New York Times Bestselling Picture Books of the Week

Of the 10 books on the list this week, 7 are interactive or pop-up books, and only 3 are traditional picture books. I have mixed feelings about this.

On one hand, these types of books may be more appealing to kids who aren’t fans of reading. It could be a way to get books into the hands of more kids, and from the looks of it, more and more people are buying these types of books. Don't get me wrong...there's nothing WRONG with these books. I've seen all of them at our local bookstore, and they're great, but I guess I’m a "book traditionalist." I love reading a story from cover to cover.

I just wonder what this is telling us...are kids seeking more variety, excitement, and something a little different? Is it indicative of the interactivity of the internet that kids are used to these days? Do they want to become participants and users instead of viewers? Am I reading too much into this?

In any case, here’s this week’s list courtesy of the New York Times. We bid farewell to On the Night You Were Born,Santa Clausand Angela and the Baby Jesus.


1. High School Musical: All Accessby N. B. Grace

In its seventh week in the top then, this book is at the top of our list week. It is really neat and would be a great gift for a High School Musical fan in your life. It looks like a scrapbook made by someone who goes to the school with ticket stubs, pictures, notes in lockers, etc. It would be especially good for a reluctant pre-teen reader.



2. Gallop!: A Scanimation Picture Bookwritten and illustrated by Rufus Butler Seder


In its eighth week on the list, Gallop! moved into the second spot. This book is amazing! By flipping through you book you can see a horse galloping, an eagle soaring, and many other animals in movement. The content rhymes and has funny replies that will leave your child laughing.







3. Star Wars: A Pop-Up Guide to the Galaxyby Matthew Reinhart


In its 12th week, this book is holding steady at #3. If you have a Star Wars fan in your life (or you are one), this is a great collectible. Sabrina at Breeni Books says, "...It's pretty darn cool. I'd say it's well worth the money and has earned its rank. "






4. The Chronicles of Narnia Pop-up: Based on the Books by C. S. Lewis (Narnia)by C. S. Lewis. Pop-ups by Robert Sabuda


In its sixth week on the list, this booked moved up 6 spots. I'm a huge Narnia fan, so this book is right up my ally. It features a stunning pop-up spread of each of the seven books in the series.








5. The Night Before Christmas by Clement C. Moore


In its 15th week on the list, this book moved from the top of the list to the number 5 spot. The New York Times doesn't list a specific publisher or illustrator as various copies were all over bookstores over the holiday season. I picked up Ted Rand's version for my daughter because I didn't have a copy of this classic poem for her library.





6. Winter in White: A Mini Pop-up Treat by Robert Sabuda


One of three pop-ups on the list, this book makes an appearance in the number six spot after being off for a couple of weeks. Robert Sabuda brings us gorgeous imagery of winter in a pop-up book format. As I looked through it, I sighed wishing that we would get at least one good snow this year. Please Mother Nature? Just one????





7. Santa's Reindeer by Rod Green


Debuting at number 6 last week, this book dropped a spot this week. It's full of beautiful illustrations and tons of information about reindeer. Designed with lots of cool flaps and envelopes, this interactive book is entertaining for kids of all ages.









8. How to Find Flower Fairieswritten and illustrated by Cicely Mary Barker


Back on the list this week after a brief hiatus, the author of Fairyopolis brings us this pop-up book that features the many different hiding places of fairies. I think any young child who likes the magic of fairies would love this enchanting book, but make sure you give it to a child who is old enough to take care of the book. My daughter would rip off fairy heads and wings if I gave it to her.






9. The Three Snow Bears written and illustrated by Jan Brett



The Three Snow Bears dropped five spots in its 16th week. This is a spin on Goldilocks and The Three Bears. Al-ooki, an Inuit girl in the Artic visits the home of a polar bear family. If you haven't seen this book that was just published in September, I highly recommend it. As always, Jan Brett's illustrations are gorgeous, and I always love a retell of an old classic, especially one that features different cultures.


10. Great Joy



Rounding out the list is Kate DiCamillo's first picture book where she brings us a touching Christmas-themed story of an organ grinder and Frances, a compassionate little girl. Bagram Ibatoulline’s striking illustrations bring the story to life.









My prediction? The Night Before Christmas is going to continue moving down as is Santa's Reindeer.

This week's rankings reflect book sales for the week ending January 5, 2008. Check out the New York Times' Children's Book Page for this week's bestselling chapter, paperback, and series books.

The Higher Power of Lucky by Susan Patron

Cross-posted at The Newbery Project

Reading level: Ages 9-12
Hardcover: 144 pages
Publisher: Atheneum/Richard Jackson Books (November 7, 2006)

With this year’s Newbery winner being announced on Monday, I figured I’d better get around to reading last year’s winner and also complete the first book in the Young Adult Challenge hosted at Thoughts of Joy.

The Higher Power of Lucky is set in Hard Pan, California, a destitute town where nearly everyone receives “Government Surplus commodities.” Even though the town may be lacking in money, it’s not lacking in interesting and eclectic people. First you have Short Sammy, a recovering alcoholic whose house is made of a water tank. Then there’s quiet Lincoln, Lucky’s friend who is fascinated with tying knots. His mother a librarian wants him to be president, and his father, a much older man spends his day driving around in a dune buggy looking for historic pieces of barbed wire he can sell on EBay. And then there’s Lucky Trimble a 10 year old girl whose mother was electrocuted by down power lines when she was eight. Her father, whom Lucky doesn’t even know wasn’t about to become a father when her mother died, so he somehow managed to get his first wife, Brigitte, to come all the way from France to be Lucky’s guardian. Lucky is consumed with the fear that Brigitte will go back to France and leave her. The book centers around this as we get a glimpse into Lucky’s everyday life and the people of Hard Pan.

When I first read this book, I thought, “THIS won the Newbery Medal?” I thought it was a good story, but I didn’t think it one of THE BEST young adult books I’d ever read and certainly not as good as Hattie Big Sky, which was named a Newbery Honor Book last year.

But as I kept thinking about the story and the characters, it grew on me. Patron does an exceptional job with characterization in the book. Lucky is extremely smart and creative. She loves to make up stories about the “Olden Days” where her companions, HMS Beagle (her real-life dog who is “not a ship or a beagle”) and Chesterfield, a mule, have all kinds of adventures. For a child of ten, she has had to deal with things that no adult would want to go through—the death of her mother and the abandonment of her father. These experiences give her a sense of maturity that many 10-year-olds don’t have, but Patron reminds us over and over again that she is a child. She carries around a “survival backpack” wherever she goes. Its contents include a survival blanket, half a tube of toothpaste, a bottle of Gatorade, tins for collecting her bug specimens, and much more. She puts mineral oil on her eyebrows so they’ll glisten (Brigitte won’t let her wear real makeup), and she has a bit of a crush on Lincoln. She eavesdrops on AA meetings and other “anonymous meetings,” and it’s apparent that she doesn’t understand what they’re really all about as she tries to search for her own “Higher Power.” These types of things made me chuckle and then I’d come across a passage like this that would tug at my heart: “Sometimes Lucky wanted to change everything, all the bad things that had happened, and sometimes she wanted everything to stay the same forever,” (p. 8).

Patron gives us a glimpse into what it feels like to live in constant fear that you’re going to be abandoned and not know where you’re going end up—the fear that is all too real for most foster children. Even little Miles, who lives with his grandmother, doesn’t know where his mother is and carries around a worn copy of “Are You My Mother?” I couldn’t help feeling empathy for him as Lucky refused to read it to him—again.

Even with all of the heart wrenching moments, Patron does a fine job of balancing them with humor and an engaging storyline. The book is not too heavy or depressing and has an uplifting ending.

I was surprised (well not really) to hear all of the hubbub about Patron’s use of the word “scrotum” on the very first page of the book—she’s retelling Short Sammy’s story of his lowest point with his alcoholism where his dog gets bit on the scrotum by a snake. There is nothing sexual or perverse, and in fact, Lucky is not even sure what a scrotum is—another example that she is just a child. My two cents—children have heard much far worse, and it is the proper name of a sexual organ. Patron could have used a number of alternative terms. It is not and should not be a focal point of the book, and the fact that it has been banned is completely ridiculous. But don’t get me started on what I think about censorship…even I am making this is the focal point of my review.

The Higher Power of Lucky is a good book with lovable characters, great and believable dialogue, and both poignant and funny moments. I personally would have picked Hattie Big Sky to win the top honor, but I’m not on the committee, so what can I do?

Correction: My sources were incorrect...The Higher Power of Lucky hasn't been banned although there was a lot of chatter about it being challenged or banned. Even so, I STILL think it's ridiculous that it would even be considered. Thanks to Susan at Wizards Wireless for setting me straight and pointing me to this article.

Princess Baby by Karen Katz

Princess Baby written and illustrated by Karen Katz.

Reading level: Ages 1-5

Hardcover: 32 pages

Publisher: Schwartz & Wade/Random House Children’s Books (January 8, 2008)

In Karen Katz’s newly-released picture book, a little baby is frustrated because no one will call her by her real name. “Please don’t call me Little Lamb, and never ever Sweet Gumdrop. Please call me by my real name,” she pleads. But what is her real name? Let’s see…she has a shiny crown, a fancy dress, and sparkly shoes, and everyone in her stuffed-animal kingdom is happy. Can you guess?

With Karen Katz’s typical vibrant illustrations and round-faced cherubic characters, Princess Baby is a cute book that makes a great read aloud, especially if you have your own little princess. Kids will probably get a kick out of all the nicknames, and I’m sure some nicknames will sound very familiar. They’ll also have fun guessing her name as they go through the clues she gives us. As I was reading though, I couldn’t help thinking that Princess Baby sure was a little spoiled, but then again, aren’t all princesses?

Check out this link at Random House Kids for fun discussion questions and printable activities, including a printout where your little princess can make her very own crown!

Karen Katz has another Princess Baby book planned for 2009.

Reading is a nationwide effort

Jen Robinson has inspired a lot of chatter in the Kidlitosphere this week about what parents can do help their kids read.
Alice Thomson's article in the UK's Daily Telegraph reminds us that parents aren't the only ones who can make an impact. While she's talking about the British Government here, her points are just as relevant on this side of the Atlantic.

Parents: Be role models! Put down the remote, shut down the computer, and pick up a book.
Authors: Stop playing it safe; kids LIVE for danger, risk, death, and REAL issues.
Schools: Place less emphasis (and budget) on computer literacy and more on reading and stocking up libraries.
Government: Stop shutting down libraries and giving schools so many administrative tasks that take teachers' time away from reading to their students.

Increasing literacy rates and instilling the joy of reading in children is a team effort, and we need the support of some big time players.

Poetry Friday--Don't be a Grouch

Have you ever had one of those days where you're grumpy for no apparent reason? Well, I've been having one of those weeks, and today I'm just one grumpy bird. And when I'm grumpy, I turn to my favorite grouch friend, Oscar, who has a knack for making me smile with his grouchiness.

Today, I'm presenting song as poetry with Oscar's classic "Knock Three Times."

If you want to see me, I'll tell you what to do,
Knock three times on my trashcan lid, and then I'll know it's you.
Knock three times (knock, knock, knock sound)
Knock three times (knock, knock, knock sound)
Knock three times (knock, knock, knock sound while he sings:)
And here's what I'll do:
I'll yell, "GO AWAY!"
'Cause I don't wanna see you.

Read the rest HERE.

Thanks to The Book Mine Set for hosting Poetry Friday this week!

Louis Sockalexis: Discussion Opportunities

Whether you're a parent, teacher, librarian, or anyone else who enjoys reading books with kids, Louis Sockalexis: Native American Baseball Pioneer is a great book that will inspire discussion.
It can be a short conversation or can be expanded into more in-depth learning activities or lessons. Here are just a few ideas.

Baseball

• Discuss the sport and its most prominent figures, past and present
  
• Tell your child Jackie Robinson's story who faced similar issues as Louis Sockalexis
• Compare and contrast the game today to the game back then; in the book, there are many obvious differences, both in the text and illustrations
• Talk about your favorite team or players
• If you or your child plays baseball, discuss an important game you or he/she played

Native Americans

• Talk about the Native American culture, their traditions, and the pride they have in their land and people; why was it important for Louis's father to accept him? What impact did Louis's achievements have on his people?
• Discuss a Native American tribe in your area if applicable
• Visit a museum or exhibit that features Native American culture, art, people
  
• Talk about other famous Native Americans...in the past and present. How are they portrayed in the textbooks and culture?
  

Racism and Prejudice

• Louis was treated poorly because he was a Native American...talk to your child about how he/she felt about this and how they think Louis felt. Talk about his strength and determination.
  
• What other groups are victims of racism? Discuss the Civil Rights Movement and the Trail of Tears.
• Have they witnessed or experienced racism first-hand? Have you?
  
• How should you respond when someone makes a racist remark or joke? What should you do if someone is being treated unfairly?
  
• What is the difference between racism and prejudice? What groups are victims of prejudice?
  

Any other ideas?

Helping Struggling Readers

The kidlitosphere ROCKS. You see, Jen Robinson at Jen Robinson's Book Page has this really cool, month-long gig at PBS Parents. She's the featured expert this month and is discussing reading, book recommendations, and more with parents. Yesterday, two parents asked for her advice with their kids who are struggling with reading. Jen gave some great advice but felt like she wanted to give them more, so she sent out a message to the Kidlitosphere members asking if we had any advice. (The kidlitosphere is a Yahoo discussion group for teachers, librarians, authors, and bloggers who read and write about children's books.)

Anyway, many many people gave wonderful suggestions, and Jen compiled all of it and posted it here and here.

When I decided to start my little 'ol blog a couple of months ago, I didn't realize that such a wonderful community of people existed, and I'm so glad to know that there are so many people out there who are so passionate about reading, and literacy, and children's books.

Jen is going to be at PBS for the rest of the month, so be sure to stop by and ask her a question, tell her about your favorite children's books, or leave a comment.

Louis Sockalexis: Native American Baseball Pioneer

This week's nonfiction choice

Louis Sockalexis: Native American Baseball Pioneer

• Author: Bill Wise
• Illustrator: Bill Farnsworth
  
• Reading level: Ages 9-12
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Lee & Low Books (March 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1584302690
• ISBN-13: 978-1584302698

The year is 1897, and Louis Sockalexis, a baseball player for the Cleveland Spiders is in New York getting ready to face Amos Rusie, the major league’s most formidable pitcher. Getting to this point was not an easy road for Louis, a member of the Native American Penobscot tribe in Maine. Confronted with callous racism and his own father’s disapproval, Louis’s passion for baseball prevent him from giving up his dream. Regarded by many as one of the best players in the league, this momentous game will change his life and the public’s view of him forever.

Bill Wise’s account of the first acknowledged Native American major league baseball player is nonfiction but reads like a story. We are taken back to Louis’s childhood when he plays his first baseball game and falls in love with the sport. We watch him grow into a man and a powerhouse slugger, and we witness the insults, the stinging words, and the prejudice he faced every day. As I was reading, I found myself feeling anger towards the people, empathy towards Louis, and great excitement as Louis stood at the plate. The sepia tones of Farnsworth’s illustrations take us back to the time period, but I hardly noticed the pictures as I was reading because I was so involved with the story. Much more than a book about baseball, Louis Sockalexis: Native American Baseball Pioneer is a book about determination, hard work, adversity, and acceptance.

This would be a great pick for a baseball fan or someone who is interested in learning more about famous Native Americans. In addition, it’s a nice book to prompt discussion about prejudice and racism, but I’ll talk more about that tomorrow when discuss reading tips and discussion opportunities.

The Well-Read Husband?

A few nights ago, I was cooking dinner when I heard my husband’s voice coming from the living room: “In the light of the moon, a tiny egg lay on a leaf. See the egg on the leaf, Bella? And look…the moon is smiling.” I peeked around the corner and found my husband sitting in the floor with our daughter on his lap, reading The Very Hungry Caterpillar aloud and pointing out the pictures. My husband who is not a big reader (GASP!) hadn’t, up until then, been very involved with reading to her (DOUBLE GASP!). I have to admit that I’ve been monopolizing that gig, but apparently, he has been listening to me read to her all these months (TRIPLE QUADRUPLE GASP!) and decided to try it for himself. It was then I realized that reading was going to be something we will ALL enjoy together as a family and that it’s never too late to establish good habits.

I have to say I got a little lump in my throat as I saw our daughter looking at the book, then looking up at him, and following his finger as he pointed to the pictures. Then she reached up and honked his nose and started cackling…it doesn’t get better than this.

The Jewel Box Ballerinas: Reading tips and Discussion Opportunities

With the Jewel Box Ballerinas there are a number of opportunities for
discussion and learning, but I really think you and your child will
get the most enjoyment out of the pictures. I had so much fun going
back and examining each page, looking for more details…even the end papers are full of pictures. I know I keep mentioning how funny the two pugs look, but Ana Juan did such an excellent job of giving them hilarious facial expressions and poses. I do have a thing for pugs in real life, so perhaps I'm biased.

If you're reading with a young child, you can go through the book and point at the pictures, naming what you see. If your child is old enough, have him/her identify the objects and animals found on the page. Even if your child is too young to understand the story, some of the bright pictures will engage him/her for a little bit. When I read this to my daughter, she liked to touch the red dresses the ballerinas were wearing, and when I was tidying up her room, she kept picking up this bright yellow book from the pile of books on the floor.

Another tip for parents of young children…if you're reading traditional books to them (i.e. not board or cloth books), take off the book jackets, and save them somewhere safe until your child is old enough to properly take care of books. I unfortunately learned this the hard way with The Jewel Box Ballerinas when I heard a loud rip and then a delighted cackle emanating from my daughter's throat. I keep my books in excellent condition, so this hurt a little. The same goes for pop-up books. Luckily, I was able to save Alice's head in the Alice in Wonderland pop-up before my daughter ripped it completely off. She's violent.

Other discussion and learning opportunities:

Geography/Culture
Bibi visits Alaska and Africa, two very different places in term of climate, wildlife, and culture. Talk about each one of them and then discuss the differences. Your budding artists could even draw pictures or make a collage, showing the differences among the two places. Or they could choose a theme such as native animals and make a drawing, poster, or collage.

Materialism
While you may not use the word materialism, you could talk about how Bibi realized that people and friends were much more important than any possession in the world. Ask your child if this reminds him/her of any other stories. The story of King Midas and Ebenezer Scrooge immediately come to my mind. What comes to yours?

Friendship
Talk to your child about your friends and the activities you like to do together. Ask your child to do the same. When I was young, I always loved to hear my parents tell stories about their childhood and their childhood friends, but what I loved the most was to hear my grandmothers' and uncles' and aunts' stories about my parents.

Emotions
Talk about the different feelings in the story. Who was happy, who was sad…what made everyone happy in the end. Talk about a time you felt happy, sad, excited, etc. Have your child tell his/her own story.

Each time I write about reading tips and learning activities, I strive to give a variety of ideas you can use to start conversations and help children make real-world connections with the books they read. I don't intend for you use them all at once or even all of them for that matter. My intent is to give you ideas for having nice dialogues and bonding experiences with your children and to give your children opportunities to think about the world around them through the literature they read. It's amazing at what some children have to say once you get a conversation going. We often forget that they are little humans, and they often have some profound things to say.

I'd also recommend that you don't always talk about books right after you read them and turn every book into a lesson. Kids just want to read sometimes for pure enjoyment. I know I do. While I love a good book discussion, sometimes I just want to read. If you make every reading session seem like school, they'll get turned off. Just let them read, but know that there are often many opportunities throughout the day or week to talk about the characters or stories in the books they're reading. For example, at dinner you could say something like, "Remember how Bibi loved spending time with Miranda and Mathilda? My friend Sara and I used to spend the whole day picking blueberries by her house. We'd eat most of them right off the bush and come home with purple hands and mouths."

Whatever you decide to do, use reading and talking about books as opportunities to bond and spend quality time with your children. You'll help them grow into thinkers and lifelong readers and give them lots of fond memories.

Awards and Finalists and Grants...Oh My!

ALA 2008 Awards
It's that time of year when the air is buzzing with the excitement of the upcoming ALA awards. The ALA Midwinter conference begins held this weekend in Philadelphia, and the 2008 Newbery and Caldecott winners (among many others) will be announced a week from today. Can't make it? Listen to their live webcast, starting at 7:45 AM on the 14th.

As you can imagine, the kidlitosphere is swarming with predictions and commentary...I can't wait to see what it's like on Monday! Check out Ms. Bird's predictions at A Fuse #8 Production. Have you ever wondered what this time of year is like for small, independent booksellers? Check out Susan's post at Wizards Wireless who gives us some insight and also a list of books that she will have stocked on her shelves on Monday.

The Cybils
The Cybils finalists for the following categories have been announced. I can't wait to get my hands on some of the nonfiction picture books!

• YA Fiction
• Nonfiction Picture Books
• Graphic Novel
• MG/YA Nonfiction

The Big Read Grant
The National Endowment for the Arts is awarding grants ranging from $2,500 to $20,000 to community arts, cultural, literary, and civic organizations such as libraries, museums, and local arts agencies. The Big Read is an initiative designed to restore reading to the center of American culture. It brings together partners across the country to encourage reading for pleasure and enlightenment. The 2008 application deadline is February 12, 2008, but applicants are encouraged to submit an "Intent to Apply" by January 11, 2008. Get more information here.

The Verizon Tech Savvy Awards
The deadline is quickly approaching for the Verizon Tech Savvy Awards (JANUARY 11, 2008!). The awards honor programs that promote computer/technological literacy among children and their parents. Four $5,000 regional scholarships and one $25,000 national scholarship are up for grabs. Learn more here.

The Jewel Box Ballerinas by Monique De Varennes, Illustrated by Ana Juan

Reading level: Ages 4-8
Hardcover: 40 pages
Publisher: Schwartz & Wade (September 11, 2007)

In The Jewel Box Ballerinas, Bibi Branchflower is so rich that she has two of everything—two houses, two limos, and two little pugs that, in the book, look kind of cute and insane at the same time. The only thing Bibi doesn’t have is a friend. One day she happens upon a tiny little shop and finds a beautiful jewel box that contains two tiny ballerinas. Before she buys them, the shopkeeper warns her that the box is cursed and everyone who has previously bought it has ended up returning it. Bibi, who would never believe in such rubbish as curses, buys it anyway and names the ballerinas Miranda and Mathilda. But Miranda and Mathilda look extremely sad, so Bibi sets upon a mission to cheer them up. When all of the gifts and entertainment in the world won’t even produce a smile from the ballerinas, Bibi thinks a change of scenery will do the trick. It’s on this journey that something magical truly happens, changing Bibi’s life forever.

My favorite part in the book is when Bibi decides to kiss the ballerinas in an effort to cheer them:

“‘Is that a smile?’” she asked, for it seemed that their faces brightened. Then she shook her head. ‘Oh, piffle, it’s only my old eyes making a fool of me. All the same, dear dancers, I’ll kiss you often, for that felt wonderful indeed.’”

Here, we realize that Bibi is not the cantankerous old spinster others may make her out to be. She does have feelings, and she’s lonely. The ballerinas are not the only ones in need of cheering up.

Juan’s striking and detailed illustrations make Bibi’s quirkiness come to life. Each time I read the book, I find a new illustration I hadn’t noticed before, from two snow globes atop Bibi’s sled in Alaska to the hilarious expressions on Bibi’s pugs’ that will have your child (and you) laughing with glee.

This enchanting picture book reminds us that people are more important than things but in a lighthearted way that won’t make kids think they’re being taught a lesson. They’ll be too focused on Bibi’s wild hair and her pugs jumping with merriment at the end of the book to notice.

This Week's Bestselling Picture Books from the New York Times

There was quite a bit moving around on the list last week, and How to Find Flower Fairies and The Alphabet from A to Y With Bonus Letter Z! didn't make this week's cut. This week's rankings reflect book sales for the week ending December 29th.

Here are this week's top-selling picture books, courtesy of the New York Times. Check out their Children's Book Page for this week's bestselling chapter, paperback, and series books. (The Harry Potter Series is number #4 in its 170th week!)


1. The Night Before Christmasby Clement C. Moore.

In its 14th week on the list, it edged into the number one spot this week. The New York Times doesn't list a specific publisher or illustrator as various copies were all over bookstores over the holiday season. I picked up Ted Rand's version for my daughter because I didn't have a copy of this classic poem for her library.





2. High School Musical: All Accessby N. B. Grace

This book has been on the list for six weeks and moved up a spot this week. It is really neat and would be a great gift for a High School Musical fan in your life. It looks like a scrapbook made by someone who goes to the school with ticket stubs, pictures, notes in lockers, etc. It would be especially good for a reluctant pre-teen reader.



3. Star Wars: A Pop-Up Guide to the Galaxyby Matthew Reinhart

Themed pop-up books seemed to be the trend in 2007. In its 11th week, this book moved down from number one to number three this week. If you have a Star Wars fan in your life (or you are one), this is a great collectible.


4. The Three Snow Bearswritten and illustrated by Jan Brett

Holding steady at number 4, Jan Brett's newest book has been on the list for 15 weeks. This is a spin on Goldilocks and The Three Bears. Al-ooki, an Inuit girl in the Artic visits the home of a polar bear family. If you haven't seen this book that was just published in September, I highly recommend it. As always, Jan Brett's illustrations are gorgeous, and I always love a retell of an old classic, especially one that features different cultures.




5. On the Night You Were Bornwritten and illustrated by Nancy Tillman

This book remains at number five in its 16th week on the list. The rhythmic language, beautiful illustrations, and touching content make this a must-have for any new or expectant parent. I also have a copy of Debra Frasier's On the Day You Were Born which complements On the Night You Were Born well.


6. Santa's Reindeer by Rod Green

This book debuts at number six this week, and is the first of two of Rod Green's books on the list. This book is full of beautiful illustrations and tons of information about reindeer. Designed with lots of cool flaps and envelopes, this interactive book is entertaining for kids of all ages.





7. Santa Claus by Rod Green

After a short hiatus, Rod Green's second book on the list makes it back. Designed like Santa's Reindeer, this interactive books with hidden flaps and envelopes reveals all you ever wanted to now about the mysterious jolly old elf and much more. It even includes the one and only "Naughty and Nice" list. Rod Green's creativity and originality would make a fine addition to any child's library.





8. Gallop!: A Scanimation Picture Bookwritten and illustrated by Rufus Butler Seder

In its seventh week on the list, Gallop! moves down a spot. This book is amazing! By flipping through you book you can see a horse galloping, an eagle soaring, and many other animals in movement. The content rhymes and has funny replies that will leave your child laughing.




9. Angela and the Baby Jesus (Children's Edition) by Frank McCourt

Staying in the number nine spot, this book has been on the list for 5 weeks. I've been a Frank McCourt fan since he told his raw and heart wrenching account of his childhood in Angela's Ashes, but I'm always skeptical when an author of adult books branches out in the world of children's literature. Luckily, I was not disappointed with Angela and the Baby Jesus. It's a wonderful, heartwarming story of six-year old Angela in Ireland.





10. The Chronicles of Narnia Pop-up: Based on the Books by C. S. Lewis (Narnia)by C. S. Lewis. Pop-ups by Robert Sabuda

Also on the list for five weeks, this book dropped two spots this week. I'm a huge Narnia fan, so this book is right up my ally. The book features a stunning pop-up spread of each of the seven books in the series.





Last week I predicted that The Night Before Christmas would drop off the list...shows what I know. But I wonder how many of the three Christmas books will stay on next week.

Poetry Friday...Mountain Folks

This is my first Poetry Friday....yay! Thanks to Mary Lee and Franki at A Year of Reading for hosting this week's roundup.

So, last week I was in my hometown of Tazewell, VA, a small town nestled in the Appalachian Mountains. Even though I'm a "big city girl" now in DC, I miss the beauty and the quiet life of the region where I'm from. I'm an avid reader of Appalachian literature, and one of my favorite authors, Jo Carson, has a well loved book of poetry, called, Stories I Ain't Told Nobody Yet. Whenever I miss my home or family, I open this book up and read a piece or two from this collection of "oral histories." Some make me laugh, some make me cry, and some just fill me with warmth and nostalgia.

One of my favorites from the collection is about negative stereotypes of mountain folks, and it's the one I'd like to share today in honor of my fellow mountain peeps:

Mountain people
can’t read,
can’t write,
don’t wear shoes,
don’t have teeth,
don’t use soap, and don’t talk plain.
They beat their kids,
beat their friends,
beat their neighbors,
and beat their dogs.
They live on cow peas,
fatback, and twenty acres
straight up and down.
They don’t have money.
They do have fleas,
overalls,
tobacco patches,
shacks,
shotguns,
foodstamps,
liquor stills,
and at least six junk cars in the front yard,
Right?
Well, let me tell you:
I am from here,
I’m not like that
and I am damned tired of being told I am.
~ Jo Carson



When I was teaching English to high school juniors, I used this poem as an introduction to a lesson about stereotypes, and it led to some amazing discussions. Graycie over at "Today's Homework," has a great post about using this poem in her remedial English class and having students model it to write a poem called "Teenagers Can."


Also be sure to check out the rest of the Poetry Friday submissions at A Year of Reading!

Refocusing for 2008

So, here’s the dealio…I started this blog a couple of months ago and have been quite obsessed with it since (in a good way). At first I did random reviews of books that I particularly liked then realized I needed some structure and started reviewing one book each week with a different focus each day. That has seemed to work for me up until NOW, and over the past couple of weeks, I have to admit that by Thursday, I’ve become quite bored with my blog and have been struggling with things to say about a 42 page picture book. And if I’M bored, I can only imagine what you poor poor readers are feeling (if I even have any left by the end of the week besides my mom who has become my number one fan and supporter…Hi Mom! ).

I still need a structure for this blog…must have structure. I’ve also made a commitment to myself to post at least every weekday, but to do that, I have to be having fun, right? Here are my conclusions after days and days and days and days of serious brain churning (you should see the smoke coming out of my ears):

1. I get the most joy out of Mondays and Tuesdays, when I review the book and then give reading tips and ideas for learning activities. That’s really the foundation of my blog—helping kids read and make real-world connections through books and giving anyone who cares about reading with the kids in their lives tips for making this happen—so that part has got to stay.

2.By covering just one book a week, I’m only giving 52 books suggestions in a year…that’s not cool. Plus, I have a pile of books in my living room desperately waiting to be read and reviewed. So, I have to do more than one book a week…I just HAVE to.

3. I want to give recommendations for a variety of books because kids have so many different tastes and you never know what book will make that first but oh so crucial impact. It’s important for me not to pigeonhole myself into only reviewing one certain type of book for one certain age group. It’s also important for me not to get overwhelmed with too many books to review, so I have to somehow narrow my focus. (I work full time and have a family, so while I could easily spend 24/7 reading and blogging, I just can’t. My baby’s gotta eat!)

For anyone who is still with me here, you have just caught a small glimpse of what goes on in my head everyday (pretty scary, huh?)

Here’s how I’ve decided to refocus and restructure my blog: (fanfare and drum roll)

1.I will now review at least three, yes you heard right, THREE books a week.

Here’s the breakdown: On Monday, I will feature a fiction book, and on Tuesday, I will give reading tips and ideas for learning activities for that book. On Wednesday, I will feature a non-fiction book and give reading tips and ideas for learning activities for that book on Thursday. Finally, on Friday, I will review a book of my choice. I could be a board book I'm reading to my daughter, a young adult novel, a nonfiction book, or anything else I feel like reviewing.

That will bring my total from 52 books a year to 156, but I really like numbers with zeros in them, so I will challenge myself to read and review 200 books.

2.At least two books I feature a month will be middle grade or young adult books, either fiction or nonfiction. I initially wanted to do at least one a week, but I also want to set realistic goals that won’t overwhelm me. (Remember, my baby’s gotta eat!).

3. I will limit the types of book I review to the following categories: multicultural, educational, environmental, or social awareness. I will NOT feature books that are preachy though…they have to subtly convey the message through strong characters and a strong storyline.
Disclaimer: If I find a book that doesn’t fit into these categories but that I absolutely love, I will review it. You’ll probably find these books in the “What Isabella’s Reading” feature.

4.I will read and review at least 10 educational books for adults this year that focus on helping teachers and caregivers promote literacy.

Ta-dah…I am refocused and oh so relieved. With this new structure, I’ll be able to review more books and hopefully reach more people. Plus, there’s NO WAY I can get bored. If I do, I can always change it again, because it’s my blog…so there!

What do you think? (Dish it out…I write for a living and live for feedback. Plus, I’m made of tough stuff. I CAN handle the truth! )

Verizon Tech Savvy Awards: Call for Nominations

Librarians, teachers, and 501(c)(3)s....The National Center for Family Literacy just issued a call for nominations for the 2008 Verizon Tech Savvy Awards, an award that honors programs that improve parents and children's understanding and use of technology. Four $5,000 regional awards, and one $25,000 national award are up for grabs.

Find more information and the nomination form here.

The deadline is January 11, so hurry! Be sure to spread the word to others who might be interested, and good luck!

Hattie Big Sky Out in Paperback

Author: Kirby Larson
Publisher: Delacorte Press
Pages: 283

Kirby Larson’s Newbery Honor Book Hattie Big Sky was released in paperback last week. I received a copy from the publisher right before I left to visit family over the holidays, and I was just able to pick up over the weekend to read it. I know, I know…I must be the last person in the world to read this book, but I’ve just started reacquainting myself with the world of young adult literature, and my TBR list is huge. However, if every book on it is as good as Hattie Big Sky, I’m going to have a lot of fun tackling it. But I have to be careful not to have too much fun…I literally couldn’t put Hattie Big Sky down and was up until 3:00 in the morning finishing it.

If you haven’t read it, here are some snippets from the publisher’s summary:

For most of her life, sixteen-year-old Hattie Brooks has been shuttled from one distant relative to another. Tired of being Hattie Here-and-There, she summons the courage to leave Iowa and move all by herself to Vida, Montana, to prove up on her late uncle's homestead claim.
Under the big sky, Hattie braves hard weather, hard times, a cantankerous cow, and her own hopeless hand at the cookstove. Despite daily trials, Hattie continues to work her uncle’s claim until an unforeseen tragedy causes her to search her soul for the real meaning of home. This young pioneer’s story celebrates the true spirit of independence.

And if you want to hear what some other great kid lit bloggers have to say, check out their reviews:
Jen Robinson’s Book Page
A Fuse #8 Production
Big A little a


Also, Hattie Big Sky is the focus book in this month’s issue of Readergirlz and will be discussed all month long on the Readergirlz MySpace Group. You should definitely check it out!

Spotlight on Lisa Humphrey and David Danioth

Lisa Humphrey is a literacy coach in Los Angeles and an advocate for peace and women's rights. She decided to write A Mother's Promise when a close friend wondered whether the world was too frightening to bring a child into it. I know I had the same question when I was pregnant and was able to find some comfort by reading A Mother's Promise and being reminded that there are many beautiful things in the world (along with all of the scary stuff). A Mother's Promise is Humphrey's only children's book.

A faculty member at the Art Insitute of Seattle, David Danioth illustrates not only picture books but also for media such as video production and the gaming industry. His first book, The Tree,written by Dana Lyons, received the "Earth Hero Award", "Skipping Stones Honor Award", and Foreword Magazine's "Book of the Year".


Sources: http://www.daviddanioth.com/
http://www.illumin.com/books/mp.html

The Cybils Finalists!

The finalists in four of The Cybils categories have been announced! Here they are. Visit the Cybils for a brief description of each one and links to panelist reviews.

SCIENCE FICTION AND FANTASY FINALISTS

Teen/Young Adult:
Book of a Thousand Days by Shannon Hale (Bloomsbury USA Children's Books)
Incarceron by Catherine Fisher (Hodder Children's Books (UK))
Northlander (Tales of the Borderlands)by Meg Burden (Brown Barn Books)
Repossessed by A. M. Jenkins (HarperCollins)
Skin Hunger by Kathleen Duey (Simon & Schuster/Atheneum)


Elementary/Middle Grade:
The Chaos King by Laura Ruby (HarperCollins/Eos)
Into the Wild by Sarah Beth Durst (Penguin/Razorbill)
The Land of the Silver Apples by Nancy Farmer (Simon & Schuster/Atheneum/Richard Jackson Books)
Skulduggery Pleasant by Derek Landy (HarperCollins)
The True Meaning of Smekday by Adam Rex (Disney/Hyperion)


PICTURE BOOK FINALISTS
Pssst! by Adam Rex (Harcourt Children's Books)
Go to Bed, Monster! by Natasha Wing (Harcourt Children's Books)
The Chicken-Chasing Queen of Lamar County By Janice N. Harrington (Farrar, Straus and Giroux)
Leaves by David Ezra Stein (Putnam Juvenile)
Four Feet, Two Sandals by Karen Lynn William & Khadra Mohammad (Eerdmans Books for Young Readers)
Knuffle Bunny Too by Mo Willems (Hyperion)
The Incredible Book-Eating Boy by Oliver Jeffers (Philomel)


POETRY FINALISTS
Animal Poems by Valerie Worth (Farrar, Strauss & Giroux)
Good Masters! Sweet Ladies!: Voices from a Medieval Village by Laura Amy Schlitz (Candlewick Press)
Here's a Little Poem: A Very First Book of Poetry edited by Jane Yolen
(Candlewick Press)
Poems in Black and White written and illustrated by Kate Miller (Front Street/Boyds Mills Press)
This is Just to Say: Poems of Apology and Forgiveness by Joyce Sidman (Houghton Mifflin)
Twist: Yoga Poems by Janet S. Wong (Margaret K. McElderry Books)
Your Own, Sylvia: A Verse Portrait of Sylvia Plath by Stephanie Hemphill
(Random House Children's Books)

MIDDLE GRADE FINALISTS
A Crooked Kind of Perfect by Linda Urban (Harcourt)
Cracker: The Best Dog In Vietnam by Cynthia Kadohata (Atheneum)
Emma Jean Lazarus Fell Out of a Tree by Lauren Tarshis (Dial)
Leap of Faith by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley (Dial)
Leepike Ridge by Nathan D. Wilson (Random House)
Louisiana's Song by Kerry Madden (Viking)
Miss Spitfire by Sarah Miller (Atheneum)
Wild Girls by Pat Murphy (Viking)

Wow! What a great list. I haven't read many of these, but Four Feet, Two Sandalssounds right up my ally.

Thanks to all of the panelists for their hard work. They had so many books to review, and I'm sure it wasn't easy narrowing it down.

The rest of the finalists will be announced by January 7th, and winners will be announced on February 14th!

Do you have any favorites?

A Mother's Promise, Learning Activities

Each time I read A Mother's Promise, I think of another learning activity or reading tip to help children enhance their reading skills and make connections to the world around them through reading. Here's what I've come up with so far...

DISCUSSION OPPORTUNITIES

Promises: What is a promise? What does it mean to promise something to someone? What kind of promises have you made? Have you ever broken a promise? How do the think the other person felt? Has someone ever broken a promise to you? How did it make you feel? What do you think the mother in the story is promising to her child? How do you think she will keep her promises?

Your Child's Birth Story: Tell your child about your pregnancy with him/her and about his/her birth. What promises did you make to him/her before and after he/she was born? How did you feel when your child was born? What were the first few days/months/years like?

LANGUAGE ARTS
Personification: In the book, Humphrey personifies the desert, the ocean, and all of the other places she mentions. Go through the book and have your child guess what the desert's warm breath and the ocean's beating heart are. (You don't have to even use the word personification and turn it into a lesson).

GEOGRAPHY
This book could be an excellent jumping off point for discussing different places in the world. Identify different oceans, mountains, deserts, forests in the world. Discuss the characteristics of each one, the different animals you find in each place. You could even do a compare/contrast activity.

Another idea is to discuss different places you've been either with your child or places you traveled before your child was born. Where did you go? What did you do? What were some of the most memorable moments? Use this as an opportunity to create an oral history with your child.

In the book, the mother also promises the world's most sacred places to her child. Based on the illustration of a magnificent waterfall, we can imply that Humphrey is talking about the earth's sacred places that we should honor and preserve. Talk about some of the world's sacred places. Have you visited a place that you would consider sacred? One that immediately comes to my mind is the Iguacu Falls in Parana, Brazil. I was fortunate enough to visit these cascades in 1999, and I have never experienced anything quite like it in my life. I remember feeling awestruck and very small and powerless as I listened to powerful roar of the falls while standing over the “Garganta del Diablo” (The Devil's Throat), the spray hitting my face. I also remember feeling an extreme sense of peace as I was surrounded by such beauty.

ASTRONOMY
The mother promises her child the stars in the book. Discuss the stars and constellations with your child. If you're like me and need to brush up on your astronomy, I found this site for kids that teaches the basics. I'm sure there are many others out there.

CONSERVATION
Through the book, we learn to appreciate the wonders of nature and the beauty of earth. A Mother's Promise can help you teach the importance of conservation, of preserving and protecting the earth. The EPA has a nice site with all kinds of information and games about protecting the environment. Kids in grades K-4 can also join the EPA Environmental Kids Club for free and get a certificate in the mail and access to special projects on the site. And then I found this list of websites that teach kids how to "be green."


That's all I can think of right now, but as you can see, this short book provides a number of opportunities for you to build bonds and connections with your child, and it opens the door to learning about a ton of different things in the world.