Big Universe

March of the Silly Celebrations

It’s a little late to celebrate National Peanut Butter Lovers’ Day which was March 1. I suppose it’s just as well – what with peanut butter allergies and such.

Yesterday, March 9, was Barbie Day, Panic Day and Get Over It Day all rolled into one 24-hour period. The juxtaposition of those three observances makes me laugh. Although today’s younger generation may be more enlightened, it parallels the phases that many women of my vintage go through. …“I love Barbie. I want to be Barbie.” (Barbie Day) “Oh, no! I’m NOT Barbie.” (Panic Day) And finally, “Looks are fleeting. There’s so much more to life than Barbie.” (Get Over It Day)

Though we may have missed a few special days, March has plenty more to offer with enough holidays and observances to enliven any classroom. Some days are silly and some designated dates laud the mundane, but every day is unique, offering a doorway to broaden a child’s horizons. I say, “Carpe diem!”

 “Seize the Day!” List for March

March 10 is Middle Name Pride Day.  What’s your middle name? Mine is Elizabeth – pretty straightforward, but one I value. It’s a family name worn by my mother and grandmother, and it’s the middle name given to my second daughter. It is a tiny bit of family heritage passed down from generation to generation. Parents can share how they selected names for each child in their family. Children in the classroom can go by their middle names for a day. (Be prepared for some silliness.)

March 11 is Johnny Appleseed Day. It’s a perfect day to read a story about Johnny Appleseed, the American folk hero, and his tree-planting adventures. Tie in a discussion about fruits, vegetables and nutrition. Get a bag of apples of various colors and practice charting the numbers of each on a graph.

March 12 is Plant a Flower Day. Why not chase away the wintertime blues by offering a horticulture lesson. Read some poetry celebrating spring and the beauty of flowers, and break out the Dixie cups and potting soil. Marigolds are hardy specimens and should come up easily in a well-lit window. It’s also Girl Scout Day.

March 13 is Jewel Day. Read a book about gems and how they are formed. Help little ones string Cheerio necklaces or show older children how to repurpose pages from a magazine by turning them into paper beads that they can string into friendship bracelets or anklets. It’s also International Fanny Pack Day.

March 14 is Learn About Butterflies Day. One middle school in our town incorporated the study of butterflies into their science class. They planted a butterfly garden behind the school to attract the insects, adding beauty to the property and learning about life cycles and the importance of each creature to the ecosystem. Read “Where Butterflies Grow,” a Picture Puffins book by Joanne Ryder and Lynne Cherry, or visit the Foremost Butterflies website. It has lots of information and activities, including an easy word search about butterflies. …Oh. It’s also Potato Chip Day.

March 15 is the Ides of March. The Ides of March is most known for its mention in William Shakespeare’s play Julius Caesar. (“Beware the ides of March.”) While Caesar’s assassination in 44 B.C. may not be a topic for a first-grader, older students can learn about the great city of Rome, the Roman Empire and mythology. Read “Rome”by Christine Dugan, a children’s picture book featured in Big Universe’s online library, or try Saddleback’s illustrated adaptation of William Shakespeare’s “Julius Caesar.” Note: The “ides” were the fifteenth days of March, May, July and October on the Roman calendar, and a festival for Mars, the god of war, was celebrated on March 15 in that culture.

March 16 is Lips Appreciation Day. Whistle a tune. Hold your breath. Discuss facial expressions and emotions. It’s also Freedom of Information Day in the United States.

March 17 is St. Patrick’s Day.This day can be celebrated formally in recognition of the patron saint of Ireland or in a more whimsical way in all its shamrocked green-hued glory.

March 18 is Awkward Moments Day. “A-a-awk-ward!” is one of this generation’s favorite expressions. It means so much more than being clumsy. It signifies things like “I’m embarrassed,” “There’s too much silence,” or “That boy just made eye contact with me.”

March 19 is San Juan Capistrano Day, the day thousands of swallows return to the old stone mission in California’s town of San Juan Capistrano.

March 20 is Corn Dog Day. It’s also the First Day of Spring.  Read “Spring” by Ann Herriges and published by Bellwether.

March 21 is World Poetry Day.  The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) declared this observance in 1999 to promote the teaching, reading and writing of poetry on a global scale. National Poetry Month is celebrated in April in the United States.

March 22 is National Goof Off Day. It’s your call. Keep this one a secret until the end of the day if there’s work to be done. Or name it, claim it!

March 23 is World Meteorological Day. Read “Weather” by Teacher Created Materials Publishing. It’s also Near Miss Day. Hmmm.

March 24 is National Chocolate Covered Raisin Day. OK, I am officially in!

March 25 is Pecan Day.There will be a lot of pies cooked in the South. If I haven’t overindulged in Raisinettes, I think I’ll dig out my killer Chocolate Pecan Pie recipe.

March 26 is Hawaii’s Prince Jonah Kuhio Kalanianaole Day. It’s a state holiday in Hawaii. Check out “A is for Aloha,”  a book by Uilani Goldsberry and illustrated by Tammy Yee. This book was the 2006 Hawaii Center for the Book selection representing the state at the National Book Festival in Washington, D.C. (Sleeping Bear Press)

March 27 is Skyscraper Day. Do you know which is the tallest building in the world? Is it the Empire State Building? Guess again. The tallest skyscraper is the 2717-foot Burj Khalifa building in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, with 160 floors. The Willis Tower in Chicago, formerly the Sears Tower, is the tallest building in the United States with 108 floors and ranks No. 8 in the world. The Empire State Building has 102 floors and ranks No. 15 globally.

March 28 is the day Olympian Jesse Owens was awarded the Congressional Gold Medal posthumously in 1990 by President George H.W. Bush. The medal is awarded to a civilian who “performs an outstanding deed or act of service to the security, prosperity, and national interest of the United States,” according to Wikipedia. Owens won four gold medals in the 1936 Summer Games in Berlin, Germany. Read “A Picture Book of Jesse Owens” by David A. Adler and Robert Casilla. Grade 5. (Scholastic)

March 29 is the Birthday of Yours Truly. Yup, it’s my birthday! Lots of candles on this one. John Tyler, the 10^th president of the United States, shares the same birthday. For more birthday fun, read “Penelope and the Preposterous Birthday Party.” 

March 30 is Take a Walk in the Park Day. Isn’t it time for a field trip? Read “On One Flower: Butterflies, Ticks and a Few More Icks” and then visit your community park or a nearby state or national park to see what your children can discover. Government-funded parks offer a wealth of information and plenty of room to stretch energetic little legs. March 30 is also the anniversary of the signing of the Alaska Purchase treaty in 1867, and it’s National Pencil Day.

March 31 is Bunsen Burner Day. Embrace science. Read a book. Do a simple experiment. Make it fun.

A is for Appleseed

March 11 is Johnny Appleseed Day. I haven’t thought about this American folk hero in years, but I warmly remember singing about him in second grade and listening intently to the story my teacher read. (See book list below.)

Johnny Appleseed, Paul Bunyan and Rip Van Winkle were three of my favorite folklore characters. Their stories were larger than life, and that appealed to a child of 8.

Mr. Van Winkle’s story was a variation on the time travel theme – an easy remedy for life’s problems. Simply go to sleep and they vanish! Mr. Bunyan lived with gusto. He made flapjacks on such a big griddle that skaters had to strap hunks of bacon to their feet to grease the pan! And, Mr. Appleseed was a tree-hugger prototype, someone who appealed to an outdoorsy girl like me, who had grown up camping and playing for hours outside every day.

“Rip Van Winkle” was a short story written by Washington Irving and published in 1819. The legendary antics of super-human lumberjack Paul Bunyan and Babe the Blue Ox are still told today, and many towns in the United States lay claim to him. The origin of these tales is hotly disputed.

John Chapman, the son of a Massachusetts farmer, was born in 1774. His favorite spot on his father’s farm is said to have been the apple orchard. He enjoyed talking to people who passed their farm as they headed west on wagon trains. The more he learned, the more he dreamed of joining them. He eventually set out, heading west with a pot on his head, a walking stick, a book and a bag of apple seeds. As he traveled, he planted seeds and told stories. The resulting trees became the source of delicious apples and legend, and John Chapman became known as “Johnny Appleseed.”

Why not read this enduring story to your children? Tie in additional lessons if you wish. His tale is a great launching pad for discussions about fruits, vegetables and nutrition. A bag of apples of various colors can be used to practice counting and graphing numbers on a chart. Talk about the difference between facts and legend. Discuss his character. Examine his attitude toward nature.

Here are some books to get you started:

• “Johnny Appleseed: The Story of a Legend” – This book was written and illustrated by Will Moses, the great-grandson of folk painter Grandma Moses. It’s intended for ages 5-9. “The virtues his picture biography teaches include sharing, simplicity and kindness to animals,” said Massachusetts elementary school teacher Simon Rodberg in a New York Times review. “This ‘Johnny Appleseed’ is biography as parable, embracing history and tall tales equally, its bright pages packed with country cheer.” (Philomel Books)
• “Johnny Appleseed” by illustrator Steven Kellogg. (Morrow Junior Books) Ages 8-12.
• “Johnny Appleseed” written by award-winning author Carol Ottolenghi and illustrated by C.D. Hullinger. (School Specialty Publishing) Ages 6-10.
•  “The Story of Johnny Appleseed” written and illustrated by Aliki. Ages 5-7.
• “Johnny Appleseed” written in poem form by Reeve Lindbergh and illustrated by Kathy Jakobsen Hallquist. A Redbook Children’s Picture Book Award Winner.
• “Johnny Appleseed” written by Patricia Brennan DeMuth and illustrated by Michael Montgomery. (Grossett & Dunlap) Level 1 Beginners.
• “What’s so Great About…Johnny Appleseed” written Daryl Davis Zarzycki, a second grade teacher in Delaware. (Mitchell Lane Publishers)

Making Connections

Brain Connections

School is tough on children! Elementary school students today have a lot to deal with. Standardized testing has taken over the curriculum and trying to make the material presented in the classroom interesting for children can be challenging. One way to enhance a student’s understanding and make the learning more interesting is helping children make connections.

Connections are just what the word sounds like. It’s drawing that imaginary wire in the brain from what the child already knows to what he needs to know. When a child has something in their brain to connect new learning to the odds that the new learning is going to stick is great.

How can connections be made? More importantly how can meaningful connections be made? Books, Videos, Computer, SmartBoard and the old fashioned pencil and paper, when combined make lessons that give children a strong foundation for learning.

It’s quite easy to choose any topic and branch out in all directions to reach every child where they are. Let’s start with snow. This is something all children can relate to right now. From here there are hundreds of lessons that an instructor can build to cover math, science, social studies, writing and of course reading.

Let’s start with the Dear America Book: The Winter of the Red Snow. After reading the book show the video, which is available through United Streaming Video. It’s called “The Winter of Red Snow: The Revolutionary War Story of Abigail Jane Stewart: Valley Forge, Pennsylvania, 1777.”

To continue the unit on the Revolutionary War and cover other areas of the curriculum as well allow the children to make a PowerPoint or other type of slide show. This involves understanding the time period, research, art, and computer literacy. The children can then present their slide shows to the class when they are done.

If computer availability doesn’t make the slide show an option then posters and dioramas are a terrific ways to get hands-on visual learners involved in the learning process. Shoe boxes, box lids, lunch trays, all make great bases for the dioramas. Clay is a great building material. Allow the kids to use their imagination. Doing the project in school keeps the design more child friendly and allows the children to collaborate and communicate.

For more ideas on teaching about the Revolutionary War and connecting it to the curriculum, these sites are invaluable:

http://www.scholastic.com/dearamerica/parentteacher/guides/dearamerica/redsnowfs.htm

Add a virtual field trip or webquest to take the unit to a new level.

http://www.thwt.org/virtualtours.htm

If you’d like your student to write their own book on the Revolutionary War as a compilation for the unit http://www.biguniverse.com has a Create a Book section that rivals all of those currently available and once the book is complete it can be published to the Internet.

Happy Connections!

Books Introduce Black History Month Heroes

Stunted though it may be, February is an overachiever. Its 28 days are jam-packed with holidays, birthdays and observances – surely enough fodder to fill those bulletin boards with meaningful material all month long.

 While Groundhog’s Day may be a bit frivolous and Valentine’s Day a tad frilly, the Black History Month observance is fertile ground for broadening our children’s understanding of American history. It moves beyond waddling rodents and rotund cherubs with a fondness for archery. Rather, it provides the framework to introduce heroes, men and women with athletic, artistic and academic gifts and a vision for a better tomorrow.

 “In the centuries since African Americans first arrived on our shores, they have known the bitterness of slavery and oppression, the hope of progress, and the triumph of the American Dream. African American history is an essential thread of the American narrative that traces our nation’s enduring struggle to perfect itself. Each February, we recognize African American History Month as a moment to reflect upon how far we have come as a nation, and what challenges remain.”  – President Barack Obama

 What better tool to introduce this facet of American history than books? Who better to introduce the books than acclaimed poet and autobiographer Maya Angelou, who understands their power so well?

 “Any book that helps a child to form a habit of reading – to make reading one of his deep and continuing needs – is good for him.”  –  Maya Angelou, African American poet

 A Starter List of Biographies for Kids

 –        “A Picture Book of Harriet Tubman,” by David A. Adler and Samuel Byrd, traces the life of Harriet Tubman, who escaped from slavery to become a conductor in the Underground Railroad. Grade 4. (Scholastic)

 –        “Jackie Robinson Graphic Biography” details the life of the first African-American Baseball Hall of Fame inductee. Grades 4-6. (Saddleback Educational Publishing)

 –        “George Washington Carver,” by Eva Moore and Alexander Anderson, tells the story of a man who overcame tough beginnings to become an accomplished botanist. Grades 3-5 (Scholastic)

–        “Rap a Tap Tap,” by Leo and Diane Dillon, is a Coretta Scott King Illustrator Honor Book about Bill “Bojangles” Robinson, a popular tap dancer from the 1920s-30s, who “talked with his feet.” (Blue Sky Press)

–        “Martin Luther King Jr. Graphic Biography” is a biography about an influential man who fought against prejudice and injustice. Grades 4-6. (Saddleback)

–        A Picture Book of Sojourner Truth,” by David A. Adler and Gershom Griffith, traces the life of a well-known abolitionist and crusader for the rights of African Americans in the United States. (Grade 4) (Scholastic)

–        “A Picture Book of Jesse Owens,” by David A. Adler and Robert Casilla, is a simple biography about track star Jesse Owens, who competed in the 1936 Berlin Olympics.  (Grade 5) (Scholastic)

–        “I Am Rosa Parks,” by Rosa Parks with Jim Haskins, tells the story of a brave woman who acted upon her convictions. Grades 1-3. (Puffin)

–        “A Picture Book of Frederick Douglass,” by David A. Adler and Samuel Byrd, explains the role of this escaped slave, who went on to become a writer, speaker and leader of the abolitionist movement. Grade 5. (Scholastic)

–        “A Picture Book of Thurgood Marshall,” by David A. Adler and Robert Casilla, lets children learn more about the life of the first African-American Supreme Court justice. Grade 5. (Scholastic)

–        Reading Rockets offers its own list of Black History Month reads. Check them out.

Other African Americans making significant contributions to our society include neurosurgeon Ben Carson, sports legend Bill Russell, Pulitzer Prize poet Gwendolyn Brooks, Tuskegee Institute director Booker T. Washington, Medal of Honor soldier Vernon Baker, baseball legend Buck O’Neil, surgical technique pioneer Vivien Thomas, track great Wilma Rudolph, Oscar-winning actress Hattie McDaniel, choreographer Alvin Ailey, and too many others to count.

Big Universe, an online children’s picture books website, posts an additional supplement for this month’s discussions. Let your students explore the Bill of Rights by reading “What Are Citizens’ Basic Rights?” Grades 4-6 (Weekly Reader). Or read  “Civil Rights: An Acrostic Poem”  by Big Universe member BlockB.

Kid-Friendly Poems for Valentine’s Day

February and poetry go together like butter and bread. Valentine’s Day poems are especially appealing to elementary children if they are funny and read out loud. Other interactive poetry grabs attention and helps channel pent-up wiggles on these wintry days.

Poetry provides a valid link to literacy. According to Ontario’s Literacy and Numeracy Secretariat website:

1.  Poetry awakens our senses, helps us make connections to others, and leads us to think in synthesizing ways, as required by the use of metaphor.
2. Paying attention to the language and rhythms of poetry helps build oral language skills.
3. Children with well-developed oral language skills are more likely to have higher achievement in reading and writing.

 Some Valentine’s Day poems to get you started.

 I Love You More Than Applesauce

By Jack Prelutsky

I love you more than applesauce,
Than peaches and a plum,
Than chocolate hearts,
And cherry tarts,
And berry bubble-gum.

I love you more than lemonade,
And seven-layer cake,
Than lollipops,
And candy drops,
And thick vanilla shake.

I love you more than marzipan,
Than marmalade on toast;
For I love pies
Of any size,
But I love you the most.

Veggie Valentine

- Author Unknown

You may not “carrot” all for me

The way I care for you

You may “turnip” your nose

When I plead with you

But if your heart should “beet” with mine

Forever “lettuce” hope

There is no reason in the world

Why we two “cantaloupe.”

Making Valentines
- Author Unknown
In February, what shall I do?
I’ll make some valentines for you.
The first will have a cupid’s face;
The second will be trimmed with lace.
The third will have some roses pink;
The fourth will have a verse in ink.
The fifth will have a ribbon bow;
The sixth will glisten like the snow.
The seventh will have some lines I drew;
The eighth, some flowers – just a few.
The ninth will have three little birds;
The tenth will have three little words:
I LOVE YOU!

My Valentine Heart
- Author Unknown

 When I say I love you                       (Point to lips)
It comes from my heart                    (Hand on heart)
You hear it in your ear                      (Point to ear)
And it sounds very smart                 (Point to head)
I love it when you’re proud of me (Stand real tall)
You say it all day long                        (Stretch arms wide)
And when I hear you say it              (Point to ear)
My heart sings a merry song           (Hand on heart)

I Made My Dog a Valentine

By Jack Prelutsky

I made my dog a valentine,

she sniffed it very hard,

then chewed on it a little while

and left it in the yard.

I made one for my parakeets,

a pretty paper heart,

they pulled it with their claws and beaks

until it ripped apart.

I made one for my turtle,

all he did was get it wet,

I wonder if a valentine

is wasted on a pet.

If you are looking for additional Valentine’s Day literature ideas, check out this extensive bibliography aimed at the elementary-age child – courtesy of the LRC/Sivia Center in Gainesville, Fla. Other illustrated poems for kids can be found in the poetry section on the children’s picture books website Big Universe.

February: Lanterns ‘n Tigers and Mandarin…Oh My!

Valentine’s Day is Feb. 14, but did you know it’s the first day of the Chinese New Year, too?  Yup – the  Year of the Tiger is upon us! Maybe your child or class would have fun with some global fusion  –  half hearts, half dragons.

 Kids like quirky, well, most of them anyway. Hang Chinese lanterns from the ceiling and cut and paste valentines. Mix in talk of tigers, dragons and firecrackers and you are sure to engage the boys, as well.

I figure most of you have the Valentine’s Day theme down pat, so I’ll give you a few hints on how to use the Chinese New Year celebration as a spring board for learning.

Get to Know and Appreciate China

• Make Chinese paper lanterns to string in a doorway or from the ceiling. Very festive.
• Read “China” by Gisela Lee, who writes about this influential country’s rich history and vibrant modern-day culture. The book posted online by Big Universe has a map, colorful pictures and a good vocabulary list aimed at sixth-graders. (Teacher Created Materials Publishing)
• Fly a kite, bring collapsible umbrellas to school or play dominoes. They were all invented by the Chinese.
• Use “Kingka,” an award-winning board game, as a class supplement. Created by New Jersey educator, mom and children’s book author Sholeen Lou-Hsaio, the Mandarin-language matching game resembles bingo and introduces the 54 basic Chinese characters. It uses “the spirited nature of a memory game to encourage effective learning. It takes away the fear students have of learning Chinese,” said Lou-Hsiao.
• Learn more about giant pandas by clicking on this link, or read “Pandas’ Earthquake Escape” at Big Universe. (Sylvan Dell)
• “Confucius, Chinese Philosopher”  is another Big Universe book by Gisela Lee, who collaborated with Wendy Conklin to write this biography. (Teacher Created Materials Publishing)
• Look at “Holidays”  by author Dona Herweck Rice. It’s aimed at younger children with simple text and great pictures. Keep an eye out for the Chinese New Year street parade picture. (Teacher Created Materials Publishing)
• Go to Page 33 in the book “Animal World.”  It offers a little zoology on the tiger – with colorful photographs and a fun “factoscope” box. It’s perfect for the Year of the Tiger observance. You’ll find this book (Saddleback Educational Publishing) on Big Universe online children’s books website, too.
• Print out this coloring page of a tiger, a boy in traditional holiday clothing, or one of men dressed to do the Chinese New Year lion dance.

My Introduction and What You Can Expect On Future Posts

Hi everyone. I would like to take this time to introduce myself as I am new to Big Universe. My name is Amy Snyder and I am a 35-year-old mother of two boys, ages 7-years-old and age 20-months-old, and this makes me truly aware of the importance of literacy.

I have found, in my own experience, that reading is much harder than learning how to speak.  Speaking comes natural to children – they hear, they listen, and then they speak.  Reading is much different as it has to be learned.

I am going to start my post off with a list of 3 words out of the 100 on the high frequency word list. Each weekly post that I write, I will include 3 more. It is said that if a child can learn these words, then the child can read approximately 70% of what is needed for the future. Amazing isn’t it?

Also, I will be writing about children’s books that I have read, and we have a favorite about not letting a pigeon drive a school bus that I will write about next week, and about literacy in multiple ways.

I hope you enjoy spending quality time with your children as they begin to explore and learn a whole new world while learning to read.

Week 1 High Frequency Word List
1. the
2. am
3. and

Tip: Write these three words on separate index cards and quiz your child on these words. You will be amazed at how quickly they can learn by repeating this process a few times.

- Amy E. Snyder

Dealing with Death Through Books

Haiti has hit me hard. I can’t stand suffering, sadness and the plight of the marginalized. It’s hard for me to make sense of the tragedy on that island nation – and I’m an adult. How much harder it must be for a child to process images on TV and stories they hear at school.

 Of course we can turn the channel when little ones are in the room and tuck newspapers and magazines out of sight, but sometimes death and dying become very personal. A friend’s mother dies. A teacher gets cancer. A grandparent has a heart attack.

 Tragedy stands at the doorstep, and we must deal with it the best we can. Hugs, prayers and a listening ear are the first line of defense. Diversion has its place and so does role playing with dolls and toys.

 I can remember my oldest daughter doing just that with her Playmobil zoo set after watching “The Lion King.” We had strictly monitored her TV watching, but had scooped up a copy of this movie, because she loved lions. Unfortunately we failed to recognize that to her, those animated characters were REAL. That’s when she first learned that loved ones can die – even big strong daddies like Mufasa the lion. (Cue the mommy guilt.)

 We talked to her  and reassured her, but she coped in her own way – by incorporating the topic of dying in her pretend games with her stuffed animals and zoo set. Her younger sister was able to stay naïve a little longer – that is until Sept. 11, 2001. She learned about the tragedy in New York City at school from other kids. When she got home and walked in while I was watching the news coverage, she thought MORE planes were flying into MORE buildings. (Mommy guilt, Part II.)

 I think it’s only natural to try to shield our children from the harsh realities of the world – if only for a short while. However, when troubles come, I believe in naming them and beginning the process of dealing with them. I’m not a fan of sweeping things under the rug.

 Talking and praying were givens for us. Books also proved valuable in helping our kids cope with the fragility of the human condition. They provided a forum for discussion, and the physical contact of sitting on our laps gave comfort. The warmth of our voices soothed away fears and reinstated a sense of safety.

 Michael Catchpool’s picture book  “Grandpa’s Boat”  (Andersen Press) is a warm story that encourages readers to remember loved ones who have passed away and to celebrate their lives rather than forget. The illustrations by Sophy Williams capture the love and happy memories that death can not touch.

Bestselling author Audrey Penn also has written a sensitive book in which the main character comes to understand the loss of a school friend through an “accident.”  Check out “Chester Raccoon and the Acorn Full of Memories,” (Tanglewood Press) illustrated by Barbara Gibson.

 “A Mango for Grandpa”  by Caroline Hudicourt (International Step by Step Association) is another online story offered in Big Universe’s library of children’s picture books. It also deals with loss by celebrating fond memories and carrying on traditions. Its illustrations by Ismer Saincilus lend themselves to whiteboard display in a classroom setting.

 “Saying Goodbye”  is “a sad and true story about the death of a pet dog,” written by Carrado G60, a Big Universe member. It is a perfect illustration of how Big Universe’s author tool can help kids deal with grief. The child author was able to memorialize Muffy, a beloved pet, by uploading digital photos and expressing feelings through personalized text. The book includes a parent’s page at the end with hints to help children deal with loss.

 “Love is stronger than death even though it can’t stop death from happening. But no matter how hard death tries, it can’t separate people from love. It can’t take away our memories either. In the end, life is stronger than death.”  – Anonymous

 Note: There are many resources available to parents and teachers, who find themselves dealing with the topic of death and tragedy. Don’t be hesitant to get help from a certified grief counselor or clergyman if you feel overwhelmed. The Barr-Harris Children’s Grief Center in Chicago recommends numerous books about death and grief for children and adolescents, as well as answers to some frequently asked questions. Educator Keith Schoch also offers a great list of additional picture books on this topic in his blog.

Books and Such – Hold the Mayo

It’s January and bazillions of people are dragging their loaded chassis to the gym. Carrots and yogurt are “in.” Sugar cookies and high-octane eggnog are “out.”

My Inbox is getting a workout too. Work memos, sales notices and email replies beg for attention as the new year gets underway. My news alert system is huffing and puffing too, and if sheer numbers count for anything, it would appear that the children’s books industry and literacy movement are alive and well!

I know you are an information-hungry bunch, but are as busy as all get out and are trying to scale back from the onslaught. …So, I did the work for you. For your dieting pleasure, I offer Literary News Lite:

• Newbery medalist Katherine Paterson has been named National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature. She wrote “Bridge to Terabithia,” “Jacob Have I Loved” and the 2009 title “The Day of the Pelican.” 

• Retired teacher Warren Williams of Bucks County, Pa., has put pen to paper to record a local legend about our first president. “A Basket of Pears for General Washington” relates life as it was during the American Revolution – just in time for President’s Day.

• Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd has co-authored a children’s book about his cat and dog. “Jasper and Abby and the Great Australia Day Kerfuffle” debuts Jan. 26 with proceeds going to The Royal Children’s Hospital in Melbourne.

• Red carpet seats are being auctioned for the 16^th annual Screen Actors Guild Awards on Jan. 23 in Los Angeles to benefit the children’s literacy programs BookPALS (Performing Artists for Literacy in Schools) and Storyline Online.”

• Monica Brown’s new book “Chavela and the Magic Bubble” will be available to the public May 3. Although written in English,  the heroine is a Latina girl who loves to chew chicle. Ms. Brown  is also the author of “My Name is Gabito” and other award-winning bi-lingual books. She has four additional upcoming releases.

• India’s disadvantaged are the beneficiaries of new solar energy projects and various micro-loan businesses, which provide free or affordable light to those with no electricity – promoting literacy, improved health conditions and stimulating cottage industry development.  An estimated 76 million homes in India are unconnected to the power grid, according to the Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Partnership (REEEP).

• Author Ann M. Martin has written a prequel to her gargantuan “Baby-Sitters Club” series (213 titles from 1986-2000). “The Summer Before” is set for publication in April along with revised versions of the first two books in the series.

• Big Universe, an award-winning children’s education website, recently added dozens of titles to its collection of 1,000-plus online picture books from nationally recognized publishers. Reading quizzes, Fountas and Pinnell and DRA leveling, and browsing for books by language, topic and reading level are just a few of this site’s many features.

• Prolific author Marilyn Helmer just had her 27^th children’s book published. “The Fossil Hunters” mystery is the second in her Orca Echoes series. She is perhaps known best for her multiple-award-winning picture book “Fog Cat.”

• Read-a-thons, book drives and celebrity story readings will mark Canada’s Family Literacy Day on Jan. 27, a national initiative to promote learning and reading together as a family.

• Media Source Inc. sold Darby Creek Publishing, publisher of almost five dozen kids’ books, to Lerner Publishing Group Inc. of Minneapolis.

• The Chicago Cubs’ literacy-themed Caravan Tour is scheduled for Jan. 13-14. Players, coaches and staff will visit seven cities, making numerous stops at schools, kids clubs, a library, a hospital and elsewhere. This is the sixth year the team has participated in the “Cubs Spotlight on Reading Program,” which is designed to promote reading enthusiasm and reward reading achievements.

Tips for Getting More Books in 2010

In my hometown, there is an annual adult literacy fund-raiser called the “Really Good, Really Big, Really Cheap Book Sale.” It took place a few months ago and more than 17,000 shoppers attended to purchase books and support the Greenville Literacy Association in South Carolina. A total of $150,000 was raised.

I don’t know about you, but my heart rate quickens at the sight of large quantities of books. Oh, the reading possibilities!

I even get a little rush when I go to my mother’s house – and not because she makes the best cappuccino east of Rome and north of Cuba! No, there’s inevitably a small pile of books waiting for me on a side counter near her kitchen door. My mom is an avid reader, and we share similar tastes in books. She has minimal space for storing extra books, so they get to come home with me to live. Yip!

For those of you who have a crush on books like I do, I offer a list of ways to feast your eyes on a few more this year, keeping frugality in mind. The library is a given, of course.

Merger & Acquisition

• Check out thrift shops. I’ve found some classics there.
• Visit BookMooch.com, a point-based book-swapping website that “lets you give away books you no longer need in exchange for books you really want.” There is no fee to join. Mailing your books is the only cost.
• Post a book wish list in your classroom if you are a teacher (Parents Night) and include the list in your “Note from the Teacher” for each child’s take-home folder.
• Subscribe to Big Universe’s free weekly newsletter, which includes links in each issue for complimentary access to selected children’s books offered online. Follow Big Universe on Facebook and receive alerts for the website’s free book of the day.
• Scout  out local yard or moving sales. There’s always a crate of mix-n-match volumes under a table somewhere.
• Read literacy blogs and other social media, keeping an eye out for book giveaways or contests.
• Give the right answer when someone asks you for birthday gift ideas for your kids. “Anything would be lovely, but books are always a hit” works nicely.
• Start an exchange at the gym. Ask management if you can add a box by the door at the childcare room.
• Swap one of the duplicate books you got for Christmas with a friend.
• Look for post-holiday closeout deals at the book shop or big box stores.
• Do your research. Many reading incentive programs (especially in summer) offer book rewards for reaching goals.
• Get your techie to surf the Net for some deals – Affordabook.com,  Half.com or Powells.com for instance.
• Inquire at churches. Some offer lending libraries.
• Ask to collect books not claimed from Lost & Found bins.

* Let me know if you have any other ideas. I’d love to add to this list, so please submit a comment.