Reading

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This says it all.  As the great Dr. Seuss says, “The more that you read, the more things you will know.  The more that you learn, the more places you’ll go.”  (I Can Read with My Eyes Shut)

Happy birthday, Dr. Seuss!  (Interested in reading about some of the best of Seussiana?  Check this out: http://bookandagarden.com/?s=seuss.)

Book Blitzing

 

Winter is a phenomenal time in Bookland.  (And it’s not only because chilly temperatures and long nights make curling up with a book even more enticing.)

It all starts in January, which has been designated Book Blitz Month.  Coincidentally (even though I believe many things are not merely the result of coincidence), this is the time when I am involved in my own personal book blitz.  My school libraries’ major materials selection of the year is well under way, as I have funds that must be spent in the near future.

So while the students at my school are reading with a frenzy to show that their grade can complete the most books by the end of the competition, I am taking part in a Book Blitz of a very different type: to select the best possible titles so that there will be great choices for future reading adventures.

February is not about to be left out.  The shortest month of the year goes by another, more distinguished name: Library Lovers Month.  It’s fitting: after a month of discovering marvelous books, it’s only natural that readers pay tribute to the place where they can be found for free.  So visit a library near you, show it your support, and take advantage of everything it has to offer.

But there’s another month to winter, and it comes with a commemoration of its own.  March is Read Across America Month, kicked off with the observance of Dr. Seuss’ birthday on March 2.  But since one day isn’t enough to fully appreciate the work of the master, the Seussebration continues until the end of the month.

So, by the time spring rolls around, the flowers bloom (even though our poor confused quince tree is already blossoming due to the warm weather we’ve had lately), and the sun stays high in the sky when our work day is done, we are all richer for the experiences of the previous three months.

If you are looking for some special books to share with the young people in your life during this book-loving season, visit http://bookandagarden.com.

March into a Great Book

March is finally here!  It’s the birthday month of some phenomenal authors, in addition to the incomparable Theodore Geisel, aka Dr. Seuss, whose life and work we are celebrating this month.  Check these out:

Patricia MacLachlan, March 3

She’s the author of such unforgettable books as Arthur for the Very First Time, Cassie Binegar, Three Names, and Word After Word After Word.

Jackie French Koller, March 8

Picture books Baby for Sale and No Such Thing and novels including The Keepers series and Someday demonstrate Jackie French Koller’s versatility as an author.

Sid Fleischman, March 16

Sid Fleischman’s passing last year makes his delightful books even more special.  Some treasures are The Dream Stealer, The Midnight Horse, the classic The Whipping Boy, and his autobiography The Abracadabra Kid: a Writer’s Life.

Kate DiCamillo, March 25

In addition to the beloved The Tale of Despereaux and The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane, she has penned such gems as Louise, the Adventures of a Chicken and Bink & Golly.

Doreen Cronin, March 28

Kids will find themselves learning about creepy-crawlies from the author’s very funny Diary of a Fly, Diary of a Spider, and Diary of a Worm.  Young readers (and grownups too) have a blast with the barnyard antics that abound in Click, Clack, Moo: Cows That Type and its sequels.

Visit http://booklovinggrandma.wordpress.com for reviews of books you won’t want to miss!

No matter what weather March may bring, it’s always perfect for curling up with a book.

There’s a Seuss on the Loose!

March 2 is the birthday of Theodore Geisel, better known as the incomparable Dr. Seuss.  We booklovers are starting to celebrate early!

After graduating college and beginning a career as a commercial artist and political cartoonist, the young illustrator quite literally embarked on his children’s literature journey.  Geisel was on a ship and thinking that the rhythm of the vessel’s engines would fit well into verse.  The result?  And to Think That I Saw It on Mulberry Street, published in 1937 (after being rejected 27 times).  Even while continuing to pen editorial cartoons and taking time out for a stint in the military producing training films, Dr. Seuss continued writing for children.

What is perhaps his most well-known story came about as a result of a 1954 report suggesting that boring books were contributing to youngsters’ difficulties in mastering reading.  Dr. Seuss’ publisher gave him a list of 400 words and asked him to write a story containing 250 of them.  The Cat in the Hat was born.  The rest is history…

Visit http://bookandagarden.com throughout March to learn about more Dr. Seuss books.

And remember…

You’re never too old, too wacky, too wild,
To pick up a book and read with a child.
You’re never too busy, too cool, or too hot,
To pick up a book and share what you’ve got.

In schools and communities,
Let’s gather around,
Let’s pick up a book,
Let’s pass it around.

There are kids all around you,
Kids who will need
Someone to hug,
Someone to read.

Come join us March 2nd
Your own special way
And make this America’s
Read to Kids Day.

http://www.nea.org