Wednesday, November 13, 2013

Give Books, and get some with a giveaway!

I love to give books for the holidays.  It's a fun challenge for me to pick something that the recipient will truly love (and a whole different challenge to get them to actually read it!).  These are my two picks for elementary aged kids this year.

Unicorn Thinks He's Pretty Great
by Bob Shea

This book reminds us that we all have wonderful qualities and it's a waste of time to be envious of what others are able to do, comparison is no fun at any age.  Unicorn and Goat also remind us to have fun and that we CAN be friends even if at first we didn't think we could.  The book is labeled as K-2 interest level but my 4th and 5th graders loved it too and got the meaning on a whole different level.  The book is hilarious and so is this book trailer.  Enjoy!

The Illuminated Adventures of Flora and Ulysses
by Kate DiCamillo

I love so many of Kate DiCamillo's books so I was super excited for a new release.  This book will not disappoint!  Flora is a self described cynic who comes into unexpected contact with a special squirrel, Ulysses.  Their adventures are sure to entertain and the added bonus of comics and illustrations makes this little book a true gem.  The reading level is 4th grade but I think kids (and adults) of all ages would enjoy reading this book or having it read to them.  See the trailer here.

What's your favorite book to give?  Leave your suggestion in the comments below and win a free book!  Winners will be chosen on Thursday November 21st.  May the odds be ever in your favor...




Thursday, October 31, 2013

Spooky Books

This week we got in the mood of the season with picture books. The 2nd and 3rd graders learned about alliteration with the book Creepy Carrots by Aaron Reynolds (Chicks and Salsa and Superhero School with super cool illustrations by Peter Brown (The Curious Garden and Kaline Klattermaster's Tree House).   Jasper the rabbit LOVES carrots, until they start stalking him.  How will he deal with the "creepy carrots"? 

The 4th and 5th graders worked on the idea of theme with the book Last Laughs: Animal Epitaphs by J. Patrick Lewis (Once Upon a Tomb and Please Bury Me In the Library) Jane Yolen (Owl Moon and Meow, Cat Stories From Around the World) with illustrations by Jeffrey Stewart Timmins (Rapunzel and Cinderella the graphic novels) We had to put aside our love for animals in this "punny" book filled with silly epitaphs for animals we love.  My favorite is:

"Cooked Goose
He was Canada born
and Canada bred,
and here he lies--
Canada dead."

The kinder and 1st grade students read Spike the Mixed up Monster by Susan Hood (Little Red Cowboy Hat) with adorable illustrations by Melissa Sweet (Balloons Over Broadway and Schoolyard Rhymes).  Spike wants more than anything to be scary but all his friends keep telling him how sweet he is.  How will he save the day?

What's your favorite read for this time of year?

Thursday, September 26, 2013

We Read Banned Books

This week the 5th graders and I discussed the idea of "The Freedom to Read" and how it relates to the First Amendment to the Constitution and our Bandelier Library.  I love to hear thoughts on this topic. It's interesting to hear from the students what they think should and should not be banned from schools.  They were mostly shocked at some of the books that made the list.  Freedom of Speech comes with responsibility and that was a main point of our discussion as well.
Go read some banned books!

Wednesday, July 24, 2013

Book Mobile

Join us at the Farmer's Market at Morningside Park tomorrow for our Book Exchange.  Bring a book to trade for your summer reading!  I'll be there with the pink bucket bike full of books from 5-6.

Friday, May 17, 2013

Summer Reading

One of my favorite books is The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate by Jacqueline Kelly.  It's the story of a girl who feels like she really doesn't fit in, was born in the wrong time.  She's the youngest sibling and only daughter in her family at the turn of the century.  She's expected to dress up and learn needlepoint but what she really wants to do is collect scientific specimen with her grandfather.  The writing is beautiful and the story enchanting.

Jacqueline Kelly will  be speaking at Alamosa Books on Saturday August 10th at 2pm.  Let's start of the school year with books!  All incoming 5th graders are invited to read this lovely book and meet at Alamosa books to meet the author and hear about her new book, Return to the Willows a squeal to the classic Wind in the Willows by Kenneth Grahame.  If you're feeling like you need MORE books, let's read those two as well.  We can make if a Jacqueline Kelly summer!

See you in August at Alamosa Books!

Thursday, March 28, 2013

3 1 Bomb Fault Round 3, Match 1: Bomb vs The Fault in Our Stars 

It's already round three of Battle of the Kids Books.  My bracket was blown to pieces this week but I don't mind.  Why?  Well, all of these books were fantastic in their own way and I'm so glad I read each of them.  

Today was a big day for me because I have Fault of Our Stars going all the way.  I think of it as my favorite book but really when I read the judges' summaries and comments each day I'm reminded of what I loved about each book.  It's one of the great things about The Battle, getting to read the words of a great author describing books I've read and loved.  The other great thing about the battle is reading the books, books I surely would not have read if it weren't for The Battle.  Bomb is one of those.  I might have though about reading it but I wouldn't have actually done it.  I read it and then read it again out loud to my 8 year old.  He loved it, wants it to win, can't believe anyone would chose anything else above it. That's what happens when you've only read one of the books on the list.   

A big part of my job as an elementary school librarian is reading book reviews.  It's not my favorite part of the job.  I like to have book lovers give me suggestions on books and tell me I'll love them and then I like to read the book.  I won't even read the inside flap until I'm a few chapters in.  I like to get a feeling for the book, get into it before I have too much background info.  That's what I love about the battle.  I have read the books, now I get to read an author put into words what is magic about the book.  I don't always agree with the judges but most of the time I wholeheartedly agree with at least one thing that's said and it makes me so happy to know that someone can put into words the way I feel about the books.  It's a talent that I wish I had.

Tuesday, February 12, 2013

Battle of the Kids Books

Last year was my first time participating in School Library Journal's Battle of the Kids Books.
This year I'm so excited to start reading this round up of best books from 2012 and trying to guess which wonderful book will win.  The brackets below show which books will go against each other.  Visit the website and you'll be able to meet the judges and hear from the peanut gallery.  We have some of the books (Wonder, Titanic, Temple Grandin, and The One and Only Ivan) in the Bandelier Library, some are meant for much older kids and others can be found at the public library.  So far, I've read half of the list.  I love them.  I love them for all different reasons and I would not want to be a judge who had to decide which was the winner.  If you're looking for something to do this month, start reading!  I'll let you know my guesses once I've finished the list.
http://battleofthebooks.slj.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/2013BRACKETS_TITLESONLY1.gif

Monday, January 28, 2013

The Caldecott Medal

The awards were announced this morning, an exciting time for authors, illustrators and book lovers across the country.  The honor books for the Caldecott Medal are:

And the winner of this year's Caldecott Award goes to...
Now, if you've been paying close attention we read three out of the 6 winners.  We discussed all along that it was possible a book would win that we hadn't even read and that was the case!  This is Not My Hat by Jon Klassen (who also illustrated honor book Extra Yarn) is a hilarious story of a little fish who thinks he's gotten away with a theft.  Congratulations to all of the award winners today, so fun to see such great books!

And The Winner Is...

This week we voted on our final Beardacott winner.  Throughout the week the leader was uncertain but by the end of the week is was clear, the students chose Chloe and the Lion as the first ever Beardacott winner.  The kids loved the humor and creativity in both the story and the illustrations.  We can't wait to find out what the Caldecott Committee will pick!

Round 5

Our three choices for this week were:
Baby Bear Sees Blue by Ashley Wolff is the adorable story of Baby Bear noticing the colors of the world.  The illustrations are vibrant and beautiful and the story is one all kids and adults can relate to.  Question after question about the world come from Baby Bear and are answered by Mama.

Laura Vaccaro Seeger's book Green is a creative look at the green in our surroundings.  Each page has a cutout that leads to the next page in a surprising way.  Kids love figuring out the puzzle of what came before and what will come next.
More is the story of a greedy Magpie who ends up with way more stuff than he has room for, sound familiar?  This sparsely worded book has detailed illustrations that are captivating in their story.  A good lesson for all of us about how much is enough.

This was the closest vote yet, More was the winner by just a few votes.  We'll get to see the winner of the first ever Beardacott award next week!

Tuesday, January 15, 2013

Round 4

We're getting closer to finding out the winner of the first annual Beardacott Award AND the actual Caldecott Award.  This week we read three books and it was a close vote!
 In A Home For Bird by Caldecott winning author Philip Stead, Bird is lost and his new, adventurous friend, Vernon is determined to help him find his home.  The story is sweet and the illustrations are, as one second grader described, "colorful and unique". 
 and then it's spring is illustrated by Erin Stead, a Caldecott winning illustrator who happens to be  married to Philip Stead.  The lovely illustrations and wood block prints in this book tell the story of a little boy and his animals waiting for their plants to grow.  It reminds us in these cold weeks that spring is coming...
Homer, written and illustrated by Elisha Cooper ,  tells the story of the gentle dog and how his day passes on the porch. The illustrations are beautiful, many kids described them as realistic.  The story is lovely. 

A Home For Bird was our winner by only four points, Homer came in second place so it seems it should win too.  Let's see what happens next week!

Tuesday, January 8, 2013

Round 3

Oh, No tells the story of a little mouse who is running from a tiger and ends up in a hole, oh, no!  Animal after animal attempt to help each other out of the hole and they all end up in the bottom of the deep, deep hole.  The rhythm of this book is delightful and contagious. The kids can't help but read along.  The illustrations are beautiful and engaging.  If I had to bet, I would pick this as a definite Caldecott contender. The students at Bandelier get to choose the Beardacott, let's see what they chose!


Chloe and the Lion is not like any other book I've read.  The claymation type author and illustrator interject their thoughts and ideas throughout the story making it a surprising and hilarious read.  Chloe, meanwhile, is eager for her adventure. 

Chloe and the Lion was the clear winner for this round! Can't wait to see what wins next.