The Challenge Continues . . . Buckeye Book Award Reading Challenge 2001

And the reading challenge continues!  As stated in a previous post, my librarian friend Ashley Lambacher of the Book Talker and I are hosting the Buckeye Book Award Reading Challenge.  Our goal is to read all the past winners from the children’s book category in chronological order from 1982 to the present.  I will read the K-2 picture book winners and Ashley will read the 4-8/3-5 chapter book winners.  Because 2000 was skipped, today I continue my challenge by reading the winner of the K-2 Buckeye Book Award in 2001, Bark, George by Jules Feiffer.

Bark, George is about a young pup learning to speak like a dog.  When his mother asks him to bark, he returns with a meow.  Then he quacks, oinks, and moos.  Georg is taken to the doctor. Surprisingly, the vet reaches into him and pulls out a cat, duck, pig, and cow!  Once they leave the doctor’s office, George’s mother asks him to bark.  Instead of barking, George says, “hello.” The simple text and cartoonish drawings of Bark, George interest young readers.  Making for a good read aloud, children enjoy the unexpected humor of this story.  Still a popular book, this title is checked out often in my libraries today.  An understandable winner for a Buckeye Book Award.

Ashley, your upcoming 2001 book is The Adventures of Captain Underpants by Dave Pilkey. Fifteen years laster, this series is still going strong.  A fitting win for a Buckeye Book Award.

Would you like to join Ashley and I as we read through Ohio’s award winning books?  We welcome any and all who are interested in participating in this fun reading challenge.  For more information, click here.

Books to Celebrate Valentine's Day

I did a previous blog encouraging themed browsing boxes at home.  I love playing librarian to my daughter and creating a collection of holiday books for her learn about, enjoy, and celebrate the season.  I recently put together a browsing box full of Valentine’s Day books.  Below is a list of Valentine’s Day books for you to create your own themed browsing box at home.  Happy reading and Happy Valentine’s Day!

Love Monster by Rachel Bright

A Crankenstein Valentine by Samantha Berger

Foxy in Love by Emma Dodd

Happy Valentine’s Day, Mouse! by Laura Numeroff

Where Is Love, Biscuit? by Alyssa Capucilli

Lily’s Chocolate Heart by Kevin Henkes

Clifford’s First Valentine’s Day by Norman Bridwell

Clifford’s Valentines by Norman Bridwell

Love Bugs by David Carter

Llama Llama I Love You by Anna Dewdney

Love From the Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle

Pete the Cat’s Groovy Guide to Love by Kimberly and James Dean

Pete the Cat: Valentine’s Day is Cool by James Dean

Fancy Nancy: Heart to Heart by Jane O’Connor

The Night Before Valentine’s Day by Natasha Wing

Valentine’s Mice! by Bethany Roberts

Splat the Cat: Funny Valentine by Rob Scotton

Love, Splat by Rob Scotton

Olivia and the perfect Valentine by Natalie Shaw

Lego City: Wrecking Valentine’s Day! by Trey King

The Day it Rained Hearts by Felicia Bond

Pinkalicious: Pink Hearts by Victoria Kann

Happy Valentine’s Day, Curious George by N. Di Angelo

Ollie’s Valentine by Oliver Dunrea

Happy Love Day, Daniel Tiger! by Becky Friedman

Happy Valentine’s Day, Charlie Brown! by Charles Schultz

A Charlie Brown Valentine by Justin Fontes

Arthur’s Valentine by Marc Brown

Max’s Valentine by Rosemary Wells

Be My Valentine by Rosemary Wells

There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Rose! Lucille Colandro

The Backyardigan’s: A Royal Valentine by Wendy Wax

My Little Pony: Hearts and Hooves Day by Jennifer Fox

Where’s Baby’s Valentine? by Karen Katz

Barbie: Secret Hearts by Rebecca Frazer

Be My Sparkly Valentine by Bill Scollon

Minnie’s Valentine by Sheila Higginson

Doc McStuffins: My Huggy Valentine by Sheila Higginson

Valentine’s Day is Here!  by Matt Mitter

Roses are Red, Your Feet Really Stink by Diane DeGroat

The Valentine Express by Nancy Wallace

Amelia Bedelia’s First Valentine by Herman Parish

The Biggest Valentine Ever by Steven Kroll

Valentine’s Day by Jason Cooper

Valentine’s Day Is _ by Gail Gibbons

What is Valentine’s Day by Elaine Landau

Crafts for Valentine’s Day by Kathy Ross

Holiday Ha-Ha’s Valentine’s Day Jokes and Riddles by Craig Yoe

Cam Jansen and the Valentine Baby Mystery by David Adler

I Spy: Little Hearts by Jean Marzollo

I Spy: I Love You by Jean Marcelo

Scooby Doo: Valentine’s Day Dog Napping by Gail Herman

Geronimo Stilton: Valentine’s Day Disaster by Geronimo Stilton

Babymouse: Heartbreaker by Jennifer Holms

Rainbow Magic: Juliet the Valentine Fairy by Daisy Meadows

Dork Diaries: Not-So-Happy Heartbreaker by Rachel Russell

Nancy Drew and the Clue Crew: Valentine’s Day Secret by Carolyn Keene

Junie B. Jones and the Mushy Gushy Valentime by Barbara Park

Junie B. Jones: Loves Handsom Warren by Barbara Park

Attack of the 50 Foot Cupid by Jim Benson

Heart to Heart with Mallory by Laurie Friedman

Captain Awesome Gets Crushed by Stan Kirby

Katie Woo: No Valentine’s for Katie by Fran Manushkin

Calendar Mysteries: February Friend by Ron Roy

Candy Apple: Totally Crushed by Eliza Willard

Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Third Wheel by Jeff Kinney

The Challenge Continues . . . Buckeye Book Award Reading Challenge 1999

And the reading challenge continues!  As stated in a previous post, my librarian friend Ashley Lambacher of the Book Talker and I are hosting the Buckeye Book Award Reading Challenge.  Our goal is to read all the past winners from the children’s book category in chronological order from 1982 to the present.  I will read the K-2 picture book winners and Ashley will read the 4-8/3-5 chapter book winners.  Because 1998 was skipped, today I continue my challenge by reading the winner of the K-2 Buckeye Book Award in 1999, Verdi by Janel Cannon.

The story begins by introducing Verdi, a just-hatched yellow python, who after seeing how crotchety and lazy his elders are decides not to become like them.  Verdi is a spry snake that flings himself about the trees, a little too adventurous for his own good.  While fretting over the color change in his scales and slithering about, Verdi gets himself into a heap of trouble and is rescued by the adults.  As he recovers from an injury, he learns some interesting things about his peers and discovers that getting older isn't such a bad thing after all, so long as you remain young at heart.  Cannon's layout and illustrations are similar to those in her popular Stellaluna, with stunningly realistic and vibrant pictures in acrylic and pencil that feature bright greens and yellows.  I love the message of this story about growth and choices, and ultimately discovering that age is merely a number.

Ashley, your upcoming 1999 is a Wayside School book by Louis Sachar.  At least it’s not another scary book!

Would you like to join Ashley and I as we read through Ohio’s award winning books?  We welcome any and all who are interested in participating in this fun reading challenge.  For more information, click here.

My One Little Word 2016

After watching others choose their “one little word” over the years, I’m finally ready to join in the fun!  So, my one word for 2015 is POSITIVE.

At work, I plan to take a positive approach to uncomfortable changes.  As I push myself to master new skills and accomplish new projects, I’ll endorse a positive attitude and embrace a sunny outlook.

At home, I plan to create positive experiences with my family.  I want to reconnect with my daughter and husband, and savor every joyous minute.

For myself, I’d like to adopt a positive lifestyle.  I will take time for myself, exercise, eat right, and get plenty of sleep.  My own personal happiness and well-being will no longer be neglected.

I’m excited for a new vision and a new approach - positive changes for a positive new year.

Books to Celebrate Winter

I did a previous blog encouraging themed browsing boxes at home.  I love playing librarian to my daughter and creating a collection of holiday books for her learn about, enjoy, and celebrate the season.  I recently put together a browsing box full of winter books.  She loves snow and all the cold weather activities that winter brings.  Below is a list of winter books for you to create your own themed browsing box at home.  Happy reading!

Before Morning by Joyce Sidman
Best in Snow by April Pulley Sayre
Little Penguins by Cynthia Rylant
Pablo in the Snow by Teri Sloat
Mouse’s First Snow by Lauren Thompson

The Mitten by Jan Brett

Splat the Cat: Blow, Snow, Blow by Rob Scotton

Clifford’s First Snow Day by Norman Bridwell

Olaf’s 1-2-3 by Winnie Ho

Welcome Winter by Jill Ackerman

Frosty the Snowman by Steve Nelson

Big Bear Little Bear by David Bedford

Bedtime for Bears! by David Bedford

Where Snowflakes Fall by Claire Freedman

Hello Kitty: Hello Winter! by Sanrio

Snowmen at Work by Caralyn Buehner

Snowmen at Night by Caralyn Buehner

Snowmen All Year by Caralyn Buehner

Minions Snow Day by Brandon T. Snider

Over and Under the Snow by Kate Messner

The Very Bouncy Bear by Jack Tickle

Snow Family by Daniel Kirk

How Do You Know It’s Winter? by Allan Fowler

Baby Loves Winter! by Karen Katz

Biscuit’s Snowy Day by Alyssa Capucilli

Froggy Gets Dressed by Jonathan London

Pooh Welcomes Winter by Kathleen Zoehfeld

Palace Pets: Petite’s Winter Wonderland by Amy Koster

Curious George: Snowy Day by Rotem Moscovich

Peanuts: Snow Day! by Charles Schulz

Clifford’s Puppy Days: The Smallest Snowman by Sarah Fisch

Daniel Plays in the Snow by Becky Friedman

Strawberry Shortcake: The Snow Dance by Amy Ackelsberg

Splat the Cat and the Snowy Day Surprise by Rob Scotton

Little Bea and the Snowy Day by Daniel Roode

Snow Dog Marley by John Grogan

Snowflakes Are Falling by Melvin and Gilda Berger

Snow by Marion Bauer

The Snowy Day by Ezra Keats

There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed Some Snow! by Lucille Colandro

Snowflakes Fall by Patricia MacLachlan

The First Day of Winter by Denise Fleming

Winter by Aaron Carr

What Happens in Winter? by Sara Latta

It’s Snowing! by Julie Richards

It’s Winter! by Linda Glaser

The Missing Mitten Mystery by Steven Kellogg 

Poppleton in Winter by Cynthia Rylant

Skippyjon Jones: Snow What by Judith Schachner

Disaster Strikes: Blizzard Night by Marlane Kennedy

Captain Awesome Saves the Winter Wonderland by Stan Kirby

Ready Freddy: Ready, Set, Snow! by Abby Klein

Katie Kazoo: It’s Snow Joke by Nancy Krulic

Rainbow Fairies: Gabriella the Snow Kingdom Fairy by Daisy Meadows

Rainbow Fairies: Crystal the Snow Fairy by Daisy Meadows

Magic Tree House: Winter of the Ice Winter by Mary Pope Osborne

Breyer Stablemates: Snowflake by Suzanne Weyn

It’s Snowing! by Gail Gibbons

Snowflake Bentley by Jacqueline Martin

Animal Camouflage in the Snow by Martha Rusted

The Three Snow Bears by Jan Brett

Snow is My Favorite and My Best by Lauren Child

Snow Day! by Lester Laminack

Snow Trouble by Malinda Crow

The Biggest Best Snowman by Margery Cuyler

In the Snow by Sharon Denslow

Snowballs by Lois Ehlert

Snow Day by Lynn Plourde

Snow by Cynthia Rylant

Pip and Squeak by Ian Schoenherr

Trucktown: Snow Trucking! by Jon Scieszka

Rescue Princesses: The Snow Jewel by Paula Harrison

Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Cabin Fever by Jeff Kinney

Whatever After: Cold as Ice by Sarah Mlynoski

Books to Celebrate New Year's

I did a previous blog encouraging themed browsing boxes at home.  I love playing librarian to my daughter and creating a collection of books for her learn about, enjoy, and celebrate current holidays.  I recently put together a small box of New Year’s books complete with fun party favors.  Below is a list of New Year’s books for you to create your own themed browsing box at home.  Happy reading!

Squirrel’s New Year’s Resolution by Pat Miller

The Night Before New Year’s by Natasha Wing

Happy New Year! by Amy Ackelsberg

Happy New Year, Pooh! by Kathleen W. Zoehfeld

New Year’s Day by Davod F. Marx

New Year’s Day by Lynn Peppas

New Year’s Day by Kathryn A. Imler

New Year’s Day by Mari C. Schuh

Happy New Year, everywhere!  by Arlene Erlbach

Happy New Year, Mallory!  by Laurie Friedman

Amelia’s Must-Keep Resolutions for the Best Year Ever! by Marissa Moss

The Challenge Continues . . . Buckeye Book Award Reading Challenge 1997

And the reading challenge continues!  As stated in a previous post, my librarian friend Ashley Lambacher of the Book Talker and I are hosting the Buckeye Book Award Reading Challenge.  Our goal is to read all the past winners from the children’s book category in chronological order from 1982 to the present.  I will read the K-2 picture book winners and Ashley will read the 4-8/3-5 chapter book winners.  Because 1998 was skipped, today I continue my challenge by reading the winner of the K-2 Buckeye Book Award in 1997, Dogzilla by Dav Pilkey.

Dogzilla is a hilarious story featuring a giant Corgi.  The enormous dog emerges from a volcano at the smell of barbecue in the city of Mousopolis  - populated by mice, obviously.  Dogzilla wants the barbecue and accidentally destroying Mousopolis in her wake.  The leader of the desperate mice, the Big Cheese, hits on a plan to chase Dogzilla away by threatening her with a bath!  Pilkey's humorous narrative is full of puns and goofy jokes to make both kids and adults laugh out loud.  The unique  illustration are a combination of bright paintings superimposed with photographs of Pilkey’s pet mice, cat, and dog.  Fans of Dogzilla will also enjoy Pilkey’s Kat Kong and Dog Breath.

Ashley, your upcoming 1997 The Haunted Mask by R.L. Stine.  Yikes – another scary tale!  

Would you like to join Ashley and I as we read through Ohio’s award winning books?  We welcome any and all who are interested in participating in this fun reading challenge.  For more information, click here.

Books to Celebrate Christmas

I did a previous blog encouraging themed browsing boxes at home.  I love playing librarian to my daughter and creating a collection of holiday books for her learn about, enjoy, and celebrate the season.  I recently put together a few browsing boxes full of Christmas books.  She loves Santa and enjoys the songs and books of this special time of year.  Below is a list of Christmas books for you to create your own themed browsing box at home.  Happy reading!

Biscuit’s Pet & Play Christmas by Alyssa Capucilli

Llama Llama Jingle Bells by Anna Dewdney

Max’s Christmas Stocking by Rosemary Wells

Little Miss Spider: A Christmas Wish by David Kirk

Merry Christmas, Mouse! By Laura Numeroff

Frosty the Snowman by Steve Nelson

Nutcracker Twinkle Toes by Karen Katz

Pete the Cat Saves Christmas by James Dean & Eric Litwin

Mickey Saves Christmas by Sheila Sweeny Higginson

Twas the Night Before Christmas on Sesame Street by Lillian Jaine

Snow Princesses by Irene Trimble

Dora’s Christmas Adventure by Christine Ricci

Barbie: A Perfect Christmas by Christy Webster

Clifford Helps Santa by Sonia Sander

I Spy: A Candy Cane by Jean Marzollo

Frozen: A Christmas Party by Andrea Posner-Sanchez

Jingle Bugs by David Carter

Ten Gingerbread Men by Ruth Galloway

Corduroy’s Christmas by Don Freeman

If You Take a Mouse to the Movies by Laura Numeroff

A very Marley Christmas by John Grogan

Llama Llama Holiday Drama by Anna Dewdney

It’s Christmas, David! By David Shannon

The Story of Christmas by Patricia A. Pingry

Merry Christmas, Little One! By Sandra Magsamen

It Was Christmas Night by Sophie Piper

A Christmas Tree for Ruby by Rosemary Wells

Lego City: Save This Christmas! By Rebecca L. McCarthy

Cinderella’s Fairy Merry Christmas by Andrea  Posner-Sanchez

A Very McStuffins Christmas by Sheila Sweeny Higginson

Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer by Dennis R. Shealy

Biscuit’s Christmas Eve by Alyssa Satin Capucilli

Clifford’s Christmas by Norman Bridwell

Mouse’s First Christmas by Lauren Thompson

A Cars Christmas by Melissa Lagonegro

Counting Christmas by Karen Katz

Sofia the First: Holiday in Enchancia by Catherine Hapka

Arthur’s Christmas by Marc Brown

Merry Christmas, Splat by Rob Scotton

Katie the Candy Cane Fairy by Tim Bugbird

Georgie the Gingerbread Fairy by Tim Bugbird

How the Grinch Stole Christmas by Dr. Seuss

Snowmen at Christmas by Caralyn Buehner

Christmas is . . . by Gail Gibbons

What is Christmas? By Elaine Landau

Reindeer Crunch and Other Christmas Recipes by Christi Johnson

Crafts for Christmas by Kathy Ross

Christmas Fun: A Spot-It Challenge by Jennifer Marks

Look-alikes Christmas by Joan Steiner

A Spy Christmas by Walter Wick

The Night Before Christmas by Clement Clarke Moore

Christmas Jokes and Riddles by Craig Yoe

A Bad Kitty Christmas by Nick Bruel

A Not Very Merry Pout Pout Fish by Deborah Dieson

Froggy’s Best Christmas by Jonathan London

Merry Christmas Mom & Dad by Mercer Mayer

Fancy Nancy: Splendiferous Christmas by Jane O’Connor

Dragon’s Merry Christmas by Dav Pilkey

Dinosaur vs. Santa by Bob Shea

A Charlie Brown Christmas by Charles Schultz

Polar Express by Chris Van Allsburg

Scaredy Squirrel Prepares for Christmas by Melanie Watt

A Christmas Kitten by Sue Bentley

Flat Stanley’s Christmas Adventure by Marc Brown

Miss Holly is Too Jolly by Dan Gutman

A Very Babymouse Christmas by Jennifer Holms

Ready Freddy: A Very Crazy Christmas by Abby Klein

A Katie Kazoo Christmas by Nancy Krulik

Holly the Christmas Fairy by Daisy Meadows

Paige the Christmas Fairy by Daisy Meadows

Galaxy Zack: A Green Christmas! By Ray O’Ryan

Christmas in Camelot by Mary Pope Osborne

A Ghost Tale for Christmas by Mary Pope Osborne

Night of the Living Eggnog by Kirk Scroggs

Horrid Henry’s Christmas by Francesca Simon

Christmas Catastrophe by Geronimo Stilton

The Christmas Toy Factory by Geronimo Stilton

Merry Christmas, Geromino! By Geronimo Stilton

The Challenge Continues . . . Buckeye Book Award Reading Challenge 1995

And the reading challenge continues!  As stated in a previous post, my librarian friend Ashley Lambacher of the Book Talker and I are hosting the Buckeye Book Award Reading Challenge.  Our goal is to read all the past winners from the children’s book category in chronological order from 1982 to the present.  I will read the K-2 picture book winners and Ashley will read the 4-8/3-5 chapter book winners.  Because 1994 was skipped, today I continue my challenge by reading the winner of the K-2 Buckeye Book Award in 1995, The Stinky Cheese Man and Other Fairy Stupid Tales by Jon Scieszka.

The Stinky Cheese Man is one of many genius books by Jon Scieszka.  Similar to The True Story of the Three Little Pigs, the illustrations are arranged unconventionally and the story is uniquely entertaining.  Scieszka takes familiar fairy tales and adds his own variations.  With individual tales, such as The Really Ugly Duckling and Little Red Running Shorts, this collection of short stories has something to please every reader.  The Stinky Cheese Man deconstructs not only the tradition of the fairy tale but also the entire notion of a book.  The narrator, Jack, makes a mockery of the title page, the table of contents, and even the endpaper.   Characters slide in and out of tales; Cinderella rebuffs Rumpelstiltskin, and the Giant at the top of the beanstalk snacks on the Little Red Hen.  There are no lessons or morals to be learned - just good, sarcastic fun that leaves readers laughing out loud!

Ashley, your upcoming 1993 Buckeye Book Award read is Scary Stories 3: More Tales to Chill Your Bones by Schwartz.  This spooky tale might be best read beside your campfire!

Would you like to join Ashley and I as we read through Ohio’s award winning books?  We welcome any and all who are interested in participating in this fun reading challenge.  For more information, click here.

2015 Picture & Chapter Books - Hilliard U

 

Ashley Lambacher, from The Book Talker, and I presented at Hilliard U today.  We shared notable picture and chapter books of 2015.  Click here to see our list of recommended books.  Many thanks to all who came to our session!