Flashback Tuesday: Six Million Paper Clips: The Making of a Children's Holocaust Memorial by Peter W. Schroeder and Dagmar Schroeder-Hildebrand

Thanks to Anita Silvey at the Book- A- Day Almanac for reminding me that today is National Paper Clip Day.   When I think of paper clips I always think of today's book.  

Six Million Paper Clips: The Making of the Children's Holocaust Memorial by Peter W. Schroeder and Dagmar Schroeder-Hildebrand is a wonderful way for children to learn about the Holocaust.  It is a difficult subject to learn about but this book helps explain it.   This is true story about middle school children in TN who started a project to collect six million paperclips in order to understand the immensity of six million people dying during WW II.   The German couple who wrote the book are also journalists that helped the children and school acquire a railroad car (which is also significant) to store the paperclips.  When I first heard this story I got chills, it is such a wonderful way to teach history.

Another Brother by Matthew Cordell

My brother Michael has three boys.    When they were younger his oldest son Daniel used to hate it when his youngest brother JoJo followed him around.   JoJo always wanted to do everything Daniel did.....he was the proverbial annoying younger brother.

Another Brother by Matthew Cordell reminded me of Daniel and JoJo.   Daniel was constantly complaining that his brother was copying him or wanting to hang out with him.  Little Davy reminds me so much of my nephew although in Davy's case he gets 12 younger brothers who are constantly copying him which makes him crazy....that is until they stop....the pay off at the end is sweet....

I really liked this book because kids could relate to it and because it makes a perfect story time book.   It is a fun read that begs to be read aloud.   I also love the illustrations....the expressions Davy makes are priceless.   This is a great book for group participation in that there are repetitive stanzas and lots for children to look and and discuss.   I was always one to discuss the books as we read them.....makes for a more interesting story time....

Reference Sunday: Step Gently Out by Helen Frost photographs by Rick Lieder

I was so happy the other day to discover the local library by my office.   It was a beautiful day and I wanted to go out.   I have been neglecting my blog and thought it was time to refresh it.   The Mahwah Public Library is beautiful.  I was not expecting such a large building with a wonderful children's section. The librarians were so nice and helpful too.  I got there just as a story time was a about to start....I really wished I could join in.  I checked out a number of books that I thought would be interesting.

Step Gently Out poems by Helen Frost and photographs by Rick Lieder, published by Candlewick Press was recommended to me by one of the librarians.   She said she loves to read it at story time because the children are fascinated by the photographs of insects and the natural world.   They like to trace the photos and touch the insects....it is so realistic and exquisite.   I am not a bug or insect person.   As a matter of fact I tend to run away from them.   That being said even I was drawn to these photographs....Rick Lieder is truly one of the best nature photographers I have ever seen.   I love Helen Frost's lyrical poems too....so simple but expressive.   This is the perfect book for ages 2 and up....(I say "and up" because I think any age can appreciate this book).   This is a great book for a child who loves to explore the outdoors and a great way to show children the wonder and beauty of the world around them.  I would have loved to give this to my nephews, I always marveled at my sister-in-law Theresa because she never hesitated to pick up creepy crawly things to show her boys when they were little.

Oh and as far as being a "reference" book, there is a fantastic glossary in the back filled with information about each insect with an accompanying photograph.

Piggybook by Anthony Browne

When I did story times in the bookstore I always loved to read a book that the Mom's or parents would get a kick out of.   I knew they had to come and sit while their children had fun.   To that end this book was one of my favorites to read during our Mother's Day celebrations.

Piggybook by Anthony Browne is one of the funniest books to read to adults and children alike.   I included it in my last years Mother's Day roundup of books....but think it should get it's own moment in the sun.   How the Mom's would laugh because they could so relate to the story.  I think the average Mom is amazing....how many Mom's do I know that this is their exact circumstance.   This is a great fun gift for any Mother out there....because they really need to laugh sometimes.   When reading it to the kids the best part was when they realized that the Dad and boys were turning into pigs and that even the wallpaper had pigs on them....this is definitely a favorite read aloud of mine.

Happy Mother's Day to all the Mom's who do just about everything!