Wintry weather always makes me want to hibernate...Sleep, Big Bear, Sleep!by Maureen WrightMarshall CavendishISBN: 978 0 7614 5560 8Audience: 2 - 6 yearsBig Bear keeps hearing the voice of Old Man Winter, who is trying to tell him it's time to go to sleep for the season. Only trouble is, Big Bear … [Read more...]
Family Literacy Day
We tell parents to read to their children. Every day, we say, 20 minutes every day. 4 books a day. Which is a wonderful thing and linked to all sorts of wonderful studies about the benefits and so on - but what about the rest of the time? Does literacy go out the window with other activities, just … [Read more...]
Parent Time: The 19th Wife
Once a month, I have grownup time with my book club. I look forward to it, both for the company of friends and for intelligent discussion of books meant for adults. And I'm thinking - who couldn't use some of that? So I'm going to start talking grownup books once in a while so you can virtually come … [Read more...]
Puppy Dog Eyes
I may be a cat person, but even I am a little melty over these pups. I Didn't Do ItPatricia MacLachlan & Emily MacLachlan Charestill. Kathy SchneiderHarper CollinsISBN: 978 0 06 135833 3Audience: dog lovers of any ageThis lovely picture-format book features a series of free verse poems about all … [Read more...]
Fabulous Fables
Aesop's Fablesretold by Fiona Waters, ill. Fulvio TestaAndersen PressISBN: 978 0 84939 049 1Audience: 5 - 10 yearsAesop's famous fables have a long tradition of interpretation by many illustrators, ranging in style from Michael Hague to Eric Carle. No great surprise, as they offer such rich … [Read more...]
He May Not Be Wimpy, But He’s Funny
Diary of a Wimpy Kid? You've heard of this? Your kid prattles on about it all the time? Here's the next read:Big Nate: In a Class By Himselfby Lincoln PierceHarper ISBN: 978 0 06 194434 5Audience: grades 3-6I've mentioned Nate a couple of times in the Scholastic Decoder posts, but reading his newer … [Read more...]
Words About Nerds
These two novels features nerdy kids who make good - not that they save the day or get real revenge, but they get to where things are, more realistically, just fine, thanks. Word NerdSusan NielsenTundra BooksISBN: 978 0 88776 990 0Audience: grades 5 to 9Poor, living in a basement apartment with a … [Read more...]
Scholastic Decoder: January
It's a new year! And as sure as school starts up again this week, Scholastic flyers are on their way. Here are my top picks for January. ElfPenguins - simple, cute story of a group of penguins who get hold of a camera, with some pretty amusing results. We're penguin fans around here, so it was a … [Read more...]
Kids Ask The Darnedest Things
... and now you can have answers! These three non-fiction books cover everything from baby animals to what we eat, and whole host of bathtime, bedtime, and playtime questions in between.Animal Babiesby Pascale Hedelin and Stephanie HerrbachOwl KidsISBN: 978 1 897349 90 8Audience: ages 5 and upThis … [Read more...]
By Gollie!
I love a good tale of friendship - especially with a dollop of humour. Bink & Gollieby Kate DiCamillo and Alison McGheeCandlewick PressISBN:Audience: Ages 5-8 yearsI am a total sucker for a friendship story - when they work and show a sense of humour rather than a sappy side. George & Martha … [Read more...]