Children

World Wide Knit in Public Day – June 9, 2018

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Tired of Knitting Alone?

Be Bold.  Be Brave.  Go Public!

Join your fellow knitters for one day of knitting in public.  Saturday, June 9, 2018 is World Wide Knit in Public Day.

The needle arts have long been a popular and one of the most popular of needle arts is knitting.   If you don’t knit you can read about knitting.  There are a surprising number of children’s books that feature the needle arts and knitting in particular.  McLure has many of these titles ready for you to check them out.  Check out the following titles at McLure Education Library.

Cover Image of Tiny and Hercules

Tiny & Hercules

Five short stories about the lives of two unusual friends: Tiny, an elephant with a fear of ice skating and a newfound love of knitting, and Hercules, a mouse with a heart of gold and a desire to learn to paint.

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With a supply of yarn that never runs out, Annabelle knits for everyone and everything in town until an evil archduke decides he wants the yarn for himself.

A classical take on knitting – and its consequences.   The 1974 Caldecot winning children’s book Duffy and the Devil makes for a rollicking read.

Cover Image of Duffy and the Devil

The spinning and knitting the devil agrees to do for her win Duffy the Squire’s name and a carefree life until it comes time for her to guess the devil‘s name.  Then there is the Devil to pay.

For a historical perspective on knitting take a look at this book.

Cover Image of Knit Your Bit

When his father leaves to fight in World War I, Mikey joins the Central Park Knitting Bee to help knit clothing for soldiers overseas.

For those interested in knitting something for themselves, McLure has a book help get you started.

Cover Image of Kids Knitting

Provides step-by-step instructions covering the basic stitches, knitting tools, and finger-knitting, with directions for twelve easy projects.

Knitting in public is not for everyone or every time.  When you want to knit alone, this is the book for you.

Cover Image of Leave Me Alone!

Grandmother wants so badly to be left alone to finish the knitting for her grandchildren that she leaves her tiny home and her big family to journey to the moon and beyond to find peace and quiet to finish her knitting.

But if you are tired of knitting alone?  Then.  Be Bold.  Be Brave.   Go public.

Get those needles and that yarn and take your knitting out of the closet, your room, or your house.  Knit while you eat that Big Mac.  Knit while you sip your Starbucks.  Knit at your local bookstore while you listen to a recorded book.  Or best of all, read aloud to kids while they knit.

Educational Apps for Kids

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By Leslie Grant, Graduate Assistant, McLure Education Library

Emerging technologies provide many opportunities for new and different teaching methods. The use of applications, or apps, on devices such as smart phones and tablets are one way to introduce material while also teaching digital literacy skills and incorporating interactivity that makes it more interesting for the users.

There is an abundance of educational apps. These apps vary in age range, subject, and cost. Since it would be impossible to list all of them, we want to share a few examples illustrative of the tools available to teachers and parents.

Reading:

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Reading Rainbow: Read Along Children’s Books, Kids Videos & Educational Games

“Hosted by LeVar Burton, the reimagined Reading Rainbow app includes an unlimited library of children’s books and video field trips to ignite your child’s imagination.”

 

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Don’t Let the Pigeon Run This App!

“Three-time Caldecott Honoree Mo Willems brings the Pigeon to the digital screen with this original, feature-rich, animated app.”

(one of the many examples of apps based on books)

 

History and Museums:

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American Revolution Interactive Timeline

“This award-winning, graphically rich timeline, developed by The American Revolution Center, a non-profit educational institution working to build The Museum of the American Revolution, offers information and access to rare treasures from the Center’s collection that will be displayed in the new museum.”

 

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Smithsonian Mobile

“Smithsonian Mobile is your digital mobile guide to the Smithsonian, built collaboratively with our visitors. Find out what’s on where, discover highlights, search our collections, access tours, podcasts and other apps.”

 

 

Science:

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NASA App

“The NASA App showcases a huge collection of the latest NASA content, including images, videos on-demand, NASA Television, mission information, news & feature stories, latest tweets, ISS sighting opportunities, satellite tracking, Third Rock Radio and much more.”

 

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TinkerBox

“TinkerBox is a fun, free-to-play physics puzzle game. While it is full of interesting science facts and teaches basic engineering concepts, TinkerBox is more than just educational! Take the tools in your hands to explore your creativity and imagination with Invent mode. Build outrageous machines, share them with your friends, or download popular inventions from online.”

 

Creativity and Story Telling:

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Felt Board

“Design scenes, dress up characters and let your imagination soar as you invent your own stories with Felt Board. Especially designed for imaginative play, storytelling and learning, Felt Board is perfect for children, families, teachers and therapists.”

 

Hopefully this list has made you aware of some of the resources available in the world of apps and inspired you to search for others. There are many websites with app recommendations and reviews where you can find more information about apps to suit your particular needs, including Common Sense Media, APPitic, and CLCD’s monthly newsletter.

Let us know in the comments if you use any of these apps or have any other app recommendations!

 

Series Chapter Books for Beginning Readers

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By Leslie Grant, Graduate Assistant, McLure Education Library

Last month we talked about the appeal of series books and shared some picture book series books available at the library. We’d like to continue the discussion with more suggestions.

The introduction of slightly longer books helps readers transition away from picture books. Short, easy chapter books are a great tool for improving reading skills, serving as a stepping stone between picture books and novels. Here are a few series available at McLure we recommend:

Rotten Ralph by Jack Gantos
“Ralph, a very, very nasty cat, finally sees the error of his ways — or does he?”

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Back to school for Rotten Ralph
Rotten Ralph helps out
Rotten Ralph’s rotten romance
Rotten Ralph feels rotten
Practice makes perfect for Rotten Ralph
Three strikes for Rotten Ralph
Best in show for Rotten Ralph

Magic Tree House by Mary Pope Osborne
“Eight-year-old Jack and his younger sister Annie find a magic treehouse, which whisks them back to an ancient time zone where they see live dinosaurs.”

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Dinosaurs before dark
The knight at dawn
Mummies in the morning
Pirates past noon
Night of the Ninjas
Afternoon on the Amazon
Sunset of the sabertooth
Midnight on the moon
Dragon of the red dawn
Dark day in the deep sea
Eve of the Emperor penguin
A perfect time for pandas
Stallion by starlight
Hurry up, Houdini!
High time for heroes

The Time Warp Trio by Jon Scieszka
“Joe’s been caught up in a book before, but this is ridiculous! Joe’s Book, a gift from his magician uncle, doesn’t just tell stories, it zaps Joe and his friends Sam and Fred right into the middle of them.”

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Knights of the kitchen table
The not-so-jolly-Roger
The good, the bad, and the goofy
Your mother was a Neanderthal
2095
Tut, tut
Summer reading is killing me!
It’s all Greek to me
See you later, gladiator
Sam Samurai
Hey kid, want to buy a bridge?
Viking it & liking it
Me oh Maya!
Da wild, da crazy, da Vinci
Oh say, I can’t see
Marco? Polo!

Junie B. Jones by Barbara Park
“Meet the World’s Funniest Kindergartner–Junie B. Jones! In the 1st Junie B. Jones book, it’s Junie B.’s first day and she doesn’t know anything. She’s so scared of the school bus and the meanies on it that when it’s time to go home, she doesn’t.”

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Junie B. Jones and the stupid smelly bus
Junie B. Jones and her big fat mouth
Junie B. Jones and some sneaky peeky spying
Junie B. Jones and the yucky blucky fruitcake
Junie B. Jones and that meanie Jim’s birthday
Junie B. Jones loves handsome Warren
Junie B. Jones has a monster under her bed
Junie B. Jones is not a crook
Junie B. Jones is a party animal
Junie B. Jones is a beauty shop guy
Junie B. Jones smells something fishy
Junie B. Jones is (almost) a flower girl
Junie B. Jones and the mushy gushy valentime
Junie B. Jones has a peep in her pocket
Junie B. Jones is Captain Field Day
Junie B. Jones is a graduation girl
Junie B., first grader (at last!)
Junie B., first grader : boss of lunch
Junie B., first grader : toothless wonder
Junie B., first grader : cheater pants
Junie B., first grader : one-man band
Junie B., first grader : shipwrecked
Junie B., first grader : boo –and I mean it
Junie B., first grader : jingle bells, Batman smells! (P.S. so does May)
Junie B., first grader : aloha-ha-ha!
Junie B., first grader : dumb bunny

Horrid Henry by Francesca Simon
“Horrid Henry and his neighbor Moody Margaret decide to make the most sloppy, slimy, sludgy, sticky, smelly, gooey, gluey, gummy, greasy, gloppy glop possible. Is it the best glop in the world or the worst thing that’s ever happened to them? Plus three other stories so funny we can’t even mention them here.”

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Horrid Henry
Horrid Henry tricks the Tooth Fairy
Horrid Henry and the mummy’s curse
Horrid Henry and the scary sitter
Horrid Henry and the mega-mean time machine
Horrid Henry and the soccer fiend
Horrid Henry and the abominable snowman
Horrid Henry wakes the dead
Horrid Henry rocks
Horrid Henry and the zombie vampire

Captain Underpants by Dav Pilkey
“When George and Harold hypnotize their principal into thinking that he is the superhero Captain Underpants, he leads them to the lair of the nefarious Dr. Diaper, where they must defeat his evil robot henchmen.”

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The adventures of Captain Underpants : an epic novel
Captain Underpants and the attack of the talking toilets
Captain Underpants and the invasion of the incredibly naughty cafeteria ladies from outer space
Captain Underpants and the perilous plot of Professor Poopypants
Captain Underpants and the wrath of the wicked Wedgie Woman
Captain Underpants and the big, bad battle of the Bionic Booger Boy, part 1 : night of the nasty nostril nuggets
Captain Underpants and the big, bad battle of the Bionic Booger Boy, part 2 : the revenge of the ridiculous Robo-Boogers
Captain Underpants and the revolting revenge of the radioactive robo-boxers

Ramona Quimby by Beverly Cleary
“Beezus’ biggest problem was her 4-year-old sister Ramona. Even though Beezus knew sisters were supposed to love each other, with a sister like Ramona, it seemed impossible.”

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Beezus and Ramona
Ramona the pest
Ramona the brave
Ramona and her father
Ramona and her mother
Ramona Quimby, age 8
Ramona forever

 

 

Book-Related Links

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By Leslie Grant, Graduate Assistant, McLure Education Library

We’ve read several articles recently about current book trends and reading behaviors. Here is a list of a few favorites you might find interesting.

 

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“Kids Don’t Read Books Because Parents Don’t Read Books”

According to a recent report, reading rates are in decline. So what’s the cause? Many people are quick to blame technology, but perhaps the problem stems more from larger cultural attitudes toward reading. “At the end of the day, how our children read and what our children read says a lot more about adult attitudes than it does about our kids’.”

 

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“The Reason Every Book about Africa Has the Same Cover – And It’s Not Pretty”

Ever noticed the acacia tree that seems to grace the cover of every book with an African author or setting? Regardless of style or subject, this tree has become ubiquitous with “African” books. The author examines why this is, blaming preferences by publishers to follow tradition and simplify the “other”.

 

 

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“How I Convinced My 8 Year Old to Choose Books Instead of Minecraft”

In this article, the writer shares a personal account about encouraging his son to read. While this includes incentivizing reading by making it a requirement before video games, he mostly focuses on how to make books appealing so that kids will choose to read. For instance, the comic book format of a graphic novel looks more like entertainment than reading, and eBooks offer both a technology aspect and the gratification of instant access.

 

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“Why You Should Avoid Best-Selling Books”

While everyone loves the glamour of the newest best seller, it might not be the best investment of your time. The knowledge it offers is ephemeral, serving as conversation fodder until the next best thing is published. On the other hand, books that withstand the test of time promise relevancy in the long term. They also offer a way to set yourself apart: “If you read what everyone else reads, soon you’ll start thinking like everyone else.”

Picture Book Series

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By Leslie Grant, Graduate Assistant, McLure Education Library

We have several picture book series at McLure in the curriculum materials library downstairs. These books are great because they enable kids to read new books while still feeling comfortable with familiar characters. Also, if they like a book, you have a ready list of recommendations for further reading. A few popular series at the library include:

Olivia by Ian Falconer
“Whether at home getting ready for the day, enjoying the beach, or at bedtime, Olivia is a feisty pig who has too much energy for her own good.”

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Olivia
Dream big : [starring Olivia]
Olivia … and the missing toy
Olivia and the fairy princesses
Olivia counts
Olivia forms a band
Olivia goes to Venice
Olivia helps with Christmas
Olivia saves the circus
Olivia’s opposites

Pigeon by Mo Willems
“The bus driver turns over the duty of watching the bus to you, with one instruction, don’t let the pigeon drive the bus.”

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Don’t let the pigeon drive the bus
Don’t let the pigeon stay up late!
The duckling gets a cookie!?
The Pigeon finds a hot dog!
The pigeon has feelings, too!
The pigeon wants a puppy!

 

Fancy Nancy by Jane O’Connor
“A young girl who loves fancy things helps her family to be fancy…”

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Fancy Nancy
Fancy Nancy and the boy from Paris
Fancy Nancy and the posh puppy
Fancy Nancy, poison ivy expert
Fancy Nancy sees stars
Fancy Nancy’s favorite fancy words

 

David by David Shannon
“A young boy is depicted doing a variety of naughty things for which he is repeatedly admonished, but finally he gets a hug.”

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No, David!
David gets in trouble
David goes to school
It’s Christmas, David!

 

 

Skippyjon Jones by Judy Schachner
”Skippyjon Jones is a Siamese cat with an overactive imagination who would rather be El Skippito, his Zorro-like alter ego.”

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Skippyjon Jones 1-2-3
Skippyjon Jones and the big bones
Skippyjon Jones and the treasure hunt
Skippyjon Jones Cirque de Olé
Skippyjon Jones. Class action
Skippyjon Jones : color crazy
Skippyjon Jones in mummy trouble
Skippyjon Jones in the dog house
Skippyjon Jones– lost in spice
Skippyjon Jones shape up
Skippyjon Jones up & down

 

What are your favorite picture book series?

 

Reading Aloud: Picture Books

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By Leslie Grant, Graduate Assistant, McLure Education Library

Reading is one of the first things we learn in school and for good reason. Education in almost any subject relies on the ability to read. Strong readers are much more likely to succeeding in future academic endeavors, whether it be a standardized test or a college diploma. This might seem obvious, but for further proof, look at articles like “Reading Can Make You Smarter!” by Anne Cunningham and Keith Stanovich.

So how do we create good readers?

In his book, The Read-Aloud Handbook, Jim Trelease advocates (as you might have guessed from the title) for more time spent on read alouds. Reading out loud to children is one of the best ways to improve their reading and listening skills, as well as foster a love of books. Throughout the book, which I would highly recommend reading, Trelease discusses the importance of reading and reading aloud. Additionally, he shares tips and techniques for reading to kids of all ages. The last section includes his “treasury” of books well suited to reading aloud, including a brief description and age range.

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Here are a few suggestions of picture books good for reading aloud:

Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? by Bill Martin, Jr.; Illus. by Eric Carle (PZ8.3.M418 Br 1983bx)

Corduroy by Don Freeman (PZ7.F8747 Co 1990x)

Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak (PZ7.S47 Wh)

Froggy Gets Dressed by Jonathan London; Illus. by Frank Remkiewicz (PZ7.L8432 Fro 1995x)

If You Give a Mouse a Cookie by Laura Joffe Numeroff; Illus. by Felicia Bond (PZ7.N964 If 1989x)

Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day by Judith Viorst; Illus. by Ray Cruz (PZ7.V816 Al 1984)

Miss Nelson is Missing! by Harry Allard and James Marshall (PZ7.A413 Mi)

If I Ran the Zoo by Dr. Seuss (PZ8.G276 If)

Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs by Judi Barrett; Illus. by Ron Barrett (PZ7.B2752 C)

These are just a few of my personal favorites, all of which are available here in the Education School Library downstairs. And don’t forget to browse through the oversized books, which are great for sharing with classes!