ComingSoon.net has the news that the trailer for Eragon has been released online. Get your browser warmed up and head over to Moviefone to see it. An exciting glimpse into the film, it is definitely one to share with teens looking forward to December.
Month: September 2006
Film of Desperaux
WIth Thesps Tell Tale of Desperaux, Comingsoon.net announces the voice actors for the upcoming CGI movie of Tale of Desperaux. And look at the talent! Kevin Kline, Dustin Hoffman, Christopher Lloyd, Tracey Ullman and more! The site offers additional details on the production.
Favorites of the Year
MotherReader has challenged all of us to come up with a list of top five books for various ages. What fun! These are my faves of what I have read so far this year:
PICTURE BOOKS
Dizzy by Jonah Winter
An Egg Is Quiet by Dianna Aston
For You Are a Kenyan Child by Kelly Cunnane
Meow Ruff by Joyce Sidman
Summer Is Summer by Phillis and David Gershator
ELEMENTARY
Desperate Journey by Jim Murphy
Gossamer by Lois Lowry
Gregor and the Marks of Secret by Suzanne Collins
Henrietta, There’s No One Better by Martine Murray
Rules by Cynthia Lord
MIDDLE SCHOOL
Anatopsis by Chris Abouzeid
Bella at Midnight by Diane Stanley
Clay by David Almond
Corydon and the Island of Monsters by Tobias Druitt
Sweet Thang by Allison Whittenberg
HIGH SCHOOL
Monster Blood Tattoo by D. M. Cornish
Nick & Norah’s Infinite Playlist by Rachel Cohn and David Levithan
Ptolemy’s Gate by Jonathan Stroud
Rash by Pete Hautman
Wait for Me by An Na
The picture book and teen ones were easy for me this year, but I struggled with the elementary books. Looks like I need to read more of those!
Dooby Dooby Moo
Dooby Dooby Moo by Doreen Cronin and Betsy Lewin is another in the charming Click Clack Moo series. This time the duck, cows, sheep and pigs have decided to enter a talent contest at the fair. The cows sing Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star, the sheep sing Home on the Range, and the pigs do interpretive dance. Duck manages everyone and makes sure they are rehearsing. But once they get to the fair, the judges don’t seem to appreciate their talents until Duck jumps on stage and saves the day.
Like all of the books in the series, this one begs to be read aloud. It is such fun to sing like a cow or a sheep. And the final twist to the story will have children giggling along.
Share this one with preschoolers on up. Even elementary age kids will enjoy the humor here. Be careful because you will find yourself riding in the car and having to sing aloud like the cows and sheep. A small price to pay for such an enjoyable read.
Oh No, Not Ghosts!
Oh No, Not Ghosts! by Richard Michelson, illustrated by Adam McCauley.
This is one of those books that I had to sneak out of the house to get it back to the library. My sons absolutely loved it. It is the perfect Halloween read-aloud with a myriad of creepy creatures. A brother and sister who are being quiet to let their father sleep hear a wailing sound. The boy tries to reassure his sister that it is the wind, not ghosts, but all she hears is ghosts and cries, “Oh no, not ghosts!” As he tries to reassure her, he continues to name other creatures she shouldn’t fear and the pattern continues.
The pictures are creepy but cartoony, and each monster is revealed to be imaginary in the illustrations. It is a great book to read aloud, because of the little girl’s reactions. Just play those up in a different voice or the book can be confusing to listen to. What fun! A perfect book to give kids a few safe shivers.
Red Cygnet Press
Red Cygnet Press publishes children’s books written by promising college students. From shots of the covers alone, the art looks very well-done. I look forward to reading some of the titles. The website offers reviews of the books as well as sample pages. You can also sign up for emails on their books.
Just One More Book!
Just One More Book!! is a blog that offers podcasts that are all about children’s books. Most of them feature recommended books, but others have author interviews and listener feedback.
Fletcher and the Falling Leaves
Fletcher and the Falling Leaves by Julia Rawlinson, pictures by Tiphanie Beeke.
This autumnal title is quite charming. Fletcher is a fox who has a favorite tree. But he is very worried about it because the leaves are turning brown and starting to fall off. He tries his best to reattache leaves, but they just keep on being taken off by the wind. A flock of birds even helps him, but to no avail. When the last leaf finally falls off into Fletcher’s hand, he is distraught and takes the leaf home to keep warm and safe. The next very cold morning Fletcher heads out to the tree and discovers that it has become even more lovely.
The text of the book changes from narrative to poetic and flowing in places, easing the reader through the magic of the season. It is the illustrations that make the book really sing from the deep autumn colors to the swirling wind and finally the icicles on the tree. It is a visual journey through a changing season that is emotional and evocative.
Add this one to your fall storytimes as well as any tree or plant themed ones. It also makes a great home-read for a preschooler as you snuggle together under the covers.
Nothing to Do
Nothing to Do by Douglas Wood, illustrated by Wendy Anderson Halperin.
This is a book all about how great it is to have absolutely nothing to do. Get away from children who use the word BORED far too much and instead treat them to a new way of viewing free time. As freedom itself. The text by Wood is lovely, open-ended and freeing, offering so many ways to spend time that are expansive and imaginative. My favorite page is: “Or building a fort, a secret place where no one can see you because you can’t see them. And surviving for hours on peanut-butter sandwiches and lemonade.” Brings back all sorts of lovely summer afternoons spent in the tall grass behind the house.
The illustrations lend themselves to the subject with dreamy but deep colors that evoke all sorts of memories. Based on different patterns found in nature, the pictures are in panels offering all sorts of ideas of special ways to spend these found moments of time.
This is exactly the book that rushed children need. Shut off those video games, turn off the TV, and just dream.
Waking Brain Cells 