The Lion's Share

The Lion's Share
Matthew McElligott
Walker Childrens
2009

The Lion's Share is a marvelous, boldly drawn picture book that portrays both a charming story about sharing and greediness as well as illustrating essential math concepts. A lion invites the jungle animals to a dinner party every year, and this is the ant's first time to attend. He is horrified by the other guests' behavior and greediness....When the cake is passed around, the elephant goes first and cuts the cake in half. Each animal, in turn, cuts the remaining cake in half; all that is left for the ant to cut in half simply turns to crumbs when he tries to cut it.  In an effort to make amends for there not being enough cake left for him to share with the lion (after the other animals have had "their share"), he offers to make the lion a cake. Not to be outdone, the animal next in line promptly offers to make twice the number of cakes as the previous animal. By the time the elephant is volunteering, he commits to a large number of cakes! Illustrations nicely capture the shrinking and growing numbers.

Recommended for older preschool and up!

Books Children Love

Books Children Love
Elizabeth Laraway Wilson
Susan Schaeffer Macaulay
Crossway
2002

Another must have resource for parents! Those familiar with Francis Schaeffer may recognize his daughter's name as one of the co-authors. Wilson and Laraway have put together a terrific collection of book lists in the educational spirit of Charlotte Mason who advocated "living books" as a means to educate children (instead of "dead textbooks"). Thus, the book is filled with lists of nonfiction books that are really interesting to children and accurate enough to be good sources of information. There are nonfiction categories as well (fantasy, fairy tales, etc.), but I think the nonfiction sections really shine. So many other lists for children ignore these types of categories or under-represent them. Nice, succinct summaries of books are provided so that readers can know what the book is about. Lists are categorized and well-organized.

Again, a print-based book of book lists can only include books published before its own publication date. Megan and I seek, on this blog, to direct you to recent books that might be included in such worthy resources as this when next they are updated. (And critically evaluate current resources in general) We also enjoy reviewing books that have already been covered in such books as Books Children Love and examining whether they have stood the test of time.

Newbery, Caldecott Awards--2012

The results are in, ladies and gentlemen! This morning, at the ALA mid-winter conference in Dallas, the 2012 Youth Media Awards were announced. I'm proud to say that I've reviewed a couple of these works in the past year and noted their worthiness in one way or another--and I'm EXTRA glad to see one of my all-time favorite authors win the Margaret A. Edwards award for lifetime achievement. I keep meaning to review Susan Cooper's fantasy series, but haven't had the time to do her justice. Thankfully, others are also recognizing her! (I should admit that she featured prominently in my MA thesis, so perhaps "doing her justice" in blog form would take me a while.... )

I'm not necessarily recommending these works; remember, a committee made up of people chose these works. The National Book Award and the Boston Globe-Hornbook Award have been announced within the past few months as well. It's worth reading these books and knowing "what's hot" and "what's not."

At any rate, here is the shortlist of the most well-known awards. Check the link above to see the full list. If a book has been reviewed on this blog, I'll link to it below.

Newbery (most outstanding contribution to children's literature)

• Winner: Dead End in Norvelt by Jack Gantos
• Honor: Inside Out and Back Again by Thanha Lai
• Honor: Breaking Stalin's Nose by Eugene Yelchin

Caldecott (most distinguished American picture book for children)

• Winner: A Ball for Daisy by Chris Raschka
• Honor: Blackout by John Rocco (I've been meaning to review this one--it's GREAT)
• Honor: Grandpa Green by Lane Smith
• Honor: Me...Jane by Patrick McDonnell

Printz (excellence in literature written for young adults)

• Winner: Where Things Come Back by John Corey Whaley
• Honor: Why We Broke Up by Daniel Handler
• Honor: The Returning by Christine Hinwood
• Honor: Jasper Jones by Craig Silvey
• Honor: The Scorpio Races by Maggie Stiefvater

I'll be checking out these and other award winners when I get the chance and will then review them here! I've also read/reviewed Between Shades of Grey which was an honor book for the award for first novels. 

Confessions and the "Canon"

First, my two confessions:

1. Despite my desire to "keep short accounts" and finish the books currently on my bookshelves, I have already been bitten hard by the bug to keep reading others' (new) recommendations.... I have 4 books in process right now, one of which has languished on my bookcase for a few months, one of which was a library checkout prompted by some review somewhere, and two are Advance Review Copies (ARCs) on my Nook. (sigh) The plus side is that they're all GREAT, so stay tuned!
2. I've never read Jane Eyre.

I know, right?! How can someone carry on with a literature blog, profess to have been an English major in college, a former English teacher, and have a literature-based MA... and NOT have read Jane Eyre? It's a shocker. (Thankfully, I'm not the only one with this dark and dirty little secret.)

So, I'm going to redefine my goals for this year. First, I'm not going to attempt to read every book that sits on my bookshelves, hitherto unread by me. Second, I'm really going to make an attempt to finally read Jane Eyre. My secret lurks in the back of my mind, calling out "fraud!" 

Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow

I did NOT mean to publish this post yet, so you'll have to bear with me while I edit it "live" as it were....

January is definitely a time for wintry reading, even if you're in a part of the country (like me) that doesn't see much snow. Check out these wonderful snow-y picture books--some new and some old--during your next library visit. I'll include a link to making your own snowflakes at the end as well--a very fun, inexpensive way to enrich your reading experience.  (all images and publication info taken from goodreads)


Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening
Robert Frost, author
Susan Jeffers, illustrator
Dutton
1978

Frost's poem unfurls against the backdrop of Jeffers' marvelous illustrations. There's a Christmas-y twist to this one, but it's still worth reading in January. Good read aloud to all ages.


Snowflake Bentley
Jacqueline Briggs, author
Mary Azarian, illustrator
Houghton Mifflin
Caldecott Medal
1998

I have Megan to thank for my autographed copy of this gem. A picture book biography of Wilson Bentley, a key researcher into snowflakes (he first discovered that they have 6 sides and are all different). Side bars give more information than the storyline text, making this book suitable for multiple ages. Azarian's woodcuts really make the story stand out (as evidenced by her Caldecott Medal!).

No Two Alike
Keith Baker
Simon and Schuster
2011

Two little birds--who look almost alike--marvel at how no two things are alike...even if they look almost alike. Snowflakes start them off, and they continue their explorations against a beautiful, simple winter backdrop. This is one that will delight the youngest readers! To make a six-sided snowflake, check out the author's great tutorial.



The Snowy Day
Ezra Jack Keats
Puffin
Caldecott Medal
1962

Here's a classic that still delights young readers/listeners 50 years later. Keats deservedly won a Caldecott for his illustrations in this simple story of a young boy exploring the night's snowfall.



Houndsley and Catina and the Quiet Time
James Howe, author
Marie-Louise Gay, illustrator
Candlewick
2008


I've mentioned Houndsley and Catina before, but it's worth a reminder here to point out this particular volume--Houndsley and Catina enjoy the softer side of winter in this wonderfully gentle book. An early reader that works for a quiet read aloud to older preschoolers as well.


Poppleton in Winter
Cynthia Rylant, author
Mark Teague, illustrator
Blue Sky Press
2001

We're big Poppleton fans around here! Another easy reader series that's wonderful, but this particular volume shows Poppleton in the snow as well dreaming up ways to entertain himself indoors.


Frog and Toad All Year
Arnold Lobel
HarperTrophy
1984

Since I've mentioned some early readers, I can't NOT mention my FAVORITE early reader series, can I? This book covers more than just snow/winter... but it's a great romp through each season with Frog and Toad.

The Way Back Home--more Jeffers love...

The Way Back Home
Oliver Jeffers
Philomel
2008

Wow! I like this one maybe even more than Lost and Found or Up and Down. The art is so charming. The storyline is just right for preschoolers. The boy in the story finds an airplane in his closet and decides to fly it (of course! what else would you do with it?). He ends up on the moon, out of gas. A friendly little martian lands on the moon, too. Together they figure out how to help each get home.

The pacing is pitch perfect for preschoolers and kindergartners. The art is wonderful. I'm going to seek out more of Jeffers' books for sure! (They've passed the kid test with flying colors, too--my kids gleefully followed the narrative through the pictures (some pages have few words) and pointed out the penguin from other books of Jeffers').

Recommended read aloud to toddler/preschooler and up

Valentine's Day Cards... be still my beating heart!!

OK, I know I could get all crafty and such with my kids for Valentine's Day... and maybe we will for a few select folks. But, how's THIS for a terrific option for the bibliophiles among us?? They're a wee bit pricey, I confess, but I'm sorely tempted....