Wednesday, September 29, 2010

Guardians of Ga'hoole - Are the books better than the movie???

If you liked the  Guardians of Ga'hoole series, you're probably planning to see the film if you haven't already! Legend of the Guardians, the computer animated movie based on the first three books of the series, The Capture; the Journey; and The Rescue, opened on September 24.

Here is a plot synopsis adapted from the one on Movie Insider as featured on the blog, Teen Frequency @ Hauppauge Public Library:
The film follows Soren, a young owl enthralled by his father's epic stories of the Guardians of Ga'Hoole, a mythic band of winged warriors who had fought a great battle to save all of owlkind from the evil Pure Ones. While Soren dreams of someday joining his heroes, his older brother, Kludd, yearns to hunt, fly and steal his father's favor from Soren. But Kludd's jealousy has terrible consequences--causing both owlets to fall from their treetop home and right into the talons of the Pure Ones. Now it is up to Soren to make a daring escape with the help of other brave young owls.

To date, there are 15 books in the series.  To see what Needham owns, click on: http://library.minlib.net/search/?searchtype=X&SORT=D&searcharg=lasky+guardians+&searchscope=29

You can watch the movie trailer by clicking on this link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x_lMihSKkgA

To see a film review from the Boston Globe, click on: http://www.boston.com/ae/movies/articles/2010/09/24/owls_in_combat_soar_in_3_d_legend_of_the_guardians/

To do some activities based on the book, click on: http://www.scholastic.com/gahoole/printable/

Books about Apples @ your library!

J Picture Book

Bunting, Eve. One Green Apple. While on a school field trip to an orchard to make cider, a young immigrant named Farah gains self-confidence when the green apple she picks perfectly complements the other students' red apples. [J ADVANCED PICTURE BOOK]

Gibbons, Gail. The Seasons of Arnold’s Apple Tree. As the seasons pass, Arnold enjoys a variety of activities as a result of his apple tree. Includes a recipe for apple pie and a description of how an apple cider press works

Hall, Zoe. The Apple Pie Tree. Describes an apple tree as it grows leaves and flowers and then produces its fruit, while in its branches robins make a nest, lay eggs, and raise a family. Includes a recipe for apple pie.

Hutchins, Pat. Ten Red Apples. In rhyming verses, one animal after another neighs, moos, oinks, quacks and makes other appropriate sounds as each eats an apple from the farmer's tree.

Kleven, Elisa. The Apple Doll. Lizzy is scared to start school, so she makes a doll out of an apple from her favorite tree to take with her on the first day. Includes instructions for making an apple doll.

Lipson, Eden Ross. Applesauce Season. In an urban setting, the story of how a family gets
together to cook apples for applesauce. Includes a recipe for applesauce, to help you create your own traditions.


McDonald, Rae A. A Fishing Surprise. A sister and brother go fishing, but come home with a net full of apples instead.

Miller, Virginia. Ten Red Apples. Bartholomew and George, two bears, and Little Black Kitten enjoy the apple tree in the garden and count its shiny red apples.

Priceman, Marjorie. How to Make an Apple Pie and See the World. Since the market is closed, the reader is led around the world to gather the ingredients for making an apple pie.

Purmell, Ann. Apple Cider Making Days. Alex and Abigail join the whole family in processing and selling apples and apple cider at their grandfather's farm.

Ray, Jane. The Apple-Pip-Princess. In a land that has stood barren, parched by drought and ravaged by frosts since the Queen's death, the King wants his three daughters to make the kingdom bloom again, and discovers that sometimes the smallest things can make the biggest difference.

Rockwell, Anne. Apples and Pumpkins. In preparation for Halloween night, a family visits Mr. Comstock's farm to pick apples and pumpkins.

Rosenberry, Vera. The Growing Up Tree. The life of an apple tree, planted by Alfred's mother when he was a baby, parallels Alfred's life as he and his children and grandchildren grow older together.

Schertle, Alice. Down the Road. Hetty is very careful with the eggs she has bought on her very first trip to the store, but she runs into trouble when she stops to pick apples.

Shapiro, Jody F. It’s Apple Picking Time. Myles and his family go to his grandparents' apple ranch, where they have a wonderful time picking and selling apples together.

Wallace, Nancy Elizabeth. Apples, Apples, Apples. Members of the Rabbit family visit an apple orchard, where they have fun picking apples and discovering their many uses. Includes a recipe for applesauce, directions for a craft activity, and sayings about apples

Wellington, Monica. Apple Farmer Annie. Annie the apple farmer saves her most beautiful apples to sell fresh at the farmers' market.

Winget, Susan. Tucker’s Apple-Dandy Day. Tucker the rabbit goes on a class trip to Farmer Sam's apple orchard.

J Easy Reader

Driscoll, Laura. Apples and How They Grow. Simply describes how apple trees are cultivated and grow to produce particular kinds of apples.

Ruelle, Karen Gray. Easy as Apple Pie. Emily says "Yuck" whenever apples are mentioned, but when she and her older brother, Harry, sleep over at their grandparents' house, they all pick apples and make them into delicious pies.

J Nonfiction

Powell, Consie. Amazing Apples. Simple poems in acrostic form describe an apple orchard through the seasons, as well as the activities of the family that tends the orchard. Includes a page of notes about apples [j811 P]



Most nonfiction books about apples have the call number 634 or 634.11

Friday, September 10, 2010

"All the rules of table manners are made to avoid ugliness."

Emily Post has been the authority on table manners since her 1922 book, Etiquette.  Her descendants have now published a modern edition for kids.

Post, Peggy (2009).  Emily Post's Table Manners for Kids (Gr. 2-8)

Why should you wash up before a meal?  When are you allowed to finally put that delicious hamburger in your mouth?  How much bread should you take from the basket on the table?  Where should you put that cherry pit after eating a fruit salad?  Who should you talk to at a large table?

Table manners can seem confusing, but they're all in place to do just what Emily Post recommended: "avoid ugliness."  No one wants to see chewed-up food, and no one wants to sit at a table with someone who hogs the dinner rolls and shovels food into his or her mouth.  Table manners are not very difficult to learn, and this book will clear up many of the questions about both familiar and unusual eating situations for kids.

It's fun, it's quick, and it's painless.  Pick this book up today!

A nomadic life in Mongolia

Baasansuren, Bolormaa (2009).  My Little Round House. (Gr. K-2)

Baby Jilu is born into a a Mongolian family that travels from pasture to pasture as the seasons change.  From his family's round tent to the circular pattern of the seasons, Jilu sees the shape of his world and the love of his family all around him.  The end of the story marks his first birthday, when Jilu's family returns to the summer pastures.

The illustrations show Mongolian life and are best shared in a small group so that everyone can see.  A great way to learn about a new culture!