Tuesday, July 24, 2012
TUESDAY: Teach the Book "Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs" plus (Lesson Plan)
Here's a very complete lesson plan Summarizing: Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs (Lesson Plan) - TeacherVision.com
TUESDAY: "Little Owl's Night" by Divya Srinivasan
The cover of this book is sooo charming, that I have to go straight down to Barnes and Noble and read it! Well, I may need to wait until 10am, when the store opens, but it's my goal today to get a hand on this book. The reviews caught my attention as well. As soon as I get it, I'll do another post!!!
| THE BOSTON GLOBE |
| This is the most visually and verbally gorgeous picture book of the year. Owl loves the beautiful night and hearing about mysterious daybreak when “[d]ewdrops sparkle on leaves and grass like tiny stars come down . . . the sky brightens from black to blue, blue to red, red to gold.’’ Simple, dazzling - and simply dazzling. |
| NEW YORK TIMES |
| This exceptional first book by Srinivasan, a talented illustrator — her animations can be seen in the film “Waking Life” and her illustrations in The New Yorker — follows Little Owl during his nighttime explorations. How does the night end? Little Owl asks his mama. Little Owl’s world, depicted in mossy greens and mushroom browns set dramatically against a black backdrop, is a romantic landscape of fireflies and nocturnal perambulations. Watch out, parents: this bedtime tale may even convert children who are afraid of the dark into adventuresome night owls. |
| BOOKLIST STARRED REVIEW |
| This debut picture book gets it all just right. The story, while familiar, is executed deftly and with heart, and the crisp graphic elements of the artwork juxtapose well against the pretty prose. Little Owl, with his his big, big eyes and his itty-bitty wings is having “a wonderful night” as he flits between snails and stars. He watches an opposum family trek along and a skunk eating berries. Night is Little Owl’s playground, but inevitably the sun must come up, and when the bats come flying home, he asks his mother to tell him again how the night ends. “The moon and stars fade to ghosts . . . Spiderwebs turn to silver threads . . . Moonflowers close and morning glories open. The sky brightens from black to blue, blue to red, red to gold, she says, as the velvet blacks and foggy grays of the night slowly lighten to the colors of a breaking day. Cleverly, Srinivasan has turned the bedtime story upside down: now that the sun is out it’s time for sleep. Little ones who have enjoyed picking out the foxes, bears, and bunnies as the night wears on may find their own eyes closing just when Little Owl’s do. — Ilene Cooper |
Rating: ★★★★½ (4.5 stars)
Interest Level: PreK-Grade 3
Interest Level: PreK-Grade 3
This is a great book for October or during a study of Nocturnal Animals... There is a website connected to this book as well... http://www.littleowlsnight.com/ and another website for the author.... (whose name I cannot pronounce)... http://www.pupae.com/
I absolutely love this author/illustrator's debut artwork and can only imagine that it won't be her last book!
Tuesday, July 17, 2012
TUESDAY: Teach the book "When Charlie McButton Lost Power" by Suzanne Collins
I was cataloging some books that our last year's librarian purchased and I came across this one. It's written by Suzanne Collins, the author of "The Hunger Games" and the "Overlander" series and it is one funny book. Told in rhyme, Charlie is dealing with a power outage, due to a thunder storm, and doesn't quite know how to calmly handle it. His little sister gets the brunt of his "upset" when he rips apart her talking doll, looking for batteries for his electronic devices. See how Charlie learns a thing or two about being a friend to his sister and "using his time in other ways". I loved this book, because even as adults, we tend to feel a bit frustrated when our internet or electricity goes out. It's a great book full of great laughs and many kids will connect with the "feeling" Charlie McButton is "feeling".
Here are some amazing lesson ideas, vocab and worksheets to go along with the book. I was impressed.
Monday, July 16, 2012
BONUS ARTICLE: Summer Reading Fun
Summer is a great time to enjoy reading for the fun of it, and there are a number of things you can do to ensure your children have lots of summer fun with books that they like and can easily read. To learn about local and online resources that you can use to encourage your child to do a lot of recreational reading this summer, read Summer Reading Fun.
MONDAY: Meet the Author Jane Yolen
Jane Yolen
Jane Yolen is an amazing award winning writer. She has written over 300 books for children and adults in a variety of genres, and on a number of different topics. Newsweek called Jane Yolen "the Hans Christian Andersen of America" and The New York Times labeled her "a modern equivalent of Aesop."A video interview with
Jane Yolen
Jane Yolen has written stories about toads in space, dinosaurs at bedtime, and much more. In this exclusive video interview with Reading Rockets, Jane Yolen recites the first poem she ever wrote and talks about how to encourage creative writing in kids.
You can watch the interview below, view the interview transcript, read a short biography on Jane Yolen, or see a selected list of her children's books.
Biography
Jane Yolen has been reading, writing, and telling stories for most of her life. As a young girl, fairytales and folktales stirred her imagination. As an adult, Yolen has captivated children with her own versions of magic, mystery, and lore. Newsweek once referred to Yolen as "America's Hans Christian Andersen." In over 40 years, Yolen has published more than 250 books. "I know that sounds like a lot of books," she says, "but I remember writing them each, one at a time."
Jane Yolen's best known books include Owl Moon, How Do Dinosaurs Say Good Night?, The Devil's Arithmetic, and the Pit Dragon Trilogy.
Writing from the start
Jane Yolen was born in New York City in 1939. Both of her parents were writers and so were most of their friends. While still in preschool, Jane composed her first poem. "I love to recite my first poem to kids when I talk to them – because it was so bad that I tell them that, clearly, they're writing better poems than that."
Yolen's writing did improve throughout her school years. In the first grade, she wrote the class musical. In high school, she won a Scholastic poetry contest. At Smith College, Yolen won awards for her poetry and journalism. After graduation, Yolen moved to Manhattan to work in the publishing industry. Soon thereafter, at age 22, she sold her first book, Pirates in Petticoats.
Since then, Yolen has published over 250 books, including folktales, fairytales, science fiction, poetry, informational books, picture books, young adult novels, and more. Yolen's books have won numerous awards, appeared on bestsellers lists, and some have been converted into movies. Yolen has also played an active role in literary organizations such as the Science Fiction Writers of America, the Western New England Storytellers Guild, and the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators.
Jane Yolen and her husband divide their time between western Massachusetts and St. Andrews, Scotland.
Top Five Picture Books by Jane Yolen
Owl Moon
Owl Moon is a Caldecott Medal winner. The language in this book is amazing. Have you ever gone owling? This book takes you into the woods at night in search of the owls call. An excellent book for teaching literary devices in writing, and as an anchor text for a unit on owls or birds.
How Do Dinosaurs Go To School?
How Do Dinosaurs Go To School is just one in a series of adorable dinosaur books. Your little dinosaur fans will love reading about dinosaurs saying goodnight, going to school, and more. Parents will enjoy the subtle lessons in the series. Teachers can use this series as read aloud books during your dinosaur units of study.
Dimity Duck
Dimity Duck is a precious picture book perfect for reading aloud to your youngest children. The imagery in this book is an excellent study on the craft of writing. The simple text is amazing and is written to be read aloud over and over again.
Encounter
Encounter takes on the point of view of a young Native American boy who encounters Columbus during his first visit to the Americas. The imagery is amazing and worthy of a writing study. This book is an excellent anchor text for teaching point of view and connecting with the social studies curriculum. There are many opportunities to infer, ask questions, and make predictions throughout this text.
Mama's Kiss
Mama's Kiss is an adorable read aloud for the younger child. Mothers will treasure this book. It's one of Jane's newest, and certainly one of her best.
Sunday, July 15, 2012
SUNDAY INSPIRATION: "Milton's Secret: An Adventure of Discovery through Then, When, and the Power of Now"
Milton's Secret: An Adventure of Discovery through Then, When, and the Power of Now [Hardcover]
Eckhart Tolle (Author), Robert S. Friedman (Author), Frank Riccio (Illustrator)
Product Description
For the first time ever, bestselling author Eckhart Tolle brings the core of his teachings to children, ages 7 to 100. Beautifully illustrated and artfully expressed, this charming story will bring joy to children and their parents for decades to come.
Milton, who is about eight years old, is experiencing bullying on the school playground at the hands of a boy named Carter.
Because he is being picked on, Milton no longer enjoys going to school. In fact, he dreads each morning because of his fear of Carter.
By discovering the difference between Then, When, and the Now, Milton is able to shed his fear of being bullied. Living in the Now, he no longer dreads encountering Carter—and this changes everything.
Milton's Secret will not only appeal to the millions of adult readers of Tolle's other books, but also to any parent who wants to introduce their children to the core of Tolle's teachings: Living in the Now is the quickest path to ending fear and suffering.
Milton, who is about eight years old, is experiencing bullying on the school playground at the hands of a boy named Carter.
Because he is being picked on, Milton no longer enjoys going to school. In fact, he dreads each morning because of his fear of Carter.
By discovering the difference between Then, When, and the Now, Milton is able to shed his fear of being bullied. Living in the Now, he no longer dreads encountering Carter—and this changes everything.
Milton's Secret will not only appeal to the millions of adult readers of Tolle's other books, but also to any parent who wants to introduce their children to the core of Tolle's teachings: Living in the Now is the quickest path to ending fear and suffering.
SATURDAY SERIES: "The Incorrigible Children of Ashton Place" Books 1-3
The Incorrigible Children of Ashton Place: Book I: The Mysterious Howling [Hardcover] (Read books 2 & 3)
Maryrose Wood (Author), Jon Klassen (Illustrator)
Book Description
Found running wild in the forest of Ashton Place, the Incorrigibles are no ordinary children: Alexander, age ten or thereabouts, keeps his siblings in line with gentle nips; Cassiopeia, perhaps four or five, has a bark that is (usually) worse than her bite; and Beowulf, age somewhere-in-the-middle, is alarmingly adept at chasing squirrels.
Luckily, Miss Penelope Lumley is no ordinary governess. Only fifteen years old and a recent graduate of the Swanburne Academy for Poor Bright Females, Penelope embraces the challenge of her new position. Though she is eager to instruct the children in Latin verbs and the proper use of globes, first she must help them overcome their canine tendencies.
But mysteries abound at Ashton Place: Who are these three wild creatures, and how did they come to live in the vast forests of the estate? Why does Old Timothy, the coachman, lurk around every corner? Will Penelope be able to teach the Incorrigibles table manners and socially useful phrases in time for Lady Constance's holiday ball? And what on earth is a schottische?
Saturday, July 14, 2012
BONUS BOOK LIST: Best "New" Picture Books...
These are all the new books I'd love to buy for my school library. How many of these do you have?
These recommended books received ratings of at least 4 out of 5 stars. Click here to see ALL PICTURE BOOK reviews.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
LinkWithin
