The Magic Tree House books are a series by Mary Pope Osborne. Ms. Osborne writes about two children, Jack and Annie who live in Frog Creek, Pennsylvania. Through a magic tree house, they are transported all over the world, during different times in history, learning new things along the way.
This is a wonderful series for the beginning chapter reader. Often it will give the reader a birds eye view of true historical events, but the books are fun as well. Children learn about all sorts of times and places, even fictional ones, such as Camelot.
Today's book is "Thanksgiving on Thursday". In this book, Jack and Annie are sent to Plymouth to celebrate the first Thanksgiving feast. They meet Squanto, Miles Standish, and most importantly Priscilla Mullins, who takes the two children under her care as they try to figure out their jobs during the first Thanksgiving feast.
In the book, the children find out that the first Thanksgiving wasn't celebrated until Abraham Lincoln made it an official holiday. What we think of as the first, was actually a three day feast the pilgrim's organized to give thanks for their bountiful harvest. In gratitude, they invited their Indian neighbors. To help feed some many guests, Jack and Annie are sent out to go clamming. Although they try, Jack and Annie's ideas of how to help with the Thanksgiving feast, and the pilgrims are miles apart. But with the help of Priscilla and Squanto they manage to learn, while not giving themselves away.
This is a great book to read tonight or tomorrow while you are waiting for the gravy to thicken or the turnkey to cook. If you have a crowd you might want to invite the younger readers to enjoy the book. It isn't a thick book but it will be thick enough to keep little ones occupied. They can enjoy the book while they are waiting to enjoy the turkey.
Happy Thanksgiving Everyone.
Wednesday, November 23, 2011
Friday, November 18, 2011
Children's Poetry
Most of the books I've blogged about have been stories, but now I'm going to go off the beaten path a bit and talk about poetry.
When my three where little, they loved poetry, especially before they went to sleep. Depending on what I chose that is. Years later I was informed by my oldest, that I made a strategic error in picking the poem, "Little Orphant Annie" /The Goblins Will Get You if You Don't Watch Out as a bedtime poem. In retrospect it was pretty stupid, and explains the reason why my kids would have nightmares!
But our other favorites were fun. "The Owl and the Pussy Cat", "Casey at the Bat" <aka the tale of my Mets> and our all time favorite, "The Tale of Custard the Dragon" by Ogden Nash were all a part of our nightly routine.
Most children's writers skip the poetry in favor of stories but writer Sheldon Silverstein, a true Renaissance Man didn't. He wrote songs, stories and poems. He also illustrated them.
While being a children's writer is what he best known for, Silverstein also wrote for adults. He published cartoons in a certain well known adult magazine <think Hugh Hefner> and won a Grammy for the song "A Boy Named Sue" which Johnny Cash performed. You can see what I mean about being a Renaissance Man.
The book I want to mention today"Where the Sidewalk Ends" is a book of poems by Silverstein. My personal favorite out of the book, is "Ickle Me, Tickle Me, Pickle Me Too." But you might enjoy "Naked Hippo" or "The Unfunny Jester". The 25th anniversary edition released 11 additional poems. So there will be 11 times the enjoyment. Each of his poems while written for children, can be equally enjoyed by adults. His poems, can be happy, sad or silly, but never boring.
Shel Silverstein died in May 1999 but his imagery and writings live on.I highly recommend any books by Shel Silverstein, but especially the poetry books. You'll be glad you did.
When my three where little, they loved poetry, especially before they went to sleep. Depending on what I chose that is. Years later I was informed by my oldest, that I made a strategic error in picking the poem, "Little Orphant Annie" /The Goblins Will Get You if You Don't Watch Out as a bedtime poem. In retrospect it was pretty stupid, and explains the reason why my kids would have nightmares!
But our other favorites were fun. "The Owl and the Pussy Cat", "Casey at the Bat" <aka the tale of my Mets> and our all time favorite, "The Tale of Custard the Dragon" by Ogden Nash were all a part of our nightly routine.
Most children's writers skip the poetry in favor of stories but writer Sheldon Silverstein, a true Renaissance Man didn't. He wrote songs, stories and poems. He also illustrated them.
While being a children's writer is what he best known for, Silverstein also wrote for adults. He published cartoons in a certain well known adult magazine <think Hugh Hefner> and won a Grammy for the song "A Boy Named Sue" which Johnny Cash performed. You can see what I mean about being a Renaissance Man.
The book I want to mention today"Where the Sidewalk Ends" is a book of poems by Silverstein. My personal favorite out of the book, is "Ickle Me, Tickle Me, Pickle Me Too." But you might enjoy "Naked Hippo" or "The Unfunny Jester". The 25th anniversary edition released 11 additional poems. So there will be 11 times the enjoyment. Each of his poems while written for children, can be equally enjoyed by adults. His poems, can be happy, sad or silly, but never boring.
Shel Silverstein died in May 1999 but his imagery and writings live on.I highly recommend any books by Shel Silverstein, but especially the poetry books. You'll be glad you did.
Friday, November 11, 2011
The Wall
Today is Veteran's Day, 11/11/11. On this day in 1918, a horrible war, came to an end, and peace was established.
Today, we honor those who have served in that war as well as others. Not just here in the United States, but throughout the world, people have set aside this date to honor those who served.
So, how to you explain this to a small child? Small children, especially little boys, are excited to see soldiers. They think the guns and tanks are cool. But how do you teach them honor? How do you help them understand what is behind the surface?
You could read them "The Wall". A book by author Eve Bunting.
The Wall is the story of a little boy, who travels to Washington DC with his dad. They are going to look for the little boy's grandfather who is listed on the Memorial Wall. The boy has never met his grandfather, but he is about to see him through his father's eyes.
At the Memorial, the boy sees a wheelchair bound veteran, he sees people crying. And it makes the little boy sad, but his father explains to him that is isn't a place of sadness, so much as it is a place of honor. He explains to his son what the people did and why they are there. Then they take a rubbing of his grandfather's name, and leave a picture of the little boy at the site.
Eve Bunting takes a concept that is sometimes difficult for adults to understands, and simplifies for children. The story is poignant, and gentle. But for all that, it still gives an understanding of what honor truly is.
If you are looking for something to read this Veteran's Day weekend, look for "The Wall".
You will be glad you did.
Today, we honor those who have served in that war as well as others. Not just here in the United States, but throughout the world, people have set aside this date to honor those who served.
So, how to you explain this to a small child? Small children, especially little boys, are excited to see soldiers. They think the guns and tanks are cool. But how do you teach them honor? How do you help them understand what is behind the surface?
You could read them "The Wall". A book by author Eve Bunting.
The Wall is the story of a little boy, who travels to Washington DC with his dad. They are going to look for the little boy's grandfather who is listed on the Memorial Wall. The boy has never met his grandfather, but he is about to see him through his father's eyes.
At the Memorial, the boy sees a wheelchair bound veteran, he sees people crying. And it makes the little boy sad, but his father explains to him that is isn't a place of sadness, so much as it is a place of honor. He explains to his son what the people did and why they are there. Then they take a rubbing of his grandfather's name, and leave a picture of the little boy at the site.
Eve Bunting takes a concept that is sometimes difficult for adults to understands, and simplifies for children. The story is poignant, and gentle. But for all that, it still gives an understanding of what honor truly is.
If you are looking for something to read this Veteran's Day weekend, look for "The Wall".
You will be glad you did.
Friday, November 4, 2011
Black Beauty
"Black Beauty" is another book that my father introduced me to when I was about 10. Being horse crazy then, <still am!> it was a perfect pick.
"Black Beauty" was a ground breaking story in a number of ways. To start with, it was the first novel ever written from the point of view of an animal. But second and more importantly, it opened people's eyes to the abuse that many horses faced in Victorian England.
"Black Beauty" tells the story from the point of view of a horse, as he goes from a foal , <baby horse> into his senior years. Some of his times are happy and some are horrendous, but through it all he retains his sweet disposition and his love of humanity.
The book was written by Anna Sewell. Anna Sewell was a Quaker, raised in London. As a child, she fell and injured her ankles so badly that she was never able to walk or stand for long periods for the rest of her life. To help her in her mobility, her parents gave her a cart and pony. She was able to travel many places and see many things that she would have otherwise missed.
One thing she saw in her day to day travels was how people treated their horses. Because of the mistreatments she witnessed, she decided to write a story from the horse's point of view. She wanted to educate the people and perhaps change their attitudes. With her mother's help, Anna wrote "Black Beauty'. It was published just months before her death in 1878.
The first chapter opens up with this: "While I was young I lived upon my mother’s milk, as I could not eat grass. In the daytime I ran by her side, and at night I lay down close by her. When it was hot we used to stand by the pond in the shade of the trees, and when it was cold we had a nice warm shed near the grove.
“I hope you will grow up gentle and good, and never learn bad ways; do your work with a good will, lift your feet up well when you trot, and never bite or kick even in play." I have never forgotten my mother’s advice; I knew she was a wise old horse, and our master thought a great deal of her."
Although this book was written for adults, it's simplicity makes it a good read for children too. I wouldn't recommend it for children under 10, because some of what happens to poor old Black Beauty is traumatic, and a younger child may not handle it was well as an older one. Despite that, I recommend it for any animal lover, because the story really is beautiful.
Trot out to your local library or bookstore and pick up a copy of Black Beauty today!
"Black Beauty" was a ground breaking story in a number of ways. To start with, it was the first novel ever written from the point of view of an animal. But second and more importantly, it opened people's eyes to the abuse that many horses faced in Victorian England.
"Black Beauty" tells the story from the point of view of a horse, as he goes from a foal , <baby horse> into his senior years. Some of his times are happy and some are horrendous, but through it all he retains his sweet disposition and his love of humanity.
The book was written by Anna Sewell. Anna Sewell was a Quaker, raised in London. As a child, she fell and injured her ankles so badly that she was never able to walk or stand for long periods for the rest of her life. To help her in her mobility, her parents gave her a cart and pony. She was able to travel many places and see many things that she would have otherwise missed.
One thing she saw in her day to day travels was how people treated their horses. Because of the mistreatments she witnessed, she decided to write a story from the horse's point of view. She wanted to educate the people and perhaps change their attitudes. With her mother's help, Anna wrote "Black Beauty'. It was published just months before her death in 1878.
The first chapter opens up with this: "While I was young I lived upon my mother’s milk, as I could not eat grass. In the daytime I ran by her side, and at night I lay down close by her. When it was hot we used to stand by the pond in the shade of the trees, and when it was cold we had a nice warm shed near the grove.
“I hope you will grow up gentle and good, and never learn bad ways; do your work with a good will, lift your feet up well when you trot, and never bite or kick even in play." I have never forgotten my mother’s advice; I knew she was a wise old horse, and our master thought a great deal of her."
Although this book was written for adults, it's simplicity makes it a good read for children too. I wouldn't recommend it for children under 10, because some of what happens to poor old Black Beauty is traumatic, and a younger child may not handle it was well as an older one. Despite that, I recommend it for any animal lover, because the story really is beautiful.
Trot out to your local library or bookstore and pick up a copy of Black Beauty today!
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