Archive for May, 2009

Who Hoots?

Who Hoots? By Katie Davis

imagesThis colorful board book asks who hoots, who buzzes, who roars, and who quacks? It first goes through who doesn’t make those noises and then it says who does make those noises. It is a fun, interactive book for even the littlest kids and it even has nice tidbits about the animals so even as kids gets older, they’ll still enjoy it.

Who Hoots? By Katie Davis; $5.95; Harcourt, Inc.

Also check out Who Hops? Also by Katie Davis. In this book, animals who can jump, fly, swim, and slither get to shine. Except for the few animals who can’t jump, fly, swim, or slither.

Happy Reading and Best Wishes

-Maryam

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Patrick’s Pick of the Day 05/30/09

Don't Loose Your Shoes!Don’t Lose Your Shoes! by Elizabeth Mills, Ages 2-8

Eric loves his new shoes, but they keep flying off his feet or getting tangled up in the jungle gym. The other animals give Eric a piece of shoe-tying advice on each page, until at the end Eric has finally tied his own shoes.  In a comic twist, all of his friends now need their shoes tied!  Since Eric now knows how to tie his own shoes, they say in chorus “now you can help all of us!”

Mixing the story along with a practice “shoe” for lacing and tying, Don’t Lose Your Shoes! is a perfect combination for youngsters who want to learn how to tie their own shoes.  The laces that accompany the book are half purple and half light blue.  The lacing grommets are also color coded. The instructions in the back of the book teach children how to lace and tie their shoes using this color coding as a guide. The instructions are also included piece by piece on each page of the story.

Don’t Lose Your Shoes! by Elizabeth Mills, $8.99, Scholastic Books, 2009

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Recommended Summer Reads

Summer is here! Check out some of our favorites to share with your children this season…

AGES 2 AND UNDER

Goodnight, Goodnight Sleepyhead, by Ruth Krauss, illus. by Jane Dyer

9780694015016It’s time for baby’s bedtime! As a tired little toddler says goodnight to her toys and dolls, readers are invited to say goodnight to everything in the nursery: “Goodnight walls, goodnight floors, goodnight chairs, goodnight bed, goodnight goodnight sleepyhead.” This gentle, soothing rhyme is the perfect bedtime story to read to your child.

 

 Goodnight, Goodnight Sleepyhead, Ruth Krauss, Jane Dyer, pub. August 2007, HarperFestival

AGES 3-6

Willoughby and the Lion, by Greg Foley

willoughby-the-lion_covWilloughby hates his new house. But suddenly his world becomes much more exciting when he discovers a golden lion in his front yard! The lion offers to grant Willoughby ten wishes, and the little boy couldn’t be more elated. He wishes for a roller coaster, x-ray glasses, and the fastest shoes in the world! He wishes for cookies and candies! He wishes for a hot-air-balloon-submarine with an escape helicopter! But none of these things seem to be quite enough. But before he makes his final wish, he realizes that the thing he has wanted most all along may be right in front of him. Author Greg Foley’s text is simple and accompanied perfectly by beautiful gray-toned illustrations punctuated by dramatic splashes of gold. Children will be delighted by this entrancing tale of friendship and imagination.

Willoughby and the Lion, Greg Foley, pub. Feb. 2009, HarperCollins

AGES 6-8

Danny and the Dinosaur, by Syd Hoff

24599649One day, Danny visits the museum. He loves to look at all the interesting things, but most of all, he absolutely loves the dinosaurs! When he makes friends with a real live dinosaur from the museum, Danny is ready to have the most fun day of his life! Together Danny and his dinosaur pal have adventure after adventure, and when the day is through, they are both happy to return to their respective homes. Beginning readers will be delighted with this classic tale of fun and friendship!

 

Danny and the Dinosaur, Syd Hoff, pub. Sept. 1992, HarperTrophy

AGES 8-10

Clementine, by Sara Pennypacker, illus. by Marla Frazee

n258189Clementine is full of energy! Whether she’s playing with her best friend, entertaining her brother, or helping her parents, she is always busy! But sometimes Clementine’s helpful spirit gets in the way and causes trouble she couldn’t ever have seen coming. But even when she makes the biggest of well-meant mistakes, Clementine knows that her family and friends will always understand. Sara Pennypacker’s delightfully lovable heroine is a character readers can appreciate, a girl who is always in trouble, but always has the best of intentions! Marla Frazee’s illustrations perfectly reflect the attitude of the story, full of life and movement. This is an excellent book for energetic readers who like their stories fast paced and unique!

Clementine, Sara Pennypacker, Marla Frazee, pub. Feb. 2008, Hyperion Books for Children

AGES 10 AND UP

Heroes of the Valley, by Jonathan Stroud

heroes of the valleyHalli has always felt like the misfit of his family. Instead of being tall and impressive like his siblings, he is as short as a stump. No one seems to expect anything from him but trouble, and he is usually able to deliver. But when Halli’s practical joking goes a step too far, he must face the consequences of his actions. As Halli works to complete his punishment, he discovers that the peaceful society he has grown up in may not be all he thought it was. Halli must go deeper and deeper into a web of mystery, until secrets he has never before faced demand to be addressed.

Heroes of the Valley, Jonathan Stroud, pub. Jan. 2009, Hyperion Books

Want more recommendations? Stop by or call us! Hooray for Books, 1555 King St., Alexandria, VA 22314. 703-548-4092.

Happy reading!

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Maryam’s Author of the Day

Amy Krouse Rosenthal

With illustrator Jen Corace, Amy Krouse Rosenthal has published a wonderful trilogy:  Little Oink, Little Hoot, and Little Pea.  She creatively talks about simple “chores” kids don’t want to do, like cleaning up, going to bed on time, and eating vegetables,  and she writes about them so the “chores” seem enjoyable.  Little Oink loves to clean up but his parents always insist that he make a mess.  Little Pea loves to eat vegetables but can’t until he has eaten all his dessert.  And Little Hoot wants to go to bed early but his parents make him stay up late.  All three books are cute and funny and have adorable and entertaining illustrations.

Little Pea, Little Hoot and Little Oink, by Amy Krouse Rosenthal, Chronicle Books

Best Wishes and Happy Reading. -Maryam

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Patrick’s Book of the Day 05/23/09

Dinosaurs Roar, Butterflies Soar! coverDinosaurs Roar, Butterflies Soar! by Bob Barner (ages 3-6)

Filled with bright, eye-catching illustrations, Dinosaurs Roar, Butterflies Soar is  a great book for any dinosaur or butterfly lover. The book discusses butterflies’ impact on the earth over 100 million years ago, pollinating flowers which in turn gave all dinosaurs, both herbivores and carnivores, more food, which in turn helped the dinosaurs to thrive.

The illustrations cover two pages and have story themed text on one page and more scientific and factual text on the other.  There is also an illustrated time line and additional dinosaur and butterfly facts at the end of the book.

Dinosaurs Roar, Butterflies Soar!; Bob Barner; Chronicle Books, 2009; $16.99

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Megan’s Book of the Day 5/22/09

A Small Surprise, by Louise Yates, Ages 2-6

9780375856983A traveling circus needs a new performer, and one tiny bunny is determined to land the job! Although he is too small to wipe his own nose or eat his food without making a mess, he is sure that his size will be an advantage among the larger animals. The circus discovers that although the bunny may be little, he has magical abilities that make him quite the surprise to his new friends.

Louise Yates has crafted an adorable tale of individuality and determination. The text is sparing and placed creatively on the page, bringing attention to Yates’ imaginative sketch and watercolor illustrations. Don’t miss out on this fantastic tale that will remind children that “smallness is strength.” With a quirky cast of goggle-eyed circus animals entranced by the antics of one confident little bunny, this fantastic picture book is sure to capture your reader’s attention as well!

A Small Surprise, Louise Yates, pub. May 2009, Alfred A. Knopf Books for Young Readers

Check out this book at Hooray for Books today!

–Miss Megan

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Haley’s pick of the day — One World, One Day

51x-k-8scHL._SL500_AA240_One World, One Day, by Barbara Kerley

One World, One Day captures children engaged in their daily activities, spanning the entire globe. Each stunning photograph will leave your reader imagining a different life and the undiscovered world around them. Everyday activities such as traveling to school, playtime with friends, meals, family time, and bedtime find new significance when seen through a unique perspective and culture. I would recommend this for all readers ages 3-100. Younger children will enjoy the limited text and real-life pictures, while older readers can relate to children performing tasks very similar, and yet so different, from their own. If you are seeking to enlighten your reader on other cultures the National Geographic flair in One World, One Day makes this book an excellent choice!

One World, One Day, by Barbara Kerley, National Geographic Society, $17.95

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Trish’s Day With Jon Scieszka, 5/21/09

Today I was lucky enough to be invited to a Children’s Book Guild luncheon where the guest speaker was our own Ambassador of Children’s Literature, Jon Scieszka.   Patrons of Hooray For Books! know him as the author of the Time Warp books, or the Trucktown books, or Stinky Cheese Man, Math Curse, Science Verse or any number of memorable children’s books.  As you might imagine, he’s a very funny guy!  He talked about his completely autobiographical book, Knucklehead, which chronicles Scieszka’s childhood in Flint, Michigan, with his parents and five (count ‘em, five) brothers.  This book is not meant for the faint of heart or those who stand on ceremony, but his stories made me laugh until I cried!  Kids from 4th or 5th grade up (particularly boys) will get a real kick out of this book and perhaps be inspired to write down their own stories.

On a more serious note, Ambassador Scieszka spoke about the importance of bringing back a dedicated time for sustained silent reading in our schools.  A former schoolteacher, Scieszka recalled watching students in his class during silent reading time — many would happily sit and read, but even those who didn’t want to read would resist for 10-12 minutes and finally pick up a magazine or book and start to read.  Scieszka feels strongly that kids should feel good about any type of reading they do — magazines, cereal boxes, books, video game instructions, comics, newspapers — whatever!  He wants to bring back the joy of reading to our kids.  I guess that’s why he’s the Library of  Congress’ Ambassador for Children’s Literature!

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Jaz’s Pick of the Day 5-20-9

while you are awayWhile You Are Away, by Eileen Spinelli, illustrated by Renee Graef

I almost cried when I read this book.  My mother was in the Army for 12 years and she was deployed many times during her service.  This book follows three children who each have a parent that is away serving in the military.  “While you are on that big ship, Daddy, far far away, I miss you… While you are flying that fast plane, Mommy, far far away, I miss you… While you are driving that speedy jeep, Papa, far far away, I remember what you told me…”  Each child expresses what they miss about their parent, but they also talk about the things that they do to help deal with the pain: sending packages in the mail, wearing your parent’s old sweater, dancing with their pillow.

I think that this would be a great gift for the upcoming holidays like Memorial Day and Father’s Day.  It is very patriotic and full of flags, stars and stripes, and the colors of America.  There is a brown, white, and tan family.  For ages 2 and up!

While You Are Away, by Eileen Spinelli, Hyperion Books for Children, $5.99

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Maryam’s Website of the Day

Sometimes just reading a book isn’t enough, even after a hundred or so read throughs. http://www.readergirlz.com has been created specifically for teen girls. This website chooses a book a month, interviews the authors, tells you a bit about the book, suggests other books, and even designs a playlist that the author recommends you listen to while reading the book. In its archives you can find books such as Just Listen by Sarah Dessen, Prom by Laurie Halse Anderson, and Nick and Norah’s Infinite Playlist by Rachel Cohn and David Levithan. This website doesn’t just pick out great books but also vows to pick out novels with strong female characters and it’s also about finding others who enjoy the same books as you do.

Best Wishes and Happy Reading

-Maryam

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