The Big Test by Julie Danneberg

It is the week before.....THE BIG TEST!!!!!!! Mrs. Hartwell and her students have been studying hard all year in preparation for this BIG TEST!! Now the final week of test preparation brings practicing which none of the students are prepared finally for sitting still for long periods of time, bubbling in answers, and reading questions completely. With each of new skill, Mrs. Hartwell sees her students are more and more stressed. Mrs, Hartwell must find something to perk her students up, show them she believe in them. Every teacher (at least in Ohio) can relate to this book. I am quite certain it will have a large following as the frustration of BIG TESTS!

Text: 4 Buckeye leaves
Illustrations: 4 Buckeye leaves

Roscoe and the Pelican Rescue by Lynn Rowe Reed

Tony is headed to the Gulf Coast to spend vacation with his cousin Addison and his aunt and uncle. Once he arrived, Tony and Addison put together a to-do list. Of course most of their list centers on the water. When they hit the beach the quickly discover a disturbing sight. The water looks funny and smells funny. Soon Roscoe, Addison's dog, bring an animal to them, covered in what looks like peanut butter. Uncle Willie rushes the animals to wildlife rescue place for help. Soon Addison and Tony are devoting time and energy to collect as many animals that they can and take them for help. Once the animals are cleaned, the car is packed and they head toTexas to release them back into the wild.

I really enjoyed this book. I love the fact that authors/illustrators are introducing younger children to big events. I read this to Adam this afternoon. This book then spurred a discussion, based on his questions, about what happened and what happened to the animals. Does he really understand? No. BUT my hope is when he hears about it at some point in his life he will remember something about this book. Just let me have my dream....

See Me Run by Paul Meisel

Simple book. Dog lovers will love this one. A great beginning reader book with a surprise ending. I love the illustrations with the different types of dogs.

A is for Autumn by Robert Maass

I have said before (I think) that I really love ABC books! I saw this books, from afar, at a conference I was at Thursday and Friday. The photographs in this book are pretty amazing. And for the most part, I enjoyed the choices the author made for each letter (A is for autumn and apples; L for leaves; P for pumpkins). However some of them would probably be a stretch for younger kids.

"I is for ice cream, which is delicious in any season."
"N is for neighborhood. It's where we live."

Despite this I will probably share it with my younger students as I feel ABC books reinforce that initial letter recognition so well.

Text: 4 Buckeye leaves
Illustrations: 4 Buckeye leaves

It's Snowing! by Gail Gibbons

Gail Gibbons is back!! This time she is tackling the cold, blustery, white world of WINTER! Written in her usual style, Gibbons looks at the many scientific parts of winter as well as some of the fun! Gibbons explains the water cycle which contributes to the snowfall in easy to understand terms for the youngest readers. She goes on to explain what goes into the "making" of a snowflake and where snow is most common. My favorite part was the 2 page spread where she shows area around the world that has snow, including Chile's volcano Villarica and Mount Kilimanjaro, which is within sight of the equator. A great nonfiction book for young kids. I plan to use this as intro to nonfiction for my younger grades!

Text: 5 Buckeye leaves
Illustrations: 4 Buckeye leaves

To see an interview with Gail Gibbons click HERE!

Finn Throws A Fit by David Elliott

Not sure what I think about this one...maybe it will encourage kids to throw fits...ha ha! This one I would dedicate to parents that have kids....or have had toddlers (or teenagers) that have THROWN A FIT! Finn, the fit thrower, usually likes peaches BUT not today! Watch out! And Finn proceeds to throw a GIGANTIC fit (you better not be getting any ideas Adam James Alibek - my 3 1/2 year old). His fit goes to the nursery, the kitchen, and on and on. The tears flood the house. The screams cause an avalanche! This is NOT your average FIT. And then, like a horrendous storm....it stops. "It lasts until it doesn't." And then all calms down, dries up, stops shaking, and.....he likes peaches again. Hilarious but not really sure how I could use it educationally other than to say, DON'T DO THIS! The descriptions are very vivid and older children can probably relate because younger brothers or sisters have done the same...NOT them though....NOOOOO!!!

Book trailer click here!

Uh-Oh by Mary Newell DePalma

Move over Alexander (as in Alexander and the Terrible, No Good Very Bad Day) here comes a little dinosaur who seems to encounter trouble every way he goes. From knocking over block tower his siblings constructed to a knocked over plant to a dishwasher with bubbles everywhere, this little dinosaur is having a rough day! The basically wordless book, other than "uh-oh", pushes students to think and figure out what is happening on each page. The 3 1/2 year old here loved it. A great exercise for kids of all ages!

Overall: 5 Buckeye leaves

Check out the trailer by clicking HERE!


AND while visiting Mary Newell DePalma's site....check out the GREAT puppets and coloring sheets to go with the book! LOVE LOVE LOVE when authors/illustrators help us out like that!!!! The kids love to have something that goes "with" the book!

Count 1 to 10 by Kees Moerbeek

Super cool number pop-up book! Each page has the word, the standard form of the number and the number of ladybugs. Kids will love this one....I have a 3 1/2 year old sitting next to me going through it over and over....of course it is 10 pm and he should be in bed BUT.....

Illustrations/text: 5 Buckeye leaves

Check out the youtube video by clicking HERE!

Ray Kroc: McDonald's Restaurant Builder by Joanne Matten

In 1955 America, and probably the world, was changed forever. On April 15th of that year Ray Kroc opened his first McDonald's restaurant in Des Plaines, Illinois. The menu was small....and CHEAP! For a dime you could enjoy an order of French fries or a soda. Want a hamburger? 15 cents! Packed with interesting facts about the fast food giant, this biography includes photographs, timelines, and a "menu milestone" section for additional information about changes specific to the menu. I am loving this series. This particular one focuses on Ray Kroc the founder of McDonald's. Great informational book about a topic all kids are familiar with.

Text: 5 Buckeye Leaves
Illustrations: 5 Buckeye Leaves

Others in the Abdo "Food Dudes" series:
Ben and Jerry: Ice Cream Manufactures
Clarence Birdseye: Frozen Food Inventors
Robert Cade: Gatorade Inventor
Milton Hershey: Hershey's Chocolate Creator
The Kellogg Family: Breakfast Cereal Pioneers
The Mars Family: M & M Candy Makers
William Wrigley Jr.: Wrigley Chewing Gum Founder

Postcards from Camp by Simms Taback

It is summer and off to sleep away camp for Michael. Is Michael excited? No way! And he reminds his dad of this over and over again as he writes postcards home. First he claims his counselor is an alien. Then he is convinced his bunk mates dislike him and even sends his dad a letter from his bunk mates requesting he come get Michael from camp. Oh and it has rained non stop! Eek! Thru the correspondence between dad and son, you begin to see Michael start to enjoy camp and the activities. You also see the relationship between father and son and the role dad is playing in helping his son keep an open mind about camp. This a great book for reluctant readers and the main character being a boy will help hook the reluctant boy students especially. Loved this book!! Great fun!

Text: 5 Buckeye leaves
Illustrations: 5 Buckeye leaves

Superhero Joe by Jaqueline Preiss Weitzman

Joe use to be afraid of everything: monsters in his closet, the dark, new things, getting hurt, getting left behind, everything. Then he discovered he had the Cape of Confidence (towel), Torch of Radiance (flashlight), Shield of Invincibility (garbage can lid), etc. Now with the proper attire he is ready to take on any challenge presented at him. Illustrated similar to Cloud With A Chance of Meatballs (same illustrator) with a more "graphic novel" flare, this book is sure to be a winner with reluctant readers (especially boys due to the boy main character and topic).

Text: 4 Buckeye Leaves
Illustrations: 4 Buckeye leaves

I'm Sure I Saw A Dinosaur by Jeanne Willis

It was a foggy morning but a young boy is CONVINCED he saw a dinosaur AND the dinosaur saw him! Insert SCREAMS!! Word travels fast through the town and soon everyone is scared about this dinosaur. The people of the town gather near the bay to wait in hopes of seeing the dinosaur or willing to help capture him. But the dinosaur does not appear as soon as many hoped and it was soon very dark. Luckily there is an ice cream store near by. Surprise ending,,,,,,,
Text:
Illustrations: $ Buckeye leaves
Endpages: 4 Buckeye leaves

Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star by Jerry Pinkney

In Jerry Pinkney's illustrated version of the popular Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star, a small chipmunk (inspired by chipmunks that he has observed through the windows of his studios for years) takes a journey as twilight approaches. Along his journey the chipmunk encounters nature of all kinds from birds and their nest to spider webs of dew to lily pads in a pond. Told with pictures, and few words, this picture book is truly that - a book of pictures. A book where the pictures tell the story and words are secondary.

Illustrations: 5 Buckeye leaves (Would you expect anything less of this master of children's picture books?)

Time To Eat by Steve Jenkins and Robin Page

(So if you were here earlier and wondered why there was no words....I kind of fell asleep and rather than "saving" I "published". oops!)

As the title suggests, this book is all about animals and about their favorite meals! Did you know a giant panda chews on bamboo shoots for 12 hours a day? A tick may wait years to eat but when it does decide to feast, it can consume in blood as much as 6000 milk shakes? I will take the milk shakes thank you very much! And the dung beetle...well, you can probably guess about that one and if not, you can read it for yourself! It seems that the team selected the animals very carefully as most of the animals are not animals that kids would knot much about. Additional information about each animal is located at the back of the book. Great nonfiction book for younger kids!


Text: 5 Buckeye leaves - interesting and short and simple
Illustrations: 4 Buckeye leaves

M.O.M. (Mom Operating Manual) by Doreen Cronin

This one is dedicated to al the MOMS!! Written for children to read to help them understand their moms, though I do not think children (or DADS) can truly appreciate this book. Complete with a table of contents, diagrams, and safety alert symbols, this book is a guide to understanding MOM! Topics covered in this "manual" include: daily care and maintenance, grooming, and troubleshooting. So Moms....go to the library, check it out, take it home....wait till kids are in bed and send Dad to the store for milk.....and cozy up with this book! Enjoy a good laugh. THEN you can try it with your kids the next day!

Text: 4 Buckeye leaves - again very funny to me, as a Mom of 3 years, but not sure kids will truly get the humor!....at least not yet! Cranky Pants song is quite catchy....complete with warning for Dad's NOT to try singing it to Mom...only Kids!!
Illustrations: 5 Buckeye leaves - some are quite funny. Those I think anyone can appreciate! Hard to decide on my favorite - the 4 series illustrations of Mom trying to get something from the backseat (mainly this is because my constant trying to make Mr. 3 1/2 year old here understand I do not have super long arms to reach in the back seat on the OTHER side of his carseat...) OR the Cranky Pants song illustrations...

The Three Billy Goats Fluff by Rachel Mortimer

Guess what!?!?! Another one from Tiger Tales.......and of course, LOVE IT!! This one is a super cute take on the Three Billy Goats Gruff. Of course there is the MEAN troll under the bridge (He is also quite the poet!). There are the LOUD billy goats. But this time there is a trouble shooting MOM - of course - that solves everyone's problem! Go Mom Goat! Using her knitting talent, Mom comes up with a way to keep everyone happy. Each of her "kids" will wear booties over the bridge AND she also gives Mr. Troll some earmuffs and cozy blanket. Adorable take on the original story! Love everything with this book....Tiger Tales does it again!


Text: 5 Buckeye leaves
Illustrations: 5 Buckeye leaves

WHAT! Cried Granny: An Almost Bedtime Story by Kate Lum

This one wins the prize (I think) for the oldest copyright on my blog thus far: 1998 (in Great Britain). Gasp! But I found it to be hilarious....and I am not sure KIDS would find it nearly as funny as ADULTS! Patrick is spending the weekend at his Granny's house. As bedtime neared Patrick points out to Granny that he does not have a BED! Uh oh! So Granny, being obviously SUPER GRANNY, heads outside to cut down trees and then heads to workroom to construct a bed. Life is good until Patrick points out he also does not have a PILLOW! Granny heads to the henhouse to collect feathers before heading to her sewing room to make a pillowcase. Things continue in the same manner for quite some time until all is perfect for Patrick to go to bed BUT.....it is MORNING! Pretty funny to those of us that have tried to convince a child to go bed....Kids may also find the whole exaggerations involved in Super Granny's many talents, from sewing to woodshop, quite a amusing.

Text: 4 Buckeye leaves
Illustrations: 4 Buckeye leaves
Endpages: 4 Buckeye leaves (decorated....but I am not sure what the connection between the book and the design is....)

Home by Alex T. Smith

One, Two, Three, and Four are four best friends that have lived happily together in their HOME until each decides it is time to try something new - something different. Each wants to take a part of their HOME with them. It does not take long for the four former friends to realize that they miss their HOME, as having a part of their former HOME is not the same, and they miss their friends. This story is ADORABLE! Love it! I have said it before but...I LOVE TIGER TALE books. Each Tiger Tale we have come across has a great story, with a lesson, and super cute illustrations. This is no exception. This is a great story about friendship and what makes a HOME a HOME!


Text: 5 Buckeye leaves
Illustration: 5+++ Buckeye Leaves
Endpages: 5++++ Buckeye leaves LOVE LOVE LOVE THESE!!!

The Artist Who Painted A Blue Horse by Eric Carle

A new book from Eric Carle!! This one was a surprise to me! As inspiration Carole used Franz Marc a German artist who loved painting animals in bright and unusual colors. Each page has a different animal, painted in an unusual color. This prompted an interesting conversation at our house. We were about half way through the book when I started hearing, "But _______ (insert animal name) are not ________(insert unusual color)!" This then went into a conversation about artistic choice....with a 3 1/2 year old....and based on the inside flap of the book, this is the kind of conversations and thinking Carle was hoping readers to experience after reading this book. Fans of Eric Carle will be happy to see his usual style of art, with bright colors and lots of texture, on the pages of his latest book.

To see Eric Carle talk about his latest book click here!

If You Give A Dog A Donut by Laura Numeroff

It is here!! It is finally HERE!! Yahoo! Yes....Adam and I went to Barnes and Noble on Tuesday to be one of the first people to get our hands on this long awaited book! I had heard rumblings of this book for over a year....so was it worth the wait? Yup! We give it two thumbs up! Yes, even without reading it you might be able to predict what happens...sort of BUT with a new main character - the DOG and a tasty treat like a DONUT how can you go wrong?! Kids love these books and can hear them over and over and this will be no exception. My favorite part? That would go to the 2 page spread where the donut eating dog does....THE HAPPY DANCE! So cute. You can hear the music as he boogies! Is this the last of this series? Will have to wait and see....

Pickles, Please! by Nick Myer

This one has quickly become a favorite at our house....Alec Smart LOVES pickles. He loves ALL kinds of pickles - he is not picky: sweet, sour, salty,or spicy. Alec loves them all. He does not understand why other kids don't share his love of pickles. Alec ends up at the Nichols Pickle Factory where he meets Mr. Nicholas himself. It is in his conversation with Mr. Nicholas that Alec provides Mr. Nicholas with the slogan for the float for the first Pickle Day Parade. Kids will love the silliness of the book and fun light hearted theme.

Text: 4 Buckeye Leaves
Illustrations: 4 Buckeye leaves

Zoom! by Diane Adams

The 3 year old here LOVES the book Roller Coaster by Marla Frazee about a roller coaster ride and when I saw this sitting on the shelf, I knew he would love it. It is fairly short but what I like about this book is the fun choice of language. It has great, descriptive words that kids probably won't have heard other places.

"Lurching, tilting up again. Jerking, rumbling round the bend."

This book would also be great for visualizing. Readers will be able to visualizing exactly what is happening on the roller coaster.

Read for the Record 2011 | We Give Books

Read Llama Llama Red Pajama on October 6, 2011....and become part of history!! BRAGGING RIGHTS!!



Home - Read for the Record 2011 | We Give Books

The Incredible Life of Balto by Meghan McCarthy

In 1925 during a snow storm Balto led a sled dog team to Nome, Alaska to deliver life saving medicine. As with all of McCarthy's nonfiction books, the story of Balto is written in a way that even the youngest reader (as in, I have tried some of her books on the 3 1/2 year old here so I have proof) can understand. Equally interesting to the actual story of Balto is the additional information in the back of the book which McCarthy explains how she as a nonfiction writer went through the process of encountering different information in her research for the book. The book provides a great introduction to the format of nonfiction in the form of an easy to read and understand. Great easy to read nonfiction - which kid's will love because most kids love any book with animals.

Naughty Toes by Ann Bonwill

Another gem from Tiger Tales (have I mentioned I love their books!!).

Chloe and Belinda are sisters in Madama Mina's ballet class. From their leotards (classic pink and white for Belinda and red, purple, and green for Chloe) to their feet ("good toes" for Belinda and "naughty toes" for Chloe) these two sisters definitely unique. No matter how hard Chloe tries, she just can't fit into the ballet class like her sister, the swan and madame Mina's "prima Ballerina". Very cute book, adorable illustrations, with a great message about finding your specialty and strength.

Text: 4 Buckeye leaves
Illustrations: 5 Buckeye leaves - Love the illustrations! Great backgrounds.
Endpages: 5 Buckeye Leaves - So super cute!!!

An Annoying ABC by Barbara Bottner

It all starts with Adelaide who decided to annoy Bailey. Bailey in turn blamed Clyde. What did Clyde do? He cried. Do you see where this going? One child after another, in alphabetical order, in Miss Mabel's class causes the next bad behavior or annoying act. After the behavior has run its course through the class, or the alphabet as the case may be, Adelaide, who "started it" must....apologize. Of course! Very creatively written, with lots of good examples of alliteration and vocabulary, as long as it does not give any students ideas of bad behavior :)

Text: 4 Buckeye leaves
Illustrations: 3 Buckeye leaves
Endpages: 4 Buckeye leaves - the students are headed to class in alphabetical order

The Little Bitty Bakery by Leslie Muir

"At the Little Bitty Bakery, the pastry chef was beat - from her powder-sugar nose to her flour-dusted feet."
And it is HER birthday! As she shuffled off to bed, so tired from the day, she is so very sad that noone celebrated. But while she drifted off to sleep, some tiny bakers arrived in the Little Bitty Bakery, and started prepping a special surprise. Before long a sound awakens her.
"She tiptoed down the staircase, as quiet as a cat - clutched a day-old stick of bread just like a baseball bat."
Much to the baker's surprise, she finds a yummy treat, a crumble jumble cake big enough to share with the mice bakers.
Cute book which may leave you wanting some yummy pastries.

Text:
Illustrations: 4 Buckeye leaves - I love the cover on this book! I think it is very inviting with the light coloring and yummy looking pastries....oh and the glitter helps too!

To go to Leslie Muir's site click here!

Zoola Palooza: A Book of Homographs by Gene Barretta

Warning: You might want to read this book alone - out loud - in a room BEFORE you attempt reading it to kids!
From the author of Dear Deer: A Book of Homophones, comes another study (or picture book) about WORDS. The tricky world of homographs (words that are spelled the same but pronounced differently and have different meanings) is study in this fun animal book with musical animals from a bass to caterpillar to seagulls, these animals will entertain you as they educate you about homophones.
Carmen Chameleon's ENTRANCE will ENTRANCE you.
She's the only singer we know who can PRODUCE a fresh bowl
of PRODUCE and blend into it.
Fun book that could easily be incorporated into the classroom study.

Text: 4 Buckeye leaves
Illustrations: 5 Buckeye Leaves - Hilarious!
Endpages: 5 Buckeye leaves


To see the trailer click here!
Author/Illustrator's website: Click here! Lots of FUN things for kids (and adults)

Ten Little Beasties by Rebecca and Ed Emberley

Simple and to the point. Count up to 10 with the beasties....and then back down! I like books that have music to go with them and this father/daughter duo has created other books with music together (If You're A Monster and You Know It and There Was An Old Monster) which I have really enjoyed (and so has my classes I have shared them with).

To hear Ten Little Beasties click here which is performed by Adrian Emberley, Rebecca's daughter and Ed's granddaughter.

Rock 'n' Roll Mole by Carolyn Crimi

"Mole had a rock-and-roll soul....He wore a leather jacket (even in summer) and shades (even at night). And he could strut just like his idol, Mick Badger."

Mole has a great talent but only his friend, Pig, has heard him play. But Pig has something up his sleeve, a talent show, to bring his friend Mole to the stage to rock. Despite his great talent, the thought of performing in front of others made Mole, "...shake in his shades." As the talent show day comes closer and closer, Mole decides he just can't go through with his performance but agrees to help his friend continue to prepare. The night of the show Pig is frantic when he discovers his ipod is broken and Mole must decide if he can overcome his own fear, and help his friend Pig. Super cute and simple enough for younger children to understand.

Text: 5 Buckeye leaves - Great message for youngsters! AND adults will love the subtle humor - Mick Badger! Ha! Goose Springsteen! Ha Ha!!
Illustrations: 5 Buckeye leaves - so cute! I LOVE Lynn Munsinger's illustrations - super cute animals!

Note: Only thing I did not like about this book....ugh...."I'm not going to do Pig's stupid show." I know, I know, kids say "stupid" (dumb, etc...far worse) but I really do not want my 3 1/2 year old hearing it in books and from ME! So I do substitute "silly". Need to think about what I would/will do with classes at school. Depends on grade level. This being said, having read books such as Shiloh with older kids, with far worse in language, I always explain to my kids why the word choice was made...but never make THEM say it if they are not comfortable. I just want to protect my little boy a little longer....oh and I also won't let him say the word BORED so..... :)

Dinosaur vs. The Library by Bob Shea

Bob Shea's dinosaur is back and ready to take on....THE LIBRARY!!! Just as in the DInosaur vs Bedtime and Dinosaur vs. The Potty (our personal favorite here at our house though it did NOTHING at the time to help potty train a certain stubborn boy) Dinosaur is taking on all he encounters: cow, baby chicks, shy turtle, etc. BUT will he be successful in the LIBRARY!??!!?? Personally, Bob Shea's books seriously crack me up and Adam loves them though I am thinking it has something to do with our maturity!

Got some time on your hands?? Check out these Dinosaur vs..... videos on the Disney site! Click here!

Dinosaur Dig by Penny Dale

Dinosaurs + big machines + noises = DINOSAUR DIG!!

Count the dinosaurs as they get to work on the construction site using diggers, dump trucks, cranes, and other big machines of all shapes and sizes. What could they be building? With each page a new dinosaur is introduced as they work to construct something for all the dinos to enjoy. Great counting book, especially for those dino loving preschoolers! Very interesting details in the illustrations of the life like dinosaurs.

Hear from author Penny Dale on what inspired her to write Dinosaur Dig! by clicking HERE!

Text: 4 Buckeye leaves - I really like the sound words used throughout!
Illustrations: 4 Buckeye leaves - very detailed

Super-Dragon by Steven Kroll

Signs announcing a contest brings a family of dragons together, preparing to compete, except for the smallest dragon, Drago. "You're too little."
"You don't know how to fly yet."
"Maybe next year...when you're bigger."

Drago wishes he could join his family in the big competition but they are right, he can't fly....yet. Drago must learn to fly and soon finds a very knowledgable teacher, a bird! Try, try again and soon Drago is flying figure eights with the best of them. The day of the big competition arrives and Drago's specialty is still a secret. Drago hates sitting by watching his family as they lost one contest after another. The final competition is the figure 8 contest. Drago must do something. Can he, the smallest and youngest in his family, help his family become victorious? Great message as Drago had to try over and over before he was successful in flying. Reluctant readers may find this graphic novel-ish (new word I just invented, better call Mr. Webster) appealing. Great especially for reluctant boy readers - because of the style as well as the dragon, competition theme.

Text: 4 Buckeye leaves - I like the message though I am not a fan of the graphic novel-ish books but realize they have a place
Illustrations: 4 Buckeye leaves

The Woods by Paul Hoppe

Bed time brings a story, blanket, and bunny. Tonight though the bunny is missing. In order to find the missing bunny, the boy must enter the WOODS...where he encounters a BIG SCARY BROWN BEAR....TWO SCARY GIANTS.....and a TRIPLE HEADED DRAGON!! And that is all before even making it to the dark cave! Simple but funny book that will keep kids laughing as each "scary" creature is encountered!

Text: 4 Buckeye leaves
Illustrations: 4 Buckeye leaves

A Good Knight's Rest by Shelley Moore Thomas

The Good Knight needs a vacation. (You would too if you had "saved three princesses from peril...helped two old gypsies across the moat...and helped one little cat get down from a tall tree.") The Knight packs up his wagon ready to head away for a few days of relaxation and goes to tell his dragon friends. HIs friends decide they want to go as well. Being a good knight, the Good Knight agrees to take his dragon friends on the trip but it is not long before the group has to stop. Just as the Good Knight gets comfortable, the dragons decide it is time to move on. As this continues to happen, the dragons realize how tired their friend really is and takes him to a truly relaxing. Kids will enjoy the silly dragons and parents will relate to the Good Knight's quest to get away from the castle without having to stop over and over :)

Text: 4 Buckeye leaves
Illustrations: 4 Buckeye leaves

Alphabeep: A Zipping, Zooming ABC by Debra Pearson

So this one is a little older (2003) but it was on the shelf next to the new books at one of the libraries I stopped at last night and I knew Adam would love it. He does! But what is there for a boy NOT to love....vehicles from A to Z! Each letter is shown as both upper and lower case, which I love, and has a vehicle of some sort to go with it. The sentence(s) that follow explain the "job" of that vehicle.
"Gg is for Garbage Truck that growls along the road. It's on the prowl for stinky trash to squish, crunch, gr-r-r-r-rind"
This is a great book for learning the letters as well as learning different vehicles on the road.

Text: 4 Buckeye leaves
Illustrations:4 Buckeye leaves
Endpages: 5 Buckeye leaves - AWESOME!!! Some of my favorite of all time....upper and lower case letters, road signs, bright colors, etc

Love my bookworm.....

You can tell 1 of 2 things from this pic....
1. We need to clean up our reading area in Adam's room
2. We read alot of different books....hey, I get bored easily!

Leaves by David Ezra Stein

A bear cub is experiencing fall for the first time. When the leaves start falling, one at first then more and more. He is very confused. He tries to put them back on but that does not work. He decides to take the leaves and fill a hole with them which he later decides is a great place to spend the winter. When he wakes up he is quite happy to see new buds on the trees. A simple introduction to fall and hibernation for younger students to enjoy.


Text: 4 Buckeye leaves - simple text great for younger students
Illustrations: 3 Buckeye leaves

Brownie & Pearl Grab a Bite by Cynthia Rylant

Brownie and Pearl are back again and this time they are ready for a snack! The two friends decide to check out the fridge and find it is full of snacks: string cheese, apples, and saltines, which they bite into shapes and letters, and milk. Simple for younger readers with bright illustrations for students to enjoy.

There Was An Odd Princess Who Swallowed A Pea by Jennifer Ward

I should be doing sub plans BUT...



So predictable....Maybe a little BUT kids LOVE books like this (as do I) where they can enjoy a new adaptation on a popular oldie but goodie. This book also capitalizes on the very popular "princess" theme that many young girls are currently loving right now...trust me I am around elementary kids all day! This ODD princess starts off swallowing a pea and from there ends up eating a long list of other princess-related items such as: a slipper, crown, rose, wand, witch, etc. Kids will love this book, yes, even the boys :)

Text: 4 Buckeye Leaves
Illustrations: 4 Buckeye Leaves
*Jennifer Ward has also written other books including THERE WAS AN OLD MONKEY WHO SWALLOWED A FROG and THERE WAS A COYOTE WHO SWALLOWED A FLEA both of which are very popular in our library.

D.W. Says Please and Thank You by Marc Brown

Arthur dares his little sister D.W. to be perfect for one whole day. Being perfect also means, using lots of good manner, after looking perfect first of course. D.W. cleans her room, says good-bye, hello, excuse me, and does NOT use mean words, closes her mouth when chewing, not whining and complaining, etc. At the end of the day D. W. realizes that manners "give you magical powers and people treat you like a big kid!" Although this book came out in 2006, we often forget about the power of series books. Even kids that may THINK they have outgrown an old favorite, like Arthur, can learn alot when exposed to them as BIG kids!

Grandpa Green by Lane Smith

Grandpa Green's great grandson takes a trip through a garden, full of memories, created by Grandpa Green. As he travels through the garden, he is also collecting Grandpa Green's things he left behind: glasses, watering can, lunch box, gloves, etc.

"After high school his wish was to study horticulture, but he went to war instead. He met his future wife in a little cafe. When the war was over, they were married."

A book that truly needs to be read more than once and as one site argued: Is it a book for children or a book for adults to read to children? The text and illustrations have layers to them, layers that I doubt even having read twice I have seen them all. I would love to see how a class of elementary students would respond to this book. Having read last year's Caldecott book, A Sick Day for Amos McGee with students from 1st grade thru 5th, one major complaint was the lack of color. I wonder if they would notice the same thing in this book! Oh an one more thing...one article I was reading was discussing that this book might be under consideration for that BIG picture book award in January.....just saying!

Click here to see the youtube trailer for this book!

Back-to-School Rules

The host of Thanksgiving Rules is back and Percy Isaac Gifford is preparing for an important day. A VERY important day....the first day of school! In rhyme Percy lists all the important rules for a successful school experience.

"The first rule you should follow:
Do NOT show up late!
You will be marked tardy.
Teachers do not like to wait."

Of course Percy also includes the important Rule #8: Do not do unto others! Great beginning of the year book (ok, a little late yes) and great book to discuss rules. Kids will love the fun text and silly illustrations. Great fun! Definitely a purchase for my two libraries!

Text: 4 Buckeye Leaves
Illustrations: 5 Buckeye leaves

How Did That Get In My Lunchbox? The Story of Food by Chris Butterworth

A child sits down for lunch, opens the lunch box and....TA DA! How did all that food get in there? Here are the answers. From the bread and cheese that makes up the sandwich the the chocolate chip cookie, Each pages takes the reader through the steps from planting to packaging of each item as well as a food
"Last spring, your carrots were growing in a field on a vegetable farm. You wouldn't have seen any carrots then, just long rows of feathery leaves."

Very informative, for both adults and children, with great detailed illustrations. A great addition to a classroom studying nutrition or business/assembly line/business.

Text: 5 Buckeye Leaves
Illustrations: 5 Buckeye Leaves
Endpages: 5 Buckeye leaves

Help! A Story of Friendship by Holly Keller

One morning hedgehog finds mouse hiding. When hedgehog asks mouse, mouse explains that skunk told him that snakes are very dangerous to mice. Hedgehog tries to explain to mouse that their friend Snake would never hurt him. Mouse is still a little preoccupied thinking about Snake based on what he was told by skunk, and falls into a hole. All the friends try to help him out of the hole but nothing seems to work. Then snake shows up and wants to help his friend escape. Hedgehog is afraid if snake does try to help, mouse will get scared. Snake very creatively comes up with a way to help mouse out, without telling mouse.
Great book to use to discuss gossiping and friendship.

Illustrations: 5 Buckeye leaves (Amazing textures throughout)
Text: 5 Buckeye leaves
Endpages: 5 Buckeye leaves

Don't Worry Douglas! by David Melling

Let me just say right off...I LOVE TIGER TALE BOOKS! The have some very cute books, that Adam and I LOVE! This is yet another gem from Tiger Tales.

Douglas' dad gives him a surprise, a wooly hat. With the hat, Douglas' dad also gives him a warning to,"Take care of it." Unfortunately it is not long before Douglas' new hat has turned into "one long string of spaghetti." Douglas asks his friends to help him but when nothing works he knows he must tell his dad the truth. A great book for discussing the importance of telling the truth. Douglas and his friends are very likable and kids will enjoy reading about the latest Douglas adventure.

Text: 4 Buckeye leaves
Illustrations: 5 Buckeye leaves

*For more Douglas adventure check out Hugless Douglas by Melling