An Early American Christmas by Tomie de Paola

A great story of tradition and customs to introduce children to the origins of decorating the tree, making cookies and other fun things during hte holiday season.  The author has a great website as well.
http://www.tomie.com/

His books about Strega Nona are not to be missed.   She is a beloved character that appears in many of his stories.

Twenty-Odd Ducks:Why, Every Punctuation Mark Counts! by Lynne Truss

Why, every punctuation mark counts!   

Commas and apostrophes aren’t the only punctuation marks that can cause big trouble if they’re put in the wrong place. Now, Truss and Timmons put hyphens, parentheses, quotation marks, periods, and more in the spotlight, showing how which marks you choose and where you put them can cause hilarious mix-ups.

http://www.teachervision.fen.com/punctuation/printable/60121.html

The Fly on the Ceiling by Julie Glass

Recognized as the father of analytic geometry, René Descartes was a French mathematician and philosopher. Kids will love this funny and very accessible tale - based on one of math's greatest myths - about the man who popularized the Cartesion system of coordinates.
Here is a lesson to introduce and work with kids on a system of coordinates - http://www.uen.org/Lessonplan/preview.cgi?LPid=11237  Here is some background on Descartes - http://mathforum.org/cgraph/history/fly.html

Wild About Books by by Judy Sierra and pictures by Marc Brown

For those of you that remember Bookmobiles, here is a great book to remind you of favorite stories. There are many links for lesson plans and activities. From Scholastic - http://www2.scholastic.com/browse/article.jsp?id=2966

"In this rollicking rhymed story, Molly introduces birds and beasts to this new something called reading. She finds the perfect book for every animal—tall books for giraffes, tiny ones for crickets. “She even found waterproof books for the otter, who never went swimming without Harry Potter.” In no time at all, Molly has them “forsaking their niches, their nests, and their nooks,” going “wild, simply wild, about wonderful books.” Judy Sierra’s funny animal tale coupled with Marc Brown’s lush, fanciful paintings will have the same effect on young Homo sapiens. Altogether, it’s more fun than a barrel of monkeys! "

A Turkey for Thanksgiving by Eve Bunting

Love this book!  It is one of my favorite read alouds. Such a fun story to read aloud after everyone has eaten.  Here are some fun activities to keep everyone busy while the food is prepared. http://abcteach.com/directory/seasonalholidays/thanksgiving/   For some history lessons - check out http://www.theteachersguide.com/thanksgivinglessonplans.htm


Did you invite a "turkey for Thanksgiving"?

Peaceful Heroes by Jonah Winter

This inspiring book chronicles the biographies of men and women who have acted heroically without using violence. A remarkable volume in both text and illustration, Peaceful Heroes will soon become a favorite on every school and library bookshelf. The entire family can read and discuss it together; teachers will find it great for discussion starters and research. The figures profiled are Jesus, Gandhi, Martin Luther King, Sojourner Truth, Clara Barton and nine others. The introduction traces the word “hero” from its historical meaning to today's usage, and challenges readers to develop their own list of peaceful heroes.

For Maria - Barnyard Dance

Had to share this one!  My niece turns 16 years old today and this was her favorite book.  What happens to the time!!!!???? This board type book is a fun story to teach very young children about animals and sounds.  Check out the author's website for more books and ideas. For those of you so inspired there is also Philadelphia Chicken (no more comments needed on this one!).  


HAPPY BIRTHDAY, Maria!  
I love you!

If the World Were a Village by David Smith

This is a great book to put hte size of the world in perspective!  Great to use with any age, but particularly upper grade Math learners.  You must check it out!  Here are videos, links, slide shows and more.

http://www.familycare.org/special-interest/if-the-world-were-a-village-of-100-people/

http://geography.about.com/od/obtainpopulationdata/a/worldvillage.htm

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jNnbO8x4JAY

http://www.slideshare.net/geepatty/if-the-world-were-a-village

Badger's Parting Gift by Susan Varley

The death of a loved family member, prompted me to repost - This book is a great book to share with children in dealing with a loved one's passing away.  A dear story about animal friends and the memories they leave. Read aloud on the PBS show Reading Rainbow, this story is so touching. A teaching plan can be found at http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&cd=6&ved=0CDsQFjAF&url=http%3A%2F%2Fserver.shopdei.com%2F126.0141g.pdf&rct=j&q=Badger%27s%20Parting%20Gifts&ei=sPC6TIfuB4KglAeSuZmZAg&usg=AFQjCNENxNzRAsGaCgoTlby_8GvOVPkoWg&sig2=eDqPWF3_TSxuY155zvjUiw 
When my dad died a few years ago, this was read many times with my nieces and nephews. I keep several of these books and give as gifts to friends with young children when they need a story such as this.

If You Were There in 1492: Everyday Life in the Time of Columbus

An interesting book to share this day in history - Life in Spain just before Columbus's voyage to the Americas -- when tomatoes, pumpkins and Aztec gold were still unknown in Europe. This clever illustrated history gives the facts of life in the cities and countryside from a child's point of view. Middle schoolers will like it. 

 Here are coloring pages, foods and activities for your little ones as well - http://holidays.kaboose.com/columbus-day/

The Lottery Rose by Irene Hunt

I happened to stop by a classroom of 7th graders today. 

Here is what they were reading -

"Georgie Burgess has known only neglect and abuse during his seven and a half years of life. His alcoholic mother does little to prevent the bruises and scars inflicted on Georgie by her brutal boyfriend. With each blow, the little boy withdraws further into his dreams. When he winds a small rose bush in a lottery, it seems as if one of his dreams has finally come true. But after a particularly savage beating, he is taken from his mother and placed in a home for boys. Surrounded by strangers and with the rosebush as his only link to the world, both the boy and his treasured plant must learn how to grow and thrive."  Most said they liked it, but it was sad.  It is important to evoke emotion from our children when they read.  Makes the experience meaningful.  Check it out .........................from families.com   http://media.families.com/blog/the-lottery-rose-irene-hunt  Here is the trailer from the movie http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JhCQHzcw7gQ

Zoom by Istvan Banyai

This is a wonderfully intriguing book.  Not at all what you would expect.  Great to share with adults as well. Check it out ..................there are some wonderful activities as well. http://wilderdom.com/games/descriptions/Zoom.html
"Open this wordless book and zoom from a farm to a ship to a city street to a desert island. But if you think you know where you are, guess again. For nothing is ever as it seems in Istvan Banyai's sleek, mysterious landscapes of pictures within pictures, which will tease and delight readers of all ages."This book has the fascinating appeal of such works of visual trickery as the Waldo and Magic Eye books". -- Kirkus Reviews"Ingenious". -- The Horn Book

There is also ReZoom, if you didn't get enough Zoom.

Why Do Why Do Leaves Change Color? by Betsy Maestro

Didn't you always wonder???????Most children have jumped into piles of leaves or helped their parents rake the yard, and everyone has wondered: Why do leaves change color? Activities that a child can do with leaves and even a list of places known for brilliant fall colors that readers can visit with their families is included. "An informative concept book.

For a more scientific explaination - http://www.sciencemadesimple.com/leaves.html

Red Leaf, Yellow Leaf by Lois Ehlert

The season of Fall starts this week.  I grew up in New England and this is one of my favorite times of the year.
Check out this beautiful book, as well as some activities to do as the days grow shorter............
Lois Ehlert uses watercolor collage and pieces of actual seeds, fabric, wire, and roots in this innovative and rich introduction to the life of a tree. A special glossary explains how roots absorb nutrients, what photosynthesis is, how sap circulates, and other facts about trees.
For an interview with the author - http://www.readingrockets.org/books/interviews/ehlert
Why leaves change colors? http://www.na.fs.fed.us/fhp/pubs/leaves/leaves.shtm
After you rake and gather your favorite leaves, here are some coloring pages http://gonewengland.about.com/cs/coloringpages/l/blfallcoloring.htm

Dinosaurs, Dinosaurs, Dinosaurs!

Where does one start with this topic?  A favorite of youngsters for generations, these books provide beginning experiences of non-fiction reading.  We even have old plastic dinos that were my husbands that the nieces and nephews played with for hours, catagorizing, lining up by color, shape and even size.  many battles occured in the bathtub with these creatures (the dinos, not the kids!).  Here are some books for your budding scientist ...................

Here is an enticing collection of dinosaurs sure to excite any child. Packed with full-color photographs of life-like models plus detailed illustrations, the book offers simple text describing interesting features. Questions encourage children to compare various dinosaurs.


 
The Dinosaur Alphabet Book by Jerry Palotta teaches all of us about some new prehistoric creatures.
 
Here is an alphabet book to practice handwriting (a lost art in this day of typing and texting .................and even some coloring pages  have some fun .....................

2010 National Book Festival - Washington DC

Check out over 70 authors of all genres - http://www.loc.gov/bookfest/

The Dance by Richard Paul Evans

This book is a wonderful story about the relationship between a daughter and her father.  First given to me from a dear friend, after my father passed away, it is an inspiring story.  It follows a father's view of his daughter throughout her stages of life. This nostalgic story will appeal more to an adult audience than a child.  The illustrations are muted and dreamlike.

If You Take a Mouse to School - Laura Numeroff

A fun book with the "if you take a mouse" theme - http://www.makinglearningfun.com/themepages/MouseIfYouTakeaMousePrintables2.htm

Try this maze to go to school with the mouse http://www.atozteacherstuff.com/pages/6115.shtml

Some more "back to school" books for you to share ...............http://www.teachingheart.net/backtoschoolreading.html

The Kissing Hand by Audrey Penn

For your "back to school" collection .............. or a wonderful story to help your little one transition from home to school, check out The Kissing Hand.  Every kindergarten teacher I know uses this book in one way or another.
A video of a read aloud would be a great way to revisit this story - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MuyRj73xl7w. Some very cute activities and printables - http://www.teachingheart.net/kissinghandideas.html.

Check out this heart - warming story.  There are also several sequels. http://www.thevirtualvine.com/TheKissingHand.html


Get your read hearts ready!

How I Spent My Summer Vacation by Mark Teague

What did you do with your time off from school???? Some kids spend their summer vacation at camp. Some kids spend it at Grandma's house. Wallace Bleff spent his out west . . . on a ride, a rope, and a roundup he'll never forget.  Here are some fun activities to do to encourage reflection on all of the things you did during the summer months.  http://www.thevirtualvine.com/cowboys.html  For an interview with the autor check out this video - http://www2.scholastic.com/browse/contributor.jsp?id=1460  

Happy New School Year!

Miss Bindergarten Gets Ready for Kindergarten by Joseph Slate

For your little one who is off to school this year ..........check out this book.  In this whimsical book, twenty-six young animals from an alligator named Adam to a zebra named Zach get ready for their first day of school, while a teacher who is a border collie named Miss Bindergarten is hard at work preparing herself and her classroom for their arrival.

Miss Bindergarten Gets Ready for Kindergarten by Joseph Slate is a fun way way to help prepare your child or students for school and to relieve any anxiety they might be experiencing.

For some activities ................http://www.twigglemagazine.com/August-activities/miss-bindergaten-gets-ready-for-kindergarten-literacy-lesson.html, http://www.twigglemagazine.com/, http://www.kllynch2000.com/BacktoSchool.html

Stay tuned for some more "Back to School" posts ...............

The Penderwicks: A Summer Tale of Four Sisters, Two Rabbits, and a Very Interesting Boy by Jeanne Birdsall

My niece has read this book so many times ..................

When the Penderwick family's summer holiday plans are changed, the widowed Mr. Penderwick decides to take his four young daughters --- ages 4 through 12 --- to a cottage in the Berkshire Mountains of Massachusetts. Instead, though, they find themselves on a beautiful grand estate called Arundel. For the close sisters, Arundel gives them a realm of possibility and each their own treasure-trove of memories and discoveries.

This is a lighthearted children's book that is also somewhat realistic. Readers won't like how Mrs. Tifton treats the girls, but they will enjoy the sisters' special bond, such as when they have their secret MOOPS. As with summer holidays, the book ends too quickly but will continue to be just as memorable as the years go by.

Miss Rumphius by Barbara Cooney

http://www.carolhurst.com/titles/missrumphius.htm 









 

This beautiful picture book tells of the life of the author's great aunt Alice, now called The Lupine Lady. When she was little, Alice told her grandfather that she wanted to do as he did: go to far away places and live in a house by the sea. He told her that she must also do something to make the world more beautiful.

She accomplishes all she set out to do: traveling to tropical islands, climbing mountains before she hurts her back falling from a camel and decides to live by the sea. Her need to make the world more beautiful is a source of consternation to her.

Her solution of spreading lupine seeds wherever she walks is at first inadvertent - birds and the wind disperse lupine seeds from some she had planted in her garden before her bad back forced her into a semi-invalided life. When she sees new plants growing on nearby hillsides and cliffs, she spreads the seed herself after she feels better.

The illustrations are exquisite. They have the appearance of watercolors but were accomplished with acrylics and colored pencil. Several pages show a vast expanse of sea, marsh and land. Colors fade into the mist and just the right look of misty mornings by the sea is created.

l

Curiosities

The Land of Curiosities
Adventures in Yellowstone, 1871 - 1872
Lost in Yellowstone, 1872 - 1873
Deanna Neil

Adventures of James and his sister Alice in Yellowstone – uncovering a plot to kill off the buffalo herds, surviving in the wilderness alone, learning the ways of the Shoshone, and exploring the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone. (Illustrated chapter book)

Cat Heaven by Cynthia Rylant

Just had to post this today as my niece's beloved cat "Winnie" passed away while they were on vacation.  How sad for her.   Bri is a loving child and has now experienced one of the necessary passages of life.

Simple verse and bold, folk-art illustrations, Newbery Medalist Cynthia Rylant invites readers to visit Cat Heaven, a place where cats have an eternal supply of catnip, tuna, and warm laps. There is also Dog Heaven.

Diary of a Wimpy Kid by Jeff Kinney

This series made its debut in 2007 with rave reviews.  Check out the author's website for a blog, news, video and audio, among a few other things.  The movie opened this past Spring and comes out in DVD soon.  Check it out for some fun stories.

Ox-Cart Man by Donald Hall, illustrated by Babara Cooney

A beautiful old story that lends itself to many activities including economics, history and storyline.  Wonderful picutres ehnance this reading.  Check out the many activities - http://blog.richmond.edu/openwidelookinside/archives/2405, http://www2.scholastic.com/browse/collateral.jsp?id=454, www.liveoakmedia.com/client/guides/27971.pdf

Seashells by the Seashore by Marianne Collins Berkes

Little sea creatures build their shell homes in a wonderful variety of shapes and colors. In this lovely lilting rhyme, children walk the beach, counting, naming, and appreciating forever the whelk, olive and other beautiful shells, and the creatures that lived in them. The paperback edition contains a tear-out shell identification card to enhance the hand-on lesson in nature's simple wonders.  Check out the author's website as well. http://www.marianneberkes.com/seashells_by_the_seashore_23318.htm

Here are some of my favorites .................http://www.seashells.org/

Dear Mr. Blueberry by Simon James

It is vacation time, so Emily has to write to her teacher for help. "Dear Mr. Blueberry, I love whales very much and I think I saw one in my pond today. Please send me some information on whales."
Mr. Blueberry answers at once, pointing out that whales live in salt water, not in ponds, so it can't be a whale. But Emily believes in her whale and replies that she is putting salt into the pond every day before breakfast and that she has seen the whale smile. After several letters, Mr. Blueberry explains more forcibly that a whale cannot live in Emily's pond and that whales are migratory. Emily then reports that her whale has at last become migratory again because of Mr. Blueberry's letter and has left the pond. She is sad. But in her last letter, she has a happy surprise to tell Mr. Blueberry, and all is well.
Emily's very real concern for her whale comes through most convincingly in this delightfully imaginative, childlike text. Children everywhere will sympathize with Emily, and, like her, will learn some basic facts about these great creatures from Mr. Blueberry's letters.
Simon James's full-color illustrations are a perfect accompaniment to this unusual book that gives small children a gentle introduction to the world of nature.

The Jolly Postman by Janet and Allan Alhberg

I loved using this book for letter writing (a lost art with the texting and email world now upon us!).  Check out these ideas - http://www.readwritethink.org/classroom-resources/lesson-plans/genre-study-letters-with-322.html , http://teachers.net/lessons/posts/730.html

There is also a holiday version of the story.  Fifteen years ago, long before anyone else thought of tucking actual letters and notes inside a book, Little, Brown published The Jolly Postman by Allan and Janet Ahlberg. This wonderful book gave children a chance to read letters sent from one fairy tale or Mother Goose character to another. Among the funny notes was one from Jack, who lolled on a sun-drenched island, thanking the Giant for the gold that let him afford such a nifty vacation. All this amusing correspondence was deftly illustrated and the book attracted hordes of eager readers.

One Morning in Maine by Robert McCloskey

Couldn't resist one more ..................

One Morning in Maine

Taken from Children's Books - In this 1953 Caldecott Honor Book, Sal is several years older and about to lose her first tooth. Everything Sal does that day, from clamming with her father to going by boat to Buck's Harbor for supplies, is affected by her tooth. When Sal's tooth falls out and is lost, she consoles herself by wishing on a gull's feather in place of her lost tooth. By the time Sal, her father, and sister Jane, arrive in Buck's Harbor, Sal is eager to tell everyone that her tooth is out. This book provides a very interesting look at daily life for a family living on an island in Maine. Once again, McCloskey's black and white illustrations create a mood of activity and anticipation.

Comet's Nine Lives by Jan Brett

Anyone planning a trip to the beach this summer, whether for real or virtually, will want to share this book with their youngsters.  Many activities are avaible for this book, including seashell counting, geopgraphy, cat idioms and more on the Jan Brett site. Other activities including poetry, water study and recipes are numerous.  The internet hunt is fun as well. For another link to Nantucket Island, the setting for Comet's Nine Lives, see the March post on Maria Mitchell. This will get you started on your "summer reading list"!

On another note,  I thought the bluest hydrangeas ever, could be found in Nantucket.  Check out these from my yard.  Gotta love aluminum sulfate and iron additives.

Time of Wonder by Robert McCloskey

Time of Wonder 

Taken from Children's Books - This book, the Caldecott Medal winner in 1958,  set in Maine, but it is a decidedly different type of book. Time of Wonder was McCloskey's first picture book in full color. Beautiful watercolors of life on the islands in Penobscot Bay illustrate each page. Sunny weather, foggy weather, rainy weather, and a hurricane are all part of life on the islands. So, too, are boating, castle building, nature walks, and playing. The writing is lyrical and speaks very personally to the reader/listener, beginning with "Out on the islands that poke their rocky shore above the waters of Penobscot Bay, you can watch the time of the world go by, from minute to minute, hour to hour, from day to day, season to season." This is a wonderful book, one to be cherished and read, and read again by both children and adults.

The Seashore Book by Charlotte Zolotow

In Charlotte's The Seashore Book, a little boy asks his mother "What is the seashore like?" Her sensuous, detail, child's-eye description brings a day at the seaside so alive to him (for "he lived in the mountains and had never seen the sea.") that by the end of her recounting --- with his eager questions --- he can say, "I like the seashore a lot, and now I can always close my eyes and be there the way I was just now with you." (Cover, by Wendell Minor, shown left.)

Published in 1992 by HarperCollins and edited by Robert Warren, the large book is extraordinarily illustrated with paintings by artist Wendell Minor. A Reading Rainbow selection, The Seashore Book has been called " A graceful, handsomely produced tribute to a favorite childhood experience, " by Kirkus Reviews, and "Poetically descriptive," by the Horn Book. "Minor's lovely paintings heighten the serene nature of the book, " continues Horn Book, " which reads almost like a guided meditation. A useful and relaxing story for bedtime or any time."

Love the title ............check it out ................

Who Pooped in the Park?          Gary D. Robson, Elijah Brady Clark

Find out about animals that live in Yellowstone National Park by following their tracks and scat (poop) – grizzly bear, mule deer, elk, moose, bison, gray wolf, mountain lion and badger. (Picture book)

Fun book - check it out ...............

Happy 4th of July!

Lots of books to wish the United States a  - HAPPY BIRTHDAY!  Or try this link for books for young readers, as well as pre-teens.
Also, for a wonderful "all-American" celebration visit Wardsboro Vermont for their 4th of July parade and celebration.
Happy Birthday!

Grizzly Bears

Eye of the Grizzly
Mike Graf, Marjorie Leggitt

Explore Yellowstone with the Parker family – go camping in the back country, listen to wolves howling at night, ride out a thunderstorm, encounter a charging grizzly bear. An adventure story combined with park nature and lore, ideas for family hikes and camping spots, and tips for wildlife and outdoor safety. (Illustrated chapter book)

Saw several today, including a mama and her cub.  Here is a pic of some more.