The Nuts and Bolts of The Human Body
December 14, 2009 by Lori Calabrese · Comments
Cover of The Wonders Inside The Human Body
As soon as your young reader picks up The Human Body (The Wonders Inside)
There’s so much to learn about the human body, it can be extremely difficult to explain to a young reader. But The Wonders Inside has created a fascinating resource sure to interest even the toughest science students.
Young readers will learn about everything from the body to cells to skin to the brain to reproduction. The amazing illustrations complement the facts in a way that makes the information easy to digest–pun intended. For example, the two-page spread that explains the sense of smell shows a giant nose where nasal hair helps prevent dust and dirt from entering, and the two-page spread that explains taste shows a giant mouth, so readers can understand what taste buds really are.
The book features special see-through, layer-by-layer views of the body’s organs and systems. Dramatic 3-D sections and cutaways show the body from unique angles and provide additional views of its inner workings.
Your body is like a machine and The Wonders Inside will fill you in on all the nuts and bolts.
Additional Information:
Reading level: Ages 9-12
Hardcover: 80 pages
Publisher: Silver Dolphin Books (August 11, 2009)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1571457186
ISBN-13: 978-1571457189
Source of review copy: PR agency
Nonfiction Monday takes place at various wonderful blogs throughout the Kidlitosphere! Today, you can check out the Roundup at In Need of Chocolate. If you’d like to see the schedule for Nonfiction Monday, please visit Anastasia Suen’s Picture Book of the Day.
Disclosure: Some of the books I review are received from publishers , PR agencies, and authors, but it does not sway my opinion of the book. I maintain affiliate accounts with Amazon and Barnes & Noble. If you purchase a book through one of my links, I will receive a small commission (at no cost to you). You can support this site by originating your purchase via these links and I appreciate your support of Lori Calabrese Writes!
In Her Hands: The Story of Sculptor Augusta Savage
November 30, 2009 by Lori Calabrese · Comments
Cover of In Her Hands The Story of Sculptor Augusta Savage by Alan Schroeder
Augusta Savage is hardly known today, which is why In Her Hands: The Story of Sculptor Augusta Savage
As a young girl in Florida in the 1890s, Augusta enjoyed nothing more than playing in an open pit behind her house filled with clay. Every afternoon, she sat barefoot at the edge of the pit, sculpting little clay figures. Although her mama didn’t mind, her preacher father disapproved–even going so far as stepping on one of Augusta’s creations.
When her family moved, Augusta missed the clay pits and for nearly a year didn’t make a single clay figure. However, one day, when she was riding in a wagon with her school principal, she saw a sign that read “Chase Pottery.” Augusta knew that meant clay and ordered the wagon to stop. She ran inside, dipped her fingers into a bucket of clay and was happy once again. The potter gave her three buckets of clay to bring home, but when her father found them, he threatened to throw them away. Augusta’s mother talked him out of it and from then on, Augusta began to pursue her dream.
Augusta traveled to New York without much money, and discovered that the trick to art was “sculpting what you know.” She was accepted into the Cooper Union School of Art where she was able to hone her craft.
This picture biography is an inspiration to anyone who dreams of being an artist, but the underlying themes of not giving up on your dreams and perseverance ring true in any profession. Hopefully, through this biography, more young readers will become aware of Savage’s contribution as the “guiding light of the Harlem Renaissance.”
Additional Information:
Author: Alan Schroeder
Illustrator: JaeMe Bereal
Reading level: Ages 9-12
Hardcover: 48 pages
Publisher: Lee & Low Books (October 1, 2009)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1600603327
ISBN-13: 978-1600603327
Source of review copy: Publisher
Nonfiction Monday takes place at various wonderful blogs throughout the Kidlitosphere! Today, you can check out the Roundup at The Book Nosher. If you’d like to see the schedule for Nonfiction Monday, please visit Anastasia Suen’s Picture Book of the Day.
Disclosure: Some of the books I review are received from publishers , PR agencies, and authors, but it does not sway my opinion of the book. I maintain affiliate accounts with Amazon and Barnes & Noble. If you purchase a book through one of my links, I will receive a small commission (at no cost to you). You can support this site by originating your purchase via these links and I appreciate your support of Lori Calabrese Writes!
The Last Dragon Roars to Life in The Dragon Speaker Series
November 17, 2009 by Lori Calabrese · Comments
Cover of The Last Dragon by C.A. Rainfield
Do you have a young reader on your hands who loves dragons and fantasy? The Last Dragon (Dragon Speaker, 1)
Jacob is just a regular boy, despite the fact that he can hear birds talk. He has never told anyone except his best friend, Orson because he knows the other villagers would laugh and his father would think he was crazy.
Life in Jacob’s village is hard as the evil Lord Manning has taken over and rules through fear. Lord Manning’s wizard killed all the male children who had magic and set fire to Jacob’s house. Jacob lost his mother and brother and he felt powerless to help them.
One day in the forest, a crow lands at Jacob’s feet and says, “Help me, Chosen One.” The crow warns Jacob that Lord Manning’s soldiers are using black magic to kill them and are trying to call the last dragon. Jacob is confused, under the impression that no one had seen a dragon since the Dragon Wars, long before Jacob was born.
Jacob heads back to his village and seeks his friend’s advice. Orson’s father tells them of the prophecy: “When night skies blaze with Draco’s fire, the darkest days shall come until the Chosen One will rise to speak in bird and dragon tongue.” Thinking maybe, just maybe, Jacob is the chosen one, Jacob and Orson set out in search of the last dragon with hopes of saving the kingdom.
When the last dragon returns, Jacob realizes he’s the only one who can speak with her.The dragon warns Jacob that Lord Manning has stolen her egg, the egg that holds the last male dragon. If he doesn’t live, the dragon race will die out. Ultimately it is up to Jacob and his friends to rescue the egg from the evil Lord Manning. Will this unlikely hero be able to save an entire race along with his village?
Rainfield has written an intriguing fantasy that will have young readers dreaming of dragons and magic. Jacob may be an unlikely hero, but Rainfield has made him such a likeable one that readers will be intrigued to read the rest of the series to find out if he’s successful against Lord Manning.
For more information, please visit the official website of The Dragon Speaker Books and check out the other two books in the series:
A Hero’s Worth (Dragon Speaker, 2)
Draco’s Fire (Dragon Speaker, 3)
Additional Information:
Paperback
Reading Level: Ages 10 and up
Publisher: High Interest Publishing; 1ST edition (2009)
ISBN-10: 1897039468
ISBN-13: 978-1897039465
Source of review copy: author
Disclosure: Some of the books I review are received from publishers , PR agencies, and authors, but it does not sway my opinion of the book. I maintain affiliate accounts with Amazon and Barnes & Noble. If you purchase a book through one of my links, I will receive a small commission (at no cost to you). You can support this site by originating your purchase via these links and I appreciate your support of Lori Calabrese Writes!
The Tree That Time Built
November 12, 2009 by Lori Calabrese · Comments
Cover of The Tree That Time Built
There seems to be a rise in poetry children’s books, which have often taken a backseat to the fantasy and sci-fi novels that line bookshelves. We’ve seen recent titles such as Poetry Speaks and Hip Hop Speaks to Children hit the New York Times Bestsellers lists. Adding to the rise is The Tree That Time Built: A Celebration of Nature, Science, and Imagination
This is an amazing collection of poems that range from the birth of the universe to the age of dinosaurs and was published to inspire readers to think like a tree, and marvel at the miracle of life. In fact, the title refers to Charles Darwin’s famous Tree of Life, his first sketch of an evolutionary tree describing the relationships among groups of organisms. It’s ironic (or is it?) that this book is published in the double-anniversary year of Darwin’s birth in 1809 and the publication of The Origin of Species in 1859.
All of the poems have been selected by Children’s Poet Laureate Mary Ann Hoberman and teacher Linda Winston. Not only will this book delight poetry lovers, but it will also delight nature lovers. There are a wide range of poets included such as Jack Prelutsky, Joseph Bruchac, Patricia Hubbell, Langston Hughes, and Ralph Waldo Emerson.
One of my favorite poems in this collection is “This World” by Mary Oliver. The poet desires to write a plain poem about the world–a poem without frills–but it’s deemed impossible by the world itself. There are just too many beautiful things around us to explore and ask questions. That sums up this book because all of the poems focus on the wonders of our world. It’s excellent to point out that poets, too, through observation and imagination–just like scientists– discover new truths about our world, and they’re displayed for everyone to see in their works of art.
The book includes 1 audio cd that includes 44 wonderful performances by the poets and a few close friends. For those who have wished they could combine their love of poetry and nature, this rich collection will not disappoint.
Additional Information:
Selected by: Mary Ann Hoberman, Linda Winston
Reading level: Ages 9-12
Hardcover: 224 pages
Publisher: Sourcebooks Jabberwocky; Har/Com edition (October 12, 2009)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1402225172
ISBN-13: 978-1402225178
Disclosure: Some of the books I review are received from publishers , PR agencies, and authors, but it does not sway my opinion of the book. I maintain affiliate accounts with Amazon and Barnes & Noble. If you purchase a book through one of my links, I will receive a small commission (at no cost to you). You can support this site by originating your purchase via these links and I appreciate your support of Lori Calabrese Writes!
Are You the Last Newspaper Boy or Girl in America?
November 11, 2009 by Lori Calabrese · Comments
The Last Newspaper Boy in America by Sue Corbett
Are you the last newspaper boy or girl in America? If so, you should read The Last Newspaper Boy in America
About the book:
On the eve of his twelfth birthday, Wil David learns he won’t get to fulfill a longstanding family tradition. Though the Davids have delivered The Cooper County Caller to the citizens of Steele for decades, the newspaper announces it is no longer profitable to offer home delivery to the residents of Wil’s small, out-of-the way town.
But Wil, third son in a family of limited means, is desperate for the regular wages the route promises, having long dreamed of saving his tips to buy a laptop computer. He starts a petition to convince the newspaper to reverse its decision, and gets to know his quirky neighbors better in the process of galvanizing support.
At the same time, he tries a second tack: He’ll earn the money he needs by winning the “Cover-the-Spot” game—and its $1,000 grand prize—at the annual Cooper County Fair. He’s sure the game is rigged somehow, so Wil knows he must figure out how before he even attempts the feat. Then, cheered on by the crowd, he uses his finely honed newspaper-tossing skills to win, and has the ammunition to unmask the game as a fraud when the carny tries to say he hasn’t.
Wil is hailed as a hero, but the petition drive has taught him that the route means much more to him than simply a way to earn money. He had seen The Caller’s decision as a loss to him. His neighbors show him that being dismissed as too small to matter is a loss to all.
About the Contest:
Post a short video to YouTube or send an e-mail with a photo of you doing your route to sue@suecorbett.com. Be creative! Tell the story of your route. Great time-saving ideas or shortcuts? Wacky customers? Best toss you’ve ever made? Sue Corbett wants to know!
Contest is open to boys and girls between the ages of 8 and 16.
Videos should be no longer than two minutes and include your name, the name of the newspaper you deliver, where you live (town and state), and anything else you want to share about your job. Written descriptions must not exceed 250 words and must include a photo of the carrier and his newspaper. Submit your entry to sue@suecorbett.com. Entrants agree to have their submissions posted online.
One winner will be selected from entries received each month through December 2009 and will win an autographed copy of The Last Newspaper Boy in America. Winners will be notified by e-mail. Void where prohibited.
Please visit www.SueCorbett.com for more information.
Additional Information:
Reading level: Ages 9-12
Hardcover: 196 pages
Publisher: Dutton Juvenile (September 3, 2009)
ISBN-10: 0525422056
ISBN-13: 978-0525422051
Allie Finkle's Rule for Girls
November 3, 2009 by Lori Calabrese · Comments
Meg Cabot has a knack for bringing her characters to life and Allie Finkle is no different. If you’re looking for an enjoyable read for girls, ages 9-12, then you should check out Moving Day (Allie Finkle’s Rules for Girls), the first installment in the ALLIE FINKLE’S RULES FOR GIRLS series. Meg Cabot has created a spunky nine-year old who’s just trying to make sense out of the 4th Grade. She jots down rules to help her remember how to be a good sister, student, and friend–and also not to eat anything red. Yes, that’s a rule. And it’s rules like these that make this book!
The book starts out with Allie considering to dump her current best friend, Mary Kay–mainly because of an incident that involves sticking a spatula down Mary Kay’s throat. Allie quickly realizes that most things in life aren’t easy and there should be a rule book, so she decides to create her own.
When Allie finds out that her parents have decided to move, Allie is keen to the idea. She can get a new best friend, her family can walk to Dairy Queen, and she can finally get a kitten of her own. But when she sees the house that they’ll be moving into, she quickly changes her mind and will do everything in her power to keep her parents from moving them into the haunted Victorian house–at least that’s what the new next door neighbor tells Allie.
Since she watches too many scary movies with her uncle, Allie believes there’s a monster in the attic and refuses to move into the new house. She devises ways to stay in the old house and, since Allie is such a unique character, you’ll find yourself rooting her on. Especially when she attempts a daring rescue at the end.
Visit Allie Finkle online
Read an excerpt
Enter the Rules of the Month Contest
Additional Information:
Reading level: Ages 9-12
Mass Market Paperback: 256 pages
Publisher: Scholastic Paperbacks; Reprint edition (February 3, 2009)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0545040418
ISBN-13: 978-0545040419
Source of book: library copy
Disclosure:
Some of the books I review are received from publishers , PR agencies, and authors, but it does not sway my opinion of the book. I maintain affiliate accounts with Amazon and Barnes & Noble. If you purchase a book through one of my links, I will receive a small commission (at no cost to you). You can support this site by originating your purchase via these links and I appreciate your support of Lori Calabrese Writes!
Diary of a Wimpy Kid Dog Days released today
October 12, 2009 by Lori Calabrese · Comments
Book number 4 in the ever-so popular children’s book series Diary of a Wimpy Kid by Jeff Kinney was released today and is titled Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Dog Days
Since the series debuted in 2007, the four previous Wimpy Kid releases have sold more than 21 million copies combined worldwide. There’s such a strong demand for book 4 that it has a 4 million first edition printing, which is just 20 percent less than the record-setting first-run of the current smash hit The Lost Symbol by Dan Brown.
The book finds Greg on summer vacation with his family. It’s summer vacation, the weather’s great, and all the kids are having fun outside. So where’s Greg Heffley? Inside his house, playing video games with the shades drawn. Greg, a self-confessed “indoor person,” is living out his ultimate summer fantasy: no responsibilities and no rules. But Greg’s mom has a different vision for an ideal summer . . . one packed with outdoor activities and “family togetherness.” Whose vision will win out? Or will a new addition to the Heffley family change everything?
Many bookstore chains across the US, such as Borders and Waldenbooks, are planning noon release parties for children today and there are many things you can do to celebrate the launch:
Want to write like a Wimpy Kid? Now every kid can write like a Wimpy Kid with the Diary of a Wimpy Kid Do-It-Yourself Book
Want to host a Diary of a Wimpy Kid launch party? Find activities such as the Wimpy Kid trivia game, expert game, and the how well do you know your friend game in the event kit (pdf).
Horrid Henry FREE Books Giveaway!
October 6, 2009 by Lori Calabrese · Comments
That’s right, the mischievous Horrid Henry is up to his old tricks again in two new books. I really enjoyed the previous books and was looking forward to checking out Henry’s new adventures–after all, he’s just so troublesome, you can’t resist.
Who is Horrid Henry you might ask? If you’re unfamiliar with the series, it chronicles the adventures of Horrid Henry, his little brother Perfect Peter, his neighbor Moody Margaret, his school pals Rude Ralph, Lazy Linda, Aerobic Al, Brainy Brian, their teacher Miss Battle-Axe and a host of other comic foils for this young terror.
In Horrid Henry’s Underpants, Henry gets an unwelcomed gift from his Great Aunt Greta, who’s convinced he’s a girl. Even though she’s been told ten billion times his name is Henry, not Henrietta, his Great Aunt always sends a Walkie-Talkie-Teasy-Weasy-Burpy-Slurpy Doll, or a Princess Pamper Parlor, or even Baby Poopie Pants. But this time, she’s really done it. Henry rips open his present and stares in horror at a pair of frilly pink lacy underpants! But things really get exciting when Henry stumbles out of bed half-asleep, grabs the lacy underwear hidden in his drawer and unknowingly, in a rush slips them on.
It all sinks in when Henry is sitting in class and feels something scratchy. Horrid Henry is mortified. Not to mention the game of depantsing that Horrid Henry had recently started on the playground. Horrid Henry does his best to scheme a new pair of underwear to no avail, but what will happen when he finds out that it’s P.E. day? Any story about underwear is sure to crack a smile on even the most reluctant readers, and chances are they’ll love to read the other three stories about the kid we all hate to love, or love to hate! In addition to the underpants story, young readers find out how Horrid Henry negotiates about eating vegetables, competes with Perfect Peter over which of them is sickest, and hits on a brilliant way to write thank-you letters.
Additional Information:
Reading level: Ages 7-10
Paperback: 112 pages
Publisher: Sourcebooks Jabberwocky (September 1, 2009)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1402238258
ISBN-13: 978-1402238253
——————————-
Don’t you hate it when you have a babysitter beautifully trained and for some rea
son they won’t come back? In Horrid Henry and the Scary Sitter
Rabid Rebecca has heard all about Henry and roars her fiery dragon’s breath, forcing Henry to go to bed at 7 o’clock. No one goes to bed at 7 o’clock. Not even toddlers! When Henry attempts to sneak downstairs for a drink of water, he’s busted, but Rabid Rebecca doesn’t rip his head off–because she’s afraid of a spider. Henry negotiates staying up late and watching his favorite show if he catches the spider and Rebecca agrees. But when Henry catches the spider, Rebecca orders him to bed again. Henry now knows his secret weapon and once again has a babysitter beautifully trained. But I doubt she’ll be coming back! In addition to encountering the worst babysitter in the world, the other stories have Henry traumatizing his parents on a long car trip; going trick-or-treating at Halloweeen (with disastrous results); and emerging victorious from a raid on Moody Margaret’s Secret Club.
Francesca Simon has done it again and Horrid Henry causes more trouble than ever in these new books. It’s refreshing to see a series whose main character is a trouble-maker–because if we can’t laugh at books, then what can we laugh at?
HORRID HENRY GIVEAWAY!
If you want to check out the series for yourself, I’m giving away a copy of
Horrid Henry’s Underpants
Horrid Henry and the Scary Sitter
and
Horrid Henry and the Mummy’s Curse
What do you have to do?
There’s a little Horrid Henry in all of us, so leave a comment below, telling us the worst thing you, a friend, or acquaintance did as a kid. Of course that person can certainly remain anonymous. (ex: putting gum in somebody’s hair, mooning out of a bus window, etc…) And let’s keep it Rated PG!
- There will be three winners and each winner will win one of the above books (randomly selected)
- For contact purposes, if you are a non-blogger or your email is not accessible in your blog profile, please leave a valid email address within the comment section.
- Contest is open to US only
- Contest ends on Sunday, October 11, 2009 at 11:59 PM EST.
- Winners will be chosen at random and announced on Monday, October 12, 2009.
The days of boring maps are long gone
September 21, 2009 by Lori Calabrese · Comments
Remember the days of boring maps? Those days are long gone and young readers today have a wealth of information at their fingertips that’s much more entertaining than the maps your mom used to pull out of the glove compartment on those long car trips.
Editors of Time for Kids Magazine have put together a full-color atlas of the U.S. that not only features maps of the North American continent, regions, and individual states, but contains entertaining tidbits that relate to each region. For instance, the Northeast is the birthplace of the United States and among its states are nine of the 13 of the original colonies. You’ll find a picture of Bruce Springsteen–after all, when you think of New Jersey, Bruce always comes to mind. For each region, you’ll find a fact file that contains information on the largest and smallest state, area, and population and a Did you Know? section that informs readers that the fastest wind ever recorded was 231 mph on Mount Washington, New Hampshire, in 1934. Each state is highlighted and young readers get a feel for each one. They’ll learn that Connecticut may have some large cities, but it has a rural feel; and Delaware’s average elevation is the lowest in the U.S., which is why swamps and marshes abound.
Photos of major natural and human-made state attractions are placed throughout and state maps are more detailed than the maps in the World Atlas to include more cities and towns.
A back section features a gazetteer to define map- and geography-related terms, an explanation of longitudes and latitudes, a section of graphs and charts showing how the U.S. compares with other nations in terms of population breakdowns, GDP, hours of school per year, incomes, etc. It also includes a “Where in the U.S.” scavenger hunt game for kids to complete, using compass directions, landmarks, scale of miles, and more. If you’re looking for a tool to teach young readers about geography, this will capture their interest much more than those maps you could never fold back up anyhow.
Additional Information:
Time for Kids United States Atlas 2010
Reading level: Ages 9-12
Paperback: 144 pages
Publisher: Time For Kids (June 23, 2009)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1603208070
ISBN-13: 978-1603208079
Nonfiction Monday takes place at various wonderful blogs throughout the Kidlitosphere! Today, you can check out the Roundup at BookEnds. If you’d like to see the schedule for Nonfiction Monday, please visit Anastasia Suen’s Picture Book of the Day.
Where do bad dreams come from?
September 16, 2009 by Lori Calabrese · Comments
Ever wonder where bad dreams come from? In The Dark Dreamweaver (Chronicles of Remin)
The book begins as 11 year old David is dreading going to bed. He spends every night trying to avoid closing his eyes, because as soon as he falls asleep, the nightmares begin again. But David is not the only one envisioning a very tall, very large man wearing a dark gray robe in his nightmares. Turns out, there’s an epidemic of bad dreams sweeping the world and sleep specialists are puzzled by the rapid rise.
Things get even more puzzling when David begins to hear a voice. He realizes that it’s a tiny caterpillar who is actually a wizard in trouble. The wizard, Houdin, hails from the world of Remin and explains how Remin is involved in David’s dreams. Without Remin, the brain wouldn’t be able to process dreams correctly and everyone in the world would be affected. Soon David finds himself traveling to Remin where he learns that an evil dreamweaver, known as Thane, has been stealing the power of dreams for his own purpose and is the one responsible for turning Houdin into a caterpillar.
Being able to use real magic is one of David’s greatest wishes and when Houdin needs somebody to fill his role, David is eager to help. Along the way, David and Houdin are joined by some unusual characters such as a Jellyfish man, Sir-Heads-Alot who has the ability to change heads (and is probably my favorite character), and two wise-cracking water serpents. The twists and turns will have you weaving your way through this imaginative adventure as the team sets out to confront Thane and put an end to the nightmares.
Anyone who’s read about other worlds: “worlds behind mirrors, worlds where scarecrows are king, and worlds with schools of magic,” will be amazed at the world of Remin. Nick Ruth has written an action packed tale, not only full of fantasy, but also a hidden education on the monarch butterfly. This book is sure to inspire young readers to use their own dream power!
Be sure to check out book #2 in the series, called The Breezes of Inspire and watch for book #3.
To celebrate its fifth anniversary, Imaginator Press is holding a creative writing contest for children and teenagers up to age 14. For the creative writing contest, Imaginator Press wants to know what “Dream Power” means to children. So have your children or students write a creative story, up to 2000 words, on the subject of dream power. They should use their imagination as much as possible, and write about whatever that subject means to them. Once they submit their story by October 31, 2009, they will be eligible to win one of ten fantastic prizes. The one first prize winner will receive an 8GB iPod Touch (or equivalent model). Four second prize winners receive $25 iTunes gift cards. Five third prize winners receive $10 iTunes gift cards. In addition, winning stories will be published in an anthology on “Dream Power.” Visit Imaginator Press’s website to read the complete rules and to download an entry form.
Additional Information:
Reading level: Ages 9-12
Paperback: 256 pages
Publisher: Imaginator Press (June 15, 2007)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0974560359
ISBN-13: 978-0974560359
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