Cristi’s Book Pick: The Dot by Peter H. Reynolds for ages 3-6
The Dot, by famed illustrator Peter H. Reynolds, is a must-read for any child who thinks they are unable to do something. The book opens with a little girl named Vashti sitting at her desk with a blank sheet of paper on which she believes she cannot draw. When her teacher sees this, she tells her to make a mark to see what happens. Vashti, in frustration, angrily makes a dot in the center of the page. The teacher looks at it and asks her to sign the paper. The next day in class, Vashti walks in and sees her picture framed and hanging over her teacher’s desk. Irritated, Vashti looks at the picture and decides she can make a better dot than that one, starting her on a journey of drawing throughout the rest of the book. Due to her teacher’s clever encouragement, Vashti realizes she can draw.
Other books by Peter H. Reynolds – Ish and The North Star.
The Dot by Peter H. Reynolds; Candlewick Press; $14.00; Copyright 2003.
Over in the Hollow, by Rebecca Dickinson; illustrated by S. Britt (ages 3-6)
Based on the old Appalachian poem “Over in the Meadow,” Dickinson transforms the rhyme with a Halloween flavor. Vampires replace muskrats as they bite, witches replace crows as they zoom, and werewolves replace lizards as they howl. Because it’s a Halloween book the fun doesn’t stop at ten, but goes up to thirteen with skeletons, cats and ghosts getting into the act. Readers can easily say or act out the actions of each of the characters (well, maybe not the biting vampires). Filled with rich, lush illustrations that have the feel of picture books from decades ago, this is the perfect book to haunt your shelf this Halloween.
Over in the Hollow, by Rebecca Dickinson; illustrated by S. Britt; 2009;$15.99; Chronicle Books
This touching story about an elephant named Tarra and a dog named Bella is especially fun to read because it’s a true story! No one would guess that a retired show business elephant and an adorable stray dog would form a friendship, but these two became inseparable. Carol Buckley’s photography shows Tarra and Bella swimming together in a pond and strolling around the elephant sanctuary. When Bella gets sick, Tarra, loyal and concerned, stands waiting outside for her friend to get better. This is a great book about an unlikely friendship. A must-read for animal lovers! Check out the video below!
Tarra and Bella, text and photography by Carol Buckley; G.P. Putnam’s Sons; 16.99; 2009
Today at Hooray for Books! we had a great author event with six different authors. From 1-2 p.m., we had Sue Corbett (The Twelve Days of Christmas in Virginia, The Last Newspaper Boy in America), Cynthia Cotten (Rain Play, Fair Has Nothing to do With It), and Jacqueline Jules (Unite or Die, Duck for Turkey Day) talk about and read from their books; there was even singing from the authors. Next, YA authors, Paula Chase (Flipping the Script), Elizabeth Scott (Bloom, Something, Maybe), and Caroline Hickey (Isabelle’s Boyfriend, Cassie Was Here) talked about their novels and answered questions from readers; one reader even asked if it was a myth or true that authors write in their pajamas all day. We all had lots of fun hearing from the authors, getting books signed, and eating delicious brownies and pumpkin bread made by Trish.
If you missed this event, don’t worry! The authors signed extra copies which will be on our “autographed” bookshelf.
Rain Play,by Cynthia Cotten, illustrated by Javaka Steptoe (ages 3-6)
Tip-toe through the puddles, make a boat that floats, then run, romp, splash and stomp. In colorful collage illustrations, Rain Play brings to life all the fun that young ones can have when the drizzle starts. But beware, when the sky starts to flash and thunder boom starts to boom it’s time to get snug inside where you are warm and dry. A perfect book to read to your little one when the day is dreary.
Rain Play,by Cynthia Cotten, illustrated by Javaka Steptoe; Henry Holt & Co.; $16.95; 2008
Robot Zot by Jon Scieszka and David Shannon (ages 3-6)
Robot Zot is always ready for battle. He is very brave, and his favorite words are “wham!” and “crush!” His journey to rescue and destroy is captured in illustrations full of movement. The art also exhibits a playful attitude towards perspective and size. The words almost fly off the page. All this combines into a subtly humorous, attention-grabbing read. If you and your little ones like robots and adventure, you will enjoy this book.
Robot Zot by Jon Scieszka and David Shannon, $17.99, Simon & Schuster
On Saturday, October 10, we were lucky enough to host a reading/signing by Matthew Baek. He brought his lovely wife and two sweet little girls along as he entertained our storytime crowd with a reading of Panda & Polar Bear. He then did some drawings as we watched, and talked about the process he went through to come up with his final panda and polar bear cubs.
Matthew came to the U.S. from Korea at age 9, one of only a few Asian kids in his Gaithersburg, Maryland elementary school. His 4th grade teacher, Mrs. Armstrong, at first let him express himself solely through his drawing, but gradually encouraged him first to add a few words to each drawing, and finally to write and illustrate a book. She had each child in the class work with Matthew, and by the time the book was finished, he was friendly with every child in the class. Mrs. Armstrong put his book in the school library, available to be checked out by anyone in the school, and told Matthew that it was “the first of many.” He’s never forgotten her or her perceptive way of helping him find his way.
Be Gentle with the Dog, Dear!by Matthew J. Baek (ages 3-6)
Elisa loves the family dog, Tag. She loves to squeeeeeeze him tight, pull his tail and tackle him. While Tag knows this is just Elisa’s way of showing her love, Tag is miserable (arrroooooo). Can Elisa learn to be gentle with Tag?
A great book for teaching the gentle touch to toddlers or any young one who plays a little too rough. The story is short and the message simple: Be gentle when you play.
Be Gentle with the Dog, Dear!by Matthew J. Baek; Dial Books, 2008; $14.99
Her Fearful Symmetry by Audrey Niffenegger (adult book)
Adult readers, take heart. It’s not always books for children here at Hooray For Books! My pick of the day today is the newest novel by Audrey Niffenegger, author of The Time Traveler’s Wife. The two books aren’t related, except in that they are both a meditation on enduring love. Her Fearful Symmetryis a modern gothic tale filled with eccentric characters — two sets of dress-alike twin sisters and an agoraphobic crossword-puzzle-maker, for starters — and set next to a cemetery. The story unfolds as Julia and Valentina move into their deceased Aunt Elspeth’s flat (their mother is Elspeth’s twin Edie). The move from Chicago to London begins to drive a wedge between the twins, which only deepens as they communicate with the dead, take on inappropriate suitors, and plan their futures . The story is slow-going as the plot unfurls, but the pace picks up considerably towards the end. The dominant feeling of the novel is a restrained sense of foreboding, even throughout daily life, but Niffenegger also includes wonderful moments of humor, horror, poignancy, and hope. I enjoyed this book, and found the novel very well-constructed. It’s a delightfully creepy read and perfect for Halloween!
Mystery, betrayal, secrets and masterpieces are all part of this exciting and clever story by Ms. Broach. Marvin the beetle creates a special miniature sketch of the streetscape for young James Pompaday using the ink and paper art set that James receives for his birthday. Unfortunately, everyone thinks that James created the work himself. This leads James and Martin to the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City, where James is asked to take part in a daring ruse; create a forgery of a famous art sketch to keep it from being stolen! When the real masterpiece is stolen, Martin and James both become involved in trying to foil the art thief.
A fun, involving, masterful story. I could not put this book down! Reading about Martin’s efforts to communicate with James and their near escape from the art thief just had me hooked. The sketches, themselves, add to the story. A great read for those who enjoyed Chasing Vermeer or The Shakespeare Stealer.
Masterpiece, by Elise Broach, illustrated by Kelly Murphy, Henry Holt & Co., 2008, $16.99
Saturday, December 5, 1:00-3:00 p.m.
Author Matthew Toone
Matthew Toone has the answer to having more family time and more family fun. Matt's been collecting and creating games for years, and will share his new book, Great Games: 175 Games and Activities for Families, Groups and Children with us all, including some actual game-playing if we have enough participants!
Sunday, December 6, 1:00-2:00 p.m.
Fancy Nancy's Splendiferous Christmas Craft Project
Join us as we make tree-toppers that will transform your Christmas tree into a fancy fir! Space is limited, so please reserve your spot at 703-548-4092.
Sunday, December 6, 2:00-3:30 p.m.
Meet children’s author Lana Dajani, who will read and sign her debut work entitled My Letter to President Obama.
Saturday, December 12, 1:00-3:00 p.m.
Author Peter Earnest
Meet Peter Earnest, founding executive director of the International Spy Museum, a former operative in the CIA's Clandestine Service, and author of The Real Spy's Guide to Becoming a Spy, the official handbook for anyone who dreams of one day becoming a spy or working in the intelligence field.
The Dot, by famed illustrator Peter H. Reynolds, is a must-read for any child who thinks they are unable to do something. The book opens with a little girl named Vashti sitting at her desk with a blank sheet of paper on which she believes she cannot draw. When her teacher sees this, she tells her to make a mark to see what happens. Vashti, in frustration, angrily makes a dot in the center of the page. The teacher looks at it and asks her to sign the paper. The next day in class, Vashti walks in and sees her picture framed and hanging over her teacher’s desk. Irritated, Vashti looks at the picture and decides she can make a better dot than that one, starting her on a journey of drawing throughout the rest of the book. Due to her teacher’s clever encouragement, Vashti realizes she can draw.
Over in the Hollow, by Rebecca Dickinson; illustrated by S. Britt (ages 3-6)
This touching story about an elephant named Tarra and a dog named Bella is especially fun to read because it’s a true story! No one would guess that a retired show business elephant and an adorable stray dog would form a friendship, but these two became inseparable. Carol Buckley’s photography shows Tarra and Bella swimming together in a pond and strolling around the elephant sanctuary. When Bella gets sick, Tarra, loyal and concerned, stands waiting outside for her friend to get better. This is a great book about an unlikely friendship. A must-read for animal lovers! Check out the video below!
Rain Play,by Cynthia Cotten, illustrated by Javaka Steptoe (ages 3-6)
On Saturday, October 10, we were lucky enough to host a reading/signing by Matthew Baek. He brought his lovely wife and two sweet little girls along as he entertained our storytime crowd with a reading of Panda & Polar Bear. He then did some drawings as we watched, and talked about the process he went through to come up with his final panda and polar bear cubs.
Be Gentle with the Dog, Dear! by Matthew J. Baek (ages 3-6)
Masterpiece, by Elise Broach (8-10)
