A Novel Idea

Book Review :: 100 Prayers God Loves to Hear, 100 Praise Songs

2010-11-03T09:41:00.000-05:00

100 Prayers God Loves to Hear, 100 Praise Songs

Created by Stephen Elkins
Illustrated by Tim O'Connor

Published by Tommy Nelson, Inc.

207 pages

"Serenity, courage, and wisdom are really big words. Let's bring them down to size. Serenity means having peace, no matter what is happening around you. Courage is doing what is right, even when you are afraid. And wisdom is doing things God's way."

** BookSneeze graciously provided this book to me as a complimentary copy in exchange for my review. **

Goodreads' Summary: In 100 Prayers, 100 Praise Songs, best-selling author Stephen Elkins brings an exciting and educational way for children to learn about prayer by teaching them 100 prayers to pray to God and providing 100 songs to sing Him praises. God loves to hear from His children and this book will help kids feel comfortable talking to God and singing praise to Him. ... Includes two CDs with 100 new praise songs written and recorded by Grammy-nominated producer, Stephen Elkins.

This book is recommended for ages birth - 8 years.

Mary Elizabeth's Musings: Lively, colorful, and whimsical illustrations are paired with beautifully crafted prayers and meditations just for children in this darling prayer book. Written especially for children to pray and reflect on God's beauty and grace in their lives, 100 Prayers, 100 Praise Songs is a heartfelt gift for any small child. Two CDs of praise songs accompany the text and are equally as gentle and delightful as the book! This prayer book is truly a treasure and a welcome addition to a child's religious book collection.

It's Time for the Spooktacular Book Blog Giveaway Hop!!!!

2010-10-25T07:31:00.007-05:00

It is giveaway time in book blog land!!!

I am giving away five brand new books, published by Scholastic, to one lucky reader!!

One winner will receive:

paperback

hardcover

To enter this giveaway, please follow the guidelines below!!! Best of luck to all!!!

1. You MUST be a follower of A Novel Idea AND you must leave a comment about anything bookish on this post with your e-mail address.

2. For an additional entry, be my friend on Goodreads. Please leave an additional comment for this second entry with your e-mail address!

3. This giveaway will run through Sunday, October 31, 2010 at 11:59 pm, CST.

Be sure to visit the other blogs in this spooktacular giveaway hop!!!!

Happy giveaway week ... and Happy Halloween!!!!

A Bit of Me(Me) :: Hosted by The1stDaughter at There's a Book!

2010-10-23T14:56:00.005-05:00

There's A Book!

I haven't participated in this meme for quite a while ... so check out my post and hop on over to There's a Book! to share a bit about yourself!!!

This week's prompt: What are three adjectives which describe you?

Sensitive

Chronic worrier

An avid reader

Book Review Link Party #1 :: Call Me Kate Review and Giveaway!

2010-10-20T11:11:00.000-05:00

Call Me Kate : Meeting the Molly Maguires

Written by Molly Roe

Published by Tribute Books
Copyright 2008

"Con caught me by the elbows. His blue eyes met mine. 'The coal face your father was working collapsed. His legs are pinned. But he’s alive, Katie!'

I broke from his grasp and dashed out of the schoolhouse into the cold gray November morning, a day as bleak as Con's news."

Publisher's Summary: Coming of age amidst the seething unrest of the Civil War era, feisty fourteen-year-old Katie McCafferty infiltrates the Molly Maguires, a secret Irish organization, to rescue a lifelong friend. Under the guise of “Dominick,” a draft resister, Katie volunteers for a dangerous mission in hopes of preventing bloodshed. Katie risks job, family, and ultimately her very life to intervene. A series of tragedies challenge Katie’s strength and ingenuity, and she faces a crisis of conscience. Can she balance her sense of justice with the law?

Mary Elizabeth's Musings: Riveting, exciting, romantic, and informative, Call Me Kate is an amazing addition to the genre of young adult historical fiction! Ms. Roe brings to life the turbulent 1860s in America through the eyes of Katie, an Irish teenage girl, who has hopes and dreams like any young person, despite her war-time circumstances.
This novel was immediately engaging from start to finish, and Ms. Roe's gift of the written Irish brogue echoed the incredible talent of Frank McCourt. Truly, this novel is a must-read for all fans of young adult historical fiction.

**I would like to thank Tribute Books for providing me with an unbound copy of this book, as well as inviting me to participate in my very first book blog tour!!**

To learn more about author Molly Roe, visit her blog, Conversations from the Side Porch.

**Please be sure to enter my giveaway of this fantastic book!!**

Wise Owl Wednesday #3 :: History of Censorship :: Part Three

2010-10-20T10:40:00.000-05:00

Graphic credit :: Shabby Blogs

** Welcome to my new weekly feature, Wise Owl Wednesday, where you can butter up your brain with some children's literature facts - history, milestones, trivia ... stop by here to learn a little something about the amazing world of books for the young! **

www.ala.org/bbooks

In honor of Banned Books Week (Sept. 25 - Oct. 2, 2010), I thought I would share the history of literary censorship. I hope you find it as interesting as I did!!

Milestones in the History of Censorship (Part Three):

1713 - Daniel Defoe was prosecuted and imprisoned by the Whigs for penning treasonable anti-Jacobite pamphlets. In 1720, his Robinson Crusoe was placed on the Index of Forbidden Books.
1726 - Gulliver's Travels by Jonathan Swift was denounced as wicked and obscene due to its satire on courts, political parties, and statesmen.
1760 - South Carolina passed strict laws forbidding all African-Americans from being taught to read.
1762 - Jean-Jacques Rosseau's Emile was condemned and burned by Parliament of Paris.
1872 - Anthony Comstock founded the 'Society for the Suppression of Vice' in New York. This was the first effective censorship board in the United States.

Source: Through the Eyes of A Child: An Introduction to Children's Literature (5th Edition) by Donna E. Norton, copyright 1999 by Prentice-Hall, Inc.

Upcoming October Blog Carnival for Children's Literature

2010-10-20T10:10:00.000-05:00

Hope to see you there!!!

Nonfiction Monday #3 :: Zero Is the Leaves on the Tree

2010-10-18T09:25:00.000-05:00

** Nonfiction Monday is a weekly round-up of nonfiction children's literature from around the blogosphere! It is being hosted this week over at Mother Reader! **

Zero Is the Leaves on the Tree

Written by Betsy Franco

Illustrated by Shino Arihara

"Zero is ...

the shape of an egg.

Zero is a number."

Summary from the School Library Journal: "Zero is...the sound of snowflakes landing on your mitten. 0 sounds." "Zero is...the kites in the sky once the wind stops blowing. 0 kites." Using these and other evocative examples from children's everyday experiences throughout the seasons, Franco explores the concept of zero. The gouache illustrations are done in soft, muted tones and have a naive charm that will have substantial child appeal. Most of the scenes are set outdoors, clearly depicting and emphasizing the book's link to the passing seasons. While the idea is a simple one, the presentation is such that it could easily be used to encourage youngsters to think of ways they could use any of their five senses to experience having zero of something.

Mary Elizabeth's Musings: As an elementary school teacher and a mother of four, I am always looking for books that link math and literature together ... and this book does a fabulous job of doing just that!! Zero is a concept often overlooked in traditional, elementary arithmetic, so a children's book that dicusses this concept is absolutely essential. The simple prose in this piece of literature is breathtaking, along with its gentle, mesmerizing illustrations. Children from ages two and up will possess a fundamental understanding of the number zero after enjoying this book. It works as both a teaching tool and a bedtime story!

Giveaway Time :: Call Me Kate

2010-10-15T10:31:00.001-05:00

Call Me Kate

Written by Molly Roe

Gosh, I haven't had a giveaway here on A Novel Idea in ages!!! I think it's time for one, don't you??

This past Tuesday, I reviewed this amazing, young adult historical fiction novel, Call Me Kate. You can read my review of this book here.

I was generously provided an unbound copy of this fabulous novel by Tribute Books, and I would like to share it with one lucky reader!

To enter this giveaway, please follow the guidelines below!!! Best of luck to all!!!

1. You MUST be a follower of A Novel Idea AND you must leave a comment about anything bookish on this post with your e-mail address.

2. For an additional entry, please leave an additional comment (with your e-mail address) telling me what your favorite children's / young adult historical novel is and why.

3. This giveaway will run through Saturday, October 23, 2010 at 11:59 pm, CST.

Literacy Tip #13 :: Developmental Milestones of Early Literacy :: Part Five of Five

2010-10-15T10:01:00.000-05:00

Today's literacy tip is part five of a five-part series on children's early interaction with books, designed to optimize your reading time with your little, little one(s). It is adapted from research provided by Reach Out and Read, an excellent resource for early literacy intervention.

** Note: Please keep in mind that every child develops at his or her own rate. This chart is simply a reference and is not intended to be a substitute for a doctor's advice. **

If your child is 3 years of age and up, here are some instrumental motor and cognitive skills he or she is capable of demonstrating from a literacy perspective:

handles books with competence and efficiency
turns paper pages one at a time
listens to longer stories
able to retell a familiar story
understands the concept of text
able to move finger along text
writes name
moves toward letter recognition

Here is what you can do to maximize reading time with your child who is 3 years and up:

ask "what's happening?" while reading a story
encourage writing and drawing
let the child tell the story
provide at least 15 minutes of reading time each day (this can be in small "pockets" of time, such as 5 minutes in the morning, afternoon, and evening)

Here are some literature suggestions for your child aged 3 years and up:

Enjoy this valuable reading time with your child!!!

Blog Book Tour :: Call Me Kate

2010-10-12T07:16:00.001-05:00

Call Me Kate : Meeting the Molly Maguires

Written by Molly Roe

Published by Tribute Books
Copyright 2008

"Con caught me by the elbows. His blue eyes met mine. 'The coal face your father was working collapsed. His legs are pinned. But he’s alive, Katie!'

I broke from his grasp and dashed out of the schoolhouse into the cold gray November morning, a day as bleak as Con's news."

Book Blogger Hop #3

2010-10-08T22:46:00.000-05:00

Book Blogger Hop time is here again, courtesy of Jennifer over at Crazy for Books!

This week's question is: What's your favorite beverage while reading or blogging, if any? Is it tea, coffee, water, a glass of wine, or something else?

My answer: Diet Coke ... morning, noon, and night.

Photo credit :: weheartit.com

Is anyone else out there addicted to this stuff???

'13 Words' Book Trailer :: by Lemony Snicket

2010-10-07T09:59:00.005-05:00

Book Review Revisited :: The Seer of Shadows by Avi

2010-10-05T07:07:00.001-05:00

** This is part of a post I originally published on 30 June 2010. **

The Seer of Shadows

Written by Avi

Published by HarperCollins Children's Books

202 pages

"I stood there in great distress. My head fairly seethed. ... The next moment my mind went to the words on the cemetery gate: The Dead Shall Be Reborn. ... Tears ran down my face as I had to accept the extraordinary fact: I, Horace Carpetine, had somehow brought Eleanora Von Macht back into the living world."

Publisher's Summary: In New York City in 1872, fourteen-year-old Horace, a photographer's apprentice, becomes entangled in a plot to create fraudulent spirit photographs, but when Horace accidentally frees the real ghost of a dead girl bent on revenge, his life takes a frightening turn.

Mary Elizabeth's Musings: One-third ghost story, one-third historical fiction, and one-third history of still photography, The Seer of Shadows is truly mesmerizing and page-turning. Avi's amazing ability to capture a specific time and place in history is remarkable, as evidenced throughout this novel. The reader will find him or herself as entangled in this story as the daring protagonist, Horace Carpetine, as he (Horace) races against time to stop a girl's spirit from inducing terrible destruction upon her family. Get ready to read this novel from start-to-finish in one sitting!

This book is recommended for ages 9 - 12 years.

More page-turners and spine-tinglers I recommend by Avi:

**For the comments section: What are your favorite ghost stories? **

weheartit.com

Wise Owl Wednesday #2 :: History of Censorship :: Part Two

2010-09-29T09:27:00.001-05:00

Graphic credit :: Shabby Blogs

www.ala.org/bbooks

In honor of Banned Books Week (Sept. 25 - Oct. 2, 2010), I thought I would share the history of literary censorship. I hope you find it as interesting as I did!!

Milestones in the History of Censorship (Part Two):

1497 - Works of Ovid and Dante were burned in Florence.
1559 - The Sacred Congregation of the Roman Inquistion published the first Index of Forbidden Books, which were books thought to be dangerous to the morality of the Roman Catholic faith. This publication was abandoned in 1996.
1624 - The Bible, translated by Martin Luther in 1534, was burned in Germany.
1660 - Charles II of England ordered that the Council for Foreign Plantations instruct natives, servants, and slaves of the British colonies in the precepts of Christianity by teaching them to read. British slave owners, however, feared that literate slaves might find enlightening revolutionary ideas in books.
1683 - John Locke escaped from England to Holland because his theory of civil, religious, and philosophical liberty was considered too radical.

Source: Through the Eyes of A Child: An Introduction to Children's Literature (5th Edition) by Donna E. Norton, copyright 1999 by Prentice-Hall, Inc.

Book Review #18 :: Trick or Treat, Calico!

2010-09-28T10:38:00.002-05:00

Trick or Treat, Calico!

Written by Karma Wilson
Illustrated by Buket Erdogan

Published by Little Simon, an imprint of Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing Division

"It's that spooky time of year.

Halloween is finally here!

There are trick-or-treaters everywhere.

Look - a ghost is over there!"

Publisher's Summary: It's Halloween night, and everyone is trick-or-treating! But where is Calico? Is she disguised as a ghost? No! Is she in a witch's costume? No! Young readers will love lifting the study flaps to find out where Calico is hiding.

Mary Elizabeth's Musings: Babies and toddlers will be delighted again and again by finding Calico the cat in this sweet, lift-the-flap board book! Babies will adore listening to the words while searching for Calico under a variety of costumes. Parents will enjoy sharing the rhythmic verse and engaging illustrations with their little ones. Bright and colorful illustrations paired with Karma Wilson's rhyming prose makes this board book a must-have for any baby or toddler's home library!

To read more about maximizing reading time with your baby, check out my post on Developmental Milestones of Early Literacy :: Part One of Five.

Other books about Calico the cat:

Book Review #17 :: A Nest for Celeste by Henry Cole

2010-09-22T09:30:00.001-05:00

A Nest for Celeste: A Story About Art, Inspiration, and the Meaning of Home

by Henry Cole

Published by Katherine Tegen Books, an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers

"Celeste's newest basket was going to be of a design she hadn't tried before, with a side pocket and a fold-over flap to keep things from spilling out. Her nook was dim, but Celeste was used to it. From her pile of dried grasses she pulled another long blade and, using her teeth and nimble fingers, began twisting and weaving."

Publisher's Summary: Celeste is a mouse who is looking for a home. Is it nestled in the toe of a warm boot? In the shirt pocket of Celeste's new friend Joseph, who is Audubon's apprentice? Or is home the place deep inside Celeste's heart, where friendships live?

Mary Elizabeth's Musings:
Heartwarming. Inspirational. Happy. Cozy. Absolutely delightful.
This story about Celeste, a sweet and gentle mouse, will leave every reader with a feeling of comfort and contentment in his or her heart.
Set on a Louisiana plantation in 1821, A Nest for Celeste draws the reader into the unique, artistic, and natural world of John James Audubon and his apprentice, Joseph.
Both looking for a true friend and a comforting home, Joseph and Celeste form a tender friendship that forges its way through changes and events in both of their lives.
Henry Cole's whimsical, gentle, charcoal illustrations provide the perfect companion to this heartwarming tale of home and friendship.

I recommend this book for ages 7-12 years.

Other books by this author:

Visit Henry Cole's inspiring website to be a part of his incredible world of illustrations!

It's Time for the Fall Catch-Up Read-A-Thon!!

2010-09-20T08:52:00.002-05:00

Hooray!! I am so excited about the Fall Catch-Up Read-a-Thon over at The True Book Addict this week!!! I am hoping to catch up on A LOT of reading!!!!

My goals are to finish these 2 books:

And to read at least 20 fall / Halloween books with my children!!!

Check back often this week to see how I'm doing!!!

What My Child Is Reading :: September 18, 2010 :: Giraffes, Paris, Zero, and Planting Apple Trees!

2010-09-18T09:28:00.001-05:00

I came across this wonderful meme, "What My Child Is Reading," over at the sensational, Mouse Grows, Mouse Learns! Take a minute to peek inside this wonderful blog ... I know that I am super-thrilled to have found it!

Here are our latest picks:

Johnny Appleseed

Written by Jodie Shepherd

Illustrated by Masumi Furukawa

Publisher's Summary: This is a story about a real boy who loved eating apples, planting apple seeds, and growing apple trees. This is a story about Johnny Appleseed!

Zero Is the Leaves on the Tree

Written by Betsy Franco
Illustrated by Shino Arihara

Summary from the School Library Journal: "Zero is...the sound of snowflakes landing on your mitten. 0 sounds." "Zero is...the kites in the sky once the wind stops blowing. 0 kites." Using these and other evocative examples from children's everyday experiences throughout the seasons, Franco explores the concept of zero. The gouache illustrations are done in soft, muted tones and have a naive charm that will have substantial child appeal. Most of the scenes are set outdoors, clearly depicting and emphasizing the book's link to the passing seasons. While the idea is a simple one, the presentation is such that it could easily be used to encourage youngsters to think of ways they could use any of their five senses to experience having zero of something.

A Giraffe Goes to Paris

Written by Mary Tavener Holmes and John Harris

Illustrated by Jon Cannell

Publisher's Summary: Imagine a giraffe who can sail from Alexandria, Egypt, to Marseille, France, in a boat with a special hole cut for her neck. Imagine a giraffe who can walk 500 miles from Marseille to Paris in forty-one days, wearing stylish boots and a cape. ... Imagine Belle, a gift from the pasha of Egypt to the king of France in 1827, a giraffe who made history.

What have your children been reading lately??? I would love to know!!!

BBAW :: Forgotten Treasure

2010-09-16T22:39:00.001-05:00

From the BBAW site: “Sure we’ve all read about Freedom and Mockingjay but we likely have a book we wish would get more attention by book bloggers, whether it’s a forgotten classic or under marketed contemporary fiction. This is your chance to tell the community why they should consider reading this book!”

And my choice is ...

Chasing Vermeer

Written by Blue Balliett

Illustrated by Brett Helquist

Published by Scholastic Inc.

Publisher's Summary: On a warm October night in Chicago, three deliveries were made in the same neighborhood. A plump tangerine moon had just risen over Lake Michigan. The doorbell had been rung at each place, and an envelope left propped outside ... The same letter went out to all three:

Dear Friend:

I would like your help in identifying a crime that is now centuries old. This crime has wronged one of the world's greatest painters. As those in positions of authority are not brave enough to correct this error, I have taken it upon myself to reveal the truth. I have chosen you because of your discriminating eye, your intelligence, and your ability to think outside of convention. ... Although you may never meet, the three of you will work together in ways none of us can predict.

If you show this to the authorities, you will most certainly be placing your life in danger...

The letter was not signed, and it had no return address.

Mary Elizabeth's Musings: How can that summary possibly make a single, living soul pass up the opportunity to read this book??? Doesn't that letter make you ready to read this book cover to cover in one sitting??
Well, when I first picked up Chasing Vermeer as a fifth-grade teacher several years ago, I was completely spellbound! Filled with mystery, suspense, art history, mathematics, and the great city of Chicago as its setting, I would have to say that this book did not receive the type of recognition I felt it deserved.
Ms. Balliett's literary style flows as beautifully as the story line. She takes a seemingly complicated plot along with enormous character development, and successfully weaves it into a unique and extremely satisfying reading experience.

Chasing Vermeer was the first book in a series of amazing art mysteries! As you might have guessed, I highly recommend the other two books that have followed:

Have you read one or more books in this series? Did you enjoy them as much as I did?

Book Blogger Appreciation Week :: Interview Swap with Aaron from "Coffee for the Brain"

2010-09-14T12:53:00.023-05:00

BBAW 2010

.: Meet Aaron from the blog, Coffee for the Brain :.

1. How long have you been blogging? What was the reason you began blogging?

a. I began blogging full time at the beginning of the school year, last year. I tested things out 2 years ago when I taught social studies and we were blogging back and forth with a school in Australia. I then took on a new job as a talented and gifted teacher and used the blog to stay in contact with the students in my building. I used to do book talks for sixth grade all the time and the blog has been my way to continue to review books for kids when I don’t have time in my schedule to book talk.

2. What do enjoy most about blogging? Least?

a. I love having an outlet to express my nerdiness. I have let my guard down and have made a fool of myself in several of my videos that I make for the students. Many teachers use my videos as an activity during homeroom. I present challenges and different opportunities for people to try out. I have formed some good relationships with some fellow bloggers as well as students in my building that I would never have a chance to meet without the blog.

b. My least favorite thing is keeping up on the blog. I try to post every day and there are times when that is next to impossible or there just is not anything worthy to post. I also hate it when I think I have some brilliant idea and it flat lines on the blog and nothing comes out it.

3. Your blog title, "Coffee for the Brain," is so cool! How did you come up with it?

a. Well, to be honest I don’t remember. I am known as Coffeechug at school. I was given that name back when I taught sixth grade by some students. I used that as my Roman Emperor name for a simulation and it has stuck and spread throughout my building. I drink coffee all day and am known for my massive thermos of Starbucks coffee. I tried to come up with a clever name implementing coffee and somehow, someway the title came to me. I wish I had a cool story to share, but I don’t.

4. What is your favorite book? How did this become your favorite book?

a. Of all time I would have to say, “Catcher in the Rye”. That is one of the few books that I have read multiple times. I don’t usually read books more than once as I feel there is so much great literature out there that I don’t have to time to read books again. However, I usually read this one every year. I think this book is my favorite because I remember buying it at a bookstore in high school during one of those pivotal adolescent moments we all go through. I was really trying to find myself as is Caulden in the novel. I was able to relate to him on so many levels back then. I don’t find it as engaging of a read anymore as I don’t connect quite the same way, but the nostalgia of the book for me always brings me back to reading it every fall. Some of my most recent favorite reads have to be Countdown by Deborah Wiles, Compound by S.A. Bodeen, Unwind by Neal Shusterman, and anything by John Green and Kurt Vonnegut. These books have yet to leave my top reading lists of all time no matter how many books I read each year.

5. Tell us a bit about your "offline" self - something we might not know just from your blog. (This can be a hobby, something about family life, etc...)

a. Great question! I should have used this myself. I played college basketball where I met my wife and how I ended up living in Iowa. I am from Indiana so I love Notre Dame football and Indiana basketball. I am training for several races to run this fall. I help run a Lego Robotics team that hopefully will make it to state this year. I have two children, 5 year old boy and 3 year old girl so being a parent of a kindergartner I have realizing is a lot of work. I am never satisfied with my current self so I am always setting new goals and challenges to tackle (competitive nature owns me!). I cannot read books that are creased or torn. When I buy a book it has to be in perfect shape. If a page gets crinkled I am not able to read it anymore. I am also a huge Dave Matthews Band fan. I have seen them in concert over 14 times and own literally thousands of bootleg concerts and own every single album released by them. I attend music concerts like no other usually getting in around 12 shows or more every year.

6. Describe yourself using seven adjectives or less!

a. Nerdy, tech-savvy, laid back, determined, caffeinated, zany.

Thanks, Aaron! Don't forget to visit his blog - it's full of all kinds of fun ... and caffeine for your brain, of course!

Literacy Tip #12 .: Developmental Milestones of Early Literacy / Part Four of Five :.

2010-09-10T11:14:00.001-05:00

Photo credit :: The Graphics Fairy ::

Today's literacy tip is part four of a five-part series on children's early interaction with books, designed to optimize your reading time with your little, little one(s). It is adapted from research provided by Reach Out and Read, an excellent resource for early literacy intervention.

** Note: Please keep in mind that every child develops at his or her own rate. This chart is simply a reference and is not intended to be a substitute for a doctor's advice. **

If your child is 24 - 36 months of age, here are some instrumental motor and cognitive skills he or she is capable of demonstrating from a literacy perspective:

learns to handle paper pages with care
goes back and forth in books to find favorite pictures
recites entire phrases, verbatim, from books; sometimes, even whole stories
coordinates text with pictures
corrects adult when reading aloud if a word is wrong
reads familiar books to self

Here is what you can do to maximize reading time with your 24 - 36 month old child:

continue using books in routines
read, read, read at bedtime
be willing to read the same story over and over
ask "what's that?"
relate books to child's life and experiences
provide crayons and paper in order to stretch reading experiences

Here are some literature suggestions for your 24 - 36 month-old child:

Enjoy this valuable reading time with your toddler!!!

Coming next Thursday :: Tips for reading time with your child who is 3 years and up ::

Wise Owl Wednesday #1 :: History of Censorship :: Part One

2010-09-08T16:52:00.003-05:00

Graphic credit :: Shabby Blogs

www.ala.org/bbooks

In honor of the upcoming Banned Books Week (Sept. 25 - Oct. 2, 2010), I thought I would share the history of literary censorship. I hope you find it as interesting as I did!!

Milestones in the History of Censorship (Part One):

411 B.C. - Works of Protagoras were burned in Athens.
387 B.C. - Plato suggested censorship of Homer's The Odyssey for young readers.
168 B.C. - Jewish library in Jerusalem was ravished during the Maccabean uprising.
1st century - Augustus exiled poets and banned their works.
A.D. 303 - Diocletian condemned and burned all Christian books.

Source: Through the Eyes of A Child: An Introduction to Children's Literature (5th Edition) by Donna E. Norton, copyright 1999 by Prentice-Hall, Inc.

Book Review (Revisited!) :: Who Will Haunt My House on Halloween?

2010-09-07T16:30:00.001-05:00

**This book review is part of a post that was originally published on 08 June 2010.**

Who Will Haunt My House on Halloween?
Written by Jerry Pallotta

Illustrated by David Biedrzycki

Published by Scholastic, Inc.

Summary: A sweet little girl has an eventful night answering her door as the trick-or-treaters arrive...and she's receiving some scary visitors, such as werewolves, zombies, and witches! Yikes!

Mary Elizabeth's Musings: This is definitely an enjoyable book to celebrate Halloween with your little, little ones! With easy prose to capture the attention of the very young, and stunning, colorful illustrations, you will find your children reaching for this book again and again for some frightful delights! The illustrations really make this book shine, due to their amazing, life-like images at the hand of David Biedrzycki.

I would recommend this book for ages 1 1/2 - 5 years old.

What My Child Is Reading :: Week of 6 September 2010

2010-09-07T10:12:00.001-05:00

I came across this wonderful meme, "What My Child Is Reading," over at my newest blogging discovery, Mouse Grows, Mouse Learns! Take a minute to peek inside this wonderful blog ... I know that I am super-thrilled to have found it!

Fall is most definitely in the "literature" air here in our little corner of the world! This is my favorite, favorite time of year, especially when sharing children's literature with my little ones.

We can be found reading all manner of books about apples, school, fall, leaves, and Halloween!

Here are our latest picks:

Who Will Haunt My House on Halloween?

Written by Jerry Pallotta

Illustrated by David Biedrzycki

Publisher's Summary: It's Halloween night. While a mother is upstairs getting her daughter's costume ready, lost of trick-or-treaters stop by the house - from werewolves, ghosts, and zombies to witches, bats, dinosaurs, and more! But are they really ... real?

Let It Fall

Written and Illustrated by Maryann Cocca-Leffler

Publisher's Summary: Mounds of color, raked up high - jump right in and watch the sky.

One Smart Cookie: Bite-Size Lessons for the School Years and Beyond

Written by Amy Krouse Rosenthal

Illustrated by Jane Dyer and Brooke Dyer

Publisher's Summary: One Smart Cookie offers a fresh batch of words that encompasses everything you might say to a child, whether it's the first day of preschool or the last day of high school. Cookie-centric definitions range from wanting to know everything about cookies (curious) to thinking carefully about what kind of cookies to make for your friend (ponder). This book mixes Amy Krouse Rosenthal's morsels of wisdom with the delicious illustrations of mother-daughter duo Jane Dyer and Brooke Dyer. This is one vocabulary list that will resonate well beyond the school years.

What have your children been reading lately??? I would love to know!!!

Book Blogger Hop Time!

2010-09-04T18:17:00.001-05:00

Book Blogger Hop time is here again, courtesy of Jennifer over at Crazy for Books!

This week's question is: Do you judge a book by its cover?

And my answer is ... a resounding YES!!!

Yep, folks, this avid reader and teacher is guilty of picking up a book based only on the cover illustration! I must say, however, that my intuition here has proven correct most of the time.

In fact, I discovered my absolute favorite series (pictured below) based upon the delicious cover illustrations!

The Complete Wreck (A Series of Unfortunate Events, Books 1-13)

The children's novel I just finished was swiped off of the library shelves only because I fell in love with the darling mouse on the cover! (Come on, admit it - she's adorable!!)

The story was just as heartwarming as the illustration, too!

So, yes, I do judge a book by its cover ... and I'm proud of it!!

Book Review #16 :: My Mother is So Smart!

2010-09-01T09:38:00.001-05:00

My Mother is So Smart!

by Tomie dePaola

Published by G.P. Putnam's Sons, a division of Penguin Young Readers Group

"I knew from the time I was really little that my mother was smart. She always knew when to change my diaper. She always knew I was hungry before I cried."

Publisher's Summary: Moms are pretty awesome. They know just what to do to make a kid happy and the world a better place. They are so smart! Tomie dePaola's heartfelt ode to the fabulousness of moms is a perfect book for the whole family to share.

Mary Elizabeth's Musings: How can anyone go wrong with a book by the simply marvelous Tomie dePaola??? This lovely book is no exception to Mr. dePaola's gift to the world of literature. Written from the absolutely unadulterated perspective of a little boy, this book reveals the many ways that mothers are able to know every last need of her child. Mr. dePaola's simple, yet always effective prose gives us a glimpse into the genius of his wonderful mother.

A message of warning to all mothers: Grab a tissue before reading this book ... you will cry!!!

I recommend this book for ages 3-8 years.

Other books by this author:

Back in the Blogging World!

2010-08-29T17:04:00.001-05:00

Hello, dear readers...

I'm officially back in the blogging world!

Where have I been??

Well, let's just say that August of 2010 was not the greatest month in the world for me. My husband's dear grandmother passed away, which was exceptionally difficult on our family. In addition, I underwent sinus surgery.

On the flip side, August marked our eldest son's start of the first grade. He is off to an amazing year!

I can't wait to dive back into children's literature with all of you!!!!

FINAL Mystery Friend Friday :: Meet Laura Numeroff!

2010-07-30T14:39:00.000-05:00

Hello, readers!!

Or to quote the lovely spider, Charlotte, from the classic book, Charlotte's Web :: "Salutations!"

Photo :: weheartit.com

You might have ~~not~~ noticed that I have been MIA most of this week ... I have taken a much-needed, impromptu blogging break. At home, we have been swamped (even more, if that's possible!) with summer activities, back-to-school errands, and a very, very sick relative who lives out of town.

In fact, I participated in last weekend's amazing "Got Books?" blogging event from a hotel room while visiting our sick relative! I will be honest ... at the moment, I am feeling extremely overwhelmed!

[Insert deep breath HERE, along with peaceful visual element to inspire readers ...]

Photo :: weheartit.com

Okay ... now that I'm feeling (a little) better, back to the [book] business at hand!

As a result of our last-minute weekend travelling and my unplanned break from the blogosphere, I realized I had not revealed last week's mystery children's author!! So ...

Meet the talented Laura Numeroff, the author of the incredibly successful "If You Give a Mouse ..." books!!!

Here are five facts you might not know about Laura Numeroff ... (information source - www.lauranumeroff.com):

She was born in Brooklyn, New York.
She is the youngest of three girls.
Her favorite possessions growing up were: a microscope, a box of 64 crayons, and her library card.
She loves oatmeal with bananas and raisins.
Some of her favorite books are: Stuart Little, Eloise, and anything by Beverly Cleary.

Ms. Numeroff has a very creative, interactive website for all of her readers, including kids, parents, and teachers. Take some time to explore the world of Laura Numeroff!!

** Special announcement: This will be my final "Mystery Friend Friday" post, unless I decide to bring it back at a later date. I just did not have the kind of response to this feature that I had hoped. No worries, though!! I have a brand-new weekly feature planned for Wednesdays that I will begin next week, so be sure to come back and take a peek!! **

Nonfiction Monday #2 :: The Handiest Things in the World by Andrew Clements

2010-07-26T09:20:00.000-05:00

Find some more children's nonfiction must-reads over at Shelf-employed this Monday!

:: This book review was part of a post originally published here on 22 July 2010 ::

The Handiest Things in the World

by Andrew Clements

Photographs by Raquel Jaramillo

Published by Atheneum Books for Young Readers, an imprint of Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing Division

"Of all the handy things there are,
the hand itself is best by far.
To grab, to hold, to pull or twist -
the hand itself is handiest."

Publisher's Summary: Eight fingers. Two thumbs. Two flat palms. And all those knuckles. But our hands are so much more than that. They were once the first pair of earmuffs, a primitive visor, and a convenient set of chopsticks. The work done by hands centuries and centuries ago paved the way for many of our favorite and most useful tools. The always-clever Andrew Clements reminds us all that the mother of much invention is right at our fingertips!

Mary Elizabeth's Musings: Delightful, colorful photographs combined with Mr. Clements' poetic verse make this book a gem to share with your little ones! Reminding us how truly spectacular our hands are, this book will inspire children to recognize the special work their hands do every day. Digging in the dirt, feeling the rain, counting, and reaching out to one another are just a "handful" of ways our hands bring us through each day.

I recommend this book for ages 2-6 years.

Got Books? Giveaway Winners!

2010-07-26T08:55:00.000-05:00

WOW!! What can I say about this weekend's huge book-blogging event?? It connected me with oodles and oodles of fellow book-lovers, incredible bookish blogs, exciting giveaways, AND grew my followers like weeds!!! I can't wait until next year's event!!!

And now, for the winners of my giveaways ...

Winner of The Tiny Seed by Eric Carle :: Vidisha from Love.Life.Friendship. ... CONGRATS!!!
Winner of Duck! Rabbit! by Amy Krouse Rosenthal and Owen & Mzee: The Language of Friendship by Isabella Hatkoff, Craig Hatkoff, and Dr. Paula Kahumbu :: Tabathia from A Mom Who Loves Her Kids & Loves to Read ... CONGRATS!!!

I will contact the winners by e-mail shortly! Thank you to everyone who participated in my giveaways and visited my blog during this incredible event!

Got Books? is Here!! Awesome Giveaway Time!!!

2010-07-22T23:33:00.000-05:00

I have two brand-new, hardcover children's books to give away!!

by Amy Krouse Rosenthal

by Isabella Hatkoff, Craig Hatkoff, and Dr. Paula Kahumbu

Both are published by Scholastic ... and both would make great additions to your home library!! I am giving them away as one package.

To enter this giveaway, please follow the guidelines below!!! Best of luck to all!!!

You MUST be a follower of A Novel Idea AND you must leave a comment about anything bookish on this post with your e-mail address.
For an additional entry, please leave an additional comment (with your e-mail address) telling me what your favorite children's picture book is and why.
This giveaway will run through Saturday, July 24, 2010 at 11:59 pm, CST.

** I also have another giveaway going on now that ends tonight ... click here for details and how to enter! **

Book Review #15 :: The Handiest Things in the World ::

2010-07-22T07:26:00.002-05:00

The Handiest Things in the World

by Andrew Clements

Photographs by Raquel Jaramillo

Published by Atheneum Books for Young Readers, an imprint of Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing Division

"Of all the handy things there are,
the hand itself is best by far.
To grab, to hold, to pull or twist -
the hand itself is handiest."

A Classic!

Not quite as well-known as Frindle, but one of my favorites by him!

And a few more of my personal recommendations by Mr. Clements ...

Clue #2 for Mystery Friend Friday :: Moose ::

"Got Books?" Event AND a Special Giveaway!!

2010-07-19T20:43:00.003-05:00

Got Books?, the long-anticipated book blogger event, is only a few days away!!!! What is this event all about, anyway??

As the official "Got Books?" website explains: "[It] is to celebrate book bloggers round the world by shining a light on their efforts, spreading the word about their sites for future follows on ... reading rounds, and have a little contest fun along the way!"

To celebrate the excitement, I would like to have a little "pre-giveaway" here this week at A Novel Idea!

To spotlight my latest literacy tips involving very, very early readers, I would like to give away my absolute favorite Eric Carle book, The Tiny Seed.

I have one board book copy, published by Scholastic, to give away to one lucky reader for their little "seed" who is learning to read!!

To enter this giveaway, please follow the guidelines below!!! Best of luck to all!!!

You MUST be a follower of A Novel Idea AND you must leave a comment about anything bookish on this post with your e-mail address.
For an additional entry, please leave an additional comment (with your e-mail address) telling me what your favorite Eric Carle book is and why.
This giveaway will run through Friday, July 23, 2010 at 11:59 pm, CST.

Clue #1 for Mystery Friend Friday :: Mouse ::

Literacy Tip #11 .: Developmental Milestones of Early Literacy / Part Three of Five :.

2010-07-16T15:17:00.004-05:00

Photo credit :: weheartit.com ::

Today's literacy tip is part three of a five-part series on children's early interaction with books, designed to optimize your reading time with your little, little one(s). It is adapted from research provided by Reach Out and Read, an excellent resource for early literacy intervention.

** Note: Please keep in mind that every child develops at his or her own rate. This chart is simply a reference and is not intended to be a substitute for a doctor's advice. **

If your child is 18 - 24 months of age, here are some instrumental motor and cognitive skills he or she is capable of demonstrating from a literacy perspective:

turns board book pages easily, one at a time
carries a book around the house
may use a particular book as a transitional or comfort object
names familiar pictures
reads to dolls or stuffed animals
recites parts of favorite or familiar stories
attention span varies widely

Here is what you can do to maximize reading time with your 18 - 24 month old child:

relate books to your child's experiences
use books as often as possible within routines, such as before bedtime
ask child "what's that?" ... be sure to give ample time for a response
pause and let your child complete sentences while reading

Here are some literature suggestions for your 18 - 24 month-old child:

Enjoy this valuable reading time with your toddler!!!

Coming next Thursday :: Tips for reading time with your 24 - 36 month-old child ::

Friday Book Blogger Hop :: The Book I Need to Get My Hands On...NOW!!!

2010-07-16T10:27:00.005-05:00

This week's question for the Friday Book Blogger Hop is: RIGHT THIS INSTANT, WHAT BOOK ARE YOU DYING TO GET YOUR HANDS ON (PAST, PRESENT, OR FUTURE)?

And my answer is ...

The Shadows

by Jacqueline West

Description from Indiebound.org: Old Ms. McMartin is definitely dead. Now her crumbling Victorian mansion lies vacant. When eleven-year-old Olive and her dippy mathematician parents move in, she knows there's something odd about the place--not least the walls covered in strange antique paintings. But when Olive finds a pair of old spectacles in a dusty drawer, she discovers the most peculiar thing yet: She can travel inside these paintings to a world that's strangely quiet . . . and eerily like her own Yet Elsewhere harbors dark secrets--and Morton, an undersized boy with an outsize[d] temper.

As she and Morton form an uneasy alliance, Olive finds herself ensnared in a plan darker and more dangerous than she could have imagined, confronting a power that wants to be rid of her by any means necessary. It's up to Olive to save the house from the dark shadows, before the lights go out for good.

Mary Elizabeth's Musings: I found this children's mystery through IndieBound.org just yesterday! While I am not familiar with this author, the story's introdcution sure has me hooked on this book already!! From the description above, it sounds a bit Coraline-esque with a smidgen of Chasing Vermeer and the Spiderwick Chronicles thrown in the mix ... I will be racing to the library today to snag a copy!!!

Book Review #14 :: Our Farm : By the Animals of Farm Sanctuary ::

2010-07-14T21:18:00.004-05:00

Our Farm: By the Animals of Farm Sanctuary

Poems by Maya Gottfried

Paintings by Robert Rahway Zakanitch

Published by Alfred A. Knopf, an imprint of Random House Children's Books

"Thank You by Hilda, a sheep

Thank you to the wind that cools

Thank you to the moonbeams that shine

Thank you to the field of wheat

and to the soft grass below

Thank you to the sunflowers that sway

Thank you to the sky above

Thank you to the kind hearts and hands

that brought me to my home"

Publisher's Summary: Welcome to our farm! J.D. the piglet, Diego the duck, Mayfly the rooster, Whitaker the calf, and their friends are all eager to meet you and to tell you their stories. So let's go! Let's head to the barn....

A Special Note from the Author: Founded in 1986, Farm Sanctuary provides shelter for neglected and abused farm animals. Whether a pig from a small farm that has been denied proper nutrition, a sheep that has been left for dead in a stockyard, or a chick that has been discarded by a factory farm, Farm Sanctuary speaks for those who cannot speak for themselves. ... Farm Sanctuary has threefold intentions: rescue, education, and advocacy. In the decades since its inception, Farm Sanctuary has saved thousands of animals and educated millions of people.

Mary Elizabeth's Musings: If the sweet, innocent eyes of the adorable lamb on the cover of this book refuse to tug at every corner of your heart, Ms. Gottfried's poetry surely will! Written in the voices of various farm animals who are real-life residents of Farm Sanctuary, a true life shelter for abused farm animals, this book of poems is certain to touch your soul and water your eyes. Ms. Gottfried's delicate, poetic voice combines beautifully with Mr. Zakanitch's watercolor paintings and pencil-and-ink drawings. Ms. Gottfried's volunteer work at the New York Farm Sanctuary shines through her dazzling, yet quiet verses that are written on behalf of these amazing creatures. This book is a touching treasure for all living beings, written to bring a voice to these animals who cannot speak for themselves.

This book is recommended for ages 6-10 years.

** To find out more about this peaceful sanctuary for farm animals, please visit the Farm Sanctuary Website. **

Other books by this author and illustrator:

Other books by this illustrator:

** Note: I will not be running the Mystery Friend Friday Feature this week. **

Mystery Friend Friday :: Meet Lemony Snicket ::

2010-07-14T07:19:00.000-05:00

The moment I began reading The Bad Beginning several years ago, I knew I was absolutely hooked on this series. Mr. Snicket's sarcastic tone had me laughing out loud from the beginning to the end of The Series of Unfortunate Events.

Here is a bit about Mr. Snicket, as written on his website:

"Lemony Snicket was born before you were, and is likely to die before you as well. His family has roots in a part of the country which is now underwater, and his childhood was spent in the relative splendor of the Snicket Villa which has since become a factory, a fortress and a pharmacy and is now, alas, someone else's villa. To the untrained eye, Mr. Snicket's hometown would not appear to be filled with secrets. Untrained eyes have been wrong before."

Besides the wildly popular series about the Baudelaire children, here are some other works by Mr. Snicket:

And coming in October 2010 ...

You can stay updated on Mr. Snicket and his work by visiting his website. Even though he would discourage visitors, I highly recommend you give it a look.

And, now, signing off in the spirit of Mr. Snicket ...

May you have the most pleasant day possible in these days of great unpleasantness,

Nonfiction Monday #1 :: Insect Detective by Steve Voake

2010-07-12T10:07:00.002-05:00

Visit Abby the Librarian to link up and find some quality non-fiction!!

:: This is part of a post originally published here on June 22, 2010 ::

Insect Detective

Written by Steve Voake

Illustrated by Charlotte Voake

Published by Candlewick Press

First U.S. Edition 2010

"Lift up a stone and you might see an earwig scuttle out. They like to hide in the damp and the dark. The pincers on the tips of their abdomens make them look kind of scary, but don't worry - they're completely harmless."

Mary Elizabeth's Musings: I must say that I am quite smitten with this book! Its watercolor illustrations pair beautifully with the rich prose, which is filled with exceptionally interesting insect facts. Giving children practical tips of finding and observing the world of insects around them, the author conveys a quiet message of respect for insects and their place in the ecosystem. Quite simply, this informative non-fiction book reads as smoothly as any children's fiction book. You will find it as fascinating as your child surely will!

Why I Recommend This Book: This gem of a book will encourage your child to observe the intricacies of the natural world right in their own backyard! After finishing this exceptional book, your child will be armed with the knowledge of how to unobtrusively explore the world of insects ... and he or she will be eager to do so as soon as you reach the back cover! I tremendously enjoyed this book - do yourself and your child a favor by grabbing it from your local library today!

Recommended for ages 5 - 9 years.

Literacy Tip #10 .: Developmental Milestones of Early Literacy / Part Two of Five :.

2010-07-09T10:44:00.001-05:00

Photo credit :: The Graphics Fairy ::

Today's literacy tip is part two of a five-part series on children's early interaction with books, designed to optimize your reading time with your little, little one(s). It is adapted from research provided by Reach Out and Read, an excellent resource for early literacy intervention.

** Note: Please keep in mind that every child develops at his or her own rate. This chart is simply a reference and is not intended to be a substitute for a doctor's advice. **

If your child is 12 - 18 months of age, here are some instrumental motor and cognitive skills he or she is capable of demonstrating from a literacy perspective:

sits without support
may carry book(s)
holds book with help
turns board pages, usually several at a time
no longer places book in mouth immediately
points at pictures with one finger
may "label" a particular picture by producing a specific sound for it
points when asked, "where's...?"
gives book to adult to read
may turn book right side up

Here is what you can do to maximize reading time with your 12 - 18 month old child:

respond to child's prompting to read
let your child lead the way through the reading session
be comfortable with the toddler's short attention span
ask "where's the...?", and allow your child to point to the object

Here are some literature suggestions for your 12 - 18 month-old child:

Enjoy this valuable reading time with your toddler!!!

Coming next Thursday :: Tips for reading time with your 18 - 24 month-old child ::

Final Clue for Mystery Friend Friday :: Sunny ::

As part of this week's fantastic "Book Blogger Hop," we were asked to answer who our favorite author is and why...

Since this blog is dedicated to children's literature, I would like to share who my favorite children's author is and why! This is really, really difficult for me, since I love so many different children's authors for so many different reasons ... but ... I think I would have to choose Margaret Wise Brown.

As far as children's picture books are concerned, she was (and still remains) one of the most talented authors of this genre ... ever. Her ability to capture the essence of writing for the young child was and still is unparalleled. Ms. Brown's picture books are the perfect blend of comfort, warmth, and safety for babies and toddlers around the globe.

My personal favorite book by Ms. Brown is Big Red Barn. It is a must-have for any young child's library!

.: The Versatile Blogger Award :.

2010-07-08T15:19:00.001-05:00

Thank you, thank you, thank you to Jen at Teach Mentor Texts for bestowing this award on my little blog!!!

I am particularly honored to receive this award from her, because she is a fellow teacher with whom I share the same philosophy of teaching reading to children. Check out her blog by clicking on the link above ... you will find it to be a vast resource of high-quality literary and teaching information!!!

Okay, now for the rules of this award:

1. Thank the person who gave you this award.

2. Share 7 things about yourself.

3. Pass the award along to 15 bloggers who you have recently discovered and who you think are fantastic for whatever reason! (in no particular order...)

4. Contact the bloggers you’ve picked and let them know about the award.

Seven Things About Myself:

1. I love, love, love to practice yoga. It greatly de-stresses me!

2. I love cats.

3. I have a terrible fear of drowning. When others express fear about sharks in the ocean, I don't cringe. I do, however, cringe at the thought of drowning.

4. I just had our fourth child this past January. She is absolutely beautiful!

5. I love to take naps!

6. My favorite TV show of all time is The Golden Girls. I own the entire series on DVD! I know that any time I watch it, I am guaranteed to belly laugh! Oh, and my favorite "Golden Girl" is Dorothy, played by the late (and incredibly talented) Bea Arthur.

7. I love all manner of things related to fall and Halloween - apples, pumpkins, falling leaves, ghosts, goblins, and witches ... just to name a few!!!

And here are the fifteen blogs to whom I am passing along this award:

1. My Lily Eden

2. Mandy's Yellow Corner

3. A Journey to a Simple Happy Life

4. Carole Anne Carr

5. The Adventures of an Intrepid Reader

6. Shabby Blogs

7. Moments With Love

8. Organic Family Living Blog

9. Miss O's Library Land

10. 'Til We Read Again

11. Twelve Crafts Till Christmas

12. Kind Over Matter

13. Jane's Apron

14. Jenny Matlock

15. Twee Poppets Review and Giveaway

I hope you can take a little time to check out the blogs I awarded ... they are some of my faves!!!

Clue #2 for Mystery Friend Friday :: Klaus ::

Book Review #13 :: The Secret Circus by Johanna Wright ::

2010-07-06T22:24:00.001-05:00

The Secret Circus

Written and Illustrated by Johanna Wright

Published by Roaring Book Press

"Somewhere, deep in the city of Paris, there is a circus that is so small, and so secret ... only the mice know how to find it."

Publisher's Summary: Somewhere, deep in the city of Paris, is a circus so small and so secret that only the mice know how to find it. Do you want to know what happens there? Get under the covers with this book and a flashlight and find out. But sssshhhh! Don't tell anybody. It's a secret.

Mary Elizabeth's Musings: Where has this little book been hiding?? It is absolutely glorious and endlessly delightful!! Before going any further, I must disclose that I love all things Paris ... so I am a bit partial to the setting. However, the setting is an integral part of this lovely piece of literature. Written in soothing, repetitive prose, this book begs to be read aloud again and again to eager toddlers. Ms. Wright beckons the reader into the mice's secret world within Paris through her exceptional use of repetitive language. The illustrations are beautifully reminiscent of the Babar book series, and gracefully reveal the beauty of Paris in luminous echoes of light within Ms. Wright's artwork. This is a perfect bedtime book to lull your sleepy little ones to sleep.

This book is recommended for ages 1 - 4 years.

If you love the beautiful city of Paris as I do, here are some other book recommendations:

Clue #1 for Mystery Friend Friday :: Violet ::

.: This post is a part of "Tot Tuesdays" held at Delicious Ambiguity :.

Mystery Friend Friday :: Meet Children's Author Amy Krouse Rosenthal ::

2010-07-03T09:59:00.000-05:00

.: Meet Children's Author, Amy Krouse Rosenthal :.

I became a HUGE fan of Ms. Rosenthal this past January after reading her book on motherhood, The Mother's Guide to the Meaning of Life: What Being a Mom Has Taught Me About Resiliency, Guilt, Acceptance, and Love (Guides to the Meaning of Life).

I could hardly put it down! It was full of laughter, wisdom, and acceptance, which are all reflections of this incredibly talented author as a person. She is not only super-creative, but she is a true humanitarian.

You must check out her blog, MISSion Amy K.R.. I follow it religiously, and I am astounded week after week at her genuine mission to spread kindness around the globe.

Here are a few of her children's books (and, yes, they are as cute as they look!). Check them out!!!

You can also visit a post I wrote on my other blog, Ten Thousand Hugs, about Ms. Rosenthal! Just click here!

P/S ... I am also hosting a giveaway on my other blog! Click here to enter!

Happy 4th of July, everyone!!!

Be sure to link up below with this super-cool linky party!!

Book Review #12 - The Seer of Shadows by Avi

2010-06-30T14:53:00.005-05:00

The Seer of Shadows

Written by Avi

Published by HarperCollins Children's Books

202 pages

This book is recommended for ages 9 - 12 years.

More page-turners and spine-tinglers I recommend by Avi:

Clues #2 and #3 for Mystery Friend Friday :: Always Trust Magic and Bite-size Lessons ::

**For the comments section: What are your favorite ghost stories? **

weheartit.com

Boys' Book Pack Giveaway Winner :: AND Meet Lois Ehlert .: Last Week's Mystery Friend :.

2010-06-28T21:48:00.000-05:00

Congrats to M.A. Noeth for winning the Boys' Book Pack in honor of Father's Day! Please be sure to visit her darling children's literature blog, Small Books 4 Big World!!!

** I wanted to give everyone an update on why I went MIA last Friday. I know that was a terrible time to not post here with a giveaway ending and Mystery Friend Friday at hand, but my husband's dear grandmother is very, very ill with cancer. Our family is extremely close to her; in fact, we named our dear little baby girl, Naomi, born this past January, after this lovely woman. We are not sure how much longer she has to live, so we had to make a trip to see her this past weekend to say our goodbyes. Thank you for your support ... I absolutely love all of my blogging friends and appreciate your thoughts and prayers! **

And now ... meet Lois Ehlert, one of the most creative and innovative children's illustrators of our time!!! Ms. Ehlert is most well-known for her distinctive nature and collage artwork.

Here are a few of my personal favorites by Ms. Ehlert:

In 1989, Ms. Ehlert received the remarkable Caldecott Honor Award for her book, Color Zoo.

You can learn more about Ms. Ehlert's artwork and life here!

** Clue #1 for this week's Mystery Friend :: A.K.R. :: **

Psssst ... be sure to check out my other blog, Ten Thousand Hugs, tomorrow for a giveaway! Just click on the button below to get there!!

Update

2010-06-26T22:48:00.000-05:00

This is a quick post to all of my readers - my family and I had to go out of town this weekend unexpectedly due to a sick relative who is fading quickly.

Hopefully, I will be able to post our "mystery friend" from Friday and the winner of my giveaway on Sunday night; if not, I will have this site updated on Monday morning for sure. I am sorry for the delay. Thank you for your understanding!

Literacy Tip #9 .: Developmental Milestones of Early Literacy / Part One of Five :.

2010-06-24T21:29:00.002-05:00

weheartit.com

Today's literacy tip is part one of a five-part series on children's early interaction with books, designed to optimize your reading time with your little, little one(s). It is adapted from research provided by Reach Out and Read, an excellent resource for early literacy intervention.

If your child is 6 - 12 months of age, here are instrumental motor and cognitive skills he or she is capable of demonstrating from a literacy perspective:

reaches for book(s)
puts book(s) to mouth
sits in your lap, holding head and neck steady
turns pages with your help
looks at pictures in book(s)
vocalizes reactions to pictures
shows a strong preference for real-life pictures of faces, rather than cartoons

Here is what you can do to maximize reading time with your 6 - 12 month old child:

cuddle / hold your child comfortably on your lap
allow your baby to lead the reading session by following his or her cues to turn pages or to stop reading
point to and give names to objects and people in pictures

Board books are an excellent choice for meeting infants' literacy needs!

Here are just a few of my suggestions:

Happy reading with your baby!

Coming next Thursday :: Tips for reading time with your 12 - 18 month-old child ::

Final clue for Mystery Friend Friday :: cool collage art ::

Giveaway Still Going On :: Don't Miss Out! ::

2010-06-23T15:27:00.000-05:00

Hey you! Yeah, YOU!!

Did you forget to enter my Father's Day book pack giveaway???

Well...you still have a few days to enter!

Just click here for the details!

**Why not join up with this great link party I just discovered over at the blog, Take It From Me? Click on the button below to join in the fun!!**

Clue #3 for Mystery Friend Friday :: collage art ::

.: Welcome, new visitors! I am so happy you are here! If you want to find out more about "Mystery Friend Friday," just scroll back up to the Peanuts cartoon located below my header. Details about this weekly feature (and others) are right below it! :.

Book Review #11 - Insect Detective

2010-06-22T18:46:00.001-05:00

Insect Detective

Written by Steve Voake

Illustrated by Charlotte Voake

Published by Candlewick Press

First U.S. Edition 2010

Publisher's Summary: Right now, all around you, thousands of insects are doing strange and wonderful things: wasps are building their nests, ants are collecting food, and dragonflies are readying for the hunt. But it's not always so easy to catch sight of these six-legged creatures...Become an insect detective and find out just what the insects around you are up to!

Mary Elizabeth's Musings: I must say that I am quite smitten with this book! Its watercolor illustrations pair beautifully with the rich prose, which is filled with exceptionally interesting insect facts. Giving children practical tips of finding and observing the world of insects around them, the author conveys a quiet message of respect for insects and their place in the ecosystem. Quite simply, this informative non-fiction book reads as smoothly as any children's fiction book. You will find it as fascinating as your child surely will!

Why I Recommend This Book: This gem of a book will encourage your child to observe the intricacies of the natural world right in their own backyard! After finishing this exceptional book, your child will be armed with the knowledge of how to unobtrusively explore the world of insects ... and he or she will be eager to do so as soon as you reach the back cover! I tremendously enjoyed this book - do yourself and your child a favor by grabbing it from your local library today!

Recommended for ages 5 - 9 years.

Also by this author:

Also by this illustrator:

** Clue #2 for Mystery Friend Friday :: Apple Pie Tree :: **

It's Monday...What Are You Reading?

2010-06-21T07:46:00.003-05:00

It's Monday again...and time for a round-up of what we're all reading! Thank you, Sheila, over at One Person's Journey Through a World of Books for hosting this great link party!!!

My pile of books grows and grows...

From My Mailbox for Review:

Children's Novel I Just Finished:

Awesome read - upcoming review!!!

Next Children's Novel to Read:

Some of What I've Been Reading With My Children:

** Clue #1 for Mystery Friend Friday :: Leaf Man :: **

Dads - Time to Snuggle Up and Read to Your Little Ones!

2010-06-20T20:36:00.000-05:00

Happy Father's Day!!!

Here are a few children's literature suggestions for Father's Day...so snuggle up with your little ones, Dads, and read away!!!!

With your really, really little ones (Ages birth - 2 years)...

With your "bigger" little ones (Ages 2-4 years)...

With your even bigger little ones (Ages 4-7 years)...

And some chapter books to share with your older reader (Ages 8 years and up)...

:: What are some literature suggestions you have to celebrate a father's love? ::

Mystery Friend Friday - Meet Brandon Mull!

2010-06-18T23:37:00.000-05:00

This Friday's Mystery Friend is none other than Brandon Mull, author of the incredibly popular fantasy series, Fablehaven.

Mr. Mull is also the author of The Candy Shop War and Pingo...have you read these books yet?

Be sure to visit Mr. Mull's magical website to find out all about this exciting author, a father of three children, who says that he always secretly wanted to write books! Well, now he's doing that fabulously, isn't he?

His enchanting website invites readers to explore the Fablehaven preserve, learn all about his work, and follow his upcoming book releases and tours. He even offers his book recommendations!! Wow!! Check it out!!

**For the comments section :: Have you or your children read the Fablehaven series? If so, what did you think of it?**

Literacy Tip #8 - Help Your Child Find a Favorite Author and Illustrator :: AND A GIVEAWAY!!!

2010-06-17T23:06:00.042-05:00

I began a weekly feature on this blog a few weeks ago that showcases a different childrens' author or illustrator each Friday.

Have you noticed it?

I call it "Mystery Friend Friday," and I give clues throughout the week to pique your (and, hopefully, your children's) interest in who the special author or illustrator will be. I began this feature for a specific reason...and that leads me to today's literacy tip!

We all have our favorite authors, book and movie genres, actors and actresses (the list goes on and on)...and our children are no different! I, personally, have a repertoire of certain children's authors and illustrators whose writing and artwork, respectively, I enjoy to such degree that I will read anything and everything they write and/or illustrate. How about you?

For example, I will read anything written by Margaret Wise Brown, Cynthia Rylant, Lemony Snicket, Cornelia Funke, Andrew Clements, E.L. Konigsburg, Beverly Cleary, Judy Blume, and Avi...just to name a few! Children's illustrators whose work I adore include: Lois Ehlert, Tomie dePaola, Rosemary Wells, Melissa Sweet, Maurice Sendak, Carin Berger, Arnold Lobel, and Eric Carle (again, I have to stop myself here!).

The sheer thrill I experience from picking up new or undiscovered books from the aforementioned authors and illustrators is incredibly exciting and fulfilling, and seeing my own children experience this type of enjoyment is amazing.

If your child has not found a favorite author or illustrator yet, introduce him or her to some of your favorites in the world of children's literature! Point out the similiarities in the prose, writing style, patterns, and illustrations of a certain author or illustrator, and he or she will eventually find a favorite! Consequently, this expands your child's thirst and excitement of reading. What a positive way to build your child's love of literature!

Now, how about this week's final clue for Mystery Friend Friday? It is...Seth.

It's time for another giveaway here at A Novel Idea!!!

One lucky reader will win a Boy's Book Pack in honor of Father's Day...since all fathers were once boys! The pack includes the following four brand-new, paperback books from Scholastic:

and Superfudge by Judy Blume (same edition as above).

You must be a follower of this blog to enter this giveaway. Additional entries may be obtained by doing the following:

Become a follower of my other blog, Ten Thousand Hugs.
Leave a comment that shares your favorite children's author and/or illustrator.
Grab my button and place it on your blog!

Please leave a comment on this post for each entry, including your e-mail address with each one!

This giveaway is open until Friday, June 25th at 11:59 pm CST. Open only to U.S. residents.

Best of luck!

Friday has some awesome link parties and memes!

Join the fun below...