Wednesday Wars

Me and my Bro circa 1966

Air raid drills, vietnam, Martin Luther King, flower people, cream puffs, Bobby Kennedy, and Shakespeare all rolled in to a great story.  The Wednesday Wars is a children's novel that took me by surprise.  I loved this book that takes place in the 60's.  It is for children ages 8-12 but I say ages 8-101.  It is the story of Holling Hoodhood and his seventh grade year in Jr. high with a teacher who"hates his guts".  She tortures him with pounding erasers and Shakespeare and just like Shakespeare at times the book is a laugh out loud comedy and at other times a tragedy.  If you were in grade school in the 60's you will relate to the air raid drills and climbing under the school desks with your hands over your head waiting for the bell to ring.  If you didn't grow up during that time then you will get a feel for what it was like.  This book has some great laughs, great characters and inspiring moments.  

The Happy Book Collector

Once again Kohl's is offering  a great deal on children's picture books.  This time around it is an all time favorite Eric Carle.

The Hungry Caterpillar

The Grouchy Ladybug

The Mix-up Chameleon

The Foolish Tortise

At $5.00 a pop they are a steal.  The plush toys are an added bonus at $5.00.  All the money goes to a good cause which gives one more reason to make the purchase.

I don't work for Kohl's or get free books from them, or payment for promoting their cause.  I just think it's a dang good deal.

Happy Birthday Dr. Seuss

Dr. Seuss was the very man who inflicted great torture on me as a young child. Ok, so he didn't actually come to my house and torture me, it just felt like it. As a youngster learning to read I guess Green Eggs and Ham and The Cat In The Hat must have been the only two books in my house. Every night my Dad would sit with me and I would have to read one of these books. I was struggling with reading. I hated these books. I wanted to scream at Sam I Am, "just answer the damn question so this book can be over with" (Did I just swear?). I wanted to take that Cat and beat the living daylights out of him and tell him to, "GET OUT". I would slowly plug along trying to get through those books each night. I remember crying about it and yelling I hate reading.

I want all of you that are wondering if I am still an illiterate to know that reading finally clicked in my head and then I was off and never stopped reading but it was no thanks to Dr. Seuss. I think it was actually spelling tests. I was very competitive when it came to spelling tests in the 2nd grade and also I wanted to be in the top reading group.


I have forgiven Dr. Seuss. Although, those two books are still my least favorite. It was years before I bought any Dr. Seuss books for my own kids and I was a collector of children's books. Those did not make the cut as necessary reading in our home library. I do remember the first time that the kids heard those stories they liked them and I was silently annoyed that they didn't hate them.

I will give a shout out to the following Seuss books - Are You My Mother? (Loved it). My all time favorite, Go Dog Go. Loved the dogs and the cars, the huge bed with a zillion dogs sleeping in it, and the question, "do you like my hat?".
So Happy Birthday Dr Seuss and please people--do not torture your kids with these books if they are a struggling reader. It just ain't nice!

PS. Oh Look, after posting the pictures I see that the books I liked weren't even Dr. Seuss books. So, thank you PD Eastman for saving me.

Fancy Nancy Is Back!

I love Fancy Nancy and she is back with a Splendiferous Christmas. Vocab Words: Aroma, Heirlooms, Delectable, Improvise and of course Splendiferous. I love, Love, Love the illustrations and it's a great story too.

Need an idea for an activity? Look no further than in the story itself. Make your own heirloom tree topper just like Nancy's.

Did I mention that I adore (that's fancy for like, love, and very fond of) the illustrations?

The Spirit of christmas

The Spirit of Christmas written and illustrated by Nancy Tillman is a beautiful new-must-have christmas book. As with all her work the illustrations are beautiful. Even more beautiful is the message that the most magical gift of the season is when we spend Christmas with those we love.

Today is the day to start your Advent Calendars. Here are a few that I have seen that I love!

From Allsorts

Ok so that one is a bit ambitious, so try this one. I love it and I think your kids will too! They could each make their own. From Maya*Made

No time to make something? How about this cutie from Target.

Grateful

On Friday I noticed the light filtering through this tree in my backyard and snapped a couple of shots. I am glad I did. Today is a very blustery day and I am guessing there won't be many leaves left on the tree when the wind finally tops.

I also want to recommend a book. Grateful A song of Giving Thanks By John Bucchino, Illustrated by Anna-Liisa Hakkarainen. I love the sweet message of gratitude and the simple illustrations that have such rich colors. It is a celebration of all the seasons, nature and the joy one can have when living a life of gratitude. Also included is a CD of this song recorded by Art Garfunkel.

Prayer For A Child

I love children's picture books. If you know me you already know that.

In this time of Thanksgiving and Gratitude I thought it would be fun to share some of my favorites that are in the spirit of the season. I picked up this little gem a while ago.

Prayer for a Child by Rachel Field, Illustrations by Elizabeth Orton Jones.

This lovely little book won the Caldecott Award in 1945. It is a sweet prayer that a child can offer. In Elizabeth Orton Jones Caldecott acceptance speech she said:

“

Drawing is very like a prayer. Drawing is a reaching for something away beyond you. As you sit down to work in the morning, you feel as if you were on top of a hill. And it is as if you were seeing for the first time. You take your pencil in hand. You'd like to draw what you see. And so you begin. You try ... . Every child in the world has a hill, with a top to it. Every child-black, white, rich, poor, handicapped, unhandicapped. And singing is what the top of each hill is for. Singing-drawing-thinking-dreaming-sitting in silence . . . saying a prayer. I should like every child in the world to know that he has a hill, that that hill is his no matter what happens, his and his only, forever.

I love these illustrations and I think part of it may be that they remind of so many of the picture books of my childhood.

Great Book Deal

Kohl's Cares for Kids offers one of the best deals on children's books around. Every so often they take a popular children's author and publish and sell their books for $5.00. They are hardbound books! The fun part is they also make available for $5.00, stuffed characters from the books.

They are finding a way to make books affordable for children plus 100% of the profits go to support health and educational opportunities for kids.

In the past they have featured Dr. Seuss books and Steve Jenkins books.

Right now they have the Larua Numeroff books. You know... If You Give A Mouse A Cookie, If You Give A Pig A Party...

Hmmm.... Great idea for Christmas.

An Absolute Must Read

I just finished reading a book that I will never forget. It is one of those books that should become a classic. It was beautiful, haunting, and unforgettable. I read a grip of books but few have the impact that this one has had. I loved it!

The Book Thief
by Markus Zusak
( a Michael L. Printz Honor Book)

To quote the Narrator of the story (who happens to be Death):

"It's just a small story really, about among other things:
*A girl
*Some words
*An accordionist
*Some fanatical Germans
*A jewish fist fighter
*And quite a lot of thievery"

Really it is not a small story at all. It is about beauty of life as well as the brutality, guilt, friendship and so much more. It's about words and the power they have. You can't help but fall in love with the characters and their story. I admit that I miss the characters they were so real. I will tell you it is the first book in ages that made me weep. It shows what ordinary people can do in difficult times by being decent and kind. I wish I was better at writing so I could convey to what a great read this is. It was originally sold in Australia as and Adult Fiction. In the USA it has been marketed as a Young Adult Novel. I hope all of my kids will read this book. Below is a book video that was made about this book.

Where The Wild Things Are

Can't wait. Looks interesting. This was one of Sean's favorite books when he was a little wild thing.

Book Look - A Couple of Boys Have The Best Week Ever

Look at this book:

A Couple of Boys have the Best Week Ever by Marla Frazee




The illustrations in this book are what first caught my attention.  I love the way the text says one thing and the pictures show us another.  Very clever and funny.  You will love the Grandparents,  your kids will love the boys and you will all want a similar summer adventure.  Share the book with your kids then get busy.  Here are some ideas I have to use this book as a jumping point for some summer fun:

* Make Banana waffles:

BANANA WAFFLES

1 3/4 c. sifted flour 2 tsp. baking powder 1/2 tsp. salt 1 tbsp. sugar 3 eggs, separated 2 - 4 tbsp. oil 1 1/2 c. milk 2 med. bananas, mashed Sift first 4 ingredients into bowl. Make a well in center. Combine egg yolks, oil, milk and bananas in bowl; beat well. Pour banana mixture into dry ingredients; stir until just mixed. Fold in stiffly beaten egg whites. Bake in waffle iron using manufacturer's directions. Yields 4 servings.

* Take your kids to the Natural History Museum (that's what Bill  wanted to do)

* Take your kids to a local Aquarium to see the penquins (Sea World?)

*Check out books from the library with information on Penquins and Antarctica

* Watch "March of the Penquins".

*Send your kids to their Grandparents house for a week.

*Take your kids to the beach to see the tide pools. 

*Send your kids to Nature Camp (what?)

*Take time to have your own nature camp.  Hiking, bird watching, Arts and crafts, etc.

*Let your kids get out the big air mattress and sleep on it.

*Let your kids use said air mattress as they see fit

*Spend some time looking at the stars

*Help you kids make their own Antarctica or better yet get them a pile of supplies and let them figure it out on their own.

*If you are lucky enough to have access to mussel shells and rocks make your own Penguins.

The Other Mother - Lisa

A few years ago I picked up a little book called Coraline in the children's section of the bookstore. I remember reading it and thinking that it was really kind of unusual and strange for children.

Now just a few years later it has been made into a movie. Done by the same director of The Nightmare Before Christmas it looks very intriguing. In the story Caroline goes to a different world where all the adults have button eyes. See above, that is the Other Mother Lisa. At first the Other Mother seems much better than her real Mother. But as you might quess, the Other Mother isn't really what she seems. I have read the book and not seen the movie but I say don't be afraid of it. It's a good ol' fashioned fright for kids that's not too much. Now I am talking about older kids. I wouldn't read it to a 5 year old. How about 5th grade and up. Also check out the movie website it lets you make your own button-eyed picture as well as other entertaining activities. You could make an Other Mother picture for your own children to remind them to love you the way you are! Finally as always read the book before you see the movie.

Snow

Here in California , or at least where I live, we don't get snow. Unless of course you count the time we had some freak storm and it snowed and the snow lasted about an hour and you could still see all the green through it anyways. The only way we are going to enjoy the snow is to take a drive up into the local mountains at exactly the right moment or to look at it in a movie or better yet a book.

Let me recommend Stranger in the Woods by Carl R. Sams II & Jean Stoick. This is indeed , as printed on the cover, a photographic fantasy. Since I love children's books and Photography this book is a double delight. I have shared it with children who are ages 3-5 and they love this book. The photos are beautiful. The book is full of animals from the forest as well as a stranger who has a wonderful surprise and of course lots of snow.

Gingerbread Baby

I thought it would be fun to share some of my favorite Children's holiday books. So drum roll please.......

The first book I would like to share is Gingerbread Baby by Jan Brett. I love Jan Brett's illustrations. You can look at each one forever and never get tired and each time you will still notice new things. Her paintings are so detailed.

"I am the Gingerbread Baby,
Fresh from the pan.
If you want me,
Catch me if you can."

So begins the chase to catch the Gingerbread Baby. Matti's family and friends all chase the Gingerbread baby through the village.


The illustrations show us that Matti is not with them on the chase. In the boarders of the illustrations we see Matti busy on a different project that in the end will help catch that Gingerbread Baby.

There are so many activitites that can also be done along with the reading of this book. Jan Brett's Web site is full of resources:

Gingerbread Baby Board Game
Gingerbread Baby Happy Holidays Coloring Placemat
Gingerbread Baby House
Gingerbread Baby Interactive House
Gingerbread Baby Icing
Gingerbread Baby Recipe
Gingerbread Friends Mural

Another great activity would be to make one of these:

Wilton Gingerbread House

I have seen these at Costco every Christmas. They have the best price. I want to say they are around $10.00 at the most. The kit has everything that you would need. I have also seen them at craft stores, grocery stores, and Target. My kids have always loved doing these. All Ages.

So gather up your kids, or grandkids, or neighbor kids, or whatever kid you can find and read Gingerbread Baby and have some fun together.

p.s. My local Costco has several of the Jan Brett Hardbound books available right now for $10.79 each. The Mitten, Gingerbread Baby, The Three Snow Bears, and On Noahs Ark (my primary class loved looking at this one).

Scary People

It's been a while since I posted a favorite children's book. I had the luxury last week of spending some time in the children's book section at Borders just browsing through some great books. I found this new little treasure hot off the press.

the little bit SCARY people
written by Emily Jenkins and illustrated by Alexandria Boiger


Some people are a little bit STRANGE,
or a little too LOUD,
or a tiny bit MEAN.
Some people are just
A LITTLE BIT SCARY.
But I bet
if you knew them--
if you knew what they like for breakfast,
and how they treat their pets,
and how they sing along to show tunes
or read cowboy stories on the couch--
then you
you'd know that maybe
(probably)
most people aren't so scary after all.

The illustrations are perfect and go along with the great message of the book.

People really aren't that scary at all.

Book Look

I just have to mention my newest book purchase-- Fancy Nancy Bonjour, Butterfly by Jane O'Conner. Of course Robin Preiss Glasser is the fantastic illustrator of this book. I love all the Fancy Nancy books and this newest book is a delight. Learn the definition of Exquisite, RSVP, elegant and other fancy words. My favorite illustration is Nancy doing a beauty spa in the hotel bathroom with her doll Marabelle.

You have got to love these books. If you haven't seen them check them out, if you have seen them add Bonjour, Butterfly to your collection. And of course we all know the others in the collection are -- Fancy Nancy and Fancy Nancy and the Posh Puppy.