A Modest Momma's Musings "Fall into Fall" Tales Spotlight #1: Fancy Nancy and the Fall Foliage

     The leaves are turning beautiful shades of rich reds and vibrant oranges.  The air is starting to feel more crisp and cool.  Summer has said it's fond farewell, and Autumn has finally arrived!  It is, at least for me,  quite possibly, one of the most favorite times of the year.
     And, I can think of no more perfect time to shine a spotlight on some special seasonal tales for you all to share with your little ones.  Here are the first of several tales that I look forward to sharing with you all so you too, will fall right into the season!

Fancy Nancy and the Fall Foliage
      As I read this latest Fancy Nancy tale from the New York Times best selling team of author Jane O'Connor and illustrator Robin Preiss Glasser, I was happily taken back to my childhood.  I grew up in the Northeast in a town near the Long Island Sound, and I can remember the joy that I always felt while  playing in the fallen leaves, and searching, quite like Fancy Nancy does in Fancy Nancy and the Fall Foliage, for those special leaves that just stand out among the rest.
       When she is busy collecting some of the most beautiful fallen leaves, she encounters a colorful purple leaf, and decides that she really needs to do something unique with all that she has gathered. Although Mom and Dad offer Fancy Nancy lots of ideas, she really wants to do, "...something completely different.  It has to be spectacular--just like these leaves."  But, what will she create?  With over 30 stickers that your little girls can use to create their very own fall scene, and lots of new vocabulary words found just as in each Fancy Nancy tale, Fancy Nancy and the Fall Foliage is an enjoyable read to welcome in the season.

Fancy Nancy and the Fall Foliage
Written by Jane O'Connor & Illustrated by Robin Preiss Glasser & Interior Illustrations by Carolyn Bracken
Publisher:  Harper Festival, an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers (2014)
Website:  www.harpercollinschildrens.com
ISBN: 978-0-06-208630-3
Retails for $4.99
Accelerated Reader Book Level:  2.2
Accelerated Reader Points: 0.5

Can I Come Too? By Brian Patten

 

   "It does not matter how slowly you go, so long as you do not stop," the great philosopher Confucius once stated.       I would like to think that this applies to the bravery of a little brown mouse in author Brian Patten's beautifully exquisite tale, Can I Come Too?  A small mouse decides to leave the comforts of her cozy home in the woods in order to set out to discover who exactly is the biggest creature in the world.      
     Along her brave journey through valleys, lakes, rivers and mountainsides, she meets a series of animals, always asking them the very same question, "Are you the biggest creature in the world?" And, although she receives the same answer, from each animal,  everyone that she meets along the way take her words to heart, when she says, that just because one may be small, or because your legs may be too short, or you may be too scruffy, doesn't mean that "we can't have a big adventure."  Each animal decides to join her along her trek, as she tries to fulfill her quest.
     Patten's story line is extremely well-written, with the simple moral that despite your size and stature, one should never let this impede you from trying to achieve your goals in life. It is a lesson that I have not only instilled in my son, but with all of the children who come to our media center everyday.  The illustrations by acclaimed artist Nicola Bayley are stunningly realistic.  Between the colorfully vivid facial details on each of the animals that mouse encounters on her journey, and this truly lovely tale, I have no doubt that this tale will be read at many bedtimes multiple times.

Can I Come Too? 
Written by Brian Patten & Illustrated by Nicola Bayley
Publisher:  Peachtree Publishers (October 1994)
Website:  www.peachtree-online.com
ISBN:  978-1-56145-796-0
Retails for $16.95 (Hardcover)
For ages 4 to 8

The Cat, The Dog, Little Red, The Exploding Eggs, The Wolf and Grandma

   

     Okay, I'll admit it. The first time that I came across this new tale from authors Diane and Christyan Fox, the title shining boldly in white across the entire front cover of the book totally did me in!  The very idea of Little Red Riding Hood battling exploding eggs and a hungry wolf alongside her grandma, a cat, and a dog sold me right away. I couldn't wait to discover what turned out to be a completely enjoyable, albeit unique take on a classic literary fairy tale from our childhood.
     As our tale begins, Cat attempts to read aloud the story of Little Red Riding Hood to his friend, Dog, with not a lot of success. "It's a story about a little girl...who always wears a red cape with a hood," Cat begins, only to be interrupted by Dog, who persists in turning the fairy tale into an superhero triumphs over evil adventure.  "Cool!  I love stories about superheroes.  What's her special power?"  As you can tell, this is much to Cat's growing frustration and dismay.
   And, quite like some story times found in little ones bedrooms across the world, Moms and Dads will be able to relate to an Cat, as he tries to deal with Dog's constant questioning while attempting to get through the fairy tale (which, as you will surely see, can be an exercise in pure exasperation!)    The Cat, The Dog, Little Red, The Exploding Eggs, The Wolf and Grandma is a suitable read aloud with older children, as I tend to think that some of the humor found certain spots across this tale might just be a little over a four year-old's head.
     All in all, Diane and Christyan Fox have produced a zany, delightfully silly tale that pokes fun of the art of storytelling, that will have you giggling along with your little ones.


The Cat, The Dog, Little Red, The Exploding Eggs, The Wolf and Grandma
Written & Illustrated by Diane and Christyan Fox
Publisher:  Scholastic Press (2014)
Website:  www.scholastic.com
ISBN: 978-0-545-69481-0
Retails for $16.99 (Hardcover; also available as an ebook)
For ages 4 thru 8

A Modest Momma's Throw Back Thursday Spotlight----A Birthday for Frances

 

 

     This bright and endearing tale about Frances, the lovable little badger was a favorite read during my childhood, as well as for my son.  Sweet little Frances is struggling with the fact that her little sister Gloria is having a birthday.  Frances does not say it out loud, but rather through her actions and her little rhymes, we quickly discover that she is unhappy about it.  In Frances' eyes, her sister seems to have all the birthdays and she doesn't have as many.  Hoban manages to simply yet brilliantly convey a gentle message about sibling rivalry, maintaining a level-headed balance of not being too entirely heavy-handed.   There are many lessons and good morals to be learned, as with all of the many Frances stories, that you will appreciate sharing this classic tale with your little ones.

A Birthday for Frances
Written by Russell Hoban & Illustrated by Lillian Hoban
Publisher:  HarperCollins (1976)
Website:   www.harpercollinschildrens.com
For ages 4 to 8
Retails for $16.99 (Hardcover)
ISBN: 9780060837952
Accelerated Reader Book Level 3.6
Accelerated Book Points:  0.5

A Modest Momma's Musings Back to School Tales Spotlight #4-- Pete the Cat--Too Cool for School

     

     Pete the Cat, the way too cool kitty is back in his latest adventure,Pete the Cat- Too Cool for School (I Can Read!  Shared My First Reading).  It's right before the first day of school, and Pete the Cat is having a hard time trying to decide on what cool outfit he should wear.  Enlisting the help of his mom, his friends Marty and Callie, brother Bob, his teacher and even the school bus driver, they each offer their favorite picks from Pete's unique and colorful wardrobe. But, when he's put all of their choices on, he realizes that he just doesn't feel like himself (plus, he's starting to overheat!).  The sweetly simple underlying message of the importance of staying true to yourself is a true highlight of yet another amusingly funny Pete the Cat adventure!



Pete the Cat--Too Cool for School (I Can Read!  Shared My First Reading)
Written & Illustrated by Kimberly & James Dean
Publisher:  Harper, an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers
Website:  www.harpercollinschildrens.com
For ages 4 to 8
Retails for $16.99
ISBN: 978-0-06-211076-3
Accelerated Reader Book Level:  1.3
Accelerated Reader Points:  0.5

A Modest Momma's Back to School Tales Spotlight #3--Little Lola

     Our little ones are naturally curious about so many things in the world that surrounds them.  The same thing applies to our four-legged friends as well, as we find out in Little Lola,  the first collaboration from husband and wife team Julie Saab and David Gothard.

      As our tale begins,  we meet Little Lola, a sweetly curious kitty who longs to experience new things and new adventures.  One morning, she was suddenly awaken by a apple which fell from a tree above her as she slept soundly on a park bench.  The timing couldn't have been better, because Little Lola had a list of things to accomplish, one of which was to "have an adventure." She quickly puts on her pretty pink glasses, a jean skirt and pink backpack and off she goes on the yellow school bus along with all the other children, to fulfill her goal.
      When I read this story to one of our First Grade classes last week, they loved the fact that Little Lola didn't go to a school that was filled with her fellow feline friends, but instead learned besides kids just like them.  They also, just as I did, appreciated the fact that her journey and experiences were similar to theirs on their first day of school.  And, they cannot wait until this story goes on our bookshelves!
      The warmly whimsical illustrations by Gothard complement Saab's charming story line which helps our little ones understand in a very simple way that school can be an exciting journey, easing anxiety and nervousness through the humorous adventures of a inquisitive little cat.

Little Lola
Written by Julie Saab & Illustrated by David Gothard
Publisher: Greenwillow Books, an imprint of Harper Collins Publishers
Website:  www.harpercollinschildrens.com
ISBN: 978-0-06-227457-1
Retails for $16.99 (Hardcover)
For ages 4 to 8

Helping to Make Sure All Students Everywhere Have Access to Books

     I wanted to share this article that was published on The First Book Blog by guest blogger and teacher Sarah Kilway.  As a media specialist in a school that is located in an similar economic background as Ms. Kilway, I can complete relate to the challenges that she has had to face while trying to give her students the opportunity to become not only more fluent readers, but to see first hand the joy that reading can bring.  Thanks to organizations like First Book, she is able to attain her goals.

     http://blog.firstbook.org/2014/09/11/187-reasons-support-first-book/