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Ideal for helping youngsters wind down from a busy day, The Family Bedtime Treasury: Tales for Sleepy Times and Sweet Dreams (HMH, 2012; PreS-Gr 3) presents a cozy collection of eight beautifully reproduced slumber-themed picture books and eight illustrated poems. The offerings represent an enticing variety of storytelling moods and artistic styles guaranteed to hold the eye and ear of young listeners.
For our middle school readers, finding a favorite author can be a difficult task. They are at the age in which one day they’re still children, and the next they think they are adults. Kids are busy with activities, so this is also the time in their lives where we could lose them as readers if their choices are few. Thankfully in the last ten years, popular authors and series have increased for this group of tweens and early teens. For students in grades five to eight and those that teach them, fall releases will be a welcome sight.
n August 1965, the Beatles iconic “Help!” album was released. Forty-seven years later, today’s teens still know every Beatles’ song by heart. Novelist Ed Briant captures modern Beatles’ love and lore in his new book, I Am (Not) The Walrus, about a Beatles-cover band whose teenage bassist thinks his Fender guitar may have once belonged to George Harrison. Five lucky SLJTeen readers can win a copy of I Am (Not) The Walrus along with five commemorative guitar picks to pass along to their favorite teen patrons.
We may not be able to predict how the end of the world will come—zombie domination, the rapture, falling asteroids, or anything else you can imagine—but the following books will help you get ready. Some are old standbys, such as Gary Paulsen’s Hatchet, which offers a guide to wilderness survival, while others have the potential to become future classics. Make sure you’re ready for all the potential doom and gloom. Be prepared!
The charismatic clown fish swims back into theaters—and the hearts of youngsters—on September 14 with the re-release of the animated classic newly converted to Disney Digital 3D. First presented by Pixar and Walt Disney Pictures in 2003, Finding Nemo (G) garnered acclaim from critics and audiences alike, earned status as the second-highest grossing movie of the year, and sailed away with numerous awards including the Oscar for Best Animated Feature.
For our elementary readers, finding a favorite author is like finding an old friend. They welcome a familiar writing or illustration style. Not having to learn new characters or settings lets struggling students focus on the plot. This fall’s release of new books promises to be a happy reunion for kids in grades two to six.
BISHOP, Nic. Nic Bishop Snakes. Scholastic. Oct. 2012. ISBN 9780545206389. JLG Level: SCE: Science Nonfiction Elementary (Grades 2-6)
Naturalist and Sibert-award winning photographer Nic Bishop is [...]
As champions of nonfiction literature, Mary Ann Cappiello, Myra Zarnowski, and Mark Aronson have spent the past year speaking to teachers, librarians, and children’s book publishers, advocating for a new role for children’s, middle grade, and young adult nonfiction in all forms (print, digital, audio) in the classroom and in the individual reading lives of children. They are delighted to have the opportunity to join Curriculum Connections for the 2012-2013 school year and share their message with you.
For the college-bound the pressure is on; there are essays to write, tests to ace, and applications to complete. With guides galore available to teens, this round-up offers a sampling of recent titles. Students (and their parents) will find useful information on the college-search and admission process, minus the hype. And, for those who have sealed the deal, there’s practical advice for “surviving and thriving” in class and on campus, guidance for teens with special needs, and some constructive assessments to aid “undeclared” applicants choose a field of study.
Election Day is just around the corner, providing bountiful opportunities for exploration and discussion in the classroom. Add a little pizzazz to your investigations of past and present office holders and the election process with books that blend a bit of fun with the facts. Ranging from poetry to graphic novels to biography, the titles featured here utilize eye-catching formats and winsome artwork to bring their topics to life and entertain while they educate.
With the start of a new school year just around the corner, it’s nice to have someone you can trust to take the edge off the newness. The latest titles from our favorite authors for primary readers may just fit the bill. From fiction to nonfiction, these books promise to deliver exactly what you expect—a great story and the comfort of finding an old friend.
The ultimate blend of high-tech machinery and good old-fashioned teamwork, Voltron—a flying robot formed by the linking together of five lion-styled vehicles and their pilots—is a formidable force for good. Sound familiar?
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“All the world’s a stage,” proclaims Jaques in Shakespeare’s As You Like It. Judging by the numerous sources available for would-be thespians, he knows of what he speaks! With the popularity of Glee and the many versions of High School Musical, it seems clear that, no matter the odds, there will always be a modern-day Mickey Rooney or Judy Garland hustling to put on a show.
What makes the world of [...]
Christian Bale once again dons the legendary cape and cowl for the lead role in The Dark Knight Rises (PG-13), scheduled for release by Warner Bros. Pictures on July 20 in traditional and IMAX theaters. Following on the heels of Batman Begins (2005) and The Dark Knight (2008), the movie marks the much-anticipated conclusion to director Christopher Nolan’s renowned film trilogy, which features a darkly realistic and emotionally nuanced incarnation of the iconic DC Comics character originally created by Bob Kane and Bill Finger in 1939. When Gotham is terrorized by a new menace, a formidable villain named Bane (Tom Hardy), Batman must return to protect the city he loves.
When askings teens what they did this summer, you expect responses like: “I went to camp,” “I visited my grandparents,” or “I slept a lot.” Not so for the teens in the stories presented here! These kids have to overcome forest fires, global cooling, evil scientific organizations, volcanic explosions, and worse. Readers looking for a suspenseful read that takes place in a world gone awry can’t go wrong with any of these titles.
Featuring four young ninja warriors engaged in a classic good-versus-evil battle, this popular LEGO franchise includes building sets and toys, an animated TV show, a video game, accessories and apparel, and more.
Fans of the Caped Crusader are breathlessly awaiting the premiere of The Dark Knight Rises (PG-13), scheduled for release by Warner Bros. Pictures on July 20, in traditional and IMAX formats. A sequel to the critically acclaimed and commercially successful Batman Begins (2005) and The Dark Knight(2008), the movie is the final installment in director Christopher Nolan’s masterfully envisioned film trilogy based on the iconic DC Comics character.
Manny the woolly mammoth (voiced by Ray Romano), Sid the sloth (John Leguizamo), and Diego the saber-toothed tiger (Denis Leary) return in the fourth installment of a series of computer-animated comedies from Blue Sky Studios and 20th Century Fox. Ice Age: Continental Drift(PG) premieres in theaters on July 13, in 3D, 2D, and IMAX 3D formats. Scrat (Chris Wedge), that ever-determined but hapless prehistoric squirrel, is still in hot pursuit of the tantalizing acorn that continues to remain beyond his reach, but this time his seemingly small actions have cataclysmic results, causing continents to crack apart and shift.
A fan favorite for 50 years, this friendly neighborhood crime-fighting phenom swings back into action—and into theaters—on July 3. The Amazing Spider-Man(PG-13), a new 3D adventure from Marvel Entertainment and Columbia Pictures, provides a fresh big-screen take on the character by spotlighting his early days. High-school student Peter Parker (Andrew Garfield) is an outcast who grapples with issues of insecurity and identity, as well as his all-consuming crush on the beautiful and bright Gwen Stacy (Emma Stone).
“Do you have any books about princesses?” It’s a request often heard in school and public libraries and a topic that continues to captivate the imaginations of children. Take advantage of this never-waning enthusiasm and use the opportunity to deliver some quality books to eager young readers and listeners. The offerings featured here will enchant their audiences with satisfying storytelling, effervescent artwork, and winsome characters who take on challenges large and small. Whether actual royalty or a princess self-proclaimed, these protagonists use their special status to supercharge their imaginations, shore up their self-confidence, and spread their sparkle to everyone around them. They demonstrate that true princess power is not about pink dresses and shiny tiaras, but more about what’s inside. Share a tale and help your students get their glimmer on.
Now in its fourth season, this animated TV series starring the chatty canine first introduced in Susan Meddaugh’s beloved Martha Speaks (Houghton, 1992) continues to entertain children and enhance their vocabularies. Like the original picture book and its follow ups, the show, which airs on PBS Kids and is produced by WGBH Boston and Studio B Productions, features a family pet with an extraordinary ability.
