Frustrated Doesn’t Begin to Cover It
I’ve come to the conclusion that the relationship with my computer suffers the same ups and downs as the ones in *real* life.
What was supposed to be seamless is now protracted! The world may be flat, but it is not without its bumps, and it was laid on my earlier this week that the redirect may take 90 days. UGH! So here’s Plan ? – I think I’m up to C or D.
If you follow Scrub-a-Dub-Tub in your reader, you’ll want to update to this link. It’s easy to subscribe … it’s up in the right corner.
If you’re inclined to update your blogroll, that’s great. If not, that’s Okay, too, because I have dug in my heels about making this redirect work! This is supposed to be easier on the consumer. But enough of that kvetching …
It’s Poetry Friday! … the perfect way to spend the day and get warmed up for all of the fun that begins next Wednesday. [Yes, April is almost here.] This week’s Poetry Friday Roundup is being hosted by Julie Larios at The Drift Record.
Children’s Literacy and Reading News – 23 March
Well, the good news is that Scrub-a-Dub-Tub has a lot of new, great stuff. The bad news is that we still haven’t gotten the redirect (and a few other things) to work. I thought we’d have them done by this morning’s post time, but Monday has arrived and the time for news is now!
This week’s edition of Children’s Literacy and Reading News Round-Up brought to you by Jen Robinson’s Book Page and Scrub-a-Dub-Tub, a Reading Tub blog is available at the new Scrub-a-Dub-Tub.
We are hoping that you won’t have to change the URL for your blogroll. Embedded links should automatically be redirected. We hope to have the last pieces fixed later today.
A brief Intermission
I have finally taken the leap and am transitioning from a WordPress-hosted blog to a site I am hosting myself.
Do you remember when you went to Powerpoint class and played with all the bells and whistles until you laughed yourself silly? Well, I’m testing lots of things and am sparing you the construction noise.
Things may be quiet here for a few days as I get all the kinks out … The good news is you won’t have to change your blogrolls, etc!
See you in a few days!
Picture Books and Reading Aloud: A Match Made in Heaven
Last week, Betsy Bird (Fuse #8) announced that she is conducting a 100 Best Picture Books readers poll on her blog at School Library Journal. She is looking for our top ten personal favorites, in order of preference. Betsy’s deadline is March 31, but since picture books and reading aloud go together, I set my personal deadline for this week.
Every time I thought I had the list together, I’d see one more post and the pile would come toppling to the floor. For now I have stopped the other great lists! I’m still fidgeting with the order, but today is my (self-imposed) deadline. So here goes … in alphabetical order.
The Empty Pot by Demi This is a beautifully told, beautifully illustrated folktale.
Hug illustrated by Jez Alborough It’s hard to compare this with other picture books, because with Hug, this is less about the story and more about the memorable experience of reading this with a young child on your lap.
Jumbo’s Lullaby written by Laura Krauss Melmed, illustrated by Henri Sorensen Brightly-colored illustrations complement a soothing poem about a baby elephant.
Lily and the Paper Man written by Rebecca Upjohn, illustrated by Renne Benoit This is a beautifully presented story of overcoming fears and compassion that doesn’t bang you over the head with its message.
Mike Mulligan and His Steam Shovel by Virginia Lee Burton. As kids, we would take turns playing the parts in the story – even the boys wanted to be Mary Ann.
The Princess Gown written by Linda Leopold Straus, illustrated by Malene Laugesen. Every list needs a fairy tale, and this one has all of the classic elements, without being Disney-fied.
The Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats. This is one of my all-time favorite books. Even thinking about it, I can hear the crunch, crunch.
The Story about Ping written by Marjorie Flack, illustrated by Kurt Wiese. I would spend hours with this book. I “Yangtze River” sounded so exotic.
Sylvester and the Magic Pebble by William Steig. This is a story I remember only by rediscovering it with Catherine. It reminded me of The Musicians of Bremen, a beloved Grimms fairy tale.
Time for Bed by Mem Fox, illustrated by Jane Dyer Every list needs a lullaby.
Share a Story: Today We’re Talking Read-Alouds
Sorry for the posting delay, I was off enjoying the posts du jour about reading aloud. Susan has packed Day Three with great content. She’s got three posts herself! I’ll plug in the day’s agenda below, but I want to make sure you don’t miss these tidbits …
Suan is giving away two children’s books: Bubble Homes and Fish Farts by Fiona Bayrock here; and Hush, Little Dragon by Boni Ashburn here.
Over at BookDads, not only did Brian put together a comprehensive post, but he loaded it with great book ideas and lots of links for resources and reading lists.
Over at the Book Whisper, Donalyn Miller has opened her contest: “Submit your favorite read alouds; include testimonials and recommended ages; and enter to win the drawing for a copy of my new book, The Book Whisperer: Awakening the Inner Reader in Every Child published by Jossey-Bass and Education Week Press.”
Dr. Freud would probably have something to say, but I still have some of the bookmarks I made as a child: the macrame bookworms (6th grade); the leather book corner (4th grade?), and my all-time favorite: the ice cream cone (5th grade). Bookmarks can be a fun way to engage kids with books – they can keep their reading list on them, they can create art to express themselves. To get you started, we created a document with links to bookmarks you can download, instructions on how to make your own, and a collection of blank templates to get you started.
Be sure to stop by the Share a Story-Shape a Future blog, too. That’s where I’m going back to add links to posts that hosts add to their lists.