My day at the public library

I had a lovely day working at the public library in the children's room. It always is good to be in another library setting that is different from my own to see other collections. Today I found some adorable picture books. I wish my children were still small so I could buy them, they are that wonderful!

For those of you who have children who are dog lovers I highly recommend this one!
RRRalph by Lois Ehlert
Ralph is a talking dog, really he is! In Lois Ehlert usual style with handmade illustrations made from zippers, wood, buttons, twine, metal, tree bark, handmade papers and textile fragments this humorous story is about Ralph the dog who narrates the book by talking with words such as: roof, rough, bark and wolf. Check this book out and meet Ralph the talking dog.

Do You Know Which Ones Will Grow? by Susan Shea
This is such a creative book. If a duckling grows and becomes a duck can a car grow and become a truck? If a kitten grows and becomes a cat, can a cap grow and become a hat?
This is a book about growth that actually encourages readers to interact with the question and answer format. There are comparisons with inanimate objects to objects that grow. The illustrations by Tom Slaughter are vibrant and sort of pop-out at the reader. A very special book for a very special child. This also makes for a great gift!

When a Monster is Born by Sean Taylor
Wow, this is really a fabulous read aloud. It is funny, creative and very engaging. It can be read during the day or at night before bed. "When a monster is born there are two possibilities, it can be a faraway monster or an under your bed monster." This particular monster explores all different possibilities and it isn't scary. It is a funny monster story with slapstick humor. The illustrations are bold in neon colors. The monster is lime green with a pink horn and pink toes and buck teeth. A very goofy monster indeed. The author, Sean Taylor, wrote this story based on a Brazilian poem called "When a Baby is Born" that the author heard many years ago. It was the reason why he wrote this book.

Some emotional reads

“But really, anybody could die any day, whether you were ready or not. It could be your pet fish or your sister or you. Nothing is the same forever.” (Love, Aubrey, LaFleur, p. 242)

Well, in the past few days I have read two very different books, both heartwarming and sad on two very real issues, adoption and death. Even though it is summer and both of my kids are home and we are all starting to get on each other’s nerves reading these two books made me grateful for what I do have. Not everyone is this lucky.

The first book, Mother Number Zero by Marjolyn Hof was translated from Dutch. This story is actually based on Hof’s own experience of being adopted. This short book is packed with a tremendous amount of feeling on the issue of adoption. It is a wonderful story for the adopted child who does seek out more information on his/her first mother. Or as the author puts it, “All children come out of a belly and nobody can remember that. What’s the difference- one belly or another?” And so begins the journey of Fejzo in looking for his mother zero, since his first mother is number one in his eyes. The story takes place in the Netherlands, which is the home of Fejzo and his family. But his birth mother was a woman who escaped the war in Bosnia. The story isn’t just about Fejzo but also about his older sister, Bing, who was also adopted but from China. Her story is different in that she can’t find her mother number zero because she was abandoned. We mostly follow Fejzo’s journey to locate his birth mother but the emotions that his sister Bing has also ring true to the reader. This is truly an original story that is both touching and thoughtful. I think it is a great addition to literature on adoption. (Grades 5-8). 

My next read was about the unimaginable, the death of a parent and sister. Love, Aubrey by Suzanne LaFleur is a remarkable story of love, loss and courage from the point of a view of an 11 year-old girl. Aubrey’s life has been turned upside down by a tragic accident where she loses her father and sister. Unfortunately after the accident Aubrey’s mother becomes emotionally unstable to care for Aubrey so she must move to Vermont to live with her grandmother. Aubrey learns with the help of her grandmother how to express her feelings and thoughts and move on with her life to find happiness.

This is a wonderful story about a young girl who learns about the healing powers of friendship, love and wonderful memories. This is the author’s first story and it is very powerful in that she truly captures the real emotions of a young child who has suffered a terrible loss and learns how to cope to move on with her life. I think we can look forward to many more books by this wonderful author. (Grades 5-8).

A must have picture book!

A must read for every little girl. My Name Is Not Isabella: Just How Big Can a Little Girl Dream? by Jennifer Fosberry. Why is this book so special because it opens the world to a little girl and her inner strength to do the impossible. Isabella wakes up one morning only to tell her mother that her name is not Isabella. Who is this little girl, asks her mother. With each page she becomes someone new. Isabella’s adventure begins with U.S. Astronaut Sally Ride, activist Rosa Parks, Madame Curie and many others. But in reality the biggest hero is of course Isabella’s own mommy. This book is a beautifully illustrated and well-written story that every little girl must have on her own bookshelf to look at over and over again.

 

Jennifer Fosberry is a Bay Area author and mother. My Name is Not Isabella was her first book that came out in September of 2010 and just recently the boy version of this book was published, My Name is Not Alexander. This story has the same premise about a little boy being anyone that he wants to be from Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Edison to Jackie Robinson. But of course in the end, who is the biggest hero, dad. Two fabulous picture books that are an inspiration to children everywhere! We can’t wait to see what Jennifer Fosberry has in store for us next.

The Sisterhood

What began as a book about four high school girls and their incredible friendship becomes a heartwarming series about growing up, staying friends and lessons of life. Author Ann Brashares began with The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants (published in 2001) and just recently completed the series with Sisterhood Everlasting (2011). The story begins with the four high school girls finding a soft, ordinary pair of thrift-shop jeans before they each head off on their own summer adventures. These close friends, all-different sizes and builds, not to mention backgrounds and personalities all fit into the pants. The pants settle on each girl's hips perfectly, making each girl feel confident as a teenager can feel. Because they fit each girl they must be “magical pants”. So they decide to make a pact to share them equally, to mail them back and forth over the summer from wherever they are. This is how the story begins and continues throughout the four books concluding in the fourth book, Forever in Blue (published in 2007).  What we learn in this first book is the connection that these girls have through their mothers who took a birthing class together. A very unique but not uncommon situation. And while the parents keep close ties the girls create something even more special, respect for each other. We follow the girls through high school and college, with each summer bringing new experiences, adventures, as well as new loves.

While Forever in Blue (published in 2009) was an ending to the series of the traveling pants, it wasn’t an ending in the author’s mind. Even though she concluded the story of the traveling pants she decided she wasn’t ready to end the story of these four loveable characters and thus created one last book ten years later. Ann Brashares rediscovers her four characters at the age of 29 to create a reunion of the sisterhood, Sisterhood Everlasting (2011). This last installment is extremely heart-warming and very moving. It is a powerful story of friendship, losing your way and then finding the courage to create a new one. Throughout all of her books, the author includes special quotes from famous people that open up each chapter. Each quote really does make the reader think and adds a nice touch to this already funny, perceptive, and moving series. (Recommended for grades 8 and up.)

The Ranger's Apprentice

The Ranger's Apprentice by John Flanagan is a fabulous series, 10 books in total. I can almost compare the excitement of this series to Harry Potter. Even though this isn't a new series, it has been out since 2006, it is a fabulous fantasy series for grades 4-8th. The stories have both captivating story lines and suspenseful adventures. This book is for boys and girls and can be even used in the classroom to encourage historical research projects during the times of knights and kings. The Ranger's Apprentice is about battles and about honor.

From School Library Journal for Book 1 - The Ruins of Gorlan
Will hopes to become a knight; instead, he winds up as a Ranger's apprentice, joining the secretive corps that uses stealth, woodcraft, and courage to protect the kingdom. His aptitude and bravery gradually earn the respect of his gruff but good-hearted master. When the kingdom is attacked by evil magic forces, Will helps track down and defeat a couple of particularly nasty beasts. This closing episode sets the stage for a good-versus-evil war that will likely be at the heart of future volumes. In this opener, though, most of the story focuses on the learning process that Will goes through as an apprentice. Descriptions of Ranger craft are fascinating. Exciting confrontations with bullies and wild boars help to establish the boy's emerging character. Side stories involving a rival Battleschool apprentice and the identity of Will's father are woven in smoothly. The author occasionally spells things out more than is needed when actions demonstrate them clearly enough. However, the well-paced plot moves effortlessly toward the climax, letting readers get to know the world and the characters gradually as excitement builds. The public adoration Will gains at the end seems slightly overdone given the established distrust people feel for Rangers, but it's still a pleasing finish and should leave readers eager to share the future adventures of the Ranger's apprentice.–Steven Engelfried, Beaverton City Library, OR

Book 1 - The Ruins of Gorlan
Book 2 - The Burning Bridge
Book 3 - The Icebound Land
Book 4 - The Battle for Skandia
Book 5 - The Sorcerer of the North
Book 6 - The Siege of Macindaw
Book 7 - Erak's Ransom
Book 8 - The Kings of Clonmel
Book 9 - Halt's Peril
Book 10 - The Emperor of Nihon-Ja

Foodies: Books with recipes

Let's just say that cooking and being in the kitchen is not one of my favorite things to do. Before my kids I enjoyed spending some of my time browsing the cooking magazines and trying out new recipes for my husband. Granted they had to be on the easy side. But once I had my kids, spending endless hours in the kitchen was not how I wanted to spend my time. Honestly I would rather be outside hiking, or biking or doing something else. Don't get me wrong, I like food. I enjoy eating delicious food, but cooking, I'm not so great at. I do love to bake. So that will be another post for another time. Here are a few wonderful stories about young girls who enjoy to cook and their adventures in and out of the kitchen.

I just recently finished reading Eggs over Evie  by Alison Jackson. This is a lovely story about a young girl, Evie who is 13 years old and loves to cook. She comes by it honestly as her father is a famous chef. But her world has been turned upside down since her parents divorce. Her dad has moved across town with the family dog to start a new family with his young new wife who by the way is pregnant with twins. This is an appealing story for anyone going through some family upheaval as well as having a love to be in the kitchen.  Each chapter is headed by a quote from a celebrity chef that foreshadows the events to come and concludes with a recipe for whatever Evie is preparing.
(for grades 4-6)

My Chocolate Year by Charlotte Herman
Another great little read with some yummy sweet recipes included. This story takes place after World War II in New York City. Dorrie Meyers is starting fifth grade, the year of the Sweet Semester baking and essay contest at school. Dorrie is determined to win, but her cakes fall flat, her cookies look like pancakes, and she learns the hard way that chocolate-covered gum is NOT a good idea. Then Dorrie meets her cousin Victor for the first time. Victor is an immigrant from Europe, and he is about to teach Dorrie that a loving family and a safe homeland are the sweetest things of all. With some top-secret tips from Victor's family's bakery and a big slice of confidence, Dorrie Meyers might just have the yummiest year of her life. This is a sweet story with 12 wonderful recipes that gives the reader a little taste of life as an immigrant during some hard times. (for grades 4-6).

Last but not least one of my favorite stories, Everything on a Waffle by Polly Horvath.
Primrose, 11, waits patiently for her lost-at-sea parents to return to their charming town of Coal Harbor, British Columbia. In the meantime, a cast of delightfully eccentric characters weaves in and out of her world. Her charismatic Uncle Jack agrees to take care of his niece while trying to get rich on the town's tourist-industry possibilities. A misguided school counselor ineffectively tries to convince Primrose that her parents are gone forever, while at the same time setting her sights on Uncle Jack. An aging neighbor, a restaurant owner, and a charming pair of foster parents are among the other adults who try to help Primrose. Though temporarily parentless and decidedly accident prone (she loses two digits and sets fire to a guinea pig, among other mishaps), Primrose has a subtle, but profound effect on the grown-ups who come to her aid. In a variety of ways, she asks each of them whether they've ever placed hope and faith above mere logic, and the answers are always revealing. At the same time, the girl grows by observing and listening to those she encounters. Her first-person narration is just right, conveying her matter-of-fact optimism in the face of some pretty bizarre (and funny) events. Each chapter ends with a recipe that Primrose collects from various people, including the restaurant owner who serves each dish on her menu atop a waffle. The story is full of subtle humor and wisdom, presented through the eyes of a uniquely appealing young protagonist.- Reviewed for School Library Journal by Steven Engelfried, Deschutes County Library, Bend (Grades 4-7).

Happy Cooking and Reading!!

Diary of a Wimpy Kid and other such related books

One of the popular trends these days is to write children books in the form of a journal. What are the advantages of this format and why are they so popular? I think there are several reasons that create a love for these type of books. This is a great way to help connect with the reader. Experiences and emotions are shared more intimately and felt stronger. It is an easier read for a reluctant reader because the pages aren't so dense with words. And lastly it helps with the showing of time that passes during a story. There is one challenge of writing in a journal or diary format is the showing vs. telling dilemma. It’s easy to describe an event you are writing to “tell” it to someone and possibly more challenging to “show” actions that allow the reader opportunities to construct their own interpretation. However, trying out a different form of writing could bring a new energy to your story.

When I first read Diary of a Wimpy Kid, I wasn't a huge fan. Why is this so popular with the kids? Why çan't I keep any of these books on the library shelf? But then I read on and realized that what the author Jeff Kinney is really trying to relay is life. Real life. Real experiences. Real problems in a funny humorous way written from the point of view of a young boy. Brilliant, one might say. So my son powered through this whole series in about two weeks period of time and just loved them. Kinney really does a masterful job of making the mundane life of boys on the brink of adolescence hilarious. While this book is really for boys grades 4-7th, some of my younger students are enjoying them too.

Now there is a market for these type of comic style books written in journal form. Dork Diaries by Renee Russell is another series but for girls. While I'm not a big fan of this series it might work for a reluctant reader. Most recently I just finished reading Justin Case: School, Drool, and other Daily Disasters by Rachel Vail. This is about a young boy Justin Krzeszewski, a third grader, who has many worries, still plays with his stuffed animals, and is a sensitive introverted kid. The opposite from Greg Heffley. Justin is a full blown worrywart but wants to do the right thing and be a good student. He also wants to make friends. What makes this story different from the others is that it shows the feelings of a young boy who is a bit more sensitive than others and how he navigates through the roller coaster of family and school life. Once again all these books are really just about growing up, making the right choices and becoming braver.

Comic Style Books:

Babymouse by Jennifer Holm
Lunch Lady by Jarrett Krosoczka
Captain Underpants by Dav Pilkey
Big Nate by Lincoln Pierce
Dork Diaries by Rachel Russell
Diary of Wimpy Kid by Jeff Kinney
Justin Case by Rachel Vail
Alvin Ho by Lenore Look