"Twilight" Book Review

by Lily Andrews

Twilight is a wonderfully imaginative and believable fiction novel written by author Stephenie Meyer. Bella, a teenage girl hailing from Phoenix, makes the decision to leave her beloved home town and all of her friends. She heroically sacrifices her happiness for that of her mother, because her new and adored step-father Phil, is a professional baseball player. She moves to a town called Forks, on the dreary Olympic Peninsula to live with her father, Charlie, so that her mother can be free to travel with her new husband Phil.

The town of Forks is where the story truly begins. As it unfolds, we find Bella being highly agitated, annoyed and frustrated , but also extremely attracted and curious about the mysterious Edward Cullen, who attends her new high school. There is something strangely curious about Edward and his four other siblings. They are all remarkably beautiful. They always sit alone in the cafeteria, and never eat or drink anything. His hands are so cold, and his eyes dramatically change color.

Edward warns Bella that it is not safe for her to be around him, but does not heed his own warning. Edward realizes that the intensity of their passion could drive him over the edge and put Bella's life in danger. He lusts for her blood because he is a vampire! They share an irresistible attraction for each other, and cannot keep apart from each other, despite the danger. It is through this dangerously necessary relationship that Bella and Edward fall in love. She learns Edwards family guarded secret. They are all vampires! Despite the blood-lust that Bella arouses, she is safe with Edward and his family not only because of Edwards love for her, but because the family patriarch has sworn the family to renounce human prey.

Edward and his family become entwined in a desperate struggle to protect and preserve the life of the fragile human Bella, when a group of rogue tracker vampires fixate on her. They will do anything to taste her blood, and will stop at nothing until they have her.

Will Edward and the members of his family be able to control the instinct aroused within them? Will they be able to save Bella from the rogues?

This novel is highly suggested with a rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars. If you enjoy reading Harry Potter, you will enjoy the imaginative brilliance of Stephenie Meyers' Twilight . It is a fantastic read that is hard to put down once you start!

By: Lily Andrews
To Get You Copy Of "Twilight", please visit:
http://www.healthybody.netne.net/1_12_BEST-SELLING-HARD-PAPERBACK-BOOKS-

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Book Review of the Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman

by Bob Morse

Over two decades ago, Neil Gaiman truly revolutionized the comic book industry with his amazing work in the comic book industry. Roughly 8 years ago, Gaiman made the transition into novel writing and his work has been nothing short of spectacular. This is evidenced in the release of his novel, The Graveyard Book.

On the surface, this book appears to be a horror novel but upon reading the first few chapters, it becomes obvious this is more than a run of the mill horror yarn. This is an incredibly multifaceted work that is truly one of the more unique and interesting works of dark (and, for that matter upbeat) fantasy on bookstore shelves.

The plot of this work is one of the more original narratives to come down the proverbial pike in many years. The novel is the tale of Nobody Owens. When Nobody was born, his family was murdered by an assassin. Nobody, however, was spared in a very unique way: he found himself in a cemetery where he immediately fell under the protection of the ghosts that inhabited the cemetery. These ghosts not only protect Nobody. They raise him from a newborn through his adolescence. Of course, this makes for quite the unique upbringing since the dynamic between ghosts and humans is quite different.

Therein exists much of the allegorical components to the tale. The differences between ghosts and humans are a microcosm of the differences between people in general. The irony of the relationship between Nobody and the ghosts centers on the fact that humans share many of the same differences. From this, we can watch the interaction between the characters from a different perspective that allows us to examine human relationships within a framework that includes spiritual, astral beings. Yes, Gaiman is a creative author and that is what makes his work so engaging.

Of course, the ending of the novel yields a confrontation between Nobody and the assassin that murdered his family. While the confrontation does follow some of the conventions of a traditional revenge tale, there are enough "spins" present that the confrontation never becomes predictable or derivative. No, Gaiman is a far more talented author than one that would deliver little more than "the same old, same old".

What makes this an engaging work is that it harkens back to the days of gothic, grim children's literature. In time, children's literature - which was quite dark in previous centuries - began to soften and lose its bite. While this book is clearly written for and marketed to adults, Gaiman still is successful in bringing back the weird genre conventions of dark children's fantasy. This is why it stands out as such a unique work which further contributes to its popularity.

Those looking for a thoroughly original and engaging work of dark fiction will certainly enjoy reading The Graveyard Book.

Far too often, fantasy books are cut from the same mold. With Gaiman's work, this is certainly not the case as his innovative and visionary style is among the most original a reader could discover.

(The Graveyard Book which came out in October 2008 has won the Newbery Award which is one of the most distinguished awards for children's books. The book has also been nominated for a Hugo Award. First editions of the book should prove to be very collectible. Signed first editions have already appreciated considerably.)

Bob Morse has been collecting books for 11 years. His website http://www.book-collecting-tips.com contains collecting tips and a list of books he has been collecting recently. Also, each month a collectible Book of the Month book is selected for its appreciation potential.

The Pros and Cons of Digital Books For Children

by Jeanette McLeod


Children need to be exposed to books and reading to improve their literacy levels including their vocabulary knowledge. The wider variety of reading matter they are exposed to can develop these skills. Parents/carers play a critical role in exposing children to reading as well as providing the support and encouragement every child needs. However parents/carers can often be too busy to invest the amount of time needed reading with their children to develop these literacy skills.
 
So what about other formats available alongside paper books? There are a number of digital or ebooks that are available on the market that require less of the parent/carers time that can supplement a child's exposure to books and reading. They should be seen as complimentary not a replacement as nothing can replace the bond that is created between a parent/carer and child when cuddled up with a book. This article explores the pros and cons of digital books for children.
 
Here are the pros of why you should consider digital books for children;

·         A child can get exposure to left to right reading, modelled fluency, and the opportunity to associate sounds and letter groupings/words as the text is highlighted and the audio reads along.
·         A child can listen to a story they love time and time again without adult support and the repetition element for young children is vital in their learning process.
·         Emerging readers can read stories to themselves and if they do not recognise a word they can click on a particular word and hear it spoken without having to interrupt the story and wait for adult intervention.
·         Reading electronic books can be very engaging medium for reluctant readers.
 
Here are the cons of why you may not want to invest in digital books for your children.

• You need to be assured of the quality of the book before you purchase it. There are some sites that offer very poor quality books that are badly illustrated or are a PDF version of a hard copy book. Check that you can view inside the first few pages or better still a reputable site should offer free examples of books so that you can see the quality on offer.
• Some digital books do not have any functionality such as read along or click on a word. These digitals books will not support your child reading by themselves and will need much more adult intervention. Stick to paper books in this case.
• Digital books are not designed to replace cuddling up and having the human bond of sharing a book. You should not purchase ebooks as a replacement for this activity more that they are in addition to this activity.
• Do not purchase digital books where there is advertising on the site. If you leave your child alone with a computer then they may click through to inappropriate sites from these adverts.

Digital books are not meant as a replacement to paper books or the bond that can be created in sharing a book together. They are meant as an additional resource to encourage children to read more and instil a love of books that will last a lifetime and improve literacy levels. Be sure to check the quality of the product before you buy to make sure it has the functionality that can help your child to read independently. Try the books with your child before you buy to make sure they are suitable. Digital books can be a great medium for encouraging children to read more. In turn their literacy and vocabulary levels will improve.

 

Jeanette McLeod
http://wizz-e.com
Bringing the Magic of Books to Life

Recycle This Book - 100 Top Children's Book Authors Tell You How to Go Green

by Lori Calabrese

Albert Einstein said it best when he stated that "Example isn't another way to teach, it is the only way to teach." And let's face it, young people today learn from many influential people- the most important being their parents, but also teachers, friends and even athletes and celebrities. So when we teach kids about the importance of reducing, reusing, and recycling, they should be seeing and hearing it straight from the horse's mouth!

Recycle This Book: 100 Top Children's Book Authors Tell You How to Go Green is a collection of essays from renowned children's books authors. As the title indicates, 100 authors come together to compile simple tips for families to use to help save the planet and have fun while doing it. Some of the authors include Ann Brashares, Susan Beth Pfeffer, Bruce Coville, Daniel Pinkwater, Jack Prelutsky, Jane Yolen, Eve Bunting, Laurie Halse Anderson, Jon Scieszka, and Rick Riordan.

Did you know Gail Gibbons heats her Vermont home with solar panels? And Anne Brashares, author of "Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants," doesn't own a car! There are so many gems in this book which make it a great tool to teach young readers how they can help make the Earth a greener place. I think it's wonderful that young readers can learn from their favorite authors.

For example:

Gennifer Choldenko, author of "Al Capone Does My Shirts," suggests buying reusable water bottles, putting each person's name on them and filling them with water from the tap.

Jane Yolen suggests eating leftovers for breakfast: don't throw food away.

Joseph Bruchac ("Buffalo Song") suggests to reuse and recycle paper and envelopes.

What I like about this book is that you'll find ideas you might not have thought of before or you'll realize that great minds think alike! Either way, it gives you the chance to peek into the lives of people that bring you your favorite stories, and the ultimate result is making a positive impact on Mother Earth.

Additional Information:

Edited by: Dan Gutman
Reading level: Ages 9-12
Paperback: 288 pages
Publisher: Yearling (March 24, 2009)
ISBN-10: 0385737211
ISBN-13: 978-0385737210

Lori Calabrese is a freelance writer who specializes in parenting and children in both her personal and professional life. Lori's publishing credits include Boys' Life, Odyssey, Appleseeds, Focus on the Family Clubhouse Jr., Stories for Children Magazine, and The Institute of Children's Literature's Rx for Writers. Lori is a graduate of The Institute of Children's Literature and a member of The Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators.

To learn more, please visit http://www.loricalabrese.com

Spiritual Book Recommendations For Young Children

by Lisa Erickson

According to a recent Pew Research poll on religion, a growing number of Americans define themselves as 'spiritual but not religious'. Those of us in this group want to introduce our children to spirituality, but outside of any particular religious context. A good way to do this is through books. What follows is a list of picture books for children 3-9 years old that cover spiritual themes such as gratitude, compassion, connectivity, and contemplation, outside of any single religious tradition. Reading these to your children is a great way to open up discussion about spiritual themes. I have 'tested' them all out on my own daughter, and included her reactions.

The Golden Rule, by Ilene Cooper - "Treat others the way you would like to be treated", a grandfather explains to his grandson, in this lovely introduction to compassion and empathy. Grandpa goes on to explain how the golden rule is represented in six different religions. When I read this to my daughter, the real-world examples triggered lots of questions, particularly the picture of a sad little girl on her first day in a new school. "What would make her feel better?" asks the Grandpa in the book, and my real-life listener had plenty of ideas - "smile at her", "give her a toy", "show her the library", and more.

Thank You For Giraffes, by Vivian Husnik - A beautiful introduction to gratitude, told as a little girl's prayer of thanks. Spiritual but non-denominational, this book expresses thanks not only for things in the world but also for people, experiences, and joyful moments. The pictures are bright and unique, all in the form of handmade quilts. This book led naturally to a conversation with my daughter about everything in her life she is thankful for, and got her thinking beyond the usual 'my toys' and 'my birthday'.

Each Breath A Smile, by Sister Susan - This book is based on the teachings of Vietnamese Buddhist monk Thich Nhat Hanh, and written by a nun in one of his centers. It introduces children to mindful breathing and awareness, but steers clear of any explicit religious teachings. The text uses simple, repetitive phrases to create a sense of calm, and the pictures are in soothing but cheerful pastel colors. Reading it was a meditation in itself, and both my daughter and I were noticeably more relaxed at the end.

All I See is Part of Me, by Chara Curtis - "All the plants, the animals and trees, Are in your light...and you are these." Told from the perspective of a boy in conversation with a star, this book highlights the theme of connectivity. The text is general enough to support any religious denomination, but it does have an explicitly spiritual message about valuing your own inner wisdom. Although I loved this book upon first reading it, I thought it might be too abstract for my daughter, but she loved it - the rhyming and bright pictures captured her interest.

God's Paintbrush, by Sandy Eisenberg Sasso - Written by the second woman to be ordained as a rabbi, and the first to become a mother, this book presents a series of scenarios and questions designed to help children explore different aspects of God. From watching clouds, to the changing seasons, to feeling lonely, this book uses experiences young children can readily relate to as springboards for spiritual questions. The vision of God that emerges is anthropomorphic in nature, and this may make it more appropriate for those with Judeo-Christian leanings, but it is most definitely non-denominational, and its exploratory nature left room for a non-affiliated believer like myself to feel comfortable.

What is God?, by Etan Bortizer - Designed to answer a child asking 'what is God?', this book provides both a poetic and open-ended vision, and introduces the idea of world religions by exploring the different ways each view God. It includes a page on each religion's holy books, and even touches on the concept of religious intolerance and disagreement. If you have a very orthodox view of God, this book might not be for you, but if you consider yourself more interfaith-oriented, it is perfect. It was a bit wordy for my four-year old, but I think she will grow into it.

A Child's Book of Blessings and Prayers, by Eliza Blanchard - Written by a Unitarian Universalist minister, this lovely collection is the perfect way to introduce children to prayer. It includes dozens of child-size blessings, poems and prayers, drawn from all the world's major religions, and many other cultural traditions. Ranging from mealtime to bedtime, birthdays, holidays and everything in between, you will find a little prayer in here to cover just about anything.

Honorable Mentions:

There are three books by contemporary spiritual teachers/authors that I enjoy, but they are geared for slightly older children (9-12 or so.) However, you can paraphrase them a bit for younger children, so they are still worth trying with younger chidren:

Milton's Secret, by Eckhart Tolle

Emma and Mommy Talk to God, by Marianne Williamson

The Little Soul and the Sun, by Neale Donald Walsch

Use these books as a way of spurring conversation with your children, and you can foster their spirituality while encouraging an interfaith or multi-cultural approach.

Lisa Erickson is a mom, meditation teacher, and writer. Visit her blog http://www.MommyMystic.wordpress.com for spiritual book reviews and information on meditation and spirituality.

Review: How We Know What We Know About Our Changing Climate by Lynne Cherry

by Lori Calabrese

We've all heard of global warming, but how many of us really know the facts behind it all? When our weather changes, how can we really tell that the Earth's climate is changing?

What I love about this book is that it presents all the evidence--evidence from flowers, butterflies, birds, frogs, trees, glaciers and much more gathered by scientists around the world. This non-scary (let's admit it- the whole global warming thing can be a little frightening) book is action-oriented, and is an inspiring look at how scientists do their work, what they're discovering about global warming and how kids really can make a difference.

The book focuses on students as an important part of the research teams assisting scientists in documenting the changes in our environment. Cherry explains how observation such as noting when birds first appear or when flowers begin to bloom can help bring about climate-change strategies. Students are featured gathering data about migrating birds and butterflies, the changing of the seasons, water quality and flow, tree growth, plant diversity and range, and frog populations.What a great idea to have your students or children learn about data and how they can help! She includes examples of how nature is changing such as migrations, melting ice caps and rising coastlines and how these changes have been observed. Then, she takes a look at what scientists do with their information. A great part of the book are the photographs that compare "now and then." What better way to learn about the importance of observation by seeing what the Athabasca Glacier looked like in 1917 and what it looked like in 2005.

It's attention to detail and the amount of text makes it best suited for young adults, but this hard to tackle information is laid out in a simple way for younger readers to understand. The combination of pictures and facts won't have you feeling as though you're reading a science book. It also won't have you feeling as though the end of the world is coming tomorrow, but instead it offers ways that you can help scientists in the "What You-and a Million Kids-Can Do" section. Projects are featured along with their teachers and students. Suggestions are presented on how to reduce your carbon "footprint" or impact on the environment such as recycling, using compact fluorescents instead of light bulbs, minimizing use of appliances and unplugging those not needed, eating less meat, buying less, and getting involved in the community.

Additional Information:

Author: Lynne Cherry
Illustrator: Gary Braasch
Reading level: Young Adult
Hardcover: 66 pages
Publisher: Dawn Pubns; Library Binding edition (March 3, 2008)
ISBN-10: 1584691034
ISBN-13: 978-1584691037

Lori Calabrese is a freelance writer who specializes in parenting and children in both her personal and professional life. Lori's publishing credits include Boys' Life, Odyssey, Appleseeds, Focus on the Family Clubhouse Jr., Turtle Magazine, Stories for Children Magazine, and The Institute of Children's Literature's Rx for Writers. Lori is a graduate of The Institute of Children's Literature, a member of The Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators, and the National Children's Books Examiner at Examiner.com (http://www.examiner.com/x-7597-Childrens-Books-Examiner/)

To learn more, please visit: http://www.loricalabrese.com

Top 10 Board Books For Toddlers

by Cammie Moise

Looking for a great book to read to your infant or toddler? I have put together a list of my Top 10 Board Books.

1. Time For Bed by Mem Fox - This was my favorite book to read to the kids before bed. I probably read this to my kids almost every night when they were between the ages of 1 and 4. My son is now 8 years old and he asked me to read it again the other night.
2. Pat the Bunny by Dorothy Kunhardt - My kids always loved this touch and feel book. Their favorite was always the pat the bunny page.
3. Goodnight Moon by Margaret Wise Brown - We always loved to try and find the mouse on each page.
4. The Very Busy Spider by Eric Carle - Fun book to read and to trace the spiders web with your finger
5. Guess How Much I Love You by Sam Mcbratney - I love the way they try to outdo each other when they describe their love.
6. The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle - Another favorite that includes the life cycle of the butterfly.
7. Big Red Barn by Margaret Wise Brown
8. Mr. Brown Can Moo! Can You? by Dr. Seuss - Fun book to read. We love to do the sounds over and over. Especially dibble dibble dop!
9. Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? by Bill Martin Jr. - My sons favorite! He loves for me to ask the question and then he answers on the next page. Great repetition book.
10. Silly Sally by Audrey Wood - Fun book to read anything silly is great with my kids. The pictures are funny.

We hope you enjoy the list

Cammie's blog site http://www.MomsMaterial.com gives moms ideas they want. She talks about books for kids and moms, party ideas, school, parenting, great gifts ideas and how to look good doing it all.

Mommy's Having a Watermelon by Danny and Kim Adlerman

by Lori Calabrese

"Mommy is having a watermelon.
I know it's crazy, but it's true."

In this laugh-out-loud story, children's book veterans Danny and Kim Adlerman bring to life that saying every expecting Mom dreads to hear, "You look like you've got a watermelon in there!"

Our main character, Zoe, knows something strange is happening to Mommy and this is the story of how she thinks it's all her fault. Early last summer at a family picnic, Zoe and her friend Madeleine had so much fun telling stories and jokes that a watermelon seed flew out of her mouth and landed right in Mommy's glass. A month later Mommy complains that she hasn't been feeling well and one day while her brother is patting Mom's growing stomach, he says, "You look like you've got a watermelon in there!" Zoe thinks it's all because of that seed she accidentally spit into her Mom's glass. Zoe spends a lot of time waiting and worrying, wondering where the melon would go after it came out of Mommy. Before long, the big day arrives, and the nurse lifts a bundle out of the cart. To Zoe's surprise, it's a baby girl- not a watermelon! Phew!

The story is in easy-reader format for children ages 7-10 and is told in six very short chapters, making it a quick and fun read. Halsey's art is a unique multi-media style that combines collage and watercolors. You really feel Zoe's dread and guilt as Mommy's belly is shown underneath a belly x-ray machine, and I enjoyed the 'science' picture of Mom swallowing the seed.

This is a great book to use as an introduction for "the big talk" and for those young readers who are curious as to where watermelons come from!

In addition to a wonderful story, there are bonus watermelon recipes in the back of the book, provided by the National Watermelon Promotion board, such as Frosted Watermelon and Watermelon in a Blanket.

Additional Information:

Authors: Danny and Kim Adlerman
Illustrator: Megan Halsey
Publisher: The Kids at Our House; April 15, 2009
Reading Level: 7-10
Pages: 44

Lori Calabrese is a freelance writer who specializes in parenting and children in both her personal and professional life. Lori's publishing credits include Boys' Life, Odyssey, Appleseeds, Focus on the Family Clubhouse Jr., Stories for Children Magazine, and The Institute of Children's Literature's Rx for Writers. Lori is a graduate of The Institute of Children's Literature, a member of The Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators, and the National Children's Books Examiner at Examiner.com (http://www.examiner.com/x-7597-Childrens-Books-Examiner/)

To learn more, please visit http://www.loricalabrese.com

Review: Porkenstein by Kathryn Lasky

by Lori Calabrese

"Dr. Smart Pig was a famous inventor, but he didn't have any friends..."

This is a Halloween book that can be enjoyed all year long. Most kids are fascinated with The Three Little Pigs and The Big Bad Wolf. So if you've read The Three Little Pigs a million times and need a bit of a change, then this is the book for you. You'll be happy to have a little variety in your life, and your young reader will be happy to still be hearing about the Big Bad Wolf.

The story begins with Dr. Pig who feels alone ever since the Big Bad Wolf ate his two brothers. Then he realizes, he's a famous inventor, so he can invent a friend. He sprints to his lab where he mixes up concoction after concoction. Kids will love the illustrations of his results--a pig fish, a pig bat. He just can't quite seem to get it right until finally, he thinks he's picked all the ingredients and out comes the biggest pig you've ever seen. And he's hungry. News of the giant pig spreads fast (I loved the illustration of the paparazzi snapping photos outside their house window) and the Big Bad Wolf catches a glimpse of the pig on TV. Thinking the pig would be a tasty meal, he heads off to Dr. Pig's house for a feast. In classic Big Bad Wolf style, he disguises himself in a Halloween costume and rings the bell to trick or treat. The giant pig answers the door and after they size each other up, it's the Big Bad Wolf who gets swallowed up by the pig. Nothing like a little payback!

This is a mad-scientist story that stresses the importance of friendship-- sure to bring laughs.

Additional Information:

Author: Kathryn Lasky
Illustrator: David Jarvis
Reading level: Ages 4-8
Hardcover: 40 pages
Publisher: Blue Sky Press (September 1, 2002)
ISBN-10: 059062380X
ISBN-13: 978-0590623803

Lori Calabrese is a freelance writer who specializes in parenting and children in both her personal and professional life. Lori's publishing credits include Boys' Life, Odyssey, Appleseeds, Focus on the Family Clubhouse Jr., Stories for Children Magazine, and The Institute of Children's Literature's Rx for Writers. Lori is a graduate of The Institute of Children's Literature, a member of The Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators, and the National Children's Books Examiner at Examiner.com (http://www.examiner.com/x-7597-Childrens-Books-Examiner/)

To learn more, please visit http://www.loricalabrese.com