Milk & Bookies: Get Involved!

-posted by Meghan

I got to go to this amazing charity event last weekend for an LA based group called Milk & Bookies.  We’re big into book charities (obviously), and I’d heard of them before, seeing the tables at the LA Times Festival of Books, and places like that.  I just have focused my book giving into my immediate circle of family, friends, donating used books, and raising funds for the kids’ school library.  But this charity event really put Milk & Bookies on my radar, and I think it should be on yours.  Here’s why.

I love that their goal is two-fold: to get books in the hands of kids that need them, but also to inspires kids to give, and use books as the “currency” of their giving.  Six years old is also a fabulous time to introduce this concept to kids.  (Not that it’s ever too soon or too late, but still, this is the perfect time!)  If six-year-oldness can be extrapolated from the two examples I live with (and I’m going to do just that, as they are very opposite little people, who behave the same way when it comes to charity), it’s a set of opposing values.  They are unfailingly generous and warm hearted, wanting to give money and bursting into tears at the idea of hungry and homeless people; they are also rather myopic and selfish, thinking the world begins, ends, and revolves around themselves.  So I loved the idea of books as “currency”, and as a way to explain people going without, and also a way to teach them to give.  And love giving.

I can tell you more about the cool charity event – wait, I’ll do that with pictures:

There were celebrity readers (Julie Bowen was our favorite, a little because she read Elephant & Piggie, but mostly because she clearly has young kids and knew how to read to them!).

There were awesome arts and crafts, all made out of recycled books.

There were characters meeting and reading to the kids (Tinkerbell was the only one Molly would pose with, but Max from Where the Wild Things Are was their #1 favorite.)

Of course there were milk & cookies everywhere (best way to get a kid to love you!).

Everything was bookie, even the decor.  Like this giant bear, made of old books.

BUT, the best thing was the emphasis on giving.  With all that going on, Molly & Jacob’s favorite activity was the “donate” room.  It was brilliant – a room filled with books that you could pick out, create a bookplate for:

And then donate it to kids who need books by putting it in a big blue box.  Then you could ding a big bell and everyone would clap for you.  Then you got a sticker, which Jacob was inordinately proud of:

And I, in turn, was crazy stupid proud of them (and grateful to Milk & Bookies for inspiring them and me) when we drove home and I asked them their favorite part of the day, and they chorused, without thought: “Donating books!”  (That won out over unlimited cookies, which I had thought impossible.)

So, Milk & Bookies reminded me how important it is to give books, not only to those we know, but also to those we don’t.  And also how important it is to instill a love of giving in our kids.  And they inspired me to make a Milk & Bookies drive one of our goals for the year – hosting one at our home, or school, and implementing all the tricks I learned at the charity event.  I hope it’s inspired you, too.  (Here’s where you can learn how to host one at your home or school, too.)

One last thing.  Milk & Bookies also instituted a new award this year,  the Bookies Bravo Award to books that reinforce the message of giving. The first recipient of the Bookies Bravo Award is Mimi & Maty to the Rescue! by Brooke Smith, illustrated by Alli Arnold.

They gave us a copy, which we came home and read.  And loved.  It also came with a notebook, which makes sense when you read the book, and Jacob began writing in it right away.  The book is wonderful for kids (the pictures and notebook entries make it fun for them visually), perfect for the learning to read crew, but also a fun read aloud.  It makes the point of helping others (animals, in this case) without preaching or batting you on the head, even the tiniest bit.  Molly & Jacob were both inspired to become animal rescuers, and it also inspired another great giving idea – we had a birthday party to get a gift for, and they agreed instantly that this book is a perfect gift.  Don’t skip the “about the author” pages at the end – the book was written by the real Mimi’s mom, and they are both wonderful inspirations in giving.

(The photo to the right is Jacob, writing in his Mimi & Maty notebook.)

Coming Soon: Hans Christian Anderson’s Birthday

April 2nd is Hans Christian Anderson’s Birthday and–no coincidence–International Children’s Book Day.  This is truly one of our favorite celebrations of the year.  It’s right around the corner, so it’s time to prepare and have books on hand. We’ve blogged enthusiastically about this holiday before; for more information and book recommendations, check out our writings on International Children’s Book Day.  But we can’t resist  reminding everyone of a great reason to celebrate books, and the birthday of an important children’s book author.

This year, we want to highlight a couple of gorgeously illustrated Hans Christian Anderson fairy tales  that are true to the original story:

The Snow Queen by Hans Christian Anderson, illustrated by Vladyslav Yerko

The illustrations by award-winning Ukrainian artist Vladyslav Yerko make this book truly one of the most beautiful picture books you hold in your hands. The story of friendship, venturing out into the world, and the magical elements of the magic mirror, evil demons, how our memories shape us are timely today in this classic tale.  This is a wonderful coffee-table book; adults and children alike are drawn to it and can’t put it down.

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The Little Mermaid by Hans Christian Anderson, illustrated by Charles Santore

This is definitely not the  Disney-fied version so many expect.  Instead, this is the original tale–one of love, hope, sacrifice–and not a happy ending, though one that keeps working on readers and sparks rich discussions.  The illustrations by award-winning modern artist Charles Santore are gorgeous–kids we know don’t want to hurry to turn the page. There’s simply too much captivating art to tempt the eye to wander and linger.   We’re often asked what age this book and story are most appropriate for.  You know the children in your lives best to make that decision, but in our experience, around 8 years old and older are particularly intrigued and ready to dig into the tale as told  by master storyteller Hans Christian Anderson.

Wonder Woman: One for You and One for Me

~posted by Ruth

I grew up fascinated by Wonder Woman, the comic book version.  What’s not to love?  She’s the perfect hero, IMHO:  brave, strong, courageous, a true feminist, and gotta love her outfit.  She continues to be an inspiration to women of all ages–and she is experiencing a kind of renewed interest with the popularity these days of both comics and graphic novels.  Our own Molly is a perfect modern-day Wonder Woman hero, as you can see from last fall’s Halloween costume.  She’s even got the attitude down!  So enjoy sharing the history and adventures of Diana Prince, aka Wonder Woman.  Read the picture book first, to re-acquaint yourself and share the original story with your little ones–then dig into the comprehensive and fascinating adult version.  You’ll be hooked!

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Wonder Woman:  The Story of the Amazon Princess by Ralph Cosentino

This excellent picture book is a terrific introduction to Wonder Woman.  The text is clear and straightforward, and the pictures are bright, bold, and captivating.   The Amazon Princess’ mission to promote peace and kindness is still timely, and the story of how Diana became a hero dedicated to protecting humanity is presented in a way that gives power to her legend.   Of course, it’s great for girls–but also for young boys to learn about this amazing and intriguing woman hero.

AND

Wonder Woman:  Amazon.  Hero. Icon. by Bob Greenburger

What a history Wonder Woman has! From serving in the Army in World War II to helping launch Ms. magazine with Gloria Steinem, she was and is a trailblazer for women in the 20th and 21st centuries. The illustrations alone make the book worth your while:  over 250, beginning in the 1940′s and through the book’s publication a year ago in 2012.  The excerpts from essays across the decades show Wonder Women’s changes and impressive impact over the years. I especially love the large reprinted sections from original comics.  Dig into this one, and share with all ages.

Comic and Graphic Novels for Tweens

~ posted by Ruth

If you’re looking for a way to connect young tween readers with books that hold their interest, graphic novels are a terrific resource.  When I look around the sixth-grade classroom I visit weekly during reading workshop, at least a quarter of the kids are immersed in graphic novels or comic formats for their reading.  These books keep them coming back for more–which gives them the practice they need to become more and more involved and dedicated readers. If comics and graphic novels  are a new genre for you, you will be surprised at the range of kinds of stories, including non-fiction, that are available.  And they require all the kinds of comprehension, decoding, sequencing, and other skills good readers rely on.  Here’s a few recent graphic novels for tweens to get you started.

Zita the Space Girl by Ben Hatke

Zita becomes an intergalactic hero when she flies off to rescue her friend Joseph who was abducted by aliens.  The cult of Scriptorians plan to sacrifice Joseph in a  ritual to prevent the destruction of their planet.  Picking up side-kicks along the way and encountering amazing sights and strange creatures, Zita our spunky hero, prevails.  It’s fun and funny, clever, and ultimately satisfying.  Kind of a science fiction version of Alice and Wonderland/The Wizard of Oz.  And there’s more in the series!

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Bad Island by Doug TenNapel

Shipwrecked on an island!  Not the kind of family vacation Reese and his family had envisioned.  And it only gets worse, with strange plants, island inhabitants, and a mystery. Think tiny people, robots, evil dynasties, slaves. . . Inevitable comparisons to The Swiss Family Robinson, or even the TV show Lost (especially with the flashbacks and mysterious events).  Great conversation starter for kids and friends and families. Good storytelling and intriguing illustrations.

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Bill the Boy Wonder:  The Secret Co-Creator of Batman by Marc Tyler Nobleman, illustrated by Ty Templeton
Time to learn about a forgotten hero of the comics genre–Bill Finger.  Turns out he was the co-creator and actual inventor of the Caped Crusader and his side-kick Robin, though he never received full credit in his lifetime.  The illustrations are comic book style in this picture book, with the text “boxed” with the panels.  The history of this creative author/illustrator makes fascinating reading–in the very first panels, we learned he changed his name from Milton to Bill at an early age because of discrimination against Jews. Kids love the story, and so do their parents–and grandparents!  A great companion:  Batman Chronicles, Volume I, which includes the original early adventure of Batman and Robin.

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Bone: Volume I:  Out from Boneville by Jeff Smith

For 20 years, the Bones series has been drawing in readers from Grade 5 up with its terrific drawings, great adventures, and witty writing.  Now at 9 volumes, there is plenty to appreciate in this comic series.  In this first book, we meet Bones and the cast of characters–the three main characters are the Bone cousins, thrown out of town, and stumbling through a Lord of the Rings type saga.  Don’t wait to dig into this series–it’s already considered a classic!

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Into the Volcano by Don Wood

Another vacation gone awry.  In this one, brothers Sumo and Duffy are trapped on a remote volcanic island about to explode. Fantastically illustrated by award-winning picture book artists and writer Don Wood, this stunning graphic novel is mystery, coming-of-age, and a gripping adventure.   Each page is a beautiful work of art in itself; the characters themselves really come alive.  How’s this for a recommendation?  In reference to this book, one reviewer wrote:   “the American Library Association will either have to start handing Caldecott Medals over to comic books or create an entirely new award for them.”

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Baby Mouse #1: Queen of the World by Jennifer and Matthew Holm

Babymouse is a spunky little mouse who is something of a wiseguy.  In her mouse-tween world, she imagines being at the height of popularity.  Of course, that would include being invited to Felicia Furrypaws party. . . But is it worth betraying Willie Weasel, her loyal friend?  Welcome to middle school in the mouse world.  Really humorous storylines and wonderful energetic artwork add to the appeal of this series.   And please note:  Baby mouse is a reader!  Her room has stacks of books.   And speaking of stacks of books, Babymouse’s adventures are up to #14.

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To Dance:  A Ballerina’s Graphic Novel by Sienna Cherson Siegel, illsurtated  by Marc Siegel

To Dance is a graphic novel with a difference: it is a fine autobiography of a contemporary dancer, born in Puerto Rico, who emigrates to the US.  Her growth as a dancer, and tragic accident at age 18 create a moving story, enhanced by the watercolor and ink illustrations that dance across the pages of this inspirational graphic novel.  Great for ballet lovers who will learn the inside story of what it takes to become a professional ballerina.  But non-dancers will love it as well, for the honest and engaging voice and fantastic artwork.

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Comics and Graphic Novels for Early Readers

Kids LOVE graphic novels!  What’s not to love?  Pictures and details and interesting stories to pore over, of course–and now there are so many that have the added attraction of good stories with thoughtful and interesting themes.  While some adults continue to bemoan the popularity of comics and graphic novels, here at Lit for Kids, we embrace them.  Molly and Jacob, who just turned six, and perfect examples of book-loving, reading-loving, graphic-novel loving early readers.  They especially appreciate the chance to go off and read and reread and figure out these books on their own (though you’ll still find them cuddling on Mom and Dad’s and Grandma and Grandpa’s laps to read the comics together).  It’s hard to choose which ones to recommend out of so many good ones, so we are just starting with some of our favorites.  As we add to our collections this year, we plan to add  more lists, so stay tuned!

Polo by Regis Faller

Wordless picture books are terrific for young readers to practice their story-reading skills, focusing on the details of pictures, holding ideas as they turn pages, delighting in a well-told story, and talking about a satisfying plot.  The Polo books ( this is the first in a collection of Polo adventures) have the bonus of helping young children see the conventions of comics.  The story unfolds almost like film animation, as Polo has many magical adventures across the ocean, around the world, and even into space. Polo, a sweet and clever little dog,  has all the resources he needs in his small backpack, which magically can hold everything he needs. Perfect for kids in the 4 to 8 year-old range–though older and younger  audiences appreciate it as well.

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Silly Lilly and the Four Seasons by Agnes Rosenstiehl

Readers meet feisty little Lily and share her sense of wonder through the 4 seasons. Simple cartoons with a few words tell the story of each seasonal adventure. It’s a wonderful introduction to the conventions of comics, too, with simple panels, bold illustrations, word bubbles, and the added benefit of large print. It’s quite repetitious, which may put off adult readers, but young children appreciate the simplicity and format.  Originally written in French, this book is penned by one of the most beloved and famous children’s book authors of France.

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Benny and Penny in the Big No-No! by Geoffrey Hayes, illustrated by Jeffrey Thompson

This Benny and Penny adventure is written in a graphic novel format that is very accessible to young readers. The drawings can only  be described as charming, to readers of all ages.  Benny and Penny are a little mouse brother and sister duo ( who make very believable children!) When they see they have a new neighbor, Benny becomes convinced that she has stolen his sand pail. Though it’s a “no-no” to go into the neighbor’s yard, they trespass, and a mudpie battle ensues. Just the right combination of slapstick humor–and an underlying theme about apologizing after acting badly.  No wonder this book is the winner of the Theordore Seuss Geisel Award!

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A Day ay the Fire Station by Lori Mortensen

Another large print, early reader graphic novel that is sure to grab the attention of the young fire-fighter set.   Less a story than a tour through “a day in the life of. . .,” this non-fiction comic book shows just what happens when a fire alarm goes off.  Perfect for 21st century fire-fighter wannabees with the large images of the GPS systems, maps, and special cameras that show the hidden hot spots.

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Owly:  The Way Home and Bittersweet Summer, Volume I  by Andy Runton

Owly and Wormy live together in the friendly forest in classic “best friend” fashion (a la Frog and Toad) .  The books are nearly wordless and depend very much on the graphics, especially Owly’s significant big-eyed looks.  Owly is, well, an owl, but he is a gentle and tender soul that grabs at your heartstrings, whether you are an early reader or an adult.  And lucky for us, there is a whole series of volumes of Owly stories–5 at last count.  Enjoy!

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Guinea Pig:  Pet Shop Private Eye 1:  Hamster and Cheese by Colleen Venable, illustrated by Stephani Yue

Sasspants is a guinea pig–and a pet store private eye.  She and Hamisher ( a koala-hamster) conduct their inquires throughout the pet store, questioning suspects (like a parrot and the rabbits). Sasspants is a relunctant detective–she basically wants to be left alone.   It’s a fun mystery, and the comics panels are quite easy for young readers to follow.  Kids enjoy the silly mistakes the animals make, and some of the panels are laugh-out-loud funny.

WHILE YOU WERE SLEEPING: FUN FACTS THAT HAPPEN AT NIGHT: A Review

~posted by Ruth

While You Were Sleeping:  Fun Facts That Happen at Night by Steve Murray and Matthew Murrie, illustrated by Tom Bloom

“News flash!  The human brain does NOT turn off when we go to bed at night.”  With that lead, the authors frame and answer a multitude of fascinating questions about what our brain–nearly as active at night when we’re sleeping as when we’re awake–does at night.  The first section on the human body tells us what happens to our skin, heart , and other organs while we’re sleeping, and we get to learn fascinating trivia along the way.  For example, your toe and fingernail growth slow down while you’re sleeping. . .and did you know that the nails on your dominant hand grow faster than on your other hand?

Enough about humans, what about sleep and animals?  Did you know the armadillo gets 16 hours of sleep a night?  Or that the vampire flying frog changes color from a dull tan during the day to a bright red at night?

Other tidbits from the pages on Nature:  Since the earth’s surface never sleeps, “you don’t wake up in the same place you went to sleep.”  Would you be willing to stay up all night to see the blooming cereus cactus, which blooms on only one night a year, and by the time the sun comes up, its flowers have withered away?

I love the section on space, with information on things I never thought wonder about.    Like where does sunlight go when you go to bed?  Which planet would be the worst one to fly a kite–and why would it need to be at night?

All this and more, with short humorous descriptions on all kinds of interesting facts that make you want to know more about what happens after dark.  And the authors and illustrator manage to fit in lots more as side-notes, additional thoughts, and pictures sure to grab the attention of tweens and early adolescents.  I must admit, I was hooked, too.  A great resource especially for  non-fiction loving young readers in your life.

Recommended: THE RAVEN BOYS

-posted by Meghan

This one is oddly personal to me.  So it may be that you wouldn’t love it as much as I did.  But if you’re YA crazy, like me, Hollywood, and apparently, the rest of the world, I think you’ll really enjoy it…

The Raven Boys, by Maggie Stiefvater
Synopsis:
What should feel like a very familiar tale (young love triangle, supernatural elements, attractive teen angst, family drama – all that’s missing is a dystopic future setting) manages to feel fresh in Steifvater’s (The Scorpio Races) capable hands.  While Scorpio was perhaps a better written book, this is the book that pulls you in.  The characters are more relatable.  Blue is the main character – a girl growing up in a family of psychics without any ability of her own, except a strange ability to magnify the gifts of others.  She lives in a prep school town, where the smart local girls know not to mess with the Aglionby boys.  And then Blue (of course) falls in with a quartet of boys, all with secrets of their own.  One of whom she has seen dead.  And he just might be her true love. Oh, and she’s been burdened with the knowledge that if she kisses her true love, he’ll die.  All that sounds far more soapy than it comes across – and explaining that doesn’t even touch the search for a long dead Welsh King, or the workings of the ley lines the boys (and others) have been searching for for year.  All of that plotting is almost incidental to the heart of the story – the story of friendships and love between friends.  Because much more than romance, the love is between the boys who form a family, and the girl they allow into their group.  Since this is a planned series, the romances which begin in this book will surely become more integral to the plot, but for this first book, it’s about friendship.  And that’s a pretty great core story for any age to read.

Hey, Hollywood, listen up!
It’s no secret that I love YA books.  But there have been so many, and they have become so formulaic (and transparent in their attempts to score movie deals and become the next Twilight) that I’ve almost had to stop reading new ones.  And the ones that do actually  get made into movies look so horrifically miscast (except Hunger Games!) that they ruin the books for me (Beautiful Creatures and City of Bones cast inept lead actresses, and even Insurgent cast a good actress who is completely wrong for the role in Shailene Woodley – but may redeem it with the casting of Kate Winslet) and I now can’t even finish reading the series.  I mean, this isn’t Harry Potter, but I do feel strangely protective of these characters, and really hope they don’t get ruined by a bad movie.  So please, Hollywood, stop trying to make a quick buck on churning out movies based on books that actually mean something to people.  And YA writers?  Take a page from Maggie Steifvater’s book, and write some characters that we can relate to, with no thought of a million dollar book deal.  Thank you.

How about you?  What books do you feel a connection to, and oddly protective of?  And have you read this?  Do I like it out of proportion?