Gerald McBoing Boing February 27, 2009
Posted by jcarlson in : Picture Books , 7comments
This is one of my favorite Dr. Seuss books because it shows that it’s okay to be different. More than 50 years ago, Dr. Seuss wrote a story about a boy who spoke in sound effects, not words. It was made into a cartoon which won an Academy Award in 1951. In 2000, the book Gerald McBoing Boing was published.
Yes, Gerald cannot speak words. He makes noises instead. Boom! Bang! Clop, clop! Clang! Sadly, Gerald doesn’t have any friends and decides to run away. Before he has a chance to escape, the owner of a radio station discovers him and hires him as a sound effects specialist. Gerald is happy because someone appreciates his unique talent.
March 2nd is Dr. Seuss’s birthday. Why don’t you celebrate it by reading one of his books?
~Mrs. Carlson~
For the Love of Autumn by Patricia Polacco February 23, 2009
Posted by jcarlson in : Animal Fiction, Picture Books , 4commentsDo you believe in love at first sight? Danielle Parks does! Miss Parks fell 
in love immediately with Autumn, her playful kitten companion. Autumn attacked her ankles, knocked over the trash, and would lie right in the middle of any papers that Miss Parks tried to grade! At the end of each day Autumn would snuggle up in Miss Park’s arms until they both fell asleep. Miss Parks seemed to have everything going for her… she loved her job teaching, her cottage by the sea, and especially Autumn. Then one night there was a terrible storm, and Autumn disappeared. Miss Parks and her students looked everywhere for little Autumn. After several weeks, they began to believe she was gone forever. They were wrong! Autumn, also known as Stormy, was living a double life! Read For the Love of Autumn to find out how Miss Parks lost her cat, temporarily, but gained a family in the end!
Moving Day by Jo S. Kittinger February 23, 2009
Posted by jcarlson in : First Readers , 3comments
In the story Moving Day, there is a girl who is upset that she has to move. She does not get angry or start pouting. She agrees to move and says good-bye to her friends. When she gets to her new house, it turns out she likes it.
I really like the book because soon I might be moving, and it really helps me deal with moving. Please, if you read my review, promise me you will read this book!
~Alicia, Third Grader~
Coraline by Neil Gaiman February 17, 2009
Posted by jcarlson in : Ghosts Fiction, Horror Fiction, Podcasts , 9comments
If you want to hear about the scary book upon which the movie Coraline is based, listen to this podcast by Mrs. Carlson.
Warning: If you frighten easily, do not click the play button!
Million Dollar Putt by Dan Gutman February 17, 2009
Posted by jcarlson in : Realistic Fiction, Sports Fiction , 7comments
I wonder if Tiger Woods could beat a blind 13 year old boy in a round of golf. I’m not sure he could beat Bogie, the main character in Million Dollar Putt.
Bogie doesn’t let his blindness stop him from trying anything. He can ride a bike, play the guitar, and even parasail. When he visits a driving range with classmates, he discovers he has a terrific golf swing. Someone enters Bogie in a golf tournament with a million dollar prize. Bogie’s neighbor, a kooky 13 year old girl named Birdie, offers to be his coach. Bogie and Birdie become a team and best friends.
I thought this was a terrific book. It’s not only about golf and trying to beat the odds, it’s about helping a friend gain confidence. If you read this book, you’ll discover that Bogie and Birdie wind up helping each other. Be prepared for the ending. It’s exciting and touching.
~Mrs. Carlson~
The Chameleon Wore Chartreuse by Bruce Hale February 17, 2009
Posted by jcarlson in : Mystery , 1 comment so far
“Some cases start rough. Some cases start easy. This one started with a dame. (That’s what we private eyes call a girl.)” It’s pretty clear from the first paragraph, that The Chameleon Who Wore Chartreuse is a mystery. It’s a rather funny mystery and the first book in the Chet Gecko series.
Chet Gecko is a fourth grade detective … and he’s a gecko. Matter of fact, all the characters in this book are animals. Chet is trying to find a chameleon named Billy who was last seen with an angry Gila monster named Herman. Chet, along with his sidekick Natalie the mockingbird, follows clues through the school and encounters a variety of students and teachers. Some are helpful while others throw him red herrings. (Red herrings are items or statements made by people that distract the detective from the real clues.) If you want to find out if Chet Gecko finds Billy, read this humorous book.
~Mrs. Carlson~
Eyewitness Books Series February 13, 2009
Posted by jcarlson in : Nonfiction , 1 comment so far
Are you a reader who prefers non-fiction? Do you like to learn a lot about a specific topic? Have you seen any of the 26 (yes, that’s twenty-six) EYEWITNESS BOOKS in our library?
The Eyewitness series includes many books on specific types of animals, such as reptiles, mammals, and fish. Each book is jam-packed with information, photographs, and interesting details. There are also Eyewitness books about fascinating groups, including poisonous animals, armored animals, and animal disguises.
You can become an expert on the book’s topic if you read every word. Or just look at the many photographs and enjoy learning a little. Either way, you are an EYEWITNESS to knowledge.
~Mrs. Gaston~
Fancy Nancy’s Favorite Fancy Words by Jane O’Connor February 8, 2009
Posted by jcarlson in : Picture Books , 6comments
Bonjour, everybody! If you know a little girl who loves my books, you should show her this one. It’s a compendium (a fancy word for collection) of my favorite fancy words. They’re in alphabetical order, just like a dictionary. Did you know a parasol is an old-fashioned umbrella that protects you from the sun? Or that a xenophile is a person who loves foreign people and things? Do you know what it means to improvise? You can learn many exotic words by reading this book.
Ooh la la! Here is a picture of my book. Isn’t it gorgeous?
In closing, remember lavender works with almost everything!
~Fancy Nancy~
The Mouse of Amherst by Elizabeth Spires February 3, 2009
Posted by jcarlson in : Animal Fiction, Podcasts, Poetry Fiction , 4comments
The narrator of this book is a mouse named Emmaline. Emmaline feels that she is “nothing more than a crumb gatherer, a cheese nibbler, a mouse-of-little purpose.” She moves into the Dickinson family’s house, into Emily’s bedroom to be exact. Emmaline discovers that Emily is a poet. She also discovers her own talent for writing poems. The two poets exchange their lovely poems which are inspired by their daily experiences. Eventually Emmaline has to leave. Read this book to find out why!
Emily Dickinson, one of the main characters in The Mouse of Amherst, is a real American poet who lived in Amherst, Massachusetts in the 1800’s. Emily was very quiet and stayed at home most of her life. She hid in her bedroom like a mouse hides in the wall. After her death, her sister discovered that Emily had written almost 2,000 poems. Although this book is fiction, it does contain some true information about Emily Dickinson as well as some of her poems.
~Mrs. Carlson~
To hear one of Emily Dickinson’s poems, listen to the podcast by Mrs. Carlson.