National Tooth Fairy Day!

Today is National Tooth Fairy Day (February 28, 2016), and according to nationaldaycalendar.com, it’s a day to look back at the history of the tooth fairy, and more importantly, to establish great dental hygiene for children!

I have chose a fun and energetic children’s fantasy book for today’s event, National Tooth Fairy Day! Everyone knows who the tooth fairy is…and now readers can know how Sally’s first night was as being a Tooth Fairy!

I have gotten reviews from two separate sites, and both were very positive and educational.

Tooth Fairy’s First Night by: Anne Brown & Illustrated by: Jon Berkeley

According to a review found on Goodreads,

“In Tooth Fairy’s First Night, by Anne Bowen, Sally comes from a long line of tooth fairies that goes all the way back to her great-grandmother. On Sally’s first night she has to find the tooth of little Miranda Kay Michaels. When Sally arrives she finds out that Miranda has hidden her tooth, and she is led on a treasure hunt filled with clues and hiding places. Will Sally ever find her first tooth? Read this warm and playful tale about a determined tooth fairy.” -Kimberli rated 5 out of 5 stars! Check out the book review here!

Information on the book:

Literary Awards:

• Best Children’s Books of the Year,2005 Bank Street College of Education
• Georgia Children’s Book Award, 2008-2009; Nominee Georgia
• Golden Sower Award, 2007-2008; Nominee Nebraska
• Mockingbird Award, 2006-2007; Nominee Texas
• Nevada Young Readers’ Award, 2007; Nominee Nevada

All of this information is from: www.clcd.com

Genre: Fairy Tale

Age Level: 6 to 8 years old

Rationale: I chose this book because I want to have a variety of selection for myself and my students.

Classroom Application: I would use this book when instructing my students on good dental hygiene. Taking care of your teeth is important, so by having this book, we could then talk about the importance of brushing your teeth twice a day. I could also do a demonstration on brushing teeth (with a set of fake teeth).

 

Here and Back Again

I have found my first Fantasy book addition to the blog! Mirka can transport the reader into a world fulling of fighting off dragons. Check out the review I found from www.clcd.com

” Eleven-year-old Mirka has more on her mind than learning the womanly arts that her stepmother, Fruma, insists she acquire; she would like to slay a dragon. To fight a dragon, you need a sword and Mirka s quest for a sword is the focus of this standout graphic novel. The bizarre adventure begins when Mirka stumbles upon a magical house in the woods in her Orthodox town, Hereville, where she sees a woman float through the air. Eager to show it to her siblings, she convinces them to return to the house on their way home from school. While there, they discover grapes as big as baseballs growing in the yard of the house. Even though her sister, Gittel, or as Mirka calls her, Little Miss Frum, urges her not to try a grape because it would be stealing, Mirka can t resist taking one. This innocent swipe sets off a kooky series of events that include a revenge-seeking pig and a knit-off with a troll. Hereville: How Mirka Got Her Sword is spirited, witty, and above all else, fun. Mirka is a clever, headstrong, and imaginative heroine who will appeal to a wide audience. Teens who feel like they don t fit in will have no trouble relating to her attempts to balance what is best for her family with her desire to fight dragons. Grounded in her religious beliefs, she is willing to put her fantasies aside to celebrate Shabbos. Although she desperately would like to ask Fruma how to kill a troll, she waits until the end of Shabbos because troll-killing was not a Shabbos thing. Once the candles were lit, she would no more have asked about it than she would have deliberately sneezed on the khale.”- Reviewed by: Aimee Lurie (Association of Jewish Libraries Newsletter, November/December 2010 (Vol. 30, No. 2))

Hereville: How Mirka Got Her Sword by: Barry Deutsch

Information on the book:

Literary Awards:

 

• Andre Norton Award, 2010 Nominee United States
• Andre Norton Award, 2011 Nominee United States
• Cybils Awards, 2011 Finalist United States
• School Library Journal’s Battle of the Kids’ Books, 2011 Nominee United States
• Sydney Taylor Book Award, 2011 Winner United States
• Best Children’s Books of the Year,2011 Bank Street College of Education
• Kirkus Best Children’s Books,2010
• Kirkus Book Review Stars, October 15,2010
• New York Public Library’s 100 Titles for Reading and Sharing,2010 New York Public Library
• Publishers Weekly Book Review Stars, August 2,2010
• School Library Journal Book Review Stars, December,2010 Cahners
• School Library Journal Book Review Stars, November,2010 Cahners
• YALSA Great Graphic Novels for Teens,2011 American Library Association

All of these awards were taken from: www.clcd.com.

 

Genre: Fantasy

Age Level: 9-14 year olds

Rationale: I chose this book because it seemed interesting to me, it talked about a girl who is Jewish (multicultural, instantly got my attention!) and who wanted nothing more than to fight dragons. The reviews claim that it is perfect for pre-teens who are having trouble with family life and wants nothing more than to be accepted.

Classroom Application: I would use this book in Literature Circles. I think it would really be a hit for my students, especially when each would have a job of collecting various information from the text. The job can range from: Leader, Editor(they would be collecting new vocabulary words), Illustrator, and Quote Master (they would write down any quotes from the story they thought were interesting).

 

Motivating Students to Read!

I recently came across a wonderful website that discusses reading and how parents and teachers can motivate their children to read more. The Reading is Fundamental site has  great activities that you can do with your class and connect them to many children’s books. Check it out! Click here for more!

 

Taken from: http://www.rif.org

And the winner is…

As of January 16, 2016, the American Library Association named the 2016 Newbery Medal winner: “Last Stop on Market Street,” written by Matt de la Peña.

“Every Sunday after church, CJ and his grandma ride the bus across town. But today, CJ wonders why they don’t own a car like his friend Colby. Why doesn’t he have an iPod like the boys on the bus? How come they always have to get off in the dirty part of town? Each question is met with an encouraging answer from grandma, who helps him see the beauty—and fun—in their routine and the world around them.

This energetic ride through a bustling city highlights the wonderful perspective only grandparent and grandchild can share, and comes to life through Matt de la Pena’s vibrant text and Christian Robinson’s radiant illustrations.” – Taken from Matt de la Peña’s website

This book also received the 2016 Caldecott Honor book as well as the 2016 Coretta Scott King Illustrator Honor Book.

When thinking if this book is considered a “high-quality” children’s picture book, it met many of the crucial criteria highlighted in Through the Eyes of a Child by: Donna E. Norton. This book is a wonderful book whose illustrations enhance the characterizations throughout. I also believe that this book can/should be shared with children because they can relate to the story line as well as the main character, CJ. For this book, the reading/interest level is children 3-6 years old. The author’s style and language are most definitely appropriate for this age group. It is written in a way that children can easily understand and at the same time, enjoy listening to it being read.

Information on the book –

Literary Awards: (Taken from www.clcd.com)

• Cybils Awards, 2015 Nominee United States
• E.B. White Read Aloud Award, 2015 Nominee United States
• Goodreads Choice Awards, 2015 Nominee United States
• 2016 Coretta Scott King Illustrator Honor book
• 2016 John Newbery Medal winner

 

Genre:Realistic Fiction

Age level: 3-6 years old

Rationale for selection: This book was chosen because it is the newest Newbery winner! It has wonderful illustrations and storyline…one that any child would love.

Classroom Application: This book could be used in a Pre-K classroom when teaching about different places to live – city and the country. The teacher could compare and contrast the differences between how people live in the city and country then discuss.

Read Every Day!

Reading is a life-long learning process; a person can always learn something new, no matter their mind-set.

Welcome!

My name is Lynnsey and I am currently in the Master’s of Literacy program at Frostburg State University. As part of a graduate project for class, I will be monitoring and updating this blog daily (hopefully!). This blog will included many different types of children’s literature ranging from Traditional Literature to Informational Literature. Along with posting the latest books on the stands, I will also be posting books that are near and dear to my heart. To begin expanding your mind on children’s literature, click on the “Books Worth Reading” tab and choose the type of book you want to learn more about!

I will be using Through the Eyes of a Child – An introduction to Children’s Literature throughout this blog and will be referring to it whenever applicable.

Reference: Norton, D. E., & Norton, S. E. (2011). Through the eyes of a child: An introduction to Children’s Literature (8th ed.). Columbus: Pearson.