GREAT stories with STRONG female heroines from Nancy Schimmel’s “Just Enough to Make a Story: A Sourcebook for Storytellers.” WITH THANKS to Nancy Schimmel Just Enough to Make a Story: A Sourcebook for Storytellers (Sisters’ Choice, 1992) Ashpet, in Grandfather Tales by Richard Chase. Houghton, 1948. A Cinderella variant in which Ashpet is a […]
A source list for strong girls! Read More »
Remember what it was like to play pretend? If you’ve forgotten, read The Mennyms by Sylvia Waugh. The Mennyms are rag dolls who live on a quiet street somewhere in England. They’re like any family, except they live a life of pretend. The rag doll Mrs. Quigley stays in the hall closet until it’s time
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Ever want to know what a six-year-old thinks? Read the Dory books by Abby Hanlon. Dory, aka Rascal, lives in a world of imaginary friends and monsters. There is Mr. Nuggy, a fairy godmother who communicates by banana, and there is Mary, a cross between a Sendak wild thing and a puppy, (or is it
A book for 5,6,7 and up! Read More »
I have a new category of books: COZY YA. There’s no mayhem or murder. My first pick is The Hired Girl by Laura Amy Schlitz (Newberry Award winner). It’s the 1900’s in America. Joan runs away from the farm and her brutish Father. Through luck and pluck, Joan gains a position as a hired girl
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Summer of the Gypsy Moths By Sara Pennypacker It’s might be the worst summer vacation, ever, for Stella. It’s not because her irresponsible mother wanders off, again, and leaves her with her aunt Louise. Or that Stella and her aunt’s foster child, Angel, loathe each other. Maybe it’s because Stella will have to help her
Questionable parents, mystery and a lovely old lady who… Read More »
Leroy Ninker Saddles upBy Kate DiCamilloIl. By Chris Van DusenPick this for an early chapter book and predictive reading.There’s Perfect comedic timing,punchline funny charactersHilarious artworkAnd a tender story.Tiny Leroy Ninker wants a horseHe can’t be a cowboy without one.The fact that he has no money, no ranch, doesn’t stop him.
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Jeremy Draws a Monster By Peter McCarty Jeremy’s too shy to make friends. Fortunately, he’s clever, though and draws one. Unfortunately, who happens to be a monster. Unfortunately, Jeremy discovers that a monster does what a monster wants to do. He orders Jeremy around and is a thoroughly disagreeable guest. Fortunately, Jeremy is clever. Does a
Books can be funny, but make my stomach hurt from laughing? Not too many do that. But, I just found one. Mr.Puffball, even as a kitten, knows his destiny is to be a Hollywood Star. He makes his way to Hollywood and suffers disappointment and despair. But, with the help from Hollywood veterans he makes
Books can be funny, but make my stomach hurt from laughing? Not too many do that. But, I just found one. Mr.Puffball, even as a kitten, knows his destiny is to be a Hollywood Star. He makes his way to Hollywood and suffers disappointment and despair. But, with the help from Hollywood veterans he makes