Finding Winnie...

When my son was little he loved to watch Disney's Winnie the Pooh movies on VHS.  His favorite was "A Blustery Day".  He would sit there and laugh and laugh, his funny boned being tickled by Pooh's antics.  Winnie the Pooh is a beloved character I have always adored, although I must admit  I have never read A.A. Milne's, "Winnie the Pooh".  I guess because Disney always did a great job of giving us the visual on the "silly old bear".  

I recently discovered at the library the book , "Finding Winnie, The True Story of the World's Most Famous Bear".  The book is by Lindsay Mattick who is the great-grand daughter of Harry Colebourn.  So, you are asking who is Harry Colebourn...he was a veterinarian who in 1914 was on his way to tend horses in World War I.  When he was at the train station he noticed a man with a baby bear cub.  The man was a trapper and obviously not going to raise and care for the baby bear.  Harry was drawn to the bear and could see there was something very special about her.  Harry bought the bear from the trapper for $20. ( a lot of money back then) I really want to tell you what happens next but I want you to read and enjoy this wonderful book curled up in a chair with your favorite little one.  In the end you will see without the actions of Dr. Harry Colebourn there would be no "Winnie the Pooh" for us to love.  And Love him, we do!

I'm sure you will then be inspired to read your copy of "Winnie the Pooh" or "The House at Pooh Corner" which I'm sure is sitting on your book shelf.  I know I am!

Side Note, A. A. Milne wrote several novels, books of poems and even non-fiction.  

Other Side note:  A first edition "Winnie the Pooh" can go for as much as $4,500.

Christopher Robin said to Pooh..."Promise me you'll always REMEMBER:  you're braver than you believe and stronger than you seem and smarter than you think".

Fly Me to the Moon...Let me Play Among the Stars...

The most important thing we can do is inspire young minds and to advance the kind of science, math and technology education that will help youngsters take us to the next phase of space travel.

                                                                                            ---John Glenn


In 1999 there was a  televised tribute to John Glenn. My son, Aaron was 9 years old and John Glenn was his astronaut hero.  In one of those meant to be moments, his best friend's aunt happened to be the  coordinator of the event and invited him to participate.  He was among  a handful of children that were on the stage during the tribute of John Glenn's actual space suit that he wore when he walked on the moon.  The children were given blue space jump suits to wear and keep.  You can imagine our excitement when they told us John Glenn would sign his name in black sharpie on every child's jumpsuit.  This was a shining moment in my nine year old's life, it is one of his prized possessions still today.  It was his dream to go to space camp and he did go that very next year.  When Aaron was in the 4th grade he begged his teacher to let him do a presentation about space to the class.  She finally agreed and was so impressed she sent him to present his "take on space" to the other 4th grade classes as well.  Ironically, one of the other teachers was the daughter of the man that invented the steering wheel for the space shuttle.  She came up to me afterwards and said, "I thought I knew a lot about space but Aaron taught me some things I didn't know". And that was a mom's shining moment.



Don't we just love it when our children are really excited and interested about something? So, if Space is your place here are some books to look for:

A fun book for the little ones is Papa, Please Get the Moon for Me by Eric Carle.  Can he do it, well maybe but  Papa needs a really long ladder 
to get there.

MOON by Steve Tomecek. illustrations by Liisa (not a typo there are 2 i's) Chauncy Guida  This is a National Geographic book so as you would expect it is interesting and easy to understand.  The book begins... A long time ago, many people had strange beliefs about the moon.  Some thought that the moon had evil spirits that caused people to act strangely. Back in the year 1609, many of the false ideas about the moon began to change.  A scientist named Galileo used his telescope to take a close-up look at the moon.  

There is Another National Geographic book that is just as informative and simple to understand titled, STARS also written by Tomecek but this time illustrated by Sachiko Yoshikawa.  Also, in the back of each book is a related activity to reinforce and illustrate the information you just read.  It visually looks like a picture book but is packed with facts.

How Many Stars in the Sky?  It is written by  Lenny Hort.   I love this book because it's about encouraging your child to find for themselves the answers to their questions. The illustrations are actually beautiful paintings by 

James E. Ransome.

Moon Dreams by Ruth Martin illustrated by Oliver Latyk is a whimsical book  that you might  want to read to your little one that is always asking you questions about the moon. It is about Luna who had always loved the moon, but she wondered where does it go during the day.

To Space & Back by Sally Ride with Susan Okie.  U.S. Astronaut Sally Ride shares the adventure of outer space clearly and interestingly.   This is about the nuts and bolts of being an astronaut.  The pictures are excellent.

AND then there is the "mother-load" of one of the best space books ever...Find the Constellations (second edition) by H.A Rey  (recognize the name, it's the author of Curious George but above that level of reading)  It is packed with star facts, charts, drawings and quizzes.  This book would also be a great resource for teachers. 

The reason for a second edition is sadly because of the loss of Pluto 

as a full sized planet.

So, let me conclude with...

 

At night time, when the stars are out, the sky all of sudden becomes a huge picture book.  You can look up and see a lion and a whale, an eagle, a swan, a dog, a hare and a lot of other pictures; that is of course, if you know how to find them.   (From Find the Constellations)

AND let me also say Thank You to Neal DeGrassee Tyson who reminds us to look up  and enjoy the sky every time we go outside.

 

Don't Bully me...

My most upsetting experience with a bully was in Jr. High School, one of my friends had a friend that was very jealous and controlling and didn't want her to be friends with anyone else.  That was difficult for us because my friend and I had  lived next door to each other since we were two years old.  So, the new friend sent out word that she was going to beat me up after school.  I was mortified and petrified.  I didn't want to fight and more importantly I DID NOT want to fight for what seemed like no reason at all.  Today, I would have stood my ground armed with insightful and  powerful words that would have made her look ridicules and then bravely turned my back and walked away. (that's how it plays out in the fantasy in my head, anyway) But back then, I was scared, I didn't want to fight, I walked quickly with a friend to her house because it was closer than mine.  I called my mom and she came to pick me up.  As we drove home I could no longer hold back the weight of my tears and then we passed my friend and her friend walking together.  My mother stopped the car and  walked up to the girl in only the way a Mama Bear can and said "If you want to beat someone up, you beat me up but don't you lay a hand on my daughter."  And then  she turned to my child hood friend and said how surprised and disappointed that she was with her for letting  this go on and then told her to get in the car.  Later that afternoon, both girls came to my house to apologize to me and from there we were all friends.  It wasn't long and drawn out perhaps because she knew from the start what she was doing wasn't right, a storybook ending no less.  Unfortunately, this is not true for everyone.

It caused me to see my mother in a whole new light.  She really was my protector, I had seen it first hand and the feeling remains with me to this day.  So, maybe I have to wrestle with myself over not being brave, was I being cowardly, I don't know but I have never questioned the actions of my mother that day. 

This all comes to mind because I recently read the book, My Secret Bully by Trudy Ludwig.  (Illustrations by Abigail Marble) After you read this book you will understand why she is award winning, acclaimed and highly respected by the educational community.  Her other books related to the subject of bullying are Just Kidding, Confessions of a Former Bully and Trouble Talk.  She has written several picture books about social issues and they are ALL worth taking the time to read.

Another good book to read that takes the age down a notch is Nobody Knew What to Do, A Story about Bullying by Becky Ray McCain and illustrated by Todd Leonardo.  Children immediately relate to these books because they do a good job of describing the feelings that accompany these situations.  These books also have an excellent, do-able solution to the problem.  

Going younger still into the world of the bully leads you to, Marlene, Marlene, the Queen of Mean by Jane Lynch with advice and guidance from Lara Embry, PHD and A.E. Mikesell.  (Illustrations by Tricia Tusa)  It begins...Let me tell you the story of a girl seeking glory, who thought that the best thing to do was to pinch and to kick and to scowl and to flick and to block children's way to the loo.

She sounds delightful....?  Luckily people can change and this story gives you some advice on how to do that if you or someone you know in fact can relate at all to Marlene and what to do to stand up to someone like her.  

Because bullying is a high profile, social situation  I just wanted to make you aware of a couple of books that are out there to assist you, written with just the right words that provide skills for coping with this all too real situation.

Feeling Sluggish?

    


 

What is the difference between 
a slug and a snail?  Well, quite simply the shell.  Slugs don't have an external shell and snails do.  In a previous post I mentioned the book Slugs by David T. Greenberg.  It's a crazy, gross and gruesome book published in 1983.  It has a devoted following, like a cult movie.  When I first started searching internet sights for comments I really expected to read something to the effect of...how did this book ever get published, or this book will damage your child for life.  But no, quite the opposite, kids now grown up have such fond memories of this grisly tale.  They sat on Grandpa's lap and laughed their heads off.  In case you have never read it here is the first page...

Swallow a Slug

By its tail or its snout

Feel it slide down

Feel it climb out

Now don't feel bad for the Slugs because just like in the movie Freaks they get their revenge.  

                        Why, there are Slugs that know karate

                       There are Slugs as big as you

                      and some night when you're fast asleep

            This is what they'll do:

So, who is this person David T Greenberg?  Mr. Greenberg is the author of Crocs, Bugs, Enchanted Lions and many more well know children's books.  Slugs was actually his first published book.

He was born in Brooklyn and grew up in Great Neck, Long Island with a giant back yard and his dog as his best friend.  He just has the knack of rhyming words and the ability to tickle every child's funny bone with the gross humor kids just naturally have. He has a nice life in Portland, Oregon with his wife, Susan and seems to be a very accessible author.  He visits schools and you can email him with your questions.  This book is still around and you can find it at the library or your favorite book seller.

Now, to the softer side of a Slug (hahaha) there is an adorable, delightful book,
Slugs in Love by Susan Pearson (2006).  It is the charming story about a Slug named Marylou that is in love with a Slug named Herbie.  The problem is Herbie doesn't know it, he doesn't even know who Marylou is.  Marylou  comes up with a way to let her feelings be known and that is where the charming, delightful part comes in, you just have to read the book.  I promise you will love it.

Did you know...Slugs are invertebrates, they have no backbone actually no bones at all. the biggest Slug in the world is the Banana Slug and it can grow up to a foot long.  So, next time you see a Slug take a moment to appreciate these literary creatures and never take them for granted. (smile, wink...wink)

Here comes Peter Cottontail...

Hippity, Hoppity Easter is on it's way and luckily there are tons of fun Easter books to read and put in Easter baskets as gifts.  They actually don't have to be the greatest of stories because children love the Easter Bunny regardless. He's soft, furry, brings candy and is a friend to all.

I found the most delightful modern day Bunny Tale, The Country Bunny and the Little Gold Shoes by DuBose Heyward with pictures by Marjorie Hack.  It's a story about a girl bunny that wants to be the "Easter Bunny" when she grows up.  She instead becomes a wife and a mother to 21 bunnies and it looks like her dream may not come true.  But she is smart and determined and you must read the book to find out what happens.  Now, I said modern day tale, no....this book was published in 1939. It makes me so happy to know this book was available  for children to read and think about at a time when some women were suppressed.  Maybe this tale of bravery inspired the women that would soon "hold down the fort" here at home during World War ll.  (And those women that went off to war, nurses, pilots and many other important jobs!)

(Edwin) DuBose Heyward wrote the 1925 novel Porgy which his wife adapted into the play Porgy and Bess.  Which explains why this man wrote such an insightful children's book.  He himself as a child and young man was sickly and spent much time ill in bed.  At the age of 18 he contracted polio.  He passed his time in his sickbed writing verses and stories.  The Country Bunny was quite popular at the time it was published and I think holds up well for today's readers. 

So, look for this book even if Easter has passed, its a GOOD READ!

BTW the Easter Bunny is a Hare not a rabbit. The Easter Bunny's origin was mentioned in print as early as 1620 and can be traced to the German fertility goddess Eostre.

Sam & Dave Dig a Hole by Mac Barnett

When my son, Aaron was nine years old (he's now 25) he discovered his dad's post hole diggers.  Dirt was waiting on the empty lot we owned that was adjacent to our house.  So off he went determined to find the perfect spot.  I don't remember if he had a method to his selection but he soon began to dig.  I have to applaud his persistence  because he dug down six feet striking liquid.  He was beyond excited because he thought he had struck oil and dollar signs flashed before his eyes.  His heart broke along with his wallet at the news it was only water. 

Which brings me to a 2015 Caldecott Honor book, Sam & Dave Dig a Hole by Mac Barnett and illustrated by Jon Klassen  Remember that Caldecott Award is for the illustrations in a picture book. It means the pictures perfectly illustrates the words and could tell the story on their own.  Mr. Barnett is a well-know author of children's books.   You might of read his book Extra Yarn in which Jon Klassen also illustrated.  Jon Klassen wrote and illustrated That's Not My Hat, which has fast become a new favorite for many.

The book begins...On Monday Sam and Dave dug a hole and well I won't spoil the fun for you from there but that is definitely enough to make you want to read the book as soon as possible.  All books are for everyone but I gotta say little boys are going to love this book and want it read to them over and over.  It would make a perfect gift for a boy or girl ages 4 to 7 or me, I checked it out from the library but would love to own a copy.  Oh, and you're going to love the part about Chocolate milk and animal crackers because all adventures should always include a snack.

Aaron digs a hole

Oil that is, Black Gold, Texas Tea???

Extra Note:  The Adventures of Beekle, the Unimaginary Friend by Dan Santat is a "cute read".