I figured out why it is called cursive: because of the bad words you think when you can't draw the dumb letters right. How many bumps can one M possibly have? (37)
If I had to choose which is worst of:There were so many moments where Justin Case made me smile. (Reading about Justin's trouble with his stuffed animals!) I also loved the book for its relationships. How Justin relates to his family--his mom, his dad, his younger sister, Elizabeth, and especially his relationship with his grandparents Poopsie and Gingy. These family scenes were some of my favorites. I also loved to see Justin making new friends in third grade! I loved getting to know others in his class--like Montana C and Gianni Schicci.
a) climbing a rope up higher than a gym teacher's bald head
b) practicing my squeaky violin
c) hanging upside down by my knees so my shirt falls up
d) getting driven somewhere by Gingy, the slowest driver on the planet
e) walking my drooly dog every day because my parents went away
I would have to choose
f) All of the above
Welcome to my life as a third grader. (206)
His Majesty the KingI really enjoyed Candace Fleming's Clever Jack Takes The Cake. Jack, a poor boy, is embarrassed that he doesn't have a gift worthy enough to give a princess. But. He's not discouraged from attending. And he's not discouraged from trying to do his best. No, he's determined. He decides that he will make her something--a cake. When he leaves home, it is with a fine cake:
cordially invites
all the children of the Realm
to
the Princess's Tenth Birthday
Party
tomorrow afternoon
in the Castle Courtyard.
two layers of golden-sweet cake covered in buttery frosting and ringed with ten tiny candles. Across the cake's top, walnuts spelled out "Happy Birthday, Princess." And in the very center--in the place of honor--sat the succulent strawberry.But his journey to the Castle Courtyard isn't without risk or peril. Will Jack and his fine, fine cake make it to the party? What will the princess think of Jack and his gift?
Art and Max are friends. Arthur is a great artist. Max, well, not so much. He's new at it. He's got much to learn. Can a painting lesson turn into a great adventure? You might just be surprised!
Careful, Max!
Hey, Art, that's great!
The name is Arthur.
I can paint too, Arthur!
You, Max? Don't be ridiculous.
Oh, all right. Just don't get in the way.
Max wants to be an artist like his friend Arthur, but his first attempt at using a paintbrush sends them on a whirlwind trip through various media, with unexpected consequences.It does such a great job!
Poor Abraham Lincoln.I really enjoyed this picture book biography of Abraham Lincoln. It was interesting to read his life story through a single perspective. How Lincoln used laughter as medicine, as food for the soul.
His life was hardly fun at all.
His childhood was harsh.
He looked homely and he knew it.
Sadness disturbed him off and on.
His family had ups and downs.
When he ran for public office, he often lost.
As our sixteenth president, he was unpopular.
And when his country went to war,
it nearly split in tow.
But Lincoln had his own way of dealing with life.
Not many people remember it today.
It was all about laughing.
He labeled a teetering pile in his office with a sign: When you can't find it anywhere else, look in this.Overall, I enjoyed it. I would have loved to know exactly where each quote came from. But Krull does give a minimal bibliography for further reading.
Arrr!What a strange little book! The good news? It is exactly what it looks like. So if you love pirates, if you know someone who loves pirates, then this is the picture book for you. Pirates fill each and every page of this one. Of course, the pirates are in one little boy's imagination. And this redheaded boy sure does love pirates!
Shiver me timbers, what a slobberin' moist mornin'!
Me great scurvy dog slurped me kisser
when I was tryin' t' get me winks!
While I was wipin' the slime from me gob,
I remembered 'twas the first day of school.
I leaped out of bed...
shined me snappers,
and got dressed double quick.
Me mother was soggy with fare-thee-wells,The 'jolly' boat in question? The yellow school bus.
fussing over this, that, and the other thing.
"Fair winds!" I exclaimed and headed for me ship.
And a great, grand jolly boat it was!
Teddy Bear, Teddy Bear
Teddy Bear, Teddy Bear,
Go upstairs.
Teddy Bear, Teddy Bear,
Say your prayers.
Teddy Bear, Teddy Bear,
Turn out the light.
Teddy Bear, Teddy Bear,
Say good night.
-- Anonymous (37)
Piggie! Let's play catch!Piggie and Gerald are getting ready to play catch when they're interrupted by a snake who wants to play catch too. Can these two friends find a way to make that work? You know, since snakes do not have arms to catch or throw with?!
Yes! I love playing catch with friends!
I will throw.
I will catch.
Excuse me! Can I play too?
Gerald!Piggie would love, love, love to teach her best friend Gerald how to dance. She is teaching all her friends, you know, and Gerald is her best, best friend. Gerald knows this won't be easy. For he knows that elephants cannot dance. But for Piggie, his best friend, he's willing to try. And try. And try. And try. Will Piggie's perseverance pay off? Will Gerald learn to dance? Or will Piggie have to accept the truth that elephants cannot dance?
!
Let's Dance!
I can teach you! I am teaching all my friends.
I would love to learn how to dance.
"We must...meet hate with love."This picture book very simply, very eloquently presents the story of one aspect of the Civil Rights Movement. The focus is on the peaceful protests, the sit-ins. It tells how four college students inspired others--many others--to join in the nonviolent fight for equal rights, for integration.
These were Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s words that got them started.
Four hungry friends. Eager to eat.
Each took a seat at the Woolworth's lunch counter
in Greensboro, North Carolina.
David, Joseph, Franklin, and Ezell sat quiet and still.
With hearts full of hope.
With Dr. King's words strong and close.
They were college students with a plan.
It was February 1, 1960.
This was the law's recipe for segregation.For readers looking for more information, more background, the book features a Civil Rights Timeline and a bibliography.
Its instructions were easy to follow:
Do not combine white people with black people.
Segregation was a bitter mix.
Now, it was the friends' turn to ignore and refuse.
They ignored the law, and refused to leave until they were served.
Those kids had a recipe too.
A new brew called integration.
It was just as simple:
Combine black with white
to make sweet justice.
For them, integration was better than any chef's special.
Integration was finer than homemade cake.
I told Mrs. Nuddles that she couldn't miss my house. It has the biggest condoor in the whole neighborhood. I asked him to be on his best behavior--I really want to go on that field trip tomorrow. I think I see Mrs. Nuddles through the windodo now.As the two make their way to his kangaroom, things get a bit dangerous, a bit tricky. Will Mrs. Nuddles survive this visit?
"Hi, Mrs. Nuddles. Be careful stepping onto the floormingos. They don't like dirt getting stuck between their feathers."
Dirtball Pete looked like something the cat dragged in.
It was a fact.
His mom said so, and his aunt Marion agreed.
Dirtball Pete also stank to high heaven.
This was another fact.
His sister, Amanda, said so, and her friend Janine totally agreed.
It's time for Maisy to go to bed.I haven't always been a big Maisy fan. But I really, really liked this one. (Much like I really, really liked Maisy's Book of Things That Go.) I think this may be my favorite Maisy yet. I think it is because of the attention to detail. There are so many small details that make this one work. So many interactive features that make this one fun. Like the fact that you can make Maisy drink a glass of juice. Like the fact that you can make her brush her teeth. Like the fact that you can read Maisy's bedtime book. Little things really like unrolling the toilet paper, putting the plug in the bathroom sink, turning on the water faucets, etc.
Maisy has a bedtime drink.
Maisy goes to the potty then washes her hands.
Where is Pete's potty?
It's for poo and pee.
Is it under the bed?
Let's look and see.
Where is Lily's potty?
It's for poo and pee.
Is it under the bed?
Let's look and see.
Leslie Patricelli's oh-so-adorable baby is ready to be potty-trained! What do you do when you really have to go? Will this baby have success on the potty? Is it time for the diapers to go, go, go?
I have to go potty!
I could go in my diaper.
Should I go in my diaper?
I don't want to!
Tubby time!
I'm naked!
Wheeee!
In I go.
Splash!
Big, yet movesI would definitely recommend both On the Farm and In the Wild.
with grace.
Powerful, yet delicate
as lace.
As to color, plain--
an ordinary gray.
But once we start to look,
we cannot look away.
When peaceful, silent;
When angry, loud.
Who would have guessed
the Elephant
is so much like a cloud?
I went to the farm, and what did I see?I thought Pig-a-Boo was very cute and very fun! It has touch-and-feel elements and a flap on each spread. It's predictable and repetitive--as it should be for this age! It's a fun story that I found appealing. Perhaps a book you wouldn't mind reading aloud a dozen times in a row!
Oink-a-boo!
A big chubby pig looking at me!
I went to the barnyard, and what did I see?
Neigh-a-boo!
A happy horse looking at me!
Have you ever poked a penguin?I enjoyed this touch-and-feel board book by Betsy Snyder. It includes several animals with touch-and-feel elements: a walrus, an octopus, a tiger, a hedgehog, an armadillo, a penguin, an ostrich. I especially enjoyed the ostrich, the hedgehog, and the walrus. Those textures aren't as common in touch-and-feel books--like the soft fur of so many others.
Daddy's tum is soft and stout--
A cozy spot for hiding out!
Have you ever nudged a hedgehog?
She's cute and sharp and kind of prickly.
Touch her--is your finger tickly?
