Saturday Sentiments

There are many creative Apps for Kids that you can obtain.  One I want to highlight this morning is
"Word Mover."  The Impressive ReadWriteThink iPad apps are excellent, free and educational-encouraging kids to create and share content.

WordMover allows kids, teens and adults to create "found Poetry" by choosing word banks and existing famous works.  Users can add new words to create a piece of poetry by moving and manipulating the text.  It is very creative and simple to use.  I have used magnet words but find them limited and restrictive to their word choices.  With WordMover you are able to create your own words to get the perfect ones that your poem or activity needs.  Nice backgrounds are available to choose from also.  You can save your work to camera roll and then share your creations via email and social media.

You can also create sentences, play rhyming word games, increase vocabulary, play games and activities, parents can type the beginning of a sentence and have child finish it and kids can choose the words to play with without typing them.

WordMover, like I said, can be saved to camera roll and word collections can be stored and enjoyed at a later time.  All in all it is a great free app to check out.  I know your kids will love it.

Have an awesome Saturday.

Read on and read always.

The Story of Fish and Snail. - book review

"There is a great deal of difference between an eager man who wants to read a book and a tired man who wants a book to read."
                                      ~ G.K. Chesterson

Title:  The Story of Fish and Snail
Author and Illustrator:  Deborah Freedman
Ages: 3-7

Right from the title page you dive into this book with glee!  On top of a tall stack of books (the top one open like an invitation), a  perky, curious, golden fish accepts the invitation and dives right in.  Water splashes up into the air creating a wonderful, whimsical world of pure magic and fun.  This book is a remarkable underwater macrocosm where Snail waits patiently for his friend Fish to come and tell him a story.  Fish is so excited (about Pirates) and says to Snail that today he cannot tell him the story but wants to actually take him to the story so he can experience the excitement of the tale himself.  This request does not sit well with Snail who is apprehensive about leaving his book.  He tries to relay his feelings and disinterest. "I don't want to go into other books," he says. "I like this book."  An argument ensues and Fish swims off in a huff.  "Fine, Snail. Good-bye. The end." Snail remains where he is not budging one iota.  Snail musters up courage, looks over the side of the mountainous book pile and thinks about jumping off .  "Fish?" he calls uncertainly and then he takes the plunge.  With a huge splash (the height of the book pile) Snail disappears into the new book.  Fish peers around the corner of the page ready to forgive his friend and start their adventure together.

The watercolour world of this book is truly stunning.  The cartoon-like characters emit lots of emotion and become endearing to the reader.  The book is encouraging us to step out of our comfort zones, take a risk and try to experience some new things.  It also highlights the value of compromise and loyalty between two long-time friends.  Hopefully kids will read this story and be encouraged to open the door  of opportunities wide and encounter something new that will change their world forever.

About the author:

Deborah Freedman

was an architect once-upon-a-time, but now she loves to build worlds in children's picture books. She is the author and illustrator of Scribble (Knopf 2007), and Blue Chicken, which was released by Viking in 2011 to three starred reviews including one by Kirkus Reviews calling it "simply exquisite". Deborah lives in a colorful house in Connecticut, where she is looking forward to the June 2013 publication of The Story of Fish & Snail, and is busy at work on her next book.

Book Review Rating:   9  (Close to Perfection!)

Read on and read always!

Bearly There - Book Review

"Is there a book you want to read but it hasn't been written yet, then you must write it."
                                         ~Toni Morrison

Title:  Bearly There
Author: Aleesah Darlison
Illustration: Jill Carter-Hansen

Bearly there had been Blake's teddy forever it seems.  Why is he barely there?  Well his fur is nearly rubbed off and he is raggedy and holey because he is so loved.  One day a new naughty bear arrives at Blake's house.

Blake's aunt Phelicia gives him a brand new bear named Winston who is savvy, technological and can even talk.  Winston turns out to be pure nasty.  He pushes Bearly out of the window and abuses him terribly.  Blake is heartbroken.  Can two teddy bears fit into Blake's life?  This wonderful book gives us a window into how our society judges us by our appearances and gives us insight into how we tend to throw the old away and embrace the newest, shiniest, latest model that crosses our path.  Kids will appreciate the happy and satisfying resolution to the story.

Carter-Hansen has chosen a limited palette of black and red on white for her illustrations.  The smudged charcoal in some sketches adds softness and textural appeal to the bears.  Kids can then choose a limited colour palette and experiment with their own creations after reading the book.

Bearly There is a wonderful story with a great message.

About the author:

Hi, I write picture books and novels for children. I’m also a book reviewer for The Sun Herald.

I travel throughout Australia and internationally delivering Author Talks and Workshops for children and adults on Creative Writing and Marketing.

Book Review Rating:    8  (Fantastic!)

Read on and read always! 

The Tear Thief-a book review

                                     Quote of the Day

"A good book should leave you...slightly exhausted at the end.  You live several lives while reading it."
                                    ~William Styron, 1958

Author:  Carol Ann Duffy
Illustrator: Nicoletta Ceccoli

This beautiful book is a modern day fairytale and will give kids the chance to discuss and understand why people cry.  We do not always cry because of sorrow but sometimes from pain, jealousy, anger and guilt.  The words are lyrical and the artwork is truly exceptional and whimsical.

A little invisible sprite you can only see in puddles spends the hours between supper and bedtime loitering on the chimney pots of houses around children's houses to capture their tears when they cry. When she hears their wails she hurriedly springs into action and collects their tears in her silver sack.  What does she do with the tears when her sack is full to the brim?  She pours them into the moon to keep it glowing in the night sky.  Not all the tears are worthy of keeping the moon fuelled - only genuine tears will work.  Tears of anger glow ruby-red, those of envy sparkle like emeralds, and crocodile tears are no good at all.  The most valued tears are ones of true sorrow.

The writing is peaceful and calm and the illustrations are soft and dream-like making it the perfect bedtime story.  The message being that sadness can be transformed into something beautiful.  You will definitely want to have this stunning book in your private collection.

 An interview with the author ....

PLACE & DATE OF BIRTH:
Glasgow, 23/12/55

FAVOURITE BOOK:William

FAVOURITE SONG:Changes daily. Today it is ‘Tommy the Termite’.

FAVOURITE FILM:It’s a Wonderful Life

MOST TREASURED POSSESSION:IMAC

When did you start writing?
At school.

Where do you get your ideas and inspiration from?
Childhood.

Can you give your top 3 tips to becoming a successful author
1 Read.
2 Daydream.
3 Be alone.

Favourite memory
The birth of my daughter, Ella.

Favourite place in the world and why?
Edinburgh, because it’s so beautiful to walk in.

What are your hobbies?Don’t have any.

If you hadn’t been a writer what do you think you would have been?
Historian.

                                             Book Review Rating:   9  (Close to Perfection!)

Read on and read always!

Aaachhoooo! Allergy season is upon us....

"The worst thing about new books is that they keep me from reading the old ones."
                                       ~Jorge Luis Borges

Allergies are upon so many of us with summer finally being here.  Millions of people suffer from allergies, need to be tested, and issued medication to keep things under control.  Ken Nesbitt has written a funny poem that you might want to pass on to your kids if they suffer from any types of allergies and need to have a little smile.

Alex's Allergy

Alex had an allergy
that no one could explain.
It made him wheeze and cough and sneeze
and moan and groan in pain.

A single slight exposure,
and he'd start to squawk and squeal.
A second time ensured
that he'd be barking like a seal.

He'd salivate and slobber
as his nose began to twitch.
He'd squirm and say his body felt
like one gigantic itch.

At last they found the cause,
which Alex thought was pretty cool.
So now he stays at home;
he is allergic to his school.

  --Kenn Nesbitt



Found these and thought they may give you a smile today.

  

Read on and read always!

Enjoy your day.  

It's a Firefly Night - Book Review

                                                                Quote of the Day!

"The ability to read awoke inside me some long dormant craving to be mentally alive."
          
                      ~Malcolm X, 1964






Title:  It's a Firefly Night
Author: Dianne Ochiltree
Illustrator: Betsy Snyder
Ages: 3-8

Just looking at the cover of this book brought back very happy memories for me, as I too was a firefly chaser as a little girl.  I grew up in a small town and the next town over had a beautiful, flat, meadowy field where at twilight thousands of fireflies would come and play.  Their light show was spectacular and my parents would drive us there and release their three little girls into that magical space.  We would put our arms out, our heads back and run right through the middle of swarms of golden sparklers, pretending that we were one of them.  We would dance and twirl amongst them like they were lighting up an enchanted ball room for us to perform in.  I have always loved fireflies dearly and even to this day they are one of my favourite things.
A father and his special girl child go out into the night to chase fireflies.  The twinkling sky is filled with millions of stars and the night has a surreal and magical feel to it.  The little girl is spell-bound as she sees fireflies scattered in trees and flowers winking a smile to her and beckoning her to come and play with them.  Wearing her nightgown and bare toes she and her dog run through the cushy grass and  gently apprehend ten fireflies placing them carefully in a glass jar to enjoy - but for just a moment or two.  She realizes that these blazing little sparklers are not hers to keep and after she revels in their presence she lets them go.  "l love catching fireflies,/ but they are not mine,"/ she cups each captive in her hand before "easy and slow,/ I whisper good-bye/ then let it go."  I loved the line that says, "I take one gently out of the jar.  My hand is a cage for one tiny star." The colourful word choices paint an amazing diorama of an unforgettable experience. A memory that will last a lifetime.

Written in rhyme, with a sing-songy flow, this book will evoke happiness and excitement as you share it cuddled up together.  The back of the book has a some interesting facts about fireflies which will be great to go over with your child and give her factual information about these amazing little insects.

About the author:

Biography

Dianne Ochiltree has been writing stories and poems since she was a little kid growing up in Ohio. Today, she is a nationally recognized author of books for the very young. Her picture book, LULL-A-BYE, LITTLE ONE has been a selection for the Dollywood Fourndation's national literacy program, and her picture book, MOLLY BY GOLLY! The Legend of Molly Williams, America's First Female Firefighter received the Florida Book Awards Bronze Medal in the Children's Literature category in 2012. Her earlier books have been translated into foreign language and Braille editions as well as audio versions. For more information about Dianne and her books, go to www.ochiltreebooks.com. Dianne lives in sunny Sarasota, Florida with her husband, Jim, and the family pets. Besides writing for kids, she loves to hike in the great outdoors and is a certified yoga instructor. She and with her chocolate Lab, Sally, are a Therapy Dog team, visiting nursing homes and schools in support of the Humane Society of Sarasota's community outreach program.

Book Review Rating:   8   (Fantastic!) 

Read on and read always!  

Saturday Sentiments

                                 "If you want to be happy, be."
                                                                  ~Leo Tolstoy

June 21st was the first day of summer and school will be terminated next week if it hasn't been all ready.  A long summer vacation is ahead for your kids and you need to start a bit of planning now.  Figure out ways you can keep your kids in the reading loop over the holiday.

Although the summer schedule is packed with swimming, camping and vacation time the continued reading schedule can pose a problem.

Here are some fun ways to keep your kids connected to stories and books and make reading more exciting for them while they are on summer break.

1. Check out and explore your local library.  Let your kids take out books and magazines that they want to read.  Create a special spot in your home to house these books while they are visiting, that way when it's time to renew or exchange them you will know exactly where they are with - no scrambling, no harsh words trying to gather them up and none lost.   Purchase or make a special book tote to transport those precious books back and forth from each location.  You can make up a fun logo and words to put on the side of the tote so you can be a walking bulletin board and spread the love of reading around your neighbourhood.  Many libraries have special summer reading programs for the kids.  They offer book clubs, reading contests, field trips etc. to get your kids all fired up about great kid's literature.   There are often incentives and rewards to be awarded upon completion of reading lists and of course kids just love that.  Kids delight in owning their very own library card.  It makes them feel all grown up and important, so head off to the library and see what summer events are coming soon and get your child signed up and involved.

2. Read on the road.  Pack your car, camper, beach bag, suitcase with books and let your child dig into that pile any place that a good book is needed.  You may need them while you are waiting in a long line, waiting for food to be delivered in a restaurant, or before bedtime in a strange hotel.  Books are fun and familiar and your child will feel like they have included their best friends in the family get-a-way.   Of course audio books are a big hit to listen to while on that road trip. Music is also very much recommended.  Songs are amazing for memorization and flow of language.

3. Make your own books.  Pick a favourite family event:  soccer games, ice cream, baseball or at the beach or pool and have your child draw pictures or cut them out of magazines to make a book.  Help your child record the text to explain the pictures or if your child is able, let him create his own captions for the pictures he had selected.  When the book is all finished sit down and read it together.

4. Keep in touch.  Have your kids send letters, postcards, texts or emails to family and friends whether they go away on vacation or not.  Make this a summer project.  Ask a relative or friend to be your child's pen pal for the summer.

5. Keep up the reading rituals.  Even if everything else changes, keep up the reading routines that you have already established.  Add extra fun reading experiences in the park, under a shady tree or under the stars.  Keep momentum going and have fun.

6. Get cooking. Cooking requires reading and math skills so chose some great summer recipes and do some cooking together.

7. Keep learning.  Visit museums, nature centres, art galleries etc.  If something special is happening around you try and sign your kids up to go.  Circuses, theatre, local fairs, yard sales etc.  The more exposure kids get to different experiences the more questions they'll ask and the more information you can impart.  Read everything out loud - even signs along the road or on exhibits.  This will help increase your child's vocabulary and sight word bank.  Reading out loud to your kids exercises their listening and comprehension skills.

Go on....enjoy summer vacation and enjoy a natural and happy reading time with your children.

Read on and read always.

Blue Chameleon - Book Review

"Anyone who says they have only one life to live must not know how to read a book."
                                    ~Author Unknown


TItle:  Blue Chameleon
Author and Illustrator:  Emily Gravett
Ages:  2-5

                 







This lonely little chameleon is blue inside (from lack of friends) and blue on the outside too.  He wants desperately to have a friend to talk to, to play with and to like him, but has no one.  He goes off and tries to fit in with those he meets on his journey.  He has the ability to turn himself into any colour and blend in with those he encounters.  He changes into a rainbow of colours, even goes spotty and stripy but has no luck with being chosen as a friend.

He finally adjusts himself to the colour "grey" like the rock he is on and totally frustrated he exclaims, "I give up."  Then a wonderful thing transpires that changes everything in his world.  What miraculous event could transpire that would bring this blue little guy into a radiant splash of colour and cause him to smile and be so happy both inside and out?

Throughout the book there is subtle, witty interplay between the words and illustrations making this a perfect book to use as the introduction of colours and shapes (and chameleons) to kids.  Each two page spread features two words:  a colour or pattern on the left and a noun on the right hand page.  The illustrations are coloured pencil and watercolours.  The colour white page is exceptional as it includes a nearly invisible chameleon embossed on the paper.  You may think the page is empty but if you run your fingers over the page you will find him hiding there.  The book is perfect for toddlers as the text is simple and the pictures are large.  There is excellent use of colour, expression and symmetry.  The take away is: be true to yourself, be who you were created to be and your friends will seek you out.

You can check out Emily Gravett on YouTube in her studio as she is gives a demonstration of her illustration techniques. It is nice to see how an artist goes about doing this.

Book Review Rating:   8  (Fantastic!)

Read on and read always!

I dedicate this blog space to my dear chameleon who passed away this week. His name was Uriah.  He was a very great pet and loved to hiss and pretend he was grumpy, but secretly loved to come out of his cage and be carried around.  He put on spectacular "eating shows" displaying his amazing tongue action as he snapped at a horn worm or a cricket from half way across his cage.  He was the after dinner entertainment and would get ooohs and ahhhs after his nightly performance.  He will be greatly missed.  RIP dear Uriah.

Poem Pause Day

                                      Quote of the Day

"I've decided that the stuff falling through the cracks is confetti and I'm having a party."
                                          ~Betsy Canas Garmon


The school year is winding down and as a former teacher I know there is lots to do to get your classroom tidied before the big exodus.  One of those dreaded tasks is to encourage your students to sort, organize and clean out their desks. You supply them with garbage bags, personal plastic bags to use as a tote-home, buckets of soap, water and sponges.  Each students scrutinizes their station and a variety of "stuff" is uncovered, some probably dating back to last September.  The ughs, (meaning I found something festering and rancid here) to the ahhhhs, (meaning there it is, I've been looking for that all year) echoes across the classroom.  After all the paraphernalia has been pawed through, each child washes and dries out the desk making it ready for a new tenant that will arrive next September.  Here are a few fun poems to get you in the mood for cleaning out those messy desks. (or not)



The Contents of My Desk....

A nail.
A nickel.
A snail.
A pickle.
A twisted-up
slinky.
A ring for
my pinky.
A blackened
banana.
A love note
from Hannah.
My doodles
of rockets.
The lint from
my pockets.
A fork-like
utensil.
But sorry...
no pencil.

--Kenn Nesbitt

This poem is taken from his wonderful book of poems:

 Messy Desk Pest                               

Beware all you kiddies of the Messy Desk Pest, 
Who will lurk inside any desk it finds messed.
It lolls among comic books, coins, stinky socks,
Banana peels, paper wads, toys, and rocks.
It nibbles pencils, gnaw pens, and white glue it will slurp.
It chews chalk, chomps crayon, and ends with a burp.
It erases math answers, pops desktops an inch,
If you’re getting out paper, your nose it will pinch.
Warning! During reading be especially aware!
The pest might reach out to snap underwear.
So you’ve been warned kiddies of the Messy Desk Pest.
Let this be a lesson: NEVER LEAVE YOUR DESK MESSED!

If your child is not in school, your challenge may very well lurk at home....

             Get prepared!  The test of a mess is to clean it up fast and pretend it never happened!!!

Read on and read always!

                                       Quote of the Day!

"Somewhere over the rainbow there is a mile high stack of books begging to be read." 
                                      ~me

Title:  It's All About Dorothy
Author: Tony Rizzo
Illustrator: Warden Neil
Music: Jack Allan Allocco
Sung by:  Tamara Walker

Las Angeles - (March 26, 2013) sums the book up perfectly...An award winning Hollywood trio has teamed up to create "It's All About Dorothy", a colourfully illustrated book with a CD for children of all ages that retells the classic story of "The Wizard of Oz" in a 36-line song which is the opening number of a forthcoming Las Vegas and Broadway musical, "Ruby Slippers."
 
This is one of the most popular stories ever told and the highly acclaimed film "The Wizard of Oz" debuting in 1939 was based on the original novel written by L.Frank Baum in 1900.  It is a true children's classic.

The book, "It's All About Dorothy" is first class all the way.  The simple rhyming story, the illustrations  reminiscent of a by-gone era of classic Hollywood, and the amazing CD (the voice of Tamara Walker is suburb), all make for a wonderful reading experience.  To add extra charm, the words are  handwritten in a bold and beautiful calligraphy, making the book even more endearing to the reader.

  I remember as a little girl being given a book of paper cut-out dolls to play with that had the same style as the characters in this book.  Warden Neil has designed the characters to visually make the story come alive.  Your child will be delighted with this book and it will be one that you will be proud to add to your book collection or give as a special gift.

                 Visit "All About Dorothy" on Facebook or www.itsallaboutdorothy.com

Book Review Rating:   8  (Fantastic!)

Read on and read always!

A Squirrel's Story-A True Tale

"The worth of a book is to be measured by what you can carry away from it."
                                ~James Bryce


Title:  A Squirrel's Story: A True Tale
Author:  Jana Bommersbach
Illustrator:  Jeff Yesh

This is a true story of an adorable family of gray squirrels, a mamma, and her two babies.  She is looking for the perfect, safe nest where she can raise her little ones and not have to worry about any dangers that may befall them.  The story starts with a big, overweight black cat who is salivating just thinking about the delicious meal those squirrels would make.  Her mother's heart, sensing the danger that this malicious feline might pose to her young ones, sets off to find a home where they can all live together with no fears and anxieties.  She spots a birdhouse that houses wood ducks and claims it as her new family homestead.  It is located in the backyard of two kind people that live in North Dakota and they are happy to have her move in and stay as their tenant.  After her babies are born she nurtures them and teaches them what it is like to be a gray squirrel. The book contains a lot of factual information about squirrels and certainly take-away life lessons. An extra added bonus is the curriculum and activity guides that are perfect for home or classroom use found at the back of the book.  As a former teacher I always loved that added feature, something I could share with my students.  This book has heart, a mother's heart, and the message will resonate within you long after you have read the last page.

Excerpt from "A Squirrel's Story-A True Tale".....

...Oh, I was so relieved.  My boy and girl were both safe, and Sammy had proven that he was a real squirrely squirrel after all.  I took a moment to rest and catch my breath.  That's when I looked down and saw Rudy and Willie.  They were still standing there, watching us.  As we looked at each other, they raised their glasses to me in what I think is called a "toast." I don't speak people, but if I did, I'd bet they were saying, "You did a good job, Mamma Squirrel."

About the Author:

Jana Bommersbach is an acclaimed Arizona journalist who makes her home in Phoenix. A North Dakota native, she attended graduate school at the University of Michigan before relocating to Grand Canyon State in 1972. Her first book, The Trunk Murderess: Winnie Ruth Judd was a national bestseller.  A Squirrel's Story-A True Tale is her first picture book. 

About the Illustrator:

Jeff Yesh is a freelance illustrator and graphic designer who has worked with Five Star Publications,
Inc. since 2000.  His award-winning work has been featured in multiple children's books, including Last Night I Had a Laughmare by J.E. Laufer and From Seed to Apple Tree by Suzanne Slade.  Born and raised in Indiana, Jeff graduated from Indiana State University with a bachelor of fine arts in graphic design.  Based in Carmel, Indiana, Jeff enjoys being outdoors and spending time with his wife and two daughters.

Book Review Rating:    8  (Fantastic!)

Read on and read always.

Complimentary copy of this great book was furnished by Little Five Star Publications with thanks!