Scrub-a-Dub-Tub

Wednesday, January 07, 2009

Cleaning the Tub

If I were a patient person, I would have held onto my New Year's Resolution post and published it on the new and improved blog. But, my talents lie elsewhere.

Over the past few days I've been working on the new-and-improved Scrub-a-Dub-Tub blog. We're over at Wordpress now, and except for the fact that I can't get flash widgets (like the Cybils), I'm lovin' life. TubTalk is also being merged into the blog with its own page. Just our way of helping you clean out your reader!

The toughest part has been getting the links categories together. I've expanded the categories to include booklists and podcast reviews. If you're a children's book or literacy-related blogger, you may be listed in multiple categories. I did that on purpose ... you have many talents, so they should all be highlighted. The goal is to make it easy to find great resources in the category that comes to mind first.

There are still tweaks to come. I copied all of my existing blogroll friends, but have not cross-checked with the reader [which I haven't opened since Monday morning.] If I have you in the wrong category, or you are missing from a category, please let me know. Just email me at thereadingtub [at] gmail [dot] com. If I don't have you on the blogroll, please leave us a comment ...

Last but not least, be sure to update your reader with the new address. This will be the last post from here.

Monday, January 05, 2009

Diversity Rocks! Book Challenge

When I started the Reading Tub, I wrote the tag line "Turning a page ... opening the world." I thought it captured the potential and reach of reading. There is so much to explore between the covers of a book. Reading can transport you to new places (of this earth and beyond), introduce you to new people (real and not), and expand your everyday world. That idea is what drew me to Ali's Diversity Rocks! book challenge.

One of the things I like about the challenge (aside from the flexibility) is that it will help me take a more thoughtful approach in selecting books I read. Frankly, I don't think about ethnicity or race when I look at a book. I am drawn to a book because the story sounds interesting. Sometimes it is because the illustrations or photographs draw me in without reading a word. Taking the time to learn more of the back story or pay attention to the origin of the stories will round out my reading experience. And that's cool.

Here are the books I've selected for the challenge. Update: In my previous post, I said I would commit to six books. In my original comment on Ali's post announcing the challenge, I have committed to reading nine books ... and secretly hoping to read 12. Here are the first six books on my list (in no particular order). You may recognize a few of these from my TBR pile ...

Give a Goat written by Jan West Schrock, illustrated by Aileen Darragh. This may be a stretch, but it offers a true-life story about a 5th grade class and their effort to think beyond themselves to help a family continents away. From the publisher's website: "Give a Goat is a template for adults and children who want to work together to experience the satisfaction of giving to others and making a difference in the world. "

Out of Bounds: Seven Stories of Conflict and Hope by Beverley Naidoo. I love Naidoo's work. I read Web of Lies, several years ago and she got me hooked on stories that let you tap into the struggles of immigrant kids and their families. This is a collection of short stories about apartheid in South Africa. This was a book that caught my eye last September.

The Dragon's Child: A Story of Angel Island by Lawrence Yep with Dr. Kathleen S. Yep. This is a middle-grade story about immigration that one of our parents already reviewed. Their review is compelling, and I want to read it myself.

Mountains to Climb written by Richard Wainwright, illustrated by Jack Crompton. From School Library Journal: "A gentle story about a boy from the Andes mountains and his pet llama, born with one eye, who sail to America to live with his aunt and uncle for 'a year or two.' He helps his fellow Explorers Club members find shelter on a stormy mountain top and rescue their injured advisor. Before he returns to South America, Roberto convinces the Explorers to admit two new members--one boy who is blind and another who has two artificial legs. The portrayal of the two physically challenged boys and their interaction with the others on the camping trip is the book's strength."

Little Leap Forward: A Boy in Beijing written by Guo Yue and Clare Farrow, illustrated by Helen Cann. This is a book that arrived in the office last fall and was in my last Reading Ahead column. This middle-grade novel is set in in Beijing, China, in 1966. I wsa three in 1966, and I know very little about the Cultural Revolution. The author is a contemporary, and I would like to see how his story unfolds.

Seven Miles to Freedom: The Robert Smalls Story written by Janet Halfmann, illustrated by Duane Smith. This is the story of an escaped slave's journey to freedom. What captured my interest in reading this book was this statement in Cloudscome's review at A Wrung Sponge: "You don't often get exciting stories of heroism and resistance by smart, brave, persistent African Americans who spent their lifetime working for justice and freedom. Robert Smalls is such a man and Seven Miles to Freedom is a thrilling biography for elementary age children."

Rather than pre-select all of my titles just to "fit" the challenge, I am going to opt to add some later. That will allow me to explore and get suggestions from other readers and take advantage of new titles that come in for review.

The Diversity Rocks! book challenge is, well, diverse. There are no genres or age ranges involved. I'm sticking with children's books because that's (a) what I read the most; (b) that's my audience; and (c) it's easy. If you're looking for ideas, read Ali's posts about children's picture books and middle-grade titles.

Friday, January 02, 2009

CYBILS Shortlists and Other News

The office is technically still closed until Monday, but I've been periodically sneaking in to check the Reader and keep up with the Email. I promise to keep this short and sweet.

Yesterday the Cybils short Lists were announced. Head over to the Cybils blog to see the lists of finalists in each of the nine categories ... or at least your favorite genre. I had the honor of reading and chatting with the panelists for the Easy Readers. Now it will be fun to see what the judges think. I am still making my way through each of the lists.

Ali, over at the blog Diversity Rocks! is organizing a challenge to encourage us to diversify our reading this year. The idea is to have a more rounded portfolio of books by reading authors whose culture, ethnicity, or nationality are different from ours. I am not one for joining challenges, but I am always up for learning, reading new authors, and being inspired, so I'm going to try this. Look for my challenge list (I'm going to commit to 6 books) in the next few days.

If you're not interested in challenges but want to "do more" with your reading and/or try your hand at blogging about books this year, head over to the Well-Read Ladies blog. In December, Jill Tullo of the Well-Read Child created the Well-Read Ladies book club as a tribute to her aunt. Here is a link to book club's inspiration and her ideas for this virtual conversation.

I feel like I'm forgetting one other item. When I think of it, I'll sneak back in the office!

Thursday, January 01, 2009

The Next Chapter: 2009 Arrives

Happy New Year!

Things have been quiet here ... on purpose. We hope you had a great, restful holiday. With Christmas behind us, it's time to close the book on 2008 and begin to write 2009. A friend sent an email from China, with a photo of fireworks and this quote, which I think is particularly apropos for this year.

"An optimist stays up until midnight to see the new year in. A pessimist stays up to make sure the old year leaves.”

I always love the "lull" between the last two holidays of the year because there is time to reflect on the good stuff and draw on that energy to start planning for the new year. As I sit here staring at the white board with the list of things I wanted to accomplish in 2008, I realize that some things don't change with time. Some goals -- like secure an endowment for community literacy work -- are constants. Like all "good goals" they have target dates. Like all things in this economy, the funding dwindles and the goal gets pushed back. Even knowing that, the questions begin: What is working (and what didn't)? What can we do that's new/cool/better than last year? What direction do we want to go in the Tub? Can we get there in 12 months?

In creating my plan for this year, I'm taking a cue from my white board. Keep it modest and reasonable. Add a little "push," but don't think too grandly. Over the past few days I've been reading year-end wrap-ups and some really neat ideas and cool goals [check out Lee Wind's plan for the year ahead], and I admit to feeling the "pressure" to do more. So far, on Day 1, I'm resisting. We are going to commit to doing a few things well. There are fewer "start-up" projects and more focus on a couple of timeless objectives. So here goes ...

Launch Read it Together. This is our project to distribute books for infants, toddlers, and preschoolers via pediatricians and family services organizations. The books (and a 1-page reading guide) will be given to local families who are under-served because they are uninsured or under-insured. We have more than 300 books. The goal is to find a sponsor to push fund from 75% to 100% to get the Reading Guide written and translated into Spanish.

Turn 12 struggling readers into inspired readers. A few weeks ago, I wrote this post about a student who didn't like to read but who connected with a book and liked it. It is small, but it's a start. If a student realizes s/he can connect with one book, the spark is there to encourage them to try another. We distribute lots of books as part of our school-based literacy project, but we don't often get comments about how a book changed a reader's thinking. For 2009, I want to see if we can't repeat this a few more times.

Eliminate the term "Reluctant Reader." If you've ever read the Book Whisperer's byline, you know she prefers the term "dormant readers" to "reluctant readers." I like the idea of creating nomenclature that takes the glass-half-empty definition (reluctant) to something that is more positive. I don't know what that is, and it won't be my idea, but I want to try.

Participate in Kidlitosphere 2009. This goal has actually been on my board since September. There is no International Reading Association conference for us this year, and BookExpo America is a maybe. But being part of the kidlitosphere this past year has created wonderful opportunities for us, and I want to finally be able to say thank you (and learn more) in person.

Build on what I Learned about blogging and book reviews in 2008 As the reader grew, so did my opportunities to practice and hone my skills. There were two biggies: the Comment Challenge MotherReader and Lee Wind sponsored and being a panelist for the Cybils inaugural Easy Reader category come to mind. But there were other virtual events, like participating in and hosting the Carnival of Children's literature, the My Friend Amy's campaign to Buy Books for the Holidays and the post for the What's On Your Nightstand Carnival (5 Minutes for Books). For the coming year, I am going to thin the book bags and write more individual posts with reviews.

That last goal plays well into my final one: I want to be inspired. I love thoughtful prose and incredible art. I hope to discover, hear, and read things that open my heart and mind, show me new ways of looking or thinking about things, and leave me wanting more. Technically that's not a goal because it is not specific (you never know how/when it strikes ... you just know) and it doesn't have a deadline.

As we open the book on 2009, we are excited about what happens next. Over the next few days, it will be fun to read about your plans for reading, writing, and sharing a great book. Can you leave us a sneak peak in the comments or add to our Mr. Linky?

Saturday, December 20, 2008

Happy Holidays

Click to play Greetings from the Tub

Make a Smilebox greeting

Friday, December 19, 2008

Greetings from 'Hoo-ville

This morning I had the pleasure of enjoying Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas at my daughter's school. It was a one-woman rendition (technically two: the gym teacher played the role of Little CindyLou Who) for all of the K/1 classes (there are eight!).

For 30 minutes, all the 'Hoos here in Hooville, "the tall and the small," made not a sound as they watched poetry in motion. There was nary a wiggle or sound, except to remind Ms. Maylee that you don't stand on chairs (it was the Grinch's sleigh). No doubt the kids were familiar with the story, either reading the book at home or watching the TV program. Still, every one of them paid close attention. Watching the performance reminded me how powerful reading out loud can be ... even when it's something they have heard hundreds of times.

If you don't have a copy handy, you'll find the complete text of How the Grinch Stole Christmas and other great seasonal stories and poems to read aloud at christmaspoems.com. Be creative ... make the pictures come to life with your own homemade props. Here's what Ms. Maylee had: a pair of stuffed heart pillows (you can make two from paper), some empty sacs, a stuffed dog with a twig tied to his head, some string for reins, a chair for a sled, torn paper for snowflakes, and Santa hat. Let your audience be Little CindyLou Who.

You might also check out the Grinch's page in Seussville. You'll find plenty of Grinchy-activities. Also be sure to stop by Author Amok for this week's Poetry Friday round-up. You'll find great seasonal selections there, as well.

Wednesday, December 17, 2008

The December Carnival of Children's Literature

There are lots of countdowns and wrap-ups this time of year, and Jen Robinson has rounded up a collection of the kidlit bloggers best posts for the December Carnival of Children's Literature.

Grab some cocoa (maybe a cookie or two) and settle in for some wonderful reading. While you're there, wish Jen a happy third blogiversary!

Friday, December 12, 2008

Words That Make Me Dance

I have been spending the afternoon getting book reviews loaded onto the website. We always include the target audience in our reviews, but these are reviews from our toughest audience: kids who don't like to read.

The group I'm working on today were written by high school readers-in-need who are reading at an upper elementary level. These students have done a wonderful job, no doubt through the dedication of their teacher. I can't imagine her joy when she read this student's answer to the question about whether s/he would buy, borrow, or skip this book.

"I would buy this book because I really don't like reading but this book helped me out a lot. I forced myself to read, and as I read the book, I started to like it and I thought to myself it ain't nothing wrong with this book and I liked it and I understand that book a lot better than the ones I've been reading."

Awesome.

Wednesday, December 10, 2008

Books 2008: A Gift for the Ages (Updated - 10 December)

As mentioned previously in lots of places, Colleen Mondor (Chasing Ray) has expanded her annual 12 Days of Book Recommendations into a Holiday Open House for book bloggers. She will be updating this post with recommendations for the first 12 days of December.

We have been invited to offer our suggestions for gift books that go beyond the "best of" lists. Our goal is to help you discover a book that will have meaning for the person you're giving it to. Among all the recommendations, you're likely to learn about book that match the interests of your recipient.

Reading is a gift that lasts a lifetime. It begins with sharing simple stories sitting with a child on your lap and grows to your child filling the chair by himself and reading independently. With that journey in mind, each of our "days" is going to represented by the age of the intended audience.

We 'll get you started with infant to age 3 and add a few more each day. These are books meant to share together.

Age (0 to) 1 - Baby Gym series illustrated by Sanja Rescak. Bounce and Jiggle, Touch and Tickle, Wiggle and Move. (Child's Play, 2008)

These are sturdy board books with nursery rhymes and songs. Parent activity ideas (simple instructions) complement each poem to encourage an infant's movement with the rhyme.
These books are great tools for a first-time parent learning how to interact with an infant at a stage in the child's life where rhythm, limb movement, and eye contact are critical for brain development.

Age 2 - Dr. Hippo Books written by Charlotte Cowen, MD, illustrated by Susan Banta. The Little Elephant with t he Big Earache, Peeper has a Fever, Katie Caught a Cold, and Sadie's Sore Throat (Hippocratic Press, various dates)

When the animal kids get sick, they need to visit Dr. Hippo. He has just the right advice for their fever, a cold, an earache, and a sore throat. These books are designed to explain sickness to kids and give real advice to parents. Every book comes with a handy pullout card in the back.
These stories are the equivalent of comfort food for sick little ones and would be handy for parents-to-be to have at the ready.

Age 3 - Alphabet Book (Usborne Barnyard Tales) written by Heather Amery, illustrated by Stephen Cartwright (Usborne Publishing, 1998)

This is an interactive way to help kids learn their ABCs. There is a seek-and-find element for each letter of the alphabet.
If your child isn't ready (or interested) in learning the alphabet, the action-filled illustration will keep them interested in exploring the book. Reading doesn't always have to be about words.

Age 4 - Shelby written by Stacy A. Nyikos, illustrated by Shawn N. Sisneros (Stonehorse Publishing, LLC, 2006)

Shelby is a lemon shark who is timid. She's trying to find courage to help her friends. This is an excellent read-alike for kids familiar with The Rainbow Fish.
The story offers preschoolers a nice lesson, without browbeating them or talking down to them with silly names. You won't hear "Shelby the Shark."

Age 5 - Noises at Night written by Beth Raisner Glass and Susan Lubner, illustrated by Bruce Whatley (Abrams Books for Young Readers, 2005)

Kids who are afraid of the dark will enjoy listening to this sing-song, rhyming story.
Page by page, the sounds of night are demystified ... inviting a good night's sleep and happy dreams.

Age 6 - Mercy Watson series written by Kate Di Camillo, illustrated by Chris Van Dusen (Candlewick Press, various): Mercy Watson Fights Crime, Mercy Watson Thinks Like a Pig, Mercy Watson to the Rescue, and Mercy Watson Goes for a Ride.

These are illustrated stories heavy on illustrations, light on text. They are great books to get kids ready to read and transition to longer stories.
The stories offer humor, a fun twist, and great illustrations meant to be explored.
Simple text make these fun to read together, particularly as partners. Because there is a lot of dialogue, readers can take "parts."

Age 7 - I Love My New Toy (An Elephant and Piggy Book) written and illustrated by Mo Willems. (Hyperion Books for Children, 2008)

This easy reader series will encourage emergent (kindergarten) and early (first grade) readers.
Elephant and Piggy share fun, humor, and work through the ups and downs of friendship.
The text is written in different colors and font sizes to help readers add emotion to their reading and allow you to share roles.

Age 8 - Humpty Dumpty Jr., Hard-boiled Detective series written by Nate Evans and Paul Hindman, illustrated by Vince Evans and Nate Evans (Jabberwocky, an Imprint of Sourcebooks, Inc., 2008): The Case of the Fiendish Flapjack Flop and The Mystery of Merlin and the Gruesome Ghost.

These transitional readers are lightly illustrated ... perfect for kids not ready to read "real" chapter books. It is a good first choice for someone who is ready to be an independent reader.
The writing is crisp and clever. There are plenty of egg puns, sure to induce laughter in parents and kids.
The story moves fast, so it can be shared chapter-by-chapter or all at once.

Even as kids become independent readers, they still enjoy -- and benefit from -- books that are read aloud. The titles in this last group are books that can be read independently or shared. We have selected books that everyone can enjoy, so they don't break down as "boy books" or "girl books."

Age 9 - The Notherland Trilogy, written by Kathleen McDonnell (Second Story Press, various): The Nordlings, The Shining World, and The Songweavers.

This is a wholesome, fantasy adventure trilogy for readers 9 to 12. The reading level (as evaluated for The Songweavers) is 4.1.
Peggy is a 15-year-old girl who, while dealing with a variety of teenage issues, is drawn back into an imaginary world she had created as a child. The story is a metaphor for tweens who are trying to let go of "little kid" stuff and yet aren't sure about "big kid" stuff.
Although the protagonist is a girl, the events that transpire are gender-neutral. The story is largely plot-driven, making it appealing to boys.

Age 10 - The Gollywhopper Games written by Jody Feldman, illustrated by Victoria Jamieson (Greenwillow Books, an Imprint of HarperCollins Publishers, 2008)

This is an illustrated chapter book that lets the reader participate in the puzzles the main character (Gil) solves. The reading level is 5.2.
Gil Goodson (12) has been training for a year to enter the "Mind and Muscle" competition sponsored by the Golly Toy and Game Company. He has very strong feelings about this year's event, and he is determined to win so his family can move.
This book is a compendium of creative and out-of-the-box problem-solving challenges. It will spark a lot of interest in finding alternative solutions to problems.

Age 11 - The Dragon's Child written by Laurence Yep with Dr. Kathleen S. Yep (HarperCollins Publishers, 2008).

This is a novel for pre-teens and teens. The reading level is 5.9.
The story, set in 1922, focuses on the life of Gim Yew Lep and his family, who are emigrating from China to California. The immigration process is rigorous, and because Gim stutters and is left-handed, it will be particularly difficult for him. If Gim Lew cannot pass the test, he will be sent back to China.
This is a powerful story with solid characters and a strong plot. Even though this story is set 1922, it has relevance today as it recounts the effort, danger, courage, and heartbreak that immigrants experience as they try to provide a better life for themselves and their children.

Age 12 (and up) - The Galahad series by Dom Testa (Profound Impact Group, various): The Comet's Curse, The Web of Titan, and The Cassini Code.

This is a science fiction adventure series. The crew of the spaceship is a group of teens, with personalities their peers will relate to.
A comet contaminates the earth beyond habitation. As a result, 251 teens (with the help of a computer) are forced into space. As the teens explore space, there are external forces that could rocket them to oblivion, as well as the internal issues that come with leadership and teamwork.
This is a wholesome series, and the characters are responsible and capable young people, "not Brittanys or Jasons."

We wish you a wonderful holiday ... and all thegreat memories that come with sharing a book.

Friday, December 05, 2008

The Book Bag, Books for Ages 9 to 12 (November/December 2008)

The middle-grade audience is probably one of the toughest for writers. These are savvy readers ... they can see through junk easily, and won't waste time if they don't connect to a story quickly. This is also the audience that is most likely to be pulled away from reading as something fun to do. So when our reviewers came back with "wow, this is really good," they made my day.

Click the book's title to visit our website and get more details. Click the cover to connect with a bookseller. The Reading Tub uses its earnings from purchases to donate books to at-risk readers and keep the website subscription-free.

Football Hero by Tim Green Ty Lewis is a 12-year-old whose parents were recently killed in an auto accident. Ty's brother, Thane “Tiger” Lewis, is getting ready to graduate from Syracuse University. He also expects to be a first round draft choice of the NY Jets. Ty's Uncle Gus believes he's entitled to Tiger's signing bonus; but Uncle Gus is involved in activities that could ruin Tiger's career. Is there anything Ty can do? "There are several themes that complement the narrative: importance of family; the phenomena of bullying; friendship; responsibility for one’s actions; and being true to your self. There is much more than a good story between the covers of this book." (HarperCollins, 2008) Reading Level 5.0

Ghost Files: The Haunting Truth by Eugene Yelchin and Mary Kuryla. If you are into apparitions, ghosts, spirits, haunted houses, and the like, this is the book for you. It is the most thorough and up-to-date resource on paranormal phenomena available on the planet. "When I first saw Ghost Files I wasn't impressed. Once I opened the book and saw all of the cut-sheets, envelopes, folding notes, diary sheets, etc., it became a piece of art as well as a tongue-in-cheek encyclopaedia of spooky stuff. It is exceptionally well written and superbly illustrated. " This book has potential as a book that reluctant readers would be interested in. (HarperCollins, 2008) Reading Level - not determined

The Secret Life of Sparrow Delaney by Suzanne Harper. Sparrow Delaney is happy to be at a new school, away from Lily Dale and her eccentric family of spiritualists. Try as she might to hide her talents, fate - and her spirit guides - have other plans. Sparrow is about to learn that running away won't make things go away. "Teens will enjoy this fast-moving, humorous look at life as a high school sophomore. Spiritualism is really just an element that strings together a group of great characters. This book has great potential as a high interest/low readability title." (Greenwillow, 2008) Reading Level 5.7

So Far from the Bamboo Grove by Yoko Kawashima Watkins. Eleven-year-old Yoko Kawashima and her family live in Japenese-occupied Korea. World War II has ended, and the Japnese army has left. They miraculously escape from Korea, only to find their homeland totally devastated and their family, friends, and neighbors suspicious and wary of them. This is an historical fiction recounting of the author's life experiences. "This is a terrific story. It highlights some of the most horrible attributes of war and man’s inhumanity to his fellow man. At the same time, it demonstrates the impact that simple works of human kindness have in helping people successfully cope with challenge." This is a book that has potential as a high interest/low readability title. (HarperTrophy, 1986) Reading Level 5.8

JUST ONE MORE BOOK
Learn about some great books to share with your kids at JOMB. Andrea and Mark have started adding video to some of their reviews. This video review of Bird by Zetta Elliott is just amazing.

The Lamp, the Ice and the Boat Called Fish written by Jacqueline Briggs, illustrated by Shadra Strickland. "Soothing speculation, striking details and spellbinding scratchboard art present a gripping account of The Karluk’s last icy voyage and the strength and resourcefulness that beat all odds." (Lee & Low Books, 2008)

Reading Ahead - Books for Ages 9 to 12 (September/October 2008

Books for this age group cover the waterfront not only for subjects but also in readability. Some kids in this range still prefer picture books, but they need more sophisticated content. Some are ready for full-length stories that verge on YA. Thankfully, authors and publishers cover the whole range. Here are a few things that we're looking forward to reading over the winter.

Click the book's title to visit our website and get more details. Click the cover to connect with a bookseller. The Reading Tub uses its earnings from purchases to donate books to at-risk readers and keep the website subscription-free.

Becoming Charlemagne: Europe, Baghdad, and the Empires of A.D. 800 by Jeff Sypeck. Unless you are in a parochial school or in AP history, this isn't a period of time you know much about. This is a non-fiction book, but it has the look and feel (I skimmed a couple pages) of a novel. The more robust, informative footnotes caught my attention, too. (Ecco, an Imprint of HarperCollins Publishers, 2007) Reading Level - not yet determined

Little Leap Forward, a Boy in Beijing written by Guo Yue and Clare Farrow, illustrated by Helen Cann. I'm sure this book came out in time for the 2008 Summer Olympics, but it just arrived here. This is a middle-grade chapter book set in China during the summer of 1966, and the arrival of the Cultural Revolution. It sounds fascinating. (Barefoot Books, 2008) Reading Level 5.5

Looking at Paintings: An Introduction to Fine Art for Young Readers by Erika Langmuir. What caught my attention was the effort to connect Mickey Mouse and Goofy to fine art. Thumbing through, various classic Disney characters (not the princesses) introduce kids to the elements of paintings and various media. I particularly like that it's a hand-held book, about the size of an easy reader. (Bunker Hill Publishing, 2002) Reading Level 5.7

The Summer of Cecily written by Nan Lincoln, illustrated by Walt Smith This is a lightly-illustrated, semi-autobiographical story of a Harbor Seal pup who is orphaned and then rescued by a family in Maine. The author, who was part of the rescue, tells the story. When I hold this book, Trumpet of the Swan comes to mind ... but I don't know why. (Bunker Hill Publishing, 2004) Reading Level 4.4

Wednesday, December 03, 2008

The Book Bag, Books for Ages 5 to 8 (November/December 2008)

We read a lot of books for this audience in November. The majority of them were books for kids learning to read. Rather than repeat those titles here, here is a post with a list of reviewed titles. At the bottom of the post there are links to individual reviews (ours and others). At the end of this post you'll find links to seasonal selections from Just One More Book.

Click the book's title to read our review. Click the cover to connect with a bookseller. The Reading Tub uses its earnings from purchases to donate books to at-risk readers and keep the website subscription-free.

Mrs. Claus Explains It All written by Elsbeth Claus, illustrated by David Wenzel. Mrs. C. has read lots of those letters to Santa, so she thought she could answer some of your questions. "This book offers history, humor, and advice appropriate for the season. Mrs. Claus' answers are well thought out, with direct answers and recommendations. The illustrations are well done, offering never-before-seen images of the North Pole and humor, too." (Sourcebooks, 2008). UPDATED TO CORRECT PUBLISHER.

One Voice, Please; Favorite Read-aloud Stories written by Sam McBratney, illustrated by Russell Ayoto. In this collection of 60 stories, you'll find some familiar tales, but plenty of new ones, as well. " In reading these stories, it is easy to see that the author understands that kids find fables and zany stories interesting and amusing. He gives them an opportunity to laugh and learn." (Candlewick Press, 2008)

Hooray for Fly Guy! written and illustrated by Tedd Arnold. When one of the players on Buzz' football team gets hurt, Fly Guy gets called off the bench. Can a fly really help the Go-Getters win the game? This is the newest title in the Fly Guy series of easy readers. "The Fly Guy books are fun, creative stories. They are simply told but still have plenty of action and a clever twist. There is enough word play to entertain parents, even through multiple readings." (Cartwheel Books, 2008) Reading level: .2

A Penguin Story written and illustrated by Antoinette Portis. Edna is a penguin who is convinced that there is more to the world than black, white, and blue. So she heads off in search of something more. "This is a well-illustrated, well told story. On the surface this looks like a book about finding other colors, but it is much more. It's about curiosity and exploring your world. I hope there is a sequel." (HarperCollins, 2008) Reading level 1.2

I Met a Moose in Maine One Day written by Ed Shankman, illustrated by Dave O'Neill. A young boy meets a moose in his home in Maine. Together, they have fun exploring local sights and tastes. Along the way, they become great friends. This rhyming picture book takes kids on a tour of Maine. "Our son absolutely loved this book. It was fun, funny and full of illustrations to explore. He loved it when the moose put on sunglasses and started dancing. This is a super-fun story." (Commonwealth Editions, 2008)

JUST ONE MORE BOOK
If you haven't visited JOMB lately, then you're missing out on some great reviews. Andrea and Mark have started adding video to some of their reviews ... just awesome. Check out the video review of Snow by Cynthia Rylant.

The Snow Show — with Chef Kelvin written and illustrated by Carolyn Fisher. "Hoopla, bloopers and the rantings of temperamental talent turn a lesson in the science of snow into a boisterous blast of behind-the-scenes TV-making lunacy — who knew deposition, sublimation, sectored plates and radiating dendrites could be so much fun?" (Harcourt, 2008)

Treasure for Lunch written by Shenaaz Nanji, illustrated by Yvonne Cathcart. "Bhajias, samosas and imaginative snowy play are front and centre in this appetizing tale of friendship, acceptance and the perceived risk of being seen as different." (Second Story Press, 2000)

Wenceslas written by Geraldine McCaughrean, illustrated by Christian Birmingham. "Richly retold with storytelling flair and depicted by enveloping impressionist artwork, the traditional carol gains depth and suspense in this inspiring demonstration of benevolence and backbone." (Random House, 2005)

Reading Ahead - Books for Ages 5 to 8 (November/December 2008)

The bulk of our new books these past two months have been seasonal titles for the holidays. Now that we have reviewed them, we're looking forward to some of the others. Here are three that are resting near the top.

Click the book's title to visit our website and get more details. Click the cover to connect with a bookseller. The Reading Tub uses its earnings from purchases to donate books to at-risk readers and keep the website subscription-free.

Mama Panya's Pancakes: A Village Tale from Kenya written by Mary and Rich Chamberlain, illustrated by Julia Cairns. The illustrations in this book are wonderful. I haven't read a word, but have spent some time just flipping through the pages to explore the colorful images. (Barefoot Books, 2005) Reading level 3.8

Bugged! (Science Solves It) written by Michelle Knudsen and illustrated by Blance Sims. This is an easy reader (Flesch-Kincaid 2.1). It's classified as fiction, but it's part of the "Science Solves It" series, which gets kids interested in thinking, too. I'm hoping to find an answer that puts an end to my days as a mosquito magnet. (Kane Press, Inc., 2008) Reading Level 2.1

J ack and the Box written and illustrated by Art Spiegelman. Bright colors, repetitive text and linear comic strip illustrations caught our eye. This is designed to be an early reader graphic novel. (Little Lit Library, a Division of RAW Junior, LLC, 2008) Reading level .9

Mo and Jo; Fighting Together Forever written and illustrated by Dean Haspiel and Jay Lynch . This is an early reader graphic novel that introduces chapters. Mo and Jo are fighting siblings who need to work togethr to fight crime. (Little Lit Library, a Division of RAW Junior, LLC, 2008) Reading Level .7

Nanuq: A Baby Polar Bear's Story written by Kathleen Duey, illustrated by Lara Gurin. It's hard to classify this book. It is a picture book, but it's also an easy reader (2.8 Flesch-Kincaid readability). Like Bugged! It is listed with fiction, but the story itself seems to offer lots of factual detail about a polar bear's life. It comes with a CD, which makes it attractive for pre-readers and emerging readers. (Smart Kids Publishing, Inc., 2008) Reading Level 2.8

The Book Bag, Books for Ages 0 to 4 (November/December 2008)

Because books make such a wonderful holiday gift, we wanted to make sure that we published our Book Bags in time for you to select stories that kids are sure to love. Here are some of the fun infant and toddler stories we've read recently. Our thanks to Andrea and Mark of Just One More Book for their podcast reviews of seasonal titles.

Click the book's title to read our review. Click the cover to connect with a bookseller. The Reading Tub uses its earnings from purchases to donate books to at-risk readers and keep the website subscription-free.

Animal Exercises - Poems to Keep Fit written by Mandy Ross and illustrated by Sanja Rescek. Get kids moving with these poems that take an animal's movement to create an exercise. "You'll find four great things in this book: sweet illustrations, fun movement, inspiring vocabulary, and a wide variety of animals." (Child's Play, 2008) Reading Level 2.1

Animals are Sleeping written by Suzanne Slade, illustrated by Gary R. Phillips. This is a picture book with gorgeous illustrations of a variety of animals sleeping in their natural habitats. You'll learn about animals that sleep standing up, upside down, underwater, and more. This rhyming picture book shows all types of animals and where they sleep. "Gorgeous pictures and wonderful depictions of animals make this a sweet book to read just before bed. The illustrations are almost frame-able." (Sylvan Dell Publishing, 2008) Reading Level 1.6

Baby Gym Series: Bounce & Jiggle and Wiggle & Move illustrated by Sanja Rescek "Stimulation is a key learning element for young infants. I love the rhymes and interactive play in this book. I would LOVE it for a new parent. The sturdy pages are designed to handle lots of reading. The colorful illustrations and interactive rhymes encourage 'hands-on' reading." Note: Our reviewer also recommended these as good titles for a grandparent to refresh their memories on interactive reading. (Child's Play, 2008) Reading Level 3.8 (high due to parental instructions attached to rhymes).

I Love You More than Rainbows by Susan E. Crites, illustrated by Mark Jarman and Rosemary Jarman. This colorful picture book opens with the first of many answers to a child's never-ending search for the answer to the question "how much do you love me?" Throughout the book, the narrator explains how she (or he) loves the children in their life. "This is an over-sized picture book, and the children on the pages are larger-than-life, just like the love that is described in words. There are no adults in the pictures. This is a book to be shared with a child; there is nothing to indicate that it is a parent-child relationship." (Thomas Nelson Publishers, 2008) Reading Level 1.6

JUST ONE MORE BOOK
If you haven't visited JOMB lately, then you're missing out on some great reviews. Andrea and Mark have started adding video to their reviews ... just awesome. We've added a note for podcast reviews that also include video.

Cuddly Dudley written and illustrated by Jez Alborough. "A determined crowd of affectionate penguins, acres of cartoon ice floes and a healthy balance of group hugging and irritation make this slapstick story of sibling saturation a huge hit with the preschool crowd." (Candlewick Press, 1995)

Irving and Muktuk: Two Bad Bears written by Daniel Manus Pinkwater, illustrated byJill Pinkwater. "Chucked full of colour, wacky wording and two bad bears bent on blueberry muffins, this crazy book is wacky, arctic fun." (Houghton Mifflin, 2003)

The Magic Hockey Stick written by Peter Maloney and Felicia Zekauskas, illustrated byPeter Maloney and Felicia Zekauskas. "Ok, maybe we like this book more than our girls do. Without a single hockey-loving bone in our all-Canadian bodies we still can’t help swelling up with some huge, undefined emotion when we read this book. Oh, and our girls enjoy it too." (Which Books, 2001)

Snow written by Cynthia Rylant, illustrated by Lauren Stringer "Welcoming snowscapes, glowing orange coziness and carefully, crafted verse capture our very personal yet wonderfully universal relationship with snow in this exquisite reflection on the fleeting sweetness of life." (Harcourt, 2008) with video review

Snowsong Whistling written by Karen E. Lotz, illustrated by Elisa Klevin. "This beautiful book, packed with playful illustrations and cozy rhyme, invites us into winter with such joy I just can’t imagine an autumn without it." (Puffin Books, 1997)

Reading Ahead - Books for Ages 0 to 4 (November/December 2008)

In the coming month's we'll be reviewing these colorful board books for toddlers. More and more, books are coming out as "set," which is nice for this age group. They like familiar characters and repetition.

Click the book's title to visit our website. Click cover to connect with a bookseller. The Reading Tub uses its earnings from purchases to donate books to at-risk readers and keep the website subscription-free.

Cleo's Alphabet and Cleo's Color Book written and illustrated by Caroline Mockford. These are brightly colored titles with simple illustrations. What particularly grabbed my attention was their sturdiness (and some very cute kittens). (Barefoot Books, 2008)

We recently received advance copies of four titles in the Just Like Us series: Having Fun, Together, Taking it Easy, Making Friends. These are brightly colored lift-the-flap books featuring babies and baby animals in familiar activities. (Childs Play, 2009)

Monday, December 01, 2008

The Book Bag, Bilingual Books (November/December 2008)

Feliz Navidad (Spanish)
Nollaig Shona (Irish - Gaelic)
Joyeux Noel (French)
Shen Dan Kuai Le Xin Nian Yu Kuai (Mandarin)

We hope you enjoy a wonderful holiday season. Here are some of the fun bilingual books we've enjoyed these past two months, including one holiday story. Click the title to see our review; click the cover image to link to a bookseller. The Reading Tub uses its earnings from purchases to donate books to at-risk readers and keep the website subscription-free.

The Miracle of the First Poinsettia: A Mexican Christmas Story written by Joanne Oppenheim, illustrated by Fabian Negrin. La Noche Buena (Christmas Eve) should be a happy time, but Juanita is sad. Papa has lost his job, so there isn't extra money for candy or toys. Because she has no gifts, she stays outside the church. What can she give that is worthy of Baby Jesus? "This is a simple story that is elegantly told. The illustrations (done with watercolor and oil pastels) offer a rich complement to the words. The images are detailed enough to carry the story if you want to use this as a wordless book." (Barefoot Books, 2003) Reading Level 2.0

The Best Mariachi in the World / El mejor Mariachi del mundo written by J.D. Smith, illustrated by Dani Jones. Gustavo really wants to be a mariachi like his brother, father, grandfather, and cousins. But no one would let him touch their instruments. Upset about being left out, Gustavo went to the desert and started singing. One morning, he woke the neighbors! Is he destined to be the worst mariachi? "Every child who has wanted to "belong" will enjoy this story about a boy who wants to be in a mariachi band. Colorful illustrations help make the story sing." (Raven Tree Press, 2008) Reading Level 3.7

Bursunsul and Paskualina: The Story of Two Friends written by Olesya Tavadze, illustrated by Evgueni Ivanov. Bursunsul and Paskualina are two very different dogs. One is big, the other is small. One is white, the other is black. Despite their differences, they are very good friends. That is, until Paskualina took something from Bursunsul, who got angry and bit her! Uh oh! "The story presents its messages of respect, friendship, and forgiveness very well. The vocabulary repetition and simple sentences make this a perfect story for first- and second-grade readers." This book is available in seven languages. Read the complete story at biguniverse.com. (Reading Corner, 2007) Reading Level 2.3

Oranges for Everyone written by Daiga Zake, illustrated by Elena Stojanova Jimmy gets a bag of oranges. Having claimed them all for himself, he ends up giving them away, one by one, to family and friends. When he is left with none, he learns a valuable lesson: sharing is contagious." This book is available in ten languages. Read the complete story at biguniverse.com. (Reading Corner, 2007) Reading Level 1.7

Reading Ahead - Bilingual Books (November/December 2008)

Our thanks to everyone who offered comments on the September/October 2008 Bilingual Books post! We now have a very nice collection of books for readers at various ages. Click the book's title to visit our website. Click cover to connect with a bookseller. The Reading Tub uses its earnings from purchases to donate books to at-risk readers and keep the website subscription-free.

Marco Flamingo written and illustrated by Sheila Jarkins. This is an excellent book for learning to read in either English or Spanish. Marco is adorable as a flamingo wearing a scarf. (Raven Tree Press, 2008) Reading Level 2.7

Teach Me ... Everyday Mandarin Chinese, Volume 1 written by Judy Mahoney and illustrated by Patrick Girouard. This is a picture book/CD set that uses familiar children's songs as a foundation for building language. (Teach Me Tapes, Inc. 2008)

We Are Girls Who Love to Run / Somos Chicas y A Nosotras Nos Encanta Correr written by Brianna K. Grant, illustrated by Nicholas A. Wright, translated by Ana C. Venegas. This full-text bilingual book blends affirmations and a story about the benefits of running. (Balanced Steps, LLC, 2008) Reading Level 3.7

Fiesta Femenina: Celebrating Women in Mexican Folktale retold by Mary-Joan Gerson, illustrated by Maya Christina Gonzalez. There are eight Mexican folktales in this collection. The text is predominantly English, with Spanish blended in. There is a pronunciation guide for words and phrases in the back. (Barefoot Books, 2001) Reading Level 4.1

The Frog in the Well retold by Irene Y. Tsai, illustrations by Pattie Caprio, Chinese translation by Joyce Lin. Each page has one, simple sentence in both English and Chinese. (Mandarin). This looks like a title that would have value whether you're learning Chinese or English. (CE Bilingual Books, LLC) 2008) Reading level 1.3

Wednesday, November 26, 2008

Happy Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving!

We wish you the warm feelings and special moments that come with the holidays ... or curling up with a good book.

I'm off to prevent flour bombs in the kitchen, but before I go, I wanted to say that the Reading Tub is thankful for

... your kind words and encouragement.
... your inspiration to think about books and reading in new ways.
...being part of a community that respects diversity and new ideas on paper, on the Web, and in life.
...being able to read about them!

Happy Thanksgiving. We'll be back in the Tub next week.

image courtesy of clipartguide.com

Friday, November 21, 2008

Random Cool Things

Well, I think they are cool.

The blogs have been fairly quiet this week as I've been tackling the TBR pile, starting with the seasonal titles.
Yes, I probably should have started reading them at Halloween, but I just wasn't ready. I got my first Valentines Book yesterday. Ugh!

Books and Reading

This week's cold snap and flurries helped nudge my holiday spirit. I'm not going to publish a full list of holiday-themed books (see last year's list), but I have to tell you about A Pirate's Night Before Christmas written byPhilip Yates, illustrated by Sebastia Serra. There are so many remakes of Clement C. Moore's "A Visit from Saint Nicholas" that I try to avoid any book that starts with the word Twas. This book does it right. The cadence is the same, but the characters and the language are all fresh. Very clever, very fun.
We posted our first title for Nonfiction Monday. Fantastic Female Filmmakers by Suzanne Simoni is a great title for movie-buffs and novices (like me). Here's the review.
Thanks to our busy readers (not just me, I assure you), we have 20 new book reviews up this week. I think that has to be a record for us.

Community News

I am co-chairing a Book Festival at a local elementary with 410 students. The event is set for late January and there are visiting authors, mystery readers, a writing workshop for higher grade students, and other literacy-related fun. Thanks to the tireless efforts of my partner, we have received nearly 475 books, all current titles. We will meet our goal of giving every child a new book, and possibly even give a new book to the Bright Stars for the holidays.
Last week I visited the Renaissance School, a college prep school for "intellectually and artistically motivated students." There are 30 kids in the entire school. Five of the students selected the Reading Tub as their community-outreach partner. They'll be reviewing books and helping us integrate technology into our reviews to help us reach their peers.
A student in North Canton, OH found us through 1-800-Volunteer and is going to take our review catalog and build the Reading Level Directory for those titles with Guided Reading, Flesch-Kincaid, and (where available) Lexile scores.

I'd love to hear what your reading week has been like.

Thursday, November 20, 2008

Review: Maybelle Goes to Tea

Maybelle Goes to Tea
written by Katie Speck
illustrated by Paul Ratz de Tagyos
(Henry Holt and Company, 2008)

"What an Adorable Cockroach" is not a statement I ever expected to say in this lifetime. My bug-loving daughter? Yes. Me? Uh, no. But in the interest of full disclosure, I must admit that I did in fact utter those words ... several times. Tell me, would you be able to resist a cockroach with a pink bow in her hair?

The Story
Maybelle and her friend Henry (a flea) live at Number 10 Grand Street. Maybelle doesn't like the risks that come with being adventurous, and she is content to live under the refrigerator in a house where everything is just so: nothing out of place, no leaks, and no bugs. Well, Herbert and Myrtle Peabody don't there are bugs, but that's because Maybelle lives by three simple rules:

When it's light, stay out of sight.
If you're spied, better hide.
Never meet with human feet.

While the Peabodys are getting ready to host the Ladies' Spring Tea, life is taking some adventurous turns for Maybelle. Maurice ( a fly) comes in through an open window and gives himself a concussion trying to leave. Maybelle and Henry know that if the Peabody's spot Maurice knocked out on the windowsill, they are doomed: bug spray and the exterminator. So they rescue Maurice. When he comes to, Maurice is not content to live by the house rules. He has his own rule: Go for it. At first, Maybelle doesn't like Maurice, but as she watches Maurice go after what he wants, she decides that she wants more, too. She doesn't want the leftover crumbs from the Ladies Spring Tea, Maybelle wants to taste what's in the middle of Mrs. Peabody's Chocolate Surprise cookies!

In their own ways, Maybelle, Maurice, and Henry, crash the Ladies Spring Tea, and everything is no longer just so at Number 10 Grand Street. The guests left in disgust, Mr. Peabody set off a bug bomb, and Mrs. Peabody fainted. Lucky for Maybelle, life soon returns to nomrlal, and she is done with adventures. She has learned her lesson, made a new friend, and is now content to enjoy Mrs. Peabody's fresh Raspberry Rapture pie.

The Review
At the risk of sounding like I've gone buggy, Maybelle Goes to Tea is fun. If you haven't read it, I hope that you were able to get some images of the Peabodys and Maurice from the descriptions above. The author's phrasing (everything is JUST SO) and character names (Peabodys) just beg for an aristocratic/stuffy voice.

On the very first page, the author presents Maybelle's three rules very simply, with no fanfare. So two days later, as we were much further along in the story, it was heartening to hear my daughter remind Maybelle of the rules. I often wonder about comprehension when we read just little bits at a time.

Maybelle Goes to Tea is an easy reader that would be fun to share as a read aloud with Kindergartners, first, and second graders. The language is very descriptive, allowing them to conjure images in their mind. The humor and mishaps also add to the fun.

As an easy reader, this is for independent readers who still want/need illustrations. Nearly every page has an illustration, and none of them are full page. Frankly, the story is engaging enough that I don't think kids will miss that "bonus" page they don't have to read. It is also a good candidate for partner reading with reluctant or remedial readers because it is text-heavy, with repetition and lots of common sight words.

Notes
Maybelle Goes to Tea is a Cybils nominee in the Easy Readers Category. You can find reviews for this and other books in this category at the Reading Tub website. You'll also find links to other reviews of these same titles there. One final note. These reviews are my thoughts on the books. They do not represent an official position of the panel.

Cinder Rabbit written by Lynn E. Hazen, illustrated by Elyse Pastel
Annie and Snowball and the Teacup Club written by Cynthia Rylant, illustrated by Sucie Stevenson
I Will Surprise My Friend written and illustrated by Mo Willems
I Love My New Toy written and illustrated by Mo Willems
Fancy Nancy and the Boy from Paris written by Jane O'Connor, illustrated by Robin Preiss Glassner and Ted Enik
Maybelle Goes to Tea written by Katie Speck, illustrated by Paul Ratz de Tagyos
Hooray for Fly Guy written and illustrated by Tedd Arnold

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