Creepy Carrots by: Aaron Reynolds

Jasper the rabbit is experiencing something very strange, carrots are following him everywhere, it is really quite creepy!  Aaron Reynolds has written a very fun read aloud with his book Creepy Carrots!

Why are the carrots from the field following Jasper?  Jasper loves these carrots!  I'm sure Jasper thinks that the carrots should love him too.  So why are they following him?  It is a question with a funny answer.  Be sure to read this book to find out about Jasper and his problem carrots.

My students love this book, it is never on a shelf since they all want to read this themselves.

Enjoy a healthy snack of carrots after reading this book.

Happy Daily Reading
Deanna

Turkey Trouble by: Wendi Silvano

It is almost Thanksgiving do you have your Turkey ready?  Farmer Jake doesn't and this year his turkey is trying his best to not end up on the dinner table.

Author Wendi Silvano and illustrator Lee Harper have created the delightful story of Turkey Trouble.  Readers of all ages will enjoy the creative way that Turkey tries his best to avoid  Farmer Jake and have the best Thanksgiving a turkey has ever had.  The other farm animals are not tricked at all, but will Farmer Jake be tricked and end up without a turkey for Thanksgiving?

While you wait for your Thanksgiving meal take a few minutes and enjoy this story with some of the children in your family.

Happy Daily Reading
Deanna

I'm A Shark by: Bob Shea

Author and illustrator, Bob Shea, has a winner of a read aloud story in his book I'm A Shark.  You and your child will enjoy learning about this particular shark and learn what he is afraid of and what he isn't afraid of....

Happy Daily Reading
Deanna

LA Book Festival 2015

Three great book author/illustrators that I was able to listen to and meet for a few minutes at the 2015 LA Book Festival.   It's Only Stanley is the newest book by author/illustrator Jon Agee and I've already shared it with second graders and they loved it!  Salina Yoon has written and illustrated many books for children.  Her newest series is Bear who you can see in this review in the book Found.  In 2013 author/illustrator Bob Shea wrote a great book about envy.  In Unicorn Thinks He's Pretty Great Goat is envious of all that Unicorn can do and Unicorn is envious of Goat, can these two learn to admire their differences and strengths and become friends?  I think this would be a great book to read to any child that might need some encouragement in making new friends.  I really enjoyed the Book Festival and cannot wait to attend next year.

Salina Yoon

Bob Shea

Jon Agee

I also met Junie B. Jones!

The Book With No Pictures by: B.J. Novak

I've been reading this book to a few of my classes this past week.   They are a bit concerned when they hear the title "A Book With No Pictures" but it takes just a few pages before they absolutely love the story.   I think The Book With No Pictures is my new favorite read-aloud book.

B.J. Novak has written an entertaining book, The Book With No Pictures.  It's true, the book does not  have any pictures, but it has the reader doing some funny things!  The rules of reading this book are that the reader has to say the words that are written on the page no matter what.  So...as you turn each page you, the reader, end up saying some very funny things.  Pay attention, or you just might miss out on the giggles!

After reading this book take some time and make up some of your own nonsense words.

Happy Daily Reading
Deanna

Number One Sam by: Greg Pizzoli

Like most of us, Sam loves winning.   In Greg Pizzoli's book Number One Sam, he is the fastest and best race car driver there is!  However, one day he loses a race and he isn't sure his life will ever be the same. On the day of the next race, he is very nervous.  He wonders whether he can win and be number one once again.  He is so nervous he misses the starting flag and starts in last place!  Sam, with his great racing talent, soon finds himself in the lead.  That is, until he spots trouble ahead.  What will he do now?

You will love the ending of this story and your children will win when they learn how important it is to be kind and support their friends.  They will also learn it is not necessarily to win every race.

After reading this book, play a few games with family and friends.  See if you will insist on winning, or whether having fun is more important.

Happy Daily Reading
Deanna

The School is Alive by: Jack Chabert

Many of us are beginning another school year and this is just the book you may want to read as school begins.  The School is Alive is the first book in the new series Eerie Elementary written by Jack Chabert.  It is a fun story that I am sure all students who are just beginning to read chapter books will enjoy.  There are many illustrations which is just what those beginning readers want.

Sam is the new hall monitor and he isn't too excited about his new responsibilities.  Especially as he begins to see some strange things going on at school, beginning with the quicksand he steps into on the playground his first day on the job!  Mr. Nekobi, the school's custodian is there to rescue Sam from the quicksand and he will be there to teach Sam more about the responsibilities of being a hall monitor.  You see, the school is alive and it will be up to Sam to save not only his friends but all the students and their parents on the night of the school play.

After reading this book go and enjoy a play at your local school.

Happy Daily Reading
Deanna

Rufus Goes to School by: Kim T. Griswell

I picked up this read-aloud book from my public library and I loved the story of Rufus and his desire to attend school.  In my area of the country, school starts the beginning of August.  I am sure there are parents out there that would love to read this to their children before the next school year begins.

Author Kim T. Griswell has created a lovable character in a pig named Rufus.  In the book Rufus Goes to School he really wants to attend school so that he can learn to read.  He loves books and looks at them often, he just doesn't know what the words say.  He gets a backpack and heads off to school where the principal tells him that pigs are not allowed in school because pigs track in mud and start food fights.  Rufus is determined.  He returns the next day with his backpack and a lunchbox and again the principal sends him home. Rufus continues in his quest for knowledge and once the principal learns the real reason Rufus wants to attend school he is allowed into a classroom.  It is here that Rufus learns and he especially loves story time.

School might seem scary for some children and others cannot wait to begin school, just like Rufus.  Either way, take the time to share with your children your own school experiences as they begin a new school year.

Happy Daily Reading
Deanna

Big Bad Bubble by: Adam Rubin

Have you ever wondered what happens to bubbles when they POP?  Author Adam Rubin answers this question in his book Big Bad Bubble.

The bubbles end up in La La Land.  Which isn't all bad because it is where donuts grow on trees! However La La Land is also where monsters live and they are afraid of bubbles.  They run away screaming whenever they see a bubble.  Summer is the worst time for the monsters since there are more bubbles in the summer months.

What will the monsters do?  Will they learn the truth about bubbles?  Are monsters afraid of anything else?  This is a fun read aloud that I am sure your entire family will enjoy.


After reading the story go out and make some bubbles!

Happy Daily Reading
Deanna

My Penguin Osbert by: Elizabeth Cody Kimmel

Author Elizabeth Cody Kimmel in her book My Penguin Osbert explains the frustration a young boy has had in previous attempts at asking Santa for Christmas presents.  This year, he decides to be very specific in his letter to Santa. He wants a pet penguin.  Not a stuffed penguin, but a real one, from Antarctica.

What happens when he receives a real penguin causes many problems for this young boy.  He learns that maybe he should ask for something else that is not so much work.  He finds a solution for his problem and looks forward to next Christmas.  What could go wrong with a boy and a ..., well, I shouldn't spoil the ending for you.

Merry Christmas in July!

Happy Daily Reading
Deanna

Too Tall Houses by: Gianna Marino

Too Tall Houses by Gianna Marino is a read-aloud book that all my students (grades K-6) enjoyed hearing this past school year.

Rabbit and Owl are friends who live in two small houses.  Owl loves to look at the forrest from his home and Rabbit tends his garden each day.  When Rabbit's garden blocks Owl's view of the forrest Owl decides to build a bigger home.  However Owl's new bigger home blocks the sun from Rabbit's garden so now Rabbit builds a bigger home.  What happens as they continue to build bigger and bigger homes will surprise you and I'm sure you'll giggle just like my students did.

After reading this book I hope you'll spend time with one of your good friends.

Happy Daily Reading
Deanna

Randy Riley's Really Big Hit by: Chris Van Dusen

Like most young boys, Randy Riley struggles to hit the ball when playing baseball.  Chris Van Dusen creates an over-the-top solution for Randy in his book Randy Riley's Really Big Hit.

You have to understand that baseball isn't Randy's only love.  He also loves things from outer space.  So, when he strikes out again, he finds happiness in creating his own robot baseball team.  One night he discovers that a fireball is heading straight for earth.  Nobody believes him but he still goes to work to save earth, his family and friends from this fireball.  When the day arrives that the fireball is going to hit earth, you can imagine that there is chaos in his town.  Randy rolls out a giant robot.  What is Randy doing with a giant robot?  Perhaps this will be the time that he will finally get a hit.

This is a great story for all baseball or space fans!

After reading this book go outside and play a game of baseball.

Happy Daily Reading
Deanna

Exclamation Mark by: Amy Krouse Rosenthal & Tom Lichtenheld

This simple book Exclamation Mark by Amy Krouse Rosenthal & Tom Lichtenheld is a book with a big message.

Exclamation mark feels different from everyone else.  He doesn't know where he fits in.  As a result, he is very lonely.  Lonely, that is, until he meets question mark who asks too many questions.  Exclamation mark finally exclaims STOP!  He had no idea he had this "power" and is soon exclaiming many words.

In this short read-aloud book, we can all learn to let our own talent shine instead of comparing ourselves to others.  We all have something to offer the world.

After reading this story, take some time to create your own stories using your new friends exclamation mark and question mark.

Happy Daily Reading
Deanna

The Year of Billy Miller by: Kevin Henkes

Author Kevin Henkes won a 2014 Newbery Honor Book Award for his book The Year of Billy Miller.  This was a charming beginning chapter book about a second grader, Billy Miller.

Billy is nervous to begin the second grade.  But with his best friend Ned by his side, he makes it through the first day of school.  With the support of his family, he manages to make it through the entire school year.  Billy's sister, Sal, manages to help him as well.  Of course, Billy believes his sister is a pest, but he comes to realize that she loves him and just wants to help.  At the end of the year, each student is asked to write and read a poem to all the parents at a special night event at the school.  Billy is very nervous, but manages to surprise everyone with his poem. Billy is a very kind and very likable young child.  I am sure he will be a book character you will never forget.


After reading this story, take some time to create some poetry for yourself.

Happy Daily Reading
Deanna

Mr. Tiger Goes Wild by Peter Brown

Mr. Tiger Goes Wild is a fun story written and illustrated by Peter Brown.

All the animals are very proper and polite.  Mr. Tiger is bored with everything always being so proper, he wants to go just a little wild.  He wants some fun!  As he begins to make some changes he really goes wild.  Will the other animals follow his example?

Your child or early reader will enjoy the story as well as the pictures in this book.  Peter Brown really captures the feel for the story with his simple and beautiful illustrations.

After reading this story you may want to visit your local zoo.

Happy Daily Reading
Deanna

Ally the Dolphin Fairy By: Daisy Meadows

Meet Norah, today's "Friday Friend".  I love her reading tent and I'm sure she has spent a lot of time in this tent as she is an avid reader.  I was thrilled that she reveiwed a book written by Daisy Meadows, these fairy books are very popular among young readers, especially girls.  

I read Ally the Dolphin Fairy by Daisy Meadows.  This book is the first book in the ocean fairy series.  Kirsty and Rachel go to the beach and end up helping Ally the dolphin fairy find the missing piece of golden conch shell.  They also help her find Echo, her dolphin.  Kirsty and Rachel get to turn into fairies, go underwater, ride on dolphins, and fight goblins. 

I liked this book because it was about dolphins and fairies and would recommend it to little girls who like dolphins and fairies.  I can’t wait to read the next ocean fairy book.

Norah (1^st grade)

The Miniature World of Marvin & James by: Elise Broach

A few years ago Elise Broach wrote a wonderful book about the friendship of Marvin and James.  That book was entitled Masterpiece.  She has now written the first book in the Masterpiece Adventures series, entitled The Miniature World of Marvin and James.  While Masterpiece was written for older readers the Masterpiece Adventure series is intended for beginning chapter book readers.  Your reader can begin with the series and then read Masterpiece when they are older.

Marvin is a Beetle who is also an amazing artist.  James is a young boy who befriends Marvin the beetle.  The two friends learn how to communicate with each other through Marvin's drawings.  When James is leaving to go to the beach for a week, Marvin is sure James will forget all about him.  Marvin is very bored while James is gone.  He ends up spending time with his cousin, a girl named Elaine.  Elaine has found a magical place where they can jump and play in tiny bits of wood.  Marvin and Elaine are having a great time until they find themselves stuck in this amazing place.  You'll never guess where they are and you should read the book to find out more about the amazing adventure Elaine and Marvin share.   Even when Marvin spends time with Elaine, he is thinking of James and worried if they will still be friends when James returns.  

Marvin is excited when it is almost time for James to return.  For a coming home gift he draws a picture of a beach.  James loves the picture and gives Marvin a present too.  Marvin comes to understand that "the feeling of being someone's best friend" is wonderful, "because it means nobody can take your place".

After enjoying this adventure, I think you should spend sometime at the beach!

Happy Daily Reading
Deanna

Every home needs at least one copy of ... just select your favorite version, this is mine.

Bookmarks Are People Too! by: Henry Winkler and Lin Oliver

Bookmarks Are People Too! is the first in the Here's Hank series written by Henry Winkler and Lin Oliver.  There is something very unique about this book and that is the font used for the text.  The font was developed by Christian Boer and it is called Dyslexie.  It is designed to make letters more distinct from one another in order to help dyslexic readers.

Hank is a second grader who has a hard time at school.  Letters and numbers get mixed up in his head which makes spelling, reading and math difficult.  Hank has many friends who help him at school and he also has classmates that try to make his life harder than it needs to be.  Hank and his friend, Frankie, are excited about the play that their class is preparing for Children's Reading Week.  They each have a script that they can use to practice all weekend to be prepared for tryouts on Monday.  Frankie is hoping to be the lead in the play and Hank hopes to be the superhero Aqua Fly.  When Hank is unable to remember his lines his teacher gives him an extra special character to play, the bookmark.  It is here that Hank is able to really shine.  He is able to add a couple of laughs to the play as well as save the play.  You'll be anxious to read the next book in this series to see what Hank will accomplish next.

When finished reading this book, you might want to create a play just like the students did in Ms. Flowers' class at P S 87.  What book characters would you choose to have parts in your play?  I'd love to hear from you.

Happy Daily Reading
Deanna

Mr. Putter and Tabby Pick the Pears by Cynthia Rylant

Cynthia Rylant is an author of books for those that are just beginning chapter books.  She has a few series that are perfect for those that are ready for longer texts.  Mr. Putter and Tabby Pick the Pears is one of my favorites.  Just reading the title makes me smile.

Mr. Putter and his cat, Tabby, live happily together.  It was time to pick the pears from the pear tree so Mr. Putter could enjoy some pear jelly.  However, this year it is hard for him to climb the ladder to reach the pears.  He thinks and thinks of how he can get the pears off the tree and into jelly jars.  He remembers playing with a sling shot as a child so he decides to make a sligng shot to help him get the pears off the tree.  His apples have fallen off of their tree so he picks up an apple to sling at the pears.  His aim isn't very good.  The apples miss the tree and go over the roof of his house.  Mr. Putter is having so much fun slinging apples that he slings all the apples that were on the ground and he never hits any pears off the tree.  The next morning, Tabby and Mr. Putter are pleasantly surprised to see their neighbor at the front door.  She has brought apple turnovers, apple pies and apple jelly.  She told them of how she found apples in her front yard.  She did not know how they got there.  Quickly, she decided to make the free apples into treats.  Mr. Putter decides it will be better just to wait for his pears to fall off his tree.  Then he will get out his sling shot once again and see what happens next.

Life sometimes gives you twists and turns.  Go pick some fruit and make a treat to share with a friend.  You never know what might happen next.  After enjoying your treats you might want to check out other books written by Cynthia Rylant.

Happy Daily Reading
Deanna