Falling for Rapunzel

written by Leah Wilcox and illustrated by Lydia Monks
grades k-3

Rapunzel is having a bad hair day- her hair has lost its shine! Misinterpreting her whine for a plea for help, the Prince "sallies forth to set her free." The silliness mounts as her inability to hear the Prince's requests correctly leads to all sorts of misunderstandings. All that the Prince wants is for her to throw down her hair and instead he gets, well, everything else. He calls for her to send down her curly locks and she throws down dirty socks. He calls for her hair and ends up covered in pairs of frilly underwear; his cries for a ladder end up with a face full of pancake batter. The Prince certainly gets all of the things that he is asking for, if only Rapunzel would hear it correctly. Rapunzel is thrilled when at last she thinks that she understands what the Prince is asking her for- but does she?

This twist on the traditional Rapunzel fairytale is clever and entertaining. Falling for Rapunzel is precisely what a fairytale, albeit a silly one, should be. The vivid illustrations, rhyming text, and silly predicaments make this book at once delightful and whimsical. This book is a reminder that what we expect and what we get are often very different things, but the outcome can be delightful.

Tuesday

Tuesday
by David Wiesner
Ages 3 and up

Tuesday around eight something mysterious starts to happen; the frogs begin to fly on their lily pads. This book has has few words, but the pictures are adorable. The frogs are like aliens exploring the world of the humans, yet have human reactions and characteristics. As dawn approaches, the magic of flying ends, but what happens next Tuesday around eight?

I read this book many years ago, but recently was able to reread it and laughed hard at the pictures. Small details in the photos are what makes this book come to life. This 1992 Caldecott winner is most enjoyable.

Me First

written by Helen Lester and illustrated by Lynn Munsinger
grades- k-3

Pinkerton Pig just has to be first at everything- especially during a trip to the beach with his scout troop. While playing at the beach, Pinkerton hears someone calling, "would anyone care for a sandwich?" Immediately, he hurries to be the first to get a delicious snack. Little does he know, but he will be caring for a Sand Witch, not enjoying a sandwich. In the rush to be first, he learns that being first is not always best.

This hilarious lesson of poor manners and piggishness is sure to elicit giggles. Clever and fun, Munsinger brings Lester's characters to life with her imaginative illustrations.

For You Are a Kenyan Child

written by Kelly Cunnane and illustrated by Ana Juan
age range- 3-7 years

After the rooster crows and the sun rises over eucalyptus trees filled with doves, a young Kalenjin boy eats his morning maize porridge. After breakfast, his Mama sends him to tend to Grandfather's cows. In the fresh morning air, the boy feels the pull of adventure and leaves the cows. Although he intends to only be gone for a moment, he finds the day full of excitement and friends. Chasing monkeys, visiting the village chief, drinking milk sweetened with crushed charcoal fresh from a gourd, and having a bug for a snack are a few of the day's activities. Will trouble finally catch up to him when he realizes that he has left the cows alone for so long?

This is such an immensely satisfying picture book; the illustrations are rich and clear and the text is lyrical. There is a certain musical quality to the writing in this book. Peppered with Swahili, it is so easily imagine oneself in a small village in this beautiful country. For You Are a Kenyan Child illustrates the aspects in which we are different, but more importantly, the ways in which we are alike.

Make Four Million Dollar$ By Next Thursday

Make Four Million Dollar$ By Next Thursday
By Stephen Manes
Ages 8-13

Jason Nozzle is an ordinary kid, whose allowance is not enough, and wants to be a multimillionaire. Dr. K. Pinkerton Silverfish wrote a book “Make Four Million Dollar$ by Next Thursday.” Jason finds this book and decided it sounds like a good scheme to get rich quick. Jason thinks about getting rich. He could buy anything he wanted. Jason follows the weird instructions by Dr. K. Pinkerton Silverfish, because he knows that he will be rich by next Thursday. What is the secret to getting rich quick? Read and find out.

This book provides laughter and interest for the most reluctant readers.

I Stink!

written by Kate and Jim McMullan
ages: 2-8

When you're a garbage truck, you can be sure that you probably stink. This big city garbage truck gobbles up everything from apples to leftover ziti with zucchini. Yum!

I Stink is a silly romp through the interesting (and sometimes gross) work of a garbage truck in a big city. Every kid (okay, and grown up too) in your family will love reading and listening to this rhyming, jiving book.

The Fiji Flood

The Fiji Flood
By Irene Schultz
Ages- 7-11

The Woodland family is taking a family vacation to Fiji. They are excited to swim in the colorful island and snorkel. When they arrive, a huge storm has caused flooding and mud slides. The vacation is full of unplanned adventures as they travel across the island to the hotel and have to return early to the airport. The family takes disappointing situations and makes it exciting and fun

This is a great chapter book for younger readers who enjoy adventures and mystery. I enjoyed this book because the author includes helpful hints of the pronunciation, in a unique way, for difficult words that allows the reader to not feel dumb. I love the messages in this book. The author allows the characters to practice having a good attitude during tough situations. The Woodland family has many adventures in other books which makes a great series to enjoy reading.

Cinder Edna

Written by Ellen Jackson and illustrated by Kevin O'Malley
ages k-5

Cinder Edna and Cinder Ella live next door to one another. While both are forced to work long hours, toiling away while their stepmothers and stepsisters enjoy a leisurely existence, they have a very different way of viewing their circumstances. Cinder Ella spends her time pondering her existence and the troubles which have been heaped on her. Cinder Edna has a completely different attitude towards the work that she is forced to do; she improves herself, learning, and whistling while she works. While both girls end up going to the Royal ball, Cinder Ella is helpless without the help of a fairy godmother; Cinder Edna already has a dress on layaway just for this sort of occasion. Instead of a pumpkin coach, Cinder Edna goes by bus. Rather than wearing glass slippers (who can dance in glass slippers!) Edna wear sensible loafers. The girls meet two very different princes at the ball and marry- but only one will truly have her happily ever after. And although one girl ends up in the palace and the other in a small cottage with solar heating, it just proves that love and happiness come from embracing who you really are.

A twist on the traditional Cinderella story, Cinder Edna is clever and quirky. The book answers the age old questions: how did Cinderella really dance in those glass slippers and whose idea was it to try shoes on everyone's feet when the prince could have asked her name instead? The perfect book to cure the bedtime fairytale blues.

Meet Rebecca (American Girl Collection, Rebecca #1)

written by Jacqueline Dembar Greene
grades 2-4 (and their Moms)

Rebecca Rubin is a nine year-old Jewish girl growing up in New York City in 1914. She wants to be an actress, although her traditional parents and grandparents think that this is not an appropriate aspiration for a young lady; they want her to become a teacher instead. Rebecca's family is working hard to make a successful life in America. When Rebecca and her family learn of the hardships of her cousins still living in Russia, her passion becomes helping them find a way to come to America- and safety. Spunky Rebecca puts on a show on the front stoop of their apartment building to make money to help with her cousin's boat fare, only to be met with reprimand from her family. Still determined to help her family in Russia escape to America, Rebecca finds another unexpected way to help.

American Girl has become synonymous with well-written historical fiction for children. Researched thoroughly, Meet Rebecca also includes a section entitled "Looking Back," about Jewish immigration and culture. Rebecca is a charming addition to the American Girl series; strong-willed and intelligent, she is a girl to be admired.

School is Starting!

Great questions to ask your child’s teacher!

What program are you using to help teach reading?
Often districts and school mandate certain programs, but good teacher realize supplementing the instruction is important. Every program is going to be lacking something and is not perfect. A good reading program needs to include phonics, word study, comprehension, fluency, and writing.

How are you incorporating writing in your classroom?
Studies are showing that students are writing less and less in the classrooms. Younger grades need to be writing as well. A child doesn’t have to have perfect grammar, spelling, or format; Students need to be communicating even if it means through pictures.

What is the curriculum for the ____ grade?
It doesn’t hurt to know what students are studying in the different disciplines (language arts, math, social studies, and science). There are many ways to reinforce subjects in the home by having discussions and finding out more what your child is learning. Take it to the next level of your child wanting to learn more. Feed them!

What are your classroom manners (procedures, rules, expectations)?
I prefer to call them manners because it focuses on students learning the appropriate manners needed for classrooms and schools. Each teacher has different pet peeves that drive them crazy.

This doesn’t include the basic questions such as: How is the discipline handled in your room? How can I reach you (email, phone) or how are you communicating with parents? What are your rewards? What behaviors are not acceptable in the classroom? What supplies do you need? How much homework do you give? When is it assignments due? Etc….