MotherReader

There’s a new meme in town. STEM Friday focuses on books that promote Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math. The round-up this week is hosted at, well, STEM Friday.

Over the year I’ll be sharing the preschool program I created for the library and that I’m presenting once a month. The concept behind the program is to introduce science topics by combining fiction and nonfiction, songs and mini-experiments, action rhymes and hands-on times. As a preschool program the information conveyed is basic, and intended to encourage a questioning, observational approach to scientific topics.
Rocks
Book: Rocks in His Head, by Carol Hurst

Hands-on "Rock Show"
Examine different kinds of rocks: from the garden, the ocean, caves, polished, carved, etc. Maybe kids can bring their own rocks.

Book: Rocks, Rocks Big and Small, by Joanne Barkan

Experiment: "Rock Layers"
Layer modeling clay lightly in sheets and press together to show how rocks can press made in the compression of layers.

Book: Let's Go Rock Collecting, by Roma Gans

Experiment: "How Does Solid Rock Melt?"
Fill a cup with warm tap water. Put a spoon in the cup of water. After 30 seconds remove the spoon, and put a chocolate chip in the spoon and see it melt. Though rocks are also solid, when they reach they’re melting point they become magma.

Book: If You Find a Rock, by Peggy Christian

Hands-on: "Rock Collector"
Look at different kinds of rocks. How would you put them in categores? By color? By size?
By name? Test rocks for hardness by scraping with a penny and piece of quartz. Scrape the rock across a surface to see if it makes a mark.

These books were nominated for the 2011 Cybils and reviewed from library copies.

Follow Me
by Tricia Tusa
Harcourt, 2011
"Swing into a daydream," states this lovely picture book, and indeed we do. A girl is swinging among the soft pinks, blues, and grays of her surroundings. With a flash of imagination, she is part of the greens of the tree and through the oranges of fall leaves. Time seems to stop or to flow endlessly like a dream, which ends with her back home, where mom is waiting. A beautiful way to look at colors, complemented with gentle, poetic text."Look at me, follow me into the curl of a breeze. I am caught in its folds." Sigh.

Blue Chameleon
by Emily Gravett
Simon & Schuster, 2011
A lonely chameleon changes colors and contorts his body as he tries to make a friend. For instance, looking to find a companion in a banana, he turns yellow and curves himself appealingly (Get it? ap-peeling-ly.) Fortunately, before he loses hope and perhaps his mind he finds a fellow chameleon and together they display all the colors of the rainbow. With very little text it's a simple book, but the fun comes from the character's attempts to fit in and the author/illustrator's clever take on a common book of colors. Brilliant.

The Artist Who Painted a Blue Horse
by Eric Carle
Philomel, 2011
That "common book of colors" I just referred to above? That's what this book is. Yes, the colors are on animals not normally that color. But when you look at what else has been done with the topic and by this renowned artist, I cannot understand the buzz for this book at all. With little text and no story, a child artist paints animals in unusual colors. At each page turn, the reader sees the standard Carle artwork for each creature, including a blue horse. Okay, I'll give you that standard Carle is still a pretty great thing, and indeed the illustrations are vibrant and the message of creativity rings true, but I'd say it's not his best work.

It's the official Girl Scouts 100th birthday today, so as a proud member and leader I'd like to celebrate by sharing a new book for Nonfiction Monday hosted today by Rasco from RIF. The problem is my lead-in where I'd usually share a personal connection to the topic. As a long-time leader it's hard to know where to start. I was so proud seeing so many of my teens earn their Silver Award for service and then watching their induction to the National Honor Society as tenth graders. On the other hand I have now where I am leader and cookie coordinator of two troops - with both my co-leaders experiencing personal issues that are limiting their involvement - wrapping up the fourth cookie booth sale that I have personally had to staff. So there are highs and lows.

I've based a whole trip on the skill of campfire cooking, to learn that open fires were forbidden because of drought and have spent at least two camping trips in steady rain. I've slept on the floor of a museum and the balcony of an oceanfront hotel. Along with my troops, I've learned skills in cooking, archery, canoeing, first aid, and photography. We've studied aspects of art, law, music, finances, fashion, writing, theatre, science, sports, and child care. During the years we've organized service projects and collections that brought books to needy schools, mosquito nets to African homes, and art supplies to homeless children. This very month one troop will teach camping skills to younger scouts while the teens organize a social media campaign for concepts from the Girl Effect. If at times Girl Scouts gets reduced to cookies, crafts and camping, I know better. And books like this help us all know better.

Here Come the Girl Scouts!: The Amazing All-True Story of Juliette 'Daisy' Gordon Low and Her Great Adventure
by Shana Corey and illustrated by Hadley Hooper
Scholastic Press, 2012
reviewed from library copy

Finally! Here is a perfect book for girls to learn about the founder of Girl Scouts, Juliette Gordon Low, and the beginnings of the organization itself. Old-fashioned and engaging illustrations complement the easy-enough text to create a fantastic story of breaking barriers. Starting with Juliette Gordon Low as a young girl, we learn that she was an adventurous sort who found a way to bring camping, sports, and service to a population considered too delicate for such things. The values of Girl Scouts are interwoven in the biographical information as quotes from Juliette Low are incorporated into the lovely pages. A wonderful celebration of an outstanding woman and of Girl Scouts!

I think I'm having a mid-life crisis. But instead of buying a red sports car, hiking through Asia, or taking up with the cabana boy, I'm just kind of not blogging. Which while preferable to the other options, is also the lamest mid-life crisis ever.

The thing is, I'm getting itchy about not working. Turns out that I need that structure and social outlet to keep up my energy, physical and creative. At the same time, my daughters have never needed me more as a patient listener, a homework taskmaster, a supportive coach, and yes, the typical taxi service. It would be difficult, but perhaps possible, to find part-time work just during the day while they are at school. It's unlikely to be work I love, but it would get me out of the house. On the other hand, one of the reasons that I've been so available at those other tasks for my girls - especially the patient part of it - is because my own time is during the day, and their time starts at 2:30 p.m. They don't need me all the time, every day, but it's been nice to have that freedom for when they need me.

Like sitting in as the adult in charge while my teen directs the middle school play. (Our middle and high school are one combined school.) I had thought that the drama instructor would be the supervisor and I would fill in when she wasn't available. Apparently, she had never intended to be available, so I've been going to school for two hours, three times a week for the last two months. And it's been wonderful. I don't mind the time imposition, because I'm not really doing anything else. I love watching my teen direct and my tween act, and love getting to know the other kids. Teen has been amazing running this show, and I've been able to help with little things, like organizing the timeline, that have helped her grow as a director. Overall, I helped the play experience which a number of kids told me was "chaos" last year, so I'm glad to do that.

I also can't help but look at the drama instructor and thinking that I could do that job. But do I want to? I don't know. Go back to the public library - if I even can - with its demanding part-time schedule of the least convenient hours for new part-time staff? I don't know. I could take a class, but in what? I could write a book, but I can barely read one right now. My concentration is shot, my motivation is low, and my energy is drained.

I should make it clear that I'm not depressed. More like uninspired than unhappy. I'm hoping that the seasonal jolt that springtime brings will get me reading more, writing more, and figuring out a few things. Cleaning the closets, literally and emotionally. But I'm not there now, and despite the mild winter, spring feels far away.

For the KidLitosphere, Valentine’s Day is also a celebration of our love of books, with the announcement of the Cybils Awards. With months of evaluating and discussing books at an end, my Fiction Picture Book committee has selected our top winner:

Me... Jane
by Patrick McDonnell
published by Little, Brown

Me... Jane is a touching glimpse into the life of a young Jane Goodall as a curious girl with a love of nature, and books, and a stuffed chimpanzee named Jubilee. A unique combination of dreamy watercolor vignettes and nature-inspired vintage engravings complement a simple and evocative text. Every element of the book’s design, from its album-like cover and heavy yellowed pages to the inclusion of photographs and Goodall’s own childhood drawings, helps create a picture book that feels like a relative’s cherished scrapbook. Readers of all ages will take inspiration from a young girl who so fully follows her dreams.

Find all the rest of the winners at the Cybils site and place your orders for a bunch of new kid-friendly, blogger-approved books to arrive at your doorstop. Personal thanks go out to my panelists and judges, and thanks out to all of you who work for and support this unique and special book awarding venture we call Cybils!

As you are shaping your child's beginning home library, there are three types of books to look for in filling the bookshelves.

1. Classics
There are really two kinds of classics: the ones that you read as a child and the new classics that have come out in the intervening years. Your child's bookshelf should have some of both. Reading the books that you grew up on gives you a chance to share that connection with your child. Maybe these books don't honor the faster pace of today's child or use the latest research on teaching to the developing brain of a toddler. But they mean something to you, and that's important. Many also have a place as cultural reference that continues through generations. (Hello Man in the Yellow Hat.) Such books like Curious George; Madeline; Goodnight Moon, Corduroy, Where the Wild Things Are, Bread and Jam for Frances, and The Cat in the Hat belong on every child's bookshelf. You may have some books from your own childhood that are special to you that you should also share. New Classics are ones that you'll see featured at any bookstore, like Chicka Chicka Boom Boom; The Hungry Caterpillar, Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus!; Clifford the Big Red Dog; Guess How Much I Love You; and Fancy Nancy. Here's a hint on finding the New Classics: they often have a line of related merchandise. I'm not condoning it, I'm just saying'.

2. Mulitcultural/Diverse
Reading is one of the first ways that we see the greater world around us, so take the opportunity to widen that exposure with books that are diverse and multicultural. In looking for books featuring children of color, I've become fond of the illustrator Randy Cecil who used a great cast of characters in Looking for a Moose and How Do You Wokka-Wokka? (written by Phyllis Root and Elizabeth Bluemie, respectively). Kadir Nelson brings his art to life in every book he illustrates, but young readers will especially enjoy Please, Puppy, Please. Grace Lin incorporates Asian children and themes in the many, picture books she has written and illustrated - like in Kite Flying and you'll find Hispanic themes in the works of Pat Mora and Tony Johnson, among many others.

Explore the world without leaving home in the wonderful picture books of Barbara Kerley, with photos from National Geographic - like You and Me Together. Start even younger with the board books like Global Babies or broaden the concept with If the World Were a Village. Think about different kinds of families with The Family Book by Todd Parr (speaking of children of color, you'll see all the colors of rainbow represented here - literally) or And Tango Makes Three, by Peter Parnell which tells the story of two male penguins who raise an egg together.

3. Art
If you're stuck on buying a book, look for the one with great art. I don't mean books with classic artwork in them - though I am fond of the Metropolitan Museum series - but instead books that have amazing illustrations. Step into the art of Steve Jenkins in books like Actual Size or the surreal world of David Wiesner in Flotsam or the perfect spareness of Peter Reynolds in Ish. Investigate the soft tone of Jon Muth or the lively colors of David Diaz. Compare the watercolors of E. B. Lewis to the scratchboard work of Beth Krommes. Find books that are illustrated with beauty, style, and creativity and you'll likely find yourself in possession of very, very good books.

(This post was previously published at PBS Booklights.)

I mean, other than us all being winners for participating, connecting, and learning during the Comment Challenge. I had fully intended to share the winning names selected from both those who reached one hundred comments and those that didn't. But as it turns out, I'm not going to because Lee Wind did it better... and he is the one providing the prize packages. So head over there for your Comment Challenge 2012 winners, and tune in next year to do it all again!

Thanks to all for being part of it and to Lee for keeping me ever inspired!