Reluctant Readers

10 Jun 2012 2 Comments

Ten Things That Make a Great Kid’s Reading Space

by Lisa Dalesandro author of the book “Raise a Reader:25 Effective Things to Get Kids Reading.“

If you want kids to read at home, then they need a great place to curl up in and crack open their latest book. Here are ten easy ways to help encourage your little ones to do a little extra reading at home.

1. Fabulous books. Obviously, right? Lots and lots of them. Fiction, non-fiction, along with magazines, comics and graphic novels. This goes without saying.

2. A way to display and store books. Use shelves, bins, and baskets. If you have multiple kids sharing a bookcase give everyone their own personal shelf. It’s a good idea to scatter a few reading baskets around the house — bathrooms, TV room, kitchen — so kids can grab a book when they aren’t in their usual reading space.

3. A comfortable place to read. On their bed, in a comfy chair by a picture window, or a squishy beanbag chair. Building your own private fort out of sheets or boxes can be a fun project and an excellent little nook in which to curl up in and enjoy a good book. For little ones, a stuffed friend can be a good reading companion in a comfy place.

4. Good lighting. An excellent bed lamp is a must. A big chair by a bright window comes in at a close second.

5. Quiet. Eliminate distractions like the TV or music in order to foster concentration.

6. Bookmarks. Sure, the bottom half of last month’s phone bill works as a bookmark, but you can have more fun by making your own. Natgeo.com (National Geographics) has a really creative, silly bookmark factory where kids, big and little, can create their own personalized bookmark.

7. Writing and drawing materials. It’s good to keep notebooks, colored paper, crayons, colored pencils and stickers around in case your child is inspired to release their inner book author or illustrator while they’re reading.

8. A good children’s dictionary. Yes, they still print those things. It may be old fashion but looking up unfamiliar words is a good habit for them to get into. For little ones, get a brightly colored picture/word dictionary.

9. Pillows and blankets to get cozy. No one wants to get a stiff neck or have cold feet when they’re reading. Enough said.

10. A way to listen to audio books. I’m addicted to listening to audio books during the day when I’m puttering around the house. The assistance of audio books is possibly the only way laundry gets folded at my house. Nothing in more annoying than not being able to find my ear buds. I finally installed a little basket in a drawer so I always know where to put them when I’m done and where to find a pair the next day.

Need a little help getting kids to love reading at your house? Check out RAISE A READER: 25 EFFECTIVE WAYS TO GET KIDS READING

by Lisa in Literacy, Reluctant Readers Tags: literacy, parenting, reading

12 Feb 2012 2 Comments

Study links reading to young children to improved teen literacy

Continuing with this month’s theme touting the benefits of reading aloud to your children, a report from the international Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development recently examined the long-term impact of parental support on literacy and found a strong link between reading aloud to young children and later teenage reading abilities.

It also found that things like a family dinner and quality parent/child time make a positive impact when it comes to academics.

by Lisa in Ages 12 - up, Ages 4 - 8, Reluctant Readers

12 Sep 2011 3 Comments

Did “Maggie Goes On a Diet” go too far?

Should girls be dieting?

Last month a firestorm of controversy arose over the book “Maggie Goes on a Diet.” Many were outraged by the book’s topic claiming that it taught children “self-hate” and was “anorexia bait.” Yet childhood obesity is a real issue in this country. Of the many articles written on the debate, this one from the Washington Post actually addresses the issue of obesity instead of just attacking the subject of the book.

By Janice D’Arcy; The Washington Post

A book intended to help children that’s due to be published this fall has already sparked a controversy in parenting and health circles. “Maggie Goes on a Diet,” (Aloha Publishers, October 2011) tells the story of a 14-year-old girl who is overweight and unhappy. The girl diets, loses weight and finds success and popularity in school.

Author Paul Kramer has said his intent was to write a story with an important message to children about eating properly and maintaining a healthy physique, especially given the obesity epidemic. But his little book has landed with a loud thud. Experts have almost universally condemned it as sending the wrong message.

One of those critics is Karen Schachter, a Washington expert in the psychology of eating who runs Dishing With Your Daughter, a program of coaching, classes and workshops for mothers and daughters on healthy eating and body image.

I asked her why she thinks “Maggie Goes on a Diet,” and its encouragement of dieting, is misguided.

by Lisa in Ages 8 - 12, Reluctant Readers

12 Apr 2011 2 Comments

“I Spy Fly Guy” by Tedd Arnold

THE BOOK MAMA BASICS

For ages: 4- 7

Gender specific: Boys will love it

Any pictures?: Silly cartoons

How long?: 32 page

Are there more?: 8 or so.

What’s it similar to?: PJ Funnybones or Marvel I-Can-Read.

What’s it cost?: $5.99 on Amazon

Synopsis: Boy and fly meet and so begins a beautiful friendship. Er, and so begins a very funny friendship. Fly Guy’s propensity to hide in a garbage can when he and Buzz play hide-and-seek results in disaster. Fly Guy is carted off to the dump, and when the boy tries to find him, he is faced with a multitude of flies that look, act, and sound exactly like his pal. Using hyperbole, puns, slapstick, and silly drawings, bestselling author/illustrator Tedd Arnold creates an easy reader that is full of fun. (edited from School Library Journal)

Review: If you’re struggling to get a kindergartener or first grader — especially a boy — to read on their own then you may find that “I Spy Fly Guy” by Tedd Arnold is stinky good fun for little readers. It’s the perfect I-Can-Read series for kids just getting the hang of that whole reading thing. The clever storylines don’t talk down to kids. The vocabulary is fairly simple. Told in three easy chapters, the number of words per page is manageable for young readers ranging from 2 to about 20 words per page. And because it’s a series, if they like one, you’ll likely have an easier time getting to read the next one.

by Lisa in Ages 4 - 8, Reluctant Readers Tags: boy-friendly, easy readers, reluctant reader

20 Jan 2011 No Comments

Mind your own beeswax! Take a secret peek into "Amelia’s Notebook"

Got a pretty little reader who isn’t crazy about actually reading? All the Junie B’s and Judy M’s of the world hold no appeal for her? “Too many words!” Then check out this fun, colorful series. Your kidlets will be reading without even knowing it’s good for them.

Amelia’s Notebook by Marissa Moss (ages 7-10, strong girl appeal) is designed as an upbeat, first-person story which resembles a real diary. The cover bears the familiar black-and-white abstract design of a .99 cent composition book, decorated with color

Got a sweet young reader who isn’t crazy about actually reading? All the Junie B’s and Judy M’s of the world hold no appeal for her? “Too many words!” Then check out this fun, colorful series. Your kidlets will be reading without even knowing it’s good for them.

Inside, on lined pages, Amelia writes about her recent move to a new town, doodles pictures of people she meets and saves such mementos as postage stamps and a birthday candle.

She misses her best friend, Nadia, but her moments of sadness are balanced by optimism-she distracts herself by drawing and by writing short stories. In appropriately conversational terms, Amelia complains that her big sister invades her privacy (“So Cleo if you are reading this right now-BUG OFF and STAY OUT”); gripes about cafeteria food (“Henna says they use dog food); and jokes in classic elementary-school gross-out fashion.

Readers will understand Amelia’s wish to put her “top-secret” thoughts on paper, and they’ll notice that even though she’s uneasy about attending a different school, she’s starting over successfully. (Reed Business Information, Inc).

Keep in mind that there are some 15 books in the series. Also, a mildde-school aged Amelia has another series of journals about life after elementary school.

by Book Mama in Ages 4 - 8, Reluctant Readers Tags: girl-friendly

10 Jan 2011 1 Comment

Easy Reader Series That Boys Will Love

The question I get asked the most often is — can you recommend something my 5, 6, 7-year-old boy will actually want to read?

It’s a tough age, for both boys and girls, because they’re used to being read to and frequently haven’t quite gotten into the habit of reading on their own. Or they want to read, but get frustrated because the material that interests them is too difficult for their reading level.

Here are three different series, each of which has lots of books in the series so if he likes it you can get more. I’ve included a sample page from each series so you can gauge for yourself if the reading level is appropriate for your little man.

The Fly Guy series by Tedd Arnold is adorable fun with quirky cartoons and zany plots that keeps kids reading and laughing. In the first book we meet a boy who goes out searching for a smart animal to take to The Amazing Pet Show and bumps into a fly that is intelligent enough to say the child’s name, Buzz. Although his parents and the judges feel at first that a fly is only a pest, not a pet, the insect puts on a performance that astounds them all and wins an award.

Got a little superhero at home? It doesn’t matter if his favorite crime-fighter is Superman, Batman, Spiderman or even, gulp, Wonder Woman, there are tons of these “I Can Read” books in which good always defeats evil. This series will have them reading without even knowing that it’s good for them.

The P.J. Funnybunny series is a very sweet series that deals with problems that feel relatable to kids. For example, in this book P.J. thinks that camping is not for girls. At least, that’s what P.J. and his pals tell Donna and sister Honey Bunny when they want to tag along on a camping trip. But when two mysterious ghosts frighten the boys all the way home, only the girls know the real story.

Next time, I’ll tackle the same topic except we’ll switch genders and talk about girls as emerging readers.

by Book Mama in Ages 4 - 8, Reluctant Readers Tags: boy-friendly, chapter book, easy readers

06 Jan 2011 2 Comments

"The Adventures of Nanny Piggins" by R.A. Spratt

Mary Poppins, move over—or get shoved out of the way. Nanny Piggins has arrived!

Why didn’t I come up with this idea? The Adventures of Nanny Piggins by R.A. Spratt (grades 3 – 6) is irreverent fun that is impossible to resist. This is a most excellent choice for out loud bedtime reading that I guarantee will have both parent and child giggling.

As the story opens we learn that Nanny Piggens was most recently employed at the circus as the pig shot out of a cannon. She assumes the title Nanny when she spies a “Help Wanted” sign on the lawn of the Green family. Mrs. Green is dead, and Mr. Green is so tight-fisted he refuses to pay a human nanny. So when a pig with no criminal record who will work for ten cents an hour applies, Mr. Green is delighted.

The children—Derrick, Samantha, and Michael—promptly fall in love with Nanny Piggins because she lets them eat sweets all day, watch as much TV as possible and stay up quite late. She also comes up with the most marvelous ideas, like taking a boat to China to get Chinese takeout.

Even when things don’t exactly work out as planned (and they rarely do), the high-jinks and hilarity make them excellent adventures. Stuffing adjectives into this review is as easy as watching Nanny Piggins stuff pies into her mouth. This smart, sly, funny book is marvelously illustrated with drawings that capture Nanny’s sheer pigginess.

Readers may worry that this first novel is so full of stories about Nanny Piggins that there won’t be enough left for sequels. Never fear! The last line of the book predicts Nanny will be stirring up more adventures, possibly even before breakfast. (synopsis excerpts stolen directly from Booklist)

by Book Mama in Ages 8 - 12, Reluctant Readers Tags: comedy, girl-friendly

19 Dec 2010 No Comments

I am a Genius of Unspeakable Evil and I want to be your Class President

“If War and Peace had a baby with The Breakfast Club and then left the baby to be raised by wolves, this book would be the result. I loved it.” –Jon Stewart.

I guess to be fair, it should be noted that Mr. Lieb is a producer on the Daily Show. Nevertheless, Jon Stewart is spot on.

“I am a Genius of Unspeakable Evil and I want to be your Class President“ by Josh Lieb (12 – 15) is a deliciously wicked YA book that will appeal to the 12 and up crowd but also to those finicky, difficult-to-please middle school boys.

Twelve-year-old Oliver Watson’s got the IQ of a grilled cheese sandwich. Or so everyone in Omaha thinks. In reality, Oliver’s a mad evil genius on his way to world domination, and he’s used his great brain to make himself the third-richest person on earth! Then Oliver’s father—and arch-nemesis—makes a crack about the upcoming middle school election, and Oliver takes it as a personal challenge. He’ll run, and he’ll win! Turns out, though, that overthrowing foreign dictators is actually way easier than getting kids to like you. . . Can this evil genius win the class presidency and keep his true identity a secret, all in time to impress his dad? (product description)

I dare you to click here

How much of Oliver’s elaborate world as a 7th grade evil genius is in his mind and how much is actually happening remains a bit unclear. But then again, I suppose the simple fact that a grown woman is even pondering this question demonstrates just how fully realized Oliver’s world feels to the reader. Although Oliver’s incredible universe is bigger-than-life, the theme of a boy striving for his father’s love is subtle and touching.

Lately it seems that the list of anti-hero, evil geniuses is growing. I’m pretty sure Oliver is my favorite one yet. Loved this one.

by Book Mama in Ages 12 - up, Reluctant Readers Tags: boy-friendly, comedy, teen

06 Dec 2010 No Comments

Best Boxed Sets Gifts for Readers 4 – 8

If Santa is looking for some gift ideas for good little emerging readers, I have a few suggestions.

1. What do the Magic Tree House, Junie B. Jones, A to Z Mysteries, Andrew Lost, and Nate the Great series have in common? Not only are the main characters spunky and lovable kids whose exciting adventures have captivated readers for decades—they’re also all found in one place in the Favorite Series Starters boxed set.

This is the first-ever sampler of its kind, introducing young readers to five favorite series through the first book in each. Kids will be clamoring to read more—and will have five different series to pursue—after they’ve read the “favorite firsts” in this collection.

This is an awesome collection for any young reader.

2. How did four strange teachers get into this little box?

Meet a teacher who eats bonbons, a principal who kisses pigs, a librarian who thinks she’s George Washington, and an art teacher who dresses up in pot holders! They’re all inside this box! They must be getting pretty crowded in My Weird School Collection by Dan Gutman.

3. Ivy and Bean are two friends who never meant to like each other. This boxed set, Ivy and Bean: books 1 – 3 by Annie Barrows, is a delightful introduction to these spunky characters. It includes the first three books in the Ivy and Bean series and a secret treasure-hiding box with a surprise inside.

by Book Mama in Ages 4 - 8, Reluctant Readers Tags: easy readers

23 Nov 2010 No Comments

Stink Stands Alone — Judy Moody's brother gets his own series

Megan McDonald, author of the hugely successful Judy Moody series, said, “Once, while I was visiting a class full of Judy Moody readers, the kids, many with spiked hair a la Judy’s little brother, chanted, ‘Stink! Stink! Stink! Stink! Stink!’ as I entered the room. In that moment, I knew that Stink had to have a book all of his own.”

Every morning, Judy Moody measures Stink, and it’s always the same: three feet, eight inches tall. Then, one day, the ruler reads – can it be? – three feet, seven and three quarters inches!

Is Stink shrinking?

In Stink’s first solo adventure, his style comes through loud and strong – enhanced by a series of comic strips, drawn by Stink himself, which are sprinkled throughout the book. These homespun sagas reflect the familiar voice of a kid who pictures himself with super powers to deal with the travails of everyday life – including the occasional teasing of a bossy big sister.

Currently you can get “Stink: The Incredible Shrinking Kid” along with the next two books in the series ”The Adventures of Stink in Shrink Monster” to “The Adventure of Stink in Newt in Shining Armor,” as a three-pack.

These books are ideal for early grade boy readers, say, in first thru third grade. Large print and lots of illustrations keep the pages turning.

And then there’s the Stink-O-Pedia. Want to know where you can view the world’s oldest ham? Who holds the record for the world’s loudest burp? The answers to these and many, many more essential questions can be found in Stink-O-Pedia — just the sort of reference book that Stink Moody, who reads encyclopedias in his spare time, might make up himself. From J-for-Jawbreaker (and how long it would take an average frog to digest one), to P-for-Professional Smeller (and other strange but true careers), to Y-for-Yeti (why not?), this volume contains enough amazing stuff to keep readers saying “No way!” for a googolplex* of years. At the back of the book, facts are cross-referenced with related Stink and Judy Moody titles.

by Book Mama in Ages 4 - 8, Reluctant Readers Tags: boy-friendly, easy readers

18 Nov 2010 No Comments

"The Invention of Hugo Cabret" by Brian Selznick

The Invention of Hugo Cabret by Brian Selznick (ages 8 and up) is a novel in words and pictures, an intriguing mystery set in 1930s Paris about an orphan, a salvaged clockwork invention, and a celebrated filmmaker. It takes the illustrated novel to a whole new level. Or it puts a spin on the current resurgence of graphic novels. I’m not sure exactly which one. Not that it matters because it’s a bit of a quiet masterpiece.

Once you open this book, you”ll understand how it can become addictive. You want to pick it up over and over, paging back and forth, studying the illustrations, scanning the details and searching the character’s faces.

It’s the story of orphan boy, clock keeper, and thief named Hugo who lives in the walls of a busy Paris train station, where his survival depends on secrets and anonymity. But when his world suddenly interlocks with an eccentric, bookish girl and a bitter old man who runs a toy booth in the station, Hugo’s undercover life and his most precious secret are put in jeopardy. A cryptic drawing, a treasured notebook, a stolen key, a mechanical man, and a hidden message from Hugo’s dead father form the backbone of this intricate, tender, and spellbinding mystery.

The result is somewhat similar to a graphic novel, but experiencing its mix of silvery pencil drawings and narrative interludes is ultimately more akin to watching a silent film. This hybrid creation, which also includes movie stills and archival photographs, is unexpected and often poignant.

It’s no surprise that movie titan Martin Scorsese is directing the film adaptation to be released next year. Please don’t tell Mr. Scorsese that I said this, but I sort of doubt even he can do cinematic justice to this fanciful tale. Either which way, please please please read the book before you see the film.

by Book Mama in Ages 8 - 12, Reluctant Readers Tags: boy-friendly, graphic novel

25 Oct 2010 1 Comment

"Clementine" by Sara Pennypacker

Clementine is having not so good of a week.
- On Monday she’s sent to the principal’s office for cutting off Margaret’s hair.
-Tuesday, Margaret’s mother is mad at her.
-Wednesday, she’s sent to the principal…again.
-Thursday, Margaret stops speaking to her.
-Friday starts with yucky eggs and gets worse.
-And by Saturday, even her mother is mad at her.

As Clementine says, “Spectacularful ideas are always sproinging up in my brain.” All the better for the young readers who like to laugh. Reminiscent of Ramona, Judy Moody and Junie B. Jones, “Clementine” by Sara Pennypacker (ages 7 -11) is an ingenuous third-grader with a talent for trouble and a good heart.

Her best friend is her neighbor Margaret, a fourth-grader who experiences both qualities firsthand.

After all, plenty of kids may have had their hair chopped off by a helpful friend in an effort to get the glue out, but how many of those friends would think to improve matters by drawing hair back on the scalp, forehead, and neck with a Flaming Sunset permanent marker?

“It looked beautiful, like a giant tattoo of tangled worms,” Clementine observes in the fresh, funny, first-person narrative.

Marla Frazee’s expressive ink drawings capture every nuance of the characters’ emotions, from bemusement to anger to dejection. Sometimes touching and frequently amusing, this engaging chapter book is well suited to reading alone or reading aloud to a roomful of children. (Booklist)

Clementine has loads more charm than some of the other “girl” series. It’s a wonderful choice if you have a 2nd or 3rd grade girl who isn’t clicking with other series books.

by Book Mama in Ages 4 - 8, Ages 8 - 12, Reluctant Readers Tags: chapter book, easy readers, girl-friendly

18 Oct 2010 No Comments

Best Kid's Books to Just Leave in the Car

A battered, old copy of “Where’s Waldo?” has been living in the backseat of my car for months. My kid never seem to tire of searching for Waldo or Odlaw or that strange little dog. In fact, just yesterday my friend’s teenager picked it up with a gleeful “Oh I love Waldo!” and proceeded to spend the 15 minute car ride studying it with her little sister.

I know that one of the best things about being in the car with your kids is that they’re a captive audience, trapped backed there and often willing to have an actual conversation you. But it doesn’t hurt of have a backseat book for those times when you’re driving and you need to concentrate on texting while putting on mascara. (Oh settle down, I’m kidding)

Here are my favorite “waste-a-little-time-while-potentially-increasing-brain-cells” books.

- The “Waldo” series started in England in 1987 and to date there are dozens of different “Waldo” books. This particular one happens to be the book that currently resides in my car.

- Did you know that Charlie Brown’s father is a barber? Or that Tokyo has the world’s largest bowling alley? How about that in Oklahoma it’s illegal to hunt for whale? For a few thousand things you might want to know, but probably don’t, pick up one of the many books by the Society for Useless Information.

- The world record for continually chewing a piece of gum is 4 months. My daughter is determined to break this record. She made it almost two days before her karate teacher made her spit it out. No! And we were so close. I guess making it into the Guinness World Book is not an easy journey, but reading about some of the crazier records is a blast.

by Book Mama in Ages 4 - 8, Ages 8 - 12, Reluctant Readers Tags: literacy, reluctant reader

07 Oct 2010 1 Comment

THE STRANGE CASE OF THE ORIGAMI YODA by Tom Angleberger

Is Origami Yoda real or not?

The Strange Case of the Origami Yoda by Tom Angleberger (ages 8 -12) is a funny, uncannily wise portrait of the dynamics of a sixth-grade class, as well as a look at greatness that sometimes comes in unlikely packages.

It seems Dwight, a loser, talks to his classmates via an origami finger puppet of Yoda. If that weren’t strange enough, the puppet is uncannily wise and prescient. Origami Yoda predicts the date of a pop quiz, guesses who stole the classroom Shakespeare bust, and saves a classmate from popularity-crushing embarrassment with some well-timed advice.

Dwight’s classmate and reluctant friend Tommy wonders how Yoda can be so smart when Dwight himself is so totally clueless. With contributions from his puzzled classmates, Tommy assembles the “case file” that forms this novel.

There’s something undeniably intriguing about the metaphysical dilemma the premise of this book raises. If Origami Yoda gives good advice does it matter if that advice is coming from Dwight the loser or from the manifestation of Lord Yoda himself?

Make your own Yoda!

It’s a question that kids understand. Is Christmas morning any less special if Santa isn’t real? Why do we avoid the crack if we know we won’t actually break our mother’s back?

I found this quirky little book to be a complete joy and read it in two quick sittings, yet I wouldn’t quite go so far as to recommend it to grown ups. However, every kid I know that has read it (okay that’s only 3) has found it nearly impossible to put down once they began reading. Origami Yoda pulls a sort of Jedi-mind-trick on its readers sucking them in and making them want to devour the story.

Hey c’mon, isn’t that exactly what we parents want from a kids book!

by Book Mama in Ages 8 - 12, Reluctant Readers Tags: boy-friendly, middle grades, mystery, reluctant reader

04 Oct 2010 No Comments

YOU'RE A BAD MAN, MR. GUM by Andy Stanton

Book 1

Mr. Gum is an old rotter. He’s absolutely grimsters.

You’re a Bad Man Mr. Gum (ages 7 and up) by Andy Stanton had my book baby laughing so hard milk came out her nose. This irreverant series is most certainly not for those of the prim and proper persuasion.

But if your kids like to laugh then these Roald-Dahlesque books are guaranteed to get them reading.

Mr Gum is a truly nasty old man. But the stories are not just about him. There’s also a little girl called Polly, an evil butcher, heroes and sweets and stuff, and Jake the dog, who must be saved from terrible, terrible evil.

I love the Mr. Gum series beyond words! Author and stand-up comic Andy Stanton’s books have been called “Monty Python for kids”. Originally published in Europe, it was difficult to get them for a while, but as their popularity has grown, the series is now readily available.

In the first book, You’re a Bad Man Mr. Gum, we meet the old rotter right away. Mr Gum lives in a disgustingly filthy house where “he slept, scowled, and picked his nose and ate it.” Even the bed isn’t made—Mr. Gum chucked “bits of wood on the floor and dumped a mattress on top.”

But his garden is the most beautiful in the town. Why? Some speculate that he likes to garden, but the real reason is the angry fairy who gives him “pan whacks” if the garden isn’t perfect.

The Original British Cover

Unfortunately for Mr. Gum, the neighborhood dog, Jake, frequently messes up the garden—causing Mr. Gum too many whacks with the frying pan. So Mr. Gum leaves spoiled cow hearts laced with rat poison and sweetened with lemonade powder in the center of the lawn. Jake takes the bait, but is ultimately saved by nine-year-old Polly and some magic chocolate (a questionable remedy, since chocolate is dangerous to dogs).

English author Stanton provides flawless narration of his books. His deadpan delivery and comic timing are perfect. With its quirky cast of characters and silly sense of humor, these stories are a great choice for reluctant readers. (Library School Journal)

There are 8 books in the series so far. Hopefully, there will be many, many more!

Book 2

Book 3

Book 4

by Book Mama in Ages 12 - up, Ages 8 - 12, Reluctant Readers Tags: boy-friendly, comedy, reluctant reader

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