Bugs and Bunnies

Happy 40th Birthday, Sesame Street!

2009-11-10T10:46:00.010-05:00

Sesame Street turns 40 today. And I can only hope that, someday, any of my 40 years (and counting) on this planet will have been able to touch even one person as deeply as Sesame Street has touched me and our kids and so many countless others in its first 40 years (and counting) on this planet.

I remember watching Sesame Street when I was growing up, and it influenced much in my life. (In fact, Kermit the Frog is singularly responsible for the beginning of my lifelong love for and collection of frogs.) But Sesame Street had never entwined itself fully around my heart until the many days I spent watching it with both of my kiddos when they were teeny little things.

I remember Lovely Girl sitting spellbound whenever she heard or saw someone sing, I'd Like to Visit the Moon. Her toddler self shortened that title to "Moon Song." And she loved the "Moon Song" from the moment she heard it on Sesame Street. That first night, at bedtime, after we cuddled together in the rocking chair to read some of her favorite books, she snuggled down further in my lap and, with thumb firmly planted in her mouth, she demanded, "Moon Song!"

Talk about mild panic. It took some digging - and some major frustration on Lovely Girl's part - but I finally managed to figure out what she was talking about, and to remember the chorus, and that seemed to satisfy her. But when she asked for it again the next night, and the next, and the next, I realized I had better learn all the words to that song.

So I did. I went online, and I searched and searched until I found the entire lyrics. Then I printed them out, and I practiced. (Mind you, I am not a fantastic singer, nor am I a born performer, and I would not sing for you now if you paid me. But there is nothing I would not do for my kiddos.) By bedtime that night, I was ready, and I sang the "Moon Song" for her, and she wiggled contentedly until she found just the right spot to settle in. Then as soon as I finished singing, she asked for it again. And again. Over and over we did this, and each time her request was just a bit sleepier than the last, until finally her breathing deepened, and her head drooped, and her wrinkled thumb quietly slipped from her mouth. The "Moon Song" remained Lovely Girl's bedtime staple for years after that, and was the only song anyone could sing that would calm her down when she was upset.

Then along came Handsome Boy. And whatever Lovely Girl did, Handsome Boy wanted to do too, including watching Sesame Street. Though he was a busy little guy who would frequently wander away during the show to play with his toys, I remember the lightning speed he summoned as he barreled back to the TV whenever he heard the first strains of Elmo's World warble out of the speakers. Then he would plop down right in front of the TV (and I mean right in front - I was always scootching his little self back to a more respectable viewing distance), with his eyes glued to the screen. He would throw his head back and sing, "La-LA, la-LA! La-LA, la-LA! ELmo's WORRRRRLD," at the top of his tiny lungs. Not one to ever sit still for long, throughout that whole segment he would laugh and sing and dance and grab my face and point it back at the screen if I ever looked away, to be sure I saw it, too.

Learning from Lovely Girl's frustration at my lack of lyric knowledge, I paid better attention this time, and learned all the words to Elmo's World - straight from the Muppet's mouth. And just like Lovely Girl's "Moon Song," singing Elmo's World was not relegated merely to whenever we watched Sesame Street. Though it was not Handsome Boy's bedtime song of choice (that honor was reserved for Dumbo's Baby Mine), we did sing Elmo's World practically everywhere else. Loudly. We sang Elmo's World in the car. We sang Elmo's World while playing outside. We sang Elmo's World in the grocery store. We sang Elmo's World at the doctor's office. We even sang Elmo's World at the library - all the while studiously avoiding the rather annoyed gazes of the library's other patrons.

I will never forget those times with my kiddos as long as I live.

Thank you, Sesame Street.

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Will All Kitchen-Challenged Gents Kindly Step Up to the Stove?

2009-11-04T21:32:00.023-05:00

Gentlemen, tomorrow is your chance to command the kitchen counters, master the mashed potatoes, and prevail over the pâté. Why? Because the first Thursday in November is National Men Make Dinner Day.

Those of you peered at my Little-Known Holiday sidebar last week probably saw this listed as November 1st. But that was for 2007. (Oops.) The first Thursday in November of 2009 is the 5th. Seriously. But if you celebrated a few days ago, all is not lost. Call it a trial run. And if you saw it too late and thought you missed it...serendipity! Who says there are no second chances?

Wondering whether you qualify?

According to the National Men Make Dinner Day website (yes, there's a website):

"The ideal participant in 'National Men Make Dinner Day' is the man who: helps with household chores; has a sense of humour and is a great all-around guy; loves his wife/girlfriend, kids and pets...BUT NEVER LEARNED HOW TO COOK, and is somewhat afraid of the idea."

Notice it says "the ideal participant," and not "the exclusive participant." As the wife of a man who happens to cook often and well (with an occasional flair for the experimental), might I suggest that those of you who share my husband's More or Less Mastery of Mealtime consider joining the fun, too? After all, one does want to retain one's Sharp Knife in the Drawer kitchen status...

The goal for the day?

"One guaranteed meal cooked by the man of the house one day of the year."

No Experience? No Worries!

The National Men Make Dinner Day website is full of just what you need to make your turn in the kitchen a magnificent culinary success. In addition to a very guy-centric Top Ten list on the main page to motivate you to participate in the day, you'll also find:

Easy-to-prepare yet mouthwatering recipes to get you from appetizers all the way through dessert.
A list of NoNo foods you cannot use. (Sorry guys - weenies and wings just won't cut it this time.)
A smattering of Frequently Asked Questions, useful for both the chefs and their ~~victims~~ diners.
A link to contact the day's founder (but just to ask for interviews, not to beg for help)
A handy dandy glossary for those who don't know marzipan from a saucepan.
And of course, rules. Oh, yes. There are rules. Twelve of 'em. For a challenge as momentous as National Men Make Dinner Day, you can't just throw a hot dog on a plate and call it dinner. There must be appropriate preparatory shopping, proper recipe use, efficient preparation technique, acceptable kitchen decorum, correct table setting, and even pleasant ambience. (And no, bodily noises do not count as ambience. You should have used those back on Bean Day.)

And now, with the first Thursday of November nearly upon us, there's only one thing left to say:

Gentlemen, start your ovens!

(And diners, you may want to may want to steel your stomachs, just in case...)

Musical Fruit and Overused(?) Phrases...Sharing The Spotlight

2009-11-03T13:50:00.021-05:00

Little-Known Holidays are so fun to write about. And when those holidays play right into my own Slightly Warped Sense of Humor, they're even more fun to write about.

Case in point: Did you know that today, November 3, is Bean Day? Even if you have a Fairly Mainstream Sense of Humor, beans make you think of, well...flatulence. (I love it when I can find a way to use that word in everyday conversation.)

Today is also Cliché Day. But I'm not gonna write about clichés, because Zebee and the gang over at Zooprise Party/Fiesta Zoorpresa already covered Cliché Day quite well.

What I am gonna do is quote Ms Martha Brockenbrough, from her Encarta article*, In Defense of the Cliché, where she starts right off with this fabulous bit of wisdom:

"Clichés are a bit like flatulence. Figuratively speaking, they can clear a room."

Ms Brockenbrough goes on to (briefly) discuss a bit more about the gaseous Bean Day by-product: quoting Hippocrates' thoughts on this frequently foul bodily emission, as well as mentioning The Fartiste, Joseph Pujol, who learned to use controlled airy expulsions from his backside to entertain surprisingly appreciative crowds at the Moulin Rouge in his day. To be fair, though the beginning of the article seamlessly weaves words and wind (to my eternal delight), the rest of the article is largely about cliches and their use and origins, and it is an enjoyable and enlightening read.

Clichés and flatulence. Words and toots. Who knew you could put those two together?

Yep. It's a Holiday Two-Fer. And in a nod to that upcoming well-known American holiday of Thanksgiving, my Slightly Warped Sense of Humor is very thankful!

---

*Note: You'll have to trust me, I guess, on how fabulous Ms Brockenbrough's article was, because from the time I posted this originally, and two and a half hours later, the article is gone, and now all you see is an error message that says, "The MSN Encarta page you are trying to visit has been discontinued." Rats!

October 23rd is National Mole Day

2009-10-21T17:54:00.010-04:00

If you are scientifically minded, you know that National Mole Day was created in honor of Avogadro's Number (6.02 x 10²³) - a chemistry unit of measure. And if you visit Fayetteville Christian School's Science page on National Mole Day, you'll find a handy list of ways to celebrate.

If you are zoologically minded, National Mole Day probably makes you think of something along the lines of this little guy:

And if you're a comically-minded movie goer (like me), you can't think of or hear or read the word "mole" in any context whatsoever without thinking of the moley scene from Austin Powers in Goldmember. (Note to parents: this is a clean - and funny - clip the kiddos can see):

Trippy

2009-10-16T09:02:00.006-04:00

I had far too many irons in the fire this week: processing what I learned at last week's Fall Philly SCBWI conference, participating all this week in The Muse Online Writer's Conference, and preparing for KitLitCon this weekend. Something had to give, and that something was my book review prep for this week. But never fear: beginning next Friday I'll have reviews up of some great Halloween book faves of mine.

While you're here, though, grab the kiddos and check out this awesome vid:

That alone was worth the click to get here, now, wasn't it?

This is the Coolest Thing I Have Seen in a Very Long Time

2009-10-15T08:17:00.001-04:00

It's National Chocolate Covered Insect Day!

2009-10-14T13:34:00.012-04:00

Yes, those are chocolate covered crickets, and no, I'm not kidding. Every year, when October 14 rolls around, feel free to sample a chocolate covered insect or two in celebration of National Chocolate Covered Insects Day.

Those of us in the States - well, a large majority of us - typically cringe when faced with the prospect of eating a bug, even if somebody offers to pay us to do it. But there are countries in which bugs as food are a delicacy - Australia, Africa and Asia are three. (Hmmm. I wonder if living in a country that starts with "A" has anything to do with seeing bugs as cuisine? Something to ponder...)

Anyway, for those who want to immerse themselves in the day, I have just the thing for you. If you live near the Big Easy, you'll want to visit the United States' largest insect museum, The Audubon Insectarium. You can see bugs there. you can touch bugs there. And, via their Bug Appetit cooking show, you can eat bugs there. But if visiting New Orleans isn't in the cards for you, you can always click any of the links above to visit the website for some vicarious fun.

Now that you have some bug background, time to sample the goods. But how? Don't worry, I've got you covered there, too. For those who love to shop, here are some websites where you can order your very own absolutely genuinely real chocolate covered insects:

Candy Favorites - This page has some chocolate covered crickets to satisfy your creepily-crawl-ily curious palate.
Cool Bug Stuff - Here is a bug lover's online paradise, with an array of all things exoskeletonish, including a link to buy edible bug creations.
Candy Warehouse - Lots o' candy here, both traditional and buggy. Plug "chocolate covered insects" into the search box on the left hand side to find them easily.
Real Cool Toys - This one not only has edible bugs for sale, but also a bug cookbook. Is that cool, or what?
Educational Innovations - The teacher in me loves this one. Who knew you could learn a thing or two while trying to gross yourself out?

For those who are of the Do-It-Yourself persuasion, the following links will take you to sites which walk you through all you need to know to whip up a homemade batch of chocolate covered insects:

eHow article - All you need to know to make your own chocolate covered ants, mealworms, crickets and grasshoppers.
Raymond's Nest - A recipe for chocolate covered crickets, with some giggle-worthy commentary thrown in, to boot.

Here's another little tidbit for you. Did you know that there is a word to describe folks who eat bugs? Yep. And why not? We have a word for people who eat only veggies. We have a word for people who eat people. (Ewww.) Well, the word for people who eat bugs is entomophagian.

There ya go. Don't you just love learning (and tasting) new things?

Sources:

Slashfood.com - Happy National Chocolate Covered Insects Day

DigitalCity.com - National Chocolate Covered Insects Day - Get Your Edible Bugs

Blissfully Domestic - Tasty Bugs

Book Review: The Lightning Thief (Percy Jackson and the Olympians, Book One), by Rick Riordan

2009-10-09T09:54:00.009-04:00

"If you're a normal kid, reading this because you think it's fiction, great. Read on. I envy you for being able to believe that none of this ever happened.

But if you recognize yourself in these pages - if you feel something stirring inside - stop reading immediately. You might be one of us. And once you know that, it's only a matter of time before they sense it too, and they'll come for you.

Don't say I didn't warn you."

Overview:

Percy Jackson is 12 years old. He is dyslexic. He has ADHD. He has a rep for getting in trouble. And he's about to be expelled from Yancy Academy - his sixth school in as many years. But this time, with help from his best friend Grover and his favorite teacher Mr. Brunner (who are not what they seem), he finds out that there's a perfectly good explanation for all of it, that he's not a bad kid, and that he comes by everything quite naturally. See, Mom's a mortal, and Dad's an ancient Greek god. That makes him a half-blood: a demigod hardwired for reading Greek and doing hero stuff. That also makes him a target of monsters bent on snuffing him out - him and all the other kids he meets at Camp Half-Blood.

Those monsters are the least of his worries. Zeus' thunderbolt has been stolen, and he thinks Percy is the thief. Zeus threatens a war that will tear apart Mount Olympus and throw the modern world into chaos if it's not returned. Percy's only chance at survival - indeed, everyone's only chance - is to complete the dangerous quest given him by the Oracle. His job is simple, if daunting: find the bolt, return it to Zeus, and expose the thief. In 10 days. But Percy's quest is also personal, and not quite as simple - to win the favor of his Greek god father. And all the while, he wrestles with the Oracle's warning of a friend's betrayal. Grover and Annabeth volunteered to help him on his quest. Surely they wouldn't turn on him?

For Teachers and Librarians:

The Lightning Thief has so much going on, you could revolve your entire curriculum around it for quite some time. Besides being a fantastic story that your kids will immerse themselves in completely, you can pull a ton of educational material and units from here. Explore the themes of heroism, family, friendship, loyalty, and courage. Delve in to Greek mythology, matching it up to what they read about in the book, or use the book as a springboard into further exploration of the Greek myths it touches on. Have your charges write their own story - putting themselves in Percy's place, deciding which god is their parent, including some of their friends in there, coming up with problems and solutions to include, and making sure there is conflict and resolution, and a quest.

The book is full of magic, and mystery, and adventure - have your kids cite examples of each, then branch out: what other books do they know that would fall under these categories, and why? Let them act out favorite scenes. Squeeze in some math - compare and contrast American currency with the golden drachmas used in the book. Compare and contrast modern Greek currency with ancient Greek currency - mixing a bit of social studies into your math lessons. Let them plot on a United States map all the places mentioned in the book, and tag them with what happened at each place. Talk about the modern world's events, and how they could seen as being influenced by the Greek gods - and then have them write up mock news stories about them for the Mount Olympus newspaper. So many ideas, so little space! Drop a comment if you have other ideas!

For Parents, Grandparents and Caregivers:

The Lightning Thief is a book both you and your kiddos will love reading. There's action, and adventure, and magic, and suspense, and some peril, and humor. The story will keep you on your toes - lots of twists and turns, and never a dull moment. And on the serious side, it's a warm look at the great lengths to which people will go for those they love and care for. It shows strong friendships, the value of loyalty - as well as the value of putting your loyalty in the right places, and the good things that come from doing what is right. It shows what kids can do if they trust in themselves, and how much more they can do if they have others who will trust and support them. You can't go wrong here, and you can feel good that you're putting a quality book in their hands, whether you read it together, or whether they go off to read it on their own.

For the Kids:

Have you ever thought that you didn't quite belong? That there was something just a little, well, different about you? Did you ever hope that you had these really awesome powers? Did you ever think it would be cool if things in this world were not what they seemed, but that you found out what they were, and nobody else was the wiser? That happens to Percy Jackson in The Lightning Thief.

It has a little bit of everything: danger, heroes, villians, action, mystery, and adventure. It's a whole new and fun way of looking at the very old Greek myths you may have read, because they seem so much cooler playing out in "real life." Plus, who doesn't love a book with a good quest in it? It's funny sometimes, and scary sometimes, and powerful sometimes, and even sad sometimes, but it's a story that will keep you turning the pages as fast as your eyes can read the words. Be forewarned: once you've read this book, you may never look at your friends and teachers in quite the same way ever again...

For Everyone Else:

The Lightning Thief is a book to be enjoyed by kids and adults alike. The action sweeps you along from one exciting scene to the next, and you'll find it hard to put down.

Wrapping Up:

Find your copy of The Lightning Thief, and get reading. It's a book you don't want to miss. Once you've finished it, though, don't be sad - there are four more books after this one, so you can continue the adventure!

Title: The Lightning Thief (Percy Jackson & the Olympians, Book One)

Author: Rick Riordan

Jacket Design: Christine Kettner

Pages: 377

Reading Level: Ages 9-12

Publisher and Date: Miramax, 2005

Edition: 1st, Hardcover, reinforced binding

Language: English

Published In: United States

Price: $17.99

ISBN-10: 0786856297

ISBN-13: 9780786856299

*The Lightning Thief, by Rick Riordan, was purchased by Kim Wheedleton for her personal use and enjoyment. She was not contacted by any person or company requesting that she write this review. No payment in any form has been requested, offered or received for her review of this book.

Author Spotlight: Rick Riordan

2009-10-09T09:43:00.008-04:00

Rick Riordan knew from the time he was young that he wanted to grow up to be both a teacher and a writer, but he credits his ninth grade English teacher, Mrs. Seaholm, with sparking a strong interest in reading and writing, and his "fascination with literature that combines humor and darkness."

In fact, he ended up realizing one goal while living out another. Mr. Riordan taught English and history at middle schools both private and public in the San Francisco Bay Area and in Texas for 15 years. During that time, he began taking writing seriously, and started writing mystery novels for adults. His first book, Big Red Tequila, was published in 1997, and became the first in his Tres Navarre series. It was a great success, and soon his students began to ask, when would he write for kids? That made him think.

It was his son Haley who finally pushed it further. One night, when Haley was in second grade, he requested that his dad tell him a bedtime story - one with Greek gods and heroes in it. Since that was a subject upon which Mr. Riordan frequently taught, he had plenty of stories to retell. But, he says,

"When I ran out of myths, (Haley) was disappointed and asked me if I could make up something new with the same characters."

After three nights of telling this new tale to his son, Haley suggested that Mr. Riordan write it all down as a book. The result was The Lightning Thief, published in 2005 - the first of five titles in his Percy Jackson & the Olympians series.

Mr. Riordan has won many prestigious awards for his work in both children's and adults' books. In addition to his Tres Navarre mystery series for adults, and his Percy Jackson series for kids, he has also penned short fiction pieces for magazines, and is the is the creator of the popular The 39 Clues series for kids (and author of its first book, The Maze of Bones). He has two other kids' series in the works: one based on the ancient Egyptians, and a Half-Blood Camp series.

Rick Riordan lives in San Antonio, Texas, with his wife and two sons.

Sources:

Rick Riordan Official Site

Rick Riordan author bio sheet (printable)

Rick Riordan (Wikipedia)

Kids Q&A: Rick Riordan (Powells.com)

Talking with Rick Riordan (Book Links interview by Jeanette Larson)

Book Review: Speak, by Laurie Halse Anderson

2009-10-02T08:00:00.002-04:00

It is my first morning of high school. I have seven new notebooks, a skirt I hate, and a stomachache.

Overview:

The first two lines of Speak sound like they could come from just about any 14-year-old on her first day of ninth grade. But Melinda Sordino is not just any high school newbie. Her parents don't know what to do with her, her friends have turned against her, and she is an outcast to everyone else before she even boards the school bus - all because of what happened one night in August, shortly before school started. But her parents don't know what happened at all, and her friends and the other kids only know part of what happened. And the part they don't know - the secret Melinda harbors deep inside herself, the secret she is afraid to voice - is the part she desperately needs to tell. If only someone would listen.

For Teachers and Librarians:

Speak is one of those books. You know - a book with a story that truly "gets" what it's like to be a teenager, and to wade through that confusing place known as high school, and to figure out that confusing time known as the teen years. It is also a book about sexual assault, and depression; those are very hard things to deal with for adults, let alone teens. But, it is also about being true to yourself, about learning to trust those who deserve to be trusted, and about digging deep within yourself - with the help of someone you trust - to discover the strength to overcome, and to heal, and most importantly...to not be silent when you are wronged. It gives a voice to the voiceless, a ray of light to those trapped in darkness, a measure of hope to those who see none. It will open many, many doors - a welcome thing for so many teens who have been unable to open them on their own.

For Parents, Grandparents and Caregivers:

Speak shows both the dangers that come from keeping things hidden, as well as the positive results that come from speaking out. It shows the undeserved power given to those who hurt us when we remain silent, and the rightful shift of power back to us when we stand up for ourselves. It shows that trust comes in small steps, but the more steps we take, the stronger that bond becomes. It shows the profound effect even one caring teacher can have on a teen. It shows that while families may be broken, with even a little bit of effort on all sides, those families can heal. It is a story of hurt, and of healing; of sorrow, and of joy. It can be just the thing to coax your teen to talk to you. It can be just the thing for you to start to make some sense of behaviors you may be seeing in your teen. It is a journey - one that you and your teen won't want to miss.

For the Older Kids:

If you're looking for a book that gets it right - one that gets what it's really like to be a teen - then Speak is a book you've gotta read. Whether you're someone who feels lost, or alone, or hurt, or angry, or doesn't feel like anyone understands you, or if you just know someone who seems like something's not quite right, and you're looking for ways to figure out how to help them, Speak is a good place to start. It is a story that will stick with you. It will make you laugh sometimes, and cry sometimes. Sometimes it will make you angry, and sometimes it will make you think, and sometimes it will make you cheer, and sometimes you'll see yourself in there, and sometimes you'll see someone you know in there. It is a book you will never, ever forget, and you will be glad you read it.

For Everyone Else:

Speak. Find it. Read it. 'Nuff said.

Wrapping Up:

Speak has meant many things to many people, from teens to adults. Below is a video of the author, reading her poem, "Listen," which was inspired by the emails and letters she has received from those who have read Speak. ***Note: Not something for the little kiddos to view. Teens and adults only:

Title: Speak (10th Anniversary Edition)

Author: Laurie Halse Anderson

Cover Illustration: Michael Morgenstern

Pages: 240

Reading Level: Young adult

Publisher and Date: Penguin Group, 2009

Edition: 10th Anniversary paperback

Language: English

Published In: United States

Price: $11.99

ISBN-10: 0142414735

ISBN-13: 978-0142414736

Author Spotlight: Laurie Halse Anderson

2009-10-02T07:59:00.000-04:00

Laurie Halse Anderson was introduced to how fun writing could be through a haiku lesson from her second grade teacher. Even though she enjoyed it, she thought she would grow up to be a doctor, not a writer. Happily, for the many folks who've read her books, she was wrong.

Growing up, Ms Anderson read all the time - historical fiction was a favorite when she was a child, and science fiction and fantasy overtook that favorite spot in her teen years. She also had a love of foreign cultures and languages, which eventually led her to spend her senior year as an exchange student in Denmark, where she lived on a pig farm. When she returned to the States, she tried working in retail for a while, then enrolled in Onondaga Community College. She worked on a dairy farm milking cows while at OCC, and graduated with an AA degree in 1981. She then transferred to Georgetown University, where she earned a BSLL in Language and Linguistics in 1984. She married Greg Anderson in 1983, and the couple had two daughters.

Though, for years, she had loved to write, Ms Anderson saw it as little more than a hobby, until finding work as a freelance reporter for the Philadelphia Inquirer. She also began writing books...and receiving lots of rejections. After joining the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI), and finding a critique group, things began looking up: her first book, Ndito Runs, was published in 1996, followed thereafter by several more. She also wrote non-fiction.

Then, during the time she had been writing Fever 1793, she took a break from that story to write Speak, which was published in 1999 and is the book for which she is most well-known. Fever 1793 was then published in 2000. The success of Speak garnered her the full attention of the writing world, and of agents. Though she published her first seven books on her own, she now is represented by agent Amy Berkower of Writer's House.

From 2000- 2006, in addition to writing, Ms Anderson traveled the country, speaking to conferences and schools and universities, doing workshops, and critiquing manuscripts. Since then, demands on her writing time have limited her appearances to just conferences and book tours.

Ms Anderson has written a variety of work: freelance reporting, non-fiction, picture books, historical fiction, young adult novels, and a chapter book series. Now, she alternates between contemporary young adult and historical fiction, as well as some picture books, and possibly a book about the writing process. She has won numerous awards for her work - too numerous to mention in this article, in fact. But here is a link to a curriculum vitae of Laurie Halse Anderson - complete with honors and awards her work has received.

In addition to changes in her professional life, there have been some in her personal life, as well. She and first husband Greg have divorced, but remain friends. Both are now remarried: Greg to pediatrician Dr. Susan Kressly, and Laurie to childhood sweetheart Scott Larrabee.

In her non-writing time, she enjoys running, hiking, and gardening. She and husband Scott live in New York state, where she writes in her newly completed and much anticipated writing cottage, situated just steps from her home.

Sources:

Officially Long Official Biography of Laurie Halse Anderson - Official Site, Laurie Halse Anderson

Author Profile: Laurie Halse Anderson (teenreads.com)

Laurie Halse Anderson (simonsays.com PDF)

Anderson, Laurie Halse (bio prepared by Mandy Criswell, Summer 2002)

Read-a-Palooza Recap

2009-09-29T13:01:00.019-04:00

We here at Chez Wheedleton embarked on a most wonderful Read-a-Palooza Weekend, and I have some great pics to share and tales to tell:

So, our book-loving household set off way too early on a non-school day, bleary-eyed but excited, as we drove down Saturday morning for the National Book Festival in Washington, DC. Our first stop was the Children's Tent, where we managed to snare front row seats to hear and see something special: the first installment of The Exquisite Corpse Adventure, which can only be found exclusively on the Read.gov website, with new installments posted every two weeks.

Wait a minute: Corpse? For kids? Yep! From Read.gov:

Ever heard of an Exquisite Corpse? It's not what you might think. An Exquisite Corpse is an old game in which people write a phrase on a sheet of paper, fold it over to conceal part of it and pass it on to the next player to do the same. The game ends when someone finishes the story, which is then read aloud.

Intrigued? Click here to read the very first installment. (But don't forget to come back here - I'm not done yet!)

The event was MC'd by Mary Brigid Barrett (Our White House: Looking In, Looking Out), though I didn't get a good picture of her. But here is the panel that was with her (left to right): Jon Scieszka (Stinky Cheese Man), Megan McDonald (Judy Moody series, Stink series), Steven Kellogg (The Day Jimmy's Boa Ate the Wash, The Mysterious Tadpole), Nikki Grimes (Barack Obama: Son of Promise, Child of Hope), Kate DiCamillo (The Tale of Despereaux, The Tiger Rising), and Shannon Hale (Princess Academy):

Megan McDonald tells part of the tale, as Steven Kellogg illustrates (live onstage!):

From there, I stood in line with Lovely Girl and Handsome Boy for over an hour so Kate DiCamillo could sign their copies of The Tale of Despereaux. (She stayed later than scheduled, to try to get to as many kids as she could.) They were so excited to meet her:

Then my husband C got in another line with the kiddos to wait for Jeff Kinney (Wimpy Kid series) to sign their books, while I wandered the grounds on my own a bit.

Look who I found: Lois Lowry! Speaking! As you can see, I was way way in the back (and this photo is cropped, even), but I could at least hear her, and it was wonderful:

When Ms Lowry finished her talk, I wandered back to the kiddos and C, and still got there in time to see them meet Jeff Kinney. He even took the time to read some of Handsome Boy's writings in Diary of a Wimpy Kid Do-It-Yourself Book, before he signed it:

I was hoping to catch Lois Lowry's signing line (and brought my copy of The Giver - one of my favorite Lois Lowry books), but by then the kiddos were pretty well festivaled-out, and it had started to rain (books + rain = oh, crud!), so we called it a day. Besides, we knew she would be in Baltimore on Sunday.

So, Sunday came (yay!) but we got to the Baltimore Book Fest too late and missed seeing Lois Lowry by one teeny hour (boo!) but her website says I can still send my book to her to get it signed (yay!).

And, we did get there in time to hear Liz Kessler speak (yay!) and she signed two of Lovely Girl's Emily Windsnap books (yay!) and she is a very delightful woman:

After that, we walked around, and ate some ice cream, and Handsome Boy met Lyle Crocodile, and Lovely Girl sculpted a wolf out of clay...

...and oh! It was a wonderfully fabulous book-festive weekend.

It's a Read-a-Palooza Weekend!

2009-09-25T10:00:00.019-04:00

My usual Friday Book Review will not be posted today, because I have stumbled upon a veritable Cornucopia of Book Stuff. A Literary Treasure Trove. A Book Lover's Dream Come True. It's too great not to share, and it's all crammed into this very weekend. Not only does it kick off Banned Books Week and its many accompanying celebrations, but there are a couple of awesome - and free! - book fests Near My Neck of the Woods. (When I say, "near," think: "within reasonable driving distance." See, My Neck of the Woods is a Two-Stop-Light Town where you kinda need to drive a spell to get to a bit more civilization. Which is kinda the way I like it.)

Anyway, back to the book stuff:

Banned Books Week begins this year on Saturday, Sept. 26th. All week long, libraries and bookstores and other book-minded places are drawing attention to this issue in their own ways.

Banned Books Week Read-Out - Held in historic Bughouse Square in Chicago, Illinois, on Saturday, Sept. 26, 2009. Authors of six of the ten most challenged books of 2008 will be there to read their books, and "share their experiences as targets of censors." And of course, there will be booksignings afterward.
Ninth Street Book Shop - Located in Wilmington, Delaware, this bookstore will once again have a banned books display in their front window. Why? Here's what they have to say:
"Starting in September and running through October, our store will feature a large front window display of recently banned books, which we've presented annually since Banned Books Week was instituted. Always a very popular and provocative exhibit, it draws many into our store to question "Why is my favorite book of all time being banned?" which is precisely the point of our display."
Page after page - This Lewisburg, Pennsylvania bookshop will also have their own Banned Books Week display.
La Grange Association Library - You can find this library in Poughkeepsie, New York, where they'll have a banned books display, and will hold a Banned Books Challenge: asking participants to match book descriptions with their titles and authors.
McNally Jackson Books - Located in New York, New York, this bookstore plans to have a Banned Books Week display, too.

Except for the Banned Books Week Read-Out, the above events are Near My Neck of the Woods. To find out what folks are doing elsewhere, click here. If you find that there aren't any events near you, Banned Books Week has you covered with a list of all kinds of ways to participate in the festivities, whether you're a librarian, a teacher, a bookseller, a parent, a kid, or a Book Lover In General.

And finally - book festivals! Both of these are Near My Neck of the Woods - and FYI: they're a quick and convenient road trip apart from each other. But there are a ton of other book festivals out there, in all kinds of places, on various dates. A quick Google search for "book festivals" will point you in the right direction.

14th Annu al Baltimore Book Fest - Going on all weekend: today (12 pm - 8 PM), Saturday, Sept. 26, (12 PM - 8 PM) and Sunday, Sept. 27 (12 PM - 7 PM). You'll find it at Mount Vernon Place, 600 block of North Charles Street, in Baltimore, Maryland. Food, music, presentations, author readings and booksignings, events, Literary Walking Tours, hands-on activities for kids, and more to keep the whole family busy, fed, and full of fun!

2009 National Book Festival - You'll find it on the National Mall, in Washington DC. Saturday, September 26, from 10 AM until 5:30 PM. Free and open to the public. Pavillions all up and down the Mall, full of more than 70 authors and illustrators - reading their books, presenting, and doing booksignings. Check out the official website for a list of authors, as well as signing and reading schedules. Can't get there? No worries - the official site also will point you to podcasts, and you can follow updates through Twitter (@librarycongress, hashtag #nbf) and Facebook (become a fan of Library of Congress).

So, my weekend plans are all set. How about yours?

Celebrating the Freedom to Read

2009-09-24T14:21:00.032-04:00

I have to admit - I swiped my title from the theme for a very important celebration going on all next week, all across America: Banned Books Week. This year's celebration takes place from September 26 through October 3, 2009, and is the United States' only national celebration of the freedom to read.

Banned Books Week is an event held annually the last week in September, and was first launched in 1982 as a response to a sudden increase in the number of books being challenged in libraries, bookstores, and schools. In fact, more than 1000 books have been challenged since 1982 - in every state. And just in 2008, the American Library Association says, there were about 513 book challenges, though they believe that number to be much higher in reality - since between 70-80% of challenges are never reported.

So, why is a book challenged, banned, or restricted? The reasons vary: too sexual, too violent, use of profanity and slang, or a protest against an offensive portrayal of groups - both racial and religious...more or less, because somehow, in some fashion, the contents of the book will be harmful to the reader. The problem is, when a book is banned, the Reader isn't free to determine that for herself. Because someone else has taken that freedom - that choice - away from her.

Most challenges made are against children's and young adult books, and of course parents and others have a responsibility - as well as a great and burning desire (and rightly so) - to protect and care for their children. And yes, that responsibility and desire does extend to guiding their children's reading choices toward what they are developmentally ready to read. Yet when one person, or a group of people, decide that a book's content is inappropriate - at any developmental level - not only for their own child, but also for everyone else's child, that crosses a line.

Here's something else to consider when looking at what we each decide is appropriate reading material for our own children: Do we decide for our kids what they are allowed to read, for fear of what they will be exposed to? Or, do we raise our children in the best way we know how, and be involved in their lives (but not too involved), and teach them to think for themselves, so that when they choose their own books, we can encourage them to ask questions if they don't understand what they've read, and then have open and meaningful discussions with them about what they encounter in those books, and about how all of that makes them feel, and about how all of that relates to them in their own lives?

It's all about making an informed decision. And if we as adults have done our job well, then our kids will be able to do just that.

Sources:

Banned Books Week - Official Site

American Library Association - Banned Books Week

Banned Children's Books - About.com

Party Time for People With a Penchant for Proper Punctuation

2009-09-23T17:35:00.017-04:00

Move over, Grammar Gurus, 'cause tomorrow...is not your day. Tomorrow is reserved for those folks fascinated and maybe even a wee bit obsessive about all things curvy, slashy, or otherwise dotty.

That's right - September 24th, 2009 is the sixth annual National Punctuation Day! According to the official NPD website, this most auspicious day is:

"A celebration of the lowly comma, correctly used quotes, and other proper uses of periods, semicolons, and the ever-mysterious ellipsis."

NPD has all the trappings of a first-rate holiday right there on their website for your perusal, but let's start with my personal favorite - food. NPD has its very own Official Meatloaf of National Punctuation Day. (Seriously. You can check out a picture of one, and even nab a PDF of the recipe.) But if you're not much of a follower, you can flex your creative oven mitts by entering the National Punctuation Day Baking Contest. Oh, yes. And, there's still time to enter! But the deadline - September 30, 2009 - is fast approaching, so check out the official rules for all the important deets.

Let's move on to the next celebratory staple, shall we? Christmas has Santa, Easter has the Bunny, and those momentous days of tiny lost teeth have the Tooth Fairy. Not to be outdone, NPD has its very own (dah-dah-dah-daaaaahhhh!) superhero! Who is this epitome of proper punctuation? Well, just think: there you are, writing away, when you have to write one little three letter word. Just one, tiny little pronoun. But, which version should you use: its, its', or it's? Who ya gonna call? Punctuation Man, of course, who swoops in to give you just the guidance you need.

So, ya got your food. Ya got your holiday figure. Now, how will you celebrate the day? The NPD website has you covered there, too, with a link to all kinds of relaxing and punctuating things you can do. Some examples: read a newspaper, circling all the punctuation mistakes you find; take a walk and note the signs you see with punctuation errors; and write a mistake-free letter to a friend. For the more leisurely among us, the site also lists some less strenuous and decidedly more relaxing - if questionably related - options.

There's lots more to explore on the NPD site: photos sent in of poorly punctuated signs, info on a program for kids to help them develop great communication skills, and letters from folks from all over with questions and/or praise. There's even a page dedicated to punctuation resources. And for the shopaholics among us - you guessed it - stuff to buy!

Who knew there were so many ways to celebrate punctuation? Choose a few from the site, or make up some of your own, but any way you punctuate it, have a fabulously fun National Punctuation Day!

Book Review: The Wump World, by Bill Peet

2009-09-18T11:45:00.020-04:00

One morning the Wumps were awakened by a far-off humming sound. It seemed to be coming from somewhere above, and as the humming grew into a heavy roar, the sleepy-eyed Wumps crept through the trees for a peek at the sky.

Zooming straight for the earth came a great flock of potbellied monsters, with tails and fins, spitting fire and shooting out streaks of black smoke.

Overview:

Furry and cute, the Wumps live in a wonderful world. They spend their days contentedly munching the soft green grass, cooling off in the clear rivers and lakes, and resting beneath the shady bumbershoot trees. Until one day, when the noisy Pollutians shatter the silence, roaring into the Wump World aboard their smoke-belching ships, and the Wumps go running for safety in caves deep underground. Meanwhile, the tiny Pollutians - who have fled their old world in order to start again on a new one - bring out their giant, noisy machines as they "improve" the Wump World. The Wumps grow more and more despondent in their underground hiding places, fearfully listening to the rumbles, roars and screeches coming from above. Will they have to live in the caves forever? What are the Pollutians doing up there? Will the Wump World ever be the same?

For Teachers and Librarians:

The Wump World is a very simple yet powerful story, with a very planet-friendly message that is subtly yet clearly delivered. It is a great book to use in conjunction with a unit on the environment, pollution, or any other type of eco-educational study, and you can mix reading skills right in there to knock out two (or more) subjects at once. (That's my favorite part of theme-based learning!)

Have your students compare and contrast the Wumps and the Pollutians: how each group lives, what each group feels it needs to survive, how each group's behavior affects the worlds they live in, etc. It is a great prompt for discussing "green" alternatives for energy, transportation, and lifestyle. Ask your kiddos to tell you how the Pollutians' lifestyle affects their health, and how the Wumps' lifestyle affects theirs, and chart their responses. Ask them how they feel about living where they do (city? 'burbs? country?): Does pollution affect them more or less than what they've read about in the book? How?

Let them create an alternative ending where the Pollutians learn how to clean up the mess they made of the Wump World, and live peacefully together with the Wumps. Create a sequel where the Pollutians go back to their home world and fix it, using what they've learned while repairing the damage they've done in the Wump World. Have them act out the stories. Let them brainstorm ways they can be more "green" while at school and at home, and ways they can persuade their parents to live a more "green" lifestyle. So many ideas, and so little space to list them all here. What else will you come up with?

For Parents, Caregivers and Grandparents:

The Wump World is an easy-to-understand story about a complex subject that is still as relevant today as it was back when it was first published. It clearly yet non-threateningly shows your kiddos how what we do affects our world - for better, or for worse. Your kiddos may find themselves more interested in their environment, and how their choices affect the world in which they live.

Ask them: What is one little change they can make to help the world be a cleaner, healthier place? Turn off the lights when they leave a room? Close the main door when the air or heat are running? Decide what they want from the refrigerator before they open it, instead of leaving the door hanging open while they peruse the contents? You could stop with just the discussion, or you could go further: Create a contract between you and the kiddos of what you each pledge to do - big or small - to make the world a healthier place. Donate to a worthy organization that's working to educate people on how to be more "green." Volunteer - anywhere, with anything you feel helps someone else. Where will you let this story take you and your kiddos?

For the Kids:

Who lives in The Wump World? Furry, cuddly little Wumps. They're happy in their comfy world - the grass is green, the water is clear and cool, and the bumbershoot trees give them a nice place to sleep beneath at night. Everyone is happy and healthy. But their nice quiet world is suddenly invaded by the noisy, sneezy, tiny Pollutians, who have left their worn-out world behind to take over the Wump World. The Wumps are afraid, and run to the safety of underground caves, where they listen to all the noise above, and worry about what is becoming of their world. What have the Pollutians done to the Wump World? Will the Wumps have to live underground forever? Find the book, and find out!

For Everyone Else:

The Wump World is a wake-up call that's been hanging on the line for much longer than "being green" has become an oft-quoted catch-phrase. Read this simple yet powerful story to remind yourself of where we could be headed, and what we still have time to do to fix things. After all, we want to keep this big, beautiful, world of ours healthy and vibrant and, yes, "green," for generations to come. Don't we?

Wrapping Up:

The Wump World. It's one of those books that just sticks with you. And for this book, that's a very good thing.

Title: The Wump World

Author and Illustrator: Bill Peet

Pages: 48

Reading Level: Ages 5-8, Grades K-3

Publisher and Date: Sandpiper, 1981

Edition: Paperback

Language: English

Published In: United States

Price: $5.95

ISBN-10: 0395311292

ISBN-13: 978-0395311295

Author Spotlight: Bill Peet

2009-09-18T10:35:00.010-04:00

Though Bill Peet's professional accomplishments included author, illustrator, and animator/filmmaker, drawing was his most cherished hobby - from as far back as he can remember. He said,

"I drew for hours at a time just for the fun of it, and yet I was hoping to find some practical reason to draw for the rest of my life."

His "drawing habit" frequently got him in trouble in school. He kept a small notebook in his desk, and stole as many moments as he could to sneak drawings in it. He was caught unawares by his teachers many times, mid-draw, and his notebooks ended up confiscated. But one teacher, instead of putting the discovered notebook in her desk, strode to the front of the classroom and smiled as she showed his drawings to the entire class. Then she returned it right back to him and said, "I hope you will do something with drawing someday." Luckily for legions of fans of all ages, he did.

By high school, he knew drawing was something he "coudn't possibly give up," and he was determined to find a way to make it his livelihood. In 1933, he won a scholarship to the John Herron Art Institute in Indianapolis, Indiana, where he studied drawing, painting and design for three years. It was there that he met Margaret Brunst, and they decided to marry once Bill could find gainful employment.

In 1937, he headed to Los Angeles, California, after having heard that Walt Disney needed artists for his animated films. He got the job, and once it seemed secure, he married Margaret - his biggest supporter. Bill Peet started as an "inbetweener" (a low-level animator who copies the hundreds of drawings needed to make them appear to "move" on-screen), then moved up to sketch artist. When he began making up bedtime stories for his two small sons, it prepared him well to move on to become storyman and, ultimately, Disney's top writer/illustrator on animated features. In fact, he was the only storyman in the history of Disney studios to do all the storyboards for an entire animated feature film. He accomplished this feat twice: for The Sword in the Stone, and for One Hundred and One Dalmatians.

It was toward the end of his time at Disney that he began writing and illustrating children's books. His first book, Hubert's Hair-Raising Adventure, was published in 1959. He continued to write and illustrate books in his spare time, until 1964, when he left Disney for good to concentrate on the books full-time. All told, Bill Peet wrote and illustrated over 30 books for children, with all but two of them fantasies. His last picture book, Cock-a-Doodle Dudley, was published in 1989.

His awards include the Annie Award - For Distinguished Contribution in the field of Animation (1981), the Pioneer Award - For Innovation in the Field of Animation (1994) and the Caldecott Honor for his book, Bill Peet: An Autobiography (1990).

Bill Peet was born January 29, 1915, in Grandview, Indiana, and died May 11, 2002, at the age of 87.

Sources:

Bill Peet Official Site

Bill Peet (Wikipedia)

Bill Peet - A Biography (ThinkQuest)

Author and Illustrator Bill Peet (About.com)

Pride: Notable Alumni (IUPUI)

And Down the Stretch He Comes!

2009-09-17T07:00:00.001-04:00

Train stations. They're wonderful Microcosms of Life: You can study behavior there. You can shop there. You can eat there. You can sleep there. You can catch a ride there. You can hang out there. You can people-watch there. You can get lost there - either accidentally or on purpose. And you can be entertained there.

Now, the great thing about Train Station Entertainment is that, sometimes, you find the entertainment. And sometimes, it finds you. Like that one time, when we ventured outside of Chez Wheedleton for a trip to The Big Apple for the day. We like to visit New York City, and most of the time, we travel by train - because hanging out in train stations in The City That Never Sleeps is far from ordinary, and rarely dull.

So, there we were: waiting, waiting, waiting for the arrival/departure board to show our train's status. Remember, we here at Chez Wheedleton are easily entertained. But this time, the entertainment found us when Handsome Boy spotted a humongous cockroach. Humongous! (Seriously. That thing could've picked up a small mammal and hauled it off to its secret lair without even breaking stride.)

Anyway, Handsome Boy jumped up from his seat, shrieked, "Look, Daddy! A cockroach!" and pointed to a spot on the floor about fifty feet away. There he sat: Mr. Humongous Roach. Let's call him Hugh for short.

So, Hugh was perfectly still, sizing up the rolling bag resting next to the feet of an Unsuspecting Young Woman. We barely contained our giggles as we each took turns narrating what Hugh must have been saying to himself as he contemplated this potential travel conveyance, then darted out of sight beneath it. We tittered as we imagined the scene when this Unsuspecting Young Woman opened her bag later and discovered her stowaway. And we groaned with disappointment when Hugh suddenly scurried back out from under her bag.

Our spirits lifted again when Hugh moved on to potentially greener pastures: a rather large suitcase was sitting on the floor a mere five feet away - but guarded by a Rather Large Man. Go for it, Hugh! we urged, trying to muffle our guffaws. You can do it! Then, zip! Hugh disappeared beneath the rather large suitcase. We cackled as we imagined the Rather Large Man screaming like a Very Tiny Girl when Hugh greeted him as he unpacked later. But alas, it was not meant to be, since once again Hugh came scrambling back out the other side.

By this time, Hugh's prospects were mighty dim. People had started picking up their bags from the floor as the arrival/departure board began lighting up with arriving train notices. Hugh frantically scurried toward one bag after another, only to have his efforts thwarted when each bag was snatched up and carried away. We felt for Hugh. And we were a wee bit sad that Hugh would not complete his adventurous travel quest.

Hugh must have realized the same thing, because he began to skitter toward the safety of the floor beneath the line of chairs opposite us. But between him and it was five feet of shiny train station corridor. He skittered back and forth, in a quandry. We decided he needed some more encouragement: Go, Hugh! Go! we cried. You can make it! Hugh rattled about a bit longer, then took the plunge.

By now, we were laughing out loud as we took turns giving the play-by-play of Hugh's journey toward the safety of the chairs. We cheered at his every thrust forward. We commiserated with every setback. Yet overall, things were looking good for Hugh - until the arrival/departure board posted the dreaded "all aboard," and a crush of people began barreling down the corridor...straight toward Hugh. We covered our eyes, but peeked through our fingers as he bobbed and weaved and dodged the feet and wheels and canes and things that people dropped. We shrieked at his close calls, and cheered him on as he popped in and out of view.

Finally, he was only inches from the chairs. We were giddy with glee. He's gonna make it! He's gonna make it! Go, Hugh! Go-go-go-go!

And then, just as he got to the edge of the chair row, a pointy high heel sent him spinning out of control. He bounced like a pinball from sneaker to business loafer to boot, and then a great big shoe came rolling by: Heel. Toe. Gone.

And Hugh was nowhere to be seen.

"I lost him, Mom. Where did he go?" asked Lovely Girl, squinting out at the floor of the now-clearing corridor.

She didn't see where he went. And neither did Handsome Boy. But I did. "I think he's hitching a ride on that guy's shoe, kiddo."

Unfortunately, he was riding on the bottom of that shoe.

So long Hugh. And thanks for the memories.

Locomotive Psychology

2009-09-16T07:00:00.001-04:00

Train stations. They're the perfect setting for a wonderful case study on Type. Now, I revel in the non-traditional - increasingly so, as I continue on my determined journey toward eventual Cranky-And-Proud-OF-It Old-Lady-dom. So, for practical purposes, we'll define "type" here as simply, Habitually and Hopelessly Late, or, Unfailingly and Unnervingly Punctual. (Not to be confused with the Time of Day Types, which are a totally different animal.) Don't fit into either one of those? No worries. It all gets reconciled in the end. Trust me.

So anyway, let's begin, shall we? At the train station, HHL's dash into the place. UUP's stride in purposefully. Upon arrival, both Types squint up at the arrival/departure board. (Please, don't be alarmed. It's not unusual for disparate Types to share one or more common behaviors. It doesn't make you one of Them.)

Back to the arrival/departure board: The HHL's - who've let their attention drift to people-watching, suddenly realize they should have been watching for their train to arrive, and hastily look up to see "all aboard" next to their train. Then they run like mad to the designated track, shouting profuse yet unconvincing apologies to the little old ladies they just bowled over and left in their wake. They barely manage to slip through the closing train doors, then smile smugly, because they made it. This time.

The UUP's - who have been diligently watching the board, have noticed with satisfaction that their particular train now has a track listed, even though it still has another 10 minutes before it arrives in the station. So, they join the ever-increasing mob of similarly-minded folks that are all squeezing through the same one-person doorway/funnel, patiently waiting their turn to go, because, after all, they have plenty of time. As the train roars into the station, the UUP's are the ones already waiting on the platform, toeing the yellow line, and keeping pace with the entry doors as the train slows, so they can be the first ones to board when it finally stops to admit them. As usual.

Now, if you didn't stride calmly into the station, and if you didn't bum-rush the platform doorway, then you probably just moseyed on into the place, and took in the sights, and had a bite to eat, and maybe stopped to watch and listen to the awesome trash can drummers, and then thought you might want to start looking for the arrival/departure board, or whatever. Which means you've probably missed your train. But you don't sweat it, man, 'cause it's all good: there'll be another one coming along in a little while. So for you, this whole Type thing is, like, a Non-Issue. 'Cause really, it's not about the Destination, man. It's about the Journey.

And you don't need no stinking Label.

Is That Your Refrigerator Snarling?

2009-09-15T17:41:00.008-04:00

Yes. Yes, it is.

(Darn Furberries. They're so rude.)

Book Review: The Tail of Emily Windsnap, by Liz Kessler

2009-09-11T08:00:00.001-04:00

I'd never been in the ocean. I'd never even had a bath. Hey, I'm not dirty or anything-I do take a shower every night. But there isn't enough room for a bathtub on the boat, so never in my life had I been totally immersed in water.

Until the first Wednesday afternoon of seventh grade.

Overview:

Emily Windsnap has a secret. She discovers it by accident, in seventh grade swim class - her first time ever immersed in water. Her legs feel like they've fused together as soon as she hits the pool, then feel normal when she hauls herself out, and it totally freaks her out. Later that night, she jumps off the pier near her houseboat to see if it happens again. And it does: she sees her legs morph into a sleek purple-and-green tail, then morph back into legs when she's out of the water. After she gets used to the idea, she's thrilled, and starts taking secret swims in the ocean to test out her newly discovered fishy self. For a while, she's the only one who knows her secret. But then she meets a new mermaid friend, Shona, who shows her a whole other world beneath the sea.

Emily begins to wonder: is this why her mother never let her in the water, even though they live on a boat? Does she know what I am? And then the lighthouse keeper, Mr. Beeston, starts acting strangely towards her, and Emily starts getting suspicious. Why is he always around? And how come her mom seems to forget things Emily had just told her, after Mr. Beeston's regular coffee-and-doughnut visits? With help from Shona, Emily starts piecing it all together, and what they finds out changes Emily's life forever.

For Teachers and Librarians:

The Tail of Emily Windsnap is an engaging and exciting story that is a perfect book around which to build a reading unit on the fantasy genre. It could also fit well into a mystery unit, as Emily works to uncover just who she is, and why Mr. Beeston is around so much, and what has happened to her mother, and why her mother seems not to recall her father (she wants to, but can't, and doesn't know why). You can also incorporate lifestyles - Emily and her mom live on a boat. Mr. Beeston lives in a lighthouse. Others live in conventional houses. What type of home do mermaids live in? A discussion on family groups and their similarities and differences could come into play as well: Emily and her mom are a family. Some kids live with two parents, some live with grandparents, or guardians, or aunts and uncles, etc. It is also a great story to use within a friendship unit - how do we meet friends? What kinds of things do friends do with or for each other? How do friends make us feel? And of course, you could use this book as a fun supplement to an ocean unit, comparing and contrasting real ocean dwellers with fantasy ones, for example. The possibilities are endless. Which will you choose for your students?

For Parents, Grandparents and Caregivers

The Tail of Emily Windsnap is a fun, yet meaningful book with a great focus on family - in various forms. It shows a positive friend relationship, a good way to contend with kids who aren't very nice (with a bit of fun, feel-good justice thrown in for good measure), and some great examples of problem-solving and working together toward a common goal. And besides all that good stuff, it is a fantastic story that your kids will just love. (And so will you.)

For the Kids:

Have you ever dreamed that you would discover some magical side of you that you never knew existed? Well, that's just what happens to a seventh grade girl in The Tail of Emily Windsnap: Emily has never been immersed in water, and she wonders why (since she and her mom live on a boat near the ocean). So one day, she decides to find out, and persuades her mom to let her take swimming for her seventh grade gym class. On the first day of class, Emily's legs fuse together the instant she hits the water. OMG! She's a mermaid! She manages to hide it from her classmates, then goes on secret swimming adventures when no one else is looking. It is on one of these trips that she meets another mermaid, Shona, who introduces her to the mermaid world, and an age-old mystery that goes on there. Could there be a connection between Emily's questions, and the mysterious goings-on down below? There's only one way for you to find out, and that's to find this book and get reading.

For Everyone Else:

The Tail of Emily Windsnap is a great story for kids. It's also a fun bit of escapism for adults, along with a couple of side trips down memory lane (dealing with "mean girls" at school, wondering who you are, wishing you had some secret magical "thing" to discover about yourself...oh, that last one may just be me...) Bottom line: magical book, magical story, you'll love it!

Wrapping Up:

The Tail of Emily Windsnap pulls the inquisitive mind in right from the cover art, and the story keeps that mind firmly entrenched in the fantasy: willingly suspending its disbelief, and having a grand time in the process. Read the book. Your mind will thank you.

Title: The Tail of Emily Windsnap

Author: Liz Kessler

Cover Art: Sarah Gibb

Pages: 224

Reading Level: 8-12 years, Grades 3-7

Publisher and Date: Candlewick Press, 2006

Edition: First US Paperback Edition, 2006

Language: English

Published In: United States

Price: $5.99

ISBN-10: 076328115

ISBN-13: 978-0763628116

Author Spotlight: Liz Kessler

2009-09-11T07:59:00.002-04:00

Englishwoman Liz Kessler has always wanted to write. Not only that, but she was convinced from a very early age that she would become a poet. She was nine years old when her poem, "Jinx's Shop," was published in the Manchester Evening News, in 1976. Yet, fate had different writing goals in mind for Ms Kessler: by the time she'd reached her 30's, she had decided to write books - switching her job to part-time in order to have more time to write.

She studied English at Lougborough University, then did her teaching qualification at Keele University, then received her Masters degree in Creative Writing at Manchester Metropolitan University.

Following university, Ms Kessler lived on a narrowboat on a canal for about 10 years, then moved to a house in Manchester for two years, then rented that house out for another year while she traveled around Europe in a campervan. (You can read about her traveling adventures on her blog: Liz Kessler's Blog.) Her newest adventure is to sell that Manchester house and move, possibly, to Cornwall.

She has been a teacher of English, and of Media Studies, and has run Creative Writing courses. She has been a journalist in local and regional newspapers in Manchester and York, in England. And of course, she writes novels for kids. Her Emily Windsnap series - about a seventh-grade girl who discovers she is a mermaid - now numbers four titles, and she has written two books in the Philippa Fisher series - about an 11-year-old girl and her fairy godsister.

Born in 1966, Liz Kessler grew up in Southport, England, the youngest of three siblings. She has a Dalmatian named Poppy, and enjoys sailing, playing guitar, surfing, and practicing one of her favorite hobbies: poi. (You can catch a glimpse of Ms Kessler and her poi skills here.)

Sources:

Liz Kessler Official Site

Liz Kessler - Wikipedia

New Talent: Writers: Liz Kessler (BBC)

Liz Kessler: 'Straightforward and Simple, that's me' - Bookwitch

A Chrysanthemum By Any Other Name

2009-09-09T14:00:00.016-04:00

Usually I post my book reviews on Fridays. In fact, I have a new and fabulous review all set to be posted on Friday morning. (Chalk it up to Tiki Hut Writing Hideaway mojo. But that's a story for another day.)

Aaaanyway, today I have for you a fantastic literary bonus. Though at first glance it may seem to have absolutely no literary connection whatsoever, please bear with me, because it actually really and truly does. Trust me.

See, today is Chrysanthemum Day, and though the chrysanthemum is a lovely flower:

this flower is not not not the chrysanthemum I intend to celebrate.

Instead, the Chrysanthemum I choose to celebrate is small.

And very unique.

And a mouse.

She is the star of Kevin Henkes' most fabulous picture book, Chrysanthemum. I found it when I first started teaching, and it has been one of my absolute favorite books ever since. And so, in honor of Chrysanthemum Day, I give you a bonus book review of this very special story:

The day she was born was the happiest day in her parents' lives.

"She's perfect," said her mother.

"Absolutely," said her father.

And she was.

She was absolutely perfect.

Overview:

On the day she is born, the tiny mouse's parents think she's absolutely perfect, which is why they give her an absolutely perfect name: Chrysanthemum. Once Chrysanthemum grows "old enough to appreciate it," she loves her name: how it looks and how it sounds. It's absolutely perfect - just like her. But when her very first day of school has come and gone, Chrysanthemum comes home with a very different perception. Will she ever again think her name is absolutely perfect?

For Teachers and Librarians:

Chrysanthemum is the perfect book for the early days of a new school year. Kevin Henkes' words practically sing as you read them aloud - each word beautifully woven into a touching story sure to please your small charges. It shows a positive way to for kids to handle teasing and find their own perfect way to "fit in." It celebrates the uniqueness of each and every student in the class, and helps calm those first few days of New School Year Jitters. It portrays teachers (for the kids) in a trusting and caring light, and highlights (for you) the powerful impact an intuitive teacher can have on the sometimes fragile self-esteem of those little guys and gals just starting their school careers. But most of all, it is a lovely story, full of caring, and love, and a little bit of nervousness, and just the right amount of giggles. It's just the right kind of book to start off just the right kind of school year.

For Parents, Grandparents and Caregivers:

If you have little ones just starting school, Chrysanthemum is just the book you need. Be sure to read it aloud - the sound of the words and the way they fit together when read out loud give a whole new and wonderful dimension to the story. This book will captivate your littlest kiddos who may be worried about whether they will "fit in," and reassure them that they are absolutely perfect just as they are. It portrays teachers as kind and caring people who really do notice what goes on, and it portrays parents as being able to help their kids smooth over even the toughest of days when they get back home. And just as Chrysanthemum shines as her true self and makes a few friends in the bargain, so will your little ones as they bounce off to another (or their first) school year.

For the Kids:

Chrysanthemum thinks her name is absolutely perfect - just like her. When her very first day of school finally comes, she is excited to go. But other kids tease her about her name, and she comes home feeling maybe her name isn't absolutely perfect. At home, her parents cheer her up with her favorite things, and it helps...until she has to go back to school. Then one day, the class meets Mrs. Twinkle, the music teacher - and something happens that makes Chrysanthemum's days get a whole lot better! What did Mrs. Twinkle do? Ask your parents or teacher or someone you care about to read you the book, so you can find out!

Wrapping Up:

Chrysanthemum is a sweet story that is just perfect not only for a kiddo's first days in school, but also for anyone who just needs a bit of a lift.

Title: Chrysanthemum

Author and Illustrator: Kevin Henkes

Pages: 32

Reading Level: Ages 4 and up, Grades Preschool - 3

Publisher and Date: Atlas Editions, Inc., Reprinted by arrangement with Greenwillow Books, an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers, 2000

Edition: Reprint

Language: English

Published In: United States

Price: $16.00 (Original publisher's price)

ISBN: 0688096999

ISBN (library binding): 0688097006

Book Review: First Light, by Rebecca Stead

2009-09-04T05:00:00.004-04:00

"[Peter's] eyes found the red ring, no bigger than a quarter, and focused on it. The ring came closer until he could see it clearly, twisting strands of color suspended in the ice. He stared at it, careful not to bring it too close this time."

Overview:

Peter lives in New York City with his scientist/professor parents. Now that he's twelve, they seem overly concerned about whether he's been getting headaches, like his mother does. He gets the feeling there's something they aren't telling him. Then his father receives an invitation to study glaciers in Greenland, and he gets to bring the whole family, and Peter is excited and anxious at the same time. One day, while exploring the glacier on his own, Peter finds an intricately woven red ring embedded in the ice. And then, he experiences visions both terrifying and exciting. Peter is determined to get to the bottom of things. Why are his parents so concerned about headaches? Where are these visions coming from? And how did that ring get in the ice?

Thea desperately wants to see the sun - something she has never done. She doesn't understand - why is her grandmother so against the expansion? Their world, deep beneath the arctic glacier, is rapidly approaching the day that it can no longer sustain her people as it is. They need to branch out, and the surface seems to be the only way to reach the far side of their subglacial lake. Thea can't shake the notion that getting to the surface is the answer to saving their world. She wants to see the sun. And she's determined to figure out a way to get there.

For Teachers and Librarians:

If you have students slow to warm to books, First Look could be just the thing to light the fire of curiosity in them. The story is told from the point of view of both Peter and Thea. Both are strong, smart, independently thinking kids. Both have their own mysteries to solve. But neither can solve their mystery with out the other. And neither realizes that the other exists. Both will have to rely on science, history, family, intuition, and ultimately each other to solve their dilemmas.

You'll be able to link this book to discussions and activities centering on a wide array of scientific subjects: DNA, geothermal heat, arctic climate, global warming, glacier study methods, earth forms and phenomena (glaciers, subglacial lakes, glacier melt, glacier calving), to name a few. You can also head to cultural discussions: people with extra-sensory abilities and society's reactions to those, government structure, familial structure, etc. You can discuss story genre - this one has elements of mystery, possible science fiction, realistic fiction, and adventure. The possibilities are too numerous to mention, and the book is too fantastic not to find a way to include it in your teaching this year and every year. And of course, it is a gripping story - one you may have trouble prying from their fingers. (And, isn't that a good thing?)

For Parents, Grandparents and Caregivers:

First Look is just the thing to spice up a so-so day, or entice a reluctant reader to keep asking, "Just one more page? Please?" And you will enjoy it as much as your kiddos. It is full of mystery, drama, and adventure. It is brimming with themes of courage, family, trust, determination, and facing your fears. It shows the true power kids can and do have to affect change. And it is one great story. What more could you ask for?

For the Kids:

If somebody told you that you had the chance to skip school for a few weeks, drive dogsleds, live in a giant blue tent, explore a glacier in Greenland, and have adventures, would you turn it down? Of course not! And neither did Peter, in the book First Look. And while he's there, he's hoping to discover what's really going on with these headaches his mom has, the headaches he's started to have, and the strange visions he's begun having. Meanwhile, deep below him in the glacier, Thea is trying to convince her grandmother and her whole world that they need to reach the surface to save themselves. But they seem reluctant, so she's hoping to find out why. And she's hoping to finally be able to see the sun - something she's only heard and read about, but never seen.

One day, Peter goes exploring on his own on the glacier, and finds a bright red ring, embedded deep in the ice. And Thea goes exploring in her world and makes a huge discovery. Will Peter's and Thea's paths ever intersect? Guess you should read the book, and find out, huh?

For Everyone Else:

First Light is a fascinating story, all wrapped up in journeys of courage, journeys of adventure, journeys of discovery, and journeys of mystery that adults will enjoy as much as the kids. You'll find yourself impatient to turn each page and find out what happens next, and the story is so masterfully told that you won't see the plot twists coming. And you'll be delighted with each new discovery.

Wrapping Up:

First Light is a gem of a book - one you'll want to have on your own personal bookshelf, so you can return to it again and again.

Title: First Light

Author: Rebecca Stead

Cover Art: Ericka O'Rourke

Pages: 328

Reading Level: 5.6 (Ages 10-14)

Publisher and Date: Yearling, an imprint of Random House Children's Books, October 2008

Edition: Paperback, First Yearling Edition

Language: English

Published In: United States

Price: $6.99

ISBN-10:0440422221

ISBN-13:978-0440422228

Author Spotlight: Rebecca Stead

2009-09-04T04:59:00.000-04:00

Growing up in New York City, Rebecca Stead was a voracious reader. It was an intensely private experience for her: she loved to read books, but hated to discuss them with others. She wanted to believe that the worlds she read about were only hers to enter (and hated that it wasn't true).

In addition to all the reading she was doing, she began writing in elementary school - everything from writing her own stuff to scribbling down bits and pieces of jokes and conversations and other things she overheard. "Writing down what people say," she says, "is a great way to learn what they might say, if you wanted them to."

Later, she became a lawyer, got married, and worked as a public defender, but still wrote stories as time allowed. By the time she had had her second son, Ms Stead's writing time became severely curtailed.

Then one day, she says, she "read a wonderful newspaper article about a scientist who studies climate change by camping out in the arctic each summer and watching birds." Shortly after that, her younger son accidentally pushed her laptop off of the dining room table, and in one fell swoop, she lost all of the short stories saved on it that she had been working on for years. And so, between the article and the accident, she found a spark for writing something new, and that something eventually became her first novel, First Light. Mrs. Stead alternated between writing the book and doing research for it, until completion. First Light was published in 2007, and her latest novel, When You Reach Me, came out in July 2009.

Rebecca Stead still lives in New York City, in the same Manhattan neighborhood she grew up in, with her husband and two sons.

Sources:

Official book site for First Light

author spotlight: "The Search for Magic"

Official site for author Rebecca Stead

Staying In: Rebecca Stead interview

Kids' Q&A: Rebecca Stead (Powells.com blog)