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July 13, 2004
In this issue:
Soapbox.
Paula Danziger dies.
New discount.
"Chicka Chicka 1-2-3" by Bill Martin, Jr., Michael Sampson, Lois Ehlert.
"Queen of the Class" by Mary Engelbreit.
Another funny Catrow.
A St. Francis Day story.
"Locomotion" by Jacqueline Woodson.
Music makes a difference.
Essential reading.
Greetings:
I'm on a soapbox today. I've spent my summer thus far madly trying to check
things off my never-ending list. I only get to my book at night when I'm so
tired that I fall asleep after just a few pages. Just yesterday my good
friend said "I have so many things to do this week and all I really want to
do is read a book." Why are we like that? Reading should be at the top of
those lists. In that vein, Sarah shared an article with me that she found
in The New York Times in which Andrew Solomon declares that our nation is
experiencing a national health crisis and a national political crisis
because reading for pleasure has fallen way down in America. Read it, then
pick up a good book and read for pleasure.
http://www.nytimes.com/2004/07/10/opinion/10SOLO.html
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When I was teaching in the 70's (yes, I'm that old) my students loved to
read Paula Danziger. Thirty years later kids are still asking for Danziger
titles. Unfortunately, Paula Danziger died last week at age 59. Her
passing will leave a void in children's literature. Read her obituary at
http://www.nytimes.com/2004/07/10/obituaries/10danziger.html
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If you receive News & Notes, you know that each week Beth mentions a "Book of
the Week" featured at a 30% discount. Now we want to extend a similar sweet deal
to Teacher Feature recipients. Every two weeks, when a new Teacher Feature is
issued, a title will be featured at a 30% discount, instead of
your usual teacher discount. The first Teacher Feature Discount Book is
"Dogs Rule!" by Daniel Kirk. This picture book collection of twenty-two
dog
poems is a hoot, capturing all the reasons why we love these creatures.
And, bonus, this book comes with a CD of all the poems. An added advantage
is that "Dogs Rule!" is on the fluency booklist for USD 259. Read this and
you will know why cats drool, but "dogs rule!" (ages 4-8)
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Bill Martin, Jr., Michael Sampson, and Lois Ehlert have collaborated to
bring us "Chicka Chicka 1-2-3" written on the same format as "Chicka Chicka
Boom Boom." In this new counting version the numbers climb the tree to the
same catchy rhythm, and, yes, they fall out, but not because the tree gets
top-heavy. This time it's the bees that chase them out. In the chaos that
follows, one little number must be very brave, but he ends up being the
hero. Just as much fun as the original. (ages 3-7 and anyone who loved
"...Boom Boom") review by Carolyn
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For all you Mary Engelbreit devotees, she has a new book, "Queen of the
Class," which is actually very cute. Ann Estelle wants the part of Queen
(naturally) in her school play, but her teacher assigns her as stage manager
because she is smart and responsible. Responsible! She wants to be Queen.
The play goes on with Ann Estelle backstage where she saves the day when the
stars flub. At the end, Ann Estelle feels exactly like...a Queen. (ages
4-8) review by Carolyn
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I love David Catrow's illustrations, so I have to recommend "My School's a
Zoo!" written by Stu Smith and illustrated by Catrow. This is just a silly
story in rhyme about a boy who experiences some strange phenomena after a
field trip to the zoo. This would be fun to read after taking your
elementary students on the yearly zoo trip. (ages 4-8) review by Carolyn
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"The Day the Animals Came"
A Story of St. Francis Day
By Francis Ward Weller, Illustrations by Loren Long
A story of a little girl named Ria who has moved to New York City with her
family from the Caribbean. She misses her home and the animals that lived
there. Her parents are always working to make a better life, so Ria must
stay with her neighbor, Mrs. Blum, when she is not in school. Mrs. Blum
takes her on an adventure to The Cathedral of St. John, the Divine for the
Feast of St. Francis where Ria can see the amazing day of the blessing of
the animals. It will include the grand procession of animals: camels,
snakes, a falcon, and even an elephant! Ria’s world grows on that day, as
she realizes that "if all creatures were her family, then maybe all the
world was home." The illustrations are beautifully done and make the
setting of the cathedral awe inspiring. (ages 5-6) review by Gaylene
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"Locomotion" by Jacqueline Woodson.
Lonnie Collins Motion was 7 years old when his life changed forever. After
a fire took the lives of his parents, he and his sister Lili were eventually
placed in foster homes.
Lonnie’s teacher, Ms. Marcus, helped him find a
way to express himself and
deal with his loss through poetry writing, so the book reads like a diary of
poems that Lonnie has written. Memories of his parents, longing to be with
his little sister again, growing love and appreciation for Miss Edna, his
foster mother, observations about school friends, his teacher, and life as
it happens to an 11 year old boy, all figure into Lonnie’s poetry. This
book is on the USD 259 fluency booklist for the Literacy Workshops.
"Name all the people
You’re always thinking about
People are poems"
----Lonnie C. Motion
(ages 8-11) review by Gaylene
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"What a Song Can Do" edited by Jennifer Armstrong
This collection of twelve stories doesn’t try to define music, its appeal or
impact, but it captures moments that are musical from many different
perspectives and settings. The characters in the different stories are
teenagers for the most part, but their connection to music is varied in
range, their experiences hopeful, despairing, joyful, angry and often
transforming in nature. The teenage characters experience life’s
tragedies, such as a drunken father, and joys, like young love, with music
being the common thread among the stories. Local author Dian Curtis Regan’s
short story, "Tangled Notes in Watermelon" is included in this anthology.
"Sometimes at practice, the brass will get a twelve-bar rest and I look
around. We’re all different, but we put that to one side when we open the
sheet music and take that first deep breath. For as long as the piece lasts,
we’re not fifty two personalities scratching and clawing for attention. We’
re one thing. We’re a band" (from "Variations on a Theme" by Ron Koertge).
(ages 13+) review by Gaylene
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Ron Clark's popular book, "The Essential 55," is just out in paperback. And
better yet, there is a workbook companion, "The Essential 55 Workbook:
Everything You Need to Help Your Child Succeed in School," which includes
activities to help fire up enthusiasm for the classroom, role playing
exercises, and quizzes to discover your child’s strengths. But wait, there’s
more ... A new hardback, "The Excellent 11: Qualities Teachers and Parents
use to Motivate, Inspire, and Educate Children. Promises to be as good as
the "55." Take advantage of the opportunity to read up before school
starts. (adults) review by Gaylene
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Two weeks ago I was fighting flood waters in my basement (OK, it was just
seeping) unaware that my roof was leaking. Today I found out I need a new
roof. But you know what? My new summer self just took it in stride. Sarah
loaned me a stack of galleys, so I'll just find a cool spot and read while
the roof guys do their thing. I'll be in another world, reading for pleasure.
Stay cool!
Carolyn and Gaylene
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