Rocket Writes a Story by Tad Hills

In How Rocket Learned to Read, a sweet and playful puppy named Rocket learned  the joy of reading. Now in Rocket Writes a Story, Rocket tries to put together all his favorite words to make a story. But what to write about? There are so many great topics, however will Rocket settle on just one? With the help of a special new friend and his teacher, Rocket learns to write his story and share his joy of reading with others.

 

   I love Rocket. I remember reading How Rocket Learned to Read for the first time and falling in love with Tad Hill’s sweet story about a dog that wanted to learn how to read. In his latest book, Rocket’s story continues with the same charm and a great message. 

Your child will be inspired to write their own stories and Rocket will show them how. Both Rocket books are great resources to teach children the power of reading, writing, and words. An essential part of a classroom or picture book collection and just so darn cute! 

The One and Only Ivan by Katherine Applegate

Meet Ivan, a silverback gorilla who is the main attraction at the Exit 8 Big Top Mall and Video Arcade. Ivan has a pretty nice life. He has his TV, his art, and his friends (including Stella the Elephant and Bob the stray dog). Ivan doesn’t really think about his old life with his gorilla family. Ivan is content in his domain. Soon, a new arrival shakes things up at the Exit 8 Big Top Mall and Video Arcade. When Ivan meets Ruby, a baby elephant who joins them to boost business, Ivan realizes that there is more to life than what he knows. 

    The One and Only Ivan is a lovely story about friendship that you cannot help but love. The characters are endearing and the story of Ivan and Ruby is quite powerful. Based on the true story of a gorilla at the Atlanta Zoo, The One and Only Ivan will utterly charm you.

Beep and Bah by James Burks

 

Beep and Bah by James Burks  

Hardcover, 32 pages

Published March 1st 2012 by Carolrhoda Books

 Meet Beep and Bah. Bah is a laid back goat that lives inside a trashcan. Beep is an adventure seeking robot who will let nothing stand in the way of a good quest.  Together these two set out to find a missing sock. They journey through mountains, dangerous terrains, face fierce animals, and a couple of oddball characters in their search for the missing sock. This peculiar duo will have you smiling from ear to ear as they try to solve this puzzling mystery. I was laughing so hard at my desk as I flipped through this book. I am sure my coworkers were wondering what was going on. And the ending! I was cracking up!!  Illustrator and writer James Burks, who also works in TV animation, has created an epically delightful and quirky story that is a definite must read for your child.

Z is for Moose

A is for Apple. B is for Ball. C is for Cat and D is for Moose. Wait…what? That’s not right!

 In Z is for Moose, a hilarious new ABC picture book, one over excited Moose gets too impatient to wait for his turn in the alphabet. Sometimes alphabet books can be a little boring, but not this one. This book will have you laughing out loud at this crazy moose’s antics as he works his way into random spots in the alphabet. But what till happen when it is actually his turn?

You will have to read Z is for Moose to find out!

Egads, this book made me happy. A coworker happen to watch me read it and said my smile grew and grew the more I read. I wouldn't recommend this book if you are teaching your child the alphabet. Think of it more as a funny help-a-long alphabet book. And boy is it funny!

Caldecott Pick....

Here is my 2012 Caldecott Medal Pick

Grandpa Green by Lane Smith

Since I am on a winning streak (A Sick Day for Amos McGee by Philip C. Stead) I am confident in my choice.

Here are a few images why this should be the next Caldecott winner....

Oh, and I pretty much think Lane Smith is a genius. I wanted Princess Hyacinth: The Surprising Tale of a Girl who Floated to win for 2010.

I haven't really read anything that I would pick for Newbery, so I won't voice an opinion on the award. Though I have heard amazing things about Okay for Now by Gary D. Schmidt

Book Buying Fool

I have an addiction....2nd and Charles and the Friends Bookstore.....

I don't think I want to be cured either....

Here's what I bought from Friends this week

Huckleberry Finn
Tom Sawyer
Prince and the Pauper

They had this really nice old hardback set of several of Mark Twain's novels, each for $1.25. I didn't buy the whole set (7 books total) but opted for these 3.

From 2nd and Charles (ie Heaven)

I took a massive amount of books to 2nd and Charles last week and racked up a nice store credit. Plus they sent me a coupon for $5 off $25. I was looking for Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand (for the 2nd time) but I was unable to find a used copy. The only copies they had were new and $27 (no way was I paying that much!) So instead, I bought these wonderful titles

Mary Had a Little Lamp by Jack Lechner (remember from a few posts back?)

The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane by Kate DiCamillo (OMGosh, love love love)

Bridges of Madison County by Robert James Waller - This was actually in the free book bin so yay! Thought I would give it a try

The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer - This is my pick for one of my book groups next month so I decided to go ahead and buy it. Side Note: I gave this book to my oldest sister for Christmas this past year just based on my friends raving reviews!

Bring the Rain to Kapiti Plain by Verna Aardema - This is the very first book I ever checked out from my elementary library! I have an awesome memory :)

Best Find: The Fairy Tales by Jan Pienkowski

How can you not love these illustrations?

2nd Kane Chronicles Book to be released in May

Last May Rick Riordan introduced a new series with the first installment of The Red Pyramid (The Kane Chronicles Book 1). Riordan, whose fame skyrocketed with the success of the Percy Jackson series, introduces children to the history of Egyptian Mythology in this new and exciting series. Told from the point of view of Sadie and Carter Kane, children of two famous Egyptologists, this series is slammed packed with adventure and intrigue. The second installment, The Throne of Fire, is set to be released in May. Check out this teaser for The Throne of Fire:


Ever since the gods of Ancient Egypt were unleashed in the modern world, Carter Kane and his sister Sadie have been in trouble. As descendants of the House of Life, the Kanes have some powers at their command, but the devious gods haven't given them much time to master their skills at Brooklyn House, which has become a training ground for young magicians. And now their most threatening enemy yet - the chaos snake Apophis - is rising. If they don't prevent him from breaking free in a few days' time, the world will come to an end. In other words, it's a typical week for the Kane family. To have any chance of battling the Forces of Chaos, the Kanes must revive the sun god Ra. But that would be a feat more powerful than any magician has ever accomplished. First they have to search the world for the three sections of the Book of Ra, then they have to learn how to chant its spells. Oh, and did we mention that no one knows where Ra is exactly?
Narrated in two different wisecracking voices, featuring a large cast of new and unforgettable characters, and with adventures spanning the globe, this second installment in the Kane Chronicles is nothing short of a thrill ride. ~Goodreads.

I actually like the Kane Chronicles series more than Percy Jackson. Granted I have only red the first two in the Percy Jackson series. I felt that Riordan's writing style had improved greatly with the Red Pyramid.