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Books, books, and more Scholastic books – Tuesday Tales

Posted on September 21, 2010 6:05 pm by TheAngelForever

Do you remember getting the Scholastic Book Club flyers sent home from school when you were a child? I do and I remember spending hours sifting through them to see what was included on each. When I became a teacher, this continued. I kid you not, hours were spent looking to see what items I wanted to add to my personal library. Now, as a parent I continue on tradition.

When JSL started nursery school, they asked parents to sign up for committees to help with items. I immediately put my name down for the classroom Scholastic Book Club parent. This was SO up my alley. At Open House last week, I found out I was the only person that wanted to do this. The next day, I was greeted with the following in JSL’s cubby.

I went home, set a date and got them ready to distribute to the other parents in the room. Today, I also finished getting the online ordering location ready. I love this since it allows parents to see even more book options than the ones in the flyer sent home. It also credits the classroom with a free $3 book for each online order placed. A huge win win for classroom libraries.

NHL also came home that day with his Scholastic forms. Here is everything that I have been working on, while reading with the boys. It helps to explain part of why I am not posting a book review for Tuesday Tales this week.

Remember, support your child’s classroom and order some books from Scholastic. They have a great selection for all reading levels and many different price ranges. Books make great presents and never need batteries.

Just an FYI – I am posting this out of my love for all things Scholastic through the years. Thank you to the Twitter Scholastic representative for their assistance the other day. I love getting replies back for photos of books, questions and concerns. I always like tooting the horn of a company that genuinely cares about kids, teachers, schools and literacy.

Next week, I will be featuring the book 1+ 1 = 5 and Other Unlikely Additions by David LaRochelle. This is a fun math related book that has a lot of activities that can be done with it.

So what have you read recently? Please be sure to link up to your Tuesday Tales and/or leave a comment below. Include something you read on your own, with a child or someone else. Tuesday Tales are all about spreading the love for books.

Disclosure: I have been a life long Scholastic customer as a student, teacher and parent. No compensation was given for this post, I simply wanted to share what I have been up to. Of course, I am open to the idea of working with Scholastic (*hint* *hint* *nudge* *nudge*). The Amazon widget is for our Amazon Affiliate where I will receive a percentage of money for the sale of the book and other items in our suggested items.

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Tuesday Tales – Chicken Cheeks

Posted on September 14, 2010 10:17 am by TheAngelForever

I will be the first to admit it. I enjoy books that are clever and make you laugh. As a teacher with a science background, I can even handle ones that use a little bathroom humor and/or items about body functions. I am a firm believer that we need to get children to read and why not learn about things in a fun manner.

One of NHL’s favorite books, when he was about JSL’s age (3), was Everyone Poops. He thought it was amazing and wanted everyone to read it to him. Thankfully, he expanded his horizons into many other books since that time. The other day, we all went to the library together. NHL and I immediately stopped at the new book cart. We picked up a lot of interesting titles that we have been reading. As a second grader, NHL is asked to read 100 books by the end of the school year. He did well over 200 last year since he enjoys reading so much.

While we were busy in the new book section, TechyDad and JSL were looking in another area. When I went over to them, TechyDad proclaimed that he had a book that Papa had to read to the boys. Here it is:

Yes, Chicken Cheeks by comedian Michael Ian Black has the subject matter that you think by looking at the front and back cover of the book. Page after page of fun and new ways to describe posterior parts of animals. Nothing inappropriate for kids and gets you thinking and giggling, of course. I could certainly see using this as a spring board for a lesson on synonyms. This book alone gives you countless options for your child to use rather than butt! The other part that makes the book even more special are the amazing illustrations by Kevin Hawkes.

More about Chicken Cheeks:

Some bears will go to any length to get some honey. This one recruits every animal that comes along to form, well, a stack. The result? Tail of the duck to the gluteus maximus of the duck-billed platypus (with many other rears in between). Readers will giggle with delight at the bird’s eye view of some hysterical animal bottoms. Follow this back-sided journey up the tree – where the real surprise awaits. The pairing of Black’s minimal text with Hawkes’s visual story line will keep you chuckling from the bottom up.

Chicken Cheeks – Written by Michael Ian Black – Illustrated by Kevin Hawkes – Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing – Published January 2009 – ISBN 978-1-4169-4864-3 – 40 pages – Ages 3-7

Photo from inside the book:

Although this book may not be everyones taste, we really enjoyed it. Sometimes, just having a fun book that makes you laugh as a family is well worth it. Thank you to Chicken Cheeks for a fun read along with Papa!

Disclosure: My family took this book out of our local library compliments of our tax money. The opinions expressed in the review are my own and were in no way influenced by anything. Two links within the review are Amazon Affiliate where I will receive a percentage of money for the sale of the books should you opt to buy the books mentioned.

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Tuesday Tales – Little Chimp’s Big Day

Posted on September 7, 2010 11:22 am by TheAngelForever

Tomorrow is a big day in our house. No doubt there will be tears flowing from my eyes. Early in the morning, I will be dropping off JSL to his first day of nursery school. At three years old, he has never gone to school before and is quite excited to do so. This morning, we went to meet his teachers and a few of his classmates. He had a lot of fun making pizza for the teachers, being shy and of course teasing them in his cute little way.

I sat back and watched. It is still hard for me to believe that my baby is a preschooler and going off a few days a week on his own. I think allowing our children to grown up and become independent is one of the most difficult items that a parent faces.

It is only fitting that this week I selected a book just about this topic that we received from Sterling Children’s Books. The newly published Little Chimp’s Big Day by Lisa Schroeder and illustrated by Lisa McCue. Lisa Schroeder is also the author of the book that I read over the summer with my older son. I reviewed It’s Raining Cupcakes a few weeks ago.

About Little Chimp’s Big Day:

In the jungle, in a tree
Sits a little chimpanzee.
Mother said she’d be right back
But now the branch snaps with a crack

And in a SNAP, Little Chimp is off on a big adventure-taking a watery ride atop a hippo, swinging on vines, and munching bunches of bananas. But as he goes bumping, jumping, and racing across the jungle, he never stops wondering: "Where could Mother be?” Little Chimp may not know, but sharp-eyed kids will see that mommy has an eye on him all the time! An enchanting text filled with rhythm and rhyme, and sweetly charming illustrations.

Little Chimp’s Big Day – Written by Lisa Schroeder – Illustrated by Lisa McCue – Sterling Children’s Books – On sale September 2010 – ISBN 978-1-4027-4967-4 – $14.95 – Ages 3 and up

What we thought:

Love – that is what I feel for this book. It truly is hard for me to put my feeling for this book into words since it hit so close to home. It could not have come out at a better time as I get ready to send my youngest off to school for the first time. Little Chimp’s Big Day is the perfect book for a mother (or father) and child to read together. It shows the love, trust, care and feelings that a parent shares with their child. The book’s message is subtle, yet oh so powerful. Schroeder does an amazing job showing readers how Chimp is spreading his wings and getting some time to be independent in the world.

With the easy flowing rhyme and rhythm of the words on the pages, we are quickly transplanted into the jungle with Little Chimp. Suddenly, the branch of his tree breaks and he falls. He thinks that he is alone, but Schroder clues us in that Mama Chimp is watching her little one to see how he can figure things out. From that point on, we can search for her in the beautiful illustrations from McCue

Little Chimp lands with a thud

in a mucky patch of mud

In the jungle, peek-a-boo,

two big eyes, peering through.

We follow Little Chimp along as he looks for his mother and encounters other creatures in his jungle environment. My three year old son loved the verbs that described what Little Chimp was doing. He helped to repeat them along with me whether Little Chimpy was bumping, chasing, jumping, racing, grooving, gliding, moving, riding or doing something else. He was also able to know that at the end of each section we would stop with Little Chimp to wonder "Oh, where could Mother be?"

In the end, there is a happy ending that not only leads to hugs in the book, but JSL and I hugged as well. I know that tonight, I will be reading this to my little guy again before he ventures off to his first day of preschool without Mama there. I know that he will be fine, but I need to reassure myself with a book and hug at the end.

I highly recommend this book to other parents to read to their children before they go to school, head to a different situation or just to remind them that it is okay to try things on your own because your parents will always be there watching over you. This will be a book that will definitely be added to baby gifts for parents to have when they need it down the road (the teacher in me likes to give books).

Disclosure: I received this book complimentary of Sterling Publishing in order to facilitate this review. No other compensation was given. The opinions expressed in the review are my own.

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Tuesday Tales – Today Is the Birthday of the World

Posted on August 31, 2010 12:00 am by TheAngelForever

Next week begins the High Holidays for Jewish families. Growing up, I remember going to synagogue with my family and listening to the shofars being blown. What I do not recall is reading childrens books about the holidays. I am sure if they were in existance. If they were, my mother would have bought them for us since we did have our token Chanukah stories that were around.

My children are very lucky. These days, there are many more books about Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, Sukkot, Simchat Torah and holidays the rest of the year. I always look in stores for new Jewish holiday books and buy anything that I see from the Scholastic book flyers and/or fairs. We are also lucky that The PJ Library exists. A few years ago, we received a book in the mail introducing us to The PJ Library and inviting us to sign our children up. Here is a little about the fabulous program from their website:

The PJ Library

Jewish Bedtime Stories & Songs for Families

The PJ Library® program supports families in their Jewish journey by sending Jewish-content books and music on a monthly basis to children from age six months to five, six, seven or eight years depending on the community. Created by the Harold Grinspoon Foundation, The PJ Library is funded nationally in partnership with the Harold Grinspoon Foundation, local philanthropists, and Jewish organizations.

Browse this site to:

Check whether The PJ Library is available in your community.

Find out how to become a PJ Library partner.

At this time, The PJ Library is available in more than 100 communities across the United States. Each community is sponsored by a local Jewish organization and local donors who share a passion for vibrant Jewish life.

Each month, the boys receive a book about an upcoming holiday, relating to Jewish heritage or a CD filled with Jewish music. Here are just a few of the books that have arrived in recent months:

Just in time for Rosh Hashanah, JSL received Today Is the Birthday of the World by Linda Heller (Amazon affiliate link).

Today is a special day: the birthday of the world, when God and all God’s creatures celebrate the beauty of life. As God asks each dear creature in turn whether it has been the best that it can be, this simple affirmation of life and goodness applauds the contribution that each and every one of us— from the mightiest elephant to the smallest child— can make. The whimsical animals in Alison Jay’s perfectly composed crackled paintings will make this a favorite book on the family shelf.

The book was published by Dutton Children’s Books in April 2009. For children ages 4-8 and 32 pages. ISBN 978-0525479055

As a parent, I love that The PJ Library also includes ideas and information for the adults. This is the note inside the book from the PJ Library. Note how they really help to explain the connection of the book to the holiday.

Rosh Hashanah – Jewish New Year. During Elul, the final month of the Hebrew year, the shofar (ram’s horn) sounds in synagogues around the world to announce the approaching year, Rosh Hashanah, which begins on the first of Tishrei. At this time in the annual cycle we are reminded of the world’s formation – the birthday of the world! – and the six days of creation as expressed in the first book of the Torah, Bereshit (Genesis).

Children everywhere look forward to birthdays and, naturally, some of the anticipation involves presents. Here is an opportunity to celebrate the world’s birthday while teaching a lesson in "price-less" gift giving. We can all observe the brithday of the world, in part, by giving back to the earth. Get creative as your family takes part in the now-more-than-ever critical work of tikkum olam (repairing the world). Involve everyone as you increase efforts at recycling, have your little ones decorate signs to remind everyone to turn off the water when brushing teeth, walk rather than use the car when possible, or plant a tree in your yard (or your neighnor’s). Allow imagination to soar!

Throughout Today Is the Birthday of the World we see God’s creatures performing acts that only they can carry out, a reminder that there is no one correct way to offer the world our best. As the child paints, plants, or shares with others we can only imagine that this is what is intended for us all: life interwoven with mitzvot – sacred deeds performed out of responsibility and care – that help make the world the best it can be. The culmination of each of this book’s creatures "doing what comes naturally" is the child who, we are told, is able to "life the world’s spirit."

How can your children list the world’s spirit? As you encourage inclinations to sing, draw, bake, read, week, share, smile, respect, conside and love, you foster the world’s best.

What we thought:

The boys and I read this book to get ready for the High Holidays. I think a lot of it went WAY over JSL’s head. He is only three and liked the pictures, but I do not think he truly got the message of the book. NHL is seven and definitely got it. When we were done reading, we talked about ways that we could all be the best and help to lift the spirit’s of the world. We brain stormed for a while and are going to work on a few arts and craft projects to express this and share with other family friends in the upcoming weeks.

Disclosure: My son received this book as part of our membership to The PJ Library. We were never asked to write about the book or PJ Library. I just wanted to share this information and a good book with my readers. The opinions expressed in the review are my own and no compensation was given.

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Tuesday Tales – It’s Raining Cupcakes

Posted on August 24, 2010 12:00 am by TheAngelForever

As a teacher, there have been times that I have gone months without reading a book that is for an adult. With so many childrens picture and chapter books constantly being published, it is hard to keep up to date and current. Let’s be honest, it is next to impossible to read everything out there. Thanks to reviews and articles published, I have heard about books that I may otherwise never know about. This is actually how I heard about It’s Raining Cupcakes (Amazon affiliate link). I was simply reading a magazine that mentioned the title and had the cover art. The subject alone caught my attention. I immediately requested the book from the library.

About It’s Raining Cupcakes:

Twelve-year-old Isabel is dying to get out of Oregon. She spends her free time in the library, reading and dreaming about faraway places. When her mom decides to open a cupcake shop in their little town of Willow, Isabel feels just like buttercream frosting to a cupcake-stuck. It seems as if it will be another disappointing summer, until Isabel learns of a baking contest. If she can come up with a winning recipe, she might have a chance of competing in the bake-off in New York City! But Isabel’s best friend, Sophie, is also entering the contest, and things always seem to go Sophie’s way. To make matters worse, Isabel and her mom don’t exactly see eye-to-eye on the type of recipe Isabel should enter. In this sweet treat by popular teen author Lisa Schroeder, Isabel discovers that maybe it’s not about where you go in life as much as it is about enjoying the view from wherever you are.

Reading level for ages 9-12, 208 pages, published by Aladdin (March 2010). ISBN: 978-1416990840

What we thought:

When I brought the book home, NHL was intrigued by the cupcakes. Luckily, the pink cover did not intimidate him. We decided to do it as a read aloud together. It is a mid-grade novel, so I thought it would work nicely if I read. Most evenings, I read it to the family as we sat down for dinner. While we waited for our food, I could read a chapter or two and fit in 15-20 minutes of reading. There was only one evening that we changed this up. NHL asked to read more that night. He was so excited about what was happening in the story that we set up on his bed.

That night, I also took the photo above and sent a picture to Twitter saying that we were getting ready to read more of It’s Raining Cupcakes with Tigger. A short time later, I received a message from Lisa Schroeder, you know the author of the book. She hoped that Tigger was enjoying the book. When I showed my son the message, he was all smiles. Social Media was in action and I loved it. When I looked at Schroeder’s Twitter page, it sent me to her website. Of course, being a blogger, my eyes immedaitely saw she has a blog that she actively writes on it. I sent a message back and we continued to read little by little each day.

NHL really enjoyed the book. He thought it was fun that a cupcake variety went with the start of each chapter. He also liked to imagine what the inside of the cupcakes store looked like. Having gone to a local cupcake shop, he had something to spark his creativity. When we finally finished the book, NHL immediately started to clap his hands. This was a big victory for him. We had finished a chapter book together (he helped to read parts) and we now knew part of what happened to Isabelle and her family.

While he was thrilled with the ending, TechyDad and I debated some about it. That night (just before leaving for BlogHer), the two of us really got into why Schroeder stopped the book the way she did. I sent out a few Tweets and Lisa Schroeder saw them and replied. Then I noticed the same day that she had posted a question and answer entry about It’s Raining Cupcakes.

Within the Q&A post, Lisa Schroeder answered five large questions that many readers have asked. Question 3 was about whether or not there would be a discussion guide to go along with the book. As a teacher, these items are so helpful to assist us in the classroom. Countless times I have selected novels to read that did not have them and it is a daunting task. It is always nice to have something to spark discussions and learning in the classroom, especially with input from the author. I would love to read this with future students one day when I head back into the classroom. There are so many life lessons and ideas that could be explored with the storyline presented. Some of the deep and more emotional content would be best for early middle schoolers (these items went above my seven year old’s head).

Scroeder also addresses the ending of the book. I read her points to TechyDad and in the end, we agreed to disagree. I have to admit that I wished it had continued on, but sometimes leaving more to your mind to finish is a powerful thing. It really showed me that I cared about the characters and had connected with the book. With the last question, she also lets us know that there will be another book, this time from Sophie’s point of view and we will find out more from It’s Raining Cupcakes (which should make TechyDad and the rest of us happy).

I know that we are looking forward to the next installment of It’s Raining Cupcakes that should be out in the fall of 2011. Until that time, I will be reading Little Chimp’s Big Day, also by Lisa Schroeder, with JSL and due out from Sterling Kids in September 2010.

Disclosure: I took this book out of my local library compliments of our tax money. The opinions expressed in the review are my own and were in no way influenced by the Social Media presence of the author.