Pet Love

Harriet Ziefert celebrates creativity and the bond between pet and owner in her new book My Dog Thinks I'm a Genius. When a little boy paints a masterpiece he's certain that his dog thinks he is a genius. Little does he know that his work of art has inspired his pooch to do some creative painting of his own! When he comes home and his dog isn't waiting for him, what will he find? What has his dog been getting into alone in his art studio? Check out this enjoyable new picture book from Harriet Ziefert to find out!

This book is a great tie in to a free painting or coloring day during craft time! It's great to give kids the opportunity to just be creative now and then, and not have a project with specific instructions or a coloring sheet with line to color inside of. Free coloring and painting is also good for building fine motor skills and laying the foundation for writing later on.

Page to Screen - Blockbuster Books

The Oscars will air this Sunday night, celebrating the best in film for the past year and two of the nominees for Best Picture are based on children's literature!

With the most nominations this year, with 11, is Hugo directed by Martin Scorsese, and based on the Caldecott Award winner The Invention of Hugo Cabret by Brain Selznick. The film's many nominations include:

• Best Picture
• Cinematography
• Art Direction (Not surprising when you have Caldecott winning illustrations to pull your inspiration from!)
• Costume Design
• Directing
• Original Score
• Adapted Screenplay

The other Best Picture nominee based on a wonderful children's book is War Horse. The film is based on the stage play based on Michael Morpurgo's book War Horse. The film adaptation is also nominated for original score, cinematography and art direction.

Other literary nominees include Girl With the Dragon Tattoo, The Help, The Descendants, Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows and Jane Eyre.

Though not up for any nominations this year, a film with good potential for best animated film nomination in next year's awards is The Lorax, based on the beloved book by Dr. Seuss which comes out next weekend. Check out the trailer below, along with The Hunger Games, which also comes out in March.

Rainy Days and Mondays

I missed the April showers, but in my neck of the woods May is actually one of the wettest months on average, so if your May is rainy too, here are some of my favorite rainy day books titles, just for you.

• Bringing the Rain to Kapiti Plain by Verna Aardema - One of my all time favorite stories, especially for a rainy day. The repetition in this book is great for phonological awareness and pre-reading skill development.
• Just a Thunderstorm by Gina and Mercer Mayer - Little Critters can get scared by thunderstorms some times, this story shows how Little Critter and family deal with a storm.
• Lila and the Secret of Rain by David Conway and Jude Daly - If you like Bringing the Rain to Kapiti Plain then you will love this book too. It tells the story of how a Masai girl saves her village from drought.
• One Big Rain: Poems for Rainy Days compiled by Rita Gray - This book has poems for all the seasons, rain and shine. It is a good book for developing phonological awareness, as well as for teaching poetry.
• Rain Dance by Kathi Appelt - This short and simple rhyming book is great for 0-3 year olds as well as early readers. It help introduce numbers as well as having some great word choice!
• Weather Words and What They Mean by Gail Gibbons - Gail Gibbons is an excellent author of children's non-fiction and this book does not disappoint. This book was one of my favorite weather books growing up, and it still holds up today.
• Wet Weather: Rain Showers and Snowfall by Jonathan D. Kahl - This is a great non-fiction book about the water cycle and precipitation, especially good for older kids.

Even though I love the rain and we need those showers every year for the plants to grow and for the water we all drink, it is also worth remembering those in the Midwest and South who have been hit hard by the weather so far this spring. Check out the Red Cross for information on how your family can donate money and supplies to the victims of the tornadoes and floods.

National Children's Mental Health Day

Tomorrow, May 3, is National Children's Mental Health Awareness Day!

Sponsored by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, the day is about awareness of emotional and mental health in children in normally developing kids, as well as kids that have suffered a traumatic experience and/or who have a diagnosed mental health issue.

This day can be a great reminder to check in on the emotional well-being of the kiddos in your life! Below is a list of great books about feelings for kids. These books can help give your child words to describe how they feel so that you as their caregiver can better meet their needs!

• Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day by Judith Viorst
• Andrew's Angry Words by Dorothea Lachner
• The Berenstain Bears and the Bad Dream by Stan and Jan Berenstain
• The Berenstain Bears in the Dark by Stan and Jan Berenstain
• Feelings by Aliki
• The Feelings Book by Todd Parr
• The Grouchies by Debbie Wagenbach
• The Invisible String by Patrice Karst
• I Was So Mad by Mercer Mayer
• My Many Colored Days by Dr. Seuss
• The Pigeon Has Feelings, Too by Mo Willems
• Sometimes I'm Scared by Jane Annunziata and Marc Nemiroff, Ph.D.
• A Terrible Thing Happened by Margaret M. Holmes and Sasha J. Mudlaff
• Today I Feel Silly by Jamie Lee Curtis
• Understanding Myself by Mary C. Lamia, Ph.D.
• Walter Was Worried by Laura Vaccaro Seeger
• The Way I Feel by Janan Cain
• What Are You So Grumpy About? by Tom Lichtenheld
• When Sophie Gets Angry, Really, Really Angry by Molly Bang
• When You're Happy and You Know It by Elizabeth Crary

This is list is by no means exhaustive, I could (and plan to) write whole blog posts just on books for kids in foster care, dealing with divorce, abuse, etc. These books can hopefully provide a good jumping off point though, especially for normally developing kids, to help them have the words to describe their emotions, feelings and fears. Sometimes just having the words can help immensely! 

St. Patrick

St. Patrick's Day has become an holiday combining Irish pride celebration with a bacchanalia, but it is originally a saints day, celebrating the patron saint of Ireland, Patrick.

Tomie dePaola, this year's ALSC Wilder Award Winner, has an excellent book called Patrick: Patron Saint of Ireland which gives a biography of Patrick's life and work, as well as short versions of many of the famous myths and legends that surround him.

Here are some other St. Patrick's Day/Irish themed books that you might enjoy:

The Night Before St. Patrick's Day by Natasha Wing

St. Patrick's Day Alphabet by Beverly Vidrine

Fin M'Coul: The Giant of Knockmany Hill by Tomie dePaola

Finn MacCoul and His Fearless Wife illustrated by Robert Byrd
Irish Legends for the Very Young by Niamh Sharkey

Fractured Fairy Tales

Fractured fairy tales are a super fun genre of books that are twists on the classics many of us learn during childhood. These books can be fun to share with pre-schoolers and elementary students, but can even be fun to introduce a folklore unit in secondary level classrooms. Comparing and contrasting these tongue-in-cheek fairy tales to the more traditional tales can also be a great exercise in narrative skills and is great for cognitive development!

Here are some of my favorite fractured fairy tale books, check them out!

The Stinky Cheese Man and Other Fairly Stupid Tales by Jon Scieszka
This book is a Caldecott Honoree for its excellent illustrations. The print is actively part of the story and illustrations, and the stories are hilarious for both kids and adults, including bizarre and funny re-fashionings of tales like Chicken Licken and The Ugly Duckling.

The Frog Prince Continued by Jon Scieszka 

Picking up where the story of the frog prince left off, this story shows what happens after the "happily ever after."

The True Story of the 3 Little Pigs by A. Wolf as told to Jon Scieszka
Told from the perspective of "the big bad wolf," he argues that he was involved in a great misunderstanding and was really just suffering from an especially bad head cold, complete with huffing, puffing sneezes.

Don't Kiss the Frog: Princess Stories with Attitude chosen by Fiona Waters
A great collection of funny princess stories like "The Clumsy Princess" and "Sleepy Beauty".

Welcoming a New Baby

For many children, welcoming a new baby, a younger sibling, is something they are likely to experience during their childhood. Half-siblings, adopted siblings and foster siblings are all big changes in a family. Here are some books to read that might help the kiddos in your life have their questions answered, and provide a conversational opportunity for parents and children to talk about what it will mean to welcome a new member to the family!

Waiting for Baby
illustrated by Rachel Fuller
Questions within the text are designed to open up dialogue between parents and the new big brother or sister. The board book format and simple text makes the book especially friendly for toddlers.

Other titles in this series:
My New Baby
Look at Me!
You and Me

Favorite Characters Welcome New Babies
Some of kids' favorite characters have also welcomed new brothers and sisters, here are some great titles from popular series.

Arthur's Baby by Marc Brown
Julius: The Baby of the World by Kevin Henkes
The Berenstain Bears' New Baby by Stan and Jan Berenstain

Where Babies Come From
Non-fiction books are also great to share with your kids. Mommy's pregnancy is likely to bring up questions about where babies come from, so this is a great chance to explain the science behind it and begin a healthy family dialogue about human sexuality. Here are some great non-fiction titles that are developmentally appropriate for 3-6 year olds.

Who am I? Where Did I Come From? by Dr. Ruth K. Westheimer (best for 5+)
How Are Babies Made? by Alastair Smith
Where Do Babies Come From? by Angela Royston for DK
First Comes Love by Jennifer Davis (best for 4+)

Getting Active!

Unless you live under a rock, you have probably come across at least one news story in recent years about the rising problem of obesity in the United States, in both adults and children. Book reading is often a sedentary activity, so it doesn't spring to mind as the sort of thing that might encourage physical activity, but it definitely can!

Books about every day adventures like trips to the playground, such as Ladybug Girl by David Soman and Jacky Davis, can be inspirations for your child's own activities. Books about their bodies and body parts can also be a spring board for activity, even if it's just singing a song together with actions together after reading, such as The Hokey Pokey or Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes.

Physical activity is an important part of your child's health and motor development, both fine and gross motor.

Here are some great books, read and vetted by yours truly, about kids and their bodies:

• Eyes, Nose, Fingers and Toes by Judy Hindley
• Parts by Tedd Arnold
• The Foot Book by Dr. Seuss
• All of Baby, Nose to Toes by Victoria Adler

Here is a link to a great article about keeping pre-schooler's physically active, a great resource for educators, home educators and parents from the National Association for the Education of Young Children.

Shelfari and Social Media

These things are already featured in the side bar are of this blog, but I wanted to highlight them in a blog post as well. Shelfari, Twitter and Facebook are all great ways to keep up with what I'm reading, book reviews on quality children's lit and interesting and exciting headlines in the education and library world.

Check out my Shelfari Bookshelf here. I only add books that I would give 3+ stars, these are the best books I've read and each is reviewed. Those books which are great for young children (0-6) are also highlighted with pre-reading skills they help to develop. Beyond young children I've also read and reviewed juvenile and young adult chapter books and non-fiction.

Click on the links in the sidebar to follow my tweets or check out the facebook page for this site!

Book Awards

This year's Caldecott and Newbery Award and Honors books were announced today!

This year's Newbery for children's book writing went to "Moon Over Manifest," written by Clare Vanderpool, published by Delacorte Press, an imprint of Random House Children's Books, a division of Random House, Inc.

The Caldecott for excellence in children's illustration went to "A Sick Day for Amos McGee" illustrated by Erin E. Stead, written by Philip C. Stead, a Neal Porter Book, published by Roaring Brook Press, a division of Holtzbrinck Publishing.

Another highlight of this year's awards was the Wilder Award, named for Laura Ingalls Wilder, which is awarded to a children's "author or illustrator whose books, published in the United States, have made, over a period of years, a substantial and lasting contribution to literature for children". This year's honoree was Tomie DePaola, one of my favorite children's authors. If you aren't familiar with his work one of my personal favorites is  the Big Book of Favorite Legends, which includes The Legend of the Indian Paintbrush.

Check out the complete list of American Library Association - Association of Library Services to Children honored books and media for this year here.

The Reindeer Christmas

Today's highlighted book is: The Reindeer Christmas by Moe Price

What did Santa do to get around before the reindeer? This picture book full of lush illustrations tells the story of how Santa gained his sleigh and the his famous flying reindeer. A charming story you are bound to share again and again.







Similar Titles:

• Reindeer Christmas by Mark Kimball Moulton
• How the Reindeer Got Their Antlers by Geraldine  McCaughrean
• Reindeer Moon by Mark Kimball Moulton
• The Wild Reindeer Christmas by Jan Brett

Candy Cane Reindeer

Candy Cane Reindeer are super easy for even the littlest hands to do. You'll need candy canes, googly eyes, small pom-pons, pipe cleaners and glue. If you want to get really fancy you can also use beats and brick-a-brack to dress up your reindeer. The picture below is pretty self-explanatory for how to put the pieces together. When done you can give them as stocking stuffers or use them as ornaments!

Clothespin Reindeer

Clothespin Reindeer are a little tougher to make, but not by much. You'll need plain wooden clothes pins, tacky glue or a glue gun (watch out for little fingers), googly eyes, small pom-pons and any extra decoration pieces you want to use. It takes 2-3 clothes pins, depending on how you want to do the legs. If you use two clothes pin glue them together overlapping the pin heads, but tines pointing in opposite directions, for 3 clothes pins, glue two together the same direction and the 3rd with tines in opposition. Be sure to give the glue time to dry or cool before decorating. When they are finished you can stand them up in a cute display like the ones below, or use them as ornaments for your tree.

Scholastic Experts Issue List of ‘Ten Trends in Children’s Books from 2010’

Read The Full Text of the Article Here

1.The expanding Young Adult (YA) audience: More and more adults are reading YA books, as the audience for these stories expands.


2.The year of dystopian fiction: With best-selling series like The Hunger Games and The Maze Runner, readers can’t seem to get enough of fiction that suggests the future may be worse than the present.

3. Mythology-based fantasy: Rick Riordan's Percy Jackson series set the trend – and now series like The Kane Chronicles, Lost Heroes of Olympus and Goddess Girls are capitalizing.

4. Multimedia series: The 39 Clues, Skeleton Creek and The Search for WondLa are hooking readers with stories that go beyond the printed page and meet kids where they are online or via video.

5. A focus on popular characters – from all media: Kids love to read books about characters they know and recognize from books, movies and television shows. Titles centered around those popular characters (like Fancy Nancy, David Shannon's “David,” or Toy Story characters) are top sellers.

6. The shift in picture books: Publishers are publishing about 25 to 30 percent fewer picture book titles than they used to as some parents want their kids to read more challenging books at younger ages. The new trend is leading to popular picture book characters such as Pinkalicious, Splat Cat and Brown Bear, Brown Bear showing up in Beginning Reader books.

7. The return to humor: Given the effects of the recession on families, it is nice to see a rise in the humor category, fueled by the success of the Diary of a Wimpy Kid series, Dav Pilkey's The Adventures of Ook & Gluk: Kung-Fu Cavemen from the Future, and popular media characters like Spongebob, and Phineas & Ferb.

8. The rise of the diary and journal format: The Diary of a Wimpy Kid series is the most well-know example of this trend, but the success of Wimpy Kid is leading to popular titles such as Dear Dumb Diary, Dork Diaries, The Popularity Papers, and Big Nate.

9. Special-needs protagonists: There is a growing body of literary fiction with main characters who have special needs, particularly Aspergers Syndrome and Autism. Examples: My Brother Charlie, Marcelo in the Real World, Mockingbird, and Rules.

10. Paranormal romance beyond vampires: The success of titles like Shiver and Linger, Beautiful Creatures, Immortal, and Prophesy of the Sisters shows this genre is still uber-popular and continues to expand.

Dinosaur on Hanukkah

Today's highlighted book is: Dinosaur on Hanukkah by Diane Levin Rauchwerger

This books tells the story of a little boy and a dinosaur friend who comes to celebrate Hanukkah. The dino is no native to the traditions, but he tries with his best intents to celebrate, though he is not always successful and sometimes makes a rude and messy house guest. Still, boy and dino have a good time and the little boy even invites Dinosaur back for Shabbat! All in all a cute story and one children of all faiths can enjoy.





Similar Titles:

• Dinosaur on Shabbat by Diane Levin Rauchwerger
• Dinosaur on Passover by Diane Levin Rauchwerger
• The Kvetch Who Stole Hanukkah by Bill Berlin
• Maccabee!: The Story of Hanukkah by Tilda Balsley

Tonight is the eighth and final night of Hanukkah. If you have Jewish friends, why not make them a Happy Hanukkah card? You can incorporate the traditional colors of Hanukkah, and the flag of Isreal: Blue and White, into your card as well as the symbols of the Menorah, Dreidle and Star of David.

If you don't have any Jewish friends, then check out your local Jewish Community Center to see if they do a public menorah lighting that you can attend! Hanukkah is all about sharing the miracle light with the world and many JCCs welcome the opportunity to share their faith traditions with others.

Santa's Eleven Months Off

Today's highlighted book: Santa's Eleven Months Off by Mike Reiss

In this rhyming story the reader follows Santa through the eleven months of the year between New Years and next December. Take trips with Santa around to world to relax, recuperate and refuel before starting on the coming Christmas' work. This is a fun story with some good illustrations and the rhyming text helps pre-readers develop their phonemic awareness.





Similar Titles:

• Santa Claustrophobia by Mike Reiss
• How Murray Saved Christmas by Mike Reiss
• Merry Un-Christmas by Mike Reiss

Mooseltoe

Today's higlighted book: Mooseltoe by Margie Palatini

Mooseltoe is a follow-up to an earlier story about a Moose with a spectacular moosetache. In this book Moose gets so busy with his list of to-dos before Christmas, checking off the decorations, baking and shopping, but in the hub bub he forgets the crucial tree! Unable to find a tree so late on Christmas Eve the moose family comes up with a clever alternative.






Similar Titles:

• Moosetache by Margie Palatini
• Olive the Other Reindeer by Vivian Walsh
• Santa Duck by David Milgrim

Auntie Claus

Today's highlighted book is: Auntie Claus by Elise Primavera

In this book a little girl named Sophie learns the truth behind the old adage that it is better to give than to receive. The story is cute, but a little choppy, kids are unlikely to notice that though, and it's the illustrations that really make the book. An fun read that kids, especially 3-6 year olds are apt to enjoy, and hopefully learn a good moral from.






Similar Titles:

• Auntie Claus, Home for the Holidays by Elise Primavera
• Auntie Claus and the Key to Christmas by Elise Primavera

Dear Santa

Today's highlighted book is: Dear Santa: The Letters of James B. Dobbins complied by Bill Harley

This book tells the story of hockey loving big brother, James Dobbins, as told through his own letters to Santa in which he tells St. Nick of his difficulty with being nice to his sister, his strong desire for all things hockey, a rink in the back yard would be amazing, and how sorry he is for the bad things he's done in the past year. One particular touching moment happens when James gives his teacher her Christmas present and then confides in Santa how much fun it is to give to others and see their faces when they receive your gift. An endearing book, great for sharing.



Similar Titles:

• Dear Santa Claus by Alan Durant
• Dear Santa . . . by Ronne Randall
• Cat's Letters to Santa by Bill Adler
• The Jolly Christmas Postman by Allan Ahlberg and Janet Ahlberg

Write a Letter to Santa

There's not real instructions required for this activity - just make it fun! You might consider including: Christmas stationary, special Christmas stamps (The USPS has made evergreen seasonal Forever Stamps this year), stickers, rubber stamps, glitter and sealing it all up with some sealing wax before mailing it off to Santa! (I love Nostalgic Impressions for sealing wax and seals).

One suggestion I do have might be to include a thank you within the letter and requests for gifts for needy children, especially if your family sponsors a child. And if you don't sponsor a child, you might consider it, even if just for the holiday season, through organizations like The Angel Tree, Salvation Army Angel Tree or Operation Christmas Child.

Also, if you want to be really green and not use paper to send Santa a letter, you can Email Santa.

Happy Holidays!

Eight Winter Nights

Today's highlighted book is: Eight Winter Nights: A Family Hanukkah Book by Laura Krauss Melmed

This picture book tells the story of one family's Hanukkah celebration through several short poems. The illustrations are charming and the final pages include great information on the story of Hanukkah and it's traditions for those that might not be familiar with the story of the temple and it's miracle lamp oil.







Similar Titles:

• Moishe's Miracle by Laura Krauss Melmed
• Runaway Dreidel! by Leslea Newman
• Latkes, Latkes, Good to Eat by Naomi Howland
• Hershel and the Hanukkah Goblins by Eric A. Kimmel

Make Potato Latkes

Here is a super easy recipe for classic latkes from My Jewish Learning.

2 lbs (1 kg) potatoes
2 large eggs
Salt
Oil for frying
Peel and finely grate the potatoes. Put them straight into cold water, then drain and squeeze them as dry as you can by pressing them with your hands in a colander. This is to remove the starchy liquid, which could make the latkes soggy

Beat the eggs lightly with salt, add to the potatoes, and stir well. Film the bottom of a frying pan with oil and heat. Take serving-spoonfuls, or as much as 1/4 cup (50 ml), of the mixture and drop into the hot oil. Flatten a little, and lower the heat so that the fritters cook through evenly. When one side is brown, turn over and brown the other.

Lift out and serve very hot.

Variation

You may add black pepper, chopped parsley, and finely chopped onion to the egg and potato mixture.
Adding 4 tablespoons of potato flour binds the fritters into firmer, more compact cakes, easier to handle but not quite as lovely to eat.

Tonight at sundown Jewish families around the world will light the first candle of Hanukkah.

Happy Hanukkah! Nes gadol haya sham!

A Story a Day 'Til Christmas

There are so many children's books available for the holidays it hardly seems fair to try and highlight them all in just 3 or 4 weekly posts, so this year The Kids' Stacks will be highlighting A Story A Day 'Til Christmas. 25 different stories along with craft ideas and recipes for families and care givers to share. The countdown will begin on Wednesday, December 1 so be sure to check in and check back each day as we count down to Christmas.

And don't fret, while I personally celebrate Christmas, I will, as always, be sure to highlight books and activities appropriate for families of all cultures and beliefs - because no one should be left out!

I hope you and yours have had a wonderful Thanksgiving and I look forward to seeing you back here December 1.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving, One and All!

I found a wonderful craft activity that would be great for children 2+ to share with their parents. Here are the directions for creating your own "Tree of Thanks".

Creating a Tree of Thanks

Supplies:

• Naked branches (Note: it would be a nice activity to go on a walk with the kids and let them pick the branches for themselves)
• String or yarn
• Construction paper or card stock for leaves (Note: these could also be prefab dye cuts, pre-cut by a grownup or with older kids you could make a leaf stencil for them to trace and then cut out the leaves for themselves)
• Terra cotta pot or basket
• Floral foam, gravel and or decorative marbles to support the branches in the container
• Hole punch

Instructions:

• First create the leaves, if they are already cut out then you can jump straight to the next step, otherwise trace a leaf shape (I recommend oak or maple) on your paper and cut out as many leaves as you'd like, at least 3 per person.

• Next put the gravel into your chosen container and then add the branches in such a way that they are well supported, not slumping over and look like a small tree or shrub.

• Then write what you are thankful for on each leaf. Older children can write this for themselves and younger kids may be encouraged to try. Parents can also take dictation for younger children and should of course add their own contributions of gratitude to the leaves. (Note: this portion of the activity helps develop print awareness and fine motor skills in pre-school aged children and written communication skills in older kids).

• Finally, punch a hole in the end of each leaf and thread it with the yarn. To help with fine motor skills parents may wish to have the children tie their own knots in the strings before allowing the kids to put each of their blessings on a branch, being sure to share with every one else what it is they are thankful for as they do. Again, care givers should definitely include their own blessings on the tree.

In the end you will have a Tree of Thanks that not only has helped develop fine motor and communication skills, but more importantly makes a great centerpiece for your Thanksgiving table that focuses on gratitude and the true meaning of the holiday.

Now here are some great books to share with your family this Thanksgiving:

• The Thanksgiving Bowl by Virginia Kroll
• Thanksgiving at Our House by P.K. Hallinan
• The Thanksgiving Door by Debby Atwell
• Thank You, Thanksgiving by David Milgrim

May your family have a blessed and wonderful holiday!

Be sure to check back here a week from today for the first installment of A Story A Day 'Til Christmas.