McBookwords - Blog

JMHO - Newbery, Caldecott, and other award

2012-01-23T23:22:00.000-08:00

My uncensored thoughts and ...

Randolph Caldecott Medal 2012 - I know I'm supposed to like this book. I tried but I'm just not into it. I know it takes talent to draw the same cute dog (the little dog who lost his red ball to a larger dog) from different perspectives and still maintain his same "look." But I also think that is a skill not an art - -and adults like that stuff more than young readers do. They don't care. Children want a story and this one has such a slight story that it is almost non-existent. I loved Raschka's illustrations for Norton Juster's Hello, Goodbye Window (Caldecott 2006), but that story had substance, and the illustrations had something to go back to. A Ball for Daisy, not so much. (Schwartz & Wade Books)

A Ball for Daisy by Chris Raschka

Balloons Over Broadway: The True Story of the Puppeteer of Macy's Parade by Melissa Sweet
Orbus Pictus Award Winner (2012) for Outstanding Nonfiction for Chidlren (named by the National Council of Teachers of English - NCTE)
The Robert F. Sibert Informational Book Award 2012
I love this book - the art is inspired. The collages are marvelous. The story of Tony Sarg is the story of the puppeteer who used his skills to create the character "puppet" balloons that rise high above the buildings during Macy's annual parade in New York City. Should have gotten a Caldecott nod -- IMHO. (Houghton Mifflin)

Blackout by John Rocco
Randolph Caldecott Honor 2012.
John Rocco's use of light and shadow and his depiction of the building of community that comes with the electricity black-out. The "party" goes first to the roof and then to the street below -- and continues even after the Blackout is over. Rocco's use of light - even in the dark, is masterful. And the story charming. No quibbles with this choice. (Hyperion)

Grandpa Green by Lane Smith

Randolph Caldecott Honor 2012.
A touching story of a boy and his great-grandfather who travel through their fanciful garden filled with elaborate topiary - sculpted greenery. The walk down memory lane with its images from the past are apt to elude many young readers. Older readers will find the images intriguing and the "history" might create curiosity -- perhaps. (Roaring Brook Press)

Me...Jane by Patrick McDonnell

Randolph Caldecott Honor 2012.
Throughout her childhood, Jane Goodall loved nature. She watched birds and squirrels and learned patience and tenderness. McDonnell's India ink and watercolor illustrations are charming and as patient and tender as Jane's observation methods during her observational research. She grew up to be the world's most renowned primatologist.
(Little, Brown).

Dead End in Norvelt by Jack Gantos
John Newbery Award 2012
Studying history (you must know history so as not to repeat it.), a mystery, obituaries, and a dying New Deal town combine to make a tenderly humorous snapshot of small town life during the Depression.When a boy, named Jack Gantos, is loaned out to type obituaries he comes involved in his town's unusual and interesting past. An interesting book by an author who does appeal to readers (especially males) and whose writing style is very fresh and sharp. (Farrar Straus Giroux)

Breaking Stalin's Nose by Eugene Yelchin
John Newbery Honor Award 2012
The laws of Stalin's Soviet Young Pioneers was well known to Sasha Zaichik since the age of six. Finally when it was time to join (the Young Pioneers were devoted to Stalin and the Communist party) everything began to go wrong. He broke a classmate's glasses, damaged a bust of Stalin in a school hallway -- AND his father, a faithful follower of the Communist Party was arrested the night before. Young readers will find much here to challenge their own sense of idealism. Although Communism will be a foreign concept to most young readers - with some background building this will be a good choice. (Henry Holt)

Heart and Soul: The Story of American and African Americans by Kadir Nelson
Coretta Scott King Author Award 2012
Coretta Scott King Illustrator Honor 2012
This marks the second time, I believe that Nelson has earned the Author Award but an honor in the illustrative arena.

Inside Out & Back Again by Thanhha Lai.
John Newbery Honor Award 2012
A verse novel that takes Hà's family from Vietnam and its war to the American South where the family must adjust to a world that is strange and challenging in its own way. The Vietnam war is long ago history to most readers of this age. (HarperCollins)

Brother Sun, Sister Moon by Katherine Paterson, illustrations by Pamela Dalton.
Not finding this book on any of the major lists -- too bad it's a beautiful and moving book. Tomie dePaola made "religious" books okay in most settings with his Strega Nona titles. He edged us all toward accepting diversity in writing to include religious narratives. The exquisite paper-cuts by Dalton are marvelously detailed and add to the beauty of this superb title. This account of Saint Francis of Assissi's philosophy and life should have gotten a nod somewhere. (Chronicle Books)

Tales for Very Picky Eaters, written and illustrated by Josh Schneider
Theodor Geisel (Dr. Seuss) Award for Beginning readers. Not since Bread and Jam for Frances have readers had so much fun with food. In each of 5 chapters James is faced with yet another repulsive food. The rationale for eating the disgusting food provided by of his very clever dad heightens the sense of humor. Watercolor, pen and ink, and colored pencil cartoonish illustrations enhance the fun. (Houghton Mifflin)
Schneider's title is very worthy, and rivals the previous Elephant and Piggie titles by Mo Willems that have won previous awards. Another title in that series garnered a Geisel Honor Award this year. I Broke My Trunk , written and illustrated by Mo Willems. (Hyperion Books)

Where Things Come Back written by John Corey Whaley
Michael Printz Award 2012
The summer between Cullen Witter's Junior and Senior year of high school suddenly goes from dull in his small sleepy Arkansas town to ... perhaps chaotic and troubling. His cousin overdoes, an extinct woodpecker returns and consumes the attention of the entire town, and his fifteen-year-old brother just up and disappears. And then there is the young African missionary who has fallen from his faith and whose story seems as remotely disconnected to that of Cullen's as two stories can be. The conclusion woven masterfully together gives readers pause and a very satisfying read. (Atheneum)

Okay for Now by Gary D. Schmidt
This book doesn't seem to show up on any of the major lists but it is an excellent novel that brings together a quest, sincere friendship, creativity, patience, and a sincere look at all the reasons one should not judge another by those around a person.
READ THIS BOOK! PLEASE.
Doug Swieteck has several things working against him -- a father (who has quick hands when he is angered) and who has lost his job, an older brother who acts like a jerk most of the time -- and who is suspected of robberies in their new town, an older brother who leaves their former town under adverse situations to serve in the army (he comes back severely injured), and a new school where the teachers seem to judge him by others around him. His safe haven is the public library, a book of John J. Audubon drawings, and his friend Lil whose father owns the local grocery. All of these circumstances are masterfully intertwined by Schmidt - the author of the most popular Wednesday Wars.

JMHO - just saying!Sharron

Dr. Seuss Days - cookie jar

2012-01-21T13:10:00.000-08:00

Anyone want a fun cookie jar to celebrate Read Across America day -- or reading any day/month. Selling on Amazon for $69 plus. I'll sell for considerably less - make an offer. New - in the box.
Also makes a fun center piece for a celebration dinner/banquet -
Contact

Why Girls Read More Than Boys

2012-01-18T08:23:00.000-08:00

Those who Love Fire Trucks May want to READ Too!

The fire engine theme is a very cute idea for a 3-year-old party but why make the boy/girl distinction.
Why girls read more than boys! Inspired idea for a 3-year-old party until they get to the "party favors"?
http://www.chickabug.com/blog/2010/07/fire-truck-party-ryan-is-3.html
I'm thinking the assumption is boys like to eat (girls don't because they will get too big) and play with toy cars (girls obviously would not like that) and girls only like to read and wear cute bows.

I suspect there are several boys who would have liked a great book about fire engines and several girls who would have liked the toy truck. -- The preference should not be based on sex and preconceived stereotypical ideas about gender roles.

Here are a few "fire engine" books that could have been part of a child's experience - loving the action and excitement of what goes on at fire stations. The titles range from a great new early reading chapter book (Butler) to a board book (DK publishing) to a classic title that still resonates in a quiet way (Lenski, Rey).

The Buddy Files: The Case of the Fire Alarm by Dori Hillestad Butler.
The Fire Engine Book (Little Golden Book) by Tibor Gergely
Touch and Feel Fire Engine (Touch & Feel) [Board book] by DK Publishing
Fire Engines by Anne Rockwell
Richard Scarry's A Day at the Fire Station (Pictureback(R)) by Richard ScarryCurious George and the Firefighters by H. A. Rey and Margret Rey
The Firefighters' Thanksgiving by Maribeth Boelt
A Fire Engine for Ruthie by Lesléa Newman

Isn't 97 years long enough to do something?

2012-01-14T19:22:00.000-08:00

"An educational system which contents itself with teaching to read, and then fails to see that the best reading is provided, is as inconsistent and absurd as to teach children the expert use of the knife, fork and spoon and then provide them with no food." -- "Library Day" Putnam County
Herald (Cookeville, TN) dated Thursday, September 16, 1915.

And we still haven't seen the light! smc

Henry Box Brown - backlist

2012-01-13T01:37:00.000-08:00

One of the books that are on MY backlist of favorite books is:

Levine, Ellen. Henry’s Freedom Box: A True Story from the Underground Railroad. Illustrated by Kadir Nelson. Scholastic, 2006. Caldecott Honor Award Book, 2007.

I love this story and hope it forever stays in print. It is one of those picture books that begs to be used with older intermediate/middle school readers so that they can delve into research about his life and other escapes during the days of slavery. Recently Suzette Spencer updated the entry about Henry Box Brown on the Virginia Foundation for the Humanities website. If a story is "based" on a true story, I want to know what the TRUE story really is. Brown's story is told here.

Spencer, Suzette and the Dictionary of Virginia Biography. "Henry Box Brown (1815 or 1816–after February 26, 1889)." Encyclopedia Virginia. Ed. Brendan Wolfe. READ_DATE. Virginia Foundation for the Humanities. 23 Mar. 2011 <http://www.EncyclopediaVirginia.org/Brown_Henry_Box_ca_1815>.

Brown Bear, Brown Bear

2012-01-10T17:57:00.000-08:00

This quilt was made for two BEARS -- not for bear lovers

(they actually love their three cats) but for BEARS.

If any of you think imagination is just

for the very young, think again.

See this quilt and more at McBookwords - Quilts.

The step was creating a pattern for the center image. Good thing a "drawer" was available in the house. Since the literary allusion was to Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? by Bill Martin, Jr. and Illustrated by Eric Carle we choose many browns to make our fabric collage.

Then we picked out blues and greens -- one of the "bears" favorite colors. We cut and sewed and cut some more. Soon we had a stitched together topsy turvy quilt.

We found some bear paw material for the back of the quilt - so the front would be wacky patterns with a brown bear center piece and the back would be paw prints from the bears. Suzanne was not the "drawer" but she was a "planner" and strategic organizer. I was the "sewer."

So here we are with the finished quilt. It is plenty big for a king sized bed and for the two bears who will hibernate with Brown Bear, Brown Bear this winter.

The "Bears" also have these wonderful bear paw slippers.
Find out more about these slippers.

And for those of you who want to figure out what Brown Bear really did see read this New York Times Article which scientifically examines some of the unanswered mysteries in children's books. All in fun -- and in the imagination.

Christmas Past - The Grinch and Other things

2011-12-29T20:20:00.000-08:00

Among other things that need to be taken down are my favorite things from this year's holiday. There's the Grinch pictures I made using a section of a "Grinch" book panel. I padded the material with a very thin batting, added a topsy turvy border of red, and added a Grinch Green rickrack -- framed and wrapped with a ribbon bow (found this ribbon at Sam's Club). I made my friend Cheryl one -- with the wood frame, mine was the gold frame, and I made a granddaughter one with a white frame (not pictured). Each is a little different because of the section of fabric that was used. I've got a few more sections of the panel so I think I will make some more.

The Grinch pictures are framed cloth - with a red border, Grinch green rickrack, and Green and Red Ribbon. Finished picture fits into an 8x10 frame.

My new Grinch ornament was this year's only addition to the literary tree. Many of the ornaments are miniature books signed by the authors.

Several years ago we made some miniature trees from painted pine cones. A little touch of Christmas in each of two bathrooms in the house.

Christmas 2011 -- the end of a season.

Simms Taback RIP (1932-2011)

2011-12-26T19:26:00.000-08:00

The Legacy of Simms Taback

Simms Taback was an illustrator that became "an overnight success" after working decades in children's books. The fact that intrigues young readers is that, in 1979 McDonald's rolled out their first happy meals and Simms was the illustrator who created the box.

Visit the artist's official website at http://www.simmstaback.com.

Simms Taback's most well known book is probably his Caldecot Award winning Joseph Had a Coat This book introduced him to EVERYONE in the world of children's books.

His last book before his death on Christmas Day, 2011 is Postcards from Camp.
Simms and his wife Gail moved from New England to Ventura, California and 2006 and it is there that he died of cancer. Simms Taback is survived by his wife Gail, three children (a daughter, a son, and a step-daughter), and five grandchildren - and hundreds (if not thousands) of readers who learned to love reading from his books.

“You do picture books to get kids interested in books; they go on from there. You can learn about the whole world if you’re interested in reading.”

-- Simms Taback, 2009 Ventura (CA) County Star.

A masterful use of two classic titles - a masterful teacher

2011-12-24T06:07:00.000-08:00

If you haven't yet read this article you MUST -- teacher, parent, grandparent, -- anyone who even talks to a child (or another person for that matter). This article is so enlightening. She did a master job of being proactive in terms of preventing bullying and dealing with the challenges some face when struggling with the roles others perceive for them.

One teacher being proactive when it comes to bullying.
http://togetherforjacksoncountykids.tumblr.com/post/14314184651/one-teachers-approach-to-preventing-gender-bullying-in

As part of her inspired lessons she uses Tomie dePaola's Oliver Button Is a Sissy and Charlotte Zolotow's William's Doll.

If the students are somewhat older I would also suggest the Trading Places with Tank Talbott by Dori Hillestad Butler and also Butler's The Truth About Truman School, as well as, Carol Gorman's Games: A Tale of Two Bullies. Learn more about these books by visiting the authors' websites at www.kidswriter.com (or www.dorihbutler.com) and www.carolgorman.com. Both authors have developed successful sessions focusing on their books and the topic of bullying. Some interesting comments come about from these sessions. Makes some of us realize that this teacher's lessons on gender identity are so very important.

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas

2011-12-18T07:54:00.000-08:00

What's Inside?

A Custom Made Holiday
Center Piece for my
new console table.

JPH's Butter Crunch - A Holiday Favorite

2011-12-12T22:07:00.000-08:00

My sister makes the best butter crunch. It is soooooo good.

JPH's Butter Crunch

www.rockyflatsgardens.com

1 1/4 Cup Butter
1 2/3 Cup Sugar
4 teaspoons light corn syrup
1/4 Cup water
1 teaspoon salt
1 Cup chopped nuts
1/2 pound melted chocolate
Combine all ingredients except nuts & chocolate in sauce pan & cook to 300 degrees. Stir in nuts and pour onto cookie sheet. When cool, pour melted chocolate on top. Place in refrigerator until hard. remove & break into pieces.

Joyce's hint: Using a candy thermometer makes the butter crunch come out perfect every time.

Keith Shepherd - Meet the Illustrator

2011-12-03T05:58:00.000-08:00

Illustrator of Walking Home To Rosie Lee by A(lexandria) LaFaye. Cinco Puntos Press, 2011.

Keith D. Shepherd grew up, in Saint Louis, Missouri, as part of a family of 10 children. He began drawing at an early age and eventually attended Washington University and earned a BFA . During a 2008 interview with Riehl Life, in conjunction with an exhibit in Kansas City, Shepherd says, "I first began by tracing. There was this 1960's kids show called 'WINKY DINK & YOU'." The Magic Screen episodes on the Winky Dink show encouraged him and he eventually found "How to Draw ... " books and his artist talents began to develop. After his study at Washington University he spent 24 years as an artist at Hallmark cards, but always created wonderful pieces of art for the enjoyment of others. His fine art is displayed at the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum and the American Jazz Museum in Kansas City and has made their way to many other venues, including private collections. In 2011, his art was featured in his first picture book, Walking Home to Rosie Lee, a picture book authored by A. LaFaye (Cinco Puntos Press, 2011).

Interview -- (September 19, 2011) is posted at www.mcbookwords.com/books/walkinghome.html

An interview with the author Alexandria LaFaye is also on this page featuring the creators of Walking Home to Rosie Lee.

Seen and Heard - AASL 2011

2011-10-29T14:38:00.000-07:00

Seen and Heard -- So much inspiration and ideas from the conference -- weather was cold in Minneapolis but the warmth of those attending captured the atmosphere and made the entire weekend friendly and productive. First up was a few minutes with Anastasia Suen at the Capstone Breakfast (Thanks Capstone). Anastasia is the author of more than 130 books. One of her more recent titles includes: Road Work Ahead (Viking, 2011). Great for those young girls and boys who want a book that shows BIG trucks and vehicles. It was nice to see Anastasia again. Last time we were together we were at the Caldecott/Newbery Dinner together in New Orleans (July 2011).

Later in the day, Carol Gorman, Jeni Reeves, Jacqueline Briggs Martin and I presented a 75 minute session titled, "How to Win Readers and Influence Writers." Carol was able to provide some insight into her sports mystery novel, Stumptown Kid, and we followed up by sharing some ideas for connecting and engaging readers. (Side note: When Carol arrived home she "found" that her Stumptown Kid had been reviewed and recommended by an ABC affiliate in New York State. A great piece.)

Toni Buzzeo an author of several picture books, including her newest title, Lighthouse Christmas, came to our session and stopped to talk to each of us after the presentation. Here she is with Jackie Martin.
During the presentation, Jackie spoke of the research and background for Snowflake Bentley and The Chiru of High Tibet. Check out Jackie's website and on her site is a link to her very interesting blog.

And with ME --

And with Carol...

Carol had to head home but the other three of our presentation panel headed to the Author, Author, Author booth for AASL and proceeded to autograph, hand out bookmarks and other "freebies." Jeni had been able to give us great information about two books she had illustrated for Lerner's "History Speaks" series. be sure to check out her many books on her site.
Several people stopped by and chatted about books and libraries, and more books. Somehow I lost my photo of Rebecca Fjelland Davis, the author of the just released, Chasing Allie Cat. But so that you would know what she looks like, I got this picture from her publisher's website. So here she is along with the cover of her newest book. Check it out on her website.

After talking with Becky for a bit it was time to leave the conference exhibits and make our way to the Lerner reception. It was there that I was introduced to the author/book about the many faces of George Washington. Found that she was presenting on Saturday. I will be catching that session on Saturday.

Phyllis Root came from her home to downtown Minneapolis to join the three of us for dinner. We ate at ... not sure where we ate. But it was a couple blocks walk from the Hilton. The three others ordered some "small plates' of food to share - me I was very content with a scrumptious pepperoni pizza. I enjoyed meeting Phyllis. I have long admired her work but had not ever met her in person. You will for sure want to check out her Lilly and the Pirates (Boyd Mills, 2010). Learn a little more about her by visiting her page on the Children's Literature Network.

Jeni, Jackie, and Phyllis posed for this photograph -- especially for this blog. We had an enjoyable evening.

And dinner brought the evening to a close. I'll deal with the final days of the conference soon -- great sessions: one involving Graphic Novels, and another featuring the author and book about George Washington.

Jane Kurtz - Blog Tour

2011-10-26T00:01:00.000-07:00

Jane Kurtz during the acceptance
luncheon for the 2010 Kerlan Award.

Today we welcome Jane Kurtz on her blog tour - Jane Kurtz is an author of dozens of books for young readers, including picture books, early to read chapter books, and books for young adult readers. My personal favorites include Storyteller's Beads, Bicycle Madness, Only a Pigeon, and -- it is difficult to limit my list. A complete list of Jane's books can be seen on her website's book page. There you will find her latest books, including Lanie and it's non-fiction companion title about Lanie's Read Adventures. Not only is Jane a successful writer but she cares deeply about building literacy worldwide. She grew up in Ethiopia and it is in Ethiopia that she has accomplished astounding successes in the past decade. She has used her power as one writer to draw attention to and to raise funds for the efforts of Ethiopia Reads. All the while she remains a writer, an educator (she is on the faculty in Vermont College of Fine Arts - MFA in writing for children and young adult program), a devoted grandparent, and an enthusiastic advocate for reading and writing as she travels throughout the United States and internationally meeting with readers, of all ages, in schools, and libraries, and bookstores. Jane welcome and thank you for being willing to stop by our blog.

McBookwords: Jane I know that in Jane Kurtz and YOU, you talk about your growing up days in Ethiopia and how those experiences influence your writing. Since Jane Kurtz and YOU was published in 2007, Pleasant Company's Book of the Year - Lanie, and Lanie's Read Adventures have been published. So:

McBookwords: What bits and pieces from your life in Ethiopia made the way into the Lanie books?

JK: When I met with the American Girl team, I took pictures of my childhood in Ethiopia. They already knew they wanted a girl who cared about the earth. I showed them that my desire to help save the earth comes from a childhood spent outside (in Ethiopia) and suggested that Lanie be an outside girl.

McBookwords: How did the idea for Lanie evolve? Does the basic idea come from the editors or did you have latitude in developing the story?

JK: Of course, once I decided I wanted Lanie to be an outside girl, I had to figure out what her obstacles were to getting herself outside. Without conflict, we don't have a story. All of that hard work of figuring out Lanie's family (with the inside genes) had to come from my brain, including that she'd turn her back yard into a garden and have a pet bunny and have a best friend who was getting a chance to save orangutans and realize that she, herself, could save plants and animals in her own backyard. My editor gave me suggestions as I sent her plot outlines.

McBookwords: Are the Lanie books still available?

JK: Definitely! I've been a little surprised to not find them in schools that have a big monarch butterfly or garden or ecology curriculum. If I may modestly say so, I think they bring big issues many families and classrooms are talking about down to a child-sized understanding.

McBookwords: I see that you are slated to have a new book published, by Greenwillow. What can you tell your readers about it?

JK: I seem to always write books about kids on the move! The protagonist of this one has to move from Colorado to Kansas, and she finds herself terrified of the Great Plains and all the potential disasters from tornadoes to blizzards to feral hogs and locusts. It's also an exploration of faith and what it means to have trust even in a scary world.

McBookwords: Is Lemon Sand THE title, or only the working title? And in either case, what is the inside story of the title?

JK: That's only the working title. I was with my Midwest in-laws when I saw a lemonade stand that had some of the letters worn away. It made me think of things I'm exploring--how Midwest communities can be a little worn out and how everyone can know the meaning of things that might not be obvious at all to an outsider.

McBookwords: What do you have in the works at this moment? Anything you can tell us about?

JK: I'm still working hard on revising the novel I was just talking about. E.B. Lewis and Chris Kurtz and I are also bringing out a new edition of the picture book that was called Only a Pigeon. I'm very excited about that--and looking into a new edition of the young middle grade novel set on the Oregon Trail, I'm Sorry Almira Ann now that I live in Oregon.

McBookwords: As an adult, back in the United States you have lived many years in the Midwest. Now you are back in the Northwest. Do you miss us?

JK: Definitely! Although I was born in Portland, my adult life has been shaped by the Midwest. I hope people will bring me back for school visits and conferences so I can get a shot in the arm of good Midwest connections now and then.

McBookwords: Just for fun, to give us a snapshot of a writer's REAL life -- where were you and what were you doing TODAY at 9:00 a.m., 12 noon, and 5:00 p.m.

JK: I took my mom to Westminster Presbyterian Church in the morning--and I was still helping her get ready at 9:00. While I sat in church, I was thinking about my novel since several of its scenes take place in church. By noon, I was doing some writing. I'm revising chapters that have been revised many times, adding and changing details as my understanding of what needs to happen grows deeper. At 5:00, I was talking to Frew Tibebu, an Ethiopia Reads board member, about our efforts to get books to Ethiopian children.

McBookwords: And what is on your writing agenda for "tomorrow?"

JK: Revision, revision, revision. I imagine I'll work most of the day on that. E.B. Lewis and Chris and I also need to come up with our new title for Only a Pigeon. And I'll pick up my rug from Ethiopia that is being repaired right now.

McBookwords: Those who read your website http: www.janekurtz.com" and your blog "The Power of One Writer" know that you are a tireless supporter and advocate for building literacy in your childhood home -- Ethiopia. If you could ask each reader of this blog to do one thing to help Ethiopia Reads in its mission -- something each of them would likely be able to do to help, what would that one thing be?

JK: Honestly, I wish every reader would hop on line and donate $5.50. (The 50 cents would help with credit card fees.) Readers love to share good stories. How many books have you read because someone said, "You've GOT to read this?" The joy of knowing that readers can put small amounts of money together and get books to kids who are hungry to read them is such a delight. I think in our own communities, the problems to be solved are often pretty intractible ones (because the U.S. is made up of good problem-solvers so the easier problems have been addressed). But in Ethiopia, brilliant kids who have a fierce determination to learn are just waiting for a library. What we need most right now is to buy more books in local languages in Ethiopia, thus the $5.50.

McBookwords: Does Ethiopia Reads have a facebook page where readers can hook-up to keep up-to-date regarding the donkey libraries, and progress toward making Ethiopia a literate society?

JK: Yep. Our Ethiopian staff has been doing a good job of sending pictures fairly often. I look for them eagerly, myself.

McBookwords: Jane, thank you for taking the time to "speak" with us today. Is there anything about books, writing, or anything in general that you want to tell the readers here?

JK: My experience growing up in a country where children learn to read and sometimes never have a book TO read shows me what a treasure we have in the U.S. I want us all to be passionate advocates of libraries and access to stories and the love of reading. What else do you know that can turn poverty around in one generation, as happened with my parents and millions of other Americans? Most authors fall into the category of "starving artists" but I'm proud to at least be part of Team Reading!

Thank you!

Thanks again Jane for appearing, courtesy of Provato Marketing, for other stops on the tour please check www.provatoevents.com.

Jane Kurtz and YOU
Kurtz, Jane. Jane Kurtz and You. Libraries Unlimited/ABC-CLIO, 2007. ISBN 978-1-59158-295-3

Haunting Flavor - Green Tomato cake

2011-10-21T21:36:00.000-07:00

Want something with a truly haunting flavor, try this green tomato cake. if you don't have green tomatoes simply substitute 1 cup of applesauce which roughly equals 2 cups green tomatoes when pureed. Then find a great fall harvest story to read with anyone you can corral to sit in a soft chair to listen to a story.

Green Tomato Cake
Beat together until smooth --

2 1/4 cups sugar
1 cup vegetable oil or melted shortening
3 eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla

Sift together and add slowly to the liquid mixture (mixture will be thick)

3 cups flour
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon cloves

Stir in:

1 cup pecans or walnuts
1 cup raisins (I substituted dried cranberries)
2 cups chopped green tomatoes (food process to the consistency of applesauce; if short of tomatoes you may substitute a portion of unsweetened applesauce); or substitute pumpkin and call them haunting pumpkin cakes.

Bake in a greased 9x13-inch pan (or in cup cakes). Top with a glaze (powdered sugar, milk, vanilla) if desired. Bake for one hour, or until a wooden pick or cake tester inserted in center comes out clean. If baking in cupcakes reduce cooking time consistent with your oven and it's temperature.
Makes 24 cupcakes if making cupcakes.

Find a pumpkin book to read --

Lighthouse Chrismas by Toni Buzzeo

2011-10-13T05:36:00.000-07:00

Lighthouse Christmas by Toni Buzzeo. Illustrated by Nancy Carpenter. Dial, 2011.
First Frances and Peter lose their mother and now the stormy waters mean that they face a Christmas without Santa. Even necessary supplies are difficult to get to their isolated Maine lighthouse island. On Christmas Eve, Papa rescues a man drowning in the wild waters. Frances and Peter realize that the holiday is really about being together. But the Christmas surprise is yet to come. Inspired by the Flying Santa program (begun in 1929) this story is a nostalgic look at an old tradition that continues today.

Featured on the cover of the December 2011 issue of Library Sparks.

The Artist Who Painted a Blue Horse - Eric Carle

2011-10-07T05:41:00.000-07:00

Meet the Artist who created the Very Hungry Caterpillar and who now has written and illustrated another stunning book for the very youngest (and the very oldest) of readers -- Eric Carle. After his Baby Bear, Baby Bear book -- his last in collaboration with the late Bill Martin, Jr. Many surmised that the Baby Bear book might be his last book, after all he was nearing 80. Well now at 82 Eric Carle has produced a homage to Franz Marc - one of those banned artists from his childhood in Germany. An article by Joanne Kaufman for School Library Journal gives us a look into the background of the story; and this trailer will introduce you to the book itself. Eric Carle has created this trailer for The Artist Who Painted a Blue Horse.

A great way to introduce one of the famous artists -- sharing some of Franz Marc's art will make an impact on young scholars. The fact that Marc was just 36 when he died in World War I might make even a greater impact.

Franz Marc was a German Expressionist.

Garbanzo Day - October 7th

2011-10-03T14:34:00.000-07:00

Stephan Pastis creator of Pearls Before Swine, on October 3 declared that October 7th would be GARBANZO day -- check out his comic @GoComics - http://www.gocomics.com/pearlsbeforeswine/2011/10/03 #pearlsbeforeswine #GoComics.

Join the celebration by sharing a recipe, a book, or make your own card to send to someone you want to honor on Garbanzo Day. Comments to this blog are welcome.

I immediately thought of a book I encountered in the early 1990's Mountain Bikes and Garbanzo Beans. It was a story of a young boy who nearly ruined his own chances of getting a mountain bike by avoiding all things healthy. I went on a search for this book and discovered it has reemerged as #22 in the Cul de Sac Kids series by Beverly Lewis from Bethany House Publishers. And it has been retitled Big Bad Beans. I liked the Mountain Bikes and Garbanzo Beans better as a title. Just saying.

A little research reveals that garbanzo beans are synonymous to chickpeas. They are legumes and known for their fiber content. Here's a recipe for a simple to make Garbanzo Salad:

Garbanzo Salad

Mix together in a medium sized bowl --

2 cans (15 oz.) garbanzo beans
2 med. tomatoes, chopped
3 green onions, thin sliced
3/4 c. snipped fresh parsley
3/4 c. (4 oz.) finely cubed fetta cheese

Make a "dressing" with:

1/3 c. vegetable oil
1/2 tsp. cumin (may substitute chili powder)
1/2 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. pepper

Pour dressing over bean mix, cover and refrigerate at least 1 hour. Serve on a bed of Romaine lettuce.

==============================================================

Or a pasta salad

Cook 2 cups (uncooked) rotini according to directions. Allow to cool at room temperature.

Prepare the following ingredients in a large bowl, and then add the cooled rotini:

1 small zucchini, washed and diced
1 (15 oz.) can garbanzo beans
1/4 cup chopped onion
1/2 cup diced celery

Prepare the sauce to dress the pasta and vegetables.

1 (8 oz.) can tomato sauce
1/2 cup fat-free Italian dressing
1 (14 1/2 oz.) can Del Monte Pasta Style Stewed Tomatoes
Salt and pepper, to taste

Combine the pasta/vegetable mixture with the tomato sauce dressing. Allow to absorb flavors for 30 minutes at room temperature before serving. Refrigerate left-overs.

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Italian Garbanzo Four Hour Soup

Saute in butter the celery, onion, and carrot, until ingredients are very brown

1 cu. finely minced celery
1 cu. finely minced onion
1 cu. finely minced carrot
1/4 cu. butter

Add 3 quarts of water and

1/2 cu. garbanzo beans
1/2 cu. kidney beans
1/2 cu. whole dried peas

Slow cook until beans are almost done (garbanzo beans will take the longest) - 2 to 2 1/2 hours.
Add the remaining vegetables and spices and cook another hour.

3/4 cu. sliced carrots
3/4 cu. sliced celery
3/4 cu. chopped bell pepper
1/2 cu. rice or barley
2 Tbls. minced parsley
1 teaspoon oregano
1 tsp. basil
2 tsps. soy sauce
Pepper to taste
Parmesan cheese

Twenty (20) minutes before serving add 1 cup uncooked shell macaroni and add more water if needed. Cook until macaroni is done. Serve steaming hot, topped with a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese, and accompanied with crispy garlic bread.

Talk Like a Pirate Day - September 19

2011-09-19T00:14:00.000-07:00

Pirates • Pirates • Pirates September 19

(every year) is International Talk Like a Pirate Day

And a few books - to focus on pirates.


	There are many books to feature Pirates. The Pirate Activity Book will correlate with most of them. The Lost Treasures book by the Owens has an interactive web page that older readers will enjoy exploring -- and solving the puzzle. Visit http://www.simonandschuster.com/specials/kids/behindthepulse/pirate.html

Sobel, June. (2006) Shiver Me Letters: A Pirate ABC. Illustrations by Henry Cole. Harcourt.

Tucker, Kathy. (1997) Do Pirates Take Baths? Illustrated by Nadine Westcott. Albert Whitman.

Long, Melinda. (2003) How I Became a Pirate. Illustration by David Shannon. Harcourt.

Kennedy, Kim. (2007) Pirate Pete's Talk Like a Pirate. Harry N. Abrams.

Long, Melinda. (2010) Pirates Activity Book. Illustrations by David Shannon. HMN Books.

Yolen, Jane. (1998) The Ballad of the Pirate Queens. Illustrated by David Shannon. Voyager pb.

Yolen, Jane (2008) Sea Queens: Women Pirates Around the World. Illustrations by Christine Joy Pratt. Charlesbridge.

Dubowski, Cathy East. (1996) Pirate School (All Aboard Reading Level 2). Illustrated by Mark Dubowski. Grosset & Dunlap.

McPhail, David. (1997) Edward and the Pirate. Little Brown.

Owens, Jeremy. (2007; 2010 pb) Lost Treasures of the Pirates of the Caribbean. Illustrated by James Owen. Simon & Schuster.

The following two sites are more appropriate for an adult to pick and choose ideas to share. I do not recommend sharing directly with elementary students, and maybe not even middle school students. Salty language and lines with a lot of innuendo.
International Talk Like a Pirate Day has a teacher's page that might be helpful. Check it out here!
If you want to speak Pirate - go to this English to Pirate translator.

And you might like these non-fiction books about pirates.
Wilson, Jacqueline. (2002) Pirate (Eye Wonder Series). Dorling Kindersley.
Platt, Richard. (2002) Pirate (Eyewitness Guides). Dorling Kindersley.

There are a couple of cookbooks but these are really not worth finding -- but the titles might inspire a writing exercise -- ask readers to create their own idea of what pirates might eat. What type of sandwiches? What do pirates eat? And what might be some recipes for those foods? Create a class book of Pirate foods (and plan to skip the two food titles, not much inspiration :>)
DK Publishing. (2007) The Pirate Cookbook. Dorling Kindersley.
Schuette, Sarah L. (2011) A Pirate Cookbook: Simple Recipes for Kids (First Facts). Capstone Press.

Birthdays -

2011-09-13T00:02:00.000-07:00

Today is the birthday of some favorite authors: Mildred Taylor, Else Homelund Minarik, and Mildred Taylor. Today is also MY birthday.

Check out these authors in your nearest library. Children like to connect their own birthday to the birthday of authors/illustrators or other notable people. Read a book by an author or illustrator who shares the same birthday as he/she does OR read a book about some historical person who was born on the same day as he/she was.

Visit this page on the Kids Read site for a list of some author/illustrator's birthdays -- www.kidsreads.com/authors/author-bdays.asp

or this site on the New York Public Library's pages: kids.nypl.org/reading/childrensauthorbirthdays.cfm

Celebrate - BIRTHDAYS • BIRTHDAYS • BIRTHDAYS

Michelle Edwards - A Knitter's Home Companion

2011-09-09T19:40:00.000-07:00

I don't even knit and certainly don't need a companion while I'm NOT doing any knitting. But despite that there I was at Barnes and Noble (Cedar Rapids [Iowa]) store to hear one of my favorite authors, Michelle Edwards. A Knitter's Home Companion (Steward, Tabori & Chang, 2011) is a book for adults, but I had really come because I love Michelle's children's books.

If you haven't read any of Michelle Edward's children's books,

head to your local library (or favorite book store), grab a child or two and begin reading. A great shared reading adventure.

So Michelle, cup of Java in hand was ready to talk to us. Well, really it turned into the most comfortable conversation with a group of friends -- all knitting away (except for me it seemed). She told us about the journal and writing instruments she shows children when she makes school appearances.

Then she began to tell us about her stories -- the vignettes, the patterns, the friends, the recipes - and then she read us a story from her book, "The Mitten Ladies." Immediately I thought of my friend Carolyn who not only knits mittens but has knitted dozens of little hats and booties for new born babies at Mercy Medical Center, and who now sews children's clothes for her church to send to their sister church in Brazil. Carolyn will be remembered "for what [she] has given others." (more...)

Back home I feel compelled to read more. "The Mitten Ladies" have hooked me. There is comfort in knowing that even without being a knitter, there are connections here for me.
I begin by leafing through the book and the first thing I spot is a recipe for "Aunt Charlotte's 'You Won't Believe How Easy It is to Make' Jam" (144-45). It is a recipe that has been passed to the third generation but I decide I will rename it. From this day forward it will be, "Michelle's Family Apricot Jam Recipe." I LOVE apricot jam, syrup, pie, kolaches -- all things apricot. I am guessing that this recipe will make a scrumptious filling for my grandmother's kolaches. So my third generation kolache recipe married to Michelle's Family Apricot Jam recipe. I am anxious to try it.
But there is more I go back now to the beginning. First the introduction.
It is clear that knitting is part of her family, her community. I find that she has three daughters -- Meera, Flory, and Leila. It's not often that I see the name "Leila" (my family pronounces Leila as Lee I lah). It was my great-grandmother Elnora Graham's (nee' Lampman) middle name, my grandmother Clarice Miller's (nee' Graham) middle name, it's my middle name, and the middle name of my very youngest granddaughter. I already feel like family -- and I haven't picked up a knitting needle yet.
Michelle talks about learning to knit from her Russian Jewish mother who taught her to knit with her "yarn in her left hand, wrapped around the second finger, picking open the stitch and pulling the yarn through with her right-hand needle." If she had said "crochet" instead of knit, the description might have been describing the way my beloved Aunt Bernice (my father's sister) had taught me to crochet when I was very young. Later I learned that the way she taught me is how most crocheters crochet heavy rugs, but I crocheted doilies, and fine lace edges for pillow cases.
Her description of her and her mother's joint project -- a last project for her mother, involved crocheting an afghan "crocheted so tightly" that it continues to bring warmth to her grandchildren flooded my brain with memories of my mother-in-law learning to crochet so she could crochet a baby blanket for our expected baby (#4). It took her nearly 5 months to master and complete the blanket -- she finished it 2 months before the baby was due. One week later the BABIES were born (unexpected twins born unexpectedly early). Despite her misgivings about her ability to make another blanket, she managed to show up at the christening 3 weeks later with a second white blanket in hand. We could always tell Steve's blanket from Matt's blanket as despite the fact that she used the same pattern, the second one is much more loosely crocheted.
I could go on but suffice it to say that each of Michelle's stories brings some flood of memories, connections to people in my life.
Throughout the book I felt as if Michelle was sitting at my kitchen table talking with me about old friends, memories, and stories.
She was sharing recipes that beg to be tried -- especially "Sis Gessner's Mandel Bread." I think I can do it. Makes me think of the biscotti (at least that is what I remember it being called) that my friend Jacqueline Briggs Martin brought me one Christmas holiday. It was so good. I think the Mandel Bread might be similar.

You won't want to share this book as I'm thinking each time the stories are read readers will find a new connection. It's not a book that you will want to go back to the library. But however, you get your hands on this book, get it and read it. You may want to have a blank notebook nearby as I'm betting you will have some stories to write—stories triggered by those Michelle shares with her readers. Perhaps my journal will be titled "The Crocheter's Home Companion" or simply - "Memories of a Farmer's Daughter." The writing won't be as soulful as Michelle's, or as universally interesting but I'll bet my children (and grandchildren) might find the stories to be something they might like to put in their box of family stories.

Thank you Michelle -- thank you for sharing your stories —and making me think it is possible to share mine.

Addendum to original blog entry: I found this blog entry on the editor's blog and fell in love with the photographs of the egg warmers -- not sure I'm interested in them as egg warmers but what fun decorative ideas show in the photographs. Take a look at:
http://www.melaniefalickbooks.com/news/2011/6/2/spring-chickens-and-a-knitters-home-companion.html

And I failed to mention that the fabric bags that hold Michelle's knitting projects when she travels are made from fabric designed by her oldest daughter, Meera, who designs for Camelot Cottons (fabric). Check out her designs at http://www.camelotcottons.com and search for those fabrics designed by "Meera." Interestingly beautiful. Much talent in this family.

A Bear, a Book or Two and a Sleepover in the Library

2011-08-31T16:02:00.000-07:00

Several years ago our select group of library helpers (4-5th graders) were invited to a sleepover at our elementary library. They came prepared with their pillows, sleeping bags, ideas for games (computers were not used) -- we played "Ruth and Jacob," checkers, chess, Sorry®, Monopoly®, ate pizza (Happy Joe's delivered), told scary stories, watched a Harry Potter movie, ate popcorn, and just had fun. Plenty of adult chaperons stayed the night too. The next morning, children were feted with a pancake and egg breakfast and sent home for the weekend. It was a lot of fun and a lot of work. We knew the children well and had no qualms about having them in our care for the evening. Not so sure I would do that today -- and especially in a public library or a larger school. But what fun it was -- so ...

Today I was talking to the newly minted librarian at the Dike (Iowa) public library, Rebecca Berg - a graduate of the University of Iowa School of Information Science. She mentioned a program her co-worker, Lori Reynolds, had suggested as an idea for their library. Seems that one can have a sleepover WITHOUT the children. Instead the children bring their stuff animals and after a few refreshments, a story or two, the animals are tucked into bed and the children go home. In the morning the children return to pick up their animals and find out what mischief the animals get into during the sleepover.

Just like the Flat Stanley project where Flat Stanleys are sent out into the world and photographed, so are these animals -- only these animal friends are sent into the library for their adventures. Photos are taken to share their activities, on the inside. Some animals put on a puppet show, others read, and still others browse through the book shelves. Eventually it's time for bed but in the morning, the animals (and their pals) get to come to the early morning breakfast.
Seems that Rebecca and Lori have found an idea that others have used (just google "animal sleepovers in the library" and take a look at the adaptations that others have made and used). Some lucky animals (and their human pals) will be fortunate to be a patron of the Dike Library (and others that have "building a literate community" in their sights). The first sleepover in Dike is scheduled for September 29, 2011 - watch for the announcement and for many great programs to emerge from this library on the move—Dike Library, a place where literacy happens.

A Wedding, a Cake, Wonderful Food = a GREAT Party

2011-08-27T10:00:00.000-07:00

Thomas and Tiffany were married on August 6, 2011. After the wedding came the "tastiest" part. Just ask someone as talented as Tom's sister Deborah to make a delicious chocolate wedding cake trimmed in black and white and plenty of fresh flowers. Talk to Audrey and arrange to serve tasty cupcakes and cake pops from Sweet Checks Tasty Treats and ask Braise Company to cater their great hors d'oeuvres and you have a PARTY. First comes the cake cutting.

The rich chocolate cake was so delicious. Thank you Deborah.

The food was absolutely scrumptious. Braise Company served an array of hors d'oeuvres. All the bride's and groom's favorites: cocktail shrimp with lemon/horseradish salsa and conventional cocktail sauce, stuffed eggs, bruschetta (I loved these and I don't even like tomatoes normally), cheese board, and trays loaded with vegetables and fresh fruit, stuffed mushrooms, meatballs (bacon and blue cheese flavored, yummy), and BBQ lollipops (savory chicken), mini club sandwiches, and green curry chicken salad served on slices of fresh crisp cucumbers. A most delicious menu - something for everyone. Join that together with the cupcakes and cake pops from Sweet Checks Tasty Treats and all were happy.

Complete the event by recording everything with photographs taken by 2 Chicks Photography. Thanks to: Deborah - you not only made the cake look good but taste great, Audrey (Sweet Checks Tasty Treats) -- great cupcakes and cake pops, Shawn (Braise Company) -- wonderful wonderful food, and Ann (2 Chicks Photography) -- we love the pictures. Memories abound. Take a look at some more of 2 Chicks great pictures on my facebook page.

Earlier post -- http://mcbookwords.blogspot.com/2011/07/thinking-about-food.html

Anne Ylvisaker - and Katherine Harrigan

2011-08-26T20:57:00.000-07:00

On August 18, 2011 I was in the audience at a local book store as Anne Ylvisaker and Katherine Harrigan each spoke about their newest book. Both authors have Iowa connections. Anne lived in Cedar Rapids for four years and now lives in Monterey, California, while Katherine lives and works in Fayette, Iowa.
Katherine is the author of the popular Ida B. and a more recent novel True (Sort of). Both are great reads.

Anne is the author of Dear Papa, and Little Klein - both published by Candlewick in 2007. Her most recent book is The Luck of the Buttons, a story set in Iowa in 1929. I had previously targeted this book to be the subject of one of my early 2012 columns for Library Sparks. I was so pleased that Anne would be nearby and I would be able to hear her speak about the book. I gathered a lot of notes for my article.

Back home I began to research for information about Anne and her books and writing. I love to find connections to people whatever they might be. With Anne I was delighted to learn that her first novel was started in a class being taught by my friend Judy Delton, who wrote the series about Angel (she was a spunky heroine) and the PeeWee Scout books - to name but a few. Judy died on the last day of 2001 -- it seems like yesterday. I spoke to her on the phone and wrote letters (back when it was letters rather than e-mails) much more than I saw her in person. But I miss her and am very jealous that Anne was a good face-to-face friend with Judy.

The picture of Judy Delton is from the Kerlan Collection at the University of Minnesota where she had donated many of her manuscripts. That collection also houses the Sharron L. McElmeel Collection which includes much of my research documents, including my correspondence with Judy, news clippings, and photographs.
-----------------
Another connection I was able to make with Anne is that I found out that her first favorite book was Pickle Chiffon Pie by Jolly Roger Bradfield. I seldom come across someone who knows about that book. It is a long ago classic -- but still one of my first favorites as well. In my collection of original art work are three small colored sketches by Roger Bradfield. They are treasured. These are images from the book. If you want the recipe for the pickle chiffon pie you can find it in my book Authors in the Pantry or you can e-mail me.

I don't know why such connections delight me so but they do -- so I picked up the phone and called Anne just to tell her. I assume that she thought I was a little weird (or maybe a lot weird). I won't mention these connections in my Library Sparks article but there will be a lot of other information that you can read about Anne's The Luck of the Buttons in the January 2012 issue.

Lessons in books - Didacticism or not?

2011-08-18T20:14:00.000-07:00

Bruce Coville once wrote (loosely quoted), "If you have a story to tell write a novel; if you have a message use Federal Express." I subscribe to that general line of thought. The idea that every book must have a lesson in order for it to be worthy of reading is strange to me. After all books should mirror life and doesn't life teach all sorts of lessons (different ones for the one experiencing life, depending on their past experience). So it is with reading -- the story speaks to each reader in its own way. If a title of a book is something like, "Too Much Television" I know right off that the book has a message and probably will be short on authentic story. But on this subject I think Dr. Caroline E. Jones, an assistant professor of English at Texas State speaks clearly of teh need for "lessons" with these words:

"YA "Lessons" This assumption of didacticism, whether attached to children’s or YA lit, makes me crazy! I believe that all good literature, regardless of intended audience, will illuminate for readers something about the world or themselves, but that it will do it in service to the story it tells, the characters it creates, and the language it uses, rather than in service to a lesson or moral. John Green’s Looking for Alaska, for instance, might “teach” teens not to drink and drive, but its real value comes in what readers learn in the aftermath of loss—even the vicarious loss experienced through the pages of the novel. I have had several students express their own gratitude for what the novel offered them in dealing with their own wide range of losses, but not one has ever said, “Boy, I’m sure grateful for the lesson that one taught me about drinking and driving!” Because kids get the lessons all over the place: school, parents and more and more, but literature models and enables emotional, experiential, reflective, and internal understanding. The “lessons” learned about being human resonate more fully and deeply than those behavioral lessons adults are so anxious about. Kids already know not to drink and drive, but maybe experiencing the aftermath of that behavior is the way to help them truly understand the consequences." ~ quoted with permission of Dr. Caroline E. Jones (8.18.11).

Dr. Jones teaches young adult literature and children's literature at Texas State University at San Marcos and she is also the editor of “Alice’s Academy,” the refereed column of the online journal The Looking Glass: New Perspectives on Children’s Literature www.the-looking-glass.net.

Thank you Dr. Jones for sharing this perspective.

William Sleator RIP August 2, 2011

2011-08-03T19:47:00.000-07:00

August 3, 2011—William Sleator, the author of more than thirty books for young adults and children, died on August 2, 2011, in Thailand. He was sixty-six years old. Born William Warner Sleator III on February 13, 1945, in Havre de Grace, Maryland, and raised just outside St. Louis, Missouri, he earned wide acclaim for intelligent, thought-provoking, and often disturbing science fiction novels in which young characters are pitted against the diabolical, baffling, or grotesque.

His first book, The Angry Moon, a picture book retelling of a Tlingit Indian legend, was illustrated by his friend Blair Lent. It won a 1971 Caldecott Honor, but Sleator would find even greater acclaim with the publication of his novel House of Stairs (1974), edited by Ann Durrell, who would become his longtime editor. House of Stairs is widely considered a masterpiece of science fiction and was named one of the 100 Best Books for Teens by the American Library Association. He went on to publish many acclaimed novels, including Interstellar Pig (1984) and Singularity (1985), his own favorite of his books. In 1993, in a departure from his science fiction writing, he published a popular and hilarious collection of autobiographical stories, Oddballs, in which he detailed life growing up outside St. Louis in a family of brilliant eccentrics who shunned conventionality and encouraged curiosity and wild experiments and pranks. The only nonscientist in his family, Sleator turned to the arts, playing the piano and writing from a young age. Early efforts such as “Guillotines in the Springtime” and “The Haunted Easter Egg” delighted his family. After graduating from Harvard University, he worked as an accompanist, eventually for the Boston Ballet. But the success of his books allowed him to quit and write full time.

Sleator died in his beloved Thailand. He explored his fascination with Thai culture, and its embrace of the beautiful and the grotesque, in The Spirit House and other novels published by Dutton Children’s Books. He followed editor Susan Van Metre to Abrams in 2002, and published The Boy Who Couldn’t Die as the lead title on the Amulet Books launch list in 2004. His final book, The Phantom Limb, will be published by Amulet Books in October. He is survived by his father and two brothers.

Praise for the work of William Sleator:

“Sleator is the master of the creepy-crawly.” —The Horn Book

“This is an author who knows exactly what adolescents care about. . . . His genius is in taking vague science-fiction whimsy and using imagery to word-paint it into a stunning virtual reality. Nobody does it better!” —School Library Journal

July 28th, Birth Anniversary - H. Beatrix Potter (28 July 1866 – 22 December 1943)

2011-07-24T07:07:00.000-07:00

Helen Beatrix Potter's Birthday is July 28th --
Commonly known as Beatrix Potter, the author of The Tale of Peter Rabbit and it's sequel The Tale of Benjamin Bunny and dozens of other books. Learn more about Beatrix Potter at http://www.peterrabbit.com/us/potters-world.asp

Tom Kitten - Star of
The Tale of Tom Kitten

Peter Rabbit - Star of
The Tale of Peter Rabbit and
The Tale of Benjamin Bunny

Benjamin Bunny - Star of
The Tale of Benjamin Bunny

Helen Beatrix Potter
(28 July 1866 – 22 December 1943)
was an English author, illustrator,
mycologist and conservationist
best known for children's books,
especially The Tale of Peter Rabbit

and her other books featuring other animals.

Interested in some Beatrix Potter treasures for gifts, nursery, and so forth. Go to http://www.greenfrog-gifts.com and explore your choices.

Thinking About Food

2011-07-11T19:52:00.000-07:00

Food and books always seem to go together. Today I had two "food" related activities. The first, is that I was able to participate in a taste testing session for an August wedding. The food was out of this world. I am so looking forward to the reception. The wedding will be held at 6:45 p.m. with hors d'oeuvres served during the reception. Braise—A Caterer Company (in Cedar Rapids Iowa) will be making and serving the hors d'oeuvres. Shawn Price is the chef in charge of Braise Caterer.

I wondered what "Braise" meant and so I looked it up and found this:

braise
[BRAYZ] A cooking method by which food (usually meat or vegetables) is first browned in fat, then cooked, tightly covered, in a small amount of liquid at low heat for a lengthy period of time. The long, slow cooking develops flavor and tenderizes foods by gently breaking down their fibers. Braising can be done on top of the range or in the oven. A tight-fitting lid is very important to prevent the liquid from evaporating.

Brings up images of delicious food and those items tested were certainly wonderful.
====================================================================================

The cake table will be laden with cupcakes and cake pops created by Audrey at Sweet Cheeks, Tasty Treats and the wedding cake itself, which will top the cupcake tower will be created by the groom's sister (Clark & Mac Catering) from Madison Wisconsin. She makes awesome desserts.
And where do books come into all of this -- well just take a look at the bible of cake pops by the diva of cake pops--
Cake Pops: Tips, Tricks, and Recipes for More Than 40 Irresistible Mini Treatsby Angie Dudley, Bakerella
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Christopher Myers - An author/illustrator for all ages

2011-06-30T10:41:00.000-07:00

Christopher Meyers was a featured speaker during the seminar on Sunday, May 8, 2011, at the International Reading Association's annual conference in Orlando Florida.

He has collaborated with his father Walter Dean Myers but is very well known in his own right. My favorite of all time is his picture book innovation on Lewis Carroll's Jabberwocky ( Jump At The Sun, 2007). Carroll's words are interpreted in a fresh new manner by Myers's splendid illustrations which he typically creates using collage, photos, woodcuts, and other artistic media.

His first Caldecott Honor Book was for a collaboration with his father (Harlem, Scholastic) and his second for his own (Black Cat, Scholastic).

During this seminar session Chris spoke of the "elephant in the room" as a collective short unquestioned memory passed on to our children. He is passionate about work with literacy in such places as Kenya and other areas where children only know the present and have no memory of the past. Download Holiday House's brochure featuring Myers at http://www.holidayhouse.com/docs/Myers, Christopher-FINAL PDF.pdf
Information about Myers can also be found on Scholastic's site and the Reading Rocket site.

Mitali Perkins - Awesome Writer

2011-06-23T07:56:00.000-07:00

Mitali Perkins spoke at the seminar on Sunday - May 8, 2011, during the International Reading Association's annual conference, in Orlando, Florida. Her book, Bamboo People (Charlesbridge, 2010) is an exciting teen novel for 11-14 year olds.

Chiko, the son of Burmese intellects has set his goal on becoming a teacher. When he answers an advertisement seeking educators, he is conscripted into the Burmese army. He forms a friendship which alters his life immeasurably. Chiko narrates the first half of this story. Tu Reh, a Karenninarrates the second half of the book. Bamboo People was described by Publishers' Weekly as being a "tensely plotted portrait of teens caught in the crossfire." The plot intensifies when Tu RehChiko). The line between enemies is blurred as Chiko and Tu Reh struggle with their preconceived notions of prejudices of culture and class. (an ethnic minority in Burma) and his father find an injured Burmese soldier (

Mitali Perkins has a website at http://www.mitaliperkins.com where she tells of being born Mitali Bose in Kolkata (Calcutta), India, and how by the age of 11 she had lived in Ghana, Cameroon, London, New York and Mexico before settling in California during her seventh grade year. Check out this blog's previous post about paired reading - http://mcbookwords.blogspot.com/2010/07/pair-these-two-titles-burma.html

Pam Munoz Ryan - Tony Baloney

2011-06-13T07:55:00.000-07:00

Pam Munoz Ryan was a keynote speaker at the International Reading Association's 2011 conference in Orlando, during May.
As usual she was inspiring and interesting. Her newest title, Tony Baloney, with illustrations by Edwin Fotheringham (Scholastic, 2011) is the story of Tony Baloney, a macaroni penguin. Tony loves fish tacos, Little Green Walrus Guys, his stuffed animal, Dandelion, and anything with wheels. What he doesn't like is trouble but he seems to find plenty of it (trouble that is). His Bossy Big Sister Baloney and Bothersome Babies Baloney, Dandelion, pester and bother him. And Tony constantly finds himself in a situation where he has to say "I'm sorry." That's not easy for Tony Baloney. It's a fun read and more stories about Tony Baloney are sure to come (hopefully).

Read more about Pam Munoz Ryan at her website: http://www.pammunozryan.com

Raspberry Jalapeno Jam

2011-06-13T07:13:00.000-07:00

We could always tell when my father labeled the raspberry jam as he always spelled raspberry as "rasberry." He would have been 93 on the 23rd of December, last year (2010). Mom and Dad made jam each of their 60 years together (1938-1998). However, this raspberry jalapeno jam would not have been on their list of jams to make -- much too non-traditional to suit either of them. I think however, they would have liked the tang. I like to use this jam with a ham and cheese sandwich. Spread a little horseradish mayonnaise on one slice of bread, layer fresh leaf lettuce and cheese on the mayo side, layer shaved ham on top of the cheese and lettuce. Spread another slice of bread with a generous layer of the raspberry jalapeno jam and top off the sandwich.

Or create an appetizer by using mini filio shells (about the size of a mini-cupcake liner) and filling with a strip of shaved ham folded to fit inside the shell. Top with a smear of Philadelphia Cream Cheese, and garnish with a generous dab of the raspberry jalapeno jam. Sprinkle a few pieces of shreaded Colby cheese or garnish with a raspberry.

Raspberry Jalapeno Jam

Ingredients

5 cups fresh and crushed raspberries (may use frozen)
2 hot peppers, sliced, seeded and finely chopped (red or green jalapeno; if you want more heat use 3, and use the seeds)
6 cups sugar
½ tsp. unsalted Butter (to reduce foaming)
juice of one lime
1 pouch (3 ounces) liquid fruit pectin

You will be canning this jam as usual so wash and sterilize the jars, lids, and rings. You will need 8-10 jars. Stir all ingredients except the pectin into a large cooking pan and bring to a full rolling boil over high heat while stirring constantly (using a wooden spoon). Add the pectin, thoroughly stirring the pectin into the berry mixture. Bring the mixture to a full boil once again. Remove from heat, and skim off any foam.
Fill jars to 1/8 inch of the top and screw on lids tightly. Place into a heavy pan, cover with water (1-2 inches over the top) and bring water to a boil. Keep the jars in a boiling pot for 10 minutes or so.
Remove jars from hot water and place upright on a towel. Allow to cool completely. When cool, check seals by pressing middle of lid with finger, if lid springs back, the lid is not sealed and the jam must be refrigerated. Yield, 8-10 jars.

And what does Raspberry Jalapeno Jam have to do with literacy? Well a good sandwich and a good book always makes for a comfortable lunch time respite. But beyond that there are many books that deal with family traditions. One of my favorites is actually one that speaks of a favorite holiday as well -- Mim's Christmas Jam by Andrea Pinkney with illustrations by Brian Pinkney (Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2001). You might have to search your library for a copy but it's worth the search.

Celebrating Dori's Edgar Award

2011-06-05T17:41:00.000-07:00

June 4th marked the date of Dori Hillestad Butler's hometown party to celebrate the April announcement of her 2011 Edgar Allen Poe Award for the best mystery in the children's book division (published in 2010). Her hometown party was attended by friends far and wide and was a very classy affair. A few pictures will give you a sense of the goings on. There were representatives from Albert A. Whitman Publishers, author friends, and many family and friends.

Search this blog for earlier posts about Dori's Edgar Award

Seymour Simon, Liz Nealon, and John Briggs

2011-05-24T19:44:00.000-07:00

In addition to the wonderful speakers, the International Reading Association's conference was a great place to meet and greet "old" friends. On the convention floor near the Holiday House booth, I was delighted to be able to say hello to my very favorite science writer - Seymour Simon and his lovely wife Liz Nealon. On the right is Holiday House's John Briggs, publisher extraordinaire. Seymour is the author of dozens of wonderful books that do much to introduce young readers to scientific concepts. See his website at http://www.seymoursimon.com for more information about his books. Liz is managing director of "Seymour Science." Seymour's website has information about his books, a science blog, downloadable Teacher Guides, videos and previews, as well as video trailers. I was most delighted to find out that his very popular book Animal Fact / Animal Fable (with illustrations by Diane DeGroat), is available as an Android phone app which has a "read to me" narration. It will soon be in the iTunes store so those with an iPod Touch or an iPad will be able to enjoy it anew. This book, Animal Fact / Animal Fable, has always been one of my favorites and I find out from Seymour's website that it has been one of his own favorites as well. I'm excited to share this information with my youngest grandchildren (4-6-8); although it's a thought provoking book for all ages. I still love the book and it remains one that sits on my "favorites" shelf.

Greg Tang - Math, Science, Puzzles and of course, BOOKS

2011-05-18T05:31:00.000-07:00


Greg Tang, author of *The Grapes of Math* and many other math stretching books. © 2011, Sharron McElmeel

On the convention floor (International Reading Association, 2011) I came across one of my favorite authors. He has probably done more to integrated math (and science) with literature than any other author. His first book,
Grapes of Math: Mind Stretching Math Riddles / by Greg Tang ; illustrated by Harry Briggs, is still very popular and has led to interest in his many other titles related to mathematics and science.

Other titles include Math Fables Too: Making Science Count / by Greg Tang ; illustrated by Taia Morley.

Locate more information about him and his books at Tang's website.

Tang has also developed a math challenging math puzzle form -- Kakooma™. If you can add two numbers together you will be hooked once you try these puzzles for all ages. Amazing fun if you enjoy a challenge - -and puzzles. Check out Kakooma™ and download a sample puzzle page.

You'll also want to read Katherine Pierpont's interview with Tang, first published in Teaching K-8 (no date provided).

E.B. Lewis and Mark Teague - IRA 2011 in Orlando

2011-05-16T08:06:00.000-07:00

Mark Teague and E.B. Lewis
© 2011 Sharron McElmeel

Mark Teague (l) and E.B. Lewis (r) presented in a session focusing on the interplay of text and illustration in books. Lewis's presentation showed his use of models to provide poses and lighting. After staging the models in positions he will need to paint he photographs them, sometimes using 2-3 photographs to construct one illustration. His medium of choice is watercolor and he uses that medium magnificently.
Earl Bradley Lewis is a Philadelphia native and still lives in the area. He has illustrated over fifty books for children, including Jacqueline Woodson's The Other Side (mentioned early in this blog) and books by Jane Kurtz (who will be mentioned in a future post).
Lewis has won many awards and is an active member of the illustration community. Original art work from his first 23 books are held by the Kerlan Collection in Minneapolis, MN. Learn more about E.B. Lewis at his website www.eblewis.com.

Fire on the Mountain
by Jane Kurtz


*Only a Pigeon* by Jane Kurtz and Chris Kurtz

The Other Side
by Jacqueline Woodson

Faraway Home
by Jane Kurtz

Mark Teague is the illustrator (and sometimes author) of over 40 children's books including the Poppleton series, the First Graders from Mars series, The Great Gracie Chase, and most recently the series about LaRue. The first book in the series: Dear Mrs. LaRue is story of a homesick child writing home from summer camp — except it is a clever dog writing home from obedience school! Teague has always been a doodler, a scribbler, and a sketcher. Some of his earliest memories are of dictating stories to his mother. She would type up the stories and he would draw illustrations to accompany the tales. Teague grew up in San Diego where he still lives. Learn more about Teague on the Scholastic site at: http://teacher.scholastic.com/authorsandbooks/events/teague/

Newbery/Caldecott tickets

2011-05-15T08:49:00.000-07:00

Due to a change in business schedule -- I have TWO tickets for the ALA Newbery Caldecott Banquet June 26th - reserved table -- http://bit.ly/awardsbanquet2011 $94.00 each

The 2011 Caldecott Medal winner is A Sick Day for Amos McGee , illustrated by Erin E. Stead, written by Philip C. Stead. A Neal Porter Book, published by Roaring Brook Press, a division of Holtzbrinck Publishing.

The 2011 Newbery Medal winner is Moon over Manifest by Clare Vanderpool, published by Delacorte Press, an imprint of Random House Children's Books, a division of Random House, Inc.

Jacqueline Woodson - Seminar at IRA May 8, 2011

2011-05-13T21:24:00.000-07:00

Jacqueline Woodson
Author
picture © 2011, Sharron McElmeel

Jacqueline Woodson spoke at the all day seminar focusing on great discussions and reading globally.

Issues dealt with, in books for young readers, aren't necessarily "tough issues" -- it's all how the issue is framed in our thoughts.
Jacqueline Woodson is the author of many novels and picture books, including the 2008 Newbery Honor book, Feathers; and the 2009 Newbery Honor book, After Tupac and D Foster.
Feathers is a book of hope and written for middle grade readers. The story takes place in 1970, and begins when one boy walks into a classroom and realizes he is very different from the other students there. More about Woodson's middle grade novels are on her middle grade page on her website.

After Tupac and D Foster is a book for young adult readers and focuses on what others might describe as "tough issues." But Woodson is writing a story about young people moving from age 11 to 13 -- and the issues may be tough but it is their life. Read about this book and her other YA novels on her website's YA page.

But without doubt, my favorite book by Woodson is her picture book, The Other Side. Not only is the narrative exceptional but the illustrations by E.B. Lewis make a perfect complement to her words. Two girls, Clover and Annie, are instructed by their parent not to go on the other side of the fence—the girls don't but they manage to come together, ON the fence. A perfect tribute to the creativity of children in combating segregation. In my art gallery I have a framed print of the "fence" illustration from this book. That print will no doubt keep the book as a favorite for a very long time.

It was a pleasure to meet Jacqueline Woodson, hear her speak, and to talk to her — such a writer.
Read more about Jacqueline Woodson on her website.

Discussions that Matter - Literacy and Learning

2011-05-09T21:11:00.000-07:00

Attended a great International Reading Association seminar with several great speakers. Discussions that Matter: fostering Critical Reading, Critical Thinking, and Critical Literacy Across the Grades.
All had some great things to say about facilitating authentic discussions with readers about great books. Each of these speakers had much to say -- and have published books that provide additional insight about their work.

Ian A.G. Wilkinson

Ian A.G. Wilkinson contributed to the 1985 report - a Nation of Readers and is now actively involved in a project, "Group Discussions as a Mechanism for Promoting High-Level Comprehension of Text." His work appears many scholarly publications, and currently serves as co-editor of Reading Research Quarterly.

Kathy Ganske presented a break-out session "Initiating Critical Literacy Discussions" and share many great ideas to stimulate real discussions about books. Her most recent titles is Comprehension Across the Curriculum: Perspectives and Practices K-12 (Guilford)

Kathy Short presented information relating to global literacy, literature circles, curriculum as inquiry, and collaborative learning. She has many books in publication and is director of World of Words <www.wowlit.org>.

Barbara A. Lehman has co-authored a book, Reading Globally, K-8: Connecting Students to the World through Literature (Corwin, 2010). In addition to helping to facilitate, her break-out session utilizing paired reading titles for reading globally was fantastic. If her book is 1/2 as good as the session, it's well worth the price.

We will be posting more about this seminar in future posts -- a very interesting topic, overall and one that has great implications for practices in the clasroom.

Congratulations Dori Hillestad Butler - Edgar Award 2011

2011-04-29T07:59:00.000-07:00

Congratulations

Dori Hillestad Butler

Winner of the 2011 Edgar Award for Best Juvenile Mystery for The Buddy Files: The Case of the Lost Boy (Albert A. Whitman). (April 28, 2011)
Check out Dori's website at: http://www.dorihbutler.com
and Information about all nominees and the winners at http:www.theedgars.com

The first of several books
in the Buddy Files Series
published by
Albert A. Whitman

Mark your calendar for April 30th-

2011-04-20T09:55:00.000-07:00

This is a not to be missed event: The Waterloo Center for the Arts is located at 225 Commercial Street Waterloo, IA 50701 | phone : 319-291-4490 -- Visit Jeni's website at http://www.jenireeves.com.

Anniversary of Marguerite Henry's Birth - April 13, 1902

2011-04-13T00:01:00.000-07:00

Today is the 109th anniversary of the birth of Marguerite Henry

Marguerite Henry (April 13, 1902 – November 26, 1997)

In an era gone past few could hear the phrase "horse story" and not think of Marguerite Henry. By the time I knew her, she was already moving from her acreage at Mole Meadow in Wayne, Illinois to her retirement home in Rancho Santa Fe, California, where she lived out the rest of her life.

Marguerite Breithaupt was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. During her childhood her three older sisters and one brother doted on her. Her childhood was spent in a lively household. Birthdays and holidays were occasions for the reading of original poems, and participation in home written and produced plays.

Her father's print shop yielded a treasure of big fat tablets and bundles of pencils that wrote in big black swathes.

Her family had one horse, Bonnie. Since Bonnie had a habit of biting Marguerite's older brother, Fred, in the breeches, Bonnie was sold without Marguerite every really knowing her.

Printer's ink got in her blood when her father would allow Marguerite to read proof in his small printing shop in Milwaukee. The treasure of large pads of paper and thick bundles of pencils were a joy to her.

As the fourth child in the family of Louis and Anna Breithaupt, she already had a grown sister, Maria, who made her embroidered dresses, with a sash of her favorite blue. Elsie, a young nurse taught Marguerite the doorknob method of pulling teeth. Fred, her grown brother would hold her hand and run with Marguerite until she flew through space. Gertrude was nearest her age and became her confidant. Gertrude's advice was sought with each book Marguerite Henry wrote. Henry often commented, "Editors could be wrong but not Gertrude."

Soon after graduating from a Milwaukee Teacher's College Marguerite meet an married Sidney Crocker Henry. They settled into an apartment in Chicago and she began writing for The Nation's Business and Saturday Evening Post. And her writing career had begun.

When she died at age 95 she was best known for her Misty of Chincoteague, and her Newbery Award winning King of the Wind.

My complete files of Marguerite Henry are available at the Sharron L. McElmeel collection, as part of the larger Kerlan Collection at the University of Minnesota. Included are copies of the newsletters she published during the 1970s??. There are many questions and answers regarding her work.

Sharron McElmeel

The Million Dollar Mystery

2011-04-10T09:46:00.000-07:00

Libraries are the backbone of a literate culture. But like Petunia in Roger Duvoisin's book Petunia we must not only cherish books but must actually learn to read and become literate citizens. This ad for libraries appeared in a comic book in the 1960s as a public service announcement.

Whose Shoes Are These? Authors and Their Shoes

2011-04-05T22:30:00.000-07:00

Saturday, I was able to hear Jane Kurtz speak in conjunction with her acceptance of the 2011 Kerlan Award. I've written several posts about her award so won't repeat more information here today. However, three of my favorite authors, along with dozens of other luncheon attendees were present to hear Jane speak. Just for fun -- can you tell an author by their shoes? What do you know?

shoes #1 shoes #2

shoes #3 shoes #4

Jane's sister Joy lives near Minneapolis and was able to come to the luncheon, honoring her sister. None of these shoes are hers - each pair of shoes belong to one of these authors:

Any clues?

Jane Kurtz - Congratulations - 2011 Kerlan Award

2011-03-28T18:32:00.000-07:00

Jane Kurtz will officially receive the Kerlan Award on April 2, 2011 --Jane has been my friend for almost 15 years -- not long by some standards, but long enough for me to see her grow as a writer, to observe her passion for Ethiopia Reads, and her commitment to literacy, and to enjoy her friendship and every book that she has written. I am so thrilled that she is to get his honor. The Kerlan Award is given "in recognition of singular attainments in the creation of children's literature and in appreciation for generous donation of unique resources to the Kerlan Collection for the study of children's literature." Individuals from all areas of children's literature, including authors, illustrators, editors, publishers, and educators, are eligible for this honor.

It was a May day in 1997 that I first met Jane Kurtz. I know it was at an International Reading Conference. That year the International Reading Association's (IRA) conference was being held in Atlanta, Georgia. Jane Kurtz, although still in the midst of recovering from the flood had come to Atlanta, and I had made plans to meet Deborah Hopkinson to interview her for a profile article that I did write after our meeting. But during that conference Jane Kurtz was sharing a room with Deborah and she came along to meet me as well. Little did I know that on Jane's birthday April 17, of that year (1997), just a couple of weeks earlier, Jane and her family had been forced out of their home and faced down by the Red River Flood. I did not hear a word about it then -- but we met for breakfast and I took pictures of her and of Deborah Hopkinson. I can't remember meeting Deborah Wiles that day - but she was surely there. As the three were rooming together and out of their discussions came three books: Jane's became a book of poetry built on her flood experiences.
River Friendly, River Wild by Jane Kurtz. Illustrated by Neil Brennan. (Simon & Schuster, 2000).
Deborah Wiles gathered an idea from their conversations and wrote Freedom Summer illustrated by Jerome Lagarrigue (Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing/Atheneum, 2001).I'm not sure what book Deborah Hopkinson wrote from this weekend of writer's talk, but do remember the comment that three books evolved. I'm thinking that it was a follow-up to her Sweet Clara and the Freedom Quilt.

One of Jane's first books was Fire on the Mountain (Simon & Schuster, 1994) which was illustrated by E. B. Lewis. Later he and Jane's brother went to Ethiopia to do research for the illustrations for another book Jane and he published, Only a Pigeon (Simon & Schuster, 1997)



	Among my very favorite books is this one written with her brother Christopher as co-author. Find out about all of Jane's books at http://www.janekurtz.com/books CONGRATULATIONS, JANE - -I'm so pleased it is you that is being honored this year.

Review: The Romeo and Juliet Code by Phoebe Stone

2011-03-21T18:15:00.000-07:00

The Romeo and Juliet Code by Phoebe Stone (Arthur A. Levine Books, 2011).
Set during the early years of World War II, when England was being regularly bombed by the Germans, and the USA had not yet entered the war. Eleven-year-old Felicity Bathburn Budwig's parents decide Felicity would be safer in Maine with her father's family than she would be in England -- especially since they must be gone on a mission that is all too mysterious. Felicity is not happy with her circumstances and clings to her stuffed bear and writes letters to her parents that can not be sent as she doesn't know where they are or when they will come back. Mysteries, secret coded letters, family secrets, and a twelve-year-old boy that is dealing with his own insecurities caused by polio. Aunt Miami, The Gram, Uncle Gideon, and "Captain" Derek (the twelve-year-old) all play a part in bringing the mysteries to the forefront and in helping to solve the number code.

This would have been a perfectly wonderful mystery for upper elementary readers (both boys and girls) if the allusions to a romantic attraction between Derek and Felicity had been left out of the story. It seemed to serve little purpose except to limit those readers who might have enjoyed the narrative as a great historical mystery. Enough romance with the Derek's and Felicity's maneuvering to get Aunt Miami and the postal carrier together. The focus on Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet is superbly done and will be an interesting connection for those who might be ready to explore some classical readings.
I would have liked the ending to have come to a definite conclusion regarding Felicity's parents, and the other elements concluding the story seemed to be too predictable and tidy. The conclusion makes the romantic elements concerning Derek and Felicity all the more problematic.
Upper intermediate readers may overlook the flaws in the tale, but the flaws are distracting enough that it might limit the readership potential.
A book of historical fiction whose facts are backed up with a very interesting author's note at the end of the tale.

St. Joseph's Day and Kolaches

2011-03-18T22:11:00.000-07:00

Tomorrow, March 19 is St. Joseph's day. Besides wearing red - my favorite color, I love kolaches. St. Joseph's day is the best excuse to make kolaches -- better make some tomorrow.
Kolache Dough
1/2 C sugar
1/2 C soft Crisco shortening
dash of salt
2 eggs
4 C flour
3/4 C warm water
1 pkg dry yeast
Dissolve yeast in the warm water - set aside. Cream together the sugar, shortening, salt, and eggs. Add yeast mixture to creamed ingredients. Mix well and add 1/2 the flour. Mix well and add remaining flour. Put dough in a buttered bowl and cover with a towel. Set in a warm place to rise - 1 1/2 hours to 2 hours. Once the dough has raised, punch down and use dough to make 1 inch balls. Place on a baking sheet (on a baking parchment). Flatten the balls and make a wide indentation in the center of the ball. In the indentation place filling (a thickened fruit puree, apricots, raisins, cherry, poppy seed etc.) Allow to rise for 30 minutes. Bake at 325 degrees until dough is beginning to brown. While still warm glaze the dough of the pastry. (Rather than a glaze one could sprinkle powdered sugar on the top - filling and all.)

Poppyseed Filling
1 c. poppyseed, ground
3/4 c. milk
Pinch of cinnamon
Pinch of cloves
1/2 tsp. salt
1 egg
3/4 c. sugar
1 tbsp. flour, mashed with butter
1/2 tsp. vanilla

Bring milk to a boil with poppy seed, cinnamon, cloves, salt and sugar. Boil about 5 minutes. Add beaten egg and flour mixed with butter.

APRICOT FILLING FOR KOLACHES

1 lb. dry apricots
2 c. water
1 c. sugar
Pinch of cinnamon

Boil apricots and water until partially soft. Add sugar and cinnamon. Mash. Put back on stove to simmer until thick.

RAISIN FILLING FOR KOLACHES

In a medium saucepan, simmer the 2 cups raisins and 2/3 cup of water over medium heat for 5 minutes. In a bowl, combine 1/2 cup brown sugar, 1/2 cup white sugar, 3 Tablespoons cornstarch, 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon, 1/2 teaspoon ground allspice and a speck of salt. Gradually stir in the remaining 1 1/3 cup water. Add to the raisins, stirring until the mixture bubbles up.

Add 1 Tablespoon vinegar, 2 Tablespoons butter and 1 teaspoon orange rind and continue cooking until the butter melts. Cool mixture until it is almost lukewarm.

Ashley Bryan

2011-03-12T05:21:00.000-08:00

Maine Public Broadcasting has published this marvelous video interview with Ashley Bryan - a Renaissance man for sure. I love him and love his work. He is a national treasure.
Be patient this will take a bit to load but it is well worth the time.

Watch the full episode. See more A Good Read.

A Seat at the Banquet - ALA Awards Banquet 2011

2011-02-22T20:49:00.000-08:00

If you want a RESERVED seat at the Awards banquet on June 26, 2011, I have 8 available seats -- read on. ALA Convention - New Orleans, Louisiana --
On June 26, 2011 - the ALSC (a division of the American Library Association) will present the Newbery, Caldecott, and Laura Ingalls Wilder award to the recipients (see http://www.ala.org for a list of award/honor winners).

Tomie dePaola
Laura Ingalls Wilder
Award


A Sick Day for Amos McGee CALDECOTT AWARD

Moon Over Manifest
NEWBERY AWARD

If you purchase a ticket for $94.00 you get a seat - that is at an unreserved table. BUT if one reserves a table, the table seats 10 and the table is reserved for the person/organization who is doing the reserving. So a seat purchased at a reserved table assures the ticket holder of a reserved seat and the company of "friends."
If you wish to have a seat at the table reserved by:
McBookwords - please email me ASAP. Just 8 seats left.

e-mail McBookwords

Birds and Quilts

2011-02-17T14:24:00.000-08:00

I was looking for "conversation fabric" today. Did not know that is what it was called—I had always called those fabrics that were not just swirls and circles and such "novelty" fabrics. That also did not include fabrics with flowers, checks, or plaids. I was looking for fabrics with bears- -I have this idea for a "bear" quilt for my adult daughter; and I was also looking for any fabric that might fit into my "literary quilt." I have fabric for the gingerbread boy, Clifford the Big Red Dog, Dr. Seuss, Chicken Little, Little Red Hen, etc. etc. -- and today since I had just received the current issue of LibrarySparks, I had on my mind Claudia McGehee's Where Do Birds Live? It is a delightful book about birds across the United States, with wonderful illustrations featuring a signature bird in a specific habitat. I was thinking a wonderful bird filled fabric might be just the fabric to put into a part of my literacy quilt. I didn't buy the bird fabric - it wasn't quite right; but I did manage to find two fabrics with a bear motif. And in the process I discovered that what used to be "novelty" fabrics are now being referred to as "conversation fabric." More about my quilting later.
See earlier entry on this blog about McGehee's book.

Valentine's Day 2011

2011-02-16T04:34:00.000-08:00

Lace and Roses -- the heart shaped measuring spoons were found at Green Endeavors, the heart shaped carmel hearts from a school fundraiser. The pink/red hearts are cookie cutters from a local craft store. Wine glasses in the lace cloth filled basket. Favorite wine -- not shown: Storyteller from the Fireside Winery in Marengo Iowa. Storyteller: Exotic fruits, quince and mineral aromas invite summer patio sipping. In the mouth, fruit and floral flavors meld with lush sweetness that is balanced by crisp acidity lingering on the finish. Storyteller is a blend of Vignoles and Chardonell and is perfect for after dinner or a pleasing aperitif.

Red and White - the china is similar to this dinner plate; but the china on the table has a gold rim. The ruby red bowls are antique store finds; napkins are standard fare from local department store as is the table ware.

Heart shaped measuring spoons was a gift which was found at Green Endeavors. Actually measures by the teaspoon full.

Red Roses were sent by a friend. The red vase was also a gift from a friend -- and found in a quaint little gift store in the Czech Village on 16th Avenue in Cedar Rapids, IA. The hand painted plate was a gift from a children's literature student -- both the plate and the student were from Russia.

This depression era pink frosted heart dish and saucer were found at Green Endeavors -- my current favorite gift store.

Hearts and frogs -- the hearts are cookie cutters -- and the frogs are part of a set of cute little frogs that were a holiday white elephant gift exchange. One person's junk is another person's treasure. I love them.

A few sweets purchased from
Prairie High School
Band's fundraiser.

A Rose Among the Thorns - Wading Through E-Mails

2011-02-08T08:36:00.000-08:00

Sometimes among the thorns one finds a rose -- this time it was a gem of an article about the learning that followed one group reading "Fire on the Mountain" by Jane Kurtz.
=============================
This morning I was faced with dozens - no hundreds of e-mails. Since I often get e-mails from people I don't know, but do want to get, I do not automatically file away the junk mail but just let them show up marked with a junk icon. The result -- I get lots of junk. Today I was visited by Shari's berries (whatever that is), offered coupons, homeowner's insurance (Farm Bureau has served me well for decades, thank you), profitable ideas for a gift shop, flowers for Valentine's Day, Secrets to winning scholarships (Just tell me where the legitimate opportunities are and we'll deal with it), instant medical help, low fares to places I don't want to visit, access to credit scores (thanks my are just fine), auto insurance (Farm Bureau does well here too), more Valentine's bouquets (I will get mine from Green Endeavors in Mt. Vernon) but in among the e-mails was one telling me about an article about a middle school in Bermuda and how they investigated What is Wat? -- and "It all started out with reading a book called ‘Fire on the Mountain’ by Jane Kurtz." -- Read about their learning experience "Students get a taste of Ethiopia Do you know what’s wat?" The article will explain how real questions lead to real inquiry and real learning. And now they know what is wat and their world has just been enlarged.

Laura Ingalls Wilder's Birthday

2011-02-06T08:47:00.000-08:00

Tomorrow - February 7th is the 144th anniversary of Laura Ingalls Wilder's birthday in 1867. She died three days after reaching 90 years of age (Feb. 10, 1957). Anyone who "teaches" these books or reads them with children should be aware of some of the concerns about the depiction of American Indians in these books. Please check out Debbie Reese's blog and search for "Laura Ingalls Wilder" -- I think you will uncover some very thought provoking ideas.


Laura Ingalls Wilder Read the "Defining Moment" post about the beginning of the House on the Prairie series.

For some little known information about the first editions of the books go to the Purple House Press site and its pages about Laura http://www.purplehousepress.com/liw.htm
The books are definitely fiction -- but do share some very important glimpses of pioneer life.
On Laura's birthday I will celebrate with her own favorite cake -- gingerbread. In her later years she often greeted guests with her well-known gingerbread with a glaze of chocolate frosting and lemonade.

Here's her recipe for the gingerbread --

Laura Ingalls Wilder's gingerbread was
most often served with a thin glaze of
chocolate and a glass of freshly made

lemonade.

LAURA'S GINGERBREAD

1 cup brown sugar blended with
1/2 cup lard or other shortening.
1 cup molasses mixed well with this.
2 teaspoons baking soda in 1 cup boiling water
(Be sure cup is full of water after foam is run off into cake mixture).
Mix all well.

To 3 cups of flour have added one teaspoon each of the following spices:
ginger, cinnamon, allspice, nutmeg, cloves and 1/2 teaspoon salt.
Sift all into cake mixture and mix well.
Add lastly 2 well-beaten eggs.
The mixture should be quite thin.
Bake in a moderate oven for thirty minutes.
Raisins and, or, candied fruit may be added and a chocolate frosting adds to the goodness.

Matthew Reinhart - home again, in Cedar Rapids, Iowa

2011-01-22T20:37:00.000-08:00

Matthew Reinhart was born on September 21, 1971 in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Today, Saturday, January 22, 2011 Matthew was "back home." He was at the Cedar Rapids Museum of Art in conjunction with an art exhibit there. Many workshops were conducted for children, including a pop-up workshop conducted by Reinhart just before his "formal" presentation to those who had come to the museum.
During his presentation he talked about his youth - being born in Cedar Rapids, living in Iowa City, Iowa where his father attended dental school at the University of Iowa. Much of his growing up years were spent following his military father from base to base but the family (which included a younger sister, Erin) returned often to Cedar Rapids because that is where family was.
As a child he had but one pop-up book -- a dinosaur book that his sister quickly took apart before he had owned it more that 48 hours. But he loved the art in many picture books, particularly the art of Richard Scarry, Mercer Mayer (whose work was a lot like Maurice Sendak), and Peter Spier (especially, Gobble Grunt Growl).
When it was time to go to college, Matthew choose a school in South Carolina - a location where the Reinhart family had lived during Matthew's growing up years.
His parents wanted him to have a practical career so they encouraged him to select a field that would be compatible with a successful life. Matthew was good at biology (but always took some art courses on the side) so he choose medicine and was accepted into graduate school. However, he decided to take a year off and go to New York City. He did and while doing some volunteer work, he met Robert Sabuda. Robert encouraged him to follow his dream so Matthew entered Pratt with the idea of majoring in industrial design, namely toy design. For a time he worked with Blues Clues, but that fell by the wayside when Matthew discovered the world of pop-up books. Matthew expanded his work with Sabuda. He has been working with Sabuda since 1998, and now collaborates with other artists and his own titles as well.
He works in a studio filled with music or he listens to the audio from television shows. Two (and soon to be three) assistants work with him to create papers, draw the outlines for the pop-up pieces Matthew creates. Matthew creates the pop-ups in white, first. Then the finished prototype is carefully taken apart, assistants trace the "die" lines, and the pieces cut from custom created papers. Often a finished BLAD (Basic Layout and Design) piece is created to share with bookbuyers, librarians, etc. The BLAD is basically one pop-up created inside the covers of the proposed book, giving potential buyers and idea of the final pop-up. The BLAD is used in much the same way as an ARC (advanced reader's copy) or F&Gs (folded and gathered sheets for a picture book) are used. Reinhart and Robert Sabuda share a studio in New York City where they continue to create their own pop-ups and to collaborate on various projects. For more information about Reinhart visit his website at http://www.matthewreinhart.com.
Many fans (young and old) stood in line at the museum, to get their books autographed by Matthew Reinhart, and many more will visit the Cedar Rapids Museum of Art to view the exhibit that includes his work.
WIZARDS OF POP - SABUDA & REINHART -- January 22, 2011 - May 1, 2011
Wizards of Pop! Sabuda & Reinhart includes more than 80 images from 16 picture and pop-up books. The book art reveals a variety of media and techniques — with picture book illustrations in batik, marbleized paper mosaic, and delicate cut-paper, and pop-up books rendered in pencil, marker, watercolor, acrylic, and linoleum block print.

--------------------------------------------------------
One unrelated fact about Matthew Reinhart -- he was born on September 21 and that just happens to be the designated feast day for St. Matthew -- http://www.catholic-saints.info/roman-catholic-saints-m-r/saint-matthew.htm -- wonder if that is why he was named Matthew or just-happen-stance.

Russell Freedman and the Sibert Award

2011-01-12T11:56:00.000-08:00

2011 Sibert Honor

One of my very favorite informational book writers is Russell Freedman - this year his LAFAYETTE AND THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION by Russell Freedman was designated as a Sibert Honor Award book. I've loved each of his books ever since I discovered his Teenagers Who Made History (Holiday House, 1961 - wish they'd reissue that one). He won a Newbery for his Lincoln: A Photobiography, published by Clarion, 1989 [I think]).
So now congratulations to Freedman and to Holiday House for publishing such a great book in a continuing series, Russell Freedman's Library of American History, which includes Washington at Valley Forge (Holiday House, 2008)
The Robert F. Sibert award honors the most distinguished informational book published in English in the preceding year for its significant contribution to children’s literature. More about the award and past year winners is available at http://www.ala.org/template.cfm?template=/CFApps/awards_info/award_detail_home.cfm&FilePublishTitle=Awards,%20Grants%20and%20Scholarships&uid=CC2FC724C44501B8

The over-sized book at 88 pages is a great read for grades 5- 8, and anyone interested in a balanced and extremely readable book about this 19 year old hero of the American Revolution and how he developed as a leader here and in his French homeland. Previously the only book on Lafayette written for this target audience was Jean Fritz's Why Not, Lafayette (Putnam 1999), but Freedman is more complete and fills in many gaps of information in Lafayette's life. Filled with pictures and facts this book will do much to interest readers in the history of this period of time - and will do much to interest readers in history in general. A great read - a great writer.

Other Sibert books this year --

2011 Winner

Kakapo Rescue: Saving the World's Strangest Parrot
by Sy Montgomery, illustrations by Nic Bishop (Houghton, 2010) Sy Montgomery and Nic Bishop is the team that brought readers The Tarantula Scientist (Houghton, 2007) or Quest for the Tree Kangaroo (Houghton, 2006) both Sibert Honor books in previous years. This title focuses on a New Zealand bird that is very endangered and only in the 90s in terms of population. A highly engaging look at the efforts to recover and restore this species by Scientists in the Field (series).

Another -- 2011 Honor

Ballet for Martha: Making Appalachian Spring
written by Jan Greenberg and Sandra Jordan, illustrated by Brian Floca, a Neal Porter Book, published by Flash Point, an imprint of Roaring Brook Press, a division of Holtzbrinck Publishing

Other awards named on January 10, 2011 at the American Library Association's MidWinter Conference, including the Newbery and Caldecott Awards, are listed on the association's website at http://www.ala.org/ala/awardsgrants/

15 Australian Picture Books to be read by all.

2011-01-05T20:39:00.000-08:00

Judith Ridge has composed a must read list of 15 Australian picture books and posted them on her blog. Access it at: http://bit.ly/15australian. A good list.

Hidden Roots by Joseph Bruchac - BACK IN PRINT

2011-01-05T10:57:00.000-08:00

2010 edition presented
Greenfield Review Press

Cover of Original edition
published by Scholastic, 2004

If you purchase one YA book this year - purchase this one!
This is an important book for literature reading groups integrating social studies with language arts goals/objectives.
Integrate with a study of the Holocaust precipitated by Adolf Hitler's policies; examine prejudices in our United States History, bringing history home with honesty. READ HIDDEN ROOTS by Joseph Bruchac.

A book that deeply moved me for all time is the novel, Hidden Roots by Joseph Bruchac. Originally published by Scholastic in 2004 the book was described as "11-yr-old Sonny lives with his mother and father up near the Canadian border. Theirs isn’t a peaceful household, given his father Jake’s sudden rages, which can turn physical in an instant. Sonny’s refuge is his mother, and his uncle Louis, a quiet, wise old man who seems to always appear when Sonny and his mother need help most. Jake hates when Louis comes around, but luckily he works long hours at the nearby paper mill. Through an unexpected friendship with a new school librarian, Sonny gains enough confidence to stand up to his his father, and to finally confront..." -- this description though does not do justice to the book and its potential for presenting a part of our American History that is seldom if ever addressed in standard text books. At the heart of the book's conflict is the fact that the book is set in upstate New York and is driven by the historical facts surrounding the exodus of Abenaki Indians from nearby Vermont during the state-sponsored ethnic cleansing beginning in 1931. During that time forced sterilization threatened the very existence of the Native Americans and they fled Vermont, sometimes giving their children to white families to be raised in a shroud of fear of being discovered as "Indian." Family secrets held close -- and hidden. Those interested can read more about the Eugenics sterilization efforts headed by Dr. Perkins on a essay on the Mount Holyoke College class site at http://www.mtholyoke.edu/~bushey/classweb/Page%206.html which details Dr. Perkins work.

Scholastic took Hidden Roots out-of-print a while ago but its importance to the American History one never reads in text-books is tremendous. Debbie Reese wrote about the book on her "American Indians in Children's Literature blog at http://americanindiansinchildrensliterature.blogspot.com/2010/09/joseph-bruchacs-hidden-roots.html. The sinister behavior of Adolph Hitler during the World War II era, is well-known, well-documented and considered one of the most heinous campaigns in the history of the modern world. The connection between Adolf Hitler's policies and his inspiration from the Eugenics efforts in the United States is chilling. This piece of United States history should NOT be shoved in the corner anymore than the shameful establishment of US based Japanese Concentration Camps should be negated.

So if you buy one book this year - buy Hidden Roots -- NOW back in print. Here's a note from Debbie Reese (reprinted with permission) detailing how one may buy this important book.

Those of you who wanted to order a copy of Joseph Bruchac's HIDDEN ROOTS can

do so now...

If you're already up-to-date on it being out-of-print and efforts to get it
republished, and you just want to order it, here's info:

The book is now available at Native
Authorsfor $9.99.
Bookstores and other retailers can be multiple copies at the standard 40%
discount by

1) emailing nudatlog@earthlink.net or,

2) by faxing a purchase order to (518) 583-9741.

The book is being published by the Greenfield Review Press (mailing address
PO Box 308, Greenfield Center, NY 12833).

If you want to know more about the book and efforts to get it back in print,
here's that info:

http://americanindiansinchildrensliterature.blogspot.com/2011/01/joseph-bruchacs-hidden-roots-back-in.html

Have a good day, and share this news with librarians, parents, teachers who
work with children and books.

Debbie Reese

====================================================================================

No Visit Complete ...

2010-12-30T21:38:00.000-08:00

This year we were blessed to have all dozen grandchildren and all six children (plus three wonderful women and one awesome guy) present for our Christmas eve get-together. First time in a dozen or so years. Here we are with the "grands" -


Back row: Michael Joseph, Kylie, Grandpa, Ava, Marissa, Grandma, Kaydence, Jessie Front row: Tarrah, Jade, E.J. Aubrey (Gavin in front of her), Griffin

And no visit home would be complete without a visit to our local (Cedar Rapids) Happy Joe's restaurant. Here is Steve's family (without Steve, but with Christina, Marissa, Kylie, Kaydence, and E.J.) with Aunt Suzanne (brown shirt) and Aubrey (the blond) celebrating Aubrey's 20th birthday. The requested pizza is always the Happy Joe's special, sauerkraut and Canadian bacon. Birthday celebration or not whenever Steve visits from Nevada a trip to Happy Joe's is mandatory.

The second mandatory restaurant trip is to Oscar's Family Restaurant in Hiawatha, Iowa - on the corner of Boysen Road and N. Center Point Rd. They have absolutely the BEST breaded tenderloin sandwiches in the Midwest. Always fried just right - fresh and lightly breaded. It seems the western states have not gotten the hang of serving this sandwich. Steve's visit is always serious business -- and don't bother giving him a menu; he knows what he has come for.

A great trip - wonderful Christmas days, Happy Joe's, and Oscars -- sledding, overnights at the cousins, dinners out with the siblings, watching Iowa win the Insight Bowl -- what could be better?

Gift Giving Suggestion #2 2010 - Where Do Birds Live? by Claudia McGehee

2010-12-02T11:30:00.000-08:00

Visit your local hardware store and pick up a bag of bird seed, and a birdhouse; or a hummingbird feeder and pair them with this wonderful picture book by Claudia McGehee, Where Do Birds Live?

Book Gift Giving Suggestion #1 - 2010

2010-12-01T11:30:00.000-08:00

My favorite "repeat" suggestion. Jim Aylesworth's The Mitten with a wonderfully soft pair of red mittens.

Identify picture (HELP)

2010-11-07T13:24:00.001-08:00

Author appeared at the Iowa Festival of Children's Books in 2003 - I think! Same year as Chris Raschke -
Can you identify her?
===================================================================
Thanks to Jan Aldrich Solow -- this picture has been identified as Anna Grossnickle Hines. who is autographing her book - Pieces: A Year in Poems and Quilts.

Paul Galdone (June 02 1907 - November 7 1986)

2010-11-07T00:08:00.000-07:00

Gingerbread•Gingerbread

Today is the 24th anniversary of the death of one of the best authors/illustrators to have created books in the field of children's literature. Paul Galdone was born in Budapest in 1907 (some sources say 1914, however the Social Security sources verify the 1907 date), and arrived in the United States around 1921 at age 14. He became well known for his retellings of the popular nursery tales: Little Red Hen, Jack and the Beanstalk, The Three Little Pigs, The Three Bears, Who's in Foxes Sack? and my favorite The Gingerbread Boy. Many other versions have come and gone but Galdone's versions are classic tales known for their simplicity and faithfulness to the collected versions first recorded generations ago.
Celebrate Galdone's contribution to the field of children's literature by reading Galdone's version of The Gingerbread Boy (1975) and baking some gingerbread cookies.

Gingerbread Boy

Step #1 - Cream:

1 cup of shortening
1 cup brown sugar
3 eggs

Step #2 - Add:

1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla
2 cups molasses

Step #3 - Sift and add:

8 1/4 cup flour (more or less)
1 tablespoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons cinnamon
1 tablespoon ginger

====================================================================
Mix well while preheating oven to 350 degrees
Form dough into 3 balls; knead each one lightly. Roll to 1/3 inch thickness. Cut into shapes. Add raisins (or chocolate chips) for the eyes and mouth. Red hots for nose. Bake at 350 degrees for 10-15 minutes. Remove from the oven, cool. Makes 3 dozen cookies.
=====================================================================
Bake up a batch and create a family gift -- cookies for the family, mug from Mom (or Dad), cocoa packets, etc. and add your favorite version of the Gingerbread boy to read together. "Gingerbread Red and Cocoa Gift package"

Aylesworth, Jim. The Gingerbread Man. Scholastic, 1998.

Amoss, Berthe. Cajun Gingerbread Boy. MTC Press, 1999.

Cook, Scott. The Gingerbread Boy. Dragonfly, 1996 (paperback).

Egielski, Richard. The Gingerbread Boy. HarperCollins, 1997. (An Urban city and includes a recipe.)

Galdone, Paul. The Gingerbread Boy.. Clarion, 1979

Kimmel, Eric. The Gingerbread Man. Illustrated by Megan Lloyd. Holiday House, 1994. (Variant ending has gingerbread people returning each time someone bakes a batch.)

Lobel, Anita. The Pancake. Morrow, 1978.

"The Pancake." In The Arbuthnot Anthology of Children's Literature. 3rd ed. Scott, Foresman, 1971.

Rockwell, Anne. "The Gingerbread Man." In The Three Bears and 15 Other Stories. Crowell, 1975; Harper Trophy, 1984.

Thanksgiving - Delicious Cranberry Bread & Delicious Book

2010-11-01T20:54:00.000-07:00

Thanksgiving Book & Activity for Youth Groups --

Anyone who is hosting or looking for an activity to use with elementary girls or boys may want to consider locating and reading one of my favorite books Cranberry Thanksgiving by Wende and Harry Devlin (actually the Devlin's Old Black Witch is my very favorite of their books). Its one of those treasures that you will find in the library - hopefully and maybe in used book stores. It's worth the search.
Not exactly a "craft" but this is a project I have used with any group old enough to measure.Grandmother's recipe (an element in the story) is included on the back of the hard cover but not on the paperback. --
Read the story. Obtain large plastic or glass containers that will hold 4 cups or use a plastic baggie, and once filled put down in a brown paper bag that has been decorated. Measure the ingredients in the recipe below, into a "mix" for the bread. Include everything but the egg, orange juice, butter, cranberries, and walnuts. These can be added when the mix is used. Include a note telling the user to add 1 egg, 1/4 cup orange juice, 1/4 cup butter, 1 & 1/2 cup cranberries, and 1 cup chopped walnuts (optional).

1) Cover the container's cover with a gingham cloth or tie the bag shut with a ribbon.
2) Put a label on the container "Grandmother's Famous Cranberry Bread" with instructions to add 1 egg, 1/4 cup orange juice, and 1 & 1/2 cup cranberries, 1 cup chopped walnuts (optional).
3) Print off copies of the recipe, and include a copy inside a handmade thanksgiving card to present to mother, father, grandmother -- whoever.

This is the recipe you will want to include inside the card so that the family can make more if they wish.

Ingredients • 2 cups of all-purpose flour
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 & 1/2 tsp. baking powder
• 1 tsp. salt
• 1/2 tsp. baking soda
• 1/4 cup butter or margarine
• 1 egg, beaten
• 1 tsp. grated orange peel
• 1/2 cup orange juice
• 1 cup coarsely chopped walnuts
• 1 & 1/2 cups fresh or frozen cranberries, chopped
Method -

Combine flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, and baking soda in a large bowl. Cut in butter until mixture is crumbly. Add egg, orange peel, and orange juice all at once; stir just until mixture is evenly moist. Fold in cranberries and nuts. Spoon into a greased 9“ x 5” x3" loaf pan. Bake at 350°F for 1 hour and 10 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Remove from pan and cool on wire rack. Slice and serve.-

Cheer 2010 -They cheer for the Mavericks; We cheer for books.

2010-10-27T08:50:00.000-07:00

My favorite Nevada Cheer Group - Maverick Cheer from Fernley Nevada.
So proud of the hard work. Cheer/Dance IS a non-contact sport demanding much time practice and dedication. Great job Coach Christina and Crystal. And Kylie - you are the best.

Read these books to inspire:
Complete Guide to Cheerleading: All the Tips, Tricks, and Inspiration by Christine Farina, Courtney Clark, Bruce Curtis, and Cindy Villarreal - forthcoming 2011
Complete Guide to Cheerleading: All the Tips, Tricks, and Inspiration by Christine Farina, Courtney Clark, Bruce Curtis, and Cindy Villarreal - forthcoming 2011
Cheer Gear (Cheerleading) by Jen Jones- forthcoming 2011
Cheer Skills (Cheerleading) by Jen Jones- forthcoming 2011
Cheerleaders in Action (Cheerleading) by Jen Jones- forthcoming 2011
Cheers and Chants (Cheerleading) by Jen Jones- forthcoming 2011

Picture Book to Introduce Story of Adventure

2010-10-23T11:45:00.000-07:00

Picture books are great introductions to a topic, a person, or event, that older students might find of interest -- and the story of Manjiro is certainly an adventure that might interest many readers.
In 1841, a Japanese boy, Manjiro was shipwrecked and swam to an island with the rest of the crew. This was during a time when citizens exiting or entering Japan were routinely killed. Thus there were no exchanges between the United States and Japan. However, an American whaling ship rescued the crew and Manjiro who, it is thought, became the first Japanese person to live in America. Eventually he returns to Japan taking with him information about America that both intrigue and interest his fellow Japanese. He is often cited as making a major contribution to American -Japanese relations, but his experiences also illuminates the immigrant experience during this period of time.

Emily Arnold McCully, the author/illustrator of Caldecott Award book Mirette on the High Wire (Putnam, 2000), and my favorite, Marvelous Mattie: How Margaret E. Knight Became an Inventor (FSG, 2008), writes of Manjiro in a picture book, Manjiro (FSG, 2008).
Use McCully's book Manjiro to introduce full length novels (fiction), Heart of a Samurai by Margi Peuss (Amulet, 2010) and Shipwrecked: The True Adventures of a Japanese Boy by Rhoda Blumberg (HarperCollins, 2001).

The Chiru of High Tibet - is launched

2010-10-12T21:04:00.000-07:00

A great party for Jacqueline Briggs Martin's The Chiru of High Tibet. See all the pictures at http://www.jacquelinebriggsmartin.com/books/chirulaunch.html.

Jackie autographs a copy of the book for Jake.


Aubrey's book is autographed by Jackie at the October 10, 2010 launch party.

Read to Cheer — Cheer on Reading Week

2010-10-09T20:42:00.000-07:00

Read to Cheer—Cheer on Reading Week - 2010
Each year the Fernley (NV) Football League (which includes a "cheer" component for the girls) asks their teams to develop and hold a "fundraiser." This year the Maverick Cheer group (and their coaches Christina McElmeel and Crystal Attwood) turned this blank check into a contribution of $723.00 by holding a Read to Cheer—Cheer on Reading Week. Each participating member made a reading goal and solicited reading sponsors per page read, or a designated amount for reaching the set goal.
Collectively the group read hundreds of pages and were able to present the directors a check at their celebratory pizza party at Round Table Pizza in Fernley. McBookwords was pleased and honored to sponsor this fundraiser by providing the promotional materials, the pizza party, and to provide a folder with a notebook, pencils, and a bookstore gift card to each participate. Thank you to Christina and Crystal for the extra effort it took to help to surround this group of children with literacy and to encourage them to become lifelong reader — in addition to your season's work as cheer coaches. A win-win for Maverick Cheer. McBookwords was pleased to be a part of this literacy event in the Fernley community.


Maverick Cheer - Cheer on Reading Participants (at Round Table Pizza (Fernley) with coaches, directors, and four cheer buddies.

Entire Maverick Cheer group trying to look "mean."
As you can see most of them have a very difficult
time being anything but the happy, bubbly team
that they are.

It's a Party - Book Launch (The Chiru of High Tibet)

2010-10-02T15:27:00.000-07:00


Find out more about the book at www.jacquelinebriggsmartin.com/books/chiru.html

If you are near Mount Vernon Iowa on October 10th - you are all invited to what promises to be a very fun book launch party for Jacqueline Briggs Martin's just released book, The Chiru of High Tibet.
The party will be held at 3:00 p.m at the:
The Perfect Blend
224 1st St NW.
Mount Vernon IA 52314
http://bit.ly/chiruparty

If you are unable to come but still wish to purchase an autographed copy; you might call Ann at the Perfect Blend (319) 895-6862
Do come if you are able.
Sharron

A Brown Bag Lunch, Authors/Bookpeople, and TWO new books

2010-09-29T22:15:00.000-07:00

A few friends and I had lunch the other day at Green Endeavors. LtoR is Carol Gorman, Nancy Jennings, Jacqueline Briggs Martin, Jeni Reeves, and me. The fine people at Green Endeavors do not cook but we brought out brown bag lunches and they had a cozy corner for us. We talked books. We took a look at Jackie's new book The Chiru of High Tibet (a launch party scheduled for October 10th - watch for news.) And we all got a look at Jeni Reeves's wonderful illustrations in her Alamo book. Another blogger referred to the book by saying, "Enrique Esparza and The Battle of the Alamo is part of the History Speaks Series: Picture Books Plus Reader's Theater. Brown's suspenseful, dramatic telling and solid research, complemented by Jeni Reeves's stunning oil paintings, make this true story one that will surely engage young readers and spark their interest for more. The author is Susan Taylor Brown.

Jackie Martin and
The Chiru of High Tibet


Nancy Jennings looking through Enrique Esparza and The Battle of the Alamo, with illustrations by Jeni Reeves

After lunch we browsed in the Green Endeavors gift and flower shop, and then make our way up the hill to Bass Farms to take a look at the market there. Lots of fresh fruits and vegetables - and a yard full of pumpkins.

Saltypie by Tim Tingle

2010-09-27T15:26:00.000-07:00

Saltypie: A Choctaw Journey from Darkness into Light by Tim Tingle, illustrated by Karen Clarkson (Cinco Puntos Press, 2010) is featured in this month's (October 2010) issue of Library Sparks magazine, Vol. 8, No. 2, pages 16- 18.

The article begins "For a subject worked and reworked so often in novels, motion pictures, and television. American Indians are the least understood and the most misunderstood of us all." Tim Tingle uses this quote from John F. Kennedy (1963) in the author note appended to his compelling family memoir, Saltypie.

Read the book, and check for enrichment extensions at http://www.mcbookwords.com/books/saltypie.html.

This is a book that should be in all libraries that serve children and all ages. Consider this book to introduce units/discussions with young adult and older readers regarding our cultural prejudices, stereotypes, resiliency, family strength, and relationships among the generations.

Great book, Great Reading! Check it Out!

Jamie Gilson - Chess and Gingerbread (No Tofu Really)

2010-09-21T19:05:00.000-07:00

www.jamiegilson.com

Jamie Gilson's latest book (2008) is Chess, I Love It, I Love It, I Love It. But one of my favorites remains a title from 1981, Can't Catch Me, I'm the Gingerbread Man. In that book it would seem that there would be some gingerbread but the food connections I find are:

p. 44- trail mix
p. 61 - Snack
p. 181 Banana Tofu -- a recipe for Banana Tofu includes -- 3 frozen bananas, 6 oz. tofu, 1 tablespoon honey, 2 tablespoons peanut butter, a pinch of nutmeg, 1/4 cup cold milk. Blend in a blender until smooth and creamy.

Food sells books and almost anything else. Advertise books like the junk food producers advertise their junk food. Become the best public relations person there is -- Readers are Leaders -- Read to Succeed.

Alice Fleming's Lemon Chicken

2010-09-20T00:01:00.000-07:00

The first book I ever read by Alice Mulcahey Fleming is Welcome to Grossville. Since the publication of that book she has gone on to write many more books, including several biographies. In the middle 1980s I interviewed her about the Grossville title, and asked her about her favorite foods. Maybe there always was the idea to create an author's book with recipes. Anyway she mentioned that she enjoyed broiled loin lamb chops, lasagna, fresh strawberries and raspberries, homegrown tomatoes, corn on the cob, and green salads. The other dish she especially enjoyed was lemon chicken -- and she sent the recipe. That was in 1986 -- it took me another 20 years or so to write Authors in the Kitchen and later Authors in the Pantry. Here is Fleming's Lemon Chicken recipe.

Lemon Chicken - Yummy looking

Lemon Chicken

1/2 lb. sweet butter, softened
8 boneless chicken breasts
1 tablespoons vegetable oil
2 oz. flour
salt and pepper to taste
2 eggs lightly beaten
juice of 1 lemon
1 lemon sliced
1/4 cup chopped parsley

1) Dredge chicken breasts in flour, salt and pepper and dip into beaten eggs. In heavy skillet, melt 2 tablespoons of butter with vegetable oil. Add chicken and cook over medium heat. When chicken breasts are done, remove from pan and keep warm.
2) Discard cooking fat and add lemon juice to pan. Cut remaining butter into 1 ounce pieces and whisk into lemon juice, one piece at a time. Beat until sauce is smooth and thickened.
3) Spoon a little sauce onto plates and top with chicken. Garnish with parsley, perhaps a slice of fresh tomato or pepper, and lemon slices.

Happy Birthday to...

2010-09-13T00:01:00.000-07:00

Today, September 13, 2010 is the anniversary of the birthday of several great authors - the late Roald Dahl born September 13, 1916 (in Wales) - 1990 (his first book The Gremlins was published the year (1943), the same year that Mildred Taylor was born on his birthday), Mildred D. Taylor, and Else Minarik born this same day in 1920 in Denmark.

And while the three authors do not share their birthday with Dr. Seuss they do share their birthday with ME and this cookie jar is a great "cake" to have filled with chocolate chip oatmeal cookies to share all day long.

So Happy Birthday to all of four of us!

Try these "Birthday Books"
Happy Birthday to You! by Dr. Seuss
Some Birthday! by Patricia Polacco
The Birthday Box by Leslie Patricelli

A Birthday Basket For Tia by Pat Mora and Cecily Lang

Birthday Monsters! by Sandra BoyntonThe Secret Language of Birthdays: Teen Edition by Alicia Thompson, Joost Elffers, and Gary Goldschneider
You're Only Old Once! A Book for Obsolete Children by Dr. Seuss
11 Birthdays by Wendy Mass
Happy Birthday, Moon (Moonbear) by Frank Asch
A Birthday for Frances by Russell Hoban and Lillian Hoban

Olivia -- the piglet (Ian Falconer)

2010-09-11T16:38:00.000-07:00

Getting my files underway to send off to the Kerlan Collection and I came across this note I had made about Olivia by Ian Falconer. Falconer is well-known in the world of theater design but since 2001 he has made his mark as a children's book author/illustrator with the first book in his multi-book series about Olivia, a piglet who goes about life doing the things she wants to do.

In an interview with Katie Couric on the Today Show (Friday October 26, 2001) Falconer recounted how he came to write about Olivia. The books began as a Christmas present to his niece, Olivia, then 3-years old. When he was courted by a publishing house to write and illustrate a picture book he has them all ready. his books use only three colors: red, white, and black. Falconer stated that since he uses only three basic colors children are able to focus more on what is in the picture and pay attention to expressions and details.

In fact he often puts details in his books that are intended to build an attentive reader's curiosity and inquisitiveness. In Olivia Saves the Circus, he slips in a Degas painting, and a picture of Eleanor Roosevelt hanging over Olivia's bed. He hopes that parents/adults will discuss those images with young readers and that those bits of discussion will help readers connect to even more information as they become older students. But perhaps my favorite title is Olivia Helps with Christmas. Perhaps that would be a great pre-Christmas book for that primary aged reader. Check out more about the Olivia books at www.oliviathepiglet.com

A Library Closes, a new blog, and a new book.

2010-09-08T00:38:00.000-07:00

About libraries, a blog, and a new book
Many of you know Jacqueline Briggs Martin, the author of the Caldecott Award Winning /Snowflake Bentley/. Coming out this month is a dynamic new book /The Chiru of High Tibet/. It is an astounding book that tells the true story of four men who seek to find the birthing grounds of the endangered Chiru.
Martin has begun a blog to provide some of the inside details about the research and writing of this book (and her own amazing trip to Tibet). Every so often on her blog, she also imparts some sage comments about many things that matter greatly to educators and writers. On August 26 she wrote about the closing of the curriculum library associated with the University of Iowa. http://chirujournal.blogspot.com/2010/08/good-placegone.html
All educators/librarians should heed her advice (IMHO) and as she states in her concluding remarks, " Wallets and pens. We must do what we can with wallets and pens to be sure we have places to buy and places to read these books."
Martin's blog is http://chirujournal.blogspot.com
You might also want to check out the /The Chiru of High Tibet /on the author's website at http://www.jacquelinebriggsmartin.com/books/chiru.html -- this page has some links to additional connections that will help make this book a must have for any library that serves children and young adult readers, and a valuable book for any study of Tibet, protection of endangered animals, explorers, or oil vs nature.
This book has implications for all ages (elementary and secondary); and her post on the blog has implications for all readers -- old and young and in-between -- so pick up your pen and write in support of a library; any library you value, and vote for books with your wallet (support your library, and your local book dealers.)

First Day Books - Reads for 2010

2010-08-11T19:30:00.000-07:00

At every major holiday and special school occasion, I often selected a great book for each grade level and thought I would have a "tradition" for a couple of years anyway ~ but eventually I figured out that teachers "found" my favorite book for the next year and I had to find a new one anyway. The year I read Allan Say's Tree of Cranes to second graders for the winter holiday was a turning point. I loved the book and the story behind the story. The next year - every second grade teacher had replicated my author introduction and the reading of the book before I had it scheduled. So much for that grand plan. That year I choose a book to read to grades K-2; and grades 3-5, and then suggested a different follow-up book for each of the specific grade levels.
For the intermediate students (and sometimes primary) -- I often chose a "new" read aloud book for each occasion, introduced one to the primary students, and another to the Intermediate students -- then it was theirs. They could use it however they wanted, whenever they wanted.
At the beginning of each school year I went a little further, I selected my book and then followed up by purchasing paperback copies for each of the teachers whose class I would be reading the first chapter of a novel to and then I would introduce the author to each class in a grade range, read the first chapter, and then hand over the copy of the book to the teacher (in front of the children) and tell the children that if they worked real hard and begged their teacher perhaps she/he would read the rest of the book to them. This served to open the school year on a note supporting READING, and also subtly got teachers (some reluctant to "take time to read aloud") into the habit of reading aloud.

This year my choice to start the year off, for intermediate readers would be The Fabled Fourth Graders of Aesop Elementary by Candace Fleming (Schwartz & Wade, 2007; Yearling Pb, 2009) -- it is a very funny book that introduces puns (get ready to groan), Mr. Jupiter (the very eccentric 4th grade teacher) and several very interesting students who "have a reputation." --This book would really cheer on learning, innovative thinking, creative endeavors, and just plain fun with learning. Students will be begging for just one more chapter -- and then for one more book.

And Fleming has that book coming this month (August, 2010), The Fabled Fifth Graders of Aesop Elementary by Candace Fleming (Schwartz & Wade, 2010). This book will be featured in my "In the Spotlight" column in Library Sparks in January 2011.
For primary students, I think I would take a look at Toni Buzzeo's The Library Doors -- with illustrations by the wonderful Nadine Wescott (Upstart Books, 2008) or Pat Miller's We're Going on a Book Hunt, another book illustrated by Wescott and published by Upstart Books. Both have a connection to old rhymes. Could be great fun for any of the primary classes -- while bringing them to know some of the conventions of library use.

Happy Birthday - Helen Beatrix Potter

2010-07-28T05:41:00.000-07:00

Today, 144 years ago Helen Beatrix Potter was born in England and years later she sought to cheer up the five-year-old son of her former governess Annie Moore so she sent an illustrated letter to Noel Moore. That was in 1893. In 1901 she self-published a revised version. It was so successful (despite several publisher's rejections) that Frederick Warne publishers sought to publish it in 1902. That information is rather well-known. What might not be so well known is that Beatrix Potter was one, if not the first, to create merchandise to promote her writing. In 1903 she created a Peter Rabbit doll as a promotional product to accompany the book.
Visit the Beatrix Potter Room at McBookwords Manor (lol).
Sharron

More Pairings -- WWII and The Candy Bombers

2010-07-13T11:08:00.000-07:00

Everyone loves chocolate and the children in Berlin post-WWII were no different. This intriguing story of how American pilots won the hearts of German children (and their parents) during airlifts of food and coal to war ravaged Berlin has been told in several recent books.

Introduce the Candy Bombers with a reading of Mercedes and the Chocolate Pilot by Margot Theis Raven (Sleeping Bear Press,2002). This is the true story of a 7-year-old girl who writes a letter to the pilot, Lt. Gail Halversen and gets a package in return. The epilogue is as compelling as the story Raven tells. On Raven's author site she shares some correspondence and information about the real Mercedes and the pilot.

Then continue on to introduce longer more involved accounts of the Candy Bombers of World War II. A new book to be released by Charlesbridge on July 28, 2010 shows great promise for upper elementary and older readers. It is Candy Bomber: The Story of the Berlin Airlift's "Chocolate Pilot" by Michael O. Tunnel (Charlesbridge, 2010)

Gail S. Halvorsen has created (and narrated) a YouTube video about his experiences and would provide more information.

A comprehensive 640 page book,The Candy Bombers: The Untold Story of the Berlin Airlift and America's Finest Hour by Andrei Chemy (Putnam, 2008) -- now available in paperback from Berkley Trade, and in audio format from Recorded Books (24+ hours of recordings) is great for that cross country trip.
Let me know what you think of these books — I think you will find them great fun Settle down in an easy chair with a chocolate bar and enjoy.

Pair these two titles - Burma

2010-07-13T08:03:00.000-07:00

Two Books - One Discussion

Bamboo People by Mitali Perkins (Charlesbridge)

Burmese Lessons by Karen Connelly (Random House)

A Long Walk to Water by Linda Sue Park

2010-07-12T09:28:00.000-07:00

Park, Linda Sue. A Long Walk to Water: Based on a True Story. Clarion, 2010 (November) ISBN: 978-547-25127-1
While teens in 2009, in the United States have been worried about obtaining the newest technology—ipods, smart phones and so forth, the young people of Sudan are worried about obtaining fresh water. Before that there was war and much hardship. When you open this book you will not be able to close it until you have finished the last word -- it's that intriguing. Park tells us parallel stories of two people: Nya, a young girl living in Southern Sudan 2008-2009 who must walk miles each day to obtain enough fresh water for her family and Salva, a young man whose journey begins in Southern Sudan many years earlier (1985). His walk takes him away from his village when it is raided by rebels, and pushes (and pulls) him on a journey across Africa and into the United States.
At the beginning of each paragraph we briefly glimpse a portion of Nya's life as a young girl in Southern Sudan in 2008-and later 2009. Meanwhile the major portion of the chapter tells us the story of Salva and his years as a refugee from Sudan. First he is driven from his village by rebels, travels to Ethiopia with a group similarly displaced by the war in his country and where the group lives in a refugee camp. Salva's trip to Ethiopia brought him much hardship. Separated from his family (who surely had been destroyed in the rebel attack on his village) he is all alone—a lost boy of Sudan. But his compelling story does not end there. When the two stories (that of Nya and Salva) converge it will be a gentle reminder that there is much good in the world even amid tragedy and war and ...
This is just a great read. Park has masterfully woven the two tales to seamlessly converge in 2009 back in the Sudan. Along the way we will learn much about the political unrest in the Sudan, Ethiopia, Kenya, as well as, traditional Sudanese rivalries among the Dinka and the Nuer.
With this dual narrative Park does much to call our attention to Sudan and the efforts needed in that area of the world—all the while telling us a compelling, page-turning, narrative that is sure to intrigue teen readers.
Don't miss pairing this book with Ishmael Beal's novel, A Long Way Gone: Memoirs of a Boy Soldier (Sarah Crichton Books / Farrar, Straus and Giroux, 2007). Beal was born in Sierra Leone in 1980, which makes his story one that occurred in roughly the same time period as Salva and Nya. Read more about his story http://www.alongwaygone.com/.

The Story Behind Picture That! From Mendel to Normandy: Picture Books and Ideas, Curriculum and Connections - for 'Tweens and Teens

2010-06-22T08:03:00.000-07:00

Cynthia Leitich Smith authors a blog that often features guest authors/illustrators. I was delighted to be a guest blogger and talk about my book Picture That! From Mendel to Normandy: Picture Books and Ideas, Curriculum and Connections - for 'Tweens and Teens. Thanks Cynthia for the opportunity.

Love that Pizza

2010-06-13T20:01:00.000-07:00

Pizza by any other name is still pizza. While pizza originated in Italy (it did didn't it?) It seems that pizza is eaten in many places in the world. A "former action guy" -- a member of the U.S. Army's Green Beret shares information about many of the pizzas he has eaten during assignments around the world. Read about the world's pizzas at http://bit.ly/pizza_mike

And then share and read

Who Wants Pizza?: The Kids' Guide to the History, Science and Culture of Food by Jan Thornhill

Grow Your Own Pizza: Gardening Plans and Recipes for Kids by Constance Hardesty and Jeff McClung

The Pizza Mystery (Boxcar Children Graphic Novels) by Rob M. Worley, Gertrude Chandler Warner, and Mike Dubisch

Shanghai Dress -- local newspaper needs to take lessons

2010-05-10T20:43:00.000-07:00

Why is it that I can order a custom created prom dress from Shanghai and get it within 3 weeks; but have to spend 2 weeks trying to get a birthday announcement put in the local newspaper. Cost is approx. the same. Why can't the newspaper be as efficient as the Shanghai tailors? Just asking!

A Touch of Alice

2010-04-21T13:26:00.000-07:00

Was in the local B&N the other day and found Robert Sabuda's Alice in Wonderland pop-up. It was the last one and out of the cellophane but only a little minor damage that I could fix -- someone was not careful. :>) But not only did I find the book but a tea for one cup; and a darling "school box" with two little AIW mugs. I will use them for toothpicks when I have appetizers -- a great literary accent.

Now to figure out some "tea party" food -- perhaps little triangle sandwiches, miniature cup cakes, what else? I need suggestions...

Sharron

Celebrate Librarians and Books

2010-04-08T11:26:00.000-07:00

Hip Hip Hooray for Librarians
National Library Week (April 11-17, 2010 -"Communities thrive @ your library"), School Library Media Month (April), and Children’s Book Week (May 10-16, 2010) is a great time to celebrate books and reading. Libraries haven’t always been available in the United States, and sometimes even if libraries were available all citizens did not have access to them. But librarians have always made a difference. These books are each a tribute to the power of librarians and literacy, and to words and reading.

This is the first paragraph of an article, Hip Hip Hooray for Librarians, about efforts in the United States and the World to get books into the hands of readers. Includes booklists and connects to a second list "Librarians: Books to Children."

Laurie Lawlor - Illinois Prairie State Award

2010-03-26T16:38:00.000-07:00

March 18, 2010, My friend Cheryl and I traveled to Springfield Illinois to be at the banquet when Laurie Lawlor was presented the Illinois Prairie State Award. Last year, we had been there when Jim Aylesworth received the same award for 2009. Both authors have pages that summarize the evening.
http://www.laurielawlor.com/about/prairiestateaward.html
http://www.ayles.com/prairiestateaward.html
Here's a few more people we met at the award and the Authors Read event immediately following the banquet. (If you want to enlarge the images below, just click on the image.)


Marlene Targ Bill -- Marlene is a good friend of Laurie's and was there to congratulate her on her award.Marlene is a fine author herself. And though she has more recent titles, Tooth Tales Around the World continues to be among my very favorites.	David Weisner -- I was on the 2007 Caldecott Committee that named Flotsam the 2007 Award winning book so of course I LOVE this linked site about Flotsam.	Eric A. Kimmel -- Kimmel's titles number in the hundreds. Among my favorites are his Anansi tales, each illustrated by Janet Stevens.
Greg Leitich Smith and Cynthia Leitich Smith-- Gotta love everything these two write. I have loved Cynthia's Jingle Dancer from the first day I read it, but perhaps my favorite is the quirky twists in her collection of stories, Indian Shoes. Of Greg's books my favorite is still the first he wrote; perhaps because it was his first, Ninjas, Piranhas and Galileo; very clever.	Eric Kimmel and Richard and Marlene Targ Brill -- Richard Brill and Eric Kimmel are college friends, and though unplanned both ended up at the Illinois Reading Conference and enjoyed reminiscing and telling old stories. I think Marlene took notes (LOL).	Will Hobbs-- Will Hobbs's adventure stories are very popular. Any adventureous reader (male or female) will not want to pass up reading any of his books. But don't miss-Crossing the Wire. You might develop a new perspective about a current hot topic.

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On the day after the award banquet, my friend and I visited (again) the Lincoln Museum -- I love the curator's "show" there and also loved the many displays that are on exhibit. One of my favorite was the log cabin where Abe taught himself how to read. Such a small space and I complain about the size of my kitchen. Pshaw! My dining area is most likely larger than the Lincoln's entire house (not counting the loft where the boys entered via the peg ladder in the wall. I doubt if the boys ever had to make their bed in the morning as I'm not picturing their step-mother climbing up on the pegs to check. But for a moment "I" was part of the Lincoln family.