Children's Book Review: An Island in the Sun

Coquillages à Fadiouth, SénégalImage via Wikipedia
An Island in the Sun


 
About the Book:

Set sail for a distant island with a young boy in search of a friend in this I-spy adventure. The rhyme and repetition encourage easy learning, and the surprise at the end will delight young readers. The book is suitable for little people to read alone for ages 4-7 or reading together, baby-4 years old. It's a beautiful picture book written by Stella Blackstone with charming verse and gorgeous pastel illustrations by Nicoletta Ceccoli that truly depict sparkling ocean colors of blue, opaque turquoise and green. The full-page colorful illustrations of seascapes remind me of beautiful places in Greece or perhaps Italy.
In a spectacular seascape, a young boy sets sail for a distant island where he finds a special friend waiting for him. Who could it be? Young kids like surprises and the ending to this story is indeed a happy one. Children will delight in pointing out the animals and objects that the little boy spies along his journey.



Award-winning artist Nicoletta Ceccoli's radiant illustrations spill off the pages with their dramatic ocean scenes and vibrant tropical hues. In 2003, An Island in the Sun received the Book of the Year Award Finalist, ForeWord Magazine.

What I like best about this book is its simplicity in nature's vast visual, the ocean. Plus, the charming text of Stella Blackstone's repeated verse of spotting familiar objects through a telescope. Whether you enjoy the sport of fishing or sailing or just leisurely strolling along the seashore picking up sea shells and then diving under one of the ocean's waves, only to dry off on the sand laying in the warm of the sun... you're sure to feel happy and content to have sailed to An Island in the Sun and have spent a fun-filled day at the beach. ***** stars.


Hardcover $15.99 Book Purchase

 An Island in the Sun

When I envision an "island" these photos come to my mind:
Monkey Island
Usedom Island
Pajęcza Island
 Have you been to an island? I've been to Maui and I must say, I could live there! How about you?

I love to fish, whether it's at a lake or  in the ocean. I wrote an intel awhile back on Qondio.
Here's a little blurb:





"California has wonderful places with many streams flowing through the mountains that are stocked regularly with fish. The trout prefers cold, clean water with high oxygen content. It is therefore commonly found in mountain streams and in unpolluted rivers. Although you can find German Brown here in Southern California, I’ll admit that I haven’t seen the Cutthroat Trout in our neck of the woods. Rainbow Trout is the main one that they stock in California. Now the California Golden Trout is the only native trout and lives in the high mountain lakes and streams." 
 More at: http://www.qondio.com/trout-fishing


-- LadyD

“You can’t get a cup of tea big enough or a book long enough to suit me.” — C. S. Lewis

My Family from WiddlyTinks.com

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Great Giveaway: 2 Free Children's Books

  
STORY TIME FOR ME is a unique literary website designed specifically for toddlers and children in early elementary school, allowing them to read and listen to enjoyable, online interactive picture books.  We also offer a one-of-a-kind animated personalized book.

SAMPLE STORIES

As a grandmother of 3 grandsons all under the age of 4 , I was thrilled to find good quality educational  story books online. This amazing website offers two free books to view so I started with Fern Meets Some Indian Animals. While the book was rapidly loading, I was pleasantly greeted with a simple sing-along, upbeat greeting. I loved it! First impressions are always good.


The narrative is highlighted to easily read along with while hearing a pleasant voice reading aloud around 10-12 pages or so with a running time of 2-5 minutes for each book. The brightly colored illustrations are so beautiful.  In this special book, Fern learns about special animals from India. What a fun way to learn about different cultures online.


As a piano teacher, I especially loved seeing a marching band and hearing instrument sounds in the book, Fern's Parade Adventure. What a wonderful selection of books in their library to choose from, starting with animals, nature, seasons, friendship, entertainment, holidays, concepts, travel, adventure and more. 

I highly recommend Story Time For Me. It's a must for all kids, parents and grandparents, too.
Enjoy quality time learning and reading together. I'm very impressed with this reading resource.

So, let all your friends and family know about getting up to 10 free online interactive children's storybooks. To Take advantage of this free offer, fill out the form below. You can skip the form and get 10 free books by going directly to the website and refering your friends. Details are below the form. Thanks and enjoy your free books!




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 Happy Reading!
-- LadyD



“You can’t get a cup of tea big enough or a book long enough to suit me.” — C. S. Lewis


My Family from WiddlyTinks.com

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Barefoot Books-LadyD: Who's in the Forest?

Who's in the Forest?

In this colorful peek-a-boo book, small children are invited to peek through the holes on every other page to answer the repeating refrain, “Who’s in the forest, dark and deep?” The playful, energetic, rhyming text introduces all sorts of creatures that make their home in the forest.
 
Chunky boards and peepo portholes give this book lots of toddler appeal Energetic rhyming text builds early language skills Dark and deep forest theme makes this a fun book for Hallowe'en Combine with partner peepo book Who's in the Garden? To discover creatures closer to home.  
 
 

Ages 1 to 4 years
Written By: Phillis Gershator
Illustrated By: Jill McDonald

About the Author

Phillis Gershator has written more than twenty-five books for children. She has worked as a children's librarian and enjoys cooking, gardening, and especially reading. Phillis lives in the US Virgin Islands with her husband and frequent co-author, David. This is her third project with Barefoot, following Listen, Listen and Who's in the Garden? Jill McDonald finds inspiration in colour and pattern, and has been creating artwork since childhood. She earned her BFA in Textile Design from Rhode Island School of Design. Jill now lives in Parkville, Missouri with her husband, Antonio and son, Luca. She is also the illustrator of Who's in the Garden?


Product Details

  • Reading level: Ages 4-8
  • Board book: 24 pages
  • Publisher: Barefoot Books; Brdbk edition (September 1, 2010)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 1846864763
  • ISBN-13: 978-1846864766

Format: Large Board Book $14.99

A rhyming story told through playful, energetic, rhyming text and colorful illustrations introduces all sorts of creatures that make their home in the forest; small children are invited to peek through the portholes on every other page to answer the repeating refrain, "Who's in the forest, dark and deep?"


 You can order this new Fall Barefoot Books Board Book at:
http://ladyd.barefootbooks.com

I'll be ordering this one, along with you. It looks like a good one with great pictures. Just perfect for my sweet grandsons!

Happy Fall,
-- LadyD


“You can’t get a cup of tea big enough or a book long enough to suit me.” — C. S. Lewis

My Family from WiddlyTinks.com

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Skip through the Seasons

 Skip through the Seasons by Stella Blackstone is a seek-and-find book. I especially like this one because it is so perfect for explaining the change in seasons to my grandson. We were taking down all of the sunflowers from our summer garden and harvesting the seeds for the birdies and us, too. I immediately thought of this particular book when I came inside because you can feel fall in the air. Soon we'll be planting our winter garden, what fun!


Jump into January - and dance into December!

This hide-and-seek book is full of things to look at and talk about as you journey through the changing year. You can learn all about the seasons as well as different types of calenders throughout the ages.



A Changing Seasons Matching Game is also available as a companion to this book.

Life on Earth Matching Game

Learn memory and matching skills with this classic matching game, featuring 24 pairs of animals and plant life. Game pieces are printed on recycled, laminated board.
Ages 5 to 8 years
Produced By: eeBoo

To order book and game visit:

http://ladyd.barefootbooks.com

In the back of the book you will learn the days of the week in French, Spanish, Italian, German and Anglo-Saxon.

 Book Description:


Skip Through the Seasons

Jump into January and dance all throughout the rest of the year. This rhyming, seek-and-find book of months features plenty of seasonal objects on each page for readers to point out. Educational endnotes include facts about different calendars, seasons and days of the week.
Ages 1 to 7 years
Written By: Stella Blackstone
Illustrated By: Maria Carluccio


Here's one last look of this years  sunflowers. I think these are one of my favorite, happy summer flowers. How about you?




Want to be a Barefoot Books Ambassador? Just ask me...
Happy Reading!
-- LadyD



“If you can fill the unforgiving minute 
With sixty seconds’ worth of distance run, 
Yours is the Earth and everything that’s in it” -- Rudyard Kipling (make a lasting difference.)


My Family from WiddlyTinks.com

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Teaching Math with Music

"Education should not be filling a pail, but the lighting of fire."
            -- William Butler Yeats


I was reading an article by Karen Sawyers and Janet Hutson-Brandhagen who provide some practical suggestions for teachers on how to improve children's math skills through music. Introducing this idea they observe...

"As research reacquaints us with the many benefits of music, we need to be careful not to take music instruction too far with preschoolers. As early childhood educators we know how important it is to meet the children where they are and support them through age-appropriate learning experiences. We should avoid teaching children the fundamentals of music in an overly formal way. Instead, we should provide opportunities for children to explore the world of music in their own way and in their own time. It's important to keep this principle in mind as we set up our classrooms and plan for music activities in the daily routine."
"To set the stage for music learning, each classroom needs a music area where there are rhythm instruments such as tambourines, jingle bells, step bells, and xylophones. Children need opportunities to use these instruments during times of day when they initiate their own activities (such as work time, choice time, or play time) as well as during teacher-planned small-and large-group times. As we work with children throughout the day there are many music activities that we can provide to develop the music-math connection in very natural ways."
The Animal Boogie Song







Barefoot Books offers quality children's books with sing-along CDs starting at $9.99

Here's a list of some of my favorites:

1. Creepy Crawly Calypso
2. Driving My Tractor
3. Here We Go Round the Mulberry Bush
4. If You're Happy and You Know It 
5. Knick Knack Paddy Whack
6. Mrs. Moon
7. Playtime Rhymes for Little People8. Port Side Pirates
9. The Animal Boogie
10. The Farmyard Jamboree
11. The Journey Home from Grandpa's
12. Up, Up, Up!
13. We all Go Traveling By

To view these wonderful books that are available for purchase, visit:
http://ladyd.barefootbooks.com

Wishing you a wonderful school year filled with  happy times of music and rhythm!

Happy Reading,
-- LadyD



“If you can fill the unforgiving minute 
With sixty seconds’ worth of distance run, 
Yours is the Earth and everything that’s in it” -- Rudyard Kipling (make a lasting difference.)


My Family from WiddlyTinks.com

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Children's Books: September Specials

Well, most San Diego schools are back in session and it seems everyone will now be settling back into their regular school year routine.  Summer this year was nice and thankfully it was not quite as hot this year.  However, that certainly didn't take away from the fun and memories that were made the last few months.
Don't know about you but with Fall about here I've already started thinking about upcoming holidays and the start of the football season.  Starting with Labor Day and looking forward to getting the kids dressed up for Halloween in October.  Yes, bring on the Fall and the start of the holiday season!
Fall marks the start of a new school year and introduces youngsters to many new subjects. Our latest Young Fiction books share the classic tales of the Round Table and the Odyssey as illustrated paperback chapter books, perfect for ages 8 and up. And for our younger readers, we've got new Bear bilingual books as well as two new board books from our favorite fabric artist, Clare Beaton. Book Sale  Sept.1 - 30th.
 
New! The Adventures of Odysseus
As Odysseus fights to find his way back home after the long and brutal Trojan War, he has to endure harrowing ordeals and adventures, and come to terms with devastating losses. Storytellers Hugh Lupton and Daniel Morden's graphic retelling breathes new life into this great classic.
Ages 8+
Chapter Book $12.99
Story CD $19.99

New! Arthur of Albion
This vivid retelling brings together the best-known stories about Arthur and his court, exploring the relationships between the main characters in the legends. Magnificent illustrations by Pavel Tatarnikov add to the atmosphere of Arthurian England.
Ages 8+

Chapter Book $12.99

Hardcover $24.99
Sale $22.99


Little Leap Forward
Chapter Book $16.99
Sale $15.99

New! Clare Beaton's
Nursery Rhymes
Board Book $6.99
 

New! Clare Beaton's
Action Rhymes
Board Book $6.99

Mrs. Moon
Hardcover w/CD $19.99
Sale $18.99

Baby's First Book
Hardcover $19.99
 
Baby's First Journal
Hardcover $24.99

Barefoot Baby Gift Collection
Gift Set $159.99

Barefoot Books for Baby Gift Set
Gift Set $34.99





New! Bear at Home/Oso en casa
Paperback $6.99
     Bear at Home/ L' Ours à la maison
Paperback $6.99






This September, we will be launching our newest digital video of the delightful sea favorite, Port Side Pirates! in honor of International Talk Like a Pirate Day on September 19th!
     Ages 3-7
Hardcover w/CD $16.99
Paperback w/CD $9.99
Paperback $6.99
In the meantime, here’s a look at my pirate video with music on YouTube







New! Bear about Town/L'ours
dans la ville
Paperback $6.99
     Bear about Town/ Oso en la ciudad
Paperback $6.99

 


Bear in Sunshine/Oso bajo el sol
Paperback $6.99
Sale $5.99
     Bear in Sunshine/L'ours au soleil
Paperback $6.99
Sale $5.99
  If you want to place an online order, visit:  

Wishing you a wonderful school  year,
LadyD 
 
 
 
 

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