I recently found this old book at the library while volunteering.  I think it is a great resource for introducing children to art and drawing. I plan to do some projects with my 3rd grader when I find time to cut out circles. We will probably also try some of the extra suggestions in the book. Maybe paint with different textures before cutting. I think it will be fun, maybe this summer.

REVIEW

In my study of Brian Selznick’s illustrations, I came across four exciting books for young readers. Two were written by Selznick himself, The Houdini Box and The Boy of a Thousand Faces. Although very much boy books, I believe they will appeal to most kids. The Wingwalker by Rosemary Wells also has boy leanings because of the subject matter, but only the girliest of girls won’t be interested. Riding Freedom will on the surface appeal more to girls, but the adventures Charley has are every bit as exciting for boys. All four are adventurous in spirit, so great for boys. All four are high interest, and I wanted specifically to add them to my transitional list, because they are intended for the 3rd-5th grade level. All have illustrations in the story and are short novels.

50+ Transitional Books List

In the first book of the Percy Jackson & the Olympians series, The Lightning Thief, Rick Riordan tells a tale of Greek mythological characters roaming the modern U.S.-starting in New York City and traveling to Los Angeles. Imagine your ADHD being the result of your demigod status, unbeknownst to you! One crazy event after another happens as Percy meets more characters-especially once he learns who he is and accepts his quest.

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Brian Selznick has become one of my favorite illustrators. I first noticed his art when reading Andrew Clements’s books. Frindle and Lunch Money caught my attention, but then the others were too much like them. I read Amelia and Eleanor Go for a Ride and When Marian Sang (and Walt Whitman: Words for America-briefly) without realizing it was Selznick’s illustrations. I did notice The Dinosaurs of Waterhouse Hawkins was his, but I also did not know about his short novels or his work in a few other young novels. Then, reading The Invention of Hugo Cabret was one of a few moments that inspired me to start a series of posts concentrating on the phenomenal art of illustrators. What a nice surprise to discover two books I had greatly enjoyed were his work. Read the rest of this entry »

I have finished The Audacity of Hope and have found it to be just as inspiring as Obama’s speeches. It is such a rare thing for a politician to honestly address the public about concerns that we all share-Democrats, Republicans, Independents, doubters, and even politicians. Too often all we are given to judge them by is a sound byte and accusing commercials.

I do not recall in my lifetime that there has been a President that everyone considered his/her President. It certainly has been a while since there wasn’t tremendous anger by at least a third of the people. To me this is a travesty. I want to believe in my country and President, but that would require one who is working to improve all of our lives-not just the wealthy and corporations. It also would require one that listens to opposing views and meets the issue head on, instead of dismissing the arguments outright or sidestepping the difficulties. Obama in his book and his speeches has shown that he is capable of doing these things. Isn’t it time we have a President who we all can be proud of?

For an example of his ability to address difficult issues, here is a speech that he gave this past week in response to outrage about statements his minister made. He did not run from the issue, as many would. He faced it candidly and satisfactorily in a way I have never heard a politician address race.

REVIEW OF BOOK

Paintings by Rob Gonsalves.
Atheneum Books for Young Readers: NY, 2003. The paintings are the attraction of this collection of Rob Gonsalves’s paintings. There is no story. Instead, Thomson invites viewers to share the awe and wonder of imagining through Gonsalves’s highly creative work. Each of his Escher inspired creations has its own story to explore-the farmer lulling his sunflowers to sleep with music, the cityscape cut from a curtain, a planetarium created through curtain cuttings, the ladies of the lake appearing as a reflection, the monks of the magical mixture of clouds, moonlight and windows, and more.related-M. C. Escher, fine art in children’s books, artists, patterns and images created by nature, tessellations, point of view, imagination
RL=all ages, read aloud to PreK-K

Where in the Wild? by David M. Schwartz and Yael Schy. photos by Dwight Kuhn.
Tricycle Press/Ten Speed Press: Berkeley, CA, 2007.

This book has three layers blending together: the awesome photos exhibiting camouflage in a fun and interactive manner, the descriptive poems that act as clues to the creatures hidden, and the biological information given for each.

The spectacular photos can be enjoyed by all ages. The poems work perfectly with their respective pictures. I also like that the habitats are used for the borders and poem titles. The text is informative, yet not strictly factual. It is a pleasure to read.

related-ladybugs, coyote, tree frogs, fawns, weasels, moths, killdeer, shorebirds, crab spiders, flounder, green snakes, red-spotted newts, camouflage, animals
RL=3rd-5th, read aloud to 1st & 2nd

Back from a short break, catching up on my reading and stuff. I noticed my reviews are piling up a little. This latest one I’ve added is a stunner-Life As We Knew It by Susan Beth Pfeffer. I believe I read that it made the NY Times Best Seller List this year, but I couldn’t find the article to verify.

I also want to say that with the recent flap about adults reading YA literature, Life As We Knew It is a perfect example of why adults do and should read YA books. As for writing YA, the writers are helping to strengthen our youth (soon to be adults) and encourage them to think about solutions to societal problems and act upon their concerns instead of giving up as many adults have. Thank you, YA writers, for the incredible quality you bring to literature for teens.

REVIEW

I have actually started my selection for Feb but just barely. It is Deryni Checkmate, 2nd of The Chronicles of the Deryni by Katherine Kurtz. It is part of a larger adult fantasy series from the early 1970s. The tone is strongly historical/medieval with intermingling and clashing of political, religious, and magical interests. It was lent to me by my friendly local librarian who raves about the author and series. She’s trying to get others interested in the series despite our library not having most of the books and the books being hard to find.

I recently checked back on the Year of Reading Dangerously site and found that the assigned choice was The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison which I would like to read, too. There is discussion to go with the book, so I may read it later and look back to see what was said at least. Their March selection is Cat’s Eye by Margaret Atwood which I also will have to put off for a later time, because a book I had on hold came in and takes precedence-The Audacity of Hope by Barack Obama. I have been wanting to read it since last summer. It is always on hold at the library, and I think I will only have a week to read it. At least that will put me on track with the reading challenge.

This month’s selection is a new book by Shannon Hale, author of 2006 Newbery Honor Princess Academy. Book of a Thousand Days is a reworking of a Brothers Grimm fairy tale. A young lady is bricked up in a tower with her maid as punishment for rejecting her father’s choice of a suitor for her. Only her maid’s will keeps them alive, sane, and able to escape after they are abandoned. Dashti keeps a record of their existence during these times and beyond.

REVIEW