Children haven’t had much time to experience the world, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t curious. Children are innately imaginative and curious, and reading great books together helps to fuel those powerful tools.
Take a look at the books reviewed below. Each is a guaranteed page-turner, and that’s precisely what you and the children in your charge are looking for — books to ignite curious minds and power-up imaginations.
Books to Borrow
The following book is available at many public libraries.
“Book! Book! Book!” by Deborah Bruss, illustrated by Tiphanie Beeke, Arthur A. Levine/Scholastic Press, 32 pages
Read aloud: age 2-3 and older.
Read yourself: age 7 and older.
Down on the farm, everything was wonderful until the children went back to school. Suddenly, the farm animals were bored, sad and lonely. Finally, the hen announced that she was heading into town to find something to do, and the rest of the farm animals decided to join her.
When the group arrived at the library, they noticed everyone who came out of the library had a happy face. The hen knew this was the place they’d been looking for. When they entered the library, the friendly librarian understood just what the animals needed — books!
Charming illustrations grace this fun book that delivers one very important message: There’s nothing quite as entertaining as a good book.
Librarian’s Choice
Library: The Public Library for Union County, 205 Reitz Blvd., Lewisburg
Library Director: Tracy Carey
Children’s Librarian: Mary Harrison
Choices this week: “The Library” by Sarah Stewart; “Jumanji” by Chris Van Allsburg; “The Best Christmas Pageant Ever” by Barbara Robinson
Books to Buy
The following book is available at favorite bookstores.
“The Blue Shoe: A Tale of Thievery, Villainy, Sorcery, and Shoes” by Roderick Townley, illustrated by Mary GrandPre, Alfred A. Knopf, 2009, 255 pages, $16.99 hardcover
Read aloud: age 8 and older.
Read yourself: age 9-10 and older.
A mysterious man commissions the local town shoemaker to create a beautiful shoe from the exquisite jewels he gives the shoemaker — jewels in every possible shade of blue. The man tells the shoemaker he will return for the shoe, but when he doesn’t, the shoemaker places his extraordinary work in his shop window, and his business takes off like a shot. Everyone wants what the shoemaker creates, and most especially, everyone wants the blue shoe.
Hap Barlo, apprentice to the shoemaker, sits in jail, accused of stealing one of the jewels, (which he did, only to try and save the life of a starving beggar girl), and for ruining the shoe. Now, the beggar girl is missing. Tomorrow Hap will be banished to the place where thieves and beggars go — to the far side of Mount Xexnax. Those who have gone there have never been heard from again.
There are rumors about the far side of Mount Xexnax, rumors of trolls, volcanoes, bitter cold and evil-run-wild. Despite what he’s heard, Hap is determined to rescue his father, who was banished there one year before, and perhaps uncover what really happens at this feared place.
Brimming with adventure, mystery and magic, this absorbing fable of greed, prejudice, determination and honor will have readers flying through every page of “The Blue Shoe.”
-- Nationally syndicated, Kendal Rautzhan, of Lewisburg, writes and lectures on children’s literature. She can be reached via e-mail: kendal@sunlink.net.
Entertainment
Ignite a child’s imagination with great books
- Entertainment
-
-
Improvised jazz program salutes civil rights movement
LEWISBURG — Local jazz musicians will present "Moving Pictures: Civil Rights Imagery and Improvisation," at 8 p.m. Feb. 23 at the Campus Theatre in Lewisburg. The event is free and open to the public.
-
Clarence Clemons' nephew to play sax on Bruce Springsteen tour
NEW YORK — It takes two men to replace The Big Man. Bruce Springsteen announced Thursday that two musicians — Jersey Shore sidekick Eddie Manion and Clarence Clemons' nephew Jake — will "share the saxophone role" during the E Street Band's "Wrecking Ball" world tour, which begins March 18 in Atlanta.
-
Forget the Happy Meal. 'Lorax' gets green tie-ins
LOS ANGELES -- The Lorax, perhaps the most famous anti-industrial crusader from children's literature, is about to become a big-time corporate spokesman. With a host of comercial tie-ins -- albeit for eco-friendly products -- Universal Pictures will begin promoting "Dr. Suess' the Lorax" This month.
-
The Valley Players to present 'Roses in December'
SUNBURY — The Valley Players will celebrate this Valentine’s Day season with Victor L. Cahn’s “Roses in December,” a play that illustrates the beauty of the written word. In a script crafted exclusively from a series of letters, a young official in a college alumni office, played by Carrie Gilbert of Selinsgrove, invites a celebrated but reclusive author, played by Fred Hooper of Selinsgrove, to his 35th class reunion.
-
'Halftime in America' ad creates political debate
DETROIT — People rarely pick a fight with Dirty Harry. But Chrysler's "Halftime in America" ad featuring quintessential tough guy Clint Eastwood has generated fierce debate about whether it accurately portrays the country's most economically distressed city or amounts to a campaign ad for President Barack Obama and the auto bailouts.
-
Verizon to set up streaming service with Redbox
NEW YORK — Phone company Verizon Communications Inc. will challenge Netflix and start a video streaming service this year with Redbox and its DVD rental kiosks. Verizon and Coinstar Inc., Redbox's parent company, said Monday that the service will be national and available to non-Verizon customers as well.
-
Super Bowl ads battle for championship
NEW YORK — The pressure was on. The tension was thick. And then, there were yawns in between. The Super Bowl may have been a nail biter, but the ads were a snooze. Actor Clint Eastwood waxed for two minutes about Detroit and Chrysler. An M&M candy stripped "naked" at a party. And stars from the 90s were everywhere, as were dogs and babies, of course.
-
Sneak peek at this year's hottest Super Bowl ads
The Super Bowl is a must-watch TV event, if not for the outcome of the biggest football game of the year, then at least for the multi-million dollar commercials that run throughout. And this year’s buzzworthy spots include celebrity appearances, homages to movies and lots of humor.
-
Takeru Kobayashi downs record 337 wings at Wing Bowl
PHILADELPHIA — Competitive-eating champ Takeru Kobayashi conquered Philadelphia's annual gustatory gorge-fest by eating 337 chicken wings in a half-hour before a crowd of nearly 20,000 at Wing Bowl XX. The Japanese phenom demolished the record of 255 set last year by Jonathan "Super" Squibb.
-
Roseanne Barr seeks Green Party presidential nod
WASHINGTON — Roseanne Barr said Thursday she's running for the Green Party's presidential nomination — and it's no joke. The actress-comedian said in a statement that she's a longtime supporter of the party and looks forward to working with people who share her values. She said the two major parties aren't serving the American people.
- More Entertainment Headlines
-
Improvised jazz program salutes civil rights movement
