GOODBYE JANUARY-HELLO FEBRUARY!

Second graders studying about Australia and New Zealand delighted in hearing the true story of Shrek, the world's most famous sheep. It was written by the students of Tarras School in New Zealand after the hermit merino was found on Bendigo Station on April 15, 2004 by a woman shepherd Ann Scanlan. For six years Shrek evaded musterers in the magnificent central Otago high country of New Zealand. The solitude, intense summer heat and meters of snow in the winter were no match for the mighty "Shrek". He was blade-shorn in front of a world TV audience by Peter Casserly and is today living the life of a celebrity at Bendigo, continuing to raise money for cure kids. Shrek's charity of choice.www.curekids.org.nz

Everybody knows that a fairy earns her wings by being good at something important. Usually it's a dainty thing-like painting the colors on a rainbow or coaxing open the petals of a flower. First grade students learned all about Emmalina, who was not like other fairies when they heard the story entitled The Mud Fairy by Amy Young.
Emmalina was not like the other fairies. She'd rather run and jump and play in the mud. But in a world where being dainty seems the only way to succeed, this little mud fairy will prove that the most important thing of all is staying true to yourself.

Students in K enjoyed "acting out like farm animals" during their reader's theater of Book! Book! Book! by Deborah Brass. All the animals want is a great new book to read. But the librarian just can't seem to understand their requests. Only the hen knows exactly how to ask. But will she ever get her turn? Read this oinking, braying, bright, noisy book and find out! The author herself has one dog, three snapping turtles, one white dove, a rooster, and a hen on her farm in Bradford, New Hampshire. I am sure they have inspired her in this writing.

In Jr. K we talked about sleeping while enjoying the book entitled Please Don't Wake the Animals by Mary Batten. Did you know that cats sleep around 12 hours and some bats sleep almost 20 hours a day? Dolphins sleep while swimming-they take little naps by letting half of their brain sleep at a time totally about 8 hours. Do you know why most fish sleep with their eyes open? To find out more why not read this fascinating non-fiction book?

Alpha students learned all about vegetables and how they grow while listening to Tops and Bottoms by Janet Stevens. In this story about a lazy bear and a smart hare, students were exposed to the trickster tradition of beating hardship by using one's wits. This story has its roots in European folktales and the slave stories of the American South.

Last, but certainly not least, a BIG THANK YOU again to all of our library volunteers. I am so grateful to Jodi Gayoso for making sure every week the library schedule is posted and coverage is available for all the classes. All of you are so appreciated and your efforts are making the students happy to visit the media center.

JANUARY JOYS!!!

Students in grade 2 are studying Australia and they were introduced to the great selection of non-fiction books about that continent by reading Look What Came From Australia by Kevin Davis and Australia- Letters from Around the World series by Margot Richardson.

Do you remember the story of The Ugly Duckling by Hans Christian Andersen? Well, the students in K heard another version by Sebastien Braun and did a comparison of both books. This much loved tale is brought to life in a simple retelling expecially for the very young. They even voted for their favorite and stated reasons to support their vote. This is a wonderful bedtime story, and an invaluable addition to every child's first library.

Third graders played the game, "Guess who's Knocking at my Door" after reading biography books of famous people. They gave 3 clues to the audience and 3 guesses were made before the name of the person behind the door was revealed. This is a great way to get to know the individuals from the books as well as a fun way to learn the biography section of the library. Of course, prizes were rewarded to all correct answers as well as to the studens who wrote up the 3 mystery questions. We sure have fun in our library and learn lots, too!

Fiction and non-fiction books were discussed with the Alpha students. After listening to Dog's Colorful Day:a messy story about colors and counting by Emma Dodd, by Emily Gravett, and Little Mouse Gets Ready by Jeff Smith, students decided what kind of books they were and discussed why. At check out time, some choose the non-fiction (tall shelves) books to take home.

Do you know the author Amy Krouse Rosenthal? If not, just ask a student in Jr. K to tell you about what Little Pea likes to eat, or what Little Oink likes to play. They listened to these two books during their library lesson and one of their teachers checked out Little Hoot to read to them in their classroom. They loved this author's twist on behavior....you need to read one real soon.

5th grade students will be meeting Dan Gutman and seeing a display of his many books during their lessons this month. Do you remember Honus Wagner? Did you know that his baseball card is the most sought after and one in poor condition can be worth $150,000-$200,000? It was one of 522 cards in a set produced by American Tobacco Company in 1909-10. The cards in this set are sometimes referred to as "white borders". This card is so valuable-legend has it- because Wagner was opposed to cigarette smoking and insisted the card be discontinued shortly after presses had begun to run. In 1996, a card in good condition sold for over a half a million dollars. About 60 are known to exist. Well, Dan Gutman's book Honus & Me is just one of his numerous fiction and nonfiction books for children of all ages up to about grade 6. Whether you love sports or not, you should give this author a chance