Category Archives: Reading Corner

Reading Corner: The True Story Behind Winnie-the-Pooh

This week, our Wednesday librarian, Ms. Leibowitz, has two books to recommend: Winnie’s Great War by Lindsay Mattick and Josh Greenhut, and Finding Winnie by Lindsay Mattick, both illustrated by Sophie Blackall.

   

Ms. Leibowitz says:  “These two books — one a chapter book and the other a picture book — are both based on the true story of the bear that would become the inspiration for A.A. Milne’s Winnie-the-Pooh.  There was a real bear that was adopted by a Canadian soldier during WWI.  The bear became a mascot to the army troop and then lived at the London Zoo.  Read either book to find out more of the story of the famous bear.

“My favorite part of the books are the actual photos and diary entries that depict this true story.

“Read the books and then go visit the MFA exhibit Winnie the Pooh: Exploring a Classic!”

Reading Corner: Leo, A Ghost Story

This week’s book recommendation (in honor of Halloween!) is Leo: A Ghost Story, by Mac Barnett (author of Extra Yarn, President Taft is Stuck in the Bath, and The Terrible Two series), illustrated by Christian Robinson (who also illustrated School’s First Day of School, Last Stop on Market Street, and Gaston).

“You would like being friends with Leo. He likes to draw, he makes delicious snacks, and most people can’t even see him. Because Leo is also a ghost.

When a new family moves into his home and Leo’s efforts to welcome them are misunderstood, Leo decides it is time to leave and see the world. That is how he meets Jane, a kid with a tremendous imagination and an open position for a worthy knight. That is how Leo and Jane become friends. And that is when their adventures begin.

This charming tale of friendship comes from two of the best young minds in picture books: the author of the Caldecott Honor–winning Extra Yarn and the illustrator of the Newbery Award–winning Last Stop on Market Street—and it’s perfect for young readers all year long.”

Reading Corner: Cilla Lee-Jenkins, Future Author Extraordinaire

This week’s reading corner recommendation is Cilla Lee-Jenkins, Future Author Extraordinaire by local author Susan Tan!

Priscilla “Cilla” Lee-Jenkins is on a tight deadline.  Her baby sister is about to be born, and Cilla needs to become a bestselling author before her family forgets all about her.  So she writes about what she knows best―herself!  And Cilla has a lot to write about:  How did she deal with being bald until the age of five?  How did she overcome her struggles with reading?  How do family traditions with Grandma and Granpa Jenkins differ from family traditions with her Chinese grandparents, Nai Nai and Ye Ye?

Written by Susan Tan and illustrated by Dana Wolfekotte, Cilla Lee-Jenkins: Future Author Extraordinaire is a novel bursting with love and humor, as told through a bright, irresistible biracial protagonist who will win your heart and make you laugh.

“Heartwarming and poignant! Meeting Cilla felt like making a new best friend.” ―Grace Lin, bestselling author of Newbery Honor book Where the Mountain Meets the Moon and National Book Award finalist When the Sea Turned to Silver

And don’t miss the sequel, Cilla Lee-Jenkins: This Book Is a Classic!

Reading Corner: A Book Pick from Ms. Leibowitz

This week we have a book recommendation from our new Wednesday librarian, Ms. Jill Leibowitz.  Her choice is All Are Welcome, a beautiful new picture book by Alexandra Penfold, illustrated by Suzanne Kaufman.

Follow a group of children through a day in their school, where everyone is welcomed with open arms. A school where kids in patkas, hijabs, and yarmulkes play side-by-side with friends in baseball caps. A school where students grow and learn from each other’s traditions and the whole community gathers to celebrate the Lunar New Year.

All Are Welcome lets young children know that no matter what, they have a place, they have a space, they are welcome in their school.

A note from Ms. Leibowitz:  “There are many wonderful new picture books to choose from but one title that stands out is All are Welcome by Alexandra Penfold and illustrated by Suzanne Kaufman. A typical school day provides the backdrop for the story and the vibrant illustrations show students eating their lunch, playing on the playground and learning together.  The lighthearted rhyming text is punctuated by the repetitive phrase “all are welcome here”.

“This book is one to share at home and in our classrooms. My hope is that this crucial message reaches all the students in our school.   All are Welcome is a welcome addition to our library collection.”

Reading Corner: A Book Pick from Ms. Kinney

Our book recommendation this week comes from our lovely Friday librarian, Ms. Rebecca Kinney, who suggests Amina’s Voice.  This novel by Hena Khan is a great choice for 4th and 5th graders.

Image result for amina's voice

A Pakistani-American Muslim girl struggles to stay true to her family’s vibrant culture while simultaneously blending in at school after tragedy strikes her community.

Amina has never been comfortable in the spotlight.  She is happy just hanging out with her best friend, Soojin.  Except now that she’s in middle school everything feels different.  Soojin is suddenly hanging out with Emily, one of the “cool” girls in the class, and even talking about changing her name to something more “American.”  Does Amina need to start changing too?  Or hiding who she is to fit in?

Ms. Kinney says:  “I love this book!  Amina is a wonderful honest character, struggling to fit in.  But she needs to stand out to help her community.  Compassionate and honest, it’s a great read.”  And it’s available in the Lincoln-Eliot Library!

Reading Corner: A Book Pick from Ms. Packard

Our book recommendation this week comes from one of our wonderful librarians, Ms. Sheila Packard!  Ms. Packard suggests the series Eerie Elementary, by Jack Chabert.  Book One is called The School is Alive!:

      

In this early chapter book series, Sam Graves discovers that his elementary school is ALIVE!  Sam must defend himself and his fellow students against the evil school.  Is Sam up to the challenge?  He’ll find out soon enough: the class play is just around the corner.  Sam teams up with friends Lucy and Antonio to stop this scary school before it’s too late!

Ms. Packard says:  “This is a fun and exciting series for kids who like to stretch their imaginations.  Sam, the main character, has a school job to be the hall monitor, and when he finds out something strange is going on, he sets out to try to protect the students from a school gone wild!  Try one and you might just need to read the whole series…”

Reading Corner: A Book Pick from Principal Morrissey

Each week we’ll be sharing a book recommendation from someone in our school community — and our first book pick comes from our lovely principal!

Principal Morrissey’s favorite new book is Today is the Day:

Today is the Day is about Tommy, a young boy with big dreams who hopes for a variety of great careers and adventures in his future.  Unfortunately, his aspirations are met with some opposition from the people around him…

Principal Morrissey loves this story because it reminds us to never give up on our dreams, no matter what obstacles come our way.  Today is the Day is also special to her because her 23-year-old nephew Michael Morrissey is the author!  Principal Morrissey is so proud of Michael’s accomplishment and thrilled to share this book with everyone.