Jan Brett studies

During the weeks leading up to the Winter Break 2nd grade studied Jan Brett.  During their first visit to the library we read Trouble with Trolls and Christmas Trolls.  These books have wonderful boarders on the pages and are excellent examples of foreshadowing.  We predicted as we read along and enjoyed studying Jan Brett’s illustrations, especially in Trouble with Trolls.  On my 5th time reading it a 2nd grader pointed out some wonderful pictures hidden on a page, I had never noticed them before.  With Jan Brett if you keep studying you might just find something new! 

On their second visit to the library we read The Gingerbread Baby.  Which is a wonderful retelling of the Gingerbread Boy, but he didn’t quite finish cooking so he runs out as the Gingerbread Baby.  We were again able to predict using Jan Brett's boarders how the Gingerbread Baby was finally captured in the end.  We then went to her Website www.janbrett.com were watched videos of Jan Brett drawing.  She instructed us how to draw a Gingerbread Baby and also a Hedgehog, or as she calls them a Hedgie.  The students loved this.  Here is some of their best work. Thank you Jan Brett for telling us how you create your adorable characters.  We love your books.

Book of the Day: The Quiet Book

The Quiet Book by Deborah Underwood


My rating: 5 of 5 stars


How many kinds of quiet are there? Have you ever pondered this question? Author Deborah Underwood has given a lot of thought to the matter. From “Coloring in the lines quiet” to “Lollipop quiet” and “Right before you yell “SURPRISE!” quiet”. Each account is illustrated beautifully with muted colors perfect for the calming theme. This would be a great was to encourage students to brainstorm how to act in certain situations or different reasons to behave a specific way. It is also a wonderful book to enjoy at bedtime or when preparing for a quiet activity.

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"The soft, matte feel of the illustrations, created with pencil, are digitally enhanced, and are priceless. The animals’ facial expressions and body language are endearing. White space is used creatively to emphasize the mostly gray or brown palette. All of the scenarios are child-centric and realistic. A delightful and enchanting choice for storytime or sharing one-on-one." - School Library Journal, starred review

Book of the Day: Where the Mountain Meets the Moon

Where the Mountain Meets the Moon by Grace Lin


My rating: 4 of 5 stars


I loved this book; it was an excellent choice for the Newberry Award. Grace Lin is an amazing author and the students are our school enjoy her books immensely. Where the Mountain Meets the Moon is the kind of book that you just cannot put down. Minli is a character who is easy to relate to and you desire her to succeed and her journey is exciting and magical. Thank you Grace Lin for another wonderful story.

From Booklist
*Starred Review* In this enchanted and enchanting adventure, Minli, whose name means “quick thinking,” lives with her desperately poor parents at the confluence of Fruitless Mountain and the Jade River. While her mother worries and complains about their lot, her father brightens their evenings with storytelling. One day, after a goldfish salesman promises that his wares will bring good luck, Minli spends one of her only two coins in an effort to help her family. After her mother ridicules what she believes to be a foolish purchase, Minli sets out to find the Old Man of the Moon, who, it is told, may impart the true secret to good fortune. Along the way, she finds excitement, danger, humor, magic, and wisdom, and she befriends a flightless dragon, a talking fish, and other companions and helpmates in her quest. With beautiful language, Lin creates a strong, memorable heroine and a mystical land. Stories, drawn from a rich history of Chinese folktales, weave throughout her narrative, deepening the sense of both the characters and the setting and smoothly furthering the plot. Children will embrace this accessible, timeless story about the evil of greed and the joy of gratitude. Lin’s own full-color drawings open each chapter. Grades 3-6. --Andrew Medlar

Book of the Day: The Wonder Book

The Wonder Book is full of things that people really do wonder about, like "Who put money under the tooth fairy's pillow when she was a little girl?"   I shared this with second grade classes and most of the poems and word plays were perfect for the age group.  Some were a little over their heads and would be enjoyed more by older students or even adults.  But the beauty of The Wonder Book is that you can open to any page and enjoy, there is no need to read from cover to cover.  Students who like Jack Prelutsky and Shel Silverstein will LOVE The Wonder Book.  Read it to make the wheels start to turn, wonder and question!

Book of the Day: Can't Sleep wothout Sheep

Can't Sleep Without Sheep by Susanna Leonard Hill


My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Ava’s mother told her to count sheep to help her fall asleep. But the sheep got tired of jumping night after night so they decided to quit. The sheep promised Ava that they would find her a replacement. First they thought of sending in a horse, but they were too pretty so they sent in a chicken. But Ava just laughed as the chickens tried to get over the fence. The pigs were no use because they were in no hurry to get over the fence. Several of the animals (cows, hippos, buffalo, flamingos, armadillos, beavers and more) tried to help Ava fall asleep but it wasn’t as easy as they thought. Read to find out which animal puts Ava to sleep. - Review by Cindy Tran




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Book of the Day: The Library Pages

The Library Pages by Carlene Morton


My rating: 3 of 5 stars


K-3rd- Mrs. Heath the school librarian receives a DVD and a letter from her students at Happyland Elementary while on maternity leave. In the letter the students mention that the substitute falls asleep while reading. So it’s up to the students to make sure that the library continues to run smoothly. The DVD depicts some terrifying scenes of how the students are taking care of the library; shelving thin books together, painting bookmarkers, plastic wrapping the books, color coding the books, dog earring the book pages, duck taping the books, cutting out pages, etc. To Mrs. Heath’s surprise it was all an April Fool’s joke. The students can’t wait for Mrs. Heath to come back! - Review by Cindy Tran




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Book of the Day: The Clever Stick

The Clever Stick by John Lechner


My rating: 4 of 5 stars


K-3rd-Follow the journey of a stick that tries to make his presence be known. Without a voice the stick is unable to share all the clever things that he comes up with. With his sharp skills he could solve any difficult math problem, write poetry, or help others with their problems. But who would even notice a stick? Unable to share his thoughts with the forest creatures the clever stick drags himself home. Soon he discovers that the lines that he has created make some interesting drawings. Check out a copy of The Clever Stick to see the magnificent masterpiece that he creates for the forest. - Review by Cindy Tran




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