These Rocks Count! by Alison Formento illustrated by Sarah Snow

I was so excited that Spring had finally come and that it was warming up here on the East Coast.  Sadly we are in for one more wintry blast this week.  Although on the bright side I know it won't last and it will get warm again soon.  Today's book is a great book to help prepare children for some out door activity.  As they say "learning can be fun"....

These Rocks Count! By Alison Formento Illustrated by Sarah Snow is a wonderful new addition to Alison Formento’s picture book series These Things Count.  It is a great picture book series that teaches children about the world around them.  I also like the series because it isn’t preachy or condescending to children.  I know for a fact that kids respond well to the books having seen the author interact with them.  I especially like this new book as rocks have always fascinated me; I even took a geology class in school just to learn more.  I was so excited for spring to come so that on my next walk/hike I can utilize some of the things I learned from reading this book.   A great first book on geology for kids.  A must have for the classroom.   

Reference Sunday: SAFARI A Photicular Book created by Dan Kainen written by Carol Kaufmann

I love when I find books that can be shared by the whole family.  Today's book is just that kind of a book.  It is informative and very entertaining.

SAFARI a Phototicular Book created by Dan Kainen and written by Carol Kaufmann is a fun way to learn about wild animals while going on a virtual safari.  This is done with 3D animation perfected in an astonishing way from the original Scanimations.  I originally wrote about the process in 2009.   I always thought the original books were amazing until I saw this book.   The photographs and the movement really look like you are watching a video of animals in the wild.  The text is easy to understand with lots of facts and information.   This is a perfect gift to bring to a family with lots of different age children.  There is something for everyone.

Oh check out the video below----amazing:

Reference Sunday: US PRESIDENTS Oval Office All-Stars by Dan Green illustrated by Simon Basher

In honor of Inauguration Day I thought if would great to recommend a book on the Presidents of the United States.   There are quite a few on the shelves that have been updated to include the 2012 election but non as humorous and informative as today's book.

Basher History: US PRESIDENTS Oval Office All Stars created and illustrated by Simon Basher and written by Dan Green with Dr. Edward L. Widm a presidential historian is a great introduction to each of our United States Presidents.   I like that it is not overwhelming and tedious to read.   The information is  quirky and different.   I think children like to learn more than just the usual facts about anything.   While the illustrations are a bit cartoonish they do fit the style of the book.   I think this would be a great companion book to a more serious biographical book on the Presidents of the United States.   Sometimes kids need to see that not all history is just dry facts and figures.  

Reference Sunday: One Times Square by Joe McKendry

This is the time of year that always reminds me of my Dad.   He was a wonderful man who loved his family more than anything.    Even though I grew up in NJ he was born and raised in NYC.   He was the quintessential New Yorker. He not only grew up there but he worked there too.    When I was growing up the most fun I ever had was going to work with him.   I would hold his hand as we walked the streets of New York in awe of the sights and sounds around me.   For most of his working life his office was on 49th Street and Madison Ave this only changed at the end when his studio closed and he needed to find a new space to work.  Even when he worked on Madison Ave we would walk through Times Square to get to his office. I always held on real tight because back in those days the area wasn't as safe and nice as it is now.  As I mentioned he moved into a new space to work as a freelancer at the end of his career, this new office/studio was in the heart of Times Square.   I remember visiting him there and watching the streets below amazed at how many people passed by.   I would watch the giant screen at the top of the Times Square building and see where the ball was kept for New Years Eve.  Today whenever I walk through Times Square I always think of my Dad --- I could almost feel my hand in his.....

One Times Square written and illustrated by Joe McKendry brought back all the wonderful memories I have  of visiting New York.   One of my first real jobs was in Mid Town Manhattan and I would walk through Times Square every day.   My father had shown me all the short cuts to take.   I wish I had this book back then, it would have been wonderful to know the history of this iconic area of NYC.  I had no idea that this building is "One Times Square", it never dawned on me that it is called "Times Square" because the NY Times newspaper was published from there.   I also didn't know that back when it was built it was considered one of the tallest buildings in the world. Besides being well written and not just a dry history book the illustrations are wonderful.   Mr McKendry has created images that are nostalgic and new at the same time.   This isn't a stuffy history book but a fascinating story of one of the most well known places in the world.  While it is written for the middle grade reader it is definitely something I would give a grown up ---- especially if they love New York like I do.   It would make a great gift!

Reference Sunday: Through Time: Olympics by Richard Platt

Last night while flipping channels on the TV I stopped to watch some Olympic qualifying Diving competitions.  I felt so bad for the team who came in second...they missed winning by a literal hair.   This is why I am not much into sports....I always feel sorry for those who lose.   Anyway I realized that the Summer Olympics in London were fast approaching so I thought I would recommend a book that would be a great way for kids to prepare for the fun.  

Through Time: Olympics by Richard Platt and published by Kingfisher is a great illustrated history of the Olympic games.   It starts with the history of the games all the way back to ancient times. It  concludes with the London 2012 games.  The book talks about each host city and nation giving the reader information about the cultural and social impact the games had on their cities.   There are details about the events themselves with listings of records that were broken as well as the major highlights of each game. I especially liked the illustrations and the wonderful cross-sections that show with meticulous detail the stadiums and cities throughout time.  A perfect way to introduce the Olympics to a child and to help them enjoy them more.   This also makes a great gift for the young sportsperson in your life.

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.

Reference Sunday: Ancient Egypt: Tales of Gods and Pharaohs by Marcia Williams

I can't believe the holiday season is upon us.   It has already been a busy few weeks.   Hopefully I will be able to post some great gift ideas for the children in your lives....starting with something I would have wanted as a gift when I a kid.

Ancient Egypt: Tales of Gods and Pharaohs written and illustrated by Marcia Williams is a wonderfully illustrated book retelling nine stories of Ancient Egypt.  I am not usually a person who likes comic strip type storytelling but this one works for me.   I think it is because the illustrations remind me of hieroglyphics,  which is a very appropriate way to tell stories about Ancient Egypt.  It is a very accessible and fun way to learn history.   Like I said I would have loved to get this as a gift when I was young....(oh who am I kidding I would love it now!)

Reference Sunday: This is the Feast by Diane Z. Shore illust by Megan Lloyd

This is the Feast by Diane Z. Shore and illustrated by Megan Lloyd is a perfect way to get a child ready for  Thanksgiving.   While it isn't necessarily a reference book, it does tell the story of the pilgrims from the time they step on the Mayflower to the first harvest in their new land.  It is written in verse so it is easy to understand and the illustrations really capture the hardships and joys of these adventurous people.   This is a must have book for the child who is just starting to understand what Thanksgiving is all about.  

Reference Sunday: National Geographic Little Kids First Big Book of Why by Amy Shields

I can't believe it is Labor Day Weekend already.   Some kids are back in school and some will start this week.   It seems like the summer went by too fast.   I loved spending time with the children in my life this summer.   It amazes me how inquisitive most children are, which is why I love today's book.   It is a great book to have handy when a question comes up we have trouble answering.

National Geographic Little Kids First Big Book of Why by Amy Shields is the perfect book for the questioning child in your life.   I love how the book is easy to read with lots of great facts and photos to look at.   This is a great first reference book and should help children learn things in a fun way.   I almost want to recommend it to any grown- up, just to keep on hand for when a child asks "Why?".... it should come in handy.  A great new reference book for any children's library!

Helping Children Deal with Trauma

Yesterday I spent all day at Book Expo in NYC.   I had forgotten how nice it is to talk about books all day with other people who love them.   While I was there I came across a publisher of self help books for children.   I was very interested in this subject.   There has been so much horrible news of late that I have been wondering how children are dealing with it.   If the images from the floods and tornados are making me cry than I am sure it is affecting them too.   I have wanted to recommend some books that would help children deal with natural disasters, sadness or trauma but hadn't been able to find books I liked.   Luckily I stumbled across Magination Press and found they have the perfect books to deal with just these situations.  

A Terrible Thing Happened by Margaret M. Holmes and illustrated by Cary Pillo is described as "a story for children who have witnessed violence or trauma".   The book is written in a language children can understand with a character they can relate to.   Because it doesn't say specifically what the child witnessed, it can be used for any type of situation.  Which makes it more universal.

Jenny is Scared When Sad Things Happen in the World by Carol Shuman, PhD and illustrated by Cary Pillo is also a perfect book to help children deal with what they see on television.   We can try to hide the images but kids have a way of noticing things we don't want them too.  

I'll Know What to Do A Kid's Guide to Natural Disasters by Bonnie S. Mark PhD and Aviva Layton with illustrations by Michael Chesworth  is book that not only deals with facts about hurricanes, earthquakes, tornadoes etc but it also talks about the feelings and emotions these natural disasters can incur.   This is for an older child but I think younger children can also get some good information from it.


I hope these suggestions can help a child deal with the world and events going on today~

Reference Sunday: Into the Unknown by Stewart Ross Illustrated by Stephen Biesty

I was so excited to find today's book.   I have always admired Stephen Biesty's illustrations and his attention to detail.    His books were always popular with children because of this detail.  It always amazed me how kids would just pour over the illustrations looking at each specific fact of the picture.



Into the Unknown: How Great Explorers Found Their Way by Land, Sea and Air by Stewart Scott and illustrated by Stephen Biesty is a remarkable history book for children.   It has the wonderful Cross-sections that Mr Biesty is known for but also tells fantastic tales of true life explorers such as Marco Polo or the Apollo 11 Astronauts.   Mr Scott has a way of bringing history to life with his words which match perfectly with the detailed illustrations.   I would recommend this book for all children to help them understand how history and exploration has shaped our world.   A perfect gift for the inquisitive child in your life.  

Flashback Tuesday: Stuck in Neutral by Terry Truman

This past weekend my sister Ann Burg participated in the Hudson Children's Book Festival in Hudson NY.   Last week while she was busily preparing for the festival she mentioned some of the authors who were going to be there.   I was quite impressed by the well known authors who were attending.   I was really excited to hear that Terry Truman was also attending.  I loved his book Stuck in Neutral when I first read it.   It was brought to my attention when I was a panelist for the  Children's Book Council 2001 edition of the Not Just For Children Anymore! catalog.   It had a profound effect on me.   This story of a boy who cannot communicate to the outside world but whose mind is sharp and full of astute observations is one of the most remarkable books I have ever read.   As I wrote for the catalog copy of the Not Just For Children Anymore! catalog it is "reminiscent of the adult book The Diving Bell and the Butterfly by Jean-Dominque Bauby.  It was also powerful to me because it made me think of my father who due to a stroke could no longer speak even though we knew he was aware of what was going on around him.  This book gave me a new perspective on what it must be liked to be trapped in your own body without a means to communicate.  It is considered a Young Adult book but I feel should and could be read by a younger student.   It is a great book to teach empathy and caring for people who are disabled.  

Reference Sunday: Meadowlands: A Wetlands Survival Story by Thomas F Yezerski

I am a proud New Jersyan!  I know that sometimes we are stereotyped and given a bad rap ~ but we are not all like what is seen on TV.   I usually try not to write about local stories but sometimes a local story can be good for the global environment.   

Meadowlands: A Wetlands Survival Story by Thomas F Yezerski is the kind of local or regional book that has a universal appeal.    Through the years I have seen personally how the wetlands in the Meadowlands has been built up.   I was always amazed how  swamp land could be used to build on.   As a child I was afraid  if people walked in it they would sink and never be seen again.   As I grew older I felt bad that this was how the world perceived my state and thought that New Jersey was just one big swamp.  New Jersey has beautiful parts to it too, I can attest to that.   Finding this book has given me hope that someday this portion of my state will someday reclaim the beauty that it once was.   I appreciate  Mr Yezerski's efforts in explaining the history of this area from it's beginnings to now.   I not only love the historical detail but the beautiful illustrations as well.   It makes me proud that someone realizes that this place, a place most people write off,  is still important and alive.   This book is not just for New Jersyans but for anyone who loves the environment and wants to do something to preserve it.   While this is a picture book for children ages 5-8 years old I truly believe older children and adults can learn something valuable in reading it.   A must have title I truly recommend.   

The Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire ~ March 25th, 1911

One hundred years ago today The Triangle Shirtwaist Factory had a fire so devastating that it changed history.   It amazes me how this one event is still relevant  today.   For weeks now labor unions and the rights of workers has been all over the news.   It was because of this fire that there was a call to arms for workers rights and safety.   My sister reminded me that our Mother, who was not yet born when this event occurred, was taught about it in school.   It was taught to her like 9/11 is taught today.   Here are some books that are helpful in explaining this significant moment in history.

Flesh and Blood So Cheap: The Triangle Fire and its Legacy by Al Marrin and published by Knopf books for Young Readers.   This is the newest book on this subject.  Very good for older children.

The Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire (Graphic Library, Disasters in History) by Jessica Gunderson and published by Capstone Press.  This is in graphic novel form.  Perfect for the child who finds it easier to read this way.

Fire at the Triangle Factory by Holly Littlefield and illustrated by Mary O'Keefe Young, published by Carolrhoda Books.  This is a good book for younger readers.   It is a fictionalized account of this terrible day.

These are only a few titles that are available on this historical event.  They are a good starting point for a child to learn about this time in history.

Reference Sunday: The Dred Scott Decision March 6, 1857

Today is the anniversary of the Dred Scott Decision of 1857.   I have to admit I wasn't that familiar with it. I knew it had to do with slavery but I wasn't up on the facts.   I personally feel bad that I can't remember learning about this historical moment in school.   I was pleased to see that there are many books for young readers to learn about this important time in our history.   Here is a sampling of some of those books:

Dred Scott Decision by Jason Scott and published by Compass Books.

I, Dred Scott by Sheila P. Mosses, illustrated by Bonnie Christensen and published by S&S---a fictionalized account but well written with historical facts to back it up.

Dred and Harriet Scott: A Family's Struggle for  Freedom by Gwenyth Swain and published by Borealis Books----this has a nice glossary and bibliography, also liked that it discussed the family aspect of the people involved.

Some things should never be forgotten.

  

Reference Sunday: Ripley's Believe it or Not! Enter if You Dare!

Happy Halloween!!!  I would have posted earlier but I had a gaggle of early trick or treaters.  As it is I am almost out of candy.   This is what happens when Halloween falls on a beautiful Sunday!

Last night I went to "real" haunted house..they did a very good job of having creatures jump out at me...sad to say I did scream a few times.   They even dared us to enter a few rooms....which reminded me of today's book suggestion.

Ripley's Believe it or Not! Enter if you Dare! from the Ripley's people is a great book for the curious minded among us.  It is not necessarily a children's book but I know a few kids who would love it.   I think I liked the "Ripley's Revealed" sections as I am always fascinated to find out how things work.   A great family gift since there would be something for everyone.....

Have a spooky rest of your day!

Reference Sunday: Time for Kids Big Book of Why: 1,001 Facts Kids Want to Know

Time for Kids Big Book of Why: 1,001 Facts Kids Want to Know by the editors of Time for Kids Magazine is a great new book for all those inquisitive kids out in the world.  This is the kind of book I would have liked as a kid.   Each page has lots of information told in a succinct way.   There are lots of great photos too.

This is the perfect book to get a child before they return to school.   It will help them brush up on things and get them interested in learning again, although they won't know that.   It is a great little reference book too.   I think there are plenty of adults who would also have a hard time not perusing it if it were lying around.....