Somebody Loves You, Mr. Hatch by E. Spinelli

An anonymous valentine candy-filled heart changes the life of shy, unsociable Mr. Hatch. The note says,"Somebody loves you." This warmhearted tale shows how, just the thought of someone taking an interest in him completely changes the way Mr. Hatch interacts with his neighbors and co-workers. The new sweet Mr. Hatch becomes so much a part of people's lives that when it is disclosed that the heart was delivered by mistake, his friends and neighbors rally around him in a loving demonstration. Mr. Hatch find out that many people love him.Check out this author's site for even more titles - http://www.eileenspinelli.com/heart_001.htm

A great day to tell someone you care! Check out these puzzles, games, cards, etc.- http://www.apples4theteacher.com/holidays/valentines-day/about.html
For some "kid friendly recipes - http://www.dltk-holidays.com/valentines/recipes/index.htm
Even for the dinosaur lover - http://www.enchantedlearning.com/cards/

Groundhog Day is February 2 - will he or won't he?

This is a day that has always baffled me, but it is fun for kids.  Visit the "official" site from Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania       http://www.groundhog.org/
 

The Groundhog Day Book of Facts and Fun by Old, Wendie C.

Every February 2nd, people in the United States wait to see if Punxsutawney Phil, a groundhog living in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, will see his shadow and predict six more weeks of cold weather. But how can a groundhog predict the weather? And if it's winter, shouldn't he be hibernating? Are such predictions really accurate? Why is February 2nd so special? And do other groundhogs predict the weather? Wendie Old provides plenty of information about groundhogs and the origin of Groundhog Day in this book of facts and fun. Groundhog riddles and ideas for throwing a Groundhog Day party are included.

Previous posts included activities, a quiz and some little known facts - check the  out http://teachingreaderstothink.blogspot.com/2011/02/groundhog-day-2011.html
http://teachingreaderstothink.blogspot.com/2010/02/happy-groundhog-day-february-2-2010.html

National Cookie Day is December 4

Cookies: Bite-Size Life Lessons by Amy Krouse Rosenthal
Everyone knows cookies taste good, but these cookies also have something good to say. Open this delectable book to any page and you will find out something about life. Cookies: Bite-Size Life Lessons is a new kind of dictionary, one that defines mysteries such as "fair" and "unfair" and what it really means to "cooperate." The book is by turns clever, honest, inspirational, and whimsical. Go ahead, take a bite!

Another title by the same author -Christmas Cookies: Bite-Size Holiday Lessons by Amy Krouse Rosenthal
For many families Christmas is not just a time for parties, Christmas trees, and gifts. It is also a time when children and adults come together to make Christmas cookies. Not only are these treats delicious to eat, but they also offer families the opportunity to step out of their busy lives for a moment to connect in a meaningful way.  Here is a video as well. 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c-IirbSCfqc

If You Give a Mouse a Cookie - by Laura Numeroff, visit http://teachingreaderstothink.blogspot.com/2010/08/if-you-take-mouse-to-school-laura.html for more "if you give a mouse . . . books and activities

Happy baking . . . happy times! 

Eating The Plates : A Pilgrim Book Of Food And Manners by Lucille Recht Penner

Great book to share history with children. Eating the Plates, invites you to learn what it was like to come across the Atlantic on the Mayflower and settling in the New World. The book shares the experiences that the Pilgrims had to endure from ship travel on an open vessel to struggle of survival - choice of food, housing, disease, and bugs. Pilgrims had a hard time finding food that they liked to eat. With the help of the Indians, they were introduced to corn, deer and turkey. Trade brought them spices, molasses and sugar.
The ten recipes at the end of the book are tasty and fun!

Chalk by Bill Thomson

In this wordless picture book, three young children arrive at the park to find a bag of colored chalk that turns their imaginary drawings into something very real. Enchanting!  Check out hte author's website as well - http://www.billthomson.com/

A video as well - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sYRw1YcwSUw

Enjoy!

Happy Halloween!

There are so many books to share related to this time of the year - here are just a few, along with some fun links for "things to do". . .

The Halloween Book of Facts and Fun by Wendie Old 

Here you'll find a history of the holiday, fun facts, some halloween stories, and plans for a children's Halloween party. I LOVE the cat on the cover, don't you? Especially the way his tail curves around the moon.  (later I might tell you the story behind this wonderful cover.) And the illustrations inside are not scary at all -- not even the one where Frankenstein and Dracula are sitting side by side near a cozy fire, reading each other's book.  (Fun Fact -- did you know that there actually is a Count Dracula?  And that he runs the Red Cross blood bank in his country?) 

Here is the author's blog - 

http://blog.wendieold.com/2011/10/nonfiction-monday-halloween-book-of.html

Skeleton Hiccups by Margery Cuyler 
The skeleton character is portrayed in a friendly light - non-threatening and non-scary. Suffering from hiccups, the skeleton hopes for a cure. His friend, a ghost, comes up with an ingenious cure. Kids find the story silly and funny. A joy to read aloud!


Here is the author's website - http://www.margerycuyler.com/home.html


Cards, games and activities can be found at http://www.apples4theteacher.com/holidays/halloween/kids-books/

Babies Don't Eat Pizza: A Big Kids' Book about Baby Brothers and Baby Sisters

Several friends recently welcomed new additions to their families.  So I had to share this title


A straightforward, reassuring book aimed at children awaiting the arrival of a new baby in the family...The charming watercolor illustrations show all kinds of families caring for and getting to know their newcomers. Though many quality books on this subject are available, Danzig's offering will bring comfort to expectant parents and siblings alike. - School Library Journal


With kid-friendly humor and honesty, Babies Don't Eat Pizza covers waiting for baby and life with a newborn through toddlerhood. Features include multicultural families; how babies are born, grow and behave; references to adoption, premature and special needs babies; breast and bottle feeding, twins, helping and playing with babies, older children's feelings and a parents' tips page.


NOTE - this book is best used with Big Kids, not toddlers.  

Fall is a wonderful time of year here in the Northeast - USA

I just couldn't choose - so here are a few titles to share in the next month or so . . . http://www.apples4theteacher.com/holidays/fall/kids-books/

 Previous posts on Fall can be found at
http://teachingreaderstothink.blogspot.com/2010/09/why-do-why-do-leaves-change-color-by.html

http://teachingreaderstothink.blogspot.com/2010/09/red-leaf-yellow-leaf-by-lois-ehlert.html

Picking Apples And Pumpkins by Amy Hutchings, Richard Hutchings (Illustrator)
Spend the day with Kristy, her family, and two best friends as they pick apples and pumpkins at Battleview Orchards in New Jersey. It's a great book to use for fall that doesn't use pumpkins strictly for halloween.

 Autumn: An Alphabet Acrostic by Steven Schnur, Leslie Evans (Illustrator)
One brief acrostic poem for each letter of the alphabet from acorn to zero follows the fall season from end of summer to chilly conclusion. Each poem describes an aspect of the fall season.
An autumn riddle is presented for each letter of the alphabet. Marvelous hand colored illustrations provide sharp clues to the answers. The answer is spelled out in the first letter of each line.

How Do Apples Grow? by Betsy Maestro, Giulio Maestro
Apples Have you ever eaten a part of a flower? You have if you have eaten an apple! Find out how an apple grows from bud to flower to fruit--ready for you to pick!

September 11

There are many children's books to explain, review, recognize this day in lots of different ways. 
Check out these links - http://www.apples4theteacher.com/holidays/911/kids-books/, http://rakstagemom.wordpress.com/2011/09/07/911-books-for-children/,
http://sandysprings.macaronikid.com/article/175671/childrens-books-about-911

This book deals just with the NYC attack - "September 11, 2001: Attack on New York City, a nonfiction children's book about the terrorist attacks on New York City is the result of author Wilborn Hampton's desire to help younger readers understand what happened on September 11, 2001 in New York City. Hampton does this through photographs, interviews and an account of his own experiences that day and the days afterward."

One Green Apple by Eve Bunting

A great "back-to-school" story to help build community - "Farah feels alone, even when surrounded by her classmates. She listens and nods but doesn't speak. It's hard being the new kid in school, especially when you're from another country and don't know the language. Then, on a field trip to an apple orchard, Farah discovers there are lots of things that sound the same as they did at home, from dogs crunching their food to the ripple of friendly laughter. As she helps the class make apple cider, Farah connects with the other students and begins to feel that she belongs.



Ted Lewin's gorgeous sun-drenched paintings and Eve Bunting's sensitive text immediately put the reader into another child's shoes in this timely story of a young Muslim immigrant.

Some awards -

• 2007 -- IRA Teachers' Choice
• 2007 -- CCBC Choices
• 2007 -- Bank Street Best Chldn's Books of the Yr

If You Give a Cat a Cupcake by Laura Numeroff

If you give a cat a cupcake, he'll ask for some sprinkles to go with it. When you give him the sprinkles, he might spill some on the floor. Cleaning up will make him hot, so you'll give him a bathing suit . . . and that's just the beginning!
The lovable cat who first appeared in If You Give a Pig a Party now has his very own book! Written in the tradition of the bestselling If You Give a Mouse a Cookie, Laura Numeroff and Felicia Bond's newest story will show everyone that Cat is where it's at!
Some activity pages to share this delightful story - http://www.lauranumeroff.com/ , http://www.mousecookiebooks.com



Also visit a previous post about all of the "If You Give a ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,," books by Laura Numeroff. http://teachingreaderstothink.blogspot.com/2010_08_01_archive.html

Big Red Lollipop by Rukhsana Khan

Anyone with a little sister (or is a little sister) will appreciate this story, a recent Award winning children's book - Rubina has been invited to her first birthday party, and her mother, Ami, insists that she bring her little sister along. Rubina is mortified, but she can't convince Ami that you just don't bring your younger sister to your friend's party. So both girls go, and not only does Sana demand to win every game, but after the party she steals Rubina's prized party favor, a red lollipop. What's a fed-up big sister to do?

Rukhsana Khan's clever story and Sophie Blackall's irresistible illustrations make for a powerful combination in this fresh and surprising picture book. (from Good Reads).  Here is a review from the NY Times - http://www.nytimes.com/2010/11/07/books/review/Downes-t.html?adxnnl=1&adxnnlx=1311897446-HJOBr+8Vr7X3+fTah7Zqrw
Here are some other connections and ideas - http://planetesme.blogspot.com/2010/06/big-red-lollipop-picture-book.html

Here is the author's website as well - http://www.rukhsanakhan.com/books/bigredlollipop.html 

The Story of the Sea Glass by Anne Wescott Dodd

 The Story of the Sea Glass is a touching tale full of love and the importance of seeing the good that can come from even sad events. The vivid illustrations evoke the warm sun and fresh sea breeze of a Maine coast summer. Also included are directions for making your own sea glass sun-catchers.








Sea Glass Summer - Eleven-year-old Poppy Ray longs to be a veterinarian, but she's never had a pet. This summer, she's going to spend a month with her uncle Sanjay, veterinarian and owner of the Furry Friends Animal Clinic on an island off the Washington coast. Poppy is in for big surprises. She loves tending to the dogs, cats, and even a bird, and she discovers the fun of newborn puppies and the satisfaction of doing a good job. But she learns that there's more to caring for animals than the stethoscope and cotton swabs in her Deluxe Veterinarian First-Aid Kit. She's not prepared for quirky pet owners, gross stuff, or scary emergencies. With help from a boy named Hawk, a chunk of seaglass, and a touch of intuition, Poppy gains a deeper understanding of the pain and joy of working with animals. With warmth and humor, Anjali Banerjee tells the story of a resourceful, determined girl who can't wait to grow up, but begins to realize just how much she has left to discover.

To the Beach by Linda Ashman

TO THE BEACH!, is a humorous story sure to resonate with anyone who's ever tried to get a family out the door for a big outing. No sooner have parents and kids piled in the car for the beach than they begin remembering what's been forgotten: dog, ducky pail, beach umbrella, kite, ball and cooler -- and, whew, the list goes on! The liveliness of the text is perfectly matched by Nadine Bernard Westcott's vivacious artwork." Children's BookPage

"TO THE BEACH is a very funny rhyming text that will have you laughing out loud by the end of the story. The hilarious and artfully drawn illustrations, by Nadine Bernard Westcott, go along perfectly with the story. This is a most fun read-aloud." Meridian Magazine

Visit the author's website at http://www.lindaashman.com/to_the_beach__44934.htm

Camp Granada: Sing-along Camp Songs by Frank Lessac

Everyone loves "campfire" songs - try this book for some old (and new) favorites .................


Hello Muddah, Hello Fadduh,

Here I am at Camp Granada.
Camp is very entertaining.
And they say we’ll have some fun
if it stops raining.

The mosquitoes are out and biting, the rain’s coming down in buckets, and there’s poison ivy on the trail. We’re a long way from home and the food here stinks!

Camp wouldn’t be camp without troubles to share. But there are also new friends to make, adventurous trails to be climbed, and toasty evenings by the fire to enjoy (not to mention a fair bit of silliness).

Classic camp-song favorites—from “Rise and Shine” and “Found a Peanut” to “Kum Ba Yah”—and vibrant, folksy illustrations make this offering a musical walk through the campgrounds for generations to treasure.  Here is is sung - http://bussongs.com/songs/camp_grenada.php

Here are more summer - related books - http://www.apples4theteacher.com/holidays/summer/kids-books/camp-granada.html

The Night Before Summer Vacation (Reading Railroad Books) by Natasha Wing

A little girl and her family are getting ready to go on vacation . . . or at least they are trying to. In the effort to pack everything that will be needed, there's bound to be something overlooked, and what that is provides a funny ending to this meter-perfect "twist" on Clement Moore's classic.

For fun reading activities to keep everyone busy during the summer vacation months, check out -


http://www.education.com/activity/reading/?cid=55000.0061496036&s_kwcid=TC|8363|reading%20activities%20for%20children||S|b|3815608375&gclid=CImnmvuKqqkCFR975QodI3wUMw

And don't forget your public library - http://teachingreaderstothink.blogspot.com/2010_04_01_archive.html

Oh the Places You'll Go by Dr. Seuss

                                           This is a great book for a "soon to be graduate" of any age ...................

The quotes of encouragements are too numerous to list, but noteworthy to explore.
From goodreads - "In this joyous ode to life, Dr. Seuss addresses graduates of all ages, from nursery school to medical school, and gives them the get-up-and-go to move mountains with the unrivaled exuberance and charm that have made Dr. Seuss's books favorites for years."
For interactive Seuss activities check out - http://www.seussville.com/

Congratulations to all the graduates out there!

It's a Book by Lane Smith

Playful and lighthearted with a subversive twist that is signature Lane Smith, IT’S A BOOK is a delightful manifesto on behalf of print in the digital age. This satisfying, perfectly executed picture book has something to say to readers of all stripes and all ages.  There are several very cute videos to share the point of the book.  http://us.macmillan.com/BookCustomPage.aspx?isbn=9781596436060&m_type=2&m_contentid=1635367#video

The usthor has a website as well - http://www.lanesmithbooks.com/LaneSmithBooks/Lane_Smith_Books.html 

Here is an interview with the author - http://www.amazon.com/Its-Book-Lane-Smith/dp/1596436069

The Vegetable Alphabet Book by Jerry Pallotta

I have posted alphabet and planting books before, but this one seems particularly timely to highlight at this time of year................have fun digging in the dirt .............
The author has a great website as well - http://www.jerrypallotta.com/  

To read a section or get some ideas for using alphabet books visit -
http://books.google.com/books?id=3RX2AJ0iw4oC&pg=PT4&lpg=PT4&dq=the+victory+garden+alphabet+book&source=bl&ots=-RgCSNloaz&sig=y7Vd05c_aae-ubJKXaPPkyLRXFQ&hl=en&ei=n2PRTaapE4H3gAfb9dGrDA&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=3&ved=0CEIQ6AEwAg#v=onepage&q&f=false

Some books for Mother's Day - start shopping now

Mother's Day is a week away - here are some titles for your little ones to share with you!
 
The Night Before Mother’s Day – Who’s the greatest mom in the world? Yours, of course! Celebrate her special day!

SpongeBob SquarePants®: The Best Mom – Nothing can be sillier than when SpongeBob celebrates Mother’s Day!

Someday – A heartfelt story about a mother’s unconditional love!




Dinosaur Train: A Surprise for Mom! – Join these little dinos as they go to the big pond to find flowers for Mom!