As you know, Betsy Bird conducted another Chapter Book Poll this spring. I wanted to see how many of them I'd read.
Titles I've read are in bold.
#1 Charlotte’s Web by E.B. White (1952)
#2 A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L’Engle (1962)
#3 Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone by J.K. Rowling (1997)
#4 The Giver by Lois Lowry (1993)
#5 The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis (1950)
#6 Holes by Louis Sachar (1998)
#7 From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler by E.L. Konigsburg (1967)
#8 Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery (1908)
#9 The Westing Game by Ellen Raskin (1978)
#10 Bridge to Terabithia by Katherine Paterson (1977)
#11 When You Reach Me by Rebecca Stead (2009)
#12 Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban by J.K. Rowling (1999)
#13 The Thief by Megan Whalen Turner (1997)
#14 The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien (1938)
#15 The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett (1911)
#16 Tuck Everlasting by Natalie Babbitt (1975)
#17 Harriet the Spy by Louise Fitzhugh (1964)
#18 The Book of Three by Lloyd Alexander (1964)
#19 Little House in the Big Woods by Laura Ingalls Wilder (1932)
#20 Because of Winn-Dixie by Kate DiCamillo (2000)
#21 The Phantom Tollbooth by Norton Juster (1961)
#22 The Dark is Rising by Susan Cooper (1973)
#23 Hatchet by Gary Paulsen (1989)
#24 Ramona the Pest by Beverly Cleary (1968)
#25 The Watsons Go to Birmingham, 1963 by Christopher Paul Curtis (1995)
#26 Winnie-the-Pooh by A.A. Milne (1926)
#27 Little House on the Prairie by Laura Ingalls Wilder (1935)
#28 The Golden Compass by Philip Pullman (1995)
#29 The Penderwicks: A Summer Tale of Four Sisters, Two Rabbits, and a Very Interesting Boy by Jeanne Birdsall (2005)
#30 Matilda by Roald Dahl (1988)
#31 Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll (1865)
#32 Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry by Mildred Taylor (1976)
#33 Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH by Robert C. O’Brien (1971)
#34 Where the Red Fern Grows by Wilson Rawls (1961)
#35 Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing by Judy Blume (1972)
#36 The Witch of Blackbird Pond by Elizabeth George Speare (1958)
#37 The Wednesday Wars by Gary D. Schmidt (2007)
#38 Frindle by Andrew Clements (1996)
#39 The Invention of Hugo Cabret by Brian Selznick (2007)
#40 Maniac Magee by Jerry Spinelli (1990)
#41 The Wonderful Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Baum (1900)
#42 Gone-Away Lake by Elizabeth Enright (1957)
#43 Jacob Have I Loved by Katherine Paterson (1980)
#44 Okay for Now by Gary D. Schmidt (2011)
#45 Island of the Blue Dolphins by Scott O’Dell (1960)
#46 The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle by Avi (1990)
#47 Little Women by Louisa May Alcott (1868)
#48 The Bad Beginning by Lemony Snicket (1999)
#49 My Father’s Dragon by Ruth Stiles Gannett (1948)
#50 Number the Stars by Lois Lowry (1989)
#51 The Tale of Despereaux: Being the Story of a Mouse, A Princess, Some Soup, and a Spool of Thread by Kate DiCamillo (2003)
#52 Betsy-Tacy by Maud Hart Lovelace (1940)
#53 The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman (2008)
#54 Half Magic by Edward Eager (1954)
#55 All-of-a-Kind Family by Sydney Taylor (1951)
#56 A Little Princess by Frances Hodgson Burnett (1905)#57 The Wolves of Willoughby Chase by Joan Aiken (1962)
#58 Swallows and Amazons by Arthur Ransome (1930)
#59 The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane by Kate DiCamillo (2006)
#60 Bud, Not Buddy by Christopher Paul Curtis (1999)
#61 Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl (1964)
#62 Clementine by Sara Pennypacker (2006)
#63 The Great Gilly Hopkins by Katherine Paterson (1978)
#64 The Twenty-One Balloons by William Pene du Bois (1947)
#65 Wonder by R.J. Palacio (2012)
#66 The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate by Jacqueline Kelly (2009)
#67 A Long Way from Chicago by Richard Peck (1998)
#68 The High King by Lloyd Alexander (1968)
#69 The Ruins of Gorlan by John Flanagan (2006)
#70 Walk Two Moons by Sharon Creech (1994)
#71 Each Little Bird That Sings by Deborah Wiles (2005)
#72 Where the Mountain Meets the Moon by Grace Lin (2009)
#73 The Best Christmas Pageant Ever by Barbara Robinson (1972)
#74 Are You There, God? It’s Me, Margaret by Judy Blume (1970)
#75 The Saturdays by Elizabeth Enright (1941)
#76 Diary of a Wimpy Kid by Jeff Kinney (2007)
#77 My Side of the Mountain by Jean Craighead George (1959)
#78 Ballet Shoes by Noel Streatfeild (1936)
#79 The Egypt Game by Zilpha Keatley Snyder (1967)
#80 The Four-Story Mistake by Elizabeth Enright (1942)
#81 The Witches by Roald Dahl (1983)
#82 The Cricket in Times Square by George Selden (1960)
#83 Ozma of Oz by Frank L. Baum (1907)
#84 The Long Winter by Laura Ingalls Wilder (1940)
#85 Ella Enchanted by Gail Carson Levine (1997)
#86 Peter Pan by J.M. Barrie (1911)
#87 The Strange Case of Origami Yoda by Tom Angleberger (2010)
#88 The BFG by Roald Dahl (1982)
#89 The Mouse and the Motorcycle by Beverly Cleary (1967)
#90 The Children of Green Knowe by L.M. Boston (1954)
#91 Pippi Longstocking by Astrid Lindgren (1950)
#92 Flipped by Wendelin Van Draanen (2001)
#93 Journey to the River Sea by Eva Ibbotson (2001)
#94 Ramona and her Father by Beverly Cleary (1977)
#95 The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupery (1943)
#96 The Horse and His Boy by C.S. Lewis (1954)
#97 The Diamond in the Window by Jane Langton (1962)
#98 Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire by J.K. Rowling (2000)
#99 The Boxcar Children by Gertrude Chandler Warner (1942)
#100 Love That Dog by Sharon Creech (2001)
I've read 43 of the 100. That's not bad, but it's not great either. I might make a project out of reading the rest.
For more information on the Top 100 Chapter Books Poll, click here.
Thursday, August 23, 2012
Tuesday, August 21, 2012
Top 100 Picture Books
As you know, Betsy Bird conducted another Picture Book Poll this spring. I wanted to see how many of them I'd read.
Titles I've read are in bold.
#1 Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak (1963)
#2 The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle (1979)
#3 Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus by Mo Willems (2003)
#4 Goodnight Moon by Margaret Wise Brown, illustrated by Clement Hurd (1947)
#5 The Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats (1962)
#6 Make Way for Ducklings by Robert McCloskey (1941)
#7 Knuffle Bunny: A Cautionary Tale by Mo Willems (2004)
#8 Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day by Judith Viorst, illustrated by Ray Cruz (1972)
#9 Bark, George by Jules Feiffer (1999)
#10 The Monster at the End of This Book by Jon Stone, illustrated by Mike Smollin (1971)
#11 Lilly’s Purple Plastic Purse by Kevin Henkes (1996)
#12 Green Eggs and Ham by Dr. Seuss (1960)
#13 Miss Rumphius by Barbara Cooney (1982)
#14 Caps for Sale by Esphyr Slobodkina (1947)
#15 Frog and Toad Are Friends by Arnold Lobel (1970)
#16 Harold and the Purple Crayon by Crockett Johnson (1955)
#17 The Story of Ferdinand by Munro Leaf, illustrated by Robert Lawson (1936)
#18 A Sick Day for Amos McGee by Philip Stead, illustrated by Erin E. Stead (2010)
#19 The Tale of Peter Rabbit by Beatrix Potter (1902)
#20 Pete the Cat: I Love My White Shoes by Eric Litwin, illustrated by James Dean (2010)
#21 Millions of Cats by Wanda Gag (1928)
#22 Corduroy by Donald Freeman (1976)
#23 Chicka Chicka Boom Boom by Bill Martin Jr. and John Archambault, illustrated by Lois Ehlert (1989)
#24 Tuesday by David Wiesner (1991)
#25 Kitten’s First Full Moon by Kevin Henkes (2004)
#26 We Are in a Book by Mo Willems (2010)
#27 Bread and Jam for Frances by Russell Hoban, illustrated by Lillian Hoban (1964)
#28 Go, Dog, Go! by P.D. Eastman (1961)
#29 Miss Nelson is Missing! by Harry Allard, illustrated by James Marshall (1977)
#30 Owl Moon by Jane Yolen (1987)
#31 Blueberries for Sal by Robert McCloskey (1948)
#32 The Little House by Virginia Lee Burton (1942)
#33 The Lorax by Dr. Seuss (1971)
#34 Strega Nona by Tomie de Paola (1975)
#35 The True Story of the Three Little Pigs by Jon Scieszka, illustrated by Lane Smith (1989)
#36 The Cat in the Hat by Dr. Seuss (1957)
#37 The Lion and the Mouse by Jerry Pinkney (2009)
#38 Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? by Bill Martin Jr.,
illustrated by Eric Carle (1967)
#39 Click, Clack, Moo: Cows That Type by Doreen Cronin, illustrated by Betsy Lewin (2000)
#40 Good Night, Gorilla by Peggy Rathmann (1994)
#41 Curious George by H.A. Rey (1941)
#42 Freight Train by Donald Crews (1978)
#43 Harry the Dirty Dog by Gene Zion, ill. by Margaret Bloy Graham (1956)
#44 The Little Mouse, the Red Ripe Strawberry, and the Big Hungry Bear by Audrey and Don Wood (1984)
#45 Are You My Mother? by P.D. Eastman (1960)
#46 Grandfather’s Journey by Allen Say (1993)
#47 Madeline by Ludwig Bemelmans (1939)
#48 George and Martha by James Marshall (1972)
#49 Press Here by Herve Tullet (2011)
#50 The Mysteries of Harris Burdick by Chris Van Allsburg (1984)
#51 The Library by Sarah Stewart, illustrated by David Small (1995)
#52 Zen Shorts by Jon J. Muth (2005)
#53 Thank You, Mr. Falker by Patricia Polacco (1998)
#54 Olivia by Ian Falconer (2000)
#55 Sylvester and the Magic Pebble by William Steig (1969)
#56 The Polar Express by Chris Van Allsburg (1985)
#57 Doctor De Soto by William Steig (1982)
#58 Scaredy Squirrel by Melanie Watt (2006)
#59 Officer Buckle and Gloria by Peggy Rathmann (1995)
#60 There Is a Bird on Your Head by Mo Willems (2007)
#61 How the Grinch Stole Christmas by Dr. Seuss (1957)
#62 Go Away, Big Green Monster! by Ed Emberley (1992)
#63 The Sneetches and Other Stories by Dr. Seuss (1961)
#64 King Bidgood’s in the Bathtub by Audrey Wood, illustrated by Don Wood (1985)
#65 The Arrival by Shaun Tan (2006)
#66 Chrysanthemum by Kevin Henkes (1991)
#67 Bedtime for Frances by Russell Hoban, illustrated by Garth Williams (1960)
#68 The Three Pigs by David Wiesner (2001)
#69 Moo Baa La La La by Sandra Boynton (1995)
#70 Rhyming Dust Bunnies by Jan Thomas (2009)
#71 Stellaluna by Janell Cannon (1993)
#72 But Not the Hippopotamus by Sandra Boynton (1982)
#73 May I Bring a Friend? by Beatrice Schenk de Regniers, illustrated by Beni Montresor (1964)
#74 I Want My Hat Back by Jon Klassen (2011)
#75 Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs by Judi Barrett, illustrated by Ron Barrett (1978)
#76 Eloise by Kay Thompson (1955)
#77 Flotsam by David Wiesner (2006)
#78 Zoom at Sea by Tim Wynne-Jones, illustrated by Eric Beddows (1993)
#79 Pierre by Maurice Sendak (1962)
#80 Madeline’s Rescue by Ludwig Bemelmans (1953)
#81 Fortunately by Remy Charlip (1964)
#82 A Visitor for Bear by Bonny Becker, illustrated by Kady MacDonald Denton (2008)
#83 Bear Snores On by Karma Wilson, illustrated by Jane Chapman (2002)
#84 Not a Box by Antoinette Portis (2006)
#85 The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein (1964)
#86 The Paper Bag Princess by Robert Munsch (1980)
#87 My Lucky Day by Keiko Kasza (2005)
#88 No, David! by David Shannon (1998)
#89 Tikki Tikki Tembo by Arlene Mosel, ill. by Blair Lent (1968)
#91 The Stinky Cheese Man and Other Fairly Stupid Tales by Jon Scieszka, illustrated by Lane Smith (1992)
#90 Arnie the Doughnut by Laurie Keller (2003)
#92 The Gardener by Sarah Steward, illustrated by David Small (1997)
#93 Traction Man is Here! by Mini Grey (2005)
#94 The Mitten by Jan Brett (1989)
#95 The Kissing Hand by Audrey Penn (2007)
#96 Ira Sleeps Over by Bernard Waber (1972)
#97 Where Is the Green Sheep? by Mem Fox, illustrated by Judy Horacek (2004)
#98 Duck On a Bike by David Shannon (2002)
#99 The Maggie B by Irene Haas (1975)
#100 The Carrot Seed by Ruth Krauss, illustrated by Crockett Johnson (1945)
I've read 43 of the 100. That's not bad, but it's not great either. I might make a project out of reading the rest.
For more information on the Top 100 Picture Books Poll, click here.
Titles I've read are in bold.
#1 Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak (1963)
#2 The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle (1979)
#3 Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus by Mo Willems (2003)
#4 Goodnight Moon by Margaret Wise Brown, illustrated by Clement Hurd (1947)
#5 The Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats (1962)
#6 Make Way for Ducklings by Robert McCloskey (1941)
#7 Knuffle Bunny: A Cautionary Tale by Mo Willems (2004)
#8 Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day by Judith Viorst, illustrated by Ray Cruz (1972)
#9 Bark, George by Jules Feiffer (1999)
#10 The Monster at the End of This Book by Jon Stone, illustrated by Mike Smollin (1971)
#11 Lilly’s Purple Plastic Purse by Kevin Henkes (1996)
#12 Green Eggs and Ham by Dr. Seuss (1960)
#13 Miss Rumphius by Barbara Cooney (1982)
#14 Caps for Sale by Esphyr Slobodkina (1947)
#15 Frog and Toad Are Friends by Arnold Lobel (1970)
#16 Harold and the Purple Crayon by Crockett Johnson (1955)
#17 The Story of Ferdinand by Munro Leaf, illustrated by Robert Lawson (1936)
#18 A Sick Day for Amos McGee by Philip Stead, illustrated by Erin E. Stead (2010)
#19 The Tale of Peter Rabbit by Beatrix Potter (1902)
#20 Pete the Cat: I Love My White Shoes by Eric Litwin, illustrated by James Dean (2010)
#21 Millions of Cats by Wanda Gag (1928)
#22 Corduroy by Donald Freeman (1976)
#23 Chicka Chicka Boom Boom by Bill Martin Jr. and John Archambault, illustrated by Lois Ehlert (1989)
#24 Tuesday by David Wiesner (1991)
#25 Kitten’s First Full Moon by Kevin Henkes (2004)
#26 We Are in a Book by Mo Willems (2010)
#27 Bread and Jam for Frances by Russell Hoban, illustrated by Lillian Hoban (1964)
#28 Go, Dog, Go! by P.D. Eastman (1961)
#29 Miss Nelson is Missing! by Harry Allard, illustrated by James Marshall (1977)
#30 Owl Moon by Jane Yolen (1987)
#31 Blueberries for Sal by Robert McCloskey (1948)
#32 The Little House by Virginia Lee Burton (1942)
#33 The Lorax by Dr. Seuss (1971)
#34 Strega Nona by Tomie de Paola (1975)
#35 The True Story of the Three Little Pigs by Jon Scieszka, illustrated by Lane Smith (1989)
#36 The Cat in the Hat by Dr. Seuss (1957)
#37 The Lion and the Mouse by Jerry Pinkney (2009)
#38 Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? by Bill Martin Jr.,
illustrated by Eric Carle (1967)
#39 Click, Clack, Moo: Cows That Type by Doreen Cronin, illustrated by Betsy Lewin (2000)
#40 Good Night, Gorilla by Peggy Rathmann (1994)
#41 Curious George by H.A. Rey (1941)
#42 Freight Train by Donald Crews (1978)
#43 Harry the Dirty Dog by Gene Zion, ill. by Margaret Bloy Graham (1956)
#44 The Little Mouse, the Red Ripe Strawberry, and the Big Hungry Bear by Audrey and Don Wood (1984)
#45 Are You My Mother? by P.D. Eastman (1960)
#46 Grandfather’s Journey by Allen Say (1993)
#47 Madeline by Ludwig Bemelmans (1939)
#48 George and Martha by James Marshall (1972)
#49 Press Here by Herve Tullet (2011)
#50 The Mysteries of Harris Burdick by Chris Van Allsburg (1984)
#51 The Library by Sarah Stewart, illustrated by David Small (1995)
#52 Zen Shorts by Jon J. Muth (2005)
#53 Thank You, Mr. Falker by Patricia Polacco (1998)
#54 Olivia by Ian Falconer (2000)
#55 Sylvester and the Magic Pebble by William Steig (1969)
#56 The Polar Express by Chris Van Allsburg (1985)
#57 Doctor De Soto by William Steig (1982)
#58 Scaredy Squirrel by Melanie Watt (2006)
#59 Officer Buckle and Gloria by Peggy Rathmann (1995)
#60 There Is a Bird on Your Head by Mo Willems (2007)
#61 How the Grinch Stole Christmas by Dr. Seuss (1957)
#62 Go Away, Big Green Monster! by Ed Emberley (1992)
#63 The Sneetches and Other Stories by Dr. Seuss (1961)
#64 King Bidgood’s in the Bathtub by Audrey Wood, illustrated by Don Wood (1985)
#65 The Arrival by Shaun Tan (2006)
#66 Chrysanthemum by Kevin Henkes (1991)
#67 Bedtime for Frances by Russell Hoban, illustrated by Garth Williams (1960)
#68 The Three Pigs by David Wiesner (2001)
#69 Moo Baa La La La by Sandra Boynton (1995)
#70 Rhyming Dust Bunnies by Jan Thomas (2009)
#71 Stellaluna by Janell Cannon (1993)
#72 But Not the Hippopotamus by Sandra Boynton (1982)
#73 May I Bring a Friend? by Beatrice Schenk de Regniers, illustrated by Beni Montresor (1964)
#74 I Want My Hat Back by Jon Klassen (2011)
#75 Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs by Judi Barrett, illustrated by Ron Barrett (1978)
#76 Eloise by Kay Thompson (1955)
#77 Flotsam by David Wiesner (2006)
#78 Zoom at Sea by Tim Wynne-Jones, illustrated by Eric Beddows (1993)
#79 Pierre by Maurice Sendak (1962)
#80 Madeline’s Rescue by Ludwig Bemelmans (1953)
#81 Fortunately by Remy Charlip (1964)
#82 A Visitor for Bear by Bonny Becker, illustrated by Kady MacDonald Denton (2008)
#83 Bear Snores On by Karma Wilson, illustrated by Jane Chapman (2002)
#84 Not a Box by Antoinette Portis (2006)
#85 The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein (1964)
#86 The Paper Bag Princess by Robert Munsch (1980)
#87 My Lucky Day by Keiko Kasza (2005)
#88 No, David! by David Shannon (1998)
#89 Tikki Tikki Tembo by Arlene Mosel, ill. by Blair Lent (1968)
#91 The Stinky Cheese Man and Other Fairly Stupid Tales by Jon Scieszka, illustrated by Lane Smith (1992)
#90 Arnie the Doughnut by Laurie Keller (2003)
#92 The Gardener by Sarah Steward, illustrated by David Small (1997)
#93 Traction Man is Here! by Mini Grey (2005)
#94 The Mitten by Jan Brett (1989)
#95 The Kissing Hand by Audrey Penn (2007)
#96 Ira Sleeps Over by Bernard Waber (1972)
#97 Where Is the Green Sheep? by Mem Fox, illustrated by Judy Horacek (2004)
#98 Duck On a Bike by David Shannon (2002)
#99 The Maggie B by Irene Haas (1975)
#100 The Carrot Seed by Ruth Krauss, illustrated by Crockett Johnson (1945)
I've read 43 of the 100. That's not bad, but it's not great either. I might make a project out of reading the rest.
For more information on the Top 100 Picture Books Poll, click here.
Friday, August 17, 2012
#FlannelFriday: "Goodnight Mummy" by Roger Stevens
I first used the poem "Goodnight Mummy" by Roger Stevens (from Switching on the Moon: A Very First Book of Bedtime Poems collected by Jane Yolen & Andrew Fusek Peters) in February during the first Stuffed Animal Sleepover I ever hosted. I didn't get the response I expected from a poem I really liked.
As I was planning my Bedtime Preschool Story Time, I wanted a new flannel board story to use. I was inspired to turn "Goodnight Mummy" into an interactive flannel board set.
As I was planning my Bedtime Preschool Story Time, I wanted a new flannel board story to use. I was inspired to turn "Goodnight Mummy" into an interactive flannel board set.
This is the most ambitious flannel project I've undertaken to date. There are 24 individual pieces to this set. I mostly used clipart for patterns with the occasional coloring sheet thrown in. All the pieces are somewhere between 2 and 3 inches. I outlined and added details to all the pieces with puff paint. I'm very pleased with how everything turned out.
Here's how I use this set during story time: I read the poem (which I now have memorized!) and place the pieces on my flannel board. Then I ask the children if they want to help me read it again. I give each child at least one piece to put on the board. After all the pieces are in place again, I read through the poem again with the children helping me. "Goodnight Mummy" reminds me of Goodnight Moon by Margaret Wise Brown.
Thursday, August 16, 2012
The Traitor in the Tunnel by Y. S. Lee
The Agency #3
Mary Quinn's latest assignment for the Agency is rather dull even if it did land her in Buckingham Palace. There's a thief at work within the palace, but with the moratorium on servants' gossip, there have been few leads in the case. James comes back into Mary's life as does another person from her past. The dull, mundane assignment quickly escalates into the most exciting of her career.
What I thought: When I first read The Traitor in the Tunnel, I was under the impression that it was the last book in the series. I have since learned that there will be another book. I couldn't be more pleased, but the following review was written in the frame of mind that it was the last book.
What a book! Mary and James fairly make the pages sizzle and unlike the last book in many trilogies, The Traitor in the Tunnel ties up all loose ends and leaves you feeling good about where the characters are. I think I might commemorate the end of the series by re-reading the whole of it.
I'm looking forward to the 4th book. According to GoodReads, the title is Rivals in the City, but there's no publication date listed. I'm hoping 2013.
(Candlewick, 2012)
Mary Quinn's latest assignment for the Agency is rather dull even if it did land her in Buckingham Palace. There's a thief at work within the palace, but with the moratorium on servants' gossip, there have been few leads in the case. James comes back into Mary's life as does another person from her past. The dull, mundane assignment quickly escalates into the most exciting of her career.
What I thought: When I first read The Traitor in the Tunnel, I was under the impression that it was the last book in the series. I have since learned that there will be another book. I couldn't be more pleased, but the following review was written in the frame of mind that it was the last book.
What a book! Mary and James fairly make the pages sizzle and unlike the last book in many trilogies, The Traitor in the Tunnel ties up all loose ends and leaves you feeling good about where the characters are. I think I might commemorate the end of the series by re-reading the whole of it.
I'm looking forward to the 4th book. According to GoodReads, the title is Rivals in the City, but there's no publication date listed. I'm hoping 2013.
(Candlewick, 2012)
Tuesday, August 14, 2012
Princess of the Wild Swans by Diane Zahler
Like all good fairy tales, this one begins with a stepmother and a curse. The new queen wants her future children to inherit the throne not one of her five stepsons. She turns them into swans and it's up their younger sister Meriel to rescue them.
What I thought: This is a fairy tale I'm less familiar with, but I enjoyed it nonetheless. Meriel is a strong character. I don't know which would be worse--stinging nettles or not speaking. Her friendship with Riona and Liam is nice. Middle Grade retellings are starting to grow on me. I liked Princess of the Wild Swans almost as much as The Princess Curse by Merrie Haskell. I can't wait to see what Zahler writes next.
(Harper, 2012)
What I thought: This is a fairy tale I'm less familiar with, but I enjoyed it nonetheless. Meriel is a strong character. I don't know which would be worse--stinging nettles or not speaking. Her friendship with Riona and Liam is nice. Middle Grade retellings are starting to grow on me. I liked Princess of the Wild Swans almost as much as The Princess Curse by Merrie Haskell. I can't wait to see what Zahler writes next.
(Harper, 2012)
Friday, August 10, 2012
SRP Week 8 Reflection
The end of summer reading has finally arrived. This was a slower week. I only visited 3 of my 4 branches and the day camps all stopped coming last week. I presented 9 programs with an attendance of 123.
All events this week were a bit hectic as I was presenting the programs AND handing out certificates and drawing for prizes. I'm seriously considering not doing a story time or event during the last week and just handing the certificates and prizes next week.
The kids really enjoyed the craft that went along with the Fractured Fairy Tales School Age Event. This is the second time I've used the Three Little Pigs as a theme.
Teen Game Night went well. The teens decided to play Name 5 and then Spoons. One of the teens introduced us to the game of Spoons months ago. Everyone likes it. I think it can even be a bit addictive.
I think all the children enjoyed the reading portion of the program. We had 147 children (birth-age 12) sign up. We had 14 teens sign up. However, only 45.5% of the children completed their logs. 35.7% of the teens completed their logs. Next year, I'm hoping the school visits & registration times during May will see an increase in both sign ups and completion.
In 8 weeks, I presented 115 programs with an attendance of 1,985. I was more prepared this year (my 2nd) than I was last year. Pinterest played quite a role in helping me plan summer reading. It was especially helpful for finding crafts and activities. Here's a link to my Summer Reading Program 2012 board.
For next year, I want to plan earlier and be ready to go. As soon as I receive the manual, I'm going to start planning. I'm also going to dedicate the whole of May to outreach visits to the schools. I'm hoping to increase our community involvement. I'm also going to schedule afternoon/evening and Saturday time for SRP registration. Parents will receive event schedules and a FAQ sheet about the reading portion of the program. They'll receive their logs on the 1st day of the program.
I think I've already said that I plan to separate the day camps from the community programs. At one branch, I also plan to add a second story time session. The attendance was great, but I think it would work better with 2 smaller sessions.
If the weather cooperates and school ends when it's projected to, I plan to start my 2013 summer reading program the first week of June and wrap it up by the end of July.
Well, that ends my Summer Reading Reflections for this year. I hope you've enjoyed them.
All events this week were a bit hectic as I was presenting the programs AND handing out certificates and drawing for prizes. I'm seriously considering not doing a story time or event during the last week and just handing the certificates and prizes next week.
The kids really enjoyed the craft that went along with the Fractured Fairy Tales School Age Event. This is the second time I've used the Three Little Pigs as a theme.
Teen Game Night went well. The teens decided to play Name 5 and then Spoons. One of the teens introduced us to the game of Spoons months ago. Everyone likes it. I think it can even be a bit addictive.
I think all the children enjoyed the reading portion of the program. We had 147 children (birth-age 12) sign up. We had 14 teens sign up. However, only 45.5% of the children completed their logs. 35.7% of the teens completed their logs. Next year, I'm hoping the school visits & registration times during May will see an increase in both sign ups and completion.
In 8 weeks, I presented 115 programs with an attendance of 1,985. I was more prepared this year (my 2nd) than I was last year. Pinterest played quite a role in helping me plan summer reading. It was especially helpful for finding crafts and activities. Here's a link to my Summer Reading Program 2012 board.
For next year, I want to plan earlier and be ready to go. As soon as I receive the manual, I'm going to start planning. I'm also going to dedicate the whole of May to outreach visits to the schools. I'm hoping to increase our community involvement. I'm also going to schedule afternoon/evening and Saturday time for SRP registration. Parents will receive event schedules and a FAQ sheet about the reading portion of the program. They'll receive their logs on the 1st day of the program.
I think I've already said that I plan to separate the day camps from the community programs. At one branch, I also plan to add a second story time session. The attendance was great, but I think it would work better with 2 smaller sessions.
If the weather cooperates and school ends when it's projected to, I plan to start my 2013 summer reading program the first week of June and wrap it up by the end of July.
Well, that ends my Summer Reading Reflections for this year. I hope you've enjoyed them.
#FlannelFriday: Blue Ted Said
I was excited when I saw Library Quine's Red Ted Said flannel board set. She linked back to Sarah at Reading Rabbit who posted her version the week before and also to the free patterns at Making Learning Fun.
I liked the changes Library Quine made to the rhyme. I adapted it a little further because I didn't make a red teddy bear.
I used this felt set during my 2nd Stuffed Animal Sleepover of the Summer Reading Program. I may also use it during my last 2 preschool story times (Bedtime and Pajamas).
You may not notice, but the green bear looks like he had the measles. His face messed up, so I just turned him over. I encountered a slight problem (the paint came through), but I thought he was still salvageable.
I liked the changes Library Quine made to the rhyme. I adapted it a little further because I didn't make a red teddy bear.
I used this felt set during my 2nd Stuffed Animal Sleepover of the Summer Reading Program. I may also use it during my last 2 preschool story times (Bedtime and Pajamas).
You may not notice, but the green bear looks like he had the measles. His face messed up, so I just turned him over. I encountered a slight problem (the paint came through), but I thought he was still salvageable.
Thursday, August 9, 2012
Animal Masqurade by Marianne Dubuc
A masquerade ball for the animals...what will they go dressed as? They choose a surprising array of disguises.
What I thought: This is a fun book! I may use it for a party themed story time or around Halloween for a costumes themed story time. The animals' disguises are hilarious. The illustrations are nice. I think they're done with colored pencils which is one of my favorite mediums. I like this French import, and I think my story time kids will as well.
Story Time Themes: Party, Costumes, Animal Antics
(Kids Can Press, 2012)
What I thought: This is a fun book! I may use it for a party themed story time or around Halloween for a costumes themed story time. The animals' disguises are hilarious. The illustrations are nice. I think they're done with colored pencils which is one of my favorite mediums. I like this French import, and I think my story time kids will as well.
Story Time Themes: Party, Costumes, Animal Antics
(Kids Can Press, 2012)
Tuesday, August 7, 2012
One Special Day by Lola M. Schaefer
Summary from amazon.com: Does having a new brother or sister make you into MORE than you already are? Spencer is about to find out. He’s as strong as a bear, as funny as a monkey, and as wild as a tiger. But on one special day, everything changes. Now Spencer is strong, funny, wild, brave, free... and gentle, too.
What I thought: One Special Day is a sweet, wonderful story. I love the simplicity of the text. The illustrations are gorgeous. It was hard to pick a favorite as I like them all, but I suppose if I had to pick I'd pick the family picnic with all the animals looking on. I need to do a siblings story time. This book would be perfect.
(Illus. Jessica Meserve. Disney Hyperion, 2012)
What I thought: One Special Day is a sweet, wonderful story. I love the simplicity of the text. The illustrations are gorgeous. It was hard to pick a favorite as I like them all, but I suppose if I had to pick I'd pick the family picnic with all the animals looking on. I need to do a siblings story time. This book would be perfect.
(Illus. Jessica Meserve. Disney Hyperion, 2012)
Monday, August 6, 2012
SRP Week 7 Reflection
Only 1 more week to go! This week, I presented 16 programs with an attendance of 182.
The bedtime preschool story time went well. Interrupting Chicken is one of my favorite books to read aloud. My felt version of the poem "Goodnight Mummy" by Roger Stevens (from Switching on the Moon...will be my #FlannelFriday post on August 17) was a big hit with the kids. I couldn't find a coloring sheet to go with the bedtime theme so I made my own. I typed the words "My Quilt" and added a 4 column by 5 row table in a word document. The kids can then use the sheet to color and design their own quilts.
It was hard to find books that were scary, but not too scary for the Shivery Bedtime Stories school age event. The Book that Eats People came the closest, but I still wasn't happy with the books or the kids' reactions. The craft was a hit. It's been a long time since I made coffee filter ghosts.
I was very excited about the Tween Night Themed Paper Crafts events. I used Pinterest heavily to find ideas for the event. The only money I had to invest was on some scrapbook paper. Everything else, I either had at the library or I could bring from home. It wasn't a hard event to prepare for. I just had to gather the supplies and make copies of the patterns and instructions. The day dawned bright, the event was a bust. No one showed up. It was the tax free weekend in my state. I suppose everyone was too busy with school shopping to come to the library. Never fear! I'll use the ideas here and there, so it won't be a total waste.
The Teen After Hours Party was a rousing success. We had 8 teens attend and I think a good time was had by all. I didn't have a set agenda in mind. I let the teens vote on the movie and game. I then asked them what they wanted to do first. Eat, of course. I had leftover supplies from the Edible Crafts event at another branch, so we also made owl cupcakes and Oreo bats while we snacked. Playing Name 5 on teams was fun. Some of the questions we couldn't answer, but we had fun. The top 3 movie choices were The Voyage of the Dawn Treader, Inkheart, and Prince Caspian. We made popcorn and also enjoyed the snacks from the start of the event. At the end of the night, I pressed Fall schedules into all their hands. I'm hoping our fall teen events do as well as the After Hours Party did.
The last Stuffed Animal Sleepover was a slight disappointment. I only had 1 little boy show up. Nevertheless, I did story time and took pictures afterward. Here's a link to the pictures.
Next week will be hectic because reading logs are due. I have certificates and gift certificates to hand out as well as drawing for the prizes in each age group. I can't say I'm sorry for Summer Reading to be ending. I'm ready for a break!
The bedtime preschool story time went well. Interrupting Chicken is one of my favorite books to read aloud. My felt version of the poem "Goodnight Mummy" by Roger Stevens (from Switching on the Moon...will be my #FlannelFriday post on August 17) was a big hit with the kids. I couldn't find a coloring sheet to go with the bedtime theme so I made my own. I typed the words "My Quilt" and added a 4 column by 5 row table in a word document. The kids can then use the sheet to color and design their own quilts.
It was hard to find books that were scary, but not too scary for the Shivery Bedtime Stories school age event. The Book that Eats People came the closest, but I still wasn't happy with the books or the kids' reactions. The craft was a hit. It's been a long time since I made coffee filter ghosts.
I was very excited about the Tween Night Themed Paper Crafts events. I used Pinterest heavily to find ideas for the event. The only money I had to invest was on some scrapbook paper. Everything else, I either had at the library or I could bring from home. It wasn't a hard event to prepare for. I just had to gather the supplies and make copies of the patterns and instructions. The day dawned bright, the event was a bust. No one showed up. It was the tax free weekend in my state. I suppose everyone was too busy with school shopping to come to the library. Never fear! I'll use the ideas here and there, so it won't be a total waste.
The Teen After Hours Party was a rousing success. We had 8 teens attend and I think a good time was had by all. I didn't have a set agenda in mind. I let the teens vote on the movie and game. I then asked them what they wanted to do first. Eat, of course. I had leftover supplies from the Edible Crafts event at another branch, so we also made owl cupcakes and Oreo bats while we snacked. Playing Name 5 on teams was fun. Some of the questions we couldn't answer, but we had fun. The top 3 movie choices were The Voyage of the Dawn Treader, Inkheart, and Prince Caspian. We made popcorn and also enjoyed the snacks from the start of the event. At the end of the night, I pressed Fall schedules into all their hands. I'm hoping our fall teen events do as well as the After Hours Party did.
The last Stuffed Animal Sleepover was a slight disappointment. I only had 1 little boy show up. Nevertheless, I did story time and took pictures afterward. Here's a link to the pictures.
Next week will be hectic because reading logs are due. I have certificates and gift certificates to hand out as well as drawing for the prizes in each age group. I can't say I'm sorry for Summer Reading to be ending. I'm ready for a break!
Friday, August 3, 2012
#FlannelFriday: The Mixed-Up Chameleon by Eric Carle
I first encountered The Mixed-Up Chameleon by Eric Carle when I used it to kick off a series of color themed preschool story times back in the winter and spring.
Not long after that, I saw the felt set Miss Mary from Miss Mary Liberry created. She mentioned the free patterns came from Storytime Magic.
When I was planning my Dreams and Wishes preschool story time for this year's Summer Reading Program, The Mixed-Up Chameleon seemed like the perfect book to adapt into a flannel board story.
If I had to make this set again, I would only use puff paint for details, not outlines. Does anyone else have a problem with the puff paint getting stuck to the other pieces?
Not long after that, I saw the felt set Miss Mary from Miss Mary Liberry created. She mentioned the free patterns came from Storytime Magic.
When I was planning my Dreams and Wishes preschool story time for this year's Summer Reading Program, The Mixed-Up Chameleon seemed like the perfect book to adapt into a flannel board story.
If I had to make this set again, I would only use puff paint for details, not outlines. Does anyone else have a problem with the puff paint getting stuck to the other pieces?
Thursday, August 2, 2012
Big Bear Hug by Nicholas Oldland
This bear loves to hug. He'll hug anything, but his favorite thing to hug is trees. When he finds a man with an ax in the forest, he doesn't feel very hugging.
What I thought: I loved Big Bear Hug! I can't wait to pair it with Hugless Douglas. The story is sweet and the illustrations are nice. I find it interesting that the human is the only figure that has outlines. My favorite illustrations are hugging rabbit, hugging moose, and hugging the tree (last page).
Story Time Themes: Hugging, Arbor Day, Trees
(Kids Can Press, 2012)
What I thought: I loved Big Bear Hug! I can't wait to pair it with Hugless Douglas. The story is sweet and the illustrations are nice. I find it interesting that the human is the only figure that has outlines. My favorite illustrations are hugging rabbit, hugging moose, and hugging the tree (last page).
Story Time Themes: Hugging, Arbor Day, Trees
(Kids Can Press, 2012)
Wednesday, August 1, 2012
SRP Week 6 Reflection
Another busy week this week, but there are only 2 more weeks of the Summer Reading Program left. This week I presented 13 programs with an attendance of 245.
I was very pleased with how my Dreams & Wishes preschool story time went. I didn't change anything as the week progressed. (I did shorten it sometimes to just the flannel story and the last book if time was short.) The kids loved my flannel version of The Mixed-Up Chameleon by Eric Carle. They laughed and laughed as he made his wishes. Old Bear by Kevin Henkes is a beautiful book. I can't wait to use it again. I think I might have an all Henkes story time in the spring.
The Dreamers & Doers school age event went well, but it was rather short. I only read 1 book, the kids all told what they wanted to be when they grow up, and then we did the drawing activity. I enjoyed learning more about Jane Goodall.
I used the same agenda for my 3rd Stuffed Animal Sleepover as I did for the 2nd. It worked great, but seemed a little short. I may add another book or activity to bump it up to a full 30 minutes. This sleepover may end up having the highest attendance. Eight kids brought animals to the sleepover. Here's a link to the pictures.
Only 2 more weeks to go! The summer has flown by and I'm honestly ready for a little break. Next week is going to be busy with the usual preschool story times and school age events as well as a Stuffed Animal Sleepover (the last of the summer), a teen event, and a tween event. The Summer Reading Program ends next week at one of my branches because the children will be back in school the week after.
I was very pleased with how my Dreams & Wishes preschool story time went. I didn't change anything as the week progressed. (I did shorten it sometimes to just the flannel story and the last book if time was short.) The kids loved my flannel version of The Mixed-Up Chameleon by Eric Carle. They laughed and laughed as he made his wishes. Old Bear by Kevin Henkes is a beautiful book. I can't wait to use it again. I think I might have an all Henkes story time in the spring.
The Dreamers & Doers school age event went well, but it was rather short. I only read 1 book, the kids all told what they wanted to be when they grow up, and then we did the drawing activity. I enjoyed learning more about Jane Goodall.
I used the same agenda for my 3rd Stuffed Animal Sleepover as I did for the 2nd. It worked great, but seemed a little short. I may add another book or activity to bump it up to a full 30 minutes. This sleepover may end up having the highest attendance. Eight kids brought animals to the sleepover. Here's a link to the pictures.
Only 2 more weeks to go! The summer has flown by and I'm honestly ready for a little break. Next week is going to be busy with the usual preschool story times and school age events as well as a Stuffed Animal Sleepover (the last of the summer), a teen event, and a tween event. The Summer Reading Program ends next week at one of my branches because the children will be back in school the week after.