For more information about Learning Touch, visit http://www.learningtouch.com
Friday, December 31, 2010
Book Review & Giveaway- Bob Books For Your iPhone & iPad
For more information about Learning Touch, visit http://www.learningtouch.com
Book Review- Happy 100th Day
Graham doesn't like school. He really doesn't like reading. And he's not impressed by his teacher's excitement about the 100th Day of School. The one thing he looks forward to? His class birthday party. But as the school year ticks by, he realizes his birthday will be the SAME DAY as 100th Day celebration! Will anyone remember Graham's special day?
This sweet and funny story by Susan Milord is accompanied by vibrant multimedia illustrations by Mary Newell DePalma -- each one incorporating 100 of some object for readers to count and find! (quoted from Goodreads).
A Year In Picture Books- 2011 Reading Challenge
Participants can sign up to read 12, 16, or 24 picture books throughout the year.
- Chicks Run Wild by Sudipta Bardhan-Quallan
- Tony Baloney by Pam Munoz Ryan
- Quick, Slow, Mango by Anik McGrory
- Moo Pie in the Moonlight by Beth Olmo
- Lucky's Little Feather by Peggy van Gurp
- Look! A Book by Bob Staake
- Ribbit, Rabbit by Candace Ryan
- One Magical Morning by Claire Freedman
- Birdsong by Ellie Sandall
- Fifo "50 States" by Hayley Rose
- LaRue Across America by Mark Teague
- Armadillo Rodeo by Jan Brett
- The Underpants Zoo by Brian Sendelbach
- The Ladybug Girl and the Bug Squad by Jacky Davis
- Quiet Bunny's Many Colors by Lisa McCue
- Me....Jane by Patrick McDonnell
- The Easter Egg by Jan Brett
- When The World Was Waiting For You by Gillian Shields
- My Daddy by Guido Van Genechten
- The BIG Baby Book by Guido Van Genechten
- Playing by Liesbet Slegers
- Bathing by Liesbet Slegers
- Ricky Is Brave by Guido Van Genechten
- Thankyouplease by Pierre Winters
- The Sleepless Little Vampire by Richard Egielski
- Please and Thank you! by Jill Ackerman
- Uh-Oh! I'm Sorry by Jill Ackerman
- The Very Fairy Princess Take The Stage by Julie Andrews & Emma Walton Hamilton
- Razzle-Dazzle Ruby by Masha D'yans
- Wiener Wolf by Jeff Crosby
- Love You Back! by Umesh Shukla
- Eddie Gets Ready For School by David Milgrim
- Hugo The Happy Starfish Wants To Be Different by Susanne Lehmann
- Get Happy by Malachy Doyle
- Race The Wild Wind by Sandra Markle
- Pirates Go To School by Corinne Demas
- Bulldog's Big Day by Pascal Lemaitre
- Bailey by Harry Bliss
- Detective Blue by Steve Metzger
- Ladybug Girl at the Beach by Jacky Davis
- Prudence Wants A Pet by Cathleen Day
- Blue Chicken by Deborah Freedman
- The Great Race by Kevin O'Malley
- The Man in the Moon by William Joyce
- Llama Llama Home with Mama by Anna Dewdney
- The Fearsome Beastie by Giles Paley-Phillips
- The I'm Not Scared Book by Todd Parr
- Marsipity by Barbie McConnell
- You Will Be My Friend! by Peter Brown
- The Leaves on the Trees by Thom Wiley
- Halloween Surprise by Corinne Demas
- The Not So Scary Monster Handbook by Dave Ross
- The Night Before Halloween by Natasha Wing
- The Apple Pie Tree by Zoe Hall
- Where is Baby's Pumpkin by Karen Katz
- The Runaway Pumpkin by Kevin Lewis
- Frangoline and the Midnight Dream by Clemency Pearce
- Happy Halloween by Lisebet Slegers
- I Am Small by Emma Dodd
- Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star by Jerry Pinkney
- Everything Goes on Land by Brian Biggs
- Whoo Loves You? Sandra Magsamen
- The Vole Brothers by Roslyn Schwartz
- My Rhinoceros by Jon Agee
- Lily Hates Goodbyes by Jerilyn Marler
- Mouse & Lion by Randy Burkert & Nancy Ekholm Burkert
- Chuckling Ducklings & baby animal friends by Aaron Zenz
- Snowflake Baby by Elise Broach
- Kevin's Christmas by Liesbet Slegars
- Every Day Dress Up by Selina Alko
- A Starlit Snowfall by Nancy Willard
- Not Inside This House! By Kevin Lewis
- Birdie's Big-Girl Dress by Sujean Rim
- Ricky's Christmas Tree by Guido van Genechten
- Can You SEe What I See? Toyland Express by Walter Wick
- The Family Storybook Treasury
- Nothing Like a Puffin by Sue Soltis
- The Story of Thanksgiving by Nancy J Skarmeas
- Hibernation Station by Michelle Meadows
- Ten on the Sled by Kim Norman
- The Three Snow Bears by Jan Brett
- Quincy Moves To The Desert by Camille Matthews
- The Best Kind of Kiss by Margaret Allum
- Here Comes Jack Frost by Kazuno Kohara
Thursday, December 30, 2010
Book Review- Quest For Merlin's Map (The Jumper Chronicles)
Tuesday, December 28, 2010
Book Review- Story County Here We Come!
Welcome to Story County!
More than anything, Farmer wants a farm. His friends Dog, Pig, Chicken, and Miss Cow are eager to help. Together they build the barn, spread the fields, plant the crops, and more until voilà !-the farm is complete. Or is it?
Silliness abounds as Derek Anderson takes readers from white page to colorful farm in this charming tale of friendship (and teamwork) as five friends come together to create Story County-a special new home for young readers where anything can happen (quoted from Goodreads).
Monday, December 27, 2010
Book Review- Shoe-la-la!
"Shoes with zippers, Shoes with straps,
Shoes with buckles, Shoes with taps." (quoted from Goodreads).
Sunday, December 26, 2010
Book Review - A Tale Dark and Grimm
Publisher: Dutton Juvenile
Reading Level: Ages 9 to 12
Source: Personal Copy
Rating: 5 out of 5 Stars
Description from GoodReads:
Brooklyn schoolteacher Adam Gidwitz offers imaginative new slants on children's classics in this new collection inspired by nine Grimm Brothers fairy tales. Never before have Hansel and Gretel had an adventure like this!
If anyone is looking for a way to squeeze in another Debut Author book before the end of the year, may I suggest the dark and gruesome A TALE DARK AND GRIMM by Adam Gidwitz? This book is oh so good. Gidwitz channels the original Brothers Grimm in this variation of Hansel and Gretel. This is no Disney version of a Grimm story. In this version, Gidwitz maintains the original feel but does so with a modern day voice and a unique layering of Grimm tales into one story.
As the narrator of A TALE DARK AND GRIMM cautions "if there are little kids...why don't you go hire a babysitter.." Gidwitz's A TALE DARK AND GRIMM will appeal to children who love Lemony Snickets or Pseudonymous Bosch thrown in with a generous dose of R.L. Stine. I have to admit that the narration was part of why I loved this book so much. The interaction between the narrator and the reader seems to assist the reader in processing the story and in understanding some of the more intense sections of the book. With that said, I do realize that some children may not handle scary stories well or do best when reading them aloud with an adult. Rather than limit who should read this, I would encourage parents to read it with their child if there are concerns. I would also remind parents that children love scary stories. And they love stories with happy endings and where children turn out to be the heroes.
If you are in doubt about this book, I would encourage you to check out Gidwitz's Frequently Asked Questions (click here). He does a much better job of explaining the reason and purpose for the blood and gore. Understanding that for some children, it might be better if they wait some before attempting to read this book.
As I read through the book, I appreciated Gidwitz's ability to create a richly developed story and means of holding the attention of readers through the various journeys that Hansel & Gretel find themselves on. Characters seemed well fleshed out and the pacing of the story never seemed to bog down. This was particularly impressive in light of the fact that Gidwitz is a new author but one who obviously has a strong ability to tell a story.
If you are interested in checking out a short story by Gidwitz, author Pseudonymous Bosch had him as a Guest Ghost over on his blog. Here is the link to his version of Cinderella, click here.
Book Review- How To Raise A Dinosaur
In My Mailbox
Saturday, December 25, 2010
Books My Kids Enjoyed Getting for Christmas
This pink, glitter-filled, castle-shaped board book with lift-the-flaps throughout is perfect for every little princess.
Join the adventure as the glitter princess searches through her castle to find her lost puppies before the royal party begins! (quoted from goodreads).
Friday, December 24, 2010
Merry Christmas!
Wednesday, December 22, 2010
Book Review- A Picture of Freedom (Dear America Series), The Diary of Clotee, A Slave Girl
Tuesday, December 21, 2010
Book Review - Voyage of the Dawn Treader (I Can Read editions)
Published by Harper Collins Childrens
Release Date: October 26, 2010
Ages 4 to 8
Source: Bought
5 Stars - I highly recommend this book!
Synopsis (from Harper Collins):
When Edmund, Lucy and Eustace are pulled into Narnia through a painting, they find themselves aboard the Dawn Treader, the ship of their friend King Caspian. Together, they must find and rescue the seven lords who were exiled by the tyrant Miraz, King Caspian’s uncle.
I loved The Chronicles of Narnia as a child and I first started reading them around Third Grade an since then, I've read them over and over again. It's truly one of my favorite parts of being a mom -- the sharing of cherished stories with my children.
With the opening of "The Chronicles of Narnia: Voyage of the Dawn Treader" in theaters this past week, my youngest has been curious about the books and the Dawn Treader story in particular. I loved that Harper Collins issues their I Can Read! versions just in time for the movie's release.
My five-year-old and I sat down to enjoy these installments from the story and she was surprised that she could easily read along with a little help. She loved the particular plot lines that were picked out especially because we read it after we watched the movie.
For those parents, who like me adore The Chronicles of Narnia, these books are a wonderful way to share the story with your preschooler/Kindergartner. And I hope that they will encourage her to pick up the actual books in a few years. Because that's the best part of Narnia -- you can return to it whenever you like.
Monday, December 20, 2010
Teacher Curriculum Guide for Teri Hall's The Line
Book Review - Pinkalicious: Pink Around the Rink
Published by Harper Collins Childrens
Published Date: October 5, 2010
Ages 4 to 8
Source: Bought
5 stars - I highly recommend this book!
Synopsis (from Harper Collins) : After Pinkalicious colors her white ice skates with a cotton candy pink marker, she feels ready to spin, glide, and soar with the best of them. But as the color starts to run off of her skates, she is embarrassed. When Pinkalicious thought she was going to leave her mark on the skating rink, she didn't mean it so literally. . . .
Ah, more adventures of Pinkalicious! My 5 year old daughter and I love these books and we were so glad when we found an I Can Read! version that my daughter could read with a little help from me.
In this installment, Pinkalicious receives skates as a gift, paints them pink and notices the reactions around her:
Mommy did not smile. Daddy smiled a little, I think.
I found myself giggling with my daughter because Victoria captures a preschooler/Kindergartner's observations perfectly. The illustrations are bright, colorful and most of all, yes, PINK. And the prose the story is one where, as usual, there's a bit of a lesson in it for the reader.
If you're looking for a great stocking stuffer for your little Pinkalicious reader, be sure to pick up this latest story in the series. As for my Kindergartner, she and I are looking forward to the next picture book, Silverlicious which comes out on February 1, 2011. Here's a link to that synopsis and the release date may be just in time for my daughter to lose her first tooth.
Sunday, December 19, 2010
Book Review - Amelia's Family Ties
Published by American Girl Publishing
Release Date: March 2000
Ages 9 to 12
Source: Bought
4 out of 5 stars - I really liked this book. Go pick it up.
Synopsis (from Marissa's site): Amelia and her notebook are back. She has finally written to her father, whom she has never met, and received a reply asking her to come meet him, her stepmother, and her half-brother at their home in Chicago. This is a big step for any child, but Amelia, feisty as ever, takes the plunge. She predictably loves baby George, hates Clara, and is unsure about her father until he finally says he's loved her all along.
I picked this book up at our local used bookstore. I love those types of stores because you never quite know what you will find there. In the case of Amelia's Family Ties, I found a gem for my 8 year old daughter.
These days most kids have a blended family and in fact, that was the case in my childhood as well. And for me there's nothing better than reading a story which is centered around family bonds even when they're not immediately present. Marissa creates a story where Amelia's never met her dad and then suddenly he's back in her life. Can you imagine the confusion and emotions that go through Amelia's head? Well, they're presented in an easy to read format both graphically and in prose. My daughter loved the illustrations, the thought bubbles and the side stories. One of my favorite Amelia stories starts off with these sentences:
There was a girl who had three different families, all in her apartment building. On the first floor lived her father and brother, on the second floor lived her mother and sister and on the third floor lived her grandma and grandpa. She ate breakfast with one family, lunch with another and dinner with another. It was all very confusing. So the girl had an idea. She sawed holes in the floors and ceilings and put a long pole like they have in fire stations.Divorce complicates relationships but it's captured moments like these that make all the hardships worthwhile:
He opened his arms and I walked into the first Dad hug of my life.Amelia's Family Ties is a wonderful story that is well worth picking up. For children who like a DORK Diaries or Diary of a Wimpy Kid format, these books are a must have.
Saturday, December 18, 2010
Book Review- Real Mermaids Don't Wear Toe Rings
If she hadn't been so clueless, she might have seen it coming. But really, who expects to get into a relaxing bathtub after a stressful day of shopping for tankinis and come out with scales and a tail?
Most. Embarrassing. Moment. Ever.
Jade soon discovers she inherited her mermaid tendencies from her mom. But if Mom was a mermaid, how did she drown?
Jade is determined to find out. So how does a plus-size, aqua-phobic mer-girl go about doing that exactly? And how will Jade ever be able to explain her secret to her best friend, Cori, and to her crush, Luke?
This summer is about to get a lot more interesting...
Real Mermaids Don't Wear Toe Rings is a great coming of age story, mixed with a little mystery, for middle grade readers. It's fun, it's quirky and Jade's voice is one of realism as she's coming to terms with things that are going on around her and humorous. Jade had me laughing out loud more than once. Helene does a brilliant job at merging reality with fantasy, as Jade herself is a 13 year old girl who's not only coming to terms with her mother's mysterious drowning, but she's coming to terms with hitting womenhood and finding out she's also a Mermaid.
Helene wove together her mermaid mythology with that of a young girl growing up, having her first crush, coming to terms of who she is both as a young teen and a mermaid, and discovering her family's secret. Jade's voice is one that I connected to and really fell in love with. She's so hard not to like. I really liked her Dad's character. He's there for her and does his best to help her through her tough situations. Her BFF Cori is a great character as well. I loved the little twist Helene throws in at the end with Jade's crush Luke.
This is one book I would definitely recommend for tweens. It's a fun, charming, witty story and one teen girls and women can definitely relate to in some sense. Not many books can deliver the humor of the "you know what" all girls get and deal with for the first time, like Helene did with Jade. I hope I get to read more about Jade. Her voice is one that will be hard to forget. This is a coming of age story with humor.