Noah Webster and His Words

Noah Webster and His Words

By Jeri Chase Ferris and Illustrated by Vincent X. Kirsch

Have you ever wondered about the man behind the dictionary? Who was Noah Webster? Check out this wonderful picture book on one of the most famous scholars of all time. Did you also know that The Webster’s American Dictionary of the English Language became the second most popular book ever printed?

Meet Noah. Noah was born in 1758 on a farm in West Harford, Connecticut. He lived in a family with a history of farming. But he didn’t want to be a farmer like his father, his grandfather and his great-grandfather. Noah wanted to do something different. He wanted to be a scholar. He was the first in his family to attend college at Yale University. 

Author Jeri Ferris has created a wonderful biography on one of the most important books ever printed. Ferris has written this story in a creative manner with many words and definitions sprinkled throughout the story. Illustrated by Vincent Kirsch, the pictures are done in ink with watercolor and graphite.

A must read for every young scholar. A brilliant illustrated chronology of Webster’s life. Recommended for Ages 4 and up

Dear Blue Sky

Dear Blue Sky by Mary Sullivan

This is a story for middle grade readers that deal with a difficult subject, war. It is the story of a family, whose oldest child heads off to the Iraqi war to serve his country like his father and grandfather. This is a compelling story about the realistic effects of war that it has on a family. It also raises awareness and a deeper understanding about all the victims of war.

Meet Cassie. She feels like her world is falling apart because her older brother has just left for the war. Her family is falling apart; her mother can’t cope and doesn’t get out of bed. Cassie’s mother has stopped taking care of the family and is constantly fighting with her dad. Cassie’s older sister is making lots of bad decisions and gets lost in the mix while her little brother, who has Downs Syndrome, has decided to stop talking.

Cassie then gets a class assignment that really changes her perspective on everything. She discovers Blue Sky, a young Iraqi girl who has started a blog. Their worlds seem very similar yet very different and suddenly Cassie is beginning to see another side of war that she never knew about.

A story about how war affects both sides.  A wonderful read for grades 5 and up. 

When No One is Watching

I was lucky to receive an advanced copy proof of this adorable book that is expected to come out in February. 

When No One is Watching by Eileen Spinelli & Illustrated by David Johnson

This is a sweet story about a shy little girl who loves to do many things when others aren’t looking. She likes to dance, growl and cheer, she even likes to play basketball and shoot the ball into the hoop. But when everyone is watching she hides behind the couch like a cat, she passes the basketball to her friend, and she won’t sing but rather hum.  This is a story about being shy and knowing that nothing is wrong with it at all. Written in rhyme with wonderful ink drawing illustrations with watercolor and some digital manipulation. You begin to fall in love with this little girl with the wild curly hair. I know I did.

Books for Children on Death and Dying

Death is a hard topic to talk about yet a really important one. Whether your child is dealing with the death of a family pet, a grandparent or family member, a friend, neighbor, teacher; here are some wonderful books to share together that talk about the process of death. These books also have answers to questions that your children might have. The books with ** are my favorites. 

Books for Children on Death and Dying

** Lifetimes by Bryan Mellonie & Robert Ingpen

This is my favorite book to use with children ages 4 and up that explains death in a caring and beautiful way. It shows us through illustrations that dying is as much a part of living as being born. Ages 4 and up

The Goodbye Boat by Mary Joslin

This book describes death through pictures and words and about saying goodbye. Ages 4 and up

When Dinosaurs Die by Laurene Brown

This isn’t a story about death but actually deals with chidlren’s fears of death by answering basic questions. Ages 5-8

I Miss You: A first look at Death by Pat Thomas

Written by a psychotherapist and counselor this books helps children deal with understanding death. Ages 4 and up

Where are you? A Child’s book about loss by Lauren Olivieri

Ages 5 and up

Why do People Die? Helping your child understand with love and Understanding by Cynthia MacGregor

This book is a great comfort to children and adults and answers the questions that are often asked when someone dies. A straightforward book for ages 7 and up.

I had a friend named Peter: Talking to children about the death of a friend by Janice Cohn

When Betsy learns about the death of a friend she begins to learn about dying, funerals and the burial process. Ages 5 and up

When a Pet Dies by Fred Rogers

A Mr. Rodgers book about coping with the death of a pet. Ages 5 and up

**My Pet Died by Rachel Biale

A wonderful ‘let’s make a book together that you can do with your child when dealing with a pet loss. 

Some great pictures books to share with your child with death as a main theme are: 

**The Tenth Good Thing about Barney by Judith Viorst

**Saying Goodbye to Lulu by Corinee Demas

The Accident by Carol Carrick

**I remember Miss Perry by Pat Brisson (dealing with the death of a teacher)

Jim’s dog Muffins by Miriam Cohen

Ada’s pal by George Ella Lyon

**Sammy in the Sky by Barbara Walsh

**Badger’s Parting Gifts by Susan Varley

**Harry and Hooper by Margaret Wild

Two wonderful stories about friendship

Vernon the toad has met a new friend, a small blue bird. But bird doesn't seem to be happy and Vernon isn't quite sure why. He asks little blue bird, but bird doesn't talk. He thinks that bird is lost from his home so he decides to introduce bird to his friends and try to discover where little blue bird's home really is. 

As the reader, we know from the start that the little blue bird has fallen out of a moving truck where he lived in a cuckoo clock. While Vernon doesn't know this, he tries everything to discover where little bird's home is. 

A very tender and thoughtful tale of friendship written by Caldecott winner, Author/Illustrator Philip Stead. The story is not only creative but the illustrations are richly colored in mixed media and truly display the emotions of Vernon and little blue bird. 

"Bird is shy," said Vernon, "but also a very good listener." Isn't that what friends are? A wonderful story that can be read over and over again. A story that can encourage discussions of what true friendship is and the importance of a home. 

A must for children ages 3 and up

Another very endearing tale of friendship. Meet Bear who is getting ready to go to sleep for the winter. Yet, he has a very important story to tell and he can't seem to find a friend who isn't getting ready for winter to stop and listen. He goes from friend to friend eagerly wanting to tell a story, but each time he gets more tired and each time his friends turn him away as they are busy getting ready for winter too.

Mouse is setting up his food supply in a tunnel, duck is getting ready to journey south for the winter, frog is seeking warm shelter, and mole is already fast asleep. As bear finds his spot for the winter he goes to sleep without ever telling his story.

Written by Philip Stead and illustrated by his wife, Erin, the Caldecott duo have done it again. The illustrations are done in pencil and watercolor and truly show the change in seasons. A wonderful story about friendship as well as the importance of patience. Ages 3 and up.

Mousetronaut

Mousetronaut by Astronaut Mark Kelly and Illustrated by C.F. Payne

(Based on a partially true story)

Meet Meteor who is a hardworking friendly mouse. He is about to take his first trip to the moon with a bunch of astronauts. Unbeknownst to Meteor he actually saves the entire mission when a computer key gets stuck on the monitor. Read how Meteor saves the day and is declared a hero. He is presented with his very own mouse suit and his very own title of Mousetronaut.

This is a cleverly and charming story written by a four-time veteran of the space shuttle, Mark Kelly. This story is based on his experiences and of course his imagination while up in space. The illustrations, which are done in mixed media, are just truly fabulous because they really evoke the emotion of the mouse while traveling up into space. They are lively yet really show a story of courage and perseverance.

The author has included an Afterword and there a fabulous Bibliography, which includes games, videos and informational links. This story is based on the space shuttle Endeavor as mice were trained alongside the astronauts and accompanied them in the 2001 mission.

I loved this story and believe it to be an inspiration to young readers, especially those looking to travel to space.

A great gift for the holidays or better yet check it out at your local library!

Grades K-2

Little Cub

This story is not only tender and heartwarming but it is perfect for parents and children that make each other feel whole. This book is about a lonely old bear and a lonely little cub who find each other one day. Both don't like being alone yet they are. As they go through their days of eating and finding food, something is clearly missing. A friendship. And once they find each other they realize what they had been missing all along, each other.

One of the sweetest books I have ever read. This one is to be shared with your favorite little friends over and over again. An absolute must check out or even purchase!
Ages 2 on up!