Series of Public Service Announcements I made for Literacy Matters!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UEDX3ZxAeYw

Thankful for: Family!

This past week I went home to spend some time with my family. Now, if you know me, and even if you don't know me very well, you can still know how much I love my family. The Pickles, and Nanie's Crew are both very important to me, and in order to know and understand who I am, you must first understand who my family is. They are an incredible unit full of hilarious, smart, refreshing, inspiring and amazing people. So this week's blog post is all about family. 

The Kids' Family Tree Book

by:Caroline Leavitt

Plot: Who are my ancestors? What nationalities were they? What work did they do? Kids are always bursting with questions about their family history; they want more stories, more details, more facts. With these research ideas and creative projects, young would-be genealogists can get the knowledge they crave. Find out how to interview family members, dig up information from libraries and the Internet, and check the National Archives for passenger lists of newly-arrived immigrants. Uncover clues in old photos or birth, marriage, and death records. Preserve the knowledge you’ve gathered in a crayon batik family tree or a homemade diary that features favorite family stories, recipes, and traditions. Keep the togetherness going by planning a family reunion, starting a family newsletter, and more.

Stop that Pickle!

by: Peter Armour

Plot: Armour's comic, kid-pleasing escapade begins when Mrs. Elmira Deeds says to a deli owner, "I would like a pickle, please." But the lone green pickle sitting in the jar refuses to be eaten and flees the deli. Running down the street, it is followed by a peanut butter-and-jelly sandwich and other comestibles, all of which cry out, "Stop that pickle!" Inevitably, the other foodstuffs are devoured and the pickle allowed to continue its flight (why it's okay to eat, say, 17 toasted almonds but not a pickle remains a mystery). Shachat, the illistrator, ( You Can't Catch Me ) contributes zany childlike art: the various snacks, personified with bulging eyes and short stubby legs, race across busy backgrounds. A hoot. Ages 4-8. 

This book was too cute not to pick! (Get it- PICK) haha

I Love Journalism!

This week's books of the week are on one more thing I am thankful for. Every day I get to go to school to be what I have known I wanted to be since I was a 3rd grader: a journalist! I am intrigued by the world around me, and have always asked (sometimes to my parents' chagrin) Why? That is exactly the type of attitude it takes to be a journalist. So here are some books on what I am thankful for, THE NEWS!

Fairytale News

by: Colin Hawkins

Summary: Kindergarten-Grade 3–Children who are already familiar with Mother Goose rhymes and common folktales will find great humor in this fractured fairy tale. Mother Hubbard's son Jack delivers the Fairytale News to help out with the bare cupboards. His first stop is at Honey Cottage, the home of the Three Bears, and then he travels on to Mr. and Mrs. Hood, parents of Red Riding. Jack's story eventually becomes intertwined with the "Jack and the Beanstalk" saga, as he works out a deal with the giant who promises the boy a coin each day if he continues to deliver the paper. Puns abound. Although some entertaining quips may be enjoyed only by adults, such as the "Wax & Wayne" candle shop, young readers will feel clever pointing out references to the many fairy tales and poring over the details in the bright watercolor illustrations. One spread of the village contains the boot-shaped abode of the Old Woman in the Shoe, the Three Little Pigs' brick house, Miss Muffet's tuffet, and more. A loose newspaper is tucked into a colorful blue jeans pocket on the final page, which might make it difficult for libraries to circulate the book. However, even if the newspaper is lost, the story stands on its own.

This next book is not so much about the news as it is about how people can get their "news" from the wrong sources. It teaches a valuable lesson, can you figure it out? Either way, this is a favorite of mine.

The True Story of the Three Little Pigs

by: Jon Scieszka

Summary: Did the story of the three little pigs ever seem slightly biased to you? All that huffing and puffing--could one wolf really be so unequivocally evil? Finally, we get to hear the rest of the story, "as told to author Jon Scieszka," straight from the wolf's mouth. As Alexander T. Wolf explains it, the whole Big Bad Wolf thing was just a big misunderstanding. Al Wolf was minding his own business, making his granny a cake, when he realized he was out of a key ingredient. He innocently went from house to house to house (one made of straw, one of sticks, and one of bricks) asking to borrow a cup of sugar. Could he help it if he had a bad cold, causing him to sneeze gigantic, gale-force sneezes? Could he help it if pigs these days use shabby construction materials? And after the pigs had been ever-so-accidentally killed, well, who can blame him for having a snack? Ages 3-8.

Give Thanks!

I have had something on my mind lately and I'm going to use this blog to express it. In a world where so much is taken for granted and MORE is never enough, I just feel the need to express how thankful I am for everything in my life. The journey up to this part of my time here on earth has been beautiful, and the older I get, the more I realize this. 

 Last Friday night I spent time at the Chelsea High School Round 1 Playoff game and set up a booth for donations to my platform, Literacy Matters. My wonderful director, Mrs. Pam as well as my precious rising star, Morgan and her Mom Mrs. Hayden sat with me out in the freezing cold for the first quarter and we were able to raise over $75. Now $75 may not seem like a world-changing amount, but let me tell you, when that money goes to the Better Basics organization allowing them to help students become better readers and writers, that will change our world.

So to all of those who gave Friday and to those willing to give in the future, THANK YOU!! You are world-changers. I am so thankful for you. To celebrate the theme of giving thanks, the next few weeks I will be posting things that I am thankful for with books related to them. I hope you enjoy!

The Giving Tree

by: Shel Silverstein

Summary: A little boy visits the same apple tree every day. On his visits he would play games, eat the apples and swing from the tree. As the boy grew older the boy left the tree alone. Until one day the boy finally visited the tree and asked the tree how he could make money. The tree told him to take the apples off the branches and sell them in the city. The boy continued to barely come visit, but when he did he always asked for something in return, until one day the tree had nothing to give.

This book taught me so much about the power of giving, I remember reading it again and again!

I even Found this video, for those who can't get the book. But I highly suggest the book. :)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1TZCP6OqRlE&feature=player_embedded

Candy Land!

It is no secret that I love CANDY! I have a serious sweet tooth, and it is insatiable. This year is the first year that I have not received any Halloween candy...(Everyone say, awwww...) and I have been missing my childhood of pillow cases stuffed with sweet goodness. So, in memory of those yummy Dots, scrumptious Tootsie Rolls, and decadent Milk Duds, I wanted to do a post on Candy Children's Books. I am getting cravings right now!

Harriet's Halloween Candy

by: Nancy L. Carlson

Summary: Harriet learns the hard way that sharing her Halloween candy makes her feel much better than eating it all herself.

The Candy Corn Contest

by: Patricia Reilly Giff

Summary: It's almost Thanksgiving, and Richard Best can't stop thinking about Ms. Rooney's Candy Corn contest. Whoever can guess the exact number of yellow-and-orange candies in the jar on Ms. Roney's desk gets to keep them all. The only problem is Richard has to read a page in a library book for each guess.Smelly Matthew, who sits in front of him, knows they'll never win. "We're the worst readers in the class, " he says. But Richard won't give up. He can already taste those Candy Corns. And before he knows it, he has. Three fat juicy ones.What will Ms. Rooney do when she finds out?

Go get some candy! But don't make yourselves sick! :)

Some SPOOKY Good Books!

Halloween is quickly approaching, and in light of that fact, I decided that this week's books should be some fun costume ideas! From Presidents to doggies, no matter how you dress up, don't forget to read this week, in between bites of candy of course! :)

Madam President

by: Lane Smith

Summary: A confident girl walks readers through a typical day at home and at school (Eleanor Roosevelt Elementary) as she fantasizes about herself as president. Her first executive order is for waffles. She then negotiates a treaty between a cat and dog and appoints a toy cabinet; Mr. Potato Head is a dapper Secretary of Agriculture. In decisive fonts, the Head of State vetoes tuna casserole and other schoolhouse aberrations. She "leads by example" when it's time to straighten up her bedroom, but wisely delegates an ambassador's visit to the VP as weariness sets in.

Arthur's Halloween Costume

by: Lillian Hoban

Summary: Arthur the chimpanzee, after worrying that his Halloween costume won't be scary enough, wins a prize for the most original costume in the school.

Happy Halloween Biscuit!

by: Alyssa Capucilli

Summary: Wooof! Wooof!

Biscuit and the little girl are going trick-or-treating on his first Halloween. What kinds of silly surprises are in store for them?

Pull back the flaps to find out.

I hope everyone has a fun and safe Halloween!

Better Late than Never

The past two weeks have easily been the busiest weeks of my semester so far, hence the lack of blog posts. With multiple tests, papers, and a presentation or two added with daily workouts/dance practices, performances, and football games...I'm pooped! But now it's time to relax and read a good book or two! I'm currently reading "There's Something about St. Tropez" but I don't think it would work for a childrens' book of the week, so here are some great books I found to suggest to you all.

Paula Deen's My First Cookbook

by: Paula Deen

 While this isn't a sit down and read book, I LOVE Paula Deen and her cooking. Cooking is a great way to encourage a bond between you and your children. The ultimate read-along, with tasty results!

Summary: What better way to celebrate childhood than with pancakes around the kitchen table? Or how about a quick snack of Ants on a Log? Paula even shares her tricks for whipping up the perfect breakfast in bed for Mom on Mother's Day or a fancy dinner for Dad on Father's Day. Paula Deen's My First Cookbook is like a big hug from the queen of Southern hospitality and charm herself. So get in the kitchen with your favorite little ones today and start making those memories!

Aunt Claire's Yellow Beehive Hair

by: Deborah Blumenthal



Summary: Warmth, humour and fond remembrance waft through this beautifully worded and evocatively illustrated exploration of a young girl’s family tree — and the traits, trinkets and togetherness that sustain it.

 
Learning about your family and each person's individual traits can be fun and funny. Take time after reading this to discuss your own family members and their quirky traits!

Someday When My Cat Can Talk

by: Caroline Trazo

Summary: A young girl imagines the secret adventures of her tight-lipped kitty companion, including stowing away on an ocean liner, bound for the cultural delights of Europe. No ordinary tourist, the felicitous feline dines on mouse at Buckingham Palace, models on the catwalks of Paris, and hobnobs backstage at Vienna’s grand Opera House before returning home to the Nantucket shore. Offering a story that will inspire wanderlust in the littlest travelers, Lazo provides a charming rhyming text, but readers might want to make a preliminary run-through as some of the chosen pronunciations of French locales can cause stumbles.  Grades K-2.

I hope you all enjoy your week!