Lazy Days of Summer $250 Cash Giveaway

Lazy Days of Summer

$250 Cash Giveaway

July 6th to 26th

An Awesome Group of Authors & Bloggers have joined together to bring you 1 fabulous prize!! We’re giving away $250 in Paypal Cash! Or alternately you can choose a $250 Amazon.com Gift Code!  

 Sponsor List – Thanks to these great authors & bloggers for making this giveaway possible!
 I Am A Reader Krysten Lindsay Hager author Simple Wyrdings Heather Gray, Author Bookworm Lisa B. Kristin McMichael Rachel Matthews, Author of cozy, sweet reads Kindle and Me Everly Frost, YA Author Cool Cats Mysteries Helen Smith Laurisa White Reyes, Author Dark and Dreamy with C. C. Marks Dawn Malone Author Nikki Jefford Aubrey Wynne: Romantasy Through the Ages Mary Ting/M. Clarke Confessions of a Frugal Mind AuggieTalk Darcus @ Rainy Days and Pajamas Lori's Reading Corner Glistering Bs Blog The Lovely Books J.C. Whyte, author Gigi McAllister@ The Late Bloomer's Book Blog Bonnie Blythe Faith-Based Romance Bella Street Time Travel Romance Laurie Here - Cont Fiction and More Beth M. Honeycutt 

 Giveaway Details 
$250 in Paypal Cash (alternately the winner can choose a $250 Amazon.com Gift Code) 
Ends 7/26/16 
Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use money sent via Paypal. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. 
This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. 

Giveaway was organized by Kathy from I Am A Reader and sponsored by the authors, bloggers and publishers on the sponsor list. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.    

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Teeny Tiny Toady by Jill Esbaum

Teeny Tiny Toady 
by Jill Esbaum
Published 2016
Sterling Children's Books
Fiction
40 pages
Review copy provided by publisher

Goodreads Summary

When a giant hand scoops up her mama and puts her in a pail, a terrified tiny toad named Teeny hops faster than she ever did in her life. "Mama’s stuck inside a bucket! Help me get her out!” she begs her big, clumsy brothers. “Don’t you worry, kid. We’ll save her!” they promise, bumbling and stumbling and jumbling out the door. But as the boys rush headlong to the rescue, pushing their little sister aside, it becomes clear: brawn isn't always better than brains—and the smallest of the family may just be the smartest one of all.  Written in lilting verse.

My Thoughts

Everybody loves an underdog. Teeny is the youngest sister of a whole bunch of big brothers. When all of her brothers fall into the bucket with their mother, Teeny is left alone to save them. Stories like this one where the "little guys" prove their worth by doing heroic things are not uncommon. What I liked about Teeny's story is that she was able to use her brain to solve the problem and not her size. 

The author uses font size and color to highlight vocabulary and for emphasis. Young readers will be exposed to some words that may be unfamiliar such as: huddle, fluttered, eventually and peered. 

The toad family have adorable faces and eyes that seem to have a slight anime quality that I think kids will enjoy. Dark and light background colors are effectively used depict different moods. 

Teeny's story of determination and problem solving would be great for ages 3-7. 

See what others have to say about this book:

Kirkus

Unleashing Readers

Nonfiction Picture Book Wednesday-Game Changer: John McLendon and the Secret Game

My Friend Alyson Beecher at Kid Lit Frenzy hosts a weekly link up to share Nonfiction Picture Books. Please visit her amazing website.

Game Changer: John Mclendon and the Secret Game

by John Coy

Illustrated by Randy DuBurke

Published 2015

Carolrhoda Books

32 Pages

Nonfiction Picture Book

Copy obtained from public library

Goodreads Summary

When they piled into cars and drove through Durham, North Carolina, the members of the Duke University Medical School basketball team only knew that they were going somewhere to play basketball. They didn't know whom they would play against. But when they came face to face with their opponents, they quickly realized this secret game was going to make history. 

Discover the true story of how in 1944, Coach John McLendon orchestrated a secret game between the best players from a white college and his team from the North Carolina College of Negroes. At a time of widespread segregation and rampant racism, this illegal gathering changed the sport of basketball forever.

My Thoughts

I love reading about bits of history that are not widely known. Coach Mclendon believed that basketball could change prejudices. The Duke University players had to cover their heads and block car windows so they could not be seen. Since this was during racial segregation, it was illegal for these two teams to play each other. At first, they didn't even want to touch each other. By then end? Well, you won't get any spoilers from me. 

The font looks like the story was written on an old typewriter and many of the pages have a light blue background giving it an "older" feel. 

The story is inspirational and completely relevant today. 

I think it would make a great read aloud for grades 3-6 near the beginning of the school year to spark discussion about differences and prejudices. 

See what others have to say about this book:

Kirkus

The Horn Book

Bookpage

Publishers Weekly

Visit the author's webpage.

Summer #CyberPD Week One

This summer I am participating in my first #CyberPD session. This virtual book club is organized and facilitated by educators, Cathy Mere, Laura Komos and Michelle Nero.  This group started in 2011 and has grown every year. This summer, we are reading and discussing DIY Literacy: Tools for Differentiation, Rigor and Independence. 

I was fortunate to participate in a mini online book club using this book in late spring. However, I am excited to read it a second time when I am not so busy with school and I have more mental energy to process it. 

The focus of DIY Literacy is on how tools can be created and used with students in the classroom allowing them to access, remember and extend their learning. This week we read chapters 1, 2 and the "Bonus chapter". 

Reflection 

These first chapters are very exciting. They lay the foundation of how, when and why to use four "tools" in the classroom. Using repertoire/process charts, demonstration notebooks, micro-progressions and bookmarks can help solve a variety of problems teachers face in the classroom. 

I enjoyed the section on page 5 about making our teaching clear and the fact that, oftentimes, we teach too many strategies completely made sense to me. I feel like I need to narrow things down for my students and help them to really learn and use fewer strategies more effectively. 

The Tools

Is it too geeky that the tools look super-fun to make? Even though it is summer, I wanted to grab a rainbow of sharpies, colored stickies and start going to town with drafts in my notebook. 

Kate and Maggie present the tools in such a way that makes me think, "Yeah, I could do that!" I was familiar with charts and demo notebooks to some degree, but using micro progressions and bookmarks to help students monitor, remember and extend learning were new strategies for me. 

The whole time I was reading chapters 1 and 2, I was thinking about where I might find strategies for the tools. Then came the "bonus" chapter. I like the ideas for places to go to find strategies (books, colleagues, online). I also added too many new professional texts to my TBR list after looking at the appendix. 

My Big BIG Aha

I reread the section on "Making Learning Stick" several times. This is one of the most difficult things for me personally. I teach fourth grade and they need repetition, repetition, repetition and then even more. I feel that these tools can help me to give them something visual and concrete to use if they forget a strategy or concept and give them a better chance of actually owning the skill. 

Little "Nuggets" I want to post around my school.

"True learning happens when students get the instruction that fits their needs, have the agency and motivation to work hard, and remember and recycle what they've learned." DIY Literacy pg. 2

"...often we get trapped in the hamster wheel of breadth--of being sure we have gotten to everything--rather than centering our work on depth." DIY Literacy pg. 3

"One key to joy is working hard and seeing that hard work pay off." DIY Literacy pg. 9

"We want to tether our skills and strategies to a strong sense of purpose. This helps students (and ourselves) buy into the work, know when to do the work, and see the bigger meaning of the work." DIY Literacy pg. 32

Now I Wonder...
~Will I really have time to make all the tools I want/need to make? 
~How can I make sure students will use the tools? 
~Will I be able to find strategies to help with particular problems?
~Is there a place where others are posting examples of tools they have developed? 

Time for Kids-Awesome America-Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About the History, People and Culture

Time for Kids-Awesome America-Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About the History, People and Culture
by Katy Steinmetz
Published May 2016
Time for Kids
Nonfiction
208 pages
Review copy provided by publisher
Goodreads Summary

TIME For Kids explores America from sea to shining sea!

Discover what makes America unique in this comprehensive timeline and photographic overview of American history--pre-Columbus through the present--highlighting the milestone events and important people that have made America awesome.

Perfect for both dip-in reference and longer-form reading, Awesome America is organized into thematic sections, each comprised of bite-sized articles, engaging factoid sidebars, colorful charts, graphics and interactive quizzes to help make learning about American history interesting, interactive, and fun. From America's early history all the way to present day, kids will learn about what it was like to grow up in the 1700's, 1800's, 1900's and today and discover the inventions, innovations, and important social movements great American's have created over the years.

My Thoughts

If you are looking for a new reference book or textbook for American history? Look no further! This beautiful book is like one-stop-shopping for information about our great nation. Of course there are the basics like early settlers, The American Revolution, civil rights and the presidents. But more recent events such as the attacks on September 11 and the election of the first black president are also included. 

Then there are the lesser known facts. For example do you know who is on the $100,000 bill? Give up? It's Woodrow Wilson.  Sliced bread was invented in 1928 and Lebron James is pretty much recognized by most of the planet. 

As you would expect from TIME, there are amazing original photographs to accompany the information. 

Awesome America would make a wonderful addition to any family, school or classroom library. 

See what others have to say about this book:

The Children's Book Review

Animal Bites Series from Animal Planet

Animal Planet has teamed up with Time Inc. Books to create this new nonfiction "Animal Bites" series for younger readers that explores animals and habitats.

 

 

Animal Planet Polar Animals  Ocean Animals Farm Animals and Wild Animals

by Laaren Brown

Published 2016

Animal Planet

80 Pages

Nonfiction

Review copies provided by publisher 

Kids LOVE animals! This new series provides children ages 4-8 with accessible, exciting and fun books to help them learn about their favorite animals. 

Each book highlights different groups of animals. Specific adaptations and behaviors and how they help animals survive the their habitat are explained with facts, photos and diagrams.  Kids will learn more about their favorite animals such as dolphins, sea turtles, penguins, polar bears, seals, grizzly bears and orca whales. 

In Farm Animals, the readers learns about basic farm animals including what they eat and how they need to be cared for. 

I love how the information is presented in simple terms with large, easy to read font just right for young readers. There is an index and a table of contents as well as a section for other places to visit to get more information. 

This series is perfect for animal lovers and K-4 classroom and school libraries!

See what others have to say about this series:

Booking Mama  

Just a Little Creativity

Nonfiction Picture Book Wednesday-Please Be Nice to Sharks by Matt Weiss

My Friend Alyson Beecher at Kid Lit Frenzy hosts a weekly link up to share Nonfiction Picture Books. Please visit her amazing website.

So I am slowly getting back into blogging after about 2 months away. I am looking forward to reconnecting with my friends and sharing books!

Please Be Nice to Sharks-Fascinating Facts About the Ocean's Most Misunderstood Creatures

by Matt Weiss

Photos by Matt Weiss and Daniel Botelho

Published June 7, 2016

Sterling Children's Books

Nonfiction Picture Book

Hardcover

32 Pages

Review copy provided by publisher. 

Although shark attacks on humans are rare, they never fail to make the news when they occur, sending people into a panic. These events and sensationalized shark movies have made sharks one of the most feared creatures in Earth. I was a child when the original JAWS movie came out and I was terrified to go in any body of water for quite some time. 

Please Be Nice to Sharks seeks to dispel scary rumors and misconceptions about these fascinating animals. 

The book opens by presenting information about the importance of sharks to our planet. Then 14 species of sharks are featured one at a time with simple text and colored photographs. The information is presented by the sharks in entertaining first person narration. Each shark tells what is unique about it and tries to convince the reader that people should be nice to it.  Some of the text is accompanied by a text box of further information about the shark such as length, weight, and adaptations. 

I enjoyed the format and the focus of this book. Unlike many books about sharks, it does not try to teach the reader everything about each animal. The text is simple, short and focused. I can see many students choosing to write persuasive nonfiction pieces about animals following this mentor example. 

I would recommend Please Be Nice to Sharks for grades 3-5. It would make a nice addition to a school or classroom library. I can't wait to share it with my 4th graders! 

See what others have to say about this book:

Publishers Weekly

Examiner.com