June Books

Children's book expert Elizabeth Kennedy recently posted a list of books for June holidays and events, like this one in honor of Flag Day on June 14. You can find her list at http://childrensbooks.about.com/od/whatsnewhot/a/June_kids_books.htm. For more summer reading fun, don't forget Big T's library every Wednesday through July 28 between 3-6 p.m. for the "Read and Weed" program. Parents and children can enjoy nature stories, and experience nature first-hand in Big T's garden and outdoor education center. For more information, go to www.bigthompsonelementary.org, and scroll down until you see the first listing under "Current Events" on the right side of the page.

Summer Reading Lists

Looking for lists of great books for your children to read this summer? Try one of these:

http://www.pkwy.k12.mo.us/panda/subjectlinks/elemreading.html

http://www.haisln.org/recommendedreadinglists.html

http://www.nlc.state.ne.us/libdev/summerreading/2010mas_handoutwithnotes.pdf

They all are courtesy of Elizabeth Kennedy, the About.com "Children's Books" blogger. For more information, see her column at:

http://specials.about.com/service/newsletters/childrensbooks/1273143600.htm

Pooh is Back!

If you love Pooh, you'll enjoy the return of Christopher Robin after 80 years! Return to the Hundred Acre Wood, by David Benedictus, is written and illustrated in the style of the original books, and has been approved by the Trustees of the Pooh Properties. In an interview on National Public Radio, the author said he wanted to introduce a new character, and favored a grass snake as a counterpoint to the other sweet characters. The trustees, however, did not approve, so he created Lottie the Otter, who is still somewhat "snotty and a snob," he said. Check it out! (I haven't seen it at the public library yet, but I think it's on order.)

Welcome to the Big T Book Blog for 2009-2010

Welcome to the 2009-2010 school year! I will be posting new items on this Book Blog at least every week, and look forward to comments from readers. Tell me about books you and your children are reading, or great web sites about books you've found.

Here's a neat site: the Front Range Downloadable Library, where you can get free downloads of books. Although it does take a little computer savvy and some downloading time, it's well worth it to get free audio books your children can enjoy hearing. Just go to http://frontrange.lib.overdrive.com, and follow the directions. If you need help, stop by and see me at school, and I'll be glad to help! Thank you to Christa Ahrens, a mom of two Big T students, for suggesting this site!

Our second item comes from the Hayden family at Big T. They suggested an audio book called The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane, a story about a china rabbit that gets lost and has many adventures. The language is delectable, and I hear the story is touching and heartwarming! To find out more about this book ~ including an excerpt ~ go to the author's web site at www.edwardtulane.com. It's also available from the above-mentioned Front Range Downloadable Library.



Another suggestion from the Haydens is also available from the Front Range Downloadable Library as an audio book ~ Peter and the Starcatchers is the first in a series of books by Dave Barry (yes, the humor columnist Dave Barry). Here's the description from the library site: "In an evocative and fast-paced adventure on the high seas and on a faraway island an orphan boy named Peter and his mysterious new friend, Molly, overcome bands of pirates and thieves in their quest to keep a fantastical secret safe and save the world from evil. Bestselling authors Dave Barry and Ridley Pearson have turned back the clock and revealed a wonderful story that precedes J. M. Barrie's beloved Peter Pan. Peter and the Starcatchers is brimming with richly developed characters from the scary but somehow familiar Black Stache and the ferocious Mister Grin to the sweet but sophisticated Molly and the fearless Peter. Riveting adventure takes listeners on a journey from a harsh orphanage in old England to a treacherous sea in a decrepit old tub. Aboard the Never Land is a trunk that holds a magical substance with the power to change the fate of the world - just a sprinkle and wounds heal and just a dusting and people can fly. Towering seas and a violent storm are the backdrop for battles at sea. Bone-crushing waves eventually land our characters on Mollusk Island - where the action really heats up."



One more suggestion from the Haydens: the Percy Jackson series for older students (grades 4 and 5 at least). Information from the official web site (www.percyjacksonbooks.com) describes the series this way: "Join the adventures of Percy Jackson and his modern demigod friends as they fight mythological monsters and the forces of the titan lord Kronos."



Please share YOUR favorite children's books on our Big T Book Blog! You can either post comments on this blog, e-mail me at school (coalwelll@thompson.k12.co.us), leave a message on my voicemail (613-5629), or catch me in person at Big T!
Lisa Coalwell, Big T Literacy Teacher

Great Web Site

Please excuse my absence ~ I have been working as an education park ranger (with a badge and the cool hat, even!) this summer, and thought I'd have more time to do postings! I'm on my last three weeks there, and finally have some breathing room!

So, here's a great site with lists of great books for all-age kids by writer and educator Elizabeth Kennedy. For example, right now you can see her "August Calendar of Children's Books," peruse several summer reading lists, and find books about starting school, for those apprehensive little ones, or for students moving to a new school.

You can even sign up to have updates delivered to you by e-mail. Let me know if you like it:
http://childrensbooks.about.com/

~Lisa Coalwell

Reading Rockets Literacy Bags Website

Here's a neat Web site for parents of younger readers! It has bookmarks with lists of books you can find at the library (don't forget Big T's library will be open on Wednesdays during the summer from 3-7 p.m.), as well as activities to go with each topic.

http://www.readingrockets.org/article/27935

(HINT: Check out the neat "Paper Bag Trees" activity under the "Environment" topic!)

It's really a site for teachers to create book bags to send home to families, but I didn't discover it until today, so I've run out of time to make the bags, but I wanted you to get the information anyway!

Enjoy!
Mrs. Coalwell

Reading Web Site for Younger Readers

"Starfall" is a fun reading web site for readers up to about second grade. We really enjoy using it at Big T! (Please note that all web sites mentioned on this blog will be included in the "Links" section below the "Welcome" column on the right-hand side of this page).

http://www.starfall.com/

Enjoy!