tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-60589996438467343522024-02-19T20:08:45.460-05:00Read Me A StoryOne parent's (and her kids') guide to navigating the library and bookstore. My recommendations in children's book classics . . . literature for little ones, then and now.Emilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03200079435640797497noreply@blogger.comBlogger290125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6058999643846734352.post-76990329673347964572014-01-06T22:20:00.000-05:002014-01-06T22:20:25.418-05:00The North Wind Doth Blow . . .<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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from Tasha Tudor's <i>Mother Goose</i> (c. 1944).<br />
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Emilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03200079435640797497noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6058999643846734352.post-86721094958717259132013-12-24T15:51:00.000-05:002013-12-24T15:51:41.855-05:00The Night Before Christmas<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBv6lOpshrO2HdidLm6l7gvcVjrxVs2l0YBobldBRlTWcVvcE213Z49vrkEEVoOquZ9tEvszTQEnZfSPHtZsC_F83YfY_yZAPxcVW1Pc-NLgUlGamV_xYphjy1MUg-4ggoq69W3jy2c4A/s1600/TNBC.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBv6lOpshrO2HdidLm6l7gvcVjrxVs2l0YBobldBRlTWcVvcE213Z49vrkEEVoOquZ9tEvszTQEnZfSPHtZsC_F83YfY_yZAPxcVW1Pc-NLgUlGamV_xYphjy1MUg-4ggoq69W3jy2c4A/s1600/TNBC.jpeg" /></a></div>
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Every year I talk about how you MUST read <i>The Night Before Christmas,</i> a poem by Clement C. Moore so beloved that it's been popularized into picture book form. <br />
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It's so popular, in fact, the question isn't <b>if </b>you can find a copy <b>but</b> which copy should you take home. I've shared my favorites over the years, and here's another recommended illustrated copy with pictures by the prolific children's illustrator Gyo Fujikawa (c. 1961, reprinted 2007).<br />
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My very favorite illustration in the whole book is:<br />
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But wait, I didn't include the whole spread. To find out what the rest of this picture looks like, you'll have to check out the book from your local library or pick up a version for yourself at your favorite book store.</div>
Emilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03200079435640797497noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6058999643846734352.post-39107578904879106262013-12-22T23:00:00.000-05:002013-12-22T23:00:37.406-05:00The Story of the Nutcracker Ballet<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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We know what the story is about (c. 1983, author Deborah Hautzig). <br />
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But have you seen Diane Goode's quirky illustrations of this Nutcracker? If not, you're in for a treat in the Land of Sweets.<br />
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Her characters look like you could just reach right into the pages and pull out your very own doll . . . they're so droll! <br />
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In fact, the only disappointment with <i>The Story of the Nutcracker Ballet</i> is that the characters don't actually come to life, even after a midwinter nap.Emilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03200079435640797497noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6058999643846734352.post-21376465961390558372013-12-22T22:59:00.000-05:002013-12-22T22:59:51.520-05:00The Nutcracker Ballet<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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If you'd like a copy of <i>The Nutcracker Ballet</i> that your youngster can read for himself, check out this Step 3 version by Deborah Hautzig and illustrated by Carolyn Ewing (c. 1992).</div>
Emilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03200079435640797497noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6058999643846734352.post-43459535571502661322013-12-03T19:35:00.000-05:002013-12-03T19:35:00.864-05:00The Best Christmas Pageant Ever<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Would you like a fresh look at that very first Christmas? If so, I recommend looking at Barbara Robinson's <i>The Best Christmas Pageant Ever </i>and rediscovering Christmas through the eyes of the Herdmans.<br />
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<b>The Herdmans?!!!</b> you ask. <b>Aren't they the kids who dodge a banging garage door for fun? Aren't they the kids who burned down Fred Shoemaker's shed? Aren't they the kids who smoked cigars in the church ladies bathroom?</b> Yep, those are the ones.<br />
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<b>What could we possibly learn from them?</b> you may ask. Well, the Herdmans help us revisit Mary and Joseph's journey to a bustling, unfamiliar Bethlehem, and their arrival just in time for Jesus' birth.<br />
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<i>The Best Christmas Pageant Ever</i> isn't just a book for the kids; it's is a book for parents too. It pushes us to reconsider why we're doing all we're doing this holiday season. Is it <b>TRADITION! Tradition!</b> (Thank you, Reb Tevye!), etc.? Or are we intentionally setting out to bless someone other than ourself?<br />
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Take time out to read Barbara Robinson's 80 page book with your family this season. Somewhere among the sidesplitting humor rests the true spirit of the Christmas season.Emilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03200079435640797497noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6058999643846734352.post-55505111097373528142013-11-13T21:15:00.000-05:002013-11-13T21:19:27.853-05:00Leaf Man<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<i>Leaf Man</i> (c. 2005) by Lois Elert remains one of those stories that's just pure-and-tee fun! If you don't believe me, just try to check this book out . . . there's a waiting list at the library . . . and then once you get it, you'll first notice the love-worn cover of this newer book, just published in 2005. The story begins on the cover jacket flap: <i>Where does a Leaf Man go when the wind blows? Do </i>you <i>know?</i> Follow the fantastical journey of the Leaf Man and his Leaf Friends.<br />
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While your children examine the creative and intricate construction of Elert's illustrations, they cannot help but recognize the names of the leaves. Elert constructed the quirky illustrations in <i>Leaf Man</i> through years of collecting and copying actual fall leaves. A wonderful book to own, <i>Leaf Man </i>inspires the youngest to the oldest of us. After reading it, my children and their friends have embarked on a journey of gathering leaves to create their own leaf men, leaf animals, and leaf fairies. What better way to teach children the beginnings of botany than through this fabulous fall read that Lois Ehlert provides.<br />
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If your family had a blast reading <i>Leaf Man</i>, then here's some more Lois Ehlert books to check out:<br />
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<i>Red Leaf, Yellow Leaf</i> (c. 1991) explores the life cycle of a maple tree.</div>
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<i>Nuts to You!</i> (c. 1993) follows a day in the life of a squirrel.</div>
Emilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03200079435640797497noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6058999643846734352.post-85341559130433570232013-09-02T17:48:00.000-04:002013-09-02T17:48:46.861-04:00Tumtum and NutmegHello Readers! I have quite a treat that's been well worth the wait. My young reading friend, Jenna, has provided today's review. And after reading her review, we've put ourselves on the waiting list to check out this read from the library. I can't wait! Thank you, Jenna, for such a fun, adventurous book recommendation!<br />
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<i>I loved reading Tumtum & Nutmeg. I give it five stars. It was about two mice that had one adventure after another. I believe that everyone who loves chapter books, cute critters, or just a good adventure should read Tumtum and Nutmeg.</i><br />
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<i>Tumtum & Nutmeg: Adventures Beyond Nutmouse Hall Review </i>(c. reprint 2011)<br />
stories by Emily Bearn with pictures by Nick Price<br />
<i>500 pages</i><br />
<i>3 stories in 1</i><br />
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<i>"Tumtum & Nutmeg"</i><br />
<i>In the Mildew's house (Arthur, Lucy, and a Dad) lived 2 mice called Tumtum and Nutmeg who lived in Nutmouse Hall. Nutmeg decides to clean for them. The Mildew kids' aunt comes and visits. She is cruel. Tumtum, Nutmeg, the General, Poppet, and the soldiers help get rid of her.</i><br />
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<i>"The Great Escape"</i><br />
<i>The General gets captured by Arthur and Lucy. They bring him to school and put him in a cage with gerbils. Can the General escape or be captive forever?</i><br />
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<i>"The Pirates Treasure"</i><br />
<i>The General, Nutmeg, and Tumtum get captured by pirates! Will this be the end or can they escape?</i><br />
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by JennaEmilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03200079435640797497noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6058999643846734352.post-57513723108225362712013-07-23T20:20:00.000-04:002013-07-23T20:20:03.037-04:00Sleep Like A Tiger<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Need a lullaby story for your little one? Look no further! Check out Caldecott Honor book <i>Sleep Like A Tiger</i> by Mary Logue and illustrated by Pamela Zagarenski (c. 2012). In fact, this book is so sure to lull your little one (or you) into slumber that you either find yourself buying it or paying overdue fees at the library.<br />
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Night, night, and sweet dreams . . .<br />
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Here are some of my favorite pages:<br />
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Emilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03200079435640797497noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6058999643846734352.post-32484515299180816072013-07-11T21:21:00.000-04:002013-07-11T21:21:12.851-04:00Too Tall Houses<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Struggling with selfishness? Got the gimmes? <br />
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Sick of hearing, "Mooooooooom! Johnny won't give it back!" or "Daaaaaaaaaaad! Sally hit me!"<br />
<br />
While I thought that <i>Too Tall Houses</i> by Gianna Marino (c. 2012) presented a lighthearted (and B-E-A-U-T-I-F-U-L-L-Y illustrated) approach to this time-worn dilemma, the book sparked an interesting conversation amongst unsuspecting little listeners. And while I thought that it prompted a fortuitous response among my brood, I was pleasantly surprised to learn that my friend Sarah's brood responded the same way. So give it a whirl.<br />
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<br />Emilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03200079435640797497noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6058999643846734352.post-33189953719753920672013-07-10T22:13:00.000-04:002013-07-11T20:50:32.491-04:00It Couldn't Be Worse!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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So are y'all starting to get on each other's nerves yet? Your family, that is. :) Maybe in all this rain, you're driving each other up the wall? It's that time of summer when some parents and/or siblings start looking forward to school starting. <br />
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Here's a book full of laughs that just might change your perspective. Check out <i>It Couldn't Be Worse!</i> by Vlasta van Kampen (c. 2003). And for a sneak peek, continue reading the first page:<br />
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<i>The tiny house had just one room.</i><br />
<i> A poor farmer, his wife, their six children, and the grandparents lived there.</i><br />
<i> They quarreled and fought and got in each other's way. . . .</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
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Emilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03200079435640797497noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6058999643846734352.post-51862992137621664662013-06-29T09:48:00.000-04:002013-06-29T09:50:18.344-04:00books with homonyms<span style="background-color: #e8ecf5; font-family: georgia, arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 22px;">hom·onym </span><span class="main-fl" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><em style="color: #717274; font-size: 12px; font-weight: bold;">noun</em></span><span style="background-color: #e8ecf5; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"> </span><span class="pr" style="color: #717274; display: inline; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin-left: 10px;">\<span class="unicode" style="background-image: none; font-family: 'lucida sans unicode'; font-size: 0.9em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">ˈ</span>hä-mə-<span class="unicode" style="background-image: none; font-family: 'lucida sans unicode'; font-size: 0.9em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">ˌ</span>nim, <span class="unicode" style="background-image: none; font-family: 'lucida sans unicode'; font-size: 0.9em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">ˈ</span>hō-\ </span><span class="prondelim" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">[</span><span class="pron" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; display: inline; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span class="boldface" style="font-weight: 700;">hom</span>-<span class="ital-inline" style="display: inline; font-family: Georgia, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-style: italic;">uh</span>-nim</span><span class="prondelim" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">]</span><strong style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;">:</strong><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"> </span><br />
<div class="luna-Ent" style="background-color: white; background-image: none; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 5px;">
<span class="dnindex" style="color: #7b7b7b; display: block; float: left; font-weight: bold; width: 28px;"><span id="hotword"><span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="color: #0055bb; cursor: pointer;">1.</span></span></span><br />
<div class="dndata" style="font-family: verdana; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 37px;">
<span class="labset" style="display: inline;"><span class="ital-inline" style="display: inline; font-family: Georgia, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span id="hotword"><span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="cursor: default;">Phonetics</span> </span></span><span id="hotword">. </span></span><span id="hotword"> <span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="cursor: default;">a</span> </span><a href="http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/word" style="color: #333333;">word</a><span id="hotword"> <span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="cursor: default;">pronounced</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword">the</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword">same</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword">as</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword">another</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword">but</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword">differing</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword">in</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword">meaning,</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword">whether</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword">spelled</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword">the</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword">same</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword">way</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword">or</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword">not,</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword">as</span> </span><span class="ital-inline" style="display: inline; font-family: Georgia, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">heir</span><span id="hotword"> <span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="cursor: default;">and</span> </span><span class="ital-inline" style="display: inline; font-family: Georgia, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="cursor: default;">air;</span> </span><span id="hotword"> <span id="hotword" name="hotword">a</span> </span><a href="http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/homophone" style="color: #333333;">homophone</a> <span class="dn" style="display: inline;">( </span><span id="hotword"> <span id="hotword" name="hotword">def</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword">1</span> </span><span class="dn" style="display: inline;">) </span><span id="hotword">.</span></div>
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<div class="luna-Ent" style="background-color: white; background-image: none; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 5px;">
<span class="dnindex" style="color: #7b7b7b; display: block; float: left; font-weight: bold; width: 28px;"><span id="hotword">2.</span></span><br />
<div class="dndata" style="font-family: verdana; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 37px;">
<span id="hotword"><span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="cursor: default;">a</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword">word</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword">that</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword">is</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword">both</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword">a</span> </span><a href="http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/homophone" style="color: #333333;">homophone</a><span id="hotword"> <span id="hotword" name="hotword">and</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword">a</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword">homograph,</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword">that</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword">is,</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="cursor: default;">exactly</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword">the</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword">same</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword">as</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword">another</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword">in</span> </span><a href="http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/sound" style="color: #333333;">sound</a><span id="hotword"> <span id="hotword" name="hotword">and</span> </span><a href="http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/spelling" style="color: #333333;">spelling</a><span id="hotword"> <span id="hotword" name="hotword">but</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword">different</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword">in</span><span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="cursor: default;">meaning,</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword">as</span> </span><span class="ital-inline" style="display: inline; font-family: Georgia, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span id="hotword" name="hotword">chase</span> </span><span id="hotword"> <span id="hotword" name="hotword">“to</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword">pursue”</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword">and</span> </span><span class="ital-inline" style="display: inline; font-family: Georgia, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="cursor: default;">chase</span> </span><span id="hotword"> <span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="cursor: default;">“to</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword">ornament</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword">metal.”</span></span></div>
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<div class="luna-Ent" style="background-color: white; background-image: none; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 5px;">
<span class="dnindex" style="color: #7b7b7b; display: block; float: left; font-weight: bold; width: 28px;"><span id="hotword">3.</span></span><br />
<div class="dndata" style="font-family: verdana; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 37px;">
<span id="hotword"><span id="hotword" name="hotword">(loosely)</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword">a</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword">word</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword">of</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="cursor: default;">the</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="cursor: default;">same</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="cursor: default;">written</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword">form</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword">as</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword">another</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword">but</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="cursor: default;">of</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="cursor: default;">different</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="cursor: default;">meaning</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword">and</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="cursor: default;">usually</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="cursor: default;">origin,</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="cursor: default;">whether</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="cursor: default;">pronounced</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword">the</span><span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="cursor: default;">same</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="cursor: default;">way</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="cursor: default;">or</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="cursor: default;">not,</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword">as</span> </span><span class="ital-inline" style="display: inline; font-family: Georgia, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span id="hotword" name="hotword">bear</span> </span><span id="hotword"> <span id="hotword" name="hotword">“to</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword">carry;</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword">support”</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword">and</span> </span><span class="ital-inline" style="display: inline; font-family: Georgia, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="cursor: default;">bear</span> </span><span id="hotword"> <span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="cursor: default;">“animal”</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword">or</span> </span><span class="ital-inline" style="display: inline; font-family: Georgia, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span id="hotword" name="hotword">lead</span> </span><span id="hotword"> <span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="cursor: default;">“to</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="cursor: default;">conduct”</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword">and</span> </span><span class="ital-inline" style="display: inline; font-family: Georgia, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="cursor: default;">lead</span> </span><span id="hotword"> <span id="hotword" name="hotword">“metal;”</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword">a</span> </span><a href="http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/homograph" style="color: #333333;">homograph</a><span id="hotword">.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/homonym</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="line-height: 20px;">The folks around here are going through a phase of books with homonyms. They absolutely L-O-V-E them! They're going bonkers over <i>Amelia Bedelia</i> and Fred Gwynne books, so I had to pass along the love. Seriously, they think these books are hilarious!!! So if you would like to give it a whirl, here are some of our favorites:</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="line-height: 20px;"><br /></span></span>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQOPlqhFuPHbIJ_SqbHaJgFXxTb9qrbkmRT9gdBHJRDXKLnr-6JOUC5COYQE2zPtEJ8WH3S6tHWNtPHfVhnRNhjGaGbLmJh_MyCwV7fLl_QOtNxF4sBEqrL0nh1Zo49-dF-KOrpO9l0Xk/s1600/TKWR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQOPlqhFuPHbIJ_SqbHaJgFXxTb9qrbkmRT9gdBHJRDXKLnr-6JOUC5COYQE2zPtEJ8WH3S6tHWNtPHfVhnRNhjGaGbLmJh_MyCwV7fLl_QOtNxF4sBEqrL0nh1Zo49-dF-KOrpO9l0Xk/s1600/TKWR.jpg" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="line-height: 20px;">Books written and illustrated by Fred Gwynne (</span></span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 20px;">Yep, for those of us -parents- who remember </span><i style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 20px;">The Munsters</i><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 20px;"> TV show, these are by "Herman Munster." FUNNY!):</span><br />
<i style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 20px;">The King Who Rained</i><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 20px;"> </span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 20px;"> </span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 20px;">(c. 1970)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="line-height: 20px;"><i>A Chocolate Moose for Dinner </i>(c. 1976)</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="line-height: 20px;"><i>A Little Pigeon Toad</i></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="line-height: 20px;"><i>The Sixteen Hand Horse</i></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="line-height: 20px;"><i><br /></i></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 20px;">Books written by Herman Parish and illustrated by Lynne Avril:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 20px;">picture books:</span><br />
<i style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 20px;">Amelia Bedelia's First Library Card </i><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 20px;">(c. 2013)</span><br />
<i style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 20px;">Amelia Bedelia's First Vote </i><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 20px;">(c. 2012)</span><br />
<i style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 20px;">Amelia Bedelia's First Field Trip</i><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 20px;"> (c. 2011)</span><br />
<i style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 20px;">Amelia Bedelia's First Apple Pie </i><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 20px;">(c. 2010)</span><br />
<i style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 20px;">Amelia Bedelia's First Day of School</i><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 20px;"> (c. 2009)</span><br />
<i style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 20px;">Amelia Bedelia's First Valentine's</i><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 20px;"> (c. 2009)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="line-height: 20px;"><i>I Can Read!</i> books Level 1:</span></span><br />
<i style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 20px;">Amelia Bedelia Makes a Friend</i><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 20px;"> (c. 2011)</span><br />
<i style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 20px;">Amelia Bedelia Sleeps Over</i><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 20px;"> (c. 2012)</span><br />
<i style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 20px;">Amelia Bedelia Hits the Trail </i><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 20px;">(c. 2013)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 20px;">chapter books:</span><br />
<i style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 20px;">Amelia Bedelia Means Business</i><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 20px;"> (c. 2013)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="line-height: 20px;"><i>Amelia Bedelia Unleashed</i> (c. 2013)</span></span><br />
<i style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 20px;">Amelia Bedelia Road Trip</i><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 20px;"> (c. 2013)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 20px;">And the <b>original<i> </i></b></span><i style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 20px;">Amelia Bedelia</i><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 20px;"> books by Peggy Parish:</span><br />
<i style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 20px;">Amelia Bedelia</i><br />
<i style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 20px;">Come Back, </i><i style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 20px;">Amelia Bedelia</i><br />
<i style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 20px;">Amelia Bedelia and the Surprise Shower</i><br />
<i style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 20px;">Thank You, </i><i style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 20px;">Amelia Bedelia</i><br />
<i style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 20px;">Play Ball </i><i style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 20px;">Amelia Bedelia</i><br />
<i style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 20px;">Amelia Bedelia TREASURY</i><br />
<i style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 20px;">Amelia Bedelia and the Baby</i><br />
<i style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 20px;">Amelia Bedelia Helps Out</i><br />
<i style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 20px;">Good Driving </i><i style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 20px;">Amelia Bedelia</i><br />
<i style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 20px;">Teach Us, </i><i style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 20px;">Amelia Bedelia</i><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="line-height: 20px;"><i>Calling Doctor, </i></span></span><i style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 20px;">Amelia Bedelia</i><br />
<i style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 20px;">BRAVO, </i><i style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 20px;">Amelia Bedelia</i><br />
<i style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 20px;">Amelia Bedelia's Family Album</i><br />
<i style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 20px;">Amelia Bedelia, Rocket Scientist</i><br />
<i style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 20px;">Go West, </i><i style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 20px;">Amelia Bedelia!</i><br />
<i style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 20px;">Merry Christmas </i><i style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 20px;">Amelia Bedelia</i><br />
<i style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 20px;">Amelia Bedelia 4 Mayor</i>Emilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03200079435640797497noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6058999643846734352.post-43171587394020529262013-06-27T20:51:00.000-04:002013-06-27T20:51:21.780-04:00Nancy Clancy Super Sleuth<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Author Jane O'Connor and illustrator Robin Preiss Glasser's chapter book debut <i>Nancy Clancy Super Sleuth, Book 1</i> (c. 2012) gives a nod to Nancy Drew mysteries in their sleuthing story for readers aged 4-10 (although, my experience is that listeners as young as 4 enjoy it too).<br />
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<i>Ooh la la! Now Nancy and Bree had two mysteries to solve - the secret of the twins . . . and the case of the missing marble!</i> (O'Connor 63). Keep up as the plots thicken, and see if you can guess the outcomes before all of Bree's and Nancy's evidence comes in. Calling all Fancy Nancy fans, "Let's crack these cases!"Emilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03200079435640797497noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6058999643846734352.post-90403881476018499722013-06-24T22:18:00.001-04:002013-06-24T22:20:29.265-04:00Tea REX<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Cordelia knows all the manners that accompany a proper tea. <br />
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But what happens when you invite a Tyrannosaurus Rex to a tea party? <br />
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Check out <i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Tea</span> <span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">REX</span></i> by Molly Idle (c. 2013) to find out. And be sure to include both brothers <i><b><u>and</u></b></i> sisters in this reading!<br />
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<br />Emilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03200079435640797497noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6058999643846734352.post-36477395503287044102013-06-22T20:36:00.000-04:002013-06-22T20:36:56.311-04:00Charming Opal<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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If you've been following <b>ReadMeAStory</b> from the beginning, you know that around here we love Holly Hobbie's <i>Toot & Puddle</i> characters! If you want to check out a <i>Toot & Puddle</i> summertime adventure, check out <i>Charming Opal</i> (c. 2003).<br />
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Cousin Opal comes to visit Woodcock Pocket and enjoy all the pleasures of summertime in the country. But in the meantime, she looses her tooth. And I do mean that she looses it. Find out if the cousins find it in time for the Tooth Fairy's evening visit.Emilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03200079435640797497noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6058999643846734352.post-71446668609030036672013-06-17T23:13:00.001-04:002013-06-17T23:13:58.354-04:00The Penderwicks<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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This is the book I would have <u><b>loved</b></u> to have read and re-read when I was a girl!!!<br />
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That being said, I'm just not sure what age to begin your child on this one. The publisher's recommendation is age 9, and I think I'll go along with that. I started to read it aloud to my brood . . . and they didn't want me to put it down. Meanwhile, I was reading ahead every chance I could get.<br />
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If you have a tween who is looking for a good read, I really liked this one (the brood did too!). It's a page turner of an <u>adventure</u> read. Nice and clean. Each character has his/her own special talent: from concert level pianist to mathematician, from botanist to storyteller, from nurturer to problem solver to athlete, so subtly this book encourages individuality with a positive vocabulary.<br />
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Yet at the same time, the adults can appear rather foolish --> from the absentminded-professor widowed father and a fairytale-like-wicked-stepmotherish snooty mother. And as an adventure story, there is some secrecy and sneaking. Some critics also contest that it's an idyllic, nostalgic, blast-from-the-past that's attempting to display a modern, American childhood. Those are most of the criticisms you'll run into.<br />
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So what do I think? Personally, I think it's a more modern approach to an adventure story for those of us who love the <i><a href="http://readmeastorynow.blogspot.com/2012/07/boxcar-children.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Boxcar Children</span></a></i>. If you'd like to teach your reader to think critically, this could be a good, clean, adventure story to promote dialogue. Have your own family book club around it. Discuss these various assessments, and encourage your child to verbalize his/her own analysis. (Either way, you may want to do your own research rather than taking my word for it.)<br />
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So what's is the award-winning book <i>The Penderwicks: A Summer Tale of Four Sisters, Two Rabbits, and a Very Interesting Boy</i> by Jeanne Birdsall (c. 2007) all about? Here's what the publishers have to say:<br />
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<i>This summer the Penderwick sisters have a wonderful surprise: a holiday
on the grounds of a beautiful estate called Arundel. Soon they are busy
discovering the summertime magic of Arundel’s sprawling gardens,
treasure-filled attic, tame rabbits, and the cook who makes the best
gingerbread in Massachusetts. But the best discovery of all is Jeffrey
Tifton, son of Arundel’s owner, who quickly proves to be the perfect
companion for their adventures.</i><br />
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Here are more Penderwick sequels<i>:</i><br />
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Emilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03200079435640797497noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6058999643846734352.post-49699344202880901512013-04-04T19:52:00.000-04:002013-04-04T19:52:27.482-04:00GardeningIt's that time of year again! The kids are EXCITED to break out the rakes and shovels and dig into the dirt, planting flowers and vegetables. Hope we have a better turn out with our veggies this year compared to last!<br />
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Meanwhile, as you begin planning your own gardens, here are some book recommendations for the younger set:<br />
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In <i>Planting a Rainbow</i> (c. 1988), author/illustrator Lois Ehlert outlines the progression of garden planning while introducing various flower species covering each color of the rainbow. I recommend this book for young listeners and those just beginning to read themselves.<br />
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In <i>Growing Vegetable Soup</i> (c. 1987), author/illustrator Lois Ehlert follows the progression of planting, waiting, caring, harvesting, and eating vegetables. Again, I recommend this book for young listeners and those just beginning to read themselves.<br />
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Kevin Henkes explores a child's fantasy of her perfect garden and contrasts that with the child's reality in his book <i>My Garden </i>(c. 2010). This is a quirky, fun read that gardening adults will appreciate as much as children.<br />
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And now a big thank you to Robin H. for our family favorite: <i>SUNFLOWER HOUSES: A Book for Children and THeir Grown-Ups by Sharon Lovejoy</i> (c. 1991, renewed 2001). Now reading friends of all ages, if you haven't had a change to pick up a book by Sharon Lovejoy, then you really are missing out! Lovejoy speaks the language of children. She <i>knows</i> how kids play outside; she just <i>knows</i> what attracts them, and she has great ideas of things for them to do right there in their very own backyard. If you can't get your hands on <i>Sunflower Houses</i> or if you couldn't get enough of it, try <i>Roots Shoots Buckets & Boots (Gardening Together with Children)</i> and/or <i>Toad Cottages & Shooting Stars</i>.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrnZ9zH_QZSRD9nUFnM9b26AT7yr1sqq7ymJKaHbcBoFZbKlj3v4Br55NwCQWs7NUJFsn_M8vGA5Ce0rCQvjcVFknucuT5iBz000qrIC8mdBUuwMYXvV9kHQ9kmjxBKsESipmKp93oDfY/s1600/RSBBcover.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrnZ9zH_QZSRD9nUFnM9b26AT7yr1sqq7ymJKaHbcBoFZbKlj3v4Br55NwCQWs7NUJFsn_M8vGA5Ce0rCQvjcVFknucuT5iBz000qrIC8mdBUuwMYXvV9kHQ9kmjxBKsESipmKp93oDfY/s200/RSBBcover.jpeg" width="175" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA_xUh2XhmaSExFM8JnmzCjdTk_Ewo36KBomhgtuY6TY20ENVkhJgmXv6kdr4xuHZ3jBhklVzOJ9VnwXGI7KfzGDKVC_Ves8PUREcYe49c8SsQo7tfxfx-7ZMZ-Cagd62XONo3diBB86c/s1600/TCSScover.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA_xUh2XhmaSExFM8JnmzCjdTk_Ewo36KBomhgtuY6TY20ENVkhJgmXv6kdr4xuHZ3jBhklVzOJ9VnwXGI7KfzGDKVC_Ves8PUREcYe49c8SsQo7tfxfx-7ZMZ-Cagd62XONo3diBB86c/s200/TCSScover.jpeg" width="200" /></a><br />
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Happy gardening, everyone!<br />
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<br />Emilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03200079435640797497noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6058999643846734352.post-67166390068619066262013-03-14T20:17:00.001-04:002013-03-14T20:19:27.933-04:00Every Cowgirl Needs a Horse<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Nellie Sue gives a whole new understanding to the term <i style="font-weight: bold;">cowgirl</i>, a cowgirl with imagination that is! As Nellie Sue's birthday quickly approaches, she requests for the one gift every cowgirl needs most . . . a horse.<br />
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From the fanciful illustrator Lynne Avril, who illustrated the recent child Amelia Bedelia books, and author Rebecca Janni (c. 2010) comes a round-em-up story sure to entertain -- <i>Every Cowgirl Needs a Horse</i>!<br />
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Around here, these are the new favorites. Does it help that I'm giving my best Texas drawl while reading? All I know is that the girls now want cowgirl outfits, and they're playing "cowgirls" at recess, "galloping about on their horses." <br />
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Once you get tired of the first book be sure to check out the follow ups:<br />
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Emilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03200079435640797497noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6058999643846734352.post-71729652139775384882013-03-02T14:11:00.001-05:002013-03-02T14:11:20.747-05:00The Astonishing Secret of Awesome Man<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Duhnn-dat-duhnnnnnn! <br />
Dunt-duh-da-duhnnnn!<br />
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Boys and girls! Today we're introducing a new super hero. <br />
Hold onto your hats. He's not for the faint at heart. He's Awesome Man. <br />
Friend to those with big imaginations. Arch enemies to those who hurt others. He's Awesome Man.<br />
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Readers, have your mom or dad run to the library to pick up <i>The Astonishing Secret of Awesome Man </i>(c. 2011) written by Michael Chabon and illustrated by Jake Parker. You absolutely don't want to miss out on discovering just how Awesome Man shoots his <i>positronic</i> rays and rids the world of evil villans.<br />
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Parents: This is a recommendation that dads will thoroughly enjoy reading to their youngsters. And moms, you'll love the mini moral that's so artfully hidden in the super hero lingo.Emilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03200079435640797497noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6058999643846734352.post-19624635460738236462013-02-28T21:54:00.000-05:002013-02-28T21:54:14.704-05:00Crafty Chloe<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Meet Chloe:<br />
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<i>Chloe isn't very good at sports.</i><br />
<i>Video games were never her thing.</i><br />
<i>And when she took dance lessons, she had the grace of a camel in roller skates.</i><br />
<i>What Chloe </i>is<i> very good at is making stuff . . . </i>(DiPucchio)<br />
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What will Chloe give her dear friend Emma for her birthday? Be sure to check out this endearing story to find out! <i>Crafty Chloe </i>(c. 2012) by Kelly DiPucchio and illustrated by Heather Ross is a new favorite here at ReadMeAStory. I'm talking about: we want sequels!!!</div>
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And if you can't get your hands on a copy of this darling book anytime soon, then make your own crafts at the author's blog: <a href="http://craftychloe.squarespace.com/"><span style="color: red;">http://craftychloe.squarespace.com/</span></a></div>
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Emilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03200079435640797497noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6058999643846734352.post-91394270472285035332013-02-23T20:01:00.004-05:002013-02-23T20:01:49.366-05:00Boy Naturalist<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Okay folks, I've learned some new things reading the kids' books. For one, did you know that John James Audubon disproved Aristotle's (and then current) scientific theory that birds don't fly underwater during winter . . . they migrate south. Now it seems downright silly to even imagine that people used to believe this as truth. But what is absolutely fascinating to my kids and me is that Audubon disproved the theory while he was a teen. Not only that, he recognized and copied bird calls and songs when he wasn't even in the "double-digits."<br />
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The kids were amazed by other stories of Audubon's life. In fact, we couldn't get enough of him. We kept searching for more books and more stories. <br />
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If you'd like to read some stories of wanderlust and adventure, you must check out both the childhood and adult stories of John James Audubon. And then after you've heard the tales of the talented artist / naturalist, check out the books with his very own, intricate bird illustrations. This has been a delightful exploration week at ReadMeAStory! I hope your family enjoys the biographies and illustrations as much as we have!<br />
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<b>Here are some of our favorites</b>:<br />
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Begin with <i>The Boy Who Drew Birds: a story of John James Audubon</i> by Jacqueline Davies and illustrated by Melissa Sweet (c. 2004), which Sweet beautifully illustrates herself, sometimes copying Audubon's field book, note-taking, sketching perspective.<br />
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<i>Audubon: Painter of Birds in the Wild Frontier</i> by Jennifer Armstrong and Jos. A Smith (c. 2003) presents three of our favorite WOW stories in Audubon's adulthood. This book presents Audubon as more of a Daniel Boone frontiersman and explorer than the other books did.<br />
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<b>You may also want to check out</b>:<i><br /></i>
<i>John Audubon: Young Naturalist</i> by Miriam E Mason and Cathy Morrison (c. 2006) presents a great overview of Audubon's childhood and youth. I would recommend this book for 2nd - 4th grade readers. Although, we did find the illustrations a little odd.<br />
<br />Emilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03200079435640797497noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6058999643846734352.post-71183289077730075862013-02-16T20:36:00.002-05:002013-02-16T20:36:41.735-05:00Farmer Boy<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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I’ve been reading <i>Farmer Boy</i> to the kids. It begins in winter, which is fitting to
begin reading it together in January.
Personally, <i>Farmer Boy </i>and <i><span style="color: blue;"><a href="http://readmeastorynow.blogspot.com/2010/12/little-house-in-big-woods.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Little House in the Big Woods</span></a> </span></i>are my favorite of all of Laura Ingalls Wilder’s
Little House on the Prairie series. I’ll
explain why shortly.<o:p></o:p></div>
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While I’ve been reading <i>Farmer Boy</i> aloud, I’ve gone back and
read <i>By the Shores of Silver Lake</i>, <i>The Long Winter</i>, <i>Little Town on the Prairie</i>,
<i>These Happy Golden Years</i>, and <i>The First Four Years</i> to myself. Folks, there’s a whole different perspective
re-reading these stories as an adult!<o:p></o:p></div>
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The kids play this little game that they “invented” as we
read books and stories: midway through the story or at the story’s end, they
say, “I wanna be _________.” And now, they quickly “call” whom they <i>want to be</i> before the other one
“calls it.” Funny isn’t it. Isn’t that
how we all read books and stories, though?! We
read self-reflectively. Occasionally, I
get a “Momma, I do NOT want to be __________.”
So subversively, we’re interpreting positive and negative character
traits through the characters we read.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>So where am I going with this?</b> Well, <i>Farmer Boy</i> has always been my favorite
because, instinctively, I would have much rather lived with the Wilder family
on a New England farm than with the Ingalls family out in the middle of
nowhere Kansas or nowhere South Dakota.
And after getting through <i>The Long Winter</i> (which could also be called
the long, cold story), I’m wondering if I would rather be a lady’s maid on
<i>Downton Abbey</i>, working those long, grueling hours, than be Laura Ingalls
Wilder. At least the lady’s maid could
live in the warm “big house” without starving!<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSWOs82Ekq_xVp9vqQnGgrbPz2wFFgftgYvUwRGOIGUsdiAgSwhE1q-c2ANiTw4gcEbW_u9nvjEufSDoQtekiuh6B-PRCeDkAVh5n13h0yt6MwSGZnLAUT-cl40Lf-M9DM2A8zCReurP0/s1600/Long+Winter.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSWOs82Ekq_xVp9vqQnGgrbPz2wFFgftgYvUwRGOIGUsdiAgSwhE1q-c2ANiTw4gcEbW_u9nvjEufSDoQtekiuh6B-PRCeDkAVh5n13h0yt6MwSGZnLAUT-cl40Lf-M9DM2A8zCReurP0/s1600/Long+Winter.jpeg" /></a></div>
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Don’t misunderstand me, though. As a little girl, I absolutely LOVED reading
all of Laura Ingalls Wilder’s tales! And
now as an adult, I've delighted in re-reading them. There is a new fascination and appreciation gained in
re-reading her stories. One thing that
stands out is the remarkable way she remembers and retells a story for
children. And in retelling her husband’s
story in <i>Farmer Boy</i> (and his “side” in <i>The Long Winter</i>, etc.), it became clear
to me that we don’t share the oral stories of our own lives with our children
enough. I also questioned if we’re
creating story-telling moments in our daily lives. Let’s face it, we can’t create a book about:
“Well, all I did today was play Pac-Man on Atari, and then when I was bored of
that, I watched hours of MTV, and then I went to soccer practice, came home,
ate, and went to bed.” For as difficult
and mundane as the Wilder’s lives were, they have incredible stories to share!<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>So my challenge to you, readers, is this</b>: if you’re a young
reader, pick up one of Laura Ingalls Wilder’s books (there are 9-11 to choose
from) and read it. If you’re an adult,
pick up one of Wilder’s books and re-read it.
And please come back to <a href="http://readmeastorynow.blogspot.com/">http://readmeastorynow.blogspot.com/</a> a<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;">nd share with our readers about your experience
reading these tales of life from a bygone era.</span></div>
Emilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03200079435640797497noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6058999643846734352.post-74881728898635194792013-02-10T18:52:00.004-05:002013-02-10T18:52:43.600-05:00The Great Backyard Bird Count!I first heard about the bird count from Happy Homemaker UK in her post last year about the "<a href="http://happyhomemakeruk.blogspot.com/2012/01/big-garden-birdwatch.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Big Garden Birdwatch</span></a>." I so desired to do our own bird count but couldn't find information on it anywhere . . . that is . . . until . . . this year! Those of us around here at ReadMeAStory cannot possibly wait until Friday, February 15, when <b>the Great Backyard Bird Count</b> begins.<br />
<br />
<b>So what's it all about? </b><br />
From Feb. 15 through Feb. 18, folks across the nation will be spending at least 15 min. (or longer) a day watching the birds in their own backyard. We'll count, record, and report all the birds we see.<br />
<br />
<b>What's the point? Why?</b><br />
(as copied exactly from <a href="http://www.birdsource.org/gbbc/whycount.html" style="color: blue;">h<span style="color: blue;">ttp://www.birdsource.org/gbbc/whycount.html</span></a>):<br />
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Scientists and bird enthusiasts can learn a lot by knowing where the birds are. Bird populations are dynamic; they are constantly in flux. No single scientist or team of scientists could hope to document and understand the complex distribution and movements of so many species in such a short time.</div>
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The longer these data are collected, the more meaningful they become in helping scientists investigate far-reaching questions, like these:</div>
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• How will the weather influence bird populations?<br /><span style="line-height: 1.3em;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', Lucida, Geneva, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 1.3em; margin-bottom: 1em;">
<span style="line-height: 1.3em;">• Where are winter finches and other “irruptive” species that appear in large numbers during some years but not others?</span><br /><br />• How will the timing of birds’ migrations compare with past years?<br /><br />• How are bird diseases, such as West Nile virus, affecting birds in different regions?<br /><br />• What kinds of differences in bird diversity are apparent in cities versus suburban, rural, and natural areas?</div>
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<em style="line-height: 1.3em;">The Great Backyard Bird Count is led by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology and National Audubon Society, with Canadian partner Bird Studies Canada and sponsorship from Wild Birds Unlimited.</em></div>
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<b>In other words:</b><br />
We're participating in a science experiment by helping provide research and statistics for the National Audubon Society's various bird studies, including bird migratory patterns. So by participating only 15 min. a day, we're contributing to legitimate research!<br />
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<b>Some of our favorite birdwatching books around here at ReadMeAStory include:</b><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiidkISkkuD18E2eAx5Hd0vKN27fMrxUYl8UAHiLVn6QTlPWxIVGM2wyAFDOKJ9JIkXN7biNOUZlzuTTzqIss6lhuZbBO-IpGnKNIeHQpOYkBbqrbq2t68wrWbuSAltxRfB5FF339EVGYM/s1600/CFTB2.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiidkISkkuD18E2eAx5Hd0vKN27fMrxUYl8UAHiLVn6QTlPWxIVGM2wyAFDOKJ9JIkXN7biNOUZlzuTTzqIss6lhuZbBO-IpGnKNIeHQpOYkBbqrbq2t68wrWbuSAltxRfB5FF339EVGYM/s200/CFTB2.jpeg" width="154" /></a></div>
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<i style="background-color: #eef4ff; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">COUNTING is for the Birds</i><span style="background-color: #eef4ff; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;"> by Frank Mazzola, Jr. (c. 1997) covers several developmental skills all at once. While teaching your child to count to twenty, Mazzola introduces rhyme, bird facts, number recognition, bird species identification, all while weaving together a hidden plotline.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: #eef4ff; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;"><br /></span>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGcNJlU0z_WTdCzDGn7emrm0ymQ8MFzZnDo0tzX9UE85g4uzQqYqrlZUgL0kPmwHfYnfPd_GXli5K_FTUVTck7BCFBvTZwM8roKtzGl1tlljOaju6ir_p2bLGymUXHbn6-Q2wsOChKxxE/s1600/pamphlet+cover.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGcNJlU0z_WTdCzDGn7emrm0ymQ8MFzZnDo0tzX9UE85g4uzQqYqrlZUgL0kPmwHfYnfPd_GXli5K_FTUVTck7BCFBvTZwM8roKtzGl1tlljOaju6ir_p2bLGymUXHbn6-Q2wsOChKxxE/s200/pamphlet+cover.jpeg" width="101" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: #eef4ff; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">The kids' very favorite bird identification guide is </span><i style="background-color: #eef4ff; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">The Pocket Naturalist Guide: South Carolina Birds: An Introduction to Familiar Species (State Nature Guides)</i><span style="background-color: #eef4ff; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;"> [Pamphlet] by James Kavanagh (c. 2002). R</span><span style="background-color: #eef4ff; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">ead more about this resource on my post about </span><i style="background-color: #eef4ff; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;"><a href="http://readmeastorynow.blogspot.com/2012/04/pocket-naturalist.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">The Pocket Naturalist Guides</span></a></i><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgShjk86NI6xE4Ybgm-0VRcUKPg_4Tvrh5tCawZFxNtlYlRrCu4f4g0Ni6SA0Oz5M3QoKh_BcAk7ppxYqxT72IbAjaVQBPRH5WeKrsdMXbbHuQNs0zlTUZKK98HqZAtlEymdwfBG7jyqtA/s1600/ouryardisfullofbirds_400w.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgShjk86NI6xE4Ybgm-0VRcUKPg_4Tvrh5tCawZFxNtlYlRrCu4f4g0Ni6SA0Oz5M3QoKh_BcAk7ppxYqxT72IbAjaVQBPRH5WeKrsdMXbbHuQNs0zlTUZKK98HqZAtlEymdwfBG7jyqtA/s200/ouryardisfullofbirds_400w.jpg" width="158" /></a></div>
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<i>Our Yard is Full of Birds</i> (c.1992) by the mother daughter team Anne & Lizzy Rockwell tells a boy's story of bird watching while identifying various species of birds. <a href="http://www.lizzyrockwell.com/asklizzy.htm">Lizzy Rockwell</a>'s watercolor and pencil illustrations beautifully capture each bird's unique traits.Emilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03200079435640797497noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6058999643846734352.post-90235767462011646932013-02-02T21:01:00.000-05:002014-01-06T22:24:33.215-05:00SnowSo are you ready for some more of <a href="http://readmeastorynow.blogspot.com/2011/08/are-you-my-mother.html"><span style="color: blue;">P. D. Eastman's I CAN READ book</span></a> titles?<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYBKVrHG9iwDF1qOGx7en-YKikOAyEfV3nxLDsdxYiFjFRdIsIRLPoJvNAtiSKQ8nLxcPwq8vevbOEb7wfmyQBurc2kaJaD7jdA-s82F7TBcqBi8OJG_nW8L-AboEy4XyGIE10_iAGBN0/s1600/Snow_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYBKVrHG9iwDF1qOGx7en-YKikOAyEfV3nxLDsdxYiFjFRdIsIRLPoJvNAtiSKQ8nLxcPwq8vevbOEb7wfmyQBurc2kaJaD7jdA-s82F7TBcqBi8OJG_nW8L-AboEy4XyGIE10_iAGBN0/s1600/Snow_1.jpg" /></a></div>
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In <i>Snow</i> (c. 1962), P. D. Eastman teamed up with Roy McKie in writing and illustrating a perfect beginner I CAN READ book for the winter season. Thankfully, this is one of those titles that has experienced copyright renewal, so I recently found our copy at Marshalls for just a fraction of the price.<br />
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And as you know, our kids much prefer P.D. Eastman to Dr. Seuss, and I still haven't figured out why. I don't know if it's the illustrations or if they can better picture themselves in the story or if the plot is more predictable for an early reader, but Eastman's books are the ones they keep returning to again and again.<br />
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Let me share with you a few of our favorite illustrations from <i>Snow</i>:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_LubC7Oj48I8mxfCIXQRdPelnyMmJx7PbQpeTpCh2F5xQygnAdmBAMMILgom8WKCWINiBRRcZilKxCvXmgOZWtLTxTu1XijW6_EzB2OSLSM6I4vzhH5TtVUgMb-Ipbc2HZaWqRlwfpyQ/s1600/Snow_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_LubC7Oj48I8mxfCIXQRdPelnyMmJx7PbQpeTpCh2F5xQygnAdmBAMMILgom8WKCWINiBRRcZilKxCvXmgOZWtLTxTu1XijW6_EzB2OSLSM6I4vzhH5TtVUgMb-Ipbc2HZaWqRlwfpyQ/s640/Snow_2.jpg" height="460" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhJeQ_yHK0BHi5IRQNEcBnaGgSOvaX_le0HTIMkPeufhbM9arxTaftWg6SNpqzqkC62E0B-dszYW4YwHBNiwYyptlbcNILfnNmUy8yiYBE8EFiE36PrJqUEH2pP_5x1WIho0Dy11gXJ7Q/s1600/Snow_4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhJeQ_yHK0BHi5IRQNEcBnaGgSOvaX_le0HTIMkPeufhbM9arxTaftWg6SNpqzqkC62E0B-dszYW4YwHBNiwYyptlbcNILfnNmUy8yiYBE8EFiE36PrJqUEH2pP_5x1WIho0Dy11gXJ7Q/s640/Snow_4.jpg" height="454" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoGEQew20Em_aTMCMyTeMz8n5BI7IAPrZ0rOrqfyQONOa_-mxJ2O87Xh5TbdUbmuPQIfyc1v8dcTZQ-aiYseHVUpx31fXr-bstjdkRjouXiUpJNYpr0c-hHZZB3ksHb6rinWglcToaNww/s1600/Snow_5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoGEQew20Em_aTMCMyTeMz8n5BI7IAPrZ0rOrqfyQONOa_-mxJ2O87Xh5TbdUbmuPQIfyc1v8dcTZQ-aiYseHVUpx31fXr-bstjdkRjouXiUpJNYpr0c-hHZZB3ksHb6rinWglcToaNww/s640/Snow_5.jpg" height="465" width="640" /></a></div>
Emilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03200079435640797497noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6058999643846734352.post-2853521788301663472013-02-02T20:23:00.000-05:002013-02-02T20:23:15.609-05:00February<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Find "February" in <i>A Child's Calendar</i>, a collection of twelve of John Updike's poems that describes a child's journey through the seasons from January through December (c. 1965). Caldecott award winning artist Trina Schart Hyman illustrated the collection (c. 1999).Emilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03200079435640797497noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6058999643846734352.post-84290834219717540582013-01-15T21:22:00.000-05:002013-01-15T21:22:22.687-05:00The MittenWow! I can't believe that I'm just now encouraging you to read <i>The Mitten</i>. This is another one in that building list of "must reads"! Which edition should you check out? Hmmmmm, well, I leave that for you to decide. Around here we have two favorites:<br />
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<i>The Mitten,</i> A Ukrainian Folktale adapted and illustrated by Jan Brett (c. 1989), is arguably Brett's best work. There's something for everyone is this edition. The younger set will enjoy the simplicity and humor of the tale while the older set will pick up on the additional narratives "told" in Brett's right and left sidebar illustrations.<br />
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<u>Note</u>: The youngest's preK class enjoyed it all last week -- first through reading and then through a hands-on coloring / sequencing activity, which <b><u>you</u></b> can download and print too. Have your children color, cut, then reinact the story by stuffing their own mitten full of forest animals from these pages on Jan Brett's website: <span style="color: #cc0000;"><a href="http://janbrett.com/put_the_animals_in_the_mitten.htm">http://janbrett.com/put_the_animals_in_the_mitten.htm</a></span> <br />
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You also can't go wrong with <i>The Mitten</i> An Old Ukrainian Folktale retold by Alvin Tresselt and illustrated by Yaroslava (c. 1964). Yaroslava's simple yet vibrant illustrations feel "old world" and lend a sort of different sort of credibility to the tale.<br />
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Either way, readers, I'd love to hear your preference! Which story do your kids like best?Emilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03200079435640797497noreply@blogger.com0