Sesame Street - Brand New Readers

 

Candlewick Press has published the series Brand New Readers for over ten years. The addition of the Sesame Street characters is new to this wonderful series of books which are "short, funny stories with words and pictures that help children reading for the very first time succeed - and have fun!" Each book opens up to information for parents on "Helping Your Brand-New Reader". For parents of young children, these are wonderful tips in helping to make the child's reading experience a success. For instance before each of the four short stories included in each book there is an introduction. The first tip is to read the introduction to your child, then do a picture walk through the story. This will help your child see what is happening in the story and allows them to predict the text.

The Brand-New Readers series has always had fun stories for young readers, but the addition of the Sesame Street characters is exciting. I believe these characters will motivate young children to want to read the books. My young students flock to favorite characters' books all of the time. By making these books with predictable text and information for parents, I truly believe these titles will not be on the shelf for long. I highly recommend this series of Sesame Street Brand New Readers for preschool libraries and personal libraries of families with young children.

Goose and Bear (and Fox too)

Fox Forgets
by Suzanne Bloom

Goose and Bear are back again in their fifth book! As the title suggests, Fox is also back. In this tale, Goose is leaving to go somewhere (a satchel full of books leads the reader to believe to the library). Goose asks Fox to "be sure to tell Bear" that she will "be right back". As you can guess, Fox forgets. Bear wants to look for Goose, but Fox wants to play. They begin by playing Looking for Goose and then move to a game of Checkers. Bear is not concentrating on the game because he continues to search for his friend Goose. Two different times Fox tells Bear she has something to tell him, but each time it is about the game they are playing. Finally Fox remembers the message he is supposed to deliver, right as Goose is returning.

Fox Forgets, like all of the other books in the series [A Splendid Friend Indeed (a 2006 Texas 2x2 Reading List selection), Treasure, What About Bear?, and Oh! What a Surprise!] is beautiful because of its simplicity. The blue background with uncluttered double page spreads with minimal words and bright, colorful details. The inclusion of books in all of her illustrations helps to show the importance of reading and her love of books. I love Bear, Fox, and Goose, and I know children of all ages will be able to relate to their situations and relationship. Highly recommended for preschool and elementary school and home libraries.

I had the wonderful opportunity to meet and present with Suzanne Bloom during the 2006 Texas Library Association's Annual Conference. As a member of the Texas 2x2 Reading List Committee we selected Ms. Bloom's book A Splendid Friend Indeed as one of the twenty titles of books for children age two to grade two. We invited her to be a speaker during our session introducing the new reading list to the librarians of Texas. She was a very enthusiastic speaker. We had a wonderful time creating and learning together. Ms. Bloom was the first author invited to speak during these annual sessions. Since then each year an author / illustrator from the current list has been invited to attend and speak about their book, characters, routines, etc. It is a fun tradition I hope continues for many years to come.

Escaping with a Favorite Mystery Writer

I've Got You Under My Skin
Mary Higgins Clark

With the end of the school year quickly approaching, I decided to escape with a mystery by one of my favorite authors, Mary Higgins Clark. I have been reading MHC books for over twenty years. I always know I will be in for a great story, and she doesn't disappoint with I've Got You Under My Skin, her latest mystery.

The story actually involves two mysteries that come together in the end. The book begins with the murder of a young doctor while spending time with his young son on a playground in New York. The second murder is twenty year old unsolved case. The two come together when the widow of the young doctor, a television producer, sets in to motion the concept of a new television show centered around "cold cases". Laurie Moran contacts Robert Powell, the widower of Betsy Powell. Mrs. Powell was murdered twenty years ago following a lavish Graduation Gala for her daughter and three of her friends who had recently graduated from college.

I can't say the book was not somewhat predictable in certain places, but after reading MHC for so many years some of her writing tricks are recycled. Don't get me wrong. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and don't regret picking it up at all. It served the purpose for which I chose to read it ~ complete and utter escape.

So, for those of you in need of a great start to your summer reading, I would highly suggest ANY book written by Mary Higgins Clark. The mystery is well worth the suspense and the hours of missed sleep.

An East Texas Gone with the Wind

Roses
by Leila Meacham

Recently I posted a review of a book similar to my second favorite book Rebecca by Daphne duMaurier. The title of this 2014 homage is Alena. It was written by Rachel Pastan. You can read my review here. As you noticed I stated Rebecca is my second favorite book. Today I am reviewing a book written in 2010 by Leila Meacham, Roses. If Alena can be compared to Rebecca, then Roses most definitely is a Texas based Gone with the Wind.

The story takes place in the fictional East Texas town of Howbutker, in the Piney Woods. Covering a span of one hundred years in the lives of the families in the powerful timber and cotton industries, Roses intertwines the lives of these founding families with all aspects of a soap opera. The saga begins in recent times, remember the book was written in 2010. The use of a cassette recorder in one section eludes to a time period a little earlier than the then present. It is masterfully told in flashbacks through the character's stories, beginning with Mary's, then Percy's, and finally with Rachel's. Reading the details from each of the character's perspective is ingenious.

Meacham's new book, Somerset, published in 2014 is the prequel to Roses. Initially I thought about reading it first, but decided to wait. I will now start this new book which tells the story of the Tolivers, Warwicks, and DuMonts as they leave South Carolina and make their way to the what will become Howbutker, Texas. I look forward to the back story of these three families I came to love.

Locke & Key

The other day I received an email from the local public library announcing some of the new titles in their collection. As I was reading through the list, one of the titles caught my eye - Locke & Key: Alpha & Omega by Joe Hill. In the back of my head, I knew the author's name, but I couldn't recall any other titles. Since I could not remember how I knew this author's name, I Googled him, of course. Then it hit me. I knew the name because I read an article about him and his family last summer from The New York Times. Joe Hill is the son of Stephen and Tabitha King. If you are a fan of King's it is a must read article.

When I began to read the recommendation post, I realized, not only was this a book in a series, but it was the last book in a series. Which, if you read my last post, you will remember I like to begin reading a series once it has ended so I don't have to wait for the next book. I love anticipation (that is why Thursday is my favorite day of the week - it is all about the anticipation of Friday), but I don't want to wait too long, especially for an author to finish writing an entire book!

Locke & Key: Welcome to Lovecraft
by Joe Hill
illustrated by Gabriel Rodriguez

Any way, once I finished reading the email, I went immediately to the online catalog and placed the books on hold - yes all six volumes. I was able to get Volumes 1, 3, 4, 5 & 6 almost immediately. As soon as I got home I started reading the first book Welcome to Lovecraft. Not long after I started reading, I had to leave. So like I always do, I carried the book with me. Once I arrived at my destination, I had some free time, so I continued to read. I got through half of the book before it was actually time for me to get to my appointment. It took a great deal of self control to wait until I got home that evening to finish the book. As soon as I got home though, I sat down and finished it.

Wow! What a great story. I was hooked from the very beginning, even though it was a little difficult for me to follow at first. You see, this is not just any book. This is a graphic novel, which makes it even better, in my opinion because you have the illustrator's images to carry you through the story. Gabriel Rodriguez does a fantastic job of creating a haunting scene that perfectly encompasses Hill's dialogue.

I have read a few graphic novels over the years. I can't say they are my favorite. I was not a big comic book reader as a child. I will, however, say I was grabbed by the action immediately and did not want to put the book down. Now my biggest problem is the second book is still on hold. So, NOW I have to WAIT for the next book. It is driving me crazy!!! I hope it comes in soon. I must find out what happens to the Locke family.

UPDATE...

I finally got the text (and email) from the public library letting me know Volume 2 was ready for me to pick up. I couldn't get to the library quick enough. I spent the weekend with the Locke family and their twisted key adventures. Wow, what a trip. Like I said before the story grabbed me from the start and would not let me go. I was (an remain) fascinated by the variety of magical keys found by the Locke children (Giant key, Head key, Omega key, Shadow key, Mending key, just to name a few). I love the imagination Mr. Hill used in creating each of the keys and the wonderful background story of the keys which is first revealed in Volume 5 - Clockwork. I don't want to give any of the story line away because it is just so wonderful.

If you like Stephen King, you will LOVE his son. The mystery, plot twists, gore, and humor are combined to make a great series. I have to say I was very sad to see the series end. I thoroughly enjoyed this graphic novel series and look forward to reading more from the Hill & Rodriguez team.

Rizzoli (and Isles) ... the Beginning

So, if you read my previous post you know I started reading a Rizzoli & Isles book which just happened to be out of order. My CDO (I have to have it in order!!!) did not kick in while reading this book because I was so caught up in the story. However, once I finished reading The Silent Girl, I had to go back and start at the beginning. The Rizzoli & Isles series began when Tess Gerritsen wrote The Surgeon, written in 2001. Actually it would have just been Rizzoli at the time. Dr. Maura Isles is not introduced in this book. In fact, Jane does not play a huge roll in this book. If you are a fan of the television series on TNT, some of the events in The Surgeon have played out in earlier seasons of the show.

The Surgeon
by Tess Gerritsen

Since I had seen the episodes based somewhat on this book, I was not surprised by some of the events. However, I was not disappointed by this fact. Like all books, the writing was so much better than watching it on television. Don't get me wrong, Angie Harmon does a fabulous job portraying Jane Rizzoli (even if the character described in the book sounds nothing like the beautiful Texas native). My adrenaline for the characters was racing so much while reading the end of the book, I hardly knew the pages were flying by so quickly. Tami Hoag, on the cover of the book, appropriately states, "Grabbed me by the throat and didn't let go" (which is very ironic, once you have read the book).

I thoroughly enjoyed this book and will definitely read more of the books in this series (in order). Since the Season 4 finale aired Wednesday night, I'm not sure if I should go right into the next book in the series, or wait a little while. I don't want to read them so fast I finish the entire series and then have to wait! That would be horrible. I guess now you know why I choose to wait for some series to end. I'm not a very patient person when it comes to my reading habits.

Silent Girl ~ Journey into Chinese fables and the Monkey King

If you have been following me for some time, you will already know I love mysteries and thrillers. I loved Dexter Morgan (from Jeff Lindsay's great series about a serial killer) before Michael C. Hall brought him to life on television. Unfortunately I can't say the same for Tess Gerritsen's characters Rizzoli and Isles. My husband and I love to watch the series where the characters are portrayed by Angie Harmon (Jane Rizzoli) and Sasha Alexander (Maura Isles). I met Ms. Gerritsen during the summer of 2005 when we were both attending the American Library Association's Annual Conference in Chicago, Illinois. We briefly chatted together while waiting for my mother to make her way to our location in order to meet one of her favorite authors.

I have to admit, I did not read the book right away. I have a very difficult time reading autographed books. I am always worried something will happen to this prized possession and I would be simply devastated. So fast forward a number of years ~ about five years. It was only then I picked up one of Ms. Gerritsen's books because I heard the television series was going to be premiering during the summer. I wanted to have a head's up on these two characters. Did I start with the first book in the series? Of course not, that would be too logical! I started with book number eight in the series, Ice Cold. Thoroughly enjoyed the book and the characters so I knew instantly I would love the series, which we are advid watchers.

Now, life and other books have followed. I don't know why I did not pick up another Gerritsen book until this week, but that is exactly what happened. Did I pick up book number one...no. Again I went with a newer title, not the latest, but number ten in the series (currently there are twelve books), The Silent Girl.

The Silent Girl
by Tess Gerritsen

The book was inspired by Ms. Gerritsen's mother's telling of Chinese fables, specifically the main character in Wu Cheng'en's Journey to the West, Sun Wukong, also known as the Monkey King. The book opens in San Francisco where a young girl is being observed by an unknown narrator. We then move forward seven years when we are introduced to a nineteen year old mystery in Boston's Chinatown, the incident at the Red Phoenix, by a young man telling ghost stories to tourists. The characters in the book are centered around the victim's family members and those involved in the almost two decades old investigation. The thrill and mystery remains exciting through the entire read. I thought I had the storyline figured out, but was delighted by the twist Ms. Gerritsen inserted to keep her readers on their toes. I had to make myself to go to bed without finishing the book last night, but picked it up and completed it as quickly as I could today. I have already checked out the first book in the series, The Surgeon. It is my understanding that although it is the first in the series, the television series is actually based more on the second book in the series, The Apprentice. I'm sure I will read it as well. I'm hooked now Ms. Gerritsen. Way to add more books to the list of books I will never finish before I die. Well played.