Picture Book Review: WHERE DO FAIRIES GO WHEN IT SNOWS?

 

An alluring title invites young readers into an exquisitely illustrated world where the magic of snow and fairies meet. Set in the forest, under the winter moon, the first page beckons the imagination with enchanting imagery and written possibilities.

With a few turns of the page, this story offers vibrant images of fairies, flowers, and sunshine in spring... followed by summer celebrations and a leafy, acorn- filled fall.  Bursting with questions, color, and coziness...(along with a wee bit of fairy dust), Where do Fairies go When it Snows is a delightful read aloud—especially for those who love mystical little creatures who nap under mushroom caps. 

From questions such as: “Do fairies hibernate like bears, hedgehogs, and raccoons?” to “Ways You Can Take Care of Fairies in the Winter,” this story, written by Liza Gardner Walsh and  illustrated by Hazel Mitchell, is a celebration of joy, wonder, and what-ifs.

A Mr. Arachnid Library favorite for illustrations.

Halloween Themed Picture Book Review: Turkey Trick or Treat

By LJ

Who says Halloween treats aren’t for turkeys? With a few tricks under his feathers, and heaps of “Oh, Gobble, Gobbles,” Turkey is b-a-a-a-c-k!  This time, in Turkey Trick or Treat, where trick-or-treating has never been more fun!   

Outfitted in one crazy costume after another, Turkey is on a mission—a quest for candy.  Whether dressed as “a gobble, gobble ghost” or “a baa-baa-ballerina,” a few ingenious ideas from his barnyard pals send this comical character floating, dancing, and sailing from house to house on Halloween night.

Written by Wendy Silvano and illustrated by Lee Harper, Turkey Trick or Treat overflows with oodles of witty wordplay and laugh out loud illustrations.  This entertaining tale is loaded with clever chitchat and rollicking repetition, making Turkey Trick or Treat the third in a trio of picture book “must haves.”

Coming to shelves later this month, Turkey Trick or Treat is a funny and cozy story that lives up to its “hilarious companions.”  Highly recommended for trick-or-treaters of all ages, this book is a Mr. Arachnid Library favorite! 

Happy Halloween (in August)!  And happy reading!



Turkey Trick or Treat. Copyright © 2015 by Wendi Silvano. Illustrations © 2015 by Lee Harper. Published by Two Lions, New York.

Buy now by clicking on the cover images.

    

Color Your Heart Out

...with these tender lovin' treasures. 

Students from our reading and enrichment groups have been having so much fun getting ready for Valentine's Day. This week, we read books like Diane de-Groat's Roses are Pink Your Feet Really Stink and created these awesome "Color your Heart Out" &  "Color My World" Crayon Valentines. 

Shaped like hearts, these Valentines are not only fun to make, they're easy, too!  I'm not sure who enjoyed making them more...me or the students?  In fact, I liked this so much, I made them again at home with my son.  Preston loved them, too!

I first saw this idea in a magazine years ago and have revisited it from time to time.  It never gets old! 

Steps:

1. Made with melted Crayola Crayons, we started our project by gathering together lots of old crayons.

2. Next, we peeled off all the paper.  By the time I did this with my last student, I decided it might be more motivating if we raced to see who could peel their paper the fastest.  This sped things up quite nicely!

3. Then, we broke the crayons into pieces and separated them into color families.  This also made a nice discussion on grouping and patterns.

4. Finally, we used a heart shaped silicon baking mold to melt our crayons in.  We placed them in a preheated oven at 250 degrees and baked them for 20 minutes.  We let them cool for about 25 minutes and then gently removed them from the mold.

We packaged our crayons in pink tinted bags with some other treats, but there are all kinds of creative ways to package these Tender Lovin' Treasures.

Here is a link to a Martha Stewart video where she packages Crazy Crayons.



Also, there are zillions of ideas on Pinterest.  Check out and be sure to follow our Valentine Boards.  Lori's totally cool Be MY Valentine Pinterest Board!

Another resource for terrific Valentine Ideas and photos is: The Nerd's Wife.

Crayons made by one of our awesome students, Scott B.

~Step into the shoes of your inner child and dance with the Moon! 

                                                                                                       Happy Valentine's Day!
                                                                                                         XOXO Lori & Ted

Mr. Arachnid's Library:  http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/roses-are-pink-your-feet-really-stink-diane-de-groat/1101116157?ean=9780688152208