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Next Meeting
The next meeting will be held on Friday, August 1, 2003,
at the Neptune Public Library from 9:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Announcements
Congratulations to Arlene Parker,
formerly of Ocean County College, on her retirement!
Book Notes
Animal Stories
Hare and Tortoise Race to the Moon
Corwin, Oliver J.
Harry N. Abrams, 2002
K-Gr.2, Fry 4
Although the foot race is replaced by a space race, Hare once
again is defeated by his own pride. Karen
Stuppi recommends this modern retelling of the Aesop fable.
Gumbrella
Root, Barry
G.P.Putnam's Sons, 2002
K–Gr.2, Fry 4
Gumbrella, a lovable elephant, decides to be both doctor and
nurse to sickly animals and hovers over them. Fanciful
illustrations give the animals human expressions according to Denise
Geier.
Snow
Stojic, Manya
Alfred A. Knopf, 2002
PS–Gr.1, Fry n/a
The animals of the forest are discussing the coming of winter
and the things that are happening in their lives. Rated an
outstanding by Maggie Hanley, this
book offers a good jumping off point for discussions about seasons
and animal behavior.
Down on the Farm
Wake Up, Big Barn
Chitwood, Suzanne Tanner
Scholastic, 2002
PS–Gr.2, Fry 1
Elizabeth Bergslien calls this a
delightful rhyming book that includes the sights and sounds found
on a farm.
Old MacDonald had a Woodshop
Shulman, Lisa
G. P. Putnam's Sons, 2002
K–Gr.3, Fry 4
A female Old MacDonald builds a farm in her workshop. A winner
according to Nancy Cornell.
Math
Double the Ducks
Murphy, Stuart J.
Petrone, Valeria (illus.)
Harper Collins, 2003
PS–Gr.1, Fry 5
This book about a boy and his five little ducks help young
children understand about doubling numbers and simple
multiplication. Maggie Hanley says
that this
makes a good read-aloud as well as a peaceful bedtime story.
The Grizzly Gazette
(Math Start Series)
Murphy, Stuart J.
Bjorkman, Steve (illus.)
Harper Collins, 2003
Gr.2, Fry 6
This level 3 book in the series integrates information about
percentages into a story of a summer camp election. Cindy
Heinlein calls this camp lots of fun.
My Full Moon is Square
Pinczes, Elinor
Enos, Randall (illus.)
Houghton Mifflin, 2002
Gr.2–5, Fry 4
This is the fourth book by this author and illustrator team
about math concepts.
This one explains square numbers and is recommended by Darwin
Page.
School Stories
My First Day at Nursery School
Edwards, Becky
Flintoft, Anthony (illus.)
Bloomsbury, 2002
PS, Fry n/a
The story captures the anxiety of a child's first foray into
nursery school. Bright illustrations make this an appealing
addition according to Cheryl Otten.
I. Q. Goes to School
Fraser, Mary Ann
Walker & Co., 2002
K–Gr.3, Fry 4
I.Q., rat extraordinaire, longs to be not just the kindergarten
pet, but also a student. Barbara Mason
says that teachers, parents and youngsters will all love this
book.
Guess the Baby
French, Simon
Rawlins, Donna (illus.)
Clarion Books, 2002
PS–Gr.1, Fry 3
When a student brings his baby brother to show and tell, his
teacher reminds everyone that they were once babies too. Susan
Brozena says that this will make a great read-aloud and
will give teachers a fun project to do with their class.
I Love You All Day Long
Rusackas, Francesca
Burris, Priscilla (illus.)
Harper Collins, 2003
PS – Gr. 3, Fry 3
When Owen Pig expresses anxiety about going to school, because
his mother won't be with him, Mommy pig explains that although she
might not be physically with him, their bond remains strong.
Reassuring for youngsters according to Frances
Myers O'Brien.
Under the Sea
Seahorses, Pipefishes, and Their Kin
(Animals in Order Series)
Miller, Sara Swan
Franklin Watts, 2002
K–Gr.5, Fry 4
Part of the Animals in Order series, this title focuses
on the bony-bellies order. Each double page spread contains a
brief, yet full, description of the fish and an
excellent color photograph. S. Faith Yim
calls the organization of the book another strong feature. There
are other titles in this attractive and informative series,
including Octopuses, Squids, and Cuttlefish by Trudi Strain
Trueit, which
was recommended by Maggie Hanley.
Bored! Bored! Bored!
Newton, Jill
Bloomsbury, 2002
PS–Gr.2, Fry n/a
Big bright pictures and minimal text tell the story of Claude
the shark. Bored while the other sea creatures create a garden,
Claude uses his own talent to create snacks for the gardeners. Laurie
Mason feels that this story will appeal to children and
they may even understand the subtle moral.
Shark in the Park
Sharratt, Nick
David Fickling Books, 2002
PS–Gr.1, Fry 1
A little boy goes to the park with his telescope. Everywhere he
looks he sees a shark fin. Should be a crowd pleaser according to Carolyn
Gishlick.
Disappointments of the
Day
Atuk
Damjan, Mischa
Wilkon, Jozef (illus.)
North-South Books, 1964/2002
Gr.2–4, Fry 4
When a wolf kills Atuk's beloved dog, Atuk vows to kill the
wolf as revenge, only to find that it does not help at all. This
book may prove too deep for the readers it intends to address
according to Denise Geier.
The Sulky Vulture
Grindley, Sally
Terry, Michael (illus.)
Bloomsbury, 2003
PS–Gr.1, Fry 3
Bulky Boris is a vulture who can't see the lighter side and is
a bad sport. Unappealing illustrations can't help this title. Jenny
Mischner warns that the whining tone of this book is enough
to drive a person crazy.
It's Love We Don't Understand
Moeyaert, Bart
Front Street Press, 2001
Gr.7–9, Fry 9
Translated from the Belgian original, this book contains three
disjointed vignettes in the life of a dysfunctional family. Janet
Birckhead says to skip this one.
The Book of Mean People
Morrison, Toni & Slade
Lemaitre, Pascal (illus.)
Hyperion, 2002
PS–Gr.2, Fry 1
The author has not enhanced her reputation by co-authoring this
book, according to Laurie Mason. It's
a shame that she would stoop to this level.
French Revolution (Events & Outcomes)
Ross, Stewart
Raintree Steck-Vaughan, 2003
Gr.7 & up, Fry 8
Mimi MacMullen says that the
writing is boring and the vocabulary wordy in this overview of the
French Revolution.
Rave Reviews
Heaven's All-Star Jazz Band
Carter, Don
Alfred A. Knopf, 2002
PS–Gr.3, Fry 2
This is a delightful introduction to jazz greats, jazz clubs,
culture, and dances. Cynthia Cordes
says this wonderful book will appeal to anyone, music lover or
not.
Warriors: Into the Wild
Hunter, Erin
Harper Collins, 2003
Gr.5–8, Fry 5
Here is a classic case of don't judge a book by its cover! Nicole
Midura calls this an excellent alternative for the classic
Stuart Little or Redwall animal fantasy lovers.
Soul Moon Soup
Johnson, Lindsey Lee
Front Street, 2002
Gr.7–12, Fry n/a
Susan Brozena found this to be a
riveting account of Phoebe Rose and her homeless situation written
in a simple, but elegant, free verse. An interesting presentation
of the dynamics of mother and daughter relationships.
That Makes Me Mad!
Kroll, Steven
Davenier, Christine (illus.)
SeaStar Books, 2003
K–Gr.2, Fry n/a
Nina explains the things that make her mad. Maggie
Hanley says this book offers a good jumping off point for
discussions about feelings and how to deal with them and rates it
as an outstanding.
Tippy-Toe Chick, Go!
Shannon, George
Dronzek, Laura (illus.)
Greenwillow Books, 2003
PS–K, Fry 1
Each morning Hen took her 3 chicks to the garden for their
favorite treat, but one morning a big grumpy dog blocked their
path. There is a sparseness and a rhythm to the text with just
enough repetition and suspense to make this an appealing story for
preschoolers. S Faith Yim calls this
a top choice for preschool
storytimes. |
