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Watch This Space

Regular contributor Debbie Glade reviews Watch This Space.

615lpq8ue4l_sl500_aa300_All those budding little urban planners and park lovers need a copy of Watch This Space: Designing, Defending and Sharing Public Spaces. What a grand idea for a children’s book! Written by Hadley Dyer and illustrated by Marc Ngui, this unique book introduces the design, uses and laws of the public spaces we all use in our lives every day. The book is rather sophisticated, and I say that as a compliment. I like the fact that the author defines for us what is and what isn’t a public space and who uses them. She even touches upon what is considered offensive behavior in a public space, which is rather entertaining. Readers also learn the elements a well-designed public space and tips on taking action, should a need arise to defend a public space in their communities. I am a great supporter of children’s books that expose them to world they never knew existed before. And this book certainly does that well.

debbiegladeDebbie Glade, today’s guest reviewer, is the author, illustrator and voice talent of the award-winning children’s picture book The Travel Adventures of Lilly P Badilly: Costa Rica, published by Smart Poodle Publishing. She visits South Florida schools with her reading, writing and geography programs. For years, Debbie was a travel writer for luxury cruise lines. She writes parenting articles for various websites and is the Geography Awareness Editor for WanderingEducators.com. She blogs daily at smartpoodlepublishing.com.

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Origami Games – Original Fun

origami_games_cover

REAMS OF ENTERTAINMENT

Joel Stern is the author of Origami Games published by Tuttle. The book contains directions for making 21 different origami models, and describes 22 games–both competitive and collaborative–that can be played with them. The models are all made from regular printer paper (8 1/2 x 11 inches), which means that a closetful of games and toys can be had for less than the price of a cup of coffee.

fill_er_upRecently Joel told me some interesting things about his motivation to write the book. “So many of our children have become addicted to technology, and have lost the ability and desire to make things themselves, and to use their imagination. Part of my intent with the book was to provide a hands-on, low-tech activity for parents to do with their children. Further, the cost of these games is negligible, which can be an important factor for families in these tough economic times.

chip_toss“My inspiration for the book was the ‘football’ game I learned as a kid, where we’d flick a triangle folded from a piece of paper over a ‘goal post’ formed by a friend’s fingers on the opposite side of the table. I figured that anyone who liked to play that game would enjoy playing other games out of paper. The models include a frog, dragon, basketball hoop, and zig-zag units that can form different shapes. The games help foster skills such as balance, speed, and accuracy.

“The book offers suggestions for using origami games in the classroom, and discusses the developmental benefits of origami in general. It also includes a template for kids (or anyone) to document their own games. In fact, I got many ideas for the book by observing the games that a class of third grade students came up with.”

slay_the_dragonBesides Origami Games, Joel’s authored three other books of paper crafts (origami and pop-up cards), which are described on his website:

Editor’s Note: Joel will be giving a workshop at the Slavin Family Children’s Library of L.A., at 6505 Wilshire Blvd. (the Jewish Federation building), at 2:30 p.m. on Sunday, October 10. If you have access to Facebook, you can see that they’ve highlighted the book on their page.

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When Pigs Fly

THE ADVENTURES OF NANNY PIGGINS ($15.99, Little, Brown Books for Young Readers, ages 8-12), by R.A. Spratt with illustrations by Dan Santat is reviewed today by Lindy Michaels of Bookstar on Ventura Blvd. in Studio City.

51s07k6nofl_sl500_aa300_Widower, workaholic taxman, Mr. Green, was desperately in need of a nanny for his three children. Now, we all know how hard it is to find good help these days and so it was, that is, until Nanny Piggins showed up at Mr. Green’s front door, one dark and stormy night. Since, unfortunately, he didn’t take much of an interest in his children and Ms. Piggins had no criminal record and could start immediately, he hired her on the spot. So what if she was a… PIG! On the other hand, she was very smart, well spoken and dressed with a flair.

Now believe me when I tell you, Nanny Piggins wasn’t just any old ordinary pig. She had been, of all things, a high-flying pig in a circus. As it turned out, after many years she had become tired of being shot out of a canon, night after night and decided to find a new profession for her adorable pink pig self. Did I mention that she was also totally addicted to chocolate? This, alone, made the children love her immediately, since Nanny Piggins always shared with them the sweet treats she constantly whipped up.

And so began the adventures of living with Nanny Piggins. There was the almost ‘sinking’ boat ride in the direction of China. Besides chocolate, Nanny Piggins also loved and devoured duck with noodles, sweet and sour chicken and mmm … squid soup. Fried pork, not so much, for obvious reasons. There was the rotten circus Ringmaster who tried to take Nanny back to the circus. Then there was the burglar, whose thieving she thwarted, the evil aunt of the children she outsmarted. Oh! And did I mention the pie-making contest fiasco?

I do believe former U.S. Secretary of State, Madeleine Albright, said it best on the book’s back cover. “The most exciting saga about a flying pig nanny ever told. There is a laugh on every page and a lesson in there somewhere.” And I wholeheartedly agree. I laughed out loud at Nanny Piggin’s antics. Funny, funny, funny. A pure delight. This book is a real hoot (or should I say snort) for readers ages 8 and up.

lindymichaelspicThe very versatile Lindy Michaels aims to inspire young minds through children’s literature. Lindy owned L.A.’s first children’s bookshop, OF BOOKS AND SUCH (1972-1987) where she did storytelling, taught drama to children, had art and poetry contests and the like. According to Lindy, “It was truly a ‘land of enchantment.” She also spent years lecturing on realism in children’s literature at colleges in the state. For close to five years Lindy has worked for Studio City Barnes and Noble (BookStar) in the children’s section and does storytelling every Saturday at 10:30 a.m.

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Get In The Spirit With Kohl’s

kohlsgrinchattachmentI love how Kohl’s gives back with their Kohl’s Cares program, and with these great values, it’s like they are giving away the shop! Now through December stock up on your holiday presents and you’ll be ahead of the game.

Are you looking for an ideal gift that your heart and your wallet will feel good about giving? Through the Kohl’s Cares cause merchandise program you can get both! This season Kohl’s is featuring How the Grinch Stole Christmas, There’s a Wocket In My Pocket, Oh Say Can You Say?,  and Thidwick the Big-Hearted Moose along with adorable coordinating plush toy, for just $5 each through the Kohl’s Cares cause merchandise program.

For just $5 each you can feel good about staying on your budget and giving back. Kohl’s donates 100 percent of the net profit to children’s health and education initiatives nationwide.

In addition, Kohl’s is offering The Great Christmas Cookie Swap Cookbook and The Trans-Siberian Orchestra CD. The Great Christmas Cookie Swap Cookbook offers a collection of sixty cookie recipes; each recipe is designed to make large batches that are perfect for holiday cookie swaps. The book also provides information on how to host your own cookie swap. The Trans-Siberian Orchestra CD contains 12 heart-warming holiday songs that are sure to get anyone into the holiday spirit.

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No Need To Be Scared Of The Dark

IF YOU’RE AFRAID OF THE DARK REMEMBER THE NIGHT RAINBOW with words and drawings by Cooper Edens (Chronicle Books) is reviewed by Lindy Michaels of Bookstar on Ventura Blvd. in Studio City.

0811835111_normThis lovely little gem of a book will be treasured by all who open it. Each page holds words of wisdom and illustrations that are beyond beautiful.

“If you have butterflies in your stomach,
ask them into your heart.”

While a perfect gift for loved ones and best friends, the innocence of the thoughts on these pages will also charm young children, perhaps helping them to imagine and verbalize their world in a different way.

“If the sun never shines again,
hold fireflies in your hands to keep warm.”

I simply adore this book and I know you will, too. And remember…

“If you lose a memory,
embroider a new one to take its place.”

lindymichaelspic3The very versatile Lindy Michaels aims to inspire young minds through children’s literature. Lindy owned L.A.’s first children’s bookshop, OF BOOKS AND SUCH (1972-1987) where she did storytelling, taught drama to children, had art and poetry contests and the like. According to Lindy, “It was truly a ‘land of enchantment.” She also spent years lecturing on realism in children’s literature at colleges in the state. For close to five years Lindy has worked for Studio City Barnes and Noble (BookStar) in the children’s section and does storytelling every Saturday at 10:30 a.m.

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Check Out The Shoes

Guest reviewer Lindy Michaels of BookStar in Studio City writes about PETE THE CAT…. I LOVE MY WHITE SHOES (HarperCollins, $16.99, ages 3-7) by Eric Litwin with art by James Dean.

9780061906237Pete, the cat, loves his very white shoes and sings about just how much he does. Now all join in! “I love my white shoes, I love my white shoes, I love my white shoes!” But, oh no! And horrors, too! One day he steps into a large pile of… strawberries and his shoes turn… RED!

Most cats in this situation would go meowing back to their momma, but not Pete. He goes with the flow, now singing about how he loves his red shoes. Sing it loud! “I love my red shoes, I love my red shoes, I love my red shoes!”

And you guessed it, Pete keeps stepping into piles of different colored “things.” Yikes, even mud! But no catastrophe will crumple this cat.

Children will love to guess what Pete steps into next, as they sing along with him. Will his shoes ever turn white, again? Open this ‘colorful’ book and find out!

lindymichaelspic2The very versatile Lindy Michaels aims to inspire young minds through children’s literature. Lindy owned L.A.’s first children’s bookshop, OF BOOKS AND SUCH (1972-1987) where she did storytelling, taught drama to children, had art and poetry contests and the like. According to Lindy, “It was truly a ‘land of enchantment.” She also spent years lecturing on realism in children’s literature at colleges in the state. For close to five years Lindy has worked for Studio City Barnes and Noble (BookStar) in the children’s section and does storytelling every Saturday at 10:30 a.m.

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Words And Music

Books You Can Hum Along To

L.A. Parent’s Calendar Editor, Michael Berick, has compiled this collection of wonderful new books.

Stories and songs have been part of children’s lives since … there have been stories and songs. Combining books and music has been a growing trend, with a number of notable new additions.
9781402768583mMan Gave Names To All The Animals (Sterling, $17.95, ages 3 and up) turns Bob Dylan’s tune from his 1979 Slow Train Coming into a colorful picture book, illustrated by Jim Arnosky. Some might argue that the words work better as a picture book than on a grown-up CD. The book contains a CD with Dylan’s original rendition so you can compare.

9781402759642mPeter Yarrow, of Peter, Paul and Mary fame, has put together his latest songbook, The Peter Yarrow Songbook: Songs for Little Folks, (Sterling, $16.95, ages 4-7) filling it with more folk song favorites (like “Mary Has A Little Lamb” and “Pop, Goes The Weasel”). One of the nice things about this charming picture book, again illustrated by Terry Widener, is that it has pages with the songs’ chords and lyrics as well as a CD with Yarrow doing the tunes.

swingcafeThe Secret Mountain also is continuing its wonderfully innovative storybook-music CD series with two new titles. Swing Café (The Secret Mountain, $16.95), written by Carl Norac and illustrated by Rebecca Dautremer, follows the adventures of a cricket named Zaz to the soundtrack of vintage jazz tunes (Cab Calloway, Ella Fitzgerald, etc.), while The Little Blue Dog turns Lionel Daunais’ song about the title character into a picture book (illustrated by Marie LaFrance). Michelle Campagne & Family performs that song as well as another dozen Daunais tunes. One of the great things about these books is that the CD contains the story as well as the music tracks.

0310718198Coming out in January is I See The Rhythm Of Gospel (Zondervan, $16.99, ages 9-12) text by Toyomi Igus and paintings by Michele Wooda, an impressive picture book that tells the story of African-Americans in the U.S. through a poetic tale complimented by a historical timeline and a gospel-focused CD.

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Jamie Lee Curtis at Children’s Book World

photo-credit-andrew-eccles
photo-credit-andrew-eccles

JAMIE LEE CURTIS READING & BOOK SIGNING – SEPTEMBER 25

Mark your calendars for this great opportunity on Saturday!! 11:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. MY MOMMY HUNG THE MOON is the ninth dazzling picture book by the bestselling team of actor and author Jamie Lee Curtis and illustrator Laura Cornell. Written straight from the heart and illustrated with tender hilarity, the book is a keepsake with a wonderful message to moms and fc9780060290160kids about how much that special love means.

Join Jamie Lee Curtis for a reading and book signing at Children’s Book World.

Children’s Book World
10580 ½ Pico Blvd.,
Los Angeles 90064,
310 559-2665,
www.childrensbookworld.com

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Get Goosebumps for Halloween Contest

Multiply Your Chills Times Two

From Oozing Blobs to Squirming Worms, There’s Really Something For Everyone!

Good Reads With Ronna knows how popular the R. L. Stine Goosebumps Scholastic series is, so this Halloween we’re giving away 3 sets of 2 new DVDs (The Blob That Ate Everyone and Go Eat Worms!) from Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment. Just enter by October 13 by clicking here. Send your name, address and telephone number in an email and write Goosebumps as the subject. For contest rules, please click here now. Good luck!

blobthatateeveryoned50fa53YOU CAN’T HIDE!

GOOSEBUMPS: THE BLOB THAT ATE EVERYONE ($14.98, no rating) – This collections includes mysteries called
The Blob That Ate Everyone, My Hairiest Adventure, and Piano Lessons Can Be Murder.

goeatwormsdvd_spineWHEN DINNER IS FILLED WITH SURPRISES!

GOOSEBUMPS: GO EAT WORMS! ($14.98, no rating) – This collection includes such frightful tales as Go Eat Worms!, Bad Hare Day, and Revenge of the Lawn Gnomes.

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Accidentally Delicious

threescoopscvrIf you have a young child who always wants to help you out at home, especially with cooking, Three Scoops and a Fig ($15.95, Peachtree Publishers, ages 4-8) is a really cute book to read. Written by Sara Laux Akin, this book tells the story of young Sofia, who messes up every time she tries to help members of her family cook a special Italian dinner for them and Sofia’s grandparents. (I like the fact that comments are made to the child, using a few Italian words, which are defined in the back of the book, plus a recipe.) By pure accident, Sophia makes something wonderful happen with food that makes the family proud of her. The illustrations, by Susan Kathleen Hartung, are delightful, rounding out Three Scoops and a Fig.

debbieglade1Debbie Glade, today’s guest reviewer, is the author, illustrator and voice talent of the award-winning children’s picture book The Travel Adventures of Lilly P Badilly: Costa Rica, published by Smart Poodle Publishing. She visits South Florida schools with her reading, writing and geography programs. For years, Debbie was a travel writer for luxury cruise lines. She writes parenting articles for various websites and is the Geography Awareness Editor for WanderingEducators.com. She blogs daily at smartpoodlepublishing.com.

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And This Bird Can Read

51thq7kdjel_sl500_aa300_CALVIN CAN’T FLY: THE STORY OF A BOOKWORM BIRDIE ($14.95, Sterling Children’s Books, ages 4-8) written by Jennifer Berne and illustrated by Keith Bendes is reviewed today by Lindy Michaels, of BookStar on Ventura Blvd. in Studio City.

Calvin is a little bird called a Starling. He has seven brothers and sisters and sixty-seven thousand four hundred and thirty-two cousins. Wow! Starlings have big families. But Calvin wasn’t like his other family members. While they did Starling things all day long, like discovering worms and dirt and grass and bugs and ants, Calvin discovered books. And as he learned to read, he dreamt of adventure stories and legends, poetry and even of becoming a great writer, himself, one day.

But while he had his beak buried in a book, all the other Starlings were learning a very important skill… how to fly. While they all practiced swooping and hovering and flying figure eights, high in the sky, Calvin’s mind soared with all the knowledge flying into his brain.

And then, one day, it was time for the Starlings to fly South for the winter… everyone except Calvin, that is, since he had never learned to fly. What happens next is two-fold. One, how a family comes together to help one of their own, and two, how one little Starling’s knowledge, learned from reading books, would save his entire family.

This engaging and satisfying tale will delight little ones and reinforce how important, educational and fun the written word can be.

lindymichaelspic1The very versatile Lindy Michaels aims to inspire young minds through children’s literature. Lindy owned L.A.’s first children’s bookshop, OF BOOKS AND SUCH (1972-1987) where she did storytelling, taught drama to children, had art and poetry contests and the like. According to Lindy, “It was truly a ‘land of enchantment.” She also spent years lecturing on realism in children’s literature at colleges in the state. For close to five years Lindy has worked for Studio City Barnes and Noble (BookStar) in the children’s section and does storytelling every Saturday at 10:30 a.m.

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Step Back From The Machinery

Flintridge Bookstore & Coffeehouse Invites you to:

TURN OFF YOUR TV WEEK 9/20 – 9/24


image003Sign up for some fun “unplugged activities!”
3:30-4:30 pm

MONDAY: Sew your own Teddy Bear!
Ages 6 & up
Cost: $10
Limited to 10 kids

TUESDAY: Potato Chip Science!
Hands on fun Science activities
Ages 8 & up
Cost: $20 (includes book & everything you’ll need)
Limited to 10 kids

WEDNESDAY: Music time with Amy Tibert
Ages 5 and up
FREE
Limited to 15 kids

THURSDAY: Recycled Crafts
Ages 7 & up
Cost: $5
Limited to 10 kids

Time is short and space is limited. Reserve your spot today! 818-790-0717

Flintridge Bookstore & Coffeehouse
964 Foothill Blvd
La Canada Flintridge, CA 91011-3341

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Monkey Around With Lindy Michaels

IT’S A BOOK! (Roaring Brook Press, $12.99, ages 6 and up) written and illustrated by Lane Smith is reviewed today by the ever enthusiastic Lindy Michaels, of BookStar on Ventura Blvd.

9781596436060As the monkey is getting his literary enjoyment by reading the ink printed word on, yes, actual paper, the donkey (here stated by his ‘other name’), while playing his technological invention, looks up and seems perplexed. Next, comes a barrage of questions from the donkey.

“How do you scroll down?” Do you blog with it?” “Can it text?” “Tweet?’ “Wi-Fi?” And the computer-like questions go on and on and on.

“NO! IT’S A BOOK!!” the monkey repeatedly tells him, with much frustration.

This book is simply perfect, not to mention hysterically funny, for all of you out there who would rather turn a page than hit a key. And perhaps it will bring some insight to those who don’t understand the joy gotten from one of the greatest simple pleasures that can be gotten in this life. A wonderful lesson for youngin’s, also. I’m not saying all this new technology isn’t great, but, to me, there is nothing more wonderful than curling up on a comfy couch and reading a real book! It’s something that, I certainly hope, won’t ever go out of fashion. For goodness sake, IT’S A BOOK!!

Another of Lane Smith’s books that’s a must to check out is The Big Elephant in The Room. With great humor and truths, Mr. Smith has the unique ability to hit societal situations right on the head.

lindymichaelspicThe very versatile Lindy Michaels aims to inspire young minds through children’s literature. Lindy owned L.A.’s first children’s bookshop, OF BOOKS AND SUCH (1972-1987) where she did storytelling, taught drama to children, had art and poetry contests and the like. According to Lindy, “It was truly a ‘land of enchantment.” She also spent years lecturing on realism in children’s literature at colleges in the state. For close to five years Lindy has worked for Barnes and Noble (BookStar) in the children’s section and does storytelling every Saturday at 10:30 a.m. where we first met. I think she might even be more gaga over kids’ books than me, if that’s possible!

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Thinking About Summer Already?

Note from Ronna: If your children are anything like mine, as early as their first week of school, they are already planning for and dreaming about next summer!

Aptly named, Mama, Is it Summer Yet? (Abrams, $17.95) written and illustrated by Nikki McClure is about a child who has grown tired of winter and cannot wait for summer to arrive. The simple text creatively teaches young children about all the signs of spring that lead into summer. The unique illustrations are done in mostly bold black cut-outs with pastel backgrounds.The author was inspired to write and 9780810984684_3dillustrate this book after her own son asked her, “Mama Is it Summer Yet?” This darling book – her response – can benefit all those little ones out there who cannot wait until the weather gets warmer so they can run and play outside.

debbiegladeDebbie Glade, today’s guest reviewer, is the author, illustrator and voice talent of the award-winning children’s picture book The Travel Adventures of Lilly P Badilly: Costa Rica, published by Smart Poodle Publishing. She visits South Florida schools with her reading, writing and geography programs. For years, Debbie was a travel writer for luxury cruise lines. She writes parenting articles for various websites and is the Geography Awareness Editor for WanderingEducators.com. She blogs daily at smartpoodlepublishing.com.

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National Literacy Month Just Got Sweeter

SNACK ON SOME BOOKS

logoThis month kicks off The Nestlé Share the Joy of Reading Program, which will donate up to $250,000 to Reading Is Fundamental (RIF), the nation’s oldest and largest nonprofit children’s literacy organization.

As a company, Nestlé has a long standing history of supporting programs that benefit education and give back to the community – both have been integral parts of the company’s culture. For nearly 20 years, Nestlé has supported RIF by donating in excess of $6 million, which has helped hundreds of thousands of children to date.

How “The Nestlé Share the Joy of Reading Program” Works

While “The Nestlé Share the Joy of Reading Program” will be donating to RIF, it also gives you, the consumer, the chance to be rewarded with a wide range of prizes. Through this program, you will have the chance to help a child receive a new book every time you open a variety of specially marked bags of Nestlé candy – including CRUNCH®, BUTTERFINGER®, BABY RUTH®, 100 GRAND®, BUTTERFINGER CRISP®, WONKA® LAFFY TAFFY®, WONKA® NERDS®, WONKA® SWEETARTS® and WONKA® MIXUPS®. By entering the package promotion code on the inside of specially marked Nestlé candy bags at the program site www.CelebrationCorner.com/RIF, you have a chance to become an instant winner for which you’ll receive a $10 book certificate. Additionally, you’ll be entered into a monthly $5,000 cash drawing.

Each time a consumer enters a valid package promotion code to play the instant win game, Nestlé will donate $.10 to RIF. Additionally, Nestlé will donate a book in the form of $2 to RIF for each valid instant win prize claimed. Specially marked Nestlé bags are currently in stores nationwide and will be available until the program ends in December 2011 or while supplies last. During that time, Nestlé will donate up to $250,000 to RIF, with a minimum guarantee of $100,000 – the more consumers play, the more money will be donated.

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