This is another one of the "If You Give a . . . " series books. I like this one. Of course, I am biased. My daughter just read this to me. How specialThis is another one of the "If You Give a . . . " series books. I like this one. Of course, I am biased. My daughter just read this to me. How special is that! She is bored this Saturday morning. She saw me with it and began to read it with me. Then she took over. Other than not knowing the word scenery (or what it was), she did great! Of course, this is on her reading level....more
I am pretty certain this was picked up at a dollar store. It's a manuscript workbook designed for second grade students. Beetle has completed about haI am pretty certain this was picked up at a dollar store. It's a manuscript workbook designed for second grade students. Beetle has completed about half of the book. It is typical for handwriting: letters are modeled and the student traces, copies, and otherwise practices letters, words, and sentences. It's pretty good.
The passages to copy are religious sentences (Do unto others . . . , etc.). Beetle lost interest with this as she began writing in cursive....more
I am on a Diary of a Wimpy Kid reading spree. While we have all these books up in my son's room, I downloaded the Kindle version from the library.
RowI am on a Diary of a Wimpy Kid reading spree. While we have all these books up in my son's room, I downloaded the Kindle version from the library.
Rowley and Greg are not friends. Greg is growing up and has sex ed in school. Mom enrolls at school so the guys have to fend for themselves. It does not go well. Mom hires Isabella, the maid. Like all maids, it seems, she takes advantage that the family cleans before she arrives. She sits around and watches television. Greg tried to trick her into washing his clothes, but she out-stalled him.
There is a sleepover at school with girls. But the event goes horribly wrong at all turns.
Uncle Gary was married for the fourth time. Because of the wedding, Greg missed the cool kids party at Jordan Jury's house. It turns out Greg's grade was invited to be the servants....more
This edition of the Diary of a Wimpy Kid series revolves around the month between Thanksgiving and Christmas.
Mom produces a Christmas Scout (akin to EThis edition of the Diary of a Wimpy Kid series revolves around the month between Thanksgiving and Christmas.
Mom produces a Christmas Scout (akin to Elf on the Shelf) to keep an eye on things. Of course, Greg has some issues. He eats chicken nuggets only. The school has a special area where they sell them. Later he finds the same nuggets at the store. He buys them all with the idea he and Rowley will open their own restaurant and undercut the school and make money.
They print their own newspaper when the school refuses to advertise their event. They get the local pizza joint to foot the cost, but they run their advertisement adjacent to a scathing review of the pizza joint. They find they can't sell the newspaper so they begin giving it out for free. The school confiscates the balance of the newspapers.
The boys make posters and hang them on the wall outside the school. Rain causes the ink to stain the wall. Rowley confesses (kind of) in a way that gets Greg in trouble but not himself. After scrubbing the walls, Greg comes home to a note from the police. He's now worried they want to arrest him.
Dad gets snowed in on business. The Hefleys are snowed in. Eventually, the snow melts and floods the basement. Rodrick moves in with Greg. Things are a big mess.
On Christmas Eve all works out. Greg delivers a toy for a toy drive at the police station. He wears a ski mask to protect his identity. He checks on his Giving Tree present (that wasn't there). He ends up shoveling the church's in search for the present. The newspaper snaps a photograph. In Greg's newspaper, he reveals that it is he who was the masked shoveler....more
Once I got into the Diary of a Wimpy Kid books, this was the first book that came out. I had to wait for this. I ordered it through Scholastic.
I likedOnce I got into the Diary of a Wimpy Kid books, this was the first book that came out. I had to wait for this. I ordered it through Scholastic.
I liked this one too, but the fun is beginning to fade. The freshness is gone . . . this is just like the first two books. Good, but not compelling at this point....more
On the heels of reading the first Diary of a Wimpy Kid book, I read this. My students were impressed that I enjoyed them as much as they did. They alsOn the heels of reading the first Diary of a Wimpy Kid book, I read this. My students were impressed that I enjoyed them as much as they did. They also liked that I purchased copies that they could read too since the library only had one copy.
Fun stuff in here. Definitely enjoyable reading. Poor Greg always gets the shaft, but it works out in the end....more
A few years ago I began noticing this book being read by my students. Toward the end of the year, I picked it up and began reading it. Yeah, I was a fA few years ago I began noticing this book being read by my students. Toward the end of the year, I picked it up and began reading it. Yeah, I was a fan.
This book had a similar effect that the Captain Underpants books did when I read them a decade before; this was much better written than I expected. I encourage my students to read, and I am more than fine that they are into this.
In November 2011 Beetle found my Diary of a Wimpy Kid books in the basement as I was organizing all of our books. She asked if she could read them. Despite her being a little young for them, I agreed. She took right to them. Santa brought her the last couple she needed to complete the series.
I blame my daughter for this! It's Veterans Day. I have the day off. It is beautiful out and the rest of the family is off at work or school. So why aI blame my daughter for this! It's Veterans Day. I have the day off. It is beautiful out and the rest of the family is off at work or school. So why am I inside reading this book? It's Beetle's fault!
My lovely daughter is in a reading spree of late. While she refuses to read a book we started together months ago that I would like to continue, she has been cranking out book after book this weekend. She has re-visited the Junie B. Jones series. The other evening I read a chapter with her. Before she fell asleep, she had finished it and read most of a second one. She woke up early the next day, polished off that book, and had begun another before I started moving.
This morning, despite her having to go to school, she brought down the copies of this book and asked if we could read together. Of course I would!
We took turns, one page for her, one for me. We read about two-thirds of the book before we had to pile into the Jeep. Beetle finished the book on the way to school. I came home after picking up a couple more turkeys, mowed the lawn, tidied the garage, and came inside. This book was sitting right where I had left it. I loathe leaving books (or anything really) unfinished. I had to see if Junie B. was in trouble for how she behaved in church.
I have read another Barbara Park book and enjoyed it. The Junie B. Jones books are definitely a different flavor. Written for young girls, I am not the target audience. I understand Beetle's infatuation with the series. Junie B. is a bit ornery; Beetle likes that. :P
The thing is, I am a little put off by the writing. Park, who is from Mount Holly up the road, writes in the style of a young girl for this series. I suppose one could praise her for being authentic. But for me, I am troubled by the incorrect grammar. Endings are left off words as Junie B. speaks. "I quick backed up from her." It drives me nuts!
The story is cute enough. Junie B. finds out she is going to her aunt's wedding. Her friends tell her all about being a flower girl and how to do it. Junie B. gets it in her head that she will be the flower girl at her aunt's wedding. Of course, the aunt has selected a different girl to be the flower girl. The hijinks ensue from there.
It's cute enough. I bet Beetle will be surprised I spent time reading this on my own. ;)...more
This is the first of the Fudge books. It's pretty good. I like that this is a spinoff of the characters from Otherwise Known As Sheila the Great. TypiThis is the first of the Fudge books. It's pretty good. I like that this is a spinoff of the characters from Otherwise Known As Sheila the Great. Typical brother rivalry stuff. It's entertaining.
I read this a few times with my students, and I am rather certain I read it when I was a boy. I've given up on the Fudge stories, however. I can never recall what one is problematic in the Santa category, but I'll be damned if that is going to happen in my classroom. It's not this one, fwiw.
This is a drawing book. It's rather clever. Each page has a task for the reader to accomplish. Whatever is to be drawn is shown in its component partsThis is a drawing book. It's rather clever. Each page has a task for the reader to accomplish. Whatever is to be drawn is shown in its component parts for the artist to see how to construct the image. I like it....more
This isn't a great book. There's no real plot to the book, just a bunch of things loosely arranged about a Valentine's Day party. There are stickers fThis isn't a great book. There's no real plot to the book, just a bunch of things loosely arranged about a Valentine's Day party. There are stickers for the young reader to affix to the book as it is read.
Eh. **** 28 December 2011 18 February 2012 (read with Fritz upon his request) 2 December 2012 (read with Fritz upon his request)...more
Almost 20 years ago David Green berg visited my classroom for a couple days of workshops. I purchased this book at that time.
I really like Greenberg'Almost 20 years ago David Green berg visited my classroom for a couple days of workshops. I purchased this book at that time.
I really like Greenberg's writing. It's humorous and silly, which is a hook for fourth grade boys, who shy away from the writing process.
This book is about two brothers who are opposites. Peter is the consummate worrier. There's nothing too large or too small for Peter to be worried about. Frankie keeps egging him on. Halfway through the book Peter announces he has a new worry. Now he is worried that Frankie will be eaten by a shark in his water bed. This causes a reversal of worry. Frankie now takes on the worrying. Peter realizes there's nothing to get upset about.
Colorful and nicely presented. Two mice sneak into a house and find all the fixin's to make a valentine. Nothing special, but cute enough.
InterestinglColorful and nicely presented. Two mice sneak into a house and find all the fixin's to make a valentine. Nothing special, but cute enough.
Interestingly, the book is dedicated to Robert and Owen. :) **** 28 December 2011 18 February 2012 (read with Fritz upon his request) 2 December 2012 (read with Fritz upon his request)...more
This isn't really a story. Each page presents a silly passage of love. For example:
You're my wiggly worm My busy little bee My silly goose My moosey-moo
This isn't really a story. Each page presents a silly passage of love. For example:
You're my wiggly worm My busy little bee My silly goose My moosey-moose My monkey up a tree
Each page is like this.
The illustrations are nice. Each page also has a series of lights that illuminate and music that plays. This is nice for little children, but isn't a story as much as a sensory display....more
The young fox felt his mother was no fun so he sought a new mother. He visited three friends who all claimed their mothers were fun. The fox had a gooThe young fox felt his mother was no fun so he sought a new mother. He visited three friends who all claimed their mothers were fun. The fox had a good day visiting, but each mother failed him as not meeting the expectations he had from his own mother. By the end of the day the young fox returned home to his real mother where they commenced to have lots of fun.
The story is fine, nothing great but entertaining enough.
This is a good book to use to model the rule of three. The problem is easily identifiable. Then there were three attempts to resolve the problem. The problem was resolved and the story ended. This is fairly cut-and-dry. **** I had forgotten we owned this and that I had read it. I sought a book for Mother's Day to read it with the Tiger Scouts before our project. A first grade teacher recommended it to me. I read it several times yesterday.
Fritz was pretty good at predicting what would happen. **** 28 December 2011 29 April 2014...more
This is a Clifford book from when he was a puppy. Clifford didn't want summer to end. Everyone assured Clifford that he would enjoy autumn. Sure enougThis is a Clifford book from when he was a puppy. Clifford didn't want summer to end. Everyone assured Clifford that he would enjoy autumn. Sure enough, as soon as the leaves were raked into a pile, Clifford found out how much fun a red dog can have in autumn....more
This is a perfect book for my daughter; she is very much like Fancy Nancy. She enjoys dressing up, having parties, and making everything just so. ThisThis is a perfect book for my daughter; she is very much like Fancy Nancy. She enjoys dressing up, having parties, and making everything just so. This is a cute book for Easter. Nancy uses some excellent words (rustle, elegant). This is a flip book, so readers have plenty to do while reading the book.
This is a cute book based on Valentine's Day. The bunny girl wants valentines. Mother suggests sending one. The girl sends one to her grandfather. SheThis is a cute book based on Valentine's Day. The bunny girl wants valentines. Mother suggests sending one. The girl sends one to her grandfather. She checks the mailbox; it is empty. Little girl, there is turnaround time for mail. Anyhow, eventually a box of chocolates and a valentine arrives from grandfather.
This book has flaps for the reader to lift to see what's behind it. The mailbox is lifted to discover the mail.
Overall this is a fine read for youngsters....more
This cookbook is reminiscent of some cookbooks I had when I was a boy. my mother was very good at making fun food, particularly rectangular cakes thatThis cookbook is reminiscent of some cookbooks I had when I was a boy. my mother was very good at making fun food, particularly rectangular cakes that are cut to form other things. There's a clown cake here. There are lots of sandwiches with different faces and Christmas ornaments too.
Not bad for a children's cookbook. All the images are illustrations; there are no photographs....more
This beginner reader is about Arthur learning to read. Then he challenges D.W., his younger sister, to prove she can read 10 words. That seemed ratherThis beginner reader is about Arthur learning to read. Then he challenges D.W., his younger sister, to prove she can read 10 words. That seemed rather boastful from this guy. Nevertheless, D.W. rises to the occasion and earns an ice cream.
This is an excellent beginners Bible. The famous stories from the Bible are re-written here on a child's level. What I particularly like is that afterThis is an excellent beginners Bible. The famous stories from the Bible are re-written here on a child's level. What I particularly like is that after each story, there are several sentences that are designed to engage the child. Questions are asked about how the story relates to his life.
After the story of Moses receiving the Ten Commandments children read:
Do you have rules to obey? Are you mom and dad happy when you obey? God is happy when you obey, too. Ask God to help you obey.
There is also a brightly-colored illustration to accompany each story. I am most impressed with this book....more
This is an undersized board book. It was part of a set that Beetle used to read when she was a little girl. She would bring them in the Jeep with us aThis is an undersized board book. It was part of a set that Beetle used to read when she was a little girl. She would bring them in the Jeep with us always.
Only five pages, this introduces Pocahontas to readers. Of course, it's the Disney version and has no plot. Just an advertisement....more
What an interesting concept for a book! The Metropolitan Museum of Art published a series of paintings it has in its collection of babies. Simple textWhat an interesting concept for a book! The Metropolitan Museum of Art published a series of paintings it has in its collection of babies. Simple text is interspersed to describe what the baby is doing. This is a fun read with babies. I love the paintings....more
A few years into my teaching career a new principal took over the school I was at then. Her favorite book was the Velveteen Rabbit. It occurred to meA few years into my teaching career a new principal took over the school I was at then. Her favorite book was the Velveteen Rabbit. It occurred to me that I wasn't familiar with it. I think I had heard it when I was a boy, but it hadn't stuck. So off I went to the book store to buy this. It quickly became one of my favorites. This is what children's literature is all about!
I read this frequently. **** After reading The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane, I thought it would be good to read this to my students. Unfortunately, they did not want to listen. It's a shame that the attention the span is so short. I stopped so we could do something else.
At the end of the day, after all the students left, I finished the book. I will say that as wonderful as this story is, it is feeling a bit dated now. "Edward Tulane" was so much richer, imo. **** 27 December 2011 12 June 2014...more
There are four prayers included here: Thanksgiving; All Day, All Night; Evening; Now That the Day is Over.
These are nice prayers that anyone should beThere are four prayers included here: Thanksgiving; All Day, All Night; Evening; Now That the Day is Over.
These are nice prayers that anyone should be able to follow. There are play a sound buttons to read these prayers to the child. Unfortunately, our batteries need to be replaced....more
This version of the classic Princess and the Pea is a play the sound type book. The reader can have each page of the book read to him by pressing theThis version of the classic Princess and the Pea is a play the sound type book. The reader can have each page of the book read to him by pressing the correct button. The illustrations are pretty good. This is a decent version of the tale....more
I wasn't wild about the text of this book. It is inconsistent. It begins by telling us baby cats are kittens. Then it talks about rabbits, but doesn'tI wasn't wild about the text of this book. It is inconsistent. It begins by telling us baby cats are kittens. Then it talks about rabbits, but doesn't name baby rabbits or donkeys. Then it is back to naming the babies (puppies, etc.). Eh.
The illustrations are by Garth Williams, who I believe is the first illustrator I ever took note of....more
There isn't much of a story here. The one puppy who is late doesn't receive consequences for being tardy. If there are no consequences, then he has noThere isn't much of a story here. The one puppy who is late doesn't receive consequences for being tardy. If there are no consequences, then he has no reason to modify his behavior. So, it seems like this book (and I think this is part of a series) cherishes laziness.
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