J. L. Bell at Oz and Ends has details on The Spiderwick Chronicles: the movie.
A superior group of folks are working on it: John Sayles, Mark Waters, actor Freddie Highmore
Sunday, July 30, 2006
Friday, July 28, 2006
Speaking of Tolkien...
LOTR fans have probably already seen this Stephen Colbert bit following June 6, 2006.
It makes me chuckle.
It makes me chuckle.
How to Introduce the Classics
Liz B at A Chair, A Fireplace and A Tea Cozy has a tremendously thoughtful post on how she came to read the "classics." Her thoughts on what worked for her are spot-on and echo my own experience.
What my parents read: I know my kids (and I) became interested in Tolkien because of their dad's, Treebeard's, love for the books. He read aloud every evening and we would tidy up the kitchen and then settle in for the next installment in the lives of our dear hobbits.
The fact that the books were so important to their father made an impression on them (they were still very young) and gave The Professor's story the opening it needed to work its magic on all of us.
Entling #3 even gave Wuthering Heights a read this year because I suggested she read the Brontes. She almost NEVER reads something I suggest so this was a pleasant surprise. She was reading Wuthering Heights while waiting at the doctor's office and the nurse practitioner asked with some surprise, "Do you have to read that for a school assignment?" She could not imagine reading it, otherwise.
Comic Book versions: There are new editions of the classics in graphic novel format. I have not been able to determine if these are well received by kids or not.
I have been hoping that living-at-home-entlings (1 college, 1 high school) might read some Jane Austen but so far -- no sell. I am attempting to lay some groundwork with another of Liz B.'s ideas: Watching the movie/TV version. I offered a screening of Sense and Sensibility the other evening and challenged them to count the Harry Potter cast members (there are TONS!) in the film. They really enjoyed it.
So now I am wondering, should I offer up the BBC Pride and Prejudice with Colin Firth or do the Keira Knightley version? I love the former and have not seen the later.
I think the best I can hope for is that they will read Austen at some point in the future but will never admit it to me. I am probably just guaranteeing that they will NEVER EVER read Jane Austen as long as they live. Alas.
What my parents read: I know my kids (and I) became interested in Tolkien because of their dad's, Treebeard's, love for the books. He read aloud every evening and we would tidy up the kitchen and then settle in for the next installment in the lives of our dear hobbits.
The fact that the books were so important to their father made an impression on them (they were still very young) and gave The Professor's story the opening it needed to work its magic on all of us.
Entling #3 even gave Wuthering Heights a read this year because I suggested she read the Brontes. She almost NEVER reads something I suggest so this was a pleasant surprise. She was reading Wuthering Heights while waiting at the doctor's office and the nurse practitioner asked with some surprise, "Do you have to read that for a school assignment?" She could not imagine reading it, otherwise.
Comic Book versions: There are new editions of the classics in graphic novel format. I have not been able to determine if these are well received by kids or not.
I have been hoping that living-at-home-entlings (1 college, 1 high school) might read some Jane Austen but so far -- no sell. I am attempting to lay some groundwork with another of Liz B.'s ideas: Watching the movie/TV version. I offered a screening of Sense and Sensibility the other evening and challenged them to count the Harry Potter cast members (there are TONS!) in the film. They really enjoyed it.
So now I am wondering, should I offer up the BBC Pride and Prejudice with Colin Firth or do the Keira Knightley version? I love the former and have not seen the later.
I think the best I can hope for is that they will read Austen at some point in the future but will never admit it to me. I am probably just guaranteeing that they will NEVER EVER read Jane Austen as long as they live. Alas.
Thursday, July 27, 2006
Mind your Manners
As the school year begins anew, a bright new crop of young ones will pass through the school doors to acquire new knowledge.
Attempting to quell their natural instincts to bash each other on the head is one of the first orders of business. To this end, teachers and librarians and principals will be reading to them.
I always get a kick out of most "manners" books because the only way children will pick them up on their own is if a beloved and familiar character is on the cover. A host of renowned and seasoned characters exhort kids to say please and thank you in these titles:
Clifford the Big Red Dog tries in Clifford's Manners by Norman Bridwell.
The Berenstain Bears Forget Their Manners by Stan Berenstain and Jan Berenstain is next up to bat. (My middle entling loved these books although I found the "self-improvement" titles to be some of the most tiresome reading-aloud I ever did. I do love reading The Spooky Old Tree and The Big Road Race though.)
Dora the Explorer takes a swing at it in
Dora's Book of Manners by Christine Ricci and Susan Hall.
Disney steps up with a double header of Winnie the Pooh in Winnie the Pooh's - Book of Manners by Judy Delton and Disney Princess: Pretty Please: A Book of Manners by It-doesn't-really-matter.
When I opened Marc Brown's D.W.'s Guide to Perfect Manners, 2006, I was expecting the same ole' same ole' and the book does cover familiar ground as D.W. strives to be perfect at home and at school following a dare from her brother, Arthur. The familiarity of the Arthur franchise "helps the medicine go down" but there are some fun bits too, especially coming from D.W.
The book works well as a read aloud. This will be the money line:
We all know the word "UNDERWEAR" is the funniest work in the English language to an elementary age kid but "poopy" is right up there too.
There is a "Are you perfect yet?" test to round out the book. The lowest score rates a "you need a lot of work. Please read my book again."
Without a doubt the most sublime of all manners books are the classic What Do You Say, Dear? and What Do you Do, Dear? by Sesyle Joslin with sly and witty illustrations by Maurice Sendak. No matter how improbable or bizarre the circumstances, good manners should always prevail.
Mo Willems's Time to Say Please! should be mentioned in the same breath as the Joslin books. Willems is pure gold.
Attempting to quell their natural instincts to bash each other on the head is one of the first orders of business. To this end, teachers and librarians and principals will be reading to them.
I always get a kick out of most "manners" books because the only way children will pick them up on their own is if a beloved and familiar character is on the cover. A host of renowned and seasoned characters exhort kids to say please and thank you in these titles:
Clifford the Big Red Dog tries in Clifford's Manners by Norman Bridwell.
The Berenstain Bears Forget Their Manners by Stan Berenstain and Jan Berenstain is next up to bat. (My middle entling loved these books although I found the "self-improvement" titles to be some of the most tiresome reading-aloud I ever did. I do love reading The Spooky Old Tree and The Big Road Race though.)
Dora the Explorer takes a swing at it in
Dora's Book of Manners by Christine Ricci and Susan Hall. Disney steps up with a double header of Winnie the Pooh in Winnie the Pooh's - Book of Manners by Judy Delton and Disney Princess: Pretty Please: A Book of Manners by It-doesn't-really-matter.
When I opened Marc Brown's D.W.'s Guide to Perfect Manners, 2006, I was expecting the same ole' same ole' and the book does cover familiar ground as D.W. strives to be perfect at home and at school following a dare from her brother, Arthur. The familiarity of the Arthur franchise "helps the medicine go down" but there are some fun bits too, especially coming from D.W.
"I pick up my toys to make my room perfect. I can even make my own bed. You can too. It's no big deal--and, besides, it freaks out your parents...in a good way!"
The book works well as a read aloud. This will be the money line:
"Perfect people say "I'm sorry"if they mess up or if they hurt someone. They don't say mean words like "shut-up," "poopy" or"doo-doo head," even when bad things happen."
We all know the word "UNDERWEAR" is the funniest work in the English language to an elementary age kid but "poopy" is right up there too.
There is a "Are you perfect yet?" test to round out the book. The lowest score rates a "you need a lot of work. Please read my book again."
Without a doubt the most sublime of all manners books are the classic What Do You Say, Dear? and What Do you Do, Dear? by Sesyle Joslin with sly and witty illustrations by Maurice Sendak. No matter how improbable or bizarre the circumstances, good manners should always prevail.
Mo Willems's Time to Say Please! should be mentioned in the same breath as the Joslin books. Willems is pure gold.
There's cake?
I love "theme" cakes. Tripped over this link to Familyfun.com and their birthday and celebration cakes. The Campout Cake is too cute!
Hmm...match the cake with a children's book! That would be a fun party.
Hmm...match the cake with a children's book! That would be a fun party.
Wednesday, July 26, 2006
Movie: The Little White Horse
Kelly at Big A little a pointed me to this article of the The Ten Best Books for Children ages 8-12. It was there I learned that they are planning a movie of The Little White Horse.
I read that book many times as a kid but I had never met another person who had read it until I heard JKR talk about it in the early HP days.
I attribute the book's new glamorous and glossy cover, to her interest. It is a curious choice for a movie. They better get Maria's bedroom right.
The Little White Horse website--there is even jewelry!
Tuesday, July 25, 2006
Guys Read
Guys Read, edited by Jon Scieszka, 2005
I almost got to hear Jon Scieszka talk about this book in person in 2005 but the fire marshal closed the large auditorium at the San Antonio convention center and a huge number of librarians were left staring at the closed doors. The overflow attendance at his talk highlighted the level of concern there is about boys and reading (or their lack thereof) today.
Guys read is a jump-in-anywhere you-can't-go-wrong-read for guys. An A-list of authors and illustrators contributed to this book. As Scieszka explains in the forward, the book is NOT required reading.
"It is reading to find what you like. And I know you are gong to find something in here, because these things are funny, action-packed, sad, goofy, gross, touching, stupid, true and all very short."
The short length of each offering fits any attention span, read one, read five. I am still reading my copy. Jack Gantos and Gordon Kormon have made me laugh out loud. Matt Groening's "Any Questions, Class?" will strike a chord with every student on Earth.
Many of the articles center on what reading meant to the writers when they were kids, others celebrate "guyness."
The briefest bit of biography is offered at the end of each piece including where the writer grew up, where they live now and a random fact. A short bibliography of their other works also follows. (Hey, if you like this short bit, try one of their books.)
My sister told me my fifth grade nephew loves this book. I think most guys would too.
Narf!
Oh boy,
Animaniacs Vol. I and Pinky and the Brain will be released on DVD TODAY!
In honor of the excellent Houston Gilbert and Sullivan Society productions of Trial by Jury and H.M.S. Pinafore that we enjoyed yesterday, I offer Yakko Warner's G&S sendup: "I Am The Very Model Of A Cartoon Individual" in celebration.
Monday, July 24, 2006
Children's Lit of South Asia and the Pacific Rim
I have intended to point my library friends to Kahani Magazine for some time.
If you are a school librarian Paper Tigers should also be a regular stop on your internet meanderings. Paper Tiger is:
Pooja Makhijani has also sent along a link to her insightful paper, Here to Stay: South Asian Literature for Children and Teens.
As a new school year gears up here in the Lone Star State, librarians will again face the need to balance their collections to serve their students and faculty, to support the curriculum and offer pleasure reading so kids will actually find books they are interested in to practice their developing reading skills.
To this end, kids have to find themselves on their library shelves. Makhijani eloquently makes the case:
Kahani is an award-winning literary magazine dedicated to empowering, educating and entertaining children of South Asian descent living in North America. It is an alternative publication that reflects their unique life experiences not found in mainstream literature.
If you are a school librarian Paper Tigers should also be a regular stop on your internet meanderings. Paper Tiger is:
A website for librarians, teachers, publishers and tall those interested in young readers' books from and about the Pacific Rim and South Asia.
Pooja Makhijani has also sent along a link to her insightful paper, Here to Stay: South Asian Literature for Children and Teens.
As a new school year gears up here in the Lone Star State, librarians will again face the need to balance their collections to serve their students and faculty, to support the curriculum and offer pleasure reading so kids will actually find books they are interested in to practice their developing reading skills.
To this end, kids have to find themselves on their library shelves. Makhijani eloquently makes the case:
In seventh grade, while sliding my favorite book - Charlotte Brontë's Jane Eyre - off a library shelf, I stumbled upon a book titled Dancing Princess by Jane Bothwell. I pulled the volume towards me and was floored to see an Indian princess, in a traditional North Indian dance outfit with bells encircling her ankles, on the cover.
Dancing Princess was a historical novel set in 16th century India during the reign of the Mughal emperor Akbar. Although Allaedi, the main character, wasn't exactly like me, she was close enough. We were both brown haired, brown eyed, brown skinned girls and we both loved to dance. I renewed that book again and again, carefully scrawling my name onto the index card pasted on the inside back cover each week.
The Fifth Carnival of Children's Literature
The indefatigable Kelly at Big A little a is hosting The Fifth Carnival of Children's Literature. Her Shakespearian witches artfully present each post. I always find a new blog to read at the carnival.
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