Kudos to First Book and Share Our Strength who are making sure this summer that little tummy's and minds stay nourished!
http://blog.firstbook.org/2014/07/18/no_kid_hungry/
Sunday, July 20, 2014
Keeping Young Minds and Tummy's Nourished All Summer Long!
Kudos to First Book and Share Our Strength who are making sure this summer that little tummy's and minds stay nourished!
http://blog.firstbook.org/2014/07/18/no_kid_hungry/
Wednesday, July 16, 2014
Congratulations to the first winner of the Lemony Snicket Prize for Noble Librarians Faced with Adversity
Congratulations to Laurence Copel, the recipient of the very first Lemony Snicket Prize for Noble Librarians Faced with Adversity. To read more about Ms. Copel and her efforts in New Orleans, please click on the link below.
http://www.cbcbooks.org/first-lemony-snicket-prize-awarded-to-lower-9th-ward-librarian/#.U9bZ4G9X-uZ
http://www.cbcbooks.org/first-lemony-snicket-prize-awarded-to-lower-9th-ward-librarian/#.U9bZ4G9X-uZ
Sunday, July 13, 2014
Summer Reading Programs to Help Keep Your Little Ones Glued to a Book!
Numerous research studies conducted throughout the years have concluded that the amount of reading a child is able to accomplish outside of the classroom setting is consistently correlated to their reading achievements once school is back in session. Now is the perfect time to consider enrolling your child into a summer reading program. Summer reading programs can provide your children with a multitude of educational and enjoyable opportunities to continue to advance their reading skills. With so many local and national programs, such as the ones featured below, you're bound to find the right program for your little one.
Happy Reading!
Barnes & Noble
Barnes & Noble's summer reading program has long been a favorite in our household. When my son was seven years-old, he was so thrilled when he won the contest that year. Every completed journal that was handed in was entered into a raffle at the conclusion of that year's program, and he received a personally autographed Magic Tree House book signed by the author herself, Mary Pope Osborne). To this day, he still has this treasured book (specifically #38- Monday with a Mad Genius) kept safely tucked away in his very crowded bookshelf!
Each year's program is themed, and this year's is called Imagination Destination. The program is very simple---- when your little ones read and record eight (8) books on the journal sheet (which are often found right in the store's children's section featured in a display), as well as the reasons why they would recommend the book that they finished reading. Bring the completed journal to any Barnes & Noble between now through September 2, 2014, and your little one can choose a free book from the grade appropriate list placed on the back of the journal. To print out the reading journal sheet, or for further information, please visit the following: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/u/summer-reading/379003570/
Pizza Hut's Book It! Summer Reading Challenge
Inspired by a former Pizza Hut CEO's child's struggles with reading, Book It! helps to motivate children to read by rewarding their success through praise and the opportunity to get their very own free pan pizza! Now in it's 29th year, Pizza Hut's Book It! is currently being used in over 38,000 elementary school classrooms nationwide. Now, the program's benefits to children can continue all summer long with the Pizza Hut's Book It! Summer Reading Challenge. For children in grades K thru 6th, the challenge program is made up of an interesting mix of book recommendations, recipes for readers, printables, games and activity calendars. Visit online to complete the entry form, or download a printable version at: http://www.bookitprogram.com/
Scholastic's Summer Challenge
Kids, schools and teachers can register on Scholastic's website to participate in this free, worldwide reading program that works to help motivate children to continue to keep reading during their summer breaks. Once they have registered, children and schools will be able to log in their reading minutes, and this gives them the opportunity to earn rewards. This year's challenge is to beat last year's record setting 176,438, 473 reading minutes to set a new world record! The twenty (20) schools registered with the most minutes will be featured in Scholastic's Book of World Records. Teacher's, schools and families can register their children in grades K thru 8th starting today through September 5th, 2014 at: scholastic.com/summer
Sylvan's Book Adventure
Launched in April of 1999, Sylvan's Book Adventure assists children in grades K through 8 with finding books, offers quizzes on what they have read and enables them to be able to earn prizes along the way for their reading successes. Families will create an account by selecting a user name and password, and can follow along with the prompts to register. Once registered, children will be able to search for books in the "Book Finder" section, and can go back online to take a quiz. Families as well as educators alike can track their child's/student's progress through the "Reports" section. I appreciated the fact that Sylvan's Book Adventure's website includes special sections for children, parents and teachers that provide tips on creating your own personal reading challenges as well as video tutorials about the program. For further information, please visit: www.bookadventure.com
Random House Kids Step Into Reading Summer Reading Challenge
The Step Into Reading book series has inspired Random House's Summer Reading Challenge. When children read three or more of the series of grade/reading level appropriate books, and when they register the titles on the downloadable form and send it in, they will receive free specialized lunch bags. Please visit the following link for the downloadable registration form, as well as for exploring fun activities including word searches and scrambles at: http://www.stepintoreading.com/uploads/assets/activities/66bcde7c49ac91b0499146c1b84c3bf9e2432e08.pdf
Pottery Barn Kids Summer Reading Challenge
When children between the ages of 10 and younger read eight (8) books between now and July 31st, 2014 from the Pottery Barn Kids Summer Reading Challenge Book List, and return the sheet to your local participating Pottery Barn Kids store, they will be able to receive a free book. Please click on the following link to check out the list of well-suitable and enjoyable tales for your little ones to choose from: http://www.potterybarnkids.com/customer-service/store-events.html?cm_ven=SocialMedia&cm
_cat=Blog&cm_ite=PBSKidsEvent
TD Bank Summer Reading
In an effort to help continue to keep children's literacy development skills growing during the summer months, as well as a way to introduce the importance of starting their very own savings account, TD Bank has initiated their own Summer Reading program. Children in Kindergarten thru 5th grade must read ten (10) books, and register their books on the downloadable Summer Reading form. Once the book form has been completed, take the form to your local TD Bank branch to receive $10.00 in a new or existing Young Saver Account. To find a local TD Bank branch, please visit: http://www.tdbank.com and to print out a downloadable form, please visit: http://www.tdbank.com/summerreading/
Showcase Cinemas
At participating Showcase Cinemas nationwide, every Wednesday at 10 a.m. from now until August 13th have been designated as "Bookworm Wednesday". When children bring a completed book report with them on a book that they have read, they will be able to select the special "Bookworm Wednesday" movie and attend for free! Please visit the following link for further information: http://www.showcasecinemas.com/programs/kids-and-families/bookwormwed
Happy Reading!
Barnes & Noble's summer reading program has long been a favorite in our household. When my son was seven years-old, he was so thrilled when he won the contest that year. Every completed journal that was handed in was entered into a raffle at the conclusion of that year's program, and he received a personally autographed Magic Tree House book signed by the author herself, Mary Pope Osborne). To this day, he still has this treasured book (specifically #38- Monday with a Mad Genius) kept safely tucked away in his very crowded bookshelf!
Each year's program is themed, and this year's is called Imagination Destination. The program is very simple---- when your little ones read and record eight (8) books on the journal sheet (which are often found right in the store's children's section featured in a display), as well as the reasons why they would recommend the book that they finished reading. Bring the completed journal to any Barnes & Noble between now through September 2, 2014, and your little one can choose a free book from the grade appropriate list placed on the back of the journal. To print out the reading journal sheet, or for further information, please visit the following: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/u/summer-reading/379003570/
Inspired by a former Pizza Hut CEO's child's struggles with reading, Book It! helps to motivate children to read by rewarding their success through praise and the opportunity to get their very own free pan pizza! Now in it's 29th year, Pizza Hut's Book It! is currently being used in over 38,000 elementary school classrooms nationwide. Now, the program's benefits to children can continue all summer long with the Pizza Hut's Book It! Summer Reading Challenge. For children in grades K thru 6th, the challenge program is made up of an interesting mix of book recommendations, recipes for readers, printables, games and activity calendars. Visit online to complete the entry form, or download a printable version at: http://www.bookitprogram.com/
Scholastic's Summer Challenge
Kids, schools and teachers can register on Scholastic's website to participate in this free, worldwide reading program that works to help motivate children to continue to keep reading during their summer breaks. Once they have registered, children and schools will be able to log in their reading minutes, and this gives them the opportunity to earn rewards. This year's challenge is to beat last year's record setting 176,438, 473 reading minutes to set a new world record! The twenty (20) schools registered with the most minutes will be featured in Scholastic's Book of World Records. Teacher's, schools and families can register their children in grades K thru 8th starting today through September 5th, 2014 at: scholastic.com/summer
Launched in April of 1999, Sylvan's Book Adventure assists children in grades K through 8 with finding books, offers quizzes on what they have read and enables them to be able to earn prizes along the way for their reading successes. Families will create an account by selecting a user name and password, and can follow along with the prompts to register. Once registered, children will be able to search for books in the "Book Finder" section, and can go back online to take a quiz. Families as well as educators alike can track their child's/student's progress through the "Reports" section. I appreciated the fact that Sylvan's Book Adventure's website includes special sections for children, parents and teachers that provide tips on creating your own personal reading challenges as well as video tutorials about the program. For further information, please visit: www.bookadventure.com
Random House Kids Step Into Reading Summer Reading Challenge
The Step Into Reading book series has inspired Random House's Summer Reading Challenge. When children read three or more of the series of grade/reading level appropriate books, and when they register the titles on the downloadable form and send it in, they will receive free specialized lunch bags. Please visit the following link for the downloadable registration form, as well as for exploring fun activities including word searches and scrambles at: http://www.stepintoreading.com/uploads/assets/activities/66bcde7c49ac91b0499146c1b84c3bf9e2432e08.pdf
When children between the ages of 10 and younger read eight (8) books between now and July 31st, 2014 from the Pottery Barn Kids Summer Reading Challenge Book List, and return the sheet to your local participating Pottery Barn Kids store, they will be able to receive a free book. Please click on the following link to check out the list of well-suitable and enjoyable tales for your little ones to choose from: http://www.potterybarnkids.com/customer-service/store-events.html?cm_ven=SocialMedia&cm
_cat=Blog&cm_ite=PBSKidsEvent
TD Bank Summer Reading
In an effort to help continue to keep children's literacy development skills growing during the summer months, as well as a way to introduce the importance of starting their very own savings account, TD Bank has initiated their own Summer Reading program. Children in Kindergarten thru 5th grade must read ten (10) books, and register their books on the downloadable Summer Reading form. Once the book form has been completed, take the form to your local TD Bank branch to receive $10.00 in a new or existing Young Saver Account. To find a local TD Bank branch, please visit: http://www.tdbank.com and to print out a downloadable form, please visit: http://www.tdbank.com/summerreading/
At participating Showcase Cinemas nationwide, every Wednesday at 10 a.m. from now until August 13th have been designated as "Bookworm Wednesday". When children bring a completed book report with them on a book that they have read, they will be able to select the special "Bookworm Wednesday" movie and attend for free! Please visit the following link for further information: http://www.showcasecinemas.com/programs/kids-and-families/bookwormwed
Friday, July 4, 2014
Tales That Help to Explain the Importance of the Fourth of July
Your little ones may identify the Fourth of July as a day that is filled with endless hot dogs, yummy cool desserts and lots of fun with family and friends. But, the historical significance behind this holiday shouldn't be dismissed, as I have always felt that it is very important for all of us to to take a moment to explain the reasons behind why this day is so very important, not only for our nations history, but for all of us who call the United States home. Here are a few tales that may help as you answer your little ones questions.
Filled with full color photos, this simple introduction (about 25 pages) about the history as well as the many traditions of the Fourth of July is a good fit for beginning readers between the ages of 4 to 7. I appreciated the informative details that the author as well as the publisher, places in this tale, including a handy index and reference section, to help your little ones discover more about this holiday.
The Fourth of July (Wonder Books-Level 2)
Written by Cynthia Klingel & Robert B. Noyed
Publisher: Child's World (2002)
For ages 6 and up
ISBN: 9781567669541
Retails (prices vary)
Accelerated Reader Book Level: 1.9
Accelerated Reader Points: 0.5
For many in my generation, we can recall reading Henry Wadsworth Longfellow's famous poem, published in 1861 in the Atlantic Monthly called, Paul Revere's Ride. His captivating prose recalled Revere's historic ride to Lexington during the nights of April 18th-19th in 1775, to warn the colonists that the British were on their way, and instantly, a legend was born. But, this wasn't all that defined the life of this American patriot, as Who Was Paul Revere? provides a great deal more of insight into one of the most fascinating figures in history.
Written by Roberta Edwards, Who Was Paul Revere?, an interesting overview that earns it's place among many in these well-known illustrated biography series. It is written in a way that children will be captivated about the life of Revere (who, we learn in this tale, that he was involved in numerous aspects of politics, industry, he even created false teeth from the tusks of hippos; to community service before his death in 1818 at the age of 83.
****Momma's tip: If your family is heading to, or lives near the Boston area, make it a point to take a trip back in time and visit The Paul Revere House. Please visit the following website for more information: http://www.paulreverehouse.org/index.html****
Who Was Paul Revere?
Written by Roberta Edwards & Illustrated by John O'Brien
Publisher: Grosset & Dunlap, a division of Penguin Books (2011)
Website: www.penguin.com
Retails for $4.49
For ages 8 thru 12
ISBN: 978-0448457154
Accelerated Reader Book Level: 4.8
Accelerated Reader Points: 1.0
Since I was young, I've always enjoyed reading accounts of what life was like for the pioneering Americans who traveled across the country during the mid 1800s, in search of new opportunities. The numerous hazards of these difficult, and downright dangerous journeys were overcome by their brave spirits and determination, which always amazed me. A Fourth of July on the Plains, written by Jean Van Leeuwen and illustrated by Henri Sorensen, is yet another uplifting story about the power and determination of the American spirit. Based on the diary of E.W. Conyers and Jesse A. Applegate's 1914 tale, Recollections of My Boyhood,
a young boy named Jesse and his family have embarked on a journey across the country by wagon to settle in Oregon, when they stop to celebrate the Fourth of July. Jesse and his family gather together with their fellow travelers give speeches, sewed a flag and enjoyed a gathering filled with food and good company that put to rest his apprehension that this Fourth of July just couldn't be the same on the plains as it was back in his hometown.
A Fourth of July on the Plains
Written by Jean Van Leeuwen & Illustrated by Henri Sorensen
Publisher: Dial (1997)
ISBN: 9780803717718
For ages 7 and up
Retails (prices vary)
Accelerated Reader Book Level: 4.0
Accelerated Reader Points: 0.5
Wishing you and your little ones a very Happy and safe 4th of July!
Wednesday, July 2, 2014
Award-Winning Children's Author Walter Dean Myers passes away at 76
Very sad to hear the news today about the passing of multiple Coretta Scott King Award-Winning children's author, Walter Dean Myers. I was privileged to have been able to review the paperback release of I've Seen the Promise Land, last year, and below, please find a link to my post in memory of his passing.
http://amodestmommasmusingsforlittlereaders.blogspot.com/2013/02/ive-seen-promise-land-life-of-dr-martin.html
http://amodestmommasmusingsforlittlereaders.blogspot.com/2013/02/ive-seen-promise-land-life-of-dr-martin.html
Saturday, June 28, 2014
New (and not so new) I Can Read Tales Just in Time for Summer
With the warm summer days upon us, there is a lot more time for your little ones to enjoy numerous adventures----going to the park, heading over to the beach or the movies, or heading out on a family trip. But, before you head out on the road, why not pack along a few of these new, and not so new, I Can Read tales that are a good fit to continue to encourage your little ones to read all summer long.
The Berenstain Bears' Lemonade Stand (I Can Read Beginning 1 Reading)
The warm summer temperatures have hit Bear Country, and Brother, Sister and Honey Bear are feeling the heat as they play outside. As Momma Bear brings her little cubs some cool, refreshing lemonade, the trio starts to feel revived. And, it also sparks a great idea---why not share Momma's delicious lemonade with other parched critters in Bear Country who are also feeling the heat! Filled with short, easy-to-read sentences that are enhanced by the ever charming illustrations, as well as the familiar and very much appreciated and timeless lessons about sharing, responsibility and the importance of working as a team that your little ones will learn from every Berenstain Bears' tale, this sweet installment of my favorite bear family is an inviting and refreshing read, indeed!
(Momma's Tip: For more adventures with Momma, Papa, Brother, Sister and Honey Bear, and all the critters of Bear Country, please visit www.berenstainbears.com)
The Berenstain Bears' Lemonade Stand (I Can Read Beginning 1 Reading)
Written & Illustrated by Mike Berenstain (Based on the characters created by Stan and Jan Berenstain)
Publisher: Harper, an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers (2014)
Website: www.harpercollinschildrens.com
For ages 4 to 8
Retails for $3.99 (Softcover)
ISBN: 978-0-06-207544-4
I find it hard to believe that the lovable "Little Critter" will soon be celebrating his 40th birthday next year (Just For You, the first book featuring "Little Critter" by beloved author Mercer Mayer, was published in 1975). As our tale begins, Little Critter and his classmates are on a trip to the sea park, where they encounter fish and sea creatures of all shapes and sizes. Your little readers will be able to relate to Little Critter and his friends, as each experiences a different encounter with the inhabitants of the sea park--one critter falls into the water; some feel scared when they meet up with a giant shark (smiling with a very toothy grin from behind the glass)! But, with a simple, engaging story line perfect for either reading aloud to your little ones, or for your emerging reader, Going to the Sea Park will be delight.
(Momma's Tip: To join in on more Little Critter fun with your little ones, please visit www.littlecritter.com
Little Critter: Going to the Sea Park (I Can Read-My First I Can Read)
Written & Illustrated by Mercer Mayer
Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers (2009)
Website: www.harpercollinschildrens.com
ISBN: 978-0060835538
For ages 4 to 8
Retails for $3.99
Accelerated Reader Book Level: 1.2
Accelerated Reader Points: 0.5
From Diane deGroat, the illustrator of the popular Charlie the Ranch Dog series (including the tale featured below), comes Gilbert, the cute opossum, aka, Gilbert the Surfer Dude, who's so excited to be visiting the beach with his family on a warm summer day. But things don't seem to go as Gilbert hopes, as his sister, Lola, is afraid to go into the water because she's afraid that there will be sharks swimming along with her, and poor Gilbert, in all of his exuberance, forgets to take along his swimsuit! As Lola slowly tries to conquer her fear by getting her little feet wet, Gilbert has to deal with a bathing suit (labeled with the words, "Surfer Dude" ) that his mother bought that's just too big! This is the first I Can Read book that follows the adventures of the lovable, curious opossum, is divided into three short, easy- to-read chapters that your developing reader will be able to read with confidence.
Gilbert, the Surfer Dude (I Can Read-Reading 2 With Help)
Written & Illustrated by Diane deGroat
Publisher: HarperCollins (2009)
Website: www.harpercollinschildrens.com
For ages 4 to 8
ISBN: 978-0-06-1252112
Retails for $3.99 (Paperback)
Accelerated Reader Book Level: 2.3
Accelerated Reader Points: 0.5
Charlie the Ranch Dog: Charlie's New Friend (I Can Read-Beginning 1 Reading)
One of my all-time favorite 'dog' series, the lovable, lazy, bacon-devotee basset hound is back in this latest installment of the popular, "Charlie the Ranch Dog" tales written by Ree "The Pioneer Woman" Drummond and illustrated by her longtime collaborator, Diane deGroat.
As our tale begins, the warm sun rises over Charlie's face as he's in mid slumber (alongside him, lies the familiar, friendly little chipmunk that my students love to search for and pick out in each of Drummond's stories!). He sniffs around for his regular bacon breakfast, and finds, horrors of horror.... NO BACON! In his search to find his Mama so she can feed his empty tummy, he finds her working in the field, planting vegetables in her garden, when Charlie stumbles across a rabbit, peeking out from behind the raised garden bed. As he howls a warning for Mama, the clever rabbit steals a freshly dug up carrot from Mama's basket. The chase begins--- will Charlie and Mr. Rabbit become friends? Or will Mr. Rabbit continue to eat all of Mama's yummy carrots?
With a focus on text that is easy to sound out, Charlie the Ranch Dog: Charlie's New Friend is written specifically for your little ones (who are in grades 1 and/or 2) who have the ability to read a short book mostly on their own, with no assistance, or aloud to an adult. And, I am so thrilled to see that Charlie's adventures on the ranch are continuing to be adapted into the, "I Can Read" series, so children in all types of reading levels will be able to enjoy the antics of this winsome pup!
Charlie the Ranch Dog: Charlie's New Friend (I Can Read-Beginning 1 Reading)
Written by Ree Drummond & Illustrated by Diane deGroat
Publisher: Harper, an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers (2014)
Website: www.harpercollinschildrens.com
For ages 4 to 8
Retails for $16.99 (Hardcover)
ISBN: 978-0-06-221915-2
Accelerated Reader Book Level: 1.9
Accelerated Reader Points: 0.5
Friday, June 27, 2014
How a Timeless Classic Picture Book Still Holds a Special Place in My Heart---Naughty Nancy by John S. Goodall
The world of books opened the doors wide to my growing imagination as a young child almost 36 years ago when I started to learn how to read. My mother and I would make almost weekly pilgrimages to our local library where I grew up in a small town outside of New York City.
Once there, among the cherry wood bookshelves, proudly stood dozens of stories which eagerly awaited for my tiny hands to reach in and take them home. And, nestled among all those children's stories lied one very special picture book, that was soon to hold the title of being the very first book that my mother checked out for me on our first visit to our library over 37 years ago.
Written by British author/illustrator John S. Goodall, Naughty Nancy details the mischievous adventures of a little mouse named Nancy, who is chosen to be a flower girl at her older sister's elegant wedding. This charming tale, with delicate illustrations, is completely wordless! However, this was typical of John S. Goodall's work, as according to his 1996 obituary published in The Independent, not only were all of his books illustrated by him, none of his tales contained any words, beyond the title. I have always found that this remarkable feature helps families to elaborate and add all sorts of bells and whistles to the story in any way they please! But, don't let this factor make you pass this book by, as your little ones will not only relate to, but will immensely enjoy the antics of this adorable, playful little mouse who wrecks havoc before, during, and after the wedding ceremony and reception. Also, you will appreciate how uniquely designed the book is, as each scene in the story changes with a slight turn of a half page. For example, one of the "lift-the-flap" style features a page and a half of a lovely scene where the bride and groom are posing for pictures outside of the chapel, and when you turn the half page, there's the next scene where Naughty Nancy is running out of the chapel, coming towards the photographer for a silly pose!
Let's just fast forward to today, and I am extremely lucky enough to be able to say that among my collection of tales stored safely in my bookshelves, is the very same edition of Naughty Nancy that I would check out from the children's section of my library. One year, before the library was renovated, there was a book sale held to help make room for the newly acquired books to go along with the extensive renovations. As I perused the vast tables filled with fiction, non fiction and children's tales, underneath several Beverly Cleary "Ramona" paperbacks, lied a timeworn, hard covered book jacket with a familiar little mouse clad in a fancy pink dress walking behind a bride and groom mouse couple. I couldn't believe my eyes! There it was, after all those years. I was astonished, and quickly humbled to see that the tiny little book that I would hold in my small hands all those years ago, sitting on my mother's lap, still contained the jacket pocket in the back where I would sign my name in pencil on the library card. I would hand the card to the friendly librarian with the blazing red hair and big brown glasses who always greeted me with a smile every time I came to her desk to check out my books.
I smiled as I quickly snatched the book right up, and went over to the checkout counter, and paid the volunteer 50 cents. How thrilled I was to be able to hold this sweet memory of my childhood after all those years, and looked forward to sharing it someday (as I eventually did) with my own child. Naughty Nancy is quite simply one of the best picture books for your little one's active imagination. A timeless treasure that is worth the read!
Naughty Nancy
Written & Illustrated by John S. Goodall
Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry Books (an imprint of Simon and Schuster)
Originally published in 1975.
For ages 4 and up
ISBN: 0-689-82358-4
 |
| My library, as it was over 37 years ago. |
Written by British author/illustrator John S. Goodall, Naughty Nancy details the mischievous adventures of a little mouse named Nancy, who is chosen to be a flower girl at her older sister's elegant wedding. This charming tale, with delicate illustrations, is completely wordless! However, this was typical of John S. Goodall's work, as according to his 1996 obituary published in The Independent, not only were all of his books illustrated by him, none of his tales contained any words, beyond the title. I have always found that this remarkable feature helps families to elaborate and add all sorts of bells and whistles to the story in any way they please! But, don't let this factor make you pass this book by, as your little ones will not only relate to, but will immensely enjoy the antics of this adorable, playful little mouse who wrecks havoc before, during, and after the wedding ceremony and reception. Also, you will appreciate how uniquely designed the book is, as each scene in the story changes with a slight turn of a half page. For example, one of the "lift-the-flap" style features a page and a half of a lovely scene where the bride and groom are posing for pictures outside of the chapel, and when you turn the half page, there's the next scene where Naughty Nancy is running out of the chapel, coming towards the photographer for a silly pose!
 |
| My library, after the renovation. |
Let's just fast forward to today, and I am extremely lucky enough to be able to say that among my collection of tales stored safely in my bookshelves, is the very same edition of Naughty Nancy that I would check out from the children's section of my library. One year, before the library was renovated, there was a book sale held to help make room for the newly acquired books to go along with the extensive renovations. As I perused the vast tables filled with fiction, non fiction and children's tales, underneath several Beverly Cleary "Ramona" paperbacks, lied a timeworn, hard covered book jacket with a familiar little mouse clad in a fancy pink dress walking behind a bride and groom mouse couple. I couldn't believe my eyes! There it was, after all those years. I was astonished, and quickly humbled to see that the tiny little book that I would hold in my small hands all those years ago, sitting on my mother's lap, still contained the jacket pocket in the back where I would sign my name in pencil on the library card. I would hand the card to the friendly librarian with the blazing red hair and big brown glasses who always greeted me with a smile every time I came to her desk to check out my books.
I smiled as I quickly snatched the book right up, and went over to the checkout counter, and paid the volunteer 50 cents. How thrilled I was to be able to hold this sweet memory of my childhood after all those years, and looked forward to sharing it someday (as I eventually did) with my own child. Naughty Nancy is quite simply one of the best picture books for your little one's active imagination. A timeless treasure that is worth the read!
Naughty Nancy
Written & Illustrated by John S. Goodall
Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry Books (an imprint of Simon and Schuster)
Originally published in 1975.
For ages 4 and up
ISBN: 0-689-82358-4
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