Books About Libraries and Books

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For as long as I can remember I have LOVED reading!! Some of my favorite memories of my parents taking me to the public library when I was growing up. I had three books that I always checked out, The Five Chinese Brothers by Claire Huchet Bishop, A Tree is Nice by Janice May Udry, and The Secret World of OG by Pierre Berton. The first two I have always been able to find a copy of and reread. The last book, The Secret World of OG, I kind of remember the story. But I couldn't remember the title or the author. It took many years, but I finally found it and was able to find a copy online. I couldn't wait to reread it, though I was a little hesitant because I didn't want to ruin the memory. I was pleasantly surprised that the reread didn't spoil the memory, in fact it brought back all the wonder and excitement I felt when I first read it!


This next book holds a special place in my heart because of the cover. When I first read the book The Library by Sarah Stewart I had to share it with my mom. Click here for a summary on Goodreads. Her first words on seeing the cover were "She reminds me of you"! This book is one of my favorites about books and libraries. Elizabeth, like me, didn't like to play with dolls or skate. All she wants to do is read. Growing up I always had a book with me no matter where I went. I'm still like that today. Right now I can think of three books I have in my car, just in case.



I was so excited to find a new book about a library, The NOT So Quiet Library by Zachariah OHora. Click here for a summary on Goodreads. Oskar and Theodore, like me, love going to the library. But one Saturday their trip to the library isn't as peaceful as they want it to be. See if you can figure out what might be happening at the library from the cover. It took me a bit to spot the hint. Sometimes after reading many books about libraries they all start to seem the same. This book is something new and fresh for me. I can't wait to share it with the kids next year!


See the titles below for some other great books about libraries and books.

     



     

     

What are some of your favorite books?

Happy Reading!!

Miss Hazuda (@HESMediaCenter)

A Favorite Author: Salina Yoon

I know as a Library Media Specialist when I'm reading a book to students, I'll say "This is one of my favorite authors." I always mean it because I have a lot of favorites. Well, Salina Yoon is one of my favorite favorites!

I was first introduced to Salina Yoon's work with the book Penguin and Pinecone. Click here for a summary on Goodreads. I fell in love with this book! It is such a sweet story of friendship. The story has such a great message that can be used and needed in the classroom.  Salina's illustrations are simple and fit perfectly with the story. Penguin is one of my favorite characters in all of literature. I get so excited when I see that a new one is coming out! The newest one, Penguin's Christmas Wish is due to be published on September 6, 2016. I already have it pre-ordered for our library!


Besides Penguin, Salina has introduced us to many other characters through her books. She has introduced us to Bear, who has been in three books of his own. In the newest Bear story, Bear's Big Day, he is starting school. Click here for a summary on Goodreads. This is a great book for the beginning of school or for a student starting school for the first time. In this book Salina also sneaks Penguin in. When you read, see if you can spot Penguin.




In May, Salina introduced to the book Duck Duck, and Porcupine, which gave us three new lovable characters. Click here for a summary on Goodreads. Even though only two characters in this book talk, Little Duck still gets his point across. We will get a second story with these characters in January 2017 called My Kite is Stuck. And according to Salina, Penguin will make a cameo!





In addition to all these wonderful books I've already mentioned, one of my absolute favorites is Be A Friend. Click here for a summary on Goodreads. This book really took a place in my heart because it put into words and pictures how I felt many times growing up. Just as in Penguin and Pinecone this is a wonderful story of friendship. 



You can find many of Salina Yoon's books at the Public Library. Check some out and tell me your favorite in the comments or on Twitter. If you don't make it to the Public Library this summer, the HES Library has a whole section of her books.

Happy Reading!!

Miss Hazuda (@HESMediaCenter)

Book A Day: Hensel and Gretel Ninja Chicks

I just absoultly LOVE the ninja series that Corey Rosen Schwartz has created around familiar fairy tales! They are so hysterical, I laugh no matter how many times I read them. The newest book is Hensel and Gretel Ninja Chicks by Corey Rosen Schwartz and Rebecca J. Gomez. This book, and the two others, were illustrated by Caldecott Medal winner Dan Santat. Click here for a summary on Goodreads. 

Fractured fairy tales have always been a favorite of mine. I fascinated to see how the author takes a familiar and well loved tale and puts their own spin on it. Corey Rosen Schwartz has a really knack for tweaking the story and making it so funny. As I was reading this one I realized how this one ties back to The Three Ninja Pigs. I'm not going to spoil by telling you how, but pay attention to the words and the illustrations. And speaking of the illustrations, Dan Santat's are WONDERFUL!! He is such a gifted illustrator and that truly comes through in this book.

I think next year I'm going to have to set up a ninja display and include the two I have mentioned above and Ninja Red Riding Hood, as well as a few other ninja books. These books would be great for PreKindergarten though 5th Grade students. Picture books still have a lot of value for older readers!

                                      

What books have you been reading this summer?

Happy Reading!!

Miss Hazuda (@HESMediaCenter)

Book A Day: Sweet Home Alaska

Even though I haven't been posting all my books, I have been reading every day! Being able to read is one of the best parts about summer. I hope that everyone else has been taking time to read as well. I ran into a wonderful HES family Wednesday in Target and they were so excited to tell me that they had just been at the Public Library. And they even showed off the badges that they had received from the reading program.

One of the books that I have recently read is Sweet Home Alaska by Carole Estby Dagg. Click here for a summary on Goodreads. This is an awesome historical fiction book. For many years I didn't really enjoy historical fiction, in fact, I had to force myself to read it. But after a few suggestions from "book people" that I respect, I realized I had just been reading the wrong books! It has become a genre that I really enjoy. 

This book takes place during the Great Depression. Like most historical fiction books, this book takes place during a real life event. It introduces you to the Palmer Colony project in Alaska. I have always been fascinated by Alaska. One of my favorite vacations I have taken with my parents was to Alaska. I wanted to read this book because I had visited Palmer, Alaska. It just made the experience of reading the book even more special. Even if you haven't been, this is still a wonderful read. 

I would recommend this book for 4th and 5th Grade students. I would even recommend to their parents as well. 

Happy Reading!!

Miss Hazuda (@HESMediaCenter)

Take a BOOK on Vacation: Mrs. Gilman

Mrs. Gilman has been enjoying a vacation with her family down in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. She has been taking some time to relax and recharge after the school year. This is an annual trip that Mrs. Gilman and her family take every year. Myrtle Beach is about 429 miles away from HES. 

I love the picture that Mrs. Gilman sent! It is one that I call "the view from here". It shows us the relaxing spot that has picked to enjoy her book!

There is still a lot of time to submit your own pictures. Click here for more information.

Happy Reading!!

Miss Hazuda (@HESMediaCenter)

Take a BOOK on Vacation: Mrs. Day (Cosper)

I was sent the first Take a BOOK on Vacation picture! It is from Mrs. Day, who was known last year as Ms. Cosper. She and her husband traveled to Aguas Calientes, Peru. They hiked up to Machu Picchu and saw a lot of beautiful sights! Mrs. Day took a reading break after hiking down. Aguas Calientes, Peru is 3,567 miles away from HES! I can't wait to hear all about her trip this fall!

There is still lots of time to get your Take a BOOK on Vacation pictures to me! Click here for more information on the program.

Happy Reading!!

Miss Hazuda (@HESMediaCenter)