Blog Post
Questions Asked and Answered!
by manz
This week at storytime Ms. Amanda told tales that asked so many questions! Who, what, when, where, why?
Have you Seen My New Blue Socks? features a duck who has lost his socks and cannot find them! In this rhyming book he asks around and eventually the socks are found.
Guess Who Haiku has a variety of "guess who" clues in haiku form and we are to guess who is writing the haiku. It’s a great introduction to this poetry format and is still fun for young ones.
Whose Hat is That? has a hat that is blowing in the wind trying to find its owner. Whose hat is that?
And to end it all we chanted the Who Took the Cookies Rhyme and found out just which puppet took the cookies from the cookie jar. Here is an adorable book to go along with it!
Blog Post
Meet 2016 “It’s All Write!” Judge #7: Kashmira Sheth!
by BugsAndSlugs
Kashmira Sheth is the author of two award winning teen novels Keeping Corner and Koyal Dark, Mango Sweet.
Before she began writing, Kashmira Sheth had many jobs, including working in a bakery, catching corn flea beetles, using microbiology to test food for bacterial counts and pathogens, choreographing and performing Indian dances and running a dance school. When asked what she would tell someone that wishes to become a writer, Ms. Sheth gave three pieces of advice:
- Read, read and read some more.
- Learn another language or two.
- Write something every day - even if it's just your thoughts.
For more about Kashmira Sheth, visit her webpage, and stay tuned for updates about the “It’s All Write!” Teen Short Story Contest Judges!
Blog Post
The 25th and Final Elephant & Piggie Book
by manz
Released this week, The Thank You Book marks the 25th and final book in children’s book author Mo Willems’ beloved Elephant & Piggie series.
The series follows the two best friends in many silly scenarios. In the books Gerald worries so that Piggie doesn’t have to. These popular books are written comic book style with dialog between the two characters to tell the story. The books are funny, silly, and sweet – just what you want in a children’s book.
With so many great books, it’s hard to pick a favorite, but lately I’ve really been loving on I am Invited to a Party!, Elephants Cannot Dance!, and the beautiful Waiting is Not Easy!.
This does not mean that Mo is done writing, and hey, maybe we’ll spot Piggie in a future Pigeon book?
Thank you, Mo!
Blog Post
Meet 2016 “It’s All Write!” Judge #6: Tracy Bilen!
by BugsAndSlugs
Tracy Bilen is the YA author of What She Left Behind, the story of sixteen-year-old Sara, whose mother goes missing before they can move to a new town to escape Sara's physically abusive father. Ms. Bilen is a high school French and Spanish teacher in Michigan, where she lives with her husband and children. Tracy studied at the Sorbonne in Paris and taught Spanish at a high school ski academy. She loves biking, traveling, and red velvet cake. When asked about her favorite word, Tracy declared, “Plethora. Because it’s the first fancy word I ever learned. I don’t ever say it out loud, but I THINK it a lot.”
Want to learn more about Tracy Bilen's favorite things and get some advice on starting out as a writer? Check out her blog and stay tuned for more information about the “It’s All Write!” Teen Short Story Contest Judges!
Blog Post
Asked and Answered Tips for Feeding Baby
by mansii
If you have a little one, infant through toddler, AADL has an awesome new resource for you to check out! The Pediatrician's Guide To Feeding Babies & Toddlers is hip, comprehensive, and super approachable. Breaking your child's age into three month segments, each chapter addresses developmental milestones, nutrition guidelines, expected growth, and medical concerns in an easy to follow Q & A format. It answers all the questions you never thought to ask.
Topics are as diverse as how to raise your baby as a vegetarian, and spend time addressing numerous allergies. For the do-it-from-scratch mom, there are tips on preparing your own baby food. On debatable topics (such as when to introduce solids) multiple sides are presented, giving you all the facts you need to make your own decision. With easy to follow charts, and "Real Life Parenting" stories about the struggles all moms share, this read is not only informational, but fun. My favorite part is the age-appropriate recipes at the end of each chapter that will pass the bar for the most health-conscious mother, and the most taste-conscious little one. Dairy Free Sweet Potato Pudding anyone?
Click here for more great AADL resources on feeding baby.
Blog Post
Carrots! Rabbits!
by manz
Today at storytime Ms. Amanda told the story of Carrot Soup! It’s a favorite to tell. And if you give a storyteller some carrots, chances are she’ll think of rabbits and other rabbit stories. Here are a few new gems!
Too Many Carrots features more carrots than you’ve ever seen in a picture book. But the rabbit in the story LOVED carrots, so much in fact, that they took over his house and he couldn’t fit in! He called on some friends to help and things end up in a heap up of trouble that's taller than the carrots. It’s a cute story about friends and sharing with lovely pictures and LOTS of carrots that kids will enjoy reading.
Another sweet new picture book is The Wonderful Habits of Rabbits. This one is a bit gentler, with a rhyming story all about rabbit’s favorite things to do. Like seeing the sunrise, smelling flowers, swimming, hopping, eating carrots, and more. It’s purely delightful with delicate images to match the words.
Blog Post
New Books for Curious Kids
by eapearce
In The Book of What If…?, authors Matt Murrie and Andrew R. McHugh encourage kids to think about what the world would be like if things were much different than they actually are. For example, what if humans had elephant noses? What if there were no holidays? What if you could move objects with your brain? The authors offer prompts that get kids to think about what life might be like in all these wacky situations! Real kids offer suggestions for what they think might happen if these crazy things were true, and their answers are collected throughout the book, too. There are also related activities to go along with each “what if” question, which are fun to do with friends, family, or by yourself. This book really has it all and will keep kids with wild imaginations interested and engaged for hours, if not days, weeks, or months!
Everyone loves a good list, and the Top 10 of Everything 2015 is a giant book full of lots and lots of—you guessed it—amazing lists! From the “Most Powerful Engines” to the “Heaviest Animals in the Ocean” to the “Biggest Star Wars Lego Spaceships,” this book has lists for everyone. Although most of the lists are based in fact, with cited sources, there are also a few fun “unofficial” top 10 lists, like “Coolest Movie Alien Crafts” or “Most Awesome Female Artists.” This book is filled with brightly colored pictures and fun facts. Ann Arbor is even featured on one of the lists! Kids (and adults!) who love facts will consider this tome a must-read.
Blog Post
Happy 100th Birthday, Beverly Cleary!
by manz
Beloved children’s author Beverly Cleary turns 100 years old today! Her books have been adored by many for decades and she has left quite a mark on children’s literature. Her first book was published in 1950, and her first book about the Quimbys, Beezus and Ramona, was published in 1955.
Popular books include Henry and Ribsy, The Mouse and the Motorcycle, Ramona the Pest, and Dear Mr. Henshaw, which won Cleary a Newbery Medal in 1984. I remember devouring these books as a child, and they definitely boosted my interest in reading.
What are you or your child’s favorites?
Blog Post
Meet “It’s All Write!” 2016 Judge #5: Kevin Emerson!
by BugsAndSlugs
Kevin Emerson is the author of twelve novels, including the Exile series books: Exile, Encore to an Empty Room and the series conclusion, coming in August 2016, Finding Abby Road.
School Library Journal declared that Emerson's Atlanteans series, "...reads like a combination of Star Trek, Rick Riordan’s The Lightning Thief, and Suzanne Collins’s The Hunger Games... The plot twists around like a vine, blending mythology, technology, pandemics, violence, and excitement."
Kevin Emerson is a singer, drummer, and guitarist and has played in bands since high school. He has toured across the country and in Europe and the UK and now lives in Seattle, one of the best music cities in the world. Learn more about Kevin on his blog and stay tuned for more information about the 2016 “It’s All Write!” Teen Short Story Contest Judges!
Blog Post
Matisse’s Garden
by manz
This gorgeous picture book features reproductions of artworks by French artist Henri Matisse. Matisse’s Garden tells how he began cutting paper shapes and how his process evolved into large scale works of art that are so recognizable today. It beautifully captures the essence of the color, pattern, and shapes in his work. It’s a beautiful book for art admirers of all ages. I also recommend Henri’s Scissors, and if you want more perhaps you’ll enjoy these other books on Matisse.