Monday, May 2, 2011

Some New Books for May















Trundle’s Quest
by Allan Jones and Gary Chalk

Trundle is the lamplighter for Shiverstones, and he is very happy with the way that his life is going. Then one night Trundle is looking forward to the cabbage broth he is cooking, but he is knocked over by a strange girl hedgehog who asks him where his sword is. She tells him that she is Esmeralda Lightfoot, Princess in Darkness, and that they need to leave quickly to catch a windship. She shows him the Badger Block that has a picture that looks like him, and Esmeralda tells him that they must follow the prophecy of the Badger Blocks to find the first of the Six Crowns of the Badgers of Power. Trundle does not believe in the tales of the Badgers of Power, and tells Esmeralda that he is not going anywhere. When Trundle shows her to the door, though, they both her an explosion from the docks, and Esmeralda says that the pirates have found them. Trundle just wants things to stay normal, but he knows that Esmeralda needs help. The pirates attack the town pillaging and looting the poor townsfolk, but Trundle cannot help them. Trundle and Esmeralda slowly make their way to the docks, and even though the pirates almost capture them, they get away by falling onto the canvas tarpaulin of a windship. On the windship, Esmeralda tells him about the Badger Blocks and how she knew what she needed to do. She says that they need to get the crowns and stop pirates like Grizzletusk from attacking little towns like Shiverstone. Will Trundle and Esmeralda be able to find the first of the Six Crowns? Are the Crowns real or just a story? Will Trundle become the hero that Esmeralda seems to think he is?

























How to Teach a Slug to Read
by Susan Pearson and illustrated by David Slonim

There are some rules that a little boy needs to share with Mama Slug, so that she can successfully teach Little Slug how to read. The first rule includes labeling all of Little Slug’s favorite things, and then the second rule includes finding the right book to keep Little Slug interested. What kind of books do you think Little Slug would like to read? What kinds of books do you like? Mama Slug must make sure to prop the book up on a rock, so it is easier to read, and to make sure Little Slug is up high enough to see the pages clearly. The other steps include repeating words over and over and sounding them out. He tells Mama Slug to make sure to help Little Slug with new words. What are some words that you could help Little Slug learn? See if you recognize some of the words Mama Slugs teaches Little Slug. What do you think are the rest of the rules to help Little Slug with reading? Are you using some of these rules yourself?























Smooch Your Pooch
by Teddy Slater and Arthur Howard

The author shows her appreciation for man’s best friend by sharing some ways to show your dog how much you love them. You can give your pooch a smooch, hug, bone, or even a pizza. Does your dog like to eat pizza? Does your dog like to help you sing or play music by howling like the dog in the book? You can also tickle your dog’s belly or rub his snout. You can also do things with your dog that he likes to do, such as swim, roll around, or dig some holes. What kind of things does your dog like to do? Do you do them, too? (Make sure it’s okay with Mom and Dad first!) You can throw things like tennis balls, Frisbees, or just a stick. Does your dog like to play fetch or catch things in his or her mouth? What are some other things that you can do for your dog? This book is full of ideas.



















All the Way to America: The Story of a Big Italian Family and a Little Shovel
by Dan Yaccarino

This book is a biography that Dan Yaccarino wrote about his family, how they came to America, and how a little shovel from Italy came to be his. In Sorrento, Italy Dan Yaccarino’s great-grandfather, Michele, is given a little shovel by his father to help the family tend to the vegetables and fruits that they sell in the village. Everyone works really hard, but the family is poor. So Michele decides to go to America when he is grown for new opportunities, and his father gives him the shovel and tells him to work hard. Michele’s mother gives him the few photographs of the family that they had and her recipe for tomato sauce, and she tells him never to forget his family. On Ellis Island, Michele Iaccarino became Michael Yaccarino. Michael works in a bakery of another man from Sorrento, and he uses the little shovel to measure flour and sugar. Michael then becomes a pushcart peddler, and he uses the little shovel to measure dried fruits and nuts. Michael and his wife, Adeline, have a son named Aniello, but they call him Dan. Dan starts working with his father at twelve years old, because the family needs him to work. When Dan grows up, he owns a market with his wife Helen. Dan uses the shovel to measure out things. Then Dan decides to open a restaurant, where they make pizza and spaghetti, with his grandmother’s tomato sauce recipe. Dan’s son, Mike, helps out in the kitchen after school. Mike is Dan Yaccarino’s father. He also uses the shovel at his barbershop. How does Dan Yaccarino use the shovel? Who does he pass the shovel down to?

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