Valarie Budayr's Blog, page 16

Summer Reading – Great Middle Reader Books to Add to Your Summer Shelf

Greetings!  It really feels like summer now. The weather has warmed up and we are beginning to enjoy more outside activities.

This also means that school has ended and the concerns of “summer reading slide” have started.

Scholastic has an excellent report called 10 Critical Facts about Summer Reading that addresses the issue of learning or reading skill losses during the summer months are cumulative, creating a wider gap each year between more proficient and less proficient students. By the time a struggling reader reaches middle school, summer reading loss has accumulated to a two–year lag in reading achievement.

We’ve found that the best way to motivate your reader in the summer is to know what inspires them!

Making reading an adventure and not a “task, chore, requirement” during the summer months is a great way to help the desire to read and getting them loving the written word.

Make book reading like a seasonal shift in your wardrobe. One of our first family activities, when school gets out, is to make The Summer Shelf. Off come the passing season’s books and on comes the fun books of summer. Some are old friends and others are new, but The Summer Shelf is a way to herald in the summer reading season.

Great Middle Reader Book to Add to Your Summer Reading Shelf

Willa of the Wood by Robert Beatty

Willa, a young night-spirit forest girl, is her clan’s best thief. Move without a sound. Steal without a trace. Its the mantra her people live by.

Her people are the Faeran, ancient forest dwellers who once lived in harmony with the woods and the Great Smoky Mountains but now struggle to survive in an uncertain world.  Once a wise and powerful people, the Faeran have been pushed to the edge of extinction, forced deep into the mountains and stealing from the day-folk to survive.

The only way Willa can help her people from becoming extinct is to creep into the homes of day-folk in the cover of darkness and takes what they won’t miss. It’s dangerous work—the day-folk kill whatever they do not understand. Life for the Faeran is all about survival and unity, but human “day folk” are encroaching on their lives in the forest And now an even stranger new threat is looming; the railroad.

When Willa’s curiosity leaves her hurt and stranded in the day world, she calls upon an ancient, unbreakable bond to escape. Only then does she discover the truth: not all day-folk are the same, and the foundations that have guarded the Faeran for eons are under attack. For ages 8-12.

The Storm Runner by J.C. Cervantes

How can one boy with a limp stop the Maya god of death, disaster, and darkness from destroying the world?

Zane has always enjoyed exploring the dormant volcano near his home in New Mexico, even though hiking it is challenging. He’d much rather hang out there with his dog, Rosie than go to middle school, where kids call him Sir Limps a Lot, McGimpster, or Uno – for his one good leg.

What Zane doesn’t know is that the volcano is a gateway to another world and he is at the center of a powerful prophecy. A new girl at school, Brooks, informs him that he’s destined to release an evil god from the ancient Maya relic he is imprisoned in–unless she can find and remove it first. Together they return to the volcano, where all kinds of crazy happen. Brooks turns into a hawk, a demon attacks them in a cave, and Rosie gives her all while trying to protect Zane. When Zane decides to save his dog no matter the cost, he is thrust into an adventure full of surprising discoveries, dangerous secrets, and an all-out war between the gods, one of whom happens to be his father.

To survive, Zane will have to become the Storm Runner. But how can he run when he can’t even walk well without a cane?

For ages 10-14. Grab a copy of this book on AmazonBarnes & Noble, IndieBound, and on Rick’s website.

 Travels with Gannon and Wyatt: Hawaii

When an ancient map is found on a drowning archeologist, the explorers shift their focus to the secrets the map holds and go on an adventure to rarely visited parts of the islands of Hawaii. As the story takes a turn when they discover that the secret the map holds is to the secret burial site of King Kamehameha the Great. The adventure takes a turn as they learn that someone is after the map at any cost, even to them and their lives.

The Complete Pendomus Chronicles Trilogy: Books 1-3 of the Pendomus Chronicles Dystopian Scifi Fantasy Boxed Set Series by Carissa Andrews

A planet out of balance. The rise of an unlikely savior. A betrayal that could derail it all.

An Amazon #1 Bestselling Trilogy…{and one we highly recommend for an exceptional story and end-of-your-seat suspense!}

Can one girl’s lost humanity return to make her the most powerful being on Pendomus? Or will her naivety force those around her to succumb to a horrifying fate?

Only time will tell.

Just when all hope is lost—destiny intervenes and sets a new trajectory. The only question is … who’s pulling the strings?

Delve into the Complete Pendomus Chronicles trilogy, with over 1000 pages chock-full of mystery, magic, and gripping action that will keep you turning the pages until the very end.

The Apothecary by Maile Meloy

When the apothecary is kidnapped, Janie and Benjamin must uncover the secrets of the sacred

Pharmacopoeia in order to find him and save the world. (Grades 6-8)

Secret Scouts and the Lost Leonardo by Mr. and Mrs. Kind.

It’s like The Goonies meets The Da Vinci Code, and even the book cover has a Stranger Things feel to it!

Secret Scouts and the Lost Leonardo

This  incredible book trailer brings the whole story to life:

 

Tom, Lisa, Sophie, and Jack stumble across the find of a lifetime — Leonardo da Vinci’s codex full of sketches, writings, and calculations. Now they have a choice: do they sell it and become richer beyond their wildest dreams, or do they try to decode the journal and figure out what Leonardo was up to? Tom and Jack want to sell the book, but sisters Lisa and Sophie have other ideas. What they discover within the codex is the science behind time travel. But when they put the calculations to the test, they find out just how dangerous this secret can truly be.

For ages 10-16 but don’t worry, parents can read it too

Creative Adventures in Cursive | Books+Art=FUN

Has cursive writing become a “lost art?” Is it destined to be one of those things the younger generation talks about that us “old people” used to do along with writing checks and sending physical Thank You cards?

Not if we can help it

How to De-Germ and Clean Hardcover Children’s Books

Whether you are a parent preparing for cold and flu season, or a teacher getting ready to wrap up yet another successful school year, tidying up and “de-germing” hardcover books is something that may be on your mind.

A few years ago, I received a message on our JIAB Facebook Fan Page from a mom named Keri asking, “any great tips for disinfecting books?”

 

I’ve wondered about this in the past, and thanks to Keri’s question was spurred to ask. This was also expedited by the big pile of favorite books that my very sick (stomach virus) son is hoarding in his bed.

So after having children of my own and at least a million trips to the library, this idea of disinfecting books never crossed my mind. I always just have the children wash their hands many times throughout the day.

Is it possible to disinfect or de-germ books? YES.

De-Germ and Clean Your Children’s Books

Soft Books: For soft books, wash them with warm soapy water. Rinse them off and let them dry completely in the dish rack.

Fabric Books: These are easily washed in the washing machine using baby detergent. After washing them, let them air dry by hanging it on a drying rack. Wash them in lukewarm water so the book doesn’t shrink.

Hardcover Books: There are a couple of ways to clean these. The first is to use a book cleaner paste and a swish cloth. Demco Book Cleaner and Absorene Magic Book Cleaner and Eraser are two non-toxic brands which take off dirt a marks. Honestly, I don’t know if they disinfect the book but they definitely clean the book.

Absorene Book Cleaner

 

The second way to clean a book and this one does disinfect them is to use a homemade solution of white vinegar and water. Dip your cleaning cloth into the vinegar mixture, and then ringing out the cloth very well.  Gently wipe down the cover in a circular motion with the damp cloth and then dry immediately with another cloth.

Vinegar Cleaning Solution Recipe:

1/4 cup of white vinegar
2 cups of warm water.

What to do with the interior pages of a book?

If you should encounter a book filled with dust or crumbs, use your dust attachment on your vacuum and vacuum out the spine between the pages of the book.

As for disinfecting the actual pages of a book I’ve heard, you can use the above white vinegar mixture in a spray bottle. Spray from quite a distance and then fan the pages of the book dry. Personally, I would not be able to bring myself to do this, especially if it’s a library book. My solution is to have my kids use hand sanitizer after reading their books.

A really important note is never use anything to clean your book which has alcohol in it. This will completely destroy your books covers and pages.

What do you do to disinfect books? Please share so we can continue to gather information on this timely topic.

The Book Doctor Can Help

If you have some unusual issues like pencil, crayon or ink marks, or even gum,  The Book Doctor will teach you how to properly clean your books.

If All Else Fails-Upcycle

There may come a time when a book has simply seen it’s last classroom or bookcase. But don’t despair! Give these books a new life with these amazing upcycled book craft ideas!

Happy Reading!

I just have to take a moment and share the news of my upcoming (and very first!) picture book, Sissy Goes Tiny!

Sissy Goes Tiny by Rebecca Flansburg and B.A. Norrgard

In Sissy Goes Tiny, eight-year-old Sissy and her parents make the bold choice to downsize their life and embark on a journey of living tiny and doing more with less. At first, Sissy struggles to get used to the idea of living in a tiny house on wheels and traveling around the U.S, but as she and her mommy and daddy learn about downsizing, repurposing, and how “stuff is just stuff,” she soon understands that a life of “living tiny” will be filled with the big adventures and learning.

This gorgeous diverse picture book will be available July of 2019 and you can read the full story of this journey here and also reserve your hardcover copy here.

Join me in celebrating the idea of Tiny Living and BIG Adventures!

The post How to De-Germ and Clean Hardcover Children’s Books appeared first on Jump Into a Book.

Taking a Komodo Dragon for a stroll with Joan Proctor, Dragon Doctor

Imagine my delight when I saw that May is National Pet Month!  My eyes may have leaked a little too with happiness.

Why?

Because our family adores critters and (according to the last time I counted) we have 23 pets. In defense of myself…17 are fish.

So that leaves a head count of one dog, one hamster, and four delight “scaly babies.” The four non-fur-bearing pets include one Leopard Gecko (Kermit), one diva-spoiled-rotten Bearded Dragon (Gidget), and two adorable snakes (Dex and Leonidas).

My daughter Sara with our Leopard Gecko, Kermit

Over the years our family has discovered that VERY FEW PEOPLE share our enthusiasm for our snakes and lizards.  It’s the weirdest thing. What’s not to love?

But that changed a tad when I spotted the book,  Joan Procter, Dragon Doctor by Patricia Valdez. I truly had a “YESSSS!!!” moment!

At a time when most women of her age and class were hosting tea parties and behaving demurely at home, Joan Procter was studying reptiles. And when she had her own tea parties, she invited the most unusual guests including her pet lizards, an alligator, and a giant Komodo dragon named Sumbawa!

Note: I’ve never invited my reptiles to a gathering, but I have tried to talk about them often. No one seemed interested. WTH?

If Joan Proctor lived in this modern day era, she and I would be besties for sure!

An Elementary Non-Fiction Book about a Fellow Reptile Fan

Joan Procter, Dragon Doctor by Patricia Valdez; illustrated by Felicita Sala Alfred A. Knopf

Author Felicita Sala’s child-friendly art and Patricia Valdez’s simple and engaging text chronicle Joan Procter’s life from girlhood to her untimely death at 34. Despite struggling with chronic ill-health, sexism from the scientists of the day, and general disinterest and fear of reptiles, Joan Procter made significant scientific contributions to the study of reptiles.

When Joan grew older, she became the Curator of Reptiles at the British Museum.

She went on to design the Reptile House at the London Zoo, including a home for the rumored-to-be-vicious komodo dragons–reported to be her favorite reptile. Within the back matter of this delightful book is great facts about Komodo Dragons and the backstory this notable female scientist. Readers will be inspired to pursue their own scientific interests, overcome barriers both societal and physical, and learn more about the strange, wonderful creatures that Joan Procter loved.

And join the ranks of us who KNoW reptiles are freaking AWEsome. Would you take a walk with a giant lizard?

Something To Do

Reptiles as a first Pet:

Now before you shudder at the thought and get a huge case of the heebie-jeebies, consider the fact that many reptiles are easy to care for and are even used as therapy animals in homes and schools. Geckos or Bearded Dragons have very mellow dispositions that have proven to be effective calming tools for children on the autism spectrum or very anxious kids.

There was a time when my daughter (who is highly anxious and hyper-sensitive) was younger that the only way I could get her up for school in the a.m. was to promise her some “Kermit time” with our gecko.

I really love this story from The Mighty about how a pet bearded dragon helped one young mom with depression and anxiety.

I adore this Popsicle Lizard Craft from Mom of 5 Blessings!

Reptile Care 101: Whatever reptile you chose, be sure and read up on proper husbandry for them. They, like any other pet, need a special set of skills for care so they can live a long and happy life!

I just have to take a moment and share the news of my upcoming (and very first!) picture book, Sissy Goes Tiny!

Sissy Goes Tiny by Rebecca Flansburg and B.A. Norrgard

In Sissy Goes Tiny, eight-year-old Sissy and her parents make the bold choice to downsize their life and embark on a journey of living tiny and doing more with less. At first, Sissy struggles to get used to the idea of living in a tiny house on wheels and traveling around the U.S, but as she and her mommy and daddy learn about downsizing, repurposing, and how “stuff is just stuff,” she soon understands that a life of “living tiny” will be filled with the big adventures and learning.

This gorgeous diverse picture book will be available July of 2019 and you can read the full story of this journey here and also reserve your hardcover copy here.

Join me in celebrating the idea of Tiny Living and BIG Adventures!

The post Taking a Komodo Dragon for a stroll with Joan Proctor, Dragon Doctor appeared first on Jump Into a Book.

A Diverse Picture Book about Tiny Living and BIG Adventures!

Many of us dream of downsizing and “living simple,” but one former paralegal has actively made that dream a reality. Living the tiny house lifestyle led to many positive connections, experiences, and adventures. And little did author B.A. Norrgard know, it would lead to a children’s book as well!

The idea for a picture book about a family downsizing and choosing to “live tiny” started as a “what if?” conversation between B.A. and a long-time friend…that friend just happened to be ME!

Co-authors Rebecca Flansburg and B.A. Norrgard

During a gloriously summer day in 2018, I was enjoying some much-needed catch-up time over lunch with B.A. She and husband John had moved their tiny home on wheels from their winter hangout in Dallas, Texas to reconnect with family and soak up some of the Minnesota lake life.

As we munched and chatted, the conversation soon turned to B.A.’s lifestyle of “living tiny” and how leaving her paralegal career in 2012 had led to a personal lifestyle change as well as a career within the tiny house community. As a freelance writer, I had already done several stories for magazines on B.A.’s transition to a simpler life and was blown away how deeply she’d become involved over those six years into the nationwide movement of going tiny and empowering others to downsize as well.

It was during this conversation, I pondered the question of what the process of “going tiny” might look like through the eyes of a child and how scary that could actually be. The question lead to an in-depth discussion and the idea for an innovative children’s book was born.

Fast-forward a year and we are both excited to announce the arrival of our baby book, Sissy Goes Tiny. This project was educational, nerve-wracking, rewarding, and definitely a “Bucket List” moment. Thanks to the help and wisdom of our publisher (Valarie Budayr of Audrey Press) our talented illustrator Penny Weber and the creative chops of designer, Any Meadon, this book is something we can’t wait to share with the world!

Sissy Goes Tiny by Rebecca Flansburg and B.A. Norrgard
About The Book

In Sissy Goes Tiny, eight-year-old Sissy and her parents make the bold choice to downsize their life and embark on a journey of living tiny and doing more with less. At first, Sissy struggles to get used to the idea of living in a tiny house on wheels and traveling around the U.S, but as she and her mommy and daddy learn about downsizing, repurposing, and how “stuff is just stuff,” she soon understands that a life of “living tiny” will be filled with the big adventures and learning.

While in creation-mode,  we both agreed that this book needed to have a deeper purpose and lesson beyond helping youngsters understand the importance of going tiny. We knew we wanted this book to be a captivating and fun read for kids, but we also wanted to have some subtle lessons within the pages as well. Basically, we wanted parents and kids alike to understand the process of downsizing, repurposing, and how ‘stuff is just stuff’ in a positive way.

Valuable Messages with the Pages of Sissy Goes Tiny

*The act of “going tiny” or downsizing/minimizing from a child’s perspective.

*Mommy and Daddy are excited about the tiny house lifestyle, but 8-year-old Sissy isn’t so sure. Together, as a family, they work together to support each other.

*The child in the story “loves her life” and continue to do so even when their lifestyle and living situation changes

*Touch on the process of downsizing, repurposing, and how “stuff is just stuff” in a positive way

*The underlying lesson throughout the whole story is that living Tiny has BIG possibilities and can open up life to all sorts of adventures and learning.

*When keeping things “beautiful and useful” how different that might look to a child.

*Sissy comes to realize that her family’s new tiny adventure was full of big possibilities, and wherever they went on their journey, they would always be home.

In Praise of Sissy Goes Tiny

“In a time where folks are encouraged to buy more, have more, and be more, Sissy Goes Tiny captures the idea: we can be happy with less.  Many people feel “less than” when they have to change homes, or feel they are otherwise losing ‘the big Oak trees in the yard.’  But we can learn from change… it can be good for a thousand reasons. Cheers to the authors.  This is wonderful. Sissy Goes Tiny teaches us that HOME is bigger than a space and bigger than the people who live there; HOME is where you love with all your heart, whatever shape HOME takes, whatever size… where you can be YOU with your big juicy heart, that is home.” Dee Williams, Tiny House Living thought leader and CEO of  P adTinyHouses.com

Where to Find Sissy

Sissy Goes Tiny will be ready for Purchase in July of 2019…BUT, you can secure your copy now! GO HERE to learn more about the authors, the book, and the journey to Doing More with Less.

Something To Do

Sissy Goes Tiny Discussion Questions:

*In the book, Sissy Goes Tiny, Sissy is coached by her parents to keep things that are “beautiful and useful.” What does that mean to you?
*What are some of the favorite things that you would want to keep if you were going to live in a tiny house?
*If you had a house on wheels, what place/city/attraction would you want to visit first?
*What things do you own that could be repurposed into something new? An apron? A necklace? A favorite sweater?
*In the book, Sissy and her parents take pictures of all of their favorites places and people in their hometown to make a memory book. What people and places are your “favorites” in the town where you live?
*What would be hard if you lived in a tiny house?
What things would be awesome about living in a tiny house on wheels?

Getting Rid of “Stuff” is HARD: Up North Parent has some great tips on ways to part with even the most sentimental things.

I Can’t Get Rid of That! | Sentimental Stuff that Threatens Simplicity and What to Do With It

The post A Diverse Picture Book about Tiny Living and BIG Adventures! appeared first on Jump Into a Book.

180 Diverse Kidlit Book Recommends for Summer Reading!

School is almost out and our youngsters are settling into a new summer routine of sleeping in and hopefully doing some exploring and discovering. With the hectic days of summer just beginning, oftentimes one of the first habits to go by the wayside is the habit of daily reading.

Reading is always an important part of our children’s lives no matter what time of year it is so I decided to wrap my knowledge of fun kidlit books and activities and create a unique resource for parents who are looking for creative ways to keep their kids reading this summer. Reading is important, but so is helping our young readers learn about other cultures, religions, and traditions through the pages of these books.

Another hot topic on the minds of parents, teachers, and librarians is the lack of diverse books available for young readers. We’ve come a long way in changing this thanks to non-profits like Multicultural Children’s Book Day–and we still have a ways to go. Luckily the number of kidlit and YA books available these days has grown exponentially; providing families with the invaluable opportunity to discover our world through vibrant stories, education resources and colorful illustrations, and imagery.

If world travel isn’t in your budget, this free list of 180 multicultural books for kids is a great way to explore cultures, race, religions, languages, and traditions with our summer readers. Enjoy!

Diverse Kidlit Books for Summer Reading

D is for Down Under by Devin Scillian

What country holds the title as the world’s smallest continent and yet the world’s largest island? I stand for island, but one that’s not too small. Australia is a continent, but it’s an island, too. Originally founded as a penal colony, Australia has long been known for its contrasts (think: wild outback and sophisticated Sydney Opera House). Accompanied by vibrant colorful artwork, D is for Down Under: An Australia Alphabet captures the spirit of this proud country and its many treasures, natural and man-made. Visit spectacular Sydney Harbor, try your hand as a jackaroo working at a sheep station, or just sit back and enjoy a Vegemite sandwich. Below the starry night glitter of the Southern Cross constellation, Australia’s “down under” wonders shine brightly.

Mariam is a delightful young Muslim girl who was inspired to create a book with a powerful message about kindness and inclusion. She is also a guest poet, writer, contributor and a source of inspiration for the book, Soulful Sydney Explores Diversity: a delightful children’s book written in rhyme this is fun to read. Learn more about Miriam and Soulful Sydney here.

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Under the Mambo Moon by Julia Durango: On summer nights Marisol helps out in Papi’s music store. As customers come and go, they share memories of the Latin music and dance of their various homelands, expressed in a dazzling array of poetry. The diversity of Latin American music is brought to life in poems that swivel, sway, and sizzle with the rhythms of merengue, vallenatos, salsa, and samba.

The Adventures of Lily Huckleberry in Scandinavia from This Little Street Press is the first book of a new whimsical travel series for kids, and I think readers of JIAB will absolutely love it not only for its content and esthetic but also for how much Lily’s adventures teach kids about the world, about being brave + curious + adventurous and embracing different cultures. This book is soooo vibrant and fun! Read our full review here.

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My First Book of Korean Words by Henry J Arnen

My First Book of Korean Words is a beautifully illustrated book that introduces young children to Korean language and culture through everyday words.

The words profiled in this book are all commonly used in the Korean language and are both informative and fun for English-speaking children to learn. The goals of My First Book of Korean Words are multiple: to familiarize children with the sounds and structure of Korean speech, to introduce core elements of Korean culture, to illustrate the ways in which languages differ in their treatment of everyday sounds and to show how, through cultural importation, a single word can be shared between languages.

Celebrate Holi With Me! By Shoumi Sen

To share a colorful Indian holiday and tradition with your readers, check out the beautiful diverse picture book, Celebrate Holi With Me! Also called the Festival of Colors, Holi is celebrated at the end of winter, on the last full moon day of the Hindu luni-solar calendar month marking the beginning of spring, making the date vary with the lunar cycle. The date falls typically in March, but sometimes late February of the Gregorian calendar. Holi is not just a Festival of colors but also a celebration of good over evil.

Intrigued? Sign up below for quick and free access to the entire list of  180 Multicultural Book Ideas: World Travel through Kidlit Summer Reading!

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The post 180 Diverse Kidlit Book Recommends for Summer Reading! appeared first on Jump Into a Book.

A DiverseKidLit Linkup for the Merry Month of MAY

Happy May! Hard to believe that we are into the 5th month of 2019 already. Where does time go?

As the school year winds down for many parents, the focus begins to also shift to how to keep kids reading during the summer months. “Summer slide” is indeed a “thing,” and even Scholastic has acknowledged the importance of keeping kids reading during the non-school months in their report, 10 Critical Facts about Summer Reading.

With that in mind, below are some great ideas and suggestion for books that parents can add to their summer bookshelf to help keep summer slide at bay. These books are also all diverse in nature which allows readers of all ages to “see” themselves in the pages of the books they read.

And if you are a book reviewer, be sure and add your diverse children’s book review links and resources to this linkup and keep these great suggestions and recommendations list growing! Enjoy!

First, What Is #DiverseKidLit?

Diverse Children’s Books is a book-sharing meme designed to promote the reading and writing of children’s books that feature diverse characters. This community embraces all kinds of diversity including (and certainly not limited to) diverse, inclusive, multicultural, and global books for children of all backgrounds.

We encourage everyone who shares to support this blogging community by visiting and leaving comments for at least three others. Please also consider following the hosts on at least one of their social media outlets. Spread the word using #diversekidlit and/or adding our button to your site and your diverse posts.

We hope this community serves as a resource for parents, teachers, librarians, publishers, and authors!

#DiverseKidLit is Hosted by:

Katie @ The Logonauts

Blog / Twitter / Facebook / Pinterest
Becky @JumpIntoaBook

Blog / Twitter / Facebook / Pinterest / Instagram
Bethany @ Biracial Bookworms

Blog / Twitter / Facebook / Pinterest / Instagram / Goodreads
Carolina @ La Clase de Sra. DuFault

Blog / Twitter / Facebook / Google+
Gauri @ Kitaab World

an online bookstore for South Asian children’s books, toys, and games

Blog / Twitter / Facebook / Pinterest / Instagram
Gayle Swift, Author of ABC, Adoption & Me

Blog / Twitter / Facebook / Google+
Marjorie @ Mirrors Windows Doors

Blog / Twitter / Facebook / Pinterest
Mia @ Pragmatic Mom

Blog / Twitter / Facebook / Pinterest / Instagram
Myra @ Gathering Books

Blog / Twitter / Facebook / Pinterest / Instagram / Goodreads
Shoumi Sen, Author of Toddler Diaries

Blog / Twitter / Facebook
Svenja @ Colours of Us
Blog / Twitter / Facebook / Pinterest / Tumblr
Terry @ The Reading Tub
Blog, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest

 

Click here to join the mailing list. Interested in joining as a host or an occasional co-host? Contact Becky@JumpIntoaBook.com.

Inlinkz Link Party

The post A DiverseKidLit Linkup for the Merry Month of MAY appeared first on Jump Into a Book.

Weekend Links: Ways to Celebrate Screen-Free Week 2019!

Are you planning on celebrating Screen-Free Week 2019?

The thought of being “screen-free” or “unplugged” may strike fear into the hearts of most kids (and adults), but taking the time to put down devices and live in the moment is an exceptionally healthy way to live.

Over the years, we’ve watched the screen debate evolve as families choose between having a “screen-free” or a “screen-filled” home. Some technology is indeed needed to stay abreast of what is happening in the world and having access to the WWW for research and learning is an added bonus. But technology also tends to become the “electronic babysitter” for all ages of kids, robbing them of human connection and socializing.

ll of that is well and good until all this connectivity starts encroaching on our little domestic bubble.  It quickly dawned on parents that the conversation that was not being voiced was the one about balance.

That’s why I am always thrilled to be supporting and embracing going “screen free” for a week in order remind all of us all how important it is to stay grounded and present while discovering what “technology balance” is best for our homes and lives.

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Celebrating Screen-Free Week 2019

“With so much free time spent on screens, children are missing out on the joys of such offline activities such as reading, gardening, exercising, exploring, volunteering, crafting, and so much more….” Rinny Yourman, Outreach Coordinator for Screen-Free Week. Read Rinny’s guest post on Screen-Free Week HERE.

We couldn’t agree more with Rinny and that’s one of the many reasons that A Year in the Secret Garden by Valarie Budayr and Marilyn Scott-Waters is such a hit with parents and kids alike. This gorgeous book was created as a way to bring the kids’ classic tale, Secret Garden, to life in a modern way. This book contains the things Rinny spoke of (offline activities such as reading, gardening, exploring, crafting)  along with cooking and even a little history! Here is one of the many wonderful activity and book review blog posts we’ve done on A Year in the Secret Garden and you can see there are many more ways to delve into this robust book!

Get Busy with Crafts and Activities!
Shannon Philpott-Sanders has created and written a wonderful book called  Screen-Free FUN  that is filled with over 400 activities and this activity guide is a guarantee for a fun-filled week of No Screens.

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Go on a field trip! 

25 Mini Adventures in the Library from Mama Scout is really fun and your kids will learn a lot about where things are in your local library.

Have a Read-A-Thon in your home or classroom!

It’s not hard to find great book ideas for a Read-A-Thon adventure. One tactic would be to search Pinterest for {fill in the blank} booklists and watch the treasure trove of books ideas fill your screen. Here are some of our more popular booklists on JIAB:

5 Kidlit Books that Help us Appreciate HOME

The “Like Percy Jackson” Booklist for Middle Readers

15 Coding Books for Inquisitive Young Minds

Beautiful Picture Books that Address the Effects of Deforestation on Animals

What will YOU do to be Screen-Free?

A Year in the Secret Garden

As parents, we want/need quality books with extension activities to help our young ones unplug and create memories. Pulling books from shelves, and stories from pages is also an important act that will the habit of being life-long readers. Quality books with companion book extension activities are not only working to create special family time, it allows kids to solve the world’s problems without major consequences. A Year in the Secret Garden is just such a book.

This delightful children’s book that is co-written by Marilyn Scott-Waters and Valarie Budyar and it offers original month-by-month activities that allow readers to delve deeper into the classic children’s tale, The Secret Garden.

Within the 120 pages (with 150 original color illustrations and 48 activities)families will find many activities inspired by The Secret Garden that encourages them to step away from technology and enjoy getting hands and feet into the black earth of a family garden. This book will make a great gift and be the catalyst of many hours of family growth, learning and FUN!

Grab your copy ASAP and “meet me in the garden!” More details HERE!

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Use Screen-Free Week 2019 to Jump Into A Book!

Guest Post from Rinny Yourman-Outreach Coordinator for Screen-Free Week

Screen-Free Week is coming up April 29-May 5 – and it’s the perfect opportunity for children to Jump Into a Book!

 

Screen-Free Week 2019

Screen-Free Week is an annual, international celebration hosted by the nonprofit Campaign for a Commercial-Free Childhood, that encourages children, families, schools, and communities to go free of entertainment screens for an entire week. There are many reasons to celebrate Screen-Free Week, but one significant purpose is to help children and families to aim for greater screen balance in the long run. The week originally began as TV Turnoff Week in 1994 with the goal of reducing time spent watching television; CCFC began hosting the event in 2010, renaming it Screen-Free Week in light of the greater variety of digital screens competing for children’s free time.

Why is Screen-Free Week so important? Recent studies of entertainment screen use (which excluded screens for schoolwork and homework) have found that children spend a lot of free time in front of screens; an average of nearly nine hours of media entertainment daily (teens), nearly six hours (tweens), and more than two hours (children eight and younger).

With so much free time spent on screens, children are missing out on the joys of such offline activities like reading, gardening, exercising, exploring, volunteering, crafting, and so much more. Screen-Free Week is about bringing children together, and bringing together children and the loving adults in their lives, to experience life in the present moment through shared, screen-free activities.

Ways to be Screen-Free

Reading, of course, is a natural fit for Screen-Free Week! Families and schools routinely incorporate reading and book-related activities in their Screen-Free Week celebrations. Families can:

Read (aloud, to themselves, a child, to a parent or caregiver, to a sibling, to a grandparent)
Visit their local library
Attend Screen-Free Week events at their local library or bookstore
Start a book journal of books they want to read
Create a special bookmark
Write a letter to a beloved author or illustrator
Try out a book that is different from the kinds of books they normally read (whether by topic, genre, or protagonist)

Schools have lots of options for Screen-Free Week as well. They can choose to:

Host daily read-alouds for younger students (a teacher, head of school, librarian, or even someone unexpected, like the P.E. teacher, school nurse, or popular administrator)
Dedicate daily time to silent reading
Hold a book costume parade of favorite book characters
Write letters to a favorite author or illustrator of a book read in class
Invite a local author to read and speak to students
Hold fun book-related activities in the school library during the day (i.e., ask students to vote on what they like more: dog- or cat-themed books, etc.)
Hold a poetry slam
Read on the playground, if the weather is warm
Read books about gardening before Screen-Free Week, then start a school garden during Screen-Free Week

Regardless of the event or activity, Screen-Free Week allows families and schools to celebrate reading together, in a way that is fun, memorable, and meaningful.

We all share the common goal of making reading as vital to children’s lives as possible, and sometimes it means finding creative ways of bringing the world of books alive. Screen-Free Week allows parents, caregivers, and educators space and time to do so.

An added bonus is that Screen-Free Week takes place at the same time as the 100th anniversary of Children’s Book Week!

So let’s all strive for a little “unplugged” and Screen-Free time in our lives. Mark April 29-May 5 on your calendars, start planning your family and school events now, and read!

 

Rinny Yourman is Outreach Coordinator for Screen-Free Week. The Screen-Free Week website offers valuable free resources and handouts to families and schools looking to celebrate Screen-Free Week, including permission slips, reading pledges, certificates of achievement, booklist of children’s books about going screen-free, and more. Many of these resources are available in English and Spanish. You can also follow Screen-Free Week on Facebook .

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Seed Savers: A riveting Middle-Grade Chapter Book Series

It really feels like summer now. The weather has warmed up and we are beginning to enjoy more outside activities.

This also means that school will be ending soon and the concerns of “summer reading slide” with be on every parent’s mind.

Scholastic has an excellent report called 10 Critical Facts about Summer Reading that addresses the issue of learning or reading skill losses during the summer months are cumulative, creating a wider gap each year between more proficient and less proficient students. By the time a struggling reader reaches middle school, summer reading loss has accumulated to a two–year lag in reading achievement.

Honestly, we’ve found that the best way to motivate readers during the summer months is to know what inspires them! Making reading an adventure and not a “task, chore, requirement” during the summer months is a great way to help the desire to read and getting them loving the written word. Most young readers enjoy a unique and riveting chapter book series. You know, the kind that keeps them on the edge of their seat and makes them want to “see what happens next?”

The Seed Savers: A riveting Middle-Grade Chapter Book Series

We found just such a five-book chapter book series with a topic that is exceptionally intriguing!  In the Seed Savers series by Sandra Smith, readers are introduced to a futuristic world where growing food is against the law and gardening is a lost art. Three friends, Lily, Clare, and Dante, risk their safety by studying the taboo subject of gardening thanks to an elderly mentor named Ana. Always watching, however, is GRIM, the government agency that controls the nation’s food and keeps in check all potential troublemakers.

Will the children succeed in their quest to learn about gardening, and find a place of food freedom? More importantly, can they help change the world?

Seed Savors-Treasure Summary:

It’s in the year 2077, and the world is a very different place. Food, as we know it today, no longer exists. Regulated by the government, people are expected to live on five synthetic sustenance groups: Proteins, Carbos, Vitees, Sweeties, and Snacks. Naturally grown crops and garden fare are not only unheard of, they are also against the law to produce. There’s been no apocalypse, but other things like the weather, access to the internet, and public information have drastically changed. And not for the good either.

Seed Savers-Lily Summary

It’s definitely not what she had in mind for summer vacation. When her friends disappear under mysterious circumstances, thirteen-year-old Lily sets out to discover more about the secret organization with which they were involved. Her investigation unearths a disturbing secret from her own past, unsettling her world even more. In the meantime, Lily makes a new friend and falls for a mysterious young man even as she remains unsure whom to trust. As her world crashes down around her, Lily struggles to decide what to do next. Lily is volume two of the Seed Savers series but can easily be read out of order. It is is a suspenseful and reflective book with themes of self-empowerment, trust, acceptance of diversity, gardening, and politics.

Seed Savers-Heirloom Summary

Thirteen-year-old Clare and her brother Dante have escaped to Canada where the old ways still exist. There that they make friends with the roguish Jason and learn the political history of their own country’s decline of freedoms. Meanwhile, Lily, the friend who was left behind, begins a journey to find the father she never met–a former leader in the ill-fated Seed Savers rebellion of fifteen years earlier. From Florida to the Smoky Mountains, Lily follows the signs in search of her father and is helped along the way by the quirky characters she meets. Not to mention the attractive Arturo who shows up midway to “protect” her.

Heirloom seamlessly weaves the gentle agrarian story of Clare and Dante together with the swiftly-paced adventure of Lily and Arturo. Themes of family, empowerment, and politics meet in this futuristic tale nostalgic for the past. Heirloom is a hopeful dystopia in today’s current sea of post-apocalyptic literature.

Seed Savers-Keeper Summary

Beginning in a Pacific Islander village of climate refugees hidden deep in the Smoky Mountains and ending in an underground bunker in Portland’s Forest Park, Keeper is the fast-paced fourth installment in the Seed Savers series.

In Keeper, GRIM appears to be crumbling only to be replaced by FRND (the Food Resources & Nutrition Department), a corporate sponsored program with a more friendly public face. The Seed Savers Movement is on the verge of splintering as James Gardener’s fugitive status is viewed by some as a liability, while others don’t trust the mysterious JALIL. Trinia Nelson is bent on finding James and will stop at nothing. Earth Day parades turn into protests and someone is leaking classified government documents.

Meanwhile, Lily, Clare, and Dante, shut up in the bunker, become restless and begin sneaking out. In the park, they run into Rose, an acquaintance from summer tutoring. Will their desire to rekindle the friendship lead to forgiveness, or will it end in betrayal?

Seed Savers-Unbroken Summary

Although kidnapped by GRIM in an effort to strike back at her father–escaped former leader of the Seed Savers Movement–Lily quickly escapes with the help of sometime friend Rose. The girls camp out in Forest Park while plans are made for a safe rendezvous. Meanwhile, Jason and Monroe join up with the questionable group Radicle, using their Monitor skills to hack into suppressed information in an effort to topple an overreaching government. Tension rises amid massive protests as Independence Day approaches. Will lost freedoms such as food rights and open media be reclaimed? Don’t miss the explosive final installment of Seed Savers!

Something To Do -Discussion Questions

The days are getting warmer and longer and the desire to get our hands in the dirt is mounting. Imagine what life must be like for Lily, Clare, and Dante who have to garden in secret.  What are some creative ways you could grow something?

What everyday items could be disguised as planters? Check out this article with some very cute and creative planter ideas!

Create an Indoor Starter Garden

A great way to grow food secretively (like the Seed Savers) is to start the seedlings indoors. Check out this great activity for kids from RainOrShineMama.

Food Talk

In the year 2077, all food is commercially created by the government and people are expected to live on five synthetic sustenance groups: Proteins, Carbos, Vitees, Sweeties, and Snacks. Naturally grown crops and garden fare are not only unheard of, they are also against the law to produce.  What natural foods would you miss the most? Fruits? Sweet corn? Homemade bread?

 

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