The World’s Greatest Football Players by Matt Doeden

The World’s Greatest Football Players (Sports Illustrated Kids)by Matt Doeden

It’s football season and so I felt compelled to review this book The World’s Greatest Football Players by Matt Doeden.
Whether it’s smashing a home run, heaving a touchdown pass, or scoring the game-winning goal, fans love watching their favorite stars. With incredible photos and lists of stats, fans will love seeing the world’s best athletes and their amazing achievements up close.
The book begins with a page on “Go Deep” where “Whoosh! Tom Brady chucks a deep bomb down the field. Smack! DeMarcus Ware slams into a quarterback for a sack. Each week, excited football fans pack stadiums to watch high-flying offense and smashmouth defenses…” You will have to read the book for the rest.
The World’s Greatest Football Players contains Personal Information, Regular Season Receiving Stats, Achievements, and Facts for some of the best athletes in the world including LaDainian Tomlinson; Dwight Freeney; Tom Brady; Larry Fitzgerald; Drew Brees; James Harrison; Peyton Manning; Randy Moss; DeMarcus Ware; Adrian Peterson; Troy Polamalu; and Ed Reed.
The photos are expertly taken and action-oriented. Players are shown doing “what they do best” on the field whether it is trying to intercept a catch, throwing a pass, running the ball down the field, you will see it all in this book.
A Glossary, Read More, Internet sites, and Index are contained at the end of this book.
This book is great for children who like football. It is a well-organized, quick read with lots of eye-catching photos. This book will be a great read for reluctant readers as the text is easy to read, the photos are attention-grabbing, and the book is only 32 pages!

I recommend this book for public, school, and home libraries (for the football fan). Adult football lovers will enjoy the book also!

Capstone Publisher has done a great job again. I love how they include a Glossary, Read More, and Internet Sites section. Great job, Capstone!

Putting my librarian hat aside, I enjoyed reading this book as I am a Steelers’ fan and live in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Both Pittsburgh and the Steelers were well represented in this book… Larry Fitzgerald, James Harrison, and Troy Polamalu!
Here is the link on Amazon.com:
http://www.amazon.com/Worlds-Greatest-Football-Players-Illustrated/dp/1429648716/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1321118734&sr=1-1

Until the next time…

Happy reading…

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

Good Night Little Monster by Helen Ketteman and Illustrated by Bonnie Leick

  

Good Night Little Monster

 by Helen Ketteman and Illustrated by Bonnie Leick

It's dark Little Monster!

Bedtime is soon.

Come out on the porch 

to howwlll at the moon.

Little Monster needs to get ready for bed. That means howling at the moon, scrubbing his scales, getting into his creepy PJs, and enjoying a nice snack before bed; worm juice and baked beetle bread. 

And, of course, Little Monster's mother is nearbly to tuck Little Monster into bed and turn on his night-light-because even little monsters can be afraid of the dark.

Sweet dreams, Little Monster!

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This delightfully gorgeous book is well written, colorful, and a joy to read. I loved the pictures and the rhyming text! They little monster and his mother are so adorable together! What a cleverly written book that is a great read for story time and right before bed. 

As Halloween is just in a week, I would recommend purchasing this book for either your home, school, or public library. 

Support your local library by checking this book out from their collection and if they don't have this in the collection, donate it! You won't regret it!

Until the next time...

Happy reading...

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

New York Times Children's Picture Books - Best Sellers Week of 10/16/2011

New York Times Best Selling Children's Picture Books Week of October 16, 2011

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Hello, Everyone:

I have been offline with this blog but am back and will be updating this blog on a regular basis.

Let 's begin by seeing what gems are currently on the New York Times Best Sellers list:

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Here is the list of New York Times Children's Picture Books for week of October 16, 2011!

1 IF YOU GIVE A DOG A DONUT, by Laura Numeroff. Illustrated by Felicia Bond. (Balzer & Bray/HarperCollins, $16.99.) “He’ll ask for some apple juice to go with it,” to start things off. (Ages 3 to 7) 1

2 THE BIPPOLO SEED AND OTHER LOST STORIES, by Dr. Seuss. (Random House, $15.) Seven madcap tales, published between 1950 and 1951. (Ages 4 to 8) 2

3 LLAMA, LLAMA RED PAJAMA, by Anna Dewdney. (Viking, $17.99.) Baby Llama turns bedtime into an all-out llama drama. (Ages 4 to 8) 1

4 HAPPY PIG DAY!, by Mo Willems. (Hyperion, $8.99.) Piggie celebrates her favorite day. But will Gerald the Elephant be included? (Ages 4 to 8) 1

5 THE ARTIST WHO PAINTED A BLUE HORSE, by Eric Carle. (Philomel, $17.99.) A child joyfully creates animals in unexpected colors. (Ages 4 to 8) 1

6 LLAMA LLAMA HOME WITH MAMA, by Anna Dewdney. (Viking, $17.99.) Mama has just the thing for Llama Llama, who is feeling ill. (Ages 3 to 5) 7

7 SWEET LAND OF LIBERTY, by Callista Gingrich. Illustrated by Susan Arciero. (Regnery, $14.95.) Ellis the Elephant is eager to learn how America became the land of the free. (Ages 4 to 8) 2

8 PRESS HERE, by Hervé Tullet. (Handprint/Chronicle, $14.99.) A whimsical dance of color and motion, at the touch of a finger. (Ages 4 to 8) 25

9 MOO, by Matthew Van Fleet. Photographs by Brian Stanton. (Paula Wiseman/Simon & Schuster, $16.99.) Farm animals to pet. (Ages 2 to 5) 6

10 BUMBLE-ARDY, by Maurice Sendak. (Michael Di Capua/HarperCollins, $17.95.) A mischievous pig throws a birthday party for himself. (Ages 4 to 8) 4

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Here is the link to the list:

http://www.nytimes.com/best-sellers-books/2011-10-23/picture-books/list.html

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Have you read any of these books? Write us and let us know what you think!

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

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

New York Times Children's Series Children's Books for the Week of August 14, 2011

New York Times Children's Series Books

 

The New York Times Children's Series books are included below.How many have you read, plan to read, want others to read? Write back and tell us your thoughts!

Here is the link to the entire list of Series books:
http://www.nytimes.com/best-sellers-books/2011-08-21/series-books/list.html

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1 THE HUNGER GAMES, by Suzanne Collins. (Scholastic, hardcover and paper.) In a dystopian society a girl fights for survival on live TV. (Ages 12 and up) 50

2 HARRY POTTER, by J. K. Rowling. (Arthur A. Levine/Scholastic, hardcover and paper.) A wizard hones his skills while fighting evil. (Ages 10 and up) 264

3 PRETTY LITTLE LIARS, by Sara Shepard. (HarperTeen, hardcover and paper.) Four girls less perfect than they seem. (Ages 14 and up) 51

4 DIARY OF A WIMPY KID, written and illustrated by Jeff Kinney. (Abrams, hardcover only.) The travails of adolescence, in cartoons. (Ages 9 to 12) 134

5 PERCY JACKSON & THE OLYMPIANS, by Rick Riordan. (Disney-Hyperion, hardcover and paper.) Children of the gods battle monsters. (Ages 9 to 12) 213

6 THE SHIVER TRILOGY, by Maggie Stiefvater. (Scholastic, hardcover and paper.) Love and adventure among the werewolves of Mercy Falls. (Ages 13 and up) 4

7 DORK DIARIES, by Rachel Renée Russell. (Aladdin, hardcover only.) Nikki Maxwell navigates the halls of middle school. (Ages 9 to 13) 9

8 BIG NATE, Lincoln Peirce. (HarperCollins, hardcover; Andrews McMeel, paper.) Where Nate goes, trouble is sure to follow. (Ages 8 to 12) 28

9 HOUSE OF NIGHT, by P.C. Cast and Kristin Cast. (St. Martin’s, hardcover and paper.) Vampires in school. (Ages 14 and up) 130

10 FALLEN, by Lauren Kate. (Delacorte, hardcover and paper.) Fallen angels and forbidden love through the centuries. (Ages 12 and up)

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Happy reading.......
Until the next time......

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

New York Times Children's Paperback Children's Books for the Week of August 14, 2011

New York Times Children's Paperback Books Weeks on List


This weeks children's book paperback best sellers are included below. Some of the titles should be familiar to you. Let us know which ones you have read, which you are planning to read, and which ones you recommend for others to read!

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1 THE BOOK THIEF, by Markus Zusak. (Knopf, $11.99.) A girl saves books from Nazi burning. (Ages 14 and up)

2 THIRTEEN REASONS WHY, by Jay Asher. (Razorbill, $10.99.) Before she commits suicide, a girl sends recordings to 13 people. (Ages 12 and up) 8


3 THE ABSOLUTELY TRUE DIARY OF A PART-TIME INDIAN, by Sherman Alexie. Illustrated by Ellen Forney. (Little, Brown, $8.99.) A boy leaves his reservation to attend an all-white school. (Ages 12 and up) 106

4 THEODORE BOONE: KID LAWYER, by John Grisham. (Puffin, $7.99.) He’s only 13, but he knows how to handle a murder case. (Ages 8 to 12) 14


5 SOUL SURFER, by Bethany Hamilton with Sheryl Berk and Rick Bundschuh. (MTV/Gallery, $14.) Surfing again after a shark attack. (Ages 12 and up) 14


6 THE NINE LIVES OF CHLOE KING, by Liz Braswell. (Simon Pulse, $10.99.) A girl with special catlike powers is hunted by assassins. (Ages 14 and up) 8

7 ALONG FOR THE RIDE, by Sarah Dessen. (Speak, $8.99.) Teenage night owls bond during a summer at a charming beach town. (Ages 12 and up) 18

8 THE MAZE RUNNER, by James Dashner. (Delacorte, $9.99.) A stone wall imprisons teenagers who live by their wits. (Ages 12 and up) 20
9 MR. POPPER'S PENGUINS, by Richard Atwater and Florence Atwater. (Little, Brown, $6.99.) A house painter and his penguins. (Ages 8 to 12) 8


10 WHEN YOU REACH ME, by Rebecca Stead. (Yearling, $6.99.) A sixth-grade girl in New York City receives mysterious notes. (Ages 9 and up) 19


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Until the next time......
 
Happy reading!
A children's book a day, keeps the scary monster away!

New York Times Children's Chapter Books for Week of August 14, 2011

New York Times Children's Chapter Books

Week of August 14, 2011

Below is the list of New York Times Children's Chapter Books

How many have you read on this list? What would you recommend for others to read? What are your thoughts?

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1 THE THRONE OF FIRE, by Rick Riordan. (Disney-Hyperion, $18.99.) The Kanes seek the sun god, Ra; Book 2 of the Kane Chronicles. (Ages 10 and up) 14
2 NEVER HAVE I EVER, by Sara Shepard. (HarperTeen, $16.99.) Emma’s investigation of her twin sister’s murder continues. (Ages 14 and up) 1


3 MIDDLE SCHOOL, THE WORST YEARS OF MY LIFE, by James Patterson and Chris Tebbetts. Illustrated by Laura Park. (Little, Brown, $15.99.) Rafe breaks every rule in the book. (Ages 8 to 12) 6


4 MISS PEREGRINE'S HOME FOR PECULIAR CHILDREN, by Ransom Riggs. (Quirk Books, $17.99.) An island, an abandoned orphanage and a collection of curious photographs. (Ages 12 and up) 9


5 SUPER DIAPER BABY 2, written and illustrated by Dav Pilkey. (Blue Sky/Scholastic, $9.99.) The Invasion of the Potty Snatchers. (Ages 7 to 10) 6


6 THEODORE BOONE: THE ABDUCTION, by John Grisham. (Dutton, $16.99.) The “kid lawyer” uses his legal skills to find a missing friend. (Ages 8 to 12) 9


7 THE LYING GAME, by Sara Shepard. (HarperTeen, $16.99.) A long-lost twin impersonates her dead sister to try to solve her murder. (Ages 14 and up) 7


8 THE LOST HERO, by Rick Riordan. (Disney-Hyperion, $18.99.) A return to Camp Half-Blood and semi-divine characters. (Ages 10 and up) 43
9 WHAT HAPPENED TO GOODBYE, by Sarah Dessen. (Viking, $19.99.) A girl rediscovers herself after her parents’ bitter divorce. (Ages 12 and up) 13

10 WOLFSBANE, by Andrea Cremer. (Philomel, $17.99.) Calla is offered a chance to destroy her former masters and save the pack. (Ages 14 and up)


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Happy reading
 
Until the next time...
 
A children's book a day, keeps the scary monster away!

Sunday New York Times Children's Picture Books for 8/14/2011

Children's Picture Books

Below are the New York Times Picture books for children for the week of August 14, 2011. How many have you read on this list? Write back and let us know! One of my writers/illustrators is included in this list. Mo Willems... What other books has he written and illustrated? Scroll down to see the title that is included in this list!

Here is the link to the list:

http://www.nytimes.com/best-sellers-books/2011-08-21/picture-books/list.html

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Here is the entire list:

Weeks on List

1 SKIPPYJON JONES, CLASS ACTION, by Judy Schachner. (Dutton, $17.99.) The clever Siamese kitten longs to go to school. (Ages 3 and up) 4

2 PETE THE CAT: ROCKING IN MY SCHOOL SHOES, by Eric Litwin. Illustrated by James Dean. (Harper/HarperCollins, $16.99.) Pete discovers the library, the lunchroom and other cool places. (Ages 3 to 7) 2

3 PRESS HERE, by Hervé Tullet. (Handprint/Chronicle, $14.99.) A whimsical dance of color and motion, at the touch of a finger. (Ages 4 to 8) 16

4 LEGO HARRY POTTER, by the DK staff. (DK, $21.99.) Building the magical world. (Ages 6 to 14) 12

5 PETE THE CAT: I LOVE MY WHITE SHOES, by Eric Litwin. Illustrated by James Dean. (Harper/HarperCollins, $16.99.) Well-shod Pete has rainbows on his feet. (Ages 3 to 7) 5

6 PINKALICIOUS, by Victoria Kann and Elizabeth Kann. Illustrated by Victoria Kann. (HarperCollins, $17.99.) Pinkalicious loves cupcakes. (Ages 5 to 8) 8

7 A SICK DAY FOR AMOS McGEE, by Philip C. Stead. Illustrated by Erin E. Stead. (Roaring Brook, $16.99.) Animals care for a zookeeper. (Ages 2 to 6) 30

 

8 SHOULD I SHARE MY ICE CREAM? (AN ELEPHANT AND PIGGIE BOOK), written and illustrated by Mo Willems. (Hyperion, $8.99.) Gerald has a big decision to make. (Ages 4 to 8) 7

9 SILVERLICIOUS, written and illustrated by Victoria Kann. (Harper/HarperCollins, $17.99.) Pinkalicious has a loose tooth — her sweet tooth. (Ages 4 to 8) 26

 

10 CHARLIE THE RANCH DOG, by Ree Drummond. Illustrated by Diane DeGroat. (HarperCollins, $16.99.) A basset hound’s bucolic day. (Ages 4 to 8) 13

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

Until the next time!

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

Carnival of the Animals by Saint Saens

Carnival of the Animals by Saint Saens.

Commentary by Barrie Carson Turner and Illustrations by Sue Williams

"The animals are having a carnival, and guess who is coming? There's the majestic lion, braying mules, the dancing elephant, and the bouncy kangaraoos. The animals are having a carnival and you are invited."

What a fun book to read and it includes an accompanying music CD also. The full length CD contains the entire score of Saint-Saen's most famous composition.

This book is a great introduction to classical music for young children. The pictures are colorful. The book begins with a brief description of Saint Saen's Carnival of the Animals masterpiece and each animal that children will meet in the music... He even throws in a few "unusual animals" for children to locate.

We move to the orchestra for the carnival with all of the instruments and ofcourse, the conductor "maestro" wielding his baton conducting the orchestra. We first meet the string instruments, with a description of each including the violin, viola, cello, and double bass. A simple description is given along with the type of tune that is played. For example, "the viola looks like a big violin and has a deeper sound. It plays the tune of the fish in the aquarium."

The woodwind instruments are next with the clarinet, flute, and piccolo. The flute is one of the highest of the woodwind instruments. It plays the fast fluttering tune of the birds."

Saint Saens was a pianist and included the xylophone, glockenspiel, and piano. "The glockenspiel is like a small xylophone but it is made of metal. Its tinkly sound is the sunlight on the water in the aquarium."

We then move into the 14 tracks on the CD. The first track is the Royal March of the Lion.

Track 2 is the Hens and Roosters; Track 3 are the Mules; Track 4 the Tortoises; Track 5 the Elephant; Track 6 the Kangaroos; Track 7 the Aquarium,Track 8 Animals with long Ears; Track 9 Cuckoo in the Woods; Track 10 Birds; Track 11 Pianists; Track 12 Fossils; Track 13 the Swan; and Track 14 Finale.

Now the orchestra calls all the animals to the start of teh carnival parade. The pianists play great swooshing soundsm, then the orchestra plays a special parade tune. Suddenly, with a great clatter of hooves, the mules rush by. Can you hear the music?Then we hear the spiky music of the hens and roosters. Now the kangaroos pass by, jumping and hopping to their tune.

Last of all we heard the loud hee-haws of the ... you'll have to read the book for the rest of the "finale!"

I recommend this book for children of all ages. This is a must-have for home, school, and public libraries. What a great introduction to classical music for children. This will be great for story time but make sure that you have an accompanying CD player to play the music and have the children describe the animal in the tune. The book is colorful, bright and just plain fun.

HAPPY READING...

UNTIL THE NEXT TIME............

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

Tubby the Tuba

Tubby the Tuba

by Paul Tripp and edited by Henry Cole

Music is my first love.. Maybe second only to children's books. Well, if I have the opportunity to have a musical children's book, I have to share it with you. My father played the tuba as a hobby when he was alive. I have his huge sousaphone tuba........

This review is a tribute to my dad. The late.. great... Joe Joiner!


"All day long, Tubby oompah, oompah with his orchestra, but what he really wants is to "dance with the pretty little tune." a resourceful frog shows Tubby that everyone has the right to play his own melody."

Does Tubby get to play is own tune? You will have to read this tale and find out!

I enjoyed reading this wonderfully written and enjoyed listening to the companying cd.

Children of all ages have enjoyed this gem for sixty years! Let's enjoy this story of a young

tuba who wants to "dance with the pretty little tune" for another sixty years!

Check this out at your local library or school library and see why this story is as popular as it was sixty years ago!

I add this to your home library for your countless generations to enjoy!

Until the next time...

Happy reading!

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

Pet at the Met by Lydia Freeman

Pet at the Met

by Lydia Freeman

Maestro Petrini, the tiny page-turner for the Prompter at the Metropolitan Opera House, has always evaded Mefisto the cat until the day Petrini gets carried away by Mozart's Magic Flute and joins the performers onstage. 

I loved this delightful children's book. I didn't want it to end... Just how does it end.... Does Maestro Petrini and Mefisto become friends at the end or are they sworn enemies... You will have to read this lovely colorful book for the answer!

This gorgeous book would be a wonderful addition to any home, school, and public library.... If you are an opera fan.. This is a must read!

Happy reading......

Until the next time!

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

Happy 4th of July

Happy 4th of July!

If you that you are enjoying this wonderful holiday. I can't let this day end without including some delightful 4th of July children's books!

Fourth of July Bear by Kathryn Lasky and Illustrated by Helen Cogancherry

 Fourth of July: Sky by Joan Holub and Illustrated by Amanda Haley

The 4th of July by Dorothy Goeller

Happy Birthday America by Mary Pope Osborne and Illustrated by Peter Catalanotto

Celebrate Independence Day with Parades, Picnics, and Fireworks by Deborah Heiligman

Hats off for the Fourth of July by Harriet Ziefert and Illustrated by Gustaf Miller

HAPPY FOURTH OF JULY!!!!!!!!!!

Enjoy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Happy Reading!!!!!!!

Until the next time!!!

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

Happy Father's Day

Happy Father's Day, Everyone!

I hope that you had a nice Father's Day! My father passed away at a young age at 48 years of age but I took my adopted father out to dinner. We had a great time! This was a delightful day for me. I couldn't let this day pass without including a Father's Day post!

Here are two Father's Day books that you might want to consider for next year:

A Perfect Father's Day by Eve Bunting and Illustrated by Susan Meddaugh

"I'm taking you out for Father's Day," Susie tells Dad. "First we'll go for lunch."

"Good," Dad says. "May I drive?"

"Certainly," Susie says.

"She chooses the restaurant, and pretty soon Dad can see that she's filled this special day with treats - treats for both of them!"

 This book is quite nice. It is a warm, cuddly quick read. Check it out from you local library for next year!

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A Father's Day Thank you 

by Janet Nolan 

and Illustrated by Kathi Ember

This delightfully written and illustrated children's book describes how Harvey can't figure out what to give his father for Father's Day! This book makes for a great discussion on what Father's Day is all about. This will be a great addition to any family, school, and public library. This is a great read! You won't be disappointed!

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"Of Thee I Sing: A Letter to My Daughters" for Father's Day!

Written by President Obama and illustrated by Loren Long

I had to include President Barack Obama's "Of Thee I Sing: A Letter to My Daughters" for Father's Day! Written by President Obama and illustrated by Loren Long

I loved this book! The pictures are gorgeous! We learn about various characters such as Georgia O'Keefe, Albert Einstein, Jackie Robinson, Sitting Bull, Billy Holiday, Helen Keller, Maya Lin, Jane Addams, Rev. Dr.Martin Luther King, Jr., Neil Armstrong, Cesar Chavez, Abraham Lincoln, and George Washington 

"Have I told you lately how wonderful you are?

How the sound of your feet 

running from afar 

brings dancing rhythms to my day?

How you laugh

and sunshine spills into the room?"

Have I told you are creative? We learn about the great artist Georgia O'Keefe!

Have I told you that you are smart? We learn about the genius Albert Einstein!

Have I told you that you are brave? We learn about the pioneer who broke the color line in baseball, Jackie Robinson!

Have I told you that you are a healer? We visit Sitting Bull, the great Sioux Medicine Man

Have I told you that you have your own song? The great songstress Billy Holiday, sings the blues for us!

Have I told you that you are strong? Helen Keller is our example!

Have I told you how important it is to honor others' sacrifices? We visit with Maya Lin who designed the Vietnam Veterans Memorial

Have I told you that you are king? We see Jane Addams who fed the poor!

Have I told you that you don't give up? Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King the great Civil Rights Leader who taught us to never give up 

Have I told you that you are an explorer? We visit Neil Armstrong who was the first to walk on the moon!

Have I told you that you are inspiring? The great leader Cesar Chavez who led the farm workers!

Have I told you that you are part of a family? President Lincoln who freed the slaves and brought the nation together!

Have I told you to be proud to be American? Our first president was George Washington. He believed and liberty and ... you fill in the rest!

I will let you see and read how this wonderful book ends!

This well written creatively designed book is a must read for all children... Adults will enjoy this also!

When you tell children that they can... and give them hope..... They will start to believe and internalize that they can! Remember!!!!!!!!!!!!! Success breeds success!

If more children were given this book and reminded of these great people, they would have better achievement in schools!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Parents, your children need this book!

I recommend this book for all home, school, and public libraries!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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

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

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

I Know a Shy Fellow Who Swallowed a Cello by Barbara S. Garriel

I Know a Shy Fellow Who Swallowed a Cello

 

by Barbara S. Garriel

Illustrated by John O'Brien

"He's SHY, a wallflower. He's the man at the side of the room listening to a duet for cello and viola. Even now you wouldn't notice him. But our shy fellow suddenly has an urge to swallow a cello, which is precisely what he does. And he doesn't stop there. He follows it with a harp, a sax, and a fiddle. On and on he goes, trying to satisfy his voracious appetite for musical instruments."

What an absolutely funny book! This book begins with...

"I KNOW A SHY FELLOW ...

... WHO SWALLOWED A CELLO.

I don't know why he swallowed a cello

Perhaps he'll bellow."

The pictures and text are fun and engaging! What a brilliantly clever book! I just couldn't put this book down. As our hero swallows instruments, left and right... his body takes on the shape of the instrument. Imagine having the body of a harp.........or a sax... or a fidddle.. or a cymbal...or a flute... or a kazoo... a bell... and a petite cascabel...

I wouldn't recommend trying this at home boys and girls...... Just read along and enjoy the musical ride!

What do you think happened to our hero after he swallowed all of those instruments?

He belched and he burped, he turned shades of yellow.

It seemed he was doomed, that very shy fellow.

He weaved and he wallowed, he stomped and he yelled.

AND THE NEXT THING HE KNEW,

OUT JINGLED THE ....

You will have to read the book for the rest of the story!

This book uses poetry and rhyme and happy, fun colors and pictures! It is easy to read and follow. The text reinforces each instrument that our hero has swallowed so this will help with cognitive development through recall and memorization. 

This musically fun book is perfect for story time. If you can have some of the instruments on display all the better. However, this book is a fun read all by itself... You won't be able to put this book down! It will have you all roaring with laughter for many days to follow! Children of all ages and adults will enjoy this must read!

I recommend this book for all home, school, and public libraries. You can have a contest to "guess the instruments!"I recommend that you visit your local library and check out this musical treasure! You won't be disappointed!

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

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

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

Meet the Orchestra by Anna Hayes and Karmen Thompson

Meet the Orchestra

Written by: Ann Hayes and Illustrated by Karmen Thompson

Have you ever met an orchestra? Well, here's your chance.
Meet the rabbit with her flute ... the koala cellist... the tuba playing warthog .. the alligator on the drums ...


This unusual introducton to the orchestra describes the instruments--strings, brass, woodwinds, and percussion -- and offers interesting information about them.

This colorful and engaging book is a delight for young and older readers alike as an introduction to musical instruments in an orchestra. The book begins with "The Orchestra plays tonight. The audience has arrived. The musicians come on stage with their instruments. What a lot of different kinds they play -- strings, woodwinds, brass, adn percussion."

There is a lovely picture with the animals preparing to play their instruments. There is an alligator, rabbit, tiger... and .... you tell us the rest in the picture!

The first instrument described is the Violin. A raccon dressed in a tuxedo coat sits on a chair playing the violin. Notice his violin case.... There are stickers from the places where he has performed? Paris... Boulder, Colorado... New York... How fun!

We next move to the babboon wearing a summer dress or tutu playing the Viola. We learn the difference between the Violin and the Viola..... "The viola looks and sounds like a big brother to the violin. It has a deeper tone, reminding you of evening shadows, cloudy skies, and the color blue....

Who has ever seen a koala bear playing a cello? We have one here...... "You can't tuck a cello under your chin the way you do a violin or a viola?"

Why not?????????

"It is so big you must rest it on the floor."

A walrus playing the String Bass greets us next......
What is the string bass?

"The string bass is the grandpa of the string family... When bowed, its low notes moan and groan."

Rabbit plays the flute?

Beaver plays the Piccolo

Panda Bear plays the Oboe

Polar Bear plays the Bassoon

Two lovely Foxes  play the Clarinet... A girl fox plays the B-Flat Clarinet and a boy fox plays the Bass Clarinet

Tiger plays the French Horn

Monkey plays the Trumpet

Wart Hog plays the Tuba

Alligator plays the Timpani or Kettledrums

Elephant plays the Cymbals

Another Monkey plays the Piano

Lion is the Conductor

and finally.......

The musicians have taken their places. The strings, who are by far the largest group of players, sit in front, almost filling the stage. The woodwinds sit close together at the center. The brass and percussions are in the back.

The conductor strides on stage in front of the orchestra, raises his baton ...

Let the music start!

I absolultely love this book and have recommended it to all of my musician friends, teachers, librarians, friends, family, co-workers!I love the pictures of each animal playing his /her instrument. Each description was short, fun, and played on our senses. For example, To play the flute, you hold it sideways, tighten your lips, and blow across the air hold. With practice, you can trill like a bird or play slow, quivering notes as cool as a mountain stream.

This certainly engages all of our senses!It is quite descriptive and makes you feel like running out and playing our favorite instrument!

My father played the tuba and my brother the trumpet so I am partial to the Bass instruments.......

The Tuba has a huge bell and a very long tube. The tuba seldom carries a tune. It is more of a rhythm instrument. Its "umpahs" help the brass to keep the beat, just as the thump of the bass does for the strings."

This book is an excellent addition to every home, school, and public library. This book is a great introduction to instruments, orchestra, classical music, etc.

Happy reading!

Until the next time...

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

The Ocean Story - Written by John Seven and Illustrated by Jana Christy

The Ocean Story - Written by John Seven and Illustrated by Jana Christy

The ocean is old and big. It is full of strange and wonderful creatures. Is story is part of the earth's story. The ocean is as important to the earth as the sun is.

But what happens when something goes wrong? What happens when the ocean story turns scary? The ocean is in trouble. We have to help save it.


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This lovely engaging story tells the "ocean story" of fish and other animals that inhabit our planet and how oil spills and other disasters are killing the animals and destroying the planet.


The pictures are beautiful. The colors are rich and realistic and can tell the story even without words being included. However, having the words makes the reading experience even richer and rewarding!


I love the pictures and the colors. This book is warm, friendly, and engaging. It is a story that parents, families, teachers, librarians,and others should read to children and to themselves.


The illustrator uses lots of rich child-friendly pastel colors. There are lots of greens, blues, purples, oranges, browns, pinks, lilac, etc. As we move to the part of the book where we learn about the oil in the ocean, we see oil at the bottom of the ocean... fish skeletons... oil all over the fish... etc. The colors change from bright and friendly to dark and dismal........


Some of the fish seem to have their own personality.... The Blob fish resembles a sad older man.. Where as in contrast, the Axolotl looks like a young happy child playing in the ocean!


We see fishermen reeling in their large catch for the day...... The fish are brown and look as if they are toxic because they were in polluted waters........ The next page reads:


"Sometimes the water is covered in sludge and goo and trash and other messy things. Things that should not be in the ocean." 

The photos are realistic. We see milk bottles, water bottles, and other life size trash. They show the oil rigs in the pictures also.


"Oil runs our cars and warms our homes. We try to pull it out with care." "But sometimes, things go wrong. Oil goes where it should not be."


"The strange, mysterious, and wonderful ocean creatures watch the ocean turn very dark all around them."


The ocean has turned from a lovely blue to a dreadful... murky... dismal..... brown!


The next picture showed polluted water..  fish and other animals covered in oil... some beached on land.......Oil rigs in the background... smoking... on fire.......


"Nothing can live in oil."


"Sometimes, the ocean story is a scary one."


I won't share with you how the story ends........


You will have to read this story to learn the ending!


I recommend this book to everyone. It should be in every home, school library, and public library!

This is a great book for story time! There should be a discussion afterwards where students and adults can discuss this book and what happens to our oceans and the environment when there are man made disasters such as oil spills and other disasters!


Pick up a copy of this must-read book when you can! You won't be disappointed!

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

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

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

The Bremen Town Musicians by Hans Wilhelm

The Bremen Town Musicians

by Hans Wilhelm

Wilhelm reveals the story of four animal friends who set out on the road to Bremen to become town musicnas. Each has been doomed to a sorry fate, but by banding together they reverse their fortunes and find happiness in an unexpected and funny way.

First the donkey, then the dog, the cat. They then found a rooster. All four were doomed to a terrible fate. The four banded together to go to the Bremen to become musicans.... Talk about team work!!!!!!!!!!


They all set off in the direction of the light. It grew larger and larger until it led them to a robber's house, all lighted up.

The four friend put their heads together to decide how they might scare off the robbers. Finally they knew what to do...

At a given signal, they all began to perform their music.
The donkey brayed, the dog barked, the cat meowed, and the rooster crowed!

You will have to read the book to see if they went to Bremen and peformed at all.............

Wha a lovely colorful book! I loved this story... I thought of my dog Figaro as I read this book....... This would be a great read for story time. The children will absolutely love it.............

As an animal and singer, I absolutely loved this book.



I recommend this book for all home, school, and public libraries!

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

Happy reading...............

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

New York Times Picture Books

Week of February 28, 2011

This week's best selling New York Times Picture Books are included below. Mo Willems has two New York Times best selling picture books: I Broke My Trunk and We are in a Book. Let us know your thoughts on these books.

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Click here for the link to the list:

http://www.nytimes.com/best-sellers-books/2011-03-06/picture-books/list.html

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Children's Picture Books Weeks on List
1 SILVERLICIOUS, written and illustrated by Victoria Kann. (Harper/HarperCollins, $17.99.) Pinkalicious has a loose tooth — her sweet tooth. (Ages 4 to 8) 3

2 OF THEE I SING, by Barack Obama. Illustrated by Loren Long. (Knopf, $17.99.) The president speaks of heroes in a letter to his daughters. (Ages 5 to 8) 14

3 A SICK DAY FOR AMOS MCGEE, by Philip C. Stead. Illustrated by Erin E. Stead. (Roaring Brook, $16.99.) Animals care for a zookeeper. (Ages 2 to 6) 6

4 LEGO STAR WARS, by Simon Beecroft. (DK, $21.99.) An annotated visual dictionary. (Ages 7 and up) 61

5 WHEN I GROW UP, by Al Yankovic. Illustrated by Wes Hargis. (Harper/HarperCollins, $17.99.) Billy’s compendium of dream jobs, including pickle inspector and snail trainer. (Ages 4 to 8) 3

6 INTERRUPTING CHICKEN, written and illustrated by David Ezra Stein. (Candlewick, $16.99.) A rooster struggles to tell a bed-time story. (Ages 4 to 8) 5

7 WHEREVER YOU ARE, MY LOVE WILL FIND YOU, written and illustrated by Nancy Tillman. (Feiwel & Friends, $16.99.) All about tenderness. (Ages 4 to 8) 15

8 MADELINE AT THE WHITE HOUSE, written and illustrated by John Bemelmans Marciano. (Viking, $17.99.) Madeline and the other girls meet Candle, the lonely daughter of the president. (Ages 4 to 8) 3

9 I BROKE MY TRUNK!, by Mo Willems. (Disney-Hyperion, $8.99.) Gerald tells Piggie the long, crazy story about breaking his trunk. (Ages 4 to 8) 2

10 WE ARE IN A BOOK!, by Mo Willems. (Hyperion, $8.99.) Gerald and Piggie return to the page, and ponder their existence there. (Ages 4 to 8)

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

 

Until the next time!!!!!!!

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



Bantam of the Opera - Written and Illustrated by Mary Jane Auch

Bantam of the Opera

Written and Illustrated by Mary Jane Auch

Luigi may have been born a bantam rooster, but he has the soul of a musician. When his musical variations on the boring "Cock-a-doodle-do"get him in trouble with the head rooster, Luigi takes to wandering away from the hen house where his talents are not appreciated. Then one day, roosting on the farmer's front porch, Luigi hears something on the radio that will change his life forever--- opera!

As an opera lover and librarian, I giggled when I saw the this book in the library. I laughed even harder when I started reading this delightfully witty children's book! The colors are vibrant and inviting! There are lots of bright oranges, purples, greens, blues! This book is what you would expect for an opera-related children's book! This will be a great book for story time!

I highly recommend that anyone who loves a funny story and who likes opera should read this book!

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

Until the next time.....

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