 Thank You, OMU
Written and Illustrated by Oge Mora Age Level: 4 – 7 Grade Level: P – 3 This story is about the power of sharing and kindness. I’m a retired teacher, and I think it’s an important lesson for young children to have. Best of all Oge didn’t do it in a teachy-preachy way. Omu has a pot of thick red stew that’s so yummy that people are attracted by the smell. They come one by one. Omu is so kind that she shares and shares till there’s nothing left for her own dinner. But her kindness has some unexpected payoffs. You’ll have to read to find out how she’s repaid. Kindness is a POWERFUL force!
0 Comments
 Cute As An Axolotl: Discovering the World's Cutest Animals
Written by Jess Keating Illustrated by David DeGrand Age Level: 5 – 8 Grade Level: K – 3 Do you want to learn about an Axolotl? I saw the cover and had to dive in. I met more plants and animals that are just as cute, just as interesting. Each spread featured the animal’s picture, a great fact, and a funny cartoon. In his the axolotl showed off his stylish headgear. A sidebar featured the species name, size, diet, habitat, predators, and threats to its existence. This is a great way to learn new information. It’s also a great source for reports!  No Frogs in School
Written by A. LaFaye Illustrated by Églantine Ceulemans Age Level: 4 – 7 Grade Level: P – 2 This is one CUTE book! Bartholomew Botts loves pets whether they’re hoppy, or hairy, or even scaly. He couldn’t start school without one. Poor Mr. Patanoose! Each day he tries a new rule to keep the pets out of his classroom, but Friday arrives and so does Bartholomew’s best plan. It’s KID clever! WARNING: Don’t try these tricks on your teacher!  Follow Me Down to Nicodemus Town
Written by A. LaFaye Illustrated by Nicole Tadgell Age Level: 5 – 7 Grade Level: K – 2 This cover made me pick up the book, and the story led me back to the late 1870’s when Nicodemus Town was founded by the Exodusters. They left slavery, then sharecropping behind to stake new homes in Kansas. This fictional story is a great way to learn their history. Dede’s family is saving up to buy their way free from sharecropping. Papa farms by day and builds furniture by night. Mama sews dresses when her work is done, and Dede shines shoes at the railroad station. That’s where she spots an add for free homesteads in Kansas. Read how Dede and her family made it to Nicodemus Town. Continue on to the back matter and the story of the real Exodusters. Their name is biblical, from Exodus and its story of Moses leading his people out of slavery in Egypt. Step back to the real town of Nicodemus, Kansas. You can still visit it today in Graham County. This book is a great resource to help older children enter and understand this part of our country’s history.  The Darkest Dark
Written by Chris Hadfield Ilustrated by The Fan Brothers Age Level: 5 – 6 Grade Level: P – 3 Oh my gosh! I loved this story! Did you know astronaut Chris Hadfield was once afraid of the dark as a young child? How on earth did he move past it to travel into the darkness of space? He watched the first moon landing when Neil Armstrong took those first steps onto the lunar surface. That’s when Chris noticed the darkness of space, its beauty, and the thrill of discovery. From that night on Chris was OK with the dark. My favorite part of this book is how a famous event made a difference in someone’s life. It led Chris to realize his dream of becoming an astronaut, and the illustrations are as gorgeous as his story. Kate Fillion isn’t listed on the cover, but she did an amazing job helping Chris tell this story.  The Bear and the Piano Written and illustrated by David Litchfield Age Level: 4 – 7 Grade Level: P – 3 I loved this book! It’s about a bear who discovers the joy of music. He loves the sounds he makes so much he becomes a master pianist. His forest friends come to listen, and word spreads until people discover him. Along the way to fame and fortune, bear finds out what’s really important . . . music and friendship. It’s a beautiful thing! AND so is this book! It struck home with this old pianist!
 The Snatchabook
Written by Helen Docherty Illustrated by Thomas Docherty Age Level: 3 - 6 Grade Level: P – 2 I saw this book, and I had to read it. Eliza Brown the rabbit loves to read bedtime stories, till her book is stolen. So are all the other books in her neighborhood. Eliza decides to capture the thief. Her trap – a pile of books. This story melted my heart with its love and its restitution. Snatch this book! It’s great!  My Journey to the Stars
Written by Scott Kelly Illustrated by Andre Ceolin Age Level: 5 - 8 Grade Level: K – 3 If you’ve ever wondered how to become an astronaut, this is the book for you! Scott Kelly was a so-so student and a trouble-seeker, but he turned it all around after he read The Right Stuff with the Mercury 7 astronauts like John Glenn. Read how he turned his problems into strengths. He learned if you plan, then take small steps, you can reach big goals like becoming an astronaut. You can even command the International Space Station. Scott wrote about his life in space, but he also told how good it was to get back home. If you love space, you’ll love Scott’s journey to the stars. He has the right stuff, as an astronauth and as a writer. Miss Moore Thought Otherwise: How Anne Carroll Moore Created Libraries for Children  Written by Jan Pinborough Illustrated by Debby Atwell Age Level: 6 - 9 Grade Level: 1 – 4 Meet Anne Carroll Moore. You probably don’t recognize her name, but if you like the children’s room at your local library, it’s because of Anne. Miss Moore came into the New York Public Library and thought otherwise. She wanted a kid-friendly place with art to see and comfy seats to curl up in. She established the first children’s room. Read her story to find out how she did it and how she changed libraries everywhere. Thanks, Miss Moore!  Now meet the real Anne Carroll Moore. She was born in 1871 and died in 1961. She worked as a children’s librarian for almost 50 years. She also wrote a book that was runner-up for the 1925 Newberry Award. She was incredible, and so are her Four Respects. I think they still apply to children and children’s literature. Here they are:
Cummins, J. (1999, July). “Moore than Meets the Eye”. School Library Journal, pp. 26-30 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anne_Carroll_Moore |
AuthorWhenever I read or write, I find a comfy chair with a great view. I get my favorite drink, stretch out, and let the words take me away. Archives
May 2019
Categories
All
|
RSS Feed