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Reading
News: Authors Visit PV Schools |
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Featured
Author: Jill Esbaum |
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Bruce Coville
Bruce Coville is
the author of many children's books and is known worldwide for his
science fiction and fantasy books for intermediate students.
Thanks to our PTAs for supporting author visits in our
schools.
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Jill Esbaum
Jill Esbaum's picture
books include Stink Soup and the award winning
Steeeeamboat A'Comin'. Both talked to students about
the writing process - from imagination and ideas to final
copy.
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Jill Esbaum
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Jill Esbaum is a local
author and poet who lives on a farm in eastern Iowa. Born and
raised in Iowa, her books have been inspired by personal
experiences and stories she heard growing up. When she speaks
to students about being an author, her message to writers is
be persistent, believe in your work, and to be writer, you
need to read. Jill is working on her first chapter book for
intermediate readers. Look for a chapter book from Jill in the
near future.
Author's website |
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Micawber by John Lithgow
Illustrated by C. F. Payne
Micawber, a Central Park squirrel, discovers the “wonders of
color” when he secretly stows away in an artist’s supply box
and with tail-brush in paw becomes an artist himself. Playful
illustrations and word choice make this a delightful story to
read aloud and share.
Author's website |
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Charlie Cook's Favorite Book by
Julia Donaldson Illustrated by Axel Scheffler
Charlie
Cook’s Favorite Book is a great “nested” tale! Every two
pages is another story inside another story inside another
story. Charlie Cook is reading his favorite book, Shiver Me
Timbers: The Story of an Old Sea Dog. The pirate chief in the
story opens a treasure chest and finds a book, Fairy Tales
from a Forgotten Island. In that story Goldilocks is reading
Sir Percy and the Dragon, and then Sir Percy has a book. It
goes on and on like that until it finally comes full circle
when a headless ghost is reading a book about Charlie Cook.
Author's website |
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Summer Reading is
Killing Me! by Jon Scieszka. Illustrated by Lane Smith.
Another adventure for
the Time Warp Trio! When Fred puts his summer reading list
into "The Book" that triggers their time warp travels, Joe,
Sam, and Fred find themselves trapped in a world of characters
from those books on the list. "We stepped over a very hungry
caterpillar eating his way through a dictionary...We made our
way through a crowd of Robinson Crusoe, a blue Moose, Julie
with some wolves, a snowman, a plain and tall lady named
Sarah, a kid with a hatchet, and a very confused-looking Robin
Hood helping Eeyore reattach his tail." As the villains try to
oust the good guys of the stories, the trio has to find "The
Book" and yank the summer reading list to save the battling
book characters. You might want to check out other Time Warp
Trio escapades for more action and laughs.
Official site of the
Time Warp Trio |
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Now & Ben: The Modern Inventions of
Benjamin Franklin by Gene Barretta
Did you know that Dr. Ben Franklin had so
many and varied occupations?
Writer, printer, diplomat, musician, humorist, postmaster,
scientist, inventor, humanitarian–are all listed on the
cobblestones beneath him on the cover of this great book that
was written and illustrated by Gene Barretta. The “Now,”
which is the present day invention, is listed on the left side
of the page. The “Then,” which is Ben’s original work is
listed on the left side of the page. This book is so well
done that it can be enjoyed by younger and older
readers together with their families!
Author's website
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Something to
Remember Me By: A Story About Love & Legacies
by Susan V. Bosnak
“Something to
Remember Me By
has the emotion of Love You Forever, the inspiration of
Chicken Soup for the Soul, and the charm of a Norman
Rockwell painting.” Susan V. Bosnak, writes of the love,
hopes, dreams and memories found in a cedar chest that she
inherited from her grandmother. It truly is about the things
that matter most! A great family read that includes links to
further explore personal family histories, traditions,
memoirs, and life lessons from generation to generation.
More about the Legacy Project
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The Invention of Hugo
Cabret by Brian Selznick
Brian Selznick, a
prize-winning illustrator of children's books, has created a
visual masterpiece! Using pencil drawings throughout the text
to tell the story, the drawings become like a film within the
novel. Appropriately, because the story involves Georges
Melies, a French pioneer in filmmaking, and his collection of
automatons - robotic figures. Wonderful story in an amazing
format!
The Hugo
Cabret website with a link to a video about Hugo |
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Games for Reading
by Peggy Kaye
Kids love playing games, and learning happens best when it is
fun and enjoyable! This book has great vocabulary "bingo"
rhyming games that help train the ear, in addition to mazes
and puzzles that help develop eye movement. Games are easy to
follow, easy to play and ideal for busy parents! These games
are supportive to all developing readers! |
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Primary
Tip
The
ABCs Of Reading To
And With Your Child
(From The MAILBOX
Bookbag • Dec/Jan 1998-99)
A
sk questions while reading together.
"What do you think will happen next?"
B
uy books as gifts for birthdays, Christmas, Hanukkah, or other
holidays.
C
hat about what is happening in the book
and how it relates to everyday life.
D
rop everything and read.
Set aside 20 minutes a day during which the whole family
reads.
E
xamine book
illustrations in detail. Select books that have large, bright
pictures.
View
the rest at Mrs. McGowan's
site.
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Summer Reading Programs
Visit your local public library this summer. Public libraries
sponsor summer reading programs for all ages. Check the
library calendars for special summer reading events and
activities.
Bettendorf Public
Library
LeClaire Public
Library
Davenport Public
Library
Barnes and Noble Booksellers sponsor a summer reading
program. This year's theme is "In the Magic Tree House."
Readers have a chance to win a free book!
Reading
Is Fundamental continues to offer a wide range of
activities for beginning and secure readers. Check out reading
tips, activities, booklists and programs, in addition to other
great literacy websites here. |
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Intermediate Tip
Start
a Summer
Book
Club!
(
from Al's Book
Club for Kids)
Al Roker
of the Today program has started a reading club and offers
suggestions for forming your own Book Club. Here are a few of
the steps to get you started.
Complete
"How to start a Book Club" pdf
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Compose the group.
- Set
a schedule. Meeting monthly or even bi-monthly gives
everyone time to read the selection without too much time
pressure.
- Find
a place. As a group, decide if you would rather meet at
participants' homes or at a public spot, such as a
bookstore, library, or coffee shop.
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Select the books. Have the host of the first meeting choose
the first book.
- Keep
it simple: Thirty minutes to an hour for
discussion and another half hour or so for any activity or
snack afterwards is enough.
- Keep
the pages turning and the conversation flowing!
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Archived
Issues of Parents and Literacy:
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District Media Center
Links:
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