By: David Elzey,
on 3/16/2012
by Josh Schnieder Clarion Books 2011 Five short tales for beginning readers utilizing reverse psychology. This might backfire for some kids. Like me. Know a picky eater? Sure you do. And when it comes to getting them to eat the things we want them to sometimes a little creativity is called for. When James decides that broccoli is disgusting (without even trying it?) he asks for
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By: Mary Cunningham,
on 11/21/2011
By: your neighborhood librarian,
on 8/3/2009
Today I Will Fly! by Mo Willems
It is obviously completely superfluous for me to review this book. I have lauded the Elephant & Piggie series frequently on this blog. I have personally handed Elephant & Piggie books to dozens of parents, some of whom have actually sought me out later to tell me that little Susie didn't think she was "a reader" until Gerald and Piggie showed her that she was. Heck once I even hired a skywriter to fly over a teaching convention and spell out "GERALD & PIGGIE TAUGHT ME TO READ!!"
But today, my six year old son sat down and read this book to me, cover to cover, sounding out the words. I didn't know he knew how to read. When I told him that, he said, "Neither did I!" We are so proud, and so is he. When I asked him what he wanted to read next, he instantly responded, "Percy Jackson and the Olympians
In all fairness, I did hear him sort of struggle through Time to Pee!
What do you hear in your dreams? If it's not a six-year-old reading Mo Willems
By: your neighborhood librarian,
on 6/17/2008
Tuff Fluff: The case of Duckie's missing brain by Scott Nash
Thank goodness for Scott Nash. With this book, the first of a series, the illustrator of the Flat Stanley
Well, hopefully, Scott Nash will always be there for the little guys.
My recent graduate of first grade snatched up Tuff Fluff as soon as he saw it, plopped right down on the floor, and started reading it to his younger brother. That's the highest endorsement I know.
By: David Elzey,
on 2/16/2008
also: Fancy Nancy and The Boy From Paris & Fancy Nancy at the Museum all by Jane O'Connor illustrated by Robin Preiss Glasser HarperCollins 2008 What began as a cute picture book for the pink-and-sparkly girly-girl set is now officially a brand, a series, and an inferior product. This, the third Fancy Nancy book, was released the same day as two I-Can-Read titles that are trading on the Fancy
By: Betsy Bird,
on 4/27/2007
I just had the nicest l'il ole birthday this year. 29 is a great age to be, it seems. And some wonderful blog readers out there were kind enough to send me gifts. I got a lovely CD from a fella in California, and two beautiful books from someone in Texas. All fairly anonymous and all very lovely.
So what I could not have expected today was the latest gift. Let's see if you can help me solve this mystery. A box arrives at my office. It bears an address for San Francisco, but no name is attached. Interesting, no? I do not know anyone in San Francisco except my married cousin with whom I do not communicate often. I do not know any authors or illustrators off the top of my head either. Head scratching takes place.
The box is addressed to "Betsy Bird (The Fuse)", which is amusing. The fact that they know my real name suggests that they pay attention and read me regularly. This is not a gift from a fly-by-night personage. So I open it up and inside is a lovely little wrapped gift, entirely enclosed in bubblewrap. I should note that on the outside of the box is a large "FRAGILE: HANDLE WITH CARE" sticker.
The present is wrapped in orange string with a tiny note that reads:
I'd never heard of Fancy Nancy before this post (the only girl in this house in now 10), but I'm grieved to hear the latest sad news about the I Can Read books, which I loved in my own childhood and rediscovered when my three were young. Thanks for a bluntly honest review.I'd like to think that Ursula Nordstom, Little Bear, Syd Hoff, and Millicent Selsam are not pleased.
Oh, my. Someone else told me that this one was the *best* of the Fancy Nancy cannon. I still haven't seen it, but I imagine our library copy will be coming in soon. (The demand for Fancy Nancy is at fever-pitch levels here, so I have to buy them whether they're good or not.)
Children's writers are getting way too cheery. I miss the old peculiar ones stomping about New England or someplace bleak, writing about children who could hold a thought in their heads. Children's writer sites are also insanely cheerful sunny places and they are all frighteningly social. What ever happened to the cranks in ratty old clothes and lots of cats and weedy yards?