Granny Rex
Kurtis Scaletta is an experienced writer of middle grade and chapter books. Now his first picture book is out and we're curious about his experience of writing in this format.
birds
Marveling about Migration
Flyways? Up until this moment, I confess I had a relatively elementary-school-like understanding of how and why birds migrate. Join me in learning more.
Pterodactyls and Dragons
“The Boy chiefly dabbled in natural history and fairy-tales, and he just took them as they came, in a sandwichy sort of way, without making any distinctions; and really his course of reading strikes one as rather sensible.” The Reluctant Dragon
Kenneth Grahame wrote “The Reluctant Dragon” as a chapter in his book Dream Days, in 1898, ten years before publishing The Wind in the Willows.… more
The Animals in The Stuff of Stars
When I first read The Stuff of Stars by Marion Dane Bauer and Ekua Holmes, I was captivated by the beauty of the book and its lyrical thoughts about the earth and our environment. Ms. Holmes’ illustrations invite us to look closer, to discern the creatures she’s so artfully included. Ms. Bauer’s text includes a list of animals that roam the earth, bringing to mind all of the stories and facts about these specific animals, birds, insects, and reptiles.
… more Constance Van Hoven and Her Reading Team
February 2019
For this addition to our Raising Star Readers feature, we’re delighted to be showcasing another new Star Reader: Baby Nikhil was just 2 months old when he joined the Reading Team that also includes his grandmother Constance Van Hoven (Connie) and his big sister Priya (2). The team was celebrating Connie’s first opportunity to meet her new grandson, who lives with his family in Colorado.… more
Fly With Me
This book is pure gold. Your entire family will want this on your bookshelves so you can dip into it frequently. Your library patrons will be grateful when you hand them this gem. And in a classroom, this is a gorgeous, STEAM-empowering, widely-encompassing book. Read the poetry out loud, read the nonfiction narratives out loud because they’re so interesting and well-written, and share the short stories, photographs, and infographics. … more
Taking Time for a Close Look
Jackie: Phyllis is on the road with her beautiful and informative new book Searching for Minnesota’s Native Wildflowers. [While Phyllis is out of the room, I will say that I love this book. It makes me want to get out and find flowers. Iowa has many plants in common with Minnesota and I look forward to tromping with Phyllis and Kelly.)… more
Bookstorm: Catherine, Called Birdy
In this Bookstorm™:
Catherine, Called Birdy
written by Karen Cushman
published by Clarion Books, 1994
Newbery Honor book “Corpus Bones! I utterly loathe my life.” Catherine feels trapped. Her father is determined to marry her off to a rich man – any rich man, no matter how awful. But by wit, trickery, and luck, Catherine manages to send several would-be husbands packing.… more
published by Clarion Books, 1994
Newbery Honor book “Corpus Bones! I utterly loathe my life.” Catherine feels trapped. Her father is determined to marry her off to a rich man – any rich man, no matter how awful. But by wit, trickery, and luck, Catherine manages to send several would-be husbands packing.… more