Library & Literary Miscellany

I went to the Wichita Zoo the other day and this is what I saw…

This album is powered by BubbleShare - Add to my blog

Share This

At your library, you’ll find mysteries for all ages. Whether you’re in need of a picture book, chapter book, or full-length novel, there’s a mystery just waiting for you to discover it. This video flashes just a few of your choices before your eyes.

Share This

I thought I’d start out my reviews with one of my all-time favorite children’s fantasies–Norton Juster’s The Phantom Tollbooth. Originally published in 1961, the story has become a bona fide classic and remains as good as ever (I looked at the edition illustrated by Jules Feiffer and published by Dell Yearling, 2001). It was even made into a movie, but take my advice and just read the book. So here’s my take on Juster’s phenomenal tale…

The Phantom Tollbooth envelops readers in an educational, entertaining, and empowering journey—the coming of age of the young protagonist, Milo. At the beginning, Milo exudes apathy towards his life and his world; he “can’t see the point” of living and learning. When a tollbooth appears in his room, he finds himself transported to a magical realm where he must transform into a boy who embraces life and learning in order to fulfill his quest and return home.

Text and illustration combines to enhance the effect of Milo’s adventures. Milo’s mercurial feelings, as he both struggles and succeeds at various points in his journey, will resonate with child readers who also experience a gamut of deep emotions.

Children will likely identify with Milo’s boredom, loneliness, and fear of the unfamiliar as well as his courageous spirit, new friendships, and burgeoning competence. The ultimate goal of Milo’s quest is to locate and reinstate the Princesses Rhyme and Reason, thereby reuniting the kingdoms of Dictionopolis and Digitopolis and restoring the Old City of Wisdom.

Milo’s quest follows the monomyth pattern (see Joseph Campbell’s Monomyth) where he leaves behind the known and plunges into the unknown, he undergoes a series of trials, and he emerges victorious with transformed knowledge about himself and about what can be known.

Milo’s adventures sum up to tell a tale in which knowledge is one of life’s most valuable, relevant, and interesting endeavors (rather than being the greatest time waster of all as Milo thinks at the beginning). Supporting characters act to exemplify a central theme: the joy of learning. For example, the most ridiculous characters, such as the kings, are people who abuse their learning and waste their lives in frivolous arguments, while the princesses, Rhyme and Reason, demonstrate the richness of life that emanates from the proper use of wisdom. Tock, the watchdog, champions the value of time. Each encounter with other characters helps Milo to strengthen his own character as he moves forward toward successful culmination of his quest.

Yet, even as Milo discovers anew the merits of education and reason, it is play and imagination that set the overall tone of this romp into the unknown. Imagination appropriates reason in its service to continuously create laugh-out-loud situations, such as the myriad plays-on-words that manifest the slipperiness of language and communication. For example, when Milo purportedly commits a crime and asks for a short sentence, Officer Shrift hands him the shortest sentence he knows: “I am.” Officer Shrift effectively adds humor to the story while also serving to model the way in which ignorance inhibits effective communication.

Cumulatively, Milo’s adventures amalgamate to create a whimsical fantasy. The title and the giant watchdog on the cover entice entrance into the world, the map preceding the title page aids in navigating the world, and the first sentence about a bored boy who has not a clue what to do provides the final hook. The action begins immediately, and the adventure-filled plot drives the pages to turn. While some readers might be turned off by the educational undertones, more likely than not, the ode to education and homily regarding the artifice of entertainment and commodities will be permitted on account of the majority of the book being just plain hilarious.

In the end, Milo recognizes all of life to be an ineffably glorious adventure; he need only use the tools that are inside of him already—his own imagination, experiences, and education. Entrance into Juster’s fantastic world engenders the possibility that readers will rejoin their own world with renewed engagement and empowerment. Readers of The Phantom Tollbooth should be led to question the validity of ever stating, “I’m bored” again.

Share This

Theme: Dinosaurs
Planned by: Laura Baas
Ages: Preschool (adapt as necessary)
Length:30 minutes Created:09/20/07

Introduction and Song (5 minutes)
Introduction: What if dinosaurs still walked this earth? Can you imagine? Today we’ll look at some songs and stories where we can use our imaginations to think about dinosaurs and what they were like. Here we go…

Song and Rhyme:
Dinosaurs Walked this Earth (to the tune of Mary Had a Little Lamb, last verse is extra-interactive)
Dinosaurs walked on this Earth,
On this Earth, on this Earth.

Dinosaurs walked on this Earth,
A long, long time ago.
Tyrannosaurus Rex was the king,
Was the king, was the king.
Tyrannosaurus Rex was the king,
A long, long time ago.

Tyrannosaurus (child’s name) was the king,
Was the king, was the king.
Tyrannosaurus (child’s name) was the king,
A long, long time ago.

OR

Dinosaurs lived long ago
Some walked
Stomp.
Some swam
Arms swim.
Some flew you know
Flap arms.
Some were big
Stretch up high.
Some were small
Crouch down low.
Some were gigantic don’t you know?
Stand tall, arms stretched wide.

OR

Oh I Want to Be a Great Big Dinosaur
(Tune: “I Wish I Was an Oscar Meyer Wiener”)
Oh I want to be a great big dinosaur,
That is what I really want to be!
For if I were a great big dinosaur,
Everyone would run away from me…
Ahhhhhhhh!!!!!!!!
Additional Verses:
Stomp away from me
Crawl away from me
Slither away from me

Books (20 minutes), Song inserted into middle:
Books (first three livelier and last three more reflective, select two of each):

1. Bus-A-Saurus Bop by Diane Z. Shore and David Clark Take kids for a hilarious ride by telling them about the bus-a-saurus, the bus that’s a cross between a bus and a dinosaur. Good starting school tale.
2. Dinasour Roar! By Paul Strickland
   Uses dinosaurs in a fun way to teach antonyms.
3. Saturday Night at the Dinosaur Stomp They rock and roll and twirl and tromp at the Dinosaur Stomp
4. Alternate Selection: Dinosaurumpus! (Hardcover) by Tony Mitton and Guy Parker-Rees

Song (between lively and quieter books):
Five Enormous Dinosaurs
5 enormous dinosaurs letting out a roar
(Roar.)
1 went away and then there were four.
4 enormous dinosaurs munching on a tree
(Munch up arms.)
1 went away and then there were three.
3 enormous dinosaurs didn’t know what to do
(Scratch head.)
1 went away and then there were two.
2 enormous dinosaurs having lots of fun
(Smile and laugh.)
1 went away and then there was one.
1 enormous dinosaur afraid to be a hero
(Hide face.)
He went away and then there were ZERO!

1. Edwina, The Dinosaur Who Didn’t Know She Was Extinct by Mo Willems
   Tells an enjoyable tale about acceptance of others who are different.
2. Danny and the Dinasour by Syd Hoff
   Classic trip to the museum with a dinosaur story.
3. How Do Dinosaurs Say Good Night? by Jane Yolen and illus. by Mark Teague
   Cute story teaching kids about bedtime routines; part of the mega-popular “How Do Dinosaurs…” series.

Option: Insert poems from Tyrannosaurus was a beast: dinosaur poems by Jack Prelutsky and illus. by Arnold Lobel instead of one or more of the above books.
Conclusion and Song (5 minutes):
Stomp, Stomp, Stomp
The first big dinosaur went stomp, stomp, stomp
I said to the first dinosaur, “Stop, stop, stop!”
The second big dinosaur went run, run, run,
I said to the second dinosaur, “Fun, fun, fun!”
The third big dinosaur went thump, thump, thump.
I said to the third dinosaur, “Jump, jump, jump!”
The fourth big dinosaur went whack, whack, whack
I said to the fourth dinosaur, “You stay back!”
The fifth big dinosaur went creep, creep, creep.
I said to the fifth dinosaur, “It’s time to sleep!”

OR

Dinosaur Song (Sing to the tune of: “Teddy Bear, Teddy Bear” but instead sing Dinosaur, Dinosaur, Turn Around, etc…)

Conclusion: Well, it might not be night-time yet, but it is time to say goodbye. Thanks for coming today. Please have fun using books for all kinds of learning and adventure. Don’t forget to check out some of these books or other ones on your way out. See you next time.

Time Fillers: Anything (book or song) not already used above OR

Tyrannosaurus was a beast: dinosaur poems by Jack Prelutsky and illus. by Arnold Lobel.

OR

Craft: Search the web for a simple dinosaur such as the ones found at Activity Idea Place (Accessed: 09/20/07). Sample crafts from the site include: using pasta to make Dino Bones, using sponges for some Dinosaur Sponge Painting fun, creating Torn Paper Dino Pictures, and Sticker Art.

Books (Code: PB—picture book, BB—board book, ER—easy reader, CB—chapter book):

1. Bus-A-Saurus Bop by Diane Z. Shore and illus. David Clark (PB)
2. Flapdoodle Dinosaurs by David A. Carter (PB)
3. Ten Terrible Dinosaurs by Paul Strickland (PB)
4. Why the Banana Split by Rick Walton (PB)
5. Dinosaur Chase by Caroline Auto (PB)
6. Danny and the Dinasour by Syd Hoff (PB)
7. Tyrannosaurus was a beast: dinosaur poems by Jack Prelutsky and illus. by Arnold Lobel (PB)
8. Jane Yolen and Mark Teague’s How Do Dinosaurs… Series (PB)
9. Ian Whybrow’s Harry Harry and the Dinosaurs books (ER)
10. Byron Barton’s nonfiction dinosaur books (Dinosaurs, Dinosaurs; Bones, Bones, Dinosaur Bones) (PB)

Other Dinosaur Books to Display:

1. Detective Dinosaur by James Skofield (Author), R. W. Alley (Illustrator) (ER) (series)
2. Encyclopedia Prehistorica Dinosaurs: The Definitive Pop-Up by Robert Sabuda (Illustrator), Matthew Reinhart (Illustrator)
3. Magic Treehouse Dinosaur books (CB) series

Note: For more dinosaur books to display see Laura Baas’ WorldCat.org Dinosaurs–Juvenile Fiction list.

Share This

Theme: Fall Scarecrows
Planned by: Laura Baas
Ages:Preschool (adapt as necessary)
Length: 30 minutes Created: 09/20/07

Introduction and Song: 5 minutes

Introduction: Scarecrows may look funny, but they have a very important job indeed. They’re meant to scare off the crows (and other birds and animals) so that the crop does not get eaten up before harvest time. But scarecrows can also be a lot of fun when they’re used as characters in songs and stories, some of which we’re going to do today. How many of you know/have heard of…(begin song here)

Scarecrow Songs (use either one):

1. Jingle Jangle Scarecrow (Tune: the itsy bitsy spider)

Tips: possibly use pictures or props to help children with the words), have the children all kneel and place their heads on the floor, covering their eyes & sing quietly):

Verse 1: When all the birds are sleeping and the sun has gone to bed… Up… jumps the scarecrow and this is what he said “I’m a jingle-jangle scare crow, (stretch way up tall) with a flippy-floppy hat, (use hand movements for hat) I shake my feet like this (shake feet alternately) and I shake my hands like that. (shake hands)”

Verse 2: When all the cows were sleeping and the sun was behind a cloud. Up jumped a scarecrow and shouted very LOUD! “I’m a Jingle Jangle scarecrow with a flippy floppy hat. I can shake my arms like this! And shake my arms like that!”

OR

2. Scarecrow, Scarecrow

Scarecrow, Scarecrow, turn around Scarecrow, Scarecrow, touch the ground Scarecrow, Scarecrow, reach up high Scarecrow, Scarecrow touch the sky Scarecrow, Scarecrow bend down low scarecrow, Scarecrow touch your toe.

Books (20 minutes), Fingerplay after 10 minutes

Books (first three livelier and last three more reflective, select two of each):

1. Nothing At All by Denys Cazet: The rooster cry rouses all of the animals who respond ludicrously. Animal responses in bold print or italics invite children to assume the different roles. The repeated question of what the scarecrow in the meadow has to say about all the confusion is “Nothing at all” until the end when a mouse gets into its pants. Rhyme and repetitive language make this a hit beginning story for young audiences.
2. Barn Dance! by Bill Martin, John Archambault, and Ted Rand: A boy sneaks out to the barn to watch the animals get together and dance to the scarecrow’s fiddle music. A fun book!
3. The Scarecrow’s Hat by Ken Brown: Chicken wants Scarecrow’s straw hat but Scarecrow wants to trade his hat for a walking stick. Chicken does not own a walking stick but does not let that stop her in this humorous tale where she uses creative solutions to obtain her goal.

Fingerplay inserted in-between livelier books and quieter books

Scarecrow Fingerplay (tune: I’m a Little Teapot)
I’m a scary scarecrow made of straw,
(stand tall, and stretch out arms)
Listening for the crows to caw.
(cup hands to ears)
I watch the field all day and all night, too.
(hand to brow, searching motion)
If a crow comes by, I just say “Boo!”
(hands on your hips and shout Boo)

1. The Little Scarecrow Boy by Margaret Wise Brown and David Diaz: Old man scarecrow is teaching his son the family business and although the scarecrow boy is eager to ply his trade, his father tells him that he must wait until he grows in order to be able to scare a crow. Nonetheless, the scarecrow boy decides not to listen and to try anyway. It takes him multiple attempts and a near fatal mishap, but, after many tries, he finally drive the crows away from the fields in this warm coming-of-age tale.
2. Scarecrow Peteby Mark Kimball Moulton and Karen Hillard Good: In which a scarecrow passes on to a little boy a love of reading.
3. The Lonely Scarecrow by Tim Preston and Maggie Kneen: In which all the creatures are afraid of the scarecrow until the snow falls and the scarecrow transforms into looking like a jolly snowman. The animals come to recognize the scarecrow’s good nature and, when the snow melts, the animals are no longer afraid of its appearance.

Closing Song and Remarks (5 minutes):

Scarecrow Rhyme

The floppy, floppy scarecrow guards his field all day, he waves his floppy __(arms)___ to scare the crows away!
—Substitute legs, head, hands, etc. for the floppy part of the scarecrow

Conclusion: Speaking of going away, it’s time for our stories to end for today. Thanks for coming and joining the scarecrows and me for today’s stories. Please have fun using books for all kinds of learning and adventure. Don’t forget to check out some of these books or other ones on your way out. See you next time.

Time Fillers: Anything (book or song) not already used above

OR

Scarecrow (tune: “Teddy Bear, Teddy Bear Turn Around”)
Scarecrow, Scarecrow, turn around.
Scarecrow, scarecrow, jump up and down
Scarecrow, scarecrow, arms up high
Scarecrow, Scarecrow, wink one eye
Scarecrow, scarecrow, bend your knee
Scarecrow, scarecrow, flap in the breeze
Scarecrow, scarecrow, climb into bed
Scarecrow, scarecrow, rest your head

OR

Five Crows All Shiny Black (Tune: Five Green And Speckled Frogs)
Five crows all shiny black,
Sat on a scarecrow’s back,
Eating some most delicious corn … yum yum!
Scarecrow winked and shouted “Boo!”
Scared one crow and away he flew,
Now there are four black shiny crows, caw caw!
(continue until 0 crows remain)

OR

Craft: Search the web for a “simple scarecrow craft” such as the one found at Enchanted Learning, Alphabet Soup, or other similar website. For example, one craft that I found at an Enchanted Learning page provides a scarecrow and clothes templates that kids can color and glue together (a simpler version is having kids draw their own clothes onto the scarecrow template).

Possible Books For Display (Code: PB—picture book, BB—board book, ER—easy reader, CB—chapter book):

1. Scarecrow by Cynthia Rylant and Lauren Stringer (PB)
2. The Little Scarecrow Boy by Margaret Wise Brown and David Diaz (PB)
3. Scarecrow Pete by Mark Kimball Moulton and Karen Hillard Good (PB)
4. The Lonely Scarecrow by Tim Preston and Maggie Kneen (PB)
5. Jeb Scarecrow’s Pumpkin Patch by Jana Dillon (PB)
6. The Scarecrow’s Hat by Ken Brown (PB)
7. Waltz of the Scarecrows by Constance W. McGeorge (Author), Constance McGeorge (Author), and Mary Whyte (Illustrator) (PB)
8. The Scarecrow and the Spider by Todd Aaron Smith (PB with Christian message)
9. The Scarecrow Who Wanted a Hug by Guido Visconti and Giovanna Osellame (PB)
10. The Scarebird by Sid Fleischman and Peter Sis (PB)

Non-Picture Books for Display

1. I’m a Dingle Dangle Scarecrow by Annie Kubler (BB)
2. The Lazy Scarecrow: Red Level by Jillian Powell and Jayne Coughlin (ER)
3. Sam the Scarecrow by Sharon Gordon and Don Silverstein (ER)
4. Oh, No, Scarecrow! (level 1) by Michael Rex (ER)
5. The Scarecrow’s New Clothes by Lisa Thiesing (Illustrator) (ER)
6. The Scarecrow and His Servant by Philip Pullman and Peter Bailey(CB: Grades 4-6)
7. GooseBumps: Scarecrow Walks At Midnight: Scarecrow Walks At Midnight by R L Stine (Author) (CB: Grades 4-6)
8. Witch Hazel by Alice Schertle, Margot Tomes (CB)
9. Any of L. Frank Baum’s Oz books (CB)
10. Any of Barbara Euphan Todd’s Worzel Gummidge books (CB)

Scarecrow Books in Spanish

1. El Espantapajaros Con Corazon by Gloria A Alegri?a Rami?rez (PB)
2. Espantapajaros flojo by Jillian Powell; Jayne Coughlin; Clara Lozano (PB)

Note: See lbaas2 WorldCat.org list for Scarecrow—Juvenile Fiction for more display options.

Share This