dog that knows her in a crowd, will play with her and a dog she can call her own.



I like the rhythm and rhyme of the words and the happy ending. Emma Dodd's illustrations are fun and make me smile every time I read this book. Enjoy this with your 4-6 year old.





Little Oink by Amy Krouse Rosenthal



Little Oink is such a nice, neat pig, and that is the problem. Pigs are messy and during mess up time, they have to make messes. Little Oink thinks about his friends who are allowed to clean their rooms; he wants to do that, too. But, no. Little pig has to unmake his bed, throw his clothes on the floor - it is almost too much for him.



I love this, the third book by Amy Rosenthal. Make sure you read Little Pea and Little Hoot for two more funny little stories. And these stories are for ALL AGES. The older you are, the funnier the story. Younger children may not immediately sense the irony; older children will want to explain it to you!






Hook by Ed Young

The first thing you need to know is that Ed Young won a Caldecott Medal for Lon Po Po, two Caldecott Honor Medals for The Emperor and Seven Blind Mice. He has been nominated twice for the Hans Christian Anderson Award - the highest international recognition for Children's Literature. This is is newest book and it is a fun read.

An abadonded egg is found by a young boy who puts it under a hen. The hatchling is clearly not a chick. The story is a very visual one, as the reader can easily see that the hen is trying to raise an eagle chick with her brood.

Ed Young is a storyteller who does not need many words to tell a good story. Take your time and share this very short book with your 4-7 year old.

Wednesday, October 21, 2009

Treats

Finally, a chance to share a few new books!


A is for Airplane: An Aviation Alphabet
by Mary Ann McCabe Riehle

This is no 'easy alphabet' book. Look for history, science, and aerospace between the covers. There is even a 'quiz' at the end of the book. Answers are upside down and on the next page. The illustrations are by David Craid and are perfect for the book - realistic, yet clearly artful paintings. Ages 5-10



Cesar Takes a Break by Susan Collins Thoms


Cesar is left at school during spring break. Poor Cesar! He gets so lonely - iguanas get lonely, too, you know. He grabs his journal and takes his own journey through the school, meets other classroom pets and they all have a fabulous time putting on plays, participating in sporting events and more. Ages 5-8



The Origami Master by Nathaniel Lachenmeyer



High in the mountains, Shima lives alone, with only his origami to keep him company. One day, origami animals begin appearing on the desk. Shima is puzzled and hides to see who is making these. A little warbler is flying in, folding and folding the paper and leaving the creatures. Shima catches the warbler, hoping to learn its secrets. Of course, a warbler in a cage is not happy. Learn to make your own origami bird with the instructions in the back of the book. Ages 6-10







What REALLY Happened to Humpty? by Joe Dumpty, as told to Jeanie Franz Ransom

Joe Dumpty is a hard-boiled detective. Follow him through Mother Gooseland as he looks for clues. Kids who are familiar with nursery rhymes will enjoy this the most. Ages 6-10




The Moon Over Star by Dianna Hutts Aston



Once upon a Summer's morning, in 1969 ... and the rest is the story of the first moon landing, as seen from eyes of a little black girl. I love this book, with its story from recent history. Jerry Pinkney is the illustrator - perfect illustrations! Ages 5-10




Hurry Up and Slow Down by Layn Marlow



I love the illustrations in this tortoise and hare story. I feel like a turtle, creeping through the dandelions and seeing the world just a little bit differently. Rabbit is always in a hurry, and is always telling Tortoise to hurry up. But when Tortoise is reading a story to Rabbit, we finally hear Rabbit telling Tortoise to hurry up and slow down - they need to look at the pictures and take their time! Ages 4-6

Sunday, February 8, 2009

Caldecott Winners - 2009

The annual awards have been handed out. Here are the books that were honored as being the best picture books published in the United States by American authors.



The House in the Night by Susan Marie Swanson
This is the gold medal winner for 2009. It is a calm, gentle bedtime story with illustrations that invite the reader in again and again. The text is simple, the story is charming.










A Couple of Boys Have the Best Week Ever by Marla Frazee
This honor book is very much like a comic book, and tells the story of two boys who are going away to a nature camp at their grandparent's beach house. The boys resist every attempt to get them interested in the outdoors, but become inseperable to the point Grandpa gives them a single name. On the last day, the boys do go out and make their own nature discoveries. All ages. Caldecott Honor Medal.


How I Learned Geography by Uri Shulevitz
Save this for school age children, as this is the story of the author's family's escape from Poland in 1939, and their subsequent days of hunger in Turkestan. Father brings home a map instead of food, and the family is at first very angry. The map changes life for the narrator, as he begins to see, through the map, the many places in the world yet to be seen.
The author's end notes add more information, and make this an amazing book to read again and again. Caldecott Honor Medal.



A River of Words: the story of William Carlos Williams by Jen Bryant
Alas! I have not yet seen this book. Here is the review from School Library Journal:School Library Journal
Gr 3-6
This stunning picture-book biography combines a lyrical text with wonderfully creative mixed-media illustrations in an impressive and personable homage to an extraordinary and accomplished man. Bryant's poetic writing-"Gurgle, gurgle-swish, swish, swoosh.... The water went slipping and sliding over the smooth rocks, then poured in a torrent over the falls, then quieted again below"-describes beautifully how, as a child, Williams would lie peacefully by the Passaic River, listening to the sounds of the water; he appreciated nature and the ordinary experiences of life. Book pages form a background for some of the illustrations and prescription pads become the paper for the doctor's poetic scribbling. A lovely spread shows a display of constellations while in the foreground, the poet sits framed in the light of an attic window, with one of his poems about a night sky laid out on a book cover. Williams's poems, which appear in the book in a variety of colors and fonts as part of the art, are highlighted in uniform type with standard line breaks on the inside cover pages. A time line of his life juxtaposed with a list of world events, a brief author's note about his significance as a poet, and an illustrator's note that explains how Sweet researched the project are appended.-Kirsten Cutler, Sonoma County Library, CA
Caldecott Honor Medal.

A few good books, and more to come

I am so far behind in posting good books! I will try and catch up a little bit at a time.
Melody




No! That's Wrong! by Zhaohua Ji
Make sure you look carefully at the end papers, front and back after you have read the story. The story begins on the title page with a lacey red pair of underwear blowing away in the wind. A rabbit finds them and promptly puts them on his head; they seem to make a perfect hat for rabbit. Kids, of course, see the error in his way and can join the narrator in saying, "No! That's wrong! That isn't a hat!" Rabbit tries the 'hat' on the other animals, but it just doesn't fit anyone else as well as it fits Rabbit.
Read this for laughs, again and again!




Jack's Garden by Henry Cole
Winter will be over soon, and spring will be here. Time to think about planting a garden. This simple book uses the rhyme, "This is the house that Jack built" and turns it into "This is the garden Jack planted." The illustrations name different tools, seeds, plants, and insects, so it is a fabulous vocabulary building book.
You will not find detailed gardening advice, though the book reminds us to contact our local County Extension Office! And here is the link for you to use: http://elpasoco.colostate.edu/


to be like the SUN by Susan Marie Swanson
Here is a second simple planting story. Have some sunflower seeds that were meant for planting on hand. Make sure the soil is warm, or start the seeds indoors in pots. You may have fun drawing sunflowers, too!









Let's Play in the Forest While the Wolf is Not Around by Claudia Rueda
Underwear show up in this story, too! Wolf is getting dressed for school. Everyone is playing in the forest - wolf is not around! This fun book has the song and music from the traditional French/Spanish children's game. There is plenty of repetition of phrases, which is just right for preschoolers and those who read to them.




Pssst! by Adam Rex
Older readers - school age - will enjoy the visual jokes, while reading this goofy book that begins with the gorilla saying, "Pssst!" to the child at the zoo. Each animal wants her to get something for them. She finally does, and the surprise is what the animals do with all of these items.







Adèle & Simon in America by Barbara McClintock
In addition to a nice story about visiting notable places in America, this is also a 'can-you-find-it' book. Simon keeps loosing things, and the reader can try and find the missing item on each page. Illustrations are detailed, and the items you are looking for are tiny. School age children will enjoy this more. The author shares the location for each picture at the end of the book. Look for the first Adèle & Simon book, set in Paris.