D is for Down Under: An Australian Alphabet

Looking for an inexpensive get-away from winter? Check out D is for Down Under: An Australian Alphabet! In Australia, summer is holding strong right now!

Scillian, Devin.
D is for Down Under: An Australian Alphabet.
August 2010.
Sleeping Bear Press.
Review copy provided courtesy of publisher.

As part of the Around the World tour, Sleeping Bear press has now "visited" Australia, the land down under! From A to Z, each letter of the alphabet reaches out to explore the rugged landscapes, history, and lifestyles of Australians and the land down under. There is a wealth of information to be shared in this book, and children will find most of the information amazing and full of awe. Surely this is a wonderful book to include in a study of different countries around the world or if you're looking to escape winter here in the United States, there's no better time to pick up this book for a read - summer is just beginning to wind down in Australia!

Learning/Reading Activity:

• Using a globe, show your child where Australia is located. Talk about it in relation to the United States.
  
• Watch some childrens' movies, such as Finding Nemo, which are set in Australia.
• Explore Australia using National Geographic Kids. You'll find facts, photos, videos, maps and more!
• You can also find out more about Australia from Sleeping Bear Press. They have put out a Teaching Guide that is full of wonderful activities!
  

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!

These Hands

This February, celebrate all that your hands are able to do - things not all hand were able to do prior to the passing of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.

Mason, Margaret.
These Hands.
March 2011.
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt.
Review copy provided courtesy of publisher.

When a grandfather shares all of the things his hands could and couldn't do when he was younger, children learn of a very different time in history - a time when African American hands weren't able to mix bread dough in the Wonder Bread factory, weren't able to touch the bread dough in the Wonder Bread factory. The only things those hands were able to do were sweep the floors, work the line, and load the trucks - lesser work that did not involve touching bread, as white people would not want to eat bread touched by African American hands. The grandfather then shares of the actions taken by African Americans (writing petitions, carrying signs, raising their voices) to enable future generations of African Americans to "mix the bread dough" no matter the color of their hands.

This is a wonderfully written book that shares the tribulations and triumphs African American's faced during times of racial discrimination. While the Wonder Bread factory is specifically mentioned here, it is merely representative of nearly all means of employment African American's faced. The story is simply told and easy to understand, making it perfect for children as young as age 5. Definitely worth sharing this February as part of Black History Month.

Learning/Reading Activity:

• Take a picture of the hands of your child(ren). Discuss the things they are able to do. Discuss things they aren't able to do or wouldn't have been able to do prior to the passing of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Have them then share something that they feel fortunate that their hands are able to do! Mat their photo and response on colorful construction paper and create a bulletin board to share their work!
  

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!

Silverlicious

Pinkalicious returns... with Silverlicous!!!

Kann, Victoria.
Silverlicious.
February 2011.
HarperCollins.
Review copy provided courtesy of publisher.

When Pinkalicious looses a tooth, she excitedly anticipates the treasures left behind by Tootheetina, the tooth fairy who visits Pinkalicious. However, when Tootheetina is too busy helping out others with tooth (shall we say), issues?, Cupid, the Easter Bunny and Elf #351 step in to help her out. Pinkalious is NOT satisified, as the tooth she lost appears to be her sweet tooth and she just wants it back. When Tootheetina finally finds the time to respond to Pinkalicious' notes, Pinkalicious discovers where sweetness really comes from... and readers are sure to be surprised at this discovery!

This is a perfect book for little girls who are excitedly awaiting the arrival of the tooth fairy and those who are fans of Pinkalicious in general! Definitely worth sharing, as it's not only fun (and a favorite character) but teaches an important lesson, as well!



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!

Ruth and the Green Book

Experience the challenges of growing up in the early 1950's through the eyes of Ruth, a young African-American girl.

Ramsey, Calvin Alexander.
Ruth and the Green Book.
August 2010.
Lerner Publishing Group.
Review copy provided courtesy of publisher.

Ruth's father has just bought the family's first car - intended to use for his new job. However, before he starts the new job, the family plans to take a trip to visit Grandma in Alabama. It all sounds good and easy enough. However, as the family sets off on the adventure, they learn first hand what being "black" in the south meant, facing daily prejudices and hardships along the way to Alabama. When an attendant at an Esso station provides the family with information about "The Negro Motorist Green Book" which is quickly purchased to assist them in their travels. Apparently, "The Negro Motorist Green Book" was a guide to help traveling black people reach places where they would be welcome to eat, shop, sleep, get a haircut and more. Ruth is quickly put in charge of being the navigator and helping the family make it safely to Alabama by relying on the assistance of those who would willingly provide it!

This is a wonderful story, as it seems to realistically portray what African Americans faced during the Jim Crow years. For more information about the Green Book or to access the actual 1956 Green Book (all found to download on the right hand side of the page), visit Lerner Publishing Group's website for Ruth and the Green Book. There's a ton of interesting info here on the topic and it's definitely worth checking out before Black History Month ends!



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!

That's Not Funny!

When the table's turned, things might not look so funny!

Willis, Jeanne.
That's Not Funny!
August 2010.
Lerner Publishing Group.
Review copy provided courtesy of publisher.

The hyena, an animal known for his laugh, decides to play a practical joke on giraffe, but once things get started, they quickly spiral out of control. Who knew a banana peel, intended to trip up Giraffe could have an effect on Hippo, Snake, Ostrich, Rhino, Turtle, Vulture, Zebra, Cheetah, Wildebeest, and Elephant before getting even with Cheetah himself for all the laughter and "funnies" that Cheetah found from the misfortunes suffered by all the other animals. As I've always been told, "Paybacks are a b*$#%!" and Cheetah quickly learns that lesson when the tables are turned on him!

This is a wonderful book to help teach young children to not find the misfortunes of others funny, for you never know when you might be on the receiving end! I've experienced my share of laughter in my Head Start classroom when one child trips or falls (or something to that effect) and others laugh at them... The title alone is enough to teach children to use their words rather than retaliate with actions when they aren't finding someone else's actions funny! I'm definitely going to put this in my bag for reading upon return to school after mid-winter break!



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!

Return of the Rhyming Sheep

Fans of Nancy Shaw will take delight as her famous rhyming sheep return once again to tickle readers!

Shaw, Nancy.
Sheep Take a Hike.
2010 (1994).
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt.
Review copy provided courtesy of publisher.

In this fun, reprinted adventure, the sheep set off to take a hike. Upon their back, they pack their packs full of snacks before heading to the trail - up the hill and down the dale. But when the brush gets thicker, they start to bicker (as it's evident they've wandered off the trail). However, lucky for the sheep, the wool they left behind helps them find their way back home! Children are sure to love this rhyming adventure with the sheep, a character that they've come to know and love (or need to be introduced to for the first time)!

Learning/Reading Activity:

• Set forth on a hike with your little ones. Pack a pack of hiking snacks upon your backs and make an adventure of your own. If you really want there to be some learning involved, ahead of time choose a word family to focus on (word families are a great way to introduce rhyming in a basic way). Plan your trail, and along the trail, post words and pictures that focus on that word family, as well as a few that don't. In order to complete the trail and find your way back home (or to school) your children will need to try to figure out the rhymes to determine which trail to take. For example, when you come to a split in the trail, post two words/pictures (hat, sock). If the word family you are focusing on is the -at family, your child will need to determine which word rhymes with that word family and follow the path in that direction! (Hopefully I've explained this clearly enough - if you're looking for more clarification about this, just leave a comment!)
  

Shaw, Nancy.
Sheep Blast Off!
March 7, 2011.
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt.
Review copy provided courtesy of publisher.

If you have a child who is a fan of outer-space, spaceships, or astronauts, this is definitely the book to use when introducing them to rhyming words! The rocket sheep take off on an outer-space adventure after a shape has landed in the mist. As they set forth to explore they find a door! When the door is sealed the engines roar and sheep blast off. Throughout the adventure children will not only start recognizing the rhyming words, but will also learn a bit about spaceships! Nancy Shaw has once again returned with a hit in Sheep Blast Off!

Learning/Reading Activity:

• Create an activity in which children "blast off" into rhyming stars! Include on the worksheet a picture of a rocket ship, that targets whatever word family (or rhyme) you're hoping to help your child(ren) learn. Draw some stars around the page that the rocket ship is "blasting off" to and have your child put a rhyming word on each star. If they're still too young or have difficulty writing, have them tell you the word and you write it for them! Have them color the letters that are the same, so they begin to develop an understanding about what makes them rhyming words!
  

Beaumont, Karen.
No Sleep for the Sheep!
March 7, 2011.
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt.
Review copy provided courtesy of publisher.

When you go to place your order for Nancy Shaw's latest "sheep" titles, check out Karen Beaumont's latest title, No Sleep for the Sheep! It hits stores on March 7, but is already available for pre-order!

While I wouldn't necessarily consider this a "rhyming book," there are certainly rhymes found within that children will likely pick up on. In this sing-song type book, children will take delight as the poor sheep just wants to sleep in the big red barn on the farm! Of course, the other farm animals have other ideas in mind and do their best to keep sheep awake. However, sheep eventually has enough and is able to sleep through the racket of the other animals on the farm. The sing-y nature of the story makes it really fun to read and I can't wait to share this with my Head Start children... I know it's sure to have them chuckling and most likely joining in to share the reading fun!

Learning/Reading Activity:

• Read the story several times through... each time you read try to go faster and see just how much fun it can be. Encourage your child(ren) to participate and you'll really have a blast reading together!
  

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!

Fancy Nancy Week: Day 5

Introduce art museums with this Fancy Nancy masterpiece (that's fancy for great work)!

O'Connor, Jane.
Fancy Nancy and the Museum.
September 2009.
HarperCollins.
Review copy provided courtesy of publisher.

Nancy and her classmates are visiting an art museum for the first time. There they will learn about all sorts of art work - landscapes, still lives and portraits. There's a great deal to be learned throughout this story, not including all of Nancy's fancy language! Of course, Nancy has to look fancy for her trip to the museum, resulting in a bus ordeal and the discovery of the language surrounding artists garb!

Have your child(ren) research and experiment with the three types of paintings discussed in this Fancy Nancy title. Spend some time creating a still life, a portrait and a landscape of your child's choosing. If they'd like something to refer to, you could always use webshots for some great photographs to try and recreate!



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!

Fancy Nancy Week: Day 4

Winter Break is just around the corner - how about a Fancy Nancy sleepover?

O'Connor, Jane.
Fancy Nancy and the Late, Late, LATE Night.
April 2010.
HarperCollins.
Review copy provided courtesy of publisher.

When Fancy Nancy's requests for a later bedtime are denied by her parents, she tries a sneaky move, hiding under the covers with a flashlight to read the scrapbook she had been wanting to stay up to read. Nancy learns her lesson though, as she's exhausted (that's fancy for very tired) the next morning, lacking energy to jump rope at recess, miss 3 words on her spelling test and goes to bed the next night before her little sister! The lesson to be learned is that even fancy girls need their beauty rest!

Surely you've have a little one begging for a later bedtime! Share this book some night over winter break, allowing your little one to stay up LATE for just one night and do something special - perhaps a sleepover with a close friend and a late night movie? Children will find delight in the opportunity to have this special kind of night!

O'Connor, Jane.
Fancy Nancy: Pajama Day.
June 2009.
HarperCollins.
Review copy provided courtesy of publisher.

Pajama day at school is supposed to be a fun, special event. But, Nancy's desire to be fancy leaves her feeling anything but, as her best friend Bree happens to be "twins" with another child in the class. Things don't play out so well for Fancy Nancy as her fancy nightgown leaves her out of group. When Bree declines an invitation to play at Nancy's, Nancy really has hurt feelings. However, upon being invited to play with Bree and Clara, Nancy quickly rushes home and changes into her pajamas that will have her being a triplet with Bree and Clara!

The night after your late night sleepover, have a pajama day - spend the day in your PJ's doing some special things like Nancy and her classmates - dancing, the playground, maybe even making ice cream sundaes! Children will love spending the day in their pajamas, especially if they head out into public for a bit of attention-getting!



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!