Planning a trip this summer to the New York City area with your little ones, here are some great reads from NYC The Official Guide's website to help give your kids a taste of the big apple!
http://www.nycgo.com/slideshows/kid-lit-city/1/
Sunday, July 20, 2014
Kids in the City
Planning a trip this summer to the New York City area with your little ones, here are some great reads from NYC The Official Guide's website to help give your kids a taste of the big apple!
http://www.nycgo.com/slideshows/kid-lit-city/1/
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
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