Spine Poetry

Here's a fun  idea for librarians and teachers.
Well.. maybe messing up the order of books on shelves does not work for librarians. But it will sure get kids to notice titles!

Arrange titles to create stories, free verse poems... Have fun! Here are two poems I 'found' on the shelves in my room:



Footprints in time
into the wilderness -
one step beyond
the best places to kiss.
Almost paradise.




Holy cow!
 Here be monsters!
Then came you..
just cruising
  off the beaten path.




Have fun creating your own spine poetry!

Where River Turns to Sky

Where River Turns to Sky, a novel by Gregg Kleiner, HarperCollins

Weaving a tale of immense power in his magical voice, Kleiner tells the story of a man determined to realize an improbable dream after the death of his best friend. Eighty-year-old George Castor promised he would never let his best friend Ralph die alone at the Silver Gardens Nursing Home -- but Ralph passed on while George was away fishing. Distraught, guilt-stricken and seeking redemption, George buys a broken-down mansion in  Oregon, paints it fire-engine red, and begins searching for other old folks to share it with him. Because George has made a new promise that will alter the course of the rest of his life. And, with the help of a miraculous old woman named Grace, he assembles a ragtag bunch of aging strangers, determined to make their last days on earth--and his own--an adventure.

I discovered this book while living in Oregon and enjoyed the humor. A great read if you need a relaxing summer book. Would make a fun movie, too!

Author's website: http://greggkleiner.drupalgardens.com/content/welcome

Books for Earth Day!

Here are four books that are perfect to celebrate Earth Day with your students or family:

Product Details
MAKE A SPLASH! by Cathryn Berger Kaye and Philippe Cousteau.
This colorful book starts with an introduction to Philippe Cousteau's famous grandfather Jacques and his groundbreaking research into the world of water. Following in his footsteps, and teamed up with educator Berger Kaye, Cousteau invites kids to learn more about water in its broadest sense.
Making A Splash touches on major concerns such as pollution, over-fishing, oil spills and climate change. Yet it does so in a child-friendly manner and gives kids tools to be positive, effective change-makers. The books shows how individual kids, as well as schools, have made a difference by taking action.
Through photos, colorful charts, interviews, and pictures it shows how much water we need, how we can work toward cleaner oceans and streams and what kids can do to protect wetlands. A fabulous new resource for all classrooms!

Product Details
GOING BLUE is a Teen Guide to Saving our Oceans, Lakes, Rivers and Wetlands. Similar to the previous book but aimed at an older audience, it gives teens much needed information on global, environmental issues while giving them realistic tools to make a difference.
With features across Asia, Africa and around the world this book brings awareness of critical issues concerning all aspects of water. Put this book in the hands of an environmental aware teen, especially one who loves scuba diving, and amazing things will happen!

Both books are published by Free Spirit: www.freespirit.com


Product Details
50 Climate Questions by Peter Christie, illustrated by Ross Kinnaird, published by Annick Press.
50 questions, and more importantly 50 answers, look at how climate has influences human and natural evolution. The book touches on environmental components like rain, wind, water. From mummies to poop, it investigates questions that curious kids will like and learn from.

Product DetailsThe Earth, by Cynthia Pratt Nicolson, illustrated by Bill Slavin, published by Kids Can Press.
This illustrated picture book looks at how we can be hurling through space at 100 000 KM/hr, why we have day and night, what earth looked like to dinosaurs and how earth is threatened by pollution. Touching on earth quakes, volcanoes and many other intriguing earthly features, this book will bring satisfaction to curious kids. 'Try It' activities add a fun but important component by giving young readers (and educators) activities to become scientists themselves.

Each of these titles will bring awareness of critical environmental information to young readers, giving them the power and tools needed to become concerned citizens who can make a difference to our precious earth! Happy Earth Day!

ZOOM to your library!

Zoom by Istvan Banyai

Here is a picturebook that is for almost all ages! The book is wordless and takes you onto an amazing journey: from farm to ship to city streets to a desert island. You will go by any mode of transportation, around the entire globe.
But if you think you know where you are, guess again. For nothing is ever as it seems in Banyai's mysterious landscapes of pictures within pictures.
Like a photographer with a zoom lens, the illustrator zooms out from a close-up, surprising you at every turn of the page.
You can 'read' the colorful images with young children, make up elaborate tales with others and have interesting discussions with readers right into high school.


If you like this book, try part 2: Rezoom.
Paperback, 64 pages, Puffin Books  ISBN 0140557741 (ISBN13: 9780140557749)

Lesson Plan: http://www.readwritethink.org/classroom-resources/lesson-plans/applying-question-answer-relationships-370.html