Claude at the Beach

Just why wouldn't you find a small dog wearing a beret and men's underwear at the beach?  Claude is a proper little dog who likes to go on adventures with his best friend, Sir Bobblysock.  I laughed out loud as I was reading this early chapter book, and I can't wait to find out what adventures these two friends will go on next!  Check out the Claude Series from your local library, and read more about the author/illustrator, Alex T. Smith at his websites - http://claudebooks.blogspot.co.uk/ and http://www.alextsmith.com./

Princess in Black

Now this is one great princess!  I love that she is a multi-tasking, monster-fighting, "hostess with the most-est."  In this early chapter book, Princess Magnolia stars as the smart and witty young princess who goes off to stop monsters like a ninja while hosting a duchess at the castle.  She uses secret passages and disguises to keep her secret, but one young goat boy just might figure her out, or become her sidekick! Find out more about Princess in Black and her authors Shannon Hale and Dean Hale here: http://www.princessinblack.com/ and check out their books at your library.

The Fourteenth Goldfish

I realize that this book by Jennifer Holm was the Global Read Aloud book this year in September, but I just read it aloud to a class, and they loved it.  I could not be more happy to share such a thoughtful book with entirely believable and interesting characters.  More to the point, I was thrilled to share a story about a student who discovers a love of science on a very honest path.  I was happy to share the information I knew about the scientists in the book, and to research more as the students had questions.  Although the story is not about science alone, it serves as an inspiration to those students who never understood the beauty or thrill of discovering something new.  Thanks, Jennifer Holm! Find more of her books at http://www.jenniferholm.com/

My pile(s) of books to read

It always starts with just one book, then it seems to grow exponentially, and then I have piles of books to read.  They seem to stare at me with all of those wonderful recommendations blurting out "Read me because I am the one that will be the best according to...!" Yet, they wait patiently.  This is my latest pile, but I just ordered some books from Scholastic, and my cart is full on Amazon, and there is always that Junior Library Guild order coming this week.  What is a children's librarian to do?

I read a picture book, of course.

For today's review, BALL, by Mary Sullivan.  This book reminds me so much of my own dog, that I couldn't stop from laughing out lout, all by myself, in my office.  I love to share books like this with my students, so they understand that not only words can tell a story, but pictures too.  Check out the rest of Mary Sullivan's books at http://marysullivan.com/books-and-stuff. 

 

We voted last week for the Washington Children's Choice Picture Book Award, and the results are in! The winner at Jefferson is Lion vs. Rabbit by Alex Latimer. The students seemed to really enjoy all of the books, and many books books received more than 20 votes.  I will be using a Battle of the Books format to review the books with the 3rd grade next week, during Book Fair and conferences.  You can find a link to my Prezi here.  I have a lot of fun teaming the students up and making a competition of it. Since all of the students have read all of the books, everyone gets to participate!  I found all of the inspiration for this from David Sonnen and Kim Guyette's Battle of the Books on the WCCPBA wiki page.

I am looking forward to attending the Western Washington University Children's Literature Conference this weekend.  So many great authors will be there! I can't wait to hear from Kate DiCamillo and Yuyi Morales. Check out this link to the conference - http://wwuclc.com/

I am sure that I will return  inspired and excited to share some great literature with my students.

I am also attending nErD Camp on Sunday, and I hope to bring back some excellent ideas from that experience as well.