Ms. B's Book Blog

First Annual ZervCott!

2012-01-29T18:57:00.002-05:00

This year I decided to extend my Caldecott lessons to include voting in a Mock Caldecott election for my 1-4 grade classes. It was great fun. The Caldecott Medal is awarded each year to the illustrator of the "most distinguished American picture book for children." We learned about the history of the award, looked at past winners, and spent time looking through potential winners as a class, individually, and in small groups. I collected 24 books from our school library and public library; culled from other Mock Caldecott lists I researched, librarian reviews and my own personal favorites. This was our master list:

Erin's mock-caldecott-2011 book montage

Erin's favorite books »

Neville

A Nation's Hope
Shout Shout
Mouse and Lion
Blackout *2012 Caldecott Honor Book!
Stars
Grandpa Green *2012 Caldecott Honor Book!
Swirl By Swirl
Orani
Blue Chicken
Red Sled
Subway Story
Naamah
Drawing from Memory
A Butterfly is Patient
Perfect Square
All the Water
Bone Dog
A Ball for Daisy *2012 Caldecott Medal Winner!
Me Jane *2012 Caldecott Honor Book!
Balloons Over Broadway
Ice
The Cazuela That the Farm Maiden Stirred
The Watcher

I tallied the votes for each class and each grade level so I could share those results with them - and then I took the grand totals (332 total votes!) and revealed our TOP 6 (Grandpa Green, Bone Dog, Blackout, Me Jane, Blue Chicken, and Swirl By Swirl). [What I thought was fantastic was that of our ZervCott Top 6 list - 3 of them received Caldecott Honor Medals!] Finally, all of the 1st and 2nd grade classes voted AGAIN for just one favorite from the Top 6 list. First graders were also tasked with designing medals to be used for the ZervCott medal and honors. It was wonderful to see how invested they were in each book and the deliberation they went through. Some were really hard pressed to make a decision. As a final step, a class of 5th graders helped me chose the winning ZervCott medal designs by using their SmartBoard clickers to respond to a poll I created with 6 finalist designs.

Here are the final results for the first annual ZervCott Awards!

ZervCott Honor Books (and their medals):

Medal by Sylvie

Medal by Annie

And the 2012 ZervCott winner!

Medal by Kettie

Picture book month is over, but we still love our picture books!

2011-12-21T10:37:00.001-05:00

Copy of Zervas 5th Graders Present: Our TOP TEN Favorite Books (of all time) on Prezi

If you can't view the Prezi, or don't want to wait for the reveals - here is our compiled Top Ten list. The 5th graders ranked their top 10 favorite picture books in order, and we gave each spot ranked points. Here are their favorite picture books!

10. Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus

The Giving Tree

9. One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish

8. The Sneetches

The Dumb Bunnies

7. Chrysanthemum

6. Bats at the Ballgame

5. Bats at the Library

4. If You Give a Mouse a Cookie

3. Green Eggs and Ham

2. Make Way for Ducklings

and the UNANIMOUS TOP FAVORITE

1. Elephant and Piggie! (They couldn't pick just one, so Gerald and Piggie just get top honors together for all of their work :)

I'm Here...

2011-12-08T10:39:00.000-05:00

I mentioned the book I'm Here by Peter H. Reynolds in my last post. Here's a great book trailer/companion video to it. Really speaks to the impact of the book. Check out his great work with Fablevision here. Lots of great visuals, lessons, products and ideas for teachers.

Inclusive Schools Week

2011-12-07T23:27:00.001-05:00

It's Inclusive Schools week and I've been having some great discussions with kids at all grade levels about what an inclusive school looks like, and the many meanings of inclusion. We've shared stories, including I'm Here by Peter H. Reynold and One by Kathryn Otoshi and come up with activities to do together to try to understand how we are all different thinkers and learners. I just came across this video, shared by a fellow librarian, and loved it too much not to pass on. Enjoy!

Picture Book Month - Week 1

2011-11-07T20:18:00.002-05:00

Highlights from the library:

It's a unique challenge trying to convince 70 fourth graders you just met 7 weeks ago at a new school that picture books are cool. And totally aimed at them (sometimes), or at the very least worth their attention. After the incredulous inquiries ("Wait...Diary of a Wimpy Kid and Captain Underpants don't count?"), I may be cracking the surface... When sharing favorite picture books, one boy started...."I don't remember the name of it, but it's about a boy who finds a camera in the ocean..." Before he could go any further a collective gasp and sigh and murmurs of agreement erupted throughout the class. "Flotsam!" another boy called out. And...we're getting there.

Next, when sharing I Will Not Read This Book with a first grade class, there were some great comments as I read the title outloud ("No, Ms. Broderick, please read it!") and then as I continued along with the story and came to the part where a "dragon blows smoke in my eyeballs", a boy in the front row covers his face and says "OH! I can FEEL it!". Sometimes it's the little things that can make your day.

The students at Zervas who are more well versed with my love of picture books (and endpapers!) totally ate up this opportunity to check out huge amounts of picture books (15+ for some of them) - I'm hoping they have wheelie backpacks...

Now I'll get back to devising a better scheme for tracking my own reading between two schools and home. I told the kids my personal goal is 100 books - 72 to go!

Candlewick Spring Preview

2011-11-05T14:09:00.001-04:00

Two weeks ago, I got to attend my second Candlewick preview. It's definitely a perk of the job to be able to take a sneak peak and hear about these exciting new books right from the source. Here's what's coming in the Spring...

Chris Van Dusen is following up last year's King Hugo's Huge Ego with another rhyming text aimed at young readers. In Randy Riley's Really Big Hit, he combines baseball and science (specifically robots) to hook us in with this story set in a Jetsons-esque world. I'm looking forward to sharing this one with many of my boys!

Continuing with the robot theme, Annette Simon has written the first in what will become a series: Robot Zombie Frankenstein! In this super cute tale of friendship and pie, two friends partake in funny game of one-upmanship. High-energy, colorful and unpredictable, this will be a great read aloud. Favorite part? The endpapers. Awesome. There is also an activity website in the works. I can't wait to see where else she goes with this!

Next up were two sequels that I am just dying to read. The Dunderheads Behind Bars and Bink and Gollie, Two for One.
Paul Fleischman has now written a sequel for the FIRST TIME EVER! And boy, am I glad for that. In this new edition, The Dunderheads are trying to be extras in a movie being shot in their town. They run into Miss Breakbone on the set, and her strikingly similar brother, Inspector Breakbone. Spider ends up in the wrong place at the wrong time and it is up to the rest of the Dunderheads to break him out of jail and find the real criminal. The underdogs team up to solve the mystery, and keep the readers laughing along the way.
"I'm going to whack a duck!" In the newest Bink and Gollie adventures, we again get 3 short chapters, all set at the state fair. In this volume, Bink sets out to win the world's largest donut by playing Whack-A-Duck, Gollie tries her hand in a talent show, and both try to see the future in a crystal ball. Friendship in the best light, these stories are just heart-warmingly hilarious.

I love Stink and I love haiku. Zombies aren't my favorite, but I'll put that aside for this new book in the Stink series by Megan McDonald, Stink and the Midnight Zombie Walk. Stink is trying to raise money to buy the newest book in his favorite zombie series by hosting a smelling stand...he and his friends get their costumes ready and race to read 1 million minutes in order to win a zombie themed party, and there is even zombie poetry - Zaiku! Throughout this book we get the message: reading is undead.

Frank Cottrell Boyce is releasing the first in a series of three books based on Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, which was originally published 48 years ago. The 3rd in the series will release on the 50th anniversary. Looks like this sequel series will be a hit! I'm loving the key chain from the goody bag! Chitty Chitty Bang Bang Flies Again will be available in March, 2012.

To be continued....!

Picture books of the day...

2011-11-02T21:06:00.001-04:00

I got to share some picture books today with Ms. Toran's class:

I Will Not Read This Book by Cece Meng (I LOVE THIS BOOK! I'm going to have them re-enact it as reader's theater next week)

Little Chicken's Big Day by Katie Davis

And with some new books that came in, my reading total is up to 7 picture books in two days. I better step up my game!

It's Picture Book Month!

2011-11-01T21:29:00.003-04:00

Picture books are important. Picture books are powerful. Picture books are FUN! Join me in reading, sharing and celebrating picture books throughout the month of November. I will be keeping stats of the number of picture books checked out of the library, and each classroom has a tally chart to document any picture books read in class. Students who want to keep track of the picture books they read, either at school or at home, can fill out their own calendar tally chart! Families reading books together totally counts! The classroom with the MOST number of picture books read will win a prize!

I started out Picture Book Month with 3 great read-alouds in the library. In first grade, we were wrapping up our author study of Brian Lies, so we listened to Bats at the Library and Bats at the Ballgame while creating bats for our final display.

With the Kindergarteners, it was Judy Sierra's Wild About Books that kicked off our picture book challenge!

Let's see how many picture books the Zervas Community can read in 30 days!

Interested in participating?
Print out the themed calendar here: http://picturebookmonth.com/calendar/
See Ms. Broderick for a tally sheet.

Pick up a picture book and read with me!

Read, Share, Celebrate!

More information here: http://picturebookmonth.com/

Things you see at library conferences...

2011-10-30T23:34:00.000-04:00

Tall buildings with great reflective qualities.

Spinning welcome signs.

Bicycle-powered vehicles.

Firepits!

Authors! This is Mike Thaler (The Black Lagoon guy!)

...and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar!

Giant cat mascots. Ok, this one was kind of scary.

An Angry Birds pumpkin (and watermelon!) display

Savvy Librarians :)

Swatch watch heaven!

A wall of Legos! (We made it to the Mall of America for a quick visit, and wow. just wow.)

All in all, Minneapolis was a great city! I got to meet library friends from twitter and other blogs, I got to present with my colleague and friend Jennifer Reed (from Mason-Rice) and I left with enough information and brain fuel to inspire me for a long time to come. I have many book reviews and lesson ideas to add to this blog!

The last gasps of summer reading...

2011-09-02T22:37:00.001-04:00

I hope these aren't library books! :)

Ms. Toran's tea time...

We can read in the pool, we can read at school!

2011-08-17T11:44:00.001-04:00

Mrs. Gacicia's summer reading spot!

Recognize the building in the background??

We can read on land, we can read on sand (and in the air, too!)

2011-08-17T11:40:00.000-04:00

By the pool!

On the floor!

In the sand!

In a tree!

Oh, the Places We Can Read...

2011-08-02T21:32:00.001-04:00

The first submissions for Zervas Reads! We have international readers here folks... Keep those pictures coming!

C & M in front of the Sleeping Giant in County Kerry, Ireland

Books read: The Throne of Fire and The Giggler Treatment

Flying home from Israel!

Let's get reading Zervas!

2011-07-01T20:35:00.002-04:00

Look at Zervas Read!

Wow. Just Wow.

2011-06-20T21:47:00.000-04:00

Here are the TOP TEN most checked out books from the Zervas Library in the 2010-2011 school year. I'm starting to wonder if I overdid it with my enthusiasm for Mo Willems. Hmmm.

1. I am invited to a party! Willems, Mo. 52
2. I will surprise my friend! Willems, Mo. 44
3. Watch me throw the ball! Willems, Mo. 44
4. Are you ready to play outside? Willems, Mo. 43
5. There is a bird on your head! Willems, Mo. 43
6. I am going! Willems, Mo. 37
7. Pigs make me sneeze! Willems, Mo. 37
8. My friend is sad Willems, Mo. 34
9. Today I will fly! Willems, Mo. 33
10. Wacky Wednesday LeSieg, Theo., 1904- 30

5th Grade Presents: The Top Ten books EVER!

2011-05-25T22:45:00.005-04:00

Zervas 5th graders all participated in an activity earlier this year where they spent time mulling over what a "Top Ten" list of their favorite books EVER would look like. I was inspired by

this amazing poll and used a similar scoring guide (so that the kid's lists were weighted). This led to an overall 5th grade Top Ten - but I was also able to break out the individual class Top Ten lists. An interesting look at the 5th graders reflecting on their reading. (Teachers: I recognize many of these books as classroom read-alouds!)

Enjoy the Prezi (I know I enjoyed making it!)

Zervas 5th Graders Present: Our TOP TEN Favorite Books (of all time) on Prezi

Poem in Your Pocket Day = SUCCESS!

2011-04-14T21:31:00.003-04:00

Zervas Elementary School was buzzing with students and staff stopping in the hallway and classrooms, pulling folded and crumpled pieces of paper from pockets (there was even a 1st grade girl who CONSTRUCTED pockets for her pants that were pocketless). The poems were read, shared and generally enjoyed by all. Grades 1, 2 and 3 were able to share their poems during library time and 4th graders illustrated their chosen poems in art. 5th graders helped to read a poem over the intercom - and they will continue this every morning after vacation to wrap up poetry month. Kindergarteners saw their acrostic poems decorating the library. All and all - a HUGE success! Here's an outstanding example of a student who created her own poem for the day:

There's a poem in my pocket

by Maggie

There's a poem in my pocket

And I don't know when to read it

There's a poem in my pocket

And I don't know when to feed it

There's a poem in my pocket

And I don't know what to do

There's a poem in my pocket

Can I give it to you?

There's a poem in my pocket

And I'm very confused

There's a poem in my pocket

And it has not been used

There's a poem in my pocket

And it doesn't really fit

There's a poem in my pocket

And this is it.

MCBA Winners!

2011-04-11T18:26:00.007-04:00

This just in.....!

The Massachusetts Children's Book Award of 2011 goes to.... (drum roll)

11 Birthdays by Wendy Mass! (Zervas students also voted this as their favorite!)

Honor books include:

Candlewick Press Fall 2011 Preview

2011-04-02T12:48:00.022-04:00

Yesterday I had the chance to go to my very first publisher preview event! It was a librarian's dream...sure, mother nature threw us a curve with an April Fool's day snowstorm, but it was Friday morning, and the coffee was served in Judy Moody faux Starbucks cups. _swoon_. Add in a room full of librarians and book lovers, a life size cut-out of favorites Bink and Gollie, not to mention ARCs of the brand new books themselves, and you've got a recipe for success. (Notice, I didn't even mention the amazing gift bag...oops, there I go - but let's just say it included a copy of Interrupting Chicken!)

Here's what is coming up from Candlewick - Fall 2011. I can't wait to order some of these!

I'm not familiar with the Bear and Mouse books - but they certainly look charming. From earlier books, it's been established that Bear doesn't like birthdays, noise, visitors, and staying up late. Mouse, however, LOVES birthdays, sleepovers and staying up late. In the 4th book, The Sniffles for Bear by Bonny Becker, Bear has gotten a cold. He tends to be a bit of a drama queen, announcing that no one could possibly ever be as sick as he is, and when Mouse comes in to offer him tea, (one of my favorite pages) - shouts "HAVE YOU NO DECENCY?" In the end, Bear does recover, only to find that Mouse has gotten sick, too. The illustrations are delightful and add to the humor of the situation.

Chris Van Dusen is back with another picture book aimed at the early elementary set. Kids will recognize the illustrative style showcased in Mercy Watson and the Circus Ship, and embrace the humor that Van Dusen infuses in all parts of his work. King Hugo demands adoration. He thinks he deserves only the best and doesn't think much of those below him. One day, when he brushes by one of his subjects, who happens to be a sorceress, everything changes. Because of her curse, King Hugo's head grows bigger with each egotistical thing he says. Hilarity ensues and there is a surprise ending with a touch of romance, even. Judging by the fact that my students LOVED Circus Ship and can't get enough of my favorite buttered toast loving pig, this will be high on my list of fall purchases.

The newest Rosemary Wells book, Love Waves, features favorites Max and Ruby, this time in a simple story of family and connection. The idea behind the story is that even when we're apart, "love waves" keep us close to those we love and miss. The colors throughout the book are bright and the love waves are represented by silvery, glittery lines on the page. Sounds like it will be a classic for those children who have trouble with transitioning away from family for school, work, trips, etc.

This next book was my favorite of the day. I Want My Hat Back by Jon Klassen will definitely be in the Zervas Library collection next fall. I'm envisioning reader's theater and making our very own hats already... Candlewick hooked us all up with a pointy red hat in our gift bag, so we'll all be well outfitted. In this story, the text/dialogue is simple and repetitive, but Klassen highlights this with wonderful illustrations that capture the true humor of the bear's hunt for his hat. What can I say, I'm a sucker for funny books. This is sure to be a favorite. Have you seen my hat?

There were more books covered, including Matt Phelan's new graphic novel Around the World, featuring world travelers Thomas Stevens (who circled the globe on a bicycle), Nellie Bly (a journalist who is best known for feigning insanity to get into a an asylum for a story) and Joshua Slocum (a sea captain who circumnavigated the world by boat).

Another interesting release, which I think leans a little too middle grade for the elementary crowd, is Ghetto Cowboy by G. Neri. This is the fictionalized story of a real community of urban cowboys in Philadelphia. I will be researching Fletcher Street to find out more about this unique community. Fascinating!

Finally, one I will DEFINITELY read -even though it looks like it's firmly planted in YA (but that never stops me) The Watch That Ends the Night by Allan Wolf. This is the story of the Titanic, as told through both familiar and new characters. Voice is a huge theme of the book, and even the glacier has a perspective to consider. Looks amazing.

All in all, a great experience, and I look forward to attending more events like this in the future!

More Book Spine Poems!

2011-03-24T21:13:00.011-04:00

A year later.... more book spine poems!

Library Poets

2010-03-11T19:51:00.005-05:00

Inspired by a post at 100scopenotes.com, I challenged the 5th grade students to come up with their own book spine poems. I am duly impressed with the results! We even got to use ELMO in a new way by taking pictures at different angles. The best part for me was hearing all of the possibilities being considered, shared and enjoyed around the library. Take a look at our poets!

A day in the life....

2010-02-22T15:29:00.003-05:00

I discovered today that ELMOs take some pretty good pictures...I am already plotting how to use this new information in a library project...in the meantime - a sneak peak at my desk.

Lunch Lady Rocks!

2010-02-08T14:54:00.004-05:00

Lunch Lady and the Author Visit Vendetta by Jarrett Krosoczka

Fights crime with gadgets,
(taco-vision night goggles!)
and kicks bunny butt!

The Case of the Case of Mistaken Identity by Mac Barnett

2009-11-14T09:40:00.003-05:00

The Case of the Case of Mistaken Identity by Mac Barnett, Illustrations by Adam Rex

Love Nancy Drew, the Hardy Boys and Encyclopedia Brown? Steve Brixton is all this and more, in Mac Barnett's tribute to these iconic series. Brilliant, funny, ironic, and that's even before the secret agent librarians. With the addition of Adam Rex's illustrations (spot on nostalgia to the well loved detective series of years past), this one's a gem.

Arno, the Ugliest Bicycle

2009-11-09T18:23:00.003-05:00

www.flickr.com/photos/22213567@N03/2396331003

Create Your Debut Picture Book Cover!

Go to The Name Generator. Click Generate New Name. The name that appears is your author name.

Go to Picture Book Title Generator. Click Create Title. This is the title of your picture book.

Go to FlickrCC. Type the last word from your title into the search box followed by the word “drawing.” Click Find. The first suitable image is your cover. It will give you the option to go to Picnik.

Use Photoshop, Picnik, or similar to put it all together. Gettin’ creative is encouraged.

Post it to your site along with this text. (Remember to include any legally required attribution for the FlickrCC image.)

(Comment at 100 Scope Notes for the Cover Round-Up.)

Oh, the Places We Can READ!

2009-06-30T13:58:00.000-04:00

Alvin Ho: Allergic to Girls, School, and Other Scary Things

2009-02-02T20:38:00.005-05:00

Alvin Ho: Allergic to Girls, School, and Other Scary Things by Lenore Look

Part [boy] Clementine,
part Scaredy Squirrel, Alvin
guarantees some LAUGHS!

[This would be a great read-aloud...]

H.I.V.E.: Higher Institute of Villainous Education

2009-02-02T20:18:00.003-05:00

H.I.V.E.: Higher Institute of Villainous Education by Mark Walden

Charming "villains"; but
Little Shop of Horrors twist
almost makes it tank.

[Still...I will definitely read the next one! The characters were well done...the plot...well, judge for yourself.]

2009-01-02T16:57:00.000-05:00

The Mysterious Benedict Society, by Trenton Lee Stewart

Reviewku:

Though reminiscent
of Snicket, Benedict kids
cleverly solve clues

[and save the day, of course! definitely worth all 486 pages...]

The Underneath

2008-12-11T09:42:00.000-05:00

The Underneath, by Kathi Appelt

I didn't cry, and I don't know if it was because I finished it on the T, or was lifted by the thoughts of more adventures to come. I'm not usually one for fantastical stories with animals as main characters, but this one had a mix of reality and legend that sometimes took my breath away. I'm not sure it will live on in my mind up there with Where the Red Fern Grows (as I read it was compared to, which compelled me to get this book Right Away) - but there was a hound, and kittens, love and loss, and words that were put together in ways that will make this story hard to forget. Newbery?

The Sea of Monsters

2008-12-11T09:40:00.001-05:00

The Sea of Monsters, by Rick Riordan

The second book in the Percy Jackson series does not disappoint! Not as amazing as The Lightning Thief, but I do look forward to reading The Titan's Curse! Who knew a Cyclops could be so lovable?

Cabinet of Wonders

2008-12-11T09:36:00.000-05:00

Cabinet of Wonders, by Marie Rutkoski

I'm excited to read the next installment of Petra's adventures! Having had a slight obsession with Peter Sis and his Prague-themed picture books, as well as Philip Pullman's fantastical worlds (think Clockwork, too!) I was totally sucked in. Characters are well fleshed out, and I am already invested in finding out where the story will go next . . .

Reaching for the Sun

2008-12-11T09:30:00.000-05:00

Reaching for the Sun, by Tracie Vaughn Zimmer

Reviewku:

blooming poetry-
josie's lack of "perfection"
finds a friend; a voice.

[heartfelt and sincere - but i still wanted it to be better, _sigh_]

Quantum Prophecy: The Awakening

2008-12-11T09:26:00.000-05:00

Quantum Prophecy: The Awakening, by Michael Carroll

Reviewku:

after ten long years
superheroes re-emerge.
cool powers. battles.

[need i say more?]
i'm excited for this trilogy! and the orange cover rocks.

Aleutian Sparrow, by Karen Hesse

2008-12-11T09:22:00.000-05:00

Aleutian Sparrow, by Karen Hesse

the author's note and
interviews bring it to life;
one i will re-read.

2008-12-07T21:11:00.000-05:00

Moxy Maxwell Does Not Love Stuart Little, by Peggy Gifford

Reviewku:

short chapters, charming
pictures, capture the essence
of a spunky girl.