Macaulay, Schatz and More. Lists and reviews from Jocelyn of The Tattered Cover Book Store in Denver, CO. Posted Dec. 14, 2011
Grandma Says it’s Good To Be Smart by Ellie Schatz. This story is written from a grandchild’s point of view, stating truths such as, “it’s good to ask questions” and “it’s good to use your imagination.” I love to watch the children as I read this book. I can see the effect of the words and ideas on their faces. How wonderful to have your curiosity and fanciful thinking affirmed, validated and even encouraged! Wow! Heady stuff! Great for all ages − it’s never too early to learn that you’re smart!
Written for her own grandchildren, Schatz writes a book for grandchildren everywhere, while the clear, whimsical pictures illustrate the text perfectly. Very satisfying. I can’t wait ‘til her next book gets published.
Naamah and the Ark Night by Susan Bartoletti. Not overtly religious, this book is relaxing and soothing. Singing to animals and humans brings comfort and peace, both in this book and in real life. I can’t rave enough about this gentle book. The illustrations mesh perfectly with the text. It’s a keeper. Worth seeking out.
Press Here by Herve Tullet. You may have heard about this book since it’s been on the NYT best seller list for weeks. I am happy to say all the kudos and more are well deserved. Tullet has created a magical book that reinvents the idea of a book for all ages. I have read it to 18 month-old children, 4 year-olds, parents, and grandparents. Captivated from the first page, this hands-on book brings a smile and chuckles to all. Adults are just as eager to follow the instructions, such as “press here,” eagerly turning the page to see the “result.” It’s hard to resist once you have experienced this book. Give in to your inner child and treat yourself to this experience. Try Press Here, you’ll be caught!
One Smart Cookie by Amy Krouse Rosenthal. I am a huge fan of Rosenthal’s books. Others in this series are Cookies: Bite-Sized Life Lessons and Christmas Cookies: Bite-Sized Holiday Lessons. This one, as well as the others, is written for a slightly older audience − say starting around 4 and up. Beautifully illustrated, each page presents the reader with a “cookie” − a word or concept and a simple definition that makes sense to a child; a great way to talk about what is important in life and relationships. These books can be picked up and opened to any page, since each page is self-contained; perfect for when you have a bit of time now and then, like right about now…
Black and White by David Macaulay. This is an older book but a treasure nonetheless. For slightly older kids − say from 4 or 5 on up. The older the child the more can be observed, figured out, combined, enjoyed, and appreciated. At first glance, Macaulay presents us with 4 stories − wow, 4 stories in one book! But, wait − as we turn the pages and try to catch all the story lines, a funny thing happens. They seem to mesh and meld and swirl into one in front of our very eyes. The younger children will get a kick out of the individual stories, while the older children (and adults) will enjoy the creation made by the combination. As children grow older, they can read it again and again, gaining a richer understanding of what has been in front of their eyes all along. When reading with a child or two, allow lots of time for discovery and discussion! An amazing author; an amazing book.
Cassandra’s Angel by Gina Otto. A book to hold close and share liberally. A book to read over and over to spread the word that you are NOT just what other people say you are. In this story young Cassandra tries to follow the rules, but gets swept up in her dreams and imagination, resulting in imperfect actions. The adults in her life criticize her harshly. Cassandra is hurt and confused by what they say − but after considering their words consciously rejects the negative labels. Her inner angel speaks to her, saying, “You are never just what they believe you to be.” Cassandra concludes, “I’m Cassandra, a bright light!” This is a book to brighten the spirit.
Say What? by Angela DiTerlizzi. A silly book for everyone: ”When a snake says HISS does she really mean KISS?” Great rhymes and fun illustrations make this book hugely popular at Story Time. A loving ending that inspires hugs.
A Little Bit of Love by Cynthia Platt. Small Mouse craves something to nibble, but what? Mama Mouse and Small Mouse go all over collecting ingredients for the perfect snack − and of course the secret ingredient is love. A warm, loving book that satisfies your sweet tooth.
Smelly Bill by Daniel Postgate. For anyone you know who is reluctant to jump into the tub. A great rhyming story of Bill the dog − have I mentioned Bill is an extremely FRAGRANT dog? Well, his family leaves him in the capable hands of Aunt Bleach − but the results are not quite what you − or Aunt Bleach − expected. Very fun − great free-flowing illustrations; sure to make you laugh, even if − or especially if, I guess − you are a cat person.
We Need A Horse by Sheila Heti. Most appreciated by the older child; perfect for someone asking big questions. This book begins with a horse asking the light, “What is the reason I was made a horse and not some other animal?” Of course sometimes answers need to be discussed before they make sense, and Horse has conversations − with Sheep, and even Apple. I found this book stuck in my mind. It might raise as many questions as it answers, but that can be a good thing. I thought the illustrations perfectly matched the text. A 20 year old I know liked it. Thoughtful and unusual.
New Titles from Jocelyn. Lists and comments are from Jocelyn of The Tattered Cover Book Store in Denver, CO. Posted Dec. 5, 2011
This fall has seen a bumper crop of great titles − here are a few more that are terrific to read aloud and will be enjoyed by kids who can read to themselves too.
Big Little Brother by Kevin Kling. Kling teams up with Chris Monroe (of fabulous Monkey With A Tool Belt fame) to create a treasure of a book. Told from the perspective of an older brother, the story and illustrations just can’t be beat. I urge everyone − even those with no brothers at all − to read this book… preferably with a child, but not a requirement.
Grandma Reads at Liliana's Restaurant
Chilly Milly Moo by Fiona Ross. Oh no! Milly the cow isn’t giving any milk! The farmer is not happy! But wait − it’s getting colder out −brrrrrr. What happens next will make you smile − 100% guaranteed.
King Jack and the Dragon by Peter Bentley. A wonderful story of bravery, imagination, summer days and friendship, with a comfortable snugly ending. I think of Nancy, a friend of mine, her brave family and her strong grandson Jack every time I read this. There are all kinds of bravery and strength in this world.
Interrupting Chicken by David Stein. Most will be able to identify with the patient father who is happy to read to an impatient child. Loving reminders about not interrupting aren’t wasted on the audience. Kids from age 2 on up really seem to get how funny it is. Very fun read aloud, whether it’s to one child or a group of 25.
Stars by Mary Ray. What a glorious book. The words and illustrations combine into one of the most low-key but dazzling books of the season. Compelling for adults as much as kids. It’s fun to think about putting a star in your pocket for when you need it.; or on your shirt to be a sheriff. Great conversation starter. I fell in love with this book.
Higher! Higher! by Leslie Patricelli. C’mon, Dad! Higher in the swing. Higher! Higher than Dad, higher than the trees − oh my − higher than − really? We get swept away in this girl’s imagination and bold illustrations. By the end of the story everyone is calling out, “Again! Again!” Short but sweet; a great read!
More Great Books for Young Learners. Lists and comments are from Jocelyn of The Tattered Cover Book Store in Denver, CO. Posted Nov. 30, 2011
Stuck by Oliver Jeffers. Floyd’s red kite gets stuck in a tree. How he resolves this problem has listeners laughing whether they want to or not. I LOVE this book! Just too funny; rush out and read it with someone!
Bark, George by Jules Feiffer. This isn’t a new book but I still love it − George the dog can’t seem to bark − he can quack and oink − even moo − but a trip to the vet solves the mystery in a hilarious way − almost!
It's never too early to start exploring the world of reading.
And Here’s To You by David Elliot. A celebration of a book. Why not celebrate the fishiness of a fish? They and many other things are celebrated as a part of our big beautiful world.
999 Tadpoles by Ken Kimura. What are parents to do when their 999 tadpoles overcrowd the little pond they call home? The illustrations and fanciful story match perfectly and − just as I was hoping − there is a happy ending after a wild ride of an unplanned adventure.
The Artist Who Painted a Blue Horse by Eric Carle. A young artist fills Carle’s newest book with lush, gorgeous improbably colored animals − just like many famous adult artists, it turns out. Joyful!
More Book Recommendations from Jocelyn. I hope you have lots of little ones to buy for this holiday season! Posted Nov. 21, 2011
A Dog Is A Dog by Stephen Shaskan −A delight of a book. When read at Story Time everyone was laughing. Big colorful illustrations accompany the simple and silly text. A big or small crowd pleaser.
How To Be A Good Cat by Gail Page −A conscientious (dog) babysitter wants to teach his (kitten) charge some life lessons. Very fun! With great illustrations, this book describes some differences between cats and dogs − and one important similarity!
Noodle And Lou by Liz Scanlon −When you are feeling down it’s easy to think of all your faults. How heartwarming to be cheered up by your best friend who turns each fault into a strength. A great book to have on hand when all you see is lemons.
The Belly Book by Fran Manushkin − Only people with bellies loved this book. Nice, multicultural illustrations keep everyone giggling. Great rhyming text goes along with them. Where else are you going to see an alien in a bikini, anyway?
Dear Zoo by Rod Campbell − I can’t help myself − I find myself reading this classic for Story Time 2 or 3 times every year. Even though some kids have it memorized, everyone loves to shout out who is hiding behind the flaps. The wise zoo personnel finally get it right − every time. It’s no secret, I am a sucker for happy endings.
More great books recommended by Jocelyn of The Tattered Cover Book Store, Colfax Branch, Denver, CO, posted Nov. 17, 2011
Cows To The Rescue! by John Himmelman − so wonderful − it makes you wonder how we all get through the day without cow support − a riot. I love it.
The I Love You Book. It’s OK To Be Different. The Peace Book. − and every other Todd Parr title. Parr has such great illustrations − bright green, blue, red, yellow people and animals −- everyone feels included, for one thing. The other thing is he writes gentle, loving books that hold children’s attention while imparting the great message of ‘let’s all get along.’ In one of his books he suggests putting your underwear in the freezer to help you cool off − how could you not love these books?
I’m Not Cute. I’m Not Scared. I’m Not Ready. —Books by Jonathan Allen. His main character, a young owl, finds himself in typical toddler situations − and couldn’t be sweeter. His mother is encouraging and supportive. Kids love the books and so do adults — great illustrations and they are fun to read.
You Are Friendly. You Are Helpful. You Are Beautiful. You Are Healthy. You Are Brave and maybe even more books by Todd Snow. I am not quite sure what rivets children’s attention to these small books, but it happens. The books are written simply, with great multicultural illustrations, and kids can identify with the themes. I read You Are Friendly and You Are Helpful during Story Time one day, and many young kids volunteered examples of when THEY were friendly or helpful. It triggered great interaction.
Rabbit Pie by Penny Ives. This book lovingly describes the perfect ‘recipe’ for getting little bunnies ready for bed. The perfect bedtime or anytime book. Quite wonderful.
What Animals Really Like by Fiona Robinson. What a treat and treasure of a new book this is! Adults laugh out loud, along with the kids, and both groups have fun inspecting the detailed illustrations. I just love it!
Construction Crew by Lynn Meltzer. A happy book with terrific rhyming and bold, colorful illustrations − really irresistible.
If You’re Hoppy by April Sayre. A great takeoff on the song, “If You’re Happy And You Know It.” Kids recognize the tune, it’s a fun book to read, and it’s not my fault if everyone is humming along by the end of the book − a story time favorite.
Hiccupotamus by Aaron Zenz. Priceless − Written with such a sense of fun and enthusiasm − wonderful illustrations − just talking about the book makes me smile. This is another I’d call irresistible.
Happy Hippo Angry Duck by Sandra Boynton. Boynton is one of my all-time heroes, but this even stands out from her wildly popular body of work. What impressed me so much is not that the focus of the book is the listener − that is common enough. What is so cool is it is asking how the listener – presumably a child − is feeling, validating that feeling or mood, and then reassuring that a bad mood can change. Things − moods, life − can get better. This is such a great book for kids to start putting names to their emotions. The book is short, like most of Boynton’s, but not one to be rushed through. What a great way to get a conversation going in anyone − child, adult, or in between.
August 2011
I saw this quote in a restaurant in Ireland. It captures what I always tell children. Dream of all you can and want to be and do. Hold on to those dreams. Live those dreams. I think people like the illustration of the flying horses in Grandma Says It’s Good to Be Smart for several reasons. First they like the humor of the horse sequence. But most, I hope, they love the metaphor for dreaming; for growing up to be all that one can or wants to be. And third, it’s exciting when small children make the connections between the flying horses and the characters. The first aha is almost always with the little girl and the horse with her hair/mane and pearls. But then, it’s not unusual for the perceptive thinker to connect the black horse to the little boy and the gray horse to grandma. So there it is, grandma living her personal legend of helping children to believe the sky is no limit.
April 28, 2011
I just shared one parent’s technique for letting go, a necessary step in helping our children to grow up, on my home page. Here is another view of that task from another parent I admire:
Letting go… I didn’t know,
Can’t figure where the years did go.
“It’s a boy!” The sweetest joy,
Could all of this have been God’s ploy?
“He’s a man!” Now what’s my plan?
Can’t find the bridge. I’m hurting… damn!
Miss his need. ’Tis parent’s greed,
To hold the spirit that’s been freed.
Letting go… I didn’t know,
Can’t figure where the years did go!
I hope it doesn’t show.
Randy Peters, 1994
Reading "Grandma Says..." at Read Bookstore in Danville, CA
The children were inquisitive and enthusiastic. The parents had insightful comments and questions. I welcome questions and will do my best to answer them. Post them here, and I’ll answer online or through a personal email dialogue, as you prefer.
PS My book is available in Danville. If you would like it at your local bookstore, ask the manager to get in touch with me at elliebooks@tds.net.
Quotes from the famous and tips from WCATY kids – I will try to post these short thoughts frequently throughout 2011.
April 1, 2011 Ayana was reading and writing by the time she was four. She says, “I was lucky to have parents who encouraged me to read everything in the house and to write to my heart’s content. This developed within me, even before I entered school, a sense of self and a sense of authority. At age five, on a beginning level, I knew I was writing my own book, my own life.”
March 2, 2011 Education is not a preparation for life; education is life itself. — John Dewey
Lauren struggled with perfectionism as a child and says she explores the positives and negatives of her perfectionism as a young adult. She advises younger students, “It’s okay to be a perfectionist as long as you also learn not to be too stressed out.”
I’m a perfectionist. Most of my friends and colleagues are too. I like that quality in them and in myself. But, what we adults have all learned that Lauren’s grandpa and mother tried to teach her when she was in middle and high school is that perfectionism must come with balance.
Linda Silverman writes that the root of excellence is perfectionism (1989, p.11). Many smart, gifted, talented children are perfectionists. Excellence cannot be attained without reaching for the highest standards of achievement. The highest standards of achievement cannot be attained without aiming high and working hard. But this does not mean falling apart when you realize you didn’t attain perfection; that you are not perfect.
Instead of discouraging our children from being perfectionists, we should help them to use the characteristics of perfectionism as a positive force in their lives. The idea is to work hard and aim high because they love what they are doing. Silverman offers the following thoughts to help you and your children cope with perfectionism: “appreciate the trait, understand that it serves a useful purpose, allow yourself to be perfectionistic in activities that really matter to you, maintain your own high standards but don’t impose them on others, don’t quit when the going gets rough, don’t punish yourself for failing, and believe in your ability to reach your ideals.”
February 5, 2011 We hope to avail those talents which nature has sown as liberally among the poor as the rich, but which perish without use, if not sought for and cultivated. —Thomas Jefferson
January 25, 2011 ”By not discussing giftedness, or by telling your gifted child to avoid mention of it around others, you are sending a confusing, mixed message – be proud of your abilities, but don’t let anyone know that you have them. An attitude of humility regarding one’s advanced abilities is understandable, but it can go too far…. the child is not being humble, but dishonest. So are you.” James R. Delisle, in “Parenting Gifted Kids,” 2006, p.13.
Tip from Nic: “I don’t like the word gifted. It implies that someone gave it to you. Tell your child he’s gifted, but tell why. It takes a load off his shoulders. To me, it helped to know there was something other than, ‘oh, he’s just weird.’ I’m gifted not in that anyone gave me anything. I’m just a top mathematical achiever, but not better than anyone else. I like math. I spend a lot of time at math because I enjoy it. Letting me do it for fun and as often as I wanted is one way my parents supported me. If your child wants to go ahead of others in something, support it.”
