Harry Houdini for Kids

Harry Houdini for Kids:

His Life and Adventures with 21 Magic Tricks and Illusions

Written by Laurie Carlson

Chicago Review Press

Ages 8-13

And it's a bonus book review for you this week folks. Chock-full of primary source materials, Harry Houdini for Kids is a nice segue into the world of magic. It features illustrated directions for numerous tricks, including the "Magic Key Trick" and the "Lift a Person with One Hand Trick," as well as directions for making "slimy ectoplasm" and other such crafty concoctions.  

Using some slight of hand, author Laurie Carlson manages to slip in the science behind the magic. Students are bound to enjoy the projects and tricks, whether they perform them independently or as a group in class. For some real fun, have students practice the various tricks and put on a show for a neighboring classroom.

Meg Cabot and Maggie Stiefvater Author Events

Meg Cabot, author of Allie Finkle's Rules for Girls: Best Friends and Drama Queens, will be appearing at:

Red Balloon Children's Bookstore in St. Paul, MN
July 19, 2009 at 2pm.
Get details.
Best Friends and Drama Queens is the third book in the Allie Finkle's Rules for Girls series. 

Maggie Stiefvater, author of Shiver will be appearing at:

College of William & Mary Bookstore in Williamsburg, VA
Aug. 7, 2009 at 5pm.
Get details.

New Book: The Tushy Book

I was hopping around the web and came upon this adorable trailer for The Tushy Book by Fran Manushkin and illustrated by Tracy Dockray.

It's true! I can't say the word "tushy" without a smile. And the Tushy book website includes downloadable activities, greeting cards and more booty fun.

Perhaps something to add to your summer reading list?

Jill Santopolo Author Event

Jill Santopolo, author of The Ransom Note Blues, will be appearing at:

Books of Wonder in New York City
June 23, 2009 at 6pm.
Get details.

The Ransom Note Blues is the second book in the Alec Flint, Super Sleuth series. 

New Book: "Fire" by Kristin Cashore

Imagine my excitement when the advanced reader for Fire -- the prequel to Graceling hit my desk this week. Graceling by Kristin Cashore was one of my favorite reads of last year and Fire takes place a few decades earlier in the land neighboring Monsea, called the Dells.

The first few chapters are about baby Leck, so I'm thoroughly creeped out, but looking forward to meeting the new characters and hoping to find someone as crush-worthy as Prince Po. (*dreamy sigh*)

But really this is just the juicy intermezzo before the sequel to Graceling, called Bitterblue, is released. That book will take place six years later and is (obviously) about Queen Bitterblue. But Katsa and Po are said to make an appearance and I've spent a lot of time day-dreaming about what those two might be up to. (Haven't you?)

If you've yet to read Graceling, I highly recommend. It would be a great read for a girl age 15 and older who's looking for a tough gal heroine in a land far, far away.

Read more about this series on Kristin Cashore's blog.

Hmmm, now where is my advanced reader for Catching Fire?

Nonfiction Monday: Beginnings and Endings

Way back in August, I was the first to post on this new Kid Lit Kit blog, and now, at the end of the school year, I'll be the last. What a year it was! So many great books! I'd like to wrap up by revisiting three science activity books you can use in your classroom next year.

Facts First

What Can You Do with an Old Red Shoe?
by Anna Alter

Reading level: Grades K-2
Hardcover: 32 pages
Publisher: Henry Holt

This "Green Activity Book About Reuse" has 12 activities for young readers. No need to save this for Earth Day, you can use it all year in your "green" classroom.  

The Book of Totally Irresponsible Science: 64 Daring Experiments for Young Scientists
by Sean Connolly (Author)

Reading level: Gr 3-5
Hardcover: 208 pages
Publisher: Workman Publishing

Learn how to make a Frankstein Hand (page 46), turn milk into stone (page 52), make Do-It-Yourself Blubber (page 160) and more in this book of "daring" science experiments. 

You can find the "ingredients" for these experiments at home or in the grocery store, so it's easy to get started. (A "time factor" is listed for each experiment, and some only take 2-3 minutes!)  

Keeping our Earth Green
by Nancy Castaldo

Reading level: Grades 3-9
Paperback: 128 pages
Publisher: Williamson Books

The subtitle says it all: "Over 100 Hands-On Ways to Help Save the Earth." That's a lot of ready-made lessons! The book is divided into four sections: Air, Water, Land, and Energy, so you can use it all year.

Today's Nonfiction Monday is at Jean Little Library. (To see the summer round-ups, visit the Nonfiction Monday link and click on the blog listed for that date.) I hope you'll stay in touch! Come visit my Literacy Links twitter. Happy summer!

Friday Blog Round Up

Congrats to Eric Carle on the big 80!  The Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art will be celebrating this event in a number of ways, including a Birthday Bash and Children's Book Festival with the Western Massachusetts Illustrators' Guild, on June 13th. If you can't make it, be sure to check out their online gift shop. The bath spout is one of my favorites.   

Oh, the Places You'll Go!, that Dr. Seuss classic, is the focus of a new scholarship sponsored by Random House. President Chip Gibson announced Random House Children's Books, "will award one 2010 graduating high school senior $5,000 toward post-secondary education." Visit www.ohtheplaces.org for details.

Seven Impossible Things Before Breakfast has yet another interesting interview, this time with illustrator Amy Ackerley. I still haven't stopped laughing from seeing her illustration of Patrick the penguin with a plunger on his head.

If you're in the market for some picture book illustrations you need to check out the R. Michelson Galleries. They have a terrific selection; everything from Dr. Seuss to Mo Willems. They even had a show for one of my favorites, Thomas Locker. If you're in the Northampton, MA area, this jewel of a gallery is worth a visit. You can even pick up an autographed copy of one of Mr. Michelson's picture books.  

Have you signed up yet for Scholastic Mini Books?  Now's the time my book-savvy friends. There is quite a selection, including resources on favorites like The Grouchy Ladybug and Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?

Hope you have a super summer folks. If you're looking for some summertime books reviews, be sure to visit me on TeacherShare. Until then, keep reading and enjoy the sun!

Picture Book Thursday: Art for Everyone

Fly, Kit Fly!: A Story of Leonardo and a Bird Catcher
Written and illustrated by John Winch
Little Hare
Ages 4-9

A Is for Art: An Abstract Alphabet

Written and illustrated by Stephen T. Johnson

Simon & Schuster

Ages 5-9

The Vermeer Interviews: Conversations with Seven Works of Art

Written and illustrated by Bob Raczka

Millbrook

Ages 8-16

Fly, Kit Fly!: A Story of Leonardo and a Bird Catcher

This book was published a year or two ago but it's a good one to have for your classroom. This bit of historical fiction is based on the real meeting of Leonardo da Vinci and his life long friend Giacomo. Challenged to capture a red-tailed kite for the prince, the young boy completes his mission by offering a model built by da Vinci. Combined with rich red infused illustrations, this book is a fun tale and visual treat.  

A Is for Art: An Abstract Alphabet

This has to be one of the most interesting alphabet books on the market. Filled with truly abstract artwork and accompanying alliterative text, this title is well suited for old and young students alike. I think my favorites are "Fast Food Frenzy" featuring french fries and "Hoopla!" every Slinky aficionado's dream. Nice job Stephen T. Johnson!

The Vermeer Interviews: Conversations with Seven Works of Art
What a innovative way to help children to appreciate art. Bob Raczka "interviews" a number of the figures found in the paintings of Vermeer, allowing him to comment on artistic style and symbolism as well as everyday life in the 1600s. You're going to enjoy reading this as much as your students will.

Activity

After having a class discussion about Leonardo da Vinci, students can draw pictures of their own inventions. Bind the drawings together to create a class book or display them on a bulletin board.

For more book reviews during our summer hiatus, be sure to hop on over to TeacherShare.

Video Wednesday -- Weston Wood clips

I have fond memories of watching Weston Woods film strips in my Elementary school library; the excitement of watching a book come to life, the whirl of the projector, the smell of old books, the carpet square under my seat. I still get a little thrill when I watch them.

Recently, I added 36 clips of my favorite Weston Woods videos to our video center. It wasn't easy picking through 400+ books, but it sure was fun.

I found some new favorites, such as Knuffle Bunny and Is Your Mama a Llama? As well as some true classics, including Blueberries for Sal and Strega Nona.

I always liked this one -- Why Mosquitoes Buzz in People's Ears? -- for the colorful illustrations (courtesy of Leo and Diane Dillon). Watch: 

See all 36 Weston Woods video clips.

And visit our friends at Weston Woods if you don't see a clip you remember. They've got hundreds!

New Review Tuesday: What's Next?

This week on Kid Lit Kit we're focusing on the best books of the school year. I certainly have dozens of nominations for that category, from The Hunger Games to Chains to last week's The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate. But since my posts have spotlighted the newest books to hit shelves, I thought it might be fun to take a sneak peak at the great reads that lie ahead. To me, that's the wonderful thing about children's literature—there's always a new adventure around the corner.

Here are some of the upcoming titles that have me the most excited.

The Magician's Elephant, by Kate DiCamillo. My fiance and I just finished reading an advanced reading copy of DiCamillo's latest. We both cried. A lot. This is DiCamillo at her best, and I predict big things for the orphan Peter Augustus Duchene, who goes on a search for an elephant after a fortune teller hints the animal might lead Peter to his sister. (Sept. 8)

Al Capone Shines My Shoes, by Gennifer Choldenko. I literally squealed when I saw an advanced reading copy of this much-anticipated sequel to the delightful Al Capone Does My Shirts. I haven't gotten a chance to read it yet but I'm putting it on the top of my summer beach read pile. (Sept. 8)

Catching Fire, by Suzanne Collins. The sequel to The Hunger Games! Need I say more? (Sept. 1)

 Going Bovine, by Libba Bray. A surprising and incredibly captivating departure for the author of the Gemma Doyle series that began with A Great and Terrible Beauty. When 16-year-old Cameron is diagnosed with mad cow disease, he embarks on an epic and hallucinatory road trip that you really have to read to believe. (Sept. 22)

What's on your reading horizon? What are you most looking forward to about the summer? Feel free to share in the comments.

It's been a blast talking with you about great children's books this year. Thanks for checking in and as always, happy reading!