As part of the Non-Fiction Picture Book Challenge 2012 (Twitter:
#nfpb2012), my goal is to read and review as many of the new
non-fiction picture books that are released this year. Wednesdays will
be my primary day to post the reviews.
This past week felt like a bonus for discovering nonfiction picture books that I have been looking for or even discovering one or two new ones. As a result, I decided to do a mini-review of one book and include a bunch of other books.
Invitation to Ballet Author: Carolyn Vaughan Illustrator: Rachel Isadora Publisher: Abrams Books for Young Readers (May, 2012) Audience: Grades 2nd to 5th
Sometimes art-style books don't quite work, and sometimes it comes out just right. In Invitation to Ballet, Vaughan & Isadora get it right. The text provides young readers with basic information about the history of ballet and ballet poses and more. The informative but readable text combined with a mixture of Isadora's illustrations of young children in various ballet poses and Degas' artwork of ballerinas make this a book a wonderful gift for young ballet enthusiasts.
Here are some of the other nonfiction picture book standouts from the past week...
Robin, Where are You? by Harriet Ziefert; Illustrated by Noah Woods - This lift the flap book was a lot of fun. A young girl goes bird watching with her grandfather. Behind the flaps are various bird facts. At the end, there is a flap with a surprise.
How Things Work in the House by Lisa Campell Ernst - Each page is dedicated to a different household item and great little facts for each thing. My favorite was the two page spread that had a sock on one side and a sock monkey on the other.
Bon Appetit! The Delicious Life of Julia Childby Jessie Hartland - I had mixed feelings on this book. The writing was fun and the illustrations just the right kind of quirky, but the format/lay-out of the text was hard to follow. Regardless, this made me want to go watch Julie & Julia again.
Feel free to link your nonfiction picture book reviews to the Mr. Linky below.
It's Monday! What are you reading? is hosted by Sheila of Book Journey. Jen & Kellee from
Teach Mentor Texts have adapted this to focus on Picture Books to Young Adult Books.
There is just two weeks left to the school year and then summer reading can commence. I am eager to start on my stack for the summer.
Here are some of my favorite reads from last week:
Don't forget to check out yesterday's Hot off the Press! post that has 4 other favorites from the past week. Also, check back in on Wednesday for my favorite nonfiction picture books from last week.
Drink, Slay, Love by Sarah Beth Durst - My bookclub read this for our May selection. Great cover. A funny, fast read. Vampires, unicorns, and high school.
Every Cowgirl Loves a Rodeo by Rebecca Janni; Illustrated by Lynne Avril - The third book in the Every Cowgirl series and I am still liking them. This time our cowgirl enters a rodeo; a bike rodeo.
Scribbles and Ink by Ethan Long - This cat and mouse pair don't exactly see eye to eye on what is "good art". With the help of a colored pencil and a paint brush, our duo duels it out and eventually discovers that they may actually be good together. Also, introduces children to several famous pieces of art.
You are My Work of Art by Sue DiCicco - This lift-a-flap board book introduces young readers to various pieces of art work. For the format - very well done.
So, what are you reading this week?
I am going to finish up -
The Templeton Twins Have An Idea by Ellis Weiner; Illustrated by Jeremy Holmes - I didn't get to finish this mystery, adventure book yesterday but hope to finish it up today.
The Five Lives of our Cat Zook by Joanne Rocklin - I have been hesitant to read this. I have no doubt that I will likely shed a few tears. However, it has come highly recommended so I will do my best to finish it this week.
Let me know in the comment section what you are reading....
Hot Off the Press is a weekly feature of picture books that are recent releases. I usually base the post on my weekly visits to Vroman's Bookstore but this week's visit features books from Mrs. Nelson's Bookstore in LaVerne.
The Unruly Queen Author/Illustrator: E.S. Redmond Publisher: Candlewick (February, 2012) Audience: Ages 4 to 7
Minerva has had 52 nannies in 52 weeks. Her behavior is so wild and impossible no one will stay. Will nanny #53 be able to tame this spoiled child? - Lately, I am so frustrated with books that seem to celebrate rude and inappropriate behavior. However, Redmond gets it and gets it right from beginning to end and all without being preachy or annoying. I have to say I LOVED this book. Both text and illustrations work together for the enjoyment of the reader.
A Bus Called Heaven Author/Illustrator: Bob Graham Publisher: Candlewick (March , 2012) Audience: Ages 4 to 7
I am not sure why from the title of this book I thought I wouldn't like the story. I should have known better since this is a Bob Graham book. I loved How to Heal a Broken Wing. In A Bus Called Heaven, a little girl named Stella sees the beauty and potential in a broken down old bus. Her vision brings together a diverse urban neighborhood in creating a safe space. Even when that space is threatened, Stella finds a way to save what was created and return a piece of "heaven" to her community. I loved when the taggers come in the middle of the night that they are told to come back the next day to paint the bus. And even snails have a special place in this community.
Below is a YouTube video of a bookstore's display for A Bus Called Heaven.
Red Knit Cap Girl Author/Illustrator: Naoko Stoop Publisher: Little Brown Book for Young Readers (June 5, 2012) Audience: Ages 4 to 7
An enchanted forest and a little girl with a dream to meet the moon. The red knit cap girl is curious about the whole forest but she is most curious about the moon. With the advice of a wise owl and the support of the forest animals, the red knit cap girl seeks to talk with the moon. However, the girl and her friends discover that it is in the dark and quiet that they will find the moon and that she is there to hear them. Beautifully illustrated and a wonderful story for both a read aloud or a lesson.
I, too, Am America Author: Langston Hughes Illustrator: Bryan Collier Publisher: Simon & Schuster (May 22, 2012) Audience: Ages 4 to 7
I love the poetry of Langston Hughes and I love the work of Bryan Collier. Put them together and you have a winner. Though the words of Hughes' poem I, too, Am America are powerful supported with Collier's mixed media artwork, it is the illustrator's end notes that are extremely powerful. Definitely a book to add to my collection of picture books featuring Langston Hughes' poems.
Welcome to the 2nd Annual Splash Into Summer Hop co-hosted by I am a Reader, Not a Writer and Page Turners Blog. This hop runs from May 25th to 31st with over 200 blogs each hosting a giveaway. Don't forget to check out the linky to see all the giveaways!
The Giveaway:
If you are anything like me, you have an ever growing TBR pile and have certain books that you have put aside to read specifically in the summer. Here is a chance to win one of those books in your pile. The book you choose can be a picture book, middle grade novel, or young adult novel. Fill out the form below and tell me what book you want. As long as it is $15 or less on Amazon, I will send it your way.
The Rules:
1. Though comments are very much appreciated, please do not enter any
personal information in the comments section (including your email,
website, etc.). If you do enter personal information, your comment will
not be posted.
2. You must complete the entry form to official enter the giveaway.
3. The Contest runs from 12:00 a.m. Pacific Time on May 25th to 11:59 p.m. Pacific Time on May 31st.
4. You must be 13 years or older to participate.
5. If you are selected as the winner, you will be notified by email. If
you do not respond within 48 hours, I will select a new winner.
6. US participants only.
The Nonfiction Detectives and I are hosting a Non-Fiction Picture Book Challenge. My goal has been to kick off the month with the new nonfiction picture book release titles. Yeah, this month, I am a bit behind. I guess better late than never.
The links for the above books will take you directly to the
IndieBound.org book page for purchasing information, unless otherwise
noted. Please note, I do not make anything off these links or profit in
anyway from posting the links. I know that I am still searching for May releases and will likely do a Part II update. If you know of a
book that should be
included in this list, please include the title and author in the
comments section and I will update the list.
* Indicates Non-fiction children's books that are not specifically picture books.
Feel free to link your nonfiction picture book reviews to the Mr. Linky below.
It's Monday! What are you reading? is hosted by Sheila of Book Journey. Jen & Kellee from
Teach Mentor Texts have adapted this to focus on Picture Books to Young Adult Books.
Work has remained steadily busy this past week, as well as an emotional one. At the end of the week, the school I work at was informed that one of our students had passed away. It was and continues to be an emotional time for staff and students. As I searched for books about death and grief, I realize that there are few picture books dealing with the death of a child or friend. Sure there are many that deal with the loss of a grandparent or a pet, or even a parent, but not so much an actual classmate. I can tink of several Middle Grade novels (so many seem to deal with death and grief), but finding just the right picture books has been a challenge. If you have a book recommendation for this topic, please leave it in the comment section.
Here are some of my favorites reads from this past week:
43 Old Cemetery Road: The Phantom of the Post Office by Kate Klise; Illustrated by M. Sarah Klise - I am a big fan of this series and in the latest installment, Klise creates readable mystery and also manages pokes fun at technology and communicating via text or email.
Keesha's House by Helen Frost - Recently, I discovered Hidden by Frost and decided to try her Printz Honor book Keesha's House. Frost is a master at telling a story through poetic verse and from various points of view. If you haven't read any of her books, I would highly encourage you to give one of them a try.
So what are you reading?
I am going to finish reading City of Lost Souls by Cassandra Clare which I started. And anything else will be a bonus. What is in your TBR pile for the week?
As part of the Non-Fiction Picture Book Challenge 2012 (Twitter:
#nfpb2012), my goal is to read and review as many of the new
non-fiction picture books that are released this year. Wednesdays will
be my primary day to post the reviews.
Hanging Off Jefferson's Nose: Growing Up on Mount Rushmore Author: Tina Nichols Coury Illustrator: Sally Wern Comport Publisher: Dial Books (May 10, 2012) Number of Pages: 40 Source: Copy for Review Audience: ages 7 to 10 Biographical * Nonfiction
Description from Goodreads: Growing up in the shadow of Mount Rushmore
Lincoln
Borglum was a young boy when his father, the great sculptor Gutzon
Borglum, suggested to a group of South Dakota businessmen that he should
carve the faces of four presidents into a side of a mountain as an
attraction for tourists. But Mount Rushmore would never be finished by
Gutzon. It would be his son who would complete the fourteen-year task
and present America with one of its most iconic symbols.
My thoughts on this book:
Some things seem to just be a part of life. Often times, I don't stop to think about who built the Golden Gate Bridge, or who was the person who created the Statue of Liberty or in this case, who carved four presidential faces into a mountain side. In Tina Nichols Coury's book Hanging off Jefferson's Nose: Growing Up on Mount Rushmore, readers discover how this amazing monument came into being.
Though the book begins by talking about the sculptor Gutzon Borglum, who designed the monument, the book is really a nod to Borglum's son Lincoln. As a famous sculptor, and according to Coury, the only mountain carver in the world (at that time), Borglum's wife and children followed him wherever there was work. Young Borglum didn't see himself as inheriting his father's talent, but he did elect to learn many skills at the side of his father. Most importantly, Lincoln Borglum worked to learn every job that went into creating the monument on the South Dakota mountain face. This willingness to try and learn all the jobs impressed the crew. When Lincoln's father passed away in March 1941, before the job was completed, it was the vote of confidence from his family and crew that swayed the Mount Rushmore Commission to place Lincoln in charge of finishing the job.
Even after reading all about how this incredible monument came into being, I am still in awe of the hard work and dedication of the men who created Mount Rushmore. I marvel at the challenges that they faced and yet they didn't back down or give up. I wonder at times if children understand what a challenge it really was to complete a project like this. I can only hope that by exposing them to stories such as this one that they will consider what project would be their personal "Mount Rushmore" and how they might go about accomplishing that task.
Sally Wern Comport's illustrations nicely compliment Coury's text and Hanging off Jefferson's Nose would be a nice addition to a biographical nonfiction section of a classroom or school library.
Check out the following book trailers:
Official Book Trailer
Official Book Trailer with Theme Song:
For more information about author Tina Nichols Coury, check out her Website
If you are participating in the Nonfiction Picture Book Challenge, don't forget to link up your reviews.
It's Monday! What are you reading? is hosted by Sheila of Book Journey. Jen & Kellee from
Teach Mentor Texts have adapted this to focus on Picture Books to Young Adult Books.
I have somehow fallen into a rut. It's not like me but I am attributing it to the end of the school year craziness for lack of anything better to attribute it to.
For my favorite picture books from last week, you can check out my Hot Off the Press post . I am still smiling about No Bears by Meg McKinlay.
I picked up Cassandra Clare's City of Lost Souls. After speaking with Sophie from Mundie Moms, I am excited to start this one.
And of course, I have a ton of books I have started and haven't finished. But I am going to work on being kind to myself and just go with the flow. I know that this too will pass and I will be back on track soon.
So what are you reading? And how do you deal with reading slumps?
Hot Off the Press is a weekly feature of picture books that are recent releases. I usually base the post on my weekly visits to Vroman's Bookstore and browsing through their wall of new picture books. However, this week, I visited both Vroman's and Mrs. Nelson's Bookstore in LaVerne. These titles are available at either one or both of the stores.
Last year, Bethanie Murguia released the picture book Buglette, The Messy Sleeper which I adored. And Murguia has another one that I really like. This one made me smile and shake my head. How many of you have ever dealt with a child that took forever to pick out clothes and get dressed? I am sure that is a lot of you. Consequently, you will appreciate Zoe's thought process as she tries to get herself dressed on a Saturday morning and also the mounting frustration from her mother who is downstairs waiting for her. I look forward to future books from Murguia. Don't forget to check out the official book trailer.
Check out the book trailer for Zoe Gets Ready:
No Bears Author: Meg McKinlay Illustrator: Leila Rudge Publisher: Walker Books (June 1, 2012) Audience: Ages 4 to 7
This book is brilliant on several levels. First, Ruby wants to write a story but her story is not going to have any bears in it. Frankly, she feels that there are too many bears already in stories and she will not have one in her book. Unbeknownst to her, our friend the bear is keeping watch on things including saving the princess from the monster. The second cool thing about this book is the way the story mimics Ruby's own notebook pages providing readers with a reflection of sorts on the writing process. And finally, there are many cool references to fairy tales in the book which begs for re-reading so that you can find them all. I highly recommend this book.
I think I selected this book first for it's beautiful illustrations and second for the imaginative story. Arthur wakes up and wants to share with his family about the pink and green boat from his dreams. A very tiny version of the boat appears on Arthur's head when he first awakes. As he attempts to gain the attention of his family members to tell them about the boat, it seems to be growing larger and larger until it eventually whisks him off on it's own adventure. Very imaginative and fun. Children will enjoy watching the boat develop details from the dream and become larger and larger until it envelopes everyone.
I adore Jen and Kellee from Teach Mentor Text! They are amazing women, outstanding educators, and just fun friends. I am so excited to be able to celebrate their 2nd Blogiversary. One thing I love about their blog is how they do these amazing reviews that should be printed out and kept in a binder. Not only does it have a great summary and reflection of the book but they include what reading level (together and independently), snatches of text, what books you can read along with it, topics covered, and mentor text. There are even writing prompts. I don't think I know any other bloggers who are so thorough with their reviews and are truly a resource for teachers.
In honor of their blogiversary, I am going to do a mini-review/example of one of my favorite books to do with children - The Dreamer by Pamela Munoz Ryan
Here are the words I shared with those who attended the Children's Literature Council of Southern California's Award Banquet where I presented the award for The Dreamer.
The downfall in reading lots and lots of books is that after awhile many of the stories blur together and over time you are left with a vague sense of having read the story and feeling either relatively positive about it or just plain “meh” about it. The upside is when you find that one special book you recall everything – where you were when you read it, the songs that were playing on your iPod, even the emotions you were experiencing during it. And it doesn’t end when you read the last page and close the book. Special books live on. You find yourself thinking about passages from the story, or the motivations behind the characters actions, and your connection with the book grows deeper. Of course, it also becomes that book that you share. You find ways to bring it up in conversations. You tell everyone about it. And you may even have more than one copy since you are always lending it out and can’t find it when you want to share it with another person.
Pamela Muñoz Ryan’s book The Dreamer became one of my special books this past year. In an end of the year 2010 reading marathon, I curled up in my parents’ living room while it snowed outside and I read the story about Neftali Reyes, a sensitive young boy who saw the world with very different eyes than those around him. The story was emotional. The writing lyrical. Even the choice of green ink enhanced the effect of the book on the reader. And when I closed the last page, it was a book I knew I would share with students, that I had to share with students. I wanted them to understand, experience and connect with this book in the same way I had. Read Together: Grades 4 to 8
Topic/Category: Fictionalized Biography, Poetry, Family
Writing Prompt: Have students take a walk in around the school or in nature if possible and have them collect things that they found on their walk (Neftali/Pablo finds wonder in nature and is always collecting things he finds on his walks). Use these items to inspire children to write a Cinquain Poem (a shape poem with five lines).
Thanks Jen & Kellee for helping me see book reviews in a new manner and challenging me to think how to make them more purposeful. Hope you have a wonderful Blogiversary.
Children's Book Week was established in 1919 and is the longest-running literacy initiative in the country. Each year, books for young people and the joy of reading are feted for a full week with author and illustrator appearances, storytelling, parties, and other book-related events at schools, libraries, bookstores, museums, and homes from coast to coast!
Find a way to celebrate Children's Book Week at your school, library, or in your community. And don't forget to join in on the giveaway hop.
To celebrate Children's Book Week - I am selecting 3 winners to win a 2012 picture book* of their choice from Amazon.
*Picture Books should equal a value of $16 or less on Amazon.
Giveaway Rules:
1. Though comments are very much appreciated, please do not enter any personal information in the comments section (including your email, website, etc.). If you do enter personal information, your comment will not be posted.
2. You must complete the entry form to official enter the giveaway.
3. The Contest runs from 12:00 a.m. Eastern Time on May 7th to May 13th.
4. You must be 13 years or older to participate.
5. If you are selected as the winner, you will be notified by email. If you do not respond within 48 hours, I will select a new winner.
6. International Participants
Today, I am so excited to welcome debut author, Christopher Healy to the blog. His book, The Hero's Guide to Saving Your Kingdom was just released on Tuesday. Christopher took some time out of his schedule to answer some questions. Don't forget to scroll through the whole post because at the end there is a special giveaway thanks to Walden Pond Press.
One of the questions I sometimes ask is "If you could write a sequel to any book, what would it be?" - In some ways you did this with A Hero's Guide. What was the most fun for you in writing this book?
Yes, in a way, Hero’s Guide is a sequel to four different stories — Snow White, Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty, and Rapunzel — since it takes place after all of those tales. But it’s also a completely new story unto itself — and that was the fun part. I really enjoyed taking these classic characters that most people think they know already, and moving them in unexpected directions — giving Cinderella a powerful right hook, making Prince Charming run shrieking for his life at the sight of some dwarfs, etc. It’s probably not what most readers will anticipate from these characters, but in this story, it all makes perfect sense.
Out of the 4 *Prince Charmings* - was there one of their stories that surprised you as you were writing about them? Did anyone change in unexpected ways as you wrote the story?
Before I started writing, I worked out the personalities of all the princes, crafting them from the scant tidbits of character we were given in the original fairy tales. But I never anticipated how these guys would then develop and evolve once they started interacting with one another. Sometimes I felt like I was just sitting back and watching to see what these guys did next. I wrote one scene for instance, where Duncan (Snow White’s silly little prince) asks one of his teammates to use him as a weapon — to literally throw him at an enemy. I thought to myself, “That’s insane.” But it’s totally what Duncan would have done in that moment.
It was actually Gustav (Rapunzel’s big, burly prince), who surprised me the most, though. I never intended him to be a man of much emotional depth, but as the book went on, he ended up revealing more and more of his softer side. And that’s something that I never planned.
If you think back to being a child, what was the one book that seemed to be a turning point for you?
The one that hooked you into being a reader? Or the book that you kept coming back to over and over again?
I was hooked on reading from the time I first cracked open Tikki Tikki Tembo. But the literary turning point for me was probably The Hobbit, which I read when I was nine. And as a kid, the books I actually re-read multiple times were the Dragonlance Chronicles by Margaret Weiss and Tracy Hickman. I was obsessed with that series. As books that were essentially Dungeons & Dragons game tie-ins, they were far, far better than they ever would have needed to be. The characters, pacing, and action scenes were awesome. And there was so much drama. It was like a fantasy soap opera in a lot of ways. Ooh, just talking about them is making me want to go find them again.
Did you always see yourself as a writer or storyteller? Or was there a moment in time when you decided "I want to be a writer"?
I was telling people I was going to be a writer ever since I was seven. The first story I remember writing was a sci-fi epic (well, epic for second grade) titled “The Space Race.” It was about a sort of Cannonball Run through the solar system. I remember one of the racers getting tangled in Saturn’s rings.
What advice would you give to children who want to someday become writers?
Embrace revision. Whatever you initially put down on paper is never going to be as good as what you come up with after re-examining and reworking every paragraph. Once you write that final line of a story, it’s so tempting to sit back and say, “I’m done!” But if you do, you’re not bringing your story to its full potential. Think of your first draft as a cupcake — even if it’s a moist, delicious cupcake to begin with, isn’t it going to be so much better after you ice it?
If you could show up in any book as a character, what book would it be and who would you be?
I don’t know. Is there a book set in a magical land where nothing dark and sinister is going on? Where everybody is happy and there’s no evil menace threatening to destroy the world? Maybe some unwritten Lord of the Rings sequel where nothing happens except the hobbits drinking tea, having second breakfasts, and telling each other stories.
I noticed that A Hero's Guide is the first in a series. Do you have any idea how many books we can look forward to reading in the series?
There will be at least three. I’m in the fabulously fun and exciting process of revising the second book right now.
Some of us really nerdy book lovers have multiple "to-be read" bookstacks around our homes. Do you care to share what is in your bookstack or even a picture of your "TBR" pile?
My entire house is a TBR pile. I seriously don’t think I could make it through all of these books in a lifetime, especially since I keep adding new ones. But here’s the stack that is currently next in line (though it’s very likely several new titles will slip in between these as I read).
Don't Forget to stop by Walden Pond Press and check out all of the Hero's Guide to Saving Your Kingdom Blog Tour stops.
Here is a chance to listen to The Hero's Guide prologue:
Check out the book tour stops, just in case Christopher Healy is going to be in your home town in the next week.
The Hero's Guide to Saving Your Kingdom Giveaway:
One lucky teacher or librarian has the opportunity to win a complimentary 30 to 45 minute skype visit with Christopher Healy for his or her classroom or library and two copies of The Hero's Guide to Saving Your Kingdom with signed bookplates for your school/classroom library.
The Contest will run from Friday, May 4th to Friday, May 11th at 11:59 p.m. Pacific time.
You are welcome to leave comments in the comments section but to enter the giveaway, please complete the entry form below.
