Children’s Choice Book Award Winners

by Carol1 Comment
The Children's Book Council announced the winners of the Children's Choice Book Awards earlier this week, as part of Children's Book Week. I'm a huge believer in reading with kids, so, in case you missed it, here are the winners. Kindergarten to Second Grade Book of the Year- The Pigeon Wants a Puppy!written and illustrated by Mo Willems Third Grade to Fourth Grade Book of the Year- Spooky Cemeteriesby Dinah Williams Fifth Grade to Sixth Grade Book of the Year- Thirteen by Lauren Myracle Teen Choice Book of the Year- Breaking Dawn by Stephenie Meyer Author of the Year- Stephenie Meyer, for Breaking Dawn Illustrator of the Year- Jon J Muth, for Zen Ties ...
Read More

Do-Over! by Robin Hemley with Giveaway

by Carol36 Comments
Do-Over!: In which a forty-eight-year-old father of three returns to kindergarten, summer camp, the prom, and other embarrassmentsby Robin Hemley Description: Robin Hemley's childhood made a wedgie of his memory, leaving him sore and embarrassed for over forty years. He was the most pitiful kindergartner, the least spirited summer camper, and dateless for prom. In fact, there's nary an event from his youth that couldn't use improvement. If only he could do them all over a few decades later, with an adult's wisdom, perspective, and giant-like height... Despite being bigger and taller, Robin learns that the bullies haven't gone away. Neither have the papier-mâché projects, his bedroom at his childhood home, or the senior prom, which he finally gets a second chance at going to—at his actual former high school, with his actual teenage crush. In the spirit of cult film classics like Billy Madison and Wet Hot American Summer,  DO-OVER! brings readers the thrill of recapturing a misspent youth and discovering what's most...
Read More

Penny and Rio by Jennifer Swanson

by Carol1 Comment
Penny and Rio: The Mysterious Backyard Meetingby Jennifer Swanson, illustrated by Rosita Shandy and Neal Wooten Description: Penny and Rio are two dogs who are complete opposites. Penny is curious and always on the go, while Rio prefers a good nap. At their new house, Penny discovers that their backyard is the meeting place for several different animals. Penny doesn't know why a cat, a groundhog, a squirrel, and an owl could possibly be meeting, but she knows she has to find out. She comes up with an ingenious plan for spying on them and discovers their plot. She has to stop them - but can she get her sister dog, Rio, to help her or will Rio decide that sleep is more important? Follow along as these two pet detectives solve the first of many cases. My thoughts: Amber loves dogs and books about them, so she was looking forward to reading this. It's a cute story that was easily read in one sitting....
Read More

Children’s Book Week, May 11-17

by Carol3 Comments
Since it is Children's Book Week, I wanted to spotlight at least a couple of children's books that I've read with Amber over the years. Why Mosquitoes Buzz in People's Ears: A West African Tale by Verna Aardema, pictures by Leo and Diane Dillon A mosquito sets off a chain reaction ending, ultimately, in the sun no longer rising. The pictures are wonderful, colorful and bright, but unusual, as the cover shows, almost mosaic in style. For me, though, the highlight of the book is the onomatopoeic (if that's a word) text. It's just truly fun to read aloud, making the different animal noises, and the repetive phrases give a rhythm to the story. My one warning is that an owlet dies, but it never seemed to bother Amber, who is an animal lover if there ever was one. When she was going through her books, choosing which ones she wanted to put out for the garage sale, she decided to keep this one.   The Magic...
Read More

Giveaways in Blogland

by Carol2 Comments
I thought I'd list some of the great giveaways that are out there. I'll update this post through the week, if I find any new ones. If you have one you want me to add, let me know. I've got three giveaways going right now. The first is One Deadly Sin by Annie Solomon, but the deadline is May 15.  I have five copies of The Man's Book by Thomas Fink, and the deadline is May 20. Finally, I have five copies of The Girl Who Stopped Swimming by Joshilyn Jackson. The deadline for that one is May 28. All three are open to the US and Canada only, no PO boxes. Jo-Jo Loves to Read! is holding two great contest, a Mother's Day Giveaway and an Asian Heritage Month Giveaway. The deadline to enter for both is May 31.  A few people are having Daphne duMaurier giveaways. Caite at A Lovely Shore Breeze is giving away two books in honor of duMaurier's birthday, but the contest is only open through May...
Read More

Wondrous Words Wednesday

by Carol4 Comments
I ran across a few new to me words this week. lagniappe- 1. chiefly Southern Louisiana and Southeast Texas. a small gift given with a purchase to a customer, by way of compliment or for good measure; bonus. 2. an unexpected or indirect benefit "And if you like all things Pucci, the stunning bottles are a lovely lagniappe."  (pg, 85, The Oprah Magazine, April 2009) some punkins- someone or something great or special. "'He thinks he's some punkins,' Patrick said. 'But he ain't.'" (pg. 67, Silver Dollar Girl by Katherine Ayres) perspicacity- keenness of mental perception and understanding; discernment; penetration. "Mr. Pirelli, on the other hand, is a model of perspicacity. (Look it up. It will be on your spelling quiz.)" (pg. 91, Do-Over! by Robin Hemley. My copy is an ARC.) Play along at Bermudaonion's Weblog....
Read More