Thursday, February 4, 2010

Reid’s Read-Alouds: Selections for Children and Teens by Rob Reid

reids Rob Reid, the author of the popular Book Links magazine column “The Reid-Aloud Alert” offers his suggestions  for books that work well as read-alouds for children and teens.  Reid says, “The books that were chosen for this collection are a mixture of strong read-alouds aimed at readers from elementary school through high school.  I looked for variety and a balance of genres, topics, and perspectives, particularly in regard to gender.  Some of the books are award winners, and some will cause literary critics to roll their eyes.  They all appeal to young listeners, however.”  Not only does Reid offer summaries and age ranges, for each book he gives instructions for a 10-Minute Selection, such as the following for Storm Catchers by Tim Bowler: “Read chapter 1, which opens with the actual kidnapping.  Ella is alone in the house with Sam.  Their parents are out, and Finn has snuck out to be with his friend.  Ella hears a strange tapping noise downstairs.  She investigates and freezes in horror.  ‘Reflected in the glass was a figure standing behind her in the doorway.’ She eludes him at first, but he eventually overpowers her and takes her away.”

Usborne Illustrated Fairy Tales

usborne Check out this new book by Usborne that includes 10 favorite fairy tales in one small (very heavy!) book.  Includes: Sleeping Beauty, The Emperor and the Nightingale, Beauty and the Beast, The Dragon Painter, The Frog Prince, The Elves and the Shoemaker, Little Red Riding Hood, Cinderella, The Swan Princess, The Emperor’s New Clothes. 

Winter’s Tail: How One Little Dolphin Learned to Swim Again by Juliana Hatkoff, Isabella Hatkoff & Craig Hatkoff

winter's tail Do you like books about animals?  This new book by the authors of Knut: How One Little Polar Bear Captivated the World and Owen & Mzee: The True Story of a Remarkable Friendship tells the story of a 3-month-old bottlenose dolphin who was rescued from a crab trap in Florida.  Not only was she exhausted from her struggle to free herself from the trap, but her tail was damaged beyond repair.  She was rushed to Clearwater Marine Aquarium where she was nursed back to health, but her tail fell off, and she couldn’t swim properly without it.  This book tells the amazing story of a dolphin being fitted with the first-ever prosthetic tail!