Betsy Red Hoodie Blog Event Day Two - A profile of Gail Carson Levine

Gail Carson Levine is convinced she’s been touched by a fairy’s wand or has roamed accidentally into a fairy tale.  After working as a mid-level bureaucrat in New York State government for twenty-seven years, Levine’s first children’s book, Ella Enchanted, won a Newbery honor in 1998 and became a major motion picture in 2004.

The magic continues.  Levine now has eighteen books under her belt.  They’ve been published globally and translated into thirty-five languages.  She’s won reader choice awards - the most gratifying for a kids’ book writer because children do the choosing - in six states.  Her novels have been named annual Best Books by School Library Journal, Publishers Weekly, Los Angeles Times, and the American Library Association.  Levine’s historical novel, Dave at Night, was selected by the New York Public Library as among the Best Children’s Books of the 20^th Century.  Her “Snow White” fairy tale, Fairest, was named a New York Times Book Review Editors’ Choice, a Los Angeles Times Favorite Book of the Year, and a Boston Globe Top 5 Young Adult Novels in New England.  The nonfiction Writing Magic was named a Bank Street College Children’s Book of the Year.  The excellence of Levine’s prose has been hailed with starred reviews in Booklist, School Library Journal, Publisher’s Weekly, and Kirkus.  Her books’ popularity shows on the bestseller lists: New York Times, Publishers Weekly, Indie Bound, Amazon, and Book Sense.

Levine’s passion for writing has extended into teaching writing to children and young adults.  Every summer she teaches a free fiction-and-poetry writing workshop for kids ten and up in cooperation with her local public library.  Children return year after year, and Levine is always delighted at their growth as writers.  She’s expanded her teaching range with her blog and by visiting schools across the country and around the world; she has spoken to school children in Canada, Hong Kong, Shanghai, Taiwan, Bangkok, Germany, and Italy.

Levine grew up in New York City.  Today, she and her husband David Levine and their Airedale Baxter live in a 220-year-old farmhouse in New York's Hudson Valley.  Over the living-room fireplace hangs a gargoyle-like carved wooden lion’s head from an early Barnum and Bailey circus wagon.  The lion may be the keeper of the enchantment.


To find out more about Gail please visit her blog and her website.

Roald Dahl's birthday is today! A Review of the new Roald Dahl Book

Roald Dahl was born on this day in 1916. He was a British novelist, short story writer, fighter ace and screenwriter of Norwegian parentage. Born in Llandaff, Cardiff, Wales, to Norwegian parents, he served in the Royal Air Force during the Second World War, in which he became a flying ace and intelligence agent, rising to the rank of Wing Commander. He rose to prominence in the 1940s with works for both children and adults, and became one of the world's bestselling authors. His short stories are known for their unexpected endings, and his children's books for their unsentimental, often very dark humour.

Some of his better-known works include James and the Giant Peach, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Fantastic Mr Fox, Matilda, The Witches, and The BFG.

Recently Penguin released a book featuring some of Roald Dahl's writings that have never been published in book form before. Here is my review of this delightful book. 

The Missing Golden Ticket and other Splendiferous Secrets

Roald Dahl

Illustrated by Quentin Blake

Fiction

Ages 8 and up

Penguin, 2010, 978-0-14-241742-3

   Once upon a time, an author called Roald Dahl wrote a book about a boy who goes to a chocolate factory. He falls into a vat of chocolate and is turned into a chocolate figure. Wait a minute…that’s not how it goes! No, it isn’t, but that is how Roald Dahl first wrote Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. After many revisions, he ended up with the story that so many of us know and love. However, before that came about, Roald Dahl had to make a lot of changes, and this included cutting out several characters from the story. He began with “ten horrid little boys and girls,” and ended up with the five that have since become famous: Augustus Gloop, Veruca Salt, Violet Beauregarde, Mike Teavee, and Charlie Bucket. He originally called the little people living in the factory Whipple-Scrumpets. Later this name was changed to Oopa-Loopas. He had a whole chapter about “Spotty Powder” that never made it into the book.

   In this fact-filled book, Roald Dahl fans will find out all kinds of things about Roald Dahl’s famous book, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. In addition, there are musings from Dahl about the months of the year, scrumptious facts about chocolate, and a recipe for Mr. Wonka’s Strawberry-flavored Chocolate-coated Fudge. There is a list of Roald Dahl’s favorite things, a chapter about Quentin Blake (who illustrated many of Roald Dahl’s books), and excerpts from young Roald’s school reports – which are quite shocking! Readers will find out what Roald Dahl thought of chocolate, Roald Dahl’s secret writing tips, and what he thought of Quentin Blake. And there’s more!

   In short, this book is a must for anyone who likes Roald Dahl’s books. Be prepared to be amused, excited, and, of course, gobsmacked.

   

Betsy Red Hoodie Blog Event Day One - A review

Welcome to Day one of the Betsy Red Hoodie Blog Event. Betsy Red Hoodie is a splendid picture book that was written by Gail Carson Levine, the author who gave us Ella Enchanted and many other magical books. Here is my review of the book.

Betsy Red Hoodie
Gail Carson Levine

Illustrated by Scott Nash

Picture Book

Ages 4 to 8

HarperCollins, 2010, 978-0-06-146870-4

   One morning Betsy’s mother asks Betsy to take come cupcakes to Betsy’s grandmother’s house. Betsy is one of the shepherds in Bray Valley, and it is her responsibility to take care of the sheep. Not wanting to leave the sheep all alone, Betsy decides takes the sheep with her. Zimmo, the other shepherd in the valley, wants to go with Betsy. At first, Betsy is reluctant to allow it. After all, Zimmo is a wolf, and everyone knows that wolves and grandmothers do not mix. However, Betsy then decides that Zimmo can join the party because he has always been a most trustworthy wolf.

   Twice along the way to Grandma’s house Betsy is warned that it is not a good idea to take Zimmo along, but Betsy doesn’t change her mind. Then Zimmo runs off and leaves Betsy with all the sheep to care for. Betsy is terrified that Zimmo might be giving in to his wolfish side at Grandmother’s house, but she cannot abandon the sheep who are in her care.

   In this amusing and entertaining take on the Little Red Riding Hood story, we meet a little girl who has courage, a secretive wolf, and a herd of chatty and not terribly bright (but rather funny) sheep. Readers who think they know what is going to happen in the end are sure to be surprised when they discover that all is not what it seems.

   For this book, Scott Nash’s delightful illustrations are presented in very unique way. There are full-page illustrations, divided panes, and spreads where all the characters have speech bubbles floating above their heads.  You never quite know what is going to come next.

  

In the next four days this Blog Event will continue with an interview with Gail, a profile of Gail, and a writing contest that Gail very kindly created just for TTLG readers.

Poetry Friday - A review of Lunch Box Mail and other Poems

Happy Friday everyone. I have an uplifting collection of poems for you today for Poetry Friday. Hope you enjoy it!

Lunch Box Mail and other poems

Jenny Whitehead

Poetry

For ages 4 to 8

Henry Holt, 2001, 0-8050-6259-9

   A child’s year is full of high moments and low ones. There are happy days full of grand adventures, and there are dark days when nothing seems to go right. This collection of poems explores all kinds of days in the lives of children of all ages.

Our poetical journey begins with that first day of school when there are “brand-new rules,” and “nervous knees,” and “shiny shoes.” Then there is that dreaded visit to the doctor when the child is coughing and sneezing. He does not want that dreaded “icy stethoscope” which “hops up my front and down my back.” And don’t forget those bad hair days. What is a kid supposed to do when she plays “hairdresser” “on a whim” and ends up with a lot less hair than is desirable?

Thankfully, these more stressful moments are balanced by moments that are full of discoveries and laughs. There is that wonderful moment when a child learns to read. All of a sudden, stop signs, labels on shipping crates, license plates, books, and other things are full of words that make sense. Who knew that reading could be so incredible? There are all those wonderful little notes that appear in lunch boxes from Mom and Dad. There are notes of love, good luck wishes, and even an April Fool.

In this collection of poems, Jenny Whitehead gives her readers glimpses into the lives of children. We share their likes – ice cream – and dislikes – “waiting for birthdays.” Best of all we can  enjoy all the ways that Jenny plays with words to make her poems interesting, funny, calming, and silly. 

The Dear America Books - The series is re-launched by Scholastic

When I first started reviewing books I discovered a series of books that really interested me. They were the Dear America historical fiction books. In this series authors use a diary style format to tell the story of a young person who lived in the past. There is a book about a girl who was on the Titanic, a dust bowl diary, a suffragette diary, a WWII diary, a California gold rush diary, an many more. Now the publishers of this series, Scholastic, are re-launching the series. Here is the information Scholastic sent me about this re-launch.

SCHOLASTIC RE-LAUNCHES ACCLAIMED

DEAR AMERICA® HISTORICAL FICTION BOOK SERIES THIS FALL

WITH NEW PUBLISHING AND ADDITIONAL ONLINE CONTENT PROVIDED BY THE LIBRARY OF CONGRESS

NEW YORK — September 8, 2010 — Scholastic, the global children’s publishing, education and media company, announced today that it will re-launch the acclaimed and bestselling Dear America® historical fiction series this fall with a combination of all-new publishing and re-issues of classic Dear America titles—plus an exciting new interactive website with historical content provided by the Library of Congress.

Originally launched in 1996, the original Dear America series for readers ages 8 – 14 has more than 14 million copies in print. Written by an array of award-winning and bestselling writers, the Dear America books are presented in diary format from the perspective of girls living at different times in American history. Publication of the series ended in 2004, and fans, booksellers, educators, and parents have requested that the series be brought back into print. The series will re-launch in September 2010 with The Fences Between Us, an all-new story set in the Pacific Northwest during WWII by Newbery Honor author Kirby Larson. Also to be reissued this fall are two classic Dear America titles: A Journey to the New World by bestselling author Kathryn Lasky and The Winter of Red Snow by bestselling author Kristiana Gregory. Both new and re-issued favorites will be published seasonally.

In cooperation with the Library of Congress, Scholastic will further expand the series with two new dedicated Dear America websites; one for fans, one for educators, both launching in September 2010. The Dear America website (www.scholastic.com/dearamerica) for fans will be a fully interactive online community. The site will feature interactive scrapbooks for each Dear America character with online fashion galleries, crafts, recipes, as well as fun downloads. In addition to other games, quizzes, book excerpts, and author interviews, there will also be a moderated “living diary” blog and message board for fans.

      Simultaneously, Scholastic and the Library of Congress will offer teachers and librarians a wealth of lesson plans, historical documents and archival photos, and other teaching resources at the educator site (www.scholastic.com/teachdearamerica). The site also features timelines, author videos, discussion guides, and more, bringing the history in each book to life.  

      “Since its launch in 1996, the Dear America series has been embraced by readers and educators for its combination of rich storytelling and historical accuracy,” said Ellie Berger, President of the Trade Publishing division of Scholastic. “We are pleased to reintroduce this beloved book series by award-winning authors with the added dimension of a rich online experience through our relationship with the Library of Congress.”

“The Library of Congress is excited about this opportunity to collaborate with Scholastic on the re-release of the classic Dear America series,” said Laura Campbell, Associate Librarian for Strategic Initiatives.  “Combining these compelling stories with the Library’s unparalleled primary source collections will help make history more accessible and engaging for teachers and students alike.”

About The Library of Congress

Founded in 1800, the Library of Congress is the nation’s oldest federal cultural institution. The Library seeks to spark imagination and creativity and to further human understanding and wisdom by providing access to knowledge through its magnificent collections, programs and exhibitions. Many of the Library’s rich resources can be accessed through its website at www.loc.gov and via interactive exhibitions on a personalized website at myLOC.gov.

About Scholastic

Scholastic Corporation (NASDAQ: SCHL) is the world’s largest publisher and distributor of children’s books and a leader in educational technology and related services and children’s media. Scholastic creates quality books, print and technology-based learning materials and programs, magazines, multi-media and other products that help children learn both at school and at home. The Company distributes its products and services worldwide through a variety of channels, including school-based book clubs and book fairs, retail stores, schools, libraries, on-air, and online at www.scholastic.com.

September 2010

DEAR AMERICA: The Fences Between Us (NEW)

By Kirby Larson

Scholastic Inc. • Ages 8-14

ISBN: 978-0-545-22418-5 • $12.99 U.S. (Hardcover)

ISBN: 978-0-545-24954-6 (Audio)

ISBN: 978-0-545-26232-3 • $15.99 (Library Edition)

DEAR AMERICA: A Journey to the New World

By Kathryn Lasky

Scholastic Inc. • Ages 8-14

ISBN: 978-0-545-23801-4 • $12.99 U.S. (Hardcover)

ISBN: 978-0-545-26233-0 • $15.99 (Library Edition)

DEAR AMERICA: The Winter of Red Snow

By Kristiana Gregory

Scholastic Inc. • Ages 8-14

ISBN: 978-0-545-23802-1 • $12.99 U.S. (Hardcover)

ISBN: 978-0-545-26234-7 • $15.99 (Library Edition)

November 2010

DEAR AMERICA: Voyage on the Great Titanic

By Ellen Emerson White

Scholastic Inc. • Ages 8-14

ISBN: 978-0-545-23834-2 • $12.99 U.S. (Hardcover)

ISBN: 978-0-545-26235-4 • $15.99 (Library Edition)

January 2011

DEAR AMERICA: Like the Willow Tree (NEW)

By Lois Lowry

Scholastic Inc. • Ages 8-14

ISBN: 978-0-545-14469-8 • $12.99 U.S. (Hardcover)

ISBN: 978-0-545-27371-8 (Audio)

ISBN: 978-0-545-26556-0 • $15.99 (Library Edition)

DEAR AMERICA: A Picture of Freedom

By Patricia C. McKissack

Scholastic Inc. • Ages 8-14

ISBN: 978-0-545-24253-0 • $12.99 U.S. (Hardcover)

ISBN: 978-0-545-26555-3 • $15.99 (Library Edition)

March 2011

DEAR AMERICA: A Light in the Storm

By Karen Hesse

Scholastic Inc. • Ages 8-14

ISBN: 978-0-545-24245-5 • $12.99 U.S. (Hardcover)

ISBN: 978-0-545-26554-6 • $15.99 (Library Edition)

April 2011

DEAR AMERICA: When Will This Cruel War Be Over?

By Barry Denenberg

Scholastic Inc. • Ages 8-14

ISBN: 978-0-545-27598-9 • $12.99 U.S. (Hardcover)

ISBN: 978-0-545-27944-4 • $15.99 (Library Edition)

Busing Brewster - A review

This morning my daughter had her first day of school. I tied her hair ribbons and admired her outfit, took her photograph by the front door, and watched her bounce around with her friends in her new classroom. I was reminded that we are so lucky to live in a place where going to school is easy. My daughter does not have to go to school secretly the way girls in some counties have to do. Her African American classmates can come to school knowing that they will be welcomed and appreciated. As I looked at my daughter's happy and excited face I was reminded of a book that I read just a short time ago about a little boy who had a very different first day of school. 

Busing Brewster

Richard Michelson

Illustrated by R. G. Roth

Picture Book

Ages 4 to 8

Random House, 2010, 978-0-375-83334-2

   This fall Brewster is going into first grade at Franklin elementary, and Miss Evelyn is going to be his teacher. Brewster’s brother Bryan teases him, telling him that Miss Evelyn is mean, but Brewster knows that in real life Miss Evelyn is a very nice teacher.

   Then one day Brewster’s mother tells her sons that they will be going to Central instead of Franklin. Central is a white school where there are “rooms for art and music and a roof that doesn’t leak.” Bryan is very upset about this change in his life. He does not want to have to ride on a bus for an hour to get to the new school. He doesn’t want to go to a school where there “Ain’t no Negroes.”

   When Bryan, Brewster and the other African American students arrive at Central, they are given a very rude welcome. Rocks are thrown through the bus windows, white people are demonstrating outside the school, and two policeman are standing on guard at the door. The school day hasn’t even started before Bryan gets into trouble with a white boy called Freckle-face. One of the policemen escorts Bryan, Freckle-face, and Brewster to the library, and Brewster discovers a whole new world that inspires him to dream of new possibilities.

   This memorable book looks at what it was like to be a part of the desegregation of schools in America. In addition, it shows readers how books can open up doors in the minds of children; books can help children to see that they do have the power to change their world if they want to.

You can visit the author on his website and on his Facebook page. 

   

Poetry Friday - A review of Today at the Blue-bird Cafe

For this Poetry Friday I have a review of a book that lifts the spirits, tickles the funny bone, and that charms the eye.

Today at the Blue-Bird Café: A branchful of birds

Deborah Ruddell 

Illustrated by Joan Rankin

Poetry

For ages 5 to 8

Simon and Schuster, 2007, 0-689-87153-8

   Today the Bluebird Café is open for all-you-can-eat business. If you are a feathery person, prepare yourself for delicious treats such as “berries and snails and a bluebottle fly.” What a delightful window into the world of birds we see here. What else can we see as we look up into the sky, among the flowers, on the pond, and in the trees?

   There is the cardinal sitting on a wooden post with his brilliant red feathers that are “valentineSantaClaustotallyred.” How brilliant he looks so bright and bold.

   Then there is the hummingbird who “flaps his teeny wings / like a maniac.” How much the child wishes that this busy little creature would come back to the garden.

   Another child feels that the cockatoo is like a wedding cake, “with frosting swoops and coconut flakes.” How grand it looks with its soft feathers, its black beak, and its crest, that “sugar-coated curlicue.”

   This delightful collection of poems about birds will charm, amuse, and delight bird lovers of all ages. Deborah’s unique word pictures are perfectly complimented by Joan Rankin’s luminous and wonderfully evocative watercolor illustrations.

Join the Reading Dahlathon!

In honor of Roald Dahl's birthday, which is on September 13th, and to celebrate the release of a new book by Dahl, Penguin Books is launching the Roald Dahl Reading Dahlathon. This is a reading challenge for kids ages seven to thirteen. Kicking off in September and running through December, the program encourages kids to read three of the author’s books during this time frame. Participants can track their reading progress in the Dahlathon Official Reading Journal, available at bookstores and libraries or online.

Elsie's Bird Blog Event Day Three - An interview with Jane Yolen

For the third and final part of this blog event I have an interview with Jane Yolen about her fabulous book Elsie's Bird.

Marya: Where did the idea for this story come from?

© Jason Stemple

Jane: I was in the doctor's office some time ago and reading the Smithsonian Magazine. There was an article about women going west, carrying with them canaries in cages. It struck a cord. But the book had about a five-year gestation period and was originally about a woman who meets a young farmer and marries him and goes west with him. My editor asked me to rethink it with a child at the center. And after the requisite kicking and screaming and holding my breath until I turned blue, I tried it - and the book

worked so much better, I immediately claimed it was my ideal. (No I didn't, the editor Patti Gauch was a genius at such small suggestions and I truly mourn her retirement.)

Marya: The story takes a sad turn when Elsie struggles with the isolation that she feels on the farm in Nebraska. How did you get inside her head and heart? How did you find out what it was like to be a child who moved from a city to a sod house on a prairie? 

Jane: Once the child was off to that new place, I became her. The voice I heard was my childhood voice in my head.

Marya: How do you think children who have never seen a prairie will identify with Elsie? 

Jane: I think they identify with the fear of new places, the loss of family and familiar things, the need to be brave when a pet is in danger. The prairie in the book stands for all the scary new things that really often have their own beauty once we are willing to surrender to them. It could just as easily be a new city, a new country, a new school. New things are scary. They seem unnatural. Children go into new situations all the time.

Marya: To me this story is very much about finding ones sense of home in a new place. How do you think adults can help children to adjust to a new place? 

Jane: First I think you have to let  child identify the fear of the new. Remind them of all the new things they have done before in their lives - getting born, moving house, a new school, visiting someone they've never met before, going to the doctor, taking a test. All those things are new - and can become something fabulous. Don't tell them they are silly or stupid to feel that way. Acknowledge their fears, and even your own fears. And then help them find the beauty, those things which make this new place  beautiful.

Marya: I enjoy reading stories about what it was like to move to the American frontier. Over the years, my copies of Laura Ingalls Wilder's books have traveled from place to place with me. Is this a part of history that you have a particular interest in? If so why?

Jane: I lived the first thirteen years of my life more or less in New York City and suddenly we moved to Connecticut. No preparation, thrown into the deep end of the pool. After college I went back to New York to work. Then my husband and I traveled around Europe and the Middle East for almost a year and moved to Massachusetts when we came back. One New York friend mused puzzingly, "How can you stand all that green?" Well, I am a born-again New Englander now. And a part time Caledonian, living in Scotland about four months a year. I love finding new beauty wherever I go. It's not Nebraska, not the prairie that calls me; it's finding the beautiful new.

Marya: Elsie's Bird is your 300th book. How does it feel to have reached this

extraordinary milestone in your career?

Jane: It sounds more extraordinary to other people than it sounds to me. You see, I remember writing all those books, one at a time. I love to write, love to watch stories and poetry leak out of my fingertips onto the keyboard. Nothing makes me happier. (Another kind of finding the new beauty, actually!) They are all dear old friends. Though I have to admit, I love quoting this from Isaac Asimov: "If the doctor told me I had six minutes to live, I'd type a little faster.”

Thank you so much Jane. I am looking forward to seeing what you do next. Here's to many more books to enjoy in the future.

Elsie's Bird Blog Event Day Two - Elsie's Bird Review

Here is my review of Elsie's Bird.

Elsie’s Bird

Jane Yolen

Illustrated by David Small

Picture Book

Ages 6 to 8

Penguin, 2010, 978-0-399-25292-1

   Elsie has a happy life living in the city of Boston with her Mama and her Papa. She loves to explore the city, and she knows the names of all the birds. As she skips and runs through the streets, she loves to sing the songs of the birds “back at them.”

   Then a dark cloud covers the sun in Elsie’s life. Her mother dies and Elsie’s Papa decides that he needs to leave Boston to go somewhere far away so that he can leave behind “the sadness in his heart.” When they get to their farm, which lies in the middle of a sea of grass in Nebraska, Elsie realizes that her new home is going to be nothing like her old one. She misses the sight and sound of the sea. She misses being around other people. Elsie dreams “of Boston cobbles and bells.” The one thing that lifts her spirits is the presence of Timmy Tune, a little canary. Throughout the day Elsie and her pet sing “back and forth.” Timmy Tune’s little voice injects some sunshine into Elsie’s otherwise sad and lonely life.

   Then one day Timmy Tune gets out of his cage and Elsie runs out into the grass to find her beloved pet. How will she survive in this place without him?

   In this magical picture book, Jane Yolen takes her readers back to a time in American history when many families left the places they knew and went west. They gave up much that was familiar to build a new life on the open prairies. Eagerly or reluctantly, children went to these new places, and for many of them it was a shock to discover that their new home was nothing like the one they had left. With sensitivity and lyrical writing that beautifully captures the essence of Elsie’s world, Jane Yolen has once again created a book that will delight readers of all ages.    

   David Small’s expressive illustrations perfectly capture the essence of Jane Yolen’s story. With changing perspectives and flashes of color, David Small’s paintings are full of movement, and readers will come to understand how a “sea of grass” can be beautiful