So true!!!!!! When boys are reading so much less than girls, series like Captain Underpants, Wimpy Kid, and My Weird School are the perfect remedy! Even girls who are relectant readers love these series! This article applauds "gross out series" for their ability to promote reading!
Boys trail girls in reading; can fart jokes help? | accessAtlanta
Unfortunately, not everyone agrees that raunchy humor is best for their children. In an article from May's issue of SLJ (I know, I know, I'm behind in my print reading!!!), Dan Gutman defends himself after an angry parent sends him a letter attacking his My Weird School series.
How I Corrupted America's Youth: Getting Angry Letters is No Laughing Matter & the Same Goes For Censorship
Saturday, July 31, 2010
Lemony Snicket's New Series: Hopefully Still Coming in 2012??
It's been a year since the articles were released about Lemony Snicket's (aka Daniel Handler)upcoming four book series which is to be released in 2012, and since then, I've heard no new news on the topic. Hopefully, like they (whoever "they" are) say, no news is good news, and the series is moving along swimmingly. If you're anything like me, you're on your seats in anticipation! I ADORED the Series of Unfortunate Events and can only hope that this much shorter series is just as gratifying! Well,as "they" *looks over shoulders* say, patience is a virtue! Two more years until we find out! Lemony Snicket Threatens a "Dreadful New Series"
Friday, July 30, 2010
Webite for Planning School/Library Carnivals!
Here's a great website for those of us in schools or libraries that get to do fun outdoor (or indoor) carnival-style programs! Enjoy!
Helpful Guide to Planning a School Carnival
Helpful Guide to Planning a School Carnival
Reading Rockets: ABCs of Teaching Reading
For those of you--teachers and children's librarians-- who are involved in early childhood literacy, here is an excellent teaching rescource with tools for parents, teachers, librarians, and more! Such an awesome website! Check it out!
Reading Rockets: ABCs of Teaching Reading
Reading Rockets: ABCs of Teaching Reading
I LOVE Goodreads!
One of my favorite websites is goodreads.com! I imagine that most of you are already aware of it (and on it), but if you're not, let me just say that it is one of the best ways to learn about and share books of all genres! Check it out!
quality="high" wmode="transparent"
FlashVars="id=1200372&shelf=read&title=Jen's bookshelf: read&host=www.goodreads.com&sort=date_added&order=d¶ms=amazon,,dest_site,">
quality="high" wmode="transparent"
FlashVars="id=1200372&shelf=read&title=Jen's bookshelf: read&host=www.goodreads.com&sort=date_added&order=d¶ms=amazon,,dest_site,">
Waxing Nostalgic: Playdough Recipe from Instrucables
Ahh, I recall many a fun summer spent at my Aunt Jo's house, crafting away at one project or another. Whether it was baking multi-layered cakes, sewing quilts, or finger painting with tooth paste and chocolate syrup, Jamie (my sister) and I always had a blast! But one of our favorite things to do was to make our own playdough (my favorite, because I liked to build and create with it, and Jamie's favorite, because she liked to eat it--it is, after all non toxic). Always a great storytime recipe, here's a great one from Instructables: http://www.instructables.com/id/How-to-Make-Playdough-Play-doh/.
Playdough Recipe from Instructables
Ahh, I recall many a fun summer spent at my Aunt Jo's house, crafting away at one project or another. Whether it was baking multi-layered cakes, sewing quilts, or finger painting with tooth paste and chocolate syrup, Jamie (my sister) and I always had a blast! But one of our favorite things to do was to make our own playdough (my favorite, because I liked to build and create with it, and Jamie's favorite, because she liked to eat it--it is, after all non toxic). Always a great storytime recipe: playdough! Here's a great one from Instructables
Thursday, July 29, 2010
Literary Agent's E-Book Publishing Arrangement Sparks Strong Industry Reaction | Bookselling This Week
Literary Agent's E-Book Publishing Arrangement Sparks Strong Industry Reaction Bookselling This Week
This is scary. It's twenty books to begin. Can he add more? Will other literary agents follow suit???
This is scary. It's twenty books to begin. Can he add more? Will other literary agents follow suit???
The Pigeon "Tweets"
So, I just discovered that one of my all-time favorite children's book authors, Mo Willems, is on twitter. No, strike that. Not Mo, but rather, his pigeon, is on twitter. How awesome is that??? http://twitter.com/The_Pigeon Oh, and btw, extremely thrilling news (if you haven't already heard): Mo Willems has written a third book in the Knuffle Bunny series which is due to come out in September! Yay! http://mowillemsstuff.blogspot.com/2010/07/knuffle-bunny-free.html.
I <3 Mo! Guess who one of his newest follower is?! -->http://twitter.com/jenmthomas
I <3 Mo! Guess who one of his newest follower is?! -->http://twitter.com/jenmthomas
National Gaming Day @ Your Library
It's Coming Up! 11/13/10!
Here's more information, if you're interested: http://ngd.ala.org/.
Here's more information, if you're interested: http://ngd.ala.org/.
Dav Pilkey Trades Underpants for Time Travel
Dav Pilkey Trades Underpants for Time Travel
Perhaps he was tired of getting letters from his adoring fans, asking if he was dead??? No matter what the reason, I am so very happy that Dav Pilkey is writing again!!!! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you Dav! I have missed you so!!!
Perhaps he was tired of getting letters from his adoring fans, asking if he was dead??? No matter what the reason, I am so very happy that Dav Pilkey is writing again!!!! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you Dav! I have missed you so!!!
Party in the Library
This is one of the funniest library youtube videos I've seen! Thanks to Ashley Culbertson for finding it!!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o2oVTs5pI8Q
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o2oVTs5pI8Q
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
A Year of Books!
Yippee! A whole year of books ahead of us! http://www.themillions.com/2010/07/most-anticipated-summer-reading-2010-and-beyond-the-great-2010-book-preview-continued.html
The Purple Kangaroo
Are you looking for an awesome book to share with early elementary students??? Well here it is!!!! The Purple Kangaroo, by comedian Michael Ian Black (Chicken Cheeks, I Love the 80s) is an interactive, not to mention, totally hilarious picture book, narrated by a monkey who claims he can "read minds!" I used this book throughout summer reading promos, and the kids loved it! Just be sure to get plenty of practice! There are some serious mouthfuls (but it's worth it for all the laughs)! Enjoy! http://www.amazon.com/gp/mpd/permalink/m12L232K4W5WH5
Pete the Cat - I Love My White Shoes - Live Telling
I loveloveLOVE this book!!!! Thank you so much to my friend, the wondrous children's librarian, Angie Grandstaff, for posting this! It so perfect for storytime!!! Especially COLOR storytime (great to pair with Dog's Colorful Day!)
Children's Review: The Search for WondLa
Children's Review: The Search for WondLa
Hooray! A chance for Tony DiTerlizzi to redeem himself after that dreadful Meno series (blechblechblech!)! What was he thinking with Meno???? Ugh! A third person-speaking little elf/alien Well, in fact, explains (in some strange manner) exactly what he, along with his lovely wife Angela, was attemping to do in this video: http://www.amazon.com/gp/mpd/permalink/m1DI523XJ0Z47D. As envident by their behavior in this video, it is obvious that the DiTerlizzis were taken over by pod people and forced to write the Meno series, books which exist only to hinder the growth intellictual growth and to reverse that which children have already attained! Fortunately, it seems that these alien parasites have died off, leaving the DiTerlizzis as good as new! Phew! I look forward to reading WondLa, which has already received a starred review from SLJ. And if you're looking for a good DiTerlizzi picture book (not Meno) to tide you over until he comes out with something new in that genre (fingers crossed, the Meno bug's out of his system!!!), try the wonderfully imaginative Ted http://www.amazon.com/Ted-Tony-DiTerlizzi/dp/0689863748/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1280345636&sr=8-1
or, in all its teaching slendor, the antithesis to Meno, G is for One Gzonk http://www.amazon.com/G-One-Gzonk-Alpha-number-bet-Book/dp/0689852908/ref=pd_sim_b_4 .
Hooray! A chance for Tony DiTerlizzi to redeem himself after that dreadful Meno series (blechblechblech!)! What was he thinking with Meno???? Ugh! A third person-speaking little elf/alien Well, in fact, explains (in some strange manner) exactly what he, along with his lovely wife Angela, was attemping to do in this video: http://www.amazon.com/gp/mpd/permalink/m1DI523XJ0Z47D. As envident by their behavior in this video, it is obvious that the DiTerlizzis were taken over by pod people and forced to write the Meno series, books which exist only to hinder the growth intellictual growth and to reverse that which children have already attained! Fortunately, it seems that these alien parasites have died off, leaving the DiTerlizzis as good as new! Phew! I look forward to reading WondLa, which has already received a starred review from SLJ. And if you're looking for a good DiTerlizzi picture book (not Meno) to tide you over until he comes out with something new in that genre (fingers crossed, the Meno bug's out of his system!!!), try the wonderfully imaginative Ted http://www.amazon.com/Ted-Tony-DiTerlizzi/dp/0689863748/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1280345636&sr=8-1
or, in all its teaching slendor, the antithesis to Meno, G is for One Gzonk http://www.amazon.com/G-One-Gzonk-Alpha-number-bet-Book/dp/0689852908/ref=pd_sim_b_4 .
Fox, Shawn Levy have 'No Good, Very Bad Day' - Entertainment News, Film News, Media - Variety
Fox, Shawn Levy have 'No Good, Very Bad Day' - Entertainment News, Film News, Media - Variety
Hooray! Yet another super-duper classic to be adapted for screen! I hope it won't be as disappointing as Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs! *fingers crossed*
Hooray! Yet another super-duper classic to be adapted for screen! I hope it won't be as disappointing as Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs! *fingers crossed*
Cool Idea of the Day: The 'Art of Filling a Bookshelf'
Cool Idea of the Day: The 'Art of Filling a Bookshelf'
Hahahaha! See, Joe! It doesn't have to be alphabetical!!!!
Hahahaha! See, Joe! It doesn't have to be alphabetical!!!!
The Art of Filling a Bookshelf (haha! it doesn't have to be organized, Joe!!!)
Yes, I'll admit it, I have a few books (ok, more than a few books) but it's nice to know that I don't HAVE to keep them in any particular order (at least, not according to this article). Phew!
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
Next 'Twilight' installments on track - Entertainment News, Film News, Media - Variety
Next 'Twilight' installments on track - Entertainment News, Film News, Media - Variety
Ugh! Blech! The last is my least favorite of the books! If I didn't love and respect library books so much, I would have hurled it across the room in rage (in fact, in my mind, that's just what I did, over and over and over again!)! Stupid book! Ridiculous, awful, detestable piece of junk pretending to be YA literature! Ruiner of a semi-decent series! Actually, I thank you, silly book. You opened my eyes. You made me realize just how ridiculous the entire series actually was (not that I won't give it to young teens, looking for a good sappy vampire teen angst read--I will because I love when anyone wants to read!). Besides, what normal teenage girl (or anyone, for that matter) doesn't want the hottest guys (or girls) fighting for her affections??? *sigh* Edward or Jacob??? How can one decide?????!!!!!!
Me? I prefer Scott Westerfeld's Uglies/Pretties/Specials serieshttp://www.amazon.com/Uglies-Boxed-Set-Pretties-Specials/dp/1416936408/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1280284434&sr=1-1 , or even (if you want to stick with Stephanie Meyer) The Host http://www.amazon.com/Host-Novel-Stephenie-Meyer/dp/0316068055/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1280284348&sr=8-1.
You won't like everything you read (believe me, I know!), and actually, it's kinda fun to find things you don't like! It certainly makes for interesting (and heated) discussions! No matter what, as long as you read, you're a-ok in my book (as long as you don't throw the books!)! :-D
Awards: Canadian Children's Book Centre
Awards: Canadian Children's Book Centre
How is it that I'm not familiar with Canadian titles??? Sheesh! I'm a huge fan of English and Australian authors and illustrators. I feel so ashamed ashamed. I'm going to have to investigate children's literature of our neighbors to the north!
'The Help' exclusive: Allison Janney joins the cast
'The Help' exclusive: Allison Janney joins the cast
I just love hearing that awesome books are being made into movies! I already knew this one was coming, but it's great to learn that Allison Janney will be in it! Hooray! Great news! Can't wait! If you haven't read the book, I highly HIGHLY recommend it! It was one of our favorite bookclub picks! http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=the+help&x=0&y=0&ih=4_1_0_1_0_0_0_2_0_1.2_99&fsc=6
And of course, you'll want to have read it before you go see the movie!!!!!
The Help Movie: Future Field Trip!!!!!! Eeeeee!
And of course, you'll want to have read it before you go see the movie!!!!!
Point It: Traveller's Language Kit by Dieter Graf
Oh my goodness! What a brilliant idea! Ok, so, perhaps, not as useful as actually LEARNING the language of the country you're going to visit. But let's be honest, if you don't already know the native language, you're not likely to pick it up in the few the few months before your departure date. This book, Point It, seems to be the next best thing to learning the language, and is certainly a better alternative to grunting and miming! We don't have it in our collection, and I see that Columbus doesn't have it in theirs either (hrmmmm). I'll hafta see what I can do about our collection hole! :-D
PS Here's a great interview with David Del Vecchio, owner of Idlewild Books, in which he discusses the trickiness of travelling to countries without knowing the language, and also in which he points out that some of his customers have used Point It on their travels and have been quite happy with the results. http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704111704575354670834375834.html?mod=googlenews_wsj
Selena Gomez, Joey King in Miami Borders Bookstore for new movie 'Ramona and Beezus' - details
Hooray for books being made into movies! And a HIP HIP (with a double flip)HOORAY for those movies that are made from children's books! I am so very happy that the Romona books are popular again!!! Not that they weren't being read, but this summer we couldn't keep them on the shelves!!! And at our library we know darn well that it's because of the new Romona and Beezus movie that just came out! So thank you Hollywood and Selena Gomez (I wouldn't have a clue who you were if I weren't a children's librarian - nor would I know about Justin Bieber-*gasp*"whatta hunk!!!"). Thank you, Hollywood, for making so many books and book series popular! I realize you're not doing it for the libraries (or who knows, maybe you are. I don't know you. I don't have the right to judge you. Maybe you go to the Hollywood Library, and have little children who love books and want to make movies for them. Who knows. Maybe I should just be quiet and appreciate our symbiotic relationship. Yes, I think I'll do just that.) Thank you book movies! Please, Hollywood, keep 'em coming!!!!!
To E-Read or not to E-Read???
Yes, lately, I've been putting serious consideration into purchasing an e-book reader. But which one? I've been hesitant to get a Kindle due to its lack of ability to read any format other format other than kindle e-books (although, I have a handful of friends who have kindles, who use them for different purposes--books, newspapers, etc, and who all adore them). I also have a friend who has an ipad (snicker snicker-what a silly name!), and who really enjoys it. After the winter holiday season, a lot of people at our library came in with new Sony Readers, and they all seem to enjoy them (and all keep asking when we're going to get e-books for them to check out).
Now there's this new Sharp E-book reader is coming out. It seems pretty interesting and affordable, too.
Still, as far as I'm concerned, libraries are the most cost effective way to go. My friend Kit was talking about how inexpensive e-books are for the kindle, to which I responded, yes, but are they free? Library books are free. I read at least two a week (not to mention all the children's [picture books). Even at $10, it would cost me $80 a month in e-books for the e-reader. Until libraries are able to offer e-books for e-book readers (and I definitely see this happening in the near future), I'll stick with my free library books.
PS Did you here that last month, the number of Amazon's kindle e-books sold outnumbered hardback books (143 kindle books for every 1 hardback!!!)??? Check it out! http://www.extraspace.com/news/post/2010/07/19/Ebooks-Driving-Hardcovers-into-Collector-Status-Faster-Than-Previously-Predicted.aspx
Salutations!
Since facebook and twitter are private, and google reader is just as tricky to find and follow, I've decided to use Blogger as a means by which to share all my favorite thoughts and links to super fun books and library fabulosity! Hooray! Some are things that have been shared by friends (that I'll be reposting) and when this occurs, I'll be sure to give props to whomever first shared the treasured find. Anyhoo, I'm so excited to be be a part of the blogosphere--ooooooooEEEEEEoooooo!!!!!!!! Now on to zeeeee fantastic links!!!
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