Daniel Miyares Part 1

Leaping with Daniel last night

I promised myself earlier this evening that I would blog tonight.  Tonight, per se, is almost over but it still counts.

Almost two years ago (really a year and a half, but almost two years sounds better), I opened my Junior Library Guild box and found a gorgeous book inside.  I read it, shared it, read it again, told everyone about it and even emailed the author.  That book was Float by Daniel Miyares.  I fell hard for it then and still love it today.

Then a crazy thing happened.  My eyes caught something on a poster I had for Kwame's new book, Surf's Up.  Daniel was the illustrator! How could this be?  So we all got more excited.  We threw a "Please Come to CES" party with everyone dressed in Hawaiian attire and sent all the videos to Daniel.  We were on a serious mission to bring him to Castleton, if not for Surf's Up, for something else soon.

Since then we celebrated another book birthday for him in June: Bring Me a Rock and performed a rendition of that book at a monthly morning assembly in November because...

...we had made a date with Daniel to come in May! MAY?!  Yes! THIS MAY! May 9 on the book birthday of his newest book, That Neighbor Kid. That's just hours away!!!

We love everything about this book and 4th graders have taken upon themselves to post hashtags about it all over school:

 #everyfriendshipbeginswithHi 

#dontspillyourjuice

#hammerandnails #blueprints

Mrs. Warland (Doe) with Daniel and her granddaughter, Emma

Daniel's signature grey early in the book becomes mixed with vibrant hues of red, orange and yellow as the friendship and teamwork between the boy and the girl flourishes.  After hard work and determination, their treehouse is complete and how better to celebrate this accomplishment than with a box of juice?

The most talented Daniel is here in my zipcode and we are thrilled to honor him all day as we sing our praises (and Happy Birthday) on the book birthday of That Neighbor Kid and have a gala in his honor in the evening.

ps-When you get your own copy, don't forget to check under case cover.  More surprise beauty lies secretly hidden there.

With Mrs. Harris

With our art teacher, Mrs. Pazienza.  More on our collaboration tomorrow!

Because of an Acorn Review by Demiris

Meet Fifth Grade Reading Ambassador Demiris:

Demi's favorite book is: Hunger Games Catching Fire
Demi's favorite dessert is: Columbian Coffee Ice Cream
Demi LOVES to...:READ!
Her most memorable author/illustrator visit at CES was "when Chris Grabenstein visited because we all got a free book signed by him!"


Today Demi reviewed a beautiful new picture book which I received recently in my Junior Library Guild box, Because of an Acorn.

Because of an Acorn by Lola M. Schaefer and Adam Schaefer and illustrated by Frann Preston-Gannon was a good read. I would recommend it for children ages 5-8. It will be easy for them to read because there are only a few words per page.

The book shows young readers how by planting one seed you’re helping the earth. It also shows older readers that by cutting trees down, you are hurting the environment and the animals that live in it.

If you like quick easy books to read, this will be perfect for you. The illustrations done by Frann Preston-Gannon are very interesting. She put lots of little details in the pictures. I hope you read this book and write your own review so that more people get the chance to read such a great book.

The power of SURPRISE!

Thanks to an idea borrowed from my friend, Kirsten Murphy from Texas, I put my stack of this month's Junior Library Guild books in a big bag and closed it up. A class of 4th graders came in for book exchange and I called them over if they had any interest in taking home and reading a surprise, brand spanking new book. I had no idea the response! They ALL clamored over to me! So many of them, that we had to grab the Popsicle sticks to pick names on who would "win" the new books. It was so great to see their excitement and feel the enthusiasm around new books and reading. The "oohs" and "ahhhs" were delightful. I look forward to doing this again with my April batch. It can't get here soon enough!

A LEAP in the library....

...and a LEAP in the hallway!