Children Book Review: Have you listened to the whispers of the Totem?

w
e are really enjoying April's theme of Mystical and Magical creatures. The Tomten By Astrid Lindgren is a wonderful story introducing us to the Totem providing a magical reminder that someone is always making us safe during the winter nights.

Although, the little Totem might have been disappointed this winter here in NY. It seems winter took a break this year. We had no big snow falls in the lower NY region of Long Island. We figured the TOTEM's journey this year would have been a quick reminder that we were still in winter hahaha!

We will definitely add this to our bookshelf and read every year. A very nice tradition to have with my son. And a nice reminder that we are always safe during the cold dark nights.

I hope you are able to get a copy from your local library or join our SHARE A BOOK program and receive a FREE copy. Let us know if you see those tiny footprints next winter.

Keep turning those pages....
Happy Reading,
Jennifer

Product Description (from Amazon) 

This outstanding book by the author of Pippi Longstocking--and winner of the Hans Christian Andersen Award--has been called a "picture book of rare distinction" by the Chicago Tribune. Full color.

About the Author (from Wikipedia)

Astrid Anna Emilia Lindgren (née Ericsson) (Swedish pronunciation: [ˈastrɪd ˈlɪŋɡreːn] ( listen)), 14 November 1907 – 28 January 2002) was a Swedishauthor and screenwriter. She is the world's 18th[1] most translated author and has sold roughly 145 million[2] copies worldwide. She is best known for the Pippi Longstocking, Karlsson-on-the-Roof and the Six Bullerby Children[3] book series

Children Book Review :: Dragon soccer anyone?

As April continues we are still enchanted by mystical and magical creatures. This week we read Guess What I Found in Dragon Wood By Timothy Knapman. Could you imagine finding a Benjamin? I asked my little guy what would he do if he found a dragon.

"Mama, ROAR" was his sweet response. Then he said he would share his chocolate. Which is cute since he has so much from his Easter Basket.

The illustrations in this book are amazing. The colors vibrant and and the little notes detailing his favorite items is a special treat.

I hope you are able to get a copy from your local library or join our SHARE A BOOK program and receive a FREE copy. Let us know what you would teach your Benjamin?

Keep turning those pages....
Happy Reading,
Jennifer

About the Author

Timothy Knapman has been a freelance writer and playwright for over 10 years, working in theater, musicals and opera. He lives in Surrey, England.

Gwen Millward studied illustration in Edinburgh and now spends all of her time painting and writing stories for children about her favorite subject, beasts.


Product Description (from Amazon)

In this twist on the “boy finds lost pet” tale, a young dragon discovers a Benjamin in Dragonwood. The dragon takes the boy home, to school and the playground. The Benjamin is a fascinating creature. He doesn’t have claws or scales and can’t even fly. When the Benjamin gets homesick, the dragon decides to help him get home. How will the other Benjamins react to finding a dragon in their world?

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

Children's Book Review :: Waiting for the Biblioburro

From the first line, this story instantly transports the reader to the world of Ana, a little girl who lives in a rural village in Columbia. Ana prizes the single book she owns and longs to learn more about the world outside of her village. The only teacher moved out of the village and now there is no one to teach the children in the village.

One joyous morning, Ana hears the sounds of two burros approaching the village and to her amazement and delight they are carrying books! One incredible teacher and librarian has dedicated his time to bringing books to the villages in Columbia via burro.

This is a fascinating tale, imaginatively written yet highlighting the amazing true story of a man who delivers literacy, hopes and dreams from the perspective of the children he selflessly serves.

Read more about this real life hero.

Be Inspired,

Nicole

Product Description from Amazon.com:

Ana loves stories. She often makes them up to help her little brother fall asleep. But in her small village there are only a few books and she has read them all. One morning, Ana wakes up to the clip-clop of hooves, and there before her, is the most wonderful sight: a traveling library resting on the backs of two burros‑all the books a little girl could dream of, with enough stories to encourage her to create one of her own.

Inspired by the heroic efforts of real-life librarian Luis Soriano, award-winning picture book creators Monica Brown and John Parra introduce readers to the mobile library that journeys over mountains and through valleys to bring literacy and culture to rural Colombia, and to the children who wait for the BiblioBurro.

A portion of the proceeds from sales of this book support Luis Soriano’s BiblioBurro program.

Children Book Review :: The Boy Who Was Raised by Librarians

Just imagine what it would be like to spend your days surrounded by books and those librarians that LOVE them and LOVE to SHARE.

My little guy asked, could he live in the library. Well, Yeah but where would you sleep?
We giggled and he said he would want me to stay, too!

It's all good and this wonderful book by Carla Morris, The Boy Who Was Raised by Librarians, shared the wonderful adventures of what can happen with the help of each librarian.

Check out the book and let me know if you had any experience with your local librarian that just makes your SMILE. 


Who is your favorite reference librarian??

At our little town library I adore the librarians and the way they smile and just think he is so adorable when my child loves to touch every single book, turning pages on the floor or little desks, leave a little mess of books and they just don't mind :)

Happy Reading,

Jennifer

Product Description (from Amazon)

This humorous tale of a curious young boy and his single-minded quest for knowledge is a heartfelt and affectionate tribute to librarians everywhere.

Every day after school Melvin goes to the library. Everything has its place in the library and Melvin likes it that way. And his favorite people--Marge, Betty, and Leola--are always in their places, behind the reference desk.

When something interests Melvin, his librarian friends help him find lots and lots of books on the subject. When he collects creepy bugs in a jar, they help him identify, classify, and catalog the insects. When he is cast as the Enormous Eggplant in the school play, Betty reads aloud from Organic Gardening to help him find his motivation. As the years pass, Melvin can always find the answers to his questions--and a lot of fun--in the library. Then one day he goes off to college to learn new things and read new books. Will he leave the library and his friends behind forever?

Readers will enjoy Brad Sneed's delightful illustrations that colorfully capture the fun-loving spirit of Carla Morris's story about the contagious enthusiasm of learning.

Children Book Review :: Miss Dorothy and Her Bookmobile

Now this is a job I would have LOVED!! Give me some books let me ride around and visit my friends and share some stories. We enjoyed this book. I think I did more because I loved the way she made lemonade out of those lemons she was delivered.

When I hear about stories about overcoming and taking a stand on a belief - It makes me SMILE!!

Would you have started a book mobile? what would you have done? What is your story of making lemonade?

Tell us share your story at The Cubby Corner! We hope you are enjoying these wonderful books about our librarians. Don't forget to stop by and share a smile with your local librarian. 

Happy Reading, 

Jennifer

Product Description (from Amazon) 
Miss Dorothy and Her Bookmobile By Gloria Houston

When Dorothy was a young girl, she loved books, and she loved people, so she decided that she would become a librarian.

Dorothy's dearest wish is to be a librarian in a fine brick library just like the one she visited when she was small. But her new home in North Carolina has valleys and streams but no libraries, so Miss Dorothy and her neighbors decide to start a bookmobile. Instead of people coming to a fine brick library, Miss Dorothy can now bring the books to them—at school, on the farm, even once in the middle of a river!

Miss Dorothy and Her Bookmobile is an inspiring story about the love of books, the power of perseverance, and how a librarian can change people's lives.

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