Education – Page 5 – Booktalking #kidlit

New format

Hello everyone! Tonight I begin using a new format that will help me keep the links I send you more up-to-date. With Twitter Blackbird Pie I can send you a digest at the end of the workday that is clickable! (Try it! Click on one of the colored links — even the hashtags — and you’ll be whisked away to the link!)

It’s just like the old nursery rhyme…

Sing a song of sixpence a pocket full of rye,
Four and twenty blackbirds baked in a pie.
When the pie was opened the birds began to sing,

Do you remember?

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rz1HW1PpXEE]

The book blogs will continue to post (and be sent via email) at 1am, but this “digest” blog will now be sent to you after 5pm. This means any “scoops” will be sent to you the day they occur! (Who knew that Google was indexing your Facebook comments? Yikes!)
https://twitter.com/#!/asuen1/status/131859708867915777
https://twitter.com/#!/asuen1/status/131825435377025024
https://twitter.com/#!/asuen1/status/131797742237392897
https://twitter.com/#!/asuen1/status/131786894580256768
https://twitter.com/#!/asuen1/status/131766311415066624
https://twitter.com/#!/asuen1/status/131734837861158912
https://twitter.com/#!/asuen1/status/131703369277521920

My NEW picture book is Road Work Ahead (Viking)
Copyright © 2011 Anastasia Suen All Rights Reserved.

Friday Reads

Picture Book of the Day

Creepy Monsters, Sleepy Monsters

by Jane Yolen (Author) and Kelly Murphy (Illustrator)

Booktalk: Meet two young monsters who are far from scary — they’re too busy having fun.

Snippet:

Monsters creep,

Monsters crawl,

Over the meadow

And up the wall.

_____________________________________________________________________

Chapter Book of the Day

Uninvited Guests: Invisible Creatures Lurking in Your Home (Tiny Creepy Creatures)

by Jennifer Swanson (Author)

32 pages

Booktalk: Your parents may be gone, but you’re still not home alone. From sneeze causing mold to fabric eating moths, take a look at the tiny uninvited guests keeping you company at home.

Snippet: You leave for school in the morning and your parents go to work. Aside from your cat or dog, there’s nobody home, right? Think again. Billions of tiny microscopic creatures are making themselves at home on your counters, your toilet, and even your bed. They live right next to you everyday.

**Jennifer is one of my former students!**

_____________________________________________________________________

Library Expo 2011

I’m speaking at Library Expo 2011 today!

_____________________________________________________________________

Poetry Friday

This week’s Poetry Friday Round-up is hosted by alphabet soup

_____________________________________________________________________

STEM Friday

It’s STEM Friday! (STEM is Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics)

This week’s STEM Friday Round-up is hosted by Growing with Science

____________________________________________________________________

My NEW book, The Zombie Project (The Boxcar Children Mysteries #128)

Young Readers

Picture Book of the Day

Rocket Town

by Bob Logan (Author, Illustrator)

Booktalk: Follow an astronaut and his dog as they drive an old pickup through Rocket Town in this board book.

Snippet:

Where rockets are BIG!

And rockets are small.

_____________________________________________________________________

Chapter Book of the Day

The Buddy Files: The Case of the Library Monster

by Dori Hillestad Butler (Author)

140 pages

Booktalk: Buddy is a therapy dog, so kids read him books in the school library. Who knew he would find a mystery to solve there too?

Snippet:

Here are some of the reasons I think there could be a ghost here:

I’ve seen doors close all by themselves.
I’ve felt cold air ripple through my fur.
And just eleventy-two days ago (or maybe yesterday) I heard strange noises under the floor in the library. Like a ghost was trying to get out!

_____________________________________________________________________

STEM Friday on October 14, 2011

STEM Friday is coming! (STEM is Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics)

The STEM Friday Round-up on October 14, 2011
is at Shelf-employed.

_____________________________________________________________________

Literary Links

When to stop working on your book. Have you ever made this tough, tough decision? (via @GalleyCat)

Teaching Now: Preparing Tech-Smart Teachers, TFA-style (Via @EdWeekTeacher)

_____________________________________________________________________

My NEW book, The Zombie Project (The Boxcar Children Mysteries #128)

Great Books

Picture Book of the Day

Sparky: The Fire Dog

by Don Hoffman (Author) and Todd Dakins (Illustrator)

Booktalk: Meet Sparky. This adorable Dalmation puppy–who’s celebrating his SIXTIETH birthday–is an important member of the team at the fire station. But he’s more than just a cute character in a book: Sparky is the official spokesdog for the National Fire Protection Agency (NFPA), and what he has to say can actually save lives.

Sparky the fire dog takes a group of young animals through the neighborhood, pointing out hazards, giving basic fire prevention and safety tips, and showing them how to be prepared in case of an emergency. From having a working smoke alarm to being careful with candles and knowing where your exits are, Sparky’s advice may be the most important thing children–and their parents–ever learn.

Snippet:

Roger knocks on Mrs. Sheep,s front door.

“Helloo, I’m out baaaack,” a voice calls,

“It’s Sparky and the Junior Inspectors.

We’re here to inspect your smoke alarms.”

BONUS! Watch the video and see how Sparky has changed over the years!

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j174sgpdgZg]

_____________________________________________________________________

5 Great Ghost Books

Don’t Walk Alone at Night!

by Veronika Martenova Charles (Author) and David Parkins (Illustrator)

Three boys tell each other spooky tales. Easy reader with chapters

Pup and Hound Scare a Ghost

by Susan Hood (Author) and Linda Hendry (Illustrator)

Pup and Hound chase a ghost! Level 1 easy reader

This Book Is Haunted

by Joanne Rocklin (Author) and JoAnn Adinolfi (Illustrator)

There are 6 scary stories in this Level 1 easy reader.

The Ghost Who Was Afraid of Halloween

by Samantha Brooke (Author)

Super Why and his friends help a scared ghost. Level 1 easy reader

The Mystery of the Pirate Ghost

by Geoffrey Hayes (Author, Illustrator)

Is there a ghost in Boogle Bay? Otto and Uncle Tooth are going to find out. Level 4 easy reader

_____________________________________________________________________

Chapter Book of the Day

Ballpark Mysteries #2: The Pinstripe Ghost

by David A. Kelly (Author) and Mark Meyers (Illustrator)

112 pages

Booktalk: There are rumors that the ghost of Babe Ruth is haunting the new baseball stadium! A chill air blasts down a service hallway before every home game, along with various thumps and bumps. Is the Bambino really searching for his missing locker?

Snippet:

“What about the ghost of Babe Ruth?” Mrs. Hopkins asked. “Will he show up this weekend?”

Kate turned to Mike, her brown eyes wide. “A ghost?” she asked. “How come Mom didn’t tell us about it?”

_____________________________________________________________________

Literary Links

What does a publisher actually do? The same things you would have to do to self-publish successfully (via @hunderdown)

Celebrate Fire Safety week with fun activities for the kids

_____________________________________________________________________

My NEW book, The Zombie Project (The Boxcar Children Mysteries #128)

Unexpected…

Picture Book of the Day

Ladder to the Moon

by Maya Soetoro-Ng (Author) and Yuyi Morales (Illustrator)

Booktalk: A little girl climbs a golden ladder to visit her late Gramdmother on the moon…

Snippet:

One cool new evening,

Suhaila asked her mama,

“What was Grandma Annie like?”

She was like the moon,” her mother replied.

“Full, soft, and curious.

Your grandma would wrap her arms

around the whole world if she could.”

_____________________________________________________________________

Chapter Book of the Day

The Vampire Dare! (Daphne’s Diary of Daily Disasters)

by Marissa Moss (Author, Illustrator)

80 pages

Booktalk: Daphne decides it’s kinda cool to be bitten by a vampire because you’ll live forever—and if you can’t die, you can’t get old and wrinkly. So when the teachers announce a costume day, Daphne wants to be the best vampire ever!

Snippet: There are three really hot things in my school these dys–Lamar Graham, the cutest boy in fourth grade, the horseradish the cafeteria serves with the hot dogs, and vampires. Any kind of vampire, but teenage or kid vampires are the best.

_____________________________________________________________________

Literary Links

Writng advice from agent Donald Maas: “What’s one way your MC tackles the big problem? Find another character who can do the same thing, or the opposite. Add.” (via @donmaass)

Nominate a book for the Cybils awards!

Preschool activity of the day: Make a Paper Pumpkin! (via @preschoolers)

_____________________________________________________________________

My NEW book, The Zombie Project (The Boxcar Children Mysteries #128)

Young Readers

Picture Book of the Day

I Go Potty!

by Scholastic Inc. (Corporate Author) and Emily Bolam (Illustrator)

Booktalk: A board book to help with that important task…

Snippet:

When I go potty,

Bear goes too.

_____________________________________________________________________

Chapter Book of the Day

Bad Kitty vs Uncle Murray

by Nick Bruel (Author, Illustrator)

162 pages

Booktalk: Bad Kitty’s owners have left her and Puppy alone for a week with good ‘ol Uncle Murray as pet sitter. How will he survive? Can he even make it out alive? A chapter book comic

Snippet:

UNCLE MURRAY: Okey doke! Goodbye! Good luck!

THE DOOR CLOSES

SFX (sound effects): MEOW WOOF ARF HISS CRASH KABLAM BARK FFT FFT BOOM HISS MEOW

_____________________________________________________________________

TAIR

I’m speaking at the Baylor TAIR Elementary Conference tomorrow!

_____________________________________________________________________

Literary Link

If you blog about science or math books tomorrow, come share your link!

_____________________________________________________________________

My NEW book, The Zombie Project (The Boxcar Children Mysteries #128)

Nonfiction Monday

Picture Book of the Day

The Fabulous Flying Machines of Alberto Santos-Dumont

by Victoria Griffith (Author) and Eva Montanari (Illustrator)

Booktalk: Alberto loved floating over Paris in his personal flying machine called a dirigible. He would tie it to a post, climb down, and spend the day shopping or meeting friends for coffee. But he wanted to make his invention even better.

Snippet: A crowd gathered around, excited to see the handsome Brazilian in person. “One day you’ll all have a flying machine!” he called out.

BONUS! See the silent video!

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JmySnehKmvs]

_____________________________________________________________________

Chapter Book of the Day

Mammoth Bones and Broken Stones: The Mystery of North America’s First People

by David L. Harrison (Author) and Richard Hilliard (Illustrator)

48 pages

Booktalk: Who were the first humans to reach North America? When did they arrive? How did they get here? Archaeologists have different opinions. Look at the evidence and see where it leads….

Snippet: In such a vast area, where do we look for signs thousands of years old of the first people? Traces of them lie in caves, buried in the earth, or even beneath the sea.

_____________________________________________________________________

Nonfiction Monday

Nonfiction Monday

This week’s Nonfiction Monday Round-up host is 100 Scope Notes

_____________________________________________________________________

October 2011 Online Workshops

The October 2011 workshops will begin on Wednesday, October 5th.

Which workshop is best for you?

New to children’s books?

Learn about the different types of children’s books in the Children’s Book Genres Workshop.

Ready to write?

Write and edit your book in the Intensive Picture Book Workshop or the Children’s Novels Workshop.

An online workshop does not have a physical meeting place or classroom hours. You will have 8 weeks to complete the 6 lessons in this online workshop. Turn your lessons in as you complete them, the next day…or on the due date two weeks later.

The October workshop dates are October 5-November 23.

The October workshops end on November 23rd, the Wednesday before Thanksgiving. The workshops begin again on January 4th, 2012.

_____________________________________________________________________

My NEW book, The Zombie Project (The Boxcar Children Mysteries #128)

Sillies

Picture Book of the Day

How Do Dinosaurs Laugh Out Loud?

by Jane Yolen (Author) and Mark Teague (Illustrator)

Booktalk: A lift-the-flap board book to answer the age old question, once and for all, How Do Dinosaurs Laugh Out Loud?

Snippet:

Where do dinosaurs shop?

LIFT THE FLAP

At the dino-store!

_____________________________________________________________________

Chapter Book of the Day

Nana Takes the Reins

by Kathleen Lane (Author), Sarah Home (Illustrator) and Cabell Harris (Contributor)

142 pages

Booktalk: Nana decides she wants to go to the rodeo to become a bull rider. But a run-in with bad guys Tuff and the Ruffies spins her day in a new direction. Before you can say “yee-haw,” Nana’s grandchildren, Eufala and Bog, join in on the wild adventure.

Snippet: “Bull riding!” exclamed Nana. “What fun! I haven’t ridden a bull in years. Nana felt around on the table for her scissors and accidently picked up a Fudge Freezie wrapper instead.

_____________________________________________________________________

September 2011 Carnival Of Children’s Literature

The September 2011 Carnival Of Children’s Literature
is online at Texas Librarian.

Thanks, Elaine! It looks great!

_____________________________________________________________________

Literary Links

Lowe’s Toolbox for Education Grants = $2,000-$5,000 per school! (deadline Oct 14)

_____________________________________________________________________

My NEW book is here!

Read and Write Sports: Readers Theatre and Writing Activities for Grades 3-8

Great Books

Picture Book of the Day

Fandango Stew

by David Davis (Author) and Ben Galbraith (Illustrator)

Booktalk: Luis and his grandfather Slim star in this fun Wild West version of Stone Soup. They sing as they cook….

Snippet:

“Chile’s good,

so is barbecue,

but nothing’s finer than

FANDANGO STEW!”

_____________________________________________________________________

Chapter Book of the Day

Marty McGuire

by Kate Messner (Author) and Brian Floca (Illustrator)

160 pages

Booktalk: Marty McGuire would rather spend recess catching frogs in the pond than playing dress-up with the other girls in third grade. So when her teacher casts Marty as the princess in the class play, Marty’s absolutely, positively sure that there’s been a huge mistake.

Snippet:

I take one…two-three…four little steps to the end of the log. I lean down. I stretch out my slippery, shimmery arm.

The bullfrog blinks.

_____________________________________________________________________

5 Great Books About Cats

Ali Cat Finds a Home

by Dandi Daley Mackall (Author) and Janet McDonnell (Illustrator)

Katy finds a stray kitten and learns to take care of her. Level 1 easy reader

Cat Traps

by Molly Coxe (Author, Illustrator)

Cat wants a snack, but a trap leads to trouble! Level 1 easy reader

Mac and Cheese

by Sarah Weeks (Author) and Jane Manning (Illustrator)

Mac and Cheese are city cats who are opposites. Level 1 easy reader

Ringo Saves The Day! : A True Story

by Andrew Clements (Author) and Ellen Beier (Illustrator)

A woman adopts a cat and the cat saves her life. Level 2 easy reader

The Cat in the Hat

by Dr. Seuss (Author, Illustrator)

Have you read this classic easy reader to a child today?

_____________________________________________________________________

Literary Link

Common-Core Study Methodology Questioned #curriculum (via @educationweek)

_____________________________________________________________________

My NEW book is here!

Read and Write Sports: Readers Theatre and Writing Activities for Grades 3-8

Nonfiction Monday

Picture Book of the Day

Mule Train Mail

by Craig Brown (Author, Illustrator)

Booktalk: Anthony the Postman delivers the mail, but he doesn’t drive a mail truck. See how he does it…

Snippet: Anthony the Postman doesn’t wear a uniform. He wears a cowboy hat, chaps and spurs.

________________________________________________________________________

Chapter Book of the Day

Explorers of the New World: Discover the Golden Age of Exploration with 22 Projects (Build It Yourself series)

by Carla Mooney (Author)

128 pages

Booktalk: Delve into the expeditions of Vasco da Gama, Christopher Columbus, Ferdinand Magellan, John Cabot, Hernán Cortés, and more. Using common household items and minimal supervision, kids enjoy 22 hands-on activities to help them learn about these legendary explorers and their voyages during the Age of Exploration and Discovery.

Snippet: Most of the projects in this book can be made with little adult supervision, using materials you already have at home or can easily find at a craft store. So get ready to step back into time and discover the men who were the explorers of the New World and the kings and queens who sent them on their journeys.

________________________________________________________________________

Nonfiction Monday

Nonfiction Monday

This week’s Nonfiction Monday Round-up host is True Tales & A Cherry On Top

________________________________________________________________________

Literary Link

Publishing Innovation Awards for ebooks, enhanced ebooks, and apps: deadline Nov 1. (via @loreenleedy)

Fascinating piece from National Geographic about teen brains. (via @tashrow)

________________________________________________________________________

My NEW picture book Road Work Ahead is here!