Month: February 2006

New Children's Films in Production

| Tasha

Sorry about the break in postings, but we have once again been hit by the curse of the preschool flu.  The entire family has had it and I have basically eaten up years of accumulated sick leave. 

I have news about two new children’s-book-based films in production.  The first is Nancy Drew where the star is already hoping publicly that it becomes a series of films.  I can really see girls eating up Nancy Drew on the big screen.  The second is Bridge to Terabithia, a film that will call for all of us to bring tissues along in our pockets.  Both films are scheduled for release in 2007.

New Children's Films in Production

| Tasha

Sorry about the break in postings, but we have once again been hit by the curse of the preschool flu.  The entire family has had it and I have basically eaten up years of accumulated sick leave. 

I have news about two new children’s-book-based films in production.  The first is Nancy Drew where the star is already hoping publicly that it becomes a series of films.  I can really see girls eating up Nancy Drew on the big screen.  The second is Bridge to Terabithia, a film that will call for all of us to bring tissues along in our pockets.  Both films are scheduled for release in 2007.

Young Adult Programming

| Tasha

ALA announces that YALSA releases new book on summer reading programs for young adults, entitled Sizzling Summer Reading Programs for Young Adults. The emphasis is on libraries of all sizes providing high quality teen-friendly programming.

Investing in the Children's Section

| Tasha

Bookslut has a great article about Investing in the Children’s Section of public libraries. The author uses the new library in Eugene, Oregon, and explains what she and her son love about their library. Most of the things they love are attainable by any public library serviing children: put books on display so busy parents can reach out and grab, have puzzles and puppets and toys, and have art on display. Her love letter to her public library is not about the budget or the new library. It is about how her library makes her and her son feel.

2006 Notable Computer Software for Children

| Tasha

The Association for Library Services for Children (ALSC) of the American Library Association also gives top software awards. The Current Notable Computer Software for Children List only has a few titles on it, but if you are looking to find the top encyclopedia program or software titles to use in the classroom, this is your list.

DEAR Day

| Tasha

Drop Everything And Read or D.E.A.R. Day is on April 12th. It is a program featuring beloved book character Ramona Quimby and celebrates reading as well as Beverly Cleary’s 90th birthday. On their site you can learn about the celebration, read the press release, and request free materials for your library.

Ptolemy's Gate

| Tasha



Ptolemy’s Gate by Jonathan Stroud.

Stroud has done it again with the conclusion to his unique Bartimaeus Trilogy.  The book does start slowly, almost painfully so, because readers will know that there is plenty of action awaiting them.   This book occurs three years after the second.  We find out what happened to Kitty after the Golem Affair and how being a magician on the Council has corrupted John Mandrake even further. 

I don’t want to say any more about the plot because the joy of reading Stroud is discovering what happens.  Let me just say that it is an amazing conclusion to a great trilogy.

I Lost My Tooth in Africa

| Tasha


I Lost My Tooth in Africa by Penda Diakite, illustrated by Baba Wague Diakite.

With vivid illustrations and a rhythm to the storytelling, this book is a perfect read aloud for preschoolers through elementary aged children.  It is the story of a girl who travels to Mali to see her extended family and loses her tooth while she is there.  She is told that if she loses her tooth in Africa, the African tooth fairy will give her a chicken in return.  So she places her tooth on the ground under a calabash gourd and waits.  Eventually she gets her chickens.  The illustrations are a perfect complement to the text and children will find themselves savoring the differences between the United States and Africa, from the dance of the names on your tongue to the bright red ground, it is all different but delightful. 

Share this book with children losing their first tooth, those learning about Africa, and any child who would enjoy experiencing travel to Africa.  This one is a winner. 

Once Upon a Time, the End (Asleep in 60 Seconds)

| Tasha

Once Upon a Time, the End (Asleep in 60 Seconds) by Geoffrey Kloske, illustrated by Barry Blitt.

This is a wonderful picture book that will be enjoyed by smaller children on a certain level, but will be appreciated by older elementary students most of all.  A father is trying to read his child to sleep and begins skipping parts of the stories, leading to very funny results.  Stories like Goldilocks, Little Red Riding Hood, The Princess and the Pea and the Three Little Pigs are all rushed through, each ending with a reason for the child to just fall asleep. 

This one is perfect reading for a lock-in for older elementary kids or a parent reading aloud to a class.   It was great fun to read aloud to my 8-year-old son, who immediately asked for it to be read again.  His 4-year-old brother didn’t get a lot of the humor, but still enjoyed the stories. 

Share this with fans of other versions of twisted fairy tales.  The humor here will have kids who know their stories laughing out loud and happily sharing the book with friends.