Children Book Review :: Jethro Byrd, Fairy Child

We enjoyed this books who wouldn't little fairies, tea parties and festivals :)

Mom's or Dad's maybe you can relate to the parents in this story. I did because at some times our daily life does take control of our belief in fairies. And it wasn't until I realized sometimes I am that Dad just checking the emails or messages and saying "yes, yes" without really seeing or listening to what my son was saying.

Annabelle is a beautiful girl and her belief in the fairies and excitement in her new friend was very encouraging. We loved the little family trailer and wanted to taste the wonderful cakes shared at tea time. Too bad we all couldn't go on to the fairy Festival.

Let us know if you do believe in fairies and how much you enjoyed the book. Email us at jmclozano@gmail.com

Keep your faith in fairies alive!

Happy Reading,

Jennifer



Product Description (from Amazon)

From the creator of MAX—a PUBLISHERS WEEKLY Best Book—comes a whimsical reminder that a family of fairies can be found in the unlikeliest of places, if you have the time to look

Annabelle’s dad has little time for fairies, which he assures her she won’t find in the cement and the weeds of their urban backyard. But Annabelle has lots of time, so she keeps looking - even under her baby brother, Sam. And one day she finds what she’s looking for: a thumb-sized fairy child named Jethro Byrd, whose family has made an awkward landing in a tiny ice cream truck among some discarded bottles and cans. What a wonderful chance to invite all the Byrds for tea with Mommy and Daddy! But why, Annabelle wonders - as the fairies fiddle and sing and dance and whistle away among the cake crumbs - are she and Sam the only ones who can see them?

Bob Graham is back, as magical as ever, with a wry tale about the rewards of paying attention - and the marvelous discoveries to be made by seeing the world through the wide-open eyes of a child.

Product Details
Amazon Sales Rank: #1226346 in Books
Published on: 2002-01-01
Binding: Hardcover
30 pages

Book Review :: Ending February with more Friends, a toad & Frog and Gramma's hat box!

March has begun but I must finish our reviews on the wonderful selection from February. We celebrated friendships.

Grandparents, pick up CHICKEN SUNDAY by Patricia Polacco at the library (or here :). You will be delighted with the story of love and honesty. I love how the children created a blended family and cherished that tradition through out their lives.

Product Description (From Amazon)

After being initiated into a neighbor's family by a solemn backyard ceremony, a young Russian American girl and her African American brothers' determine to buy their gramma Eula a beautiful Easter hat. But their good intentions are misunderstood, until they discover just the right way to pay for the hat that Eula's had her eye on. A loving family story woven from the author's childhood.

And then let's not forget our Frog and Toad Are Friends by Arnold Lobel, two companions that take care of each with sincere care and affection. Do you have a friend that will stand on their head for a good story?

Product Description (from Amazon)From writing letters to going swimming, telling stories to finding lost buttons, Frog and Toad are always there for each other—just as best friends should be.

I hope you enjoyed the theme in February. Remember, practice friendship everyday and you will never be lonely in this beautiful world.

Happy reading,
Jennifer

March :: Books

Picture Books :: March Theme: Celebrate Libraries

• That Book Woman 
• The Librarian of Basra: A True Story from Iraq 
• Waiting for the Biblioburro 
• The Boy Who Was Raised by Librarians 
• Miss Dorothy and Her Bookmobile

Check out the book descriptions on this page (Click here)

Happy reading, 

Jennifer

Hachoo or Haiku :: Either way a lesson Learned.

Wisdom of ancient Zen teachings in a children's story. Mr. Muth takes us on a wonderful summer vacation with Koo and his new friends.

I don't think we will look at a empty cup the same way. (Well, I won't my - 3 yr old might maybe a few more years)

Pick up this wonderfully illustrated book. A perfect for the child beginning to get anxious and worried about school events. A nice lesson about learning to grow and overcome fears. 

Let us know if you have a special Haiku (is a very short form of Japanese poetry)

I tired :: our turning pages Haiku

together reading a book
enjoying the night
more time together

Not sure if that flies but we tried hahahah

Happy Reading,
Jennifer

Product Description (From Amazon) Stillwater the Panda returns in a delightful companion to his Caldecott Honor Book, Zen Shorts

Summer has arrived -- and so has Koo, Stillwater's haiku-speaking young nephew. And when Stillwater encourages Koo, and his friends Addy, Michael, and Karl to help a grouchy old neighbor in need, their efforts are rewarded in unexpected ways.
Zen Ties is a disarming story of compassion and friendship that reaffirms the importance of our ties to one another.

Watch :: 

Celebrated illustrator Jon J. Muth introduces his delightful body of work. His newest book, ZEN TIES features the return of everyone's favorite Zen master panda, Stillwater.

Who says we have to look the same or be the same age?

I have to say who would have thought a Hippo and a Turtle would make you want to BELIEVE in the power of friendship. Owen & Mzee made us believers!

Reading the story was a treat. My little guy loves turtles and we just get such a kick out of spelling H-I-P-P-O. Finding out how the friendship was formed and how it will seem to last a lifetime took us on a loving adventure in Africa. Reading about this extraordinary friendship between a baby hippo (Owen) and a 130-year-old giant tortoise (Mzee) was warming to the heart. Learning about who takes care of them and where was an extra bonus. The pictures in the book were wonderful and amazing to talk about with your child.

Happy Reading!

Much love,

Jennifer

READ :: Owen & Mzee: The True Story Of A Remarkable Friendship

WATCH ::   A photo montage featuring Owen the hippo and Mzee the tortoise. The pair became best friends after Owen was stranded following the 2004 tsunami.

 

Product Description (from Amazon)

The amazing true story of the orphaned baby hippo and 130-year-old giant turtle whose remarkable friendship touched millions around the world.

The inspiring true story of two great friends, a baby hippo named Owen and a 130-yr-old giant tortoise named Mzee (Mm-ZAY). When Owen was stranded after the Dec 2004 tsunami, villagers in Kenya worked tirelessly to rescue him. Then, to everyone's amazement, the orphan hippo and the elderly tortoise adopted each other. Now they are inseparable, swimming, eating, and playing together. Adorable photos e-mailed from friend to friend quickly made them worldwide celebrities. Here is a joyous reminder that in times of trouble, friendship is stronger than the differences that too often pull us apart.

Will you try this sandwich? Asks the Queen....

Boys and Girls FOOD FIGHT!!!

What a great book! Queen Rania shares a wonderful story of a childhood friendship and learning about being different in The Sandwich Swap. School days can be a stressful learning experience ABC, 123, science in the classroom. But the most educational experience I believe our children share is building their friendships.

The Sandwich Swap By Queen Rania of Jordan Al Abdullah, Kelly DiPucchio blends together the attraction of a Peanut Butter & Jelly's and Hummus and Pita's friendship. We all create a FOOD FIGHT when we don't have an open mind and welcome all of our differences.

It is not until we truly decide to try and expand our palette that we can see we are all the same.This book on friendship is a wonderful selection for this month's Valentine and International Friends theme.

I hope you enjoy! Let me know are you a Peanut Butter & Jelly or a Hummus & Pita. We are a Pizza & Calamari family.

Happy Reading,

Jennifer

Watch Queen Rania share the story

February :: Books

The books selection this month were selected as tribute to INTERNATIONAL FRIENDSHIP MONTH. At the Cubby Corner we will explore Friendships this month.

A friend is like a flower,

a rose to be exact,

Or maybe like a brand new gate

that never comes unlatched.

A friend is like an owl,

both beautiful and wise.

Or perhaps a friend is like a ghost,

whose spirit never dies.

A friend is like a heart that goes

strong until the end.

Where would we be in this world

if we didn't have a friend. - By Adrianne S

Zen Ties
by Jon J. Muth
The Sandwich Swap
by Queen Rania of Jordan Al Abdullah
Chicken Sunday
by Patricia Polacco

Freedom Summer
by Deborah Wiles
Owen & Mzee: The True Story of a Remark...
by Isabella Hatkoff
Frog and Toad Are Friends (I Can Read Book 2)
by Arnold Lobel 

Book: Sector 7

Yes, let's make story time extra exciting. Sector 7 let's us tell the story of a little boy and his new friend. This beautiful picture book takes us on a journey with no words only the wonderful illustrations by David Wiesner.

We love the mischievous little cloud taking us on a journey to Cloud Dispatch Center for Sector 7. Although, my little three year old was a little concerned he might fall. The new and exciting shapes made the sky a magical place. And how wonderful it is to express your individuality.

And last night the moon was captured by the clouds and I was reminded they are getting new clouds to come out to the moon. I asked "what shapes do you think will come to play with moon?" His response, "blankets and apples" ahh the mind of a three year old.  It was funny how his little mind was bringing back the story we read that afternoon.

I enjoyed this book because it reminded me of the days of driving in the families yellow station wagon with the big back seat we could lie down on during the long family trips and playing a game with my sister and brothers, picture that cloud. Whoever found the the most shapes in the clouds won the game. I remember for some reason all of my clouds were turtles and some times bears.

Sector 7 by David Wiesner (Clarion Books)

"Sector 7" tells the story of a small boy on a class trip to the Empire State Building who is transported by a friendly cloud to Sector 7, a great cloud factory high in the sky. Once there, they conspire with clouds that are bored with their shapes and long for a new way to express their individuality.

Happy reading, my Cubby friends!

Book: The Flying Dragon Room

Last night we started reading the The Flying Dragon Room :: Did you get your copy? what is your favorite room? We loved... the BUBBLES andJUMPING...

Mrs. Jenkins toolbox is AMAZING

Getting ready for 2012 at The Cubby Corner

We have our list and checked it twice, NO not for Santa but for our new friends at The Cubby Corner.
I love the site goodreads.com and I joined the Childrens Book Club the selections are always amazing and we have so much fun reading new books from a variety of authors and countries. Starting this year I am going to work with their selection for our reading groups. See the list Below.


Picture Books :: January Theme: Adventures/Exploring

• Where the Wild Things Are 
• The Flying Dragon Room 
• Loud Emily 
• When I Wore My Sailor Suit 
• Sector 7 

        

• Sixth/Alternate:  Lucia and the Light

The Children's Fiction Club :: The Fairy-Tale Detectives (The Sisters Grimm #1)by Michael Buckley


The International Children's Club :: King Matt the First by Janusz Korczak