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JANUARY 31, 2010
A Mirror to Nature: Poems About Reflection by Jane Yolen
Prolific author, Jane Yolen, has written an intriguing poetry book about reflection. It is a short book, only 12 poems. Her poems are accompanied by gorgeous photographs of animals and birds in the wild. In the poems, they talk about reflection, not just as a mirror image, but as a way of thinking in a new way. Refection is also a way of seeing things in a different perspective. Each photograph has a side note of simple facts for each animal. As you look and look again, you can see a different perspective. This would be a good book for poetry, nature, and ecology collections. Recommended for grades 2-5.
This is a poignant story about a very sweet, unusual little boy who is going through some difficult times. Griffin Silk is the youngest of five children, and the only boy. Griffin blames himself for the death of his baby sister and his mama’s depression. He is also starting school for the first time and is teased about his unusual name and unique family.
This is a lot of pressure for a young boy. Griffin finds solace and companionship in his friendship with Layla. She helps him to realize that it is okay to grieve and that the baby’s death was not his fault. With Layla’s help, Griffin’s Mama finds her way back home. Griffin and Layla help the Silk family to overcome their grief by celebrating the baby’s short life. They name her Tishkin Silk. With this naming day honor, the Silk family can come to closure on this one life and renew their own lives.
Gently written, this a tender story to savor. Recommended for readers in grades 3-5.
Can you imagine not liking birthdays, not parties or presents or cake? That was how Bear felt. He thought he was just to busy for birthdays, especially his own. His little friend, Mouse, insists on Bear celebrating his own birthday. Mouse tries several creative and humorous ways to get Bear into the birthday mood! Finally Bear gets into gear and learns just how nice it can be to have a birthday with all the trimmings like balloons, cake and presents!
A Birthday for Bear is a fun book to read aloud to younger children and an appropriate book for first and second graders to read on their own.
Andy Shane and the Barn Sale Mystery by Jennifer Richard Jacobson
It is so hard to find the right gift for someone on their birthday.It is even harder to find a gift for their “unbirthday” party.Andy wants just the right gift for Granny Webb’s “unbirthday” celebration.After a great idea has come to him, Andy conducts a barn sale (what we might call a garage sale) to make the money necessary to purchase a binocular case for Granny’s binoculars.Granny loves to walk in the woods and observe nature with her binoculars.When counting the money to purchase the binocular case, Andy discovers Granny’s binoculars were accidentally sold in the barn sale.Andy and his friend, Delores Starbuckle, set out to find who purchased the binoculars.This leads to an amazing trail of purchasers.Can they find the binoculars before the “unbirthday” party?
This book is a great read for boys and girls in grades 1-2.Even a reluctant reader could find this mystery intriguing.
