Vintage Children's Book Website

I blundered into this Vintage Kid's Books My Kid Loves website and really enjoyed it. If you would like to introduce your child to some favorites from the not too distant past, check out this website. This blogger finds her books at garage sales, Ebay, used book stores and library sales. Now that we're all thinking "green", used books are just one way to help the environment.
Speaking of library sales, did you know that funds from the Friends of the Library book sales finance more than just everyday library needs? If you visit the Youth Department, you'll see our new Peek-A-Book, provided by our generous Friends. We are so lucky to have such supportive Friends and patrons, too! Thank you all!

Bad Christmas Jokes!

What do angry mice send at Christmas?
Cross mouse cards.

Where do snowmen dance?
At a snowball.

Who carries a sack and bites people?
Santa Jaws.

How does Santa begin a joke?
"This one will sleigh you...."

Your Opinion Here!

I am always curious whether your opinion of the books I review are the same as mine. If you have read the same books I've reviewed, let me know your opinion. After all, you might read something in the book that I've missed. Let's discuss amongst ourselves, shall we?

Alien and Fairy Tale Lovers and Teachers Take Note!

Just finished reading "The True Meaning of Smekday" by Adam Rex. Twelve year old Tip Tucci's mom has been taken by the Boovs, aliens who have invaded Earth, now renamed Smekland. The Boovs relocate all humans to Florida and Tip, in an effort to reunite with her mother, decides to drive there. On the way she meets J.Lo, a friendly Boov, who has mistakenly alerted an even fiercer alien nation to the crisis on earth and is on the run himself. The unlikely pair must gather forces to defeat the aliens and find Tip's mom. Let's see, forced relocation, Happy Mouse Kingdom (get it?), aliens.... Teacher alert--this would make a great book discussion! Not only is it a great read, the discussion possibilities are endless! This book would do well with fifth through eighth graders.

Well, we move from aliens to fairy tales. In Sharon Creech's "The Castle Corona",
King Guido and his family lead a boring life. His three children are vain, vacant and selfish. Enter village orphans Pia and Enzio. These feisty children are witness to a chase involving the king's men and a thief. In the course of the chase, a leather pouch marked with the king's seal is dropped and Pia and Enzio retrieve it. Unable to read the letter inside and afraid of what might happen to them if they are found with the pouch, they hide it. Ahh, they ARE summoned to the castle and.....well, read the book to find out what happens next. This book is aimed toward fourth through sixth graders.

Enjoy "Happy Chanukah"!

Enjoy "The Grumpy Christmas Elf"!

Kwanzaa, Hanukkah and Christmas Candle Craft

Candles have always given me a warm fuzzy feeling during the holidays. No matter if you celebrate Hanukkah, Christmas or Kwanzaa, candles have always been a symbol of miracles, hope, family and love. Let's celebrate the holidays with an easy craft for your littlest crafters. You will need construction paper, yellow tissue paper, glue or tape, and as many toilet paper rolls as candles you would like to make. Here's the link:http://www.enchantedlearning.com/crafts/kwanza/candles/.

I know it says Kwanzaa candles but just vary the amount and the color of the candles and you will have Hanukkah candles or Christmas candles. This picture illustrates how to put the tissue paper flame into the end of the candle.

Take time during this hectic season to sit down with your little ones and create a special holiday memory. It is always time well spent!

Nasty weather won't deter us!

Did you decorate your home for the holidays last week? I was out in the freezing rain trying to put up Christmas lights and gave up! Thank goodness someone else took over and I'm really ready to start all the holiday cooking, cleaning and decorating inside. Well, maybe just a little. There are so many good new books, I can't stop reading! "Peter and the Secret of Rundoon" by Dave Barry and Ridley Pearson is waiting on my nightstand. As you recall, Peter Pan and the Lost Boys last tangled with the evil Lord Ombra when he began to control people through their shadows in "Peter and the Shadow Thieves." Man, I thought Lord Ombra was dead! Well, apparently he's back and I can't wait to find out how Peter foils him this time. This book would be appreciated by fifth through eighth graders.

Molly Moon is back also. "Molly Moon, Micky Minus and the Mind Machine" by Georgia Byng features our time traveling Molly Moon returning from the future with the ability to read minds. But the diabolical Princess Fang arrives with her mind machine and the fur begins to fly! Third through fifth graders, this one's for you!

Garth Nix brings us his new "One Beastly Beast (Two Aliens, Three Inventors, Four Fantastic Tales)". In "Dear Reader", Nix describes himself as a child who loved fantasy books and states, "When I grew up, I found that I didn't want to just read stories like that, I wanted to write them." Well, in four short stories, Nix crams in video pirates, a genius girl, an orphaned boy, sea serpents and lots of adventure! Third through fifth graders, take this one also!
Well, off I go to read more books! YEA!