The Alphabet Parade

The Alphabet Parade
by Charles Ghigna
illustrated by Ag Jatkowska

Colorful illustrations grab the reader immediately with the cover.The Alphabet Parade is set to be released on September 2, 2013.  In a picture book format, this rhyming ABC book has a collection of typical circus / parade type characters, but also includes animals that will be new to young readers. A few examples that quickly come to mind  - jackal, kinka jou, and unicorn. 

I read this advanced reader edition of this title as an e-book. Unfortunately that means I don't know the size / dimensions of the final edition. I love the illustrations and recommend this title for any school or public library with a board book collection. It will also be a nice alphabet book for toddlers to add to their home libraries.

*To comply with new guidelines introduced by the Federal Trade Commission, Capstone Press has provided a complimentary electronic copy of this book through NetGalley.com.

Peek-a-boo Monsters

Peek-a-boo Monsters
by Charles Reasoner

Peek-a-boo Monsters by Charles Reasoner will be released August 1st and is published by Capstone Young Readers.

I am reviewing an e-book version of this title. I will tell you upon first examination I was not really impressed with this title. However, upon further readings, and a little research, I have found this to be a bright, colorful, and fun rhyming book that will have toddlers begging for more.

This title will be published in a board book format. Each page has a cutout area in order for the reader to get a preview of a monster on the next page. This was not evident while reading the e-book version. When the book was scanned the cut out areas were covered and thus came out white. I can tell by flipping back and forth through the digital pages which monsters will appear in the cut out areas. 

The rhyming text will encourage toddlers to read, or even sing along. I have to say page nine is my favorite from an educators point of view because the talking monsters (using speech bubbles) identify themselves as short and tall. I think it would have been nice to include this information on other pages. It would enhance this fun book that doesn't necessarily tell a story, but is whimsical and can be used to discuss opposites.

For an early childhood school or public library with a board book collection, I believe this would be a recommended purchase. It can also be a fun addition to a toddlers home library.

*To comply with new guidelines introduced by the Federal Trade Commission,Capstone Press has provided a complimentary electronic copy of this book through NetGalley.com.

Summer Memories

As we approach the end of another school year I see posts on Facebook about favorite summer memories. In fact I was responding to my best friend, Lori's, status post when I began writing this entry. When it grew to such lengths I decided my "short" story was no longer a status comment, but a blog post! So I moved to this venue to continue running (as I used to do as a child on occasion) down memory lane.

For me the summer memories that stand out the most were of going to my Granny and PaPa's house in Port Lavaca, TX. My cousins, Charlotte and Cynthia were always there. They had the advantage of living in nearby Bloomington with my Uncle William and my Aunt Jenny. In my Granny and PaPa's backyard we had a really cool tree house built high up in a tree next to their huge garden. Their yard was surrounded by Purple Martin bird houses he would build in his garage workshop (I remember getting into BIG trouble one time for flipping a switch discovered at the end at the end of a table. Said switch turned on the circular saw and caused a big stink for some reason. I can't remember who was there at the time, but the punishment was multiplied by the fear of how bad it COULD have been!).

We had regular playmates whenever we went to Granny and PaPa's. I remember a Bradley and another boy. One lived next door and the other across the street. Granny would open the garage door (only the left one though - PaPa's workshop was on the right) and we could play outside running between the front and back yards by passing through the garage. I remember running around the house to the backyard through a gate on the left side of the house one time and stepping on a pitch fork. I can still picture my little foot, clad in a light green tennis shoe with dark green racing stripes, being impaled. That particular trip seemed to be one of many where blood was involved!

I can still picture our room at Granny and PaPa's house. We had two twin beds, very girl beds, with a chest of drawers in between. The closet held Granny's afghans and our toys. I always wanted to sleep in the bed right inside the door. This way I could see the large window over the other bed. I remember one time I had to sleep in the other bed and I was so scared something was going to get me. The shadows that were made on the wall by the passing cars frightened me terribly. I still remember being awake for the majority of that night. I don't think I ever slept in that bed again!

I remember sitting in the garage of my grandparents house. You had to walk out through the kitchen. There was a little concrete ramp leading from the door down toward PaPa's workshop. I remember sitting on the little ledge with Granny and talking. She would tell me stories about my Daddy and my Aunt Jenny that would make me laugh so hard I would wet my pants. This happened on MANY occasions. I always seemed to be changing my clothes when I was at their house.

As you opened the screen door leading from the kitchen into the garage, Granny's washing machine was to the right. She would place her bread on top of the washing machine to rise. I remember going by one time and plopping my hand down on top of the cloth covered bread asking, "What's this?" We had flattened bread for dinner that night and I learned never to touch the top of the washing machine when it had something cloth covered on top.

I loved going to the beach and picking up shells with Granny. We would walk barefoot along the water and pick up shells. I'm not really sure which beach we would go to, but I do remember walking a number of times with Granny and Daddy at Indianola. It was one of  Daddy's favorite places and still holds fond memories for me, especially the Oleander bushes. I remember swimming in the bay water, but one of the memories that is strongest in my mind when it comes to the water was the time a large wave came up and over took me. I was little and I remember being pulled under the water. I can still picture my Aunt Jenny grabbing me up from under the water. I don't think I would be here writing this blog entry today if it had not been for her quick reaction.

A huge part of my summer memories are about our annual family reunion. I remember watching the ladies, especially my Aunt June, Aunt Dorris, Aunt Jenny and Granny, lay out the food on the tables (ping pong and pool). My favorite dishes, Cousin Becky's shrimp salad, Aunt June's chocolate sheet cake, Granny's coconut cream and pecan pies, and Cousin Venice's Chicken & Noodles ~ NOT dumplings - there is a difference!!  I remember PaPa sitting either at one of the long tables in the back of the building or in one of the little rooms playing dominoes. There was always a large group of people sitting outside (smoking) on the picnic tables, not at them, but on them! I also remember everyone getting into position to take the large group picture outside on the slanted lawn of the facility, and the individual family shots taken at the picnic tables.

Our reunion was always the highlight of the summer because not only did I get to see Charlotte and Cynthia, but I got to see even more cousins! Our reunions were held in a large facility owned by Union Carbide. It was (and still is) located outside of Victoria, near Seadrift (we only recently stopped using this facility when the last of our family members retired from Carbide). We (Charlotte, Cynthia, Stoney, Scott, Angie, and myself) used to have a very special meeting place - the lounge of the women's restroom! It was an awesome meeting place, especially because not only did it have an entry from the hall of the building, but it also had a getaway door leading to the front of the building. We wouldn't get into as much trouble for running in and out of the building - with our water guns - because no one could see us! We had a blast with the water guns. I have to admit I was a bit devastated when we all grew out of the water gun stage.

I remember being scared to go down onto the deck built out from the waterway past the playground.  I think I might have only gone down there one time. Alligators lived int eh water and I was terrified of being caught! Others were much braver than I and would anxiously run down there to SEE if they could spot one! Still crazy to me to go looking for alligators.

I remember how sad I would be at the end of the reunion. It meant we would be leaving the coast and all of the fun we had playing together. I would cry myself to sleep in the backseat of the car on the six hour drive back to north Texas knowing it would be a long time until I got to see the two people (Charlotte and Cynthia) who were as close to sisters as I, an only child, would ever have while growing up. I still have these feelings of sadness when we part ways and I always loved seeing our children (when they were little) respond in the same manner at the end of the reunion.

I do have summer memories of family trips, mostly to courthouses, libraries, and cemeteries ~ you have to understand my dad is not only a librarian but a lifelong genealogist. We didn't spend summer vacations going to Disney because there was no one buried in California or Florida! Don't get me wrong. I had an awesome time as a child during those summer trips, it was just not what most people would call normal.While my dad would be working in the courthouse looking through birth / death records or reading microfilm, my mom and I would go on little adventures. I remember watching little town parades, going to circuses, visiting large businesses when they had factory tours, and even going to the Grand Opening of a Popeye's Chicken restaurant in one town.We would also spend a great deal of time in the children's section of the libraries. One  librarian even pulled a cart full of books for my mom to read to me one time because the children's section would close long before the rest of the library.

As I got older I would go on bus tours with my MorMor (Swedish for mother's mother). We traveled the east coast and the west coast together on these trips. I think the longest one we were on was three weeks. I went to Disneyland for the first (and actually only time) on one of these bus trips. I was enchanted by the Texas Show at Palo Duro Canyon and Shepherd of the Hills Outdoor Theater, mesmerized by Las Vegas (still my ONLY trip to Sin City ~ I was 15!), and toured Graceland for the first time during these wonderful trips.

I also remember the excitement of going to the public library as soon as possible to register for the Summer Reading Program. I always wanted to see how many books I could read during the summer. I wanted to fill up the list as quickly as possible. I still keep a record of the books I read. I wish I had been as disciplined then as I am now during the entire year and not just during the summer. I guess it is so much easier now because we can keep track of our books through great sites like Goodreads and Shelfari. The Summer Reading Program helped me to become a lifelong reader. Now understand it is not the only reason I remain a reader to this day. My parents had a HUGE impact on my love of reading - remember, Daddy is a librarian and Moma a teacher. I remember a few years ago the library began having an Adult Summer Reading Program (not ADULT, but for adults!). You would have thought I was a kid again. I ran up there to sign up on the first day!

I have always been in school, first as a student and now as a professional educator (Librarian / Instructional Technology Specialist to be exact). So summer has always been to me what most people remember from childhood. The anticipation at the end of May for all of the exciting adventures to come during the months between the end of one school year and the beginning of another. This year, however, has been very different for me. I have actually been very ill for the past few weeks. The school year ended abruptly for me on May 13th. I haven't had the thrill of the anticipation for the summer. I have just been trying to get through each day. Now, don't feel sorry for me, that is not what I am asking for. I am just trying to convey that this is the first time in my 42 years that I have not felt the thrill and excitement (and sadness for friends, teachers, and students to which I have grown so close to each year) of the end of the school year.

Could it also be the fact that my only child will be graduating in four days? When my dad picked my son up yesterday from his last full day of high school I asked him to take a picture of  my son walking to the car. Another milestone to record in the ever growing stacks of pictures to include in his scrapbook. I guess, if I look back over the years, this is the one summer I have NOT been anticipating my entire life.

A new chapter will begin soon for all of us as my son goes off to freshman orientation (in SPAIN!) and then moves out of our home into his dorm in the coming months. My son will be experiencing wonderful adventures that can only be enjoyed through the college experience. My husband and I will be able to reconnect as a "couple" after being "parents" for 17 years. My parents, who will be going to breakfast on their own, all be it at whatever time they choose and always on time! We can look at this time in two very different ways. We can be sad, like when losing a loved one, or we can be excited for the new, wonderful things that are ahead for the young man that has blossomed from our nurturing all of these years. With tears running down my cheeks, I choose to be joyful. I see so such great potential in his life. Why should I be selfish and sad? I am not losing my little boy, merely allowing him to take flight on the wings we have helped him to grow.

Surviving Your Baby's First Year

I bet I got a lot of people's attention with that post title!! Well, actually this is a review for a great book I just finished reading Sh!t No One Tells You: A Guide to Surviving Your Baby's First Year by Dawn Dais.

For those of you who know me well, you are probably wondering why I chose to read this book (yes, I get to choose the preview books I want to read and review - love this!!).

1. My seventeen year old son, an only child, will be graduating from high school in 9 days (Salutatorian of his class of almost 500!)
2. **TMI Alert** - I had a radical hysterectomy the day before my 42nd birthday (What a gift!)
3. **TMI Alert #2** - My husband had a vasectomy about five years ago.

Don't worry.

1. I am no pregnant - OBVIOUSLY!!
2. I don't have empty nest syndrome ~ yet (Have you seen the 2013 season finale of the ABC television series The Middle? I'm about at this point...
   
3. I'm not pining for grandchildren ~ yet (Although I do adore my son's girlfriend. She is definitely a keeper in my book ~ if it is God's plan, I am on board!)

I just came across the title and was interested in what the author had to say on the subject. I have to admit it was one of the best parenting books I have ever read. Not only was it enlightening for this "old" mom, but it was also funny because I could see myself in every stage of this book. It was SO true! I really believe this should be a required text for all new moms and dads. The title doesn't lie, this really is the sh!t no one tells you! Well, some things you do find out from those really great friends (for me,  Monica ~ she told me about the "crime scene time" and I will be forever grateful because I would have thought I was dying otherwise!). 

The advice conveyed throughout is right to the point. I know I said some of the book was laugh out loud accurate, but I also know when you are in this stage of life you will truly believe it will never end. One of the quotes I highlighted in my preview copy (I can't officially quote any of the text because I only have a preview edition, the book will be released on June 4th) referred to the phrase new parents are constantly hearing, "It goes by so quickly". I love how Dais made the recommendation to talk to the new parents, or even the overwhelmed parents struggling with a toddler in the grocery story, and let them know you understand where they are in their life right now but this too shall pass and one day you will be heartbroken when they move into their own place. [Remember,I can't quote the text, but her words are fabulous and almost brought me to tears ~ remember I have a son graduating from high school in 9 days!!]

Another great quote (which I can't include) mentioned how a mother will always feel overwhelmed because that is part of the job [again, her words are so much better, but I want to get the point across]. She makes a wonderful point of enjoying each moment of your child's life in the moment. It may seem overwhelming and exhausting, but these times can never be replicated. Your child's first steps are a joy, your child's first tooth - not so much, but it is a precious time. Don't be so anxious to see what your child's next milestone will be, relish the moment. I believe parenting can relate to Greg Anderson's quote, "Focus on the journey, not the destination."

I cannot say I have arrived at my destination as a mother as my son graduates from high school. I will always be his mother. I will forever have a part of me walking outside of my body. Now I will no longer have any control (which has always been an issue with me, I admit it). I will always worry and have feelings of wonder (is he eating right, is he going to class, is he happy, and on and on and on).  What I can say is that I have tried to be the best tour guide I could be for him during this portion of our journey together.

In really weird twist of fate, Sh!t No One Tells You was probably the best book I could have read right before watching my son give his Salutatorian address. It has made me reflect on the seventeen years I have had with him (the good and the bad) and realize that yes, it really does fly by so quickly, but then again some of those days seemed to drag on for eternity. We just have to remember to enjoy the journey, no matter what point in our travels we find ourselves.

*To comply with new guidelines introduced by the Federal Trade Commission, Avalon Publishing Group has provided a complimentary electronic copy of this book through NetGalley.com.

Look Again

Look Again
Lisa Scottoline

After publishing my last post I realized I had not posted a blog entry about the book I finished prior to starting Play Dead by Julia Heaberlin! I don't know how I could have forgotten to share this wonderful book by one of my favorite authors. Well, actually I do know what happened. I posted it on my other blog! I wanted to share information about this book on my other blog, "From the Library Shelves". This is the book I was fortunate enough to give away during the World Book Night event at the end of April. I will take credit for this title being included on the list of 20 books given away this year during the 2nd annual WBN. I sent the title in last year after hearing Lisa Scottoline speak at the LIFTA Luncheon at the Texas Library Association Conference. She was fabulous and has become one of the authors I frantically search for whenever I hear they are coming out with a new book.

How to describe this book? Since Mother's Day is tomorrow, let's start with a mother's love for her child. Does the amount of love for a child have to do with the blood running through the child's veins? I mean, is a mother's love any less if the child was not carried for nine months in her own body? My response NO! I know from personal experience ~ from both sides of this discussion. I know my mother loves me unconditionally. She has always put up with all of my issues, arguments, and terrible teenage years. She supports me in anything I have ever attempted to do and is one of my loudest cheerleaders when I am honored for an accomplishment. I KNOW she loves me.

I also know a wonderful woman who was a huge part of my life growing up loved me as one of her own. Margaret was our neighbor, but she was also like a mother to me. She would never take the place of my mother, but she provided experiences for me (an only child) that my parents could not. I was part of their family of six, becoming number seven. At their house I had an older sister, and three older brothers. Sadly Margaret passed away many years ago, but I still think about her whenever I drive to my parents house. Her family still owns the house across the street and her daughter, my sister, lives in the house next door to my parents. We are still very close and I will always treasure our relationship. 

As I have grown older another woman came into my life. At first she was just my Sunday School Teacher. I will never confess to being a Biblical scholar, or even a hugely religious person. I believe in God and I know Jesus died for my sins. I don't have to go to church to have faith. I have it in my heart. However, when I was in Dana Lee's class I felt that I really and truly belonged. I felt that God had put us together so she could teach me more about Jesus's love for me. I enjoyed going to her class and listening to the lessons she would work long hours during the week to prepare. She was a very dedicated teacher and I was devastated when she had to quit teaching our class because of her health. She continued to sing in the choir with us and we became even closer. I call her my Church Mom. She never had any children of her own, but I love her as a mother and I truly believe she loves me as much as my own mother.

A mother's love is indescribable. I love my son with all of my heart. I can't even begin to write how much joy he has brought into my life. His accomplishments over the past 17 years have been more vast than I could ever had envisioned for him. During this school year alone, we have been to the School Board Meeting in our district no less than four times for various honors, including, but not limited to Academic Decathlon (1st in the district, region, and 3rd in the state) and National Merit Scholar.  In a little less than a month he will be giving a Salutatorian address during his graduation ceremony. I don't love him just because he is so successful. I am just very lucky to have such a talented son. Would I love him any less if he were not academically talented? No. 

I never truly understood my mother's love for me until I became a mother. I feel like I have been over protective of my son his entire life. I worried about him when he left the house to go spend the night with a friend, which didn't happen very often as he grew up. I would much rather have his friend over to our house. I was in control. As the time for him to go off to college is quickly approaching I see that I have done a great job of allowing him to grow his own wings. I am not thrilled with the prospect of him going off to college, but I know this is his time. He has earned this opportunity to fly off on his own, even if it is only 30 miles away. I will no longer be in control. He will be, but I believe he is very capable of making the right choice for him in any situation. We have raised our son well. He is loved and I truly believe he knows he is loved, just not how much. He will learn that someday when he is a father.

Well, all of that to get to the point of my review for Look Again. Sorry, I guess I was rambling, but it does come full circle. Ellen Gleeson is a reporter and a single mother to her adoptive son, three year old, Will. She adopted Will after developing a relationship with him while doing a story in a local hospital. He had been abandoned by his mother when a heart condition was diagnosed. On her arrival home one day Ellen finds in the mail one of these long white postcards we have all received. Instead of quickly looking at the picture, reading the description, and saying a swift prayer for the parents like the majority of us do each time one of these cards arrives in our mailbox, she studies the photo.  She she realizes she is looking at her son! 

The book goes through all of the emotions you would think would come from that kind of realization. She wants to investigate and find out if this child, who she has loved for over a year and a half, could be the child of the parents who have mourned him for the same time period. She is torn. If she finds out the truth what could happen to her legal adoption of her son? Ms. Scottoline does a wonderful job of showing the emotion of the characters and revealing a truly astonishing story of love, betrayal, and acceptance.

Playing Dead

I just finished reading one of the best books! It is the debut novel by Texas writer Julia Heaberlin, Playing Dead. It was the 2013 conference book for the Texas Library Association's One Book, One Conference program which was held in Fort Worth on Wednesday, April 24th. Unfortunately I was not able to attend the session because I was presiding over another session at the same time. I guess the best part for me is the story was not ruined for me through the discussion since I had not finished the book!

I loved this book so much I want to share everything about Tommie, Sadie, Maddie, and Hudson, but I won't because I want others to enjoy the book too. All I can say is that I loved everything about it, especially the setting! The book is set in and around Fort Worth, Texas, for the most part. I was surprised with the twists and turns in the book. As we grow up we all believe we know who we are and all about our parents. It can be shocking to find out, after the death of a parent that you really know nothing about yourself.

I highly recommend this book to lovers of Texas, mystery, and suspense. I can't wait for Ms. Heaberlin's next book, Lie Still, which is expected out July 9th.

Happy Reading!

Scaredy Squirrel Goes Camping

I had the wonderful opportunity to read Melanie Watt's new book Scaredy Squirrel Goes to Camp today. I have to say like all of her books, Ms. Watt captures your attention from the first page when the reader is warned to "check your zipper before reading this book." Scaredy Squirrels is always prepared and when it comes to camping he has all of his bases covered, down to the oatmeal for the three bears he may come across in the forest.

Young lovers of Scaredy Squirrel will love this new adventure in the woods. There are great maps, charts, and instructions to read throughout. It is not just a story book to be read, but a wonderful opportunity to share how to read each of this informational text.

I highly recommend this new addition to the fun and always entertaining collection of Scaredy Squirrel titles.

*To comply with new guidelines introduced by the Federal Trade Commission, Kids Can Press Limited has provided a complimentary electronic copy of this book through NetGalley.com.