•  Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Scholastic Press (Feb. 1 2011)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0439700493
• ISBN-13: 978-0439700498

I admit that, when I first got a copy of this wordless picture book, I  did not expect it to hold my (and my grandsons’) interest for long. Very simple, stylistic art, no text. OK, I thought I could make up a story but it would soon get boring.
That was about three years ago. Now, I admire this book more than most picture books. It works on so many levels, for so many ages. And even though the art is very minimalistic, we discover new things all the time.
The story works for a restless 2 year old, who delights in outsmarting the zoo keeper who can’t find walrus anywhere. It also works for a story savvy 4 year old, who still discovers new angles.
As the bored walrus sneaks out of the zoo, he blends into city scapes. The zoo keeper follows and looks along streets. But walrus hides in a cafe, or in a building, on a stage with dancers, even disguised as a firefighter.
When walrus finally steals the show in a diving competion, the zoo keeper get the brilliant idea to give him a larger pool and a dive board. No one in the zoo is ever bored again.
My two grandsons both love this book and we get hours of storytelling fun out of it. Hope you do, too.

Do you have this too?
Sometimes I’m searching for a new book to start reading, and I’ll scan one; read the jacket flaps of another… But they don’t quite appeal. Then suddenly you see one and you just know that’s the book you will spend the next few days or weeks with.

Where The Heart Is by Billie Letts is a fantastic (summer) read. I liked the cover, the short content sounded just right and once I start, I could not put this book down. Amazing that this is a first novel!
I loved everything about it: the premise of a teen pregnancy, the girl dumped by her boyfriend at Walmart; the way her life unfolds; the support characters; the realistic dialogue. I was ‘there’ with her all the way. And reluctant to let go when I finished the last page.

Lydia, Queen of Palestine by Uri Orlev

Lydia, a typical but highly spirited child, must face her parents’ divorce as well as the growing hostility toward Romania’s Jewish population. Lydia’s mother sends her to live in a kibbutz in Palestine during World War II, promising to follow her daughter soon.

Lydia finds it difficult to adjust to life in a kibbutz. When her mother fails to show up, she tries to find her father, who is already in Israel but remarried.

“Often outrageous and abrasive, yet also delightfully imaginative, bright, and tenacious, Lydia is the archetype of a survivor, while her experiences on the periphery of the war’s horrors are authentic and fascinating.”

School Library Journal says “This is an honest book peopled with convincing characters whose petty jealousies and concerns occupy them more than the larger events of the world in which they live. Lydia’s experiences are often wryly humorous; she is both inventive and unpredictable, and never boring. This story offers a contrast to the spate of Holocaust books with harrowing escapes and heroic protagonists”

I found this a wonderful read that pulled me into the story, brought the character to live and opened my eyes to a whole new world.

Paperback, 176 pages
ISBN 0140370897 (ISBN13: 9780140370898)

Why is it, that so often the most powerful books are tiny, thin volumes. Think of Stone Fox. Think of Sarah Plain and Tall. Think of Tuesdays with Morrie. All little books with a tremendous impact and a huge message.
Entertaining an Elephant  fits right into the category. A powerful story for every teacher in your life

This is the heartwarming story of a burned-out teacher struggling though fifteen year of teaching. He is stuck in the proverbial rut and no longer finds no joy in teaching.
Through a set of unexpected events, mostly through listening to wisdom from an unexpected corner, the teacher becomes re-inspired with both his profession and his own life.
Woven into this short novel are quotes from world-renown spiritual and philosophical writers who suggest ways for us to face the tough challenges of today’s world.

Already in its 16th printing, the book is a favorite among educators and parents. Half the proceeds of every sale go to charity. As I read the book I kept looking at the photo of the very young author. I kept wondering where all of his wisdom came from… Impressive. I also checked out his website: http://entertaininganelephant.com/index.html
Bill McBride has written several books, most to do with literacy and writing. I highly recommend you read his books and savour their wisdom.

You know those books that allow you to crawl inside the main character’s head and allow you to dwell there for a while? Those comfortable, even if disturbing, books that are so real.  Those books that are like a lollipop – you start licking (reading) slower so that the good feeling with last longer…

That’s how felt while reading Counting By 7’s.
This is an intensely moving middle grade novel about being an outsider, coping with loss, and discovering the true meaning of family. Willow Chance is a twelve-year-old genius, obsessed with nature and diagnosing medical conditions, who finds it comforting to count by 7s. It has never been easy for her to connect with anyone other than her adoptive parents, but that hasn’t kept her from leading a quietly happy life . . . until now. Willow’s world is suddenly, tragically, changed when… well, I won’t tell you ’cause you have to read it yourself. The triumph of this book is that it is “not” a tragedy. This extraordinarily odd, endearing, girl manages to push through her grief. Her journey to find a surrogate family is a joy and a revelation to read.

“Holly Goldberg Sloan writes about belonging in a way I’ve never quite seen in any other book. This is a gorgeous, funny, and heartwarming novel that I’ll never forget.”–John Corey Whaley, author of “Where Things Come Back”

“Willow Chance subtly drew me into her head and her life, so much so that I was holding my breath for her by the end. Holly Goldberg Sloan has created distinct characters who will stay with you long after you finish the book.”–Sharon Creech, Newbery Award-winning author of “Walk Two Moons”

• Publisher:Dial Books
• Published:29 August 2013
• Format:Hardback 380 pages
• See: Full bibliographic data
• Categories: Fiction Family School Stories Family Issues
• ISBN 13: 9780803738553ISBN 10: 0803738552

Stone Fox by John Reynolds Gardiner

This book is a classic by now. How did such a thin little book become both a classic bestseller as well as a major motion picture?
Because it is a good story! A heart string pulling, tear jerking good tale.

Little Willy’s grandfather is sick, and it’s up to Willy to save their farm from tax collectors. Their only hope is the prize money from the National Dogsled Race. But a lot of other people want to win the race, too, including Stone Fox, who has never lost a race in his life.
Do Willy and his dog Searchlight stand a chance against the toughest racers around? Can they win the race to save the farm — and Grandfather — before it’s too late?

I was lucky to have met the author, John Gardiner. He seemed a very kind man and was supportive of me as a fellow writer. We had a great chat about the struggles of writing, editing and rewriting. He showed me his first original manuscript. The paper was covered in red. It seems that every single word of it had been crossed out and edited. “I am dyslexic. I couldn’t write at all…”, he said.
I was in awe that his story had gone on to do so well.

Then, to my utter surprise, a few weeks later I received the Dutch version of Stone Fox in the mail. “I can’t read it anyway so you enjoy!” he said.
And enjoy Stone Fox I have! A book that every teacher and parent should read aloud with their children.

Lesson Plans: http://www.scholastic.com/teachers/lesson-plan/stone-fox-lesson-plan