Beardecott Week 1

This week the second and third graders will start the quest for the next Beardecott winner.  We have hard work ahead of us, it'll be fun though!  We are using modified Caldecott criteria to "grade" our books and pick the winner for our school.  Then we'll listen closely as the winners for the national award are announced at the end of the month.
Here are our books this week:

 Title: Mr. Tiger Goes Wild
Author:  Peter Brown
Illustrator: Peter Brown

Title: A Splash of Red 
Author: Jen Bryant 
Illustrator: Melissa Sweet
See all of the books we're going to read this month here.

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...

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?

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!

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.

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!

 

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.