“One Jiggly, wiggly, wobbly worm cobbler” sounded great to Arnold Chipper, the creative and organized teddy bear gardener. However, the zealot chef had trouble convincing his curious but reluctant sister Maria and friend Albert to try his dishes. Not because the recipes were from the garden, but because the ingredients were the dirt, grass, pine needles and other creatures Arnold found outside.
Chipper Kids-Counting in the Crazy Garden is a counting by numbers book (one to ten) although it reads more like a story- The book begins on a single page with Arnold Chipper stirring from a bowl of what looks like mud, although the first page is not counted.
The counting begins on the first two-page spread with the number One in the top left corner. The page with the number in the corner has as illustration of the same number of recipes Arnold creates… a counting style that continues throughout the story- For example, on the first two-page spread we see an illustration of “One jiggly, wiggly, wobbly worm cobbler, ” on the left page with the numerical number one on the top of the page.
Margarette Burnette’s fun characters and active prose nicely accommodate Brooke Henson’s expressive illustrations, creating a happy mood for the story. All Arnold needs for his dream to create goodies from his own garden to come true is a little information. The first two- page spread has an illustration of “One jiggly, wiggly, wobbly worm cobbler” with the number one in the top left corner of the page. However, the right page illustrates Arnold with his baking hat offering his brother Albert some “wiggly, wobbly worm cobbler,” but of course, Albert says, “No way” disgusted by the thought of eating worms from the dirt...
The second two pages are full of colorful illustrations of Arnold happily stirring a recipe with his sister and friend in his Garden. His sister Maria and Albert are interested in what Arnold is making throughout the book-, which is hilarious. The second two pages (or the third two- page spread) the numeral Two is boldly printed in the left corner of the page, as it was with Arnold’s worm cobbler and an illustration of “Two tall tubs of tumbleweed soup” are displayed- Albert and Maria’s reaction is across from the illustration of the two cans on the next page. Children will laugh at Arnold’s concoctions, while learning to recognize and count numbers as they participate in counting Arnold's feasts.
The text is not preachy or patronizing and the characters are lovable- You cannot help but love Arnold whose perseverance and love for his garden are evident throughout the story. Arnold’s charm will have children requesting a page turn, anxious to know the outcome of what Arnold will cook next, in addition to counting along curious to see how much of it he will make. You begin to hope for Arnold as his sister and friend look out the window wondering what to do, until... I’m sorry, I can’t tell you what happens next...
You will have to see by getting a copy for yourself, and your children... Arnold will not only interest your children in counting and gardening, he will help parents teach their kids about healthy food and where it comes from-
I loved it~
Note: I received a letter along with the review copy of Counting in the Crazy Garden (JenPrint, 2008) with some additional information about the author, so if you’ll forgive my quotation from the letter, I thought it may be interesting for some of you to have more information about the author:
“When she’s not blogging, Burnette is a health and parenting writer. Her articles have appeared in Parenting, Pregnancy, Essence and several regional parenting publications.
“She lives outside of Atlanta , Georgia, with her husband and two children, ages four and six. “ .
“Chipper Kids: Counting in the Crazy Garden (JenPrint Publications, hardcover)”
“Burnette blogs about her experiences at www.ChpperKids.com a web site that also offers free games, and coloring books for kids.”
3/7/08
Chipper Kids: Counting In The Crazy Garden
12/29/07
Children's Picture Book Reviews
I've decided to repost a picture book review for the New Years holiday. When my son was a little boy we spent the holidays reading books together. It was such fun to fill our book bags at the local library with the best titles, many of which, I remembered from my own childhood. A librarian and huge reader herself, my mother provided my son with some of the best titles in children's literature, a gift for which I will be forever grateful. I was lucky to have help with full-filling a desire to share a love for language and literature with my child by reading to him often. Language is music for the soul and a great book will be there to comfort, teach, and entertain you always.
Anyway, I would have had a difficult time finding such great titles without my mothers assistance. Hence, I've decided to share my knowledge with you and review more of my families favorite titles. In addition, I will continue to read and review any new titles sent from children's picture book authors, publishers and agents in the coming year. Everyday, I'm sent more and more books to read and review, and I've already picked a few exciting titles to share-
Happy New Year and enjoy my review of, Make Way For Ducklings, by Robert McCloskey.
Make Way For Ducklings: First published in 1941, this 1942 Caldecott medal winner and Massachusetts State book, is still delighting an audience of children and adults alike. Robert McCloskey’s gentle prose and award winning illustrations magically capture the true essence of parental birds in flight. Every child should join Mr. and Mrs. Mallard in search of the perfect place to raise their family. The books large double page spreads invite children into the ducks adventure. You feel you are soaring with them above houses, trees, and farms and want to stay on each page awhile. I loved holding the giant pages as I joined their flight over the city of Boston.
While flying toward the city, Mr. and Mrs. Mallard cannot agree on the perfect place to stop and investigate. Since Mr. Mallard likes the places that Mrs. Mallard does not they continue flying, until they are too tired to go any further. They decide to stop on an island in the middle of the Boston Public Garden. The next day they swim , go fishing in the pond, stroll along the bank and are pleased with what they see. However, they then meet with some unfortunate misgivings and decide to look for a more suitable spot, since Mrs. Mallard feels the park may not be the proper environment in which to have “babies” after all.
After flying again over important landmarks they find the perfect spot not far from the Public Garden, but a more suitable place for their offspring to hatch.
Living by the pond is comfortable for the duck couple and they find a constant supply of peanuts from a human friend and police officer named Michael. However, after Mrs. Mallard lays her eggs in the nest she can no longer visit Michael, since she must lay her eggs and take care of them after they hatch. We do see Michael again and he proves to be both a hero and a trusted friend along with the entire city of Boston.
Robert McCloskey’s warm-heartened portrayal of these parents is the backbone of this classic in addition to its articulately written prose and truthful illustration. The Mallards are devoted to their offspring and spend a good deal of time teaching them how to live safely in the world. You are convinced you can trust them and like them instantly. I really fell in love with these ducks and snuggled up with them in flight twice on my couch this afternoon.
The prose is simply poetic and the illustrations vividly drawn depicting a true duck family living a happy Mallard life!
Although written for ages, 4-8 the book is one of the best picture books to read aloud to a young audience according to many reviews.
.
Make Way For Ducklings was designated the official book of the State of Massachusetts in 2003.
Feel free to leave book review requests in comments!
11/9/07
I love You More
"Mommy, just how much do you love me?" a little boy asked his mother in the beginning of I love you more, by Laura Duksta and Karen Keesler. That is, it's a line asked in one beginning, because there's two sides to every story, and two beginnings to this book. Therefore, that line is in one beginning, but if you flip the book over this line is in the beginning, "A mother turned to her son and asked, "So, just how much do you love me?"
This touching tale is told from mother and son's perspective, that is with both declaring their love for each other beginning on opposite sides of the book. Their stories end in the middle on a beautiful double page spread with an illustration of the globe. The globe has this passage around it- "I love you more than anything in the world."
The illustrations are bold and alive detailing the individual characters down to the birds and trees that Laura Duksta metaphorically uses to represent the characters devotion to each other. The sing song rhythm of the verse sets a warm and happy atmosphere, drawing the reader into this mother and child's warm reassuring routine. A routine that perhaps parents, grandparents and caregivers everywhere will emulate with their children. Illustrator Karen Keesler and author Laura Duksta work beautifully together blending text and illustration into a warm and inviting tale. A story that reminds us how important it is to love each other and how to tell each other we care in a positive way.
For example, it's one thing for a boy to say, "I love you Mommy" but when he also says, "I love you quieter than the quietest caterpillar ever seen." it's another. On the other hand, (or flip side) the same can be said for Momma. Because it's one thing for a momma to say "I love you son." but when she also says, "I love you prettier than the prettiest flower ever found." it's another.
This is a fantastic children's picture book with as much to teach grown-ups as children. A real find, a great read, and a must have for all parents, grandparents, caretakers, friends, ...
Because love comes with different stories told from different perspectives ending with each other in the same place...
My hats off to Laura Duksta and Karen Keesler and Sourcebooks for sending me a review copy to review for my readers. I loved it!
9/9/07
'No More Diapers For Ducky ' (Sort of a Book Review)
Today, I went to Barnes and Noble to read a picture book I've been dying to read , instead of waiting around hoping the author would send a review copy. I don't know every author and agents criteria for sending books for review, and I didn't get a copy of Mo More Diapers For Ducky so I decided to go to my favorite section at my local book store and read a copy. So, please excuse this rather informal book review of a good book I read in Barnes And Noble, my favorite book store.
In the book, No More Diapers For Ducky, Bernette Ford and Sam Williams invite us into the world of Piggy and Ducky. Ducky and Piggy share the common pre-school challenge of how and when they should stop wearing diapers. Children learn by imitating other children, and love reading about characters with whom they can identify, especially when the characters identify with each other as well as Piggy and Ducky.
These two friends are friends who can relate, with the exception that Ducky is still in diapers, of course.
William's cuddly illustrations and Bernette's matter-of-fact, yet empathic prose, nicely capture these adorable characters as they cope with their growing pains.
When I arrived at Barnes and Noble, I sat at my favorite table in the children's area, and began to read, 'No More Diapers For Ducky' aloud.
Two little girls who shared my table pretended not to listen to me reading the "baby" book, and keep glancing at me with unsure half grins on their faces.
I think they were the same children who sat with me during story time at the library last week, but I'm not sure. The girls acted as if they were reading their own books, but I could tell they were listening. Here's what I read...
Ducky arrives at Piggy's house wearing her diapers, and knocks on the door. Piggy calls out to her and says he cannot come out to play, because he's on the potty.
Therefore, Ducky goes in Piggy's room and plays with his toys, but returns a while later and knocks on the door again. After knocking, Ducky gets the same reaction, Piggy is still on the potty (actually reading a book) and says he cannot come outside to play.
However, when Ducky was in Piggy's room playing, she realized her diaper was wet, and quickly took it off, saying, "No More Diapers For Ducky!" before knocking on Piggy's door again.
There's the funniest full page illustration of Piggy on the potty in this part of the book. Piggy's pants lay on the floor in the bathroom as he sits on the potty with the most serious expression I've ever seen on a pig!
After Piggy hears that Ducky has removed her diaper and needs to get in the bathroom, the situation is reversed and Piggy goes in his room to play, while Ducky is on the potty reading a book about pigs!
No More Diapers For Ducky
Bernette Ford (Author)
Sam Williams (Illustrator)
Published by Boxer Books, (March 28, 2006)
Ages Baby to Pre-school
8/24/07
Wow! School! And My Afternoon At Barnes And Noble
I read a new children’s picture book entitled, WOW! School, in Barnes and Noble today. I rode with my mother after lunch to the book store, because she had to get some paperbacks for the library. Every year when school starts the library needs more children’s classics in paperback. Therefore, while she went to get the books she needed, I went in the children’s section. The children’s section at Barnes and Noble is one of my favorite places in the world. I ran/walked to the little “barn” bookshelf and stared in wonderment at the miraculous books lining the barnyard wall haystack, or bookcase. I wonder why Barnes and Noble have a model of a barn for the main bookcase? In addition to the barnyard theme, they don’t have a new release bookshelf anywhere in the store and when I asked the little children people who work there, they looked at me like they weren’t sure what I meant. Although they were nice enough sales people, and I think Barnes and Noble is fantastic, I felt as if I were in a time capsule and asked a dumb question. It was as if it I asked an outdated question, a question that would have been popular long ago or at a different time.
However, it doesn’t matter if the children’s book section at Barnes and Noble isn’t doing things the way I think they should. Since it’s still one of my favorite places in the world, and I’m plus I'm not running the department anyway. I’m just researching children’s titles for my manuscripts and A Nice Place In The Sun, so why should I care? I guess because it’s my home away from home, and I think I have the right to decorate what goes on in the book store.
Anyway, after I got over my astonishment at all the wonderful picture book titles they have on the market now, I saw Wow! School, one of the newly published books I've wanted to read. I found myself a spot at a small table in the next to a little girl and a lady with whom she wasn't related, and began to read Wow! School. I wanted to write an unofficial book review, or I guess I should say a book suggestion on the title.
Everyone's first day of school is one of the scariest things we will experience in our lives. I know school already has started in most areas, but Wow! School will still help children adjust to their school days. The first page begins with the beginning of a school day and the rest of the pages take you through different times and activities throughout a typical school day. A great conversation starter after your children start school as well, to find out how school is coming along for them, and give them an opportunity to ask questions. When I read to my son it often provided an opportunity for a conversation about the subject or theme of what book we were reading, and Wow School seemed like a good example.
It’s a big book with extremely colorful and descriptive illustrations showing everything happening in a classroom in just two pages. The illustrations stretch across a two-page spread, so you have to turn the book sideways to read it but it's fun. The book depicts a multicultural theme with big bold images of everything in an ideal classroom, bookcases lined with books, desks with kids behind them taking part in numerous activities. It even shows details of children with their art work on easels, and other art supplies, and books with small titles written on the front. There is a lot to look at but it’s not busy, and again, it encourages conversation while you look into the pictures of what happens inside a school.
Wow! School! follows an entire school day with the perfect amount of text and descriptive illustration to tell a lively and fun story. You open the first page to the beginning of the day, and the second page to a gigantic picture of the teacher and four students, with detailed items in the classroom in the background. Then turn the page to reading time in another double spread illustration, with the image of the teacher sitting on a rug with her students. All of the illustrations have one to six words of text on the outside of the illustration and around the border of the page instead of directly on it. It is great fun, so if you have small children in school go by Barnes and Noble, the library, or shop online but read Wow! School! I think you and your children will enjoy it, and so did the little girl who sat at the reading table with me.
Robert Neubecker (Author)Publisher: Hyperion (June 15, 2007)Ages Baby-Preschool
8/13/07
Anne Fords On Their Own
Parenting is the most important challenge of any parents life, a never ending job. The challenges are often overwhelming, especially for the parent whose child is diagnosed with ADHD and other learning disabilities.
After receiving the diagnosis of a learning disability parents have many questions, the biggest of which is how their children will ever live On Their Own. How will they learn to live a happy and productive life? How will they find employment or ever truly be self sufficient?
These questions and more are one of the reasons why Anne Fords personal experience is an essential read, especially since in On Their Own she remembers asking those questions herself. In addition, the book is full of informative chapters covering every imaginative avenue and valuable resource available for this disability.
Written with John-Richard Thompson, On Their Own is Anne Fords second book based on her and her daughter Allegra's personal journey. A wonderful family guide full of useful information derived from the compassionate spirit of a good mother and writer.
Rearing a child with ADHD and other learning disabilities, is a lonely and frightening experience Anne Ford has written already, in her first book Laughing Allegra, she vividly recounts every detail of her reaction to a teacher’s insensitive description of her daughter, Allegra’s “problem.”
In the introduction for On Their Own, Anne remembers writing about her long painful journey in Laughing Allegra. She goes on to explain her book tour after the publication of the book. While on a book tour for Laughing Allegra she discovered many of the parents at the LD conferences such as the ones hosted by the National Disabilities Association, were facing many of the same challenges she had, and were grateful to her for telling “their story.” She also noticed on the book tour that the parents at these events were not just parents of small children but also the parents of high school students and older. She then realized that she was not as alone as she thought, in addition to discovering the fact that the challenge never leaves, but instead it is a battle you deal with everyday.
The introduction describes the events that lead Anne to write, On Their Own and how Laughing Allegra motivated her to join such organizations as the National Center for Learning Disabilities, first as a member then as Chairman of the board. On Their Own also addresses the universal fears shared by all parents of children with ADHD and other learning disabilities. All Parents share a concern for their children’s future, even parents whose children do not suffer from learning disabilities. We all worry, prepare our children for the future, and help our adult children when they reach adulthood.
On Their Own is full of useful information, beginning with signs and symptoms of the disability, to making friends, siblings, and even dating. The third part of the book covers graduating from High school, the transition to college, college testing and finding a job.
Sections 4 and 5 of the book, inform parents about motivating their adult child with ADHD and LD, as well as opportunities for employment. The last section follows with life concerns, medications, and estate planning. Anne wraps up her warm-hearted account of a loving mothers in depth personal journey, with the personal accounts of prominent people who have suffered from a learning disability, however moved forward to build successful careers.
For example, the last chapter starts with an introduction by Betsy Morris, and follows through with chapters by former Governor of West Virginia Gaston Caperton, and Charles Schwab Founder, Chairman, and CEO of Charles Schwab and company.
If you are coping with a child of any age with ADHD regardless of age, Anne’s Ford’s Laughing Allegra and On Their Own are a must have for your family's bookshelf.
7/30/07
Robert McCloskey's Make Way For Ducklings
Make Way For Ducklings: First published in 1941, this 1942 Caldecott medal winner and Massachusetts State book, is still delighting an audience of children and adults alike. Robert McCloskey’s gentle prose and award winning illustrations magically capture the true essence of parental birds in flight. Every child should join Mr. and Mrs. Mallard in search of the perfect place to raise their family. The books large double page spreads invite children into the ducks adventure. You feel you are soaring with them above houses, trees, and farms and want to stay on each page awhile. I loved holding the giant pages as I joined their flight over the city of Boston.
While flying toward the city, Mr. and Mrs. Mallard cannot agree on the perfect place to stop and investigate. Since Mr. Mallard likes the places that Mrs. Mallard does not they continue flying, until they are too tired to go any further. They decide to stop on an island in the middle of the Boston Public Garden. The next day they swim , go fishing in the pond, stroll along the bank and are pleased with what they see. However, they then meet with some unfortunate misgivings and decide to look for a more suitable spot, since Mrs. Mallard feels the park may not be the proper environment in which to have “babies” after all.
After flying again over important landmarks they find the perfect spot not far from the Public Garden, but a more suitable place for their offspring to hatch.
Living by the pond is comfortable for the duck couple and they find a constant supply of peanuts from a human friend and police officer named Michael. However, after Mrs. Mallard lays her eggs in the nest she can no longer visit Michael, since she must lay her eggs and take care of them after they hatch. We do see Michael again and he proves to be both a hero and a trusted friend along with the entire city of Boston.
Robert McCloskey’s warm-heartened portrayal of these parents is the backbone of this classic in addition to its articulately written prose and truthful illustration. The Mallards are devoted to their offspring and spend a good deal of time teaching them how to live safely in the world. You are convinced you can trust them and like them instantly. I really fell in love with these ducks and snuggled up with them in flight twice on my couch this afternoon.
The prose is simply poetic and the illustrations vividly drawn depicting a true duck family living a happy Mallard life!
Although written for ages, 4-8 the book is one of the best picture books to read aloud to a young audience according to many reviews.
.
Make Way For Ducklings was designated the official book of the State of Massachusetts in 2003.
Feel free to leave book review requests in comments!
7/20/07
" Caroline Kennedy's: " A Family Of Poems"
A Family Of Poems My Favorite Poetry For Children, is one of my favorite family books, and the best kind to read children at bedtime. Actually, I still like to read it myself to relax before I go to sleep.
I gave my mother a copy of The Best Loved Poems of Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis:Selected and Introduced by Caroline Kennedy a few Christmases ago. That book brought us both back to our childhoods. This, of course, was before Caroline wrote A Family Of Poems, which includes titles by ee cummings, Ogden Nash, in addition to the dearly loved children writers, A.A.Milne, Robert Louis Stevenson, and Jack Prelutsky.
I referred to my mother for obvious reasons since this is a book of poems Caroline Kennedy's family loved to share with one another. The front cover has a picture of Caroline at age four or five reading to her teddy bear. She writes the book in seven different sections each relating to children's lives, for example, "Bedtime", "About Me", and "Animals." A commentary encouraging children to read and express themselves in language arts, and poetry accompanies each section.
What is so wonderful about this book is the opportunity it provides parents to talk about the famous poets and writers in the book, while reading to their children. I still remember the way the copy of Stuart Little, by E.B. White, smelled when my mother read it long ago. By relating her childhood experiences along with the book Caroline Kennedy-Schlossberg, and illustrator Jon J. Muth, offer children and their parents the opportunity to relate to the poems on a personal level leaving an indelible impression on children.
This book will inhabit the heart, soul, and memory of every member of your family. A great start for parents to read to their beginning or young readers, this summer and all year round. It's not a new book but a classic, if you haven't got it, get it, and if you haven't read it, read it!
It's a A Nice Place In The Sun favorite!
Information and picture from Barnes and Noble.com
7/3/07
Join Me I'm Reading, ON THEIR OWN, "Creating An Independent Future For Your Adult Child With ADHD"
Please Join me in Reading On Their Own, Creating An Independent Future For Your Adult Child With Learning Disabilities brought to us by Authors On The Web!
I received a great response from my post Medicating Children With Symptoms Of ADHD, and one was an e-mail requesting a book review from Authors On The Web. I'm honored to be presented with a complimentary copy to review, and can't wait to read my readers comments on what they think of the book. This is my favorite part of blogging about books, and the beginning of a category I'd like to call; What Do You Think? (since you need a category for everything) in which I will post two main book titles to read and review every month, followed by a discussion through the comments at the end of the posted review. (One adult and one children's picture book title) What do you think? is really just my way of doing a book review, and receiving my readers opinion, but I needed a way to introduce the title for discussion. So humor me, while I tell you about my first adult book, then you can go get a copy, or borrow it from the library in time for the review and discussion!
Anne Ford is the author of Laughing Allegra, a book in which she recounts her journey as a young mother of a child with learning disabilities; in On Their Own she now provides us with more insight into her experiences. Written with John-Richard Thompson, the book includes a foreword by Sally Shaywitz, M.D., followed by Anne's own introduction, many high profile interviews, and a section with accounts from other prominent sufferers with learning disabilities. By drawing on her own personal experience, Anne provides the reader with a deep understanding of the challenges parents and children with learning disabilities endure everyday. Helping your child create an independent future, is a task all parents worry about accomplishing, however for those rearing children with learning disabilities, or kids diagnosed with ADHD, the task is hard won. It looks like On Their Own will prove to be an invaluable resource for all parents, and I'm looking forward to reading the views of a writer, on a well researched subject they have experienced themselves.
Buy it, borrow it, or read it in the coffee shop of your favorite book store, but be ready for A Nice Place In The Sun's discussion of On Their Own, Creating An Independent Future For Your Adult Child With Learning Disabilities And ADHD.
What Do you Think about On Their Own? will post on August, 5, so be sure and read a copy in time to comment!
If you know someone who is coping with the challenges of rearing a child with ADHD, or you are coping with these challenges yourself, I urge you to take part in this discussion, since having a support system helps with every situation, and this book is getting great reviews; but also so you will have a great reference guide if you're coping with a child with ADHD, and/or other learning disabilities, since Anne Ford has a section on every worry you can imagine.
Get a copy while there's plenty of time to join in the discussion.
I'm researching this months What Do You Think, picture book as we speak! Really I am! :)
Be sure and join in these discussions!
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A Nice Place In The Sun Adult Children with adhd, medicating children with ADHD.
5/28/07
Book Review I'll Alway's Love You
Published in 1985, by Crown Publishers, I'll always Love You, is the story of
a child’s love for his dog, Elfie. Brilliantly author/ illustrated by, Hans Wilhelm, I'll Always Love You, nicely communicates the relationship between a boy and his dog.
“My brother and sister loved Elfie very much, but she was my dog,” we are told by the first person narrator in the beginning of the story. The child makes it a point to tell Elfie he will always love her each night before they go to asleep. Hans Wilhelm steadily moves us along with his masterful portrayal of the development of the close bond shared between the child, and his dog. As the years go by the young boy grows older, and Elfie grows rounder (and older) until the family takes her to a vet who explains to the family that Elfie is slowing down with age.
Then one night Elfie dies in her sleep, and although brokenhearted the boy finds comfort in the fact that he always told her he loved her. The heart-warming plot moves forward with the child’s heartbreaking message of conveying our love for our loved ones while they are here. After Elfie’s burial the narrator explains how his brother and sister never told Elfie how they felt about her. His grief is somewhat relieved by the fact that he told her he loved her every night.
A neighbor offers him a puppy, and he judiciously declines although he knows Elfie would not mind. Then he gives the neighbor Elfie's basket figuring the neighbors puppy needed it more. It seems he is thinking of his neighbor when in actuality he is helping himself. Wilhelm's has an ability to teach us without us knowing a gift shared by all great storytellers. There is not one wasted word in this beautifully crafted picture book.
Hans Wilhelm creates an atmosphere that is warm, sensitive, and inviting, a book every child should have on their bookcase.
5/24/07
Not Afraid of Dogs Is Reviewed
My picture book pick for May, Not Afraid Of Dogs has been reviewed by Didgeridoo Dogs
"A site about Australian shepherds and other K-9s"
Posted by jteitelman, the review has a common sense note, plot summary, and some of the text from inside the book.
Not Afraid of Dogs won the Society of Children's Book Writer's Golden Kite Awards for 2006, and is such a great book you cannot read about the plot and not want to read it.
Written by Susanna Pitzer and illustrated by Larry Day, Not Afraid of Dogs, is a story that had to be told, and will not go unnoticed.
I had trouble finding a copy it is so popular, and since I have to really "live" in a book awhile, before writing a review, I am delighted this site noticed the title.
Parents and dog lovers alike need to stop by Didgerdoo Dogs blog to read this review, and see what else this new blog has to offer!
Here is the link to Didgerdoo Dogs
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Read review for A Dog's Life
5/14/07
Book Review - A Dogs Life
A dog’s life, published in 2005, is the heartwarming story of an older dog-named Squirrel. The story is told from Squirrels point of view, about her experiences after losing track of her family. Squirrel is a stray, and must make her way through a world filled with cruelty, danger, and loss. She is alone until she meets two friends who end up determining her destiny. The author of A Dogs Life is Ann Martin, a seasoned children’s writer, with a forthcoming intelligence, found in all the great children’s writers.
The author of The Baby Sitters Club, books, Ann Martin grew up in Princeton New
Parents and children can see Ann Martin in interviews, and on different children’s web sites.
A Dogs life is a great summer read, for children between the ages of 9 and 12, and could be one of your child’s favorite summer books.
5/11/07
Book Review-- Are You My Mother?
When I was growing up, my mother read the children’s book classics, Stuart Little, The Grass Hopper and The Ant, The Cat In The Hat, and Are You My Mother.
All of these books and writers are great, and you really cannot pick a favorite, however “Are You My Mother?” has a special place for me. My mother gave my son a copy of the book when he was learning to read, and I , in turn, read it to him. We both remember him laughing, when the baby bird asks a cow if it is his mother, and the cow replies, “No, I am Not Your Mother, I am a cow!” My son would ask me to read that particular text over and over again. The book, passed down in my family, like a priceless jewel from one generation to the next, is a great read. My son inherited one of the older copies with the baby bird in his nest, on the front cover.
The book, written by, Philip Dey Eastman in 1960 has a unique appeal, and humor all its own, however Mr. Eastman wrote closely and collaborated often with our endearing Dr. Seuss.
P.D. Eastman, an author, illustrator, and filmmaker, worked with Theodor Geisel (Dr. Seuss) on the training film, “Private Snafu” during the Second World War. He also wrote cartoon scripts for the near-sighted Mr. Magoo, and worked on Dr. Seuss’s “Gerald McBoing-Boing” for UPA Studios. He wrote many other beginning book titles, one of which was “Go, Dog, Go”, adding to a genre enjoyed by writers and readers alike.
I am, for one so appreciative of P.D. Eastman’s work. Great books withstand the test of time, never losing audience appeal, and “Are You My Mother?” is certainly one of these books.
P.D. Eastman wrote in a style that demonstrates his love for children and storytelling.
The story is about a little baby bird, who falls from the nest, immediately after hatching, missing his opportunity for a proper introduction to his mother. Armed with an enthusiastic attitude, the little bird sets out to find Mom, introducing himself to everything and every animal he happens upon. He sees a plane in the sky and wonders, “Is that is mother?” He asks a dog, cat, cow, and even a large construction truck! A page-turner, “Are You My Mother?, follows the baby birds quizzical bewilderment, as he searches for his mother. You feel a rising tension, until the story arrives a cheerful and satisfying conclusion.
Most people fall in love with the baby bird on the first page, and are completely won over by the last! This is a book created to be a part of the family, and will continue to be a definite family treasure.
5/1/07
Famous Children's Author Beatrix Potter
Beatrix Potters Most Beloved Character
Peter Rabbit
The Tale Of Peter Rabbit, was originally written in a letter to Beatrix’s governess’ child when she was ill.
It seems Beatrix’s beloved rabbit, “Benjamin Bouncer” unknowingly contributed to Peter Rabbit’s creation.
Beatrix published the story herself after the manuscript had been rejected six times. After having rejected it himself, Frederick Warne decided to publish the story after seeing a copy Beatrix sent to him after it’s publication.. Peter Rabbit turned out to be one Beatrix Potter’s most beloved characters. A character in three books, The Tale Of Peter Rabbit, The Tale Of Benjamin Bunny, and The Tale Of The Flopsy Bunnies”, Peter Rabbit is Beatrix Potter’s most beloved creation..
Children all over the world root for Peter to escape from Mr. McGregor garden. Even farmers wish to protect Peter as he hides from Mr. McGregor in the water pail. You can feel the animals tension, when you see the illustration of Mr. McGregors foot reaching toward Peter ready to stomp him to smithereens! Beatrix Potter makes no secret of the fact that Mr. McGregor killed his father, so I guess the bunny is scared to death! Peter Rabbit became alive in Beatrix Potters prolific prose, a handsome rabbit in human clothes. Her use of words as she narrates this character demonstrate the love she felt for him. Perhaps that’s one of the reasons it went on to sell more than 150,000 copies, and is one of Beatrix Potters most well known characters.
Peter is left at the end of The Tale Of Peter Rabbit, exhausted from his near death experience, however we see in The Tale Of Benjamin Bunny, that he takes his cousin back to retrieve his jacket and shoes. In the book; The Tale Of Mr. Tod, Peter sets out to rescue the Flopsy Bunnies after they are kidnapped. Peter's independent character resolves his own personal conflict in one story and helps others resolve theirs, in the next adventure.
Whether you’re a farmer, child, parent, or bunny rabbit, your wish at the end of The Tale Of Peter Rabbit, is for Peter to have bread, milk, and blackberries for supper!
After
Jemima Puddle duck, Tom Kitten, and Pigling Bland, all came to life on Hill Top Farm, and brought a striking light to the English Countryside.
As a matter of fact, Beatrix‘s name became well known for her reliable characters, and moving themes, but also for her contribution to the lake District. Her name there is practically synopsis with the
Perhaps the crowning achievement of Beatrix’s career, however, was not children’s books at all, but that of her contributions to the National Trust. It was through Beatrix’s friendship with the founder Canon Rawnsley, who gave Beatrix the encouragement to write Peter Rabbit, which she set out to purchase land to present to the National Trust.
For this was her shining moment to most the English and enjoyed the world over by many tourists, as one of the most beloved spots of the west English landscape.
It is a comforting thought, to think of lying anywhere in the
4/29/07
Beatrix Potter 's Career
Beatrix Potter’s career
After
Jemima Puddle duck, Tom Kitten, and Pigling Bland, all came to life on Hill Top Farm, and brought a striking light to the English Countryside.
As a matter of fact, Beatrix‘s name became well known for her reliable characters, and moving themes, but also for her contribution to the lake District. Her name there is practically synopsis with the
Perhaps the crowning achievement of Beatrix’s career, however, was not children’s books at all, but that of her contributions to the National Trust. It was through Beatrix’s friendship with the founder Canon Rawnsley, who gave Beatrix the encouragement to write Peter Rabbit, which she set out to purchase land to present to the National Trust.
For this was her shining moment to most the English and enjoyed the world over by many tourists, as one of the most beloved spots of the west English landscape.
It is a comforting thought, to think of lying anywhere in the
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