Monday, August 22, 2011
Kiss Good Night, Rumble in the Jungle, The Very Busy Spider & Good Night Beach
These books were recommended by a friend as some of her toddler's favorites! Most are available for one penny (used)!
The Old Lady Who Wasn't Afraid of Anything
by Linda D. Williams
This book was recommended by a friend and seems like it would make the perfect gift for your little bookworm this Halloween!
Wednesday, August 17, 2011
Books for Parents of Toddlers
Here are the books I reviewed in my YouTube video:
Ames, L. & Ilg, F. (1976). Your Two Year Old: Terrible or Tender. New York: Dell.
Eisenberg, Murkoff & Hathaway. (1994). What to Expect: The Toddler Years. New York: Workman Publishing.
Fields, D. & Brown, A. (2011). Toddler 411. Boulder: Windsor Peak Press.
Karp, H. (2008). Happiest Toddler on the Block. New York: Bantam Dell.
Medina, J. (2010). Brain Rules for Baby. New York: Pear Press.
Wilder-Taylor, S. (2008). Naptime is the New Happy Hour. New York: Simon & Schuster.
A quick reference guide to the books (click here to view the document in full):
Thursday, August 11, 2011
Chicka Chicka ABC
by Bill Martin, Jr. & John Archambault (illustrations by Lois Ehlert)
Now kids can use alphabet magnets in a happy meeting of dramatic play & early literacy skills! This edition, a slightly shortened & revised edition of the classic children's favorite, Chicka Chicka Boom Boom, comes with a set of 26 alphabet magnets.
<--The classic, now in an anniversary edition!
City Dog, Country Frog
by Mo Willems
"Spare, poignant, and ultimately upbeat, this tale depicts the natural cycle of friendship from an enthusiastic first encounter to contented companionship to the heartbreak of loss and eventual emotional renewal. Presented with a comfortingly consistent narrative structure, the events are set against the backdrop of the changing seasons, reassuring readers that winter will turn again to spring, sadness to joy. In "spring," City Dog runs free in the countryside for the first time ever and discovers an unfamiliar creature perched on a rock. Asked, "What are you doing?" Country Frog smiles and replies, "Waiting for a friend…but you'll do."...Making expert use of color and texture, Muth's expressive paintings clearly convey the tale's emotional nuances. This understated picture book allows plenty of room for young readers to interpret the animals' feelings for themselves and perhaps discuss their own emotions." -- from the School Library Journal
Farmyard Beat
"Ever since “Old MacDonald Had a Farm,” with its irritating propensity to ring in parents’ ears long after its 4-year-old targets have ceased oinking, the combination of children’s books and farmyard animals somehow inevitably invites song. Two catchy new picture books for very young readers sustain that tradition. “Farmyard Beat,” written by Lindsey Craig and illustrated in cut-out collage by Marc Brown (the pair behind “Dancing Feet!”), could be one of those books that’ve been kicking around preschool classrooms for ages. The corrugated cardboard backdrops look like something glued together by a pair of especially crafty moms at the local co-op, and the text (lyrics, really) seems like a familiar song one has already heard in off-key unison. None of that takes away from the book's considerable appeal. From the “Peep-peep-peep!” of a yellow chick peering out of its egg on the first page, through the inevitable chiming-in of an entire farm’s worth of animals, to the book’s conclusion with animals piled up in an exhausted, snoring heap, “Farmyard Beat” jauntily pulls readers along. Toddlers will need zero encouragement to participate. " -- from The New York Times Sunday Book Review
What! Cried Granny
by Kate Lum
"It's Patrick's first sleepover at his Granny's house, and the woman is a little unprepared. As the sun begins to set, she instructs her grandson to get ready for bed. "But, Granny," the boy points out, "I don't HAVE a bed here." "WHAT?" cries Granny, and she runs out to chop down a tree, out of which she proceeds to make a bed. Patrick then points out the lack of a pillow, blanket, teddy bear...and finally, the fact that morning has arrived. This simple and inventive story moves along with a satisfying predictability; and if the pace is a bit rushed, readers will enjoy the mock surprise and melodrama of Patrick and Granny's repeated lines. The acrylic-paint illustrations are styled after the graphics of the 1950s and '60s, with dramatic and exaggerated layouts that command attention from a distance. The black text is well integrated into the double-page spreads, as are Granny's frenetic maneuvers. The effect is a little too enthusiastic, as is the story; but this is an admirable first picture book for both author and illustrator, and one that should find a place in most storytimes and collections." -- from School Library Journal
Monday, August 8, 2011
Donate Books to Kids in Need!
Help fight illiteracy in America by donating a few minutes of your time OR a few dollars to the Book Blog! Both types of donations will be forwarded to kids living in impoverished urban areas who may be in need of resources to break the cycle of illiteracy. Resources that your donations will support include: non-profit organizations that supply tutors to schools, new & used children's books, technology resources that support literacy.
Right now, I am providing 3 ways for you to donate:
1. Make a donation via PayPal (see button below). You DO NOT need a PayPal account. Once you click the button, you can simply choose the option to use a credit card to donate instead of a PayPal account.
2. Join HauteLook using the link below. Credits generated by your independent purchase on HauteLook will then be used to purchase discounted, new books for kids who need them. Joining HauteLook is completely FREE!
3. Subscribe to the Book Blog (see button below) to give continued support to kids in need of literacy resources. You will receive regular updates on how your support is being forwarded to kids in need!
Join HauteLook here - it's FREE & your any purchase you make will automatically generate credits toward books for kids in need!
Thursday, July 7, 2011
Random House Children's Books - ON SALE
Random House publishes some of the BEST kids' books available. Now, for a limited time, you can get them for ~40% off on HauteLook! The selections available in this limited time sale include books by Leslie Patricelli, Roald Dahl, Kate DiCamillo and Dr. Seuss, books from the "Pat the Bunny" series, Magic Treehouse books, Where's Waldo? books...and more! Hurry - the sale ends Saturday! This is too good to pass up; I couldn't wait to share it!
Wednesday, June 22, 2011
Saturday, March 12, 2011
Saturday, February 19, 2011
Thursday, February 10, 2011
George Washington: Give Bigotry No Sanction
Two phrases form the foundation for this thought-provoking video:
GIVE BIGOTRY NO SANCTION
TO PERSECUTION NO ASSISTANCE
Watch the video and talk with your children about what these phrases mean to them, how they relate to Black History Month and how they can live out George Washington's words in their daily lives!
Goodnight Moon (read-aloud)
Listen to a read-aloud of one of the best bedtime books ever written! The flawless rhythm of this book is inimitable.
Wednesday, February 9, 2011
Madame CJ Walker & "Good Hair"
The topic of "good" or "bad" hair can be a contentious one for African Americans. Madame CJ Walker, an inventor & icon, worked to make hair (and beauty) products specifically for Black women.
What do you think of your own hair? Do you wear your hair in its natural state or do you curl it, straighten it, perm it, dye it? How do you feel about this issue?
If you're having trouble getting discussion started, watch this preview of Chris Rock's "Good Hair" movie...Choose some of the following books to read with your children and talk about this sometimes emotionally-charged topic...
Monday, February 7, 2011
Origins of Black History Month
If your students are curious about why we celebrate Black History Month, here is their answer from the History Channel! The video is succinct at ~2:20 minutes. Enjoy...
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