Apr
08
2010
A Book Review by Lisa Garner
Writer and illustrator, Lizzy Rockwell, has whipped up a delicious kid’s guide to proper nutrition and healthy eating which is just plain “Good Enough to Eat.” Packed full of colorful illustrations, facts, experiments, and recipes, Rockwell does an outstanding job of linking the basic principles of proper nutrition directly to the human body. Designed to satisfy a child’s curiosity about their body and how it works, Good Enough to Eat presents basic nutrition facts in a kid friendly, easy to understand format which is perfect for reading at home or school.
An appetizing blend of factual information, recipes, and fun hands-on experiments, Good Enough to Eat satisfies a child’s hunger to learn about proper nutrition with bright lively illustrations, informational speech bubbles and text, and a diverse group of children who navigate their way through the complexity of anatomy and physiology to learn the relevance behind the food pyramid and how it applies to their bodies.
The inside covers of the book are adorned with meticulous illustrations of the five food groups and the proper serving sizes for each. With every turn of the page, children will learn more information about the foods they eat.
What is the digestive system and how does it work?
What is the food pyramid and why is it important to follow it?
What vitamins, minerals, and nutrients do certain foods contain?
...
Posted in: Teacher - Book Reviews
Jan
29
2010
Book Review: By Lisa Garner
“My Choices Make Me Who I Am”
Authors: Mutiya Vision and David Vision
Illustrator: Ignacio Alcantra
Publisher: Vision Works Publishing (October 2008)
“Every choice I make defines who I am. What I choose to be in life is up to me. Where I go depends on how I engage the challenges I meet, the paths I choose to take, and the trails I choose to create. The choice is in my hands.” These beautifully written words and illustrations can be discovered in a compelling and powerful new book, “My Choices Make Me Who I Am,” written by David and Mutiya Vision and illustrated by Ignacio Alcantara.
This 2009 recipient of the National Best Books Award in the Children’s Educational category is an inspirational story of how an adolescent boy confronts and adapts to life’s daily challenges and the important lessons he learns along the way. Each real life experience gives him the opportunity to make a choice which will ultimately define him as a human being. After careful examination of each situation and reviewing the potential rewards or consequences associated with it, he learns the importance of making wise choices.
Throughout the book, the young boy shares his personal experiences and offers advice on how a child might apply this knowledge to their own life. This is a great book to help children understand the importance of controlling their emotions, listening carefully, ...
Posted in: Teacher - Book Reviews
Nov
12
2009
Review by Lisa Garner
And the 2009 Moonbeam Children’s Book Award goes to….We Eat Food That’s Fresh written by Angela Russ-Ayon and illustrated by Cathy June. Congratulations ladies for serving up a delicious treat while empowering parents and children to learn more about the importance of establishing proper eating habits and having fun in the process. Join the children on an island adventure with a quirky chef who whips up their interest in trying an array of tasty new fruits and vegetables. From the garden to the kitchen, he awakens their curiosity regarding the mysterious world of flavorful and unfamiliar produce as he mixes, beats, and stirs them into delicious new combinations and recipes. Will this persuasive chef capriciously entice his visitors into trying something new? June’s scrumptious pastel illustrations are blended beautifully with Russ-Ayon’s easy rhymes and rhythmical verses. This delightful picture book comes with a CD which includes an audio book and a musical companion song that will delight children with its carefree island beat. The book’s text flows beautifully with easy rhymes and repetitive verses which will work well for individual, group, buddy, or choral reading.
Posted in: Teacher - Book Reviews
Nov
11
2009
Book Review by Lisa Garner
Momma Mia! Mange on Caldecott Award-winning author-illustrator Tomie dePaola’s delightful new book Strega Nona’s Harvest!
In this humorous tale, Strega Nona attempts to teach her blundering helper, Big Anthony, about gardening, order, and following directions. Based upon her meticulous records, systematic placement of previously unused seeds, perfectly straight rows, and a little magic, Strega Nona plants her garden under the light of a full moon and seals the deal with a song and a kiss. Scoffing at Bambolona’s rules and bossiness, Big Anthony thinks he can use her secrets to yield an equally bountiful harvest. However, his haphazard placement of seeds, extra kisses, and over watering turn his garden into an unruly jungle with a surplus of oversized vegetables which he surreptitiously places outside of Strega Nona’s doorstep.
After Strega Nona’s cottage is about to burst with beans, pumpkins, eggplants, and zucchinis, she decides to share her bounty with the villagers whose harvest was hampered by uncharacteristically heavy rainfall. Just as Strega Nona settles back into her roomy cottage for the evening, Big Anthony makes another unsuspected delivery.
DePaola’s format is classic Strega Nona full of witty lines, vivid comic strip style illustrations, and Italian expressions that are as warm and welcoming as the story’s quaint Italian village. It’s theme of generosity and sharing would be a great addition to any character education unit or simply as a wonderful class ...
Posted in: Teacher - Book Reviews
