READING OUT LOUD, BEDTIME AND ANYTIME,
AND
WHAT’S NEW IN BOOKS & READING FOR KIDS...
Do you read out loud to your kids? Your grandchildren? Research
shows that children do better in school, and maybe even in life
when someone reads to them every day. It’s easy to create a special
reading time when you can settle down and enjoy a book without
interruption. Most families find that making it a bedtime tradition
works out well. Reading to very young children, even before they
understand the story is beneficial in teaching them how to listen
and appreciate books. Start out with books that have predictable,
repetitive passages, progressing to whatever they might find interesting.
I remember reading everything from Beatrice Potter’s Peter
Rabbit series to Huckleberry Finn and even James Corbett’s
The Maneaters of Kumaon, which is certainly not a children’s
book, but they loved it.
One of the benefits that I have enjoyed most is the discussion
that follows the reading of a good book. What a great way to connect
and communicate on the children’s level, and it can be a real
eye-opener in understanding your child. Listen closely to the
kids' ideas during discussion. There is so much information you
can gain about your child's inner feelings and thought processes
if you take the time to talk about the book you just read. Your
child will learn more about what your feelings are about right
and wrong, and the thoughts behind your comments, which is critical
to a strong bond of communication when it comes time to discuss
more personal issues. Of course, it’s discouraging to read to
a child who is not interested, but learning to listen takes practice,
so don’t let that stop you. It may take a great deal of patience
on your part to teach a child about the magic of books, but the
rewards are tremendous.
I found that reading books that I loved as a child alternated
with the latest books on the market worked. The kids learned to
love what was hot as well as some best loved classics.
WHAT’S NEW IN BOOKS & READING FOR KIDS...
Here is a site dedicated to children’s books, and best of all,
kids can create an online book of their own...FREE.
Biguniverse.com/createchildrensbooks
Max Elliot Anderson, author of action-adventures and mysteries
for kids, has begun a real life adventure to encourage summer
reading. On Saturday, May 31, he released a special bottle into
the Rock River, near his home of Rockford, Illinois.
"Since most of my books contain adventures, and are written especially
for boys 8 - 12, I wanted to do something different this summer,
to point out the importance of reading in America. That’s because
I grew up hating to read." His blog,
Books for Boys, ranks in the top 10 searches on Google.
He placed the bottle into the river, downstream from a spillway.
"I know there are lots of hazards and obstacles in the rivers,"
Anderson said. "But I’m hoping my bottle makes its way to the
end of the Rock River, and into the Mississippi. If it gets that
far, then who knows?" The large, clear, plastic bottle is decorated
with blue tape. Inside is a special card. When the card is returned
to the author, he will send a set of his books to the person who
found it. Also included is a forever stamp. "That way," he said,
"it won’t cost the finder anything to claim the prize, no matter
when they pull it out of the water."
The prize card includes instructions for proper disposal of the
bottle, or recycling. "I don’t consider my message-bottle to be
litter since I’m confident someone will find it one of these days."
NEW BOOKS:
If you liked The Golden Compass you’ll love this one.
Once Upon a Time in the North (Hardcover)
by Phillip Pullman
Texas aeronaut Lee Scoresby becomes embroiled in local politics
when he lands his balloon in the Arctic town of Novy Odense in
this prequel to THE GOLDEN COMPASS. You will recognize returning
characters from the His Dark Materials series. It's an
entertaining adventure. Nigel Whitmey and Liza Ross are a perfect,
often hilariously comic team as Lee and his daemon, the jackrabbit,
Hester. The tense, violent shoot-out at the end will keep readers
glued to their book.
Tales from the Hood (Sisters Grimm, Book 6) (Hardcover)
by Michael Buckley (Author), Peter Ferguson (Illustrator)
The Grimms defend Mr. Canis in Ferryport Landing’s trial of the
century!
This book sees Mr. Canis, dear friend and protector of the Grimm
family, put on trial for past crimes. Considering that he’s really
the Big Bad Wolf, he has a lot to answer for. Is there any truth
to the story told by Little Red Riding Hood? What’s the deal with
all that huffing and puffing? Will Mr. Canis be forced to answer
for his crimes?
A kangaroo court of Everafters, led by the cruel Queen of Hearts,
is determined to find Canis guilty and force the Grimms out of
Ferryport Landing. Meanwhile, Puck has decided to focus more on
his mischievous ways, making a few new troublemaker friends. So
it’s up to Sabrina and Daphne to find evidence to save Canis -
and their investigation may reveal more than they hoped.
Queste (Septimus Heap, Book 4) (Hardcover)
by Angie Sage (Author), Mark Zug (Illustrator)
The Septimus Heap series remains one of the best of the young-wizard
furor fueled by Harry Potter.
There's trouble at the Castle, and it's all because Merrin Meredith
has returned with Darke plans for Septimus. More trouble awaits
Septimus and Jenna in the form of the ghost of the first Chief
Hermetic Scribe, who is determined to send Septimus on a deadly
Queste. But Septimus and Jenna are headed for the mysterious House
of Foryx, a place where all Time meets and the place where they
fervently hope they will be able to find Nicko and Snorri, who
were trapped back in time in physik. But how will Septimus escape
the Queste? Filled with nonstop action, humor, and fantastic adventure,
this book is a winner.
Charlie and Lola: I Want to Be Much More Bigger Like You (Charlie
and Lola) (Paperback)
by Lauren Child
Lola is convinced that this is the year that she’ll finally be
tall enough to ride the "Super Duper Loop-the-Looper" rollercoaster.
But when Charlie measures her on a growth chart, it shows that
she’s still too small. Lola tries everything she can think of
to make herself bigger, but nothing does the trick. Will Lola
be stuck going on kiddie rides forever? Every child can relate
to that!
As Good as Anybody (Hardcover)
by Richard Michelson (Author), Raul Colon (Illustrator)
MARTIN LUTHER KING, Jr. and Abraham Joshua Heschel. Their names
stand for the quest for justice and equality.
Martin grew up in a loving family in the American South, at a
time when this country was plagued by racial discrimination. He
aimed to put a stop to it. He became a minister like his daddy,
and he preached and marched for his cause.
Abraham grew up in a loving family many years earlier, in a Europe
that did not welcome Jews. He found a new home in America, where
he became a respected rabbi like his father, carrying a message
of peace and acceptance.
Here is the story of two icons for social justice, how they formed
a remarkable friendship and turned their personal experiences
of discrimination into a message of love and equality for all.