Reference Sunday: Just One Bite by Lola Schaefer illustrated by Geoff Waring

Just One Bite: 11 Animals and Their Bites at Life Size by Lola Schaefer and illustrated by Geoff Waring practically jumped off the shelf at the Mahwah Public Library mainly because of its size.   It is an oversize picture book that would have driven me crazy trying to shelve it when I worked in the stores but as a consumer it is wonderful.  With simple text the author Lola Schaefer conveys to her audience what an animal eats in one bite.....this is a case where she needs the pictures to illustrate her thoughts.   She only deals with a few animals but they are an eclectic bunch.  I also like how she goes from the smallest animal, an earth worm to the largest, a sperm whale.   My favorite is the giraffe and the elephant.  Oh but the bunny is cute too. The illustrations are fantastic Mr Waring really makes them feel life size with gatefolds when the animal is just too big, like the sperm whale and the octopus.   Anyway it is a great beginning science book for the curious child who always asks "why?".....

An added feature is the more detailed glossary in the back that gives a better description of each animal. 

Reference Sunday: Potato Chip Science: 29 Incredible Experiments by Allen Kurzweil

Every year my family and I go on vacation to Long Beach Island, NJ.   One family tradition has us going to Uncle Will's Pancake House for a family breakfast.   In past years we would always wait for a table while browsing The Atlantic Bookshop next door.   It is a great bookstore with lots to offer.   When my niece and nephews were small my sister would buy them little activity books to use while we waited for breakfast.   A couple of years ago the store moved to a different location.   So instead of going before breakfast we usually go afterwards.   This year was no different.   It actually works out well because I always need a walk after eating a delicious breakfast.



While perusing the store the store this past week I came across today's book.....Potato Chip Science by Allen Kurzweil .  I thought Workman Publishing had done it again by packaging a book on experiments with stuff to do those experiments in a potato chip bag.   Just when I thought I had seen everything....again very clever.   Clever packaging aside a book like this is only good if it is useful.   While it doesn't have all the components to do the experiments with it has enough to get a child started.   This is actually a great science kit because it appeals to the adult who wants their child to learn something and it appeals to the child who likes stuff. I especially liked the fact that the bag can be turned into a kind of kite....which is a very popular past time down the shore.

Reference Sunday: 13 Planets: The Latest View of the Solar System

Growing up the only thing I remembered about the planets was the sentence we were taught to remember them.   It went something like this: My Very Educated Mother Just Served Us Nine Pickles ---Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune and Pluto.   Then a few years ago I remember feeling bad because "Pluto" was no longer considered a planet, which totally made my sentence obsolete.   In doing some research  for information about last night's "supermoon"  I came across this book from National Geographic about 13 Planets which intrigued me because I couldn't understand how we went from 8 planets to 13 in a short amount of time.   Luckily this book is a great way to explain to kids how this happened.

13 Planets: The Latest View of the Solar System by David A. Aguilar and published by National Geographic kids was just published this month.   It explains how Pluto came back into the planetary fold and how there are a few more just like it.   It groups the planets into different types and explains the history of their names and where they are located.   It also talks about the sun, astroid belts and the moons of each planet.   I found it really interesting and well written.   It doesn't talk down to a child (or a grown up who is science handicapped).  It is written for an older child ages 9-12 but I think younger kids can certainly learn from it too.   A great book to get ---- before the Astronomy community changes their mind again.    

Flashback Tuesday: The Starry Messenger by Peter Sis

Today is the birth anniversary of the great astronomer Galileo.  

The Starry Messenger by Peter Sis is a great way to introduce this historic figure to a child.   While the book is a picture book and is supposedly geared towards ages 4-8 year olds, I think it is more for an older child.   The story of Galileo is fascinating, he led a complicated life but Mr Sis is able to write this biography in a way that brings it down to a child's level.   The illustrations are also wonderful, it wasn't surprising that Peter Sis got the Caldecott Honor for them.   I have always said that there are different kinds of picture books.   There are picture books meant to be read to the very young and then there books like The Starry Messenger that are for older kids.   These picture books for older children are meant to help children really visualize a subject.   They are just as important as a chapter book.   All kids are different in the way they learn so there should be something for everyone.    Like I said earlier this book is the perfect way to introduce a complicated subject to a child....it is a beautiful stepping stone for the starry eyed child in your life....  

Flashback Tuesday: The Mysterious Island by Jules Verne

Today is the birth anniversary of the iconic and classic author Jules Verne.   He has written so many famous books I thought I would recommend my favorite.



The Mysterious Island by Jules Verne is a classic castaway story with loads of adventure.   What I liked about this book was how the characters were able to survive and create a new world for themselves.   I also loved the mystery that surrounded the island---the twist at the end was a great surprise but a pleasant "ah ha" kind of surprise that I love.   I loved this book so much and knew my nephew would like it to----he liked science----that I gave it to him for his birthday (he was even nice about it the second time I gave it to him--aunts have a tendency to forget).   Anyway this would be great gift for an older child who likes mystery and science.   I look it at as a precursor to "Lost"----a wonderful classic that never gets old.

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!

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!

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.
 

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.....

Reference Sunday: Bite-Size Science: Everything You Need to Know About Science in Small, Easily-Digestible Portions by Robert Dinwiddie

I found this book at the bookstore and really liked the concept.   It was in a small local independent store where they had put it in the children's section.   It was such a cute book---I like cute and small.   I didn't realize until I went to the publisher's website that the book was written for grown ups and not kids.   How silly that is.   I know so many kids who would love this book....namely kids like my nephew Alex who loves books about facts and figures.   He would rather read this kind of a book than a novel or story book.  I figure he is reading so it is ok.  

Bite-Size Science: Everything You Need to Know About Science in Small, Easily-Digestible Portions by Robert Dinwiddie is a nicely packaged book with around 400 illustrations that explains science to the unscientific.   I enjoyed the explanations of things like the solar system, earthquakes even human body stuff because I could understand what it.  The language is simple and jargon free.   This is a great book for any one who likes to keep up on things without being overwhelming.   Like I said it isn't meant specifically for kids but it would be great for them too!

Reference Sunday: Face to Face with Whales by Flip Nicklin

I was trying to decide what to write about today when I came across the fact that today is Herman Melville's birthday.   I didn't think I could write about Moby Dick because even though it is a classic, it is a bit old for my audience.   His birthday did get me thinking about 'whales'....and I remembered that a whale had recently crashed into a boat.   The images were awesome...especially because no one got hurt.   I thought then I would recommend a book about whales.

Face to Face with Whales by Flip Nicklin seems like the perfect book to talk about on Herman Melville's birthday.   The cover image for the paperback edition coming out in a few weeks is so reminiscent of the whale incident and the boat a few weeks ago that I couldn't pass it up.    I don't usually recommend a book that is not out yet but as this is out in hardcover I thought I could make an exception.  This is a truly wonderful book that really illustrates the beauty that is a whale.   The photographs are incredible.   National Geographic books always have spectacular photographs but this book takes it up a notch. This is a great book for the explorer in your life....the images are wonderful.