Charting the World by Richard Panchyk

Charting theWorld - Geography and Maps from Cave Paintings to GPS

Map lovers will not be the only ones fascinated by this book. It is so much more than a book of maps. It is a history of geography with amazing facts. Page 49: "During the 17th century, as the waves of explorers who visited the New World sent favorable reports back to Europe, a steady stream of settlers from Europe began to enter the Americas. The European population of the American colonies rose from about 350 in 1610 to 50,000 in 1650. By 1700, there were 250,000 settlers in the English colonies of North America, and many thousands more lived in the New France and New Spain."  I love a book that makes me think, "I didn't know that," and then leads to a new question or wondering.

The amount of information that is in this book is phenomenal. He covers so many different aspects of mapping, history, a timeline of maps, and of course, a ton of actual maps. Not only does it provide interesting information, it includes 21 activities for students.  

I bought this book for my elementary school even though it is more geared to adults and teachers. It's just so cool to look at and can be read in bits and pieces. If you have a kid who loves maps, this would be a great book to share with them.

Catching Up with My Goodreads Challenge!

Due to a busy summer (our new granddaughter) and an even busier start of school, I found myself behind in my Goodreads challenge. But lately I've had some great luck at the library. Here are some of my favorites.

Meghan McCarthy's wonderful non-fiction books are  great! I LOVE the illustrations and the information is perfect for elementary students. Whenever I read, if the book is really good, I hand it immediately to my husband. We were both impressed with how interesting she makes the story while giving you facts that you might not have thought about. Kids LOVE that!

Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater, The Wolves of Mercy Falls Series

It's winter and 16 year old Grace watches for the yellow-eyed wolf . She's never seen him in the summer. Ten years ago, his pack tore her from her swing and dragged her into the woods. But "her wolf", with the brilliant yellow eyes, saved her. Finally, she spots him, camouflaged by the trees, but she's memorized those eyes. It's her wolf, and each summer, that first glimpse takes her breath away. She's missed him so. 

Then come summer and Grace meets Sam, a boy her age, who has yellow eyes. Can it be? Grace doesn't know how, but she's certain he has to be the wolf she's come to love.

Sam can't believe his luck. He has watched her from the woods, his Grace, for so long. And now, here she is, in his arms. He won't think about winter, when the degrees start to drop, and the cold will eventually turn him back into a wolf. How can he leave his Grace, he's just found her? But summer won't last forever. 

Maggie Stiefvater has woven a wonderful, imaginative love story, full of suspense. 4 Stars.

And best of all, it's a trilogy!   

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Source: slideshare.net via Kiki on Pinterest

Source: slideshare.net via Kiki on Pinterest

Recent Books I've Enjoyed!

Jamberry by Bruce Degen

Picked this up at the used book store and didn't realize what a favorite it is...an oldie but goodie.

Hatberry
Shoeberry
In my canoeberry
Under the bridge
And over the dam
Looking for berries Berries for jam

Same, Same but Different by Jenny Sue Kostecki-Shaw

Wonderful story about two boys doing the same things but in different cultures!

 Goodnight Ipad by Ann Droyd

One of my student's and her mom bought this for me, aren't they sweet? It's hilarious and oh, TOO true! 

The Biggest Kiss by Joanna Walsh

LOVED this book...such sweet illustrations by Judi Abbot and a lovely story about how EVERY ONE kisses or gets kissed. Here's the line that hooked me: “Kisses on noses, kisses on toes-es. Sudden kisses when you least supposes.” Buying for my grandkids Henry and Kaily. That's right, I have a granddaughter...two weeks old tomorrow, Kaily!

 My Rhinoceros by Jon Agee

Love, love, love Jon Agee! I just went on his website and my, oh, my do I have a LOT of books to purchase for my library, there's only six! Instead of telling you about it, I'll show you. Watch the video below!

Summer Book Reading!

My Goodreads goal for the year is 366 books...yep, a book a day! And I'm actually ahead of schedule. The wonderful Harmony Library is just blocks from my house. We took Henry there yesterday and of course you know what a three year old wants to do. Push the handicap buttons to open all the doors! We also had to stop him from choosing every book he saw and putting them into my bag. They have a great selection of new books in the children's area and I clear them out. I'm going later today, too.

Over and Under by Kate Messner is one of those books that captures you first with the pictures by Chris Silas Neal and then Kate's wonderful story. Here is the blurb from Kate's website: "Over the snow, the world is hushed and white. But under the snow exists a secret kingdom of squirrels and snow hares, bears and bullfrogs, and many other animals that live through the winter safe and warm, awake and busy, under the snow. Discover the wonder and activity that lies beneath winter’s snowy landscape in this magical book."

I always hand the book over to my darling hubby after I've finished it. We both agreed that the illustrations were amazing and the way Kate wrote the book makes it a great picture book! She teaches us very cool facts about animals and winter without being "teachy". We loved it! If you, or children you know, love animals, pick this book up. I will guarantee not only will you love it but you will be delightfully surprised at what you learn! 5 Stars

Pig Pig Meets the Lion by David McPhail

David McPhail is a prolific writer and illustrator with over 150 books to his credit. Pig Pig Meets the Lion is the latest in his Pig Pig series. McPhail's illustrations are so luscious, it's no wonder he has been a popular illustrator for many other authors besides his own.

Pig Pig Meets the Lion starts on the inside cover of the book, where we see the lion jumping over the zoo's fence while the other animals sleep. On the next page the lion is running down the road toward a lonely house in the middle of the countryside. Then we see Mother Pig bending down on her front porch for the milk and newspaper, the headlines read, "Lion Escapes". Turn the page and we're finally at the title page. Mother Pig is going inside the house, looking at the paper while lion is climbing the tree up to Pig Pig's bedroom window.

Throughout the book Pig Pig and Lion are playing all over the house, chasing each other, while Mother Pig is your typical busy mom, cooking breakfast and talking on her cell phone. Kids will recognize this mom who is chatting with her child but really not paying attention. She's stirring the pot while telling Pig Pig that a lion has escaped from the zoo. Pig Pig says, "I know" while he and Lion are diving under the kitchen table. Kids will squeal with delight while mother is oblivious until the very end of the book; the inside back cover, where she is surprised to see two zoo employees at her front door. We see Lion leaving Pig Pig's bedroom window to climb down the tree.

On the back jacket flap, the fun doesn't stop. "David lives in Rye, New Hampshire, and would very much like to meet a friendly lion over breakfast."

Pre-school age children and up will love the adventures of Pig Pig!