 |
| One of four posters featuring zippety |
 |
| Playing Feed Zippety a Cookie |
 |
| fishing - photo by Nicholas Navarre |
 |
| Playing Musical Statues - photo by Nicholas Navarre |
 |
| Wearing our Zippety hats with Zippety! |
Saturday, March 28, 2015
Zippety Day!
Today was Zippety Day at my library, a day to celebrate our mascot. And what better way to celebrate than with a party? With games, crafts, a specially written story, and a craft, Zippety Day is one of our favorite events to plan.
Friday, March 27, 2015
Book review - Black Dove, White Raven
Author: Elizabeth Wein
Genre: historical fiction
Similar books: Listening for Lions by Gloria Whelan
Flygirl by Sherri L. Smith
Rating:
 |
| Pretty epic |
Summary: Rhoda, Emilia, and Teo moved to Ethiopia from the United States in the 1930s. They wanted to escape the racial tensions and judgement that came along with a white woman raising a black child. They fell in love with their new country. When war with Italy threatens, they find themselves caught up in a new conflict. Will their new country save them or tear them apart?
My Opinion: Dual perspective, journal style writing can be hard to pull off but Wein is more than up to the task. The sheer scope of this novel may be off-putting for some but it is well worth the effort. This novel is a great source of cultural and historical education. It gives the reader a great deal to think about and discuss. The issues at play here (slavery, racial equality, colonialism, etc) are complex and have no simple resolution. It portrays each character's perspective not as "right" but as emphatic. And I like that the ending isn't a simply happy-ever-after but a sense of growth and ongoing change.
More information: Black Dove, White Raven releases March 31.
Advanced Reader Copy provided by NetGalley.
Thursday, March 26, 2015
Books on screen
If you've read this book (and if you haven't you really ought to) you know that the first 3/4 of this book center around family humor. Its only in the final chapters, once they arrive in Alabama, that the serious political issues come into play. The movie version eliminates most of those early scenes and incorporates far more scenes of racial tension. It adds a scene where Byron and Kenny try to eat at a southern lunch counter and adds in cousins who talk about marching in a protest. While these things are important historically they entirely change the tone of the story. The original story shows us kids who have their eyes opened to injustice by as moment of intense violence. The movie makes it more of a process. More about a political situation and less about the individual. So, while both have merit, I personally prefer the novel. And if you enjoy audio books, this one is read by Levar Burton.
Wednesday, March 25, 2015
WWW Wednesdays
What are you currently reading?
The Lost Prince by Matt Myklusch
For as long as he can remember, Dean has been a spy for the pirate king One-Eyed Jack. An assignment to spy on captain Gentleman Jim gets complicated when they cross paths with men who claim to be Seekers from the hidden country of Zenhala. These men think Dean is their lost prince. He goes along with them to gather treasure for One-Eyed Jack, but as the trials go on Dean begins to question his mission.
This book combines the thrill of pirates with the intrigue of missing royalty. The characters have great depth. I love what I've read so far and don't anticipate that opinion changing as I read on.
What did you recently finish reading?
Anywhere But Paradise by Anne Bustard
The year is 1960 and Peggy Sue's family has just moved to Hawaii. Peggy Sue never wanted to leave Texas in the first place and having to quarantine her beloved cat, being one of only a few white students in her entire school, and not understanding local customs convinces her that Hawaii is just about the opposite of where she wants to be. Will Peggy Sue's opinion change or will living in Hawaii turn out to be the worst possible choice her parents have ever made?
This short read has a great sense of place and character. It's historical fiction but has more universal lessons. It could be a great read for upper elementary school kids. Besides, who doesn't like reading about Hawaii?
What do you think you will read next?
Ask the Dark by Henry Turner
A story about the local problem kid going up against a killer.
The Lost Prince by Matt Myklusch
For as long as he can remember, Dean has been a spy for the pirate king One-Eyed Jack. An assignment to spy on captain Gentleman Jim gets complicated when they cross paths with men who claim to be Seekers from the hidden country of Zenhala. These men think Dean is their lost prince. He goes along with them to gather treasure for One-Eyed Jack, but as the trials go on Dean begins to question his mission.
This book combines the thrill of pirates with the intrigue of missing royalty. The characters have great depth. I love what I've read so far and don't anticipate that opinion changing as I read on.
What did you recently finish reading?
Anywhere But Paradise by Anne Bustard
The year is 1960 and Peggy Sue's family has just moved to Hawaii. Peggy Sue never wanted to leave Texas in the first place and having to quarantine her beloved cat, being one of only a few white students in her entire school, and not understanding local customs convinces her that Hawaii is just about the opposite of where she wants to be. Will Peggy Sue's opinion change or will living in Hawaii turn out to be the worst possible choice her parents have ever made?
This short read has a great sense of place and character. It's historical fiction but has more universal lessons. It could be a great read for upper elementary school kids. Besides, who doesn't like reading about Hawaii?
What do you think you will read next?
Ask the Dark by Henry Turner
A story about the local problem kid going up against a killer.
Tuesday, March 24, 2015
Book review - Frank Einstein and the Elctro-Finger
Author: Jon Scieszka
Genre: sci-fi/humor
Similar books: Dino-Mike and the T. Rex Attack by Franco Aureliani
The Magic School Bus series by Joanna Cole
Rating:
 |
| very educational |
Summary: Frank Einstein and his best friend Watson are working on an invention to provide free energy to everyone in Midville. Their rival, Edison, will do anything to stop them so everyone will have to get their energy from his power company at whatever prices he pleases. In the process Frank, Watson, and the reader learn about forms of energy.
My Opinion: This series has loads of great science information presented in a kid-friendly manner. This book alone teaches about the laws of motion, simple machines, types of energy, magnetism, and even how a solar cell works (something I confess I did not know). Add in a relatively entertaining plot with a really fun cast of characters and this becomes an easy recommendation for young readers.
Advanced Reader Copy provided by NetGalley.
Monday, March 23, 2015
Experimenting with t-shirt crafts
Ever get an idea and run with it without really thinking through all the steps or really making a solid plan? I usually rein in those impulses but occasionally I like to just freeform a craft. Sometimes the results are great (like with the goat puppet I made for my nephew) and sometimes they're .... well, the craft I'm sharing with you today.
This project started with a doodle of a rag doll with striped socks. I knew I had some scraps of a striped t-shirt tucked away so I found some other t-shirts that coordinated and just ran with it. I didn't even make any patterns. Which is why one arm is longer than the other and one leg of the shorts is significantly wider. Still, I feel like the base concept is solid and if I take the time to create an actual pattern it could be a project worth repeating.
This project started with a doodle of a rag doll with striped socks. I knew I had some scraps of a striped t-shirt tucked away so I found some other t-shirts that coordinated and just ran with it. I didn't even make any patterns. Which is why one arm is longer than the other and one leg of the shorts is significantly wider. Still, I feel like the base concept is solid and if I take the time to create an actual pattern it could be a project worth repeating.
Saturday, March 21, 2015
Science with little kids
I hosted two programs this week: Science After Dark and Puppets!
Science After Dark compiled some simple science experiments using everyday materials. We explored inertia, chemical reactions, static, hydrophobic materials, and the joys of slime.
In Puppets this month we began constructing the puppets for our annual puppet show. This meant working on several different kinds of puppets all at once, so I wasn't able to get very many photos. Here's a couple of shots of the in progress puppets.
Science After Dark compiled some simple science experiments using everyday materials. We explored inertia, chemical reactions, static, hydrophobic materials, and the joys of slime.
 |
| showing how inertia works with cardstock and a penny |
 |
| we made observations on the effects of hot and cold water on glow sticks |
 |
| experimenting with marbling food coloring on shaving cream |
 |
| borax and glue slime |
In Puppets this month we began constructing the puppets for our annual puppet show. This meant working on several different kinds of puppets all at once, so I wasn't able to get very many photos. Here's a couple of shots of the in progress puppets.
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)