Halloween Night

Unveil a new Halloween night tradition!

Murray, Marjorie Dennis.
Halloween Night.
July 2010.
HarperCollins.
Review copy provided courtesy of publisher.

The spooky creatures of Halloween set out to do some tricking of their own, as the children set out to collect their treats this Halloween night! Rhyming, lyrical text and Halloween creatures combine to form a tale very much similar to the famous tale of "The Night Before Christmas." Children will quickly pick up on the similarities and will find great pleasure in this story! It'll likely make for a perfect end (and great new tradition) for Halloween night in your household!

Learning/Reading Activity:

• Give your children a treat of your own for Halloween this year! Provide them with a copy of Marjorie Dennis Murray's Halloween Night to give them just a bit more Halloween fun after the excitement of trick-or-treating has passed for the year. Start a new tradition, reading this fun story as the bedtime story on Halloween night!
  

If you're interested in finding out more information about any of the books reviewed or if you'd like to purchase the books, click the cover image for a link to Amazon.com. I am an Amazon Affiliate, so any purchases you make after clicking these images will result in my receiving a small percentage of the sale price!

Ollie's Halloween

Teach young children about all things Halloween with the help of Ollie and his pals!

Dunrea, Olivier.
Ollie's Halloween.
September 2010.
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt.
Review copy provided courtesy of publisher.

As Ollie and his friends embark upon Halloween night, they share with readers, all that Halloween encompasses. From corn stalks to the costumes, children will quickly pick up on all the "symbols" of Halloween, easily recognizing them on an Autumn walk. This book is perfect for the youngest of children who are just now old enough to begin gathering meaning behind the holidays - and, the use of familiar friends will likely capture their interest and find them eager to learn!

Learning/Reading Activity:

• Take time this weekend to head out to your local bookstore to pick up a copy of the book. Then, after sharing it with your child(ren), decorate your house for Halloween, head out to a local corn maze, carve a jack-o-lantern, and take a flashlight-lit walk to experience just what it means to beware - you might even enjoy a little bit of a scare!
  

If you're interested in finding out more information about any of the books reviewed or if you'd like to purchase the books, click the cover image for a link to Amazon.com. I am an Amazon Affiliate, so any purchases you make after clicking these images will result in my receiving a small percentage of the sale price!

Winner: Scaredy Cat, Splat!

Congratulations to Mrs Pederson, from Growing Kinders and A Day in the Life of a Kindergartener, winner of the giveaway copy of Scaredy Cat, Splat! I've sent you an e-mail... if you happen to see this post first, though, please email me your snail mail address and I'll get this book out ASAP, in hopes that you'll have it in time for Halloween reading enjoyment!

If you're interested in finding out more information about any of the books reviewed or if you'd like to purchase the books, click the cover image for a link to Amazon.com. I am an Amazon Affiliate, so any purchases you make after clicking these images will result in my receiving a small percentage of the sale price!

Which Way to Witch School?

Turn Halloween reading educational by using Which Way to Witch School?

Santoro, Scott.
Which Way to Witch School?
July 2010.
HarperCollins.
Review copy provided courtesy of publisher.

While not technically a "Halloween" story, the idea of witches, combined with the somewhat eerie, dark colors typically associated with Halloween, definitely make this an appropriate "Halloween" read! If you couple it with a lesson on rhyming words, you can even turn this fun story educational!

Children will quickly learn that it's even important for witches to attend school! Rhyming, lyrical text takes readers on an adventure to learn what "witch school" consists of - from learning to cackle and joke to the importance of learning chemistry for those witchy-potions. Perhaps children will find some acceptance in their own schooling in discovering that even witch's benefit from school!

Learning/Reading Activity:

• Print off 5 (or more) sheets of the Which Way to Witch School Memory Game cards (suggested printing on cardstock for sturdiness). Cut the cards apart. On the back side, choose and write pairs of rhyming words from the text of Which Way to Which School. Shuffle up the cards and play memory, having your child hunt for the words that rhyme.
  

If you're interested in finding out more information about any of the books reviewed or if you'd like to purchase the books, click the cover image for a link to Amazon.com. I am an Amazon Affiliate, so any purchases you make after clicking these images will result in my receiving a small percentage of the sale price!

Giveaway Winners

I'm long overdue in announcing winners for my past giveaways but, as they say, better late than never! And without further ado,

Guardians of Ga'Hoole

MaryAnn, from Great Kids Books

and
MommyWantsToRead, from Mommy Wants To Read

and

Wolf Pie

Inspired Kathy, from I Am a Reader, Not a Writer

Congratulations! I have emailed you all to notify you of your win - please email me your snail mail address as soon as possible so I can get your copies on your way!



If you're interested in finding out more information about any of the books reviewed or if you'd like to purchase the books, click the cover image for a link to Amazon.com. I am an Amazon Affiliate, so any purchases you make after clicking these images will result in my receiving a small percentage of the sale price!

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1.03.01

Review and GIVEAWAY: Scaredy-Cat, Splat!

A favorite character of children returns with a new Halloween read!

Scotton, Rob.
Scaredy-Cat, Splat!
August 2010.
Harper Collins.
Review copy provided courtesy of publisher.

When Splat's teacher announces that she will be giving out a prize for the scariest Halloween costume, Splat puts his mind to work to try and come up with the scariest costume. However, when no one seems scared by him, Splat quickly becomes discouraged. His discouragement doesn't last long, as when Mrs. Wimpydimple tells her scariest ghost-story, the whole class jumps in fright, and Splat's jack-o-lantern lands atop his head, instantly turning him into the scariest of all!

Children will love the return of Splat in this Halloween tale! His almost-mischevious ways will have everyone chuckling at his antics! This is a must-have Halloween read this year, and lucky for you... I have one copy that I will be offering up as a giveaway to one of my lucky readers (see details below)!!!

Learning/Reading Activity:

• Host a Halloween costume party for your child(ren). Rather than just giving away just one prize for the scariest costume, create a prize category so that each child will win a prize (if there are 20 children, come up with 20 different costume categories - scariest, funniest, cutest, reddest, most-monsterish, etc). That way, everyone walks away a winner!

HOW TO ENTER THE GIVEAWAY:

• In a comment on this post, share with me what your child(ren) will be dressed as for Halloween this year!
  
• Be sure to leave an email address along with your comment.
• Deadline to enter is Wednesday, October 20th at 11:59PM EST.
• For an extra entry(or three):
  1. Become a subscriber/follower of my blog (+1)
  2. Blog about this giveaway on your own blog and leave a link in your comment (+1)
  3. Leave a tweet on your Twitter page and then leave a link in your comment (+1)
• Contest is open to U.S. Residents only, sorry for any inconveniences!
• Winner will be selected by special guest poster on Wednesday, October 20th and will receive a complimentary copy of Scaredy-Cat, Splat!

If you're interested in finding out more information about any of the books reviewed or if you'd like to purchase the books, click the cover image for a link to Amazon.com. I am an Amazon Affiliate, so any purchases you make after clicking these images will result in my receiving a small percentage of the sale price!

D45EB6B8-BFD6-0F01-6130-5444543C0B75

1.03.01

Boo, Bunny!

Don't let Halloween spook your little one - Boo, Bunny! will help them overcome Halloween fears!

Galbraith, Kathryn.
Boo, Bunny!
September 2010.
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt.
Review copy provided courtesy of publisher.

The dark, eeriness of Halloween night is enough to spook not only one rabbit, but two! When these two pals are experiencing the quivers and shivers associated with Whoooos and Boooos of Halloween, they decide to tag-team and make their evening of trick-or-treating enjoyable!

Learning/Reading Activity:

• Dare to be adventurous! Tag-team with a parent of your child's friend. Take turns taking the kids trick-or-treating so your children has a pal to help them out on this eerie night! It could also turn into a great evening for you as well, enjoying the company of another adult!
  

If you're interested in finding out more information about any of the books reviewed or if you'd like to purchase the books, click the cover image for a link to Amazon.com. I am an Amazon Affiliate, so any purchases you make after clicking these images will result in my receiving a small percentage of the sale price!

Flora's Very Windy Day

A great way for children to relate (and learn to appreciate) their pesky siblings!

Birdsall, Jeanne.
Flora's Very Windy Day.
August 2010.
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt.
Review copy provided courtesy of publisher.

When Flora's mother gets sick of Flora arguing with her little brother, she bundles the pair up and ships them outside, so she can enjoy a bit of peace and quiet. Flora has other ideas though - sending Crispin away. And of course, since it's a very windy day, who better to help her in her plan to send Crispin away than the wind? However, as soon as the wind whisks him away, Flora is suddenly overwhelmed by the though of losing her little brother to the wind and is determined to stay with him and then take him back home with her. Together, before returning home, the two embark on the adventure of lifetime, visiting incredible things (and places).

This is an incredible story for young children who are struggling to deal (and get along) with a younger sibling. Not only does the story validate feelings, it shares with children a way to get along - embarking on a make-believe adventure in which the two can connect with each other. The illustrations are simple, yet perfect for the story. (They made me think of fall - my reason for holding off on this post).

Learning/Reading Activity:

• Use this as a "book report" with your child(ren). Have your child(ren) draw a picture of a place they would like to go with Flora if they were able to share a "very windy day." Then, if possible, have them write a sentence that describes their picture... if they are too young to write, ask them where they would go with Flora and write their exact words!

If you're interested in finding out more information about any of the books reviewed or if you'd like to purchase the books, click the cover image for a link to Amazon.com. I am an Amazon Affiliate, so any purchases you make after clicking these images will result in my receiving a small percentage of the sale price!