O Christmas Tree: Its History and Holiday Traditions by Jacqueline Farmer illustrated by Joanne Friar

Tonight is the annual lighting of the Rockefeller Christmas Tree.  This was always one of my favorite events.  I really just like the actual moment when the countdown begins and the lights go on.  My Dad worked in the area when I was growing up so I have some very fond memories of going to see the tree.

O Christmas Tree: It's History and Holiday Traditions by Jacqueline Farmer and illustrated by Joanne Friar is the perfect book to  recommend today because it is a beautifully illustrated history of how the Christmas Tree came to be.  It isn't a story book per se but explains how and why we now put Christmas trees up in our homes.  I also like how there is a whole section that talks about growing Christmas trees and a listing with pictures of the different kinds of trees.  This is a perfect book to just have out at the holidays....something for a child to look at and learn from in a quiet sort of way.  I know so many children who love information type books...this book combines information with the wonder of the season.  A family tradition type of book.  

Meet the Authors: Educator Night recap

When I started at Well Read in Hawthorne as their Part Time Event Coordinator we decided it would be a good idea to do an Educator Night.  It took some planning but we were able to get some great authors to come in and talk to some of our local educator's.  We also were lucky enough to get a representative from a local sales group to come and speak about new titles on their list.  All in all it was a great evening.  I learned so much. Here is a photo of our authors with their books.

From L to R: Alison Formento, Trinka Hakes Noble, Courtney Sheinmel, Ann E. Burg, Ann Malaspina

These are great books not just for the classroom but for children and parents to read together.  There is something for everyone.

Alison Formento known for her picture books like These Seas Count and These Bees Count! great stories that also inform children about the natural world around them. She also brought her new YA title Twigs the story of a young girl who may be small in stature but has huge problems that she must overcome.  Great coming of age story for the teen in your life.   

Trinka Hakes Noble who I have known for years and wrote one of my favorite story time books The Day Jimmy's Boa Ate the Wash brought along her new book and many others to talk about.  Her new book is The Legend of the Jersey Devil which is New Jersey's greatest and scariest legend.  I love how she told us that most kids don't realize NJ's Hockey team "The Devil's" is named for this spooky creature.  She also talked about her personal favorite because it is a story from her childhood called The Orange Shoes that deals with bullying.  

Courtney Sheinmel author of the Stella Batts series for ages 7 to 9.  These are such fun books that make great gifts and are even fun to read aloud.  I love the voice in these books.  

Ann E. Burg (my lovely sister) talked about how her new book Serafina's Promise (which I blogged about the other day)  and her first novel in verse All the Broken Pieces teach about other cultures in an easier manner.  She also talked about her book Rebekkah's Journey a little known story of WW II refugees in Oswego NY.    

Ann Malaspina brought her picture book biographies Heart on Fire the story of Susan B. Anthony and a women's right to vote plus Touch the Sky the wonderful story of the first African American woman to win a gold medal at the Olympics....loved learning about her.  

Like I said these great books are not just for teacher's to tell their students about but wonderful books that make great gifts for the child in your life. 

I really enjoyed this evening because I love talking about books and about how they can enrich the lives of not just children but everyone.   

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: 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!

Reference Sunday: Every Day On Earth by Steve and Matthew Murrie illustrated by tom Bloom

What a a nasty rainy day.   This is the kind of day that makes me just want to curl up and read a book.  It is also a good day to play games and snack and basically goof off....

 I am not much of a games player but I love trivia which is why today's book is a great book to pick up and peruse...

Every Day On Earth: Fun Facts that Happen Every 24 Hours by Steve Murrie his son Matthew and illustrated by Tom Bloom is the perfect book for a rainy day or any day.   I like how the book is set up and easy to read.   Even though it is meant for children I can see many adults being pulled into it's fascinating pages.   I love books on facts and love to learn new things....I  know lots of kids who are the same way.   My nephews Alex and Michael are just two that I know personally.   This is the kind of book I would have loved to have growing up...(it can also very addicting. )  I have already learned so much....I finally know exactly what makes a cell phone a "smart phone", how the early Americans made pumpkin pie (a recipe I would love to try ---) and that more people feel that macaroni & cheese is the best comfort food....

This is a perfect book to makes learning fun!  

Storie Italiane - Italian Stories: A parallel text easy reader (Volume 1) by Jessica Kosinski illus by Julie L. Weaver translated by Claudia Cerulli

Today's entry is for my friend Joe S.   I have known Joe since High School and he is very interested in his Italian heritage.   So I thought today's book would be perfect for him.
 

Storie Italiane-Italian Stories: A parallel text easy reader (volume 1) by Jessica Kosinski, illustrated by Julie Leiman Weaver and translated by Claudia Cerulli is a great book to help teach not only the Italian language but about Italy as well.   The book has five stories that take place in five different Italian cities.   I am especially partial to this volume because one of the stories takes place in Palermo, Sicily which is where my grandmother grew up.    I like how each story has the Italian version on top of the page and the translation just below it.   The stories are fun and interesting and really capture the Italian culture and lifestyle.  This is great for a classroom or for a child who is interested in learning Italian as well as any adult who wants to learn this beautiful language.   I took Italian in school so this  would be a nice refresher book for me.   I am very rusty but this book reminded me how much I enjoyed learning Italian.  

So Joe do you like today's book?    Enjoy

The Story of Easter by Aileen Fisher illus by Stefano Vitale

Tomorrow is Easter Sunday.    As of today Lent is pretty much over.    Holy Saturday was the day my Mom would say I could eat chocolate again (as this was what I always seemed to give up for lent).  



The Story of Easter by Aileen Fisher and illustrated by Stefano Vitale is a great book to share with children about this important Christian holiday.   Aileen Fisher not only describes what Easter Sunday is all about but she delves into the symbols of the holiday, such as Easter Bunnies, Easter Eggs as well as talking about Passover.   She explains how different cultures celebrate this important Christian holiday and it's significance in the world.    I am also partial to the illustrations which Mr Vitale does beautifully.   This is a must have book for a child who celebrates this wonderful holiday.  

Happy Easter!

Reference Sunday: Dragonology: The Complete Book of Dragons by Dr Ernest Drake & Dugald Steer

I read somewhere that today is apparently "Appreciate a Dragon Day"....I usually write about non-fiction book on Sundays or at least a reference type book so I think today's book should qualify.

I love dragons...always have.   I love the idea of them especially since I found out that my Chinese Zodiac is a dragon.  


Dragonology: The Complete Book of Dragons by Dr Ernest Drake and Dugald Stead is the type of book that I would have loved as a kid.   I remember when it first came out, I thought it was so clever.  Of course it has spawned an array of sequels and other "ologies" but that shouldn't detract from the original.  There is so much to look at and read about...it should provide hours of entertainment.   It is also a great way to enhance a child's imagination.   The interactive quality is wonderful.  This is a great book and series to snuggle up with on a cold winter's day.....

Reference Sunday: Harmony Children's Edition: A Vision for Our Future by Charles HRH The Prince of Wales

Today is  Prince Charles birthday.    I was just reading about his new adult book called Harmony: A New Way of Looking at Our World.  In it he talks about how we must work with nature to help our planet.    I admire his passion and commitment to changing the way we view our world.

Harmony Children's Edition: A Vision for Our Future by HRH The Prince of Wales takes all the information of his adult book and makes it accessible to children.   It was very smart of him to do a children's version as they should also be taught to save our world.   It is a beautifully produced book with wonderful photographs.  It is a good book to help start conversations about the environment and why we should care about what is happening to our planet.

Books About the Stars!

Recently a very dear friend emailed me with a request for help in looking for a gift for a little girl.   Seems this little 4 year old is fascinated by the night sky and the stars.   I love when kids like things we never expect them to like.   I know there are more children out there who interested in this so I thought I would post the book suggestions I gave my friend.   I won't tell you what she picked....as I don't want to spoil the surprise.




There Once Was a Sky Full of Stars by Bob Crelin from Sky Publishing.   What I liked about this book was the environmental aspect of the book.   Plus it is really pretty.








The Stars by H.A. Rey which is the classic night sky book by the author of Curious George.   It has been updated so the information is more current .









Kids Book of the Night Sky by Ann Love and illustrated by Heather Collins from Kids Can Press is meant for an older child but is great to read to younger children too.    I like that it is not just a book of the constellations but has legends and myths about the sky and lots of great activities.   This is a perfect book for a family with different age ranges as there is something for everyone.






Everything Kids Astronomy Book by Kathi Wagner from   Adams Media is also a great reference book to have in the house.   I have always liked this series of books.






Zoo in the Sky: A Book of Animal Constellations by Jacqueline Mitton and illustrated by Christina Balit from National Geographic is beautifully illustrated book that points out the animal constellations in the sky.




These are just a few books I picked out that might appeal to a young child....let the gift buying begin!

Reference Sunday: The Dark Game: True Spy Stories by Paul B. Janeczko

I love when I come across a book that I would have loved to have read as a child.  They always bring back great memories.

The Dark Game: True Spy Stories by Paul B. Janeczko is one such book.   I have always loved mystery stories and history so this book fits right into what I love to read.   This is a great book because it teaches history in an interesting way. It has well known spies throughout history like Benedict Arnold and Mata Hari but it also tells of some unknowns which are equally fascinating.   It really is a companion piece to Mr Janeczo's previous book Top Secret: A Handbook of Codes, Ciphers and Secret Writings, which I also would have loved as a child.   I have  always been a fan of Paul B. Janeczko,  as I was a children's poetry book buyer for many years.  His poems are very accessible to children.   The Dark Game is a perfect gift for an older child....it says it is for grades 6-8 but I know there are younger kids who will appreciate it.   Heck I know lots of adults who might like it too!

National Geographic Kids Almanac 2011

Today is my nephew Alex's birthday.   He is the only child I know who really loves books on facts.   When we were down the shore this past summer he begged my sister to get today's book.   He promised he wouldn't ask for anything else if they would just buy this for him.   He then went on to use it in the videos he makes for Youtube.  I think that makes it a good book to recommend.

National Geographic Kids Almanac 2011 is a great gift for any child who might not like to read story books or fiction.   I know we always want our kids to be readers but sometimes that means reading anything.   I try not to discourage a child if they want to read something.   These kinds of fact books are great for reluctant readers or just any curious child you may know.  

Thanks Alex for the book idea..... have a great Birthday!

Reference Sunday: Lives Turned Upside: Homeless Children in Their Own Words & Photographs by Jim Hubbard

The things that we learn by using the Internet.  The one thing I want this blog to be is informative.   I am always looking for ways to tie together what goes on in the world to books.   Today I found out is the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty.  It originated in Paris in 1987 but was only recognized in the US in 1992.   According to wikipedia, and I quote" One of the main aims of the day is to make the voice of the poor heard. To this end, commemorations often include testimonies from people living in poverty, describing their own experiences or those of people they know"   


In doing research as to what book to highlight on today's blog I came across a title that moved me.  

Lives Turned Upside: Homeless Children in Their Own Words and Photographs by Jim Hubbard was first published in the late 80's and early 90's.  He is a renowned photographer who gave camera's to children in order for them to document their lives.   The images are still quite powerful.   This book also became the basis for the organization Shooting Back.  Looking at these photograph's and seeing what these children see is inspiring.  What amazes me is that it is as if these photos were taken yesterday.  Not much has changed and yet there is a hopefulness that change will come.   This is a great book for children and adults to foster discussion and empathy for the world around them.  This is the perfect book for teachers and parents to use as a teaching tool so that maybe our children will grow up to care about others and try to help.   There is always hope.

Reference Sunday: Palindromes in Celebration of 10/10/10!

Today's date~ 10/10/10~has inspired me to write about books I have always been intrigued with.   While there are not many books on numeric palindromes there are plenty on the word variety.    These are just fun books to get kids thinking....I always thought that a good palindrome can foster some creative thinking.  



Go Hang a Salami! I'm a Lasagna Hog!: and Other Palindromes by Jon Agee is by far my favorite of the palindrome books.   The line drawings that go along with the words or phrases are priceless.










Too Hot to Hoot: Funny Palindrome Riddles by Marvin Terban is a great activity type of book that hints and riddles for the reader to guess the answers.







Mom and Dad Are Palindromes  by Marc Shulman is a book that I really thought was cute.   There is something about the story of Bob who discovers palindromes all around and can't get away from them.   I try very hard not to recommend hard to get books but I couldn't help myself with this one.   The illustrations are the quirky kind I like!