Over and Under the Canyon

Kate Messner and Christopher Silas Neal have a new picture book, Over and Under the Canyon, that is worth looking for at the library.  A  mom and her son spend the day hiking in the canyon.  The pair see many animals on their way to their destination, a place where the wild plants decorate the landscape with color.  After dark, they see a hairy scorpion glow and hear the great horned owls.  Share this book with elementary children to help them understand the diversity of life in the canyon.

Nathan's Song

Nathan's Song by Leda Schubert is based on the story of her grandfather.  Nathan was a Jewish boy who lived in Russia.  He loved singing and wanted to become an opera singer.  His family saved money, and Nathan headed for Italy to study.  Unfortunately, Nathan boarded the wrong ship-to New York!  Though he never got to Italy, Nathan was able to use his singing ability to earn money, eventually singing on Broadway.  An immigrant story I recommend for ages five to one hundred.

The Floating Field

The Floating Field by Scott Riley and illustrated by Nguyen Quang and Kim Lien is a picture book that is for elementary or junior high students.  Based on a true story, Prasit and his friends loved playing soccer.  The problem was that they could only play when the tides did not cover the sandbar.  He and his friends decide to make a floating soccer field.  This story is a good example to share with children to see how a group of people can work together to solve a problem in a creative way. 

at the library

If you are tired of winter, it might be time to head to the library to find something new to do.  A few items that I checked out recently from the library.

The ukulele is from a try it yourself kit.  The ukulele comes in a case, along with a tuner and two books for beginners.  The kit can be checked out for three weeks.

Several libraries in my regional system also have jigsaw puzzles. 

My library also has snowshoes available for a weeklong checkout.  This post has examples of more offerings from the library I use.  Does your library offer anything unique? 

Night Becomes Day: Changes in Nature

Night Becomes Day: Changes in Nature by Cynthia Argentine is a great book to share with a wide variety of children.  Cynthia did a great job with the text and photographs.  There are many examples of change throughout nature, explained in opposite pairs like ancient and new, quick and slow, and brighten and dull.  This is good to facilitate a discussion on change.  It is also a great book to show examples of precise word choice-There are sentences like "It flattens hills and forms valleys." and "Animals scamper." 

A Long Road on a Short Day

A Long Road on a Short Day by Gary Schmidt and Elizabeth Stickney is a very short chapter book that is worthwhile read for all ages.  Samuel and his father set out one snowy day in search of a cow for their family.  On the way, they stop to visit many people, and eventually do end up with a cow, and a surprise for Samuel, too.  The story reminded me a little of the game bigger and better, where you start out with a toothpick and you keep trading up until you get something very large.