Archive for August, 2010

Book it to these events

Monday, August 16th, 2010

Book events for this week:

TEA PARTY — The Decatur Public Library will host a Fancy Nancy Tea Party with books, crafts and a snack at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday. This event is designed for children ages 3 to 10 years old. Dress fancy! For information, call the library at (940) 627-5512 or visit www.decaturpubliclibrary.com.

BOOK FAIR — The Wise Regional Health Care Auxiliary will have a book fair 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Thursday and 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Friday at the main lobby of Wise Regional Health System in Decatur.

BOOK FAIR — The Wise Regional Health Care Auxiliary will have a book fair 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 19, and 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Friday, Aug. 20, at the main lobby of Wise Regional Health System.

Let the Battle begin

Wednesday, August 11th, 2010

The new school year is set to start in less than two weeks. This year all three Decatur elementary schools are using the same list for Battle of the Books, with the winners from each school competing against each other in a final showdown.

Here is the reading list for 1st and 2nd graders if you want to give your little ones a head start.

1. A Mighty Fine Time Machine, by Suzanne Bloom

2. Charlie Anderson, by Barbara Abercrombie

3. The Uglified Ducky, by Willy Claflin

4. Thunder Cake, by Patricia Polacco

5. The Hinky Pink: An Old Tale, by Megan McDonald

6. Sea Turtles, by Gail Gibbons

7. One Potato, Two Potato, by Cynthia C. DeFelice
8. Way Out West On My Little Pony, by Jan Peck
9. Goin’ Someplace Special, by Pat McKissack

10. Seadogs: An Epic Ocean Operetta, by Lisa Wheeler

Coming to a TV near you

Tuesday, August 10th, 2010

CatinHat

In case you haven’t already heard, the Cat in the Hat is coming to PBS. I just realized I won’t have anyone at home this year to watch Dr. Seuss’ beloved character, but this is exciting news for the preschool set.

The series is based on Random House’s best selling Beginner Book collection, “The Cat in the Hat’s Learning Library.” The show, ”The Cat in the Hat Knows a Lot About That!,” premieres Sept. 6, and it will feature the Cat in the Hat, along with Sally, Nick, the Fish, Thing 1 and Thing 2 as they make natural-science discoveries.

It is voiced by Martin Short and its subject-matter will prepare children for science curriculum in kindergarten and first grade.

Check it out on channel 13 this fall!

Ramona and Beezus

Wednesday, August 4th, 2010

beezus

Growing up, I loved Beverly Cleary books. Oh, who am I kidding. I still love them, and for good reason. They’re delightful and make me laugh out loud, so you can imagine my excitement/disdain when I first heard about the movie “Ramona and Beezus.”

I’m always excited to see that one of my favorite books will be made into a movie, but inevitably, I’m always disappointed because (say it all together now) “the book is always better.”

A couple of weeks ago I caught part of Selena Gomez’s media blitz promoting the movie before it came out on July 23, and I have to say, she piqued my interest. She said that previously Beverly Cleary wouldn’t allow this movie to be made, but finally conceded a few years ago because she decided if a movie was going to be made (I guess she thought it inevitable), she wanted to be around to see it. Cleary is 94.

For this reason, and their love of the book, Gomez said great care was taken when making the movie to make it live up to the book. She said Cleary even has a small cameo in the film, and that the author reportedly loved it when she screened the movie with the cast and crew.

I’m looking forward to taking my kiddos. Anyone else out there seen it and wish to chime in?