Valarie Budayr's Blog, page 96
December 14, 2013
Saturday Book Club Linky Party!
It’s time for the Saturday Book Club Linky Party! Since Christmas is just around the corner we would like to encourage you to share any children’s Holiday book-inspired activities, book reviews and book-related recipes articles your blog may have. Thanks for joining the party!
P.S This was not Saturday Book Club related, but co hosted an amazing Multicultural Children’s Book linky with Mia from Pragmatic Mom! For some great reading ideas, you can view that linky HERE.
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December 13, 2013
Read Around The Continents: Australia/Oceania Reading List
Welcome back for our fifth installment of our series Read Around the Continents! So far we’ve read our way through Western Europe, Eastern Europe, Africa, South America and North America.
This month we are exploring the reading, books and culture of Australia/Oceania!
FROM WIKIPEDIA-Oceania (UK /ˌoʊʃɪˈɑːniə, ˌoʊsɪ-/[1] or US /ˌoʊʃiːˈæniə/),[2] also known as Oceanica,[3] is a region centred on the islands of the tropical Pacific Ocean.[4] Opinions of what constitutes Oceania range from its three subregions of Melanesia, Micronesia, and Polynesia[5] to, more broadly, the entire insular region between Asia and the Americas, including Australasia and the Malay Archipelago.[6] The term is often used more specifically to denote a continent comprising Australia and proximate islands,[7][8][9][10] or biogeographically as a synonym for either the Australasian ecozone (Wallacea and Australasia) or the Pacific ecozone (Melanesia, Polynesia, and Micronesia apart either from New Zealand[11] or from mainland New Guinea).[12]
**some of these links are affiliate links.
1. Possum Magic by Mem Fox, Julie Vivas
2. Are We There Yet?: A Journey Around Australia by Alison Lester
3. Audrey of the Outback by Christine Harris
4. Ernie Dances to the Digeridoo by Alison Lester
5. Patterns of Australia by Bronwyn Bancroft
6. Here is the Coral Reef by Madeleine Dunphy
7. Outback Odyssey (Adventures of Riley) by Amanda Lumry and Laura Hurwitz
8. This is Australia by Miroslav Sasek
9. Australia (Globe Trotters Club) by Sean McCollum
10. Wombat Stew by Marcia Vaughan
11. D is for Down Under by Devin Scillian
12. Australia and Oceania (True Books) by Mel Friedman
13. A Land of Two Halves by Joe Bennett
Explore Australia and Oceania by Bobbie Kalman, Rebecca Sjonger
***some of these links are affiliate links.
Fun Facts:
~Oceania is the smallest continent
~There are more sheep in Oceania than people
~Australia means “land of the south”
~Oceania has winter in June and July
~Rugby is the most popular sport in Australia
~Cricket is a popular summer sport
~Home to the Great Barrier Reef, the largest coral reef in the world
ONE LAST THING….
Every December 13th, we continue a long family tradition of celebrating St. Lucia. My parents were from Sweden and they brought this tradition along with them. In the darkest hours of the morning a young girl with a wreath of candles on her head brings hope, warmth and light to the darkest, coldest time of the year. I have taken all of our favorite recipes, activities and books that celebrate this event, along with the history of Santa Lucia as well, and created a very special color pdf for the holiday season.
The Celebrating a Santa Lucia Christmas pdf guide is my gift to you and simply click the image below to enjoy these fun family-friendly activities. Thank you!
The post Read Around The Continents: Australia/Oceania Reading List appeared first on Jump Into A Book.
December 11, 2013
A Barefoot Book Holiday Gift Book List
**some of these links are affiliate links
I love Barefoot Books.
I have been a fan of these high quality, unique and meaningful books for years. Every time I visit their website, I spend a lot of time “ooohh-ing” and “aahhh-ing” over their awesome titles, vibrant illustrations and multicultural topics.
Barefoot Books is an independent children’s publisher helping families raise imaginative kids through engaging stories. They are a vibrant, grassroots community of people from around the world who are all ‘living barefoot’ in their own unique ways. What brings readers and parents together is a shared commitment to imagination and creativity, diversity and global understanding, family sharing and giving back.
Here’s some of my top picks (my top “ooohhhs and aahhhhs”) for wonderful gift giving and holiday reading!
The Greatest Gift
The Story of the Other Wise Man
A thought-provoking re-telling of the tale by Victorian writer Henry Van Dyke. Artaban, the fourth wise man, stops to help a dying man and is too late to give his present to the King of Kings at his birth in Bethlehem. So begins a long journey amongst the poor, the sick and the hungry, bringing comfort to those in need. But will he find what he is looking for?
Winter Shadow
Traipse to a small village in the snowy north, where Maria stumbles upon a mysterious gray bundle, covered in wintry snow — an abandoned wolf cub! Grandfather is hesitant to support his granddaughter’s plan to nurse the cub to health, but soon Maria and Shadow warm the hearts of almost every villager.
Ages 8 and up
Written By: Richard Knight
Illustrated By: Richard Johnson
The Barefoot Book of Princesses
Meet seven very strong and special princesses in this collection drawn from sources from around the world. Each faces challenges and trials, and each finds a way to triumph with bravery, compassion, ingenuity and a little bit of luck. Book with CD editions include stories read by Margaret Wolfson.Smithsonian Magazine Notable Book for Children
Ages 4 to 9 years
Retold By: Caitlín Matthews
My Granny Went to Market
A Round-the-World Counting Rhyme
Fly away with Granny and count with her from one to ten as she spins around the world on an unforgettable shopping trip. This colorful, rhyming story is followed by a counting page for reinforced learning.
Ages 3 to 7 years
Written By: Stella Blackstone
Illustrated By: Christopher Corr
Illustrated By: Olwyn Whelan
Cara and the Wizard
A Story from Ireland
Two Irish sisters love each other very much. When Molly vanishes one morning, Cara decides she will go out into the wide world to find her. She is armed only with gifts
from her mother and father, and her own kindness and courage. Can brave Cara defeat a wolf and a wizard to bring back her beloved sister?
Ages 6 and up
Written By: Liz Flanagan
Illustrated By: Valeria Docampo
The Miracle of the First Poinsettia
Native to Mexico, beautiful poinsettia plants decorate homes around the world every Christmas. But few people who love the plant’s deep red tones know the traditional Mexican tale about how the poinsettia first came to be. In this extraordinary collaboration, Fabian Negrin brings his warm, glowing scenes to Joanne Oppenheim’s thoughtful narrative, transporting readers to Old-World Mexico and into the arms of a young girl as her trust leads her straight into a miracle. A beautiful alternative to the traditional nativity story, this book is a wonderful evocation of Mexican customs and culture.
Written By: Joanne Oppenheim
Illustrated By: Fabian Negrin
The Adventures of Odysseus
As Odysseus fights to find his way back home after the long and brutal Trojan War, he has to endure harrowing ordeals and adventures, and come to terms with devastating losses. Storytellers Hugh Lupton and Daniel Morden’s graphic retelling breathes new life into this great classic.Winner of the NAPPA Gold Award
Ages 8 and up
Retold By: Daniel Morden, Hugh Lupton
Illustrated By: Christina Balit
ONE LAST THING
Looking for another fun family reading adventure? This one is FREE!
Every December 13th, we continue a long family tradition of celebrating St. Lucia. My parents were from Sweden and they brought this tradition along with them. In the darkest hours of the morning a young girl with a wreath of candles on her head brings hope, warmth and light to the darkest, coldest time of the year. I have taken all of our favorite recipes, activities and books that celebrate this event, along with the history of Santa Lucia as well, and created a very special color pdf for the holiday season. The Celebrating a Santa Lucia Christmas pdf guide is my gift to you and simply click the image below to enjoy these fun family-friendly activities. Thank you!
The post A Barefoot Book Holiday Gift Book List appeared first on Jump Into A Book.
December 8, 2013
Weekend Links: A Swedish Christmas & more
It’s time for Weekend Links!
This is my chance to share all the wonderful booklists, activities and ideas from all the amazing blogger, authors and moms that I have discovered in my weekly Internet travels. Here are some of my favs:
Want to load up on your Holiday reading list? Check out this great Holiday booklist from Library Adventure
Do We Do all Day has a Swedish Christmas and Holiday Picture Book list that is near and dear to my heart!
Speaking of Swedish Christmas, it’s something near-and-dear to my heart because my parents were from Sweden. Every December 13th, we continue a long family tradition of celebrating St. Lucia. In the darkest hours of the morning a young girl with a wreath of candles on her head brings hope, warmth and light to the darkest, coldest time of the year. I have taken all of our favorite recipes, activities and books that celebrate this event, along with the history of Santa Lucia as well, and created a very special color pdf for the holiday season.
The Celebrating a Santa Lucia Christmas pdf guide is my gift to you and simply click the image below to enjoy these fun family-friendly activities. Click this link or click the image below to grab your copy and create some new traditions in your own family! Thank you!
JIAB Recap Of the Week!
The Saturday Book Club Linky Party is next Saturday! On Saturday December 14th, we will be hosting yet another Saturday Book Club Linky Party and we encourage everyone to share their children’s Holiday book-inspired activities, book reviews and book-related recipes articles your blog may have. We look forward to seeing you at the party 
P.S This was not Saturday Book Club related, but last week I co-hosted an amazing Multicultural Children’s Book linky with Mia from Pragmatic Mom! For some great reading ideas, you can view that linky HERE.
The Week’s Most Clicked
It always delights me that, despite the fact this post was written quite some time ago, it’s still one of my most viewed post most weeks:
Grandfather Tang’s Story: Storytelling with Tangrams
I was lucky enough to encounter this wonderful author and artist at my local bookstore . Now I’d like to introduce everyone else to him! The Mesmerizing Storytelling of Clay Rice: Author and Silhouette Artist
Don’t Forget
Don’t forget to check out the BookBoard’s Book Shelf of the week!
Bookboard’s goal is to create motivated readers, and we do this by re-imagining story time for today’s digital age. As kids read, they’re rewarded by unlocking new books to add to their collections. This will encourage your kids will keep coming back to unlock the next story again and again.
As your kids’ interests and reading level changes, Bookboard suggests other stories based on what your kids have been reading, right when they’re most interested. The service is designed to grow with your kids, with new books added all the time.
BookBoard has a free trial I highly suggest getting this for your kids or grandkids this holiday season. Click the image below to learn more about their free trial.
The post Weekend Links: A Swedish Christmas & more appeared first on Jump Into A Book.
December 6, 2013
Guardians of Ga’hoole series by Kathryn Lasky {Guest Post by Hannah Rials}
Guardians of Ga’hoole series by Kathryn Lasky
Summary: The Capture
Tyto is a peaceful forest whose fir trees serve as homes to thousands of Barn Owl families. But trouble is stirring, and young Soren will have to face this new, mysterious danger.
When the fledgeling is captured by mysterious yellow-eyed owls, he is taken to St. Aegolius Academy for Orphaned Owls–a canyon where unspeakable horrors await. The only way Soren and his best friend Gylfie can survive is with the help of the owls who, like them, want to be free. But how are these young owls supposed to escape if they don’t know how to fly?
Join Soren and Gylfie on their fight for freedom and discover the mystery of the Guardians of Ga’hoole. So let’s earn our wings and learn to fly!
My Opinion:
I began reading the Guardians series when I was in fifth grade–it’s amazing what you can find in a library when you’re not really looking–and I became trapped. I can’t say if it was the mystery, adventure, or my love of owls, but I fell hard. These books are not only aesthetically pleasing, but they are completely biologically accurate and filled with historical allusions. Kathryn Lasky creates just enough mystery to keep you reading and makes you fall in love with Soren so that you WANT to know how his story ends. And you have fifteen books to find out.
Other Kathryn Lasky Reads:
~Wolves of the Beyond series
Lone Wolf
~The Deadlines
~Dear America:
Check out her website for her full list of novels: http://www.kathrynlasky.com/KK/Home.html
Owl Facts:
The 205 species of owls are divided into Barn Owls and True Owls
Most owls are nocturnal. Burrowing and Short-eared owls are not.
Owls have flight feathers that make them silent flyers.
Owls don’t just hoot; they also screech, hiss, and scream.
A group of owls, however rare, is called a parliament.
Most owls don’t make their own nests; they steal hawk and raven nests or find a nice tree hole.
Barn Owls (like Soren) are recognized by their heart-shaped faces.
Houston, Minnesota hosts the Festival of Owls March 7-9
Something To Do
“A Wise Old Owl” Nursery Rhyme
A wise old owl sat in an oak;
The more heard the less he spoke;
The less he spoke the more he heard;
Why aren’t we all like that wise old bird?
Horned Owl Milk Jug:
What you’ll need:
-Milk jug, paint, fun foam, scissors, and glue
Owl Wings:
Pinecone Owls:
Check out these Whootastic Pinecone Owls from pagingfunmums.com
Make your own owl Nest:
Owls don’t like to make their own nests right? So let’s make one for them and see if you’re lucky enough to bribe an owl into your backyard. So of course you’ll need leaves, twigs, grass, moss and anything you want to put to make the owl family comfortable. Ask an adults help to place your nest in the tree, and then wait to see if a lucky owl chooses your nest. Good luck!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KFIPAlqYiMw
Born in the hills of Louisiana and raised in the mountains of Tennessee, Hannah Rials is a seventeen year old aspiring author and editor. She’s been writing short stories since she was a little girl, but for the past several years, she has been writing, editing, and reediting a novel of her own that she hopes to publish in the near future. Hannah will be attending college in the fall 2014 as an English major with the hopes of becoming an editor, but for now, she is enjoying her time at Jump Into a Book as a columnist and intern!
The post Guardians of Ga’hoole series by Kathryn Lasky {Guest Post by Hannah Rials} appeared first on Jump Into A Book.
December 5, 2013
I Believe in Unicorns by Michael Morpurgo
When I travel to the UK, I love to go to the bookstores and sniff out great reads which I can’t always find here in the US.
Though Great Britain and the United States speak the same language and do share authors between the countries, both countries also have a long list of their native authors and one of my favorites is Michael Morpurgo. You may know him from his book War Horse. He has written so many books that when I’m in England, Scotland, Ireland, or Wales I have to get myself a little treat of one more book in my Michael Morpurgo collection.
I’ve recently come back from Scotland and on this trip I purchased a gem of a book called I Believe in Unicorns.
The mastery skill that Mr. Morpurgo has of weaving a tale is well evident in this little book. Eight year old Tomas hates school, hates books, and hates stories. Forced by his mother to visit the library, he stops to listen to the magical tales of the Unicorn Lady. Her tales drawn him in, and make themselves part of him, chaining the course of his life forever. In the end he believes in unicorns and by the end of the story you will believe in unicorns too.
I can’t tell you more than this or I’ll give away the story.
Something To Do
In celebration of believing in unicorns I think it’s time we make one of our very own. We’re making ours a reading unicorn and it’s present at every family read aloud. I found this absolutely delightful felt unicorn tutorial at Where Wishes Come from. Click the link or the image to get started on creating your own unicorn companion for this story!
If you are a true unicorn lover and just can’t get enough, check out our The Great and Incredible Unicorn BookList Part I and The Great and Incredible Unicorn Book List Part 2!
The post I Believe in Unicorns by Michael Morpurgo appeared first on Jump Into A Book.
December 3, 2013
The Mesmerizing Storytelling of Clay Rice: Author and Silhouette Artist
A while back I walked into our very lovely local toy store only to discover Clay Rice, Author and Silhouette Artist, sitting there doing silhouette’s and later a book signing. He was simply captivating.
Clay Rice is part of a multi-generational silhouette artisan family. Captivated by his grandfather’s work, he learned the art literally at his feet. Clay has been a professional silhouette artist for more than 30 years, touring the United States each spring and fall.
Each profile silhouette takes Clay about 1 minute and he estimates that in his 32 year career, he has cut over 900,000 silhouettes. Clay’s nationwide following has families flocking to have this talented artist create keepsake silhouettes and to have him sign copies of his award-winning children’s book, The Lonely Shadow. In a single year, Clay cuts 10,000 children’s silhouettes from living sittings and in his studio.
I’m happy to introduce you to both of Clay’s books;
The Lonely Shadow
Drawing from his singer/song-writer background, Clay drew from the rhythms of song-writing to create this lyrical, kind and simple tale of friendship. It’s a story about a shadow of a boy in search of something. As he walks he sings a song:
“I have no you
you have no me,
you and me
we have no we,
but if I find you
and you find me,
Happy we will always be.”
The longing and looking for something, the discovery of what one is looking for evolves into a story of friendship. Clay’s incredible character and landscape silhouette’s illustrate the story throughout.
Mama, Let’s Make a Moon
We love this story. It left us wanting to make a moon. This story takes a humble mountain family, like maybe one near us in the Smoky Mountains, who decide to make a moon. The fun begins with the brother and sister of this story collecting the ingredients. The “Recipe For A Moon” include the most unique things: A stream full of silver, a swan’s starry shine, 2 possum’s paws of dream dust from the imagination mine. Along the way we learn about love and the joy of making something together.
“Mama, let’s make a moon’
It won’t cost too much.
We’ll use second-hand stardust
And leftover love;
we’ll stuff it with silly
And marshmallow goo
And paint it with promise.
Mama, let’s make a moon.”
To view more of Clay’s magic, visit his website or watch some of his videos on how he creates these unique works of art.
The post The Mesmerizing Storytelling of Clay Rice: Author and Silhouette Artist appeared first on Jump Into A Book.
December 1, 2013
Weekend Links: Giving Thanks and Preparing for the Holidays
It’s time for Weekend Links! This is my chance to share all the wonderful booklists, activities and ideas from all the amazing blogger, authors and moms that I have discovered in my weekly Internet travels. Here are some of my favs:
No Time for Flashcards has a wonderful booklist-Picture Books That Teach Important Lessons. Which book would you add to their list?
Picture Book Advent Calendar from Playful Learning
How to create a Christmas book advent calendar without blowing the budget Honey Bee Books
Thankfulness Tree from Meaningful mama
100 Free Printable Activities for your Advent Calendar! Just choose the 24 that fit your family for some great daily ways to celebrate & connect at KCEdventures
What a wonderful booklist from Erica at What Do We Do All Day: 20 Multicultural Christmas Books for Children
Don’t forget to mark your calendars for January 27, 2014. Jump Into a Book and Pragmatic Mom have joined forces to create the first ever Multicultural Children’s Book Day. This will be a day to cherish and celebrate diversity in children’s books and raise awareness.
We’d love to get the amazing blogging community to join us in sharing their favorite multicultural children’s book. If you’d like to share a post — and it can be old one from your archive – comment below so we can share the book love!
Here are some ways you can help us celebrate Multicultural Children’s Book Day
Have children bring in their favorite multicultural book to school on this day and share it with the class.
Have a special Multicultural Children’s Book Day book read aloud time.
Create a Multicultural Children’s Book Day display around the classroom or library.
Read Around the Continents and Countries. Great resources list a JumpIntoaBook.com and PragmaticMom.com
Visit The Multicultural Children’s Book Day page at Jump Into a Book.
Visit our Multicultural Books for Kids Pinterest Board for more reading ideas.
Visit our Multicultural Children’s Book Page HERE for more details or how you can get involved.
The post Weekend Links: Giving Thanks and Preparing for the Holidays appeared first on Jump Into A Book.
November 29, 2013
The Barefoot Book of Jewish Tales by Shoshana Boyd Gelfand
This week is the festival of lights for the Jewish faith called Hanukkah.
Today we’re going to celebrate by reading a collection of stories from Barefoot Books called Jewish Tales.
These are stories for sharing and tales to read together. Gathered from around the world, from different times and places, these stories explore questions that all of us have such as: Why do bad things happen to good people? Is it more important to be kind or to be clever? Is truth the highest value ? What happens after we die?
This is a precious jewel of book which transmits values to our children. Rabbi Shoshana Boyd Gelfand masterfully shares these values in the treasury of stories she has created. Each of the eight beautifully illustrated stories holds a moral lesson which is rooted in the Jewish faith and culture. I greatly appreciate the way they are presented. Each story leaves the door open for in-depth discussions. Another added bonus are the two CD’s of the stories which are read by actress Debra Messing. They’re especially great for car rides. In the back of the book is a well created resource section which explains the signs and symbols of the Jewish faith so those of us who aren’t Jewish can easily follow along.
This book is great for ages 6 and up. It would make a great Hanukkah gift as well as a great family read any time of the year.
I wish everyone who is celebrating a very Happy Hanukkah !!!!!
To grab your copy of Jewish Tales or view other amazing multicultural books from
Barefoot Books, go HERE.
Something To Do
Sometimes crafts don’t have to be complex to be beautiful and enjoyable. Check out this lovely Masking Tape Menorah Craft from Pleasantest Thing
I also adore this Eight Nights of Chanukah Hanukkah activity from DesignMegillah.
The post The Barefoot Book of Jewish Tales by Shoshana Boyd Gelfand appeared first on Jump Into A Book.
November 28, 2013
Painting With Scissors: A Creative Activity Inspired by Henri Matisse
“Matisse got as close as one can get to heaven with a pair of scissors.”
Romare Bearden
Henri’s Scissors by Jeanette Winter is an inspirational life story about Henri Matisse. As a boy Henri drew pictures everywhere. When he grew up, he became one of the most famous artists in the world. Late in his life he had a serious illness which confined him to a wheel chair or his bed. Amazingly, from this confined state came some of his finest works, the enormous and captivating paper-cut outs.
This is truly a story about not giving up when the going gets tough. Henri Matisse lived and breathed his art. Even through illness he needed to channel his creative energies and he chose something wonderful, paper cutting. He decorated his entire room with his paper cut-outs.
“You see, as I am obliged to remain often in bed…. I have made a little garden all around me where I can walk…There are leaves, fruits, a bird.”
The pictures in this book are beautifully illustrated in full color and images and bring Henri’s story to life. The story is told in a way in which we feel we are sitting right next to Matisse himself perhaps spending an afternoon in his colorful world.
Would you like to see for yourself ? Today let’s sit next to Henri Matisse and watch as he cuts his magical paper creations.
Matisse considered his paper cuttings his “Second Life.” Starting in April of 2014 and running through September 2014 Matisse’s paper cut outs can be seen at the Tate Museum in London England.
Something To Do
We couldn’t let Mr. Matisse have all this fun to himself. I decided to place a modern spin to a brilliant idea. Taking scrapbook paper, we cut shapes and made our own very fashionable art work. We’re starting small and working large. Who knows, maybe one day we too will have a garden cut out of paper hanging on our walls. We have to start some place so let’s start here. To give us some ideas we had a look at this gorgeous Matisse paper cut out pinterest board. I didn’t realize how massive some of these art pieces are. It’s really inspiring. Here’s a look at some of the art we created from this inspiring and magical read.
Our Matisse-inspired Painting With Scissors Collages
Supplies:
A Variety of colored or scrap booking paper
A white foam or poster board to build your paper composition on.
Scissors
Glue Stick
A look at our creations !
What kind of Matisse-inspired creations can you come up with?
Psssst……
Grab our Secret Codes, Mysteries and Adventures download for FREE.
But hurry, this fun and winter friendly kids activity will be available only until the end of November! Create an afternoon of sleuthing, mysteries and mysterious adventures with this FREE downloadable PDF Activity Guide! This guide is19 pages of fun including activities like Creating and Deciphering Invisible Messages, baking “I Spy” Cookies and learn more about the US President who was a master decoder! Click the image below to get your free copy!
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