Book of the Day: The Sixty-eight Rooms

The Sixty-Eight Rooms by Marianne Malone

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


Have you ever been so enthralled by something, a book, a movie, a piece of artwork; that it magic pulls you in, you can imagine yourself living inside it, as a character in the story?  Ruthie has experienced the same thing.  She is generally disappointed in her boring life, her small, nothing special apartment, her cramped, shared bedroom, and herself.  On a school field trip to the Art Institute of Chicago she finally sees something special.  The Thorne Rooms, a set of 68 miniature rooms set into the walls of the exhibit.  She is amazed by the miniature furniture and dreams of what her life would be like if only she could live in rooms like these.  After Ruthie and her best friend Jack find a mysterious key, their combined curiosity; his for an adventure and hers to study the rooms further; take them to places they never dreamed possible.  Will they find answers in the rooms, will they be able to avoid being seen and thrown out of the museum?  Read the Sixty-eight Rooms and allow yourself to be pulled into the magic of the Thorne Rooms. Compare with The Mixed up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler.



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Book of the Day: The Lacemaker and the Princess

The Lacemaker and the Princess by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley


My rating: 3 of 5 stars


Dim lighting, a demanding grandmother, tiny stitches, a tired back and fingers. This is the life of eleve-year-old old Isabelle. She lives in the time leading of up the French Revolution and is suddenly plucked from her life of hard work and thrown into the lap of luxury. She is rescued, by Marie Antoinette, from being trampled in a crowd and Isabelle becomes playmate to a princess. She is given new clothes, a new name and all the food she can eat, but what of her family living in near poverty without her help with the family lace-making business? Then Isabelle begins to hear whispers that all is not well with France, the people are unhappy with their King and the royal family. Will her position as the princess’s closest friend put her and her family in harm’s way? Which side is right, she loves and understands the princess but her family is starving, is that how the royal family should care for their people? This story is based upon the true friendship between the princess and a commoner; many events are true to history. This story is a fine introduction into an intriguing time period and an enjoyable read.




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Kindergarten Thanksgiving and Fall Research

Kindergarten has been working on Thanksgiving and Fall research during their Specials time. They visit 6 stations where they learn about the First Thanksgiving, when Thanksgiving became a national holiday, how different people celebrate Thanksgiving, pumpkins, apples, and finally discuss their perfect Thanksgiving Dinner. Wonderful 4th grade helpers read books at each station and help the kindergarten students pull out the important information to include in their research packet. This project has been very fun and exciting for all the students involved. Check out the fun and the great books below.

The Books:

The Pilgrims First Thanksgiving by Ann McGovern (394.264 MCG)
Thank you, Sarah: The Woman who Saved Thanksgiving by Laurie Halse Anderson (394.264 AND)
Duck for Turkey Day by Jaqueline Jules (E JUL)
Pumpkin Circle: The Story of a Garden by George Levenson (635 LEV)
Apple Harvest by Calvin Harris (634 HAR)
I know it’s Autumn by Eileen Spinelli (E SPI)

Book of the Day: Clever Jack Takes the Cake

Clever Jack Takes the Cake by Candace Fleming


My rating: 4 of 5 stars


I really enjoyed this story. With so many fractured fairy tales and retellings out there it is refreshing and wonderful to read an original princess tale. The message of the importance of stories, friends and laughter comes through strong. As does the age old saying “It is the thought that counts.”

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A professional review from School Library Journal
http://www.schoollibraryjournal.com/slj/home/885884-312/clever_jack_takes_the_cake.html.csp

K-Gr 3-A poor boy named Jack who helps a princess is a familiar trope in folklore. In this original tale, Jack accidentally receives an invitation to the princess's birthday party. He resourcefully gathers ingredients and bakes a wonderful cake. On his way to the castle, the cake is slowly demolished by crows, a troll, a spooky forest, a dancing bear, and even a palace guard, until the only present Jack has to offer the princess is the story of the cake's demise. Of course, this gift pleases her much more than the boring rubies and tiaras brought by richer guests, and she declares that her new friend will have the honor of cutting the royal cake. This entertaining adventure is packed with action. Karas's scratchy gouache and pencil cartoon illustrations are as detail-rich as the text itself. From the sly bear to the bored princess, the expressions are priceless. The endpapers provide context not included in the text: a party invitation blowing from the messenger's bag and under Jack's door at the beginning, and Jack regaling a fascinated princess with more tales at the end. A solid choice for most collections, and a good storytime choice, despite the smallish illustrations.-Heidi Estrin, Feldman Children's Library at Congregation B'nai Israel, Boca Raton, FL

The Circus Ship

The Circus Ship by Chris Van Dusen


My rating: 5 of 5 stars


This is one of my absolute favorite from this year’s 2x2 List. I read it to every Kindergarten, 1st and 2nd grade class and never grew tired of it. The students loved the bouncy rhyming text and the pictures are the best part.


Chris Van Drussen took the true story of a ship that sunk in 1836, and wove this rhythmic tale of circus animals that survived the wreck and came ashore in this little town in Main. The circus boss Mr. Paine is horribly mean and was willing to let the animals drown when their ship wrecks. The animals make their way to the sleepy little town and bring with them chaos. The residents are not happy to have their newest visitors but that all changes the night the Abbots shed catches fire. By the time Mr. Paine comes looking for his circus animals the town people are willing to help the animals evade their horrible boss. The double page spread when Mr. Paine is unable to find his animals is the best page of the book. Children will love searching for the animals hidden around the intricately illustrated town. Highly recommended and enjoyable!!

Here is what the author has to say about his book:


http://www.chrisvandusen.com/books/the-circus-ship



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Duck Rabbit

This thought provoking story is on this year’s 2x2 Reading List. Two unseen characters argue about whether the animal they see is a duck or a rabbit. This would be a great introduction in to optical illusions or perspectives. Different people can look at the same object and see different things.

Enjoy the video and the optical illusion websites!!


http://kids.niehs.nih.gov/illusion/illusions.htm
http://opticalillusions4kids.blogspot.com/
http://www.coolopticalillusions.com/invertedflag.htm

Check out optical illusion books from our library (Call Number 152)

Surfer of the Century

Surfer of the Century: The Life of Duke Kahanamoku by Ellie Crowe


My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Surfing is an exciting and mysterious sport, especially to those of us who live in land locked DFW. Duke Kahanamoku was a man who mastered this sport and shared his love of the water with the world. He learned to swim and surf at a young age, was able to hold his breath underwater for minutes at a time, set World Records for swimming in the Olympic Games, and even saved lives with the help of his surf board. Duke traveled all over the world promoting the sport of surfing and his dream was to see a surfing entered into the Olympic Games.


Surfer of the Century gives readers a look into the life of the man who revolutionized the sport. The illustrations are drawn in beautiful water tones that convey the setting of Dukes life and passion. The time line in the back shows all the highlights of his life as well as impact since his death. This is an interesting look at an impressive man.






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Chicken BIG

Chicken Big by Keith Graves


My rating: 4 of 5 stars


“On a teeny little farm, in an itty-bitty coop, a very small hen laid a big, humongous egg.” The giant chicken that emerges is an outcast among the others and they interject ideas as to what kind of animal he truly is. He’s a squirrel? He’s a hippopotamus? When things begin to go wrong at the farm the gigantic chicken’s big heart is revealed. Will the others be able to see past his different appearance and accept him for the chicken that he is?


This is a cute twist on the classic tale of Chicken Little. Chicken Big is told with cartoon like drawings, complete with phrases is speech bubbles. The large chicken legs on the cover are eye catching and kids will ask for repeated reading of this one.






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FLUSH by Carl Hiassen

Flush by Carl Hiaasen


My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Flush was not at all what I expected. Sometimes it is fun to pick up a book based solely on the cover or the fact that I see a lot of kids checking it out. It made me think that maybe I should check it out. I hadn’t read a review, asked anyone about it or scanned through the book at all. I simply started reading on page one, and I was intrigued.


The book opens with Noah’s dad is in jail, he is no criminal mastermind he simply gets angry when people disrespect nature, he occasionally takes things a bit too far. He, for instance, feels that sinking the boat of a man who continually breaks the law by dumping toilet waste into the ocean is perfectly right and justified. He is also able to take out his anger by punching holes in every door in the house, landing himself in the emergency room with 6 broken knuckles.


Noah, like his dad, is a lover of the Florida Keys and all of nature. He and his sister take on their dads agenda, to protect the ocean from the likes of Dusty Muleman, and earn back their fathers good name in the process. They have to deal with bullies, rough and tough body guards, and a mysterious pirate who keeps appearing right when they need his help; all while keeping their entire plan secret from their parents. To find out if they will succeed in showing who the true crook and lawbreaker is, and in saving their family read FLUSH, by Carl Hiaasen.






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The Uglified Ducky: A Maynard Moose Tale

The Uglified Ducky by Willy Claflin


My rating: 4 of 5 stars


If you want to read a book with tears running down your face, while having to pause every few pages to catch your breath from laughing, then this is the book for you. You may think you know the story of the Ugly Duckling, but think again. Maynard Moose tells the tale of the Uglified Ducky, this happens to be a Baby Moose who wandered away and is raised by duckies. The moose, d’abandoned (abandoned) by his fambly (family), blunders into a ducks nest thinking it a snuggly place to nap. The mother duck considers him a distremely (extremely) uglified ducky and set about to teach him proper duck behavior. The hilarious story unfolds as the moose is unable to perform everyday duck activities such as swimming and flying. What makes this book even more enjoyable is the Glossary of Moose Words in the front and the CD included in the back. Author Willy Clafin is a gifted story teller and the book is 100 times better when he reads it with his voices and moosly pronunciations.


FYI: Bledsoe 4th graders were privileged to hear Willy Clafin at the Frisco Storytelling Festival, he was very entertaining to hear in person. It only made me enjoy his book more to know that the Maynard Moose stories are based upon those he made up for his young son.






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The Storm in the Barn

The Storm in the Barn by Matt Phelan



My rating: 4 of 5 stars


It is 1937, Kansas, the age of dust. No one has seen or smelled rain in 7 years. The only storms are Dust Storms; howling wind, billowing dust, dirt blackened sky, deadly. Jack is lonely, unneeded by his frustrated father, and generally considered worthless. When he stumbles upon an abandoned barn that feels and smells strange he begins to wonder if maybe he is going mad, or maybe, just maybe, he can do something to help his family and everyone else.

Storm in the Barn is a story told in words and pictures, a graphic novel. The scenes show the depressing landscape of the dust bowl and characters facial expressions reveal their inner thoughts. The few words are poignant and add just enough to move the story along. This is an exciting view into surviving the Dust Bowl, with mysterious creatures and everyday heroism thrown in. Highly Recommended.

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Mr. Putney's Quacking Dog

Mr. Putney's Quacking Dog by Jon Agee


My rating: 4 of 5 stars


A pun is defined by Webster's dictionary as:


"the humorous use of a word or words, which are formed or sounded alike but have different meanings, in such a way as to play on two or more of the possible applications; a play on words."

Mr. Putney is full of puns, the smart, roll your eyes and groan kind. His animal friends all have unusual names, the quacking dog (dachshund) on the cover? A Duckshund  Study the pictures and the animal shown to determine the animal’s puny name, try to see how many you can guess!

Mr. Putney provides a fun way to get kids brains warmed up or fill a few minutes of waiting with some productive mental exercise.



For more information on puns see:

http://www.worsleyschool.net/socialarts/puns/pun.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pun

http://www.punoftheday.com/cgi-bin/disppuns.pl?ord=S&cat=11&sub=1101&page=1

Kubla Khan: Emperor of Everything

Kubla Khan: The Emperor of Everything by Kathleen Krull


My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Kubla Khan, the grandson of Genghis Khan, is a lesser known emperor usually referred to in context of Marco Polo's travels. In Kubla Khan: Emperor of Everything Kathleen Krull presents a portrait of this ruler’s life, accomplishments and the lasting impact he had on the world.


Before Kubla Khan’s life the Mongolian empire had been no empire at all, warring tribes of Mongolians fought with each other, never united. When Genghis Khan was elected “the Khan, Khan of all Khans” he united the various tribes into a strong empire. After Kubla Khan came to power the Mongolians defeated China and Kubla Khan rose to the role of Emperor of China, where he developed the most ornate, over-the-top, and awe inspiring culture of its time. Under his rule the Chinese people had outlandish celebrations, studied the arts and sciences, developed farming techniques and created the first system of paper money. This book and its detailed illustrations provide an insightful peek into the life of an amazing Emperor.






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Umbrella Summer

Umbrella Summer by Lisa Graff


My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Annie Richards is an extremely cautious girl; she walks her bike around town and wears her helmet, bike pads, and all necessary bandages at all times. And she is an expert at diagnosing and addressing her various ailments. It is important to Annie that she be careful and always prepared. She was not prepared for her brother to die, everyone thought he was fine too, but Annie knows better.


When she forms an unlikely relationship with her new neighbor, the one who moved into the haunted house, she begins to discover that her self-preservation routine may be more harmful than she realized. With the healing of time, friendships, and a classic tale of a pig she begins to confront her grief and move back toward her life.


I cannot remember the last time a book made me cry, both when I read it and when I shared the story with friends. Annie is a raw and touching character whose pain is so real. Umbrella Summer is very deserving of its place on the Bluebonnet Nomine list.






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And the Dish Ran Away with the Spoon by Janet Stevens


My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Hey diddle the cat and the fiddle, the cow jumped over the moon; the little dog laughed to see such sport, and the dish ran away with the spoon. Every night this rhyme is read and every night the dish and spoon come running back until tonight. Where have they gone? Cow, Cat and Dog embark on an adventure through Nursery Rhyme land to find their friends; and as they travel they encounter many favorite Nursery Rhyme characters. Little Boy Blue is sleeping on the job, the Three Bears house must be avoided but then Miss Muffet's Spider sends them to visit Wolf. They race from one nusery rhyme to the next on an exciting journey full of puns, twists and turns.




Janet Stevens and Susan Stevens Crummel have a way with words. This tale is engaging and laugh out oud funny. I was afraid it would be over my kindergartner's heads but they eonjoyed the ride through the familiar rhymes and giggled at the conclusion. Kids of all ages will roll their eyes and love this one.




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