Tinker Crate

I am always trying to figure out what to get my kids for a birthday or big holiday. They have enough Legos to build a house! I always find a new book (or two), something clothingand maybe something sport-related........new ice skates or a soccer ball or something for the pool.....but I was tapped out on everything. My family was asking what to get William for his 9th birthday and I felt like I was out of ideas!

Then I remembered Tinker Crate. You can sign up for 3 months, 6 months or a year worth of build-it inspired "toys". My brother kindly signed my son up and he received his first one a few weeks ago!

HUGE success! The instructions were clear and pretty easy to follow. There was only one piece that gave him some trouble (and I had to re-read the instructions a few times to figure out the mistake!), but for the most part, it was a perfect way to spend some time. And he now plays with it and integrated it into his other toys!

So.... although this isn't a book.....I think it fits into what I love ---- creative, mindful and inspiring!

Keep it in the back of your mind for a summer treat or the next birthday gift idea!

http://www.kiwicrate.com/tinker

The Oodlethunks by Adele Griffin

I wasn't really sure this was going to be hit for my 9 year old son because the main character is a girl. But she's a cavegirl with a caveboy brother and there are dinosaurs.....so I hoped he'd be intrigued.

I had to twist his arm to allow me to read the first chapter, but after a few pages he was hooked and begging me to finish the book! It's a wonderful story of Oona who finds and tends to an egg. Only to find it's been stolen by the local bully.

All of this is peppered by wonderful illustrations by Mike Wu.

I even caught my 10 year old daughter having a good read one evening! (see pic above).

Now we're looking forward to the next book!!!

Lemony Snicket

I'm sure you're familiar with the books by Lemony Snicket, A Series of Unfortunate Events.

No?

It's SUCH a great series! Although, my family and I are only on book 7......so don't tell me how it ends if you have read them all!!

For those that haven't......book One introduces the three Baudeliere children, Violet, Klaus and Sunny. The first few sentences of the book warn you that this is no happy tale. And the warning is true......as the Baudeliere children find out they are orphans within the first few pages of the book.

And as orphans they experience a perilous journey --- they stay with their legal guardian who is only after the fortune they will acquire when Violet turns 18.

These books are so good that they were developed into a movie with several famous actors/actresses. Now, the books are being made into a Netflix series. It's fun to read the books and then watch the movie or series. Since a movie can't describe every detail the way a book does, it's fun to pick out the details that are shown in the set, costumes or dialogue.

Are the characters similar to what your imagination made them look like and talk like?

Nothing is more disappointing than when you have a picture in your mind of what the characters are like but don't appear that way in a film! I have to say that A Series of Unfortunate Events doesn't disappoint at all!! It's as if the pages of the book and the televisions series blended together!!!

But what about that author Lemony Snicket? David Handler is the REAL writer, but created not just the story of the children, but also a story of a character who "writes" the series.

I love how fun and mysterious this series is!! Enjoy!

Bear + the Piano --- by David Litchfield

This beautiful picture book now has a home on my shelf! I fell in love with it instantly.

The illustrations are gorgeous --- I love the soft light that infuses the pages.

There's something about the story that makes you smile and also feel an ache deep within your heart. Bear discovers the piano and his bear friends gather to enjoy his playing, but soon Bear finds that his talent can lead him to explore new places ---- what happens whenyou follow your heart? Will your friends be there for when home calls you back?

*sigh*

I could read this book over and over!

Book Review -- Picture Book -- The NIght Gardener

What a beautiful book! I fell in love with the illustrations and the "mystical" quality of this book.

Written and Illustrated by The Fan Brothers, this book made it into my personal Library of Inspiration. It doesn't matter how old you are --- you can always appreciate a good story and beautiful pictures.

One day, William discovers the tree outside his window has been sculpted into an owl. More and more topiaries show up as the mysterious night gardener works on his craft.

It's a beautiful way of showing how art and passion can have a positive effect!!

Enjoy!

An oldie but a goodie --- A Wrinkle In Time

When I arrived in 4th grade my academic world was turned upside down.

I went from a warm and cozy 3rd grade classroom experience to a very determined, work horse teacher named Mrs. Hockmier. I can remember A LOT about my 4th grade experience. I can picture the cover of the vocabulary book we used. I can remember when I tried to baloney my way through a poem reading that I was ill prepared for and getting busted. But what I remember the most was reading A Wrinkle In Time by Madeline L'Engle. (This was the cover back then!)

 They are currently making it into a movie with big name stars.......like Oprah! (The made for TV movie was so awful ---- I beg you not to watch it.)

It's been years since I've read this story but now that I have a 4th grader and I'm watching her navigate this pivotal year, I couldn't help but want to chat about this book!

A Wrinkle In Time is a sci-fi fantasy staring a 13 year old girl who, at the end of the book,  has to save her genius brother. There's a bit of a coming of age romance and a lot of good vs. evil. And of course, the entire story works the way it does because of a "Tesseract" ---- which is a wrinkle in time ---- a way to travel through the space-time continuum.

It seems a little complicated as I read through the full plot on Wikipeida. But it's startling to see this book was published in 1963! And is still used in classrooms today!!

I wonder if I'd find the writing dated? It's always so disappointing when I read a book from my past (that I LOVED) and realize that it can't really hold up to the language of today. I don't mean that cell phones or internet, etc. aren't mentioned ---- I mean that our actual language has changed since the 1960's and many kids can't relate to the "olden" days.

A Wrinkle In Time won a Newbery Medal. And several other awards.

I'd highly recommend introducing your child to this story ---- it really is an oldie but a goodie!

Book Recommendation -- The Adventurer's Guide to Successful Escapes

My family and I are SO enjoying this book!! 

"Is there such a thing as too much adventure?" (that's the tag line on the front jacket)

It's a fabulous adventure set in a futuristic world --- with orphans, quests and a prophecy. It's written by Wade Albert White, who also has a web site at: www.wadealbertwhite.com

It's a 364 page book which would be way too daunting for my 3rd grader, who isn't super jazzed about reading anything with that many pages. But reading it out loud has created a fabulous imaginary world. It's considered a Middle Grade for ages 8-12. To me, it's a story to be enjoyed at any age --- one you'd probably reread because you'll love it so much.

Last night we ended chapter 8 and my 4th grader was angry that it was left on a cliff hanger! She tried to take the book into her room to read ahead but I wouldn't let her! We are seeing this story through together!!

I bought this book at one of the SCBWI conferences to be inspired and keep up with new authors. 

Grab a copy! It's a keeper!!