Archive for September, 2009
September 29, 2009 at 11:37 am · Filed under Ages 8 - 10 ·Tagged big-haired Gary, Hooray for Books, imagination, Jefferson-Houston School for Arts & Academics, Mount Vernon Community School, Patrick Carman
MONDAY, 7:30 a.m. I meet Patrick Carman in the lobby of the Hotel George on Capitol Hill, where he’s been staying during his appearance at the National Book Festival. We introduce ourselves as Patrick finishes his bagel & cream 
cheese, then hop into the car and head to Alexandria.
8:00 a.m. We stop at Hooray For Books! so that Patrick can sign some of our stock. (Hint, hint: If you need a gift, an autographed book is a great one!)
8:15 a.m. We head to Jefferson-Houston School for Arts & Academics, where we meet with the new J-H 6th graders in the library. Patrick does a fabulous presentation to the group, with funny stories of childhood pranks committed with his best friend “big-haired Gary.” At the end of his story, he wishes for an imaginary camera that would take a photo of each student’s mental picture of “big-haired Gary,” and guesses that no two Garys would be the same. He uses this concept to talk about the importance of imagination and reading — when you read a book, you’re the director, and even if your library book has been read 500 times before, when you read it, it’s a different story than it’s ever been before.
10:00 a.m. Patrick & I are off to Mount Vernon Community School, where we’re greeted enthusiastically by librarian Debbie Griffin. Patrick does a presentation for 3rd and 4th graders, showing goofy childhood photos of himself that have the kids laughing. After a short break, he does yet another presentation, this time for 5th graders. He talks about diary-keeping, and how it’s not necessary to keep a “word” diary, but instead to try a picture diary. He shows a couple of pages from his own diary and demonstrates the difference between what he puts on the page and what he sees in his head. In a move sure to be appreciated by parents, he encourages the children to try to recall something that happened at school every day and tell it to a parent at the end of the day. He says it’s great practice for becoming a writer!
Noon I drop Patrick at Reagan National Airport for his long trip back to Walla Walla, Washington. It was a great pleasure to spend some time with someone so easy to get along with and so passionate about literacy and children.
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September 26, 2009 at 9:52 am · Filed under Ages 3 - 6, Ages 6 - 8 ·Tagged Ages 3 - 6, Bret Witter, Dewey, Hooray for Books, library cat, There's a Cat in the Library, Vicki Myron
Dewey: There’s a Cat in the Library!, by Vicki Myron and Bret Witter (ages 3-6)
A children’s book based on the adult best-seller Dewey: The Small-Town Library Cat Who Touched the World by the same author.
Like the original, the children’s version of Dewey is fantastic. Every night the townspeople of Spencer, Iowa would leave their books in the library’s return box, but on the coldest night of the evening, someone leaves something quite different — a tiny kitten. The next morning, when Vicki the librarian clears out the box, she finds the kitten. She decides to keep him and names him Dewey Readmore Books (Dewey for short). Dewey loves living in the library and he especially loves all the people who come to the library, but finds himself being poked, pulled and carried around upside-down. One evening, he decides he is tired of being treated as just a cat in the library — he wants to be treated like a library cat, who helps people. He starts reading with the moms, working with the dads, and, most importantly, making those who are feeling sad to smile and laugh.
Dewey: There’s a Cat in the Library!, by Vicki Myron and Bret Witter; Little, Brown and Company; $16.99; Copyright 2009
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September 25, 2009 at 7:16 am · Filed under Ages 3 - 6 ·Tagged Ages 3 - 6, book reviews, dogs, Hooray for Books, humor, lauren child, poodle, self esteem
Who Wants to be a Poodle I Don’t; Lauren Child; $16.99; published 2009; Candlewick Press (ages 3-6)
Author Lauren Child’s trademark humor and whimsical illustrations bring to life the story of Twinkle Toes, a pampered poodle who dreams of splashing in puddles like the other dogs. Twinkle Toes struggles to find her place as a dog, putting her owner through all sorts of hijinks. The pages are filled with highly entertaining collage pictures, and the story has a nice theme of self-acceptance. Who Wants to be a Poodle I Don’t is a book you’ll enjoy reading and re-reading.
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September 24, 2009 at 1:25 pm · Filed under Ages 3 - 6 ·Tagged all ages, All the World, Beach Lane Books, classic, family, favorite books, Hooray for Books, Liz Garton Scanlon, Marla Frazee
All the World, written by Liz Garton Scanlon and illustrated by Caldecott Honor medalist Marla Frazee, is more than my book of the day — it is one of my favorite books of the year!! I must admit I have a hard time stepping out of my comfort zone to recommend books that are new and not ones from my childhood or my children’s early childhood. All the World follows a family through their day, starting with the family on the beach and ending with an evening with friends, with lots of everyday moments with family and friends in between. You cannot help but feel the mood and action through the most perfect illustrations. This book will be passed down from generation to generation and is very likely to be a classic of our time!!
All the World, by Liz Garton Scanlon, Beach Lane Books, $17.99
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September 20, 2009 at 2:48 pm · Filed under Ages 10 - 12, Ages 12 - 14, Ages 14 and Up ·Tagged booksellers, Founding Farmers, Francis Hammond Middle School, Scotland, Steve Cole, virtual reality game, Z. Rex
Z. Rex, by Steve Cole (ages 10 and up)
I’m a total wimp when it comes to any kind of violence or suspense, and I only read this book because I was invited to dinner with the author and it seemed impolite not to have read his book. That being said, I couldn’t put this book down! It’s the story of a 14 year-old boy, his missing scientist father, and a virtual reality game gone horribly awry. The action starts in New Mexico and ends in Scotland, and while there IS violence and blood and lots of suspense, the story just carries you along and you want to know what happens next. Adam Adlar is a believable hero — he doesn’t always do the right thing, but his heart’s in the right place, and he learns and grows from his experiences, both good and bad.
I was lucky enough to watch Steve Cole, the author, as he met with students at Francis Hammond Middle School in Alexandria. Steve was very animated and dramatic, and the students had a blast as they asked him questions about his writing and participated in an exercise designed to demonstrate ways to improve descriptive writing.
Our Penguin U.S.A. sales rep, Doni Kay, invited Ellen & I and other local booksellers to dinner with Steve, who held his own brilliantly in the company of so many women! It was great to get to know him a little better, and also to exchange shoptalk with other booksellers. The photo at right is the whole group at Founding Farmers, a wonderful restaurant in Foggy Bottom.
Z. Rex, by Steve Cole, Philomel, $16.99
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September 20, 2009 at 9:14 am · Filed under Ages 3 - 6, Ages newborn - 3 ·Tagged ages birth to 3, children's book, color, gallop!, Hooray for Books, independent bookstore, movement, rufus butler seder, sound, swing!, waddle
Seeing is Believing!
The pictures in Waddle! really jump, waddle, stomp, and flap off the pages in wonderful colors; the frog is vibrant green, the pig deliciously pink, and dolphins leap out of bright blue water. This is the third book by New York Times bestselling author, Rufus Butler Seder, inventor of Scanimation, who also created Gallop! and Swing! Waddle! is perfect for ages zero months to three years, as it teaches each animal’s movement, color and sound in a way that totally engages the child.
Waddle! by Rufus Butler Seder, Workman Publishing; $12.95 (ages birth-3)
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September 19, 2009 at 2:01 pm · Filed under Ages 3 - 6 ·Tagged Bubble Bath Pirates, Cornelia Funke, David Shannon, How I Became a Pirate, Jarrett J. Krosoczka, Kim Kennedy, Melinda Long, Old Town Alexandria, Pirate Girl, Pirate Pete, Talk Like a Pirate Day
Today was National Talk Like a Pirate Day and many of Old Town Alexandria’s shops participated in a treasure hunt. The folks at Hooray For Books! had a blast talking like pirates, reading pirate stories, singing pirate chanteys and watching all the parents and kids dressed up in their pirate regalia. The day was a huge success and many are looking forward to next year’s Pirate Day.
If you missed today’s event, do not fear, here is a list of pirate stories you can read to get into the pirate spirit:
“How I Became a Pirate” by Melinda Long & David Shannon - when Braid Beard, the pirate, asked Jeremy Jacobs to join his crew as a digger, Jeremy accepted. While on-board, he decided that being a pirate was the greatest thing in the world, until he decided it wasn’t.
Other pirate books you may enjoy – “Pirate Girl” by Cornelia Funke, “Bubble Bath Pirates!” by Jarrett J. Krosoczka & ”Pirate Pete” by Kim Kennedy.
All are amazing books sure to tickle your funny bone and to get you into the pirate mood.
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September 18, 2009 at 8:31 am · Filed under Ages 3 - 6 ·Tagged David Ezra Stein, friendship, Hooray for Books, kangaroos, Leaves, Monster Hug, Pouch, shyness, The Nice Book
Pouch, by David Ezra Stein; $15.99; published 2009; G.P. Putnam’s Sons (Penguin)
Hot off the presses, be sure to check out this latest release from the author of Leaves, The Nice Book, and Monster Hug. The story follows Joey the kangaroo, who is a bit hesitant to explore the world. Joey tries out two hops, then retreats to the safety of mama’s pouch. Then he tries a few more hops. Before long, Joey hops farther, and even makes new friends. This lovely book elicits a chuckle as it deals with the challenge of venturing into the world for the first time.
Be sure and check out the author’s “behind the scenes” on the making of Pouch.
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September 14, 2009 at 3:14 pm · Filed under Ages 3 - 6 ·Tagged book review, death, funeral, independent bookstore, Picture Book, tree
This most wonderful picture book is not only for young readers (age 3+) who love trees but also for anyone touched by the death of someone – or something – very dear. It’s the story of a little girl who loves a 175-year-old tree in her yard – she swings from it, reads under it, and plays in its leaves in the fall. Until a storm breaks its branches, and the tree has to be cut down. Tess is terribly upset – until she decides to hold a funeral for the tree to celebrate its wonderful life. That’s when we learn the many ways in which Tess’s tree touched a variety of people’s lives and spread the magic of love.
Tess’s Tree, by Jess M. Brallier (pictures by Peter H. Reynolds), HarperCollins, $16.99
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September 11, 2009 at 12:22 pm · Filed under Ages 3 - 6 ·Tagged 3-6, animals, bedtime, Book of Sleep, Il Sung Na, owl, picture books
A Book of Sleep by Il Sung Na (ages 3-6)
At night, everybody goes to sleep…except the little owl, that is! As you flip through the pages, unique, detailed illustrations show you how different animals rest through the night. When day comes, however, it’s the owl’s turn to sleep. The artwork will really draw you in to this restful bedtime book.
A Book of Sleep; Il Sung Na; $15.99; published 2009; Alfred A. Knopf
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