July 2010

  • National Merry-Go-Round Day

    By sarajean on 7/23/10 9:52am
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    July 25 is a perfect day to go out and enjoy the merry-go-round. A Sunday this year, it affords most families the chance to hit the park and, if there’s still one left (as my old favorite park no longer has one), show their children—as well as the parents themselves!—a good old-fashioned time on the merry-go-round. If there is a carousel or carnival near you, that’s a great opportunity as well.

    I have a wonderful story about a merry-go-round. In fact, I wrote about it in junior high, much to the delight and disgust of my classmates. Reading it aloud was some of the most fun I’d ever had in school to that point!

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  • Diary of a WImpy Kid Do-it-Yourself Book

    By becksta on 7/20/10 8:18pm
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    The Fart Police- from Diary of a Wimpy KidThe Fart Police- from Diary of a Wimpy KidAs a kid, I loved journals of the fill-in-the-blank variety and have a sneaking suspicion that young want-to-be writers and artists will find themselves delighted by the challenge of filling up the pages of the "Diary of a Wimpy Kid Do-It-Yourself" book. "Diary of a WImpy Kid Do-It-Yourself Book" is the first book that I've read in Jeff Kinney's  series of books.


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  • If the World Were a Village

    By sarajean on 7/17/10 1:35am
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    A very clever, very sobering story has been circulating the Internet for a few years now. Known as “If the World were a Village of 100 People,” it depicts the world in accurate proportions regarding distribution in terms of religion, economic status, sex, Internet access, electric access, and much more information. Startlingly, only 5 out of the 100 people would control the majority of the wealth—and all five would be from the United States. All of the breakdowns can be read here.

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  • Egypt ABCs

    By sarajean on 7/15/10 3:00pm
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    Some author—I don’t remember who, or in what source, unfortunately—stated that it’s often better to expose yourself to something you love through books that are below your own reading level rather than ones by experts. That way, you get a small introduction to the concept rather than a lengthy explanation that could turn you off with all of its jargon. Children’s books often fit the bill. They maintain that level of excitement and interest that first brought you to the topic without overwhelming you with information. Plus, there are usually fun pictures or illustrations to enjoy as well.

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  • Alphabet Under Construction

    By sarajean on 7/15/10 3:05am
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    Written and illustrated by Denise Fleming, Alphabet Under Construction has become one of the most beloved books in our household. The simple story of a mouse who is spending the month (a calendar depicting his activities is displayed at the end of the picture book) constructing the alphabet out of various materials, it’s both fun to read and to look at.

    A watercolor gray mouse is the central character in this adorable book. As he goes through each letter of the alphabet, he creates—or constructs, rather—it out of parts or a method that goes with the letter itself alphabetically. For example, letter “A” is airbrushed, while letter “C” is carved. My daughter gets a kick out of “reading” along, since the simple text is very memorable. Not only is she learning her letters—she’s also learning 26 different construction techniques!

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  • Sandman: Seasons of Mist

    By msarko on 7/14/10 11:14pm
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    Neil Gaiman's stock and trade has always been representing famous myths in ways that make them interesting, relevant and, most importantly, unpredictable for modern readers. He doesn't always stray from stereotype, especially when there's nothing wrong with the original understanding of the myth. Rather, he picks and chooses those aspects of human legend that don't really serve the tone of his stories and turns them on their heads, or at the very least interprets them in an unusual way. "Seasons of Mist", the fourth trade paperback compilation of Sandman comics, goes into mythology overdrive, depicting some famous figures exactly as they've always been depicted and reinventing others radically. Gaiman wouldn't attempt a mythological deconstruction as vast and varied as this for another decade when he wrote American Gods.



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  • Little Quack

    By sarajean on 7/14/10 9:40am
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    There is a new favorite picture book in La Casa SaraJean, and it’s called Little Quack. Written by Lauren Thompson and illustrated by Derek Anderson, this adorable little tale is the story of five little ducklings—Piddle, Puddle, Widdle, Waddle, and Little Quack—and their reluctance to enter the water to learn to swim.

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  • The Benefits of Hidden Picture Books

    By sarajean on 7/13/10 12:03am
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    My four-year-old’s latest obsession is one that many children love: the hidden picture book. We receive a monthly hidden picture puzzle in our Highlights Hi Five magazine, but that absolutely wasn’t enough for her! We ordered her a set of books that were nothing but hidden pictures, and she has a blast going through them and finding the items. She won’t circle or color them, either, wanting to find them again as soon as she’s finished finding all of the items.

    I love that she’s really into these books. I never was a fan of them myself, but my mathematically-inclined younger sister always was. And as much as I’m happy to buy the books for her enjoyment, she’s getting a very enriching activity out of the process as well. Here are just a few benefits that kids can receive from doing these activities:

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  • Pony Pals: Circus Pony

    By hellenwyeth on 7/8/10 5:02am
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    Pony Pals: Circus Pony by Jeanne Betancourt is just one out of many books from the Pony Pals series. My daughter loves these short chapter books. In Circus Pony, the Yellow Tent Circus has come to the town of Wiggins. Lulu, Pam and most of all, Anna is very excited about the circus and thinks it’s the perfect way to end their summer break. With the Yellow Tent Circus camping on a good friend’s property, they get permission to visit during off hours and get a good look at what circus life is all about.

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