tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16038296926539631172024-03-13T08:17:28.525-07:00A Curious ThingA Curious Thinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15128613870642810995noreply@blogger.comBlogger133125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1603829692653963117.post-22175086981568377642016-03-29T19:51:00.000-07:002016-05-09T17:10:09.975-07:00Summerlost<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<i>Summerlost</i> is Ally Condie's latest novel (out today) and her first foray into middle grade fiction. It has a very different feel than her <i>Matched</i> series or <i>Atlantia.</i> <i>Summerlost</i> is realistic fiction and is a quiet and contemplative read that tells of friendship and of dealing with loss in a way that is relatable and real.<br />
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Cedar Lee is twelve years old and this summer is her first living in Iron Creek - a small community renowned for its Shakespeare festival. It is also the first summer since her Dad and younger brother, Ben, were killed in a car accident. Now, it is just her mother, her eight-year-old brother Miles, and her. Cedar's interest is peeked when she sees a boy about her age, Leo, bike by in an English period costume. Cedar follows him and gets a job working the concessions with him at the Summerlost festival.<br />
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What follows is a sweet friendship and a summer filled with secret tours of important places in the life of Lisette Chamberlain, the long-dead and beloved local turned Hollywood star. Cedar puzzles over the black birds flying outside her window and the mysterious items that appear on her windowsill -- items that her deceased brother would have loved. Cedar and Miles also develop an obsession with a bizarre storyline in a tv soap opera.<br />
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What I loved about this story is how real, and perfect for a middle grade audience, Cedar's reckoning with grief felt. Throughout her everyday life, little things reminded her of stories and times with her dad or Ben, but the story manages to avoid feeling overly heavy. I love Kirkus Review's summation: "Honest, lovely and sad."<br />
<br />
If you are interested in reading it, there is a giveaway you can enter <a href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/6973b88d396/?">HERE</a> to win copies of <i>Summerlost,</i> as well as <i>Matched</i> and <i>Atlantia</i>.<br />
<br />
After reading <i>Summerlost</i>, I found myself wanting to attend the Utah Shakespearean Festival, which served as the inspiration for the Summerlost festival. Despite growing up in Utah, I've never made it to Cedar City to attend the festival. It runs in the summer from late June until early September and appears to have a great line-up this year. Click <a href="http://www.bard.org/">HERE</a> for the website.<br />
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And last of all, I have included a letter from Ally Condie below that gives a little more insight into her writing of the book:<br />
<br />
<br />
Dear Readers,<br />
<br />
I think most of us have had our hearts broken. Sometimes we can see it coming, and sometimes it<br />
comes down with the unexpected force of a sudden gale of wind or a rising of waters that we thought<br />
were still and safe. Loss is universal to human experience, but the way we each feel and recover is one of the most personal things we do.<br />
<br />
In Summerlost, Cedar is dealing with the loss of her father and younger brother. And my intent was to show how hard their deaths are for her. But this is also a book about the healing power of friendship. Most of us have been broken-hearted; I hope that most of us have also discovered the miracle of friendships that were just what we needed. Cedar and Leo’s friendship is based on someone I met when I was twelve. Like Leo, my friend was fun and liked to enlist me in crazy adventures (although we never gave a secret guided tour of our town the way they do in Summerlost). And, like Leo, he thought I was wonderful and of worth at a time when I needed it most.<br />
<br />
SUMMERLOST is my attempt to pay tribute both to the pain we feel and the friendships that save us. Thank you so much for supporting this book, and for your willingness to give Cedar’s story a try. I hope it makes you think of a wonderful friend of your own, whether that is someone you met in the pages of a favorite book or outside, in the world where it is often hard and beautiful to live.<br />
<br />
Best wishes and happy reading always,<br />
<br />
Ally Condie<br />
<br />Camillehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01392844579485557221noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1603829692653963117.post-22980605303795065852015-09-30T10:45:00.000-07:002015-09-30T12:02:27.518-07:00Banned Books and The Catcher in the Rye<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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This week is banned books week. There are a lot of books I
love that have landed on this list over the years: <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">To Kill a Mockingbird</i>, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Animal
Farm</i> and the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Harry Potter</i> series
to name a few. But today I want to write about my least favorite book from this
list: <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Catcher in the Rye</i>. <o:p></o:p></div>
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I studied Children’s Literature in my graduate program and
one of the books I was assigned to read was J.D. Salinger’s <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Catcher in the Rye</i>. I came into the
book with no preconceived notions—the title felt familiar to me—I had heard of it
in passing but knew nothing of the book itself. I read it and strongly disliked
the book.<o:p></o:p></div>
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I came to class that week not excited for the discussion at
all. But in the course of the discussion, a classmate of mine said, “Holden
Caulfield is my hero,” and my ears perked up. She went on to tell how this book
was so meaningful to her as a teenager and she looked up to Holden Caulfield –
he was her childhood hero. My first thought was, “Wow. We had very different
childhoods.” As I went on to listen to her, I came to realize what great value
this book held <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">for her</i>. By the end of
the class I didn’t like the book anymore than when I began, but I saw its
value. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Ironically, the book we discussed the very next week was <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Little Women</i>—talk about two different
books! I read the book while underlining passages and using the back of my hand
to wipe away my tears. That class started out with a collective groan from many
of the students because they had found the book so boring. The juxtaposition of
these two books and my experience with <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Little
Women</i> and my classmate’s experience with <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Catcher in the Rye</i> showed me, in a very real way, the need for
a diversity of books. <o:p></o:p></div>
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My initial thought of “Wow. We had very different
childhoods” was true. We grew up in different homes, in different states, and in
different circumstances, so it only makes sense that we would be drawn to
different books. Often in the banned books dialogue, we talk about how people who
seek to ban books might like the books they try to ban if they actually read
them. This may be true in some circumstances. However, I think the more
important discussion is about the value a book holds for someone else, even if
it is a book that you don’t like, think is inappropriate, or would never have
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Every year when banned books week rolls around, I think of <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Catcher in the Rye</i> and I hope it,
and other books like it, make it into the hands of someone like my
classmate—for whom it was the perfect book at the perfect time. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Camillehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01392844579485557221noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1603829692653963117.post-24878531358723280712015-03-09T17:08:00.000-07:002015-03-09T17:08:48.292-07:00Brown Girl Dreaming<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAmrmYSXtKIG72qQAvK0L-44Xqu_l6cbe8pnAikllbaUcAXB8_1h826bMYvxcFVgGAoZfBZ1sPL676b9X-vojFeG6o91jcXFGF74qBV3gJvVCRKSnaSl5uwKzDi5bbKoWIQCDMgBaKpvE/s1600/9780399252518.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAmrmYSXtKIG72qQAvK0L-44Xqu_l6cbe8pnAikllbaUcAXB8_1h826bMYvxcFVgGAoZfBZ1sPL676b9X-vojFeG6o91jcXFGF74qBV3gJvVCRKSnaSl5uwKzDi5bbKoWIQCDMgBaKpvE/s1600/9780399252518.jpg" height="320" width="212" /></a></div>
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Winner of the National Book Award and a Newbery Medal Honor, <i>Brown Girl Dreaming</i> has been one of this year's most talked about books. It is Jacqueline Woodson's memoir, written in verse, of her childhood - an African-American girl growing up in the 1960s and 1970s between Greenville, South Carolina and Brooklyn, New York.<br />
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I listened to the audio version of this book read by Jacqueline Woodson. It is amazing. Writing it through the medium of verse makes the book accessible to all - especially the middle grade reader. Woodson is able to give detailed snapshots of her childhood that are both moving and succinct.<br />
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<i>Brown Girl Dreaming</i> tells not only of the discrepancies between black and white, but also of family and of dreams. Woodson's pathway towards becoming a writer is woven throughout the story - from writing that first letter J on paper to telling stories to friends and teachers and selling them as the truth to moving those words to paper with pen and ink - we see her struggle to become, to find her voice and her dream.<br />
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A book every middle grade reader (and beyond!) should read.Camillehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01392844579485557221noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1603829692653963117.post-7348418894759878302015-02-25T19:19:00.000-08:002015-02-25T19:19:15.915-08:00Books I am Reading Over and Over Again<br />
I have an almost 18 month old boy. For awhile he had little to no interest in reading books - so many things to see! To do! To destroy! But recently he has fallen in love with books. He brings a book to any reader in the family, scoots backwards into their lap and waits for the story to be read. Over and Over again.<br />
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Here are a few of his favorites:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMcNyhwFLAi5KOT5oOUm9X7LLCC3ykpQJMOEZiMgZeCi_D08N2QWQT-uif7k0CA50MvPrev8NfpjJHz1ntzxYRmnaRFDouLZ5Y6cYc5U88OMPchz0iprIfyO6kOeUZxEfJjCjWbTBt4lo/s1600/planesgo_9781452128993_350.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMcNyhwFLAi5KOT5oOUm9X7LLCC3ykpQJMOEZiMgZeCi_D08N2QWQT-uif7k0CA50MvPrev8NfpjJHz1ntzxYRmnaRFDouLZ5Y6cYc5U88OMPchz0iprIfyO6kOeUZxEfJjCjWbTBt4lo/s1600/planesgo_9781452128993_350.jpg" height="163" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2jZ4xo7RyfFyCFW-keXGH3AwnjXqxJ6gM1wPK6qUnk7_za6CY7LmRAOaO5IcRtAogumdJsMM0x3r-yHOnwQ18Eddcwvjp8KLBcFL2NRxsCi9qSPlr22catJPk-w9Q6XzIc6Mc3w2fPTI/s1600/9780811879422_large.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2jZ4xo7RyfFyCFW-keXGH3AwnjXqxJ6gM1wPK6qUnk7_za6CY7LmRAOaO5IcRtAogumdJsMM0x3r-yHOnwQ18Eddcwvjp8KLBcFL2NRxsCi9qSPlr22catJPk-w9Q6XzIc6Mc3w2fPTI/s1600/9780811879422_large.jpg" height="160" width="320" /></a></div>
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Steve Light's <i>Trains Go</i> and <i>Planes Go</i> are far and away his very favorites. They contain colorful pictures of varied trains or planes set against a white background. The text names the diesel train or space shuttle and then gives the sound they make. Our <i>Trains Go </i>is in two halves now it is so beloved and my son runs around the house chirping "choo choo" and "WooooOOOoooOO WooooOOOoooOOO."<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjzDp0fzJWPdaI3KXLxsH0AP00u3VP9pQV2kX2Xy6Wcz5oeOnx_GDoOdYWflUcTun2G1J2A-kIwWGmNjpcgKRM-WrVmpos_l870tYCQtSQNQ9JYFiD6Uy55pc494Gh19GX3trgUCENugo/s1600/45368006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjzDp0fzJWPdaI3KXLxsH0AP00u3VP9pQV2kX2Xy6Wcz5oeOnx_GDoOdYWflUcTun2G1J2A-kIwWGmNjpcgKRM-WrVmpos_l870tYCQtSQNQ9JYFiD6Uy55pc494Gh19GX3trgUCENugo/s1600/45368006.JPG" /></a></div>
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A classic. <i>Goodnight Moon</i> is definitely one of his go-to grabs. He especially loves the little old lady whispering "hush".<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxa_YdmstljkmrBG61GgtLy12vEwvIJCBRI_g4NNMIm1Sxq9O5HXyKhkUzIfIM8OI9kconrUfE9xB7nYhkpP_fevWxGQOlMxiYRnOuPv_L1MFlYXFI4rkmwkGHbFZRFaluflHgMg40WP0/s1600/41PPEEWR6ML._SY344_BO1,204,203,200_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxa_YdmstljkmrBG61GgtLy12vEwvIJCBRI_g4NNMIm1Sxq9O5HXyKhkUzIfIM8OI9kconrUfE9xB7nYhkpP_fevWxGQOlMxiYRnOuPv_L1MFlYXFI4rkmwkGHbFZRFaluflHgMg40WP0/s1600/41PPEEWR6ML._SY344_BO1,204,203,200_.jpg" height="320" width="237" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTbknvQmETMUA-ZYFVVroYhcpCH2DupLZKktiUJW0bS2asVaMmfOi6-uP-eCUE-NMjkaiNXyqdzd34_KdU7JN9ISgb6aev-5B40_pQ-8jlj2Tms4YF8w4lBcU3xDz3Bf3Ma3kah_U-UHI/s1600/51S7YB4TYHL._SX258_BO1,204,203,200_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTbknvQmETMUA-ZYFVVroYhcpCH2DupLZKktiUJW0bS2asVaMmfOi6-uP-eCUE-NMjkaiNXyqdzd34_KdU7JN9ISgb6aev-5B40_pQ-8jlj2Tms4YF8w4lBcU3xDz3Bf3Ma3kah_U-UHI/s1600/51S7YB4TYHL._SX258_BO1,204,203,200_.jpg" height="320" width="243" /></a></div>
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John Burningham's <i>Colors</i> and <i>Opposites</i> are one word books with pictures - yellow, red, heavy, light. They are favorites around here.Camillehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01392844579485557221noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1603829692653963117.post-89215469137497795822015-02-20T12:02:00.000-08:002015-02-20T12:02:04.334-08:00Counting by 7s<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPy8l2u0if-nU14TqV1w1YZFBxLFvH_eOOeTHyvAH7LnkkkqfdXd0ZGBkrJZwRTr-EtrYzI2Jkn_vRJtnIjIinKawkC2U7AnapNEeRHC6dBUBgKniSC-DAxRAUAsR-Ve4saBZRKVBgpM8/s1600/51P+NH7nQyL._SY344_BO1,204,203,200_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPy8l2u0if-nU14TqV1w1YZFBxLFvH_eOOeTHyvAH7LnkkkqfdXd0ZGBkrJZwRTr-EtrYzI2Jkn_vRJtnIjIinKawkC2U7AnapNEeRHC6dBUBgKniSC-DAxRAUAsR-Ve4saBZRKVBgpM8/s1600/51P+NH7nQyL._SY344_BO1,204,203,200_.jpg" height="320" width="212" /></a></div>
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I recently read Holly Goldberg Sloan's <i>Counting by 7s</i>. It was highly recommended, but I must admit that I was hesitant when told that the premise of the book is "a middle school girl who has no friends and her parents are killed in a car crash." It sounded like such a downer.<br />
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But despite the fact that the description I was given is true at the most basic level, the book is not depressing. Willow Chance is a 12 year-old child genius, and a little odd. She is fascinated with plants and counts everything by 7s. She has no friends at school and her parents die in a car accident at the start of the novel.<br />
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The story that unfolds is Willow's journey to find herself and a family in her new, shaken-up world. Somehow Sloan is able to bring together the quirkiest cast of characters and make it work:<br />
Dell, the unprofessional school counselor and at home hoarder<br />
Mai, the high school, almost friend, she meets through counseling and ends up living with<br />
Quang-ha, Mai's older brother who is not pleased to be sharing their one room garage<br />
Pattie - Mai and Quang-ha's mother who owns a nail salon<br />
Jairo Hernandez - a taxi cab driver Willow befriends<br />
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<span style="background-color: white;">This is a group of characters that are remarkably different from each other, and their interactions kept me smiling throughout the book. And despite their differences, their friendships felt genuine. It is the characters endearing specificity that makes this book so great. </span>I highly recommend it.<br />
<br />Camillehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01392844579485557221noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1603829692653963117.post-47375203316705659762015-02-01T17:52:00.000-08:002015-02-01T17:52:32.381-08:00Draw!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIh4Fcly2ZFbvAaPCSABUyOyptlis-LtGbgwBg_weWpi0XQmfoGeGwvZXiRgX6nrPAZvXUMfNrJrIbMW9AIwvO_dGQX7sQ02w5tIBvS38rY9XYqW6-UXn2h2M5X2sNqqWB8zObX7MUGHU/s1600/draw-238x300.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIh4Fcly2ZFbvAaPCSABUyOyptlis-LtGbgwBg_weWpi0XQmfoGeGwvZXiRgX6nrPAZvXUMfNrJrIbMW9AIwvO_dGQX7sQ02w5tIBvS38rY9XYqW6-UXn2h2M5X2sNqqWB8zObX7MUGHU/s1600/draw-238x300.jpg" /></a></div>
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Tomorrow brings the announcement of all of the ALA awards. I always love to hear the winners and add books to my list to read. I haven't had a clear Caldecott front runner this year until I saw Raul Colon's <i>Draw!</i><br />
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It is a wordless picture book that begins with a boy on his bed drawing pictures. The reader quickly moves inside the illustrations and into the plains of Africa. The boy is seen in the forefront drawing zebras, lions, elephants and even a charging rhinoceros. The story moves back to the boy illustrating on the bed and ends with him presenting one of his illustrations to his class. Colon has said that as a child he had chronic asthma and spent weeks at a time in bed, drawing.<br />
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I love how the story progresses and the animals come to life in the illustrations. The drawings are detailed and full of texture. Colon uses colored pencils and layers the colors on top of each other to create depth and more vivid colors. He then uses an etching instrument to create more texture and movement in the drawings.<br />
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The result is an imaginative, beautifully drawn story that draws the reader into the plains of Africa along with the young boy artist.Camillehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01392844579485557221noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1603829692653963117.post-53531900396333516342014-10-29T07:08:00.001-07:002014-10-29T07:08:17.683-07:00The Princess in Black<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTRjHcaNJi21YNIuuEnIOeZPtz0rP-jE-F0TIQguonEs9_Xx97PQjxUpwV7SSu3p_jEK4NgWXZkzuHIeWtoNyofaOtKejdZsOchyddSJrDc8CQJaKeMKKiDyI9v1qZXGBn6nnB2rSi_sk/s1600/9780763665104.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTRjHcaNJi21YNIuuEnIOeZPtz0rP-jE-F0TIQguonEs9_Xx97PQjxUpwV7SSu3p_jEK4NgWXZkzuHIeWtoNyofaOtKejdZsOchyddSJrDc8CQJaKeMKKiDyI9v1qZXGBn6nnB2rSi_sk/s1600/9780763665104.jpg" height="320" width="250" /></a></div>
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Shannon Hale has just come out with a new book that she co-authored with her husband, Dean Hale, and is illustrated by LeUyen Pham - <i>The Princess in Black</i>. I am a big fan of Shannon Hale in general and had seen a lot of positive reviews, so I bought it for my daughter's 4th birthday. And it was a huge hit. Not only with my 4-year-old daughter, but also my 9-year-old daughter and 7-year-old son. They all sat around listening intently and wanted to know when the next one comes out. </div>
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<i>The Princess in Black</i> is akin to Kate DiCamillo's <i>Mercy Watson</i> series - it is made up of short chapters and is filled with illustrations. It tells the story of Magnolia, a frilly and proper princess, but one who has a secret. She lives a double life as the Princess in Black, a monster fighting, black cape wearing, superhero. The story is filled with funny names such as "Duchess Wigtower" and the horse "Frimplepants." We also loved the sound effects assigned to the Princess in Black, such as "sparkle slam" and our favorite, "Twinkle Twinkle Little Smash." </div>
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LeUyen Pham's illustrations perfectly capture this Princess's dual personality with bright colors and a mixture of frilliness and awesome super-hero style. </div>
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I think this book is especially great for the younger crowd but as my two older kids kept grabbing the book to show their favorite part or illustration I think it clearly appeals to a wider audience. </div>
<br />Camillehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01392844579485557221noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1603829692653963117.post-82883318034797262182014-09-03T07:25:00.002-07:002014-09-03T07:25:37.236-07:00The National Book Festival and Peter Brown<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I love the National Book Festival. It is one of my favorite book events of the year. There is just something about a gathering of some of the nation's best authors and illustrators on the National Mall. I was so sad this year to find out that the Festival would not be held on the Mall - all of the charm - moved to the convention center. I was skeptical about the venue change but took my 7 and 9 year old children down regardless. I am not going to lie, a lot of the charm was lost. It was just not the same as it was on the Mall in DowntownDC. However, there were some advantages. I like to go to listen to the authors speak and the convention center is much more conducive to that. There was no wind blowing through the tents making it difficult to hear and there was a lot more seating available as well. There was also air-conditioning which on a hot and humid DC day is not something to take lightly. <br />
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One of the author/illustrators we went to was Peter Brown. We love his books at our house, most especially <i>A Curious Garden</i>. His presentation was so fun. They let all of the kids sit on the floor right in front for the best view. He had a funny slide show including his first picture book, written and illustrated at age six, and a picture he drew of his mother at a young age, complete with six fingers. He also read to us his latest picture book<i> My Teacher is a Monster! (No, I am Not.)</i> <br />
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It tells the story of a little boy, Bobby, with a penchant for throwing paper airplanes. Mrs. Kirby, his teacher, does not find this amusing. She roars and stomps her feet and Bobby realizes he has a monster for a teacher. A trip to the park later that day finds a chance encounter with Bobby and Mrs. Kirby out of the walls of a classroom. As they talk about ducks, paper airplanes and beloved antique hats their relationship alters - allowing each to see the other in a different setting aside from school. At the festival he told how he thought of the idea for this story from his own childhood. When he went to kindergarten he was sure his teachers were monsters. But one of the teachers he had thought a monster, saw a drawing of his, praised it, and showed it to the principal. From this one event Peter was placed in extra art classes in school which spiraled into extra art classes after school and helped him on his pathway towards becoming an author/illustrator.<br />
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The illustrations depict the changes in attitude and of the relationship throughout the book. At the festival it was especially fun because he demonstrated how hedrew Mrs. Kirby. He explained how drawing is done through the use of lines, circles and squiggly lines. He proceeded to draw Mrs. Kirby by drawing three straight lines, two circles, squiggly lines and on and on until he had a finished character. It almost made me feel like I could draw. Almost. However, I do think it made many a child not only want to go out and buy his latest book but to also pick up a pen and a paper to author and illustrate their first best seller.<br />
<br />A Curious Thinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15128613870642810995noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1603829692653963117.post-47181809382377379952014-03-09T20:12:00.000-07:002014-03-09T20:12:02.058-07:00Hi! Fly Guy<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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My son is a 6-year-old emerging reader. I think this is one of the most difficult stages for picking books. Since reading is still a lot of work, it is important that I find books that he is excited to read and that are at the right reading level for him. <br />
<br />
Tedd Arnold's <i>Fly Guy</i> series has been a great find for us. One, it is a series! I found not just one book he likes but a whole series, hooray! And he loves them. They are funny and have just the right amount of gross (like getting stuck in a smelly trash can) humor for him to be excited about. <br />
They also have a great word/page ratio for him. I would say these are not at the level of a brand new reader but a little more experienced beginner reader. <br />
<br />
<br />Camillehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01392844579485557221noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1603829692653963117.post-23734289272095443372014-03-03T12:29:00.002-08:002014-03-03T12:29:28.007-08:00The One and Only Ivan<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="http://theoneandonlyivan.com/">Katherine Applegate's</a> <i>The One and Only Ivan</i> has been on my to-read list for quite some time. I picked it up at the library for my daughter to read and soon found myself on the couch engrossed in the book. <br />
<br />
It tells the story of Ivan, a gorilla, who lives at the Exit 8 Big Top Mall and Video Arcade with his friends Stella, an old elephant, and Bob, the stray dog. It is a stark existence but Ivan is happy, and can't really, or chooses not to, remember his life before. But when a new baby elephant, Ruby, comes to live with them Ivan is forced to view his home and family in a new light. <br />
<br />
The chapters are short and there is a lot of white space on all of the pages. I feel like the emptiness on the page reflects that found at the Exit 8 Big Top Mall. <br />
<br />
What I love about this book is that the Applegate presents a story that is filled with love and loss, and a search for home and family in such a way that is accessible to its intended audience - 8 - 12 year olds. My 8-year-old daughter read it after me and really enjoyed it, although she found it sad, and I think it forced her to think about some of these bigger life issues in a way that was manageable, and enjoyable, for her. <br />
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<br />Camillehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01392844579485557221noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1603829692653963117.post-46581282776347001702014-01-21T10:11:00.000-08:002014-01-21T10:11:19.405-08:00Code Name Verity<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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The New Year. That time when all of us resolve to do more, be more and complete more. I have resolved to be better this year in many ways but one of my resolutions is to read more. And then write about it more. And so, after a 6 month hiatus, here I am again. <br />
<br />
Code Name Verity is one of those books that I heard about over and over again this past year. It seemed to be a favorite book by many. So I went into this book with very high expectations. And I must admit I was a little disappointed. I liked the book, but it wasn't everything I had hoped it would be. I listened to the audio version - I don't know if that played a factor in it. <br />
<br />
This is a historical fiction book about World War II, but because of the twists and turns it is difficult to discuss without giving spoilers, so I am going to copy the description of it from IndieBound:<br />
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Trebuchet MS, Helvetica, Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px;"><i>Oct. 11th, 1943-A British spy plane crashes in Nazi-occupied France. Its pilot and passenger are best friends. One of the girls has a chance at survival. The other has lost the game before it's barely begun.</i></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Trebuchet MS, Helvetica, Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px;"><i><br /></i></span></span>
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Trebuchet MS, Helvetica, Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px;"><i>When "Verity" is arrested by the Gestapo, she's sure she doesn't stand a chance. As a secret agent captured in enemy territory, she's living a spy's worst nightmare. Her Nazi interrogators give her a simple choice: reveal her mission or face a grisly execution.</i></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Trebuchet MS, Helvetica, Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px;"><i><br /></i></span></span>
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Trebuchet MS, Helvetica, Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px;"><i>As she intricately weaves her confession, Verity uncovers her past, how she became friends with the pilot Maddie, and why she left Maddie in the wrecked fuselage of their plane. On each new scrap of paper, Verity battles for her life, confronting her views on courage, failure and her desperate hope to make it home. But will trading her secrets be enough to save her from the enemy? </i></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Trebuchet MS, Helvetica, Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px;"><i><br /></i></span></span>
The book is very interesting. I really liked the characters and it has an interesting story line. The plot moved very slow for me though. It was also filled with a lot of flying and plane details, which were interesting, but I think the amount of them is what helped to slow down the story. I would definitely recommend this book, but perhaps not as heartily as it was recommended to me. Camillehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01392844579485557221noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1603829692653963117.post-76372932292967239272013-07-07T20:18:00.000-07:002013-07-07T20:18:04.512-07:00Ten Little Fingers and Ten Little Toes<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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This is a book I love. We have had <i>Ten Little Finger and Ten Little Toes</i> for some time, but as my 2-year-old pulled it out tonight for her bedtime story, I was reminded again at its wonderful simplicity. It is a combined effort by author Mem Fox and illustrator Helen Oxenbury - so you know it will be fantastic. <br />
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The story begins: <span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"> <span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 19px;">“There was one little baby who was born far away. And another who was born on the very next day. And both of these babies, as everyone knows, had ten little fingers and ten little toes.”</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 19px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 19px;">The book continues to introduce children, born all over the world, some with sneezes and chills and others wrapped in eiderdowns, but all of the children "had </span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 19px;">ten little fingers and ten little toes.” </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 19px;"> This simple refrain points out the common in all of us. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 19px;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 19px;">The illustrations match the simplicity of the text. Drawn in pencil and watercolor the images are large and uncluttered surrounded by a lot of white space on the page. Babies are introduced in pairs and as the story progresses the babies continue on to meet the others - each one as huggable as the next. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 19px;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 19px;">We have the full size board book version of this book and love it. Whether you are looking for a good book to add to your young child collection or a gift for an upcoming baby shower - this is a book you will not be sad to have or give. </span>Camillehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01392844579485557221noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1603829692653963117.post-65283361264247737892013-05-05T19:00:00.003-07:002013-05-05T19:00:49.767-07:00Look! Another Book!<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<br />
I’ve decided that May is the new January for me this
year. Or perhaps it is the promise
of spring and warm weather ahead, but we finally seem to be crawling out of a
winter filled with the usual sickness and stuck indoors-ness. And I am ready. I am ready to
de-clutter my house, paint my walls a new color, plant spring flowers and share
my favorite books. So welcome
back. Here’s to a great (new)
start to the year. Welcome Spring.</div>
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One book that has been pulled off the shelves time and time
again this winter is <a href="http://www.bobstaake.com/">Bob Staake’s</a> new book, <i>Look!
Another Book</i>! It is everything
you loved about <i><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=1603829692653963117#editor/target=post;postID=8729258072647691669">Look! A Book!</a></i> but with
new pictures to peruse and lists to find. The colors are bright and the quirky,
creative illustrations fill every corner of space – telling their own mini
stories throughout the book. </div>
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My 5-year-old son LOVES this book. It always makes his stack of books to study during quiet
time. He is a reader in progress so he needs help with the lists – but can
spend hours flipping from page to page in search of just one more robot. Or, by himself, he finds everything
that makes him laugh on the page.
And trust me, there is a lot to find. </div>
<!--EndFragment-->Camillehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01392844579485557221noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1603829692653963117.post-67420730096041953422012-12-20T10:38:00.002-08:002012-12-20T10:38:51.803-08:00Starry River of the Sky<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />
The month of December is quickly passing and somehow Christmas is just around the corner. If you are like me you are frantically finishing up the last loose ends of shopping and so I thought I would post about one of our latest reads in case the last thing on your list is a great book. <i>Starry River of the Sky</i> is Grace Lin's latest book and is considered a companion novel to <i>Where the Mountain Meets the Moon</i>.<br />
<br />
Starry River of the Sky features Rendi a young boy who has run away from home and is working as a helping hand at the inn in the Village of Clear Sky. It is a village where nothing is quite right. Master Chao, the innkeeper, and Widow Yang are always fighting, Peiyi and Rendi don't get along and her brother is gone to who knows where. Mr. Shan is a permanent guest at the inn who appears clueless and forgetful but every so often makes a comment that makes Rendi question how crazy he really is. And the moon. It is missing. But only Rendi seems to notice its absence and the loud crying that comes every night. <br />
<br />
But one day Madame Chang comes to stay as a guest at the inn and with her arrival begins the telling of enchanting tales. The stories are craftily woven throughout the book, each bearing significance in the greater story and the unraveling of the conclusion. And for the readers of <i>Where the Mountain Meets the Moon</i>, some of the tales will ring familiar. <br />
<br />
Grace Lin's lyrical writing creates a magical story that left my kids begging for "just one more" chapter each night. And the complexity of plot combined with the beautiful writing made me more than happy to oblige. Camillehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01392844579485557221noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1603829692653963117.post-63777616480639642742012-11-28T06:47:00.003-08:002012-11-28T06:47:28.764-08:00Where the Mountain Meets the Moon<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />
For the past month and a half our nights have been filled with Grace Lin's <i>Where the Mountain Meets the Moon</i>. It was published in 2009 and was a Newbery Honor recipient. Our local librarian recommended it as a great book for my seven-year-old so we read it aloud one (or two, or three or more) chapter a night. My five-year-old came in and out of listening - but in the end both really loved this book. <br />
<br />
Minli lives at the foot of Fruitless Mountain in a small shack with her Ma and Ba. Her life is filled with hard work, sparse rice and nightly folktale stories by her Ba. When Minli hears the story of the Old Man of the Moon, who knows the answers to life's most important questions, she decides to leave in the middle of the night to seek him out and change her fortune. <br />
<br />
The story follows her journey to meet the Old Man of the Moon and the many adventures she encounters. Along the way she meets Dragon, who can not fly and has only ever been called Dragon. He decides to join Minli and ask the Old Man of the Moon to help him fly. Along the way they encounter a monkey filled jungle, a meeting with the King, and a ferocious green tiger, among other things. <br />
<br />
This story is well-written and magical. I love the folktales that are intertwined throughout the main story. Each story adds to the mystique of the novel as well as being an important part of the final woven tale. My daughter fell in love with this story and with Grace Lin as an author. She is on a quest to read all things Grace Lin and whenever she hears a big, seemingly unanswerable, question she says, "That is a question for the Old Man of the Moon." Camillehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01392844579485557221noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1603829692653963117.post-6887226774924868762012-11-20T21:13:00.001-08:002012-11-20T21:13:21.369-08:00"Who Could that be at this Hour?"<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Lemony Snicket (aka Daniel Handler) has struck again with his latest book <i>"Who Could That Be at This Hour?"</i> I enjoyed this book from start to finish and loved the quirky characters from the elusive Ellington to the car driving duo Pip (who sits on the yellow pages and works the wheel) and Squeak (who sits on the floor and pushes the brakes.)<br />
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A young Lemony Snicket, 12-years-old to be exact, has taken his first case as an apprentice to one Miss S. Theodora Markson. There was a list of 52 chaperones and of said chaperones S. Theodora Markson was 52nd but as Lemony said, "She was not excellent at her job, and this was why I wanted to be her apprentice."<br />
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Lemony ends up at Stain'd-by-the-Sea - a deserted town, with a drained sea. They take their first case in procuring and returning The Bombinating Beast to its rightful owner, presumably Mrs. Murphy Sallis. As the story unravels it becomes clear why S. Theodora Markson is not great at her job and the case is further complicated. The Bombinating Beast does not appear to be Mrs. Murphy Sallis' and Snicket and Markson are not the only ones after it. Meanwhile everyone seems to be asking all the wrong questions. <br />
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As is to be expected from author Lemony Snicket, this is a great read. Snicket has a quick witted edge to his style of writing that is not to be duplicated. The characters are interesting and varied and at the story's end, the reader will have more questions unanswered than when she began. This is the first of what will be a four book series and while it does not have the biting darker edge that the Unfortunate Events series does it delivers the same quirky and fun tone that readers will love. <br />
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I highly recommend this for the middle graders on your list this holiday season.<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;">I received this book from the publisher but all opinions are my own.</span><br />
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<br />Camillehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01392844579485557221noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1603829692653963117.post-65269196936464219552012-11-12T04:00:00.000-08:002012-11-20T21:13:07.038-08:00Iron Hearted Violet<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I just finished Kelly Barnhill's latest novel <i>Iron Hearted Violet</i>. It is a longer novel - over 400 pages - aimed at a middle grade audience. The hook on the cover says, "The end of their world begins with a story. This one."<br />
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Violet is an intelligent, determined, adventurous, but not very pretty, Princess who is beloved by her kingdom. Her best friend is a stable boy, Demetrius, who is constant and kind and loves to explore with Violet. When Violet's father, King Randall, sets out with a party on a quest to capture the last living dragon everything begins to unravel. Violet's mother falls sick and Violet begins exploring the hidden corners and takes a book, a forbidden book, through which she begins communicating with the Nybbas - the evil 13th God. With the Nybbas trying to escape his imprisonment and gain power - the world as they know it hangs in the balance. Violet, Demetrius and the Dragon must work together to try and keep the Nybbas from overtaking their world. <br />
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This is a beautifully written book. Barnhill weaves together internal stories to create a complete tale and an interesting and appealing world. The story has many facets to it and touches on some more serious themes on its way to a emotionally conflicting ending. <br />
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I really enjoyed the relationship between Violet and Demetrius. The realness of their friendship was one of the keys for me that carried the book. In the middle of the book Violet becomes very unlikeable, perhaps too flawed, but it is this relationship and the hope associated with it that carried me through waiting for Violet to grow and develop. <br />
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The story is told by the master storyteller of the kingdom - Cassian. The telling, and sometimes lack of telling, of stories is essential to the plot at large so I can see why Barnhill choose this point of view. At the same time I sometimes felt this to be a little too intrusive and would have preferred a younger narrator with less overall knowledge. It would have helped, specifically in the middle of the story, to have known Violet on a more personal level and seen the world through her eyes. <br />
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Overall, I found this to be an enjoyable read set in a complex world. I think the character development could have been stronger, but that the development of the world and its stories was very strong and created an interesting setting for a story that twists and turns to a hopeful, although not happy, ending. <br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;">I received this book from the publisher but all opinions are my own. </span>Camillehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01392844579485557221noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1603829692653963117.post-69680886143776413742012-11-06T09:51:00.001-08:002012-11-06T09:51:58.985-08:00The Quiet Book<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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My baby just turned two. Hard to believe. She had a fun balloon filled birthday and she thought it was fantastic. Her grandmother sent out a birthday package and inside was Deborah Underwood's <i>The Quiet Book</i>. This book was new to us and we loved reading through it. <br />
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The entire book is understated. On a two page spread, one page is simple with a white background while the other has a more detailed illustrations and background. Each page has a huggable furry animal with a one line sentence telling about some kind of quiet: "Hide and seek quiet," "Last one to get picked up from school quiet,""First snowfall quiet." <br />
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With few words, this book is able to bring forward the varying emotions that can come along with quiet: excited, sad, scared, awe, naughty and peaceful. This is a great book to read through slowly and I am sure will be enjoyed in our house amidst all of the varying degrees of quiet. Camillehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01392844579485557221noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1603829692653963117.post-54977231671229582252012-11-01T04:00:00.000-07:002012-11-01T04:00:04.743-07:00Three Tales of My Father's Dragon<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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We recently drove out to a pumpkin patch to gather some pumpkins for Halloween carving. With a pumpkin patch, corn maze, and stalks of popcorn, it was a huge hit. My kids have been enthralled with placing a stalk of popcorn in a paper bag and sticking the bag in the microwave, only to remove an empty stalk and bag full of popcorn. And truthfully, I have been equally enthralled. <br />
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The farm we went to was very fun but was also a fair drive from our home so we brought the audio version of <i>Three Tales of My Father's Dragon</i> by Ruth Stiles Gannett with us to aid in the passing of time. And pass the time it did. We listened there and back and my kids insisted on bringing the cd in the house to finish it when we got home. <br />
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Originally published in 1948, My Father's Dragon was a Newbery Honor book. Gannett published two subsequent novels about Elmer Elevator - <i>Elmer and the Dragon</i> and <i>The Dragons of Blueland</i> - and these three stories are compiled into the commemorative edition <i>Three Tales of My Father's Dragon</i>.<br />
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The son of Elmer Elevator is the narrator who tells of his father's adventures traveling to the Island of Tangerina, on to Wild Island and back home again. In the first story Elmer sets off to find and free a Dragon, the second to return Elmer home and in the third Boris, the dragon, sets off to Blueland to be reunited with his family. <br />
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All three of the stories are a great introduction to fantasy tales for a younger audience. And while I enjoyed listening to all three - I must say the first was my favorite. Elmer sets off on his adventure with a knapsack filled with: "chewing gum, two dozen pink lollipops, a package of rubber bands, black rubber boots, a compass, a toothbrush and a tube of toothpaste, six magnifying glasses, a very sharp jackknife, a comb and a hairbrush, seven hair ribbons of different colors, an empty grain bag with a label saying "Cranberry," some clean clothes, and enough food to last my father while he was on the ship."<br />
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With a list that specific I expected something to come of it - and it did not disappoint. Each item was cleverly used. I loved the audio version of this and would highly recommend it. I have not doubt it would also be fun to read aloud. Camillehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01392844579485557221noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1603829692653963117.post-58145956766778114382012-10-29T11:02:00.004-07:002012-10-29T11:02:44.317-07:00Bear Has a Story to Tell<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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The Steads have collaborated again and the result, <i>Bear Has a Story to Tell,</i> is a book well worth owning. I gave it to my son for his 5th birthday, and it has been loved by everyone in our family. <br />
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The story begins with a tired bear: <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; line-height: 18px;"><i>It was almost winter and Bear was getting sleepy. </i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; line-height: 18px;"><i>But first, Bear had a story to tell... </i>Bear goes from mouse to duck to toad to mole seeking an ear to hear the story he has to tell. But alas, it is late fall and everyone is busy preparing for winter, so Bear's story has to wait. The story is quite charming, and I love its circular nature and homage to the story telling process. </span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; line-height: 18px;">And the illustrations. Oh, the illustrations. If you have read any of my posts on Erin Stead's work, you know that I love her style of art. The detailed simplicity and carefully chosen and used colors create scenes that tell the story and move the seasons from fall to winter to spring. The Steads have collaborated again to create a picture book where the art and story equal each other.</span></span>Camillehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01392844579485557221noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1603829692653963117.post-36206787046126535302012-10-11T10:36:00.001-07:002012-10-11T10:36:52.497-07:00Princess Academy: Palace of Stone<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Fall has been flying by for me. Mostly it has been the same old but we have had family visiting and some traveling. One trip was a train ride to New York for a girls trip and so I could attend the KidLitCon. It was a fast trip filled with hot chocolate, rain boots and <i>Mary Poppins</i> the musical - I highly recommend it. I also went to the KidLitCon pre-conference which consisted of visiting two publishing houses for a fall preview. I loved it. It was so fun to watch as a panel of editors talked about books, about to come into the hands of readers, that they clearly loved and had spent a lot of time reading and editing. Their enthusiasm was contagious. I now have a huge pile of books that I can't wait to read and a few with bookmarks placed in the beginning just waiting for me to be decisive.<br />
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But one book I have finished this fall is Shannon Hale's latest book, a sequel to Newbery Honor <i>Princess Academy</i> - <i>Palace of Stone</i>. As I type this and look at the cover above I can't help but wish it had an illustrated cover as <i>Princess Academy</i> did - I love illustrated covers. But alas, it does not and I suppose I too must follow the old adage that I quote to my daughter often as I hand her an older book to read - "don't judge a book by its cover."<br />
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I really enjoyed this book. It was a fast paced read with many of the same characters I came to love in the first book. And yet it was a book in its own right with new characters, plot and growth that is not dependent upon the first story. Miri and the academy girls (Peder comes along to work as an apprentice for a stone carver) come down Mount Eskel to the capital for the wedding of Britta and Prince Steffan. When they arrive things are not as they imagined and the capital is on the verge of a revolution. Miri is attending the local academy and is learning not only academics but of the revolution from her new friend Timon. <br />
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Miri is torn between opposites in all direction: Peder and Timon, the wealthy and the "shoeless" and loyalty and new found friends. The French Revolution echoes through and influences Hale's creation of Miri's Revolution. And the result is an enjoyable story with thought-provoking conflict and relationships. The first half of the story reads a little slower than the second half as it is filled with set-up. However, that being said, it is the detail and description throughout that make Miri's tale captivating. Camillehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01392844579485557221noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1603829692653963117.post-68117815719513438682012-09-24T11:35:00.000-07:002012-09-30T18:53:26.866-07:00The Monsters' Monster<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I enjoy a good holiday book. <i>Polar Express, Room on the Broom</i>. When children's enthusiasm is brimming over it is so fun to pull out a book centered on their excitement. This is not that book. It's even better because it is not a holiday book - it is a book that can be enjoyed year round. But it is about monsters. And who doesn't love to read about Monsters at Halloween?<br />
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Patrick McDonnell's <i>The Monsters' Monster</i> is a charming tale of three monsters - Tiny Grouch, Grump and Gloom 'n' Doom. The three monsters argue over who is the best and scariest monster but when they can't come to a conclusion they combine forces to create "the biggest, baddest monster EVER!" The monster they create is reminiscent of Frankenstein - he is enormous with a square green head complete with pins sticking out. He is a big monster but not the scary monster they hoped for. He is polite, and nice, and his catch phrase is "Dank you!" <br />
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In McDonnell's signature cartoon style it is fun to see the relationship between the three small, but big, bad loving monsters and the imposing, yet kind, Frankenstein-esque monster. This is a read you don't want to miss, especially with Halloween knocking on our door. <br />
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UPDATE:<br />
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I just got my hands on the e-book version of <i>The Monsters' Monster</i>. I would definitely say that I am still a paper and ink kind of girl. But I have to admit there are some perks to the portability of the e-book. And my kids love to get their hands on an ipad. The e-version of <i>The Monsters' Monster</i> is the same great tale and illustrations with the addition of simple enhancements and movements that correlate with the text. They are not over the top and do not take away from the book. But probably my (and my kids) favorite part of the e-book was the read aloud option - it was animated and brought the story off the screen and to life.<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: 'Times New Roman', Times, FreeSerif, serif; font-size: xx-small; line-height: 12px;">I received a review copy of this book, but all opinions are my own.</span>Camillehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01392844579485557221noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1603829692653963117.post-87616817348911710642012-09-14T10:21:00.002-07:002012-09-14T10:21:42.061-07:00Goldilocks and the Three Dinosaurs<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I picked up <a href="http://www.mowillems.com/">Mo Willems</a>' latest book, <i>Goldilocks and the Three Dinosaurs</i>, in a bookstore the other day and was laughing out loud while I read it. It is so clever. The pictures are done in typical Willems' style and the humor does not disappoint. <br />
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It is a take on the traditional tale of Goldilocks and the Three Bears, but instead of bears we have dinosaurs. And instead of porridge, chocolate pudding. The dinosaurs are not simply innocent victims of a home invader, they are very aware of Goldilocks and try to lure her in. And Goldilocks is much more aware in this version. But more than anything Willems infuses the tale with irony and humor - the reader is "in the know" and can't help but smile as the story unfolds. <br />
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This is clearly another winner for Mo Willems. Camillehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01392844579485557221noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1603829692653963117.post-58256666866674431602012-09-06T18:16:00.000-07:002012-09-06T18:16:00.063-07:00Bear in Love<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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My son is turning five on Saturday. So last night I drove to my favorite local bookstore, pulled books off the shelf and found a corner to sit in. One of the books that I really enjoyed was <a href="http://www.pinkwater.com/">Daniel Pinkwater's</a> <i>Bear in Love</i> - illustrated by <a href="http://www.willhillenbrand.com/">Will Hillenbrand</a>. The story was charming.<br />
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Bear finds a carrot sitting on a rock, picks it up and eats it. The next day, he finds two and the next three. Each day he is so excited about the carrots that he sings a song and wonders about who has left him these carrots. One day, while enjoying honey, Bear decides that he will leave something on the rock for his carrot-leaving friend. Bear tries hard to stay awake at night to see who his friend is but never makes it. He and his friend then proceed to search out the "best" treats possible for each other. <br />
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The friendship between Bear and his mystery friend is so charming. Young readers will turn each page in excited anticipation - waiting right alongside Bear to discover the identity of Bear's friend. The illustrations match the tone of the story and are key to making the story so enjoyable. The backgrounds are minimal with light pastel colors drawing the reader to the brighter and larger illustration at the forefront - typically Bear with something for, or from, his friend. This style of illustration focuses in on the core of the story - Bear and his friendship. <br />
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This book had me smiling from beginning to end.Camillehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01392844579485557221noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1603829692653963117.post-9821037881277334532012-08-23T04:21:00.000-07:002012-08-23T04:22:19.541-07:00King Bidgood's in the Bathtub<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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A classic, right? <i>King Bidgood's in the Bathtub</i> is one of those books that I don't remember reading over and over again as a child but when I saw it on the shelf, I smiled, finding an old forgotten friend. I bought it for my 4-year-old son for some occasion and it has quickly become his go-to book. Every afternoon for quiet time when putting together his pile of books to look through he always asks, "Where is <i>King Bidgood's in the Bathtub</i>?"<br />
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By the great Audrey and Don Wood, the story tells of King Bidgood who will not get out of the bathtub. The kingdom is in need of his presence and rulings but no matter how he is begged and pleaded with he won't get out. In fact, he keeps on inviting people in, to the room that is. How the King is lured from the bathtub in the end is a delightful ending to a enjoyable book.<br />
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The illustrations are lavishly detailed with rich colors from the food to the dresses to the people. Words aside, one could spend hours reading the illustrations. And that is just what my son does, every day, just after noon.Camillehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01392844579485557221noreply@blogger.com4