KindleObsessed » Children’s Literature

Children’s Time with Orson Scott Card!

Misty — Thu, 29 Dec 2011 17:01:44 +0000

Morning Everyone! It’s been a while since I’ve done a children’s time so I thought, “what they hey, why not now?!” And what better way to celebrate the beauty of children’s literacy than with the very talented Orson Scott Card.

Now.. before you run to the computer and click BUY (because HELLO it’s Orson!) Let me explain what this book is all about, because it IS NOT a normal Orson book.

1st of all… this is his very first collaboration with his daughter Emily Card. Cool right? But not only that…it’s MANGA! That’s right, this is NOT the pages and pages of words we have grown to expect from Orson, this is a comic book he wrote with his daughter specifically designed to keep your little ones entertained, and boy… let me tell you, it DOES!

Don’t believe me? Check out this picture of my son! He had this book for all of 20 minutes and REFUSED to set it down when it was time to go to the grocery store. If that doesn’t scream winner I don’t know what does.

So what about the story? Well, it’s about aliens… duh!

“Twenty-five years ago, the alien Givers came to Earth. They gave the human race the greatest technology ever seen— four giant towers known as Ladders that rise 36,000 miles into space and culminate in space stations that power the entire planet. Then, for reasons unknown, the Givers disappeared. Due to the unique alien construction of the Laddertop space stations, only a skilled crew of children can perform the maintenance necessary to keep the stations up and running.

Back on Earth, competition is fierce to enter Laddertop Academy. It is an honor few students will achieve. Robbi and Azure, two eleven-year-old girls who are the best of friends, are candidates for the Academy. They will become entangled in a dangerous mystery that may help them solve the riddle of the Givers…if it doesn’t destroy the Earth first!”

Now, I don’t expect (regarding this book anyways) for you to put all of your faith in what I have to say about this very cool, extremely interesting start to a manga series so I’ve decided to share a few other’s opinions as well:

“As a maker of visions and a creator of heroes… Card is not to be outdone.” – Library Journal

“With competent mangastyle illustrations by the award-winning Ibardolaza…approached as the first installment of an extended story, this stands as a worthy young adult adventure novel.” – Publishers Weekly

“A high-octane outer-space adventure…The main characters in this volume are largely female, strong and intelligent, a wonderful departure from male-dominated extraterrestrial offerings. Ibardolaza’s muscular art blends manga and Western aesthetics. An intriguing beginning; readers will clamor for the follow-up.” – Kirkus

So… with all of that said, who would like a little peak inside? You? Awesome… here you go!

Happy Reading my fellow Kindle-ites are remember: Reading is contagious…pass it on!

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****½ (4.5/5) <–per my 7 year old son!

Children’s Time

Misty — Thu, 03 Nov 2011 13:54:35 +0000

So, this morning when I was perusing IMDB (which for the record I do ALL OF THE TIME) I saw new film stills from the Dr. Seuss film adaptation of “The Lorax” and thought, “Wow…my kids are going to just eat this up!” Which got me to thinking. Most of you have kids too. So, in a moment I would like to refer to as “pure freaking genius” (and the fact that I don’t have my book review for today written yet) I decided to share. I mean really…who the hell doesn’t like Dr. Seuss?! So here it is…a look at “The Lorax” Enjoy!

“He’s shortish.
And oldish…
And brownish. And mossy…
And he spoke with a voice…
that was sharpish and bossy.”

“The big, colorful pictures and the fun images, word plays and rhymes make this an amusing exposition of the ecology crisis.”—School Library Journal.

Movie Stills

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Movie Trailer

Ivy & Bean!

Misty — Wed, 26 May 2010 01:42:03 +0000

Happy Tuesday everyone!!! It has been a while since I have done a Tiny Tot Tuesday, and I have been feeling a little guilty, so even though I have not 1 but 2 reviews ready and waiting, I’m going to give you an idea for your little ones instead. (I don’t want the to feel neglected.) Here is a cute series for the little princesses in your life.

Ivy & Bean

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From School Library Journal

Grade 1-4–Seven-year-old Bean likes stomping in puddles, climbing fences into neighbors’ backyards, and playing tricks on her older sister, Nancy. She wears dresses as seldom as possible and avoids big books. Her new neighbor appears to be a quiet, orderly girl who sits on her front step day after day reading tomes. The two seem to have nothing in common, and Bean is not interested in getting to know Ivy, despite her mother’s prodding to make friends with the nice girl next door. Then Bean gets into trouble, and Ivy helps her out. She discovers that Ivy is practicing to be a witch, and when they decide to cast a spell on Nancy, their friendship is sealed. With echoes of Beverly Cleary’s Ramona series, this easy chapter book will appeal to children who are graduating from beginning readers. The occasional black-and-white illustrations highlight the text and provide visual clues. The characters are appealing, the friendship is well portrayed, and the pranks and adventures are very much on grade level.–Eve Ottenberg Stone, Cooper Lane Elementary, Landover Hills, MD
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

The Secret Life of Hippos

Misty — Tue, 04 May 2010 23:46:51 +0000

Afternoon! I got a little off of my schedule being sick and I apologize, so before I post today’s Tiny Tot Tuesday – here is the review rundown for the next few days. Wednesday – “The Judge, ” Thursday – “Leap”, Friday – “Whisper” Saturday – “Paper Towns” (whew…that’s a lot of books.) anyways, here’s a cute one for your little ones.

Happy reading and remember: Reading is contagious…pass it on.

Hippos Go Berserk

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Amazon.com Review

How dull, to be one hippo all alone… until the one calls two other hippos on the phone. Soon three more hippos are at the door, bringing along another four. Before the night is through, a houseful of hippos (and one beast) has joined the one hippo for a boisterous bash.

All through the hippo night,

Hippos play with great delight.

But at the hippo break of day,

The hippos all must go away.

In clusters of nine, eight, seven, six, and so on, the hippos depart, finally leaving the one hippo “alone once more, [missing] the other forty-four.”

The well-loved Sandra Boynton wrote this tribute to silliness in 1977, inspiring generations of the very young to learn to count. Lively, cute new illustrations complement this edition, with big numbers (one through nine, and nine through one) boldly placed on the corner of each page. The sturdy board book will withstand lots of eager counting fingers, and maybe even a berserk hippo or two. Boynton’s familiar style can be seen in scads of other delightfully nonsensical titles, including Barnyard Dance! and Moo, Baa, La La La!. (Ages 3 to 7) –Emilie Coulter

From Publishers Weekly

One of the silliest, most fun counting books around features “One hippo, all alone, calls two hippos on the phone,” until a gang of 45 hippos assembles for a party.
Copyright 1986 Reed Business Information, Inc. –This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Bedtime With A Twist~

Misty — Tue, 27 Apr 2010 23:28:41 +0000

Hello All! It’s been a few weeks since I’ve done a Tiny Tot Tuesday, but I saw this while shuffling around my watering hole the other day and thought: “How in the world can I deny small children the pleasure of a parody?” So without further ado…

Goodnight Goon

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From School Library Journal

Grade 1–3—Imitation can indeed be sincere flattery, as Rex proves in his slightly eerie reworking of Margaret Wise Brown and Clement Hurd’s classic bedtime tale. The young bunny has been replaced by a little monster, but he still wears striped pajamas as he lies in his bed and says good night to his surroundings. “In the cold gray tomb/There was a gravestone/And a black lagoon/And a picture of—Martians taking over the moon.” The parody is clever, matching original verse with rhymes that seem unforced and appropriate for the new setting: “Goodnight skull/And goodnight shoe/Goodnight creature/Goodnight goo/And goodnight to the old werewolf hollering ‘Boo.’” Rex’s color drawings create a monster child’s bedroom filled with the same late-evening light of Hurd’s illustrations. The book ends on the same peaceful note as the original. A clever offering just right for graduates of bedtimes with Goodnight Moon.—Kathleen Whalin, York Public Library, ME Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Review

A clever offering just right for graduates of bedtimes with Goodnight Moon. –School Library Journal

Pink-A-Boo!!

Misty — Tue, 06 Apr 2010 17:36:34 +0000

I know I missed Tiny Tot Tuesday last week, so this week I’m bringing you a doozie. “Pinkalicious” has taken the world by storm! If you have small children, and have left your house or even watched commercials at all in the last month, you know that McDonald’s has recently jumped on the pink bandwagon making their happy meals pink friendly. Think that’s not enough? Well…what about “Pinkalicious The Musical” that is being performed by the SoHo playhouse which… also boast a “Think Pink” workshop! It’s time to stop denying your little “Pinkerbells” their pink fix.

Happy reading my fellow Kindle-ites and remember: Reading is contagious…pass it on!

Pinkalicious

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From School Library Journal

PreSchool-Grade 2–Pinkalicious eats so many pink cupcakes that she wakes up the next morning with pink skin and hair. The color just won’t wash off, and the doctor diagnoses her with Pinkititis and tells her to eat green food to get better. Still, when her parents aren’t looking, she sneaks just one more treat–and turns red. Startled, she starts to choke down her veggies and finally returns to normal. When everything seems okay, Daddy asks what happened to the other cupcakes, and Pinkalicious’s little brother bounds into the room with one in hand, happily showing off his new pink skin. The final Pink-a-boo! is sure to garner smiles. The computer-generated collage pictures are bold and appealing and will draw readers into the story. Although the main character is a bit obnoxious, children will be amused by her obsession with pink sweets. Reminiscent of David Shannon’s A Bad Case of Stripes (Scholastic, 1998), Kann’s lighter confection is a pink lover’s dream come true.–Erlene Bishop Killeen, Fox Prairie Elementary School, Stoughton, WICopyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

From Booklist

K-Gr. 2. A little girl recounts her rainy-day adventure with pink cupcakes, which she ate and ate until she turned pink herself. “I’m Pinkerbelle!” she sings, crying tears of delight as she admires her raspberry-hued complexion. Her mom takes her straight to the doctor, who prescribes lots of green food. But she cannot resist another cupcake or two, and her delicate pink skin tone deepens to an angry red! Horrors. She proceeds to choke down everything green she can find (relish, brussels sprouts, grapes, even a cup of acid-green tea). Just as the formerly “pinkalicious” girl returns to normal, her little brother, now quite rosy, shouts “Pink-a-boo!” The digitally created artwork, featuring busy collage elements and big-headed, vacant-eyed figures, won’t win any awards, but the fun premise (and cotton-candy-hued, glitter-dusted jacket) will guarantee an audience. Pair this with David Shannon’s A Bad Case of Stripes (1998). GraceAnne DeCandido
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Hocus Pocus!

Misty — Tue, 23 Mar 2010 23:21:26 +0000

For all of the younger paranormal fans out there… here is a spell book for the little ones. Happy Tuesday and remember: Reading is contagious… pass it on!

Spells

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From School Library Journal

Starred Review. Kindergarten-Grade 4—As in Wolves (2005) and Little Mouse’s Big Book of Fears (2007, both S & S), Gravett continues her playful focus on the book as physical object. Here a small green frog transforms an old book of spells into a pirate ship, its torn pages serving as sail, flag, telescope, and water. As the amphibian cavorts through ripped-up incantations, he finds a scrap that reads: “Spell to Become a Handsome Prince.” On the ensuing spreads, the frog’s attempts to line up the proper magic words and phrases are depicted on the verso, while on the recto, split pages lead to increasingly hilarious results. Thus, the jumbled spell may read, “Into the cauldron these words cast Hoppity, Fluffity, Carrotozabbit. Stir three times and out spells…R/ABBIT” (or “R/AKE” if one turns only the lower portion, revealing the snake’s posterior, now supporting the head of a rabbit). The initial letter or blend resides in the top half-page; the remaining letters are on the bottom. The spells reconfigure, too. The controlled palette is comprised of parchmentlike cream, pale green, and yellow, and occasional glittery stardust. While the frog’s wish does come true, it is undone when he fails to read the fine print—a condition clarified only on the endpapers. This tour de force of design and detail is guaranteed to delight all ages, especially those just learning how to…spell.—Wendy Lukehart, Washington DC Public Library END

Bring On The Farm Animals!

Misty — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 00:28:46 +0000

It’s Tiny Tot Tuesday… so grab a good book, get your kiddos and let their imaginations run wild. Here is one to get your farm animal imitations going…

Happy Reading and remember: Reading is contagious…pass it on!

Moo Baa La La La

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Product Description

Serious silliness for all ages. Artist Sandra Boynton is back and better than ever with completely redrawn versions of her multi-million selling board books. These whimsical and hilarious books, featuring nontraditional texts and her famous animal characters, have been printed on thick board pages, and are sure to educate and entertain children of all ages.

A 5 Yr Olds Motto

Misty — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 00:27:09 +0000

Happy Tiny Tot Tuesday! I should have the review for “The Hundred Thousand Kingdoms” ready to go for you tomorrow, but until then…here is a funny little ditty with a fantastic lesson for your little ones!

Happy reading and remember: Reading is contagious…pass it on.

The Boy Who Wouldn’t Share

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From School Library Journal

PreSchool-Grade 1—Reiss and Catrow team up again for another humorous picture book. Edward, a “frightful boy,” will not share any toys with his younger sister. When she touches something, he cries, “IT’S MINE. MINE. MINE!” Overcome by greed, he gets stuck in his tangle of toys and misses the opportunity for homemade fudge. Claire, not one to hold grudges, helps free her brother and shares her chocolate. After Edward apologizes profusely, the siblings spend the day playing happily. The rhyming text is pleasant but flawed. Edward’s dramatic character shift is hard to believe, and one wonders why he doesn’t shout “help” when his mother is nearby. Catrow’s colorful, amusing illustrations are the highlight here. With every viewing, readers see additional delightful details, such as a blow-up Frankenstein doll drinking tea from a dainty cup and a cat whose stripes match the easy chair. The varying perspectives of the children and the toys add to the fun. Edward’s sour, grumpy expressions are exaggerated and comical; children learning to share will belly laugh even as they see a reflection of themselves. Overall, this would be a good addition to early childhood collections.—Barbara Katz, Parish Episcopal School, Dallas, TX Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Product Description

Edward has oodles of toys but doesn’t share any of them with his little sister, Claire. She cannot ride his rocking horse, hug his teddy bear, or even think about touching his Slinky.

“They’re mine!”

he says. That is, until one day when Edward finds himself stuck under his enormous pile of toys and can’t move! With a little help from an unlikely ally, he learns that if he can share with others, they’ll share right back with him.

Mike Reiss’s wickedly funny verse and David Catrow’s remarkable gift for comic illustration make this one book you’ll want to share—again and again!

Gotta Get Me Some Of Those Glasses

Misty — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 19:17:38 +0000

It’s Tiny Tot Tuesday…and you know what that means! Grab a good book and cozy up on the couch with your kiddos. Here is one sure to keep you entertained!

Happy Reading and remember: reading is contagious…pass it on!

Velma Gratch & The Way Cool Butterfly

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Product Description

IT’S HARD TO BE VELMA entering first grade. That’s because everyone has marvelous memories of her two older sisters, who were practically perfect first graders, and no one even notices Velma. But all that changes on a class trip to the butterfly conservatory, a place neither of her sisters has been. When a monarch roosts on Velma’s finger and won’t budge for days – no one will ever forget it . . . or her!

Kids will enjoy reading about everything butterflies, from migration to metamorphosis, as they follow Velma’s own transformation.

About the Author

Alan Madison is the author of some very funny books for children, including The Littlest Grape Stomper, and Pecorino Plays Ball. He lives in New York City.

Kevin Hawkes has illustrated the New York Times bestselling Library Lion and My Little Sister Ate One Hare. He lives in Gorham, Maine.

Flies…Yummy!

Misty — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 00:35:38 +0000

Hey everyone… sorry this post is so late in the day but technology and I had a little bit of a disagreement, needless to say – Technology won. So, better late than never here is a cutie for your little ones.

Happy Reading and remember: Reading is contagious…pass it on!

Green Wilma

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From Publishers Weekly

There’s something decidedly odd about Wilma: at breakfast, her parents are startled by their offspring’s request to “Pass the bugs”; later, she shocks her teacher by snagging a “tasty little fly” with her long pink tongue. Most noticeably, however, Wilma’s skin has turned a deep, froggy green, a fact that her polka-dot T-shirt and beribboned blond hair cannot conceal. In this strange and gleeful story, it’s surprisingly easy being green–the extraordinary heroine is the envy of her elementary-school class. Arnold’s rhyming text is as buoyant as his leaf-colored, rubbery-limbed protagonist; his roly-poly, bug-eyed characters perfectly suit the story’s quirky theme and manic action. Squiggly, threadlike lines–suggestive of handmade paper–cover every surface in the richly colored illustrations, subtly adding an unusual softness and depth. Though some youngsters may be puzzled by the book’s conclusion, this gifted picture book creator ( No Jumping on the Bed! ; The Signpainter’s Assistant ) has taken his talents in a quirky, unconventional direction with this tale, which takes daydreaming to new and zany heights. Ages 4-8. A Children’s BOMC selection.

From School Library Journal

PreSchool-Grade 2– When little Wilma awakens one morning, she discovers that she has turned green and developed a fondness for eating flies. Her horrified parents don’t know how to deal with her, so she hops to school. There she demonstrates her dodgeball skills, but gets in trouble after flicking her tongue on the teacher’s nose and chasing flies through the lunchroom. Of course the adventure turns out to be a dream–but the dreamer, as it turns out, is a frog, not a girl. Arnold’s breezy humor shines through in the illustrations, especially in his goggle-eyed people who must be the stuff of amphibian nightmares. The rhymed narration is adequate, but the amusing tale’s success derives from the unexpected twist and the slapstick comedy embodied in the pictures. –Kathy Piehl, Mankato State University, MN
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc. –This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

Worm Therapy!

Misty — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 18:57:01 +0000

Happy Tiny-Tot Tuesday… here is a cutie for the little ones in your life. Nothing screams “Kid” like worms and dirt. Oh! and just in case you feel like getting wild with your kiddo purchases there is also “Diary or a Spider” and “Diary of a Fly”

Happy reading and remember: Reading is contagious…pass it on!

Diary of a Worm

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Amazon.com Review

Doreen Cronin (Click, Clack Moo: Cows That Type) and cartoonist Harry Bliss (illustrator of A Fine, Fine School) shed a whole new light on a creature that spends most of its time underground: the earthworm. Written in diary form, this truly hilarious picture book tracks the ins and outs of a worm’s life from the perspective of the worm family’s young son. Take June 15′s entry: “My older sister thinks she’s so pretty. I told her that no matter how much time she spends looking in the mirror, her face will always look just like her rear end. Spider thought that was really funny. Mom did not.” Except for the fact that he can’t chew gum or have a dog, the boy likes being a worm. He never has to go to the dentist (“No cavities–no teeth, either”), he never gets in trouble for tracking mud through the house, and he never has to take a bath. As long as he can remember Mom’s rule “Never bother Daddy when he’s eating the newspaper,” all is well. Bliss’s endearing cartoonish illustrations of anthropomorphized worms are clever visual punchlines for Cronin’s delightfully deadpan humor. For example, “June 5: Today we made macaroni necklaces in art class” sounds normal enough until you see the worms wearing one piece of macaroni around their necks, taking up a good part of each worm’s body. Children and adults alike will adore this worm’s eye perspective on the world. (Ages 6 and older) –Karin Snelson

From School Library Journal

Pre School-Grade 3-A baseball-capped crawler gives readers an episodic glimpse into the vicissitudes of his life in these hilarious diary entries. Difficulties such as having no arms, having a head that looks a lot like your rear end, and facing the dangers imposed by people digging for bait are balanced by a loving family and good friends. The young protagonist describes playing with his friend Spider, engaging in a variety of activities at school, and interacting with his parents and sister. Packed into these droll slice-of-worm-life vignettes are a few facts about earthworms and their behavior, all rendered with a dry sense of humor. The full-color watercolor-and-ink illustrations sprawl across the pages in lush earth tones. Bliss’s cartoons give the worms lots of personality without overly anthropomorphizing them. The use of multiple perspectives will have children eagerly looking at the pictures to identify objects and locales. Primary-grade youngsters will especially appreciate the classroom scenes. This quirky worm’s-eye view of the world makes these ubiquitous invertebrates a little more understandable and a lot more fun.
Marge Loch-Wouters, Menasha’s Public Library, WI
Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Hi My Name Is Dot!

Misty — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 14:00:22 +0000

Here’s an inspirational one for your bitty bots… happy reading and remember: reading is contagious…pass it on!

Shaoey and Dot

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Product Description

Shaoey & Dot: Bug Meets Bundle is an endearing tale told from the point of view of one little ladybug, Dot, who happens upon a mysterious bundle one sunny day. Dot stays with the little bundle as she is carried to the place where babies come to be found and promises to stay with the little one throughout her journeys toward getting a family. Written by Christian music artist Steven Curtis Chapman and his wife Mary Beth, this heartwarming tale is inspired by the true story of their adoption of three little girls from China and is a story of hope and faith for all families who have been blessed by a lost little bundle of love.

Girls, Wings and Tiaras!

Misty — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 13:39:42 +0000

Happy Tuesday!! Here is a cute one for the girls. Enjoy and remember: Reading is contagious…pass it on!

Bella and the Royal Fairy Wedding

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Product Description

Princess Jasmine is getting ready to marry the Fairy King. There’s just one problem–where’s the crown? Forgetful Fairy Bella put it somewhere, and now she can’t remember where. Will she find it in time?

Complete with a wearable glittery crown perfect for a fairy princess, lift-the-flaps on every page, and a spectacular pop-up spread, Bella and the Royal Fairy Wedding will charm and delight young children.

Peeeee Uuuuuu

Misty — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 15:30:08 +0000

Hello my fellow Kindle-ites… I’m sorry I haven’t posted a review recently, but I have been caught up in an unexpected medical whirlwind. That being said… I did in fact finally finish the book I was reading and will have a review ready for you tomorrow. Until then… Happy Tuesday, here’s one for the Tiny Tots in your life.

Smelly Locker – Silly Dilly School Songs

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From School Library Journal

Grade 1–5—The “Silly Dilly” duo is back again with an irreverent, entertaining commentary in song about school life. From an ode to the odiferous contents of a smelly locker (sung to “Frère Jacques”), to a selection bemoaning the complexity of math, 14 ditties set to well-known tunes capture the absurd, laughable commonalities of the school experience from a student’s point of view. Other subjects include the “Lost and Found,” a post-recess visit to the nurse, the horrors of cafeteria lunches, class-picture day, test stress, and “I Don’t Want to Do Homework!” (to “Take Me Out to the Ball Game”). With exaggerated features and hilarious body language, Catrow’s expressive cartoon characters capture the bizarre and ridiculous elements of the text. Imaginative, witty details fill the illustrations: portraits of “ABE” and “GEO W” (that’s George Washington) hang on the wall; math problems instead of numbers indicate a clock’s time; random art and inexplicable phrases (“3Z–4 Shut the Door”) fill chalkboard computations; and anticipated vacation fun abounds at “Camp GonnaKetchaItcheeRash.” A few syllables may fit awkwardly with the tunes, but for fans of the other “silly dilly” songbooks or newcomers, this one is sure to please.—Mary Elam, Forman Elementary School, Plano, TX
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved

Panda Yoga!

Misty — Tue, 12 Jan 2010 17:25:14 +0000

Happy Tuesday everyone!!! Hope life is treating you well. Here is a brand new ditty for you and little adventurers!

Now…On a side note, my inner child scolded me on Saturday, as I was perusing my favorite little book joint, I have decided to quit ignoring the more impressionable of age groups… 8-12. So, starting next week, Thursday’s blog post will now be dedicated to bringing the world of adventure and love of reading to a somewhat older crowd. (this one is going to take a little more research on my part, so if you have any handy suggestions… bring it on.)

Happy Reading my fellow Kindle-ites, and remember: Reading is contagious…pass it on!

Zen Shorts

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From School Library Journal

Kindergarten-Grade 4 – Beautifully illustrated in two distinct styles, this book introduces readers to a Zen approach to the world, wrapped in a story about three siblings and their new neighbor, a panda. One by one, the children visit Stillwater, enjoying his company and listening to him tell a brief tale that illustrates a Zen principle. Each time, there is a link between the conversation shared by Stillwater and his visitor and the story he tells; it’s somewhat tenuous in regard to the two older siblings, quite specific in the case of Karl, the youngest. The tales invite the children to consider the world and their perceptions from a different angle; for Karl, the panda’s story gently but pointedly teaches the benefits of forgiveness. Richly toned and nicely detailed watercolors depict the “real world” scenes, while those accompanying the Zen lessons employ black lines and strokes on pastel pages to create an interesting blend of Western realism and more evocative Japanese naturalism. Taken simply as a picture book, Zen Shorts is interesting and visually lovely. As an introduction to Zen, it is a real treat, employing familiar imagery to prod children to approach life and its circumstances in profoundly “un-Western” ways. An author’s note discusses the basic concept of Zen and details the sources of Stillwater’s stories. Appealing enough for a group read-aloud, but also begging to be shared and discussed by caregiver and child, Zen Shorts is a notable achievement. – Coop Renner, Hillside Elementary, El Paso, TX
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. –This text refers to an alternate Hardcover edition.

From Booklist

*Starred Review* K-Gr. 3. Like The Three Questions (2002), Muth’s latest is both an accessible, strikingly illustrated story and a thought-provoking meditation. Here he incorporates short Buddhist tales, “Zen Shorts,” into a story about three contemporary children. One rainy afternoon, a giant panda appears in the backyard of three siblings. Stillwater, the Panda, introduces himself, and during the next few days, the children separately visit him. Stillwater shares an afternoon of relaxing fun with each child; he also shares Zen stories, which give the children new views about the world and about each other. Very young listeners may not grasp the philosophical underpinnings of Stillwater’s tales, but even kids who miss the deeper message will enjoy the spare, gentle story of siblings connecting with one another. Lush, spacious watercolors of charming Stillwater and the open neighborhood will entrance children, as will the dramatic black-and-white pictures of the comical animal characters that illustrated Stillwater’s Zen stories. Muth doesn’t list sources for the tales, but his author’s note offers more commentary about Zen. Stillwater’s questions will linger (Can misfortune become good luck? What is the cost of anger?), and the peaceful, uncluttered pictures, like the story itself, will encourage children to dream and fill in their own answers. Gillian Engberg
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved –This text refers to an alternate Hardcover edition.

I Hate Cleaning Too!

Misty — Tue, 05 Jan 2010 15:25:22 +0000

Tiny Tot Tuesday! Enjoy and remember: Reading is contagious…pass it on!

Sloppy Joe

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From School Library Journal

Kindergarten-Grade 2—Joe is a sloppy kid. He seems always to be surrounded by messiness and chaos. His grandparents lay newspaper under his chair when he eats with them. His pet frogs turn up in unexpected places. And adults are continually trying to clean him up, straighten his clothes, and improve his posture. But Joe’s family loves him as he is. He tries to become neat with some limited success, and when his parents and siblings come down with the flu, he springs into action, bringing them socks topped off with ice cubes for their foreheads, filling the air with germ spray, and entertaining them with his corny jokes as they lie prostrate on the sofa. The illustrations are hilarious. This charming picture book is a wonderful choice for most libraries.—Mary Hazelton, Elementary Schools in Warren & Waldoboro, ME END

Product Description

Meet Sloppy Joe

When it comes to being messy, Sloppy Joe is a pro! He slurps, spills, slouches, talks with his mouth full, and never, ever tucks in his shirt. But being messy has its challenges. So Sloppy Joe sets out to become Neat Joe, only to learn that being messy is a part of who he is—and his family loves him for it!

Oink Oink!

Misty — Fri, 01 Jan 2010 00:25:06 +0000

I know it’s not Tuesday… but hey… Thursday starts with a “T” isn’t that close enough? Here’s one for the bitty bots in your life. Happy reading and remember: Reading is contagious…pass it on!

Little Oink

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Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

PreSchool-Grade 2—Fans of Little Pea (2005) and Little Hoot (2008, both Chronicle) will enjoy this team’s latest creative effort. Little Oink likes to dig with his friends and go to school but he does not like disorder. Papa Pig tells him, “If you want to grow up to be a respectable pig, you must learn how to make a proper mess.” So, before he can play he has to unmake his bed, unfold his clothes, put on a stained shirt, and throw his toys out of their bin. Once he has messed up enough, he can play his favorite game—house—where he sweeps, scours, and scrubs up. Delightful wordplay turns this classic childhood argument upside down while Corace’s simply detailed ink and watercolor drawings are full of expression, standing out on a clean white background. Young readers will relate to Little Oink’s frustrations as they find humor in this classic twist on everyday situations, and many will share variations of his promise to himself: “When I grow up, I’m going to let my kids clean up their rooms as much as they want.”—Kristine M. Casper, Huntington Public Library, NY
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Product Description

From the creators of Little Pea and Little Hoot comes this tidy tale of a decidedly different pig. Little Oink is a neat little fellow. Clean clean clean that’s all he wants to do. But Mama and Papa won’t have it! They say in order to be a proper pig he has to learn to make a proper mess. “Don’t come out until your room is a pigsty ” says Papa Pig. “I won’t have any child of mine going out looking so neat and clean. It’s just not acceptable ” says Mama Pig. Readers who hate to clean up will love this humorous twist on a universal dilemma.

Book Trailer

Tiny Superheros Are Everywhere

Misty — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 13:21:41 +0000

Happy Tuesday!!! For those of you looking for a great last minute gift idea for the little ones in your life, here is a cute little book that incidentally is a part of a larger series. I promise I will post a review tomorrow (for those of you that are lost without my witty banter) I actually have it ready today, but I like to keep things on a schedule (Stupid OCD!) So until tomorrow enjoy this little gem!

Ladybug Girl and Bumblebee Boy

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From School Library Journal

PreSchool-Grade 2—Lulu is back in this companion to Ladybug Girl (Dial, 2008). Taking on the guise of her superhero alter-ego (including a red tutu and spotted wings), she makes her own fun on the way to the playground by leaping over sidewalk cracks and counting to infinity. However, once she and her mother arrive, Ladybug Girl faces a new challenge: she wants to play with her friend Sam, but they can’t agree on what to do. Lulu is frustrated at first, but then suggests playing the Ladybug Girl game. Sam, clad in yellow and black, quickly turns into Bumblebee Boy, and the two “zoom around…looking to help anyone in trouble.” When two girls ask to join in, but both want to be Butterfly Girl, Ladybug Girl tactfully defuses the situation by saying, “If we’re going to play together…we don’t fight each other.” One youngster agrees to be Dragonfly Girl and the Bug Squad flies again. Like the previous book, this offering paints a realistic picture of the daily struggles in a youngster’s life. The conflict and resolution ring true, as does the dialogue. The lesson is clearly stated, but not heavy-handed. The cartoon illustrations are bright, expressive, and beautifully presented. Pair this book with one of Mini Grey’s “Traction Man” titles (Knopf) for a superb superhero storytime.—Rachael Vilmar, Eastern Shore Regional Library, Salisbury, MD
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Product Description

At the playground, Lulu asks her friend Sam if he wants to play with her. Sam likes Diggers, while Lulu thinks Monkeys is the best game. Sam suggests playing under the castle, but Lulu knows that the top is the most fun. They just canÂ’t agree! And then Lulu asks, Â“Have you ever played Ladybug Girl?Â”

As Ladybug Girl and Bumblebee Boy, Lulu and Sam save the playground from hairy monsters and big mean robots, and have their very own parade on the bouncy dinosaurs. They figure out that when they work together, they can create fun games that they both like to play.

Unleash Their Imagination!

Misty — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 15:27:15 +0000

A book to open up your little one’s minds…happy reading!!!

The Curious Garden

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Product Description

One boy’s quest for a greener world… one garden at a time.

While out exploring one day, a little boy named Liam discovers a struggling garden and decides to take care of it. As time passes, the garden spreads throughout the dark, gray city, transforming it into a lush, green world.

This is an enchanting tale with environmental themes and breathtaking illustrations that become more vibrant as the garden blooms. Red-headed Liam can also be spotted on every page, adding a clever seek-and-find element to this captivating picture book.