Pictures from Our Vacation by Lynne Rae Perkins

Snap!

With their new cameras

Snap!

a brother and sister

Snap!

take pictures of their vacation.

But when they look at their photographs they see:


             1. The back of Dad's head
             2. Feet
             3. A container of noodles
That's it?
Does 1 + 2 + 3 = summer vacation?

What about how it felt to swim in the lake? What about the stories their cousins told and the taste of a just-invented strawberry and whipped cream dessert?

For those memories—the memories of summer and the memories of family that mean the most—they need to look someplace else. Someplace deep inside. Someplace permanent.

Author's site https://lynnerae.com/picture-books/pictures-from-our-vacation/

I Wish You More by Amy Krouse Rosenthal, Tom Lichtenheld (Goodreads Author) (Illustrator)

Some books are about a single wish. Some books are about three wishes. The infallible team of Amy Krouse Rosenthal and Tom Lichtenheld have combined their extraordinary talents to create this exuberant book of endless good wishes. Wishes for curiosity and wonder, for friendship and strength, laughter and peace. Whether celebrating life's joyous milestones, sharing words of encouragement, or observing the wonder of everyday moments, this sweet and uplifting book is perfect for wishers of every age.

I Am Helen Keller by Brad Metzer

When Helen Keller was very young, she got a rare disease that made her deaf and blind. Suddenly, she couldn't see or hear at all, and it was hard for her to communicate with anyone. But when she was six years old, she met someone who change her life forever: her teacher, Annie Sullivan. With Miss Sullivan's help, Helen learned how to speak sign language and read Braille. Armed with the ability to express herself, Helen grew up to be come a social activist, leading the fight for people with disabilities and so many other causes.

For more books about Keller, visit our Helen Keller Collection.

Over the Ocean by Taro Gomi

2017 Mildred L. Batchelder Award Winner

Renowned children's book creator Taro Gomi has created another masterpiece. In this beautiful testament to wondering, a young girl gazes out to where the water meets the sky and wonders what lies beyond the waves. Boats filled with toys? Skyscrapers filled with people? Houses filled with families? Or, maybe, over the ocean stands someone not so different from the girl herself, returning her gaze. In this celebration of imagination's power, young readers will find joy in the mystery of the faraway, the unknown, and the just-beyond.

Two Blue Jays by Anne Rockwell and Megan Halsey

Miss Dana's class has front-row seats for one of nature's most awe-inspiring spring performances. In the branches of the fir tree outside their classroom, two blue jays build their nest. Shortly after the nest is completed, the female blue jay lays her eggs. The male brings her all kinds of food-an acorn, a worm, even a piece of a cookie! She guards her eggs closely, but the children are able to get a quick glimpse of them. Days later the children see the newly hatched baby blue jays huddled together in the nest. Three weeks later, the children say good-bye as the blue jays leave the nest for the first time. Without a single lesson, the birds spread their wings and take flight. This charming story with spectacular three-dimensional illustrations will bring out the nature observer in every child.

Here Come the Girl Scouts! The Amazing All-True Story of Juliette "Daisy" Gordon Low and Her Great Adventureby Shana Corey (Author), Hadley Hooper (Illustrator)

The amazing, all-true story of the first Girl Scouts and their visionary founder.

Juliette Gordon Low--Daisy to her friends and family--was not like most girls of the Victorian era. 

Prim and proper? 

BOSH! 

Dainty and delicate? 

HOW BORING!

She loved the outdoors, and she yearned for adventure! Born into a family of pathfinders and pioneers, she too wanted to make a difference in the world--and nothing would stop her. 

Combining her ancestors’ passion for service with her own adventurous spirit and her belief that girls could do anything, she founded the Girl Scouts. One hundred years later, they continue to have adventures, do good deeds, and make a difference!

THE WARDEN’S DAUGHTER By Jerry Spinelli

For ages 9-12  From goodreads

From Newbery Medalist Jerry Spinelli (Maniac Magee, Stargirl) comes the "moving and memorable" (Kirkus Reviews, starred) story of a girl searching for happiness inside the walls of a prison.

Cammie O'Reilly lives at the Hancock County Prison--not as a prisoner, she's the warden's daughter. She spends the mornings hanging out with shoplifters and reformed arsonists in the women's excercise yard, which gives Cammie a certain cache with her school friends.
But even though Cammie's free to leave the prison, she's still stuck. And sad, and really mad. Her mother died saving her from harm when she was just a baby. You wouldn't think you could miss something you never had, but on the eve of her thirteenth birthday, the thing Cammie most wants is a mom. A prison might not be the best place to search for a mother, but Cammie is determined and she's willing to work with what she's got.
"Jerry Spinelli again proves why he's the king of storytellers" (Shelf Awarenss, starred) in this tale of a girl who learns that heroes can come in surprising disguises, and that even if we don't always get what we want, sometimes we really do get what we need.
"This book is never boring and never predictable. Fame, good and bad fortune, friendship and mental illness all make their way into [Cammie's] narrative."--The New York Times Book Review
Praise for the works of Jerry Spinelli:
"Spinelli is a poet of the prepubescent. . . . No writer guides his young characters, and his readers, past these pitfalls and challenges and toward their futures with more compassion." --The New York Times
"It's almost unreal how much the children's book still resonates." --Bustle.com on Maniac Magee (less)

Author's website - http://www.jerryspinelli.com/newbery_001.htm

Buddy, The First Seeing Eye Dog

With inspiring and educational stories, Scholastic's Hello Reader series caters to the spectrum of reading abilities among beginning readers. My First Hello Readers use basic words to reinforce phonics and sight vocabulary. The books at this level offer punch-out flash cards plus six additional pages of skill-building activities. Levels 1 - 4 combine a greater vocabulary and longer sentence length. Each book has an introductory letter from an education specialist guiding parents on how to help their children learn to read. Grades 2 - Grades 4. 


http://www.seeingeye.org/about-us/history.html?referrer=https://www.google.com/

Morris and Buddy: The Story of the First Seeing Eye Dog by Becky Hall, Doris Ettlinger (Illustrator)

Morris Frank lost his sight in 1924, when he was only sixteen. One day, Morris's dad read him an article about an American dog trainer living in Switzerland. This is the story of his relationship with Buddy, his own seeing eye dog.

I am Jim Henson (Ordinary People Change the World) by Brad Meltzer

We can all be heroes. That’s the inspiring message of this New York Times bestselling picture book biography series from historian and author Brad Meltzer. This volume focuses on Jim Henson, the creator of the Muppets and Sesame Street.
 
This friendly, fun biography series focuses on the traits that made our heroes great--the traits that kids can aspire to in order to live heroically themselves. Jim Henson, for example, was always dreaming up something new, and always expressing his belief in the goodness of people. Henson was a born performer with a terrific sense of humor, and he used those talents to help create two of the most beloved programs in television history: The Muppet Show and Sesame Street. Through his Muppets, Jim showed the world that there’s nothing more beautiful than imagination, especially when it’s accompanied by laughter and kindness.
 
Each book in this series tells the story of one inspiring individual through lively text and art that works well for the youngest nonfiction readers. At the back are an excellent timeline and photos.

We Can All Be Heroes site - http://www.ordinarypeoplechangetheworld.com/jim_henson.php

Squirrel's New Year's Resolution - by Pat Miller (Author), Kathi Ember (Illustrator)

"Do you know how to make a resolution?" Squirrel asked Bear. "Is it like making a snack?"

Bear laughed. "Resolutions are more important than snacks."

"More important than snacks?" said Squirrel. "What is a resolution?"

Squirrel knows that New Year's Day is a great day for making resolutions! But what does it mean to make a resolution, anyway? As she makes visits around the forest she learns about New Year's resolutions and helps her friends get started on theirs. If only she can think of a resolution of her very own...

video read aloud - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AKMlUI6lJ0I

Author's website - http://www.patmillerbooks.com/squirrels-new-years-resolution.html

Activities - http://www.patmillerbooks.com/activities-squirrels-new-years-resolution.html

The Story of Snow: The Science of Winter's Wonder by Mark Cassino, Jon Nelson

How do snow crystals form? What shapes can they take? Are no two snow crystals alike? These questions and more are answered in this visually stunning exploration of the science of snow. Perfect for reading on winter days, the book features photos of real snow crystals in their beautiful diversity. Snowflake-catching instructions are also included.



Frequently asked questions about snow crystals - http://www.its.caltech.edu/~atomic/snowcrystals/faqs/faqs.htm

Thank You, Sarah: The Woman Who Saved Thanksgiving by Laurie Halse Anderson, Matt Faulkner (Illustrator)

We the people of the United States...

Almost Lost Thanksgiving

Yes. That's right!

Way back when "skirts were long and hats were tall" Americans were forgetting Thanksgiving, and nobody seemed to care!

Thankfully, Sarah Hale appeared. More steadfast than Plymouth Rock, this lady editor knew the holiday needed saving. But would her recipe for rescue ever convince Congress and the presidents?

Join acclaimed author Laurie Halse Anderson on a journey of a woman and a pen that spanned four decades, the Civil War, and five presidents, all so you could have your turkey and eat it too!

Authors website - http://madwomanintheforest.com/youngreaders-thank-you-sarah/

The Veterans Day Visitor Peter Catalanotto Pamela Schembri

Emily's Pop-Pop is shocked when he hears that Emily and Vincetta Louise don't know what a veteran is. With Veterans Day coming up, he volunteers to talk to their class about the holiday and the people it honors. But Emily is worried. Pop-Pop sometimes falls asleep at the strangest times. What if he falls asleep in front of the whole class? Everyone would laugh!

Vinni and Emily come up with a plan. With so much to learn, they have to make sure that no one sleeps through this Veterans Day!

Amelia Bedelia's First Apple Pie by H. Parish

Amelia Bedelia is sure she will love everything about autumn.

The colorful trees 
Jumping in the leaves 
Apples, apples, apples 
Warm apple pie 
Fun family projects

Amelia Bedelia can't wait. What could be better? Autumn! Hooray for apples and fall!



Video reading - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8rv37d3-9Qc

Welcome to the world of Amelia Bedelia! 
http://ameliabedeliabooks.supadu.com/book/9780061964114/amelia-bedelia's-first-apple-pie

Maple Syrup Season by Ann Purmell and Sugaring by Jessie Haas

Pancake and waffle-loving readers will eat up this process picture book with a behind-the-scenes look at making a much-loved treat. Sap's rising! It's officially maple syrup season at the Brockwell family farm. There will be a lot to do, from hammering spouts into the maple trees to gathering, pouring, and boiling the sap. But the whole family will help together, and when all of the work is done, there will be a sweet and tasty treat. Maple syrup is a favorite breakfast treat for many children. Ann Purmell satisfies young readers' curiosities by showing the in-depth process of making syrup. Jill Weber's cheerful artwork portrays a family working together to achieve a goal, alongside cozy and humorous forest animals who occasionally "help" with the process. Teachers are always looking for process books that tell how familiar products are made.

Sugaring  by Jessie Haas 

Nora and Gramp are collecting sap from maple trees to make maple syrup. The horses, Bonnie and Stella, are working hard, too, pulling the heavy sap tank through the snow from tree to tree. This third story about Nora and her grandparents brings the beauty of  a Vermont farm in early spring vividly to life.

Llama Llama books by Anna Dewdney

In this infectious rhyming read-aloud, Baby Llama turns bedtime into an all-out llama drama! Tucked into bed by his mama, Baby Llama immediately starts worrying when she goes downstairs, and his soft whimpers turn to hollers when she doesn't come right back. But just in time, Mama returns to set things right. Children will relate to Baby Llama's need for comfort, as much as parents will appreciate Mama Llama's reassuring message.

Some characters and a great interactive fun website!

http://www.llamallamabook.com/llama_llama_red_pajama.php

Butterfiles and Caterpillars

Found this in my garden eating the carrot greens!  Look closely!

Here are some books to make me investigate the little guy!
Butterfly Buzz

Just starting school?

Books to read BEFORE you go to school -
school/http://www.pbs.org/parents/education/bookfinder/books-to-read-before-kids-start-school/
From PBS.org

Books to Read Before Kids Start School

By Danielle Steinberg

Anxious, excited, curious, frightened… kids can experience a rush of emotions as they prepare for their first days of school. Whether they’re starting day care, preschool, kindergarten or a different school in a new town, calm your young child’s classroom jitters by reading these books together.

G is For Gold by Brad Herzog

G Is for Gold Medal "From the first games held in ancient Greece to the cultural extravaganzas of recent years, there have been some incredible and amazing events and milestones in the world of Olympic sports. Now G is for Gold Medal: An Olympics Alphabet, writer Brad Herzog showcases those athlete and events that not only set sports records but also impacted history and world views."--Amazon

Download the book here - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t0zdoGaejqA

S is for Sea Glass: A Beach Alphabet by Richard Michelson (Author), Doris Ettlinger (Illustrator)

The tickle of sand on the bottom of bare feet... the taste of salt from a spray of water... the rumble-roar as waves come ashore. These are just a few of the many sensory experiences a day at the beach can bring. S is for Sea Glass: A Beach Alphabet uses a variety of poetry forms such as free verse, haiku, and ode in this celebration of the beach and seaside life. From a walk down the boardwalk to collecting sea glass to imagining the life of a shell's former occupant, poet Richard Michelson reminds beach-lovers of all ages the many reasons why we're drawn to the shore.

http://www.richardmichelson.com/childrens-books/s-is-for-sea-glass/s-is-for-seaglass-preview/