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It’s time to start prepping for the holiday season. First stop: Halloween. No tricks here—only treats!
When witches go riding,
and black cats are seen,
the moon laughs and whispers,
‘tis near Halloween.
~Author Unknown
Our 2011 Halloween book list spotlights everything from growing pumpkins; overcoming fears (a great topic for youngsters that tend to get a little surprised when they no longer recognize their family and friends due to colorful costumes and scary masks); witches; skeletons; cats and bats; and plain-old, creepy stories that beg to be read on a dark night with a flashlight. From babies to beginning readers to middle graders to young adults, TCBR has you covered.
Publisher’s synopsis: What’s Halloween without a haunted house? Come inside SPOOKY BOO! A HALLOWEEN ADVENTURE – it’s filled with tons of Halloween fun! With spooky lift-the-flaps, icky touch-and-feels, and outrageous mirrors throughout, this is one haunted house that trick-or-treaters will want to visit again and again!
Publisher: Random House Books for Young Readers (July 26, 2011)
Source: Publisher
Publisher’s synopsis: Black is the new black in this darkly tantalizing touch-and-feel extravaganza for the senses! Now babies can enjoy this daring color in a novelty board book chock-full of gorgeous, full-color photographs. There are textures to touch, a flap surprise, and the scratch ‘n’ sniff scent of sweet licorice that you can almost taste!
Publisher’s synopsis: Tuesday, September 11, seemed like any other day at Stuyvesant High School, only a few blocks away from the World Trade Center. The semester was just beginning, and the students, faculty, and staff were ready to start a new year.
Within a few hours that Tuesday morning, they would experience an event that transformed all their lives completely.
Here, in their own words, are the firsthand stories of a day none of us will ever forget.
Publisher’s synopsis: On the ten year anniversary of the September 11 tragedy, a straightforward and sensitive book for a generation of readers too young to remember that terrible day.
The events of September 11, 2001 changed the world forever. In the fourth installment of the Actual Times series, Don Brown narrates the events of the day in a way that is both accessible and understandable for young readers. Straightforward and honest, this account moves chronologically through the morning, from the plane hijackings to the crashes at the World Trade Center, the Pentagon, and Pennsylvania; from the rescue operations at the WTC site to the collapse of the buildings. Vivid watercolor illustrations capture the emotion and pathos of the tragedy making this an important book about an unforgettable day in American history.
From Dictionaries to a grammar guide to a book of homographs, the following list of books features some of our favorite school tools and brain ticklers…
Scholastic Children’s Dictionary
by Scholastic
Reading level: Ages 8 and up
Hardcover: 800 pages
Publisher: Scholastic Reference; New edition (July 1, 2010)
Source: Publisher
Publisher’s synopsis: The bestselling Scholastic Children’s Dictionary is brand new for 2010! Some of the outstanding new features include: brand new cover and interior design, more than 1,000 all new photographs and illustrations, and double the current number of word histories and sample sentences. New entries and definitions have been written by prominent lexicographers and reviewed by an advisory board of educators and librarians. Bonus material includes a thesaurus and specially commissioned endpaper maps.
With exciting new features, accessible definitions, and helpful illustrations and photographs throughout, the new Scholastic Children’s Dictionary is an essential resource that belongs in every home, classroom, and library.
Publisher’s synopsis: The ultimate resource for proper grammar.
The SCHOLASTIC GUIDE TO GRAMMAR is an easy-to-use, color-coded, tabbed guide packed full of information, examples, and tips for English language arts success. Write a paper, meet new people, apply for a job, and more, with perfect grammar, spelling, and punctuation. Join “Professor Grammar” on this guided journey through the intricacies of the English language.
Authors Christine and Christopher Russell are a husband and wife team writing children’s books together. The Warrior Sheep Go West is their second book, following closely on the hooves of The Quest of the Warrior Sheep (February 2011). Christopher Russell had a successful career in British television drama before becoming a children’s novelist and Christine has always been closely involved in his work.
We’re often asked how we collaborate, if we ever have disagreements and if so, how we settle them.
Well the initial ideas, wherever they have sprung from, are developed on the hoof. Sitting at a desk at this early stage sends us to sleep so we plot the storylines and invent characters whilst we’re walking, usually on the beach or the cliffs near our home. There’s nothing like a howling gale to keep the brain spinning. Then we take turns at writing chapters. Whichever one of us is the bravest or keenest dives in first and hands the results to the other. And that’s when the fur sometimes flies. But disagreements are usually resolved during heated but short debates – or maybe that should read explosions – and then one or other of us goes back to the drawing board and tries again. We don’t always wait until we’re both happy with a chapter. Sometimes it’s better to plough on regardless then go back and revise bit by bit.
The one thing we never do is sit side by side at a desk working. Christopher needs peace and quiet. And he writes longhand! Yep. He’s Mr Biro. Well, you can chew the end of a pen but it’s not easy to chew a laptop. Christine works straight onto the keyboard and revises a million times per page.
It’s unusual for two people to write together. And even more unusual if they’re married to each other. But we’re used to being under each other’s feet the whole time. Until recently Christopher was the sole writer. He produced scripts for a number of major television series in the UK. Christine helped at initial ideas stage and with plotting and then later in the process with script editing.
The same applied for the first four novels Christopher wrote for children. But then we got the idea for the Warrior Sheep Series and decided to have a go at actually writing together. It just seemed to be the right thing to do at the time. And it seems to be working: we’re having fun and we love the thought that our efforts are making people laugh.
In The Warrior Sheep Go West, the follow up to the critically acclaimed sleeper hit The Quest of the Warrior Sheep, by Christine and Christopher Russell, the courageous and loveable ovine heroes are back for another sheep-tastic adventure with, if possible, even more hilarious fun than before. The “Eppingham Posse” of Oxo, Links, Jaycey, Wills, and Sal hoof it to Las Vegas for a new epic mission. This time, it is the entirety of sheepdom that hangs in the balance, and it will take their combined fleecy genius to outwit the monster named Red Tongue (evading in the process a mad scientist, joyriding teenagers, a flash flood, a sword-wielding magician, and a menacing bear) and save the, ahem, eweniverse.
It’s that time of the year again: school time! Whether it’s the first day of school or the first day of a new grade, there is always an adjustment period. Excited, nervous, or shy, reading books about school, or stories that revolve around the classroom, can be a great way to begin switching gears from the vacation mindset. In this book list, you’ll find picture books, chapter books for the early fluent and fluent readers, as well as a novel for young adults.
The movie version of one of my favorite books of all-time, releases on November 23, 2011. Please read the book before seeing the movie—it’s outstanding!
Rain, hail or shine, summer, winter, fall or spring, activity books are fantastic boredom busters. They also make wonderful birthday gifts that are budget savvy. From doodles to stickers to making your own animation movies, this list of activity books showcases some of our favorites. We’ve also included a great resource for parents that is all about building your child’s self-esteem through reading, crafting and cooking.
Publisher’s synopsis: This is a doodle book, a journal, and a scrap book – the perfect buy for any child going away on summer vacation! Includes more than 50 vacation-themed doodles to complete, it doesn’t require any drawing skills, just a little bit of imagination!
Whether you’re heading to the beach, park, lake, or hanging-out at home, we have some great summer-themed books picked out for kids of all ages—including a couple of Young Adult titles.
By Jodi Moore (Author), Howard McWilliam (Illustrator)
Reading level: Ages 4-8
Hardcover: 32 pages
Publisher: Flashlight Press (May 1, 2011)
Source: Publisher
Publisher’s synopsis: On a beautiful day at the beach, a young boy brings his bucket, shovel, and imagination, and builds a perfect sand castle. Right away, a dragon moves in. The boy decides to befriend his dragon and they spend time roaming the shore, flying a kite, braving the waves, defying bullies, and roasting marshmallows all while Dad is busy sunbathing and Mom is engrossed in her book. Unfortunately, no one believes the boy when he tries to share the news of this magnificent creature. That’s when the mischief begins, and the dragon becomes a force to be reckoned with. While adults will recognize the naughty antics as a ploy for attention, children will dissolve into giggles as the dragon devours every last sandwich, blows bubbles in the lemonade, and leaves claw prints in the brownies. Maybe the dragon really is running amok on the beach, or maybe it’s a little boy’s imagination that is running wild.
By Janet Costa Bates (Author), Lambert Davis (Illustrator)
Reading level: Ages 6-10
Hardcover: 32 pages
Publisher: Lee & Low Books (September 30, 2010)
Source: Publisher
Publisher’s synopsis: As family and friends arrive from near and far for Grandma’s seventieth birthday, Cora is surrounded by excited shouts and laughter and the smells of favorite Cape Verdean dishes cooking. Everyone’s getting ready for the big beach party tomorrow, but Cora still doesn’t know what to give Grandma as a present. It has to be something special.
Grandma is overjoyed to see so many of the people she loves, but Cora knows she still misses family in Cape Verde whom she hasn’t seen in decades. Could Cora convince her to make the trip overseas for a visit? After a nighttime walk on the beach with Grandma, Cora has a dream that gives her an idea for the perfect birthday gift.
In her picture book debut, Janet Costa Bates invites readers into to a celebration of the s
How to splatter-paint your jean shorts or Converse sneakers
What’s more fun than flinging paint around? How about flinging paint around and, at the same time, spicing up your ho-hum jean shorts and sneakers? Splatter-paint clothes are one of the hottest trends right now, and Allegra Biscotti can show you how to channel your inner Jackson Pollack (he’s the artist guy who became famous for throwing paint to make art) and create fab must-have fashion in your back yard.
What You Need:
Paint brushes (try a bunch of different sizes)
Fabric paint (available at craft stores— use fabric paint so your designs don’t wash away in the laundry) Try a rainbow of colors or stick to one color family (Purple Passion and Summer Sunburst are my current favs.)
Newspaper or a drop cloth
Jean shorts, jeans, or canvas sneakers
What to Do:
1. Cover a flat surface with newspaper or a drop cloth. If it’s a nice day, work out in your yard.
2. If you are doing the splatter-thing on your kicks, remove the laces first and stuff the sneakers with newspaper.
3. Using the paint brush, flick, fling, or lightly brush paint randomly on your fabric. Make splotches or spots of color. Try spreading paint with a comb or a toothbrush for a cool effect. The key is to drip the paint from high above the fabric and to vary the size of the splotches. Before the paint dries, sprinkle on some glitter for a sparkly attention-grabber (shake off excess glitter).
4. Let jeans dry flat for at least two hours before flipping them over and splattering the back.
5. Make sure all paint is completely dry before wearing.
Olivia Bennett is the author of Who What Wear!: The Allegra Biscotti Collection. For Project Runway fans and fashionista lovers everywhere, Olivia Bennet has created the ultimate secret identity story: by day, Emma Rose is a quiet, under-the-radar student who doesn’t mix with the popular set. But when school’s out, she becomes Allegra Biscotti, Queen of the Runway—whipping up cutting-edge designs and wowing the world with her unique sense of fashion in Who What Wear!.
Children’s author Jeff Kinney continues to pump out his Wimpy Kid—related books—and for good reason. To date, there are five books in the series with a sixth in the works and each installment is as charming, fun, and engaging as the last.
Kinney’s latest effort, The Wimpy Kid Do-It-Yourself Book, isn’t really a continuation of the series. Rather, it’s an interesting take on a children’s journal with page after page of fun fill-in questions, comics, and drawing opportunities. Sure to tide enthusiastic Kinney fans over until the November release of Diary of a Wimpy Kid 6, The Wimpy Kid Do-It-Yourself Book will also prove to be valuable keepsake for parents. This is because the series of prompts featured in the journal encourages kids to record information about who they are now, often cheekily referencing the fact that children will want to remember these things when they’re “old,” which is 30-years-old in Greg Heffley’s world.
The book opens up with a prompt about desert island picks, featuring spaces for children to write in their favorite video games, songs, books, and movies, but this is just the beginning. Though many of the journal’s 224 pages are left blank with the intention of being used for actual journaling, there are dozens of fun writing opportunities that will enable parents to get to know their kids better (if they’re allowed to read the journal), while also enabling kids to get to know themselves better. It’s rare that children are encouraged to write outside of school and chances are that they wouldn’t have the opportunity to illustrate what’s in their brain, record their finest moments, write five things nobody knows about them, or make their own comics if it weren’t for Kinney’s journal.
Though some prompts are framed in a way that seems sort of trivial, like having kids design their dream house, practice their autograph, or create a sandwich to be named after them—all for when they become “rich and famous” (which is referenced several times throughout the journal), it’s all in good fun and, if actually followed through with, children and parents alike will be happy to have this keepsake when the little ones aren’t so little anymore.
Before Luce and Daniel met at Sword & Cross—before they fought the Immortals—they had already lived many lives. Desperate to unlock the curse that condemns their love, Luce must revisit her past incarnations to understand her fate. Sweeping centuries and spanning the globe, PASSION is the third novel in the thrilling and romantic Fallen series by New York Times bestselling author Lauren Kate.
The fifth book in Michael Scott’s riveting six-part New York Times bestselling series, which has introduced readers to legendary historical and mythological figures—weaving history, mystery, and magic together seamlessly. Before penning the first novel, The Alchemyst (2007), Michael Scott devoted nearly a decade researching this series—and it shows. In THE WARLOCK, the twins of prophesy—Sophie and Josh—have been separated, and as the end of the series nears, the action-packed plot is more intense and absorbing than ever. With Scatty, Joan of Arc, Saint Germain, Palamedes, and Shakespeare all in Danu Talis, Sophie is on her own with the ever-weakening Nicholas and Perenelle Flamel. She must depend on Niten to help her find an immortal to teach her Earth Magic. Much to the surprise of readers, she will find her teacher in the most ordinary of places.
Fourteen-year-old Kate, 12-year-old Michael and 11-year-old Emma have moved from one orphanage to another over the last 10 years. Taken away from their parents as babies, and seemingly unwanted, these children are more remarkable than they possibly could imagine. They are being protected from a horrible evil about which they know nothing—that is, until they discover a magical prophecy that is tied to three books of magic, the first of which is The Emerald
Sooner or later, every writer is asked, “Where do you get your ideas?” Most of us shrug our shoulders; that’s probably the most honest response. A few of us come up with snappy canned answers like, “I belong to the Novel Idea of the Month Club!” or “Oh, I have an idea garden in my backyard!”
But in the case of the Undertakersand their first adventure, I can actually answer that question. The idea was inspired, as so many good ideas are, from my childhood.
When I was a kid I wrote comic books – a lot of comic books. Most were hasty and poorly drawn on cheap, lined notebook paper. I’m no artist, but I did my best to tell the stories at least well enough for the friends I shared them with.
For the most part these comic books all centered around a collection of child superheroes I invented called “The Kid Kadets” (I wish I could say that, even in those days, I was in love with alliteration. But the sad truth is that, at ten years old, I didn’t know how to spell “cadet”.)
These kids had all kinds of superpowers, everything from telekinesis to turning into rockets. Over the years, a few of my neighborhood friends donated their own ideas to the mix, giving us kids who could control the weather or fire Iron Man-like blasts of energy from their palms.
The Kid Kadets had their HQ in Antarctica, in a secret underground base that, on a whim, could be raised from beneath the ice to allow our heroes to easily sally forth into the world (by means that included everything from personal flight to invisible space ships) to right all wrongs.
And their leaders, from the get-go, were a brother and sister team named Tom and Sharon Jefferson.
Well, the mighty Kid Kadets were strong enough to defeat every foe – except growing up, which I inevitably did. And, when that happened, Tom and Sharon and rest disappeared into the corridors of my memory. Shelved, but never truly forgotten.
Then, decades later, along came the Undertakers. In THE UNDERTAKERS, RISE OF THE CORPSES [Sourcebooks Jabberwocky, Ages: 9+], twelve-year-old Will Ritter steps out of his house one morning to discover that his next door neighbor, his math teacher and his assistant principal have all become the walking dead. But these aren’t the shambling, vaguely goofy zombies of George Romero fame. No, these “Corpses” are smart, organized, and bent on world conquest. They radiate an illusion of normalcy that only a few rare kids can penetrate, and when then Corpses find such a “Seer”, they make sure the unlucky boy or girl doesn’t talk.
So Will must run for his life. Abandoning his home and life, he travels to Philadelphia, where he falls in with a rag-tag children’s army calling themselves the Undertakers. They’re all Seers, kids who miss their families and are fighting to defend them and our planet from an invasion that only they know about. The oldest of them are barely seventeen, a street-wise brother-and-sister team named—you guessed it—Tom and Sharyn Jefferson (I updated the spelling of Sharyn’s name).
These aren’t the Kid Kadets, of course, though I was just self-indulgent enough to playfully mention that name in the story! They don’t have superpowers, can’t fly worth a darn, and their HQ is a warehouse in Philly, not a cool, high-tech subterranean complex at the South Pole.
But
What to expect: Vietnamese Americans, Emigration and immigration, Immigrants, Vietnam, Alabama
How much do we know about those around us? This is the question that debut novelist Thanhha Lai challenges her readers with.
Based on Lai’s own personal experience as a Vietnamese refugee, Inside Out & Back Again is a poignant story divided into four parts using a series of poems that chronicle the life of 10-year-old Hà, a child–refugee from Vietnam, during the year 1975—the Fall of Saigon. Along with her mother and three brothers (her father has been missing in action for nine years), Hà travels by boat to a tent city in Guam, is moved to Florida and then finds herself living in Alabama sponsored by an “American cowboy” and his wife. In Alabama, the family are treated as outcasts and forced to integrate quickly through language, food, and religion, to be accepted as a part of the community.
Adjustments to Hà’s new life are delivered through smells and tastes and touch. In “Part One: Saigon,” a verse titled “Two More Papayas” gives Hà’s delectable description of her most cherished fruit. In “Part Three: Alabama,” a verse titled “Not the Same,” which is followed by “But Not Bad,” showcases the bitter differences between the comfort of her precious birth city and the emotional challenges of her new home in Alabama, combined with the acceptance of change.
Two More Papayas
“…Middle sweet
between a mango and a pear.
Soft as a yam
gliding down
after three easy,
thrilling chews.”
Not the Same
“Three pouches of papaya
dried papaya
Chewy
Sugary
Waxy
Sticky
Not the same
at all.
So mad,
I throw all in the trash.”
But Not Bad
“… I wake up at faint light,
guilt heavy on my chest.
I head toward the trash can.
Yet
on the dining table
on a plate
sit strips of papaya
gooey and damp,
having been soaked in hot water.
The sugar has melted off
leaving
plump
moist
chewy
bites.
Hummm …
Not the same,
but not bad
at all.”
Told with pure honesty, emotions run freely from verse to verse and page to page. Hà’s voice is clear, allowing readers to make a leap from sympathy to deep seeded empathy by experiencing her joy, pain, anger, frustration, loyalties, challenges, loss, and determination. The clarity of Hà’s self-awareness and development toward self-actualization is reminiscent of Susan Patron’s character Lucky, also a 10-year-old girl, from the Newbery winner (2007) The Higher Power of Lucky (2006). Both characters suffer
By Jeanne Walker Harvey (Author), Shennen Bersani (Illustrator)
Reading level: Ages 4-9
Hardcover: 32 pages
Publisher: SylvanDellPublishing (August 10, 2010)
Source: Author
What to expect: Sea lions, Marine mammals, Fictionalized non-fiction
Astro is an orphaned sea lion pup who is rescued and taken to the Marine Mammal Center in Sausalito, CA—a nonprofit veterinary research hospital and educational center dedicated to the rescue and rehabilitation of ill and injured marine mammals. Harvey adeptly tells the true story of Astro’s nurtured recovery and the many attempts and struggles to reconnect him with living in the wild. Being such a young pup at the time of his rescue, Astro’s bond with people has him continually returning to the shores and resisting the ocean. Left with no other choice, the wonderful team at the Marine Mammal Center found Astro a new home at the Mystic Aquarium in Mystic, CT, whose mission is to inspire people to care for and protect our ocean planet through education, research and exploration. The mixed-media illustrations by Bersani, at first glance, are of photographic quality and match the tone of the story well, adding depth and sentiment to Harvey’s words. The text is well placed and large, making it easy to read.
The publisher, Sylvan Dell Publishing, only publishes picture books that have a strong educational purpose and this shows in the support materials included at the back of the book. The “For Creative Minds” section boasts sea lion facts (including comparisons between sea lions and seals), maps, and other fun and educational information. Visit the publisher’s website and you’ll discover many links to further explore the world of Astro. Children will be fascinated by Astro’s touching story and the back matter makes it a great choice for homeschoolers or the classroom.
It is also a treasure to know that the author donates a percentage of her royalties to the Marine Mammal Center and the Mystic Aquarium.Thank you, Jeanne Walker Harvey, for bringing young readers attention to the care and needs of our local wildlife!
Reviews by Children: This category gives children and young adults the opportunity to express their opinion of a book—after all, they are the intended audience!
Countdown is about a girl named Franny who is in 5th grade during the 1962 Bay of Pigs crisis, which was a time when Russian missiles were in Cuba, aimed at Washington D.C. It was an anxious time because they didn’t know whether or not war was going to break out. In this book Franny describes her problems with her best friend and her family drama while describing what is happening in the world around her.
I liked this book because I could relate to the character of Franny because she was realistic. This book was unique because it had many pictures and photographs of real events during this period of 1962.
I recommend this book for 4th-7th graders assigned to read a historical fiction book.
Our shared history unites families, communities, and nations. Although women’s history is intertwined with the history shared with men, several factors – social, religious, economic, and biological – have worked to create a unique sphere of women’s history. ~ The National Women’s History Project
Just Being Audrey
by Margaret Cardillo (Author), Julia Denos (Illustrator)
Reading level: Ages 4-8
Hardcover: 32 pages
Publisher: Balzer + Bray (January 25, 2011)
Source: Publisher
From her life as a child in Nazi occupied Europe to her rise to fame as an actress to her empowering work with UNICEF, Hepburn’s kindness and compassion has been highlighted clearly and carefully and will most definitely inspire young girls. The beautifully painted artwork truly captures the eloquence and signature style that exuded from Hepburn her entire life. Just Being Audrey certainly has a special je ne sais quoi.
This picture book is a brilliant way to introduce young girls to some very wonderful women. It’s empowering and inspiring and a whole lot of fun. These are some of Isabella’s role models: U.S. Astronaut Sally Ride, activist Rosa Parks, and sharpshooter Annie Oakley.
Spooky Boo! A Halloween Adventure
HE EMERALD ATLAS
