Valarie Budayr's Blog, page 68
September 6, 2015
Weekend Links: Exploring the Potterverse (Harry Potter events and links)
September first marks the “beginning” of many new things for different people, but for the fans and readers of the Harry Potter books series from J.K. Rowlings, September 1st exceptionally special.
You see, 9/1 is the day that all students go back to Hogwarts in Harry Potter’ World. That being said; this last Tuesday was a huge day all across the Internet and Twitter in honor of the #backtohogwarts celebration. There were huge giveaways , J.K. Rowling herself was interacting with Tweeters and I personally had a ball interacting, reading and tweeting all of the wonderful “Harry-related” stuff.
Here are some highlights of our very Harry Potter fulfilled day. First off, Kings Cross Train Station, the real actual one in London England had Hogwarts posted on their train schedule. The platform was wrong but what can we except from muggles?
One of my favorite tweets was from Professor Snape with a word of caution to students. Anyone remember when Ron Weasley missed the Hogwarts Express and took the car instead ? Bet he won’t do that again?
JK Rowling sent her greetings to Harry Potter’s son James Potter, wishing him good luck on his first day at Hogwarts.
A little bit later she heard from one of this year’s newest students that she is near James on the Hogwarts Express. A funny little conversation ensued.
Later on in the day we learned that young James Potter, son of Harry, has now been sorted into Gryffindor. That was a no-brainer. Would this be an appropriate time to get on my knees and BEG for more Harry Potter books, or even James Potter books.
I miss this boy Harry Potter. I am filled with nostalgia at the thought of returning to Hogwarts. My eldest daughter Zaina and Harry are the very same age. Harry Potter is a huge part of my parenting memories as my sweet girl would sit on a lawn chair in the driveway waiting for the FedEx man to come with the NEXT newly-released Harry Potter book. Begging is not a crime, neither is pleading. I know you may have moved on JK Rowling but you must miss the wizarding world just a little. PLEASE……bring us another book.
OK, all begging aside, let me wave my magic wand and share some really incredible info with you.
JK Rowling has this incredible site called Pottermore.
Pottermore is the official Harry Potter site created by JK Rowling along with Sony. A unique and free-to-use website which builds an exciting online experience around the reading of the Harry Potter books. We enter inside the wizarding world book by book via scenes that we unlock which correlates with the writing.
Also added perks is that JK Rowling herself shares exclusive new writing all the time because she owns this site. Besides being FREE here are a few good reasons to join,…. it’s so incredibly safe for kids, promotes literacy by interacting with her books and it’s the only place you can get the audio versions. Wonderful interactive items inside the books where you can earn badges, collect friends, and items for your trunk. The most important thing is that everyone is magical and a wizard. It’s amazing. Yep I think it’s time to dive into the Potterverse. So you see I really didn’t need to beg, I was just being dramatic. Head on over to Pottermore and have a ball. You’ll see all the regulars there!
Looking for better guide for successful homeschooling? The Waldorf Homeschool Handbook is a simple step-by-step guide to creating and understanding a Waldorf inspired homeschool plan. Within the pages of this comprehensive homeschooling guide, parents will find information, lesson plans, curriculum, helpful hints, behind the scenes reasons why, rhythm, rituals, helping you fit homeschooling into your life. Discover how to educate your children in a nurturing and creative environment.
The Waldorf Homeschool Handbook is a simple step-by-step guide to creating and understanding a Waldorf inspired homeschool plan. Within the pages of this comprehensive homeschooling guide, parents will find information, lesson plans, curriculum, helpful hints, behind the scenes reasons why, rhythm, rituals, helping you fit homeschooling into your life. Discover The Waldorf Homeschool Handbook: The Simple Step-by-Step guide to creating a Waldorf-inspired homeschool.
The post Weekend Links: Exploring the Potterverse (Harry Potter events and links) appeared first on Jump Into A Book.
September 3, 2015
Extension Activities for Mama Panya’s Pancakes: A Village Tale from Kenya
We recently picked up a wonderful book from the Blount County library, this wonderful Kenyan Tale called, Mama Panya’s Pancakes: A Village Tale from Kenya by Mary and Rich Chamberlin, Illustrated by Julia Cairns.
This beautiful heart warming story shares the great message of “give and you shall receive.“ As Mama Panya and her young son Adika walk to the market, Adika invites every friend he meets to come and eat pancakes with him and his mother.
Having barely enough money to feed herself and her son, how will Mama Panya ever cook enough pancakes for everyone? Luckily, all the guests arrive with food gifts to further extend the feast.
The illustrations captivated my children with their bold colors, vivid patterns, and lush Kenyan scenery. It’s as if we were walking along with Mama Panya and Adika to market.
We thoroughly enjoyed this book and read it several times. We also enjoyed the recipe for Mama Panya’s pancakes. In the back of the book there is a map of Kenya, details of daily life, and facts about the Kenyan language called Kiswahili and general facts about Kenya.
Mama Panya’s Pancakes makes for a fantastic read aloud. The text is written in little boxes making it easy for young readers to follow along or take a turn reading out loud themselves.
Somethings To Do
Make a batch of Mama Panya’s Pancakes
Ingredients
1 1/4 cups flour
2 cups of cold water
1/3 cup vegetable oil
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp cardamom
1/2 tsp crushed red chili pepper flakes
Instructions
In a bowl, mix all the ingredients with a fork.
Preheat a nonstick pan at a medium to low setting.
Ladle 1/4 cup of batter into the center of the pan. Tilt the pan to spread the batter to about the size of a grapefruit.
Cook until you see tiny bubbles in the pancake, then gently flip it over.
When the second side begins to pop up from the heat, the pancake is ready.
Serving Suggestions
You can fill your pancake with jam, tuna or chicken salad, seasoned hamburger or roasted nuts. Anything at all will do. Place your filling on one half and then roll it up and eat it.
Kenyan Animal and Tree Guessing Game
In the back of the book there is a section called Walking to Market. We photocopied both pages from the book, cut out the animal or tree, glued it to an index card. On the other side of the index card we wrote the African name. Turn the cards with the African name facing you and try and guess what it means.
Learn Kiswahili Greetings
Excerpt from Mama Panya’s Pancakes: “Kenyans speak many languages, but the main ones are Kiswahili and English………Kiswahili means “speaking the language of the coast people.” Kiswahili is a mixture of Bantu, a native African language, and Arabic, a Middle Eastern language.”
It isn’t uncommon for people like Adika and the people living in his village to speak three languages. Greetings are expected when you meet someone. Otherwise you will be considered rude. A simple hello is said like this in Kiswahili, “Jambo”. There are many more greetings at the back of the book. Take some time to enjoy saying them. The pronunciations are all there to make things easy for you.
This simple and engaging story leads to many days of fun activities as we explore Kenya.
Find it in Your Library!
Title: Mama Panya’s Pancakes
Author: Mary and Rich Chamberlin
Illustrator: Julia Cairns
Publisher: Barefoot Books
Genre: Easy
ISBN: 1905236646
****Some of these links are affiliate links. The was give a copy of this book for review. The opinions expressed are purely my own.
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Looking for better guide for successful homeschooling? The Waldorf Homeschool Handbook is a simple step-by-step guide to creating and understanding a Waldorf inspired homeschool plan. Within the pages of this comprehensive homeschooling guide, parents will find information, lesson plans, curriculum, helpful hints, behind the scenes reasons why, rhythm, rituals, helping you fit homeschooling into your life. Discover how to educate your children in a nurturing and creative environment.
Grab your copy HERE: The Waldorf Homeschool Handbook: The Simple Step-by-Step guide to creating a Waldorf-inspired homeschool. http://amzn.to/1OhTfoT
The post Extension Activities for Mama Panya’s Pancakes: A Village Tale from Kenya appeared first on Jump Into A Book.
September 1, 2015
If You Like Percy Jackson, Read This
Maybe you’re in the same boat as us. We’ve finished all of the Percy Jackson books… and now what do we read? We want more Rick Riordan!
Or, another boat perhaps we are sharing is aging readers. Our Wonder Son is now in high school. Percy Jackson was such an epic event in his younger years that he is continually searching for books that “grab” him just like Percy Jackson did. So what to do after Percy?
First might I suggest The Lost Hero Series which is Percy Jackson-related AND is also written by Rick Riordan.
Still needing a little bit more Percy Jackson ? Here are two great big favorite books from our favorite demi-god Percy Jackson.
Another favorite Rick Riordan series is his Red Pyramid Trilogy. We just loved it!
Now as we wait for the latest new series from Rick Riordan, on Norse Myths this time. Magnus Chase will be out in October.
Until then, here are a few Books Like Percy Jackson for grades 6 and above, covering a wide range of ages and interests. They are ALL series! Happy Reading!
The Lost Years of Merlin Series by T. A. Barron
A young boy with no memory or identity emerges from the sea…and discovers his destiny as the most legendary wizard ever to live. (Grades 6-8)
The Goddess War Series by Kendare Blake
Goddess Wars Series. Athena and Hermes’ search for the cause of their illnesses leads them to Cassandra who may be key to a war started by Hera and other Olympians who have become corrupt anti-gods determined to destroy their rivals.
Artemis Fowl by Eoin Colfer
A twelve-year-old criminal mastermind, Artemis Fowl, brings the fairy folk to their knees when he kidnaps one of their own. (Grades 6-8)
(Grades 7-9+)
Sweet Venom by Tera Lynn Childs
Three teenage descendants of Medusa, the once-beautiful Gorgon maligned in myth, must reunite and embrace their fates. (Grades 9+)
The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
In the ruins of a place once known as North America lies the nation of Panem, a shining Capitol surrounded by twelve outlying districts. Long ago the districts waged war on the Capitol and were defeated. As part of the surrender terms, each district agreed to send one boy and one girl to appear in an annual televised event called, “The Hunger Games,” a fight to the death on live TV. Sixteen-year-old Katniss Everdeen, who lives alone with her mother and younger sister, regards it as a death sentence when she is forced to represent her district in the Games. The terrain, rules, and level of audience participation may change but one thing is constant: kill or be killed. (Grade 7 +)
The Maze Runner by James Dashner
Outside the safety of the Glade lies an enormous maze, populated by nightmarish perversions of technology. (Grades 6-10)
The Mortality Doctrine Series by James Dashner
Mortality Doctrine series set in a world of hyperadvanced technology, cyberterrorists, and gaming beyond your wildest dreams . . . and your worst nightmares. (Grades 7+)
City of Ember by Jeanne Duprau
Books of Ember Series. Lina & Doon must fulfill the prophecy and help everyone in town survive. So what if the townspeople are all trying to kill them? (Grades (8-9+)
Sea of Trolls by Nancy Farmer
If Jack’s sister had just stayed quiet, they wouldn’t have been captured by Vikings. Little sisters can be so annoying! (Grades 6-9+)
Incarceron by Catherine Fisher
Flinn has lived his entire life inside the gigantic prison known as ‘Incarceron.’ Escape seems impossible…until he meets Claudia, who is trapped in the 17th century by a computer.
(Grades 7-9+)
The Ruins of Gorlan by John Flanagan
Ranger’s Apprentice Series. 15-year-old Will joins the magic wielding rangers to battle against an evil warlord. (Grades 6-8)
The Paladin Prophecy series by Mark Frost
A boy who has spent his entire life trying to avoid attention finds himself in the middle of a struggle between titanic forces when he is recruited by an exclusive prep school and followed by sinister agents. (Grades 7+)
Reckless by Cornelia Funke
Welcome to the Mirrorworld, where the darkest parts of your favorite fairytales are a chilling reality! (Grades 7-10)
Tunnels By Roderick Gordon
The Colony” has existed unchanged for a century, but it’s no benign time capsule of a bygone era— it is ruled by a cult like overclass, the Styx. And before long—before he can find his father—Will is their prisoner…. (Grades 6-9)
Runemark by Joanne Harris
In Maddy Smith’s world, order rules. Chaos, old gods, faeries, magic–all of these were supposedly vanquished centuries ago. But Maddy knows that a small bit of magic has survived. (Grades 7+)
Raven’s Gate by Anthony Horowitz
The Gatekeepers Series. When Matt gets into trouble one time too many, he is sent to live in a far-away village. Is he the only one who can see the evil below the surface? (Grades 8+)
Talon by Julie Kagawa
Dragons exist and Ember is one of them. Trained to infiltrate the humans, she just wants to have fun in her final summer of freedom before joining the Talon, but destiny has another thing in store for her. (Grades 9+)
Scepter of the Ancients by Derek Landy
Skulduggery Pleasant Series. When twelve-year-old Stephanie inherits her weird uncle’s estate, she must join forces with Skulduggery Pleasant, a skeleton mage, to save the world from the Faceless Ones. (Grades 6-8)
The Colossus Rises by Peter Lerangis
Seven Wonders Series. Seven pieces of power from Atlantis that disappeared long ago. Cass, Jack, Marco and Aly depend on them to save their lives. (Grades 6-9)
The Young Elites by Marie Lu
Adelina survived the blood fever, an illness that killed many, but left others with strange supernatural powers. Cast out by her family, she joins a secret society called the Young Elites and discovers her own dangerous abilities. (Grades 8+)
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)
A World without Heroes by Brandon Mull
Beyonders Series. Jason and Rachel are pulled into the mysterious, troubled realm of Lyrian. All they want to do is get back to their own world, but they may have to stop evil wizard emperor Surroth first. (Grades 6-8)
Mark of the Thief by Jennifer Nielsen
When slave-boy Nic is forced to enter a cavern containing lost treasures, he discovers an amulet that belonged to the great Caesar and is filled with a magic once reserved for the Gods — magic some Romans would kill for. (Grades 6-9)
Here, There Be Dragons by James A. Owen
Chronicles of the Imaginarium Geographica Series. Three guys become owners of the Imaginarium Geographica and open mystical worlds. (Grades 8+)
Divergent by Veronica Roth
One choice can transform you. Beatrice Prior’s society is divided into five factions—Candor (the honest), Abnegation (the selfless), Dauntless (the brave), Amity (the peaceful), and Erudite (the intelligent). Beatrice must choose between staying with her Abnegation family and transferring factions. Her choice will shock her community and herself. But the newly christened Tris also has a secret, one she’s determined to keep hidden, because in this world, what makes you different makes you dangerous. (Grade 9+)
Magyk by Angie Sage
Lost as a child, Septimus Heap must reunite with his true family & learn the magyk arts.
(Grades 6-8)
The Alchemist by Michael Scott
The Immortal Secrets of Nicholas Flamel Series. Two teens are caught up in a battle between ancient alchemists looking for the secret of immortality. (Grades 6-9)
The Grimm Legacy by Polly Shulman
‘The Grimm Fairytales were just stories,’ or so Elizabeth thinks, until she discovers that some of the more famous and magical objects are very, very real! (Grades 6-9)
I.Q. by Roland Smith
Q and Angela have rock star parents who may know more about the dangerous world of spies and terrorists than they let on… (Grades 6-8)
The Mysterious Benedict Society by Trenton Lee Stewart
The Learning Institute for the Very Enlightened… where they train you to be a criminal mastermind. (Grades 6-9)
The Amulet of Samarkand by Jonathan Stroud
The Bartimaeus Trilogy. When young magician Nathaniel summons the ancient, powerful, and mischevious djinni Bartimaeus, he gets more than he bargained for! (Grades 6-9)
The Shadow Thief by Anne Ursu
Cronus Chronicles Trilogy. Charlotte sneaks into battle with a Greek demigod, then gets grounded for it. Still she continues on to fight the malevolent forces of the under-world. Charlotte’s life is tough! (Grades 7-9)
Leviathan by Scott Westerfeld
World War I is waged between the ‘Darwinists,’ with their fantastic genetically-altered creatures, and the ‘Clankers,’ who pilot giant robots. Aleksander and Deryn are caught in the middle! (Grades 7+)
See any good titles here? Any favorites? Any on your “must read” list? Please share in the comments below!
***some of these links are affiliate links
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Looking for a better guide for successful homeschooling? The Waldorf Homeschool Handbook is a simple step-by-step guide to creating and understanding a Waldorf inspired homeschool plan. Within the pages of this comprehensive homeschooling guide, parents will find information, lesson plans, curriculum, helpful hints, behind the scenes reasons why, rhythm, rituals, helping you fit homeschooling into your life. Discover how to educate your children in a nurturing and creative environment.
Grab your copy HERE: The Waldorf Homeschool Handbook: The Simple Step-by-Step guide to creating a Waldorf-inspired homeschool. http://amzn.to/1OhTfoT
The post If You Like Percy Jackson, Read This appeared first on Jump Into A Book.
August 30, 2015
WEEKEND LINKS- Great Links, Reads and Activities to #ReadYourWorld
Welcome to Weekend Links! As one of the co-founders of Multicultural Children’s Book Day and I pleased to share that planning for the 2016 event is well under way! We are working like busy little bees to update the MCCBD website, add new book-inspired events like our upcoming Classroom Reading Challenge (more details later on that).
Reading is always an important part of our children’s lives no matter what time of year it is and so is helping our young readers learn about other cultures, religions and traditions through the pages of these books. Here are some great booklists and resources that I have discovered during my www travels this week:
Where I Belong Book Review at Kitchen Counter Chronicle
10 Examples of How Reading and Writing Go Together Like Peanut Butter & Jelly at Literate for Life
A Dozen Diverse Picture Books with All Kinds of Families at Welcoming Schools
A 1,000 year old Persian tale from the “Book of Kings” find out more about this Green Musician. Check out this new multicultural release at Wisdom Tales Press.
A wonderful story of hope. Sadako and the Thousand Paper Cranes
It’s hard to be what you can’t see-MulticulturalChildrens Books at Huff Post Education
Raising World Explorers: Ten Creative Experiments that Prove that Travel is a State of Mind at Suitcases and Sippy Cups.
10 favorite reasons to read diversely. What are yours? (Lee and Low)
Something You May Have Missed at JIAB
Pippi’s Longstockings
Did you see my post this week with my Pippi Longstock book review (one of my favs) but also a fun and unique activitiy on making Pippi’s “Longstocking!” See the full story HERE.
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August 27, 2015
The Book-Jumper Summer Reading Series: A Day with Pippi Longstocking
Pippi Longstocking is perhaps my first childhood book friend. Pippi is the ultimate kid’s kid and free spirit. She is able to lift strong policemen, climb tall houses and trees, rescue children from burning buildings and adults from their boring chatter.
Pippi lives all alone in a large yellow and pink house, her mother died when she was a baby and her father is lost at sea somewhere but expected to return. Pippi fills her days with pancakes, games, dancing, and many other antics. Her best friends are a monkey named Nilsson and a white horse she lets in the house and sleep in the living room. She supports herself with her suitcase full of gold coins. Clearly, she needs no one and is very capable of handling every detail of life on her own.
The neighbor children next door, Annika and Tommy, think Pippi’s the most amazing wonder. They weren’t the only ones, my children and their mother, think Pippi Longstocking is simply the best.
Pippi is our go to girl when the world seems dreary and boring. Through all of Pippi’s antics, which in our opinion makes her very endearing, are well placed “lessons” in life. As a mom, I think her messages of confident self-esteem and the knowledge that one has the power to do anything once you put your mind to it, are powerful lessons that I want my children to embrace.
When we check Pippi out from the Blount County Library it is always the “big purple” edition The Adventures of Pippi Longstocking, which contains all of the Pippi Longstocking books. This book is perfect for ages 7 to 10 but younger children often times can easily sit through a reading.
Something To Do
Pippi Longstocking is such a fun book to jump into. There are so many daily events happening within the pages of this favorite read that we often times have difficulty deciding what exactly we should be doing. Some activities we’ve done in the past are walking backwards relay races, making pancakes, and of course a large batch of ginger cookies.
Today though we thought we’d share our love of making ‘long-stockings”. They are perfect for any occasion.
Necessities:
A pair of white knee socks
Fabric markers
How-to:
1. This is not a step by step craft. This is a do what comes to you kind of craft. Pippy Longstocking is always mismatched in whatever she wears, and her long stockings embody that.
2. Draw designs, pictures, words, anything that puts a smile on your face and makes you want to walk backwards all day, every day.
What are you going to put on your long stockings? What makes you happy?
**Some of these links are affiliate links.
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August 25, 2015
Wild Wings by Gill Lewis #BookReview and a Multicultural Story of Friendship
“The pattern of this landscape is folded deep, deep within her memory. She rides the currents of air that curl like rapids over the mountains. Below, the lochs reflect the cloud and sunlight. They lie in the valleys like scattered fragments of fallen sky. The cold north wind carries the remembered scent of pine and heather. The ice-carved valleys guide her.”
She is coming?
So begins the beautiful and touching story of an Osprey, a boy named Callum and a girl with an adventuresome spirit named Iona McNair. Wild Wings by Gill Lewis tells the griping story of Callum who lives in Scotland and a girl from West Africa who together save a migrating Osprey and saving each other as well.
Striving to protect the osprey nesting on his family’s farm in Scotland, 11-year-old Callum McGregor watches the bird throughout summer, uses a computer to follow her migration to Africa and sets in motion a remarkable chain of events. This rich, moving tale begins with a shared secret: It was classmate Fiona McNair who found the nest. When the bird is snagged in fishing line high in her pine, the circle expands to include Callum’s sheep-farming family and a ranger from a nearby preserve. When she migrates, Callum and friends Rob and Euan track her through the transmitter she carries on her back. When her signal disappears in a Gambian mangrove forest, 10-year-old Jeneba, hospitalized with broken legs, mobilizes the fishermen of her village and a visiting American doctor to rescue and rehabilitate her. Eventually—and entirely naturally—the bird’s story reaches around the world. The suspenseful story line is surrounded with precise details: the Scottish landscape, osprey behavior, the work of a sheepdog and the joy and pain of riding a trail bike. Short chapters, some with cliffhanging endings, will read aloud well. Callum’s first-person narrative is occasionally paralleled by the osprey’s own experience, as Callum imagines it. With universal themes of life and death, friendship and respect for the natural world, this is still quite particular, a powerfully memorable story of a boy’s grief and determination to keep a promise. Kirkus Reviews
This is a modern day story which flows easily and grabs the readers attention immediately. It is a captivating story which has us in the countries of Scotland and Gambia. Wild Wings is a perfect combination of fiction based narrative and actual nonfiction facts about Ospreys and their living environments and migration patterns. A perfect read for a child who loves nonfiction as well as enticing a reluctant reader. Wild Wings is also good for the deep thinker and has children reflecting on many deeper issues as hand such as decisions about friendships, not giving up, moving on after losses, and awareness of how we take things for granted in our relatively privileged society.
It is an engaging story of how every one of us makes a difference and working together as a community both near and far can solve what seemed an insurmountable problem. Grab your copy of this wonderful and compelling kidlit book here.
**some of these links are affiliate links
Something To Do
What would you think if I invited you on an Osprey’s incredible journey, just like the one Callum and his friends took? Flying high above mountain ranges, oceans, and expansive and huge deserts, the osprey travels thousands of miles to migrate to warmer weather. Using satellite tagging, scientists are able to learn more about the osprey’s migration routes and about where they breed and where they winter.
Author Gill Lewis in 2011 followed such a journey and has shared it with all of us. Start here for an amazing high flying adventure.
Osprey
The osprey also known as the fish eagle, sea hawk, river hawk, or fish hawk, is a fish eating bird of prey. It is a large raptor, reaching more than 24 inches in length and 71 inches across the wings. It is brown on the upperparts and predominantly greyish on the head and underparts.
The osprey tolerates a wide variety of habitats, nesting in any location near a body of water providing an adequate food supply. It is found on all continents except Antarctica, although in South America it occurs only as a non-breeding visitor.
It’s known as a fish eagle and the osprey’s diet consists almost exclusively of fish.
The osprey weighs between 2 and 4 pounds.
Osprey Habitat
After the peregrine falcon, the osprey is the second most widely spread raptor in the world. It can be found in mild and tropical climate. In North America it breeds from Alaska and Newfoundland and to the south in the Gulf Coast region as well as Florida. The osprey then winters in South America. In summer it is found throughout northern Europe, in Ireland, Scandinavia, Scotland, England, and Wales but not in Iceland. When in Europe the osprey winters in Africa.
In Australia the osprey doesn’t migrate at all but remains on the coast and then flying to Western Australia to breed.
Common Core Interdisciplinary Curriculum
To learn more about the Osprey here is a very in-depth interactive Curriculum from Friends of Blackwater Reservoir in Maryland called Project Osprey Curriculum . This guide is very through and covers everything you need for Common Core. Matched with the book Wild Wings, it’s a perfect combination.
Great BBC Program on the Scottish Osprey Conservation Project
Part 1
Part 2
Watch Live
Audubon Society of New Hampshire, includes webcam at Lake Massabesic
Highland Foundation for Wildlife, osprey management in Scotland
Osprey camera at Blackwater Reservoir, Maryland
Osprey nest camera at Loch Garten, Scotland
Osprey nest monitoring,northern England
Learn More About Migration
Journey North, track the journeys of several migratory species
Learn and Conserve
The Raptor Center at the University of Minnesota
Osprey Project at Rutland Water, United Kingdom
Lake District Osprey Project, Bassenthwaite Lake, England
Glaslyn Osprey Project, Porthmadog, North Wales
Loch of Lower, Dunked, Perthshire
Enjoy Birdwatching!
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Do your young readers love nature and all of nature’s critters? Experience the magical story of a family of foxes that took up residence right in the front yard of the author and publisher, Valarie Budayr. The Fox Diaries: The Year the Foxes Came to our Garden offers an enthusiastically educational opportunity to observe this fox family grow and learn together.
From digging and hunting to playing and resting, this diary shares a rare glimpse into the private lives of Momma Rennie and her babies. Come watch as they navigate this wildly dangerous but still wonderful world. Great to share with your children or students, The Fox Diaries speaks to the importance of growing and learning both individually and as a family unit. It is a perfect book for story time or family sharing. Not only can you read about the daily rituals of this marvelous fox family, there is an information-packed resource section at the end of the book that includes lots of facts and even a few “fox movies” that you can enjoy with your family. Grab your copy of this beautiful and inspiring book HERE.
The post Wild Wings by Gill Lewis #BookReview and a Multicultural Story of Friendship appeared first on Jump Into A Book.
August 23, 2015
Weekend Links: Exploring & Sharing Incredible Book Series for Kids
Welcome to Weekend Links! Is summer whizzing by or what?? Reading is always an important part of our children’s lives no matter what time of year it is and so is helping our young readers learn about other cultures, religions and traditions through the pages of these books. Here are some great booklists and resources based on popular kidlit series that I discovered, or created myself, for your young readers to enjoy.
30 incredible book series for kids ages 8-12 from It’s Always Autumn
The Golden Compass review: Earlier this week I explored and jumped into on of the many books from the wonderful author Philip Pullman. Read more about it HERE.
#DrewToYou -A Fun and Bookish Way to Honor Nancy Drew. Back in May I celebrated the 80th birthday of literary icon Nancy Drew. Though May has long since passed, it’s always a good time to celebrate the Nancy drew series! Show me YOUR “Drew!”
Great “Series” Booklist for Independent or Middle Readers from Jump Into a Book.
10 Favorite First Chapter Books for Girls from The Sunny Patch
What series is YOUR family’s favorite??
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Follow Valarie Budayr @Jump into a Book’s board Jump Into a Book Kidlit Booklists on Pinterest. Follow Valarie Budayr @Jump into a Book’s board A Year In The Secret Garden on Pinterest.
Foxes
Do your young readers love nature and all of nature’s critters? Experience the magical story of a family of foxes that took up residence right in the front yard of the author and publisher, Valarie Budayr. The Fox Diaries: The Year the Foxes Came to our Garden offers an enthusiastically educational opportunity to observe this fox family grow and learn together.
From digging and hunting to playing and resting, this diary shares a rare glimpse into the private lives of Momma Rennie and her babies. Come watch as they navigate this wildly dangerous but still wonderful world. Great to share with your children or students, The Fox Diaries speaks to the importance of growing and learning both individually and as a family unit. It is a perfect book for story time or family sharing. Not only can you read about the daily rituals of this marvelous fox family, there is an information-packed resource section at the end of the book that includes lots of facts and even a few “fox movies” that you can enjoy with your family. Grab your copy of this beautiful and inspiring book HERE.
The post Weekend Links: Exploring & Sharing Incredible Book Series for Kids appeared first on Jump Into A Book.
August 20, 2015
Native American Kidlit-The Thunder Egg by Tim J. Myers
My calendar on the wall is telling me it’s time to ramp up the planning for our third annual Multicultural Children’s Book Day! As you may all know, this yearly event is designed to not only spotlight all of the amazing multicultrual children’s literature, but also the authors of these books. My desk and Evernote is filled with wonderful and diverse books that I plan to highlight in honor of this upcoming January 27th event, and The Thunder Egg by is one.
The Thunder Egg by Tim J. Myers is an endearing tale that inspires the imagination while tugging at the heart strings.
Stand-By-Herself lived with her grandmother amongst her people in the tall grasses and endless skies of the Plains.
She was very shy an liked to go off alone. Often times the other children would make fun of her.
Stand-By Herself was good at finding thing. She could find sage-grouse chicks in the tall waving grass. She found autumn by watching the ducks flying South. One day she found a odd gray stone. She was sure she had found a thunder egg.
The thunderbird is the creator’s giant eagle who brought rain, thunder and lightening. Carefully taking the thunder egg back to her family’s tipi, she cradle wrapped the thunder egg and sang lovely songs to it.
That summer a horrible drought fell on her people. For days and days the rains did not fall. The holy-man said they must offer sacrifices to make the world new again.
Stands-By Herself knew what she had to do. I don’t want to spoil the story but I promise you that there is a powerful and rich conclusion.
The Thunder Egg is a beautiful teaching story which shares the importance of putting others before ones self.
Beautifully illustrated in watercolors, Winfield Coleman’s art is an inspiration and invites us into the unfolding of this captivating story.
Something To Do
Geodes
The egg of the thunder bird in The Thunder Egg was actually inspired by geodes. Geodes are the tootsie pop of geology. Plain on the outside, actually very dull on the outside, and have beautiful crystals on the inside. There really is a type of geode called a thunder egg. Read on to find out what this is.
The word geode comes from the greek language and means “shape of the earth”.
They come in a variety of sizes spanning in diameter from 1 inch to 4 inches or larger.
How Geodes are formed
Geodes are created in many types of areas. They can be formed in the bubbles of volcanic rocks. They also form in hollow spaces such as rabbit, mouse, gopher, and mole holes. Tree roots also make a great home for geode formation.
Here’s how it works:
Over time, minerals collect in the holes and hollow areas and harden into a ball. This becomes the outside of the geode. What’s happening inside is really fantastic. As the outside layer of the geode hardens, the inside layer continues to from crystals becoming the center of the geode. Every type of mineral can be found inside a geode. The more popular types are quartz and amethyst.
I hope you’re not in a hurry because the insides of geodes are not filled in very quickly. It takes hundreds of millions of years for the space inside a geode to be filled with crystals.
So what’s a Thunder Egg ?
When a geode is completely filled with crystals it’s called a nodule. A geode/nodule which is filled with agate is called a thunder egg.
This next part is beyond fun. We had so much fun doing this. Would you like to get your own geodes and break them?
If you’re near the state of Arkansas you can find lots of rocks and crystals shops to buy geodes in. If however you’re like us and don’t live near or in Arkansas you can buy geodes online. Here’s a great collection to purchase from. We were really happy with the insides of our geodes.
There are a variety of ways to crack open a geode. There are instructions inside the box of geodes we purchased and then there is this wonderful blog post from Gator Girl Rocks that helped immensely.
A Look Inside
Here’s what are geode looks like on the inside. It was such a surprise !!!
***some of these links are affiliate links
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Looking for better guide for successful homeschooling? The Waldorf Homeschool Handbook is a simple step-by-step guide to creating and understanding a Waldorf inspired homeschool plan. Within the pages of this comprehensive homeschooling guide, parents will find information, lesson plans, curriculum, helpful hints, behind the scenes reasons why, rhythm, rituals, helping you fit homeschooling into your life. Discover how to educate your children in a nurturing and creative environment.
Grab your copy HERE: The Waldorf Homeschool Handbook: The Simple Step-by-Step guide to creating a Waldorf-inspired homeschool. http://amzn.to/1OhTfoT
The post Native American Kidlit-The Thunder Egg by Tim J. Myers appeared first on Jump Into A Book.
August 18, 2015
The Golden Compass Book Review and Activities for Young Readers
This week I would like to focus in The Golden Compass ; a wonderful book by author Philip Pullman.
In the world of Jordan College at Oxford, Lyra Delaqua’s life is more than simple. She shares many adventures with her daemon Pantalaimon and her best friend Roger. She occasionally learns from the scholars, but only when she’s in the right mood. She’s neither a peasant nor a noble child.
However, this simplicity only lasts until she catches the Master of Jordan trying to poison her nobleman uncle, Lord Asriel. This sets off a series of events that wrenches Lyra from her careless life at Oxford.
Lord Asriel is the first to introduce the aspect of Dust to her, something that he believes can only be found in the north, the place she desires to go more than anywhere else on planet. Thoughts of the great, white north race through her mind on a daily basis. This could be her chance—to travel to the north with her scholarly uncle to help him discover this so called dust.
But events are set in place to keep this from happening. Children are disappearing from Oxford. No one knows where they go or what happens to them once they are gone. All they know is who is taking them—the Gobblers. But the gobblers are faceless, and day by day, more children and their daemons are disappearing from all over the world.
After Lyra’s uncle has departed for his journey into the north, Lyra is introduced to the charming and graceful Mrs. Coulter, who intrigues Lyra so that she agrees to go with Mrs. Coulter and her eerie golden monkey to become her assistant, learn the ways of traveling, and venture into the north.But before Lyra leaves Jordan College, she is called to the Master who gives her a curious device called an alethiometer—a truth measurer. He gives her no information—not how to read, nor why he is giving it to her. He only emphasizes the great need to keep it secret.
For the first few weeks with Mrs. Coulter, Lyra’s life is drastically improved. She dresses well, bathes frequently. She learns about geography, cartography, and every other “ography.” But dark secrets are soon revealed—secrets of Dust, something called the Oblation board, and possibly what is happening to the children snatched up by the Gobblers. Lyra escapes from Mrs. Coulter just barely, and on her journey to find truth and her friend Roger, she encounters and learns more than she could ever imagine including Lord Faa and Farder Coram of the water-bound gyptians, Lee Scoresby the hot air balloon pilot from Texas, Serafina Pekkala—queen of a tribe of witches–, and Iorek Byrnison, an exiled bear prince from Svalbard. Together this ragtag band of determined allies travel into the north, discover the secret of the Gobblers, and many more secrets that even the alethiometer kept hidden.
The Golden Compass was one of the most interesting, intriguing books I have read in awhile. Everything is different about this book. Pullman has his own style, his own view of the world. The introduction of the idea of daemon’s as a person’s external soul is a very beautiful idea to me, especially since I am such an animal lover. There are so many unique, intricate ideas weaved into this book that you must read closely to catch them all. I am thoroughly intrigued and can’t wait to finish out the series with The Subtle Knife and The Amber Spyglass .
**Some of these links are affiliate links
Golden Compass Inspired Activities at Copalette.com. Enjoy a plethora of fun activities inspired by the book including Serafina Pekkala’s Mini Bow and The Golden Compass Game Spinner:
Make a pouch to hold your own alethiometer at Special Collections Learning:
What are the Northern Lights?
Scientifically known as Aurora Borealis, the northern lights are electrically charged particles from the sun that collide in earth’s atmosphere. So basically it’s these tiny particles that are really excited and in turn create these beautiful colors in the sky. SO..Where is the best place to see the northern lights?
Remote Islands in Norway
Scotland
Canada
Greenland
Finland
Iceland
Sweden
(and my Head Elf, Becky, tells me that Northern Minnesota should be added to this list! 
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Follow me on Pinterest!
Follow Valarie Budayr @Jump into a Book’s board Jump Into a Book Kidlit Booklists on Pinterest. Follow Valarie Budayr @Jump into a Book’s board A Year In The Secret Garden on Pinterest.
*****
Do your young readers love nature and all of nature’s critters? Experience the magical story of a family of foxes that took up residence right in the front yard of the author and publisher, Valarie Budayr. The Fox Diaries: The Year the Foxes Came to our Garden offers an enthusiastically educational opportunity to observe this fox family grow and learn together.
From digging and hunting to playing and resting, this diary shares a rare glimpse into the private lives of Momma Rennie and her babies. Come watch as they navigate this wildly dangerous but still wonderful world. Great to share with your children or students, The Fox Diaries speaks to the importance of growing and learning both individually and as a family unit. It is a perfect book for story time or family sharing. Not only can you read about the daily rituals of this marvelous fox family, there is an information-packed resource section at the end of the book that includes lots of facts and even a few “fox movies” that you can enjoy with your family. Grab your copy of this beautiful and inspiring book HERE.
The post The Golden Compass Book Review and Activities for Young Readers appeared first on Jump Into A Book.
August 14, 2015
MKB Read Around the World Summer Reading Series: Stork by Wendy Delsol
I came across the Stork Trilogy by Wendy Delsol in 2010. We waited patiently as each new book was released and we were never disappointed. Wendy is a captivating storyteller who pulls you in with in seconds of picking up one of her books.
This series is for grade 7 and which places it in the YA category.
Katla Leblanc, Kat for short, is adjusting from her parents divorce and a move from LA to northern Minnesota, the ancestral home of her mother. Kat is a fashion loving, Starbucks drinking west coast teenager who is finding Minnesota a lot to adjust to. Just when she thinks it couldn’t get anymore boring, her head starts to itch. This is her invitation into a scary basement in a seemingly abandoned fabric shop. There she finds a chair reserved for her in a circle of old women. It’s a secret meeting of the Aslendigas Storker Society, “Storks” for short. They meet and vote on the placement of new souls in “vessels.” If this isn’t strange enough, enter the “new” boy who seems to know her from before and that my reading friends is what makes Stork an incredible urban fantasy based on Nordic Myths.
Wendy Delsol spins a great tale using a combination of Minnesotan vernacular with Icelandic words and traditions thrown in. They are placed easily and understandably.
The rest of the Stork Trilogy Frost and Flock are also brilliantly written and Frost even takes us to Iceland!!!
This is a page turning, can’t put it down book series which won’t disappoint!
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LAST DAY of the End of Summer Audrey Press Book Sale!!
Summer is slowly winding down and thoughts are turning to the upcoming school year and reads that will take us into (and through) the colder months ahead. Instead of being sad to see summer go, I choose to Celebrate! And what better way to do it than with an End of Summer Audrey Press Book Sale. For two weeks only readers can get a great deal on two of my most popular books. But don’t delay; this super special sale ends August 14, 2015.!
First up The Waldorf Homeschool Handbook: The Simple Step-by-Step guide to creating a Waldorf-inspired #homeschool. And for a limited time, this best-selling book by Donna Ashton, The Waldorf #Homeschool Handbook is now only $17.95 until August 14th, 2015 ! http://amzn.to/1OhTfoT
Enjoy more month-by-month activities based on the classic children’s tale, The Secret Garden! A Year in the Secret Garden is a delightful children’s book with over 120 pages, with 150 original color illustrations and 48 activities for your family and friends to enjoy, learn, discover and play with together. AND, it’s on sale until August 14th ! Grab your copy ASAP and “meet me in the garden!” http://amzn.to/1DTVnuX
Two great children’s books-Your choice, $17.95 each!
The post MKB Read Around the World Summer Reading Series: Stork by Wendy Delsol appeared first on Jump Into A Book.
