Supernova by CL Parker

I am a girl all about the title and cover. I know. Seems unfair, but I just can't help it. I wasn't really looking forward to reading this book for book club at all. Thank goodness the ladies that run the book club, Readers After Dark, assigned it anyways. I would have missed out on an amazing story.

Synopsis...

Kerrigan posses a power she must grow.  Dominic will be her mentor.  What she doesn't know is why her grandmother trusted this stranger.  What is the secret Dominic is afraid to share? 

I started reading the book yesterday and finished it this morning. It has just enough magic,supernatural allure. Plus, it has a romantic side as well. All the combinations that make a great book in my option.

Of course, you will fall in love with Kerrigan and Dominic the two main characters. But... If I had to choose a favorite, it would be Kerrigan's best friend, Gabe. He is gay. He is a self proclaimed diva. He is witty. It is his nasty, witty side that will keep you laughing out loud during a story that could have had a very different undertone.

This is a book I would be willing to read again. Thank you CL Parker for my evening entertainment.

If you'd like to check out Supernova, click here.

Semester Abroad: More Than Magic #1

Elizabeth Kirke wrote a YA novel entitled Semester Abroad.  The title of the story wasn't something I would normally choose, but boy I'm I glad I did.  That old adage "You can't judge a book by its cover" sure rings true on this one.

Synopsis...

Jen is taking a summer cruise to study abroad.  She is having the time of her life studying and exploring new countries... that is until she witnesses something that she jut can't explain.  Jen tries to rationalize the event and convince herself that she is not crazy.  Soon Jen is thrown into a world of magic and "magics" she has only ever read about.

Semester Abroad is fast paced and entertaining. This book will keep you up all hours of the night.

There are so many different paranormal "magics" in this book. It is hard to choose your favorite. You're sure to fall in love with the entire cast of characters and not just the enchanting "new magic", Jen.

Can't wait for the second book to be published!!!

If you'd like to check out the awesomeness of Semester Abroad, click here.

Ethan's Story: My Life With Autism

I have been given the pleasure of reviewing several books for some up and coming authors.  Being a kindergarten teacher, I chose to review Ethan's book first.

Ethan is an eight-year-old  little boy living with autism.  He wrote Ethan's Story: My Life with Autism to explain a bit about how he lives every day.  The book is written from his perspective and gives insight into some of the unique characteristics of autism.

Let's cut to the chase. 

I loved this book.  Anyone sharing your life with someone that has autism, should consider investing in a copy.  The simple text and colorful illustrations are just right for even the youngest readers to understand.  The text matches the illustrations allowing for a deeper understanding.

Being a teacher, I have worked with children that have autism.  This book would have been a wonderful resource to share in my classroom.

Here is an excerpt from my favorite page:

Sometimes I lose track of where my body is and I run into people.  I don't mean to and I really don't like fighting.

This is so true of all children (and many adults).  I know the children reading the book can make a personal connection with the story and their new friend.

My hope is that Ethan's book becomes a resource to schools across the nation.  I hope that by hearing Ethan's story children will better understand autism.  I hope children will realize that a child with autism is just like them... unique and special.

If you'd like to purchase a copy of Ethan's Story, click here.

Books that Speak to the Soul

Two of my all time favorite books, Peaceful Piggy Meditation and 
Moody Cow Meditates, helps children to decompress and ground themselves.

I bought both of these books when my oldest son was in second grade and needed to learn how to calm down and focus.  He was behaving oddly at school and overall seemed to be overwhelmed.

Peaceful Piggy Meditation is focused on creating a special place in the home for meditation.  A few suggestions to create a spot of relaxation in your home include:

• a small cushion to sit on
• a smooth stone to rub
• soft music to drift away to
• etc.

Anything that brings peace and tranquility are welcome.

The book also includes a description of how children can meditate, as well as, directions on how to create a Mind-in-a-Jar Experiment.

I could go into detail on the experiment, but I wouldn't be able to do it justice.  It is such a simple thing that truly demonstrates a peaceful, yet active mind.




Moody Cow Meditates was a must have in our family.  All my boys (husband  included) tend to get angry a bit easier than most.  Nothing terrible, but it often leaves them in a  funk.

Moody Cow Meditates goes through the day of Moody Cow as he experiences several unsettling things.  After all, who wouldn't be upset by bad dreams and wrecking your bike?  I know, I sure would.

Anyways... when Moody Cow returns home, he is visited by his wise grandfather.  His grandfather creates a Moody Cow Mind Jar to help the little cow to calm and refocus his day. 

The directions for creating the jar are in the back of the book.  Basically, you drop colored sparkles into the water... one pinch for each angry thought you had during the day.  You watch the water quietly until all the sparkles have settled calmly to the bottom.  By the time, the last sparkle falls the angry feelings will have vanished or at least subsided a bit.

The concept is again very simple, but works its magic on the mind of children both young and old.

The next time your child is experiencing soul fever or just having a difficult day consider one of these awesome children's books as a source of guidance.  Your child might just smile again before bedtime.

What are some of your favorite go to books for children? 

What books help your child work through a personal dilemma big or small?

New Organizational Books

I have been hunting for ways to simplify and declutter my home.  I have stumbled upon several books that look promising.
 

Below are my newest finds and why I am so interested in each of these books.

Zen and the Art of Housekeeping: The Path to Finding Meaning in Your Cleaning

Makes it sound like cleaning can become a 'zen' experience.  If this is possible, I definitely want to give it a try.  Being at peace while cleaning  would be bliss!

Sidetracked Home Executives(TM): From Pigpen to Paradise

Sounds like a book written by real women, not some perfect example of what a woman is supposed to be.



Clutter Clearing Choices: Clear Clutter, Organize Your Home & Reclaim Your Life

This book just had such rave reviews.  I couldn't help but include it in my list.



Organize Now!: A Week-by-Week Guide to Simplify Your Space and Your Life

Week-by-week instruction with checklists.  Checklists are my favorite.  Spiral bound and lays flat... even better.



Household Wisdom: Traditional Homemaking Tips for Modern Living

Old school remedies from cleaning your home to saving seeds to polishing silver, etc.  A bit of everything you need for your home and your sanity.

Do you have a favorite organizational book or site?

I'd love to hear your suggestions.

Nature's Playground

I received Nature's Playground  about a month ago.  I must say I am very impressed with the content. 

The book begins by going over outdoor places to consider, how to include the entire family and ways to encourage everyone to get involved.  After the introduction, the book divides into a section for each of the seasons, year long activities, activities for after dark, safety and resources.

This book is the perfect place to start if you are unsure on how to bring your family closer to nature.

The photographs are exquisite as they depict real children enjoying the great outdoors.

Several Suggestion for Autumn from Nature's Playground:

1. natural painting: using plants and berries to create paint
2. autumn collections: collecting various natural treasures most found on the ground
3. forest mobiles: using natural treasures to create mobiles
4. You must purchase the book yourself to find out details and more activities to get your family involved with nature.

Useful Resources:

• Nature Rocks
• National Wildlife Federation
• Be Out There
• Nature Club for Families Tool Kit
• Pathway to Nature

Additional Books to Consider:

Zen Cleaning

If you are looking into going green or using less harmful chemicals in your home, this is the book for you. Clean: the humble art of zen-cleaning is written by Micheal deJong.

Moving to New York to become an artist was a little bit harder for deJong than he had hoped. To put a little extra cash in the bank, he began cleaning houses on the side. After several years though, he realised the impact the commercial cleaners were having on his health.

In search of more healthful and effective cleaners, he made some realisations. You could still clean well (if not better) using some cheap alternatives to the commercial cleaners he had used in the past.

If you are ready for the switch, invest in the following 5 products:baking soda, borax, lemon, salt, and vinegar.

DeJong has a recipe for making a cleanser for anything from cleaning your toilet to whitening yellowed cotton or linen fabrics. Get ready. Get set. Go green and clean

Seeds, Seeds, Seeds by Nancy Elizabeth Wallace

photo from Amazon.com

March and April are the perfect time of year to begin planting a small garden with your child. Consider using a window planter if your space is limited.

Before beginning, read the book Seeds, Seeds, Seeds. In this book, Buddy receives a package from Gramps that has a weeks worth of fun activities all relating to seed exploration. Each day Buddy pulls out a small bag and opens it to find an exciting new project for the day.

To really bring this book alive, have an aunt, uncle, grandparent, etc send your child a weeks worth of seed activities. You could have the book included in the package or read the book prior to the arrival of the package.

(Reading the book prior to the arrival of the package will build your child's schema or background knowledge for the activities. They will more than likely relate back to the book and can use the book as a resource when completing the activities.)

After completing all the activities, draw a picture or allow your child to dictate favorite activities or memories revolving around all the fun you both have shared. You may even want to send a similar package to a good friend or niece/nephew. Have your child help to select the activities and put the package together.
Have fun exploring and learning about seeds with Buddy.

*Check out other titles by Nancy Elizabeth Wallace at your local library. All of her books are fantastic!*

Muncha, Muncha, Muncha

Muncha, Muncha, Muncha

by: Candance Fleming

This is one of my favorite books when I am studying plants. In this story, Mr. McGreely wants to have a vegetable garden. He finally decides to plant one, but there is a big problem. Three little bunnies keep eating his veggies. Read this beautifully illustrated book to find out how Mr. McGreely tries to keep the bunnies from his veggies.

Activities to Consider:

1. Compare Muncha, Muncha, Muncha with The Story of Peter Rabbit. How are these two stories the same? different?

2. Start a story journal. Get a composition notebook (much sturdier for little hands). Write your child's name on the front cover. Have your child record different things in the journal after hearing a story.

* Draw a picture of your favorite part.

* Stop before finishing the story and draw a picture of what you think will happen. ETC.

3. Draw various vegetable/fruit shapes on the cardboard from a box of cereal. Cut out the shapes. Have your child trace and cut out the various fruits and veggies.

*Hang these from a wire coat hanger with yarn to make a mobile.

*Fold copy paper in 1/2 and glue one veggie/fruit on each page. Label the food. Allow your child to practice pointing to the words and reading them.

4. Have your child color a picture of a vegetable garden with crayons. After the picture is complete, you can have your child use green watercolors to paint over the entire picture.

5. Plant a small vegetable garden in your backyard.

6. Cut up various fruits and vegetables into bite sized pieces. Give your child bamboo skewers. Have your child pattern fruit onto the skewer. Eat as a healthy snack.

The Perfect Nest

The Perfect Nest

by Catherine Friend

I just got this book in my last Scholastic book order and LOVE it! We are doing a unit on birds in my kindergarten class. This book was "perfect".

The pretense of this story is that Jack the cat wants to build a nest to attract a chicken. Jack hopes this chicken will lay a yummy egg that he can cook it into an omelet. Throughout the story, various birds arrive at the nest. You will meet birds of all kind. This book is so much fun to read because each bird has a different accent. I promise you will get a giggle out of your little ones.

Activity Suggestions:

1. COOKING: Make cheese omelets or scramble eggs with your kiddo. Have your child count the eggs as they are cracking them into the pan.

2. NEST MAKING: Collect various items from nature and try to make your own perfect nest. Leave the nest in a tree in your backyard and see if a bird makes it her home.

3. FEATHER PATTERNS: Pattern colored feathers on a sentence strip/headband and staple into a hat. write the counting numerals under each feather.

4. FEATHER PAINTING: Use the tip of a feather as a paint brush and create a beautiful piece of painted art. For a more 3D effect, glue some of the feathers onto your painting.

5. FEATHER COLLECTION: Begin a feather collection. Tape feathers into your nature journal as you find them and record what kind of bird they come from.

6. EGG EXPERIMENT: We conducted an experiment to see the likelihood of an egg surviving the fall from a bird nest. Each child brought in an egg that had been packaged in various ways hoping to keep the egg from cracking. I crawled on top of a ladder and dropped each "nest" (the packaged egg) from the top of the ladder. We noticed that most of the time if the package landed on its bottom the egg survived/ didn't crack.

I dropped an egg and had it land on its bottom. Then, I dropped an egg and had it land on its side. The first egg did not break and the second egg did. We discussed the importance of the egg's bottom and top being the strongest so that when it is laid by the hen it can survive the fall.

7. EGG MARBLE PAINTING:Draw a simple egg shape on the cardboard from a cereal box. Cut it out and use it as a tracer. Have your child trace and cut out the egg on white paper. Choose 3 colors f paint. Using three different marbles, dip one into each color of paint. Place your child's cut out egg into the bottom of a disposable pan. lay the marbles on top of the paper. allow your child to roll the pan slowly in all directions. This should apply a random design of color on the egg.

8. EGG CRAYON RESIST: Follow the direction above. EXCEPT instead of marble painting... Have your child design his/her "perfect" egg using crayons. After the egg has been colored, use watercolor paint to paint the entire surface of the egg including the crayon. The crayon will resist accepting the watercolor creating a quite stunning effect.

Have more ideas for the perfect nest. Please leave your ideas in a comment. Thanks a bunch!

Read more...

Favorite Children's Books from A-Z

Since this weeks topic is about ABCs I thought I would make 2 posts: my beliefs on teaching letter and sound recognition to little ones and an ABC list of my favorite books.

I am starting with the list of books from A-Z. I am going to list a book I like for each letter because to actually list my favorite would take me age. I just can't think that hard right now. Still moving classrooms and not yet finished with school... though it seems the rest of my campus has been finished since Thursday morning. Oh well, that's life.

On to my favorite books:
A is for Alligator Baby
B is for Big Words for Little People
C is for Cook-a-Doodle-Doo
D is for the Dot
E is for Elmer
F is for Fancy Nancy
G is for Guess How Much I Love You
H is for Horned Toad Prince
I is for If Only I Had a Green Nose
J is for Jackalope
K is for Kiss Me I'm Perfect
L is for Love You Forever
M is for the Mitten
N is for Noisy Nora
O is for Owen
P is for the Peace Book
Q is for Quack, Daisy, Quack
R is for Rabbit's Wish
S is for the Snowy Day
T is for Tops & Bottoms
U is for the Umbrella
V is for Voyage to the Bunny Plant (Okay, so I haven't read this book yet, but I love all of Rosemary Well's books.)
W is for Wimberly Worried
X is for sorry no book for X
Y is for You are Special
Z is for 1,2,3 to the Zoo (a stretch... I know)

Alright, this took me over an hour... YIKES! Again, these are not necessarily my #1 FAVORITE books starting with each letter. These are books I have read over again and again. I have linked each book so you can check them out.

Happy Reading Everyone!
Read more...

St. Patrick's Day

St. Patrick's Day is only a few days from now.

I found a few projects that I thought you might enjoy.  Check out my post on my school blog, Buggie Bungalow, for the links.

Here are some of my favorite St. Patty's Day books for kids:

* The Night Before St. Patrick's Day

*The Luckiest Leprechaun

* St. Patrick's Day (nonfiction)

I Love Dirt!

I finally got the book, I Love Dirt. This book is not actual activities to do with your kids as I thought it would be. This book is more of open ended ideas that get you and your children to spend time exploring and enjoying nature.

photo copied from Jennifer Ward's Site

The book is split into different seasons. It makes it easy to find activities for the right kind of weather and temperature.

I went to Target today and bought three composition notebooks for each of the boys and myself to start journaling and drawing about our nature adventures. Before we even begin, we are going to color and glue a cover onto the front of our notebooks. I am really looking forward to this as I think it will bring me and the boys even closer together. I'll keep you posted on how it goes.

Read more...

The Adventures of Baby Jaimie: Baby Jaimie Has A Crush

Book Blurb:

From the minute she met him everyone thought Baby Jaimie's first crush was Derek. Derek even thought so. That's why he asked her first grade teacher, Mrs. Smith if he could come visit her. The day of the visit didn't go as planned. While Derek was introducing himself a new student, Jack, entered the room and stole everyone's attention. Especially Baby Jaimie's. For that reason Derek took an instant disliking to the new kid. Baby Jaimie is forced to choose between Derek and Jack and she doesn't know what to do. Is there a way to combine old friends with new friends? Can't they all just get along? Find out in The Adventures of Baby Jaimie: Baby Jaimie Has A Crush.

Author Bio:

Jaimie Hope was born November 3, 1976 in New York. It wasn't until high school, where she joined the newspaper staff, that she decided she wanted to be a writer. After graduation, writing was put aside for a while. The author went to college and received an Associates degree in 1999. Then she moved to Florida where she was an active volunteer in the local historical society and remained active in the arts. It wasn’t until 2005 that Jaimie wrote her first children's book, The Adventures of Baby Jaimie, published in 2006 and Who Says You Can"t Go Home? in 2008. The Adventures of Baby Jaimie: Baby Jaimie Goes to School in 2010. Her Autobiography, Roll With
It followed by the third volume in her children's series, The Adventures of Baby Jaimie: Baby Jaimie Gets Stage Fright, and her first Paranormal Romance, When You Come Back To Me Again were released in 2011. Finally, The Adventures of Baby Jaimie: Baby Jaimie Has a Crush was released in 2012. What's next for this author? Currently, she has the fifth volume in the Baby Jaimie series under contract and a couple novels are also in the works.

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