Books on the Edge: Icky, Creepy and Bizarre

Are you looking for books that are kind of gross? Then you may be interested in a whole new set of books I've discovered. They are Edge Books from Capstone Press. Edge Books cover a really wide range of subjects.

Today's books are from 3 of their series: Horrible Things, Sanitation Investigation and Forensic Crime Solvers. Not for the faint-hearted!

HORRIBLE THINGS

 Terrifying, Bone-Chilling Rituals and Sacrifices by Kelly Regan Barnhill

Here are a few of the chapter headings, to give you a really good idea about what this book is all about: Self Mummification, Gladiators, Fire Walking, Human Sacrifices. Like I said, not for the faint-hearted!

Also in this series:

Bizarre, Creepy Hoaxes

Blood-Sucking, Man-Eating Monsters

Sick, Nasty Medical Practices

SANITATION INVESTIGATION

 Garbage, Waste, Dumps, and You: The Disgusting Story behind What We Leave Behind by Connie Colwell Miller

According to the author, most people in the U.S. produce about 4 pounds of garbage a day. That's an awful lot of trash. Read this book to find out about garbage, the history of dumps, the dangers of trash and more.

Also in this series:

Sewers and the Rats That Love Them: The Disgusting Story behind Where It All Goes 

Do You Know Where Your Water has Been? The Disgusting Story behind What You're Drinking

Getting to Know Your Toilet: The Disgusting Story behind Your Home's Strangest Feature

FORENSIC CRIME SOLVERS

 Blood Evidence by Barbara B. Rollins

Do you watch detective-type shows on TV? Lots of them show how forensic evidence such as blood and fingerprints are used. Blood Evidence gives background on blood, bloodstain patterns, DNA and other things crime scene investigators look at when investigating a crime.

Also in this series:

Cause of Death

Ballistics

Fingerprint Evidence

Handwriting Evidence

Word Evidence

Earth Evidence

Insect Evidence

These books won't appeal to all readers but if icky, creepy and bizarre are your thing, you'll love them!

Gail

Fun Sites: Graphic Novels for Kids

This week and last, I recommended some graphic novels I've enjoyed. Here are several sites where you can learn about lots more.

Graphic Novels for Libraries: Recommended Titles for Children and Teens

No Flying, No Tights: A graphic novel review Website 

Great Graphic Novels for Kids  

Comic Relief: 39 Graphic Novels That Kids Can't Resist

Cooperative Children's Book Center

Graphic Novels - Core Collection

I hope you will pass along any new graphic novels you discover. Write them in the Comments Box!

Gail

Promoting Literacy with Graphic Novels

Graphic novels offer an enticing way to show struggling and reluctant readers that reading can be fun. Struggling readers benefit because they offer less text and great support to comprehension. Reluctant readers benefit because they can be so much more attractive than the books they have been avoiding.

I have many arguments for offering graphic novels to all kids. Not as an exclusive diet, but as one of the types of books they can choose from.

A few reasons I’ve offered here are ones I have also used when promoting picture books. This makes sense, since picture books and graphic novels are such close cousins. I hope some of them entice you to give graphic novels a try.

They are fun. Graphic novel authors know how to deliver a great story in dialogue and lively graphics.

They are motivating. The graphics draw us in and make us want to read on.

They often introduce new vocabulary and expressions. Unless they are written for very young readers, graphic novels can use a wide range of vocabulary words, often supported by the graphics.

They support reading comprehension and visualization skills. Some kids (and adults) have difficulty visualizing as they read, which hampers reading comprehension. Graphics offer clues that text alone can’t.

They offer a wide variety. There is a lot of variety in graphic novels:

• in complexity of plot and graphics
• in reading level
• in interest level
• in balance of humor, drama and life lessons

Teachers can use them to teach. They offer a chance to analyze literary conventions, character development, dialogue, satire, and language structures.  

They can increase awareness of how an author communicates.

• how color affects emotions
• how the use of print in the speech bubbles conveys attitude and emotion
• how the author shows attitude and emotion in how the characters are drawn
• how various graphic styles affect the reader’s perceptions
• how pictures can stereotype
• how realism or the lack of it plays into the message of a work

They introduce a variety of writing styles, authors, and illustrators. This can provide models for young writers to try when writing their own stories. Encouraging your kids to write their own graphic novels is highly recommended!

RESOURCES USED

Cooperative Children’s Book Center

Expanding Literacies through Graphic Novels  from National Council of Teachers of English

Getting Graphic: Connecting with Students Using Graphic Novels by Sharron L. McElmeel

Do you already have experience with graphic novels? Please share in the Comments Box!

Gail

More Graphic Novels for All

As promised, here is the second bunch of graphic novels.They are also arranged roughly by reading and/or interest level. But check out the ones that look good to you. Outstanding stories and graphics are found on all levels. Click here for last week's graphic novels.

EARLY ELEMENTARY

 Mo and Jo: Fighting Together Forever by Dean Haspiel and Jay Lynch

Mona and Joey are siblings who do not get along. When they become superheroes, their fighting gets in the way. Will Saw-Jaw ruin the day?

 Luke on the Loose by Harry Bliss

Luke is a little boy on a mission. He must catch those pigeons. The graphics in this book are perfect. If you’ve ever been a kid driven to run, you’ll understand.

 Red Ted and the Lost Things by Michael Rosen, illustrated by Joel Stewart

Red Ted is a teddy bear who gets left on the seat of a train. He uses his thinking skills and some new friends to get back home. The graphics are quite clever, with a faded-out background and bright friends.

 Worm Gets a Job by Kathy Caple

There is an art contest and Worm is determined to earn money for a set of paints. His attempts to earn the money made me think of Curious George and the messes he always gets into. Ends up, Worm is quite a painter. There are at least 6 other Worm stories.

 Little Mouse Gets Ready by Jeff Smith

Little Mouse’s mother tells him to get ready to go to the barn. Eagerly and carefully, Little Mouse gets dressed. But is that what his mother wanted him to do?

      The Day Mom Finally Sna-pped by Bob Temple, illustrated by Steve Harpster

The kids in this family mean well, but… No wonder their mom snapped. This is part of the Stone Arch Graphic Novels series.

MIDDLE ELEMENTARY

 Amulet: The Stonekeeper by Kazu Kibuishi

Emily, Navin and their mother move to their old family home. While cleaning the wreck of a house, their mother is kidnapped by a creature in the basement. This leads the children on a deadly chase into the magical world below their home. The story and graphics are dark and yet not too creepy. This is book 1 of the Amulet series.

 Otto’s Orange Day by Frank Cammuso and Jay Lynch

Otto loves orange so when a genie pops out of the lamp his aunt gives him, of course he wishes for an orange world. Be careful what you wish for!

 Bake Sale by Sara Varon

Cupcake owns his own bakery in New York City. His best friend Eggplant has invited him to Turkey to meet the famous baker Turkish Delight. This charming story made me forget all the characters are food.

 The Gingerbread Man: Loose in School  by Laura Murray, illustrated by Mike Lowery

I don’t know how many versions of The Gingerbread Man I’ve read in my life, but this is by far the funniest. Kids make the Gingerbread Man in class and then abandon him for recess. So…"I’ll run and I’ll run as fast as I can. I can catch them! I’m their Gingerbread Man!” This made me smile but when I read his further adventures and later verses, I had to laugh. (My favorite starts, “I’ll limp, I’ll limp…)

 Adopt a Glurb! by Elise Gravel

Looking for a pet? How about one that hatches from a hairy and smelly egg, walks up walls and plays tricks on you? Consider a Glurb! When you are done reading this fun book, you can create your own pet to star in a graphic novel.

LATER ELEMENTARY

 Alison Dare: Little Miss Adventures by J. Torres and J. Bone

12-year-old Alison Dare is a girl with a flair for action and adventure. Her mother is a world famous archeologist and her father is a librarian and masked super hero. Plus, her uncle is an international spy and master of disguise. Alison lives in a girls' school but still manages to have adventures.

 Astronaut Academy: Zero Gravity by Dave Roman 9781596436206

Hakata Soy was once the leader of a futuristic super team. When he starts attending Astronaut Academy, he wants to keep quiet about his past . But things aren’t going all that well. How will he find time to study Anti-Gravity Gymnastics and Tactical Randomness when he's got a robot twin on its way to kill him?

  The Popularity Papers: Research for the Social Improvement and General Betterment of Lydia Goldblatt and Julie Graham-Chang by Amy Ignatow

Lydia and Julie are best friends who are in sixth grade. They have a plan: study the behavior of the popular girls at their elementary school so that by the time they get to middle school they too will be in the IN crowd. There’s a lot to like about this book. It’s funny, fun to read and insightful.

Have you discovered any good graphic novels that I missed? Please add them to the Comments Box!

Gail

Learn to Draw! Sites for Kids

Monday, I told you about some graphic novels I've enjoyed and this coming Monday, I'll have some more.

Today's Friday Fun post is all about drawing. Each site offers drawing lessons. Some are basic, some are not-so-basic. Check them out to see which ones look good to you.

Drawing for Kids

Nick Jr. Create

Hello Kids

1 2 3 Peppy

Karmatoons

I tried several lessons and they were great fun. I hope you think so too!

Gail

Back to School Tips for a Smooth Start

Some kids are starting school this week; others have been back for a while. After a summer of less structure, getting back into school mode can be a challenge. Here are a few tips for getting off to a good start.

School Clothes

Inventory your child’s school clothes and discard/recycle mismatched socks, clothes that don’t fit, clothes your child doesn't like. Getting these things out of the way will streamline getting dressed for school

Evening Routine

• Consider setting out school clothes the night before. This greatly helps the morning preparations.
• If possible, make lunches the night before. Getting your child’s input can really help. If  he is able, let him make his own.
• Have your child pack her backpack, supervising as needed. Your teacher will really appreciate it J

Morning Routine

• Brainstorm with your child what needs to be done before he goes out the door in the morning. Things like getting dressed, eating breakfast, brushing teeth…
• Write it down! In the morning, if your child needs reminders, all you need to do is have her check her routine card.
• Build in a reward. Checklist completed? Brainstorm what can happen (watch TV, get points towards a reward, computer time…)

Launching Pad

Establish a place near the front door to collect all that needs to go out the door. Things like backpacks, lunch, shoes, jackets – whatever you don’t want to have to search the house for.

Homework

• Set up a routine. This is a very individual thing. A routine is best if your child has input.
• Consider when your child is freshest and most motivated. Right after school? After dinner? For some kids, the morning is a good time. It’s risky, of course, but it’s something to consider.
• If possible, establish a dedicated homework area. This will need to reflect your child’s work style. Some kids do just fine in their rooms, others need to be where you can monitor their on-task behavior.
• There will be a post soon, devoted just to homework.

Establish a place to keep all school information.

• Your child’s teacher(s) and contact information
• Your child’s schedule
• The school calendar
• Documents such as report cards, behavior plan, Individualized Educational Plan (IEP), immunizations, any document you think you may want to refer to through the year

These tips have come from 3 sources. Please check out them out for more ideas.

Friendship Circle

Pragmatic Mom

Stress Free Kids

Here are 4 more sites that have resources you may find helpful.

Reading Rockets Top 10 Resources on Back to School for Parents

School Family Print & Use Tools: Checklists, Calendars, Charts, & Labels

HealthyChildren.org   Provides safety tips.

Parent Further Provides back to school tips for elementary age kids. Scroll down for preschool, kindergarten, middle school and high school tips.

I hope you have a great start to the new school year. Please share any tips you have found that works for you and your family!

Gail

Graphic Novels for All

It’s definitely time for more graphic novels. In fact I have 2 weeks’ worth of them. I've arranged them roughly by reading and/or interest level. But don’t let that get in the way of choosing. Some of the easier books have outstanding stories and graphics and just happen to have a lower reading level.

EARLY ELEMENTARY

 The Totally Awesome Epic Quest of the Brave Boy Knight by Pranas T. Naujokaitis

A young boy and his best friend Butterscotch are brave knights. The Animal Princess has an epic quest for them. They must save the city from an angry monster. Two more adventures come after this one.

 Johnny Boo: The Best Little Ghost in the World by James Kochalka

Johnny is a ghost with a powerful boo. He and his friend Squiggle share a love of ice cream. But this love attracts an ice cream monster. This would be a good first graphic novel.

   Goalkeeper Goof by Cari Meister, illustrated by Cori Doerrfeld

David was a good soccer player, except when he played goalkeeper. His teammates called him Goalkeeper Goof. Will he ever figure out how to play goalkeeper? This is part of the My First Graphic Novel series.

 Benny and Penny in Just Pretend by Geoffrey Hayes

Benny does not want his little sister to play with him. She keeps showing up and he keeps sending her away. But maybe she’s not such a pain after all.

MIDDLE ELEMENTARY

 Warriors: Ravenpaw’s Path…Shattered Peace by Erin Hunter

This is a manga version from the popular Warriors series. Ravenclaw leaves his clan to settle into a quiet life on a farm with his friend Barley. All is peaceful until a group of cats ask for their help. Ravenclaw loves the newly born kittens but all is not well with the others. This is a good story.

 Babymouse: Puppy Love by Jennifer L. Holm and Matthew Holm

Babymouse’s goldfish died (as did her previous 5 goldfish). Babymouse goes through several more pets – hamster, turtle, ants… They all escape and it’s pretty funny where they end up. Then she finds a lost dog. Will this be the pet of her dreams? This is #8 of the Babymouse series. It’s my new favorite.

 The Shadow Door by Bannister and Nykko

Four friends discover a door to another world in a spooky house. Two of the friends get stuck there while the other two try to figure out how to get them back. The graphics are dark and scary and make you want to keep reading. This is book one of The Elsewhere Chronicles.

 Attack of the Mutant Lunch Lady by Scott Nickel, illustrated by Andy J. Smith 

If you ever thought cafeteria food was scary, you’re going to like this book. Something quite awful happens to the cafeteria cook when she falls into a vat of her food. The story is quite funny and the graphics are too.

 The Meeting by Brigitte Luciani and Eve Tharlett

Three badger cubs live happily with their dad. That is, until Mrs. Fox and her little one move in. The young ones are not pleased with this new situation and they plot to turn the grownups against each other. The graphics are terrific. This is book 1 from the Mr. Badger and Mrs. Fox series.

 The Adventures of Ook and Gluk: Kung-Fu Cavemen from the Future by Dav Pilkey

This book is pure silliness. Ook and Gluk travel to the future. They meet a martial artist who teaches them kung fu. They return to their prehistoric time and fight an evil corporation that is endangering the past. Warning: if misspellings and terrible grammar bother you, this book will bug you!

LATER ELEMENTARY

 Benjamin Bear in Fuzzy Thinking by Philippe Coudray

Benjamin Bear is an odd and funny bear. He stars in several one-page adventures in which he does things he probably shouldn’t do. The humor is quiet and quite sly.

 Captain Raptor and the Moon Mystery by Kevin O’Malley, illustrations by Patrick O’Brien

Something lands on one of the moons of the planet Jurassica. Captain Raptor (yes, a dinosaur) and his spaceship crew go to investigate. I love the graphics – they feel very prehistoric. Next in the series: Captain Raptor and the Space Pirates

 Billions of Bats: a Buzz Beaker Brainstorm by Scott Nickel, illustrated by Andy J. Smith

Buzz Beaker likes being the smartest kid in class. So when Sarah Bellum shows up with her high IQ and smarty-pants ways, Buzz is not happy. But what about when Sarah’s science experiment is a disaster? Will Buzz help her out?

 Rapunzel’s Revenge by Shannon and Dean Hale, illustrated by Nathan Hale

Rapunzel is raised in a grand house that is surrounded by gigantic walls. On her 16th birthday, she learns that Gothel, the cold woman who raised her, was not her mother. Her real mother is a slave in Gothel’s gold mine. If you know the original Rapunzel story, you’ll see this story is like the original and very much not like it. Think of Old West adventures.

 Smile by Raina Telgemeier

We all go through experiences that stay with us for the rest of our lives. Telgemeier had such an experience when she got braces in sixth grade. The story and graphics are outstanding and tell about her tough and wonderful year.

Click here  and here for books I suggested last year. And make sure you check out next week's list, too!

Gail