Books, Books, and More Books!

My last post, nearly half a year ago, announced my new career. I can say, I am loving being a Media Specialist! It has a major learning curve, but looking at where I am now compared to where I was back at the start of September, I have come a long way. I am blessed to have terrific mentors, and support staff.

My school is an ENVoY demonstration site. ENVoY is a non-verbal management tool. I have learned, and am continuing to learn the non-verbal strategies for helping me to manage classroom behaviors with influence, rather than power. I had been wanting to learn ENVoY for several years, but did not have the opportunity until my new job. Click here to learn more about ENVoY. I wish I had learned this while I taught Special Education. I can see many ways in which I could have strengthened my teaching, and my relationships with my students.

But, let's not look at the past. It's time to get back to my blog! One of the joys of my job is that now I am surrounded by children's books every weekday. One of the challenges, though, is that now I am surrounded by children's books every weekday. Where do I start? What do I read first?

So, my plan, beginning soon, is to create a set day. Perhaps a Monday Musings where I'll share my perspectives about books that touch me again. I may do other random posts on different days as the muse to write and share strikes me.

For now, here's a preview of some of the books I plan to share more in depth in the future.

These are books that students have requested and I love, books that I have discovered as I continue to acquaint myself with my school's collection, and books that make great read-alouds with Little Sapling (the name I use to refer to my daughter online) and other children.

Both of these books are favorites of mine now. I highly recommend them for 3rd grade and up. In fact, every adult I know who has read these so far has loved them, so there is no upper age limit in my opinion. Visit the author, Kimberly Brubaker Bradley.

I read this book after the movie preview sparked my curiosity last fall. I have not seen the movie yet, so I cannot make a comparison. What I can say is that I love this book! Author Brian Selznick uses his magic again to create a story that incorporates black and white hand-drawn illustrations and text to bring the reader into the worlds of two different people and two different time periods before they merge in an unexpected, yet pleasing way. Visit the author, Brian Selznick.

I'm reading this now, but I cannot recall a novel that has made me smile, laugh, and feel as much I have while reading Humphrey the hamster's perspectives on his world as a classroom pet. Visit the author, Betty G. Birney, and meet Humphrey. 

More on these and other fabulous books to come (including the Roscoe Riley Rules series by Katherine Applegate, the Magic Treehouse series by Mary Pope Osborne, the Rainbow Fairies series by Audrey Meadows, and tons of picture books).

Stay tuned! 

Today and tomorrow,

~Tamara 

P.S. If you have missed reading my voice, I did a post for Hamline's The Storyteller's Inkpot back in October. Happy reading.

Just Another Wrinkle

If I could transfer my thoughts directly to the page by only thinking, this post would have been completed in time for Monday, but I got distracted. I am allowing myself to accept that sometimes there is just another wrinkle that gets in the way of a smooth journey. That's what  happened since Friday's post.
A wrinkle--something unexpected, unplanned that may have a positive outcome, a negative outcome, or just an outcome that makes one think. That's what a medical diagnosis of thyroid cancer appears to be, as of now--just a wrinkle. It may be the most common and easily treated type with little to no complications, but it was unexpected, and not welcome. And perhaps it will all be fine. I'm sure, though, that  those who have told me, "Oh, I know people who had that done, and they're just fine" may not remember, I'm guessing, that the initial diagnosis likely terrified those people for a time as well as filled them with a mix of emotions for a bit. So, whatever I feel belongs to me and is allowed.
As for the diagnosis, it is what it is.
I have surgery on Wednesday, and should be "okayish" on Thursday. Writing these posts enlightens me. When I can express myself via writing, I am in my element. Content. Peaceful. Focused. Writing is my life and feeling motivated by something that I am passionate about, is a true gift.
So, I shall accept this recent wrinkle, and work to smooth out the fabric that comes after.
Now, on to my fun post.

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An assignment in my graduate class toward becoming a media specialist involved the creation of an award for literature. I considered several directions, but due to time limitations (imagine a full semester course fit into only one month with a 10-day residency for another graduate program thrown into the mix) I settled on the idea of  the "Wrinkle Award" for picture books with "an unusual twist" or “wrinkle” that usually makes a reader groan or scratch her head or laugh or just continue thinking about it long after the book closes.
I am a lover of bad jokes--not raunchy ones, just the ones that elicit groans. I love an unexpected good twist, dark humor, and of course thought-provoking tales.
While I created a page to share my Wrinkle Award choices (you can click here to see it and view the criteria or choose directly from the link under "Literature Pages"), I wish to start an ongoing list of books that meet the Wrinkle criteria. I may or may not like all of the books as I grow my list, but other readers may have a different perspective. So, all Wrinkle books have merit.

These are all just one girl's opinion.

My first "wrinkle" book of memory:
The Latke Who Couldn't Stop Screaming: A Christmas Story by Lemony Snicket; Illustrated by Lisa Brown; Copyright 2007.
I gave this book to an interfaith couple at the holiday time several years ago, knowing that they would probably enjoy the humor.
This dark humor story brings the reader to a house where a potato latke has been "born". As with people, this latke enters the world screaming. It happens when it starts to cook in hot oil. Terrified and in pain, it leaps out of the pan and runs away, encountering a variety of Christmas associated items such as colored lights, a candy cane, and a tree.  Each item questions the latke about his screaming. The latke explains a facet of the Chanukah story and Chanukah symbolism. Then the Christmas item responds with its potential comparison from the Christmas story. Each time, the latke grows frustrated as he explains how he is not part of Christmas. "It's a totally different thing!" he declares, screaming again.

While sitting under the tree, a family approaches. The father carries an axe. Each member fawns over what they see, but it's not what the reader might expect. The father wonders why he carries an axe as the family excitedly takes home the latke.  Family members welcome the latke into their home as they understand what a latke is and how it fits into the holiday. Then, they eat it.

This story makes me laugh every time. To increase the humor so you have a taste, I found a video of a cantor reading the book. While the video quality of the book is not so great, not much is missed by not seeing the pictures as the story still works as an audio version. The cantor's vocals, complete with different voices and screaming, make for an entertaining read-aloud presentation. Take a listen here.

Cupcake by Charise Mericle Harper; Copyright 2010
I accidentally came across this book while searching the library bins for something else. I chose to read it as my daughter loves cupcakes, and how could she resist a book with a cover that features a cupcake wearing a happy face wrapper and sitting inside a sparkly glittery circle, surrounded by multi-colored polka dots.

This book follows friendly Vanilla Cupcake from his "birth" to where he joins his brothers and sisters, such as Pink Princess Cupcake, Stripy Cupcake, and Fancy Flower-Top Cupcake for a special event. At the end of the event, Vanilla Cupcake stands alone, not feeling special. He says, "Nobody picked me. I'm too creamy white and plain!"

A green candle hears the crying cupcake and commiserates. He talks about his fancy brothers and sisters including Balloon Candle, Twisty Candle, and Number Candle. Now both feel sad until Candle comes up with an idea to find a topping that will make Cupcake special.

Cupcake tries on the various toppings, but turns down the ideas for reasons such as pickles being too salty, spaghetti being too swirly, and a squirrel being too furry. Accidentally, Candle winds up sitting on Cupcake's head which makes for a perfect looking cupcake; however, this is not the end of the story. It's only a moment for Candle to think of another idea to try.

The twists include the candle who doesn't quite get it, and for me, the dark humor of a cupcake who feels  saddened that he is not chosen, which essentially means he is sad that he doesn't get devoured.
Disturbing. Of course, to my daughter, this book is quite funny and she does not recognize the disturbing elements. So, this book is definitely a Wrinkle book.

I Want My Hat Back by Jon Klassen; Copyright 2011.
A Theodore Seuss Geisel Honor book, and a recipient of the E.B. White Read Aloud Book award, I Want My Hat Book includes dark humor with an ending that Klassen leaves open to interpretation.

A bear searches for his lost hat. Along the route of his search, he asks animals if they have seen his hat. The entire story is written via dialogue, but without quotation marks. Colored text indicates speaker changes. At times, the bear talks and processes only to himself. He desperately wants his hat back, but has become so routine in his questioning that he does not even realize when he questions the animal wearing his hat who responds in a suspiciously guilty manner. After the bear confers with three more animals, processes aloud to himself, and then talks with yet another animal, he suddenly remembers that he had seen his hat. He races past the animals and confronts the one wearing his red pointy hat. After a stare-down between the bear and the thief, the large bear sits alone with the out-of-proportion red pointy hat atop his head.

What happened to the animal thief? That is up to the reader to determine. I know what I concluded, and it's morbid. But, I have learned that children do not automatically come to the same conclusion.
This book truly is a fun read-aloud. The spare, brown-toned illustrations (with the exception of the red hat, and the background when the bear finally figures things out), along with the eyes and droll facial expressions on each of the animals define Klassen's style.
I personally love this book.

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Do you have other Wrinkle books to add? I would especially love to learn of older books, but also wish to keep on top of newer ones. Let me know in the comments so I can review the books and add them to the master list. Be sure to include the author and copyright date (if you can), along with any of your own comments.

As for my own personal wrinkle, no pity please. Be sad. Be grumpy. Be calm. If you pray or send blessings to the universe, please add me to yours and send some my way. Even if all will be good, positive vibes sent into the atmosphere definitely have a de-wrinkling effect. I'll take it!

~Tamara

Humor Therapy--It's a Laugh!

The famed writer, editor, and peacemaker, Norman Cousins (1915-1990) believed that if stress could cause an illness, then having positive emotions could help one feel better. Following a diagnosis of a  painful degenerative disease, and unsatisfied with the doctor's belief of impending death, Cousins decided to help himself. He started taking massive doses of vitamin C and watching humorous films. He also watched or listened to other funny material. He believed that the result of 10 minutes of belly laughing worked better than morphine to grant him two hours of sleep without pain. His health improved and he eventually gained the ability to return to work full time and once again use all of his limbs.

I haven't had any official experience with laughter or humor therapy, but I do believe in the power of laughter.
Since being pregnant and having my daughter, I have grown increasingly sensitive to toxic people--those who do nothing but bring others down via complaints and negativity, especially with no plans to consider truly trying to find something positive about a situation or make an effort to try and fix an issue rather than only complain about it. I feel sensitive to violent, and disturbing storylines on television, in some books, and of course on the news. I no longer add new crime shows to my television watching habits. I continue to watch the ones I started prior to my daughter, but once the series ends, I'm done, too. I much prefer a good drama, and especially a good comedy. What I consider a good comedy, though, that's another post.

For now, I'm looking at books that make me laugh alone, but also especially with my daughter.

First off, yesterday, I received some news. The kind of news  that you imagine you'd be all right with, but when it happens for real, stirs up emotions such as anger, sadness, fear, and more. All of these emotions flowed through my head. I tried to clear them by playing at the park, walking with my daughter riding on my back, and visiting with some neighbors. Finally, talking with someone who has been there, this was the key--for the moment.
Then, at bedtime for my daughter, she selected two books for our read-aloud.

When Sophie Gets Angry--Really, Really Angry... by Molly Bang (Copyright 1999)
This picture book has gradually grown on me. The illustrations originally did not appeal to me, so the
story did not hold my interest. Recently, as I read this aloud, I found that the tone soothed me, and definitely calmed my daughter.

Variations in sentence length show emotion as Sophie displays her anger after her sister takes a toy she was using, even though it was time for the sister to have her turn with the toy. "Sophie kicks. She screams. She wants to smash the world to smithereens." She expresses her anger in the home, then runs out. She runs and runs and runs. Then she cries. After some moments, she becomes aware of the trees, the birds, the rocks, and the plants around her. Her anger has shrunk. Sophie climbs a tree and peers at the world around her. She feels better and is able to return home where her family welcomes her back.

The large illustrations spread across every two facing pages.The main text is printed over parts of the pictures, while some sound words depicting loud noises are incorporated into the illustrations. Shades of red appear on most pages when Sophie's anger has her in its grips. Trees of various types fill the world outside of her home.

I love trees and find them especially calming. I would have ran and ran and ran away as Sophie did, but this is not exactly an option with a child in tow. Last night this book allowed me to feel the anger and then release it.

While Sophie's story relaxed me, humor does more to provide an escape from thinking--which I think I need more often than I would like.
Two of our favorite book series recently fall into the category of transition books (or early chapter books).

The Mercy Watson Series by Kate DiCamillo, Illustrated by Chris Van Dusen
Mercy Watson, a pig who lives at 54 Deckawoo Drive, resides in the home of her humans, Mr. and

Mrs. Watson. Mercy's motivation to perform any task can be encouraged for the payment of some "toast, with a great deal of butter" on it. Readers later see that really it is the butter flavor and aroma that attracts Mercy. Often she is oblivious to the problem occurring around her, but somehow a combination of  her searching for buttery edibles and moving to different locations eventually brings her to where she needs to be to participate in the resolution of the problem.

In the six books that make up the series so far, in addition to Mercy and the Watsons, readers meet the neighbors Eugenia (who always has an opinion about the pig next door), and her sister, Baby (who has her own thoughts, but usually just listens to her sister). Baby adores Mercy. Other characters who appear in more than one book include the firemen Ned and Lorenzo, and the children Stella and Frank.

While the repetition of the setting (54 Deckawoo Drive) in each book may seem redundant, the antics of Mercy and others trigger laughs. The illustrations have a classic appearance to them that I believe gives the books a feel of having been written a much longer time ago. I love older books. They remind me of my childhood when I was a bookworm (not a real worm), searching through the stacks for a good book.

While the Mercy Watson books provide entertainment, my new favorites are the three graphic novel styled Bink and Gollie  books by Kate DiCamillo and Alison McGhee, and Illustrated by Tony Fucile.

Bink and Gollie are two young girls who are like sisters, but really are the best of friends. Gollie lives in a treehouse. She loves to make and eat pancakes. Bink lives in a small house near the base of the tree. She keeps her shelves stocked full with peanut butter. The girls communicate via what appears to be walkie talkies. (I have wanted a set since I was little. I love these!) The girls like to roller skate places. When they need to make a purchase of anything, they can count on Mr. and Mrs. Eccles and their Empire of Enchantment store. Free popcorn everyday, too.

While there is repetition of certain words, such as "gray matter" (brain), certain places, and behaviors from book to book, what's difference from the Mercy Watson books is that in Bink and Gollie the authors do not tell the

reader. Instead, they show the reader through the characters' actions, and the repeated features in the illustrations.

Speaking of illustrations, Fucile's attention to details shows his humor. My daughter and I study the cartoon-like drawings and laugh at the pieces. We laugh at the facial expressions. I love how the girls are kid-like, and not perfect. Little Bink has fly-away hair that sticks in every direction. She is short and stocky with legs that belong on a little kid. Gollie is tall and lanky with stick skinny legs that work for her. We laugh at the jars of peanut butter--the only food on Bink's shelves. We laugh at Mr. and Mrs. Eccles always sitting and reading their newspapers, and sometimes repeating each others' words.

While I find all three books quite humorous, Bink and Gollie: Two for One is the book that made me laugh so hard the first time I read it the other night, that I struggled to complete the first chapter aloud with my daughter.

The first chapter, "Whack a Duck" brings the girls to the state fair where Bink discovers the Whack a Duck game. The prize: The world's largest doughnut. Determination drives Bink to try and  win the doughnut with one of the three balls she gets for a dollar. For me, studying the facial expressions of the girls, Bink's preparation for throwing the balls, her pitch, the hits, the changes in the man's appearance as he runs the game between each pitch, and reading the comments were the funniest parts of the book. Perhaps my tiredness at the time made it even more hilarious. Whatever it was, I honestly cannot recall a book making me laugh as hard as this chapter did. And, it feels good to have a good laugh.

My daughter requested that we read the book again last night. After we read about Sophie being angry, we went to Bink and Gollie. I only planned on reading "Whack a Duck", but the book is hard to put down. I wound up reading the whole book. Okay by me. I love reading aloud. And, each readthrough allows me to notice a detail I may have missed earlier.

I don't laugh quite as much as I did the first time, but my daughter giggles. Of course, a child's belly laugh gets me laughing. So, all is good. I needed a good laugh.

Side note. I asked my daughter if she thinks she is more like Bink or Gollie. She chose Bink. I agree. So do the grandparents. Yes. I can count on future laughter for awhile with or without a book. My source of humor lives with me. Free therapy. It's a laugh!

If you would like to get to know Bink and Gollie better, check out their webpage at http://www.binkandgollie.com/ 

I'll be back on Monday as I continue the countdown of daily (I shall say, weekday) posts before the school year begins again. Next week's topics include graphic novels, diverse picture books, nonfiction picture books, and more. I shall see where my musings take me.

Have a good weekend. May you find humor each day.

~Tamara

It's All About Perspective

Before I had my daughter, I honestly cannot remember what made me laugh. Some of her insights observations, and random connections elicit giggles from me--many of which I have to try and hide. Not always easy.

When I read books that make my daughter giggle, the sound always blankets me with momentary peace. If I can laugh with her, it's even more joyful, and definitely therapeutic after a challenging day.

A recent find for us is the book:
You Are (Not) Small by Anna King and Illustrated by Christopher Weyan

In this large picture book, bear-like creatures compare themselves to each other by size and eventually argue about who is big and who is small. When new characters literally drop in, the two main characters realize that they are both big and small. Once that is settled, it's time to head out together to eat. The book concludes with the potential for a new debate between two of the drop-in visitors.

Featuring bold, yet spare illustrations, the more my daughter and I read this book, the more we laugh. The story presents much potential for discussions about perspective, and debates about size. My three and 11/12ths year old can be quite specific. (Yes, we get precise with her age. It was three and three quarters until a few days ago. It also means we won't be trying to fake her age to get a lower price. Today at a movie when I was asked if she was under three years, I said she is three. My daughter adamantly said, "I am not three. I am three and 11/12ths. She picks up things related to her age quick!)
"I'm not a kid. I'm a child!" Or "I'm not little. I'm big." Yes, she is big to the ants she stomps on outside.
She is little next to me.
It's all about perspective.
And giggles.

On a side note, Kang and Weyan are working on a sequel. I'm looking forward to it.

~Tamara

About My Blog Title

Hobbling to the elevator in 2011

When I was pregnant with my daughter in 2011, I traveled to California to visit my sister and her family. During my visit I fractured my right foot. I wound up wearing a boot, and had to use a cane to ease the weight on my foot as I walked. Then, shortly after, I received a diagnosis of gestational diabetes. This devastated me as good nutrition was and is highly important to me. What had I done wrong? It didn't matter that my age likely played a role, as well as a small familial history of diabetes. I felt like a failure. I could do little exercise, and my determination to remain positive for the sake of my unborn daughter was shaken.

Then, I started grad school via a low residency program at Hamline University in pursuit of a Master of Fine Arts degree in Writing for Children and Young Adults (MFAC). Twenty nine weeks pregnant with a boot, a belly, and a cane. My mother traded cars with me as my belly and boot caused me not to fit well in the driver's seat of my own car. I now drove a mini van. At Hamline, it was a hot summer. Construction on campus caused the most direct route to buildings to be roundabout. My apartment, with the greatest roommate--thank goodness--happened to be the furthest from the elevator on the third floor.

2015 Hamline MFAC Grad

I learned to laugh at the situation, even when I wanted to cry. I had to laugh. I was on the path toward two of my greatest dreams--becoming a mom, and learning the craft of writing so that someday I will be a published author. Finding light when times felt cloudy was how I could continue moving forward.

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I attended Hamline only during the summers, followed by fall semesters. On July 19, 2015, I officially graduated with my MFA degree. Now, I am taking the steps to begin my agent search and publication submissions. In order to establish an online presence, I have returned to this blog I began in 2011.

A Boot, a Belly, and a Cane. A bizarre combination. A memorable combination. A name that continues to make me smile. So, I have chosen to keep it.

Happy reading! (More About Me - Current Page)

Today and tomorrow, 

~Tamara (pronounced like "tomorrow" with a southern accent.)