Flashback Tuesday: Red Leaf, Yellow Leaf by Lois Ehlert

During my walk this morning I saw my very first Autumn colored trees.  The colors reminded me that summer is over and that fall has begun, even if it is a tad warm outside.

Red Leaf, Yellow Leaf by Lois Ehlert is such a classic book for this time of year.  I always loved the colors  and the way it teaches the life cycle of a tree with simple words and beautiful photos.  I love books that teach in an interesting way.  I always thought this was one of those perfect books that has something for everyone. I know so many teachers that have used this in their classroom but I think it is great for a parent to read too....a must have fall book.
 

Gigi in the Big City by Charise Mericle Harper

Whenever I see the name "Gigi" nowadays I think of my Mom.   When her oldest Great Grandchild was born she announced she wanted to be called "Gigi".....she thought it was cute.   They even gave a cup with that name on it.....



Gigi in the Big City by Charise Mericle Harper is not a story about a Great Grandmother.  It is the story of a little girl who visits the city and all her adventures.   It has flaps to lift, wheels to spin and tabs to pull....and lots of other fun stuff.   I love the idea of this book....there have been so many truck books or train books that are really geared to little boys but this one is great for the little girl in your life.  Of course I would never stop a boy from playing with it....because the info about gems and subways and museums is great for any child.   If I were still a buyer I would definitely make this a significant buy for all my stores.  The price is right and makes a really cute gift.   It is a great introduction of city life for a child who has never been to one as much as a great book for a city kid to look at about their own backyard.   This is a fun book to own!

Reference Sunday: Happy Birthday Johnny Appleseed

Today is Johnny Appleseed's actual birth anniversary  having been born Sept 26th, 1774....last year I wrote about him stating:

Tomorrow is Johnny Appleseed's birthday~well actually it is John Chapman's birthday but he is better know as Johnny Appleseed. I have always loved the fact that Johnny Appleseed was based on a real person. In a way he was our first environmentalist. He cared about conservation and preservation. It is interesting to note that he didn't really sow seeds around the states but planted apple trees which he protected and nurtured. I also found it interesting that his birthday is in September, the start of the autumn season and the time when apple picking is at its height! So in honor of his birthday tomorrow I thought I would list some books that tell his story and the story of apples.

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Johnny Appleseed: A Tall Tale Retold by Steven Kellogg

Johnny Appleseed: A Poem by Reeve Lindbergh

Johnny Appleseed by Carol Ottolenghi

Johnny Appleseed: The Legend & the Truth by Jane Yolen

Apple books:

Apples by Gail Gibbons

How Do Apples Grow by Betsey Maestro

Apple Picking Time by Michele B. Slawson

So every time you eat an apple think of the man who brought them to the world and who really lived!

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I thought since no new books have come out I would just re-list them again.   This is what we would do in the bookstore....Johnny Appleseed really was a man before his time...imagine if he had the kinds of varieties of apples we have today....his seed bag would be really heavy.  ;)

Thanking the Moon: Celebrating the Mid-Autumn Moon Festival by Grace Lin

Thanking the Moon: Celebrating the Mid-Autumn Moon Festival by Grace Lin is a sweet new book that is perfect for this time of year,  as last night brought in Autumn while the harvest moon was in the sky.  Grace Lin has done a sort of sequel to her book Bringing in the New Year because it is the same family in both stories.   This is a wonderful book to teach children how different cultures celebrate the harvest.  This makes a great story time read aloud as well as a book the whole family can enjoy together.   Her illustrations are warm and inviting and truly keep the reader involved.   A sweet new book.

Flashback Tuesday: When Autumn Comes by Robert Maass

Tomorrow Summer officially comes to an end.   Here in the northeast the breeze is picking up and there is a bit of a chill in the air.   Driving back from upstate NY I saw signs for apple and pumpkin picking.  It made me think of this book and it wonderful photographs.
  

When Autumn Comes by Robert Maass was a great book to read at story time because of the great photographs that came with the story.   I liked that because the kids could really relate.  Of course not all areas of the world celebrate autumn like this which is why the photographs are so important....a great way to bring in a change of season.

Reference Sunday: Pirate Diary by Richard Platt illus by Chris Riddell

Today is International Talk Like a Pirate Day....which apparently started out as a joke between friends but has grown to something much bigger.  In the world of kids books it has created a plethora of books that appeal to kids.....and what kid doesn't like pirates.  

Pirate Diary: The Journal of Jake Carpenter by Richard Platt and illustrated by Chris Riddell is the perfect book to celebrate this day.    It is based on a true account of an apprentice carpenter of  ship around 1716.  What is great is the historical detail and accurate illustrations.  Kids will love to pour over these illustrations and discover something each time they look at them.  Pirates were real and this book shows that.   This is the perfect book for any little pirate...or big one too.

The Red Blazer Girls: The Ring of Rocamadour by Michael D. Beil

When I was young my favorite kinds of books were mysteries.    I loved the young adult books of Phyllis A Whitney.   I think I liked them because I could imagine myself as the characters she wrote about.  Just recently while perusing some new titles in paperback for kids I came across a book that I would have loved to read when I was young...although I enjoy it now too....

The Red Blazer Girls: The Ring of Rocamadour by Michael D. Beil is just the kind of mystery story that would have drawn me in.   It is the kind of book that should be read under the covers with a flashlight.   This is the perfect book for any young reader who loves adventure and wishes it could happen in their own backyard.  A must have for the young mystery lover in your life.

Tell the Truth, B.B. Wolf by Judy Sierra illustrated by J. Otto Seibold

What a thrill it was to find another fractured fairy tale with a new spin on an old story.

Tell the Truth, B. B. Wolf by Judy Sierra and illustrated by J. Otto Seibold is a wonderful retelling of the Three Little Pigs.  Here we have the Big Bad Wolf living in retirement.   He gets to go to the library to tell his story but as he is embarrassed by what his past he tries to rewrite history to make himself look better.  Of course he is chastised for not telling the truth and in the end must come clean.   I would have loved to read this at story time....it is such a fun book.    It took me awhile to appreciate J. Otto Seibolds illustrations but now I find them to be comforting ----like visiting an old friend.   This book is a sequel of sorts to Judy Sierra's other Big Bad Wolf story Mind Your Manners, B.B Wolf which I always thought was a great way to teach manners to kids.....these should be must haves on any child's bookshelf.....

Flashback Tuesday: Look-Alikes by Joan Steiner

I was very saddened to hear of the death of picture book creator Joan Steiner last week.   It is always sad to lose anyone so young but especially someone so talented.   I remember when her books first came out.  

Look-Alikes: The More You Look,  The More You See by Joan Steiner was such a refreshing change in the world of picture books.   This had something for everyone.   I liked to suggest this book as a great family gift because it appealed to all ages.   I sometimes thought grown-ups got more of a kick out it than kids.   It can be a very addicting book----always something new to discover.

She was a great talent who brought joy to so many people....she will be missed.  

Reference Sunday: The Ultimate Guide to Grandmas & Grandpas! by Sally Lloyd-jones illus by Michael Emberley

Happy Grandparents Day to all the special Grandparents in the world.   Here is my link to last years celebration and the books I love about Grandparents: http://rosemarysreadingcircle.blogspot.com/2009/09/happy-grandparents-day.html

In keeping with my Sunday theme of Reference books I present a "reference" book for kids.

The Ultimate Guide to Grandmas & Grandpas! by Sally Lloyd-jones and illustrated by the wonderful Michael Emberley is the perfect book to help children learn how to take care of their Grandparents.   I love the tongue in cheek aspect of this book and the way it is set up like a manual for kids.   This is a great gift for grandparents to give to kids or vice versa.   This is the kind of book that gets adults laughing out loud.   I love the expressions on the Grandparents faces ---- a really fun book.   I know it isn't really a "reference" book but I couldn't resist.   It is also very sweet and heartwarming...a must have book for all to share....

Even Higher!: A Rosh Hashanah Story adapted by Eric A. Kimmel Illustrated by Jill Weber

Today is the first day of Rosh Hashanah ~ Happy New Year!   Last year I listed books that are classic stories for this and Yom Kippur, http://rosemarysreadingcircle.blogspot.com/2009/09/rosh-hashanah-yom-kippur.html....these are still great books.  

Even Higher!: A Rosh Hashanah Story originally by I.L. Peretz and adapted by the wonderful Eric A. Kimmel with illustrations by Jill Weber is a wonderful Jewish folktale.   I have always liked this story because it tell of human kindness.  I always tell my nephews that they need to be kind to others and help when they can.   It is an important life lesson.   Eric A Kimmel is a prolific author who retells this classic story with his usual style.  This story talks of miracles but there really isn't a miracle just one person doing kind things for another....so simple.  What a beautiful story to read on this special holiday.

Shana Tova!

Flashback Tuesday: School Bus by Donald Crews

When I was a kid I always wanted to ride the school bus to school.   Sadly we only lived a few short blocks from the school so no bus was necessary.  

School Bus by Donald Crews is a classic book with few words but a really comforting book to read to your child.   This is a great book to give to a child before they take the bus for the first time.   It is spare in text but that only lets the reader use it as a tool to make a child less anxious about riding a bus to school.   I also think it is a great gift for a child after they have successfully riding the bus alone.   This is a wonderful addition to any back to school selection of books.  

Reference Sunday: Dictionaries

Last year when I first started my blog I did a post about back to school and getting the correct dictionary for your child.   Here is the link to my original post.   In this post I describe how most dictionaries are pretty much the same but it is important how comfortable the child is using it.   This of course holds true for a thesaurus and other books of reference.   When I wrote last years blog I hadn't gotten the knack of linking to books and photos.     Here is a list of Dictionaries that might appeal to children.   Remember if a child doesn't feel at ease using a reference book it will never get opened.  


Scholastic Children's Dictionary (2010 Edition)  This is new and updated for  2010.











Merriam-Webster Children's Dictionary from Dk Publishing.  This  was last updated in 2008 but it is still quite viable.  





















Merriam-Webster's Elementary Dictionary which was last updated in 2009....this is for older kids.   I like the graphics in this one. 

The American Heritage Children's Dictionary from Houghton Mifflin also from 2009.  This was my favorite when I was young...well of course not this edition but you get what I mean. I liked how it was presented and at that time they were one of the first to use photographs as part of their descriptions.