Tuesday, June 30, 2009

Newberry Medal Awards

Dear Readers,

The following two books have won the Newberry Medal:
Maniac Magee and ...And Now Miguel. Do you know who the
authors are? I shall review these two books next time.

We, as children picture book writers and authors, cannot
succumb to failure. Do you know many people became authors
after being refused numerous times, and they were over the age of
50. Can you name some? I'll give you a list next week.

KEEP READING GOOD PICTURE BOOKS TO YOUR CHILDREN.

Of course, Dr. Seuss was the master of picture books. Children of all ages
should read his books. They have a melodic flow, rhyme, and the pictures are
interesting.

One of my favorites is GREEN EGGS AND HAM. This is a beginner book where your child can read it by himself. FROG AND TOAD TOGETHER, an I Can Read Book and winner of the Newberry Honor Award, was written by Arnold Lobel and published in 1971.

What is your child's favorite Dr. Seuss book? How about you?

Sincerely,
Ravenous Reader(a. k. a. Frankie)


Saturday, June 20, 2009

PICTURE BOOKS TO KEEP YOUR CHILD INTERESTED IN READING.

FOR YOUR INFORMATION(F.Y.I.)

Here is a short list of picture books your child will enjoy:

THE VERY HUNGRY CATERPILLAR-by Eric Carle

FARMER DUCK-by Martin Waddell

IF YOU GIVE A MOUSE A COOKIE-by Laura Joffe Numeroff

MAKE WAY FOR DUCKLINGS-by Robert McCloskey

WHERE THE WILD THINGS ARE-by Maurice Sendak


You can read these books to your child.

Spend at least a half-hour reading picture books to your child. `

If your child sees you reading, he or she will pick up the good habit,
and eventually start searching for picture books to read on his own.


Parents, which one of the above picture books did your child like the most?
Why?

I shall see you in a few days with my review of 2 Newberry Medal winners.
In the meantime, READ, READ, READ, to your child.

God bless.
Sincerely,

Ravenous Reader ( a.k.a. Frankie)


Thursday, June 18, 2009

Caldecott Classics

Hi, readers,

Tomorrow is here. I have 2 Caldecott classic picture books for you to read to your child or grandchild.

Title: THE SNOWY DAY
Author: Ezra Jack Keats
Publisher: The Viking Press
Age Range: K-1
Summary:

This story is about Peter, a little black boy who has an adventure with the snow. He plays in it, and he thinks about it. This book gives youngsters some ideas of what to play in the snow.

The illustrations by Ezra Jack Keats are colorful and interesting. The story is
quite suitable for the age level. Again, the book is a Caldecott Medal winner.


Book 2

Title: SYLVESTER AND THE MAGIC PEBBLE
Author: William Steig
Publisher: Windmill Books and E. P. Dutton
Age Range: 1-3
Summary:

This story is about Sylvester, a donkey, who finds a magic pebble. Excited, Sylvester goes home to show the pebble to his parents. On the way, he meets a lion. Scared, Sylvester wishes he were a rock so the lion can't touch him. Sylvester is turned into a rock, and he remains a rock for quite some time. The magic pebble is beside him. His parents are deeply distressed, and they look for Sylvester, but to no avail. When Sylvester's parents go on a picnic near the rock, they find the magic pebble. They wish Sylvester were there, and the rock is transformed back to Sylvester. Happiness abounds, and the rock is kept in a safe.

Illustrations are by William Steig. They are colorful, big and easy to understand. The front and back covers of the book are attractive and attention-getting. The story is entertaining, and there is a happy ending. Again, the book is a Caldecott Medal winner.


Next week, I shall review 2 Newberry Medal winners.

Do you remember what the Newberry Award is for?


Keep these 2 books in your collection.

Sincerely,
Ravenous Reader (a. k. a. Frankie)


Wednesday, June 17, 2009

FOR YOUR INFORMATION

Dear Readers,

Do you know that picture book authors and illustrators get either the
Newberry Award or the Caldecott Medal for the books they write or illustrate?

Do you know of any authors who have received these awards?

Tomorrow, I shall give you a review of two of these books in this category.

Sincerely,
Ravenous Reader( a.k.a.) Frankie

Friday, June 12, 2009

Two more books to turn on your little one to reading.

Were you or your child able to figure out what books I am going to review, today?



Title: ROSIE'S WALK

Author: Pat Hutchins

Publisher: Collier Books (MacMillan Publishing Company

Age Range: Pre-School-1

Summary:


This story is about Rosie, a hen who goes for a walk. Rosie doesn't realize it,

but a fox is stalking her. She unknowingly leads the fox into one blunder after

another and gets home safely in time for dinner.


Your child will enjoy this book. The illustrations by Pat Hutchins are colorful and bold.

There are only 32 words in the book. The concepts of "under," " over," "around" and "through"

are illustrated.


Read this book to your child or grandchild.




Title: TIMOTHY TURTLE

Author: Al Graham

Publisher: The Viking Press

Age Range: Pre-school-2

Summary:


This story is about Timothy Turtle who operates a ferry service across Tookalook Lake.

He wants to become famous, so, he takes advice from his friends. He packs his bag and sets out to climb Tookalook Hill, which is really a mountain. As Timothy climbs, a huge boulder knocks him down, causing him to do somersaults. His somersaults make him famous, for he is the only

turtle to do so. He returns home to a warm and happy welcome by all his friends, who recognize his accomplishment.


The illustrations are by Tony Palazzo, and they are quite large. The story is in rhyme, and it is fun to read.


Happy Reading.

Tuesday, June 2, 2009

RAVENOUS READER

Hi, Genius Workshop,

Thank you for your comments. I couldn't wait for Week 2, so I am writing a review for 2 more picture books suitable for children. Do you remember what the stories are about that I am reviewing?

Here they are:

Title: Millions of Cats
Author: Wanda Gag
Publisher: Coward, McCann and Geoghegan, Inc.
Age Range: Preschool - 3
Summary:

This story is about a very lonely old man and old woman. To overcome their loneliness, the man goes searching for a cat. He comes to a hill covered with cats---millions of them. He chooses one, then another, then another, but since each cat is so beautiful, he chooses to take them all home. In the end, all the cats disappear, except one--a homely, little cat. The couple take this cat into their home, and they care for it. "It's the most beautiful cat in the whole world," says the old man. He knows since he has seen "millions and trillions" of cats, and not one as pretty as this one."

The illustrations are by Wanda Gag. The story is enchanting, with clear, black and white, simple-to-understand, illustrations. Reading is easy.
This story can be read aloud.



Title: One Fine Day
Author: Nonny Hogragian
Publisher: Collier Books(MacMillan Publishing Co.)
Age Range: Preschool-2
Summary:

This story is about a fox who travels through a forest. He gets very thirsty so he steals milk from an old farm woman. Because of this, the woman chops off his tail. The fox spends the remainder of his day bargaining to get his tail back. In the end, the woman sews the fox's tail back on.

The illustrations, colorful and simple, are by Nonny Hogrogian. Millions of Cats was awarded the Caldecott Medal in 1971. Children at the age range listed would enjoy the book.

Remember: Picture books are meant to be read aloud, to children, at bedtime. If they enjoy the story, they will read the book many times over by themselves, or they will ask you many times over to read the book to them.

My next post will be about 1) a hen and 2) a lion. Can you figure out what books they are? I don't give you much of a clue.

GET HOLD OF THESE TWO BOOKS. HAPPY READING.