She was a perfect baby, and she had a perfect name. Chrysanthemum. When she was old enough to appreciate it, Chrysanthemum loved her name. And then she started school. “I’m named after my grandmother,” said Victoria. “You’re named after a flower.” Chrysanthemum wilted. Life at school didn’t improve. In fact, it got worse. See what happens in this charming book about kindness and accepting others.
A new series to our library is Bindi Wildlife Adventures. Set in the Australia Zoo, Bindi carries on her father’s love for reptiles and other animals in an adventure book format. It’s a win-win situation for everyone. Kids can read a fun and exciting book, and hopefully lose some of their fear of all things reptile. The Irwins share their knowledge of wildlife conservation with the world. And the Australia Zoo benefits by receiving a portion of the proceeds for each book sold!
Bindi’s books offer a different kind of adventure story to the chapter book genre. Any book that starts with a girl having a pet Burmese python wake her up, and smiling at the thought ,brings a whole new concept to the idea of an alarm clock! Each story is set at the Australia Zoo and features Bindi, Robert, and their mother Terri.
In book 1, Bindi’s birthday party at the zoo is almost spoiled when a 10 year old visitor tries to steal one of the zoo’s water dragons. Can Robert and a very special green macaw save the day and Bindi’s birthday party? You will have to read the book to find out!
Animal Fact Files with important facts about the featured animals are included in each book. Including some non-fiction facts with the fictional story is a great way to get kids started in some research of their own. Bindi’s books are appropriate for ages 7+. Check them out! They are a fun addition to any children’s library!
The Old Motel Mystery is very interesting. You go on an adventure with the Boxcar Children, Henry, Jessie, Violet and Benny. The old motel is not kept up very good, so the Boxcar Children help making it nicer. However, there is a prowler that sometimes sneaks around at night. But it turns out to be one of the guests that come to the old motel. The reason the prowler did it is because they wanted the motel to shut down. The real owner is Kay.
The prowler gives the children AWESOME things to eat. Then she asks questions and hurrys out in a rush. The prowler once droped her bag and some letters fell out. She tried to pick them up quickly, however Violet wanted to help and was faster.
Then she saw it. The address was: Ms. Kay something.
Then near the end, the prowler dresses like a painter. When she is caught, she has a meeting with Ms. Kay and they work it out quickly. Ms. Kay said that she would NOT call the Police instead, she said to leave IMMIDATELY.
Then the Boxcar Children’s aunt came to pick them up.
Too Many Pumpkins is a great book. It is great because it is really funny and I enjoyed it. My favorite part was the truck dumping out pumpkins in her yard.
The frog did a little hop
I had to make it stop
He hopped into the road
My he is really a toad!
Oh no! a car is coming
It was very stunning!
Pippi Longstocking by Astrid Lindgren illustrated by Lauren Child
If you’re a Pippi Longstocking fan, and who isn’t, you will LOVE the new illustrations done by Lauren Child. For more than sixty years the antics of Pippi Longstocking have delighted children around the world. This new 2007 edition exhibits engaging pictures that are bright, colorful and FUN! (Review by Mrs.Kalbfleisch)
Every spring second graders participate in the Flat Stanley Project! After we read “Flat Stanley” by Jeff Brown we color a Flat Stanley, mail him, and wait to get him back with news of his travels!
To learn more about Flat Stanley click on the official Flat Stanley Project website:
http://www.flatstanley.com/
Here’s a fun YouTube Video showing our Flat Stanely adventures through the years!