Watermark Books & Cafe

Teacher Feature

October 7, 2003

Watermark and Lane Smith thank you.

Toni Buzzeo in October.

Chris Crutcher is coming.

Jan Brett does it again.

Steven Kellogg does it again...twice.

Nory Ryan's story continues.

"Freaky Green Eyes" for older readers.

For early childhood educators and parents.

Good news for Spanish readers.

Greetings:

The weather is glorious. My computer is in the basement. This might be

short.

__

Thanks to all who attended the Lane Smith event. We had about 1000 in

attendance and we were highly entertained. We hear from Lane Smith's

publicist that Wichita was his favorite stop on his tour. We appreciate

everyone's support.

__

On Monday, October 27, Watermark will host children's author Toni Buzzeo for

a book signing at 4:30 p.m. Toni has written "The Sea Chest" illustrated by

Mary GrandPré, and "Dawdle Duckling" illustrated by Margaret Spengler. Of

added interest to you all might be that Toni is a school library media

specialist as well as an author. She has written several books for education

professionals, and she writes curriculum guides for each of her children's

books. I hope you will have a chance to meet Toni.

__

No doubt there will be many author events between now and April, but I want

you to get this one on your calendars. Chris Crutcher will be at Watermark

for a reading and signing on April 1 from 6-8 p.m. Crutcher's novels, most

of them with a sport's theme, are popular with middle readers and young

adults. Also, he's recently become an advice columnist for iParenting.com's

parenting teen forum. I went on-line to check out his advice on what to do

with a 15-yr-old son who won't do his homework (yes, I have one), and I

liked what he had to say. Visit his website at

http://www.aboutcrutcher.com/. We're excited about the prospect of having

an author who appeals not only to older readers, but to guys.

__

New books are arriving faster than I can keep up. Here are this week's

highlights:

Head's up Jan Brett fans. Her new book, "On Noah's Ark," came out last week

and is beautiful. Told from the perspective of Noah's granddaughter, this

is an original telling of the familiar story. The text is much simpler than

most of Brett's work, allowing the reader to concentrate on the magnificent

animal paintings. (for fans of all ages)

__

Steven Kellogg has been busy. He's had two new books within the last two

weeks. Remember the adventures of Jimmy and his boa? Well, he's back in

"Jimmy's Boa and the Bungee Jump Slam Dunk" written by Trinka Hakes Noble

and illustrated by Steven Kellogg. Chaos reigns, as usual, when Jimmy

brings his boa to basketball practice which has been taken over by Miss

Peachtree, the dance teacher. As in the other Jimmy's Boa books, Meggie

relays the story in her usual matter-of-fact manner with Kellogg's wild

illustrations portraying the hilarious mayhem. (ages 4-8)

Kellogg's other book is "Clorinda" written by Robert Kinerk. A story told

in verse about Clorinda the cow who discovers she has a gift for the ballet,

this book has to be read aloud. Of course a cow who dances is silly, but

there's a message there about not being afraid to try. (ages 4-8)

Recently, Margie Palatine released a book entitled "Mary Had a Little Ham"

about a pig who goes to Broadway. I'm detecting a theme. Barnyards animals

take to the stage.

__

I know that many of you and your students have read Patricia Reilly Giff's

"Nory Ryan's Song" and have used it in teaching about immigration. The

moving sequel to this story is "Maggie's Door," the story of Nory's

emigration to Brooklyn where Nory's sister Maggie and her Da are waiting for

her. Nory is unaware that her neighbor, Sean Red Mallon, is also on board

her ship with the same destination--his brother is married to Nory's sister.

The story of their harrowing passage is told in alternating chapters by Nory

and Ryan. This is a heartwrenching story made all the more powerful by the

fact that we know this is the story of several millions of Irish who fled

the potato famine in the 1840's. I couldn't put this book down. (ages

8-12)

__

I loved Joyce Carol Oates's "Big Mouth & Ugly Girl" and was anxious to read

her new one, "Freaky Green Eyes." I haven't finished it yet, but I've read

enough to know that the writing is very good, but intense. Fifteen-year-old

Franky Pierson has an alter ego, Freaky, who protected her in a near-rape

situation and is now helping her deal with a mom who has disappeared under

suspect circumstances and a celebrity dad who is turning out to be someone

she doesn't really know. This psychological thriller deals with domestic

violence and other mature themes. (high school and up)

__

Last week I sold books at a conference for Parents as Teachers professionals

and for professionals who work with infants and toddlers. As a result, our

shelves are well-stocked with books with early childhood themes. We have

several titles by Harriet Lerner, Trish Kuffner, Gary Ezzo and Robert

Bucknam, T. Berry Brazelton, and Liz and Dick Wilmes, just to name a few.

Come in and browse in our parenting or education sections or e-mail me if

you have a favorite you want to check on. And if you attended the

conference, thank you for shopping Watermark's "road show."

__

Our Spanish language section, for both adults and children, just keeps

growing. Each season the publishers are releasing an increasing number of

favorites in Spanish, and we are proud of the selection we have. In each

Teacher Feature issue, I'd like to start listing a couple of Spanish titles

for kids. The three I grabbed today are "Las Aventuras del Capitán

Calzoncillos" de Dav Pilkey, "¿Tu mamá es una llama?" de Deborah Guarino,

illustrado por Steven Kellogg, and "De la cabeza a los pies," de Eric Carle.

In this same vein, beginning this month, Watermark is hosting an adult

Spanish language book club led by Lu Ann Rivera. It will meet the first

Tuesday of each month at 6:30 p.m. Selections and discussion will be in

Spanish. The selection for both October and November is "Cuando era

Puertorriqueña" de Esmeralda Santiago. Pass the word. The first one meets

tonight so if you have time, you're welcome to stop by and check it out.

__

Finally, thanks to all who responded to my offer to come read "Granny

Torrelli Makes Soup." Last week I went to Pleasantview Elementary in Derby

for my first "gig." I had fun and I think the kids did too, in spite of my

really bad Italian accent.

__

OK, that's it. The sunshine beckons. Have a good week.

Carolyn

Teacher Feature Archives
Peruse back issues of teacher feature since its inception in April 2003.

	October 7, 2003 Watermark and Lane Smith thank you. Toni Buzzeo in October. Chris Crutcher is coming. Jan Brett does it again. Steven Kellogg does it again...twice. Nory Ryan's story continues. "Freaky Green Eyes" for older readers. For early childhood educators and parents. Good news for Spanish readers. Greetings: The weather is glorious. My computer is in the basement. This might be short. __ Thanks to all who attended the Lane Smith event. We had about 1000 in attendance and we were highly entertained. We hear from Lane Smith's publicist that Wichita was his favorite stop on his tour. We appreciate everyone's support. __ On Monday, October 27, Watermark will host children's author Toni Buzzeo for a book signing at 4:30 p.m. Toni has written "The Sea Chest" illustrated by Mary GrandPré, and "Dawdle Duckling" illustrated by Margaret Spengler. Of added interest to you all might be that Toni is a school library media specialist as well as an author. She has written several books for education professionals, and she writes curriculum guides for each of her children's books. I hope you will have a chance to meet Toni. __ No doubt there will be many author events between now and April, but I want you to get this one on your calendars. Chris Crutcher will be at Watermark for a reading and signing on April 1 from 6-8 p.m. Crutcher's novels, most of them with a sport's theme, are popular with middle readers and young adults. Also, he's recently become an advice columnist for iParenting.com's parenting teen forum. I went on-line to check out his advice on what to do with a 15-yr-old son who won't do his homework (yes, I have one), and I liked what he had to say. Visit his website at http://www.aboutcrutcher.com/. We're excited about the prospect of having an author who appeals not only to older readers, but to guys. __ New books are arriving faster than I can keep up. Here are this week's highlights: Head's up Jan Brett fans. Her new book, "On Noah's Ark," came out last week and is beautiful. Told from the perspective of Noah's granddaughter, this is an original telling of the familiar story. The text is much simpler than most of Brett's work, allowing the reader to concentrate on the magnificent animal paintings. (for fans of all ages) __ Steven Kellogg has been busy. He's had two new books within the last two weeks. Remember the adventures of Jimmy and his boa? Well, he's back in "Jimmy's Boa and the Bungee Jump Slam Dunk" written by Trinka Hakes Noble and illustrated by Steven Kellogg. Chaos reigns, as usual, when Jimmy brings his boa to basketball practice which has been taken over by Miss Peachtree, the dance teacher. As in the other Jimmy's Boa books, Meggie relays the story in her usual matter-of-fact manner with Kellogg's wild illustrations portraying the hilarious mayhem. (ages 4-8) Kellogg's other book is "Clorinda" written by Robert Kinerk. A story told in verse about Clorinda the cow who discovers she has a gift for the ballet, this book has to be read aloud. Of course a cow who dances is silly, but there's a message there about not being afraid to try. (ages 4-8) Recently, Margie Palatine released a book entitled "Mary Had a Little Ham" about a pig who goes to Broadway. I'm detecting a theme. Barnyards animals take to the stage. __ I know that many of you and your students have read Patricia Reilly Giff's "Nory Ryan's Song" and have used it in teaching about immigration. The moving sequel to this story is "Maggie's Door," the story of Nory's emigration to Brooklyn where Nory's sister Maggie and her Da are waiting for her. Nory is unaware that her neighbor, Sean Red Mallon, is also on board her ship with the same destination--his brother is married to Nory's sister. The story of their harrowing passage is told in alternating chapters by Nory and Ryan. This is a heartwrenching story made all the more powerful by the fact that we know this is the story of several millions of Irish who fled the potato famine in the 1840's. I couldn't put this book down. (ages 8-12) __ I loved Joyce Carol Oates's "Big Mouth & Ugly Girl" and was anxious to read her new one, "Freaky Green Eyes." I haven't finished it yet, but I've read enough to know that the writing is very good, but intense. Fifteen-year-old Franky Pierson has an alter ego, Freaky, who protected her in a near-rape situation and is now helping her deal with a mom who has disappeared under suspect circumstances and a celebrity dad who is turning out to be someone she doesn't really know. This psychological thriller deals with domestic violence and other mature themes. (high school and up) __ Last week I sold books at a conference for Parents as Teachers professionals and for professionals who work with infants and toddlers. As a result, our shelves are well-stocked with books with early childhood themes. We have several titles by Harriet Lerner, Trish Kuffner, Gary Ezzo and Robert Bucknam, T. Berry Brazelton, and Liz and Dick Wilmes, just to name a few. Come in and browse in our parenting or education sections or e-mail me if you have a favorite you want to check on. And if you attended the conference, thank you for shopping Watermark's "road show." __ Our Spanish language section, for both adults and children, just keeps growing. Each season the publishers are releasing an increasing number of favorites in Spanish, and we are proud of the selection we have. In each Teacher Feature issue, I'd like to start listing a couple of Spanish titles for kids. The three I grabbed today are "Las Aventuras del Capitán Calzoncillos" de Dav Pilkey, "¿Tu mamá es una llama?" de Deborah Guarino, illustrado por Steven Kellogg, and "De la cabeza a los pies," de Eric Carle. In this same vein, beginning this month, Watermark is hosting an adult Spanish language book club led by Lu Ann Rivera. It will meet the first Tuesday of each month at 6:30 p.m. Selections and discussion will be in Spanish. The selection for both October and November is "Cuando era Puertorriqueña" de Esmeralda Santiago. Pass the word. The first one meets tonight so if you have time, you're welcome to stop by and check it out. __ Finally, thanks to all who responded to my offer to come read "Granny Torrelli Makes Soup." Last week I went to Pleasantview Elementary in Derby for my first "gig." I had fun and I think the kids did too, in spite of my really bad Italian accent. __ OK, that's it. The sunshine beckons. Have a good week. Carolyn
	Teacher Feature Archives Peruse back issues of teacher feature since its inception in April 2003.