No Looking Back

There aren't too many things I am looking back on fondly in 2008, number one of which is my lack of blogging. Actually, I kept up with blogging, just not about books I was reading. I was spending more time trying to make other parts of my life come together. (Which I must say I did VERY WELL) I am not going to make any commitment to reading and blogging in 2009, but to myself quietly, I say I am going to do better. I find myself putting books into Goodreads because it is so much easier than blogging. So I am going to go with that type of format in 2009. More of one sentence, a star count (1-5 or something), and then the information on where to find the book or more reviews.
In the mean time if you want to see what I really read in 2008, check out my pile of READ books in Goodreads.

The December Carnival of Children's Literature

The December Carnival of Children's Literature is up over at Jen Robinson's Book Page. It is PACKED with great stuff to look at. What a Christmas treat!

November Carnival of Children's Literature

The November Carnival of Children's Literature is now available at Mommy's Favorite Children's Books! Great for Christmas book buying ideas!

Cybils Widget

I love the Cybils Widget! It always shows people visiting your blog some wonderful books! Want a Widget like mine? Check it out HERE! You can even customize it...

The Babes

It is never too early to start reading!

The October Carnival of Children's Literature

The October Carnival of Children's Literature is now up for the viewing at The Well-Read Child! Check it out...

Cybils Nominations

Here are the nomination long lists for the Cybils Awards. I am sorry I haven't talked about it before, but there were TOO MANY posts about it. I didn't figure you would appreciate another. Now you can go to these links and look for books you might be interested in. LOVE IT!
Cybils: The 2008 Nominations
If you have no idea what a Cybils is, go HERE.

The Conversation

I really like this. I believe it was shared by Amanda from A Patchwork of Books on my Yahoo Listserve for the Kidlitosphere. If I have labeled this incorrectly, I am sure someone will correct me. It is originally load here at Flickr by:

Uploaded on August 5, 2008 by b_d_solis

I really think it says something about technology and I can use it in my classroom as well. Part of the curriculum at any grade is to incorporate technology. This diagram or picture shows very well how we use technology for listening, learning, and sharing.
(If you can't view it I believe you can click on it to enlarge the picture, or go to Flickr and look at it in any size you want)
***** Update, I found the original origin of the picture on the Yahoo Group. It is
Andrea at Just One More Book.

Hip Hop Speaks to Children by Nikki Giovanii

I love when I find good poetry that speaks to kids. Hip Hop Speaks to Children by Nikki Giovanni really is that kind of book. It is a collection of poems and song lyrics including poems by the author Nikki Giovanni a well known poet, writer, activist. It also includes an companion CD. Sometimes it is hard for people to think of anything but "Rap" when they hear the words "Hip Hop." Hip Hop is so much more than that. It has rhythm, soul, and poetry. Not only that, but it is poetry kids relate to today.
As I picked a few poems to read aloud to my class, I thought about topics that are close to their hearts right now. I found so much that fit! Poems such as "Why Some People Be Mad At Me Sometimes" by Lucille Clifton, "Books" by Eloise Greenfield, and "For Words" by Bejamin Zephaniah. But best of all was when I could read "From Principal's Office" by Young MC and tell the class that it was a rap song when I was in Junior High. When they didn't believe me, I could whip out the CD that accompanies the book and play the song for them! Oh, they thought that was great! What a better way to interest students in poetry than by showing them that their own favorite artists were originally inspired by poetry.
And I guess I just realized this, but Nikki Giovanni grew up in Cincinnati, OH. Just down the road from us! How cool is that?

Other Reviews:
Fuse #8
A Year of Reading
Shelf Elf
Becky's Book Reviews
HipWriterMama

Diary of a Wimpy Kid Do-It-Yourself by Jeff Kinney

When I first began this blog, I was really excited to read the very first Diary of A Wimpy Kid by Jeff Kinney. I thought I had found a perfect book for reluctant readers and I was correct. In February I read the second book Rodrick Rules and I was thrilled to find out it was just as good as the first. I was worried somewhat when I saw how popular and commercialized the book was becoming. However, just like most teachers, parents, and even authors, who cares... as long as it gets them reading, right? While I am waiting for the third book The Last Straw, I received this really cool book, Diary of a Wimpy Kid Do-It-Yourself.
On Jeff Kinney's Blog, he describes the book as

"...really hard to describe. It's kind of a part comic book, part activity book, part blank journal. The hardcover book has 16 pages of full-color comics in the middle."

And that is exactly how I would describe the book. I book talked the book in my class and showed them a bit of the book. They were very excited, until I told them I only had one copy and would have to use it as a SUPER DUPER prize. I guess that will keep them on their toes for a bit! ;)
More exciting, the book I received came with information on entering a Do-It-Yourself Comic Contest. Many of the students were very interested in this contest. I think there will be a lot of competition out there with this new fascination with comic books and even more after they practice their comic skills using the Do-It-Yourself version of Diary of a Wimpy Kid.

Please see Jeff Kinney's blog post for further information on the Do-It-Yourself Comic Contest.

Central Ohio Kidlitosphere Blogger Unite!

I was so please to be invited to breakfast and a book buying and viewing expedition with the Kidlitosphere Bloggers in the Central Ohio area. Although I am officially Southern Ohio, I was still included and I couldn't have had more fun! Because I am slow, I am one of the last to post on the topic, so I will do a round-up. I would also like to say it is so wonderful to be included with the Geek Chic of Central Ohio. (Inside joke) Everyone is so welcoming and I feel like I have known these people all my adult life. (They are just that nice... really!) Although none of us could make the trek across the US to Portland, we were with you in spirit.

Bloggers Reactions and Recounts of the Day:
A Year of Reading
Literate Lives
BestBooksIHaveNotRead
Books I Purchased at Cover to Cover:
Hate That Cat by Sharon Creech
Alvin Ho: Allergic to Girls, School, and Other Scary Things by Lenore Look
Violet Raines Almost Got Struck By Lightning by Danette Haworth
Moving Day by Ralph Fletcher

ARC I Received at Cover to Cover:
Same Difference by Siobhan Vivian
Dog Lost by Ingrid Lee
Greetings from the 50 States: How they got their name by Sheila Keenan
Illustrated by Selina Alko
The Mostly True Adventures of Homer P. Figg by Rodman Philbrick

Teacher Swap!

How lucky is this??? You get randomly paired with another blogger who has many similarities to you, you have no trouble putting together gift for them, AND... you are blog invited to breakfast together on the very day the SWAP ends??? Well that is what happened with Kristine and I. Today we met and exchanged gifts. Oh, this was just too much fun!

Here's what I got:
S= Supplies (Day of the week magnets, post-its and pens
C= Chocolate A school must have. (Hot-fudge sundae Jelly Belly)
H= Health Tea to fight off kiddo germs
O= Organizer clips- You can't have enough
L= Luxuriate in warm bath with a good book. (Bath Fizz Ball)

I hope I get to do this again next year!

September Carnival of Children's Literature

I Remembered! Yes! One point for me in the month of September! I remembered to submit to the September Carnival of Children's Literature. You can view the carnival now at Jenny's Wonderland of Books.

Madeline and the Cats of Rome by John Bemelmans Marciano

Did you know a brand new Madeline book came out this past week? Madeline and the Cats of Rome by JOHN BEMELMANS MARCIANO. I put this in caps because it IS NOT the orignal Madeline series author, which was Ludwig Belemans, who of course is no longer with us.
John Belemans Marciano is the grandson of Ludwig Belemans and Madeline and the Cats of Rome is the first all new Madeline book in close to 5o YEARS!
There is so much history behind the original author and the legacy he left with his Madeline stories. John Belemans Marciano does a wonderful job of helping his grandfather's legacy live on. Marciano is a self-taught artist (as was his grandfather) who uses his grandfather's original art as a springboard for his own.
The new book Madeline and the Cats of Rome is such a reminder of everything I loved about being a little girl. I love that Madeline is still up to some antics, which always made me laugh as a little girl. And the flowing verse makes the story one that kids can remember each and every time the book comes out. (And you know it won't be just once.) The artwork was so close, you could be confused that it really was by Ludwig, but enough different that it becomes Marciano's own.
For all ye who heard Madeline read over and over as a child and for all ye who have read Madeline over and over to a child, here is a new book for your shelves and the shelves of your children to come.
**** Watch out!!! Shameless plug of my nieces coming... right... now....!!!**********
I will be waiting patiently to overread Madeline and the Cats of Rome to my favorite little monkeys!




Other reviews:
Charlotte's Library
Booklust
The Children's Book Review
Kiddos and Books

Teacher Swap

Oooo, if you didn't sign up to take part in the Teacher Swap you are T-totally missing out! I have been paired with Kristine from BestBooksIHaveNotRead. It is so bizarre that we are quite alike. She has posted the answers to the questionnaire we were provided here. So I will post my answers as well. By the way... I just know there is going to be a wonderful book to blog about very soon... I haven't come across it yet, but I know it is out there!

1. Do you have any hobbies? Beyond the fact that I love reading my other hobbies are really just things I enjoying doing such as: sunning, shopping, and vacationing. (But I don't think those are actual hobbies)
2. Do you enjoy crafting? If so anything in particular? I do enjoying crafting. I am more into card making and stamping than scrapbooking. But I get in the mood for both. I also have a sewing machine I tinker with now and then.
3. 5 favorite things you can't live without. Make-up, hair products, purses, all my school junk such as professional books and kidlit, and junk food. (Those are really superficial??)
4. Do you collect anything? Not really. I am a collector of anything and everything
5. Do you have any Children or pets? I do not have any children but I do have one great Mutt I love very much. (Rizzo)
6. Favorite things to do during "back to school" season. Shop for supplies, organize my room, look for new books to start the year off with, and FREAK OUT! ;)
7. What makes you think of school? Notebooks, books, and basically anything in an office supply store. ( I love that stuff)
8. Favorite treats? Candy bars (without nuts), Hostess Cupcakes, pretty much any kind of junk food
9. Favorite color combo. I love the colors blue, orange, green, pink in that order, but not necessarily together.
10. Any allergies? None that matter to anyone but me. Bee stings and sulfa ;)
More interesting information about me:
I am married. Live in Dayton, OH. I went to college at the University of Dayton. I teach in the town I grew up in Xenia, OH. I have taught fifth grade language arts and social studies for 11 years in the same elementary school. I have no kids but my sister recently had twins, so I have adopted them as my own ;) My husband as recently been very sick and is in the process of getting a new liver. Our life is improving so much each and every day.

CANNOT GET ENOUGH of my Big Broski! (Not children's literature related)

Because I can never get enough of my Big Brother infatuation, I am now posting the Weekly Recap video from TheRealDeal on BB10Dish for the third week in a row. As always, watch until the VERY end. There is always a little treat after the credits. This one is fun and funny.

August Carnival of Children's Literature

Opps, I missed this one! The Carnival of Children's Literature is up at Chicken Spaghetti.

Teacher Swap

Here's something fun going on at The Reading Zone. A Teacher Swap. It is a super good idea and I am trying to spread the word to help it become a reality. You can get all the info here. And the best part is, you don't HAVE to be teacher to participate, but it would be good if you are into the Kidlitosphere blogging arena because you would probably understand better.

Big Brother Update take 2

Again, not Children's Literature related, but why not keep with my trend. TheRealDeal has another great montage on BB10Dish. I am trying to keep with their wishes not to repost the video, so here is a link if you are interested. And again, watch until after the credits.
Weekly Recap

Summer Reading Goals Revisited

At the beginning of the summer A Year of Reading proposed a Summer Goals Meme. To revisited my own goals, I will post them here:

My Goals for the 2008 Summer:
1. Go on vacation.
2. Learn to cook the types of food that will help my husband.
3. Read at least 1 book a week. (Considerably less than last year, but my priorities are a bit different this year.)
4. Spend time with family.
5. Help my husband feel comfortable to the best of my abilities.

I will just make it short and say, I have accomplished and continue to work on all my goals. EXCEPT for the reading one book a week. I am PHYSICALLY READING one book a week, but it is never finished at the end of the week. I have gotten into a bad habit of starting 2 and three books at a time. Then it takes me forever to finish each book.
Husband Update: My husband is doing very well. Yesterday he jogged to the end of the street and back. Of course I followed him with the dog just in case. We also got the paperwork from our insurance will cover his liver transplant. We haven't however, gotten any information on the ACTUAL transplant, but at least we know someone has our information somewhere. What a WONDERFUL SUMMER!