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My effort to respond creatively to the news of the world continues; you can read about how Mary Lee started it all here. You're invited to scroll down to the previous week's minimalist commentaries --and of course, you're invited to join in. It wasn't clear to me at first, but the tiny discipline of having to craft a response rather than just banging the steering wheel and yelling has been empowering.
And from yesterday:
12.8
gold star winks out leaving a long bright trail greatness in orbit
Joining in this project are all the brave women below; I hope they will pardon me when, during the week, all I can manage is to Like their Tweeted haiku. It's good to work alongside you all!
Our hostess with the postest is Jone at Check It Out. She reminds us that haiku fits nicely on a postcard. And now, in other news...
I was delighted to join Jacqueline Jules, Marty Rhodes Figley and Laura Murray on Dec. 1st for a holiday book launch at One More Page in Arlington, VA (what a delightful place). Here we are, festive and fierce with a bunch of fun books for holiday giving and receiving. Each book you see earns its place on the bookshelf, but if I may reveal all my biases: every home with children needs a copy ofOne Minute till Bedtime!
9 Comments on #haiku (and book launches) for healing, last added: 12/29/2016
I agree, Heidi, it's been a positive experience for me too, this long bright trail of #haikuforhealing. Would you add me to your list please? Michelle Heidenrich Barnes at Today's Little Ditty http://michellehbarnes.blogspot.com/ Thanks!
Such a delight read all these healing haiku. Love the holiday photo. One Minute Till Bedtime is on my Christmas list. Perhaps Santa will bring it to me. :-)
Considering your day's writing, it feels as if the haiku in December can be a diary of sorts. That 'gold star' will last for a long time. Thanks, Heidi.
I am SO enjoying working along side you all. It's fun and it helps me grow the discipline I need. I don't always have time to do more than click a "like". Wonderful post....and thank goodness your steering wheel can live to turn a few more days ;)
Yes, I'm with you on not having enough time to do much more than my own writing and the "likes." But at least when folks put their haiku out on Twitter, we have an easy way to see them!
Morning, folks. We’re beginning this Sunday morn with stuff that’s good for the soul. How often have you said to yourself, “I’d love to own some original art from illustrator Matthew Cordell but I’m too busy spending all my cash on children’s literacy foundations”? Well, fear not! Now you can do both. In celebration of their book Special Delivery, Messrs. Cordell and Philip Stead are going to hold a raffle for five pieces of awesome art. You win by donating money to good causes. The details are here and the video here:
Next up, the American Hogwarts. I mean, it is if by “Hogwarts” you’re referring to a well-established university setting with a clear cut amazing children’s collection, staff, program schedule, and more. Princeton finally decided to create a little trailer for the Cotsen Children’s Library, and I have to say I’m stunned. First off, there’s my girl Dana Sheridan killing it with the storytimes. Then there’s the just wide range of services they provide. And the furniture, dear GOD the furniture!! I’m fascinated by the Cotsen Critix program too since bookclubs for 9-12 year-olds are my weakness. Wish I lived closer to it! Here’s more background information and here’s the trailer:
Someday I shall teach a course on the art of the book trailer. In it I will show all the different myriad styles and techniques one can utilize when coming up with your very own. And always assuming that I remember, I shall include this simple, lovely trailer for The Mystery Hat by Rune Brandt Bennicke and Jakob Hjort Jensen . Sometimes it’s all in the soundtrack, folks.
There go Scieszka and Biggs. I’ve suspected for years that they were in the pocket of Big Audiobook but never had the proof . . . until now!!
Seriously, though, I’m-a wanting that crazy white wig.
So this year we are seeing not one but TWO different early chapter book series about Latino girls. This is a good thing since the running tally before 2015 was . . . um . . . yeah, it was zero. Zero series in total. The first is the Emma Is On the Air series by Ida Siegal and illustrated by Karla Pena. The second is the Sofia Martinez series by Jacqueline Jules, illustrated by Kim Smith. But only one of these (as of this post) has a book trailer:
It’s not a children’s book. It’s not even a YA novel. It’s (*gasp* *shudder*) an adult book . . . but its book trailer is adorable. I can resist it, not at all.
Thanks to Alison Morris for the link.
I had not yet taken the time to see the trailer for the Lena Dunham/Hilary Knight documentary. Nothing too surprising to see here, but it’s certainly a very clear cut case of a famous person attempting to shine their light on someone they admire who might not be a household name (though Eloise certainly is).
And I’m not feeling too creative on the off-topic video of the day. And when the going gets tough, the tough links to cat/dog videos. So goes the world. So goes the world.
3 Comments on Video Sunday: Movie, book, library, and audiobook trailers trailers trailers!!, last added: 3/23/2015
Links I Loved Last Week: A Round-Up of Online Read said, on 3/22/2015 8:07:00 AM
[...] enjoy Betsy Bird’s Video Sunday posts, but I have to confess that I’m mostly linking to this one because I think everyone should watch this week’s off-topic video, Dogs Breaking Up Cat [...]
:Donna said, on 3/22/2015 10:15:00 AM
Betsy, I love EVERYthing you posted here, but I am totally salivating over the Cotsen Library!!!! An author friend of mine (Darlene BeckJacobson) said we should meet in Princeton and go to the children’s library. This must be it! OH, to be able to work there. How cool! Thanks for posting all of this
Debbie - Styling Librarian said, on 3/23/2015 7:58:00 AM
Fantabulous post, beginning to end. I agree, sometimes it is the music selection. Can’t wait to share the audiobooks video with others…
We’re bringing you a second week of First Book recommended summer reads! This week you’ll find the best books for kids in third and fourth grade.
Sign up to receive more great book lists, tip sheets and summer fun from First Book today!
If you work with kids in need, you can find these titles on the First Book Marketplace by clicking on the pictures next to the publisher descriptions of each book.
For Grades 3 to 4
“Babymouse #3: Beach Babe” by Jennifer Holm and Matthew Holm
Grab your sunglasses! Schools out and Babymouse is headed to the beach for a week of sun, sand, surfing, snorkeling, and sharks! Thats right, folks . . . sharks! Looks like Babymouses summer fun isnt shaping up quite the way she expected! Will Babymouse survive her summer vacation? Will she be the surfing star she dreams of being . . . or is she sharkbait?!
“Gloria Rising” by Ann Cameron
Gloria is thrilled when she goes to the store to buy an onion and meets Dr. Grace Street, an astronaut. It’s there that Dr. Street tells Gloria to have confidence in herself and that the big things aren’t always as big as they seem. But Gloria doesn’t really understand Dr. Street’s advice. Right now her problem seems gigantic. It’s the beginning of fourth grade and Gloria can’t do anything to please her teacher Mrs. Yardley. When Gloria writes a report about meeting Dr. Street, Mrs. Yardley doesn’t believe her. Gloria knows she’s telling the truth. How can she prove it?
“Freddie Ramos Zooms to the Rescue (Zapato Power Book 3)” by Jacqueline Jules
Things are not going well at Starwood Elementary! A squirrel is running through the halls. A tree fell on the gym. The principal is acting weird! Can Freddie save the day with his Zapato Power?
“The Lemonade War” by Jacqueline Davies
As the final days of summer heat up, so does a sibling showdown over a high-stakes lemonade stand business. Jessie and Evan Treski compete to see who will make $100 first off of their respective lemonade stands. Full of surprisingly accessible and savvy marketing tips for running a stand (or making money at any business) and with clever mathematical visuals woven in, this sensitively characterized novel subtly explores how war can escalate beyond anyone’s intent.
“Alvin Ho: Allergic To Girls, School, And Other Scary Things” By Lenore Look
ALVIN HO IS an Asian American second grader who is afraid of everything-elevators, tunnels, girls, and, most of all, school. He’s so afraid of school that, while he’s there, he never, ever, says a word. But at home he’s a very loud superhero named Firecracker Man, a brother to Calvin and Anibelly, and a gentleman-in-training, so he can be just like his dad.
From the author of the ALA Notable Ruby Lu series comes a funny and touching chapter book-perfect for both beginning and reluctant readers- that introduces a truly unforgettable character.
Looking for previous week’s book lists? Our K-2 Book List can be found here.
Do you have a moment? I'd love to hear your thoughts on Caroline by line. Please fill out this brief survey and enter to win a signed copy of MAY B. Thank you, friends! UNITE OR DIE: HOW THIRTEEN STATES BECAME A NATION —Jacqueline Jules
age range: upper elementary
setting: Constitutional Convention of 1787
genre: illustrated picture book in comic book format
"A lively way to kick off discussions of how the Constitution works and why it's still a living document . . . ." — Kirkus Reviews
"The vividly colored spreads will hold the interest of even middle school students and would be useful to introduce how our form of government was created. Students will enjoy presenting this book as reader’s theater." — School Library Journal
"An original presentation of a pivotal point in U.S. history." — Booklist
"[This book] reminds me a bit of Schoolhouse Rock. It takes important historical information about the United States, and conveys it in a fun, fresh format.... This is a must-have title for schools and libraries." — Jen Robinson's Book Page
What drew you to this topic?
It was 2005, the year Public Law 108-477 went into effect, requiring public schools to provide an educational program on the U.S. Constitution on September 17th. At the time, I was working as a library media specialist in an elementary school. The classroom teachers at my school were swamped, and administration asked the specialists (librarian, art, and music) to take over the responsibility. My assignment was for the upper grades, 4-6. I wanted to do something the students would not only learn from but enjoy. So I wrote a four-page skit, briefly describing the bickering between the thirteen colonies after the revolutionary war, the need for a more unified government, and the crisis which almost caused the Constitutional Convention to fail. The characters were the thirteen original colonies who each spoke on behalf of their state.
We presented it on our in-house television show on September 17th. The kids had such a fabulous time rehearsing and performing it, I gave the script to a teacher friend at a nearby school. She said her students also had a blast with it. This gave me the itch to do something more with the material. But what? There is almost no market for student plays. A writing group friend suggested that I rewrite the skit with speech bubbles and try to sell it in comic book format. Originally, I thought it would be an easy endeavor. But I ended up re-writing the skit we performed entirely. I think there are only one or two lines from the original in the final book. I became engrossed in the subject matter, adding more and more information to my manuscript. The final product provides a hearty overview of why we needed a constitution and how our founding fathers ultimately created a document capable of meeting the needs of a growing country.
What were some interesting things you learned while conducting your research?
Governmental history is often thought of as a topic guaranteed to make you yawn. But the story of America’s constitutional government is filled with caffeine. The thirteen colonies behaved like squabbling children—fighting over borders and water rights. They refused to take each other’s money, making interstate business difficult and when Massachusetts had an insurgency problem, the other states saw no reason to help. It really was Unite or Die in 1787. But the founding fathers haggled, more devoted to the autonomy of the individual state than the need to work together. Over the July 4th weekend, George Washington, president of the convention, was said to have looked as haggard as he did during the darkest days of Valley Forge. Many representatives thought the Constitutional Convention would disband and the United States of America along with it.
Then Roger Sherman came up with the Connecticut Compromise. When I began researching, I had no idea how close the thirteen original states came to dissolving. The pivotal compromise that preserved our union provided a natural arc for my narrative. It taught me that nonfiction writing should build to a climax, just like fiction. Unite or Die: How Thirteen States Became a Nation has supplemental notes at the end with all kinds of other fascinating facts. Did you know that the founding fathers devised an election system that gave the vice-presidency to the runner-up in the national election? What were they thinking! This period of American history captured my attention and I hope young readers will share my fascination when they read Unite or Die: How Thirteen States Became a Nation.
To whet student appetite for the subject, a downloadable reader’s theater is available for free on my website. I also have a song to share about that momentous summer called “In 1787.”
Happy Constitution Day!
Having trouble leaving a comment? Click on Caroline by line and try again.
0 Comments on Classroom Connections: UNITE OR DIE: HOW THE THIRTEEN COLONIES BECAME A NATION as of 9/16/2013 9:16:00 AM
We are extra lucky today as not one but two experts have concocted a gourmet feast of their Top 10 favourite multicultural stories about food. It seems fitting that authors Grace Lin and Jama Rattigan should each select food as their theme, since they have both written stories revolving around tasty recipes – as you will discover by looking at each of their menus. In fact, each has put a book by the other on her menu, while unaware that the other was cooking up their own recipe, so it seems fitting that we should bring you the whole spread for you to gorge on at a single sitting – and it’s also interesting to see which books come up as double portions…
Jama Rattigan is the author of Dumpling Soup illustrated by Lilian Hsu-Flanders (Little, Brown Books for Young Readers, 1998); The Woman in the Moon: A Story from Hawai’i illustrated by Carla Golembe (Little, Brown Books for Young Readers, 1996); and Truman’s Aunt Farm illustrated by G. Brian Karas (Sandpiper, 1996). As well as her website (check out the recipe for Dumpling Soup), Jama also hosts the truly delectable Jama’s Alphabet Soup, a must-visit blog for anyone interested in children’s books, food, or both at the same time.
Grace Lin‘s latest book is Starry River of the Sky (Little, Brown Books for Young Readers, 2012), the much-awaited companion novel to Newbery Honor Where the Mountain Meets the Moon (Little, Brown Books for Young Readers, 2009). She has written and illustrated many books for a wide age-range of children, including The Ugly Vegetables (Charlesbridge Publishing, 1999) and Dim Sum for Everyone (Knopf Books for Young Readers, 2001); and picture books she has illustrated include Where on Earth is my Bagel? by Frances and Ginger Park (Lee & Low Books, 2001). You can read our 2010 interview with Grace here, and view some of her beautiful artwork in our Gallery here and here. And do check out Grace’s website and blog, where she has a fantastic giveaway on offer in celebration of the launch of Starry River of the Sky.
Top 10 Favorite Multicultural Picture Books about Food by Jama Rattigan
Whether it’s a big platter of noodles, warm-from-the-oven flatbread, fried dumplings, or a steamy bowl of Ugly Vegetable Soup, there’s nothing tastier than a picture book about food. You eat with your eyes first, then step into the kitchens or sit at the tables of friends and family from faraway places, all of whom seem to agree that love is the best seasoning for any dish, and food tastes best when it is happily shared. These tasty tales always make me say, “More, please!”
~ Too Many Tamales by Gary Soto and Ed Martinez (Putnam, 1993)
My Top Ten Food-Themed Multicultual Books by Grace Lin
In my family instead of saying hello, we say, “Have you eaten yet?” Eating and food has always been a successful way to connect us to culture, familiar as well as exotic–perhaps because it’s so enjoyable! So these books about food can be an appetizer to another country, a comfort food of nostalgia or a delicious dessert of both. Hen hao chi!
~ Hiromi’s Hands by Lynne Barasch (Lee & Low, 2007)
~ Ganesha’s Sweet Tooth by Sanjay Patel and Emily Haynes, illustrated by Sanjay Patel (Chronicle Books, 2012)
~ Bee-Bim Bop! by Linda Sue Park,illustrated Ho Baek Lee (Clarion, 2005)
~ How My Parents Learned to Eat by Ina R. Friedman, illustrated by Allan Say (Sandpiper, 1987)
~ Apple Pie Fourth of July by Janet Wong, illustrated by Margaret Chodos-Irvine (Harcourt, 2002)
~ Everybody Cooks Rice by Norah Dooley, illustrated by Peter Thornton (Carolrhoda Books, 1992)
~ Yoko by Rosemary Wells (Hyperion, 1998)
~ Auntie Yang’s Great Soybean Picnic by Ginnie and Beth Lo (Lee & Low, 2012)
~ Peiling and the Chicken-Fried Christmas by Pauline Chen (Bloomsbury, 2007)
~ Dumpling Soup by Jama K. Rattigan, illustrated by Lillian Hsu Flanders (Little, Brown, 1998)
0 Comments on PaperTigers 10th Anniversary: Top 10 Multicultural Children’s Books about Food – Double Helpings from Grace Lin and Jama Rattigan as of 10/25/2012 7:17:00 PM
I got a nice surprise over the weekend. I found out that a book I illustrated, Picnic at Camp Shalom, which was published last year by Kar-Ben Publishing, has been selected by The PJ Library as one of their 2012 selections! They have done a special publishing of the book and it will be mailed to all their 6 year-old participants this summer.
The PJ Library is an award-winning program, funded by local philanthropists and the Harold Grinspoon Foundation. The PJ Library sends out high-quality Jewish children's books and music to families across North America on a monthly basis....for free! You can find out more about The PJ Library here.
Below is one of my favorite spreads from the book with Sara and Carly finding out how much they have in common on their first night at summer camp. The PBJunkies did an interview last year with the author, Jacqueline Jules, which you can read here.
Add you should also be proud that PJ Library in Palm Beach, implemented by the Commission for Jewish Education, has worked with our local JCC Camp Shalom to use the book as part of its programming with campers :)
Today I'd like to welcome to The Cath in the Hat Jacqueline Jules, the 2010 winner of a CYBILS Award in the Short Chapter Books category. Jacqueline is an accomplished children's book author who has published picture books as well as the chapter book series Zapato Power featuring Freddie Ramos, a Hispanic eight-year-old with the superpower of speed. Book three in the series, Freddie Ramos Zooms to the Rescue, was just released. In it, Freddie tackles strange goings-on involving a mysterious purple squirrel running loose through his school and causing mischief. Then the squirrel inadvertently sets a real disaster in motion. Zoom! It's Freddie Ramos to the rescue!
First off, congratulations on winning a CYBILS for Zapato Power: Freddie Ramos Takes Off.What was your reaction upon hearing the news?
Tears! Joyful shouting! Happy dancing! I was very surprised and enormously honored. This award is for literary merit AND kid appeal. That is very important to me. And it was chosen by bloggers who are teachers, librarians, and parents—people I admire and who are just as dedicated to children and children’s literature as I am. In addition to being an author, I am a teacher and a librarian. When I read a book, I consider my own reading pleasure and a child’s reaction. I’ve read many award-winning children’s books that I personally enjoyed but wasn’t sure I would widely recommend to my students or fellow teachers to use in the classroom. The C
3 Comments on An Interview with CYBILS Winner Jacqueline Jules, last added: 3/10/2011
Yeah, Freddie! Freddie Ramos is an engaging boy who receives a remarkable present out of the blue--a pair of purple sneakers with silver wings that allow him to go so fast he can outrace a train. Freddie, like all superheroes, uses to powers to do good. In this first book of the series, he retrieves a classmate's library book, tracks down an underage graffiti artist, and rescues a lost puppy.
Written by Jacqueline Jules, this early chapter book features a Latino child who lives in Starwood Park Apartments, an apartment complex a few short blocks from his elementary school. Freddie recently moved there with his mother, a single parent who struggles to make ends meet. Freddie's father, a war hero, died two years earlier. The text is sprinkled with Spanish words, but their meaning is always put in context, making them easy for beginning readers to figure out. Miguel Benitez's black-and-white illustrations lend a comic-book style that fits in perfectly with the superhero theme.
Freddie Ramos Takes Off recently won aCybils Award in the short chapter book category. A second book, Freddie Ramos Springs into Action, shows Freddie learning to control his superpowers in a responsible way. The third book in the series, Freddie Ramos Zooms to the Rescue, is due out next month. Viva la Freddie!
Zapato Power: Freddie Ramos Takes Off by Jacqueline Jules illustrations by Miguel Benitez Albert Whitman and Company, 88 pages Published: 2010
1 Comments on Zapato Power: Freddie Ramos Takes Off, last added: 2/15/2011
Thanks for drawing attention to this series. I just checked, and my library system has book 1 and 2. I wondered if the child's background would be too "heavy handed," instead of being interwoven with the story line. School Library Journal reviewed the second book favorably, but had reservations about the first book (two different reviewers). I'll be reading them myself to decide what I think. I like the idea of a child becoming a superhero.
TCBR: Can you tell us what inspired you to begin writing the Zapato Power book series?
Jacqueline Jules:Zapato Power was inspired by students I taught when I was working as a school librarian in a Title I school. The second book in the series, Zapato Power: Freddie Ramos Springs into Action, is dedicated to them.
My students, particularly the little boys, kept asking for a book about superheroes. I don’t work in that particular school anymore, but I still see myself standing by the Easy Reader section of the library, trying to help a little boy find a book that interested him. He wanted something about superheroes, but I didn’t have anything on his reading level. At that moment, I decided I wanted to write a series for boys featuring a hero, just his age and on his reading level. The character of Freddie Ramos is modeled after the very lovable, good-natured Hispanic children I taught. Freddie lives in an apartment building right behind his elementary school. Many of my students lived in a large apartment complex behind our school. Many of my students lived in one-parent households with limited incomes. So does Freddie. But the sometimes difficult circumstances of my students’ lives did not overpower them. For the most part, they were cheerful and loving. These students were heroes to me, and writing a book modeled on their lives, about a little boy who becomes a superhero, was my tribute to them.
TCBR: Superhero books and movies are almost always a huge hit amongst children and adults, alike. Why do you think that is?
JJ: I think we all dream of being able to do more than we are currently able to. We all secretly wish or not-so-secretly wish to have the ability to make an impact on our community and the world in general. And that’s what superheroes do. They save people. They help others. More importantly, superheroes triumph over evil. In a world, where we often feel helpless, superheroes help us feel powerful, because we like to identify with the superhero persona.
TCBR: Of all the superpowers that have been imagined and are waiting to be imagined, why do you think super speed was the best choice for Freddie?
JJ: When I do author appearances, I often asked my young audiences to name the one super power they would like to have, if they could choose just one. The answers are varied, of course, but the two top choices are the ability to fly and the ability to go fast. In my mind, having super-powered purple sneakers that allow you to go super fast has most of the advantages of flying. And special sneakers intrigued me more as a plot line than wings or some other apparatus for flying.
TCBR: Putting aside Freddie’s superpower, what would you say is his best personality trait?
JJ: Freddie has a genuine desire to help others. He is a caring person. I like that quality about him the best.
But I also like the way Freddie looks at the world. He’s become a real person to me. I can hear h
Today we are talking with author and librarian Jacqueline Jules about the sequel to her chapter book series Zapato Power: Freddie Ramos Springs into Action. Listen as we talk about Freddie, Superman, and the many challenges ordinary heroes have to overcome to become superheroes. (RT: 7:34)
Jacqueline Jules wishes she could run like Freddie in his magic purple sneakers, but she is happy taking long walks near her Northern Virginia home. She is the author of twenty other books for young readers including Duck for Turkey Day, No English and Unite or Die: How Thirteen States Became a Nation. She has received the Sydney Taylor Honor Award for Younger Readers, the SCBWI Magazine Merit Plaque for Poetry, and has been selected twice as an Arlington Arts Moving Words Poetry winner. Her books have been selected for state reading awards, the NCSS Notable Social Studies Trade Book List, the New York Public Library Recommended Reading list, and the Reading Rockets summer reading list.
As our world gets smaller and people from different cultures find themselves sharing one same country, traditions once thought to belong to a particular group are bound to mix with others and acquire new flavors. Sometimes quite literally, as it happens in Duck for Turkey Day.
Written by Jacqueline Jules and illustrated by Kathryn Mitter, Duck for Turkey Day is about Tuyet, a young girl who wants to celebrate Thanksgiving the “right way.” Her excitement about making turkey crafts and singing turkey songs at school is damped when grandma reminds her that they will be having duck, not turkey, for Thanksgiving because “Our family likes duck better.”
When mealtime comes, the wonderful smells of grandma’s special duck recipe fill the house. At the table they take turns expressing their gratitude: for their home, their food, the country where they live… The main menu? Not duck, but family love.
A good time was had by all, but the idea of “sharing time” at school the following Monday has Tuyet worried. “What will Mrs. Cook say about eating duck on Turkey Day?”. When the day comes and she finally tells her classmates about her Thanksgiving meal, they join in with menus of their own: from enchiladas to lamb to tofu turkey to chicken with noddles. Their non-turkey meals remind Tuyet that, even though Turkey Day revolves around food, it’s having a thankful heart and sharing a meal together with those you love that matter the most.
You can watch the book trailer of Duck for Turkey Dayhere, and for more books on the various aspects of Thanksgiving, check out Colorin Colorado’s reading list.
PaperTigers wishes a Happy Thanksgiving to all who may be celebrating the day!
Recently I had the pleasure of meeting author Jacqueline Jules at a D.C. Kidlit Book Club meeting. I was happy to learn that she had just published a multicultural picture book about food, Duck for Turkey Day (Albert Whitman, 2009). Naturally, I donned my largest bib after requesting a review copy.
Young Tuyet is worried about Thanksgiving because her family will be having duck for dinner instead of turkey. At school, the talk was all about Pilgrims, Native Americans, and turkey turkey turkey. Her mother seemed set on cooking duck, while her grandmother, who was visiting from New York just for the holiday, reminded her that they would be using her spicy duck recipe from Vietnam.
(Click all spreads to enlarge.)
Thanksgiving morning, good smells filled the house, and that afternoon, Tuyet was excited at the arrival of her aunt, uncle, and cousins. But when she told them about the duck, even they were happy and excited with the menu. Didn't anyone in her family know the "rules" about Thanksgiving? And what will her teacher and classmates say when they find out she didn't have turkey?
In this sweet, heartwarming story, Tuyet discovers that Thanksgiving isn't so much about what you eat, as long as you're sharing it with family and friends. Much to her relief, she eventually learns that many of her classmates didn't have turkey either -- there is mention of noodles and chicken, tofu turkey, roast beef, lamb and enchilladas. Yum!
Kathryn Mitter's deeply-hued acrylic illos capture all the fun and excitement of America's most food-centric holiday with a refreshing Asian flavor. Especially love the spread of Saigon Market, where Tuyet, her mother and grandmother browse the colorful vegetables, different types of meats and jars of tantalizing ingredients, as well as the one of Tuyet's family sitting around the table, raising their glasses in a toast.
Simply told, Duck for Turkey Day conveys a timely message about ethnic pride; the so-called "right way" to celebrate isn't always the only way. In fact, the varied dishes enjoyed by Tuyet's classmates may very well inspire families to try something different, regardless of their longstanding cultural traditions. So nice to see a multiethnic mix in Tuyet's class, and Jules was able to make Tuyet's concerns convincing with a satisfying resolution.
Since in this country we can never have too many books about embracing differences, Duck for Turkey Day would make a great addition to school and home libraries. One more thing to like: Tuyet's teacher's name is "Mrs. Cook!" ☺
I love, love, love Thanksgiving! I love getting together with the families, making and eating lots of food, and taking a day to really thank God for all the blessings we have been given. Hopefully, if you like any of my choices this week, you can run out to the library and find them in time for the big day. Enjoy the turkey!
Thanksgiving Rules, written by Laurie Friedman and illustrated by Teresa Murfin is a great choice for a read aloud in the days leading up to Thanksgiving. Funny, but with a sweet message at the end.
Percy Isaac Gifford wants to make sure we all make the most out of our Thanksgiving experience, so he's come up with a list of rules for us to follow. From how to keep the greeting of the relatives short and sweet, to how to build up your plate, and ending with a sweet surprise for everyone.
The rhyming makes this a fun story (though sometimes the rhymes are a bit off) and your kids will definitely be giggling through a lot of Percy's rules. The message at the end is of thankfulness and love, a nice touch.
Thanksgiving Rules Laurie Friedman 32 pages Picture book Carolrhoda Books 9780822579830 September 2009 Review copy received from publisher
Duck for Turkey Day, written by the very nice Jacqueline Jules (yep, I've had the pleasure of meeting her) and illustrated by Kathryn Mitter, is an awesome way to bring some diversity into this wonderful holiday.
Tuyet, a Vietnamese-American girl, is incredibly disappointed...and more than a bit worried...that her family will not be having turkey for Thanksgiving dinner, but traditional duck instead. She insists that it simply cannot be Thanksgiving without a turkey!
After learning what some of her friends ate for Thanksgiving, including roast beef, enchiladas, and even a tofu turkey, Tuyet starts feeling much better and begins to realize that what is eaten on Thanksgiving Day matters a whole lot less than spending time with friends and family.
I really, really liked the message of Duck for Turkey Day and feel it's an ever-important one to attempt to get across to kids in today's time of extreme diversity in our schools, cities, and towns. Not everyone eats turkey on Thanksgiving (like me!) and I think this is a great tool for teaching that.
Duck for Turkey Day Jacqueline Jules
0 Comments on Picture Book Saturday: Thanksgiving edition as of 1/1/1900
Jacqueline Jules has made some terrific contributions to Jewish literature for children, and it is an honor to share her interview on my blog. Jacqueline Jules is the author of nine children's books including The Hardest Word (Kar-Ben), The Ziz and the Hanukkah Miracle(Kar-Ben), No English (Mitten Press), Abraham's Search for God (Kar-Ben), and the recently released Sarah Laughs (Kar-Ben). The Hardest Word and Abraham's Search for God were named Notable Books for Younger readers by the Sydney Taylor Book Award Committee. She is also a public elementary school librarian, who teaches weekly classes to students from preschool through sixth grade. The mother of two grown sons, she lives in Arlington, Virginia, with her husband, Alan, the webmaster for www.jacquelinejules.com.
Tell me a little bit about your latest book. Why you were drawn to write about a Jewish theme or character?
To talk about my latest book, Sarah Laughs (Kar-Ben, 2008), I need to talk a little bit about its companion book, Abraham's Search for God (Kar-Ben, 2007). Both books are part of a Bible series I am doing for Kar-Ben Publishing. The original idea for Abraham's Search for God came to me in 2001, when I was working as a synagogue librarian at Adas Israel Congregation in Washington, DC. One of the religious school teachers asked me for a book for young children on our patriarch Abraham. I couldn't find anything suitable in the children's collection. Since the library had an endowment for children's books, I tried finding something I could purchase. Everything available had too many words and not enough pictures for young children. I realized that there was a need for a more child-friendly introduction to Abraham. That inspired me. My work as a librarian frequently leads me to the topics I choose to write about. Librarians love connecting readers with books. When I have no existing book to fill a request, I find myself itching to write one. Maybe I have an overwhelming need to please, but my creative juices start pumping when I see a need for something that doesn't currently exist.
It took several years to get a book contract for Abraham's Search for God. However, when Kar-Ben purchased it, they requested a book about Sarah as well. I agreed because my research into available children's books on Abraham had taught me that there was a need for children's book on the matriarchs as well as the patriarchs.
Sarah Laughs tells the familiar bible story of Abraham's journey to Canaan, through his wife, Sarah's, eyes. It imagines the thoughts that must have twirled in Sarah's mind when Abraham told her they were leaving their comfortable home in Ur to go to an unknown place. Sarah had fears and concerns, but she was a true partner in everything her husband did. The story follows the couple through years of traveling in Canaan, ending with Isaac's birth, when Sarah uttered her famous laugh.
What type of research was involved?
I did extensive research for Sarah Laughs. My main sources, which are listed on the last page of the book are Biblical Images by Adin Steinsaltz; Etz Hayim Torah and Commentary edited by David Lieber; Daughters of Fire by Fran Manushkin; Legends of the Bible by Louis Ginzberg; Miriam’s Well by Alice Bach; Pentateuch & Haftorahs, second edition, edited by J.H. Hertz; Reading the Old Testament by Lawrence Boadt Walking the Bible by Bruce Feiler; Wrestling with Angels by Naomi Rosenblatt. The Torah does not describe Sarah or her feelings in great detail, so I had often had to rely on midrash.
As a librarian, research comes naturally to me. Librarians love digging up facts. And once I start researching a subject, it becomes an exciting adventure.
How did you become a children’s writer?
I can't remember a time in my life when I didn't want to be a writer. Long before I wanted to be a librarian, before I wanted to be a wife and a mother, I wanted to be a writer. I have always loved to read. Books took me to different worlds. They introduced me to interesting people. They were magical. The idea of creating something myself that gave me such pleasure was very appealing to me, even as child of nine. In third grade, when my teacher asked us all to put our career goals down on a strip of construction paper for a bulletin board, I wrote down "writer."
In 1979, I got a BA in Writing at The University of Pittsburgh, becoming one of the first undergraduates of a newly established writing program. However, it was many years before I realized that most of the protagonists in my stories were young people and I should start marketing my work to children's publishers. Some of the same stories that were rejected by adult publishers were accepted by children's magazines. That's when I began to focus on writing for children. A little while later, when I went back to school to become a librarian, I found myself mesmerized by the children's literature courses. While I have worked as a Judaica librarian, serving both children and adults, my first love is for children's literature, and I am happiest working in an elementary school library as I do now. I am a voracious reader, but I only read one or two adult books (outside of my research) a year.
What are you working on now?
The Princess and the Ziz (Kar-Ben Publishing), the fourth book in the Ziz series, which began in 2001 with The Hardest Word, will be released in Fall 2008. This story is an extension of a tale about King Solomon's daughter, in which I first encountered the gigantic mythical bird called the Ziz. In The Princess and the Ziz, the eager lovable Ziz takes the princess on a joyful trip around the world. But when she falls in love with a young man, the Ziz becomes jealous and problems follow.
In the spring of 2009, Charlesbridge Publishing will release Unite or Die, a book about the Constitutional Convention of 1787. While I did a great deal of research for this book, it is not entirely nonfiction, since the characters in the book are the quarreling thirteen original states.
What are a few fun facts about you?
In addition to reading and writing, I like to sing. Before story time in my school library, my youngest students and I always sing for about ten minutes. Some of the songs are from children's tapes I listen to in the car, and others are ones I have simply made up. I also love puppets. I have a huge collection of them, including a Ziz puppet I asked an artist to make for me. My puppets love to kiss little cheeks as we sing songs in the library or at my author appearances.
My favorite color at the moment is purple. Two summers ago, I redecorated my bedroom with purple paint, purple carpet, purple bedspread, and purple sheets. Many of my clothes are purple including my winter coat and favorite earrings. I recently purchased a purple purse.
What is your favorite holiday?
My fondest holiday memories are of Rosh Hashanah when I was a child. I grew up in a small congregation of less than one hundred families in a small southern town. After Rosh Hashanah evening services, there was an Oneg for the entire congregation. We would stay for hours after services, eating delicious cookies and talking. I also remember feeling special in the new dress and shoes my parents bought me for the Rosh Hashanah holiday. One day, I hope to write a story that captures the joy of celebrating the holidays in a small congregation.
Jacqueline, it has been a delight getting to know you! For more information about Jaqueline or her books, visit her web site at www.jacquelinejules.com
1 Comments on Welcoming Jacqueline Jules!, last added: 3/11/2008
Great interview, but I was disappointed not to hear about my favorite Jacqueline Jules title, Once Upon a Shabbos! This hilarious book has been a hit in my library storytime many, many times. I love getting the kids to repeat the refrain "Are you meshuga?"
Jacqueline Jules said, on 3/11/2008 8:26:00 PM
I am delighted to hear that Once Upon a Shabbos is still being used in storytimes. I wrote the book for my own preschool storytimes when I was leading Tot Shabbat services at my synagogue. Unfortunately, the book is out of print now.
by Gregory Maguire
Clarion 1983, Reissued by Houghton Mifflin 2002
A demon called the Blood Wolf will kill all in a small Russian town in order to gain access to a magic doll with powers to defeat the animal. Two small children see a vision of the Firebird and hunt down the Baba Yaga in order to learn the meaning of the omen. An old tale of a beautiul woman, a motherless girl and the
1 Comments on The Dream Stealer, last added: 7/27/2007
We’re bringing you a second week of First Book recommended 
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We are extra lucky today as not one but two experts have concocted a gourmet feast of their 
Whether it’s a big platter of noodles, warm-from-the-oven flatbread, fried dumplings, or a steamy bowl of Ugly Vegetable Soup, there’s nothing tastier than a picture book about food. You eat with your eyes first, then step into the kitchens or sit at the tables of friends and family from faraway places, all of whom seem to agree that love is the best seasoning for any dish, and food tastes best when it is happily shared. These tasty tales always make me say, “More, please!”
In my family instead of saying hello, we say, “Have you eaten yet?” Eating and food has always been a successful way to connect us to culture, familiar as well as exotic–perhaps because it’s so enjoyable! So these books about food can be an appetizer to another country, a comfort food of nostalgia or a delicious dessert of both. Hen hao chi!
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Jacqueline Jules wishes she could run like Freddie in his magic purple sneakers, but she is happy taking long walks near her Northern Virginia home. She is the author of twenty other books for young readers including Duck for Turkey Day, No English and Unite or Die: How Thirteen States Became a Nation. She has received the Sydney Taylor Honor Award for Younger Readers, the SCBWI Magazine Merit Plaque for Poetry, and has been selected twice as an Arlington Arts Moving Words Poetry winner. Her books have been selected for state reading awards, the NCSS Notable Social Studies Trade Book List, the New York Public Library Recommended Reading list, and the Reading Rockets summer reading list.
As our world gets smaller and people from different cultures find themselves sharing one same country, traditions once thought to belong to a particular group are bound to mix with others and acquire new flavors. Sometimes quite literally, as it happens in Duck for Turkey Day..jpg?picon=910)
Festive and fierce and fun! Yay for the book launch and for your empowerment and all these wonderful haiku making their way into the world! xo
I agree, Heidi, it's been a positive experience for me too, this long bright trail of #haikuforhealing. Would you add me to your list please? Michelle Heidenrich Barnes at Today's Little Ditty http://michellehbarnes.blogspot.com/ Thanks!
Such a delight read all these healing haiku. Love the holiday photo. One Minute Till Bedtime is on my Christmas list. Perhaps Santa will bring it to me. :-)
Oops!!! I copied the list from YOUR blog, deleted myself...and forgot to add you! Sorry, Michelle!
Considering your day's writing, it feels as if the haiku in December can be a diary of sorts. That 'gold star' will last for a long time. Thanks, Heidi.
I am SO enjoying working along side you all. It's fun and it helps me grow the discipline I need. I don't always have time to do more than click a "like". Wonderful post....and thank goodness your steering wheel can live to turn a few more days ;)
Yes, I'm with you on not having enough time to do much more than my own writing and the "likes." But at least when folks put their haiku out on Twitter, we have an easy way to see them!
(Sorry about the "denial." Their loss...)
I look forward each week to all the #haikuforhealing fun! It's quite an amazing group of PF friends who have joined in.
I love the reframing of rejection to denial. And I agree, it is their loss.