Book Fair

Oooh, the temptation! Last week began the set up for my daughter's school book fair. Being the involved and book loving momma that I am, I immediately signed up at the beginning of the school year to volunteer at the book fair when the time rolled around. I knew I'd be getting in deep being surrounded by all those books for sale, but I had no idea how bad it would be. Add to it the fact that it's being hosted in the library and, OH MY GOD, it's torture. *laugh* Nah, seriously, I am so thrilled that I signed up to help out, and it's been so much fun.

Last Friday I volunteered for 3.5hrs in the afternoon, and I helped the kids as they came in to make their wish lists for the parents, grandparents, etc. All of the younger classes had already been through the day before and earlier that morning, so the kids that were coming in weren't so small as to need me to do all the work. They did need help finding certain titles they were looking for and locating the product prices. It was fun and exciting (Silly, I'm sure.) to be able to volunteer.

Then today I picked up the first shift and worked a little over 5hrs during the actual sale itself. Last week I had my mum take off work to watch my 3 yr old, but today's hours I actually picked up yesterday. So, I had to take dd#2 with me. I was pretty curious how it was going to work out, and I have to say she really surprised me. I knew she'd be good, yet I totally didn't think she'd hold out so well for so long. She was so good though, and kept herself entertained by looking at the books and playing with some duplos that the librarian keeps on hand in the back room for just those occassions. I'm glad she did so well, cause we're going back tomorrow. Only, tomorrow I'm scheduled for both the morning and the afternoon shift. We'll be there from 7a-3p. I hope the novelty hasn't worn off for dd. :P

Anyway, the fair itself seems to be going great, and I've really enjoyed being able to talk books with the students, parents, volunteers, and library staff. It's fun to be able to recommend a book and see the parent or child turn around and buy it based on your recommendation. I know that's what I hope to accomplish through this blog (or the reading of the books anyways, not necessarily the buying), yet it was even more exciting to see it happen first hand.

Another totally positive note on the whole thing is that I got to shop today. Woohoo! As a volunteer I earn $5 of credit for each shift I work. Added up, when all is said and done, I'll have earned $30, maybe $35 in free books! I still have all day tomorrow and all day Tuesday to work; that's 4 shifts. Who knows, I might even pick up a shift on Monday if they're short handed. With all the awesome books they have for sale this year, I knew it was going to be really hard to narrow my choices down to keep me from going over what I alloted myself to spend. This extra bonus money was totally wonderful because it means, SCORE, more books! I bought sextoday, having only spent $16 out of pocket. I haven't yet decided what I'll get with the rest of the credit I'll earn. Was actually looking at some cute YA books for myself. hehehe I'm so bad! :P

Today's take home bargains were-

Barbie Mariposa: A Storybook by Mary Man-Kong (for dd#1)
Butterfly Meadow: Dazzle's First Day by Olivia Moss (for dd#1)
Madagascar Escape 2 Africa: Father and Son Save the Day by Gail Herman (for dd#2)
Hugs and Kisses by Christophe Loupy (for dd#2)
and
Knuffle Bunny Too by Mo Willems (for girls to share)

The sixth book was called Don't Eat the Babysitter, and it was on dd#1's teacher's wish list for her classroom. So we bought it for her, and had a cute little bookplate sticker put inside saying it was from dd#1 to her teacher's class and it marked the year. I thought that was really cool.

Oi, long day, long night at work, and I'm pretty convinced that this post is going to be utter babble. Ugh. Sorry! LOL

Short point of long story, I'm having a blast being involved at dd#1's school. The book fair is awesome, and I'm so glad I decided to step up and jump in.

Falling for Rapunzel & Waking Beauty by Leah Wilcox

Falling for Rapunzel by Leah Wilcox
Geared Towards: Ages 4-8
Published By: Puffin
Publication Date: December 2005
ISBN-13: 978-0439750462

Always a fan of fairy tales, I love to read new renditions just to see what the authors will do with them. Granted almost all the fairy tales that our children have come to know and love, and likely ourselves as wee ones as well, are in and of themselves retellings. Anyone who has read the original Grimm tales knows they are far darker than anything we actually pass along to our kiddos. However, I digress. Back to Falling for Rapunzel.

This is a book we actually checked out from our local library a couple of months ago, but my 5 year old liked it so much she ended up checking it out from her school library again just the other day. Falling for Rapunzel is, as the name suggests, a retelling of the original Rapunzel fairy tale. Though, unlike its classic counterpart, Wilcox's version is simply uproarious.

When the Prince happens past Rapunzel's tower he hears her crying [because she's having a bad hair day] and thinks she is upset because she is unable to escape her stone confines. In an effort to try and rescue her, the Prince cries out to Rapunzel telling her to toss her long hair out the window. He intends to climb up and save her (How, I'm not exactly sure, but that's just me.), but his idea is lost on Rapunzel. Unable to understand exactly what the Prince has shouted up to her, the ditzy Rapunzel proceeds to toss down everything but the kitchen sink- starting with her underwear. (This was my daughter's absolute favorite part of the entire book. I'm quite certain it was this bit alone that was at least ninety percent responsible for causing her to pick up the book in the first place.)

The Prince tries countless times to get Rapunzel to understand his request, but he eventually gives up after she tosses out her maid in lieu of her braid. For the Prince and the maid, it's love at first sight. And truly, the Prince is exasperated with Rapunzel anyways. So, the maid and the Prince take off together, leaving Rapunzel and her bad hair behind.

What a clever, off the wall story. I can see why my daughter loves it so much. Combine the witty, rhyming text with the colorful and jocular illustrations (by illustrator Lydia Monks), and you have both a visually and mentally engaging tale.


OUR RATING: 5 hearts



Waking Beauty by Leah Wilcox
Geared Towards: Ages 4-8
Published By: Putnam Juvenile
Publication Date: January 2008
ISBN-13: 978-0399246159

When I picked this book up off the library shelf I didn't immediately realize it was written by the same author as Falling for Rapunzel. As it turns out, it was actually only after we got home and I started to really look at the artwork that I sensed a familiarity I couldn't quite place. Just as I was about to pull the connection out of my head, I happened to flip to the back cover where there was a picture of Wilcox's previous book. If only I'd have realized there was a sequel, or rather yet another fractured fairy tale from Wilcox, I'd have looked for this one sooner.

As I've said before, I've always been fond of checking out the retellings of popular fairy tales. And this take on Sleeping Beauty is nothing short of comical, entertaining, and truly original.

While out on a dragon hunt, Prince Charming hears a horrible dragon roaring from within Sleeping Beauty's castle. He rushes in to bag his beast, only to discover the roar was not that of a dragon but the snore of Beauty fast asleep. The three good faeries are there watching over her, and they are thrilled to see that a prince has finally, after 100 years, arrived to break Beauty's sleeping spell. However, as readers will quickly find out, Prince Charming isn't exactly charming. Nor is he very bright. But then, if he was, this story wouldn't be nearly as funny.

Instead of kissing the fair maiden, the Prince determines he must try a number of other things first. He shouts, jumps on the bed, dumps water on the sleeping Princess, and even shoots her out of the castle from a canon! Alas, Beauty doesn't not wake up. And as the faeries have tried to tell the stubborn Prince, there is only one way that he can wake her- with a kiss. Finally the Prince relents and listens to what the faeries have been trying to tell him. Once he does, he is able to eventually wake Sleeping Beauty from her century long nap. Yet, there's one more surprise in store for the Prince. I won't tell you what though because I need leave some element of surprise for you should you decide to pick this one up to read to your kiddo(s).

Waking Beauty is a hilarious tale which will evoke laughter from both boys and girls alike. While I don't expect boys to be drawn to the title or even the girlie cover, I think I can say, without a shadow of doubt, that even they would get a kick out of this fairy tale retelling. They will surely enjoy the rough and tumble ways the crazy lead character, aka the Prince, attempts to wake the princess. Girls too will relish the kooky steps the Prince takes to wake Princess Beauty, but they'll also be happy to get their semi-romantic ending. Well, unless they're still in that "boys are yucky" stage-which mine had better be in til their 30. (teeheehee)


OUR RATING: 5 hearts

Spoonfuls of Stories

Being the big proponent that I am when it comes to books, I had to make a post reminding you all about the promotion General Mills is running right now.

Just as Cheerios cereal helps fuel kids to start the day, reading gives them the power to succeed in life. Parents and families play a critical role in making reading a priority.

For the last 7 years, Cheerios has teamed up with parents and families to encourage reading with "Spoonfuls of Stories®," distributing more than 35 million books in boxes of Cheerios and donating over $2.9 million to First Book, an award-winning children's literacy nonprofit.

Look for these books inside specially marked boxes of Cheerios starting November 2008, and while supplies last:








Romeo and Lou Blast Off
By Derek Anderson
Illustrated by Derek Anderson

Monkey and Me
By Emily Gravett
Illustrated by Emily Gravett

Diego's Wolf Pup Rescue
Adapted by Christine Ricci
Illustrated by Art Mawhinney

Duck for President
By Doreen Cronin
Illustrated by Betsy Lewin

When Dinosaurs Came with Everything
By Elise Broach
Illustrated by David Small

So, whether or not you're a big fan of the plain Cheerios themselves (I'm not. I prefer the Honeynut kind myself.), why not go out and pick up a couple of boxes now. If your kids are anything like mine they see the prizes/toys shown on a cereal box and are jumping crazy to get them. Why not indulge them this time, and get a prize that will keep on giving for years to come through strengthened language skills, literary skills, etc?!

Awesome Book Giveaway for Kids

The wonderful ladies over at MomDot.com are hosting an awesome kid's book giveaway right now, and I just couldn't let the opportunity pass without telling everyone about it. Sure, advertising it for them gets me more competition in the contest, but it's kids books! And I am certainly not one to begrudge any child a chance at adding some incredible books to his or her collection.

What's up for grabs?

PRIZE- Take Me Back: The Ultimate $250 Reader Prize Pack! Nov 14th

Four commenters will be randomly selected to win a $25 copy of the hardback release Take Me Back. And one extremely lucky first place randomly selected commenter will win an Ultimate Reader Prize Pack that includes 8 books from DK Publishing and a $50 Amazon gift card.

Interested?

Then check out this post on MomDot to find out more and to get entered today.

Good luck! :)

You're Invited!

You are invited to an Usborne Books eShow to explore the world of Usborne Books. A child's interest in reading and learning is stimulated by the lavish illustrations and informative content. There are over 1300 bright, colorful and fun titles covering activities, puzzles and a wide range of subjects for children of all ages.

Usborne Books - the books kids love to read!

Hosted by: Rebekah C
Place: www.ubah.com/HOS129830
When: Today thru 11/29/2008 11:59:00 PM

Because we loved books sooooo much, EVERYONE is welcome. So feel free to invite a friend.

It's a rewarding experience when a child opens a book and discovers the magic of reading.

Introduction

Hi! My name is Rebekah, and I am a bookworm. I'm not just any bookworm, however; I am a bookworm mommy. That's right. I've taken my immense love for books, and I have begun cultivating it in my two little girls (ages 2 & 5). Before either of them was born I read to them in utero hoping that by sharing my literary love with them at such a conceptual time they too would come in to the world with an ear, eye, mind, and heart for books. Guess what? It worked!

From time my older daughter was born she was both fixated with and surrounded by books. Infact, we have pictures of her lying on her back at 6mos old totally engrossed in a board book. She participated in her very first library reading program when she was 10mos old (Yes, that's right. She's even got the medal and certificate to prove it. LOL As long as the parent was able to read to the child and documents the books, there was no restriction on start age.), and again every year since. She began teaching herself to read when she was two, though it was just small words here and there. By three she was making more progress, and by four she was reading like a pro and devouring the Pre-K, Level 1, and some Level 2 readers. She didn't go to daycare or to preschool, so I had the great opportunity to work with her on a daily basis to continue to encourage and inspire her love of books. Now at age five, Joey is in the top percent of her kindergarten class (though she's one of the youngest) because her ability to read and comprehend so vastly exceeds that of the other kids in her class. Currently her teacher is actually having her tested to be moved in to an accellerated reading program. Yay! So, yes, in short, my daughter Joey loves to read.

My younger daughter, Jocelyn, will be celebrating her 3rd birthday at the end of next month, and I'm proud to say that she is quickly following in her sister's footsteps. She didn't end up really attaching herself to books at quite as early an age as her sister did, but once she got there she hasn't been able to get enough either. She, like her sister did at this age, has already been pointing out and reading some words here and there, but she still has a long way to go ahead of her. That's okay though because there's no law that says she has to have it all down pat yet. She's still little, and it's just a joy to see her developing in to her own little person and to watch her own personal interests and talents grow. I have no doubts that she too will be reading well before the majority of her peers, but even if that doesn't happen I'm not going to worry about it. She's already showing such a great love for books. (This year she completed her third Summer reading program at the library- with mommy's and daddy's help reading and documenting, of course.)

Since books seem to be such a big part of our lives, I decided that it might be fun to start a review blog just for kid's books. I'd also love to start my own blog/site for reviews and discussions on the books filling my own nightstand. For now though, I'll start with this, and see where it takes me.

To anyone who should happen by, I hope you'll like what you see. You will have to forgive me though if everything isn't 100% up to par. I'm a novice at blogging. Some of you may recognize me from Simply Romance Reviews where I'm a reviewer and where I currently help admin the blog. That though doesn't consist of coming up with the posts myself. Rather I simply post the blogs of the guest authors who join us. That's pretty easy cause the authors have already done all the hard work by the time the post gets to me. I just proof the post, add in any links and/or visual stimulation, and that's it. LOL

So, yah, it might take me just a bit to get everything together and looking pretty here, but it will happen. I figure with all the books my daughters and I read together daily (We check out 30-50 weekly from the library.) I should be able to come up with some good recommendations, suggestions, reviews, previews, etc. I hope so anyways! =)