What is new

Everything is going well with myself and my family. We have settled into the new house and our new jobs. The girls are thriving at school and I have returned to school myself. It is much harder going to school and working/mothering full-time, but with the support of my family we are making it work. Life is going to start getting crazy again when softball starts up for Emma tonight. Mom's Taxi Service is officially open for business.

I have been reading a TON of great books lately. The 2012 award winners and nominees are out. Two great new titles to check out are listed below. If you get a chance, let me know what you think. I know that my students LOVED hearing me read them in the last few weeks.

I Broke My Trunk by Mo Willems: A great story in the Elephant and Piggie series by Mo Willems. Elephant shows up to meet his friend Piggie and a long story is given as to how he broke his trunk. Telling this story in a nasally voice is a real winner with the younger crowd.

Interrupting Chicken by David Ezra Stein: Bedtime is difficult for any parent. Imagine trying to settle your child down for bed, reading a bedtime story, and being CONSTANTLY interrupted. That is how Chicken feels in this book. Only his adorable daughter keeps changing the endings to their bedtime stories, because she doesn't like the way they end. This book won a Goldfinch Award from the State of Iowa Library Association. Great story about father/daughter bonding time.

Why Mosquitoes Buzz in People's Ears

Why Mosquitoes Buzz in People's Ears by Verna Aaredema; Illustrated by Leo and Diane Dillon - Winner of the Caldecott Medal for its illustrations.

Why Mosquitoes is a West African Tale about how an annoying mosquito causes a chain reaction that ultimately ends in a baby owl being killed. Because the baby owl was killed the Mother Owl would not raise the sun to start the day. Leave it to a mosquito to ruin an life. How many times has a mosquito ruined your day?

Instead of facing the animal counsel the mosquito runs away and hides. He decides he needs to spread his message to the only ones left that will listen to him, humans. Can you guess what happens?

The tale itself was amusing and my daughter thought the ending was funny. I can see why this book one the award for illustrations. The illustrations were done in watercolor with a technique that provided a color variation that made the characters come alive. The details of each of the animals make this book a must read.

Need Your Help

Hello All,

As I start my new Media Specialist career I will be returning to school to acquire the endorsement. While doing this I will be asked to read and review several Children's and Young Adult literature. Most of my reviews will be from the award lists, i.e. Newberry, Caldecott, Scott O'Dell, Coretta Scott King and the Iowa Children's Choice Awards. However, my reviews are not just limited to those lists.

If any of you know of some good books or someone who may be a good contact for me, please do not hesitate to let me know. From what I understand I have to read one book a week for this class. Stay tuned for reviews.

Random Thoughts

Good Evening All,

As summer winds down and a new school year fast approaches, of one thing I am sure. I am really going to miss my kids when they return to school. For the first time in their lives, I will not be there to witness their firsts. First day of Third and First grade, first time arriving at school on the bus. It seems weird to me that I will miss those. After all, isn't that why Ed and I have sacrificed over the last 8 years, so that one of us would always witness the "firsts".

I know that the decisions that we have made in the last few months will lead to even more "firsts" for our family. However, it still makes me want to witness them.

I want to thank my husband and daughters for allowing me to be there for so many firsts already. I want you all to know that I know you will all be there for me as I start to experience some of my own firsts.

As an added note: one of my classes this fall is all about how to determine what makes a "great book". I will be reading and reviewing several books over the course of the semester. Make sure to check back from time to time. Who knows, you may find one that you and your children may enjoy reading together. Or just you for that matter. I know I still love to read children's books from time to time (with no kids present). :) Enjoy the rest of your summer.

Exciting News

Hello All,

As of August, I will be the K-5 Media Specialist with the Clear Creek Amana School District. As I embark on this new journey, please check back on this blog. I will be reviewing books that will hopefully be found in my new library. I will also be providing suggestions on helping children become more diligent digital citizens. Also, I would love any suggestions for ideas to try in my classroom. I hope everyone is having an amazing summer.

Jen

Castle

This is more for the adults who follow. The newest season of "Castle" has started. Currently I am reading the novel published from Richard Castle's first go round with Detective Beckett. When I am finished I will let you know how it was. I am predicting good things though. If you haven't had a chance to view "Castle" yet, please do so. It is on Monday nights at 9 p.m. I don't usually recommend shows but this one is a MUST SEE.

Have a great weekend and GO HAWKS!! BEAT MICHIGAN!!

Checking In

I know that it has been awhile since I have posted on here. However, I am hoping to change all of that. Just to give an update. . . . . I graduated in May with a degree in Elementary Education with emphasis in Reading and Social Studies. I was unable to find a full time teaching job so I am subbing right now. I am fortunate enough to have several WONDERFUL school districts within decent driving distance. Between all of my friends in Iowa City, Clear Creek/Amana, Solon and Regina, I have been staying VERY busy. While subbing is not my ideal situation, it is allowing me the opportunity to see how I would and would not want my classroom to run. It is also giving me strength in my Classroom Management.

On a personal note, my girls are in school full time now. Emma started 2nd grade and Jillian started Kindergarten at Regina Elementary this fall. Ed is very busy with work and is traveling much more than he did when he worked with Monsanto.

My main goal of this blog is to keep everyone posted on Children and Young Childrens Literature. I will do my best to post about books that I have read, any recommendations that I receive regarding new books. I may also post, from time to time, on books that I have personally read for adults. These books may be teaching books or adult books read for leisure (you know FUN!). Please let me know of any books that you may have heard of or read. I would love to have them included on my blog.

Have a great week,
Jen

Where I Am

It is difficult for me to write this particular blog entry. I have just come to realize that my time in this class is almost up. I have really enjoyed my time in this class. Our discussion after we have read books has been very productive and encourages one to talk the time to evaluate what we have read and why we are drawn to certain books.

I find myself taking extra time when picking out books for not only my daughters to read but myself as well. I no longer just grab books off of the shelf. I like to take the time and flip through books. I am now looking at children's literature through the eyes of a future teacher instead of just a parent. Books that I may have shied away from in the past because of their subject matter are now ones I take extra time and review. I have discovered new genres that in the past I would not have even given a second glance too (Captain Underpants for example).

When looking at books for purchase I find myself wondering how I may make that book work or utilized in my future classroom. I believe that this is the intention of this course. As far as the blogging goes, I fully intend on keeping up on my blog as I start to work through my practicum courses. I feel compelled to express my opinions on children's literature. I have already found that this blog makes me more critical of the books I choose to read. I can only hope that any followers of this blog feel that I have helped them look at children's literature a little more closely than just the picture on the cover. Thanks for a great time.

Money Madness by David A. Adler; Illustrated by Edward Miller (Holiday Press, 2009)

Another great book to use in when working with the concept of money in your math class. This book examines the history of money. Why we use it? How it was developed? It also introduces your students to the concepts of trading and bartering. Money Madness puts math into relateable terms for children. It also introduces students to monetary names used throughout the world.

David Adler is a former math teacher who has written several books on math concepts that students can relate too. He wants kids to see that math can be fun and aims to make his book easy to understand and follow. The illustrations offered by Mr. Miller are very bright and clearly state the message that Mr. Adler is trying to convey. Overall this book is a fun and interesting way to introduce the concept into the elementary school classroom.

Intended audience: Ages 4-8

What is a Princess?

Princess Grace by Mary Hoffman; Illustrated by Cornelius Van Wright and Ying-Hwa Hu ( Scholastic, 2007)

"Grace had wanted to be a princess for as long as she could remember." This is the first line of the absolutely amazing book Princess Grace. Luckily for Grace she had a Grandma and mother who encouraged her to follow her dreams. Grace is over the moon when her school announces that not only will there be a queen in this year's parade but two princesses as well. The princesses will be picked from her class. Of course the little girls practiced their waves and bows in hopes of being picked, while the boys thought "being a Princess was boring." Grace runs home to tell her family about the parade but is confronted with a question from her Grandmother that she was not expecting. "You can be a princess as long as you tell me what a princess wears." This question confused Grace. On the advice of her Grandmother she asks her teacher for help. That is when he opinion of princesses start to change.

Grace starting seeing Princesses in a whole new light. They were not all found in pink, floral and frilly dresses. Some princesses were warriors, spy's and some were even athletes. Grace decided that she needed to challenge the picture of a princess so she convinced her class to enter a float in the parade that promoted all sorts of princesses (and princes).

What really made this book for me was the multicultural nature of the book. As you can tell by the cover, Grace is an African American girl. Her friends are Hispanic, English and Hindi. The teacher in the book encouraged Grace to research a subject that she felt strongly about and did not persuade her in on direction or the other while Grace was discussing what she was finding. This book is an excellent book to introduce perspective and to challenge stereotypes.

Intended audience: Grades 2-4

Picture Day Horror

Bedhead by Margie Palatini; Illustrated by Jack E. Davis (Scholastic, 2000)

Admit it. Who has not had a bad hair day for picture day? If you raised your hand you are fooling yourself. You can honestly tell me that you have looked back through all of your school pictures and you are 100% satisfied with every one you see? If so, congratulations. You are in the minority.

Bedhead is a delightful book about a boy and his unruly hair. He wakes up one morning to find that his hair will not cooperate for anything. His parents and sister try everything they can to get the hair to be controlled but, no luck. He finally decides to wear a hat to school but is called out by the class "know-it-all" and cannot wear his hat. To top it all off the teacher reminds the class that it is picture day. Right as the picture is taken his hair goes back to it original state. Everyone laughs and becomes upset. Poor kid is humiliated on one of the most important days of his early school career.

What really makes this story is the over-exaggeration of the characters heads. The illustrations allow for you to see the pain and agony on every one's faces when Oliver is forced to remove his hat an expose his hair to more problems. Been there. Done that.

Intended audience: Grades 2-4

Absentee Dad

Molly and her Dad by Jan Ormerod; Illustrated by Carol Thompson (Roaring Book Press, 2008)

I hate to admit it but the only thing I liked about this book was the illustrations. I was really hoping from the title that this book would be about a stay-at-home Dad watching over his daughter. NOT AT ALL!!!

Molly lives with her mother and has not seen her Dad since she was a baby. She often dreams of what he would be like. What does he do for a living? Am I anything like him? All very valid questions that she deserves the answers too. However, she is constantly lying and making up stories of what her father is like to please her friends at school. Miraculously one day, Molly's mother has to go out of town for a week and, viola! her Dad shows up to take care of her. Why on God's green earth would her mother allow for this to happen. This man has never shown an ounce of interest in your child and now you are allowing him to spend a whole week with her? Seems a little far fetched if you ask me. The book is filled with all sorts of warm and fuzzies as Molly and her Dad start to see just how alike they are. But low and behold and the end of the week her Dad is on the first plane out of town. This message worries me a little.

I infer from this book that Molly ends their week together longing for a closer relationship to her father and he decides to leave. Way to get her hopes up. Now I have not not recommended a lot of books this semester but this is one I would caution using. You must really know your students and their family situation before you read this book in your classroom.

Intended audience: Preschool through Grade 2

Tornado Drill 101

Tornadoes! by Gail Gibbons (Holiday House, 2009)

Since the Iowa City School District just celebrated the nationwide Tornado Drill I though reading and blogging on a book about tornadoes would be fun. I am all about themes you know.

This book is filled with fascinating facts about the origin of the word "tornado", how a tornado is formed and how to determine the strength of a tornado. What I really liked about this book was the way it put some highly scientific words into a wording that younger children may be able to understand. This book would fit in great if you have a weather theme, are anticipating a tornado drill (especially for younger students who have never experienced one) and a unit about Midwest History as well.

The book discusses several points in history when tornadoes brought about all sorts of death and destruction, but also provides the reader with a list of safety guidelines for what to do in a tornado. The illustrations are very detailed and help relieve some of the pressure students may be feeling with the terminology that is being used.

Intended audience: Ages 4-8

Hello Kitty!

Bad Kitty Gets a BATH by Nick Bruel ( Roaring Book Press, 2008)

I want to introduce my fellow future teachers to an area of the Curriculum Lab that you may or may not know of. The "new book" section which I always thought was reserved for "just looking" is actually a vast resource of unknown and old authors that deserves a look. Located near the theme wall I was always under the impression that those books were designed to be left in the Lab. After talking with Barb I was informed that those books were available for checkout. So most of my blogs this week will be dedicated to introducing you to some of the incredible selections located on those shelves.

Bad Kitty Gets a BATH by Nick Bruel is an insightful look into what cat owners go through to give their stinky cats a bath. The book is written in the chapter format similar to the Captain Underpants series and is every bit as funny. The illustrations of the cat are worth the read alone. As a cat lover and a former cat owner, I know oh too well how long the bathing process may take with a cat. What is clever about this book is that the author throws in some little known facts about cats in the process. While you are reading the book you are introduced to some vocabulary that may prove challenging for emerging readers. However, the author was smart in offering a glossary at the back of the book that may help to lessen any confusion the words may give.

This book was so easy to read I was able to finish it in the time it took the tire store to replace two tires on my 35,000 mile car (about 30 minutes). Needless to say I had way more fun reading this book than signing the $300 credit card slip the TWO tires cost me. Love the cats, hate the car. :)

Intended audience: Grades 2 through 4

Max's Chocolate Chicken

Max's Chocolate Chicken by Rosemary Wells ( Dial Books, 1989)

There really is not much to say about this book except that it is a good beginner reader book. The text is simple and the illustrations are cute. The story lacks proper punctuation and does not use quotation marks when the characters are speaking to each other.

I really do not know what else to say about this book except it will serve beginning readers well trying to implement reading strategies that they are learning. I guess in that sense it would also be able to be used when introducing the editing process in the writer's workshop.

Intended audience: Kindergarten through 2nd

The Blue and the Gray

The Blue and the Gray by Eve Bunting; Illustrated by Ned Bittinger (Scholastic Press, 1996)

A family is building a house right next door to the boys best friend's family. What makes the location of the house so unique is that it is being built on a Civil War battleground. What makes this even more unique is the fact the the boys are Black and White.

The main premise of the story is that the little white boys father gives the boys a history lesson as to the significance of the land they all chose to build on. The father wants them to remember and respect those who gave their life and the cause that they gave it for.

What is not clear is whether the houses were being built in the North or the South. This to me is a key missing element to the story. I am guessing by the material I could find on the author was that she was meaning for the story to be set in the South. This was pretty much my guess but since it was not clearly stated, it caused some confusion when I was reading it.

"The Blue and the Gray" provides an excellent contrast between what the South was like during the Civil War and the strides this country has made for racial equality since then. This book brings to light the beauty of friendship and the memories of the past.

Intended audience: Kindergarten through 3rd

Amelia Bedelia

Amelia Bedelia by Peggy Parish; Illustrated by Fritz Siebel ( Harper Collins, 1963)

Oh Amelia, you really are not the sharpest tool in the shed. I have to admit that until right now I have never read a book about Amelia Bedelia. During the course of this semester I have heard numerous stories of how students love this series. OK, my curiosity got the best of me. I wanted to know what was so great about this book. I am still wanting to know what is so great about this book.

So I understand that Amelia is a maid and makes several mistakes. An ordinary person would have been fired if they would have made all of these mistakes. But yet, since she can make an amazing pie, she gets to remain. Come on, how unrealistic is that? Don't we want to show our students that it is hard work and attention to detail that makes one successful, and not how well you can bake a pie? Don't get me wrong, I understand how the humor plays into everything, but it just seems a bit unrealistic.

With that said, I would not keep this series away from my library just for the pure fact that they are hilarious. Amelia obviously was raised to take things literally but that is part of the fun of this series. Amelia, I may not agree with the way you do things, but you make me want more just to see if you ever manage to get fired.

Intended audience: Kindergarten through 6th.

Frog and Toad Together

Frog and Toad Together by Arnold Lobel (Harper Collins, 1972)

One of my oldest daughter's favorite books is "Frog and Toad Together". It is such a favorite that she has checked it out (and subsequently lost) of the school library three times. Three times we have had to replace the book. Recently while I was cleaning her room and rearranging furniture can you guess what I found? Three copies of "Frog and Toad Together." But it is hard to discourage her from checking out a book that she apparently loves to hoard when it is such a cute story.

Frog and Toad are best friends. This book takes the reader along on five adventures, each one showing the strength of their friendship. The illustrations are extremely detailed and absolutely adorable. What I really like about this book is the simplicity of the text. It was originally designed as an "I Can Read Book" over 35 years ago. This fact holds true today. Emma loves going through this book and finding her sight words and using the strategies for reading that she is learning to interpret the text. Each time she reads the book she is able to understand the story more and more. Lucky for me she has found a text that keeps her interest and she enjoys using to construct meaning of the overall story.

Intended audience: Kindergarten through 3rd.

Oh, and in case you are wondering, the books were given to friends whose children also enjoy the book.

Earth Day and Math - what a combination

Earth Day - Hooray by Stuart J. Murphy; Illustrated by Renee Andriani (Harper Collins, 2004)

This book is great because it can be used across the curriculum. Designed as a math concept book to introduce place value, the book actually puts a "kid" face on the importance of teaching our children about recycling. "Earth Day - Hooray" also helps to build the confidence of children by showing them if they put their mind to it they can accomplish anything.

Luke, Ryan and Carly knew they wanted to plant some flowers at their local park in honor of Earth Day. What they didn't realize was how expensive the flowers would be. The kids come up with a plan thanks to the help of their teacher. They create flyers, skits and canvas their neighborhoods to get the community involved in their can drive to raise money. Will they raise enough money from collecting cans to purchase the flowers? The concept of place value helps the kids count the cans and add up the amounts to see if they have met their goal.

I really enjoyed this book. I read it to my daughters tonight and my oldest stands up, puts her hands on her hips and tells me and my husband that "she is going to be an earth saver." She is now insisting that she handle the recycling "all by myself." I guess you can say that the author has accomplished his goal of getting youth involved. Now if I could only convince her that cleaning her room would also help save the environment, I would be in good shape.

Intended audience: Pre-school through 6th

Fairy Tales - Wizard Style

Harry Potter : The Tales of Beedle the Bard by J.K. Rowling (Scholastic, 2008)

Thanks to Ms. Hermoine Granger we were introduced to The Tales of Beedle the Bard during the last of the epic Harry Potter series "The Deathly Hallows." Unfortunately, Hermoine was the only one (besides Dumbledore) who could read the Tales. Until now. Thanks to Hermoines hard work the Tales have now been translated to English. The Tales themselves are enjoyable to read. They do not vary much from our own Fairy Tales. What I do not like about the book is the fact that it was a separate book instead of being included as an epilogue on "The Deathly Hallows."

The Tales were as easy to read as the rest of the Harry Potter series. They really pulled you in as a reader and made you want to know what happened. They help to develop the back story of who Harry Potter and his friends were. Each Tale appears to offer insight to Dumbledore, Snape, Hagrid and the other Potter characters. Once again they are only Tales but they do read as if they were meant to be a continuation of the story.

Intended audience: 4th grade and up.