Operation PJ
Press Release: by Michelle Heston, Fairmont Hotels & Resorts
Fairmont Hotels & Resorts of the US West Create Sweet Dreams with Pajama Program’s “Open Your Heart” Valentine’s Campaign
SONOMA VALLEY, CA January 2010 – Fairmont Hotels & Resorts of the US West partnered with the Pajama Program’s OPEN YOUR HEART Campaign will deliver warm sleepwear and nurturing books to children in need. Celebrating its fourth year of participation, participating Fairmont properties which include the Fairmont San Francisco, the Fairmont San Jose, the Fairmont Newport Beach, the Fairmont Miramar Hotel & Bungalows, the Fairmont Scottsdale, the Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn & Spa, the Fairmont Heritage Place, and Ghirardelli Square (San Francisco) hope to collect thousands of new pajamas, books and cash donations from guests, employees and community members on Friday, February 12, 2010 at each of the above properties. Read more
Black History Month, 2010: Kids’ Books
By Bianca Schulze, The Children’s Book Review
Published: January 11, 2010
It’s February. It’s Black History Month. It’s the perfect time to look back at some amazing contributions to American history and to look forward to the many stunning offerings of children’s literature by African-Americans.
Last year was the first year that we created a list of books in recognition of Black History Month—it boasts 20 fabulous pieces of work. Here are our newest additions to the growing list: Read more
Earth Hour 2009 & Green Sugar Press
Vote Earth For Earth Hour
With the goal of 1 billion people switching off their lights as part of a global vote, Vote Earth is a global call to action for every individual, every business and every community. A call to stand up and take control over the future of our planet. You can participate by turning your lights out for one hour at 8.30pm on March 28.
In December 2009 world leaders meet in Copenhagen to agree on a post-Kyoto policy for tackling climate change. One billion people voting with their light switch during Earth Hour will create a powerful mandate for our leaders to take strong and decisive action on climate change in Copenhagen.
Participating in Earth Hour is really a no-brainer, but finding books to raise environmentally aware children can be a little more difficult. That’s where Green Sugar Press comes in. Their mission is to provide books to grow green minds for a better today and a stronger tomorrow.
An Environmental Guide from A to Z
by Tim Magner (author) and Aubri Vincent-Barwood (illustrator)
Reading level: Ages 8 – 13
Hardcover: 48 pages
Publisher: Green Sugar Press
What to expect: Nature, Natural History, Ecology, Earth Sciences, and Alphabet
Using a simple alphabetical format, Tim Magner delivers very detailed facts about the environment and how they all link together, in a very informative and easy to digest way. Every page contains important information — G is for Greenhouse Gases — and is then followed with a Did you Know? component which explains things such a composting. There are also open ended questions to allow for exploration, experimentation, and thoughtful or contemplative reflection — “How many different types of insects can you count exploring your backyard or nearby park?”
“Our objective was to create a reading experience to inspire young explorers to open their minds to the wonders of the world and to the amazing nature right out their backdoor,” says Tim Magner. “If we can only get kids to unplug their electronics long enough to give nature a chance. Nature provides all the answers we need.”
by Tim Magner (author) and Mike Nudleman (illustrator)
Reading level: Ages 5 – 9
Hardcover: 48 pages
Publisher: Green Sugar Press
What to expect: Nature, Natural History, Ecology, and Alphabet
Just like in An Environmental Guide from A to Z, Tim Magner manages to spread the news about our environment and its animals using the alphabet in a clear and concise manner, however, more simplified for its intended younger audience. The illustrations by Mike Nudelman are very clever and provide a very stimulating effect — each page is dedicated to a letter of the alphabet and is inspired by the topic, making the information more appealing to our younger more visual readers.
Earl the Earthworm Digs for His Life
by Tim Magner (author) and Lindsay Knapp (illustrator)
Reading level: Ages 5 – 9
Hardcover: 48 pages
Publisher: Green Sugar Press
What to expect: Earthworms, Nature, Natural History, and Earth Sciences
Who knew that an earthworm’s purpose was connected to the health and survival of trees, plants, and many animals? Learning about earthworms was never something I pondered, but it was fun and interesting when the earthworm had a name, Earl. This is a credible fiction book with real fun facts which add depth to the story. This book is educational like the two books mentioned above, but is more specific to one area of learning. There is a glossary of words included which will certainly prove to be useful — Oligochaetologists: Scientists who study worms.
Scat: Carl Hiaasen
by Carl Hiaasen
Reading level: Ages 10 and up
Hardcover: 384 pages
Publisher: Knopf Books for Young Readers (January 27, 2009)
Six pages in and I was hooked on this contemporary new novel by the highly acclaimed author Carl Hiaasen. This book is full of snappy one-liners and fun references to Hiaasen’s hometown, Florida. Scat deals with so many ‘real’ aspects of today’s young teens — Nick, one of the leading characters, is dealing with his father being in the Army Reserve. The book also deals with age-old teen elements, such as: friends, fitting in, a hint of young love, and most importantly (for this story) … awful school teachers.
Mrs. Starch is a ghastly teacher. All of the kids loathe her. When she doesn’t return from a field trip to the Black Vine Swamp, questions arise. Is she really dealing with a “family emergency” like the authorities are saying? Is she missing? Does the class bully and outcast have something to do with her leave of absence/disappearance? Nick and Marta become determined to uncover the truth. This alone makes a great plot for a story, but I’ve only told you about half of the story. The other half — or the real message, if I may — involves political matters: endangered species (the Florida panther plays a large part in the story), animal cruelty, the human-race, and even a gentle reminder to just say no! to drugs and alcohol.
With lines like ” … bull ants chewed up my butt cheeks pretty fierce … “, Hiassen has managed to use faultless juvenile humor to deliver another great story, applying sensitivity in all of the right places. Thumbs-up!
Links: Carl Hiassen’s website.
Hiaasen’s column at the Miami Herald.
Review by The Happy Nappy Bookseller.
Review by Help Readers Love Reading!
Review by Books for Kids Blog.
Note: At the time of this post, Scat is number two on the NY Times best selling chapter book list.
Add this book to your collection: Scat
Enjoy this video where Carl Hiaasen talks about Scat …
Children’s Inauguration
To have early childhood literacy at the forefront of the next education agenda is the goal of many. Primrose Schools, a nationwide preschool franchise, is doing something about it. This Saturday they will be donating $200K to Reach Out and Read – a national non-profit organization that promotes early literacy by giving new books to children and advice to parents about the importance of reading aloud in pediatric exam rooms across the nation. The donation will be followed by an inauguration-focused curriculum in all Primrose preschools the next week. In celebration they have put together a wonderful video of children talking about what they want for the American children. Please support them for actively pursuing a goal that would be beneficial to so many of us and visit their site. Take a look and a listen to the wonderful video and audio clips they have put together: http://www.primroseschools.com/200wishes/
Book List: Veterans Day 2008
by Eve Bunting (Author), Ronald Himler (Illustrator)
Reading level: Ages 4-8
Paperback: 32 pages
Publisher: Sandpiper (August 24, 1992)
Synopsis: A young boy and his father visit the Vietnam Veterans Memorial.
Reading level: Ages 4-8
Hardcover: 40 pages
Publisher: Sleeping Bear Press (August 1, 2006)
Synopsis: Written by the son of a career officer, this book explores the branches of the Armed Services and speaks from the heart about the honor, privileges and sacrifices of military families everywhere. Children will discover why drill sergeants have to be so tough, what it means to be patriotic and why we need Special Forces such as the Navy SEALS, the Green Berets and the Army Rangers. “H is for Honor” also explains why the annual Army/Navy football game is more that just a game, how much letters from home mean to soldiers, how often military families have to move and what life on base is like. With an underlying message of courage and commitment that every child can relate to, the book will be espcially meaningful to those whose parents, siblings or other relatives serve in the Armed Forces. Read more
Barack Obama Elected President
Want to know what Barack Obama has to do with children’s literature? Check out the following links:
- 100 Scope Notes has a video of Obama supporting children’s literature.
- A Children’s Inauguration of President Barack Obama. Learn more at A Fuse #8 Production.
- Book review of Barack Obama: Son of Promise, Child of Hope.
Okay, so the type may be too small for you to read all of the names, but I am sure you will get the idea.
My Dad, John McCain: Meghan McCain
by Meghan McCain (Author), Dan Andreasen (Illustrator)
Reading level: Ages 5-10
Hardcover: 32 pages
Publisher: Aladdin (September 2, 2008)
Much time has passed since I received my presidential candidate books at the store – Barack Obama: Son of Promise, Child of hope, and My Dad John McCain. After reviewing the book about Barack Obama last month, I have realized that I am (unintentionally) running out of time to review the opposition. So here goes …
My Dad John McCain shows his progression from a boy who struggled with rules, to one who conformed to his ideals based around his commitment to his country. A large part of the book is based around his family’s military background and his “destiny” to serve his country. If your goal is to provide your child with a history of John McCain, you will most likely be pleasantly surprised. His daughter, Meghan McCain, has done a pretty good job at kiddie proofing her father’s time as a prisoner of war, and the illustrations are nicely done. But as a stand alone story (politics aside) it doesn’t really grab me. As one writer stated (which I agree with): “New picture books about presidential hopefuls John McCain (My Dad, John McCain by Meghan McCain) and Barack Obama (Nikki Grimes’s Barack Obama: Son of Promise, Child of Hope) are adulatory, strictly on-message, and best thought of as souvenirs for adult collectors.”
Links: An article by The Huffington Post.
Picture Book People for Obama
Disclaimer: I’m Australian, therefore I can’t vote in the 2008 US election! I first came across this poster, by Picture Book People for Obama, via A Fuse #8 Production. It has been designed to share – printed, used as a desktop image, sent via email, or downloaded to your blog or website. Here is a list of the contributing illustrators:
- Marissa Moss
- Thacher Hurd
- Paul Meisel
- Elizabeth Gomez
- Elisa Kleven
- Barbara Lavallee
- Maria van Lieshout
- Daniel San Souci
- Jane Wattenberg
- Laura Cornell
- Christy Hale
- Katherine Tillotson
- Lisa Brown
- Julie Downing
- Teri Sloat
- Karen Barbour
- Roni Shepherd
- Arthur Dorros
- M. Sarah Klise
- Yuyi Morales
- Ashley Wolff
- Susan Guevara
Barack Obama: Son of Promise, Child of Hope
Barack Obama: Son of Promise, Child of Hope
by Nikki Grimes (Author), Bryan Collier (Illustrator)
Reading level: Ages 4-8
Hardcover: 48 pages
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing (August 26, 2008)
Barack Obama: Son of Promise, Child of Hope is an endearing book about hope, courage and one man’s amazing journey though life. The story is written by Nikki Grimes, and is told from the standpoint of a mother talking to her son. She tells him the story of a man named Barack Obama, who was also known as Barry during his childhood. While the words “extravagantly emotional” enter my mind, I believe that this will be a very sentimental and inspirational book for many. No matter what the outcome is for the 2008 presidential election, Barack Obama has found his way into history, and I think this book definitely serves it purpose.
Links: In case you read my post Obama vs McCain: Children’s Book: In the Obama VS. McCain picture book race … the winner is … Barack Obama: Son of Promise, Child of Hope.
