It's Christmas (I Can Read Series 3)--- A Modest Momma's Musings for Little Readers Holiday Book Spotlight #1

 
   

 

 It's so hard to believe how quickly this year has flown by, as the holidays are right upon us. A time filled with joyous celebrations shared with our families and friends.  Special moments are created now more than ever, as we pass down family traditions, like sharing our favorite holiday stories with our little ones.  From revisiting those timeless holiday classics like The Polar Express, Olive, the Other Reindeer, Happy Hanukkah, Corduroy and How the Grinch Stole Christmas, to visiting new releases featuring popular literary characters like Pete the Cat and Charlie the Ranch Dog, I'll be shining a well-deserved spotlight for the next few weeks on some of these festive literary treasures that are guaranteed to not only spark memories from your childhood, but most importantly, will create new memories that you will love to share with your little ones.
     Happy Holiday wishes to you and your family!

It's Christmas (I Can Read Series 3)
     Filled with lovely holiday inspired poems by our nation's first Children's Poet Laureate, Jack Prelutsky and delightful bright water colored artwork by illustrator Marylin Hafner, It's Christmas! has been reissued for the HarperCollins I Can Read series of books.  With twelve humorous rhyming verses about Christmas trees, wish lists, nativity plays and caroling, all of those familiar, warm holiday traditions are sweetly shown from a child's point of view.  It's Christmas!  is a fitting read aloud for one child or for an entire group of children.

It's Christmas! (I Can Read Series 3)
Written by Jack Prelutsky & Illustrated by Marylin Hafner
Publisher:  Greenwillow Books, an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers
Website:  www.harpercollinschildrens.com
For ages 4 thru 8
ISBN: 9780060537081
Accelerated Reader Book Level: 4.3
Accelerated Reader Points: 0.5

Thanksgiving Day Thanks

 

 

Ask any child about the meaning behind Thanksgiving and you're guaranteed to hear their tales of when the pilgrims met the Indians for a dinner filled with turkey, stuffing and S'mores (yes, S'mores, as it seems, at least according to one of my 2nd grade students last week, that the earliest settlers dined on those gooey sweets since, according to him, the Indians taught them how to make fire!).    

 

     But sometimes, our little ones tend to forget about the true significance behind those two words-thanks and giving, that this holiday is truly all about.

     Despite the fast pace world that we are living today, it's still so important to take the time to teach our little ones about gratefulness and the value of being thankful for all of the good things that they have in their lives.  Wishing each of you and your little ones a very Happy Thanksgiving!

Thanksgiving Day Thanks
      As our tale beings, everyone in Sam the bear's class are excited to start planning for their Thanksgiving Feast.  All of his classmate's in Mrs. Wright's class seem to be able to quickly able to say and think of special projects to create that express the many things that they are thankful for, all except Sam, and this makes him feel very sad and lonely. 
      The big day of the special feast arrives, which features appearances by Governor Bradford, Priscilla Mullins and even Squanto, but where is Sam?  His classmates remember how disappointed Sam has been feeling since he was having trouble coming up with a project and worry that he won't come to school.  Little do they know that inspiration in the form Sam's version of the famous Macy's Thanksgiving Day balloon, awaits them outside.  But, when Mother Nature attempts to wreck havoc with Sam's special parade, his classmates come to the rescue in an excited conclusion.
       Author Laura Malone Elliot weaves a simple yet enlightening introduction about the holiday for little ones, and when I read this story to my 2nd graders last week before our break, between the humble storyline and the delightful illustrations by Lynn Munsinger, they were easily drawn in.  I also appreciated the fact that Elliot included, "A Note About Thanksgiving" which gave my students a factual account about the hardships that the pilgrims faced when they came to the New World and how the Indians, led by Squanto, saved numerous lives by helping them plant food and create shelter from the severe winter weather. 

Thanksgiving Day Thanks
Written by Laura Malone Elliot & Illustrated by Lynn Munsinger
Published by Katherine Tegen Books, an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers (2013)
Website: www.harpercollinschildrens.com
For ages 4 to 8
ISBN: 978-0-06-000236-7
Retails for $17.99

How Do Dinosaurs Say I'm Mad? By Jane Yolen & Mark Teague

How Do Dinosaurs Say I'm Mad?
    Emotions can be so confusing for our little ones to handle.  Anger, although it is a singular emotion, can be triggered by a multitude of things---when a younger sister crayons all over a drawing that they worked so hard to make just perfect for a special someone; or being denied that yummy, gooey double chocolate chip cookie because that ugly, nasty, green leafy veggie still remains on their dinner plate. 
    Our little ones express their displeasure to us in a whole host of ways; through yelling, stomping their hands and feet, and even resorting to biting us (As our family legend states, once, during the spring of '75, while in the cracker/cereal aisle at King Kullen, I bit my mother on her hand while she pushed the cart, for her refusal to put a box of Nabisco Animal Crackers that I whined for, in my hands, and she, in turn, bit my hand back.  Gone in that very instant was the start of my biting ways, as well as my taste for Animal Crackers!).  Emotions and learning are undeniably closely intertwined, as the process of comprehending how positive behaviors will elicit a positive response from those around them are a work in progress during our little one's toddler years. 
     Talking with your children about learning how to understand their feelings is key--while anger management control can be, at least for some, a lifetime filled with learning, making those early attempts to show your children how to sense those emotional triggers, modeling how consequences have actions, but yet at the very same time, instilling in your children that anger does not define nor has the ultimate power to control them, is so important.

      Well-expressed stories like the recent release from the acclaimed team of author Jane Yolen and illustrator Mark Teague called How Do Dinosaurs Say I'm Mad, can help little ones learn to control their tempers, while at the same time, engage their interest.  As our tale begins, we are reminded that dinosaurs were big, strong, and, well, let's face it, I'm sure that there were plenty of times just like the dinosaurs featured in Yolen and Teague's story, that roared and stomped their feet when they felt upset or angry about something.   But, the biggest question posed in this engagingly humorous tale  is, can dinosaurs learn to settle down and try to behave like a cool, calm Brontosaurus, instead of being like a temper-tantrum prone Afrovenator? Filled with humor and gentle wisdom throughout, Yolen and Teague (author's one of my son's constantly read bedtime stories when he was small, How Do Dinosaurs Say Goodnight) adeptly show little ones the right ways as well as the wrong ways to handle their emotions.

 

How Do Dinosaurs Say I'm Mad?
Written by Jane Yolen and Illustrated by Mark Teague
Publisher:  Blue Sky Press, an imprint of Scholastic
Website: www.scholastic.com
ISBN: 978-0545143158
For ages 4 to 8
Retails for $

 

Ghoulishly Spooky and Silly Tales for Halloween

  
      Ghosts, goblins and many scary-dressed up creatures both big and small are soon to make their arrival at your front doorstep.  All of the excitement and anticipation of this special event will soon be upon us, and with a few of these spooky and silly tales to share with your little trick-or-treaters, you are guaranteed to help make this Halloween an ghoulishly giddy time!

Lulu Goes to Witch School (I Can Read 2- Reading with Help)

     Clad with her newly made broom and her trusty 'Dracula' lunchbox, little Lulu the Witch (in-training!) commands her fluttering 'batty' stomach to settle down and flies off to her first day at Miss. Slime's School for Witches.  Just as she is getting used to her surroundings--- complete with a cobweb-lined cubby to store her broom and cloak, to a classroom filled with creepy critters that include mice, little lizards that line the walls and teeny, tiny spiders hiding underneath the tables, Lulu the Witch encounters Sandy the Witch, a bragging, nagging classmate that quickly gets underneath Lulu's skin. 
     After Sandy the Witch casts a spell on Lulu's lovely,homemade spider dress, turning it into a disastrous, hideous (at least in Lulu's eyes) flowered nightmare,  Lulu wishes that she would never have to see Sandy the Witch again.  But, when an unexpected case of lizard pox pops up on Lulu, she gets to have her wish, well, at least temporarily.  When she returns to school, she soon finds that Sandy shares something with her, something that may put an end to their witchy rivalry. 
     Paired alongside Bella Sinclair's fresh, new and lovely illustrations, O'Connor adeptly incorporates those typical first day of school jitters along with ways to learn how to handle a pushy classmate with just the right amount of sweet 'spookiness' that is appropriate for beginning readers to understand.

Lulu Goes to Witch School (I Can Read 2-Reading with Help)
Written by Jane O'Connor & Illustrated by Bella Sinclair
Retails for $16.99 (Hardcover)
ISBN: 9780062233516
For ages 4 to 8
Publisher:  Harper, an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers
Website: www.harpercollinschildrens.com
Accelerated Reader Book Level: 2.9
Accelerated Reader Points: 0.5

Trick or Treat Marley!
      While this simple story is a follow-up to the popular Bad Dog, Marley! and Marley Goes to School from the team of the New York Times Best-Selling author John Grogan and illustrator Richard Cowdrey, little readers everywhere will once again be amused by the adventures of the lovable yet problem-prone Labrador Retriever puppy as his family gets ready to celebrate Halloween. Guaranteed to leave your little ones (and let's face it, you too!) in the spirit of all things gooey (while carving the family's pumpkin, Marley just has to get his head stuck in the hole, leaving behind a messy, icky trail of pumpkin guts and seeds) and spooky (banished to the dog house outside after gorging on candy, Marley somehow manages to get stuck in a bed sheet and the kids think that a real ghost is outside haunting the house), I am sure that Trick or Treat Marley! will have the potential to become one of those go-to Halloween books in your home for years to come!

Trick or Treat Marley!
Written by John Grogan & illustrated by Richard Cowdrey
Retails for $9.99 (Hardcover)
ISBN: 978-0-06-211368-9
For ages 4 to 8
Publisher:  Harper, an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers
Website:  www.harpercollinschildrens.com
Accelerated Reader Book Level: 2.6
Accelerated Reader Points: 0.5


Pinkalicious Pink or Treat!

     As our tale begins, a dark and stormy night has swept through the town of Pinkville, home to our always exuberant young heroine, Pinkalicious, leaving the residents without power on Halloween morning.  Just when she thinks that the power outage will add to the spookiness of trick-or-treating later that night, Pinkalicious' father finds his battery operated radio and the family hears the town mayor request that all Halloween trick-or-treating be postponed.  Pinkalicious and her little brother Peter are understandably disappointed, and fearing that even her powers as 'Pinkgirl' (her costume for this year) may not be able to change the outcome, Pinkalicious hesitates.  But, she quickly dons her pink cape and boots and along with her mother, the pair head into town to the Mayor's office.  Pinkalicious shares her plan with the Mayor, who is very receptive.  Will Halloween go on at a special flash lit party in Pinkville Park? Will Pinkalicious, Peter and the rest of the little ghosts and goblins of Pinkville be able to celebrate Halloween?

Pinkalicious Pink or Treat!
Written & Illustrated by Victoria Kann
Retails for $4.99 (Softcover)
ISBN: 978-0-06-218770-3
For ages 4 thru 8
Publisher:  Harper Festival, an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers
Website:  www.harpercollinschildrens.com

Haunted Castle on Hallows Eve
      Number 30 in the best-selling series by author Mary Pope Osborne, finds our lead characters, Jack and Annie on a quest to bring back order to a duke's castle during yet another mission that they have been sent on by their magician friend, Merlin.  A ballet between good versus evil ensues, as the pair finds that their newly discovered magical powers come in quite handy against the Raven King.  Osborne's Magic Tree House series has long been a favorite of my son's---no sooner would we be purchasing one book, we'd be right back at our local bookstore ready to pick up the next one in the series.  I have also proudly hooked several students onto the exciting adventures of the brother and sister duo, as I have always marveled at the simple yet captivating way that Osborne weaves fiction against a non-fiction backdrop, as each tale provides a lesson about a particular time/historic even in history. 

Haunted Castle on Hallows Eve
Written by Mary Pope Osborne and Illustrated by Sal Murdocca
Publisher:  Random House Books for Young Readers
For ages 7 and up
ISBN: 978-0375860904
Accelerated Reader Book Level: 3.6
Accelerated Reader Points: 2.0

 

Happy Halloween!

    

One Potato, Two Potato by Todd H. Doodler

One potato. Two potato. Three potato. Four.  Five potato. Six potato. Seven potato. More.... so went the rhyme that I remember my grandma reciting while she would cook dinner when I was little and learning to count my numbers.  When I recently came across One Potato, Two Potato to read to my reading intervention class of second graders last week, I soon discovered that this silly story expanded the old familiar rhyme with a delightfully fresh, and funny twist.
     As our tale begins, it is almost party time at Mr. Potato's house, and he's just so excited when ten of his well-dressed spuddy pals show up right on schedule.  But, when his doorbell continues to ring, again and again, and more potato friends show up to enjoy the festivities, it soon becomes very crowded at Mr. Potato's home, and he gets very worried.  As I read this story to my students, they laughed a lot as they counted along with me as potato after potato showed up, and they enjoyed taking turns around the room when I asked them all to guess what would happen next--- what would happen to all of the potato friends?  Would they become overheated and fried? Would they all become smashed together in a gooey mess?  Todd H. Doodler's foray into the world of children's literature after a long, established career as an artist and founder of David and Goliath, has yet again produced an utterly amusing read-aloud just perfect for your class or for reading aloud with your little ones.

One Potato, Two Potato
Written & Illustrated by Todd H. Doodler
Publisher:  Little Simon, an imprint of Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing Division (October 2013)
Website:  kids.simonandschuster.com
ISBN: 978-1-4424-8517-4
Retails for $14.99
For ages 2 thru 5

Tales to Help Your Little One Conquer Their Fears

  

"Leave the light on, Mommy."  "Can you look under the bed to see if the purple monster is there?"        
     Do any of these fears sound familiar?  For me, it was all about spiders. Those big, hairy, mean faced, eight-legged creatures that would cause the tiny hairs on my back to stand straight up.  When I was small, I could not go to sleep at night without performing my nightly ritual--grabbing my "Scooby-Doo and Shaggy" flashlight from under my bed and pointing the bright light up to inspect all four corners of my room, the ceiling, down the walls, under the bed and into the closet. Fast forward nearly 30+ years later, and while, the hair on my back still stands up at the very sight of one, now I have the ability to be able to grab the can of Raid from the closet and send them to another dimension!
       It is important for families to remember the although most children have some fears, this is a typically normal part of childhood. The Nemours Foundation, based in Wilmington, Delaware, explains that the nature of fear experienced by infants, toddlers and young children changes as they grow older and develop both physically and mentally.  Infants tend to experience stranger anxiety and will readily display their displeasure with the situation by clinging to either mommy or daddy when faced with individuals that they do not recognize.  As they grow into the toddler stage, separation anxiety still exists; however, they will begin to display signs of emotional discomfort when either parent leaves, albeit for a short, temporary time. Leaving their toddler years behind, children between the ages of four through six start to develop fears that are not often based in reality; for example, they begin to express fears of monsters or other imaginary, unreal creatures.  Children in the pre-teen stage say goodbye to the monsters in the closet, and often develop fears of real things that can happen to them, including the effects of experiencing a natural disaster and/or becoming injured.
       There are a multitude of ways that you can provide comfort and a sense of security to your anxious child. Sitting down and snuggling together with one of these very appropriate selections by award-winning author Robie H. Harris, is a great way to provide an initial springboard for discussion of your little ones apprehensions.  Always remember the power behind the calming, gentle assurance that you, your family, as well as all of those important individuals in your child's everyday life provide to your children, and eventually, your little ones will learn to not only accept truth but will eventually let go of their fears.

When Lions Roar
     "The scary is near", exclaims the tousle-haired little boy in the beginning of our story. What (let's pretend for a moment that you're as small as this tale's little boy) if anything, can you do to make the scary disappear?  Will things in his world ever be calm again?
       The boy at the center of Harris' tender tale is able to find his inner courage as he slowly overcomes his fears--- some of his fears happen on rare occurrences, for example, while visiting the zoo, the sounds of screeching monkeys make him hold his ears to his hands; some happen more often, like the sounds of sirens speeding to an emergency; while others, far more personal, like when mommies and daddies yell and holler.
          The little boy's brave inner journey is accentuated by two-time Caldecott Medal winning illustrator Chris Raschka's captivating watercolors.  You will rejoice along with this boy when he exclaims, "The quiet comes back," and that, "Mommy's and Daddy's no longer shout and the sun shines once again."

When Lions Roar
Written by Robie H. Harris & Illustrations by Chris Raschka
Publisher:  Orchard Books, an imprint of Scholastic, Inc. (2013)
Website:  www.scholastic.com
ISBN: 978-0-545-11283-3
Retails: $16.99 (Hardcover)
For ages 3 and up

Maybe a Bear Ate It!
     Chances are, your children (and admit it, you too!) can recall a time where they were filled with anxiety when they misplaced a prized possession---either a favorite stuffed animal, a blanket or a toy.  For the young little critter in Maybe a Bear Ate It!, after awakening from a snooze, he quickly discovers that his favorite book has gone missing.
      Featuring simple, humorous rhyming text and colorful illustrations, you'll follow the little critter on a funny, frantic journey through his wild imagination, as he ponders the fate of his prized storybook.  "Maybe a bat flew high up in the sky with it?"  or "Maybe a rhino ran away with it?"  are some of the hysterical and completely outlandish scenarios that the little critter congers up during his frantic search.
     When I read this book to my son when he was little, I appreciated the way that Harris portrayed children's emotions to an unsettling situation with humor, candor and simple honesty.  I believe that anyone, big or small, will be able to relate and recall similar life experiences with a smile after reading this delightful tale.

Maybe a Bear Ate It!
Written by Robie H. Harris & Illustrated by Michael Emberly
Publisher:  Orchard Books, and imprint of Scholastic (2008)
Website: www.scholastic.com
IBSN: 978-0439939615
Retail:  $5.95 (Paperback)  & $12.79 (Hardcover)
For ages 3 and up
     
    

A Few New Tales Perfectly Fitting for the Start of a New School Year

 

 

 

 

Butterflies in their stomachs (and well, let's face it,  yours too!) are fluttering fast.  And, whether your little ones will be starting for the very first time, or if they are already little seasoned pros at it, the start of the first week of school is always filled with anticipation, apprehension and excitement.  The first week of school is a wonderful time to share stories together with your children that will act as springboards to both their imagination as well as to discussion, most especially if your little ones are feeling nervous about the start of the school year.  Here are a few new tales that are guaranteed to charm, delight and provide your children with a sense of reassurance, as they embark on a special journey filled with new discoveries, adventure, knowledge and wonder.

Clark the Shark
     As our tale begins, Clark the Shark arrives to Theodore Roosterfish Elementary on a shiny, bright yellow submarine bus, and being the biggest student at school, he does everything in a big way---
Despite all of his boisterous yet well-meaning exuberance about school and his classmates (comprised of squids, crabs and minnows who are quite smaller than Clark) are starting to get understandably nervous.  They soon start avoiding Clark, not out of being mean, but mostly out of fear of getting hurt, even though Clark doesn't mean it.  His classmates avoidance starts to weigh on Clark, and one day, he confides in his teacher, Mrs. Inkydink, who gently assures Clark that when he feels excited about something, he should remember the class motto, "Stay Cool."
      Sweet Clark tries his very best to stick to Mrs. Inkydink's advice, but he starts to fall back on his old ways.  Just when Clark begins to doubt that he'll ever change, he comes up with a plan.  "Make it rhyme", he says and his new found wisdom comes in quite handy when an even bigger new kid named Sid the Squid, joins the class and starts
     With a gentle background lesson for your little ones to remember that there is a time and place for everything as the way you behave tells people (including your classmates) a lot about you, author Bruce Hale doesn't disappoint in this delightfully amusing rhyming tale that will make for an extremely fitting, first week of school read in both the classroom and at home.

Clark the Shark
Written by Bruce Hale & Illustrated by Guy Francis
Publisher:  Harper, an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers (2013)
Website:  www.harpercollinschildrens.com
ISBN: 978-0-06-219226-4
Retails for $17.99
For ages 4 thru 8
Accelerated Reader Book Level: 2.7


Pete the Cat:  The Wheels on the Bus

     The familiar old song is back, only this time with a unique twist that is fitting of that one cool kitty, Pete the Cat. The New York Times best selling artist James Dean's hip jet black cat is leads his merry band of feline friends on an fun, adventurous trip to school.  Your little one's will be sure to sing and laugh along with Pete and his kitty friends on their way to school  Several of the versus of the song have been changed to be more specific towards the functions of a school bus ("The signals on the bus go blink, blink, blink") and I am sure that Pete's newest adventure as a school bus driver (after all, as the first page of the book shows us, Pete now has a license to drive!! Look out world! ) will spark questions from your little ones about what it like riding on a school bus (especially if your little ones will be riding on a school bus for the first time this year). Dean's engaging and lively artwork will not disappoint!

Pete the Cat:  The Wheels on the Bus
Based on the creation of James Dean
Publisher:  Harper, an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers (2013)
Website:  www.harpercollinschildrens.com
ISBN: 978-0-06-219871-6
Retails for $9.99
For ages 4 thru 8
Accelerated Reader Book Level: 2.4

Charlie Goes to School
     Charlie, the lovable, bacon-eating, loyal protector of the Drummond family ranch is back, in this all new adventure in Ree(The Pioneer Woman) Drummond's popular, "Charlie" the Basset Hound series.  As our tale begins, school for Drummond children isn't very far away, as they are home schooled, much to the pleasure of Charlie, as he is able to go to school with his family everyday.  Charlie watches over as Mama teaches the children all about reading and math (which we learn is Charlie's favorite subject, as yummy animal crackers play an important and delicious part in learning).  Charlie becomes so inspired by this nurturing environment that he decides that he too, can be a teacher just like Mama, for all of his critter friends on the ranch.
      But, things, in typical Charlie fashion, quickly go awry, as Charlie's good-natured, well-meaning attempts at teaching (instead of reading the history book that Charlie gave his horse friends to read, they decide that it's far more delicious to eat it instead) turns the outside of the ranch into a mess! Will Charlie the Teacher be able to corral his students to work together to clean up before Mama notices? 
     Before I became an elementary school Accelerated Reader coordinator, I taught my child from PreK to First Grade at home, and after reading this charming story, I was so pleased to be able to share it with you all, as I feel Drummond's tale is a must-read for home school children to be able see that there are so many other families with children just like them who learn at home.

Charlie Goes to School
Written by Ree Drummond & Illustrated by Diane de Groat
Publisher:  Harper, an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers (2013)
Website:  www.harpercollinschildrens.com
ISBN: 978-0-06-221920-6
Retails for $17.99
For ages 4 thru 8