Christmas countdown continues with music! This weekend will be a busy one throughout the Capital District. First and foremost is the FREE celebration at the plaza through New York State’s Office of General Services. There will be the lighting of the state tree, holiday sing, arts and crafts for kids, and fireworks. To view the complete schedule take a look at the OGS press release here: http://readme.readmedia.com/news/show/OGS-Kicks-Off-Holiday-Season-With-Annual-Tree-Lighting-Ceremony/17051.
The Albany Symphony has three performances this weekend. Take a look at the schedule here: http://www.albanysymphony.com/index-main.html. I’ll be at the concert on Saturday night to see my friend Kerry Anne O’Neill with the Campbell Dancers. It should be a great holiday event.
Another big concert this weekend is the Trans Siberian Orchestra. I’ll also be at that with a big group of my family, all TSO fans. (This will be my first concert with TSO. I’m a little nervous. Everyone tells me they are very loud!)
Don’t forget the Victorian Stroll in Troy, a performance of Sleeping Beauty (kabuki style) at the New York State Theatre Institute (http://www.nysti.org/beauty.htm) and First Friday activities (http://www.1stfridayalbany.org/) that are free! So, music, shopping, art, and friendship are all here for one busy splendid weekend. Gee, I wish there was a little snow!
A place young people, parents and teachers can visit to learn about great books, curriculum tie-ins, the best DVDs and music CDs from knowledgeable staff of the Voorheesville Public Library of Voorheesville, NY.
Tuesday, December 02, 2008
Monday, December 01, 2008
Christmas Countdown
It is exactly 25 days until Christmas. I’m feeling overwhelmed by what I did not finish this year, as most years. I don’t get too upset by the shopping, wrapping, baking or planning. I tend to dwell on the pile of books I still haven’t read! One way that I deal with this yearly dilemma is to take out my special stack of Christmas books and place them around the house.
I’ve been collecting Christmas books for many years. I have pop-ups, many different illustrators for The Night Before Christmas, A Christmas Carol by Dickens, and some absolute classics that I delight in every year. I still remember the first time I read Chris Van Allsburg’s Polar Express. There I stood with my son next to me, tearing up in the store, as I read the book. We went home with it that very day.
Start your own memories of the holiday with a special book collection. Come to the library and look over old and new books. You could read a new book every night. Along with the reading tradition, start a paper chain in red, green, gold, silver or white paper. The chain can represent the days until Christmas or the number of books you read.
This month we have a family storytime on December 10th to celebrate many different holiday customs. Come prepared to enjoy latkes with applesauce, Lucia buns, and a few other delicious items. The stories will feed your imagination; the food will enhance the experience!
I’ve been collecting Christmas books for many years. I have pop-ups, many different illustrators for The Night Before Christmas, A Christmas Carol by Dickens, and some absolute classics that I delight in every year. I still remember the first time I read Chris Van Allsburg’s Polar Express. There I stood with my son next to me, tearing up in the store, as I read the book. We went home with it that very day.
Start your own memories of the holiday with a special book collection. Come to the library and look over old and new books. You could read a new book every night. Along with the reading tradition, start a paper chain in red, green, gold, silver or white paper. The chain can represent the days until Christmas or the number of books you read.
This month we have a family storytime on December 10th to celebrate many different holiday customs. Come prepared to enjoy latkes with applesauce, Lucia buns, and a few other delicious items. The stories will feed your imagination; the food will enhance the experience!
Wednesday, September 03, 2008
School bells are ringing!
A new beginning, a new school year, a fresh start; these are my thoughts every September. I have some favorite school stories that I think everyone should read or reread every year. Start off with Officer Buckle and Gloria. Here is a story about safety (very important) and a story about friendship. It won the Caldecott Medal in 1996. John Lithgow narrates the film by Weston Woods which is so much fun to watch.
Check out another Peggy Rathmann title: Ruby the Copycat. Every child wants to succeed in school and Ruby is no exception. Unfortunately she takes it too far and almost loses her way. Ruby is so imaginative you will empathize with her creative solutions to being ‘just like Angela.’
Kevin Henkes is another author to check out. His titles range from Owen to Wemberly Worried to Chrysanthemum and his favorite mouse, Lily. Lily stars in a number of books. These titles all deal with children wanting the security of home, feeling unsure, coping with school and making friends. These books will help children understand the universality of their feelings and let parents open up a dialogue with children.
Come by the library for other school stories, all out on display. Reading every day is a great way to start off a new school year. ~Joyce Laiosa
Check out another Peggy Rathmann title: Ruby the Copycat. Every child wants to succeed in school and Ruby is no exception. Unfortunately she takes it too far and almost loses her way. Ruby is so imaginative you will empathize with her creative solutions to being ‘just like Angela.’
Kevin Henkes is another author to check out. His titles range from Owen to Wemberly Worried to Chrysanthemum and his favorite mouse, Lily. Lily stars in a number of books. These titles all deal with children wanting the security of home, feeling unsure, coping with school and making friends. These books will help children understand the universality of their feelings and let parents open up a dialogue with children.
Come by the library for other school stories, all out on display. Reading every day is a great way to start off a new school year. ~Joyce Laiosa
Friday, June 13, 2008
Catch the Reading Bug
The summer reading program is about to start. There is so much going on, here at the library, that it is hard to make up one single document that tells everybody (all ages) about everything. This year we are advertising to the elementary school kids with a flyer, but the main program calendar is the “program calendar.” It can be printed off the SRP web page and posted on the refrigerator: every home’s bulletin board!
First and foremost is that registration is online for everyone. Just go to our web page at http://www.voorheesvillelibrary.org/. It can be done from home or the library beginning Monday, June 16th and no email address is necessary. The fun part of the registration is to keep track of the books and print off their list to bring to school in September. It’s a good way for everyone to keep track of their reading. So, as we say this year, “Catch the Reading Bug!”
Don’t forget to check out the major display table with easy picture books, readers, fiction and especially nonfiction books about bugs. From Charlotte’s Web to Diary of a Spider we hope you will bee sure to read.!
Don’t forget to check out the major display table with easy picture books, readers, fiction and especially nonfiction books about bugs. From Charlotte’s Web to Diary of a Spider we hope you will bee sure to read.!
Wednesday, June 11, 2008
Middle School Writing Club
School is almost finished; kids are studying for finals; and I’m getting ready for my marathon visits to the elementary school to promote the summer program. One of the happiest moments is this Thursday. The Middle School Writing Club (mostly 8th graders) has been meeting regularly, twice a month, to work on poetry, fiction and nonfiction pieces, and even a picture book submission to Scholastic Publishers. This was an entry for a contest on the theme of environmental awareness. A group of eight girls wrote the text and drew the pictures for their book, The Boy Who Saved the World from His Own Backyard.
This Thursday is the unveiling of the final work product. All the students contributed to a "zine." Mrs. Susan Podgorski and I were the editors. It has been so much fun to work with these kids, see their enthusiasm, and to encourage their writing. ~Joyce Laiosa
This Thursday is the unveiling of the final work product. All the students contributed to a "zine." Mrs. Susan Podgorski and I were the editors. It has been so much fun to work with these kids, see their enthusiasm, and to encourage their writing. ~Joyce Laiosa
Thursday, January 31, 2008
Newbery Honor Books
In Elijah of Buxton, by Christopher Paul Curtis, Elijah is the first free-born child in Buxton, a Canadian community of escaped slaves, in 1860. With grand storytelling, humor, and poignant insight into the realities of slavery and the meaning of freedom, Curtis takes readers on a journey that transforms an 11-year-old boy into a courageous hero.
In The Wednesday Wars, by Gary D. Schmidt, seventh-grader, Holling is convinced his teacher hates him. Through their Wednesday afternoon Shakespeare sessions she helps him cope with events both wildly funny and deadly serious. “To thine own self be true” is just one of the life lessons he learns. This, too, is historical fiction that takes place in 1968 on Long Island.
Feathers, by Jacqueline Woodson, tells the story of how a new boy's arrival in a sixth-grade classroom helps Frannie recognize the barriers that separate people, and the importance of hope as a bridge. Transcendent imagery and lyrical prose deftly capture a girl learning to navigate the world through words.
Each one of these authors has won Newbery Honors before, as well as the Newbery Medal for Curtis. They write characters that stay with the reader long after the book is finished. Check out Jacqueline Woodson’s web site to learn more about this author and her other books. It’s a great site! http://www.jacquelinewoodson.com/
Tuesday, January 15, 2008
Newbery and Caldecott Announcements
It was the like Golden Globes - only better!! ALA held their press conference to announce the winners of all Youth Media awards. That includes picture books through middle grade readers to young adults, plus film and audio books. There was a webcast of the event, which I had trouble getting, but I did get some of the slides and felt a part of the proceedings.
I'll be giving you my feedback on the awards for the next couple of days. I'll start with the two top awards. The Newbery and Caldecott medal winners were both bold and excellent choices. GoodMasters! Sweet Ladies! Voices from a Medieval Village is a fabulous book, so different in style from most winners. I read it a couple of months ago and have been mentioning it to everyone as a potential winner. What makes it so unique is "the voice." You can picture a real medieval town. Imagine Voorheesville residents telling us about their jobs and their life. Through the monologues you observe a town, the adults, the peasants, the children, and the upper class. The design of the book is beautiful,too. The illustrations help define the times, and there are definitions and explanations of words and phrases. It does not need to be performed. Reading it was a delight!
I'll be giving you my feedback on the awards for the next couple of days. I'll start with the two top awards. The Newbery and Caldecott medal winners were both bold and excellent choices. GoodMasters! Sweet Ladies! Voices from a Medieval Village is a fabulous book, so different in style from most winners. I read it a couple of months ago and have been mentioning it to everyone as a potential winner. What makes it so unique is "the voice." You can picture a real medieval town. Imagine Voorheesville residents telling us about their jobs and their life. Through the monologues you observe a town, the adults, the peasants, the children, and the upper class. The design of the book is beautiful,too. The illustrations help define the times, and there are definitions and explanations of words and phrases. It does not need to be performed. Reading it was a delight!
The Invention of Hugo Cabret by Brian Selznick is a book to carefully read the text and the pictures. You can't have one without the other. The book begins with many illustrations as Selznick brings you into the book, into the story, into Paris, into the world of a young boy. The black and white illustrations have a softness about them that gives the characters a vulnerability. And there is wonder in the broken down machines we discover. It is a very different type of Caldecott medal winner. I think young people from third grade and up will enjoy this book, and look at it over and over again. Joyce Laiosa
Thursday, January 03, 2008
So Many Books, A New Year to Read
I haven't made any new resolutions for this new year. I tried very hard in 2007 to create routines/habits that should stay with me forever. I have been swimming fairly diligently at the Y. I'm up to a half-mile swim, now. I am reading more than ever. This isn't hard to keep because I love to read, but sometimes I sit in front of the TV and forget to actually turn it off, even when there isn't a single thing I am interested in watching!
I finally finished Sharon Draper's new historical fiction, Fire From the Rock. It is about the integration of Central High School in Little Rock, Arkansas in 1957. I think Draper captured the time period very well. I liked Sylvia Patterson, the protagonist in the book. She is a good student, a typical eighth grader, and a girl who has the opportunity to be one of the first African-Americans to integrate Central. Will she do it? Or will pressures from her family and friends make her choose to stay in her own high school? Check out the book, and look for other books by Sharon Draper. Her web site is http://sharondraper.com/home.asp where you can check out her other books, and the area (under homework help) where she answers lots of questions about herself, writing and her books. Draper is considered a YA writer. I consider her appropriate for middle school students and up.
Joyce Laiosa
Monday, December 03, 2007
Lapsits for Babies
This Thursday (December 6) is our last Lapsit for the year. That is for 2007. Next year we are going to start offering the lapsits twice a month, the first and third Thursdays of the month. Lapsits are different than storytimes because babies (ages 0-24 months) do not always have long attention spans. That doesn't mean we aren't using our 'Early Literacy Skill Building' techniques. We want children to start learning the joy of books but with the intimacy of holding the child in your lap and introducing board books. We especially want parents and caregivers to talk to their child, use rhymes, and nonsense words that rhyme, songs and chants. All of this helps a child's brain develop.
Play is another important part of the lapsit. Our rhymes, songs, chants, and bounces take up only a small part of our program. The rest of the time is for parents to play with their child with our toys, board books, puppets, and rolling balls. It is also a time for adults to enjoy meeting other parents and perhaps making new friends.
Books for babies are important. Even though they may want to 'eat' the book, they listen to the adult voice as you are reading to them. They start to learn that you turn page after page and that there is a beginning and an end to a book. Babies love to look at babies. Many board books use photos of babies. These are so much fun to have around. You should always have a good Mother Goose book in your home library. This is a good parent reference and will be used over and over again.
My favorite Mother Goose books are Sylvia Long's Mother Goose, Here Comes Mother Goose (illustrated by Rosemary Wells), and Nina Crew's The Neighborhood Mother Goose. There is a new Mother Goose illustrated by Leo and Diane Dillon called Mother Goose Numbers on the Loose that I also recommend.
Come to the library for our lapsits. Sign up for December 6 or call for our dates in 2008!
Joyce Laiosa
Play is another important part of the lapsit. Our rhymes, songs, chants, and bounces take up only a small part of our program. The rest of the time is for parents to play with their child with our toys, board books, puppets, and rolling balls. It is also a time for adults to enjoy meeting other parents and perhaps making new friends.
Books for babies are important. Even though they may want to 'eat' the book, they listen to the adult voice as you are reading to them. They start to learn that you turn page after page and that there is a beginning and an end to a book. Babies love to look at babies. Many board books use photos of babies. These are so much fun to have around. You should always have a good Mother Goose book in your home library. This is a good parent reference and will be used over and over again.
My favorite Mother Goose books are Sylvia Long's Mother Goose, Here Comes Mother Goose (illustrated by Rosemary Wells), and Nina Crew's The Neighborhood Mother Goose. There is a new Mother Goose illustrated by Leo and Diane Dillon called Mother Goose Numbers on the Loose that I also recommend.
Come to the library for our lapsits. Sign up for December 6 or call for our dates in 2008!
Joyce Laiosa
Thursday, September 06, 2007
Found My Desk
Buried under all the work of the summer, booklists to review, and plans for the coming months was my desk. What a mess! I've been tossing paper, summer reading logs, and anything that looks old and tired (except me!) in the bin. Wonderful weather has made me pine for an outdoor job, but it is time to chase away the summer dust and begin a new creative plan. I love fall, warm sunny days, cool nights for sleeping and moon watching.
Back to work...I had a great bunch of babies and their mothers this morning for a lapsit. They were such a great group. Watching the babies made me miss my grandchildren, so I had to call and check up on them as soon as I had finished the stories/songs part of the program. I love singing to children and having them move to a beat, jump, wiggle, or clap and tap. I used a couple of new books: How Do you Make a Baby Smile? by Philomon Sturges and You and Me, Baby by Lynn Reiser. Wonderful books for babies! The best part of lapsits are the rhythm and rhymes to get kids moving. From "5 little monkeys," to "The Noble Duke of York," there was a rhyme for everyone. Of course, I had to do my favorite nursery rhyme, "Hey Diddle, Diddle." If you don't have a nursery rhyme book in the house, check out a whole bunch from the library and choose your favorite. Buy one, or better yet, let it be known to grandmas and grandpas that this would be a great gift! (And they always want to buy something, trust me.) Joyce Laiosa
Back to work...I had a great bunch of babies and their mothers this morning for a lapsit. They were such a great group. Watching the babies made me miss my grandchildren, so I had to call and check up on them as soon as I had finished the stories/songs part of the program. I love singing to children and having them move to a beat, jump, wiggle, or clap and tap. I used a couple of new books: How Do you Make a Baby Smile? by Philomon Sturges and You and Me, Baby by Lynn Reiser. Wonderful books for babies! The best part of lapsits are the rhythm and rhymes to get kids moving. From "5 little monkeys," to "The Noble Duke of York," there was a rhyme for everyone. Of course, I had to do my favorite nursery rhyme, "Hey Diddle, Diddle." If you don't have a nursery rhyme book in the house, check out a whole bunch from the library and choose your favorite. Buy one, or better yet, let it be known to grandmas and grandpas that this would be a great gift! (And they always want to buy something, trust me.) Joyce Laiosa
Thursday, July 19, 2007
Two More Days
The wait is almost over and I'm getting very excited. It looks like the library's Harry Potter Birthday Party is filled with a waiting list. It's hard to not be overwhelmed with publicity about the final installment of this series. Kids, adults, parents, teachers and librarians are filled with wonder. It's a wonder that this series caught on with the public - driven by children clamoring for the book. It's a wonder that our interests haven't waned as we waited. It's a wonder how rich J.K. Rowling is. It's a wonder if we'll all keep reading and looking for books about wizards, magic, war, love, death and life. As you are wondering - here are my thoughts. It is actually quite brilliant that this story caught the public's interest, children's interest and never left us. The movies kept nonreaders just as interested. Even if a young person outgrew the series, new readers found it. We all can find out how rich J.K. Rowling is almost anywhere you find information. (A librarian can find this very quickly!) The amazing thing isn't HOW rich, it is that she is richer than the Queen of England. That fact staggers me! And lastly, I am not worried that kids won't keep on reading. They will find books, or ask for recommendations, that will take them to the same places they've been with Harry Potter. No, they won't be at Hogwarts, but they will find it. After all, we found it. We found justice, cruelty and morality with Atticus Finch. Doesn't he remind you of Dumbledore? You can find wisdom, life, love and death with a spider named Charlotte and a friendship with a pig named Wilbur. You can find wonder with a boy named Peter and a place called Neverland. I could go on, and I might....but think of your favorite books and remember how it felt to close the book on the last page. If it was a great book, you were still thinking/crying, /laughing and thinking. Harry will live forever between the covers of his books, and in the hearts of readers.
Tuesday, July 17, 2007
Graphic Novels and Center for Cartoon Studies
My son is at cartoon camp. OK, not really. But he is having such a wonderful time and learning so much that it could be a camp. He is actually at the Center for Cartoon Studies in White River Junction, Vermont. (Check out their website at http://www.catoonstudies.org/. ) In this picturesque town, there is a school offering one- and two-year courses of study and summer workshops. He is taking both summer courses. He has been wowed by Steve Bissette, a cartoonist for 20 years and a collaborator of Alan Moore.
I met James Strum (founder of CCS) at the recent ALA conference, along with illustrator/cartoonist Nick Bertozzi. CCS has recently published Houdini: The Handcuff King, written by Jason Lutes and illustrated by Nick Bertozzi. I highly recommend this book to anyone that like comics, graphic novels, and comic strips. It is a short story, but well done and if a person is interested in Houdini there is a lot of information in the back of the book, including a bibliography for further reading. Check out the book and budding cartoonists should check out CCS!
Joyce Laiosa
Monday, July 16, 2007
Summer Reads! Summer Fun!
Is your reading still fun this summer? Have you bogged down with books you aren't really loving? Are you just waiting for H.P. #7? If you have answered 'yes' to any of these questions then let's revive the old reading lists - the bibliography! And get yourself over to the library to be inspired by displays.
For a quick read, try Brian Selznick's The Invention of Hugo Cabret. It is brilliant storytelling that is a fast read because the storyline includes wonderful drawings. So you feel that you are reading a graphic novel and a regular book. I highly recommend this book.
"Get a Clue @ Your Library" is the theme for the summer reading program here. We had a first great week that followed an amazing (in attendance) kick-off program with ventriloquist Sylvia Markson and a fun ice cream social. The kids seem very excited about their reading and books are flying off the shelves. But I'm not worried about the kids that come to the library in the summer. I worry about the kids that don't get to the libray. I worry about kids who go to the mall and pick out books because they like the covers. I worry about the kids that get these books home and then don't like the stories. They get discouraged about reading because it seems pretty boring. Good books really are a great way to escape. But every book isn't a "good" book. Check out the library lists, check out more books than you have time to read and maybe in that group you'll find the one that makes a difference. Joyce Laiosa
For a quick read, try Brian Selznick's The Invention of Hugo Cabret. It is brilliant storytelling that is a fast read because the storyline includes wonderful drawings. So you feel that you are reading a graphic novel and a regular book. I highly recommend this book.
"Get a Clue @ Your Library" is the theme for the summer reading program here. We had a first great week that followed an amazing (in attendance) kick-off program with ventriloquist Sylvia Markson and a fun ice cream social. The kids seem very excited about their reading and books are flying off the shelves. But I'm not worried about the kids that come to the library in the summer. I worry about the kids that don't get to the libray. I worry about kids who go to the mall and pick out books because they like the covers. I worry about the kids that get these books home and then don't like the stories. They get discouraged about reading because it seems pretty boring. Good books really are a great way to escape. But every book isn't a "good" book. Check out the library lists, check out more books than you have time to read and maybe in that group you'll find the one that makes a difference. Joyce Laiosa
Thursday, June 28, 2007
ALA
I've just returned from the American Library Association's annual conference in Washington, D.C. What a wonderful opportunity to meet librarians from across the country, listen to award-winning authors, and see the latest, newest books. The weather was most unusual for D.C. It was perfect with absolutely no humidity for the first three days I was there. It was a perfect for sightseeing and walking.
I was impressed by the many award ceremonies I attended. The Newbery-Caldecott banquet is always a highlight at the conference. David Wiesner won the Caldecott Medal for Flotsam, his third medal. The only other person to win three times is Marcia Brown. Looking at Flotsam one would never guess that the gem of an idea for this book came from Wiesner's childhood which he related to us in an eloquent speech. Susan Patron, a librarian, won the Newbery Medal for her book, The Higher Power of Lucky. Her speech was funny and revealing. I must reread the book now that I have new insight into the author.
My favorite moment in the conference was the speech given by Gene Luen Yang, who won the Michael L. Printz Medal for American Born Chinese. This is a graphic novel for teens made up of three plotlines: the determined efforts of the Chinese folk hero Monkey King to shed his humble roots and be revered as a god; the struggles faced by Jin Wang, a lonely Asian American middle school student who would do anything to fit in with his white classmates; and the plight of Danny, an All-American teen so shamed by his Chinese cousin Chin-Kee (a purposefully painful ethnic stereotype) that he is forced to change schools. Each story works well on its own, but Yang weaves these parallel tales into a powerful climax that destroys the hateful stereotype of Chin-Kee, while leaving both Jin Wang and the Monkey King satisfied and happy to be who they are. The speech was also powerful in Yang's high regard for librarians.
These are only my first impressions from ALA. Let me know what you think of these books, from the gorgeous illustrations of Flotsam to the power of bigotry in American Born Chinese.
~Joyce Laiosa
I was impressed by the many award ceremonies I attended. The Newbery-Caldecott banquet is always a highlight at the conference. David Wiesner won the Caldecott Medal for Flotsam, his third medal. The only other person to win three times is Marcia Brown. Looking at Flotsam one would never guess that the gem of an idea for this book came from Wiesner's childhood which he related to us in an eloquent speech. Susan Patron, a librarian, won the Newbery Medal for her book, The Higher Power of Lucky. Her speech was funny and revealing. I must reread the book now that I have new insight into the author.
My favorite moment in the conference was the speech given by Gene Luen Yang, who won the Michael L. Printz Medal for American Born Chinese. This is a graphic novel for teens made up of three plotlines: the determined efforts of the Chinese folk hero Monkey King to shed his humble roots and be revered as a god; the struggles faced by Jin Wang, a lonely Asian American middle school student who would do anything to fit in with his white classmates; and the plight of Danny, an All-American teen so shamed by his Chinese cousin Chin-Kee (a purposefully painful ethnic stereotype) that he is forced to change schools. Each story works well on its own, but Yang weaves these parallel tales into a powerful climax that destroys the hateful stereotype of Chin-Kee, while leaving both Jin Wang and the Monkey King satisfied and happy to be who they are. The speech was also powerful in Yang's high regard for librarians.
These are only my first impressions from ALA. Let me know what you think of these books, from the gorgeous illustrations of Flotsam to the power of bigotry in American Born Chinese.
~Joyce Laiosa
Thursday, March 15, 2007
Nonfiction Fan!
I absolutely love nonfiction books. ALA/ALSC (that's the American Library Assocaition/Association of Library Service to Children) has an award for the best nonfiction books of the year. The award is called the Robert F. Sibert Award (named after the president of Bound to Stay Bound Books, Inc.) and has only been around since 2001.
This past weekend I gave a presentation about the great books that were winners this year. The medal went to a book I've written about in these pages: Team Moon: How 400,000 People Landed Apollo 11 on the Moon by Catherine Thimmesh. I loved the book when it came out, and frankly I was sure this book would win something this year. The pictures are incredible as is the story. I am a child of the sixties, so I grew up with the space program. I remember where I was when Apollo 11 lifted off (the Campus Center of UAlbany) and I remember where I was when Neil Armstrong took his first step on the moon(my living room floor). But my children are not interested or invested in this "history" story. I see this as an American ingenuity story, and a scientific phenomenon. There were many challenges to get Apollo 11 on the moon and this book tells the story of the challenges and the men and women that dared to experiment and dream.
I was unfamiliar with the three honor titles, but I have since read all three and am impressed with every single one. The common thread of all these titles is great writing and a spirit of accountability to every life. I think a lot of people do not read nonfiction because of the many books written specifically to help students write reports. How boring!
Freedom Riders: John Lewis and Jim Zwerg on the Front Lines of the Civil Rights Movement by Ann Bausum. This book tells the story of the Freedom Rides of May 1961; about a band of courageous Americans who rode the interstate buses in order to bring about the end of segregation. Bausum begins the book by explaining the background of the two protagonists, how they met, and then why they chose to put their lives on the line for the civil rights movement. John Lewis is currently serving Georgia in the U.S. House of Representatives and he plainly states that today's young people should find their passion and make a difference in our world. One does not need to get your head bashed in (as these two young men did) to make a difference. But committment and passion can bring about change. If someone had watched me read this book, I wonder if my mouth would have been opened in awe and shame. This is a very important book that I hope teachers discover and use in their classes. Reading some passages would certainly spark major discussions.
Quest for the Tree Kangaroo: An Expedition to the Cloud Forest of New Guinea by Sy Montgomery, photographs by Nic Bishop. This book is part of Houghton Mifflin's "Scientists in the Field" series, one of the best group of science books I have ever seen. Each book follows a scientist in their job, explaining what the scientist does, what influenced their choice of work, and the importance of what they are doing to all of us. Another important part of each book is the photographs that accompany the text. You stare in wonder at creatures, landscapes, and laboratories. I had never heard of a tree kangaroo until reading this book. We follow Lisa Dabek to Papua New Guinea (and we know where it is because there are maps in the front of the book) with a group of scientists and support staff into the cloud forest to trap and place radio transmitters on the few tree kangaroos that can be found. It is a difficult trek, three weeks of hard work under rainy, drizzly conditions, high above sea level (where it is hard to breathe). We learn that there are so many species of plants and animals that are still waiting to be discovered in places like this. This book gives hope to young people that there are fascinating jobs working with animals and careers besides vet and zoo keeper for those that want to travel and work with animals in the field. The author captures Lisa's passion for her work, and encourages children with their passions.
To Dance: A Ballerina's Graphic Novel by Siena Cherson Siegel, drawn by Mark Siegel. I do not love graphic novels, but I admire them (especially since my son wants to illustrate them). This book is charming, beautiful to look at, and a perfect medium for this story. Siena Cherson was born in Puerto Rico and knows that she loves to dance. When the family moves to Boston, she begins formal lessons in the ballet. She adores the dance. The family moves back to Puerto Rico and Siena has an opportunity to try out at the most prestigious ballet school in the country. She is accepted, but must move to NYC. She and her mother leave Puerto Rico, but her father remains there for work. She describes the hard work of ballet, school, and more ballet. She misses her father very much, and her family is torn apart by the separation. The drawings are spectacular and artful. You feel the grace in the dance, in the line of the bodies, even the movement in the arms. The colors are lovely. And the story moves from panel to panel with ribbons connecting the memories. One may not think of reading graphic novels out loud, but this should be shared with children who love ballet. It does not give false hopes to dancers, and it is honest about the hard work. SPOILER ALERT: DO NOT READ THE NEXT LINE IF YOU DON'T WANT TO KNOW THE END! I was so crushed when I reached the last two pages. She wraps up the story very fast as we learn of an injury to her ankle, and her decision not to continue with ballet. She goes to college and gets a job. Eventually she goes back to the barre and we realize that music and dance will always be a part of her life, just not her career.
I highly recommend all four of these books. You will find inspiring stories of passion and activism that should be shared with our children. Joyce Laiosa
This past weekend I gave a presentation about the great books that were winners this year. The medal went to a book I've written about in these pages: Team Moon: How 400,000 People Landed Apollo 11 on the Moon by Catherine Thimmesh. I loved the book when it came out, and frankly I was sure this book would win something this year. The pictures are incredible as is the story. I am a child of the sixties, so I grew up with the space program. I remember where I was when Apollo 11 lifted off (the Campus Center of UAlbany) and I remember where I was when Neil Armstrong took his first step on the moon(my living room floor). But my children are not interested or invested in this "history" story. I see this as an American ingenuity story, and a scientific phenomenon. There were many challenges to get Apollo 11 on the moon and this book tells the story of the challenges and the men and women that dared to experiment and dream.
I was unfamiliar with the three honor titles, but I have since read all three and am impressed with every single one. The common thread of all these titles is great writing and a spirit of accountability to every life. I think a lot of people do not read nonfiction because of the many books written specifically to help students write reports. How boring!
Freedom Riders: John Lewis and Jim Zwerg on the Front Lines of the Civil Rights Movement by Ann Bausum. This book tells the story of the Freedom Rides of May 1961; about a band of courageous Americans who rode the interstate buses in order to bring about the end of segregation. Bausum begins the book by explaining the background of the two protagonists, how they met, and then why they chose to put their lives on the line for the civil rights movement. John Lewis is currently serving Georgia in the U.S. House of Representatives and he plainly states that today's young people should find their passion and make a difference in our world. One does not need to get your head bashed in (as these two young men did) to make a difference. But committment and passion can bring about change. If someone had watched me read this book, I wonder if my mouth would have been opened in awe and shame. This is a very important book that I hope teachers discover and use in their classes. Reading some passages would certainly spark major discussions.
Quest for the Tree Kangaroo: An Expedition to the Cloud Forest of New Guinea by Sy Montgomery, photographs by Nic Bishop. This book is part of Houghton Mifflin's "Scientists in the Field" series, one of the best group of science books I have ever seen. Each book follows a scientist in their job, explaining what the scientist does, what influenced their choice of work, and the importance of what they are doing to all of us. Another important part of each book is the photographs that accompany the text. You stare in wonder at creatures, landscapes, and laboratories. I had never heard of a tree kangaroo until reading this book. We follow Lisa Dabek to Papua New Guinea (and we know where it is because there are maps in the front of the book) with a group of scientists and support staff into the cloud forest to trap and place radio transmitters on the few tree kangaroos that can be found. It is a difficult trek, three weeks of hard work under rainy, drizzly conditions, high above sea level (where it is hard to breathe). We learn that there are so many species of plants and animals that are still waiting to be discovered in places like this. This book gives hope to young people that there are fascinating jobs working with animals and careers besides vet and zoo keeper for those that want to travel and work with animals in the field. The author captures Lisa's passion for her work, and encourages children with their passions.
To Dance: A Ballerina's Graphic Novel by Siena Cherson Siegel, drawn by Mark Siegel. I do not love graphic novels, but I admire them (especially since my son wants to illustrate them). This book is charming, beautiful to look at, and a perfect medium for this story. Siena Cherson was born in Puerto Rico and knows that she loves to dance. When the family moves to Boston, she begins formal lessons in the ballet. She adores the dance. The family moves back to Puerto Rico and Siena has an opportunity to try out at the most prestigious ballet school in the country. She is accepted, but must move to NYC. She and her mother leave Puerto Rico, but her father remains there for work. She describes the hard work of ballet, school, and more ballet. She misses her father very much, and her family is torn apart by the separation. The drawings are spectacular and artful. You feel the grace in the dance, in the line of the bodies, even the movement in the arms. The colors are lovely. And the story moves from panel to panel with ribbons connecting the memories. One may not think of reading graphic novels out loud, but this should be shared with children who love ballet. It does not give false hopes to dancers, and it is honest about the hard work. SPOILER ALERT: DO NOT READ THE NEXT LINE IF YOU DON'T WANT TO KNOW THE END! I was so crushed when I reached the last two pages. She wraps up the story very fast as we learn of an injury to her ankle, and her decision not to continue with ballet. She goes to college and gets a job. Eventually she goes back to the barre and we realize that music and dance will always be a part of her life, just not her career.
I highly recommend all four of these books. You will find inspiring stories of passion and activism that should be shared with our children. Joyce Laiosa
Monday, February 05, 2007
The Animals Have It!
For young animal lovers, here are some suggestions for you.....
I have a deep love and appreciation for animals, both domestic and wild. As an animal lover, I enjoy reading books that highlight the animal-human bond, have animals themselves as integral characters, and/or showcase the remarkable lives of animals who have overcome incredible obstacles to survive. January was a frigid month and it looks like February is following in that path, so curl up under a blanket next to a cozy fire with a cup of cocoa and enjoy these reads.
A Dog's Life: The Autobiography of a Stray by: Ann M. Martin
This is a well-crafted, nicely paced story told through the voice of Squirrel, the stray dog. The reader gets a clear sense of what it is like to be immersed in the sights, sounds, smells, and dangers of a dog's world (reminiscent of Black Beauty). Life is hard for a stray dog who eventually finds himself a loving home. The novel centers on the themes of love, loyalty, perserverance, and overcoming obstacles. A great read for dog lovers ages 8-12.
Sheep by: Valerie Hobbs
A delightful story (for ages 8-12) about the trials and tribulations of a young border collie who narrates his adventurous tale. After a fire destroys the farm where he is born, the young border collie must venture out on his own. He quickly learns about the harshness and beauty of life as he acquires a series of good and not so good owners. The border collie's dream is to fulfill his purpose of living on a farm and herding the sheep. Like a human, the dog learns that life can either make or break you and, no matter what, you should never give up on your dreams.
Welcome to the Bed and Biscuit by: Joan Carris
A charming, humorous, and fun book (for ages 7-11) about an old vet who opens up a bed and breakfast for animals only. Dr. Bender cares deeply for the pets he considers a part of his family (a mini-pig, a mynnah bird, and a cat). When he comes home carrying a "mystery box" after a neighbor's barn fire, the pets go to great lengths to discover what is in the box. The pets become disgruntled with the amount of time and effort Dr. Bender devotes to this new creature in the box. Will the pets be able to accept a new animal member for their family? Great characterization and funny situations!
Walter: The Story of a Rat by: Barbara Wersba
This is a delightful, old-fashioned tale of an unlikely friendship between a rat and an old woman, who writes children's books. This is a pure pleasure to read alone or aloud and has a deeply satisfying ending. The lovely illustrations are a nice complement to the story. (for ages 7-12)
Whittington by: Alan Armstrong
A delightful interwoven tale of Whittington the cat and his exciting ancestral history and of Ben, a young boy who's struggling to learn how to read. This is a beautiful story filled with wonderful human and animal characters . The power of storytelling, both written and spoken, is dramatically evoked. This book offers suspense, history, terrific characters and compelling situations. (for ages 9-13)
I hope you enjoy these animal-inspired stories!
~ Gail Brown
Thursday, January 04, 2007
Ring In The New Year With Poetry
The new year may be snowless, but have you seen the gorgeous full moons at night? They remind me of the wonderful poetry book Thirteen Moons on Turtle's Back by Joseph Bruchac and Jonathan London. And with that thought, I wanted to remind all readers to check out poetry books every time you come to the library. They are a wonderful way to examine life with new words, with clever thoughts, condensed ideas, rhyme and rhythm!
Poetry can be very special to a child. Magical moments can be expressed in a few words. Caroline Kennedy recently published A Family of Poems: My Favorite Poetry for Children. In her introduction she writes, "In our family, we were encouraged to write or choose a favorite poem for each holiday or birthday as a gift for my mother and grandparents instead of buying a card or present. My brother and I would copy over and illustrate our choices, and my mother pasted them in a special scrapbook.....My children have continued the tradition for me, including the complaining!"
If you have never read aloud poems, start the year out now with a few. There is no need to read a poetry book from cover to cover. Take out a few and browse. If you or your children fall in love with a poem, copy it. They can illustrate the poem and you can put it in a scrapbook. What a lovely memory for you and for them.
Here are a few titles to enjoy besides Caroline Kennedy's book. Take out a Shel Silverstein collection. His first is Where the Sidewalk Ends. I still remember when two of my boys recited "Boa Constrictor" together and acted it out! Oh, the giggles! Shel Silverstein also illustrates his poems with line drawings. Another large collection of poetry is The Random House Book of Poetry for Children selected by Jack Prelutsky (another poet to know). John Updike wrote 12 poems called A Child's Calendar. This is one you could take out every month to think about the seasons and chores of a year. Two poems that look wonderful as picture books are The Camel's Lament by Charles Edward Carryl and illustrated by Charles Santore. Great looking camel on the cover. The other book is Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening by Robert Frost and illustrated by Susan Jeffers. The poem is so quiet, and the illustrations are perfect. I could mention book after book but I'll finish with two because I want you to know the authors. The first is a Newbery Medal winner, Joyful Noise by Paul Fleischman and the other is Naomi Shihab Nye's A Maze Me: Poems for Girls. Both poets are wonderful and have a good number of books or collections out. Fleischman's book is unique in that it needs two voices for the readings. If you feel you can't do justice to them, take out the audio versions. You won't be disappointed!
Poetry can be very special to a child. Magical moments can be expressed in a few words. Caroline Kennedy recently published A Family of Poems: My Favorite Poetry for Children. In her introduction she writes, "In our family, we were encouraged to write or choose a favorite poem for each holiday or birthday as a gift for my mother and grandparents instead of buying a card or present. My brother and I would copy over and illustrate our choices, and my mother pasted them in a special scrapbook.....My children have continued the tradition for me, including the complaining!"
If you have never read aloud poems, start the year out now with a few. There is no need to read a poetry book from cover to cover. Take out a few and browse. If you or your children fall in love with a poem, copy it. They can illustrate the poem and you can put it in a scrapbook. What a lovely memory for you and for them.
Here are a few titles to enjoy besides Caroline Kennedy's book. Take out a Shel Silverstein collection. His first is Where the Sidewalk Ends. I still remember when two of my boys recited "Boa Constrictor" together and acted it out! Oh, the giggles! Shel Silverstein also illustrates his poems with line drawings. Another large collection of poetry is The Random House Book of Poetry for Children selected by Jack Prelutsky (another poet to know). John Updike wrote 12 poems called A Child's Calendar. This is one you could take out every month to think about the seasons and chores of a year. Two poems that look wonderful as picture books are The Camel's Lament by Charles Edward Carryl and illustrated by Charles Santore. Great looking camel on the cover. The other book is Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening by Robert Frost and illustrated by Susan Jeffers. The poem is so quiet, and the illustrations are perfect. I could mention book after book but I'll finish with two because I want you to know the authors. The first is a Newbery Medal winner, Joyful Noise by Paul Fleischman and the other is Naomi Shihab Nye's A Maze Me: Poems for Girls. Both poets are wonderful and have a good number of books or collections out. Fleischman's book is unique in that it needs two voices for the readings. If you feel you can't do justice to them, take out the audio versions. You won't be disappointed!
Saturday, December 16, 2006
Where's the snow?
I can't tell you how miserable I am without snow for Christmas. Of course we don't always have a white Christmas, but I like to think that is a rare occurrence. It wouldn't be so bad if we at least had cold weather! I can't believe how warm and truly balmy the weather has been.
Well, it has led to a new tradition in our family. My husband and I are walking every night we can! We visit different neighborhoods to admire the lights on the houses. We have just about finished all the local walks, and now we are ready to drive the car to another area and get out and walk. He thinks I'm nuts, but it isn't too cold, so we are feeling very righteous (which means he gets to have ice cream afterwards) and I think I may have lost a couple of pounds.
My point is that it is great exercise and time together. When the weather lets you down, enjoy what you can. Take an evening walk with your family and don't forget the flashlights! When you return home you can get the kids ready for bed, a snack, a book or two, and a good sleep. If this winter continues without snow, take the children to indoor ice rinks. We have quite a few in the capital district. There is no reason not to enjoy the outdoors - even if we wish it was sledding weather!
Well, it has led to a new tradition in our family. My husband and I are walking every night we can! We visit different neighborhoods to admire the lights on the houses. We have just about finished all the local walks, and now we are ready to drive the car to another area and get out and walk. He thinks I'm nuts, but it isn't too cold, so we are feeling very righteous (which means he gets to have ice cream afterwards) and I think I may have lost a couple of pounds.
My point is that it is great exercise and time together. When the weather lets you down, enjoy what you can. Take an evening walk with your family and don't forget the flashlights! When you return home you can get the kids ready for bed, a snack, a book or two, and a good sleep. If this winter continues without snow, take the children to indoor ice rinks. We have quite a few in the capital district. There is no reason not to enjoy the outdoors - even if we wish it was sledding weather!
Tuesday, November 28, 2006
Holiday Spirit
This is such an exciting time of year for children. How do you temper their excitement without making yourself crazy? After all, you will not have time to get things done as early as TV commercials suggest. So, I have some suggestions for keeping your holidays spirit-filled.
Make time for children to be involved with your holiday planning. An Advent calendar is very helpful for counting off the days. Another fun way to count with young children is a paper chain. You can make one out of colored paper, or have the children decorate paper with rubber stamps, crayons and markers and then cut the paper into strips. You can glue a chain together as each day begins, or make the chain as long as you want and subtract a link every day. Hang the chain in the child's room and count it often, out loud.
Pick out holiday books from the library. Every night read one holiday book before bed. You will be amazed at the sheer number of books and stories that you have never heard of. Save the best for last. What would that be? Tradition in our family is The Polar Express and The Night Before Christmas are the last books read on Christmas Eve. Even the grown-up children expect that! Include books from different traditions. During Hanukkah, even if you don't celebrate that holiday, read a couple of books that children will begin to understand this holiday about light and hope.
Let children help. They can help with cooking and baking even if they only pour in the ingredients that you will mix. If you participate in projects to help others make sure children go with you and help pick out presents that will be going somewhere else.
TURN OFF THE TV! Children are being overexposed to commercials and products. Put on video tapes and DVDs that you control and do not have commercial interruptions.
Put on music. Borrow CDs from the library and enjoy the many artists that have recorded holiday music. If your child wants one over and over again, try and purchase it for a gift. Let your children play near you as you work on cards and letters to loved ones. If you are inserting pictures, let the children decorate paper with rubber stamps and fingerprints. Family members will love it, and so will the kids.
Looking for book ideas? Here are some of my favorites!
Dream Snow by Eric Carle
Merry Christmas Strega Nona by Tomie dePaola
Nutcracker Noel by Kate McMullen
How the Grinch Stole Christmas by Dr. Seuss
Counting to Christmas by Nancy Tafuri
Check back here for more book suggestions and ideas for enjoying your holidays. If you have favorite books, please share them.
Joyce Laiosa
Make time for children to be involved with your holiday planning. An Advent calendar is very helpful for counting off the days. Another fun way to count with young children is a paper chain. You can make one out of colored paper, or have the children decorate paper with rubber stamps, crayons and markers and then cut the paper into strips. You can glue a chain together as each day begins, or make the chain as long as you want and subtract a link every day. Hang the chain in the child's room and count it often, out loud.
Pick out holiday books from the library. Every night read one holiday book before bed. You will be amazed at the sheer number of books and stories that you have never heard of. Save the best for last. What would that be? Tradition in our family is The Polar Express and The Night Before Christmas are the last books read on Christmas Eve. Even the grown-up children expect that! Include books from different traditions. During Hanukkah, even if you don't celebrate that holiday, read a couple of books that children will begin to understand this holiday about light and hope.
Let children help. They can help with cooking and baking even if they only pour in the ingredients that you will mix. If you participate in projects to help others make sure children go with you and help pick out presents that will be going somewhere else.
TURN OFF THE TV! Children are being overexposed to commercials and products. Put on video tapes and DVDs that you control and do not have commercial interruptions.
Put on music. Borrow CDs from the library and enjoy the many artists that have recorded holiday music. If your child wants one over and over again, try and purchase it for a gift. Let your children play near you as you work on cards and letters to loved ones. If you are inserting pictures, let the children decorate paper with rubber stamps and fingerprints. Family members will love it, and so will the kids.
Looking for book ideas? Here are some of my favorites!
Dream Snow by Eric Carle
Merry Christmas Strega Nona by Tomie dePaola
Nutcracker Noel by Kate McMullen
How the Grinch Stole Christmas by Dr. Seuss
Counting to Christmas by Nancy Tafuri
Check back here for more book suggestions and ideas for enjoying your holidays. If you have favorite books, please share them.
Joyce Laiosa
Wednesday, November 08, 2006
Full Moon
Every time I see a full moon, I think of moon stories, moon landings and moon songs. I love looking at the moon and stars, especially on a clear night. Well, that means I should know something about the moon. I know some things and you should, too.
A brand new book will help you with moon landings. It's called Team Moon: How 400,000 People Landed Apollo 11 on the Moon by Catherine Thimmesh. It is a book to linger over with great photographs and a fascinating plus well written text. I still remember where I was when Apollo 11 lifted off, and about the night they walked on the moon. You have to check out this book. It is a wonderful intergenerational book for the whole family to share. (Although my children are a bit tired of my memories of this great event!)
If your family is interested in the space program there are other books to read, most notably an award winning book from Sweden that has been translated into English. It is The Man Who Went to the Far Side of the Moon: The Story of Apollo 11 Astronaut Michael Collins by Bea Uusma Schyffert. It is a book that will keep younsters interested because of the mixture of photographs, technical line drawings, interesting text, plus quotes from Collins' own diaries and notes. It is very clever, and Michael Collins is ignored in many other books because de did NOT walk on the moon.
Alexandra Siy's Footprints on the Moon is filled with stunning photographs of the moon and from the moon. Lastly, I recommend Faith McNulty's If You Decide to Go to the Moon. The illustrations are by Steve Kellogg and bring the reader into the story of preparing for a trip to the moon. The information is all accurate about the moon and what you would need, and how you would get around on the moon.
There are many other books about flight, the history of the space program and books about the space station. Don't forget to look at biographies of Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin, too. I would also recommend one of my favorite movies - although my children tell me it is only OK and even a little boring. It is 'The Dish' starring Sam Neill. It is an Australian film, made in 2000, and very funny. It is about the huge satelite 'dish' (Parkes Radio Telescope) that played an important part of the moon landing. This dish was responsible for the television pictures the world watched. (There is a chapter on the dish in Team Moon.) Anyone who remembers the moon landing will enjoy the movie.
So whenever you look at the moon, remember the lucky astronauts who actually walked on it and check out some of these books. You won't be disappointed!
A brand new book will help you with moon landings. It's called Team Moon: How 400,000 People Landed Apollo 11 on the Moon by Catherine Thimmesh. It is a book to linger over with great photographs and a fascinating plus well written text. I still remember where I was when Apollo 11 lifted off, and about the night they walked on the moon. You have to check out this book. It is a wonderful intergenerational book for the whole family to share. (Although my children are a bit tired of my memories of this great event!)
If your family is interested in the space program there are other books to read, most notably an award winning book from Sweden that has been translated into English. It is The Man Who Went to the Far Side of the Moon: The Story of Apollo 11 Astronaut Michael Collins by Bea Uusma Schyffert. It is a book that will keep younsters interested because of the mixture of photographs, technical line drawings, interesting text, plus quotes from Collins' own diaries and notes. It is very clever, and Michael Collins is ignored in many other books because de did NOT walk on the moon.
Alexandra Siy's Footprints on the Moon is filled with stunning photographs of the moon and from the moon. Lastly, I recommend Faith McNulty's If You Decide to Go to the Moon. The illustrations are by Steve Kellogg and bring the reader into the story of preparing for a trip to the moon. The information is all accurate about the moon and what you would need, and how you would get around on the moon.
There are many other books about flight, the history of the space program and books about the space station. Don't forget to look at biographies of Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin, too. I would also recommend one of my favorite movies - although my children tell me it is only OK and even a little boring. It is 'The Dish' starring Sam Neill. It is an Australian film, made in 2000, and very funny. It is about the huge satelite 'dish' (Parkes Radio Telescope) that played an important part of the moon landing. This dish was responsible for the television pictures the world watched. (There is a chapter on the dish in Team Moon.) Anyone who remembers the moon landing will enjoy the movie.
So whenever you look at the moon, remember the lucky astronauts who actually walked on it and check out some of these books. You won't be disappointed!
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