Archive for November 30, 2012

Puffling Patrol

Written and illustrated by Ted and Betsy Lewin

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Every April, the Westman Islands off the coast of Iceland become home to hundreds of thousands of puffins, making the islands one of the largest puffin colonies in the world.Adult puffins return to the island every year to lay eggs. By August, the young birds, called pufflings, are ready to leave home and fly off to sea. However, some of the birds become confused when they see the lights of nearby towns and flutter down into the streets instead of flying into the waves. Groups of children and adults, called The Puffling Patrol, roam the streets every night looking for lost birds and bringing them back to the beach so they can make it out to sea.
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Grandfather’s Wrinkles

Written by Kathryn England

Illustrated by Richard McFarland

A Bank Street Best Children’s Book for 2008 for Outstanding Merit

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A heartwarming book filled with family love. Lucy calls her grandfather’s face “crinkly.” Granddad laughs and tells Lucy that those wrinkles come from smiling many times. Lucy asks for specifics and Granddad remembers a special smile to go with each wrinkle: one when he married Grandma, one when Lucy’s Mommy was born, one when funny things happened to Mommy, one when Mommy married Daddy, and, of course, two big ones on either side of his mouth when Lucy was born. » Read more

In Black Bear Country

Written by Shaunda Kennedy Wenger

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“…my palms felt sweaty, my legs felt jittery, and my stomach felt queasy. I was nervous. This wasn’t a typical fall hike. We were going to ‘black bear country,’ a forest grove where black bear feed.” Once third grade readers hear this opening to Shaunda Kennedy Wenger’s book, In Black Bear Country, they will be eager for more.
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In the Land of Twilight

Written by Astrid Lindgren

Illustrated by Marit Tornqvist

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In the Land of Twilight, author Astrid Lindgren takes the third grade reader on a magical adventure similar to Peter Pan.Young Goran is a sad little boy who has a bad leg. He over hears his mother and father discussing the possibility that he may never walk which makes him sad. The story poses realistic questions that a third grader would have including “Will I ever walk”, or “Will I ever be able to fish?”
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Ladybugs

Writtten and illustrated by Gail Gibbons

Outstanding Science Trade Book 2013 from National Science Teacher’s Association and Children’s Book Council (click here for more info)

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In her book Ladybugs, prolific author Gail Gibbons has crafted yet another solidly informative book for young readers. As in her other non-fiction books, Gibbons captures the interest of children reading at the third grade level by providing basic information young readers seek.
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Mooshka: A Quilt Story

Written and Illustrated by Julie Paschkis

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It is rare that a picture book is so well written and carries with it several layers of meaning, but Mooshka: A Quilt Story is a real gem!  It is a beautiful picture book that is not only about the life stories that can be found in the old scraps of a family quilt, but also of the love-hate relationship of a sibling for a new baby brother or sister.
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A Warm Winter Tail

Written by Carrie A. Pearson

Illustrated by Christina Wald

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Have you ever wondered how animals stay warm in winter? Have you ever wonder if they had that same question about us? A Warm Winter Tail, by Carrie A. Pearson, is a delightful story about the winter adaptation strategies of animals written with a fun little twist. Each page begins with the same question, “How do humans keep warm in winter, Mama?” asked by a sweet little creature who’s nestled with its family for winter. Each time Mama gives a little explanation, as if she really understood human behavior.
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Crazy About Soccer

By Loris Lesynski
Illustrated by Gerry Rasmussen

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In a great picture book, words and illustrations work together seamlessly, each carrying its share of the load. Annick Press has got this down pat. Book after book that rolls off their press provides this incredibly rich reading experience where words and illustrations together set the mood: serious, funny or just plain silly.
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