Teacher Feature
|
|
December 23, 2003
In this issue:
A few new books. A few nearly new books. A few old favorites.
Holiday Greetings!
We're nearing the end of the countdown. I hope this finds you relaxing with a cup of cocoa, and not stuck in a line somewhere trying to buy the last Hokey Pokey Elmo. It's hard to believe that I'm already writing my last Teacher Feature of 2003. __
We received new releases yesterday, some with 2004 copyrights. So, hot off the presses, here are some to put on your list. Gary Paulsen's latest book about Brian Robeson's adventures in the north woods is "Brian's Hunt." This one revolves around the themes of man's place in nature and the bond between humans and dogs. (ages 10 and up) __
The following three picture books deserve a place in the library for the art alone--the wonderful stories are a bonus. "Beauty, Her Basket" by Sandra Belton, illustrated by Cozbi A. Cabrera, takes the reader to the Sea Islands where a young girl, her cousin, and their Nana share stories and secrets of the past and dreams of the future. (ages 5-8)
"God Bless the Child" is a picture book adaptation of the Billie Holiday masterpiece from 1939. Award-winning illustrator Jerry Pinkney has captured the song's message of self-reliance. This book is a tribute to all who dared to leave the South during the Great Migration of the 1930's. The book includes a CD of the Billie Holiday recording of "God Bless the Child." (all ages)
Walter Dean Myers and Leonard Jenkins have collaborated on a stunning tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. in "I've Seen the Promised Land." Myers's moving narrative and Jenkins's vivid paintings capture the turmoil and hope of the civil rights movement. (ages 5-8) __
I just made a sweep looking for some of my favorites in 2003. I've already reviewed them, so this is just a reminder: "Bad Boys" by Margie Palatini. Laugh-out-loud funny. (ages 4-7--but adults like it too)"Granny Torrelli Makes Soup" by Sharon Creech. There are about 90 students out there who will attest to the good qualities in this story. (ages 8-12) "Sister Spider Knows All" by Adrian Fogelin is my newest favorite. Great characters. (ages 12 and up) __
We are constantly inundated with new titles and sometimes forget that there is always a new crop of kids coming up who don't know about the oldies. We have two racks in the kids' section that we have devoted to old favorites. We did this for holiday recommendations, but it has been so successful that we've decided to keep it stocked with books that we have personally read to children. From those racks I pulled the following kid-tested favorites:
"Corduroy" by Don Freeman (ages 3-6) "Koala Lou" by Mem Fox, illus. by Pamela Lofts (ages 3-6) "Mike Mulligan and His Steam Shovel" by Virginia Lee Burton (ages 3-6) "Over and Over" by Charlotte Zolotow (ages 4-8) "Piggies" by Audrey Wood and Don Wood (ages 2-4) "Princess Prunella and the Purple Peanut" by Margaret Atwood, illus. by Maryan Kovalski(ages 4-8) "Walter the Baker" by Eric Carle (ages 4-8) I'd love to hear some of your old favorites. Share. __
OK. Here's the hard part of my letter today. Remember my Thanksgiving to-cook-or-not-to-cook dilemma? Well, I made this rash promise to my daughter: If you don't have a fit about eating out on Thanksgiving, I'll make a nice Christmas dinner. Now what in the world was I thinking? I can't back out of this one. Christmas Day is usually my one day to take a real nap. Not this year. But at least I won't have to wrestle that bird. All of us at Watermark wish you a wonderful holiday season and we look forward to talking books with you in 2004.
Carolyn
|
|
|
Peruse back issues of teacher feature since its inception in April 2003.
|
|
|
|