Bumble Bee Productions is a publisher of children’s books. They have two new books coming out this fall, including a new Ruby Lee the Bumble Bee book.
Author: Tasha
Well-Loved
I have been focusing on reading new books for awhile now. I love the crispness of the pages, the crackle of a spine, and the gleaming plastic covers of new library books. I am going to be reviewing the third book in a very popular series for School Library Journal. I moaned knowing that I would have to read the first two books before writing the review.
But I am not moaning anymore. First, because the books are wonderful. Second, because I had forgotten the joys of well-loved and well-read library books. I am loving the creaminess and softness of the pages that become furred and vellum-like. I enjoy the way the spine happily flops open. And I like all of the little marks on the pages that show how enjoyed this book has been in so many different places and ways. I think I would take a well-loved, used book over a blindingly-white uncracked book any day.
Alex Pushes Harry Off
News from England says that Young spy breaks the spell of boy wizard. This means that Anthony Horowitz’s massively popular Alex Rider series has toppled Harry Potter from the top of the book charts. Horowitz now has seven titles in the top 20 children’s bestsellers, something that Rowling can’t even hope to approach until she releases the final novel in the Harry Potter series.
Chimpanzees of Happytown
The Chimpanzees of Happytown by Giles Andreae and Guy Parker-Rees.
Andreae and Parker-Rees create picturebooks filled with vibrant color and very cool animals. Their newest is no different. The chimpanzees of Drabsville, USA live in a grey world with no trees, no parks, just concrete. But then Chutney, a world-traveling chimp arrives with a seed. Unfortunately, when he plants it the mayor notices and orders the plant cut down and Chutney thrown into jail. But all is not lost. The boy and girl chimps next door to Chutney continue to water the seed and it turns into a huge plant that comforts Chutney in his jail cell. When Chutney is released from jail, he calls for the population of Drabville to rebel. The colors become wild pinks, purples and oranges filled with a profusion of flowers and trees.
The book may be a little obvious for parents, but I have shared it with children and they all adored the message and the transformation. The book ends with: “And things will always blossom if we dare to set them free. It’s no different for a little flower than for a chimpanzee.” This book has a strong environmental message making it a nice addition to environment or nature units for preschoolers and kindergarteners.
Please Play Safe
Please play safe: Penguin’s guide to playground safety by Margery Cuyler, illustrated by Will Hillenbrand.
Safety books can be deadly serious, dull and dismal, but this one has a broad sense of humor and will get kids giggling. What more could be asked for in a safety book? The book demonstrates first how NOT to be safe and then shows how to act safely on a playground. When the dangerous way is shown, the text asks “Is that right?” If you are sharing this with a group or even a single child, expect them to vigorously protest that it is wrong even though they are laughing at the very idea. The pattern and rhythm of the book, its humor and participation aspects (as well as the potential for readers adding zany sound effects) make this a great choice for safety units in preschool and kindergarten.
Shoo Fly Guy
Shoo, Fly Guy! by Tedd Arnold is the third Fly Guy book in this early reader series. In this book, Fly Guy is trying to find something to eat. His favorite food is “brown, oozy, lumpy, and smelly.” Fly Guy flies all over town looking for something that has all those qualities, but he can only find things that meet some of the criteria. When he tries to eat those things, he gets chased away time and again. It isn’t until he finds his friend Buzz again that he also finds exactly what he is hungry for.
I am a real fan of Fly Guy. All of the books about him are a wonderful combination of slapstick and gross humor. They are the perfect books to give to reluctant boy readers because the zaniness will carry even the slowest readers through. The books also make great read alouds to groups of kindergarteners or first graders. Share the fun!
Oh, I should mention that the image doesn’t do the cover of this book justice. Rather than being a dull tan, it is actually a very psychodelic green/gold that catches the light. It will also catch the eye of kids.
Released in September.
How Do Dinosaurs…
How Do Dinosaurs Learn Their Colors? and How Do Dinosaurs Play with Their Friends? by Jane Yole and Mark Teague are two more books in the ever-expanding collection of How Do Dinosaurs… books. The books retain the clever illustrations, straight-forward concepts, and format of the original. In Play with Their Friends, the book begins by showing how not to share and play nicely and then switches to having the dinosaurs demonstrate how they act if they are being good friends. Learn Their Colors is a pure concept book with colored items on each page. Both books are board books and little dinosaur lovers will enjoy seeing dinosaurs acting like people. Purchase where other books in the series are popular.
Released in September.
Rosoff Interview
The Guardian has a great interview with Meg Rosoff called Don’t call me lucky. Hopefully you have all read the amazing How I Live Now, which was Rosoff’s first novel. Her new one is just coming out, Just in Case. It is certainly on my too-be-read list and will be fast tracked as soon as libraries in the area purchase it. This article just serves to get me even more interested in reading more by Rosoff.
Learning.now
Learning.now is a very cool blog on the PBS TeacherSource website. The blog offers information on how new technology is affecting education. Look here for posts on Web 2.0 technologies and websites and their impact on what educators are able to offer students.
