New picture book

Once upon a time by Denise Doyen and illustrated by Barry Moser

A delightful rhythmic tale of a moonlit night. The mice are frolicking when danger approaches. The illustrations by Moser fit the mood and add mystery to the night sounds as animals appear. The language by Doyen is delightful for reading aloud with some made up sounds.

Nanabosho

The Curriculum Center has several stories of the trickster Nanbosho. the short illustrated stories are placed in context in a modern day First Nation family. The stories contain humor, respect, problem-solving and family.

Nanabosho and the woodpecker is about climbing trees and getting food like a woodpecker.

Looking through different eyes

Lessons from Turtle Island: Native curriculum in early childhood classrooms by Guy W. Jones and Sally Moomaw is one of those rare books that changed my perspective and way of looking for book titles. Each chapter respectfully speaks about topics that are explored in early childhood, like family, baths, shoes and more but the authors suggest ways of including books featuring diverse children. I respect the theme " Building on Similarities, Appreciating Differences"

The two educators, oneof Dakota background and the other not of Native background do a fine job of what activites to include and what to avoid and do the same for book titles. The Curriculum Center at EWU has purchased most of the available books that this title suggests and they are wonderful!

A joyous family

I'm your peanut butter big brother by Selina Alko celebrates the skin color differences within the family with fun food words. In a loving manner the peanut-butter- big -brother- to- be describes himself and enjoys the neighbors. He wonders about skin, eyes, lips. This first book has amazing colors and illustrations that fly off the page and grab your attention.

Far North exploration

The Lamp, the Ice, and the Boat called Fish: based on a true story by Jacqueline Briigs Martin, pictures by Beth Krommes. Houghton Mifflin 2001

This short book packs in history, survival, the Far North and an Inupiaq family who helps save the sailors. When the boat Fish is ice locked, the crew must hike across treacherous ice to an island to wait for the melt. The family (mother, father and 2 children) take their supplies and skills which help save part of the crew despite a long time before rescue. Based on historical records this book gives great details and information. The illustrations are line drawings using Native style with realistic approach.

This books serves as great history, diversity and informational reading.

What the World Eats

Photographs by Peter Menzel, text by Faith D'Aluisio
A compendium of the world's weekly food by family, this visual treat takes the reader around the globe to 25 families pictured with their weekly food. The charts and data add to understanding in comparisons for street food, meat consumption, fast food, and more. This oversized book is useful for many lessons and to talk about difference and commonalities.
It is located in the Oversize JFK Lower level TX353 .M438 2008

Kenn Nesbitt- GetLit

Local poet Kenn Nesbitt is performing as part of EWU GetLit at Aunties Bookstore Sat. April 18 3-4:30.

His website http://poetry4kids.com offers a fun place to explore poetry

New YA Morris award

ALA announced a book award finalists' short list of five titles. The new Wm. Morris award for a new YA author will be awarded for the first time in January 2009.

• A Curse Dark as Gold by Elizabeth C. Bunce, published by Arthur A. Levine/Scholastic;
• Graceling by Kristin Cashore, published by Harcourt/Houghton Mifflin Harcourt;
• Absolute Brightness by James Lecesne, published by HarperTeen/Laura Geringer Books;
• Madapple by Christina Meldrum, published by Knopf, an imprint of Random House Children’s Books; and
• Me, the Missing, and the Dead by Jenny Valentine, published by HarperTeen

An amazing list of the best kid's books of 2008 lists so many options--Great Fun!

Trouble by Gary D. Schmidt

Family issues abound in this story told by Henry about his older brother's accident and the many repercussions.
The intertwining of Henry growing up and the family's and community's reactions to trouble make the reader think.