SUMMER CIRCUS

It's Non-Fiction Monday!
My six year old daughter is looking forward to circus camp in 2 weeks, when she visits her grandmother in Florida. In the meantime, we checked out this book from the library and can't wait to go to the Whitney Museum of American Art to see Calder's circus this week.

Sandy's Circus by Tanya Lee Stone

Illustrated by Boris Kulikov

Viking 2008

Ages 4 - 10

What a playful way to introduce such an important American artist to children! Tanya Lee Stone has taken an early time in the life of one of the world's greatest sculptors and successfully brought him to life in Sandy's Circus. The colorful drawings by Boris Kulikov exude happiness with a smile on almost every two-page spread. Not only is this book the true story of Alexander Calder, but it also conveys the happiness that creativity and following one's heart can bring. I highly recommend this story for every child, not only art and circus lovers.

CHILDREN'S LAUREATE

On June 9, 2009 Anthony Browne was named Children's Laureate in the UK. Children's Laureate is a position awarded bi-annually to a person who has significantly contributed to the world of children's books, whether they are a writer or an illustrator. I had seen the book Little Beauty in the bookstores and wanted to read it. My interest was sparked again and I am so thankful! My 3, 6 and 9 year old all enjoyed this book together.

Little Beauty

by Anthony Browne

Candlewick Press 2008

Ages 3 and up

This simply told story is sophisticated in so many ways. The main character, a gorilla, uses sign language to communicate. He is sad because he does not have a friend. The zoo keepers take care of this by giving him a small little cat named Beauty. From this point, we are shown what true friendship means. The reader experiences humour, excitement and even a touch of sadness before the book ends. A child can relate to the friends watching television together and laugh when they each go to the bathroom. Browne's outstanding drawings can be fully appreciated in several wordless pages. Some illustrations show the gorilla or cat drawn with simple pencil lines combined with complex patterned backgrounds, while others show a very detailed color gorilla and cat on plain white backgrounds. In this book, each word counts and each picture delights.

As a side note, I loved the patterns that are drawn as upholstery and wallpaper. They are quintessential English Arts & Crafts. After a little research, I was able to find the wallpaper confirming that it is "Pink and Rose" by William Morris.

On June 9, 2009 The Guardian featured an article by Alison Flood announcing Browne's appointment. I particularly liked Browne's statement:

"Sometimes I hear parents encouraging their children to read what they call proper books (books without pictures), at an earlier and earlier age. This makes me sad, as picture books are perfect for sharing, and not just with the youngest children."

I look forward to seeing and hearing more from this talented man.

EARLY ECONOMICS

Children want to learn about money! They know coins and bills buy things, but why? Why can a piece of green paper with George Washington's picture buy a cherry icy from the man selling on the street?

Money Madness

by David Adler Illustrated by Edward Miller

Holiday House 2009

Ages 4 - 8

In Money Madness, David Adler explains why money exists. He starts by having the reader imagine life without money. He explains trading and bartering and the early existence of money. In simple language, he addresses the value of money and touches upon checks, credit cards and digital money. The only thing I wish he would also have touched upon is how we earn money, for the most part, by working hard. He does write that people today do different things, however, it is not simply put how this brings them money.

The illustrations provide clear explanation of the text. They are colorful, happy, fun and very patriotic. For families that want to teach their children about the exchange of money, Money Madness is a wonderful early economics lesson.

For more Non-Fiction go to Scrub-a-Dub-Tub for Facts First! Non-Fiction Monday!

PICTURE BOOKS FOR OLDER BOYS

My son is 9 years old. I have recently learned that there are exceptional picture books appealing to his age group. These books supplement the chapter books he reads. In many cases, they satisfy his desire to learn more about a particular subject and to be visually engaged.

Please don't stop reading picture books when your children begin reading on their own. Share the pleasure of a story with pictures when time is short or days long.

One Beetle Too Many: The Extraordinary Adventures of Charles Darwin

by Kathryn Lasky Illustrated by Matthew Trueman

Candlewick Press 2009

Ages 8-12

In One Beetle Too Many Lasky tells the story of Charles Darwin and his quest to learn more about the natural world. We learn of Darwin's childhood and his father's concern over his nonconformity. Charles did not do well in school and preferred to be with the bugs rather than the books. As readers, we follow his life aboard The Beagle, home to England and end with the publication of The Origin of Species. Lasky's tellings of specific anecdotes, along with the humorous pictures that accompany the text, create an interesting story for the reader. A child can easily empathize with only eating raisins or Darwin allowing his own children "the run of the house." This book is perfect for introducing Charles Darwin and his adventures to young readers and beyond.

A TRIP TO THE ZOO

This is a fun book and inspired a trip to our local zoo! We have been reading about the new snow leopards at the Central Park Zoo. Today we got to see them!

PSSST! by Adam Rex

Harcourt Children's Books 2007

Ages 3 - 8

Pssst! by Adam Rex is a book that adults will enjoy as much as kids. It reads like a comic with text in cartoon bubbles and wonderful illustrations. What starts out as a girl's visit to the zoo, becomes an escapade for the animals. Each animal calls the girl over with the noise Pssst! My girls quickly caught on to this repeated text and enjoyed saying Pssst! with each new animal. The story builds up at perfect pace for a suprise ending that leaves everyone smiling.

A MISSED CLASSIC: FOUND

How could I have missed this book? I suppose it is because the year it was published I was graduating from high school and my head was not in the year's best picture books. Thanks to my youngest daughter for pulling it off of the shelf at the library. I immediately recognized the name Miss Rumphius from a kidlit blog I enjoy. I was anxious to discover the book with my children.

Miss Rumphius by Barbara Cooney

The Viking Press 1982

Ages 3 +

This book is a gift to read aloud to children. My two girls, ages 3 and 6, sat intently and listened to this story about an eccentric women who realizes her purpose and follows the instruction given by her artist grandfather during her youth. "You must do something to make the world more beautiful." Miss Rumphius carries an important message and is really a green book. It sends the message that we all should do something to make the world a better place. It opened this discussion in our family and is a book we will visit again and again.

The illustrations by the author are rich in detail and delightfully transport us to the world of Miss Rumphius.

OUR SUMMER PET

Summer is here in our house. The end of the school year brought home a week old baby frog from the science lab.

Tadpole Rex by Kurt Cyrus
Harcourt Children's Books June 2008
Ages 3-9

This is a wonderful, humorous, rhyming book with bold playful illustrations. We observe a tadpole finding his voice amongst the dinosaurs. My nine year old son commented that every age would like it because it is "like a poem." It creatively combines fiction, science and rhythm, making a great read aloud. I loved it!