Counting in the Crazy Garden

I was just sent a copy of Margarette Burnette's book, Counting in the Crazy Garden. This is in her "Chipper Kids" series. What a fun book - not only does it provide lots of counting fun, but it also teaches healthy eating habits AND humor! The illustrations by Brooke Henson are also fun with this story. The story reminded me of when my boys were little and would go outside and make all sorts of lucious "treats" for me to be tempted with!!! (Not many of those would you ever want to eat ~ but hey, at least they were being creative!) That is exactly the premise of this book - it's fun. Don't miss her awesome website as well - http://www.chipperkids.com/ - it has free games and coloring pages!!

Pay It Forward Book Giveaway

Now that I'm finished with Kite Runner - I will share it with another!!! That's how I got it in the first place - by winning a Pay It Forward - so here goes!! Leave a comment to play along - I will choose a winner on Thurs., Feb. 28!!!

Kite Runner

So, am I the last person in the world to read Kite Runner??? Probably, but I did just finish it and wanted to blog on it. I started it and said to my husband, "Does this ever pick up??" He told me to keep going, so I did. AND I am SO GLAD I did!! I thought it really did "pick up" and I just wanted to keep going to find out what would happen to Amir and Hassan. On a different topic than Afghanistan, it is a wonderful story of friendship ~ how we need to treasure our friends. It was wonderful - some parts are very hard to read, but WOW - what a different life it is living in Afghanistan.... I thought the book gave hope at the end - after much tragedy and pain. I came away wanting to read his new one, A Thousand Splendid Suns. I truly enjoyed this book!

Cybils Winners Announced!!!

The WINNERS are up!!! Go check it out at the Cybils Blog. I am honored to say I had a part - I thoroughly enjoyed being able to choose a finalist in the non-fiction picture books!!!

The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian

Because it is a National Book Award Winner - AND I've heard so much about it all around bloggerland, I just read The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie. Now the daunting question - did I like it?? As for giving me information about growing up on a reservation and the life of an American Indian - YES!!! Very enlightening and one of the best for this topic! Was I kept interested from beginning to end?? YES!!! The book was great at keeping me interested and wanting to know more. Did I enjoy the characters?? YES!! Junior is the main character - a teenage boy with physical disabilities but he doesn't let those stop him - he is a great character, full of life and a zest for life! You just want to cheer him on - and I love it that he's not afraid to tackle life head-on - despite all of the difficulites life deals him. Would I want my sons to read it?? Not for awhile - the book is about a teenage boy - I realize that - but I don't need to know how often he thinks about sexual matters - boys have enough trouble with that without giving them more reasons to think about it!! SO, in all - a great read - just not ready to suggest it to EVERYONE!!

Copper Sun

Having just finished Copper Sun by Sharon Draper, I am, once again in awe of the horrific conditions of slaves and their treatment. I seem to be getting "hit over the head" with this lately - between Amazing Grace, Uncle Tom's Cabin, and now this book - Wow - I am just having my eyes opened. I thought this was a wonderful book - it told the story wonderfully of Amari, a 15 year old girl - taken away from her life in Africa and sent to America on a slave ship and then sold to Clay, a 16 year old boy, as his birthday present. It is sad and yet totally believeable. I came away with my eyes opened - this is truly a great read.

'Twas the Day Before Zoo Day

Today I am featuring the author, Catherine Ipcizade. She is the author of 'Twas the Day Before Zoo Day - a WONDEFUL children's book about a trip to the zoo. I first read this book when Sylvan Dell sent me a copy, and I immediately fell in love!!! There just aren't too many books written on going to the zoo and this one was such fun! I can see this being such a hit in the classroom before a trip to the zoo OR just before a unit on animals or zoo animals. (And many other units as well - you name it!!!) So, when I was offered the chance to ask Catherine some questions about her book and writing, I jumped at the chance!! Here is our blog interview!!

When did you know you wanted to be a writer?

When I was a kid, I borrowed a beautiful copy of Little Women from a friend. I'd lay on my mom's bed for hours reading the pages, feeling the pages, smelling the pages, and devouring the story. That is when I knew I always wanted to be around books.That's also when I knew I wanted to write my own. Then, later that same year, ,I wrote a poem for class. It was a simple poem--terribly, really. But my grandma saw it, and, quick as lightening, she got on the phone with every major newspaper in the city, declaring that my "talent" should be recognized. It wasn't, but I've never forgotten that. That is when I knew I wanted to be a writer, and to create things people wanted to read.

What made you want to write?

I love stories where I can find myself in snippets. Maybe the character is clumsy. Maybe she finds love. Maybe she doesn't. Maybe she has a great best friend or wants one. I love univeral themes. I wanted to write stories people could find themselves in. For young children, I wanted to write stories that could make kids laugh I prefer full-blown belly laughs, but I'll settle for chuckles, too. :)

How long have you been writing?

Like most writers, since I was a kid. I've been seriously pursuing children's writing for about five years.

What inspired you to write ‘Twas the Day Before Zoo Day?

I started volunteering in my son's class and I quickly noticed a trend. The kids (first graders) LOVE animal books. They love science and social studies and learning about the world around them. But here's the catch--they want to be entertained, too. The books they were reading didn't do that. They either entertained without teaching or taught without entertaining. I decided to write a book that did both. I wanted kids to laugh, but I wanted them to learn, too...even if they didn't realize they were learning.

Anything fun you want us to know about you???

Ooh, fun!
Let's see--
1. I have a twin sister.
2. I am ridiculously afraid of bees.
3. I love to cook but can't bake a cake to save my life.
4. As a kid, I talked in my sleep...a lot.
5. For two years, we had a fish...named Froggy.
6. I love pajamas--I'd live in them if I could.
7. My best writing ideas come to me in the shower...it's true!

I just can't say enough good about this fun children's book - go get a copy and enjoy it for yourself!!! Oh yes, and the best thing about Sylvan Dell???? Their website is just full of tie-ins for teachers - if you go on this book's webpage, you will see links along the right hand side for teacher and parents to click on for more information on the topic, tie-ins for classroom and units - and SO much more!! Go check it out - this is such a wonderful tool for teachers!

I'm an Omnivore!

Yes - 8% of the American Public fall into the Omnivore category -

Members of this group use their extensive suite of technology tools to do an enormous range of things online, on the go, and with their cell phones. Omnivores are highly engaged with video online and digital content. Between blogging, maintaining their Web pages, remixing digital content, or posting their creations to their websites, they are creative participants in cyberspace.

I don't fit much of this description though:
Who They Are: They are young, ethnically diverse, and mostly male (70%). The median age is 28; just more than half of them are under age 30, versus one in five in the general population. Over half are white (64%) and 11% are black (compared to 12% in the general population). English-speaking Hispanics make up 18% of this group. Perhaps unsurprisingly, many (42% versus the 13% average) of Omnivores are students.

Want to know what you are?? Go HERE. Oh, and leave a comment - I hope I'm not the only Omnivore out there!!!!

The Ones that Got Away!!

This was a fun article put out by School Library Journal - some of the good books of this year that didn't get their "due" - go check it out HERE.

Seeker

William Nicholson's Seeker, is my husband's latest read. So, since it is not really my "type" of read AND he LOVED it - I asked him to type up a review for me -

It isn't easy for me to find a book that I really like and that makes me think about it even when I am not reading. For me, I like books that make me see things from a different angle and make me think. Seeker was a book that did that for me. Seeker is one of three main Characters, Morning Star and Wildman being
the other two.
The first book centers around a common quest to become
Nomana,a religious warrior, with a charge to maintain the peace and protect their god. There are several things that caught my attention. The choice of names is very important in the plot development because a person's name has a major influence on the person's life. There are religious themes throughout the book and these themes made me contemplate my own beliefs.
There is a classic struggle between good and evil. If you are one who enjoys books such as Lord of the Rings, Chronicles of Narnia or Harry Potter I would suggest this
book. I cannot say that the book presents a fully Christian world view but
it does wrestle with many of the same issues.

This is the first in a trilogy - my husband can't wait to get the next one!

Sold

I just finished Sold by Patricia McCormick. It was a National Book Award Finalist - and for good reason!! It was one of those books where, when you finish, you just have to sit and mull it around for a bit - I wasn't ready to pick up a new one - just had to sit and contemplate it a bit. It isn't a book you read for pleasure, really, but it is so enlightening - a tough topic - the sex trade in India and Nepal - but wow, what those girls go through - all in the name, THEY THINK, of helping their families - it is just so sad. Thank you Patricia, for bringing this out in such a sensitive, beautiful way.

Marley's Treasure

I was sent a book to review - I just have to share!! Marley's Treasure is a book aimed at children ages 4-7 and is WONDERFUL!! The author, Gable Yerrid, is a young man that has written a powerful book for children. Marley is a "happy little monkey living in a tropical paradise whose life is turned upside down when he discovers a wondrous treasure. When Marley gives into his first instinct and hides the treasure from everyone he knows, he discovers his happiness slipping away. Eventually, Marley's friends help him realize one of the keys to being happy is sharing with one's friends, and all ends well as he decides to share the treasure and his feelings with his friends."

Born out of a tragedy that Yerrid faced earlier in life, this story will make a profound impact on children- I just loved it. I must add that the illustrations are beautiful and endearing, they add so much to the book - Jennifer Fitzgerald is wonderful!

And go check out the interactive site!

Edge of the Forest

The Edge of the Forest is up!!! Go check it out!!!

The Whistling Season

I finished The Whistling Season by Ivan Doig for our "Let's Talk About It" at our library. I will say it wasn't one of my favorites, but I knew I had to finish it - so I kept plugging on. It wasn't horrible, but, as I was telling the ladies at our local retirement home, I just kept wanting more relational activity between the characters. The premise is wonderful - father left with three boys, spots an ad in the paper, "Can't cook but doesn't bite..." And so Rose and her brother, Morrie, head out to Montana so that Rose can be the new family's housekeeper. As it would happen, Morrie, becomes the new schoolmaster as well. I loved some of the scenes in the book with Morrie - he really was a powerful character. But otherwise the book left me wanting more - a LOT more between the characters! And the ending - well, I can't give anything away, but it wasn't what I had hoped for - let's just say that!

South Dakota had this book as their "One Book" choice - and if you want to use it as a book discussion, there is a very helpful guide HERE.

Princess Baby

We have found a fun new book at our house - Princess Baby by Karen Katz!! We think that Mrs. Katz wrote this after overhearing a conversation at our house. Just last week Chloe, our 3 year old, told us that her name isn't Chloe anymore, it's Princess Chloe! So - here you go - a book just for Chloe. This adorable little girl can not believe her parents call her names like "buttercup" and "lollipop" and she tells them - her name is Princess Baby! Complete with glittery crown, glittery shoes, and a royal wand. We just love it!!! My only worry?? How to sneak it back to the library!!

Newbery and Caldecott's Announced!!

AND THE WINNERS ARE:

Newbery - Good Masters! Sweet Ladies! by Laura Amy Schlitz (author of one of my favorites - the Drowned Maiden's Hair)

Honors - Elijah of Buxton - Christopher Paul Curtis

Wednesday Wars - Gary D. Schmidt (ok, I'll admit it - this is the one I WANTED to win!!!)

Feathers - Jacqueline Woodson

Caldecott - Invention of Hugo Cabret - Brian Selznick

Honors - Henry's Freedom Box - ills. by Kadir Nelson, written by Ellen Levine

First the Egg - written and illustrated by Laura Vaccaro Seeger

The Wall: Growing Up Behind the Iron Curtain - written and illustrated by Peter Sís

Knuffle Bunny Too: A Case of Mistaken Identity - written and illustrated Mo Willems

To see more, go HERE.

Bringing in the New Year

I JUST received my long-awaited copy of Grace Lin's new book, Bringing in the New Year. AND yes, it is all I hoped it would be. What a fun way to introduce kids to the holiday of Chinese New Year - she explains it in a simple format and, as usual, her illustrations are gorgeous. I know I am biased - I am a huge fan of Lin's, but this book just doesn't disappoint - it is wonderful - it will be a great addition to any collection.

Sylvan Dell Publishing

I always get excited when I see books from Sylvan Dell, and this package was no exception! I received Kersplatypus by Susan K. Mitchell and 'Twas the Day Before Zoo Day by Catherine Ipcizade.

I LOVED Kersplatypus - it was much the same idea as Little Skink's Tail - which I also loved - these books are great ways to learn about nature and still enjoy a fun story. This story has a wonderful "Aussie" flair though with all of the animals being from the land down under! Probably what I love most about Sylvan Dell books is that in each book, there are 3-5 pages in the back that give additional activities for even more science learning. And if that isn't enough, there are 20-80 page lessons plans available as well. AND I'm still not done - you can go on the internet for web site links that correlate with the story/theme. I am telling you - they treat you right!

The second book, 'Twas the Day Before Zoo Day, was also fun - a take-off on the ever-popular, 'Twas the Night Before Christmas. This was a riot to read and kids will love to see all the animals! And again, all of the same teaching tools are available on Sylvan's website and in their books - teachers will LOVE these tools!

The Magic Violin

Recently, somewhere in cyberspace, I met up with Mayra Calvani - she is not only a fun person to email, but she is an author!! When she mentioned her new children's book, I couldn't pass up a chance to read her PDF copy. It was WONDERFUL!!! So, I am thrilled today to feature Mayra and her new book! The Magic Violin is the story of 8 year old, Melina, who wants to be a violinist. In her struggle to play, she begins to lose her confidence and that is when her Rumanian teacher mysteriously steps in to help. I just love the whole premise of the book - I can truly relate as I encourage my kids daily to "keep practicing" ~ for that is the only way to become talented! The illustrations are also wonderful in this story. It is just an all-around wonderfully-told story. You do not want to miss it - I plan to purchase it as my children's Christmas book for this year - it will be such a great story to re-read year after year! (And it doesn't just have to be at Christmas either!!)

While you are out - make sure and stop by Mayra's blog and check out her contest!!

Midwives

I was told, by a friend, that I would enjoy Chris Bohjalian as an author and so far, my friend was right! I just finished Midwives by Bohjalian and what a read! I thoroughly enjoyed the story told from the daughter's perspective - that was new and different AND I have just found such great stories about midwives lately - I love that!!! This is a wonderful mystery all around a midwife that performs a C-Section on a patient and that patient dies. (Ok - so I condensed a VERY complicated plot - but you get the idea!!) A law suit ensues and this story is that of the daughter's (of the midwife) "take" on the whole ordeal - how it affects her family, how she feels, the entire court case. She leaves no detail out, and I really came to care for this family - the ending will leave you cheering and in disbelief - it is really a great read.