Jean Little Library
The library and reading journal of Jennifer, Librarian of the Jean Little Library.
Monday, July 6, 2009
It's hot
Sunday, July 5, 2009
Read Snap
Friday, July 3, 2009
Faster than a....school bus?
This is a fast-paced comic adventure with plenty of funny bits. Joey's new super abilities interact hilariously with the real world and there's a side-splitting twist at the end. No angst, world crises, or tortured relationships, just a kid who has discovered he can do something really cool...and, of course, it lands him in trouble.
Title: Hyperactive
Author: Scott Sava
Art by Joseph Bergin III
Checked out from my library system.
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Our Biggest Summer Reading Program!
Next year, put David Stokes in the middle of the room, instead of at the end. It got very crowded (and hot, despite me squeezing past everybody to turn down the a/c). Also, make sure the new aide I'll be hiring in August can take pictures. Mine are awful, but my current aide took great David Stokes pictures! Check them out at our library's blog! (click on them to see the details of the frogs and spiders and such. our favorite is the excited kid with his hands in the air!)
Note from last Friday's fingerpainting: put newspaper on the tables next time.
And that's all. I collapse in peace.
Monday, June 29, 2009
Chasing Science at sea by Ellen Prager
Title: Chasing science at sea: Racing hurricanes, stalking sharks and living undersea with ocean experts
Author: Ellen Prager
Checked out from my library
Sunday, June 28, 2009
Reading Miscellanea
Read Snap
Tigers! They creep up on you in the dark!

Over in the Ocean in a Coral Reef by Marianne Berkes
I bought a boardbook version of the companion book, Over in the Jungle, for our library but never had time to examine it thoroughly. Well! The text is a version of "Over in the Meadow" using a variety of different sea creatures, from stingrays to needlefish. The rhymes are steady readable. I've never managed to get kids to listen to Over in the Meadow in book or song form, but I think I might have a chance with this intriguing book, because....The art is gorgeous. Created out of polymer clay by Jeanette Canyon, there are exquisite patterns and designs included in every different creature and background. From a distance, the pictures blend into colorful and cheering art, while a closer examination shows the intricate detail. I particularly like the millefiori-type work on the seahorses.
There is additional material explaining more about the different sea creatures pictured in the book and coral reefs in general. The author has included a section on using the book in storytimes, with specific actions for the rhymes, and the artist talks about how she creates her clay art.
An excellent book for ocean storytimes or a clay craft program. Children who like to trace details in illustrations will also enjoy this.
Title: Over in the ocean in a coral reef
Author: Marianne Berkes
Illustrator: Jeanette Canyon
Review copy supplied by publisher; added to my professional collection for use in programs, specifically in a clay art program I hope to do this fall.