Books to Inspire, Thrill and Engage Children
Stan & Jan Berenstain, creators of the beloved Berenstain Bears, didn't realize what a hit those bears would be when they wrote and illustrated their first book together. So Stan wrote Nothing Ever Happens at the South Pole as a follow up to that first Berenstain Bears book. But because they were so popular, Stan... Continue Reading →
Author Patricia Maclachlan wrote Your Moon, My Moon for her granddaughter, who lives in Africa. For grandparents who miss their grandchildren, Maclachlan distills the longings, the dreams and the heartache into simple sentiments children can understand. The grandmother wonders if her grandchild remembers her, remembers what they did together, if the grandchild thinks of her... Continue Reading →
When I first came across the My First Little House Books series, I was disgusted. Is there no end to repackaging, marketing and otherwise destroying my favorite books? But curiosity overcame my disgust and I picked up a variety of them and brought them home to read and evaluate. I was pleasantly surprised at... Continue Reading →
I cannot say I have ever heard an adult tell their child, "If you don't clean your room, we will buy you a blue whale!" But it doesn't really matter. Billy Twitters heard that, and although he didn't believe it, his parents DID buy him a blue whale. Which is ridiculous. Which is what makes... Continue Reading →
The 'trouble twins' have been nothing but trouble since the day they were born. That's what their guardians, Mr. & Mrs. Trepid, have been telling Dallas and Florida since they arrived on the doorstep of the Boxton Creek Home. But then, Tiller and Sairy cross paths with them, and decide to take them home to... Continue Reading →
The saying goes, "The grass is always greener..." The main characters in The Castle Corona by Sharon Creech truly believe that saying. Pia and Enzio believe life has to be perfect for the princes and princess living in the Castle Corona. But the king, queen, princes and princess do not think their life is perfect... Continue Reading →
Twelve-year-old Rob Horton cannot believe his eyes. He has discovered a real, live tiger! It's in the woods behind the hotel, locked in a cage. That very same day, he meets Sistine Bailey, a tough northern girl who strides onto the school bus in a pink dress. No one wears pink dresses to school, even... Continue Reading →
Many years ago, my sister told me I needed to read The Stinky Cheese Man and other Fairly Stupid Tales by Jon Scieszka and Lane Smith. I looked at her a bit strangely, because it is a picture book, and I didn't have any children at the time. "Really, Michelle, read it." I conceded. And... Continue Reading →
In 1939, those European Jewish families who could sent their children to Sweden - a safe haven from the Nazi soldiers. Twelve-year-old Stephie Steiner and her seven-year-old sister Nellie are two of the lucky ones to escape Vienna. At first, they don't feel so lucky. Once in Sweden, they are placed with separate host families. ... Continue Reading →
The Souls - an academic bowl team made up of sixth-graders. Not just any sixth-graders, though. These four sixth-graders are connected in some very unexpected ways - not the least of which is their Saturday afternoon teas at Julian's house. And their teacher is also unique. She's returned to teaching ten years after being paralyzed... Continue Reading →
Cultivating Readers 