By Bianca Schulze, The Children’s Book Review Published: May 7, 2008 The Navigator by Eoin Mcnamee Reading level: Ages 9-12 Paperback: 368 pages Publisher: Yearling; Reprint edition (April 22, 2008) The Navigator, by Irish author Eoin McNamee, is a fantastical book of challenges and courage. Owen is a boy who has lost his father forever, and whose mother has been suffering from a deep depression ever since. Owen has a secret place where he goes to be by himself regularly. One day whilst in his secret ‘den,’ he is caught in a powerful suspension of time. Time is being forced…
Author: TCBR Contributor
TCBR Contributor
The Children’s Book Review, named one of the ALSC (Association for Library Service to Children) Great Web Sites for Kids, is a resource devoted to children’s literacy. We publish reviews and book lists of the best books for kids of all ages. We also produce author and illustrator interviews and share literacy based articles that help parents, grandparents, teachers and librarians to grow readers. This article was written and provided by one of TCBR's regular contributors.
By Bianca Schulze, The Children’s Book Review Published: May 4, 2008 Cinco de Mayo, or May 5th, celebrates the victory of the battle between Mexico and France in 1862. Suggested Reading: Abuela, by Arthur Dorros Holidays Around the World: Celebrate Cinco de Mayo, by Carolyn Otto Cinco de Mayo, by Mary Dodson Wade Celebrate! It’s Cinco De Mayo / Celebremos! Es El Cinco De Mayo! by Janice Levy Here are some sweet phrases and words to say during Cinco de Mayo, and every other day. Te quiero – I love you Gracias – Thanks Me haces feliz – You make…
David McKee’s comical fable about everyone’s favorite patchwork elephant teaches readers to be themselves and celebrates the power of laughter.
Here is a list of books that toddlers love, by Parents Magazine, April, 2008: Knuffle Bunny, by Mo Willems Best Word Book Ever! by Richard Scarry Tails, by Matthew Van Fleet Tickle the Duck! by Ethan Long Hug, by Jez Alborough Barnyard Dance! by Sandra Boynton Peek-A-Baby, by Karen Katz The Very Hungry Caterpilar, by Eric Carle A Fish Out of Water, by Helen Palmer Everyone Poops, by Taro Gomi
I Lost My Kisses by Trudie Trewin Reading level: Ages 2-8 Hardcover: 32 pages Publisher: Orchard Books; 1 edition (January 1, 2008) … Matilda Rose has lost her kisses. She is determined to find them before her dad comes home. But where do you find kisses? And what do kisses look like? … This is the very endearing story of Matilda, a sweet cow who loves to give real “smoocheroos”. One day she loses her kisses and has to look for them before she meets her dad at the airport, who is returning from a trip. We learn how kisses…
Here are a few book club links to share with you: I recently read an article by Anne Joseph for The Times Educational Supplement, which I thought would be of interest to some of you. It talks about how book clubs reinforce reading skills and encourage communication skills. The article was found via Jen Robinson’s Book Page, which is a good resource for kid’s literature. The Children’s Literature Book Club blog is another site worthy of taking a look at – it provides great children’s book lists, and questions to aid discussions in your book club.
Once Upon a Crime (The Sisters Grimm, Book 4) by Michael Buckley Reading level: Ages 9-12 Hardcover: 304 pages Publisher: Amulet (May 1, 2007) The Sisters Grimm series is wonderfully witty, full of adventure and mystery, and set in a fairy-tale community. The series is based on the idea that authors such as Hans Christian Anderson, William Shakespeare, and The Brothers Grimm, were not writing fiction – they were actually recording the history of real life magical happenings. Sabrina and Daphne Grimm (two sisters who are descendants of the Brothers Grimm) are fairy-tale detectives, and their most important case is…
Today is the first ever Poem In Your Pocket Day , where thousands of people will be carrying a poem in their pocket. I Have A Secret Dragon I have a secret dragon Who is living in the tub, It greets me when I take a bath, And gives my back a scrub. My parents cannot see it, They don’t suspect it’s there, They look in all directions, And all they see is air. My dragon’s very gentle, My dragon’s very kind, No matter how I pull its tail, My dragon doesn’t mind. We splash around together And play at…
Blizzard of the Blue Moon #36 by Mary Pope Osborne Reading level: Ages 4-8 Hardcover: 128 pages Publisher: Random House Books for Young Readers (September 26, 2006) The sparkling snow cover sucks you in, and once you start reading… it keeps you hooked until the end. The Magic Tree House series is an excellent choice for those who enjoy history and/or magic – it’s a fabulous tool to introduce new facets of learning. In #36 Jack and Annie (a brother and sister team) travel to New York City using their Magic Tree House. They arrive during the 1930s depression, in…
Alphabet by Matthew Van Fleet Reading level: Baby-Preschool Hardcover: 20 pages Publisher: Simon & Schuster/Paula Wiseman Books (April 8, 2008) If you are familiar with Matthew Van Fleet’s New York Times Bestselling book Tails, and you love it, you will not be disappointed with his latest book, Alphabet. It is a sensory delight with its lift-the-flaps, touch-and-feels, and scratch-and-sniff pages. The book is so well made that you can let your toddler go to town pulling and pushing this alphabet masterpiece. From the bouncing kangaroos to the beautiful blue dragonflies, there’s something in this book for everyone. And those who…