Gabe's Gifts

I have friend (and fellow educator) who has a wonderful blog Jenbug's Story. Grabbing a cup of coffee and reading her posts is part of my morning ritual (even on Saturdays when I could be sleeping late).  Today her blog talked about Gabe's Gifts which is sponsored by Amanda at Today's Top 20. You should check out Amanda's amazing story - it takes a strong and beautiful person to take a personal tragedy and turn it into gifts for others.  Amanda is sponsoring a blanket drive.  I'm going to try to make six this year (hopefully, more but I am in the process of coming up with my own charity project. That might take away some of my crafting time. I'll have more on that later.)  I hope you will join me.  It's a wonderful way to explore your creative outlet and help others at the same time.

Thanks Jen for letting me know about this wonderful project.

Big Nate From The Top by Lincoln Pierce

Amazon Product Description:

Big Nate, a.k.a. middle schooler Nate Wright, is eleven years old, four-and-a-half feet tall, and the wunderkind creation of cartoonist Lincoln Peirce. Nate is also the star of six novelized books to be published by HarperCollins, the first of which debuted on the New York Times children's best-seller list. This Big Nate Collection collects Peirce's Big Nate strips, originally published only in newspapers.

For those not familiar with Big Nate, think Diary of a Wimpy Kid meets Calvin and Hobbes. Nate is a self-described genius and a sixth-grade Renaissance man equipped with only a #2 pencil and the unshakable belief that he is destined for greatness (a fortune cookie told him so). He fights a daily battle against overzealous teachers, undercooked cafeteria food, and all-around conventionality. He's the original rebel without a clue, alternately abrasive and endearing to classmates and teachers alike. Throughout Peirce's Big Nate Collection, Nate blazes an unforgettable trail through the sixth grade at P.S. 38, earning straight As in laughs (and numerous detentions) along the way. 

This is the third book I have read about Nate and his adventures. This is a funny and entertaining series. It has appeal for fans of Diary of a Wimpy Kid and parents will feel better about Nate than they do Greg.  Nate is a lovable and redeeming character. I like Greg Hefley, but as a parent, he is certainly not someone I would want my child to hang out with.

A must for any library's graphic novel collection.

Recommended for 3rd Grade and up.

Mrs. Archer's rating: 5 of 5.

  

Lon Po Po by Ed Young

Lon Po Po is a Chinese version of Little Red Riding Hood.  Shang, Tao and Paotze’s stay at home while their mother visits their  Po Po (grandmother).  She warns them to not let anyone in the house.  As soon as she leaves the big bad wolf appears, pretending to be Po Po.  Despite their mother’s warnings the girl let “Po Po” into the house and soon find themselves in bed with a wolf.  They escape danger through the cleverness of Shang, who is the eldest.

Unlike the Grimm story, there are three heroines, instead of one, the mother goes off to visit grandmother, and the girls rescue themselves rather than waiting for a wood -cutter.  And, as one of my students pointed out – in this version the wolf does not eat grandma.

Ed Young’s beautifully dramatic illustrations won him the Caldecott award.  Readers who enjoy fairytales will enjoy this different spin on a old favorite.

Recommended for 2nd Grade and up.

Mrs. Archer’s rating 5 of 5.

Petunia Pepper's Picture Day by Cathy Breisacher

I received an e-copy of this book for review.  I did not receive any compensation for my review.

Petunia Pepper is prone to disaster on picture day.  She has suffered through poofy hair, scraggly smiles and pink eye, resulting in pictures only a mother would love.  This year Petunia is sure things are going to be different.  Despite her careful plans, things go wrong. Missing the bus begins a series of misadventures that lead to Petunia saving a runaway poodle, but creates a disaster for picture day.  Disappointed about missing the class picture, Petunia’s day takes an upswing when the front page of the local paper features a picture of Petunia rescuing the poodle.  Finally, a picture everyone will love!

Girls (and their moms) will identify with this cute story with a happy ending.  As an amateur photographer  (and a mom) I like that it gives the message that perfection doesn’t always make the perfect photo. Kids will sympathize with Petunia’s anxiety of getting a good picture. The author and illustrator do a wonderful job of showing Petunia’s feelings throughout the story.  The bright, colorful illustrations compliment the story.  The author includes a “Take Time Out for God’s Word” at the end of the book. Personally, I found this to be an added bonus to the story.  Placing it at the end of the book allows educators who may be uncomfortable using such an addition in a public school setting, to choose to include the addition or not.

The one problem I had with the story was the idea that a teacher would prevent a student from being in the class picture.  I understand that having Petunia not be in the picture was a necessary part of the story line, but perhaps there was a better way of accomplishing this than making the teacher the bad guy.

Overall, this is a wonderful book. A great addition to any elementary or classroom library.

Recommended for Kindergarten through 2^nd grade.

Mrs. Archer’s rating: 4 of 5

Late For School by Steve Martin

Late for School by Steve Martin is a funny rendering of the classic yarn about waking up thinking you are late for school.  In the rush to get to school on time, the young boy, jumps a fence, encounters a swimming pool and catches a ride on a kite, making it to school with just a few minutes to spare only to discover that there is no school because it’s SATURDAY!   Martin’s trademark humor translates well to children. 

The illustrations by C. F. Payne are a great companion to the story.  Also included is a CD of Martin playing the banjo and singing the story.   Both the book and the CD are perfect “read alouds” that students and adults alike will love.

Recommended for Kindergarten and up.

Mrs. Archer’s rating: 5 of 5

2011 Colorado Children's Book Award Nominee - The Pout Pout Fish by Deborah Diesen

Amazon Product Description:

A NEW YORK TIMES BEST SELLER

Deep in the water,
Mr. Fish swims about
With his fish face stuck
In a permanent pout.

Can his pals cheer him up?
Will his pout ever end?
Is there something he can learn
From an unexpected friend?

Swim along with the pout-pout fish as he discovers that being glum and spreading “dreary wearies” isn’t really his destiny. Bright ocean colors and playful rhyme come together in this fun fish story that’s sure to turn even the poutiest of frowns upside down.

This is a funny little book with delightful illustrations. Kids of all ages will enjoy the humour.

Recommended for Kindergarten through 2^nd Grade.

Mrs. Archer’s rating: 5 of 5

2011 Youth Media Awards Reading Challenge

On my other blog (Booklady's Booknotes) which covers genres of all kinds (be warned, even though the content is clean, I do review books on this blog that are geared for older readers - middle school and high school. As always, I encourage you to be aware of what your elementary reader is reading.) I am hosting a reading challenge.

On January 10th, ALA will announce the winners of their Youth Media Awards. The top three are the Caldecott Award (given for best illustrations in a children's book), Newbery Award (for the best writing) and Printz Award (given for the best young adult/teen book.)  With that in mind, I'd like to encourage people to read more of this books in 2011.

For complete details on how to participate in the challenge click here.