The Happiness of Kati by Jane Vejjajiva

Amazon link:
http://www.amazon.com/Happiness-Kati-Jane-Vejjajiva/dp/1416917888

Antheneum Books for Young Readers Published in Thailand in 2003, Published in U.S. 2006
144 pages, ages 9-12
www.simonsayskids.com

The author Jane Vejjajiva is the sister of the Prime Minister of Thailand.
This is her first novel.

This book was borrowed from the library for the purpose of reading/reviewing.

Kati is 9 years old and in the fourth grade. She lives in a coastal community in Thailand with her maternal grandparents.
Kati's mother is ill with Lou Gehrig's disease. Kati has lived with her grandparents most of her life.
Her mother was an attorney as was the grandfather (now retired). The father of Kati is not in the story.
The book begins with showing the reader the daily life of Kati: food, school, transportation, the environment of her home and community, her Buddhist religion. The book then descends in to the reason the book was written: in helping Kati deal with the serious disease of her mother, the affects on the family, the outlook of the future, the disease and its ramifications on how others see this disease.
This is a book dealing with serious themes. It would not be appropriate for all children, maybe most children.
I would not read this book to a child unless the child has a terminally ill relative, this book could be used in helping the child---yet it also shows a peek at the culture of Thailand.
I would not recommend this book to just anyone, a parent would need to read the book first then decide.

Blissful Reading!
Annette

The Spiderwick Chronicles Book One The Field Guide by Tony DiTerlizzi and Holly Black

Amazon link for the book:
http://www.amazon.com/Field-Guide-Spiderwick-Chronicles-Book/dp/0689859368

Promotional page for The Spiderwick Chronicles on the publishers website @ Simon & Schuster:
http://promo.simonandschuster.com/Spiderwick/

Holly Black site:
www.blackholly.com

Tony DiTerlizzi site:
www.diterlizzi.com

Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, published 2003, 128 pages, for ages 6-10

This book is Fantasy Fiction

This book was borrowed from the library for the purpose of reading/reviewing.

Siblings Mallory, Jared, and Simon, and their mother Helen, move in to an old and quirky family home. 
Soon after arriving the three siblings hear strange sounds inside the walls. Mallory takes the lead in creating a hole in the kitchen wall, what they find within the hole in the wall creates more curiosity about what kind of creature is making these strange sounds.
The Field Guide Book One sets the stage for all of the series in The Spiderwick Chronicles. These books have been successful with older elementary age children and in to middle school. Children of this age gravitate towards the mysterious and fantasy type fiction; I suppose it is an escape type reading and the fantasy part appeals to a child's imagination.
Personally I'm not drawn towards fantasy fiction, it is just not my "cup of tea".  Looking back at when I was a child I might have read this type of book.
I do feel this book was written with keen imagination and creativity. It is a story that does not leave the reader disinterested nor ready to take a nap. It is not a long chapter book, it is easy to digest. The story in book one leaves the reader ready to devour book two. I loved the character traits in the three siblings: Mallory the older sister--motherly bossy type, Jared and Simon twin brothers and each having distinct traits--one braver than the other.
This book may cause some in the Christian reading community to pause and then not want their child to read----some have problems with fantasy fiction period unless it is C. S. Lewis.
Personally I did not have a problem with this book; although I know my 6 1/2 year old granddaughter would not be ready for this story--she scares easily.

Blissful Reading!
Annette

Library Advocacy Day

Library Advocacy Day from ALA Washington on Vimeo.

Akavak, An Eskimo Journey by James Houston

This is a book that was written in 1968, original publisher Harcourt, Brace & World, NY--Library Binding
80 pages, ages 9-12
I borrowed this book from the library for the purpose of reading/reviewing.

I am anxious to read more books on Alaska and the far north; this book "called out" to me while I was in the public library last week.

Akavak is a youth and he is given the mission to take his aged grandfather to visit his brother before his grandfather dies. His grandfathers brother lives farther north in the land named Kokjuak. Akavak and his grandfather will have to travel far in the icy elements of the terrain. Akavak is given instructions by his father on traveling, but soon after they leave his grandfather persuades him to do something else.

I thought this was a well written book; I was kept in suspense because of the hazardous trials that they endured. Akavak is torn between obeying his father or his grandfather. He is faced with grown up decisions and struggles with uncertainty. I felt the book did bring to my mind easily the terrain and environment of life in the far north of Alaska. The author wrote of the food they ate, clothing, and their housing.
I enjoyed reading this book!

Amazon link for the book:
http://www.amazon.com/Akavak-Inuit-Eskimo-Legend-James-Houston/dp/0152017313

Blissful Reading!
Annette

Owl Moon by Jane Yolen

The authors website:
http://janeyolen.com/

Link for the book @ Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/Owl-Moon-Jane-Yolen/dp/0399214577

Published by Philomel Books in 1987, 32 pages, A 1988 Caldecott Medal winner

This book was borrowed from the library for the purpose of reading/reviewing.

On a winter night a little girl and her father go looking for owls. The night is cold, snowy, quiet and still.
They walk in to the woods under a full moon that casts shadows. The father calls for an owl and there is no response. Their anticipation is hidden behind silent frigid faces.
I thought this book was splendid! The bond that is strengthened between the girl and her father is moving.
The authors description of the owl outing on a snowy night made me too feel as if I were following a long with them. The illustrations were in soft shades of blue and gray, and milky white. Many of the pictures show animals bedded down in the forest for the night. 
It is in the special times like these between a child and his or her parent that will be remembered for a lifetime.

Blissful Reading!
Annette

Back Of The Bus by Aaron Reynolds and illustrated by Floyd Cooper

Link @ Amazon for the book:
http://www.amazon.com/Back-Bus-Aaron-Reynolds/dp/0399250913/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1276699772&sr=1-1

Link @ the publishers:
http://us.penguingroup.com/nf/Book/BookDisplay/0,,9780399250910,00.html?Back_of_the_Bus_Aaron_Reynolds
For ages 4-8, 32 pages, published by Philomel Books a division of Penguin Young Readers, published  2010

This book is such a great book, and should be read in the classroom. My granddaughter Celeste of course asked me several questions, in her little lifetime she does does not know about segregation. In my own lifetime (I was born in 1964) I vaguely remember when integration began in school (1st grade for me). My father--age 87 remembers well segregation. I am so proud of my father, he told me that he would on purpose sit in the back of the bus just to make a point that he was no different than people of color. I love my daddy more and more everyday.
Back of the Bus is based on the true historical story of Rosa Parks a woman that was tired from her day at work, and she sat down in a seat on the public transportaion bus in Montgomery, Alabama. When she was told to move to the back of the bus where people of her color sat, she refused, and then she was arrested.

http://www.rosaparks.org/bio.html
The fictional part of the story that the author weaves in to the real story, is of a little boy and his mother that are sitting in the back of the bus traveling to their home observing what is happening to Rosa Parks. The little boy does not understand and his mother is concerned about what this act will mean for them.
The illustrations and words are full of the immensity of the little boy's world. The facial expressions are evocative and demanding from the reader to grasp the importance of this act.
This is a world---and a prejudice---that I cannot grasp, it sickens me.
Yet, this act (what Rosa Parks in courage did) was a beginning, that even through today should incite us to not allow prejudice and hatred and segregation to happen ever again. (I guess I'm preaching)
This is a great book, be prepared to explain to the child on a level that they will understand about this story.

Blissful Reading!
Annette

Summer Reading 2010

My granddaughter and I are off to the library today, last week I checked out 17 books!!
We've read every single one of them, so back to the library we go!
I am so thrilled that my granddaughter is learning to read. She loves to practice writing words, she makes books from scrap paper and cut up card board boxes (to be used as the front and back cover). I consider her a
pre-published author!

Blissful Reading!
Annette

Blessing's Bead by Debby Dahl Edwardson

Link for the book @ publisher:
http://us.macmillan.com/fsgyoungreaders.aspx

Age range 10 and up, 192 pages, Fiction, Young Adult,

The authors website:
http://www.debbydahledwardson.com/
The authors blog:
http://www.debbydahledwardson.com/blog.htm
This book was borrowed from the library for the purpose of reading/reviewing.

Blessing's Bead is a multi generational story of two young girls from different time periods that live in the Arctic Circle.
In the first story Nutaaq and her older sister Aaluk are traveling to a trade fair. The sisters are close, their bond is strong. The time period is the early 20th Century. They live in the Arctic Circle and they are Inupiaq--Eskimo Inuit Native Americans. A Siberian young man that is wearing blue beads has his eye on Aaluk. Nutaaq is watching their interest in one another. The trade fair is an event that they all look forward to, the ability to meet and socialize with others and trade their goods is necessary. Historical events will take place and life changes for these two sisters.
Many years later another young girl named Blessing is traveling with her brother to live with their great grandmother at the Arctic Circle. They had been living in Anchorage, but were taken away when their mother was no longer able to care for them. Life in the Arctic Circle is a challenge, yet there is a strong bond with their great grandmother. Blessing finds a blue bead and her great grandmother shares with her the story.

I loved this story! It was hard for me to put this book down, I finished reading this book in just a few hours.
The book gave me a perfect picture image in my mind of what life is like living in the Arctic Circle. The vivid imagery made it easy for me to feel the icy cold weather.
This is a people group and a part of the world that I knew little about and I am glad that I read this book.
I loved the blending of the two stories together, and the effect on the generations.
I loved the depth of love and selflessness shown in the families.
The writing is simple and easy to understand and read. 
The book would be an excellent tool to use in the classroom.

Blissful Reading!
Annette

Book Blogger Hop!

Today is Friday and it's Book Blogger Hop! This is a great way to meet new blogger friends and see new blog's.

Today I met:
An Avid Reader's Musings and Once Upon A Review.

Blissful Blogging!
Annette

Insects: Biggest! Littlest! by Sandra Markle, Photographs by Dr. Simon Pollard

Link for book at the publishers:
http://www.boydsmillspress.com/books/nonfiction_picture_book/insects_biggest_littlest.html

Published by Boyds Mills Press, 2009, 32 pages, ages 5-7

My granddaughter enjoys going out in the backyard and collecting insects. Not just any insect, but pill bugs and snails. She is too girly-girl to collect crickets, or anything she perceives to be "gross" or that might jump on her. When we were at the library yesterday we looked for books on insects. Some of the books we saw were to detailed and scientific for a 6 1/2 year old. The book Insects: Biggest! Littlest! was just her "size".
The book at 32 pages goes over Praying Mantis, Giant Stick Insect, Moths, Butterflies, Weevils, Honeybees, and several more insect varieties. Each are displayed morphed in view--all their little faces and insect parts are easily seen. A brief explanation is given for each of the insects taught.
I found this to be a fascinating book and my granddaughter loved it! Of course I heard several eews and yucks, but she was glued to each page peering at each of these creatures.
The language is thankfully adapted to her age level so that she not only could understand, but not become lost in too long of explanations. The photography is wonderful and I'm still staring at the eyes of these insects, they look like they are looking at me too!

Blissful Reading!
Annette

Ms. April & Ms. Mae, A Fable written and illustrated by Karen Dugan

The Gryphon Press, published 2009, 40 pages, ages 4-8
Link for the book at the publisher:
http://www.thegryphonpress.com/bk_aprmae.html
and at Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/Ms-April-Mae-Fable/dp/094071907X/ref=sr_11_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1238102540&sr=11-1

Yesterday I took my 6 1/2 year old granddaughter to the public library to register her for the summer reading program. Both of us chose books for me to read to her and for her to read to herself. We left with 15 books!
Ms. April & Ms. Mae, A Fable by Karen Dugan was one of the books that I chose.
I was immediately drawn to the book because of the delightful cover. The story is of two best friends Ms. April and Ms. Mae. They live on a large piece of land that is a sanctuary for many other animals. A terrible sickness over takes Ms. April and their little sanctuary is threatened. What will the animals do?
This is a beautifully illustrated book. The pictures are of friendly sweet faced animals. The story is warm and inviting, funny and light hearted. The story has more than one lesson to learn not only for children but adults as well!

Blissful Reading!
Annette