I recently had a chance to browse the children's section of Barnes and Noble - I found a book that made me cry, a book that made me laugh, a book that left me in awe and a book that made me wish I had a five year old niece or nephew.
14 Cows for America by Carmen Agra
Deedy, in collaboration with Wilson
Kimeli Naiyomah tells a simple story of how one man from Kenya (who was studying in the US) was so altered by the events of 9/11 (he was in the city ) that he returns to his village and tells his community they must do something. An amazing story with beautiful illustrations.
The Dunderheads by Paul
Fleischman with illustrations by David Roberts tells a rollicking story of students determined to get revenge on their tyrannical teacher, Miss
Breakbone. Every student has a special gift - whether it's throwing spitballs or making paperclip chains and the Dunderheads need to work together to prevail. This isn't great literature but it is a fun read and not too intimidating.
Jerry
Pinkney is amazing - in his brand new
The Lion and the Mouse he wordlessly leads the
reader/observer so successfully that you are left with your mouth agape. The illustrations are vibrant, fill the page and express emotion while at the same time reminding us we are all capable of great things, no matter our size. Aesop would be proud.
Otis by Loren Long is the story of a reliable tractor who with his delightful personality manages to calm the animals around him, in particular a new calf. Despite his wonderful work ethic, the farmer eventually replaces Otis with something bigger and better and sends Otis out behind the barn where he is left unused and forgotten. Oh sure the yellow tractor is bigger but is it better? Does the new tractor know what to do when the calf flees into the muddy pond? Can the new tractor rescue the calf? Can Otis. A perfect read for kindergarten and first grade.
I recently had a chance to browse the children's section of Barnes and Noble - I found a book that made me cry, a book that made me laugh, a book that left me in awe and a book that made me wish I had a five year old niece or nephew.
reader/observer so successfully that you are left with your mouth agape. The illustrations are vibrant, fill the page and express emotion while at the same time reminding us we are all capable of great things, no matter our size. Aesop would be proud.
Otis by Loren Long is the story of a reliable tractor who with his delightful personality manages to calm the animals around him, in particular a new calf. Despite his wonderful work ethic, the farmer eventually replaces Otis with something bigger and better and sends Otis out behind the barn where he is left unused and forgotten. Oh sure the yellow tractor is bigger but is it better? Does the new tractor know what to do when the calf flees into the muddy pond? Can the new tractor rescue the calf? Can Otis. A perfect read for kindergarten and first grade.
So in the Media Center Mrs. Belmonte and I have our favorite books - one of hers is Stranger in the Woods. Every time a student borrows it she gets excited. Me? I never understood why - the cover sort of creeped me out. Last week I decided to venture further than the cover. Stranger in the Woods and the two books that follow: Lost in the Woods and First Snow in the Woods are wonderful stories that combine beautiful language and incredible photography by Carl Sams and Jean Stoick. Check them - they'd make great holiday gifts.
For adults, A Change in Altitude by Anita Shreve was a big disappointment for me. I have really enjoyed her work in the past so when I decided to devote all my spare time last weekend to starting and finishing a book, I chose Shreve's new release. For me it came down to not having anyone to root for. Because of my past history with the author, I did not apply the 50 page rule and kept hoping that things might get better. They didn't. The best part was learning a little about Kenya.
