celebrate winter with trolly tricks: trouble with trolls by jan brett

 Tomorrow is the first day of winter!  Winter time always makes me fantasize about Scandinavian landscapes with snow-heavy fur trees and ski chalets with candlelit windows.  And of course, trolls!  Come be transported with me to the Nordic world of Jan Brett.

The trouble with trolls is they are so very tricky and so very greedy!  Luckily for Treva, the brave little girl in this book, trolls aren't that smart.  Treva and her dog Tuffi are heading over the mountain to see her friend on the other side.  As they climb, they are accosted by troublesome trolls who are determined to steal Tuffi!  Each time a troll grabs her dog, Treva thinks quickly on her feet and tricks the trolls into giving Tuffi back.  If this is your first time to experience the talent of Jan Brett, what you should know is that you will be enchanted by her illustrations!  The artwork fills each page from corner to corner with hundreds of details that bring the reader into the world she has created.  I love the work she put into making each stitch of Treva's sweater, the nubby noses of the trolls, and even the painted designs and tiny bells on Treva's skis.  Brett obviously loves her work, and you can just see her passion on each page.  

story time around the world: Italy!

Today we have another addition to our collection of international reading picks sure to transport story time to unique and exciting locals.  I love to travel!  My bucket travel list is pretty long, but with young kids and a tight budget, overseas travel dreams are on hold for a while.  That's okay though because even the tightest of budgets can celebrate different cultures through music, food, and books.  Sit back, preferably with a cappuccino and a chocolate-dipped biscotti, and travel with us to Italy! 

• Pinocchio by Carlo Collodi 

This is the original novel that inspired the Disney classic we all know.  Collodi is actually a pen name inspired by the small Italian village where the author was from, Collodi.  If you go to the village, there is a small garden playground that tells the story of Pinocchio through a winding maze of statues.  Honestly, the Disneyfied version of this story has its harsh moments yet still makes the original version look tame.  This story is still kid-approved, but maybe save it for older kids.  recommended age: 9+

• Tony's Bread by Tomi dePaola

Tomi dePaola is the best!  We love everything he makes.  This is a short and sweet folk tale that tells the history of the iconic Italian bread, panettone.  recommended age: 5+

• Big Anthony  by Tomi dePaola 

Another dePaola book.  His beloved tale of the grandmother witch, Strega Nona, is a wonderful tale with charming characters.  This book is a spin-off prequel to Strega Nona, exploring the backstory of the character Big Anthony.  Poor Big Anthony!  Will he every learn to pay attention and do things the way he is supposed to?  

• Italian Paper Dolls by Kathy Allert 

This are beautifully illustrated paper dolls. Each region of Italy is represented by its traditional folk costume and fun accessories.

• All the Way to America by Dan Yaccarino 

Anyone with immigrants in their family's history, no matter what country they came from originally, will appreciate this book because the immigrant story is a universal tale.  This focuses on the author's family from his great, great, great grandfather who traveled from Sorrento, Italy to New York City to seek new opportunities and start a new life.  It follows his journey through the generations as they do their best to work hard, enjoy life, and love their family.  

• The Little Golden Book Pinnocchio 

This is the version that we all remember.  A great addition to the Disney fan's collection. 

• Who was Leonardo DaVinci? by Roberta Edwards 

There are so many great biographies in the "Who was?" series.  Every elementary schooler should own a couple of these books.  This gives an in depth look into the life of daVinci that is engaging and on point for young readers.  recommended age: 7+

• Strega Nona Her Story by Tomi dePaola T

Like the Big Anthony book, this gives readers the backstory of Strega Nona.  We get to see who raised her, what she was like as a little girl, and how she became such a wonderful witch!  

Ciao tutti!  Have a great Monday! 

story time around the world! let's go to france.

  What better way to kick off the summer than with a trip to France?  Ooh la la!  Let's go! 

• This Is France by Miroslav Sasek 

We've shared books from this classic series of travel guides for kids on the blog before, and they are so much fun!  This is Paris takes readers through the streets of the City of Light tromping over its famous bridges, through its beautiful squares, meeting its fashionable people, and learning interesting factoids about the city along the way. 

• Bon Appetit! The Delicious Life of Julia Child by Jessie Hartland

Also shared on the blog last year, any fan of Julia Child no matter the age will treasure this book.  It follows the talented chef and all-around amazing woman through her childhood into adulthood telling her story through playful comic strip and collage like graphics.  

• Stone Soup by Marcia Brown

This Caldecott winner is a wonderful lesson in sharing and community and also brings the reader to the world of Brittany, France of old.  Three soldiers are traveling and come to a small Breton village.  The villagers see them coming and hide all of their food so the soldiers don't ask for a hand out.  The soldiers tell them they can make a magical soup from stones.  The villagers are intrigued.  The soldiers say that stone soup goes well with carrots and onions and maybe some meat.  Before long, the village shares a delicious pot of stone soup and a night of fun and friendship.  I love the pictures in this one with all of what I picture Brittany to be with the tall lace headpieces, folk costumes, and thatched roof houses.  

• Madeline by Ludwig Bemelmans 

Everyone's favorite Parisian redhead is a must for a French story time - the simple rhymes, the hand drawn illustrations, the spunky little girl named Madeline who is brave and kind and smart.  

• Hello World Paris: A Book of Shapes by Ashley Evanson

Visit Parisian sights from the Arc de Triomphe to a yummy patisserie to the Louvre and find shapes along the way. 

a great beginning reader novel: the story of diva and flea by mo willems and tony diterlizzi

My third-grader son and I recently read this together, and we loved it!  Diva is a small well-bred dog who lives with her owner in an apartment building in Paris.  Diva spends her day sitting in the fenced courtyard of the building too timid to imagine what lies outside her gate.  Flea is an outgoing and curious alley cat who prides himself in his adventurous nature.  Every day he passes by Diva's courtyard, and Diva gives him her fiercest little bark.  It is so small and squeaky that it makes Flea laugh.  Eventually, the two become friends, and Flea convinces Diva to leave her courtyard to explore the exciting city.  What will happen when Diva leaves her courtyard and her fears behind? 

Honestly, the reading level of this book was probably best for first or second grade, but even so, the story was entertaining for my third grader.  It was funny and taught lessons about bravery and friendship in a light hearted way.  My third grader isn't big on stories with a lot of edge or darkness, so this was up his alley in a big way.  This would be great for first time novel readers because it is filled with illustrations making it a good bridge between picture book and chapter book.  Check it out!   

what do animals do in winter?

Animals in Winter by Henrietta Bancroft and Richard G. Van Gelder with pictures by Helen K. Davie will answer any questions young readers have about what wild creatures do during the coldest season of the year.  Some creatures, like birds and butterflies, migrate to warmer climates while others, like bats and woodchucks, hibernate until the snow thaws.  Some animals like foxes and rabbits must find food throughout the season when food is scarce.  

The lively pictures and diagrams aid in the reader's understanding of the informative text, so that even the smallest of biologists can learn about the hardest season for animal survival.  The authors were really thoughtful in their writing making the information easy enough for preschoolers to appreciate yet informative enough for older kids to be interested as well.  There are also tips for how we can help wildlife find food during winter.  

a bad kitty christmas!

Oh, Bad Kitty, will she ever learn? She tears up neatly wrapped gifts from under the tree.  She kicks Kris Kringles, dumps plum puddings in the trash can, and causes mayhem at every turn.  When her family gets angry about her antics, she runs away.  She is taken in by an elderly woman without a family who spends the holiday missing her loved ones and alone.  This story takes a touching turn when Bad Kitty invites the old woman back home to spend a holiday with love and friendship.