tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-68993147213459815582024-03-21T22:28:56.583-05:00Neely's NewsReviews of books for children created by members of children's literature classes at Peabody College of Vanderbilt University.Ann Neelyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11798752297955236635noreply@blogger.comBlogger111125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6899314721345981558.post-89160471678920896992012-01-26T11:23:00.004-06:002012-01-26T11:33:28.012-06:00We're Moving!<span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family:lucida grande;color:#33ccff;">Dear Readers,<br /></span><br /></span>We’re excited to <span style="font-family:lucida grande;color:#ff9900;"><strong>ANNOUNCE</strong></span> that we are beginning a <span style="font-family:arial;color:#33ff33;"><strong>New Year</strong></span> of books with a <span style="color:#ff0000;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;color:#cc33cc;"><strong>New Website</strong></span></span><span style="color:#cc33cc;">!</span> You can check it out at <a href="http://neelysnews.wordpress.com/"><span style="color:#ff6666;">neelysnews.wordpress.com</span></a><span style="color:#ff6666;">.</span><br /><br />We appreciate your <span style="color:#00cccc;">readership</span> and <span style="color:#ff9900;">feedback</span> and look forward to continuing to explore wonderful children’s books together! We hope that the new feature of <span style="color:#ff0000;">categorized posts</span> will make it easier to access posts about your favorite books in a hurry.<br /><br />Thank you for following, and we can’t wait to see you <a href="http://neelysnews.wordpress.com/">here</a>!<br /><br /><span style="color:#ff6666;">Sincerely,<br /></span><span style="color:#33ff33;"><strong>Neely’s News</strong></span>VUChildren'sLithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04084694604238799315noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6899314721345981558.post-11160072604977146762012-01-16T14:23:00.009-06:002012-01-16T15:21:55.421-06:00Oh, the Places You'll Go!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieKJ6AN9cn4VuzVV8qBCfmQ6t5c5WR6QpJz5zsMZxppIHHBlbECY1lItBEUGLcv9txiHKJzxVMoMKS7zBKZoOTVnnuUO4eAFcn4PTF02uLZlfpR_YJjAmDO85iKhkOVasDrxEAvXelDuU/s1600/200px-Oh%252C_the_Places_You%2527ll_Go.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 277px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieKJ6AN9cn4VuzVV8qBCfmQ6t5c5WR6QpJz5zsMZxppIHHBlbECY1lItBEUGLcv9txiHKJzxVMoMKS7zBKZoOTVnnuUO4eAFcn4PTF02uLZlfpR_YJjAmDO85iKhkOVasDrxEAvXelDuU/s320/200px-Oh%252C_the_Places_You%2527ll_Go.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5698333166085708194" /></a><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; "><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 13px; font-family: arial, sans-serif; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "> </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;font-size:100%;">The Dr. Seuss classic, <i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#00cccc;">Oh, The Places You’ll Go</span></i>, is a famous children’s book that is often used and referenced during important landmarks in life. This book is so special because it approaches very adult themes in simple language that </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;font-size:100%;">any child can understand.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;font-size:100%;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;font-size:100%;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;font-size:100%;">It’s about a time in ones life where </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;font-size:180%;color:#3366ff;">new beginnings</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:100%;"> are about to occur and the future is unknown. It discusses topics of making </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:180%;color:#3366ff;">new choices</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:100%;">- good and bad and going through stages of depression or “slumps” in life. </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;font-size:100%;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:100%;">Although realistic, it</span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33ff33;"> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:130%;">presents a positive view of what the future may hold</span></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:100%;">. The story warns readers that they will run into confusion, but find a good answer.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:100%;">They will have to be patient and wait, but they will have fun. They will be scared, but they will be confident. At times they will win, but at times they will lose.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;font-size:100%;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:130%;color:#ffcc99;"> The story reveals that life is about ups and downs.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;font-size:100%;"> Disappointment is a part of life, but success and happiness will follow.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;font-size:100%;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;font-size:100%;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:verdana;font-size:100%;">This book should be read at home and at school. It teaches important life lessons and should be</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:verdana;font-size:medium;"> </span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';font-size:180%;color:#cc33cc;">read aloud to all ages.</span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;font-size:100%;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;font-size:100%;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:100%;">This is a book adults should read frequently and live by. </span><b style="font-size: large; "><i>It is filled with inspirational and honest quotes!</i></b></span></p></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255); font-family:'Tw Cen MT';font-size:large;"> </span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:130%;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;font-family:arial;font-size:x-large;"><span style="font-family:"Tw Cen MT"; mso-bidi-Tw Cen MT"font-family:";"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#3333ff;">“Step with care and great tact</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;font-family:arial;font-size:x-large;"><span style="font-family:"Tw Cen MT"; mso-bidi-Tw Cen MT"font-family:";"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#3333ff;">and remember that Life's</span></span></p></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:130%;"><span class="Apple-style-span"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;font-family:arial;font-size:x-large;"><span style="font-family:"Tw Cen MT"; mso-bidi-Tw Cen MT"font-family:";"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#3333ff;">a Great Balancing Act.”</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;font-family:arial;font-size:x-large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'Tw Cen MT';color:#3333ff;"><br /></span></p></span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:arial;font-size:large;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;color: rgb(51, 255, 255); "> "And will you succeed?</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;color: rgb(51, 255, 255); ">Yes! You will, indeed!</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;color: rgb(51, 255, 255); ">(98 and 3/4 percent guaranteed.)”</p></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 16px;"><br /></span></div></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:arial;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:130%;"> <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IQRWeZy-S8Q">Click Here for a link to a reading of <i>Oh, the Places You'll Go</i> by </a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:130%;color:#ff0000;"><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IQRWeZy-S8Q">John Lithgow</a></span></p></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:130%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><p class="MsoNormal"><i><br /></i></p><p class="MsoNormal"><i> -Happy Reading!</i></p><p class="MsoNormal"><i>Lauren and Sage</i></p></span></span></div> <!--EndFragment-->VUChildren'sLithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04084694604238799315noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6899314721345981558.post-34088090240167074192011-12-02T16:27:00.001-06:002011-12-10T03:09:09.898-06:00Wild Boars Cook<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b><u><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Wild-Boars-Cook-Meg-Rosoff/dp/0805075232">Wild Boars Cook</a></u> by Meg Rosoff</b></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">In this funny picture book, award-winning author Meg Rosoff brings back her characters from <u><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Meet-Wild-Boars-Meg-Rosoff/dp/0312379633/ref=pd_sim_b_1">Meet Wild Boars</a></u>. This time the boars are <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000; font-size: large;">HUNGRY, HUNGRY, HUNGRY,</span> and are willing to eat anything. They <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;">CRUNCH, CRUNCH, CRUNCH</span> candy and hot dogs, and <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;">MUNCH, MUNCH, MUNCH</span> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">on pickles and old boots. That is, until they find a recipe for a delicious, yummy, <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #c27ba0; font-size: large;">massive pudding! </span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6vmRNWACbajeQN8oiIBd3o79_xyQmqcuyjMbQQcsb3fvyqmmA25Ze4xCTMAZJtxfeVzZPHNskDh7aJhhzef-qkHZCsvqD7GLucNnWH5uSMd7O9RJfYNpMjiUDfFVtZih5DoDYYIjAHGcg/s1600/9780805075236.IN08.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6vmRNWACbajeQN8oiIBd3o79_xyQmqcuyjMbQQcsb3fvyqmmA25Ze4xCTMAZJtxfeVzZPHNskDh7aJhhzef-qkHZCsvqD7GLucNnWH5uSMd7O9RJfYNpMjiUDfFVtZih5DoDYYIjAHGcg/s200/9780805075236.IN08.jpg" width="198" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">But even after they devour the pudding they are still hungry! In the end, they find another recipe for a <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #8e7cc3; font-size: large;">massive cookie! </span>Children wont actually see the boars make this one but are instead left with the directions and the possibility of making it themselves!</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I loved this book and think children will too. It's funny and the illustrations by award winning Sophie Blackall are fabulous. This book could be used with mini lessons on food, good manners, or just for fun! </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I would recommend this book for ages 3 and up, and think it's a positive addition to any home or school library. School Library Journal gave it a starred review, stating: </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">"</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">These wonderful hijinks with the endearing boars are pictured in wildly imaginative illustrations, including endpapers that look like boar hair. Libraries should not miss out on this fun title..."</span></span></div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/bhfSSC5EX5M?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;">This is a book trailer that I made for the book.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Happy Reading.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e06666; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">~Claire</span></div>Claire Stanleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03972000081845581164noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6899314721345981558.post-34944302535830122822011-11-19T11:52:00.006-06:002011-11-19T12:05:26.888-06:00Doctor De Soto- By William Steig<p style="text-align: center;margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span></span><span style="text-decoration: underline ; letter-spacing: 0.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Doctor De Soto</span></span></span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">, a </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF6600;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">favorite</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> book from my childhood, tells the story of a </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#663366;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">mouse dentist </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">who works with his wife to </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CC0000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">outsmart a fox</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">. Doctor De Soto is a well respected dentist who treats animals of all sizes. Doctor De Soto </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666600;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">typically stays away from animals who are dangerous to mice</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">, however one day when a fox comes to Doctor De Soto’s office crying and begging for help, Doctor De Soto decided to take a </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#3366FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">risk</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> and take the wolf on as a patient. While Doctor De Soto was working in the wolf’s mouth to help fix his toothache, the wolf realized how </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33CCFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">delicious</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> the mouse would taste. That night, the De Sotos figured out a plan as to how they would keep the fox from eating them the next day when he comes back for his appointment. The clever De Sotos used a special formula in the fox’s mouth that would keep him from</span></span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><img style="-webkit-user-select: none" src="http://graphics8.nytimes.com/images/2008/03/03/arts/Conn1190.jpg" /></span></span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><img class="rg_hi" id="rg_hi" alt="" width="279" height="181" width="279" height="181" style="width:279px;height:181px" src="http://t0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRV0gtrKVo9zpQe93cII7QZC-s4XQh2QtKjLh6Lsl8E2VESJ7GR" /></span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><img class="rg_hi" id="rg_hi" alt="" width="221" height="228" width="221" height="228" style="width:221px;height:228px" src="data:image/jpeg;base64,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" /></span></span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">opening hi</span></span></span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">s mouth for a </span></span></span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">day. T</span></span></span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">herefore, th</span></span></span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">e fox w</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">ould not be able to eat the De Sotos. </span></span></p> <p style="text-align: center;margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; min-height: 14px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"></span><br /></span></span></p> <p style="text-align: center;margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">William Steig not only wrote this fantastic children’s book, but he illustrated it as well. The illustrations are simple yet clever and really help to </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CC6600;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">bring the story alive</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">. The illustrations have a cartoon-like quality to them, which would definitely appeal to children of all ages. </span></span></span></p> <p style="text-align: center;margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; min-height: 14px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"></span><br /></span></span></p> <p style="text-align: center;margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">This is a great book to have in the </span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">classroom and to have at home</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">. </span></span></span><span style="text-decoration: underline ; letter-spacing: 0.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Doctor De Soto</span></span></span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> is a great read aloud book because it would interest tosuch a wide range of children and it is also a great book to read to children at home. </span></span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><a href="http://westonwoods.scholastic.com/products/westonwoods/study_guides/doctor_de_soto.pdf"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Click here for some classroom activities that could be used after reading </span></a></span></span><span style="text-decoration: underline; letter-spacing: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><a href="http://westonwoods.scholastic.com/products/westonwoods/study_guides/doctor_de_soto.pdf"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Doctor De Soto</span></a></span></span></p>Olivia Steinberghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10656773359157778195noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6899314721345981558.post-83811924612949163742011-11-16T22:26:00.010-06:002011-11-16T22:49:14.549-06:00A new edition of a book from the past: Charlie and the Chocolate Factory Pop-up book!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVrifaQo3X8lgED0AEt8_3TKmTqaFaBmFDnUwuGipj8C_TcjL-d6OXM-3fBinC6nw7jKQcHZWhU-FYqha4prRdH435gAJgfrDJKSX6gSgnfDUPZEL_eVY-KXqgfFeEX1hAlTaF5nFuTOQ/s1600/ref%253Ddp_image_0.jpeg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVrifaQo3X8lgED0AEt8_3TKmTqaFaBmFDnUwuGipj8C_TcjL-d6OXM-3fBinC6nw7jKQcHZWhU-FYqha4prRdH435gAJgfrDJKSX6gSgnfDUPZEL_eVY-KXqgfFeEX1hAlTaF5nFuTOQ/s320/ref%253Ddp_image_0.jpeg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5675816807697284322" /></a><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:130%;color:#6633ff;">Roald Dahl’s</span> </span>infamous story <i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:130%;color:#cc0000;">Charlie and the Chocolate Factory</span></i> has been reinvented once again! <span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span">Que<span class="Apple-style-span">ntin Blak</span>e’s</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#006600;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:130%;color:#009900;">pop-up</span>, <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:130%;color:#ff6600;">pull-tab</span>, </span><span class="Apple-style-span">and</span><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:130%;color:#33ccff;"> <span class="Apple-style-span">lift-the-flap</span></span> </span>book makes reading this well-loved story an <span class="Apple-style-span">interactive</span> and <span class="Apple-style-span">visually stimulating experience. </span><i>Charlie and the Chocolate Factory </i>has been a <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:130%;color:#cc0000;">classic </span>for generations because of its unique dynamic between an incredibly<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:130%;color:#cc0000;"> <span class="Apple-style-span">creative story</span> line</span> and the common<span class="Apple-style-span"> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:130%;color:#009900;">underdog</span></span> concept. Charlie Bucket is a little boy who comes from nothing, but wins the opportunity of a lifetime to see Willy Wonka’s amazing chocolate factory. With his winning golden ticket in hand, Charlie and his Grandpa Joe go to the factory with four other children and their parents to have the <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:130%;">most<span class="Apple-style-span"> bizarre yet exciting adventure of their lives. </span></span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:130%;color:#6633ff;"><b>Quentin Blake</b></span> has illustrated the majority of Roald Dahl’s stories, and I often associate Blake’s distinct style with Dahl’s books that I remember reading as a child. This pop-up book is no different as many of the <span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:130%;">characters and scenes look almost exactly as they did in the original</span> book.</span> There is <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:130%;">a lot of text on each page</span>, but the organization of the text along with the interactive pull-out/lift-the-flap components on every page make it a fun, enjoyable read. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;font-size:130%;"><span><span class="Apple-style-span">Blake does a fantastic job of making the <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#ff6600;"><span class="Apple-style-span">classic story come to life</span> </span>in this picture book.</span> </span><span class="Apple-style-span">The reader has the opportunity to <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33ccff;"><span class="Apple-style-span">step inside the story and explore</span> </span>Willy Wonka’s factory for his/herself. </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">If you would like to see some of the pop-up spreads, click this link below!</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><a href="http://www.puffin.co.uk/nf/Book/BookDisplay/0,,9780141328874,00.html">http://www.puffin.co.uk/nf/Book/BookDisplay/0,,9780141328874,00.html</a></span></p> <!--EndFragment-->Chelseahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11396854450133669054noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6899314721345981558.post-81527629966659490832011-11-14T00:13:00.005-06:002011-11-14T00:25:10.762-06:00The Story of May<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIHvGoglB9g75DVwurc9o1tT3V6SrnQqqA5XR1xAhcXgpB7l18KV4os6mzcWfzmzuyTlwwu-CZdW-XBHGTjUzIoKBdDTjErDfj_gHN8mDLoVLsaSeXX1v58qsth_h3w6tFuAHXPX9Kjj7S/s1600/416p%252BF0BjjL._SL500_.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIHvGoglB9g75DVwurc9o1tT3V6SrnQqqA5XR1xAhcXgpB7l18KV4os6mzcWfzmzuyTlwwu-CZdW-XBHGTjUzIoKBdDTjErDfj_gHN8mDLoVLsaSeXX1v58qsth_h3w6tFuAHXPX9Kjj7S/s320/416p%252BF0BjjL._SL500_.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5674732213029683794" /></a><br /><!--StartFragment--> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent:.5in">Most children seem to have that one story that they want to read over and over again before bed. For me, this was the gorgeously illustrated book, <u><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">The Story of May</span> </u>by Mordicai Gerstein.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>The young month, May, lives with her mother, April, who teaches her how to be a proper spring month.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent:.5in">“May skipped into the morning. She sprinkled <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#6666CC;">periwinkles</span> at the edge of the woods. She spun round and round, tossing <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFCC00;">dandelions</span>, <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33CCFF;">bluets</span> and <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#6600CC;">violets</span> everywhere. She welcomed the warblers and listened to their gossip of foreign places.”</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent:.5in"> May becomes so caught up in the wonders of being a spring month that she wanders too far from home. Luckily, her aunt June is there waiting to welcome her. June tells May of her father, December, and so begins May’s journey through the year to meet the man that is her father. On her adventure, May meets her relatives each personifying his or her own month. Her uncle July is a large sun burnt man with a watermelon, while October wears a cloak of <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF0000;"><b>c</b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF6600;"><b>o</b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFCC00;"><b>l</b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#663300;"><b>o</b></span></span><b>r</b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF6600;"><b>f</b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFCC00;"><b>u</b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#663300;"><b>l</b></span> leaves and carves pumpkins. </p> <img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 186px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQaWb6wFOQ3VW8nEHUEsThj9HzHLqkOyG7re6QmnAPeMov15ewyr9hz7wcjhHwhCk-HdP2jsnMieNjDx_FMti95ucRQisSbSSwS03jB8ixbjErGDa9RtZmjaTWNvqhXCEEWk3TWqwKIIXq/s200/Story+of+May.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5674732725462291874" /><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent:.5in">In addition to the cute story and beautiful illustrations, <u>The Story of May</u> also serves an educational purpose. In addition to teaching children the months of the year, <u>The Story of May</u> subtly teaches children about each month. Instead of explicitly stating that it snows in January and is windy in March, May’s uncle January skis and her cousin March is a kite. </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent:.5in"><!--StartFragment--> </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent:.5in">This is book that I loved as a child and hope others enjoy it as much as I did.</p> <!--EndFragment--> <p></p> <!--EndFragment-->Melissa K.http://www.blogger.com/profile/08803352665134427975noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6899314721345981558.post-28635597790260469742011-11-11T09:30:00.002-06:002011-11-11T10:10:34.801-06:00The Stinky Cheese Man and Other Fairly Stupid Tales by Jon Scieszka & Lane SmithA personal favorite from my childhood, <i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#006600;">The Stinky Cheese Man</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#660000;"> and Other Fairly Stupid Tales </span></i>by Jon Scieszka and Lane Smith, is a silly and entertaining book that children of all ages will enjoy! This picture book is a compilation of classic stories that many children love and have heard multiple times . What makes this book so different and fun are the variations that are taken in the retelling of the story. Instead of reading about <i>The Boy Who Cried Wolf,</i> children get to read about <i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF0000;">The Boy Who Cried "Cow Patty."</span></i> Other variations include <i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#3333FF;">Chicken Licken</span> (Chicken Little), <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF9900;">The Really Ugly Duckling</span> (The Ugly Duckling), </i>and<i> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CC33CC;">The Princess and the Bowling Ball </span>(The Princess and the Pea). </i><div><i><br /></i></div><div>From the very first pages of the book...</div><div><img src="webkit-fake-url://74BE3A35-1290-4EE1-B305-8767587D4CBF/application.pdf" /></div><div>To the back cover...</div><div><img src="webkit-fake-url://577F0A45-7D03-4A2D-912E-B80F2889D28F/application.pdf" /></div><div>The book provides comedic value unlike many other children's books.</div><div>Each story lines follow its own unique transformation that is sure to both surprise and entertain children. The story of <i>The Really Ugly Duckling</i> begins the same as most other versions in which there was one duckling who was much uglier than all of his brothers and sisters, however, <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#009900;">"he knew that one day he would probably grow up to be a swan and be bigger and look better than anything in the pond."</span></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>......</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div> <img src="webkit-fake-url://5DB2A711-2F44-4C57-BA89-A0FD1F083A47/application.pdf" /></div><div><br /></div><div>Each story has fantastic illustrations that perfectly match the oddities found in the text. The images span the entire book and provide wonderful variations among each story, contrasting light versus dark, using collage-like images, and unrealistic portrayals of characters, especially the Stinky Cheese Man. The main story of the book. <i>The Stinky Cheese Man</i>, is a variation on <i>The Gingerbread Man</i>, </div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">"Run run run as fast as you can. You can't catch me. I'm the Stinky Cheese Man! </div><div style="text-align: center;">The little old lady and the little old man sniffed the air. 'I'm not really very hungry,' said the little old man. 'I'm not really all that lonely,' said the little old lady. So they didn't chase the Stinky Cheese Man."</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i>The Stinky Cheese Man and Other Fairly Stupid Tales</i> is not about <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#3366FF;">morals</span>. It's not about <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF0000;">lessons</span>. And it is surely not about <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CC33CC;">making a point</span>. Unlike the classic versions of these stories, <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">this book is purely about <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33CC00;">good</span>, <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#663333;">sarcastic</span>, <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#6600CC;">fun</span></span>; and that is exactly what is provides for all of its readers. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KhGR_evk2X4&feature=related">CLICK HERE for a fun reading of </a><i><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KhGR_evk2X4&feature=related">The Stinky Cheese Man</a></i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">-Alex Rogers</div>Alex Rogershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01630723380539816390noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6899314721345981558.post-2092579358875062292011-11-07T21:28:00.006-06:002011-11-07T22:27:17.544-06:00Marvelous Picture Books: Old Cricket by Lisa Wheeler<div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNA3tEcxWANrw6zrrx-7OczF758LyFhy_M16rTAiGC7VNea-Wj3mqoycAHAPO6WWQ1Z5V5dHCgGNFuXaLjVS_EF8ljZfmDg_ogoUvKsrhP06w8orHcKm0rAOvWiaaB5Su9Kzb3bgqLvit6/s1600/Old+Cricket.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5672475607739193506" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNA3tEcxWANrw6zrrx-7OczF758LyFhy_M16rTAiGC7VNea-Wj3mqoycAHAPO6WWQ1Z5V5dHCgGNFuXaLjVS_EF8ljZfmDg_ogoUvKsrhP06w8orHcKm0rAOvWiaaB5Su9Kzb3bgqLvit6/s200/Old+Cricket.jpg" /></a> <span style="font-size:180%;">"Old Cricket</span> woke up feeling <span style="font-size:130%;">cranky</span>.<br /></div><br /><br /><div align="center">And<em><span style="font-size:130%;"> crotchety</span></em>. </div><br /><br /><div align="center">And<strong> <span style="font-size:130%;">cantankerous</span></strong>.<span style="font-size:180%;">"</span> </div><br /><div align="center"></div>What can a day like this have in store for him? Not fixing the roof! To escape his task, Old Cricket comes up with a plan. "I woke with a<span style="color:#330099;"><em> <strong><span style="color:#6600cc;">creak</span></strong></em></span> in my knee, dear wife." he says. So, his wife sends him along to see Doc Hopper.<br /><br /><br />Once he is free, he runs into his cousin , Katydid, who is busy picking berries for the winter. Will Old Cricket help Katydid? Not with a <strong><em><span style="color:#6600cc;">creak</span></em></strong> in his knee and a <strong><span style="color:#6600cc;">crick</span></strong> in his neck! And Old Cricket continues on his way.<br /><br /><br />He soon comes across his neighbors, the ants, who are harvesting corn kernels. Will Old Cricket help his neighbors? Not with a <span style="color:#6600cc;"><strong><em>creak</em></strong></span> in his knee, a <strong><span style="color:#6600cc;">crick</span> </strong>in his neck, and a <span style="font-size:130%;color:#6600cc;"><em>crack</em></span> in his back! And so Old Cricket walks on to find a comfortable spot for a nap. But who should he run into next but <strong><span style="font-size:180%;">Old Crow</span></strong>? Will Old Cricket make it home without becoming lunch? He just might. After all,<br /><br /><br /><div align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;color:#6600cc;"><em>"You don't get to be an old cricket by being a dumb bug."</em></span></div><br />With its charming story and large, eye-catching illustrations by Ponder Goembel, this picture book is truly a delight for young readers.<br /><br /><br />~RuthieRuthiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02247724765885764698noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6899314721345981558.post-19798278550722856082011-11-04T12:19:00.005-05:002011-11-04T12:47:52.434-05:00Pete's A Pizza by William Steig<div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiej8bX-qTciMkjxjNgHaBKtt3PJk2XHEAfw1Cjg9JCg15b6-HNuK47gVX0DYEaGQdBBS0av7JXmGwydFWVNrYNlVZtnKka-EF3Fe8mP7Jzrna__vcd9vOVDj3XzOVRbi45bWgz51LA9ryi/s1600/petes-a-pizza.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiej8bX-qTciMkjxjNgHaBKtt3PJk2XHEAfw1Cjg9JCg15b6-HNuK47gVX0DYEaGQdBBS0av7JXmGwydFWVNrYNlVZtnKka-EF3Fe8mP7Jzrna__vcd9vOVDj3XzOVRbi45bWgz51LA9ryi/s320/petes-a-pizza.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5671192867694877746" /></a><p class="MsoNormal">In this fun story by <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33ff33;">William Steig</span>, <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#ff0000;">Pete</span> is disappointed that the rain has washed out his activities for the day. To help cheer <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#ff0000;">Pete</span> up, his family decides to play a game where they make <b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#ff0000;">Pete into a pizza.</span></b> Pete’s dad uses </p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:180%;color:#ffcc66;">“Some oil generously applied. (It’s really </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:180%;color:#3366ff;">water</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:180%;color:#ffcc66;">.)”</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"> and <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:180%;color:#ff0000;">“Then some tomatoes (They’re really checkers).”</span> to make a perfect pizza out of Pete.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">This <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33ff33;">story</span> allows children to use their <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new';color:#cc33cc;"><b>imagination</b></span> and have an <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#ff6600;"><b>interactive experience</b></span> with both the <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33ff33;">book</span> and the <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#3366ff;">person</span> reading it to them. Children will love to play a similar game on a rainy day or make up their own food to be made into. This <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33ff33;">book</span> is guaranteed to make any child <b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:130%;color:#33ccff;">giggle</span></b> just like Pete. The interactive nature of the <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33ff33;">story</span> is also highly enjoyable for children with disabilities. Because they can get involved in the story, they are more likely to comprehend it.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">The <b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:130%;color:#33ccff;">illustrations</span></b> are very fun. They are detailed but not overly done, so younger children will enjoy their <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#cc33cc;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:85%;">wh</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:180%;">ims</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:85%;"><b>ical</b></span></span> nature. There is lots of white space surrounding the drawings to focus the eye on the image. The<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33cc00;"> text</span></b> itself is presented in a way that resembles a recipe. It is clearly printed and easy to locate on the pages keeping the book organized and in the style of a <b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#ff0000;">cookbook</span></b>. </p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKbz1AsiloGlbYX9wQPZBDP25icQGgzHUGH40ouFixQSobLH3RGTjD5s60Ixl1iVJoebyTB6hI54kcF8hsfSIozpqkO8NPvNNCwzZHKBBIFcl2cDY5Fsl5_uuAIGkkMQjxfDCztt8sL6gv/s320/Petes-a-Pizza-image-21.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5671193264011906354" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 295px; height: 320px; " /></span><p class="MsoNormal">This <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:130%;color:#33cc00;"><b>wonderful</b></span>,<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(204, 51, 204); "><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:85%;">wh</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:180%;">ims</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:85%;"><b>ical </b></span></span>story and the fun title will certainly have readers coming back for <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:130%;color:#ff0000;"><b>seconds</b></span> (and maybe thirds or forths!)</p><p class="MsoNormal">To purchase this book <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Petes-Pizza-William-Steig/dp/0062051571/ref=tmm_hrd_title_0?ie=UTF8&qid=1320425758&sr=8-1">click here</a>.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33ccff;">Happy Friday and Happy Reading!</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33ccff;">Maryphyllis</span></p> <!--EndFragment--> <!--EndFragment-->Maryphyllishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13625321322246325955noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6899314721345981558.post-83521112044075984062011-11-03T16:21:00.009-05:002011-11-04T14:01:21.258-05:00Amelia Bedelia<style>@font-face { font-family: "Cambria"; }p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal { margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman"; }div.Section1 { page: Sectio</style><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">This classic childhood book follows a maid, <span style="color: rgb(0, 153, 0);">Amelia Bedelia,</span> on her first day of work. When she arrives her bosses, <span style="color: rgb(0, 153, 0);">Mr. & Mrs. Rogers</span>, go out leaving her a list of tasks to complete. Before getting started on her jobs, she bakes a lemon meringue pie as a surprise for the Rogers’ return. The list asked Amelia Bedelia to:<br /><br /></span> <p style="text-align: center;font-family:trebuchet ms;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=""> </span><span style="color: rgb(0, 102, 0);font-family:lucida grande;font-size:130%;" >Change the towels in the green bathroom</span></p><div style="color: rgb(0, 102, 0);"> </div><p style="text-align: center; color: rgb(0, 102, 0);font-family:lucida grande;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style=""> </span><span style="font-family:lucida grande;">Dust the furniture</span></span></p><div style="text-align: center; font-family: lucida grande; color: rgb(0, 102, 0);"> </div><p style="text-align: center; font-family: lucida grande; color: rgb(0, 102, 0);font-family:lucida grande;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style=""> </span>Draw th</span><span style="font-size:130%;">e drapes when the sun comes in</span></p><div style="text-align: center; font-family: lucida grande; color: rgb(0, 102, 0);"> </div><p style="text-align: center; font-family: lucida grande; color: rgb(0, 102, 0);font-family:lucida grande;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style=""> </span>Put the lights out when you finish in the living room</span></p><div style="text-align: center; font-family: lucida grande; color: rgb(0, 102, 0);"> </div><p style="text-align: center; font-family: lucida grande; color: rgb(0, 102, 0);font-family:lucida grande;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style=""> </span>Measure two cups of rice</span></p><div style="text-align: center; font-family: lucida grande; color: rgb(0, 102, 0);"> </div><p style="text-align: center; font-family: lucida grande; color: rgb(0, 102, 0);font-family:lucida grande;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style=""> </span>The meat market will deliver a steak and a chicken.<br /></span></p><p style="text-align: center; font-family: lucida grande; color: rgb(0, 102, 0);font-family:lucida grande;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:130%;"> Please trim the fat before you put the steak in the icebox.<br /></span></p><p style="text-align: center; font-family: lucida grande; color: rgb(0, 102, 0);font-family:lucida grande;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:130%;"> And please dress the Chicken</span></p><p face="lucida grande" class="MsoNormal"><br /></p> <p face="trebuchet ms" class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" face="trebuchet ms" class="MsoNormal">Amelia Bedelia performs all the tasks as she understood them to be stated. She pulled out a measuring tape and <span style="color: rgb(0, 102, 0);">measures</span> two cups of rice.</p><p style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" class="MsoNormal"> </p><p style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" class="MsoNormal"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguvu0KtH7Ye-gxg9wP_vxPmCceg7h9A1OE0LdAlggtWi9XFZquyeY5aTgOEZ0cKvqMby1Pf1Kc7PdfKPrqmFOrSFngT2zPIygKBCdj-m2wLjEzbbDGMjAHSWxQVlPvFv3iwjAKUJdxuCXG/s1600/IMG_0786.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 239px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguvu0KtH7Ye-gxg9wP_vxPmCceg7h9A1OE0LdAlggtWi9XFZquyeY5aTgOEZ0cKvqMby1Pf1Kc7PdfKPrqmFOrSFngT2zPIygKBCdj-m2wLjEzbbDGMjAHSWxQVlPvFv3iwjAKUJdxuCXG/s320/IMG_0786.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5671214483123099202" border="0" /></a></p><p style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" class="MsoNormal"><br /></p> <p style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: rgb(0, 102, 0);">“-it measured four and half inches.” </span></p><p style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" class="MsoNormal">She <span style="color: rgb(0, 153, 0);">dresses</span> the chicken in cloth and placed it in a box all pretty.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs7f0If7WVXCdNQac_ZwoXl5gm0FFX_CTOY6rM3Pw1uQZYPKK9s9RXIX639Z5uZPTZiIYwLGMsP_q0uHeThiEP1xIXSzXPoCFlqeHDuaL6dOqZmqHfjhDX7siaAC8g7yFNM-lZwO6Uh_l5/s1600/IMG_0790.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 239px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs7f0If7WVXCdNQac_ZwoXl5gm0FFX_CTOY6rM3Pw1uQZYPKK9s9RXIX639Z5uZPTZiIYwLGMsP_q0uHeThiEP1xIXSzXPoCFlqeHDuaL6dOqZmqHfjhDX7siaAC8g7yFNM-lZwO6Uh_l5/s320/IMG_0790.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5671214924481117186" border="0" /></a> As Mrs. Rogers opens her mouth to fire Amelia Bedelia, the lemon meringue pies <span style="color: rgb(0, 102, 0);">saves</span> her job.<br /></p> <p style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" class="MsoNormal">This fun tale demonstrates the double meaning of simple tasks and a funny tale of how a maid was confused.It is a great book for a child to understand how sometimes it is alright to be confused and an all around enjoying for them to read with a parent or on their own.<br /></p> <p style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p style="font-family: lucida grande;" class="MsoNormal"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhte8Q6GhGeet1El56Gi1Sk7nwmug7rrz_elXiFp3cgjYAZzHsAfbwDfyPL7HUZ-6wtnO73ieJVbHDx3ObiHsBtTroiwUdGZJ4b90iIhwu6ig8UYK_mrRYYI3zIEae_0Mt17Vl-ZY7MfN7B/s1600/IMG_0791.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 239px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhte8Q6GhGeet1El56Gi1Sk7nwmug7rrz_elXiFp3cgjYAZzHsAfbwDfyPL7HUZ-6wtnO73ieJVbHDx3ObiHsBtTroiwUdGZJ4b90iIhwu6ig8UYK_mrRYYI3zIEae_0Mt17Vl-ZY7MfN7B/s320/IMG_0791.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5671216591050616242" border="0" /></a></p> <p style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" class="MsoNormal">This original <i style="color: rgb(0, 102, 0);">Amelia Bedelia</i><span style="color: rgb(0, 102, 0);"> </span>was first published in 1963 by <span style="color: rgb(0, 102, 0);">Peggy Parish</span> and illustrated by <span style="color: rgb(0, 102, 0);">Fritz Siebel</span>. Now there are around 30 books in this series. When<span style="color: rgb(0, 102, 0);"> Peggy Parish</span> passed away in 1988 her nephew <span style="color: rgb(0, 102, 0);">Herman Parish</span> continued the series again in 1995. Later <span style="color: rgb(0, 102, 0);">HarperCollins</span> has transformed these books into an I Can Read series, which notifies children of differing level books that are appropriate for their reading level. <a href="http://www.icanread.com/">Click here</a> to see more of its kind.</p><p style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" class="MsoNormal">Enjoy!</p><p style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" class="MsoNormal"><3 <span style="color: rgb(0, 102, 0);">Deirdre</span><br /></p>Deirdrehhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10041433577053014832noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6899314721345981558.post-48393152979430225082011-10-31T11:44:00.009-05:002011-10-31T13:06:31.483-05:00Marvelous Picture Book Monday: Thank You, Mr. Falker by Patricia Polacco<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAgyKNHvRk28JpbmLGbqIfYgMv_oDrowZSYssKTdNrBrFH-OMk6IZKqhHw5oCoe2oi44Z0HW9koPqVxg7P3gg0Jitsc1Ic7lMMUmCYxIIChu_CXT4PKd_iE6HtmldoQO4a_7BjbSKkCxHx/s1600/Thank+you+mr.+falker+4"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 140px; height: 173px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAgyKNHvRk28JpbmLGbqIfYgMv_oDrowZSYssKTdNrBrFH-OMk6IZKqhHw5oCoe2oi44Z0HW9koPqVxg7P3gg0Jitsc1Ic7lMMUmCYxIIChu_CXT4PKd_iE6HtmldoQO4a_7BjbSKkCxHx/s320/Thank+you+mr.+falker+4" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5669716274923810946" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:courier new;"> <span style="font-family: georgia;">This story is one of a little girl Trish</span></span></span></span><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size:85%;">a, who is so excited to learn to read when she starts kindergarten, but who soon realizes that the process of learning to r</span></span><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size:85%;">ead is so much harder for her than she thought. She sees all of her classmates around her learning to read and enjoying the books, and she just cannot grasp the words. Trisha turns to art to escape and she has a true talent there. Whenever she is called on in class she tries to find ways to get out of having to read because the other students all make fun of her. School becomes a place of anxiety and stress very quickly for Trisha. Trisha's grandparents, especially her grandmother, were a source of relief and support for Trisha and when they pass away, school gets even harder. Soon thereafter, Trisha's mother gets a new job in California, and the family has to move. Trisha doesn't realize it in the mome</span></span><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size:85%;">nt, but that </span></span><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size:85%;">move will be the beginning of her journey to finally love school and learn to read. She meets her new teacher, Mr. Falker, who becomes her advocate when the other children makes fun and who recognizes both her beautiful talent in art and her difficultie</span></span><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size:85%;">s with reading. Mr. Falker starts to work with Trisha every day after school and after</span></span><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:courier new;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> finally something clicks inside her and she is able to read!</span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtWlRcYc4QR77pH5Rgtd6-5XKnIy00f50QkwwaurD64evsKg-4YuADGcYtNCdVkgkf1HNqNALpesf2a8lhIRw9N_aBbMhPpNGjLpsL55fjQ-LT83wHHY1UizrxSfW_Z_t6FjQkQYfN7wRn/s1600/Thank+You+Mr.+Falker+1"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 178px; height: 123px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtWlRcYc4QR77pH5Rgtd6-5XKnIy00f50QkwwaurD64evsKg-4YuADGcYtNCdVkgkf1HNqNALpesf2a8lhIRw9N_aBbMhPpNGjLpsL55fjQ-LT83wHHY1UizrxSfW_Z_t6FjQkQYfN7wRn/s320/Thank+You+Mr.+Falker+1" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5669716228878753218" border="0" /></a></span></span></span><br /></div><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size:85%;"> At the beginning of the book, right before she was going to be starting Kindergarten, Trisha's grandfather did a ritual that he had </span></span><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size:85%;">do</span></span><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size:85%;">ne with all of his grandchildren before:<br /><br /></span></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size:85%;"> <span style="font-style: italic;">The grandpa held the jar of honey so that </span></span></span><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">all the family could see, then dipped a ladle into it and drizzled honey on the cover of a small book. </span></span></span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;"> The little girl had just turned five. </span></span></span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;"> "Stand up little one," he cooed. "I did this for your mother, your uncles and now you!"</span></span></span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;"> </span></span></span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-style: italic;"> Trisha is then asked to taste the honey</span></span></span></span><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-style: italic;"> from the book and responds to her grandfather that it tastes sweet. Her family replies to her, </span></span></span></span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-style: italic;"> </span></span></span></span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-style: italic;"> "Yes, and so in knowledge, but knowledge is like the bee that made that sweet honey, you have to chase it through the pages of a book!" </span></span><span style="font-style: italic;"> </span></span></span><br /><br /></div><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:courier new;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB5e0i7IywY0pkl6KZ4U2zCs7p-EsQUmE3lIw0jGrGKFijYd0jHbHVp8e-3iiO3ZqgSov3OpOJdMksOUceLP1r0Kegrsjq3w-zDjU2tw8PQN_wKjYTEMfE2PGXOAhXhyphenhyphen8ePltHDB9MAVHA/s1600/Thank+you+Mr.+Falker+2"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 143px; height: 196px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB5e0i7IywY0pkl6KZ4U2zCs7p-EsQUmE3lIw0jGrGKFijYd0jHbHVp8e-3iiO3ZqgSov3OpOJdMksOUceLP1r0Kegrsjq3w-zDjU2tw8PQN_wKjYTEMfE2PGXOAhXhyphenhyphen8ePltHDB9MAVHA/s320/Thank+you+Mr.+Falker+2" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5669716231588656930" border="0" /></a></span></span></span> <span style="font-family: georgia;font-size:78%;" ></span><span style="font-family: georgia;"></span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-size:100%;"> </span>At the end of the book, this scene is remembered again when Trisha finally is able to read. We see her holding the book that her grandfather had put the honey on, realizing that she finally could <span style="font-style: italic;">chase through the pages</span> like he had dreamed for her. The repetition of this scene both at the beginning and the end of Trisha's journey shows how important this part of her journey is. The illustrations on each page are so clearly and intentionally places to assist and support in the telling of this story, and that is what makes this book so special. They are classically beautiful and contribute to the story as much if not more than the words themselves.</span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /> "Thank you, Mr. Falker" is a beautifully told, emotional story that many children can connect with. The story gives <span style="font-style: italic;">hope</span> to the readers who may have a hard time in school and it can also be used to teach tolerance to children who may not have the same struggle of learning to read that Trisha has. </span></span><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size:85%;"> When Trisha is sad, the sadness is made more apparent in the illustrations of her and this really helps the reader to visualize and connect with her feelings even more. When Trisha is happy because reading is starting to click, the reader is taken from her sadness to her delight not only through the words but through the picture of Trisha finally reading with a joyous expression. </span></span><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size:85%;"> The story itself is wonderful, but the illustrations in this book truly help the reader to connect with the emotions that come along with this book. </span></span><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size:85%;">The flow between the story and the illustrations is very apparent. This is largely due to the fact that Patricia Polacco not only writes her books, but illustrates them as well.</span></span><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:courier new;"><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-family: georgia;"> We find out at the end that this story is one that is very close to the author's heart. It is the story of when Patricia Polacco was a young girl and how after years of getting through school without being able to read, one teacher, Mr. Falker, changed that all for her. She writes at the end, "The rest of the year became an odyssey of discovery and adventure for the little girl... I know because that little girl was me, Patricia Polacco. I saw Mr. Falker again some thirty years later at a wedding...I told him who I was and how he had changed my life so many years ago. He hugged me and asked me what I did for a living. 'Why Mr. Falker, I make books for children... Thank you Mr. Falker. Thank you."<br /><br /></span><br /><span style="font-family: georgia;"> I grew up reading Patricia Polacco books. I remember many of them and their illustrations as well. She has been a very successful children's book author since she published her first book in 1987, "The Keeping Quilt." I would highly recommend this book to teachers, parents and caregivers. It has many valuable lessons and the story and illustrations alike help to teach these and instill them in the children reading this book! A must read!</span><br /></span></span></span>jsharrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06436105864578782277noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6899314721345981558.post-61265881129939444702011-10-26T15:16:00.006-05:002011-10-26T15:43:51.576-05:00Picture Books from the Past: Oh, The Places You'll Go!<div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnyCYIjLnoXJN1Bkw4g8aVuxeOf35yuNo5rtoxVyeiSwUJMIYKya4KY9CGh32VJQZdbatA_kwW1-TEJeJVDscvn3xA2Sq4jyl39plrrD3WtHfg8OHwl43IC9mvbik5-4GtqheYb12_aRwi/s1600/oh-the-places-youll-go-220x300.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 220px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnyCYIjLnoXJN1Bkw4g8aVuxeOf35yuNo5rtoxVyeiSwUJMIYKya4KY9CGh32VJQZdbatA_kwW1-TEJeJVDscvn3xA2Sq4jyl39plrrD3WtHfg8OHwl43IC9mvbik5-4GtqheYb12_aRwi/s400/oh-the-places-youll-go-220x300.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5667900424496693170" /></a><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#6600cc;">“Congratulations! Today is your day. You’re off to Great Places! You’re off and away!” </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal">In this classic story by the fantastic <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:130%;color:#ff6600;">Dr. Seuss</span>, the <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33ff33;">triumphs</span> and <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#ff0000;">trials</span> of life are clearly portrayed in a way that a younger audience can understand. It begins with the narrator praising the main character who turns out to be the <b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33ccff;">reader</span></b>. The story goes on to show the great successes that one will have but then points to the realization that sometimes, things don’t always work out the way we hope. </p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Published in <b>1990</b>, this book is a fantastic gift for any <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#66ffff;">child</span> or for someone about to graduate <b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#ffcc00;">high school</span></b> or <b>college</b> because they are entering into a new chapter of their life. The message is motivating but also realistic. </p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:180%;color:#ff0000;">“Except when you don’t. Because, sometimes, you won’t.”</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"> It recognizes that no one is perfect and everyone, whether they are <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#66ffff;">five-</span>, <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#3366ff;">fifteen-</span>, or <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000099;">fifty</span>-years-old has hard times when they do not succeed. You will go through<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:130%;color:#ff0000;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:100%;color:#ff0000;"><b>“Bang-ups and Hang-Ups,”</b></span> but in the end <b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:130%;color:#33cc00;">“you will succeed!”</span></b> The overall message of the story is encouraging however, and promotes the need to pursue your dreams and desires and to never give up. </p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">The illustrations are nothing short of extraordinary. The<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new';">h</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#6600cc;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'courier new';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:180%;">wh</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:78%;">im</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:100%;">s</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:85%;">ic</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:130%;">a</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:180%;">l</span></span></span> nature and <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33ffff;">bright</span> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#ff99ff;">colors</span> certainly draw the <b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000099;">eye</span></b> of the reader. They are wonderful two page spreads that draw the reader’s eye from <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:85%;">left</span> to <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:130%;">right</span>. The <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#cc33cc;">text</span> of the story does not impede on the illustrations or vice versa. The <b>classic rhyming</b> of <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#ff6600;">Dr. Seuss’s</span> language adds an upbeat tempo that carries the reader through the story. Young children will absolutely <b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#ff0000;">love</span></b> the rhythmical nature and with it, be able to gain valuable<b> life lessons</b>.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUDSKYNxQjsWFr3aKdqtTLbOegc0_bSnU25iTRXHVFa_j1vZy51yj9FENXXE867ZNd_ZX78tvyKtkzImWJNJNjT4KthXSWsmiuM82IfH7q1PBRHfo62oDXzwdgtctsG07OsuzcXKz_xeXe/s400/016.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5667901470597551394" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 277px; " /></span></p><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div><p class="MsoNormal">Overall, this is a fantastic book for readers of all ages and remember… <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:180%;color:#33ff33;"><b>“Today is your day! Your mountain is waiting. So… get on your way!”</b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:100%;">For activities visit the <a href="http://www.seussville.com/#/games">Seussville</a> website!</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:100%;">To view a reading of the book <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=21WUcHMV9E4&feature=related">click here</a>!</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:100%;color:#33ccff;">Happy Reading!</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:100%;color:#33ccff;">Maryphyllis</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <!--EndFragment-->Maryphyllishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13625321322246325955noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6899314721345981558.post-43596946109281902432011-10-24T21:57:00.008-05:002011-10-24T22:17:33.424-05:00Marvelous Picture Book: The Sea of Sleep by Warren Hanson and illustrations by Jim LeMarche<style>@font-face { font-family: "Times"; }@font-face { font-family: "Cambria"; }p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal { margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman"; }div.Section1 { page: Section1; </style><span style="font-family: arial;">This picture book follows a mama otter and her child floating through a sea, The Sea of Sleep. It begins with the otters returning to the sea after a long day and shows the progression of the bedtime process. The illustrations and words foster a safe environment for the otters as a technique to project these feelings onto a child at bedtime. Bedtime can be a very stressful as well an anxiety filled process for a child. A resource such as this book creates a </span><span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 255); font-family: arial;">calming environment</span><span style="font-family: arial;"> wherein the child can relax. This book is not only great at bedtime though, through the illustrations and focus on a safe environment it can be used simply as a calming book. Jim LeMarche conveys comfort and the process of falling asleep through the watercolor illustrations, portrayal of the otters falling asleep, as well as the interactions with nature. The color palette of the whole book follows what would be expected of the sea, </span><span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 255); font-family: arial;">light</span><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255); font-family: arial;">blues</span><span style="font-family: arial;"> and </span><span style="color: rgb(102, 102, 204); font-family: arial;">calming</span><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span><span style="color: rgb(102, 51, 255); font-family: arial;">purples</span><span style="font-family: arial;">. The whimsical brushstrokes enhance these effects by creating movement of the water. The book repeats the same paragraph three times within the book, accompanied by illustrations of the baby otter growing more tired.<br /><br /></span> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0.1pt 0in; font-family: arial;"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0.1pt 0in; font-family: arial; color: rgb(51, 0, 153); text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:180%;"><i style=""><span style="">Drifting. Floating. Lightly gliding</span></i></span></p><div style="text-align: center; font-family: arial;"> </div><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0.1pt 0in; font-family: arial; color: rgb(51, 0, 153); text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:180%;"><i style=""><span style="">On the Sea of </span></i></span><span style="font-size:180%;"><i style=""><span style="">Sleep tonight.</span></i></span></p><div style="text-align: center; font-family: arial;"> </div><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0.1pt 0in; font-family: arial; color: rgb(51, 0, 153); text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:180%;"><i style=""><span style="">Rocking. Swaying. Slowly sailing </span></i></span></p><div style="text-align: center; font-family: arial;"> </div><div style="text-align: center; font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size:180%;"><i style=""><span style=""><span style="color: rgb(51, 0, 153);">On toward the morning</span></span></i></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><i style=""><span style=""><span style="color: rgb(51, 0, 153);"><span style="font-size:180%;"> light.</span><br /><br /></span></span></i></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRKGW448I6pPul6RXvtIHl5ZEQjQzGUanU34vUlXPaMnVuCBJVOIUXtxydpuDnN3P-FWF7hrfSaKvsdyvS9IRfCforP4Zzie_l5FUAmW12Jb1q3Vi8FAxHxVisatRs2UjiG3DssPvwFBnG/s1600/IMG_0752.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 299px; height: 223px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRKGW448I6pPul6RXvtIHl5ZEQjQzGUanU34vUlXPaMnVuCBJVOIUXtxydpuDnN3P-FWF7hrfSaKvsdyvS9IRfCforP4Zzie_l5FUAmW12Jb1q3Vi8FAxHxVisatRs2UjiG3DssPvwFBnG/s320/IMG_0752.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5667258693881257330" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFKpDMc0-lmUsarMFa2DN3jwe_0zx8hROymPDZ9Q9B71TxMW7HW66m4AGPaABh08yzP3v8BvCbLda1F2A_d5PZzaK7n50bcugS7sClXa6JkLiOYJxxKQCIYLKa9BfQL1mrdL_i6DKGe3-t/s1600/IMG_0751.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 239px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFKpDMc0-lmUsarMFa2DN3jwe_0zx8hROymPDZ9Q9B71TxMW7HW66m4AGPaABh08yzP3v8BvCbLda1F2A_d5PZzaK7n50bcugS7sClXa6JkLiOYJxxKQCIYLKa9BfQL1mrdL_i6DKGe3-t/s320/IMG_0751.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5667258785763136146" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCpTKKKKytQuFkLdkuekaUPScFUTdStuVr1OKhNxFA9i_7h93vBP2ZIwMRZNU07YmbOHq1zbX7xp2PpvdEYBPwfHvYPIvyg_8E56h2-0le70vehoWAi3hRQ4mBaKTVYYv6ACF799vuTSrw/s1600/IMG_0750.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 239px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCpTKKKKytQuFkLdkuekaUPScFUTdStuVr1OKhNxFA9i_7h93vBP2ZIwMRZNU07YmbOHq1zbX7xp2PpvdEYBPwfHvYPIvyg_8E56h2-0le70vehoWAi3hRQ4mBaKTVYYv6ACF799vuTSrw/s320/IMG_0750.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5667258902141015746" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:130%;"><i style=""><span style=""><span style="color: rgb(51, 0, 153);"><br /></span></span></i></span></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0.1pt 0in; font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><i style=""><span style=""> </span></i></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0.1pt 0in; font-family: arial;"><i style=""><span style=";font-size:10pt;" > </span></i></p> <p style="font-family: arial;" class="MsoNormal">The repetition not only brings familiarity, but also sets the tone for sleep. It visually portrays another child (even if it is an animal) growing sleepy along with the child. The pictures also represent a safe and loving home through the otter’s home within the sea. The two otters float by dolphins, the moon, and families of fish all of whom make up their home.<br /></p><p style="font-family: arial;" class="MsoNormal"><br /></p> <p style="font-family: arial;" class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p style="font-family: arial;" class="MsoNormal">This is a great read for children who do have a hard time calming down. Joy initially bought this book as a gift for someone she nannies for. She loved the story and thought it would be a good tool for nighttime. Without fail this book has proved her correct. Results have been seen first hand and this book is strongly recommended not only because of its story, but more importantly the <span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">marvelous </span>illustrations.</p><p style="font-family: arial;" class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p style="font-family: arial;" class="MsoNormal">Here is a link to watch Deirdre read this book.</p><p style="font-family: arial;" class="MsoNormal">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=34Wip9SQmgs<br /></p><p style="font-family: arial;" class="MsoNormal">enjoy! <3 Joy and Deirdre<br /></p>Deirdrehhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10041433577053014832noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6899314721345981558.post-59965661730468177422011-10-21T11:50:00.009-05:002011-10-21T12:41:41.510-05:00Alphabet by Matthew Van Fleet<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv-vBuSgLxcVEVxwRjNWuwvCAs0kGP6i1NkEDRoeFlc0koa9CM9a2klfPfGMgk28SNPqYTPl6RfAyiWHFtwugZLFjSIWqGx9V0pcvOMhNN5WuPAlsF8f8JkLOp7YRFcn_rBBk6le6dfQ8/s1600/alphabet+1.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 288px; height: 175px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv-vBuSgLxcVEVxwRjNWuwvCAs0kGP6i1NkEDRoeFlc0koa9CM9a2klfPfGMgk28SNPqYTPl6RfAyiWHFtwugZLFjSIWqGx9V0pcvOMhNN5WuPAlsF8f8JkLOp7YRFcn_rBBk6le6dfQ8/s400/alphabet+1.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5665997517812448034" /></a><br /><br /><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Van Fleet takes <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFCC00;"><b>alphabet books</b></span> to a whole new level with this work. Children can explore the letters of the alphabet through a <b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#6666CC;">full sensory experience</span></b> including <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF0000;">touch</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333399;">, sight</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FF33;">, and even smell</span>! </span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Throughout the book, different animals (beginning with each letter of the alphabet) are <b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CC33CC;">described and depicted</span></b>. Almost all of these descriptions incorporate some sort of <i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#996633;">interactive sensory experience</span></i> which helps get children <b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#6633FF;">excited about expl</span></b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#6633FF;">oring the letters</span></b> and also helps them <i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF9966;">build conceptions of different adjectives and animals</span></i>. From <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">"wrinkly gray elep</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">hants,"</span> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFCC00;">"bristly yellow bees,"</span> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CC33CC;">"octopuses sticky,"</span> to <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#006600;">"smelly green stink bugs"</span> (yes, readers can actually smell the stink!) children will not grow tired of this book easily!</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">While at first glance, the pages may seem cluttered, <b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#330099;">every single </span></i></b></span></div><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 297px; height: 121px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKqk3m5oQcrUgqLc9Z71vpFGq0ddO583Ykm5e8l41jWXKeGySNd4Pgqs-WWlDbbQ6MvC6LGwtSsnME0-dvgTkcNHu1uVEL8_gBet27OYJYDaMUim2QtH-qWmQIFEnrgKe8rPLdu6kwURM/s400/Alphabet+2.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5666000567574152290" /><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#330099;">aspect of the bright, busy illustrations serves a purpose</span></i></b>. At the end of the book, a list of 3 more <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#339999;">plants and/or animals</span> that begin with each letter is given. Readers are <b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#6600CC;">encouraged </span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#6600CC;">to search</span></b> for them as they <i>revisit</i> the pages of the book. Therefore, this <b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#3333FF;">exciting and inter</span></b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#3333FF;">active</span></b> picture book can be used with </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">readers of <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF6600;">all different ages</span> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">t</span>o teach many <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF6666;">different skills and concepts</span>.<div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">When I first encountered this book I had <b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CC0000;">so much fun</span></b> exploring all of the differen</span>t <b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#3366FF;">surprises</span></i></b> within! I hope that you and your young readers will find this book <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CC33CC;">just as engaging</span>!</div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">~Katharine </span></div></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Some Extras:</span></div><div><!--StartFragment--> <p class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=reB93qwg4RY"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">This</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> </span><span style=" ;font-family:Georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">is a video review of this book. The video is great for seeing all of the different enclosed <b>interactive sensory aspects</b> of the book! </span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><!--StartFragment--> </p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VzVU6thlwtM">Here</a> is an interview with author, <b>Matthew Van Fleet. </b></p> <!--EndFragment--> <p></p> <!--EndFragment--> </div>Katharine Millerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15751670775939418527noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6899314721345981558.post-73329124608594497352011-10-19T14:06:00.006-05:002011-10-19T14:21:46.638-05:00Picture Books from the Past: If You Give a Mouse a Cookie<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" href="http://covertocoverchildrensbooks.com/If_You_Give_A_Mouse_A_Cookie.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 248px; height: 288px;" src="http://covertocoverchildrensbooks.com/If_You_Give_A_Mouse_A_Cookie.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a> <style>@font-face { font-family: "Cambria"; }p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal { margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman"; }div.Section1 { page: Section1; }</style> <p style="text-align: left;font-family:trebuchet ms;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-size:16pt;color:blue;" >A mouse</span><span style="color:blue;"> can be a rather <b style="">time-consuming</b> houseguest!</span></p><p style="text-align: left;font-family:trebuchet ms;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:blue;"><br /></span> </p><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><p style="text-align: left;font-family:trebuchet ms;" class="MsoNormal">While they may mean well, sweeping the house and washing the floors, mice get <span style="color: rgb(255, 102, 0);">distracted</span> quite easily.<span style=""> </span>Laura Joffe Numeroff’s children’s classic describes a day’s events in the life of a boy and the <span style="font-size:10pt;">mouse</span> that came to visit.<span style=""> </span>While the visit starts with the <span style="font-size:10pt;">mouse’s</span> simple request for a <b style=""><span style=";font-size:18pt;color:black;" >cookie</span></b>, the boy quickly begins to see that even small favors can lead to a <span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 102);">considerably exhausting</span> day of running back and forth.<span style=""> </span><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;font-family:trebuchet ms;" class="MsoNormal">But, wouldn’t you do the same for an <span style=";font-size:14pt;color:red;" >exuberant</span> <span style="font-size:10pt;">little mouse</span> in <span style="color: rgb(23, 54, 93);">overalls</span>?<span style=""> </span></p><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;font-family:trebuchet ms;" > </span><style>@font-face { font-family: "Cambria"; }p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal { margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman"; }div.Section1 { page: Section1;</style> <p face="trebuchet ms" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">Since 1985, </span><i style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">If You Give a Mouse a Cookie</i><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"> has been loved by readers of all ages (although the suggested ages are 4-8 years).</span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"> </span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">While it doesn’t contain much of a lesson to teach children, parents (and anyone that has ever interacted with a child, really) are liable to relate to the generous young boy as he </span><b style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><i style=""><span style="color: rgb(227, 108, 10);">scrambles</span></i></b><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"> after the </span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;color:red;" >zealous</span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"> </span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;font-size:10pt;" >mouse</span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">.</span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"> </span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">The endearing characters of the boy and his </span><i style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><span style="color: rgb(128, 64, 0);">fuzzy</span></i><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"> friend will keep children asking for this </span><span style="color: rgb(84, 141, 212); font-family: trebuchet ms;">bedtime story</span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"> for a long time.</span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"> </span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">However, if you get tired of repeating the same story, not to worry!</span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"> </span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">Laura Joffe Numeroff has written a </span><b style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><span style=";font-size:14pt;color:yellow;" >dozen </span></b><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">other books featuring the </span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;color:red;" >energetic</span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"> </span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;font-size:10pt;" >mouse</span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"> and other animals in her </span><i style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">If You Give A</i><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"> series.</span><span style=""> </span></p> <div style="text-align: right;font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="color: rgb(153, 153, 153);font-size:85%;" >"Then he'll want to look in a mirror<br />to make sure he doesn't <br /></span><div style="text-align: right;"><span style="color: rgb(153, 153, 153);font-size:85%;" >have a milk mustache."</span><span style="font-size:85%;"> </span><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG8BBgWDs_-n9JwTDZWjS2VZm6p1IFAZAgHWCsOpIC4K-zmEH2VGphKTaFu4mHkb4p0_IsYf45NqVaLmlsNlc4X9zODg0JDRpYGbMfhuaNqlFFs0G15SScnxP0mwcmYEykBFB4bzdw1RA/s1600/Picture+2.png"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 334px; height: 377px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG8BBgWDs_-n9JwTDZWjS2VZm6p1IFAZAgHWCsOpIC4K-zmEH2VGphKTaFu4mHkb4p0_IsYf45NqVaLmlsNlc4X9zODg0JDRpYGbMfhuaNqlFFs0G15SScnxP0mwcmYEykBFB4bzdw1RA/s320/Picture+2.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5665282005825777266" border="0" /></a> <style>@font-face { font-family: "Cambria"; }p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal { margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman"; }div.Section1 { page: Section1; }</style> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">The text and illustrations of </span><i style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">If You Give a Mouse a Cookie</i><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"> are </span><span style="color: rgb(95, 73, 122);font-family:trebuchet ms;" >wonderfully</span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"> incorporated and make the story </span><span style=";font-family:trebuchet ms;color:lime;" >come to life</span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">. Felicia Bond’s interpretation of the narration through her pictures adds so much to the delightful story, it’s no wonder the book has been a favorite for </span><b style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style=";font-size:14pt;color:yellow;" >over 25 years</span></b><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">! The </span><b style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="color:red;">b</span><span style="color: rgb(255, 102, 0);">r</span><span style="color:yellow;">i</span><span style="color:green;">g</span><span style="color:blue;">h</span><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 102);">t</span> <span style="color:red;">c</span><span style="color: rgb(255, 102, 0);">o</span><span style="color:yellow;">l</span><span style="color:green;">o</span><span style="color:blue;">r</span><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 102);">s</span></b><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"> and </span><i face="trebuchet ms">amount of</i><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"> </span><i face="trebuchet ms">detail</i><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"> within the illustrations </span><span style="color: rgb(255, 102, 0);font-family:trebuchet ms;" >captures</span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"> the attention of the readers and keeps them excited for each new page.<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Also, the </span><span style=";font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:10pt;" >size of the mouse</span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"> in comparison to </span><b style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-size:16pt;">the objects</span></b><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"> around him gives a wonderful change of </span><span style=";font-family:trebuchet ms;color:blue;" >perspective</span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">. When I first read this as a child, I loved how the </span><span style=";font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:10pt;" >mouse</span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"> took a </span><span style="color: rgb(84, 141, 212);font-family:trebuchet ms;" >nap</span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"> in a box for </span><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 128);font-family:trebuchet ms;" >face powder</span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"> and used the </span><i face="trebuchet ms"><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 128);">fluffy</span></i><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"> </span><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 128);font-family:trebuchet ms;" >brush</span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"> as a pillow, and I thought it was too funny that the </span><span style=";font-family:trebuchet ms;color:green;" >crayons</span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"> he drew with were </span><b style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-size:14pt;">bigger</span></b><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"> than his </span><span style=";font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:10pt;" >entire</span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"> </span><span style=";font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:10pt;" >body</span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">. Felicia Bond’s </span><span style=";font-family:trebuchet ms;color:red;" >animated</span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"> drawing of the </span><span style=";font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:10pt;" >mouse</span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"> and the boy </span><span style=";font-family:trebuchet ms;color:blue;" >breathe life and humor</span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"> into a story that I hope will remain on bedside tables and bookshelves everywhere for years to come. In fact, when readers look at the pictures, they may get so </span><span style=";font-family:trebuchet ms;color:red;" >excited</span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"> that they want to draw one of their own (just as the </span><span style=";font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:10pt;" >mouse</span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"> does)!</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span></p><p face="trebuchet ms" class="MsoNormal"><br /> <style>@font-face { font-family: "Cambria"; }p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal { margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman"; }div.Section1 { page: Section1; }</style> </p><p style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" class="MsoNormal"> </p><p style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" class="MsoNormal">If you’re looking to find some resources for using <i style="">If You Give a Mouse a Cookie</i> in the classroom or just to have some fun at home, the official <i style="">If You Give A</i> series website has <span style="color: rgb(255, 102, 0);">tons of fun activities and items</span> that can put a fresh spin on a classic.<span style=""> </span>Just click <a href="http://www.mousecookiebooks.com/mouseCookieBooks.html">here</a>!</p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p> <p style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" class="MsoNormal">Happy Reading!</p> <p style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:85%;">-Jill Dona</span></p> <p></p> </div></div></div>Jill Donahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00509035692143397994noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6899314721345981558.post-53661997156481864962011-10-17T12:20:00.006-05:002011-10-17T12:34:17.375-05:00Marvelous Picture Books: All the World by Liz Garton Scanlon<p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>This week’s marvelous picture book is entitled </span><span style="text-decoration: underline ; letter-spacing: 0.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#009900;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">All the World</span></span></span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px">, written by Liz Garton Scanlon and illustrated by Caldecott Honor medalist, Marla Frazee. This story depicts the daily lives of individuals from the same community. From <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#3333FF;">morning to night</span>, <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#6600CC;">the beach to the garden</span>, <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF0000;">and sun to rain</span>, this book highlights the importance and value of everything the world has to offer. The pages alternate from descriptive words about particular situations to a more general theme about the world...</span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica; min-height: 14.0px"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"></span><br /></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>“Rock, stone pebble, <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF6600;">sand</span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Body, shoulder; arm, <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF6600;">hand</span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>A moat to dig, a shell to <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CC33CC;">keep</span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>All the world is wide and <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CC33CC;">deep</span>”<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica; min-height: 14.0px"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"></span></p><p style="text-align: center;margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><img src="webkit-fake-url://797F6F18-0230-4247-B181-B291B440420C/pastedGraphic.pdf" alt="pastedGraphic.pdf" /></p><p></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"></p><p style="text-align: center;margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><br /></p><p></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>The book follows an <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF6600;">AA</span> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CC33CC;">BB</span> rhyme scheme, and when read aloud sounds much like a poem. The descriptive words are known and relatable to all children and connect to the deeper theme about the world.</span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica; min-height: 14.0px"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"></span><br /></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-align: center; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px">“All the world is old and new”</span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-align: center; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px">“All the world goes round this way”</span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-align: center; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px">“All the world can hold quite still”</span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-align: center; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px">“All the world is you and me”</span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-align: center; font: 12.0px Helvetica; min-height: 14.0px"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"></span><br /></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>The illustrations paired with the descriptive words allow for an easy understanding for children while still conveying the larger conceptual message. </span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica; min-height: 14.0px"><br /></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica; min-height: 14.0px"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"></span><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif90wwDTdvemwinhjVr4yxD8eHO0DCV7vzL0NQBsDTndGLPMAxDx-adquTYNvHcVU7Qqo8iwj5z0tqvBCi17f6HOOqC6zJE5gv2tfgm4K2UL1_lkeKjjgnByYzqjZyVesdgvaouAMAJzY/s1600/all-the-world-tree-illustration.jpg" id="il_fi" height="299" width="599" style="padding-right: 8px; padding-top: 8px; padding-bottom: 8px; " /></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica; min-height: 14.0px"><br /><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"></span></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica; min-height: 14.0px">On this page the image depicts an old man and young children. The children are climbing on a large, fully grown tree, while the old man is sitting with a new tree that has yet to be planted. This contrasts the ideas of old and new in a simple way for children. All of the other pages follow this depiction in a similar manner. <span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"></span></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica; min-height: 14.0px"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"></span></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica; min-height: 14.0px"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>The illustrations are very literal, perfectly matching the text; any word that appears on a page is represented with an image. Colors are slightly subdued and fade into the edges of the page. The layout of the illustrations vary, some pages are a full page spread, while others have multiple and separate illustrations on the same page, all relating to each other. <span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"></span></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica; min-height: 14.0px"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Not only is this book an enjoyable read, but it also provides several educational aspects. This book has a wide range of vocabulary, spanning from body parts, to fruit and vegetables, to action words, all which serve as means to define and reinforce words that all children should have in their vocabulary. An overarching theme to this book is that al<b>l <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#993300;">plans do not go perfectly</span></b> and that it is important to understand that it is <b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#993300;">simply a part of life</span></b>. This is a valuable lesson for all children to learn. Finally, this book demonstrates how <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF0000;">all people live, work, and interact together, coming together to create the whole world</span><i>. </i><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica; min-height: 14.0px"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"></span><br /></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-align: center; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#3366FF;">“Everything you hear, smell, see</span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-align: center; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#3366FF;">All the world is everything</span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-align: center; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#3366FF;">Everything is you and me</span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-align: center; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#3366FF;">Hope and peace and love and trust</span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-align: center; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#3366FF;">All the world is all of us”</span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-align: center; font: 12.0px Helvetica; min-height: 14.0px"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; min-height: 14px; "><img src="http://www.dailymotion.com/thumbnail/video/xalagf" id="il_fi" height="240" width="320" style="padding-right: 8px; padding-top: 8px; padding-bottom: 8px; " /></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica; min-height: 14.0px"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"></span></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica; min-height: 14.0px"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"></span></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica; min-height: 14.0px"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"></span></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica; min-height: 14.0px"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"></span></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica; min-height: 14.0px">~Alex Rogers and Olivia Steinberg<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"></span></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica; min-height: 14.0px"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"></span></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica; min-height: 14.0px"><br /></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica; min-height: 14.0px"></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica; color: #1022a3"><u><a href="http://www.lizgartonscanlon.com/All-the-World_2_3255168875.mov">Click here to watch a movie trailer for this book.</a></u></p><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"></span><p></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica; min-height: 14.0px"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"></span></p><div><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><br /></span></div>Olivia Steinberghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10656773359157778195noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6899314721345981558.post-14576680714697459762011-10-14T14:52:00.007-05:002011-10-14T23:48:11.095-05:00New Books: Clever Jack Takes the Cake<a href="http://blogs.babycenter.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/Clever-Jack-Takes-the-Cake-cover.gif" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 259px; height: 300px;" src="http://blogs.babycenter.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/Clever-Jack-Takes-the-Cake-cover.gif" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br /><br />What would you do if you were invited to the princess's birthday party, but you had nothing to give her? Maybe I wouldn't go. But not clever Jack!<br /><br /> "He traded his ax for two bags of <span style="color: rgb(51, 255, 255); font-style: italic;font-family:georgia;font-size:130%;">sugar</span>...<br /> and his quilt for a sack of <span style="font-style: italic;font-size:130%;"><span style="color: rgb(255, 204, 51);">flour</span></span>.<br /><br /> He gave the <span style="color: rgb(102, 51, 51); font-weight: bold;">hen</span> an extra handful of seed in exchange for<span style="color: rgb(51, 0, 153);"> <span style="font-weight: bold;">two fresh eggs</span></span>...<br /><br /> and he kissed the cow on the nose for a pail of her <span style="color: rgb(0, 153, 0);font-size:130%;">sweetest milk</span>.<br /> <br /> He gathered <span style="color: rgb(102, 51, 51);font-size:180%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">walnuts</span></span>...<br /><br /> he dipped <span style="font-size:180%;"><span style="color: rgb(255, 153, 255); font-style: italic;">candles</span></span>.<br /> <span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:180%;">AND</span>...<br /><br /> in the strawberry patch, he searched...<br /> and searched...<br /> and searched...<br /><br /> UNTIL he found the<br /> <span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(255, 0, 0);font-size:180%;">REDDEST</span>,<br /> <span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);font-size:180%;"><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;"> <span style="color: rgb(51, 204, 0);">JUICIEST</span></span></span>,<br /> most <span style="font-size:180%;"><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">SUCCULENT</span></span> strawberry in the land."<br /><br /> <br /><br />But will Jack's beautiful cake make it to the princess's birthday party? Or does he have a gift to give her that he doesn't know he has? There just might be <span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">blackbirds, </span><span style="color: rgb(0, 102, 0);">TROLLS, <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style="font-style: italic;">dark forests,</span> and<span style="font-style: italic;"> </span><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 204);">dancing<span style="font-style: italic;"> bears</span></span></span></span></span> along the way. <div><br /></div><div>Candace Fleming and G. Brian Karas have combined their gifts of storytelling and illustrating to create this modern fairy tale. Boys and girls alike will enjoy this story of friendship and its delightful characters. While boys enjoy reading about trolls, gypsies, and bears, girls will love a story about a princess. A perfect choice for storytime!</div><div><br /></div><div><i>Clever Jack</i> has received several honors and awards. These are:</div><div><br /></div><div><i>Booklist</i> Editor's Choice 2010</div><div><i>Kirkus Reviews </i>Best Books of 2010</div><div>Parent's Choice Recommended Book</div><div><i>School Library Journal </i>Best Books of 2010</div><div><br /></div><div>~Ruthie</div>Ruthiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02247724765885764698noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6899314721345981558.post-18704176278617318602011-10-12T17:06:00.011-05:002011-10-12T17:44:33.297-05:00Picture Books from the Past: Eloise<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/7/71/Eloise_book_cover.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 206px; height: 281px;" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/7/71/Eloise_book_cover.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a> <style>@font-face { font-family: "Cambria"; }p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal { margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman"; }div.Section1 { page: Section1; }</style> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center">“<span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 128);font-size:16pt;" >Eloise</span> is a little girl that lives at <span style="color: rgb(172, 0, 88);font-size:14pt;" >The Plaza Hotel</span> in<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center">New York City.<span style=""> </span>And she <span style="color: rgb(255, 111, 207);font-size:16pt;" >absolutely loves</span> it!”</p> <br /> <style>@font-face { font-family: "Cambria"; }p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal { margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman"; }div.Section1 { page: Section1; }</style> <p class="MsoNormal">Kay Thompson’s <i style=""><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 128);">Eloise</span></i> has been delighting readers for almost <b style=""><span style="font-size:14pt;">60 years</span></b>.<span style=""> </span>Originally published in 1955, the story of a <span style="font-size:14pt;">s</span>a<span style="font-size:11pt;">s</span>s<span style="font-size:14pt;">y</span>, self-proclaimed “city child” never fails to entertain both children and the <i style="">young at heart</i>.<span style=""> </span>In this book, six-year-old <span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 128);">Eloise</span> gives readers a tour and full play-by-play of her daily life at The Plaza Hotel. Throughout her day, <span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 128);">Eloise</span> is rather busy as she encounters dozens of fascinating people (not all of whom seem to share <span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 128);">Eloise’s</span> enjoyment about their encounters) and gets into all sorts of mischief.<span style=""><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 128);"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 128);">Eloise</span> has quite the active imagination and it would seem, from her point of view, that The Plaza would not be able to function without her daily activities.<span style=""> </span>It certainly would not be as interesting!</p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <style>@font-face { font-family: "Cambria"; }p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal { margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman"; }div.Section1 { page: Section1; }</style> <p class="MsoNormal">Kay Thompson’s writing is wonderfully appropriate for the six-year-old mind of <span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 128);">Eloise</span>.<span style=""> </span>As is customary with a busy little bee like her, <span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 128);">Eloise</span> never punctuates her statements and is prone to bouncing around from one thought to the next with no warning.<span style=""> </span>Other times, <span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 128);">Eloise</span> carries her thoughts right onto the next page with not so much as a pause. Especially those who enjoy <i style=""><span style="font-size:14pt;">getting</span> into </i><i style=""><span style="font-size:14pt;">character</span></i> while reading a book aloud,<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"><span style="font-size:16pt;">Ooooooooooooooo you will absolutely love <i style=""><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 128);">Eloise</span></i>.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /><style>@font-face { font-family: "Cambria"; }p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal { margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman"; }div.Section1 { page: Section1; }</style> </p><p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:Cambria;font-size:12pt;" >It’s rather difficult to keep up with </span><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 128);">Eloise</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:Cambria;font-size:12pt;" > <i style="">flitting</i> about the hotel, but thanks to Hilary Knight’s </span><b style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style=";font-family:Cambria;font-size:14pt;" >marvelous</span></b><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:Cambria;font-size:12pt;" > illustrations, the story is never confusing.<span style=""> </span>For while the text itself is charming, the illustrations of </span><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 128); font-style: italic;">Eloise</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:Cambria;font-size:12pt;" > are the true <i style="">treasure</i> of the book.<span style=""> </span>Although Hilary Knight only chose to use shades of pink along with the customary black and white, the pictures are anything but boring.<span style=""> </span></span> <p></p> <div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:85%;">"I have my own room <br /> It has a coat rack which is as large as me"</span><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style=";font-family:Cambria;font-size:12pt;" ><span style=""><span style=";font-family:Cambria;font-size:12pt;" ><span style=""><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinw1NvfG4N-NIXjN_eAXTS-BetAKcQb7QHkFEy8y5mWK_AZ57_HcQHLX1BNb5xG2OdbOo2jYGQdS4cMz-RvtyIspXO_erv7RDyLx2Dfq7Gau6e-PoufhhSo0SSu3ztMaKMCmiFavIprOA/s1600/eloise2.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 545px; height: 367px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinw1NvfG4N-NIXjN_eAXTS-BetAKcQb7QHkFEy8y5mWK_AZ57_HcQHLX1BNb5xG2OdbOo2jYGQdS4cMz-RvtyIspXO_erv7RDyLx2Dfq7Gau6e-PoufhhSo0SSu3ztMaKMCmiFavIprOA/s1600/eloise2.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a></span></span></span></span> <style>@font-face { font-family: "Cambria"; }p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal { margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman"; }div.Section1 { page: Section1; }</style> <p style="text-align: left;" class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;" class="MsoNormal">Each page, whether it showcases <span style="font-size:85%;">one</span>, <span style="font-size:100%;">two</span>, or <span style="font-size:130%;">eight</span> snapshots of <span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 128);">Eloise’s</span> adventures, keeps the reader <i style="">smiling</i> until the very last page.<span style=""> </span>The expressions of <span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 128);">Eloise</span> and those around her add <b style="">so much</b> to the story (and often tell much more than what <span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 128);">Eloise</span> is trying to say…). <span style=""> </span>There are dozens of details within each page that the reader notices a little more each time he or she picks up the book.<span style=""> </span><span style=""> </span>Finally, the placement of <span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 128);">Eloise’s</span> thoughts within the illustrations brings the entire book together.<span style=""> </span>The layout of each page is <b style="">absolutely perfect</b> and <b style="">wonderfully dynamic</b> to keep the attention of the reader.</p><p style="text-align: left;" class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><div style="text-align: center;"> <style>@font-face { font-family: "Cambria"; }p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal { margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman"; }div.Section1 { page: Section1; }</style> </div><p style="text-align: left;" class="MsoNormal"></p><p style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); text-align: left;" class="MsoNormal">Altogether <i style="">Eloise</i> remains, as it has for 57 years, a <span style="font-weight: bold;">fantastic</span> book for children of all ages.<span style=""> </span>It brings audiences into a world of <span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" >excitement and silliness</span> that can only be attained by this privileged, pampered rascal.<span style=""> </span>Be cautioned though, you or your young readers may pick up some <style>@font-face { font-family: "Cambria"; }p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal { margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman"; }div.Section1 { page: Section1; }</style> <i style=""><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Cambria; color: rgb(255, 0, 128);">mischievous</span></i><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Cambria;"> </span> ideas of your own. </p> <p style="text-align: left;" class="MsoNormal"> </p><p></p><div> </div><p style="text-align: left;" class="MsoNormal"></p><p style="text-align: left;" class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;" class="MsoNormal">Happy reading, everyone!</p><div> </div><p style="text-align: left;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:85%;">-Jill Dona</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"> <style>@font-face { font-family: "Cambria"; }p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal { margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman"; }div.Section1 { page: Section1; }</style> </p><p class="MsoNormal">P.S. If you can’t get enough of <span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 128);">Eloise’s</span> playful spirit, don’t worry! There are <span style="font-weight: bold;">six</span> other stories that she has told.<span style=""> </span>Click <a href="http://www.eloisewebsite.com/eloise_books.htm">here</a> for the full list!</p> <p></p> <p></p> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lq6sh6uxVm1qgv77qo1_400.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 185px; height: 204px;" src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lq6sh6uxVm1qgv77qo1_400.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg74gVmPHXnlMX7iYupsND-_VBhNcU4ZBuXGeBLC40maQ9CR0XHfA5Ctz-4-pDl41RuGnJkrKbMms4Uc7SY3JTMGDQo3ovMX1gHU2lhSxdysxd_eji-yYitB1CxPNnAxn4XqqtS5gS0ZVM/s1600/eloise1.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 142px; height: 185px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg74gVmPHXnlMX7iYupsND-_VBhNcU4ZBuXGeBLC40maQ9CR0XHfA5Ctz-4-pDl41RuGnJkrKbMms4Uc7SY3JTMGDQo3ovMX1gHU2lhSxdysxd_eji-yYitB1CxPNnAxn4XqqtS5gS0ZVM/s1600/eloise1.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><span style=";font-family:Cambria;font-size:12pt;" ><span style=""><span style=";font-family:Cambria;font-size:12pt;" ><span style=""><span style=";font-family:Cambria;font-size:12pt;" ><span style=""><span style=";font-family:Cambria;font-size:12pt;" ><span style=""><span style=";font-family:Cambria;font-size:12pt;" ><span style=""><span style=";font-family:Cambria;font-size:12pt;" ><span style=""><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYFYVA8MuXJylZuaCeFOHNNSI_AmTgJ6bqYjQhQczxbdmpmtk8-k_iAD3gwGkVG0OIRWMITMpz8-x6OBNSbhyjImKrcBqFsYxZVBLy727-7ZOmTbmfOJfC_cX_wNG_-ufoR7aYV-DJKMEZ/s400/eloiseWeeny.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 205px; height: 167px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYFYVA8MuXJylZuaCeFOHNNSI_AmTgJ6bqYjQhQczxbdmpmtk8-k_iAD3gwGkVG0OIRWMITMpz8-x6OBNSbhyjImKrcBqFsYxZVBLy727-7ZOmTbmfOJfC_cX_wNG_-ufoR7aYV-DJKMEZ/s400/eloiseWeeny.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>Jill Donahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00509035692143397994noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6899314721345981558.post-2514506528039178242011-10-10T18:36:00.006-05:002011-10-10T22:08:26.648-05:00A Marvelous Picture Book!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxm3dJD_jIEUqTCH951ceVCOYif79XOghxKsVyy8agqkQ71nXXg3QUQt0t3Qy9nzak9euTX8G7X0B2w188PjNnaPZ8AgFhMFTSJEno7CJ54hsCGJbu6hO-OHll1CApdJIlAwCD_pHvsQ/s1600/51pT2WX5hbL._SL500_AA300_.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxm3dJD_jIEUqTCH951ceVCOYif79XOghxKsVyy8agqkQ71nXXg3QUQt0t3Qy9nzak9euTX8G7X0B2w188PjNnaPZ8AgFhMFTSJEno7CJ54hsCGJbu6hO-OHll1CApdJIlAwCD_pHvsQ/s200/51pT2WX5hbL._SL500_AA300_.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5662060014592883794" /></a><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#339999;">Back of the Bus</span></span> is a relatively new book (published <i>2010</i>) by <b>Aaron Reynolds</b> and illustrated by <b>Floyd Cooper</b>. It was selected as one of the <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">American Library Association's Notable Children's Books of 2011.</span><div><br /></div><div>The book tells <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#330099;">the story of Rosa Park</span>s</span> through the eyes of a young boy sitting behind her on the bus. He sits with his mom on the bus as <i>"Mrs. Parks from the tailor shop</i>" refuses to give up her seat.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"> <i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#339999;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>"She don't belong up front like that,</span></span></span></i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#339999;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"> <span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span> and them folks all know it.</span></span></span></i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#339999;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"> </span></span><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"> <span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';">But she's sittin' right there,</span></span></span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#339999;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"> </span></span><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"> </span></span></span></span></i></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#339999;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';">her eyes all fierce like a lightnin' storm</span></span></span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#339999;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"> </span></span><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"> </span></span></span></span></i></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#339999;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';">like maybe she does belong up there.</span></span></span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#339999;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"> </span></span><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"> </span></span></span></span></i></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#339999;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';">And I start thinkin' maybe she does too."</span></span></span></i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#339999;"><br /></span></i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">Since the story is told from a child's perspective, it makes the book a great way to introduce</span></div><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 181px; height: 143px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSXmGJSbeXOSm7E_ajzZqQQWMJTfYrlcCJZrsblrazpQlfKFjwXnhp49x12uDM6IQi5G2hWHFeUq64lmfpVJxuk7WFBAA_YY48h1b4K3iQNuIdrUPNDI7M_am0IdkDDBO_q8CBUebEiQ/s200/images.jpeg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5662059760429076178" /><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:large;">Rosa Parks and the Civil Rights Movement to</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">children in a way that is </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#6600CC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">relatable</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"> and </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF6666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">easy to understand</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">The <b>suggested reading level for this book is ages 4-8</b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#990000;">Younger readers</span> will <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF6666;">love</span></b></span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF6666;"> the story</span></b> the boy tells.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#660000;">Older readers</span> will see a <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#663333;"><b>deeper meaning</b></span></span> in the book:</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">At the beginning of the story, the boy <b>rolls a </b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><b>marble</b></span> down the floor of the bus, and <i>Mrs. Parks smiles and rolls it back to him</i>. His mother tells him to <b>put the marble away</b>. When the bus does not move for 15 minutes because the driver has called the police, the boy <b>takes the </b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><b>marble</b></span><b> back out and plays with it</b> again. Again, his mother tells him to <b>put it away</b>. When Rosa Parks is arrested, the boy notices something different about his mother-- "<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33CCFF;"><b>she's got Mrs. Parks' lightnin'-storm eyes no</b>w</span></span>." And, because of his mother and Rosa Parks, the boy finds <b>strength.</b> He takes the marble out of his pocket, and holds it up to the light, <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">"right out in the open"</span> and <i>"(the marble) shines all <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#663333;">brown</span> and <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFCC00;">golden</span> in the sunlight, like it's smilin', I think. </i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">'Cuz it ain't gotta hide no more."</span></i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium; ">The symbolism of the marble adds a dimension to this seemingly simple children's book, and makes it enjoyable for not only young readers but also older students. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium; "><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium; ">To go along with the great story are </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">wonderful oil painting illustrations</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium; "> by Floyd Cooper which are not only pretty pictures to look at, but also captivating depictions of the <b>scenes</b> described in the text <b>and</b> <b>portraits</b> of the characters. The beautiful two page illustration spreads capture the atmosphere and the emotions of the scenes. To see more of Floyd Cooper's books, and even his own original art, click <a href="http://www.floydcooper.com/index.htm">here</a>. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium; "><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium; ">For more details on the book you can <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Back-Bus-Aaron-Reynolds/dp/0399250913">view it on amazon</a>!</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium; ">For more information about the author Aaron Reynolds, <a href="http://www.aaron-reynolds.com/">visit his website</a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Hope you enjoy this truly marvelous picture book!</div><div style="text-align: center;">-Annie</div>Annie Engelstadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15402559288709408881noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6899314721345981558.post-71351595926039404522011-10-09T21:23:00.000-05:002011-10-09T21:23:46.243-05:00Picture Books from the Past<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Story-Babar-Little-Elephant/dp/B000JWBNSW/ref=sr_1_4?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1318187750&sr=1-4"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">The Story of Babar</span></a> by Jean de Brunhoff</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><u><br /></u></span></span></span></div>
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<span id="internal-source-marker_0.41267610853537917" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The Story of Babar</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> was first published in </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">1931</span></b></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> by French author Jean de Brunhoff. It was the first of six written before his death in 1937. The stories of Babar the elephant were based of bedtime stories his wife would tell their children.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipCoisurpS_GgZz1cQrfcQ3uoaBsX0DkCfQoWWvXUDzAKbvjBitoCqXHVsaS4g04XNEyCEXrD6cczhJ9ffYLvyKlm-IT_j4tJY9iyl25eC8CLoW13hOX4NhswPxn3xvx9y_TIYqG6RpMyD/s1600/220px-Babar1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipCoisurpS_GgZz1cQrfcQ3uoaBsX0DkCfQoWWvXUDzAKbvjBitoCqXHVsaS4g04XNEyCEXrD6cczhJ9ffYLvyKlm-IT_j4tJY9iyl25eC8CLoW13hOX4NhswPxn3xvx9y_TIYqG6RpMyD/s200/220px-Babar1.jpg" width="157" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The French book cover</td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The first book told the story of Babar, a </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">little elephant </span></i></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">who ran away to the city after hunters shot his mother. There he meets a kind, old lady, who takes Babar in, looks after him, buys him clothes, and sends him to school. One day, when Babar was nearly grown, his cousins, Celeste and Arthur, came to look for him in the city. Babar was very pleased to see his family again. When Celeste and Arthur’s mothers came looking for them’ although he was sad to leave the kind old lady, he gladly went home to the forest with his elephant family. Meanwhile, the king of the elephants had eaten a funny mushroom and died. Upon Babar’s arrival home to the forest, all the elephants decided that Babar should be the new king because of how sophisticated he was. Babar also announced that he was going to marry Celeste, and there was a big party to celebrate their wedding and coronation.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">In 1946 Jean de Brunhoff's son Laurent continued writing the Babar stories: </span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e06666; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“After World War II, I decided to carry on Babar’s adventures. Babar was like a brother to me, and I wanted him to live again. ...</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">. Now I have created many more Babar stories than my father and am older than he ever was, and that is sometimes and eerie feeling.” Laurent de Brunhoff </span></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAiCZ5c2iTsiydXn9D7nCmlaIkPzBgXmQljGVQnwFvNu8u_DpUwRmh4HUxdvC9dm_0tvbFFATIXQjRDgvvyzPh7a-y-jCDqHvN6NQFdWJc0uGlhdDico3ZFU6a6fgWMOBg0hy1rDRzGzZR/s1600/61lKT34Yv4L._SL500_AA300_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAiCZ5c2iTsiydXn9D7nCmlaIkPzBgXmQljGVQnwFvNu8u_DpUwRmh4HUxdvC9dm_0tvbFFATIXQjRDgvvyzPh7a-y-jCDqHvN6NQFdWJc0uGlhdDico3ZFU6a6fgWMOBg0hy1rDRzGzZR/s200/61lKT34Yv4L._SL500_AA300_.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Now, eighty years after the first Babar story was published, there is still a huge franchise and culture surrounding the books. There are over 30 published stories, including <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Babars-USA-Babar-Harry-Abrams/dp/0810970961" style="text-decoration: underline;">Babar's USA</a>, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Babars-USA-Babar-Harry-Abrams/dp/0810970961" style="text-decoration: underline;">Babar Goes to School</a>, and <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Babars-Celesteville-Games-Laurent-Brunhoff/dp/1419700065" style="text-decoration: underline;">Babar's Celesteville Games</a>, the latest Babar book, all of which were published in the 2000s. There have also been television shows and short movies based on the books. Also popular today is the children's show "Babar and the Adventures of Badou." It made the stories and characters more accessible to the next generation of Babar lovers. Children might also enjoy the <a href="http://babar.treehousetv.com/characters/default.aspx">website</a>, which includes games, videos and activities.</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Although not explicitly stated, the story does teach that those who love can take many forms, shapes, and sizes. This could be a good lesson to teach children as they begin school and start to meet kids who may be of a different ethnicity or religion. The story shows that the old lady and Babar loved each other even though one was human and the other elephant. All the books and subsequent Babar stories teach about loving each other, regardless of species. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrI5lTlKnq4pNIVyLiUe4xTBK7ZMGpdpVuvIdB1cZkNXqTluRFDWHvwY0lanedtKC4K6dVRFq_GuueuiGuUs5EcUX-JIQN6gNzmDR82BA5jPKG2zivKugt0IQj4eRWhehuMU9pV-j_RnBK/s1600/babar-2.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrI5lTlKnq4pNIVyLiUe4xTBK7ZMGpdpVuvIdB1cZkNXqTluRFDWHvwY0lanedtKC4K6dVRFq_GuueuiGuUs5EcUX-JIQN6gNzmDR82BA5jPKG2zivKugt0IQj4eRWhehuMU9pV-j_RnBK/s200/babar-2.png" width="196" /></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">We hope that you will enjoy spreading the love of a little elephant with many children in your life.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><i>Happy Reading!</i></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">~Claire and Melissa</span></span></div>
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Claire Stanleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03972000081845581164noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6899314721345981558.post-34338873847105513932011-10-07T10:20:00.003-05:002011-10-07T10:26:58.818-05:00Chicka Chicka Boom Boom<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0ApQ5bRbMuefHiWp7NPvcngRCBw176zrzUataogVkCI7jRULSWyPOTaQ5-0aDBw2HTaSzhFJnetJQ84-fewFmHHMDCmF9eUbg98I8p0MzekKB7wSi2Lp6NWPRLBIfQ6PNs3otuwgppy8/s1600/chick.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 185px; height: 246px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0ApQ5bRbMuefHiWp7NPvcngRCBw176zrzUataogVkCI7jRULSWyPOTaQ5-0aDBw2HTaSzhFJnetJQ84-fewFmHHMDCmF9eUbg98I8p0MzekKB7wSi2Lp6NWPRLBIfQ6PNs3otuwgppy8/s400/chick.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5660771821589654898" /></a><br /> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#006600;"><b>Chicka Chicka Boom Boom</b></span> </i><span style="font-style: normal">by Bill Martin, Jr. and John Archambault is an alphabet book made fun for all ages. The entire alphabet pledges to meet at the top of the coconut tree until <b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:180%;color:#6600cc;">Chicka chicka BOOM! BOOM!</span></b> All 26 letters fall out of the tree. Despite bumps and bruises, the letters don't lose their adventurous spirit. The story ends with the sun setting on the coconut tree and “a” challenging the letters to a <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#ffcc00;">race up the coconut tree</span>. </span> </p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in">Beginning with the end pages, illustrator Lois Ehlert does an excellent job capturing the child's attention. Each page is filled with <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#00cccc;"><b>bright, playful illustrations</b></span> seeming to be made by shapes cut from colorful paper. The coconut tree often spans two pages (and even sometimes extends beyond the pages of the book) and a <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#ff0000;">polka-dot border</span> can be found on every page. At the same time, the pictures do not distract from the purpose of the story—to teach the alphabet. The easy-to-read text similarly lends itself to the teaching of the alphabet with each mentioned letter in<b> bold.</b></p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in">A key component of this text is the jovial spirit created by the authors' use of <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:180%;">rhyme</span>. Rhyme is a critical component in the child's development of<i> <b>phonological awareness</b></i>, an understanding of language sounds and patterns. Use of rhyme within this story supports the child's beginning understanding of letter-sound correspondence and also helps children <i><b>feel connected</b></i> to the text. Rhyming patterns are often easier for children to recognize and remember so that they may provide the next word in the story.</p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in"><span style="font-style: normal">To watch a video of </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#006600;"><b>Chicka Chicka Boom Boom</b></span> </i><span style="font-style: normal">with lyrics and music, click <a href="http://www.schooltube.com/video/2490bb8cd9848c3af3ec/Chicka-Chicka-Boom-Boom-With-Lyrics-Alphabet-Song">here.</a></span></p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in"><span style="font-style: normal">I hope that you enjoy reading </span><i><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#006600;">Chicka Chicka Boom Boom</span></b> </i><span style="font-style: normal">with your loved ones as much as I enjoyed it as a young child. Happy reading! </span></p>Sarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02100833127147117847noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6899314721345981558.post-20034796825733033952011-10-04T23:52:00.007-05:002011-10-05T00:30:03.036-05:00Picture Books From the Past: Horton Hears a Who!<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://images.wikia.com/seuss/images/f/f1/HortonHearsAWhoBook.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 257px; height: 340px;" src="http://images.wikia.com/seuss/images/f/f1/HortonHearsAWhoBook.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: Ubuntu; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: bold; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;" id="internal-source-marker_0.3796078910118106"><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">“On the fifteenth of May, in the Jungle of Nool…”</span></span><br /><br /></div><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: trebuchet ms; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Horton the elephant is just minding his own business when suddenly he hears a cry for </span><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: trebuchet ms; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: bold; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">help!</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: trebuchet ms; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: bold; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> </span><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: trebuchet ms; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">from a </span><span style="font-size: 8pt; font-family: trebuchet ms; color: rgb(255, 130, 1); background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">tiny</span><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: trebuchet ms; color: rgb(255, 130, 1); background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> speck of dust</span><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: trebuchet ms; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">. He is shocked to find that a small person is speaking to him. A </span><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: trebuchet ms; color: rgb(0, 0, 255); background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">sour</span><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: trebuchet ms; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> </span><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: trebuchet ms; color: rgb(0, 0, 255); background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">kangaroo</span><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: trebuchet ms; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> scoffs at Horton, not believing that there could ever be a person let alone a whole town living on such a </span><span style="font-size: 9pt; font-family: trebuchet ms; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">tiny</span><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: trebuchet ms; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> speck of dust. But Horton stands firm and protects his </span><span style="font-size: 9pt; font-family: trebuchet ms; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">tiny</span><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: trebuchet ms; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> friends from the teasing animals in the Jungle of Nool. One day the other animals can’t stand it any longer that Horton insists on protecting these people he can’t even see. The other animals steal the small speck of dust and Horton will do anything to get it back and save the little town of Whos. Through Horton’s valiant efforts we see that </span><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: trebuchet ms; color: rgb(0, 0, 255); background-color: transparent; font-weight: bold; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">one person</span><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: trebuchet ms; color: rgb(255, 130, 1); background-color: transparent; font-weight: bold; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> really can make a </span><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: trebuchet ms; color: rgb(0, 0, 255); background-color: transparent; font-weight: bold; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">difference</span><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: trebuchet ms; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">.</span><br /><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: trebuchet ms; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> </span><br /><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: trebuchet ms; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><br />This classic, children’s picture book from 1954 still manages to </span><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: trebuchet ms; color: rgb(255, 255, 255); background-color: rgb(255, 153, 0); font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">dazzle</span><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: trebuchet ms; color: rgb(255, 255, 255); background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> </span><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: trebuchet ms; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">audiences of all ages. With a dynamic plot and even more dynamic illustrations, Dr. Seuss addresses pivotal issues still relevant in society today. </span><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: trebuchet ms; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">Horton Hears a Who</span><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: trebuchet ms; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> teaches children to value others’ perspectives and to recognize that </span><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: trebuchet ms; color: rgb(255, 255, 255); background-color: rgb(0, 0, 255); font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">all people should be treated equally</span><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: trebuchet ms; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">. Horton says it best when he states,<br /><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB-gflfAOUv2mkc0G_iuAZJg5-G8bxF0VuE5AaR1cOBVLd1g6_J6xn_yPLUlTzEmBNyaX80mUlzApmkBcBAdu1tBC5NuS5UnzlgrEQ_EWd_XqZUsoPB5YLpizAzNqZFz7ulENNMixTZ1k/s1600/Picture+3.png"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 205px; height: 264px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB-gflfAOUv2mkc0G_iuAZJg5-G8bxF0VuE5AaR1cOBVLd1g6_J6xn_yPLUlTzEmBNyaX80mUlzApmkBcBAdu1tBC5NuS5UnzlgrEQ_EWd_XqZUsoPB5YLpizAzNqZFz7ulENNMixTZ1k/s200/Picture+3.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5659872844724067346" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><p dir="ltr" style="text-align: center; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt; font-family: trebuchet ms;" id="internal-source-marker_0.3796078910118106"><span style="font-size: 18pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">“A person’s a </span><span style="font-size: 24pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">person</span><span style="font-size: 18pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">,<br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="text-align: center; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt; font-family: trebuchet ms;" id="internal-source-marker_0.3796078910118106"><span style="font-size: 18pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">no matter how </span><span style="font-size: 10pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">small</span><span style="font-size: 18pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">.”</span><span style="font-size: 11pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;" id="internal-source-marker_0.3796078910118106"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="text-align: center; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt; font-family: trebuchet ms;" id="internal-source-marker_0.3796078910118106"><span style="font-size: 11pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;" id="internal-source-marker_0.3796078910118106"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="text-align: center; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt; font-family: trebuchet ms;" id="internal-source-marker_0.3796078910118106"><span style="font-size: 11pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;" id="internal-source-marker_0.3796078910118106"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="text-align: center; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt; font-family: trebuchet ms;" id="internal-source-marker_0.3796078910118106"><span style="font-size: 11pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;" id="internal-source-marker_0.3796078910118106"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="text-align: left; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt; font-family: trebuchet ms;" id="internal-source-marker_0.3796078910118106"><span style="font-size: 11pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;" id="internal-source-marker_0.3796078910118106">Though the illustrations are comprised of </span><span style="font-size: 11pt; color: rgb(255, 255, 255); background-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">only</span><span style="font-size: 11pt; color: rgb(255, 255, 255); background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> </span><span style="font-size: 11pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 255); background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">three</span><span style="font-size: 11pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> </span><span style="font-size: 11pt; color: rgb(255, 130, 1); background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">colors</span><span style="font-size: 11pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">, their dynamic and multidimensional aspects still engage the reader. The timeless rhythm and rhyme of Dr. Seuss’ text carries the reader through the story without imposing on the illustrated narrative. For younger children, this book can be used to subtly familiarize them with time and numbers. </span><br /></p><div style="text-align: center; font-family: trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><br /><p dir="ltr" style="text-align: center; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="text-align: center; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">“And at </span><span style="font-size: 11pt; color: rgb(255, 130, 1); background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">6</span><span style="font-size: 11pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 255); background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">:</span><span style="font-size: 11pt; color: rgb(255, 130, 1); background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">5</span><span style="font-size: 11pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 255); background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">6</span><span style="font-size: 11pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> the next morning he did it.”</span><span style="font-size: 11pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"> </span></p><span style="font-size: 11pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"><br />Horton Hears a Who</span><span style="font-size: 11pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> playfully incorporates </span><span style="font-size: 9pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">differing</span><span style="font-size: 11pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> </span><span style="font-size: 14pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">sizes</span><span style="font-size: 11pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> of </span><span style="font-size: 9pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">text</span><span style="font-size: 11pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> and “</span><span style="font-size: 14pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">z</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">o</span><span style="font-size: 11pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">o</span><span style="font-size: 10pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">m</span><span style="font-size: 9pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">s</span><span style="font-size: 11pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">” in and out from the Whos’ world to Horton’s to illustrate differing visual perspectives. To see a modern animated film interpretation, look below for the movie trailer directed by Jimmy Hayward and Steve Martino.</span></div> </div><br /><br /><center><iframe src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/MIQFTBsGccA?fs=1" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="270" width="480"></iframe><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Happy Reading</span>!<br />-Maryphyllis Crean and Jill Dona</span><br /></div></center>Jill Donahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00509035692143397994noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6899314721345981558.post-78560539706506229992011-10-03T12:39:00.012-05:002011-10-03T13:18:50.746-05:00Monday's Marvelous Picture Book: Follow Me by Tricia Tusa<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSVlDfCX7W2SlI2gCoL4SE2CQ8rvWWfGBWXH-nBxq2z6vwEWodH8J_I0JLlbqSgJom8KD0IBU6_-fRYKEvMPS8Q2wCu_Ol_FdGXiiBMNhOBCMonaIOgWfaTx-sjBssnqVGb9WFkyKX-L4/s1600/51D%252BKRg-B%252BL._SL500_AA300_.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSVlDfCX7W2SlI2gCoL4SE2CQ8rvWWfGBWXH-nBxq2z6vwEWodH8J_I0JLlbqSgJom8KD0IBU6_-fRYKEvMPS8Q2wCu_Ol_FdGXiiBMNhOBCMonaIOgWfaTx-sjBssnqVGb9WFkyKX-L4/s320/51D%252BKRg-B%252BL._SL500_AA300_.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5659324564901313010" /></a><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:130%;color:#3366ff;">Tricia Tusa’s</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large; font-weight: bold; color:#3366ff;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:100%;">whimsical</span> illustrations in her book <i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:130%;color:#3366ff;">Follow Me</span></i> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial; ">tell the story of <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:130%;color:#990000;">a girl that daydreams about soaring through the sky as she swings </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:100%;">on the tree-swing in her backyard.</span> We follow the girl as she leaps off the swing and <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:130%;color:#339999;"><b>floats</b></span> through nature, enjoying the different <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:130%;color:#6666cc;"><b>colors</b></span> and experiences that each place brings. As the swing falls back down to the ground, the <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:130%;color:#ff6666;"><b>girl’s journey of her imagination</b></span> brings her back home.</span></div> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><o:p> </o:p>As Tusa intended,<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:100%;"> </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:100%;">Follow me</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large; color:#000066;"> </span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:130%;color:#3333ff;">relies heavily on the illustrations</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#330099;"> </span>to express the concept of exploring the world with the help of your imagination. Tusa explained that she<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:130%;"> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#ff99ff;">tried to use as few words as possible to convey her message.</span> </span>This intention is made very clear as each page is filled with illustrations, with only a few words of text strategically placed within the images. Although there are only a handful of sentences in the whole book, I think Tusa chose her words wisely. <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:130%;color:#663366;">The </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:130%;color:#663366;">language that she uses enhances the connection that you make with the story when reading the book.</span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><o:p> </o:p>Now for the most important part: <b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:180%;color:#33ccff;">The illustrations!</span></b> Personally, I love just about every aspect of them. Overall the illustrations are very <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:130%;color:#ff9966;">wispy</span> and <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:130%;color:#cc33cc;">playful</span>, and the <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:130%;color:#66ff99;"><b>pastel</b></span> color palette helps create the sense that this journey is a daydream. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Tusa’s depictions of the girl soaring through nature were very creative– the girl looked like she was floating, and even becoming a part of her surroundings. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"> <!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <o:documentproperties> <o:template>Normal.dotm</o:Template> <o:revision>0</o:Revision> <o:totaltime>0</o:TotalTime> <o:pages>1</o:Pages> <o:words>28</o:Words> <o:characters>163</o:Characters> <o:company>Vanderbilt University</o:Company> <o:lines>1</o:Lines> <o:paragraphs>1</o:Paragraphs> <o:characterswithspaces>200</o:CharactersWithSpaces> <o:version>12.0</o:Version> </o:DocumentProperties> <o:officedocumentsettings> <o:allowpng/> </o:OfficeDocumentSettings> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:trackmoves>false</w:TrackMoves> <w:trackformatting/> <w:punctuationkerning/> <w:drawinggridhorizontalspacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing> <w:drawinggridverticalspacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing> <w:displayhorizontaldrawinggridevery>0</w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery> <w:displayverticaldrawinggridevery>0</w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery> <w:validateagainstschemas/> <w:saveifxmlinvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:ignoremixedcontent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:alwaysshowplaceholdertext>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:compatibility> <w:breakwrappedtables/> <w:dontgrowautofit/> <w:dontautofitconstrainedtables/> <w:dontvertalignintxbx/> </w:Compatibility> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:latentstyles deflockedstate="false" latentstylecount="276"> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--> <!--[if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;} </style> <![endif]--> <!--StartFragment--> </p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">Tusa has shared some of her early sketches and drawings-in-progress that she created for <u>Follow Me</u>. Below are a couple examples that show her drawing process. If you would like to see more, go to: <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Follow-Me-Tricia-Tusa/dp/0547272014">http://www.amazon.com/Follow-Me-Tricia-Tusa/dp/0547272014</a></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;font-size:100%;color:#990000;">1. "Thumbnail sketches help me to figure out the pacing of a book, and show the book in its entirety revealing how it works as a whole. They make clear the amount of variety from page to page."</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVmKrey4pXW8j4bV-NVsTOE6JJInYjZoP7yvcG6bgDMHvMWKCloDadQJUykEDrpAusb6hoMsNkA_-EJZC1Nl3DJxQRX6w-HlRhhTy-houAubxnzc9b3WH7noCniPOVtcJfBkp3OHc_8nE/s1600/0547272014_Tusa_img1_SMALL.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVmKrey4pXW8j4bV-NVsTOE6JJInYjZoP7yvcG6bgDMHvMWKCloDadQJUykEDrpAusb6hoMsNkA_-EJZC1Nl3DJxQRX6w-HlRhhTy-houAubxnzc9b3WH7noCniPOVtcJfBkp3OHc_8nE/s320/0547272014_Tusa_img1_SMALL.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5659325522506423378" style="cursor: pointer; width: 250px; height: 181px; " /></span></a></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;font-size:100%;color:#990000;">2. "I draw with my favorite pencil on tracing paper. I then Xerox these drawings, taping them together into a dummy. This is what I send to the editor."</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmfcgpPx3gjDBvXcDgsofGb2bXCvO5XTLOoQHkSTzWQVEtCZxGoF3L9LegUCR1gKnORpjAEJHcuiHsGxX492OEa-CD7Ll3_F2xxUVh3BujNu9vL0tB_KQLjWK3GEEmv3-ykDpUNadDNhU/s1600/0547272014_Tusa_img3_SMALL.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmfcgpPx3gjDBvXcDgsofGb2bXCvO5XTLOoQHkSTzWQVEtCZxGoF3L9LegUCR1gKnORpjAEJHcuiHsGxX492OEa-CD7Ll3_F2xxUVh3BujNu9vL0tB_KQLjWK3GEEmv3-ykDpUNadDNhU/s320/0547272014_Tusa_img3_SMALL.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5659324820171436722" style="cursor: pointer; width: 250px; height: 181px; " /></a></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;font-size:100%;color:#660000;">3. "I really wanted this book to have a very imperfect, hand-done quality. So, I decided to use an etching process."</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD6c_mT0VEYL-i4bxVdAZmE9EFfjJiGgEO12jeLBHZjSDOAXOnoAn5BRkdZkWOCPm4jxCFMU9dP42EOHnLfFAypWOnExVp-Kl4_HXLRUHtQUXikFYqBK93vPHS-PybIvpoM2RxE1m34tU/s1600/0547272014_Tusa_img5_SMALL.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD6c_mT0VEYL-i4bxVdAZmE9EFfjJiGgEO12jeLBHZjSDOAXOnoAn5BRkdZkWOCPm4jxCFMU9dP42EOHnLfFAypWOnExVp-Kl4_HXLRUHtQUXikFYqBK93vPHS-PybIvpoM2RxE1m34tU/s320/0547272014_Tusa_img5_SMALL.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5659326114031396194" style="cursor: pointer; width: 250px; height: 278px; " /></a></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large; color:#3366ff;">"Swing into a daydream!" </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:130%;color:#ff6666;">with Tusa's amazing book,</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:180%;"> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#6666cc;"><i>Follow Me</i>!</span></span></p> <!--EndFragment--><p></p> <!--EndFragment-->Chelseahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11396854450133669054noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6899314721345981558.post-19049379426058151342011-09-28T11:49:00.007-05:002011-09-28T12:09:57.642-05:00Picture Books From the Past- Corduroy<div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQz2EoMSahLLnsHqGCmQ02Whn1rDkzsP9A9GKVq1EfPMVnsfj8LOAKo96KJiBccLe1QqxIZo6o4VqZRh0qZgq8l4FtVC-aMGX2rZq9s1uYZw4vKn9-aMGahpgEZjSiuVeO1Ad9zVhO1lY/s1600/corduroy+1.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 253px; height: 199px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQz2EoMSahLLnsHqGCmQ02Whn1rDkzsP9A9GKVq1EfPMVnsfj8LOAKo96KJiBccLe1QqxIZo6o4VqZRh0qZgq8l4FtVC-aMGX2rZq9s1uYZw4vKn9-aMGahpgEZjSiuVeO1Ad9zVhO1lY/s320/corduroy+1.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5657455298473913058" /></a><br /><!--StartFragment--> <p class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal"><span style="Marker Felt"font-family:";"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33CC00;">Corduroy</span></span></i></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal"><span style="Marker Felt"font-family:";"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33CC00;"> by Don Freeman</span> has been a well-loved story by children for many, many years. I remember my own mother reading it to me when I was in preschool and have heard it read to children at the preschool I currently work in many times over the past year. <o:p></o:p></span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal"><span style="Marker Felt"font-family:";"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33CC00;">Corduro</span></span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal"><span style="Marker Felt"font-family:";"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33CC00;">y</span> is a teddy </span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal"><span style="Marker Felt"font-family:";">bear in a big department store. He wears <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33CC00;">green corduroy overalls</span>, but is missing a button. Therefore, he is often passed over by children looking to buy toys. One day, a little girl walks by with her mother and asks to </span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal"><span style="Marker Felt"font-family:";">buy him, but her mother says, “not today.” She comes back the next day to purchase him with her own money saved in her piggy bank, carries him home, sews a new button on his overalls, and gives him his very own bed next to her own. <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33CC00;">Corduroy is delighted to finally have a home and a true friend.</span></span></b></p> <img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 284px; height: 177px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj3WhS2xTeCjni0UAFw7WABI-X-S_Uz6zPap5SfzNNs6PZYRebb-1tAq1MciMuUn7Mqn0u4rb0kIyi3y9EgEcxta5kppDoXfN1RhELIdAtdsG_RJqxyISWSitE2gXxbCebbl5GRxJa5Ls/s320/corduroy+3.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5657455559130172914" /><p class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal"><span style="Marker Felt"font-family:";">The illustrations in this book are <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33CC00;">warm and peaceful</span>. They are watercolor based, use </span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal"><span style="Marker Felt"font-family:";">pastel colors, and use a variety of line-based patterns for texture. </span></b><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Corduroy-Don-Freeman/dp/0670241334"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal"><span style="Marker Felt"font-family:";">Here</span></b></a><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal"><span style="Marker Felt"font-family:";"> is a preview of the book.</span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal"><span style="Marker Felt"font-family:";"><span style="mso-tab-count:1"> </span>This story describes very nicely the special relationship so many chi</span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal"><span style="Marker Felt"font-family:";">ldren have with a favorite stuffed animal. Told from the bear’s perspective, children see how important it is to treat their toys nice</span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal"><span style="Marker Felt"font-family:";">ly. It can also be a source of comfort for children if they are traveling somewhere new. <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33CC00;">As long as they have their special stuffed toy, they have a friend with them and are not alone.</span></span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal"><span style="Marker Felt"font-family:";"><span style="mso-tab-count:1"> </span>I hope you and your young reader(s) will enjoy this story as much I have over the years! <o:p></o:p></span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal"><span style="Marker Felt"font-family:";"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal"><span style="Marker Felt"font-family:";">~Kathar</span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal"><span style="Marker Felt"font-family:";">ine</span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal"><span style="Marker Felt"font-family:";"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal"><span style="Marker Felt"font-family:";"> </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal"><span style="Marker Felt"font-family:";"> A fe</span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal"><span style="Marker Felt"font-family:";">w extra links you may enjoy: </span></b></p><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 136px; height: 256px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnbe3ZSLSvBwrtwZqBcFMHFkjcroEOuLSUkdVLvBWlWIPoXrREgMLPVInYwYuTE_rB5wdPxJ1ja-RDkIe0FQVeimODdOTgnXe79OTpMjvA3wEZCGYOormrSB5uJFqTO4qCyz1pUonAE_s/s400/corduroy+2.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5657457249867331426" /><p class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal"><span style="Marker Felt"font-family:";"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p> <p class="MsoListParagraph" style="text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1"><span style="font-family:Symbol;mso-fareast-font-family:Symbol;mso-bidi-font-family:Symbol;"><span style="mso-list:Ignore">·<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""> </span></span></span><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5mTdP6prrs0&feature=related"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal"><span style="Marker Felt"font-family:";">Here</span></b></a><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal"><span style="Marker Felt"font-family:";"> is a </span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal"><span style="Marker Felt"font-family:";">read aloud </span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal"><span style="Marker Felt"font-family:";">of the story</span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal"><span style="Marker Felt"font-family:";"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p> <p class="MsoListParagraph" style="text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1"><span style="font-family:Symbol;mso-fareast-font-family:Symbol;mso-bidi-font-family:Symbol;"><span style="mso-list:Ignore">·<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""> </span></span></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal"><span style="Marker Felt"font-family:";">If you jus</span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal"><span style="Marker Felt"font-family:";">t can’t get enough of Corduroy, there are many other books based on this loveable bear! </span></b><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Pocket-Corduroy-Don-Freeman/dp/0140503528"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal"><span style="Marker Felt"font-family:";">Click here for</span></b></a><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal"><span style="Marker Felt"font-family:";"> a preview </span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal"><span style="Marker Felt"font-family:";">of </span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal"><span style="Marker Felt"font-family:";"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal">A Pocket for Corduroy</i> by Don Freeman.</span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal"><span style="Marker Felt"font-family:";"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1"><span style="font-family:Symbol;mso-fareast-font-family:Symbol;mso-bidi-font-family:Symbol;"><span style="mso-list:Ignore">·<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""> </span></span></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal"><span style="Marker Felt"font-family:";">Corduroy can be used in the classroom as a starting point for many different activities and discussions such as shoppi</span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal"><span style="Marker Felt"font-family:";">ng, money, sewing, and friendship. Below are some resources teachers may find helpful in planning:</span></b></p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left:.75in;mso-add-space: auto;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l1 level1 lfo2"><span style="font-family:"Marker Felt";mso-fareast-font-family:"Marker Felt"; mso-bidi-Marker Felt"font-family:";"><span style="mso-list:Ignore">-<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""> </span></span></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal"><span style="Marker Felt"font-family:";"><a href="http://twistynoodle.com/coloring-pages/animals/bears/corduroy-the-bear-coloring-page/">coloring page</a> </span></b><span style="font-family:"Marker Felt";mso-fareast-font-family:"Marker Felt"; mso-bidi-Marker Felt"font-family:";"><span style="mso-list:Ignore">-<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""> </span></span></span><b><span style="font-family:";"><a href="http://www.proteacher.net/discussions/showthread.php?p=720188">some lesson ideas</a></span></b></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="text-align: center;margin-left: 0.75in; text-indent: -0.25in; "><b><br /></b></p> <!--EndFragment-->Katharine Millerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15751670775939418527noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6899314721345981558.post-65286929097381150882011-09-26T00:08:00.000-05:002011-09-26T00:08:29.709-05:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<u style="font-size: xx-large;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Art-Max-David-Wiesner/dp/0618756639">Art and Max</a></u><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> by David Wiesner</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Looking for a <i style="color: purple;">marvelous </i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">picture book? Look no further! </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDecP9c9dbUKvBQeteRUCyx1TC6d_3jiFkPnwKYye2ST2xjM7oLcDAfKsKl0LOC_UiE2TanrTSJJs7hTRbByA0mNWxqEYVvpGAJbLY1Q4_swjstCjrln4c-3mZQCtnSJwO-MaFVZ7l8ApM/s1600/art-max.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="163" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDecP9c9dbUKvBQeteRUCyx1TC6d_3jiFkPnwKYye2ST2xjM7oLcDAfKsKl0LOC_UiE2TanrTSJJs7hTRbByA0mNWxqEYVvpGAJbLY1Q4_swjstCjrln4c-3mZQCtnSJwO-MaFVZ7l8ApM/s200/art-max.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="200" /></a></div>
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David Wiesner, three-time Caldecott award winner for <u><a href="http://www.hmhbooks.com/wiesner/tuesday.html">Tuesday</a></u>, <u><a href="http://www.hmhbooks.com/wiesner/threepigs.html">The Thee Pigs</a></u> and <a href="http://www.hmhbooks.com/wiesner/flotsam.html" style="text-decoration: underline;">Flotsum</a>, once again delights children with his picture book, <a href="http://www.hmhbooks.com/wiesner/art-max.html" style="text-decoration: underline;">Art and Max</a>. </div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 21px;"><strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple;">“…a thought-provoking exploration of the creative process...Funny, clever, full of revelations to those who look carefully this title represents picture-book making at its best.” </span></strong></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;">—<em>School Library Journal</em>, starred review</span></div>
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The book tells the story of two lizard friends who both enjoy painting. Art is an old pro; Max is just a beginner. When Max misunderstands Art's instruction to "paint him," chaos ensues. Max starts to actually paint his friend! Furious, Art's painted scales then crack off, revealing pastel dust. After the colored pastels blow away, Art is filled in with water colors, which run after he drinks some water. Finally, all that is left of Art is a line drawing. As Art stomps off in a huff, Max grabs his friend, undoing the drawing until he is just a mess of scribbles on the floor. Luckily, Max is able to "reconstruct" his friend, and make him even better than before!</div>
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Recommended for ages 4-8, children will love the bright colors, full page spreads, stunning detail and easy to follow story. It would make a good discussion book in the classroom for the topics of art and different media, the importance of trying new things and friendship. This is the perfect book to share before starting a new art project in the classroom and teachers or parents may like to include computer work by including the online activity, found <a href="http://www.hmhbooks.com/wiesner/interactive.html">here</a>, in their lesson.</div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/ZuIsAIKiNgY?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">A video of David Wiesner talking about his book.</span></div>
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I loved looking through and reading this book, and have no doubt that you will enjoy reading and sharing this book just as much. So what are you waiting for...<br />
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Happy Reading!Claire Stanleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03972000081845581164noreply@blogger.com1