Archive for December 2011
An African Lullaby
Posted by: marilyncarpenter on: December 31, 2011
Lala Salama: A Tanzanian Lullaby by Patricia MacLachlan. Illus. by Elizabeth Zunon. (2011). Unpaged. Candlewick Press. Ages 1-6. In Swahili the words, Lala salama, means sleep peacefully. Reading this lyrical, sweet book will ensure sweet dreams for any child. An African mother works through the day keeping her baby close on her back, her lap [...]
A Novel About the Immigrant Experience
Posted by: marilyncarpenter on: December 29, 2011
Inside Out & Back Again by Thanhha Lai. 262 pages. Harper. Ages 9-14. Historical Fiction. In the 1980’s I taught an exceptional class of sixth graders who were mostly immigrants from Viet Nam. They had lived through difficult and challenging experiences escaping from Viet Nam and then living in refugee camps. During our year together [...]
Books for Christmas
Posted by: marilyncarpenter on: December 19, 2011
Cuddle up with your children and make Christmas memories by reading aloud these books. The first four tell about Christmas in past times. The Money We’ll Save by Brock Cole. (2011). Pages not numbered. FSG. Grades K-4. Picture book. Cole’s droll, expressive illustrations coupled with his subtle, humorous text make this a book that requires [...]
An Engaging Fantasy
Posted by: marilyncarpenter on: December 9, 2011
- In: Novels | Read Aloud
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The Ogre of Oglefort by Eva Ibbotson. Illus. by Lisa K. Weber. (2011). 247 pages. Dutton. Grades 3-7. Fantasy novel. This is the last book of the talented and masterful storyteller, Ibbotson. Fantastic characters, a troll, a hag, a wizard and an orphan, are sent on a quest to save a princess from an evil [...]
The Adventures of Sir Gawain the True
Posted by: marilyncarpenter on: December 3, 2011
- In: Novels | Read Aloud
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The Adventures of Sir Gawain the True by Gerald Morris. Illus. by Aaron Renier. (2011). 118 pages. Houghton Mifflin. Grades 2-6. Fantasy Novel. This is the third book in Morris’ The Knight Tales series. After children read this one, they will want to go back to read the others in the series. Morris retells the [...]
