Oh, The Places We Want To Go!

By Library Romp - 11:01 AM

Time has gotten away from me once again, Agh! It seems the closer we get to summer the busier things get.  When taking a break from working on my book series, kid activities, library romping, and backyard renovation I’ve perused the blog world.   Found it would be a lot more interesting if I were to start posting while camel trekking the Merzouga Desert, husky sledding in Lapland, or drinking vodka in an ice bar.  Seriously, when do people have the time, and not to mention the money to do this?  I guess if I wasn’t married with four kids, then perhaps.   I do travel to unimaginable places everyday, that’s in between the pages I’m speaking of.  No baggage claim or passports needed, just finding quiet moments in the day to quickly jet set off to some exotic local.   That’s all I need, well that and a finished backyard oasis to get me there. 

Is there that one place you have always dreamt of going?  For me, it's Japan and hope to have the experience of living there for a while someday. Where else where do you find bullet trains, sidewalk vending machines, crazy fashion, Zen gardens, high tech toilets, and don’t forget Sake?   This would make an awesome blog as I post from the pic above @ the Picture Book Library in Iwaki City, Japan.  There's no mention of husband here because he doesn't share my fascination with Asian culture.   This would be along the line of one of those Eat Pray Love adventures!
 
Back to the here and now.  Couldn’t be more happier that Easter is upon us and so is the end of the school year ;-)  Not to mention my Birthday is Easter Sunday, who has a baby on Easter?  We’ve romped and read all the bunny books out of the library over the last couple years so not reading Bunny books this time around.  I did manage to find a couple older kid Easter books and waiting for Amazon to come knocking.  The praying mantises should be arriving any day as well as our Atlantic Dill Pumpkin & Jack in the Bean Stalk Seeds.   Maybe the praying mantis will hatch in route and greet the postal workers?  Okay I’ve been reading too many Judy Blume books this week.  Did you know their called praying mantises because their legs are positioned like they are praying?  And did you know the females often bite the heads off and eat the males after mating?  Ha, there’s a morning thought for you…  Okay, moving on. 

Most excitingly I have two completed children's books, and that makes it an official series :-)  Still hammering out the art work, but I’m just cranking them out.  My writing mind is on overdrive.  Can not wait for you to meet this amazing girl and you guessed it, it’s full of library adventure! 

Our Eric Kimmel Romps
Hear a story
 
Cactus Soup



 
This folktale where hungry travelers persuade the locals to share their resources is found throughout the world, but told in different variations. Cactus Soup is a Spanish version which takes place during the Mexican Revolution depicting cooperation and generosity.  Not as good as the other versions we’ve read, probably because were not big on Spanish language intermixed reads. 

I’m one for trying new and interesting foods, but until now never thought about cactus soup.  Our local HEB carries cacti in the produce section and the curiosity has got me.  We are going to make cactus soup!

Little Britches And The Rattlers
By Kimmel, Eric

   
 
You’ll find trickery cowgirls, rattlesnakes, Texas, and rodeos in this retelling of Little Black Sambo.  A hilarious tale where Cowgirl Little Britches is stopped by a rattle snake while headed for the rodeo, and is told she’s going to be ‘swallered’ up!  Will she make it to the rodeo and what about getting her clothes back from the rattler? 
In case you were wondering, Little Black Sambo was a popular but controversial book dating back to the 1920s.
  
The Adventures of Hershel of Ostropol


 
 
Witty conversational style read about how a poor man, Hershel uses his cleverness to get by in life.  I’ve read how some dislike the message this sends as Hershel never faces the consequence of his actions.  To me this could be a great conversation starter to approach this, but I  found it to be an adventurous great bedtime story.  I should mention this was not a one evening read but over a course of three days because of its length…
 
The Great Texas Hamster Drive



Never can we turn down a western themed book, I’m a Texan.  Here’s a funny tall tale about Slue Foot Sal, Pecos Bill's daughter and a herd of hamsters.  What harm can two hamsters do?  Well, when they multiply into the thousands a lot actually, and then it’s time for a hamster drive.  The word count above 1,500 may be too wordy for younger readers, but great for older cowboys and cowgirls.  
 
A Few Of The New

Extraordinary Jane
By Harrison, Hannah
 

 
Jane is an ordinary dog lacking the talent of his circus family.  As her owner tries to teach her new tricks, she soon realizes that Jane is perfectly extraordinary just the way she is.  Great tail, oops I mean tale with beautiful illustrations.  This new picture book author done good...  And yes, we are all special in our own way. 
 
Fraidyzoo
By Heder, Thyra


 
Great story about family and how they rally together to help Little T overcome her fear of zoos.  The family tries to figure out what she’s afraid of by dressing up as different animals, which the pictures alphabetically take you through.  “This is an alphabet book for big readers like me!” - Little Reader.  She loved reading the pictures to guess the animals.  Plain and simple fun at its best. 
 
The Bad Birthday Idea
By Valentine, Madeline
 
 
 
As children we did not always get what we wanted, but did you ever go as far as this brother did?  All Alice ever wanted was for her big brother to play with her and what a better way than to ask for the birthday present that he wants.  But things get pretty bad for big brother Ben when the gift arrives, that is until he discovers what’s most important between brothers and sisters.  Perfect sibling rivalry read.  Watch The Trailer
 
Book Fair News: Aside from the Mind craft books, my reader found a new book series that’s become a new favorite.  Does anyone else manage to spend 65$ at these fairs?
 
Kiki: My Stylish Life
By Kyla May
 
 
 
It’s the tweenish cute diary-style that brought this into the purchase pile at the school book fair.    This book is part of the Lotus Lane Series and is all about fashion and BFF fun.  (With a new acronym on each page I’m glad they specified what they meant!)  Kiki lives on Lotus Lane and with her friends started a club, LLGC where they do girly makeovers, doggy pampering, and cupcake baking.  The doodles make it a quick read, but this is a great bridge from picture books to more fluent reader texts. 
Others will be diving into this week.      

http://www.amazon.com/Lotus-Lane-Coco-Delicious-Branches/dp/0545445140/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1397579856&sr=1-1&keywords=coco       http://www.amazon.com/Lotus-Lane-Lulu-Glamorous-Branches/dp/0545445167/ref=sr_1_5?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1397579910&sr=1-5&keywords=lulu       http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0545445191/ref=s9_simh_se_p14_d0_i4?pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_s=auto-no-results-center-1&pf_rd_r=0RRE408QVMGDYXJYNX4W&pf_rd_t=301&pf_rd_p=1263465782&pf_rd_i=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2FLotus-Lane-Lulu-Glamorous-Branches%2Fdp%2F0545445167%2Fref%3Dsr_1_5%3Fs%3Dbooks%26ie%3DUTF8%26qid%3D1397579910%26sr%3D1-5%26keywords%3Dlulu 
 
 
I wanted to leave you with this amazing video for Easter.  This amazing love story is what it’s all about!   This 18 minutes could change your life or make a difference in someone else’s life.   Make it a family watch!
 
 
 
_______________________________________________________
 
If you want to hunt tigers...you have to go where tigers are.
- Author Unknown

You Might Also Like

0 comments