CBC Kids (cbc.ca/kids)

One of my favorite websites to visit (every morning, while enjoying coffee in fact) is cbc.ca. This was my first time looking into the kids cbc website, and it was a lot of fun! The different menu selections are games, tv shows, reviews, get stuff, videos and preschool. Each of the menu bars contains exactly what they say, and are easy to use.

Although the nature of this website is different than the askkids.com website, I still liked the content. It felt more trusted, due to the fact that all the sources were from the cbc. I also really liked the 'preschool' tab, giving younger children a place to go.

I would give this website a 4 out of 5, because it was fun and I wouldn't mind a child using this on their own. The preschool page would be perfect for children of that age group, while the rest is suitable towards any child older.

cbc.ca/kids

Genre: Website

Ask Kids (askkids.com)

There are indeed many websites geared at children, and one of them is askkids.com. The basic search tabs for this website are school house, movies, games, video and images. Much like the adult ask.com, you type in a topic or question and it directs you to a secondary websites. Ask Kids shows a little cue card with some basic information about the subject, and then gives the list of secondary websites. I did an initial search for a few topics, and all the websites seemed alright for children. Children can interact with the website, and play with the games, as well as explore the other options within the website.

I would recommend an adult sitting with children while they are using this website, just to help the decipher between websites that are useful, and ones that really aren't that great. Also, I realized that using the 'images' tab that usually, they were popular child celebrity images (for example Zac Efron...who I can only refer to has Zefron for some reason). Again, having an adult by the child's side to talk to them about the content of the site. I would recommend a child who is 7-8+, who wants to explore the Internet.

askkids.com

I wasn't a huge fan of this website, it just wasn't that exciting and I didn't like the idea of a child using this alone. I would give it a 2 out of 5.

Genre: Website

Lucy Rose - Big on Plans

The summer time story of Lucy Rose is a busy one. Lucy Rose, a self identified planner, is spending her summer full of fun. What has she planned you might ask? Well, there's summer Parks and Rec's, then there's this young lady named Ashley at Parks and Rec who Lucy Rose really isn't a fan of. Also, she plans on crafting, spending tonnes of time with her grandparents (fighting squirrels away from their beloved Apricots), adventuring with her best friends Jonique and Melonhead and of course, spending time with her Dad. Here's the thing about Mom and Dad though, they're "separated" and Lucy Rose is attempting to stop this separation from turning into divorce. You see, Lucy Rose has many summer plans and even though they don't all go as planned, Lucy Rose has an adventurous and wonderful summer none the less.

Lucy Rose - Big on Plans is part of a series by Katy Kelly. Reading these as an adult was indeed a bit tedious, but it helps you understand why they are a levelled reader book. They are really meant to be a child's first chapter book. Compared to books of the like, it does a wonderful job of helping children along the way. There are pictures and Lucy Rose even has a word of the day, in turn helping children learn some new vocabulary. This book is not gender neutral, so I would recommend it for a young girl. The age range of this first time chapter book would probably be grades 3-4.

Kelly, Katy. (2005). Lucy Rose - Big on Plans. Yearling (Imprint of Random House). New York.

Genre: Levelled Reader

Sleeping Beauty, Disney Movie

We all know the story of Sleeping Beauty, and mostly we know it from the Disney film version. The cartoon film version of this, by Disney was and still is one of my favorites. The princess is cursed by the evil fairy, Maleficent. Before her 16th birthday, she will be pricked by a spinning wheel, and die. One of Aurora's fairies, weaken the curse so that true loves kiss will be able to awaken her from the curse, if it should happen. Aurora lives her life in the forest to protect her (side note- Her forest name is Briar Rose!), with her three fairy godmothers, until she meets the prince. She is lured out of the forest, and pricks her finger on the spinning wheel causing her to fall into a deep slumber. But not to worry, for she is indeed awaken by the true loves kiss, when the Prince kisses her to life.

Although not a Pixar children's movie, I believe that something like Sleeping Beauty can still hold a child's attention. It's still filled with the same sexist type element that most classic fairy tales are (who are we kidding, no one's true love kiss can wake me up!), but I think the music and the colorful look of the film will still entice a child. Again, it's another opportunity to show a child story's from days gone by. The age range of this film really depends on what a child can watch and not be to frightened, since some of the scenes are indeed, evil. I would recommend it for 7+

Sleeping Beauty (1959). Disney Corp.

Genre: Movie

Scaredy Squirrel

One of the scariest things for a human being is fear of the unknown...And Scaredy Squirrel is the most fearful of all! This charming story follows the (mundane) life of the round headed little Squirrel who is terrified to leave his beloved nut tree. A few things Scaredy is scared of? Well, there's tarantulas, poison ivy and green martians, just to name a few. All this changes on a Thursday, at 9:37 am when Scaredy Squirrel spies a killer bee, and of course drops his emergency kit out of the tree (that he never leaves). Scaredy Squirrels leaps into the unknown and all of a sudden starts gliding realizing that he is indeed a flying squirrel. His daily routine now includes venturing into the unknown, because Scaredy Squirrel realizes that the outside world isn't so bad after all!

Compared to other books for this age range, I think Scaredy Squirrel, an award winning children's book, is among the most endearing. The main character is so cute and likable, boys and girls alike will find this tale funny and exciting! It's a great book to give to children, and discuss the idea of being courageous and trying new things (although, one of them should NOT be gliding out of a tree!) The age range for this book is approximately 6-8.

Watt, Melanie. (2006). Scaredy Squirrel. Kids Can Press: Toronto, ON.

Genre: Picture Book

Marie-Claire: Book Three. Visitors. Our Canadian Girl

Our Canadian Girl is a historical fiction series for young girls. I decided to learn a little about Marie-Claire, a French speaking girl from Quebec. Marie-Claire lived through a small pox epidemic, one that took her sister's life. Through her graciousness, she suggest to her family to take in another family that has lost their home to a fire. Although this was her suggestion, she holds a little resentment to this family taking up the space in her home, and the small children fighting for her attention. Amongst all the turmoil at home, Marie-Clair goes out to fetch her mother some cheese, and is hit by a runaway horse. She is brought into a wealthy, English speaking home and is nursed back to health. In this house she discovers the luxury of having money, but returns home to her loving family.

This is a levelled reader book, meaning it is written for a specific age range, and is a great tool for teaching literacy skills. This book would be a perfect first chapter book for children in grade 1+. The content is interesting enough that you could use this for an older child, who may be having problems with reading.

An enjoyable book, with good content!

3 out of 5

Stinson, Kathy. (2003). Marie-Claire: Book Three. Visitors, Our Canadian Girl. Penguin Group: Toronto, Ontario.

Genre: Levelled Reader

Mud City

Mud City by Deborah Ellis, is the story of a little girl who has left the war torn Afghanistan for Pakistan. Shauzia and her dog, Jasper have big dream, to make it to the flowered fields of France to a better life of freedom. The journey is proving difficult, and getting to the sea is not as easy as it seems. Shauzia is placed in a women's refugee camp, that shows no sign of freedom. Shauzia leaves this camp, begging and looking for any work, in exchange for money. She works hard, and is thankful for the protection of her old herd dog. Shauzia faces difficult occurrences, being taken in by a western family, who cannot fathom nor handle the hardships she's been through, injury, and finally being returned to the refugee camp she finds so heartbreaking. The entire time, Shauzia is posing as a young boy, knowing that this may be her only ticket out of the life she has been born into.

Compared to other realistic fiction for children, Mud City is definitely in its own category. I like what Mud City does with the subject matter of the book, it doesn't shy away from the terror that Shauzia is feeling, but it also doesn't use frightening language to demonstrate the point. I think this type of book, especially with children, should always be accompanied with discussion. Children need to be able to discuss this, and the best way to create awareness is through discussion. I recommend this book for 11+. I also think this would be a valuable read-aloud book for teachers, especially considering the difficult place names within.

4 out of 5!

Ellis, Deborah. (2003). Mud City. Groundwood Books, Toronto: Ontario.

Genre: Realistic Fiction

101 Ways you can Save the Planet Before You're 12!

Saving the Planet is so in vogue! And wonderful fashion statement if you ask me, and a subject that should be taught to all children. 101 Ways you can Save the Planet Before You're 12!, gives kids tips and tricks to reducing their carbon footprint. This book gives children the opportunity to figure out what their style is when it comes to being environmentally friendly. The second tip is giving the children the language that is used when it comes to environmental issues, defining concepts like biodiversity, carbon neutral, ecosystems and greenhouses gases. For children, learning the language is important because of the popularity of using these words in the media. If they understand what these words mean, it'll make them more aware of what is going on in the world!

I would recommend this book for children between the ages of 8 and 12. A great resource for teachers who are looking for idea to teach children about this subject.

4 out of 5.

Genre: Realistic Fiction

Up

Wonderfully enough, Up was on my "to watch" list, making deciding upon a movie to watch for this blog, very simple.

Up seems to follow a Pixar recipe, within the first 10 minutes you are in tears (hello, finding Nemo?). The main character in Up, Carl Fredricksen, is a crotchety old man who's lost the love of his life, his wife. She fell in love with the Zoo balloon sales man, and they always promised each other to go on wonderful worldly adventures. Life gets in the way, as it always does, causing them to never have enough money to embark on their dreams. As they age, they live a happy life, ending with Carl's wife passing away. In Carl's sadness and loneliness he decides to use his reliable balloon business to float the house to their life's dream destination. Of course he was suppose to do this alone, but upon lift off notices he has a partner in crime, a little boy scout trying to get his "help an elderly" badge. Landing in Carl's dream spot is harder than expected, fighting with another man who inhabits the Island, who is attempting to catch a tropical bird. Carl reaches his dream and in the meantime softens, learning to enjoy the little boy who annoyed him so in the beginning, becoming a surrogate grandfather to him.

Pixar has created a definite formula to creating films for children. Sometimes, I find they they are actually a little bit frightening for children, but I think Up is a wonderful movie for children, even the sad opening with Carl's wife passing away. It teaches children about reaching for your dreams, but also finding happiness in a life of love.

It's hard to give an age recommendations for this film. It's rated PG, and there were certain elements that might bother children. Taking this all into consideration, I would recommend this film for children 6+ (Or for a 26 and 34 year old, which were the ages of the people who chose this film).

5 out 5, I loved Up!

Genre: Movie

Goldie and the Three Bears

Goldie and the Three Bears, by Diane Stanley is a wonderful revised fairytale of Goldilocks and the Three Bears. Goldie is a little girl who knows what she likes. When she's at a restaurant ordering pasta she is very clear about what she'd like "I want plain pasta with just butter and no green things, please" says Goldie. Goldie's only problem is that she can't seem to find a friend that she can love, Alicia is too snobby and Penny was far too rough. One day, Goldie gets off the bus at the wrong stop, and goes into a house. Inside, she find three sandwiches one is too sweet, one is too bland but one is juuuuust right. She carries on in the classic Goldilocks fashion, only to fall asleep in a perfect bed. In comes the three Bears, and Baby Bear launches herself at the bed. Bouncing happily, they realize they will become the most wonderful friends.

I really enjoyed this revised fairytale, if for nothing else but the wonderful illustrations. The little bear details in the entire story lead up to the big reveal of Goldie's modern day encounter with the Bear family, something that can be really fun to point out to a child while reading this book to them of if they are reading it on their own, something exciting for them to find.

This book would be wonderful to read to a child in preschool-grade 1, a wonderful practice reading book!

I give this book a 4 out of 5!

Stanley, Diane. (2003). Goldie and the three bears. Harper Collins Publisher, NY: New York.

Genre: Fairytale (revised!)

Percy Jackson & The Olympians , The Lightning Thief

When it comes to YA literature, a common storyline is that the child is orphaned or has some sort of circumstance that makes them different, and forced to live outsides the line of normality. Percy Jackson & the Olympians, The Lightning Thief, is a book that could be read by both children and young adults (and adults, because I picked this one up on my own!). Percy Jackson is very similar to these orphaned young people in similar books, except for one thing...He has his mother and his stepfather, but his real father...well, he's a god, the Greek god of the Sea, Poseidon. Gods don't exactly get along, and between being shipped of between boarding school for behavior problems and running into weirs circumstances (with water AND monsters!), Percy begins to understand how different he is. This journey brings him to a camp of children who are the same as he is, half god half human. But when he learns he's the son of Poseidon, he also learns he must go on a journey to find a thunderbolt that will stop his Father and Zeus from fighting. This little trip leads him to the underworld, and with the help of his two friends Grover and Annabeth he defeats god after god to stop the pending war of the Gods. But with the completion of this journey, he realizes that there are many more to be had.

Besides the fact that this book is really well written, this would also be a great book to entice some reluctant readers. This book also has a male lead character which may be something that appeals to boy readers. I would compare this book to both the Hunger Game series and the Graceling series, not because of the level it is written at, but more so of its interest level...like those series this book is an absolute page turner.

Percy's diagnosis of ADHD is explained because of his half god half human status. It was hard for him to read, because he was meant to read Greek, and he couldn't sit still because he was so sensitive to detail. I really like that Riordan does this, because it's a great way to incorporate something that is very common (even if a child doesn't have this diagnosis, the indeed know what it is).

I would recommend this book for grade 5-6 and above, depending on their reading level.

I give this book a 5 out of 5!

Riordan, Rick. (2006). Percy Jackson & The Olympians. Hypherion Books, NY: New York.

Genre: Fantasy

Explore Your World: The Five Senses

Explore Your World, The Five Senses is a non-fiction book for children around the ages of 5-6 I would say. It's a beginner book, and could also be read to a child and they could follow along.

Basically this book explores the five senses, but as an added bonus has little activities kids can play with, to further their understanding of the concepts and even use the senses being explained.

I like this book for children because it's bright and interactive!

4 out of 5

Ciboul, Adele. (2001). Explore Your World, The Five Senses. Buffalo, NY: Firefly Books.

Genre- Nonfiction

Popcorn

A book of children's poetry by James Stevenson, is a collection of short (almost all the time) nonsensical poems. Titles like Driftwood, Under the Hull, Some Say there are Ghosts in the All-Star Restaurants and May Morning are all short poems, that don't really have any rhyme scheme.

He writes silly poems, but he also has some that are just about a dog under a boat (Under the Hull), and one called May Morning, that goes like this:

You could say this isn't much of a morning:
Cold mist across the meadow,
The woods in tatters,
Fog horns bleating.
The ocean drones like traffic on a highway,
Towels hung out to dry are dripping from the line....

When suddenly
From around the side of the house
A soft wind comes,
Carrying the smell of lilacs.

I enjoyed this little book of poetry, and believe children will genuinely enjoy reading it and looking at the pictures!

I would recommend this book of poetry for children in the age range of 7-8, it's a great first book of poetry to give to a new reader!

3.5 out of 5

Stevenson, James. (1998). Popcorn, Poem by James Stevenson. New York, NY: Greenwillow Books.

Genre- Poetry

ChickaDEE

Now, the Chickadee in my day did not look like this! I have to say though, this one is much more fun!

Within the issue of Chickadee I chose (Dec. 2008), featured were articles like comics, a "did you know" section, animals, games, recipes (for children, of course), an "eye-spy" type thing, stories, poems, science experiments and an opportunity to mail different things in the be included in the magazine. The magazine is bright and fun, and I think children would really enjoy this. I know during my time at the Fredericton Public Library in New Brunswick, the children loved reading this and looking at the pictures. This magazine is probably best for children within the 6-9 year old range.

I give this magazine a 4 out of 5! Lots of fun!

Genre- Magazine

Lily B. on the Brink of Love

I had never heard of the Lily B. series before, and within the first few pages I began to realize this was probably a very popular book for children. It's obviously geared at young girls, at an age where they are a little bit past reading simple chapter books.

Lily B. is a budding writer, intelligent and quirky. She is her schools advice columnist, and of course meets The Boy of her dreams. Not only has she met the love of her life, but she has just gotten a new job with an real life author...Who turns out to be The Boys mother. Along with her friends Charlotte and Bonnie she immerses herself in her new job, and figuring out how to make The Boy fall in love with her. Along the way, there are upsets and of course he never sees her the way she sees him, but throughout the book, she learns how to be herself and find someone who truly appreciate her for who she really is.

Although this book was very "girly" it was fun, and I would recommend it to girls who are ready to read a chapter book that isn't necessarily for beginners. Girls in grade 5-6 would enjoy this!

3.5 out of 5

Kimmel, Elizabeth C. (2005). Lily B. on the Brink of Love. New York, NY: Harper Trophy.

Genre- Realistic Fiction

The Hunger Games and Catching Fire

Thank goodness for my class-mate Danielle, because she introduced me to both The Hunger Games and Catching Fire, written by Suzanne Collins. Also, thank goodness Collins plans on penning a third book in this series.

The basic premise of these two book follows the life of Katniss Everdeen, a young girl from a nation that has the land of North America, but is divided into districts and run by the Capitol. Each of the districts must give up two of their very own children, a boy and a girl, to the hunger games, a literal fight to death. The brave Katniss steps forward to take her sister's place, to fight in the hunger games. Through a devoted friend, she makes it out alive, with her friend Peeta. She fools the Capitol into letting them both live, and in Catching Fire, she pays for this mistake and is entered into the Games again. Making it out alive yet again, the Capitol has never been more angry and Katniss knows she will eventually have to pay for this. She feels like she's starting a revolution in the districts, something that she is indeed doing.

These stories are amazing, and say much more about the society in which we ourselves live in. This book is recommended for upper level readers, grade 6-7.

These books are a 5 out of 5!

Collins, Suzanne. (2008). The Hunger Games. New York, NY: Scholastic Press.

Collins, Suzanne. (2009). Catching Fire. New York, NY. Scholastic Press.

Genre- Series Fiction (x2)

The House in the Night

My first interaction with The House in the Night was using it for a comparison paper, where I looked only at the illustrations. I realize now how much I missed from my first encounter with the text. The story is a little tale within a tale, having the main character taking flight on a beautiful bird, which is the main character in their book. I say "their" because you really can't tell if the person in the story is a little girl, or a little boy, which I find intriguing and wonderful. This is a whimsical story, with very cool illustrations, being primarily colored in black and white, with bright flashes of yellow for things that should draw focus, that end up feeling so alive.

I adore these types of stories that have the sentiment of lulling you into a sleep.

I would recommend this book for parents looking for something to read to their infant, or for a child just learning to read.

5 out of 5.

Swanson, Susan.(2008). The House in the Night. New York, NY: Houghton Mifflin Company.

Genre- Picture Book

Muhammed Ali - Champion of the World

Muhammad Ali is a name most people know, and one a lot of children may hear often but not really know the story of who this man was.

The story begins with a little history on black boxers, talking about Jack Johnson, Joe Louis and then finally Cassius Clay, the man who would eventually become Muhammad Ali. The momentous times in Ali's life are highlighted in this children's story talking about his first win, when he refuses to fight in the war, his imprisonment and finally his comeback to the ring, overtaking George Foreman in an unexpected win.

I didn't think I'd enjoy this little story as much as I did. I always found Muhammad Ali annoyingly arrogant, which he has admitted on his own. The story includes all the major points of Ali's life, and even his extreme confidence, but still remains a children's tale. This is a great read for a child who is asking about Ali's life! I would recommend this for 7-8 year olds. Also, the illustrations are wonderful!

I would give this a 4 out 5

Winter, Jonah. Roca, Francoise. (2007) Muhammed Ali - Champion of the World. New York, NY: Shwartz & Wade Books.

Genre- Biography