Saturday, December 27, 2014

It's Christmas Time!!!!!!!!!!!

Merry Christmas!!!!!!!!!!!


Here are some of the books that were popular in our different libraries... 

I enjoyed reading these books. They brought a smile to my face. I hope they will bring a smile to yours also.

Merry Christmas!



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Biscuit Gives a Gift 
by Alyssa Satin Capucilli
Pictures by Pat Schories



 


 


Dinosaur vs Santa 
by Bob Shea

 

 
 

Pete the Cat Saves Christmas 
By James Dean 
Eric Litwin








Baby Bear's Christmas Kiss  
by John Prater







Jean Marzollo's  Ten Little Christmas Presents







Merry Christmas, Spot 
by Eric Hill

 


 



The Three Little Bears Christmas
 
by Kathy Duvall
Illustrated by Paul Meisel


 


 


Twas the Fright Before Christmas 
by Judy Sierra
Illustrated by Will Hillenbrand




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


Happy Reading!!!!!


A CHILDREN'S BOOK A DAY, KEEPS THE SCARY MONSTER AWAY!!!!!!!!!!!!


HAPPY HOLIDAYS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Happy Kwanzaa

HAPPY KWANZAA!!!!!!!!!



Kwanzaa is a holiday that honors African American culture and life. Kwanzaa last for 7 days beginning December 26 and ending January 1st. Kwanzaa began in the United States in 1966. It was founded by Dr. Maulana Karenga. Kwanzaa means "fresh fruits" in the African language of Swahili.

There are seven principles of Kwanzaa that are each celebrated on a different day. These include:

Day 1 - December 26 -  Umoja - Unity
Day 2 - December 27 - Kujichagulia - Self-determination
Day 3 - December 28 - Ujima - Collective Work and Responsibility
Day 4 - December 29 - Ujamaa - Cooperative Economics
Day 5 - December 30 - Nia - Purpose
Day 6 - December 31 - Kuumba - Creativity
Day 7 - January 1       - Imani - Faith

Habari Gani "What news?" is used as a greeting each morning. The answer is the name of the principle for that day. Seven candles - one black, three red, and three green-stand for the seven principles of Kwanzaa. Each night, one candle is lit, and the family talks about the principle for that day.

There are also seven symbols of Kwanzaa: a mat on which the other symbols rest; fruits and vegetables representing the harvest; a unity cup, from which all drink; a candle holder with seven places; the seven candles themselves; an ear of corn for each child in the home; and gifts from the parents to the children.

Here is a list of some popular Kwanzaa books for children. Feel free to send your favorite titles.These books are all great reads for learning more about Kwanzaa


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The Gifts of Kwanzaa by Synthia Saint James



A child narrator introduces the reader to the Kwanzaa celebration through a richly colored, gorgeously designed book on Kwanzaa. The book begins with a brief introduction "About Kwanzaa" where we learn about the celebration.



The pictures are very colorful and representative of the African rich colors of the African continent. What a feast for the eyes. The book ends with NGUZO SABA: The Seven Principles of Kwanzaa where we learn about each principle.

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K is for Kwanzaaa: A Kwanzaa Alphabet Book by Juwanda G. Ford and Ken Wilson-Max

In this creatively colored Kwanzaa alphabet book, the reader learns about the Kwanzaa holiday  through each letter of the alphabet.

The colors are bold, rich, and luscious! What a treat for the eyes.  The book begins with a brief introduction to Kwanzaa and then jumps right into "Let's celebrate Kwanzaa from A to Z!" The seven Kwanzaa principles are included also followed by:

A is for Africa, B is for Bendera (African American flag displayed during Kwanzaa), and C is for candle. Kwanzaa candles are called mishumaa saba. D is for Dashiki, a loose fitting shirt worn by people throughout Africa. E is for Embe - a mango that grows in many parts of Africa. F is for Feast - a large meal shared by many people. G is for Gele - a long, narrow strip of cloth that African women and girls wear wrapped around their heads. H is for Harvest - Ripened crop of fruits and vegetables that is gathered at the end of the growing season. I is for Indigo - Indigo is a blue powder from the indigo plant. J is for Jewelry - Making simple bracelets or necklaces as Kwanzaa gifts is a way to practice creativity (Kuumba). K is for Kwanzaa or Kinara. Kinara is the wooden candleholder that holds the seven Kwanzaa candles.

You will have to read the book to learn more about the rest of the letters of the alphabet.

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Kevin's Kwanzaa by Lisa Bullard and Illustrated by Constanza Basaluzzo

Kevin's family is celebrating the seven days of Kwanzaa! They light candles and learn a special word each day. They talk about working together. On the sixth day, everyone dances at a big feast! Find out the different ways people celebrate this holiday.

This is a nice colorful book that describe Kwanzaa through Kevin's eyes. The book includes the following chapters: Ready for Kwanzaa; Lighting the Candles; Another Word Each Night; Finally, My Turn; Make a Kwanzaa Drum; Glossary; To Learn More; and an Index.


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Kwanzaa by Lisa Herrington

 
What a great overview of the Kwanzaa holiday. This book is short and includes information for everything that you need to know about Kwanzaa. Beginning with the Table of Contents that includes the following chapters:

Happy Kwanzaa; How It Began; Kwanzaa's Symbols; Spreading Joy; Let's Celebrate; Show What You Know; Glossary; Index; Facts for Now; and About the Author.

This is a great book for teaching about Kwanzaa. The text is short and to the point, there are gorgeous photographs corresponding with each chapter. There is an activity at the end where families can make a Kwanzaa hat for their own celebration.

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All of these Kwanzaa books great additions to any home, school, and public library, day care center, or any place children and families want to learn about and celebrate Kwanzaa.

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Here are links to lists of Kwanzaa books and information:

The Official Kwanzaa Web Site

Teacher's First Kwanzaa Resources  

Teacher Planet - Kwanzaa Resources

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

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

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





Friday, December 12, 2014

It's Potty Time...

Dinosaur vs. The Potty by Bob Shea





Dinosaur doesn't need to use the potty. Even when he's making lemonade, running through the sprinkler, having a three juice box lunch, and splashing in rain puddles. See? He's doing his victory dance. Wait . . . that's not a victory dance, that looks like a POTTY DANCE! Run, Dinosaur, run!






I am often the children's librarian in many libraries and so invariably I am asked to recommend "potty" training books. I always giggle and my first choice is.....

You guessed it...

Dinosaur vs. the Potty.

When parents see this book they immediately laugh and say, why wasn't this book available when I was a kid or when I was trying to potty train my older kids...

If a picture is worth a million words.. This book is a true winner.....

I laugh every time that I open this book!

So what make this book so special? Let's have a look...

First of all the bright red color of the dinosaur. His kid friendly, non threatening body is drawn so well. He seems to be your run of the mill friendly, bubbly, red dinosaur that likes to have fun and likes "water-based" activities and after partaking in them, he still doesn't have to go to the potty.

The colors throughout the book are BIG! BOLD!!!!!!! and EYE CATCHING.

The text is short and to the point...

The book begins with "ROAR! I'M A DINOSAUR!"

The dinosaur let's us know that he is BIG and BAD and the HDIC! "Head Dinosaur In Charge"


He then roar! roar! roar!
Dinosaur versus...

making lemonade! roar! roar! mix! squeeze! roar!

He gulps down the entire pitcher and still doesn't have to use the potty. This continues for several more activities and then ... well... you'll have to read the book to find out!!!!!!!!!

I loved this book! What a brilliantly creative book! The pictures and text and are fun and engaging! It will bring a smile to everyone's face from the very young to the "not so very young.!

I would highly recommend this gem of a book to everyone! I would love to see this in every home, school, day care, public, and private library.

Let us know what you think about this book! 

Has this helped with potty training your children? grand children? nieces? nephews?

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

Happy Reading.............

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

Thursday, November 27, 2014

Happy Thanksgiving


There are several Thanksgiving books that were very popular in our Carnegie Libraries this year. I wanted to share a few of them with you.

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Silly Thanksgiving Dinner by Lillian Hoban



It's Thanksgiving, and Silly Tilly Mole is planning to make Thanksgiving dinner for all her friends. But where did she put the invitations? What happened to her recipes? And why is her house so full of frog? 
There's a big surprise in store for silly Tilly...

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Minnie Moo and the Thanksgiving Tree by Denys Cazet\







In Minnie and Moo and the Thanksgiving Tree, the cows vow to protect Zeke and Zack, a couple of nervous turkeys.
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Thank You, Sarah: The Woman Who Saved Thanksgiving by Laurie Halse Anderson and Illustrated by Matt Faulkner



Way back when "skirts were long and hats were tall" Americans were forgetting Thanksgiving, and nobody seemed to care! Thankfully, Sarah Hale appeared. More steadfast than Plymouth Rock, this lady editor knew the holiday needed saving. But would her recipe for rescue ever convince Congress and the presidents?
 


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Thanksgiving Day Thanks by Laura Malone Elliott and Illustrated Lynne Munsinger



Thanksgiving is almost here, and Sam's class is excited for their Thanksgiving feast! Mary Ann is going to dress up like Squanto, an Winston's building a Popsickle-stick Mayflower.
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Until the next time!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Happy Reading!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
A Children's Book a Day, Keeps the Scary Monster Away!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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Tuesday, November 25, 2014

This Week's New York Times Bestselling Picture Books 11/23/2014

 New York Times Bestselling Picture Books for the Week of 11/23/2014



Here is the list of New York Times bestselling book for the week of 11.23.2014.

Which ones have you read? What did you like or not like about the book?

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1
THE BOOK WITH NO PICTURES, by B. J. Novak. (Dial.) Silly songs and sound effects in a book without images. (Ages 4 to 8)

2
THE DAY THE CRAYONS QUIT, by Drew Daywalt. Illustrated by Oliver Jeffers. (Philomel.) Colorful problems arise when Duncan's crayons revolt. (Ages 3 to 7)

3
WAITING IS NOT EASY!, by Mo Willems. (Hyperion.) Impatient Gerald has to wait for Piggie’s promised surprise. (Ages 2 to 7)

4
THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS, by Clement C. Moore. Various illustrators. (Various publishers.) Not a creature was stirring. (All ages)

5
GOODNIGHT, GOODNIGHT, CONSTRUCTION SITE, by Sherri Duskey Rinker and Tom Lichtenheld. (Chronicle.) As the sun sets, hard-working trucks get ready for bed. (Ages 4 to 8) 163

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

7
THE ANIMALS' SANTA, by Jan Brett. (Putnam.) A spunky little rabbit wants to know who brings those presents. (Ages 3 to 5)

8
MIX IT UP!, by Hervé Tullet. (Handprint/Chronicle.) Primary colors splatter, mix together and transform at the touch of a finger. (Ages 4 to 8)

9
THE PIGEON NEEDS A BATH!, by Mo Willems. (Hyperion.) A filthy bird is persuaded to bathe. (Ages 3 to 7)

10
ONCE UPON AN ALPHABET, by Oliver Jeffers. (Philomel.) Twenty-six brief stories, one for each letter. (Ages 3 to 7)

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


Happy reading....

A CHILDREN'S BOOK A DAY, KEEPS THE SCARY MONSTER AWAY!!!



Wednesday, November 19, 2014

Dessert Designer: Creations You Can Make and Eat! by Dana Meachen Rau

Dessert Designer: Creations You Can Make and Eat!
 by Dana Meachen Rau




Turn your boring desserts into fantastic works of food art. Learn to make cupcakes into bunnies or candies into shining stars. The best part of this book is learning its OK to play with your food!


I was the Children's Librarian at the Allegheny Library tonight and took this book to review it. One patron after the other picked it up and looked through it and shared it with others in the Children's room. They absolutely LOVED this book!

The parents commented on how creative this book was and how they couldn't believe some of the designs were actually made from candy. They loved the recipe for the Rolled-Up Roses where the ingredients were fruit leather and lollipop sticks. They talked about the Sweet Sushi, Treasure Chest, Pool Party ( one of the ingredients was blue gelatin), the Tie Dye T-shirt, Rockin Guitar, Sugar Burger, Fooled You PB & J, and other delicious desserts.


Just leafing through this book brings a smile to your face and a tingle in your tummy! This would be a great book for children who and supervising adults to create some really fun sweet treats that would turn any heads... Creating these desserts might bring any child a first prize in any cooking/baking contest.

The pictures are spectacular! The recipes are easy to follow.

This book is billed at "51 fun creations easy enough for kids."

Try it... you'll love it!!!!!!!!!!! Your tummy will love you!!!!!!!!!

I would recommend this delightful book for any home, school, or public library!

KUDOS to Capstone Publishers! You have done it again!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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

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

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

Wednesday, November 12, 2014

Sunday New York Times Children's Section November 10-16, 2014

NEW YORK TIMES BOOK REVIEW SPECIAL CHILDREN'S BOOK SECTION


There was a special children's section of the New York Times Book Review in the November 10, 2014.

To read the reviews click on the following link:
 http://www.nytimes.com/pages/books/review/index.html

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Until the next time!!!!!!!!!!!!
 

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

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