Thursday, September 30, 2010

A Great Anti-Bullying Program!!

Attention all children who go to school. WeTip is there, if you ever need them.




Bullies have become an all too present part of school. (I had mine in junior high) WeTip understands how scary dealing with bullies can be and how difficult it is to resolve the problem. Through this company, you can report a bully without anyone knowing who lodged the complaint.

The author of Bully Billy Beranger, Dan L. Mayfield, is a father himself. Through this story he illustrates a common bully scenario: Billy Beranger gives Carol the option of either giving him her lunch or he'll beat her up. Luckily, Carol's best friend, Sarah, knows of the WeTip hotline and gets poor Carol to call. The story walks you through the phone call. Oh how I wish I had that number when I had my bully.

I encourage every student and parent to become very familiar with the WeTip program! Bullying has gotten out of control and leaves devastating scars on the victims. It's time those who have been, or are being now, bullied to take back their lives and get control of the situation. WeTip has the means to make that happen.

Here's some information:
WeTip website:
www.wetip.com

WeTip Hotline: 1-800-78CRIME

To Buy Bully Billy Beranger:
http://www.daleepublishing.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=28

I hope you never have to deal with any form of bullying. But if you become one the millions who have, please know you are not alone.

Wednesday, September 29, 2010

Favorite Character Book Release!

Attention All Knuffle Bunny Fans! Trixie & Knuffle Bunny are back...
KnuffleBunny Free
By: Mo Willems
Ages: 4-8

Trixie accidentally forgets her beloved stuffed toy on an international flight, as she travels from Brooklyn to Holland with her parents to visit her Dutch Grandparents. --bn.com

Available now at your local bookstore. We hope you enjoy!

Tuesday, September 28, 2010

Modern Fairies, Dwarves, Goblins & Other Nasties

A Practical Guide by Miss Edythe McFate
As told to Lesley M. M. Blume
Illustrated by David Foote

To: The children of the world

From: Miss Edythe McFate

Re: The wondrous, dangerous world of modern fairies-READ IMMEDIATELY!

My names is Miss Edythe McFate, and once you've read my practical guide to modern fairies, you will never see the world around you in the same way again.

Perhaps you think fairies are figments of the imagination, or even relics of a ancient past. You may even think that all fairies are lovely winged creatures who dance in bluebell fields, granting wishes to anyone who encounters them.

You would be wrong on all counts.

Fairies are very much alive today, and they are everywhere-in our cities, our backyards, and even our kitchen cupboards. Some of them are indeed the sweet-tempered winged creatures of folklore, but the fairy family also includes goblins, trolls, brownies, and other strange creatures- some of which are revealed in this book for the very first time. While many fairy breeds are harmless, others can be quite nasty or even dangerous.

In my luxuriously-illustrated guidebook, I share my knowledge of the modern fairy world and include practical advice on matters such as:

-How to tell a good fairy from a bad one,

-How to spot a "fairy ring",

-How to tell the difference between dwarves and trolls (one species is far deadlier than the other),

-How to defend against fairies who would do you harm,

......and much, much more. Also included: eight true cautionary tales about children your age who have encountered deadly fairies in ultramodern New York City. You would be advised to read my book closely, lest you find yourself in your own fairy encounter.

After all, forewarned is forearmed.

-from www.lesleymmblume.com

I just finished up this book today while waiting around at jury duty. I'll say this- it was certainly amusing enough to keep my mind off the boredom of waiting around. I absolutely loved this book! It had an old-fashioned quality to it. The eight cautionary tales are very much modern fairy tales. Some of them turn out well, but many of them not so well for the children involved. Of course, that's only because those particular children are selfish, nasty, or just all around mean. There are also the poor innocent children who don't know what they're getting themselves into. Lesson learned-don't mess around with fairies!

The illustrations are really really cool. The artist, David Foote, used pen and ink (which is my favorite style of drawings), then smeared the ink with water in many illustrations for an almost Ralph Steadman-like effect. He also draws round circles of blush on his faces, which I find to be endearing. (Although it can look sinister on the evil fairies).

I like that Miss Edythe McFate gives exact locations in New York City of various fairy dwellings (for example, the exact tree in Central Park that the brownies relocate to from the Algonquin Hotel). I can just imagine being a kid, begging my parents to take me to New York so I can go look for the fairies. Heck, even as an adult I want to go look for the fairies. Who am I kidding?

My verdict is-this book is a great book for kids who liked The Spiderwick Chronicles or fans of magical realism. It would be a great read-aloud!

Rating: Buy it! You will need it for reference!


Favorite Character Book Release!

Okay Olivia fans, the wait is over!!!! She's back and ready for you to read!

In her first brand new adventure in three years, Olivia takes her discerning eye for style to beautiful Venice on a family vacation that involves dodging pigeons in the Piazza San Marco, gorging on gelato, and barely staying afloat in a gondola. -- bn.com

Olivia Goes To Venice came out today, so run to your bookstore and get her!!! I know my oldest daughter is anxiously awaiting her copy!

Saturday, September 25, 2010

Pippi Longstocking Reading Invitation Update

We hope you enjoyed Pippi In The South Seas! What did you think of it? Here are our thoughts:

Rose:
The third Pippi Longstocking book was not quite as good as the first two. There were still funny moments, but they were fewer and farther between. My favorite parts were where Miss Rosenblom comes to the school and quizzes all the children, and the part about Jim and Buck. If you are trying to decide which of the three Pippi books to read, go with Pippi Longstocking or Pippi Goes on Board. Compared to those two, this book is a bit lacking.

Jen:
While this one had some charm, it wasn't as full of it as the prior two. In this book you get to see what word Pippi creates. You'll go to school with her again and find out what happens when she fails a question and answer. And, lastly, you'll get to travel to her Dad's island. From teasing and toying with would-be thieves, to tangling with a shark, to taking an interesting ride in a barrel down a tall water fall... Pippi In The South Seas is an adventure to be read, but maybe not more than once.

Pippi Longstocking remains my favorite of the series. This book wasn't as enthralling or engrossing, but it still gives you a good story to read.

Sunday, September 19, 2010

Favorite Character Book Release!

Attention all Pinkalicious Fans!!!! She's back with a new book....


Pinkalicious: Pink Around The Rink*
By: Victoria Kann
Ages 4-8

After Pinkalicious colors her white ice skates with a cotton candy pink marker, she feels ready to spin, glide, and soar with the best of them. But as the color starts to run off of her skates, she is embarrassed. When Pinkalicious thought she was going to leave her mark on the skating rink, she didn't mean it so literally. . . . amazon.com

*The publication date is for October, but there was 2 copies in my local Kmart.

Thursday, September 16, 2010

Pippi Longstocking Month Update

We hope everyone enjoyed Pippi Goes On Board! We surely did!

Here's What Rose Thought:
I thought that Pippi Goes On Board was equally good as the first book. There were many hilarious moments, but I have to say that the funniest thing to me was when Pippi, Tommy, and Annika go see the play at the fair. I almost died laughing when Pippi starts bawling during the play and yells out, "Please don't talk like that! Things will be brighter for you. The children will find their way home, and you can always get another husband. There are so many me-e-en."I also enjoyed when Pippi goes shopping, and when she goes on the class picnic. There are so many hilarious moments. Definitely read it!

Here's What Jen Thought:
Pippi Goes On Board was another great time spent with Pippi and her friends. Who else could make a day at the fair more entertaining? And only Pippi could make being shipwrecked sound like something to do when your parents are away. I enjoyed meeting Pippi's Father, Captain Longstocking, who comes to Villa Villekulla to take his daughter back to the sea with him. Will she go or will she stay? I still prefer the first book a little more than this one, it's definitely a fun read.

Wednesday, September 15, 2010

Ages 11+

Notes from a Totally Lame Vampire
by Tim Collins
Illustrated by Andrew Pinder

Nigel Mullet isn't your typical teenager......HE'S A VAMPIRE! But unfortunately, when Nigel transformed, he didn't become all broody and interesting, and as for super strength and speed....well, forget it! Nigel got acne, a voice that squeaks, a tendency to break out in a rash (not sparkles!) when exposed to the sun, and still had absolutely no idea how to talk to girls. Nigel just may be the first and only lame vampire on record.
When a beautiful new girl comes to school, Nigel is determined to impress her. Of course, that would mean actually speaking to her......and he will.......eventually. But until he can win the girl and the respect of his family, Nigel will just be utterly lame.

Let me start off by saying that this book was pretty funny. My hopes were high for it to be the next new thing for Diary of a Wimpy Kid fans, but now having read it, it's really more the next new thing for fans of vampire satire. There are a few jabs at the Twilight series in it that I found amusing (he agrees to watch her all night while she's sleeping, and is so bored that he wants to go get a magazine from the 24 hour convenience store, but is afraid she'll wake up while he's gone). I do think fans of Diary of Wimpy Kid will enjoy it, if for nothing else than the format, which is very similar to Wimpy Kid. The story itself is really more about Nigel's love for his classmate Chloe, and him overcoming his fears and insecurities to win her heart. I liked how it ended, because the main character gained confidence in himself, instead of constantly wishing that he were a different person (or vampire).

by Rose
Rating: Check it out from the library

Tuesday, September 7, 2010

Pippi Longstocking Reading Invitation Update






Okay everyone! Get ready for book 2!!

Pippi Goes Onboard
By: Astrid Lindgren

On Your Mark! Get Set! READ......





Pippi Longstocking Update...

Pippi Longstocking
By: Astrid Lindgren
We hope you've enjoyed week #1 in our Pippi Longstocking month! We would love to hear your feedback about this delightful series. Here is what we thought of the first book!

Rose:
This book was really really good! I was laughing out loud at all of Pippi's crazy antics. This would be a really fun read out loud story for a wide range of ages. I would say anywhere from age 6-12 would enjoy it.
I think my favorite parts were when Pippi went to school and when the burglars try to rob her house. It is also hilarious when Pippi goes to the 'surkus'.

Jen:
Pippi has been one of those characters that has stayed with me for as long as I can remember. What's not to love about a little girl who cleans her floors on brush skates?! Or fends off burglars by outwitting them, only to give them something in the end?! And who cannot love a girl who puts an end to bullying by throwing the bullies into a tree?! She's a girl after my own heart.

Pippi is the character you love to re-read and visit. Of course, every time you do, it's like you never left!

Sunday, September 5, 2010

Ages 11+


The Giver by Lois Lowry

Jonas's world is perfect. Everything is under control. There is no fear or pain. There are no choices. Every person is assigned a role in the Community.
When Jonas turns twelve he is singled out to receive special training from The Giver. The Giver alone holds the memories of the true pain and pleasure of life. Now it's time for Jonas to receive the truth. There is no turning back.

Hmmmm, I don't really know what to write about this book. I feel like all the things I want to write about are going to give too much away for the people who haven't read it yet. I'll just say this: this book makes you think. It's definitely for the older kids, because a lot of the concepts in the book and the way it ends would be hard to understand for younger children. I think this book is perfect for middle school aged kids. It's a good book, but I did find the ending a little depressing, at least the way I interpreted it. Anyone else have any thoughts on this book? I would love to hear your feedback! I'm interested in how others interpreted the ending.

Thursday, September 2, 2010

Pippi Longstocking Reading Invitation Update




Ok everyone! Are you ready?! It's time to start reading!!


Get a copy of Pippi Longstocking by Astrid Lindgren & start reading! We hope you enjoy it as much as we do.

Happy Reading Everyone!!