Book-A-Day 71

Happy last day of summer!  I hope you have had a relaxing and enjoyable break from school.  I also hope you are ready for the first day of school tomorrow.  To recognize the first day, today's Book A Day is titled Lilly's Purple Plastic Purse by Kevin Henkes.  This book is about Lilly who loves school and her teacher, Mr. Slinger.  When she grows up, Lilly wants to be a teacher (just like Mr. Slinger).  After going shopping with her grandma, Lilly comes to school with her new purple plastic purse, three shiny quarters, and movie star sunglasses.  The problem is Lilly wants to share them with the class at the most inappropriate times, like during lessons.  Finally, Mr. Slinger takes them and holds them at his desk for the rest of the day.  Lilly is NOT happy.  She decides Mr. Slinger is mean and draws a picture of mean Mr. Slinger.  She puts the picture in his bag and tells him she doesn't want to be a teacher.  As she is going home, she finds a note from Mr. Slinger stating he knows today was hard and tomorrow will be better.  Lilly feels horrible!  How is she ever going to get Mr. Slinger to forgive her for her terrible picture?  Often, students get upset with a teacher's decision to settle a situation.  It is important to remember, teachers are not trying to be mean or hurt feelings.  They are trying to teach all the students so they can grow and learn.  Here's to a great school year with lots of growing and learning.  Have a wonderful year!  #BookADay71

Book-A-Day 70

Summer was perfect until Jeremy Ross moved into town.  The narrator was laughed at by Jeremy during baseball games and wasn't invited to Jeremy's party.  Jeremy was ENEMY #1.  The narrator's dad had a way to get rid of enemies, Enemy Pie.  His dad kept the recipe secret as he baked the pie.  He also told his son he had to spend a day with Jeremy in order for the pie to work.  So, the narrator and Jeremy spent the day together.  Slowly, but surely, Jeremy was not so bad.  They played together all day.  When it was time to eat Enemy Pie, the narrator was worried what might happen to Jeremy if he ate it.  Enemy Pie by Derek Munson is a great book to share with children dealing with unkind people.  #BookADay70

Book-A-Day 69

Katie Cleminson's Cuddle Up, Goodnight is the perfect book for a young student.  The easy read goes through the course of a child's day.  It begins with the beginning of the day procedure.  It moves on to events that occur at school or preschool.  Finally, the book takes the reader step-by-step in a bedtime routine.  For those children preparing to go to school for the first time, reading this book could help with creating a structure and comfort for the child.  #BookADay69

  

Book-A-Day 68

In another book about a cat, The Cat Who Walked Across France by Kate Banks tells about a cat who journeys through the country of France.  In the beginning of the book, the cat lives with an older woman.  The cat lives a great life and is cared for by the woman.  When she dies, all of her possessions (including the cat) are shipped north.  Over time, all is forgotten.  The cat leaves in search of his familiar home.  His adventure takes him through the country, cities, water, and weather.  At last, the cat arrives at his old home.  However, there is a new family living there.  Was the cat's walk across France worth it?  #BookADay68

Book-A-Day 67

One day a cat shows up at a librarian's house.  She has him come in and feeds him.  She begins to read to the cat and names him Stuart Little.  The cat then stops by an elderly man's house.  The man is lonely and appreciates the cat's company.  He names the cat Kitty-boy.  This cat also visits with others in the neighborhood.  Eventually, the cat has acquired the names of Placido, Mooch, Dove, and Mouse.  One day, a woman nearly runs over the cat with her car.  She is searching for him, her cat named Regis.  The Cat with Seven Names by Tony Johnston tells about a cat who is named (and loved) by many people.  The book also shows how the cat connects those people together.  #BookADay67

Book-A-Day 66

Henry Alfred Grummorson was the great-great-great-great-great-great-great-grandson of King Arthur.  Henry turned six years-old and sought an adventure.  He headed to the hills in search of a dragon.  Thinking he would battle with the Dragon, Henry was prepared for the fire breather.  However, there were only smoke rings.  The Dragon suggested, if Henry wanted a battle, find the Cyclops.  Once they were face-to-face, Henry was ready to battle.  However, the Cyclops had a different definition of battle.  Henry sought to fight the Griffin and Leviathan.  Did Henry find something to battle?  Or, did he find something else?  Read King Arthur's Very Great Grandson by Kenneth Kraegel.  #BookADay66

Book-A-Day 65

We can all have a bad day for many different reasons.  The book A Good Day by Kevin Henkes begins with a bird, dog, fox, and squirrel having a bad day.  The bird lost its feather.  The dog had a tangled leash.  The fox couldn't find its mother.  The squirrel dropped a nut.  However, like most bad days, things can turn around.  For these animals, the bad day turned out to be a good one.  In the end, a girl found a beautiful feather she wore behind her ear.  When you are having an unpleasant day, this book is a reminder that it may improve.  Have a good day today!  #BookADay65

Book-A-Day 64

In Going North by Janice N. Harrington, a little girl's family is moving to the northern state of Nebraska.  The girl doesn't want to leave Alabama and her Big Mama.  It is also the time of segregation.  So, their trip is not necessarily comfortable.  At one time, the family needs gas for the car, yet not all stations will allow them to stop.  Meanwhile, the little girl worries about what their new life will be as they are going north.  This is a helpful book to read when moving to another place and dealing with the unknown.  It is also an example of life during segregation in the 1960s.  #BookADay64

Book-A-Day 63

Have you ever tried to help, but it turns out to be a disaster?  Well, in Blue Chicken by Deborah Freedman, a chicken in a painting arises from the picture and attempts to assist the painter.  The problem is the chicken dumps the blue paint.  First, she turns blue.  Then, the pansies, ducks, cat, and cow become blue.  The chicken is very sorry for the blue mess.  "Maybe the chicken can undo the blue?"  Find out if the helping chicken can change everything back.  #BookADay63