Something from Nothing, Phoebe Gilman

Something from Nothing, Phoebe Gilman

When Joseph was a baby, his grandfather made him a shimmering blue blanket adorned with the moon and stars.
As the boy grows and the blanket wears out, the old tailor recycles it, in succession fashioning a jacket, a vest, a tie and, finally, a cloth-covered button.
But when Joseph loses the button, even his grandfather cannot make something from nothing.

With lovely repetition and internal rhyme, this thoughtfully presented Jewish folktale will captivate readers right through the ending, in which the boy discovers one last way of using what he has.

I especially love the art in this book, which shows a whole new layer of story that is not in the text, as the snippets of fabric fall through the cracks of the floor, helping the family of mice that live below.

This is a wonderful tale to read together, to give as a gift for a newborn and to share with older students as a Jewish fairytale.

• ISBN-10: 1443119466
• ISBN-13: 978-1443119467

 Ages 5-11.

Petey, by Ben Mikaelsen

Petey, by Ben Mikaelsen

Petey is a touching story of friendship, discovery, and the uplifting power of the human spirit.

In 1922, at the age of two, Petey's distraught parents commit him to the state's insane asylum, unaware that their son is actually suffering from severe cerebral palsy. 

Bound by his wheelchair and struggling to communicate with the people around him, Petey finds a way to remain kind and generous despite the horrific conditions in his new "home." 

Through the decades, he befriends several caretakers but is heartbroken when each eventually leaves him. Determined not to be hurt again, he vows to no longer let hope of lifelong friends and family torment him.

That changes after he is moved into a nursing home and meets a young teen named Trevor Ladd; he sees something in the boy and decides to risk friendship one last time. Trevor, new to town and a bit of a loner, is at first weary of the old man in the wheelchair. But after hearing more of his story, Trevor learns that there is much more to Petey than meets the eye.

This timeless story is recommended for all ages!

Author’s website: http://www.benmikaelsen.com/ for background information on this book.

A lesson plan: http://www.benmikaelsen.com/lesson_plan_nine.html

Where Is Walrus? by Stephen Savage

•  Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Scholastic Press (Feb. 1 2011)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0439700493
• ISBN-13: 978-0439700498

I admit that, when I first got a copy of this wordless picture book, I  did not expect it to hold my (and my grandsons') interest for long. Very simple, stylistic art, no text. OK, I thought I could make up a story but it would soon get boring.
That was about three years ago. Now, I admire this book more than most picture books. It works on so many levels, for so many ages. And even though the art is very minimalistic, we discover new things all the time.
The story works for a restless 2 year old, who delights in outsmarting the zoo keeper who can't find walrus anywhere. It also works for a story savvy 4 year old, who still discovers new angles.
As the bored walrus sneaks out of the zoo, he blends into city scapes. The zoo keeper follows and looks along streets. But walrus hides in a cafe, or in a building, on a stage with dancers, even disguised as a firefighter.
When walrus finally steals the show in a diving competion, the zoo keeper get the brilliant idea to give him a larger pool and a dive board. No one in the zoo is ever bored again.
My two grandsons both love this book and we get hours of storytelling fun out of it. Hope you do, too.

Where The Heart Is by Billie Letts

Do you have this too?
Sometimes I'm searching for a new book to start reading, and I'll scan one; read the jacket flaps of another... But they don't quite appeal. Then suddenly you see one and you just know that's the book you will spend the next few days or weeks with.

Where The Heart Is by Billie Letts is a fantastic (summer) read. I liked the cover, the short content sounded just right and once I start, I could not put this book down. Amazing that this is a first novel!
I loved everything about it: the premise of a teen pregnancy, the girl dumped by her boyfriend at Walmart; the way her life unfolds; the support characters; the realistic dialogue. I was 'there' with her all the way. And reluctant to let go when I finished the last page.

And now, when I just googled the author's name to see what else she write, I am shocked to find out that she passed away 3 days ago... just while I was engrossed in her story. What a shame. But I will go to my library to look for the three other novels she published, including “The Honk and Holler Opening Soon” (1998) and “Shoot the Moon” (2004). Her husband, it turns out, wrote 'August: Osage County'. 

Ordinary Days: Family Life in a Farmhouse by Dorcas Smucker

Ordinary Days: Family Life in a Farmhouse by Dorcas Smucker

The title of this book, a kind of a diary, may include the word 'ordinary' but the story is anything but. I first 'discovered' Dorcas Smucker when living in rural Oregon where she is a busy wife, mother, farmer and writer. Dorcas is Mennonite and the stories she wrote in the local newspaper gave me a deeper appreciation of her lifestyle.

But most of all, I just love her sense of humor. Dorcas has this wonderful, conversational style of writing that makes me feel like she's just talking to me. Plus she's probably just about my age since her life often sounds like mine: children (OK, she has 6 and merely have 2, but still..), comings, goings, friends, family, farm, chores. And lately: growing older and its challenges.

I think that you, too, will enjoy her books, including this title.

And while you are at it, check out her blog for up to date, current stories:

http://dorcassmucker.blogspot.ca

Paperback, 155 pages, Good Books ISBN 1561485225 (ISBN13: 9781561485222)

Book Review: Bloomability by Sharon Creech

Bloomability by Sharon Creech

One of those lovely books to curl-up with, this is the story of coming-of-age of a girl attending an international school in Switzerland.

After having been "kidnapped" by an aunt,Dinnie Doone discovers all the "bloomabilities" that life has to offer. 

As with many good tales, getting rid of the parents often seems important to allow the main character to blossom. In Dinnie's "second life" in Europe, her family continues to neglect her, forgetting even to let her know where they've relocated. Dinnie gradually adjusts to her new environment and makes friends with other students from around the world: exuberant Guthrie; bitter Lila; and language-mangling Keisuke, who says "bloomable" when he means "possible." 

Together, these middle schoolers share classes and adventures, and explore ideas and emotions. A great middle school read from Newbery Award-winning author Sharon Creech 

 

Paperback, 273 pages HarperTrophy ISBN 006440823X (ISBN13: 9780064408233)

For more details and a teaching guide: http://sharoncreech.com/teach/teach.asp

Walking for Zambia's Book Bus!

http://www.justgiving.com/Margriet-Ruurs1

I was raised on books. I treasure my public library and all the access to books I have. I read books with my little grandsons daily. So I am thrilled to have the opportunity to help Zambia's Book Bus. I will visit, and travel with, the Book Bus this Fall.

Just before going to Zambia I plan to hike the Camino de Santiago - 100 KM from Sarria to Santiago. You can help me to support the book bus by pledging money. Every step I take, will be a step closer to more books for children in Zambia.

One in six adults around the world have come through childhood unable to read and write, a situation mainly due to lack of books and opportunity to read. In response to this shocking situation, the Book Bus was founded by publisher Tom Maschler with the aim of supplying books and making them accessible to children.

Did you know that Quentin Blake is on the Board of the Book Bus Project?!
You can learn more here: https://www.justgiving.com/the-book-bus-foundation/

Click on the link below to pledge any amount. It will go directly to the Book Bus Project where I will be working as a volunteer this Fall.  Please help me reach my goal! And many thanks!

http://www.justgiving.com/Margriet-Ruurs1

Book Review: The Other Author Arthur

The Other Author Arthur, by Sheree Fitch

It might be because I love word play that I like this early reader so much. How brilliant is it to come up with this idea: an author named Arthur is about to visit an elementary school. The children are all excited.

The author, however, wished he could spend the day writing.

Meanwhile, a furnace repair man also named Arthur would love nothing better but to share stories with the students.

Everyone is happy when the two Arthurs are accidently switched, allowing one to tell stories and the other one to write in the furnace room!

 

This comedy of errors and mistaken identity brings a day of great stories for the children. Writing, telling our own stories, and the family feel of a small elementary school are themes beneath this farcical adventure. Grades 2-4. I hope, for your sake, that it is still in print.

A children's chapter book illustrated by Jill Quinn.

Pottersfield Press, now distributed by Nimbus

ISBN-10 1-895900-20-4

Author’s website: http://www.shereefitch.com/

Interviews with Canadian Authors and Illustrators

If you are a librarian, classroom teacher, or just any booklover, you might be int

erested in reading the interviews I conduct for each issue of Canadian Teacher Magazine.
The magazine is send to each school in the country but also has an online presence: http://www.canadianteachermagazine.com

Each month I interview a wide variety of writers and illustrators of different genres: scifi, a novelist, a poet, etc. I try to cover male and female, east, west, south, north and in between!

You can contact Canadian Teacher Magazine to receive a subscription in the mail, or check online for current issues.
My current column is available here: http://www.canadianteachermagazine.com/article_lt_canwrite_arthur_slade.html      and features author Arthur Slade.


Happy reading!

Book Review: Lydia, Queen of Palestine by Uri Orlev

Lydia, Queen of Palestine by Uri Orlev

Lydia, a typical but highly spirited child, must face her parents' divorce as well as the growing hostility toward Romania's Jewish population. Lydia's mother sends her to live in a kibbutz in Palestine during World War II, promising to follow her daughter soon.

Lydia finds it difficult to adjust to life in a kibbutz. When her mother fails to show up, she tries to find her father, who is already in Israel but remarried.

"Often outrageous and abrasive, yet also delightfully imaginative, bright, and tenacious, Lydia is the archetype of a survivor, while her experiences on the periphery of the war's horrors are authentic and fascinating."

School Library Journal says "This is an honest book peopled with convincing characters whose petty jealousies and concerns occupy them more than the larger events of the world in which they live. Lydia's experiences are often wryly humorous; she is both inventive and unpredictable, and never boring. This story offers a contrast to the spate of Holocaust books with harrowing escapes and heroic protagonists"

I found this a wonderful read that pulled me into the story, brought the character to live and opened my eyes to a whole new world.

Paperback, 176 pages
ISBN 0140370897 (ISBN13: 9780140370898)