IFLA August 2010 Presenter Notification

This morning I received notification that I have been accepted to present at IFLA (International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions) in August 2010 in both Gothenburg, Sweden and Amsterdam, Holland. This is so exciting. The title for my paper is "Two Worlds… One Librarian… My Experiences as a Children’s Librarian at a Public and School Library."

I will talk about some of my experiences of being a children's librarian at a K to 8 school and at a large urban public library at the same time and some of the resources, programs, and joint collaborations that have ensued.

Here is the link to the IFLA web site:

http://www.ifla.org/

I will keep you posted on conference developments as they are made available!

I am still writing from Dallas, Texas....

However............

Happy reading!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Until the next time............

A children's book a day, keeps the scary monster away!

Tiger by Sherry Been & Illustrated by Cathy Corrison

 Tiger by Sherry Been & Illustrated by Cathy Corrison

Hello and greetings from the Lone Star State... Dallas, Texas, in particular! I haven't seen any tigers since I arrived, but I am going to share with you the lovely story about Tigers written by Sherry Been and illustrated by Cathy Corrison.

It has been a few days since I updated this blog... so let's get going..::))

Tiger written by Sherry Been and illustrated by Cathy Morrison is a nice colorful warm and friendly children's book that is written in second person.  My students loved this book and didn't want it to end. We pretended that we were tigers all the way through.. The pictures were well drawn with lots of colorful details. The story was easy to read and comprehendd. My students loved the beginning, "If you were a tiger, we would call you King, the biggest and strongest of all cats. You are powerful. You are fast. You live on mountainsides, in jungles, and forests. You roam the grasses of great open plains." They loved the words... "King, biggest, fast!" Most of my students had seen a Tiger before either at the zoo or on TV.  Even my kindergartners knew the definition for the word "habitat." They traced their fingers around the mother tiger and her baby cubs...They pretended like they were swimming too, when we read, "If you were a tiger, we would call you Great Swimmer." They knew the meaning for the word "camouflage."  They even knew that nocturnal meant "nightly." They didn't know that tigers rest and sleep all day and hunt and play all night. It was great seeing the looks on my students little faces when we discussed this. They pretended to be "springing" from their chairs when we read "If you were a tiger, We would call you Silent Hunter." You silently slink and jump high in the air. You pounce!!!!!!!!!!!"They loved the picture of the tiger seemingly springing into the air ready to pounce on its prey!!!!!!!!!!!They knew the meaning of the word carnivore... They all screamed "YUK" when I read that tigers can eat "40 pounds of meat at a meal..." Some of my students don't weigh 40 pounds and so were shocked that a tiger could eat so much meat at one meal!!!!!! They liked guessing the different types of animals that tigers hunt. The picture on the next page represented a tiger laying in wait as an elephant and her baby slowly passed by....

The students did not know that baby cubs are born with their eyes closed and "after ten days, those eyes open up and the cub takes its first look at the world." They liked the ending with "If you were a tiger, we would call you a survivor. You are smart. You are strong. You live long. You are king of the cats. There were lots of pictures of tigers that were used throughout the book that were placed as a border around the page where this descriptive text was writtend.

The book includes a "Tiger Talk" which is basically a glossary of terms at the end of the book.The words included in the "Tiger Talk" were Camouflage, Carnivore, Chuff, Cub, Den, Groom, Habitat, Litter, Nocturnal, and Prey.

My students enjoyed this book and especially the pictures.

I would recommend this book to younger students even though the older students could learn a little bit about Tigers as well. I think that this book should be included in every elementary and middle school library and in homes. This makes for a great story time! A good time was had by all in my kindergarter, first, and second grade classes.

Here is the link to the book on Amazon.com: Tiger by Sherry Been

http://www.amazon.com/Tiger-Sherry-Been/dp/0976865548/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1267025841&sr=8-1

Happy reading!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Until next time....

A children's book a day, keeps the scary monster away!

Black History Month

February is Black History Month

I was sent the following Black History Month web site that I am sharing with you. It has a plethora of information on Black history and if you scroll down the screen, there are several pictures of Barack and Michelle Obama.

You can learn about Barbara Jordan, Malcom X, Harriet Tubman, Samuel Jackson, Benjamin Banneker, Mary McCleod Bethune, Sojourner Truth, Madam C. J. Walker, Elijah McCoy, and lots others. You will have to see for yourself!!!!!!!!


http://www.ls.cc.al.us/blackhistory/blackhistory.html

I plan to use this website for my library class tomorrow!

Enjoy!!!!!!!!!
Until then..........

A children's book a day, keeps the scary monster away!

Sunday New York Times Book Review

Sunday New York Times Book Review 

Children's Book List 

I know that I am a couple of days late with this but we have gotten 3 feet of snow in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and there have been power outages, etc... Well, I am back on online again;;))) Thanks for your patience..::)))

Here is the list of NY Times Children's books:

My students loved number 10 on this list. How Do Dinosaurs Say I Love You by Jane Yolen. Illustrated by Mark Teague. I can't keep it in my library and that is a good thing!!!!!!!!!!!

I am looking forward to Mo Willems new book "I am Going Home." His books are absolutely wonderful!!!!!!! I went to see him a few years ago when he was one of the featured children's book authors for the "Black, White, and Read All Over Series!" The audience both young and old were enthralled by him. He brought several students up to the stage and he gave everyone pencils and paper and taught us all how to draw a penguin. This was in celebration of his children's book, "Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus." What a treat! A great time was had by all!

OK... Back to the list!!!!!!!!!

PICTURE BOOKS

1 THE LION AND THE MOUSE, by Jerry Pinkney. (Little, Brown, $16.99.) A fable of reciprocal kindness, redrawn. (Ages 4 to 8) 13
2 I AM GOING!, written and illustrated by Mo Willems. (Hyperion, $8.99.) Gerald and Piggie, contrary pals, work out their comings and goings. (Ages 4 to 8) 1
3 ALL THE WORLD, by Liz Garton Scanlon. Illustrated by Marla Frazee. (Simon & Schuster, $17.99.) A day in the life of a multicultural family. (Ages 4 to 8) 2
4 AMELIA BEDELIA'S FIRST VALENTINE, by Herman Parish. Illustrated by Lynne Avril. (Greenwillow/HarperCollins, $16.99.) Hearts abound, on sleeves, cards and French fries. (Ages 4 to 8) 1
5 WADDLE!, written and illustrated by Rufus Butler Seder. (Workman, $12.95.) Animals in motion, with color. (Ages 4 to 8) 20
6 THE CURIOUS GARDEN, written and illustrated by Peter Brown. (Little, Brown, $16.99.) A boy named Liam nurtures a straggly garden to vivid fruition. (Ages 4 to 8) 21
7 RED SINGS FROM TREETOPS, by Joyce Sidman. Illustrated by Pamela Zagarenski. (Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, $16.) The seasons, in colors. (Ages 4 to 8) 2
8 NUBS, by Brian Dennis, Mary Nethery and Kirby Larson. (Little, Brown, $17.99.) A wild dog in Iraq makes a friend for life when a Marine takes him in. (Ages 4 to 8) 13
9 OTIS, written and illustrated by Loren Long. (Philomel, $17.99.) A frisky tractor finds friendship with a calf. (Ages 4 to 8) 12
10 HOW DO DINOSAURS SAY I LOVE YOU?, by Jane Yolen. Illustrated by Mark Teague. (Blue Sky/Scholastic, $16.99.) Parents love their dinosaurs no matter what. (Ages 4 to 8)

*********************************
 Number four on the Chapter Books list is Percy Jackson and the Olympians by Mary-Jane Knight and designed by Philip Chidlow is very popular. The students are always asking for me to purchase additional copies because it is so popular.

CHAPTER BOOKS
This Week		Weeks on List
1	THE HUNGER GAMES, by Suzanne Collins. (Scholastic, $17.99.) In a dystopian future, a girl fights for survival on live TV. (Ages 12 and up)	73
2	CATCHING FIRE, by Suzanne Collins. (Scholastic, $17.99.) The protagonist of "The Hunger Games" returns. (Ages 12 and up)	22
3	FALLEN, by Lauren Kate. (Delacorte, $17.99.) Thwarted love among misfits at a boarding school in Savannah, Ga. (Ages 12 and up)	8
4	PERCY JACKSON AND THE OLYMPIANS (THE ULTIMATE GUIDE), written by Mary-Jane Knight. Designed by Philip Chidlow.. (Disney-Hyperion, $12.99.) Gods, beasts and tips for children with one immortal parent, based on the series by Rick Riordan. (Ages 10 and up)	2
5	WHEN YOU REACH ME, by Rebecca Stead. (Wendy Lamb, $15.99.) A sixth-grade girl in New York City begins receiving mysterious notes. (Ages 9 to 12)	11
6	WITCH AND WIZARD, by James Patterson and Gabrielle Charbonnet. (Little, Brown, $17.99.) One of each, brother and sister, flex their newfound powers. (Ages 12 and up)	7
7	BEAUTIFUL CREATURES, by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl. (Little, Brown, $17.99.) A secret wrapped in a Southern Gothic novel. (Ages 12 and up)	8
8	THE EVOLUTION OF CALPURNIA TATE, by Jacqueline Kelly. (Holt, $16.99.) A girl indulges her penchant for observing nature. (Ages 12 and up)	2
9	SHIVER, by Maggie Stiefvater. (Scholastic Press/Scholastic, $17.99.) Love among the lupine. (Ages 12 and up)	27
10	HUSH, HUSH, by Becca Fitzpatrick. (Simon & Schuster, $17.99.) Love among immortals. (Ages 14 and up)	11
Number four on the Paperback books list includes Three Cups of Tea: The Young Readers Addition. This book is such a beautiful book and an easy read. My students love the pictures and the colors. They were very excited when I bought the book for them from the American Library Association Midwinter conference. I am sure that my students are going to want me to purchase Miles to Go by Miley Cyrus. This new book by Miley Cyrus is quite popular and a hit with students from all races!

						PAPERBACK BOOKS
This Week		Weeks on List
1	THE BOOK THIEF, by Markus Zusak. (Knopf, $11.99.) A girl saves books from Nazi burning. Excerpt (Ages 14 and up)	125
2	L.A. CANDY, by Lauren Conrad. (HarperCollins, $9.99.) Excitement in TV land. (Ages 14 and up)	4
3	THIRST NO. 2: PHANTOM, EVIL THIRST, CREATURES OF FOREVER, by Christopher Pike. (Simon Pulse, $9.99.) A girl struggles with her dreamed-of transition from undead to mortal. (Ages 14 and up)	4
4	THREE CUPS OF TEA: YOUNG READERS EDITION, by Greg Mortenson and David Oliver Relin. (Puffin, $8.99.) A former climber builds schools in Pakistani and Afghan villages. (Ages 9 to 12)	54
5	THE ABSOLUTELY TRUE DIARY OF A PART-TIME INDIAN, by Sherman Alexie. Illustrated by Ellen Forney. (Little, Brown, $8.99.) A young boy leaves his reservation for an all-white school. (Ages 12 and up)	43
6	DARK VISIONS, by L. J. Smith. (Simon & Schuster, $9.99.) A school for psychic teens. (Ages 14 and up)	21
7	THIRST NO. 1, by Christopher Pike. (Simon Pulse, $9.99.) A reissue of "The Last Vampire" (1994), "Black Blood" (1994) and "Red Dice" (1995). (Ages 14 and up)	26
8	MILES TO GO, by Miley Cyrus. (Disney-Hyperion, $12.99.) A star’s life, so far. (Ages 9 to 12)	3
9	THE UNDERNEATH, written by Kathi Appelt. Illustrated by David Small.. (Simon & Schuster, $7.99.) In a tough neighborhood, a dog and a cat form a family. (Ages 9 to 12)	2
10	GRACELING, by Kristin Cashore. (Graphia/Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, $9.99.) A girl endowed with special talents is also celebrated as a warrior. (Ages 14 and up)	18
Here are the Series books. We have many of them in our library. They are some of the most popular books in our library.

SERIES BOOKS
This Week		Weeks on List
1	PERCY JACKSON & THE OLYMPIANS, by Rick Riordan. (Disney-Hyperion, hardcover and paper) Battling mythological monsters. (Ages 9 to 12)	134
2	THE TWILIGHT SAGA, by Stephenie Meyer. (Megan Tingley/Little, Brown, hardcover and paper) Vampires and werewolves in school. (Ages 12 and up)	130
3	DIARY OF A WIMPY KID, written and illustrated by Jeff Kinney. (Abrams, hardcover only) The travails of adolescence, in cartoons. (Ages 9 to 12)	55
4	HOUSE OF NIGHT, by P.C. Cast and Kristin Cast. (St. Martin’s, hardcover and paper) Vampires in school. (Ages 14 and up)	75
5	MAGIC TREE HOUSE, by Mary Pope Osborne. Illustrated by Sal Murdocca. (Stepping Stone/Random House, hardcover and paper) Winged children try to save the world. (Ages 6 to 9)	217
6	RANGER’S APPRENTICE, by John Flanagan. (Philomel, hardcover and paper) A boy warrior battles evil. (Ages 9 to 12)	37
7	PRETTY LITTLE LIARS, by Sara Shepard. (HarperTeen, hardcover and paper) Four girls less perfect than they seem. (Ages 14 and up)	13
8	VAMPIRE DIARIES, by L. J. Smith. (HarperTeen, hardcover and paper) Vampires in school, with a love triangle. (Ages 12 and up)	40
9	THE IMMORTALS, by Alyson Noël. (St. Martin’s Griffin, hardcover and paper) Love and angst of the supernatural variety. (Ages 14 and up)	11
10	THE MORTAL INSTRUMENTS, by Cassandra Clare. (McElderry/Simon & Schuster, hardcover and paper) A world of demons and warriors. (Ages 14 and up)

Stay warm... have fun and Happy Reading!!!!!!!!!!

Until the next time!!!!!!!!!!!!

A children's book a day, keeps the scary monster away!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Just One More by Nancy Markham Alberts & John Butler

Just One More? by Nancy Markham Alberts and illustrated by John Butler.

My students absolutely loved this book last Thursday. They especially enjoyed being able to touch the felt-like pictures. The story was great and easy for them to follow because just like little bear in the story, they try to delay going to bed as long as they can also.

Our story time was quite interactive with me becoming the characters and each one of them joining me in the fun.

The book begins with momma bear telling baby bear that it is time for sleep. He tells his mother bear that he isn't tired and wants to stay up longer to climb one more honey tree. His motehr responds with, "Yes, cub of mine, you may."

Little bear is so excited that he skips to the highest honey tree and climbs into the hole so he can scoop out a pawful of honey. He then wants to catch one more fish, and then watch as the sky turns grey.

I was so impressed that my kindergartners knew that bears hibernate in the winter and knew the meaning for the word hibernate. They also knew their colors and commented on how realistic the bears and the other animals looked. They knew the sound of the owl. They knew that bears hibernate in dens.

The students knew the meaning of, "Mama, why did you let me stay up so late tonight?"  Because tonioght we will sleep a very long, deep sleep. Hush, my little cub. Enough questions. Time to sleep now." ... Finally... "See you in the spring." They knew that mama and baby bear were going to sleep for a long time to hibernate.

The mother bear's eyes are black and piercing as mother and baby lay down to fall asleep for the winter. The animals look so realistic.. deers, fawns, rabbits, birds, squirrels, chipmunks, skunks, badgers, etc.

The colors are beautiful. The sky begins as a beautiful blue and tranforms to orange, pink purple, and finally gray.

Here is the link on Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/Just-More-Soft-Touch-Book/dp/1593541953/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1265133244&sr=8-1

Here is the link to John Butler's web site:
http://www.johnbutlerart.com/

I have recommended this book to several others. I just love John Butler's illustrations!
This is a must have for every home, school and public library! You won't be disappointed!

Until the next time....

Happy Reading!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

A children's book a day, keeps the scary monster away!