Tales to Tomes Online Book Club: April 2011 Selection

Short and sweet this time because I'm leaving on a jet plane in the morning!  It was a tight race this month, but one book came out ahead . . . by one vote!!  

Incarceron by Catherine Fisher

Will you be joining me?

Monday Synopsis: March 28, 2011

I'm posting a day late this week because it has simply been so hectic around my household and it is going to remain so for a bit longer.  This past week, a family member that I was very close to passed away after a very long battle with cancer.  It was not completely unexpected, but that did not make it any easier when I received the early morning phone call.  This man was my grandfather, an amazing inspiration to many, serving the country in the Navy and our youth as a music teacher for many years.  To me, he was more than just a vet or a teacher, he was my "poppa" . . . a man that inspired me in many ways, including my love for reading.  A couple of years ago, I wrote about him in one of my Literary Locals posts.  Today, I simply celebrate his life and smile with tears in my eyes as I read from the many students he impacted through the years, hearing how he was a "favorite teacher" or the "greatest influence."  These are not small compliments and my heart swells every time I read another.

With that said, posts will continue to be sparse over the next week.  I am flying back to attend services and be with my family during this difficult time.  However, I am excited to be doing something to allow my grandfather's legacy to move on.  I will be a part of planning and implementing his memorial scholarship to help those in my hometown pursue their educational dreams.  I could not ask for anything more and I hope to someday see the smile on the first of many recipients to receive this honor!

What you can expect this week is the announcement of our next read for Tales to Tomes, set to be posted on Wednesday.  If you have not yet voted, then be sure to do so here!  I will also try to get my review scheduled for Dogsbody for this month's read, but we will see if that gets done.  I have a lot to do before we fly out in a few days!  I will then be back early next week to fill in some gaps.

In my absence, I want to know . . . who has inspired you and your reading?!?  Is it that favorite teacher or a book-loving family member?  Or, is it someone else completely?

Tales to Tomes: Vote for the April Book!

It's time to vote on next month's selection for Tales to Tomes!  I have taken the highest votes from last month, with the exception of one substitution provided on the previous form for our choices this month.  Each of the titles has been linked to a description.  Read them through and vote away.  Deadline for votes is Tuesday, March 29th.  The new selection will be announced on Wednesday, March 30th.

Clockwork Angel by Cassandra Clare

Matched by Ally Condie

Incarceron by Catherine Fisher

Leviathan by Scott Westerfield

The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate by Jacqueline Kelly

What will you choose?

SAS-SAF: Flashlight Worthy for 2025

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The final day of Share a Story, Shape a Future brought a ton of wonderful stories about the love of reading as you saw in my previous post, but now it is time to respond to the final Writing @ Reading prompt and one of my favorites of the week!  This question was soooooooo difficult for me.  When I first read the question, I had stacks and stacks of books come to mind.  How was I ever to narrow it down?  In reality, I won't!  I will carry my book collection and pass it on to my own growing readers for many years to come.  And, I hope that they will continue to pass it on to their growing readers again and again and again!  However, for this exercise, I must choose.  Let's get to it . . .

If you could pack three "flashlight worthy" books in a suitcase to keep for children born in 2025, what would they be?  Why?

As I write my answer to this question this evening, these are the three books that I would choose; however, I reserve the right to choose three completely different books if you ask me any other day of the week or year!  There are simply too many wonderful ones to choose from!!

The Harry Potter Series by J.K. Rowling

As I mentioned in a previous SAS-SAF post, Rowling's magical world is a comfort to me . . . a world that I can easily escape into, get lost, and have fun.  Every growing reader needs a book that can do this for them and Harry Potter and his friends are characters that so many of us can relate to.  As a growing adolescent, who doesn't feel like an outsider?  Like they don't quite fit in?  Like it is him/her against the world?  And, there is still hope!!  (And, yes I know that this is actually 7 books, but you can make it look like one great big one if you keep it in the box!)

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl

I can't quite figure out why I am choosing this book, but I am!  It is one of those books that has so many life lessons, but one you can't resist because it is filled with so many sweets . . . literally!  Charlie and his family are the underdogs and yet they win out at the end because of simple respect and politeness.  They have the right amount of curiousity, but not so much that gets them into trouble.  And, the honesty that pours out from a multitude of characters is funny, yet refreshing.



Are You My Mother? by P.D. Eastman

I mentioned this book earlier as well, but I cannot resist adding it here again just for the sake of the topic of motherly love.  Being a mother to two amazing children, I would want this message of unconditional love to be passed on through all of time and space!





What books would you pack into 2025?

SAS-SAF: The Gift That Keeps on Giving

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With the fifth and final day of Share a Story, Shape a Future, The Gift That Keeps on Giving is the topic of the day and one that is perfect to wrap up the week.  Throughout the week, a multitude of people discussed their own passion for reading, both now and when they were younger.  Then, resources were shared about how to inspire that same love for the young ones in our lives.  It is a natural transition to then tackle how to keep that giving cycle going.

One of my favorite posts of the day was a guest post done by Pamela Voelkel at The Reading Zone.  She shares how she grew up reading and how she is now raising her children with reading.  She painted such a beautiful image in my mind . . . one that I hope I can paint in my own home as the years progress and my children get older!

I am not going to post a lot of details on this next link because it is really one you must just click on over and see for yourself . . . Elizabeth Dulemba shares How I Fell in Love With Reading.  She not only shares her own personal story, but she has also shared a number of children's authors' stories as well!  A MUST READ!!!

Wow!!!  What a wonderful week of amazing literary chatter and resources!  I cannot wait for the next one, and I hope that you will join in!  In fact, mark your calendars now for the week of March 5, 2012.  Share a Story, Shape a Future is coming back!!!

SAS-SAF: Love of Literacy in the Modern World

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Share a Story, Shape a Future brought forth a number of new questions for Day 4 of the event and I have once again decided to share my thoughts on one of these even though the weekly event is done and over with.  This time, the question comes down to a wishing question . . .

What tools do today's students have that you wish you had had when you were in school?

When I grew up, I was very limited in my resources simply because of my location.  I was not raised in a city, but in a rural town.  As I see the opportunities that children have these days or ones that my own son has already experienced, it really comes down to author contacts.  I wish I had the opportunity to meet the authors in person . . . those people who created such wonderful stories that I could get lost in and discover more about the world surrounding me.  Even in today's technological and digital world, authors can now pay visits to the rural setting via Skype without actually leaving the comforts of their own home.  I have not yet met an author via the latter method, but I hope to someday.  I hope to hear my children's excitement when they get the opportunity.  Afterall, my son just experienced his first author meeting a couple of month's ago.  He's still talking about being able to stand next to an author that brings adventures to our big comfy chair from all over the world!!

SAS-SAF: Leisure Reading vs Homework

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For Day 4 of Share a Story, Shape a Future, the topic of Leisure Reading vs Homework was tackled.  I know that some of my personal assigned readings growing up were detested simply because I was told to read them.  One such example is The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck.  I wonder to this day if my rebellious years had a greater impact on my feelings for this book more than just my current age and stage.  I really don't know . . . but someday, I vow to re-read that one to determine if my feelings for the story changes.  It will no longer be homework afterall.  It will simply be reading a book that I want to read . . . for leisure.

Anyways, let's move on to some of the articles that really stood out for me on this day . . .

Franki Sibberson shares her experience of shopping for books with her daughter and what really constitutes a "just-right" book. What really is "just right" . . . only those books that an early reader can read every word, one that expands their reading ability just a bit more, or do other things come into consideration as well?  Very thought provoking!

Lisa Koch then takes on a hard topic of those level books being "just right."  She discusses her son and how his reading waned because it became all about the level and nothing about the love.  The letter her son wrote and asked her to sign was simply heart-breaking and I sincerely hope that my son doesn't experience this same thing when he enters first grade in the fall.

In Real Reading, I discovered a great way to sort books!  We are one of the homes that is filled with books and I think it could be a great way to provide reading options for my children.  And, it really gets me thinking of what I may want to be looking for in my son's current and future classrooms!

A refreshing perspective is shared in Repent . . . At Reading Homework Taketh Another Look.  I love the ideas of sharing reading instead of assigning it!

Carol shares her personal views on Reading Homework . . . a VERY moving piece and one that I can relate to as it was books and writing that personally helped me through those extremely rough high school years.  Imagine what they can do with the youth these days with the mighty books that are currently out there floating around waiting to be read.

The Reading Zone takes a step away from reading and looks at writing . . . writer's notebooks to be exact.  The ideas shared in this article are ones that I may even use myself!!

Those are just a few of my favorite posts (okay, there are more than a few there!), but I highly recommend you click on the link above for the full list of literary love!

Sunday Synopsis: March 20, 2011

With the craziness of the last couple of weeks, I was unable to post last week's Sunday Synopsis.  No worries though because I really didn't have much to say to be quite honest.  Now that I am back home, at least for the meantime, I am working to still catch up on the awesomeness of Share a Story, Shape a Future as well as a get a number of reviews written, among other things.  However, I'm still feeling a bit scatterbrained, trying to wrap my brain around what is all currently on my plate; therefore, I decided to share some of my scatterings today in completely random order.  Hope you enjoy a little book-ish peek into my chaotic brain!

I have a tendency to take on more than I should and my aging body is trying to tell me that maybe it is not a good idea to do that anymore.  I will be working on decreasing my many projects over the next few months or so as well as prioritize my desires . . . reading and writing (and things associated with each!) being towards the top of that priority list of desires!

One project that I absolutely love and am excited to be a part of again this year is Armchair BEA.  (This is one of those projects that I want to have MORE time for!)  We recently announced that we will be back again next year and I will be posting a little something later this week regarding prize donations!

I recently have completed a number of graphic novels and hope to have reviews posted soon.  I really have yet to find a book in this format that I have not liked!

I feel that I am taking the week of great literacy resources that is Share a Story, Shape a Future (SAS-SAF) and turning it into a month.  I simply have no desire to skip over the many wonderful posts and share my thoughts with my own readers.  For that reason, you will see at least four more posts coming this week.  I may do an additional wrap-up, but I haven't decided for sure yet.

As I am writing this, I am watching Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone.  The books AND movies are my go-to comfort!

As soon as I shut my computer down for the night, I will be heading to bed to start Dogsbody by Diana Wynne Jones, this month's selection for Tales to Tomes Book Club.  I meant to start it sooner, but had to finish some library books first as they were already severely overdue!

I am still reading The Count of Monte Cristo.  I am really enjoying this book, but because of its length, I simply need to take a break for something a little lighter these days.  I still hope to finish it by the end of the month though.

I am completely and utterly proud of my reading son!  I am impressed every single day in the leaps and bounds he has made in his reading progress and the "big" words that he can now read on his own!  I was even bragging to our librarian today about how much both of my children love books!  It is the ONLY thing that I have found to calm them both in times of stress.

And, last but not least, something not really associated with books . . . We decided to let my son watch Star Wars for the first time this weekend and we completed the first original (actually the fourth in the entire series) this afternoon.  I think he is officially hooked and I can't wait for him to watch the rest of the original films.  We think we will wait until he gets a bit older before letting him watch the new versions, however.

Well, I'm off to read and hopefully, get plenty of rest for a very hectic week ahead of me.  I will see you back tomorrow for more SAS-SAF links!


In the meantime, how about you share some of your book-ish news and thoughts with me?  What are you reading?  Any new releases or upcoming events that you are excited for?

SAS-SAF: Jumping Into A Literary World

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Though I am late in responding to the Writing @ Reading prompts for Share a Story, Shape a Future, I am still going to share my responses because the questions posed are just so much fun!  Afterall, how could I not write about this next question from Day 3?!?

If you could jump inside one book and live in that world, what book would it be?  Why?

Hands down the literary world that I would jump into is the world created by J.K. Rowling in her Harry Potter books!  Who wouldn't want to be able to simply give a wave of a wand with a simple command such as "Accio" to retrieve an item?  Who wouldn't want to be able to see moving pictures, even after losing a loved one?  Who wouldn't want chocolate frogs that may come alive at any moment?  And, who wouldn't want to go to school in a magical castle with a cafeteria ceiling that reflected the weather?

It is really no surprise that Harry Potter was my go-to answer for this question.  I have re-read these books so many times that I have lost track of the exact count.  Whereas some people have comfort foods that they may revert to in times of stress, I have my comfort reads . . . and Harry Potter is at the top of this list.  In fact, with the amount of stress that I have been experiencing lately, I am tempted to pick up the books once again even though I just re-read each and every one less than a year ago!

It really doesn't take much to jump in.  All I have to do to get lost is open up the first page and read all about The Boy Who Lived.

SAS-SAF: Literacy 2.0

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Last Wednesday, Share a Story, Shape a Future did a flash forward and looked at the digital age.  Wait!  I believe we are in the digital age!!  Danielle from There's a Book took on the topic of Literacy 2.0 and had a multitude of guests to chime in on the subject.

Before I get to the specific links, I must make a confession here . . . I am old school!  I do not read anything but the physical books.  No ebooks for me!  And, at this time, I simply do not have the desire to buy an e-reader.  In fact, a couple of years ago, I even wrote a post on my feelings titled eBook or eNot?  My feelings have really not changed much, but I have begun to think about how my old school feelings are affecting my children who are growing up in a digital age.  Because of this very fact, I was really looking forward to this topic to see how I may be able to challenge myself, to step just a bit out of my comfort zone, for my dear children!

The first article that I read that really caught my attention came from Eric at Happy Birthday Author on using videos to enhance literature.  He gave a number of resourceful links for both consuming videos as well as ideas for creating your own . . . all in the name of literacy!  I would also HIGHLY recommend the personal birthday message to Mo Willems for pure entertainment purposes!

The Book Chook takes on all sorts of digital resources for both reading and writing, from stories being read to even creating your own comics.  Now that my son is a bit older, I have a feeling he is really going to be enjoying some of these sites and I look forward to exploring them further!

Melissa takes on the topic of Reading on the Go!  When you are out and about with your children, whether traveling or running errands, how can you still continue to encourage the love of literacy?!?  Check out this wonderful list of ideas.  I would like to add a few of my own games to the list . . . the alphabet game, played in a variety of ways . . . (1) Choose a letter and come up with as many words you can think of that start with that letter.  (2)  Search for the different letters on billboards, road signs, license plates, etc. OR  (3) Spell different words and have your child tell you what word was just spelled.  However, no matter which version you play, you must play along as well!  And, remember when playing the spelling version that it is okay to go with phonetic spellings!  They are learning the love of literacy and you have to start somewhere!!  In addition, both my children received their very own Doodle Pro that is to be left in the car at all times.  They not only draw pictures, but my son even practices spelling words on it as we run our errands and play the alphabet game!

I am really interested in learning more about skyping with authors after reading Mr. Paul Hankins' experiences with this bit of technology in his classroom.  In fact, now that I have a better relationship with my son's new school and parent-teacher conferences are next week, I am going to bring up this topic to his teacher and principal.  My son loved his first author event he attended a couple of months ago.  What if this author love could be shared with the entire class?!?  I see so many possibilities on this one!!

Surprisingly, after reading the posts for the day, you can see that I still was not swayed on the e-readers, BUT the digital world really is more than just e-reading!  In the years to come, I may eventually become swayed into the e-world, but for now I will be challenging myself with these other amazing tools.

If you are interested in the e-readers and IPads/IPods and all that e-jazz, then definitely click here to see the full line-up.  There are a number of great resources shared.  I'm just taking digital baby steps for now!

SAS-SAF: I'm A Finalist!!!

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Last week, I had to take a break from Share a Story, Shape a Future due to a family emergency.  I am not really ready to share details on that emergency, but I know that there will be some talk here on the blog eventually about it at some point in the future for a variety of reasons . . . for these reasons really are bookish in nature.

During my hectic and emotional week, I did receive some very exciting news.  I was nominated as a finalist for the Writing @ Reading prompts for The "Loft" Children!  The final nominees were announced yesterday and voting was opened to the public.  I encourage you to visit the voting post (linked above) and then visit the survey to vote.  Of course, I would love you to vote for me!!  However, I also like to be fair, so really I just want you to vote period!  Read all the great finalists' posts and be sure to leave some comment love.  I'm heading to finish up the reading and commenting myself as soon as this gets posted!

For those of you who haven't figure it out, I am such a huge fan of this event.  And for that reason, I don't want to just drop my regular posts that I like to do for this amazing week.  Therefore, for the rest of this week, you can find the regularly scheduled posts . . . just one week late!  Keep on coming back for some more great articles and more great literacy resources and conversations.  There is a number of great things to share!

Now, go vote!!!

SAS-SAF: Checking In!

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I had every intention of summing up all the marvelous posts from today at Share a Story, Shape a Future as well as contributing my two bits for the Writing @ Reading prompts.  Unfortunately, life is happening and my family is currently dealing with some stuff, which means I spent most of my night on the phone.  I am emotionally and physically exhausted, and I simply just need to go to bed.  I will hopefully be back tomorrow to sum up two full days of literary resources and information.  

On the positive side, I had a wonderful surprise to my day when I discovered that I was named one of four finalists from the Writing @ Reading prompts with my Monday post about The "Loft" Children.  Thank you so much to the judges for all of your support!  This was a much needed ray of sunshine to my day and I feel honored to be nominated!!

SAS-SAF: Gift THESE Books!

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Day 2 of Share a Story, Shape a Future brings more writing prompts along with great articles.  I had a difficult time deciding which prompt to write about today, but I ultimately ended up choosing the question below because I have been gifting many a book these days with friends having babies and birthday parties galore!

If you were asked to create a package of 5 books to gift to a child, what books would you include in your gift?  Include one book for each year (infant to 5).

This question really doesn't lend to a lot of long writing.  I'm going to just stick to a list.  I like my lists!  But, before I begin, I must put in a disclaimer here:  I do not necessarily recommend just these books!  I had such a hard time narrowing it down, but alas . . . for the sake of the list . . .

INFANT

You can find this book in a variety of formats, but for the very the wee-small child, I recommend the fabric book . . . the one that is soft, that has the baby bird that you can move from page to page, and at the end, slide right underneath the mama's wing.  So very precious!

Are You My Mother? by P.D. Eastman

YEAR 1

A very big favorite in our household is Sandra Boynton, and this selection is one that we have memorized!  It's an easy board book to stick in your diaper bag at this age, or simply recite in the car while running errands . . . because you simply can't help but memorize this tale in particular!  (And for the record, I actually just gifted this book last week to a friend expecting her first child!)

Moo, Baa, La La La by Sandra Boynton

YEAR 2


This next book was gifted to my son around the age of two by his great grandparents.  I had never seen the book before, but immediately fell in love with it.  In fact, we all did!!  It's an interactive book with flaps, touch and feel, movement, and brilliant artwork.  And, did I mention that it even has a bit of stinky scratch and sniff?!?  Perfect for the 2-year-old discovering the world around them!

Tails by Matthew Van Fleet

YEAR 3


As my children have gotten older, then begin to appreciate the details of pictures more and more.  They love to "spot" all the different objects and point them out to me while reading the story, or narrate the actions themselves as they discover all that is going on.  With this selection, you can begin to focus in on the details, with beautiful illustrations and lots of fun action to make up stories of your own!

Usborne 1001 Pirate Things to Spot

YEAR 4


Now that a child can spot the details of pictures as well as have the cognitive ability to begin building their knowledge about details, you will find that this book is a perfect addition to a child's shelf.  Not only are basic facts about this unique reptile shared, but the book also explores the topics of foreshadowing through the artwork and even emotional intelligence through the act of pretend play.

Little Skink's Tail by Janet Halfmann

YEAR 5


I cannot end this post without mentioning Mo Willems, one of THE most brilliant children's authors that is written with a humor that an adult is willing to read over and over and over again!  Though I feature this particular book, all Elephant and Piggie books are great for the pre-readers and early readers.  You take Elephant, your child take Piggie, and then read the book together!  Then, switch characters and try it again!

There Is a Bird on Your Head! by Mo Willems


I dare you to share one of these gifts with the children in your lives today or at one of the next big events!

Final Disclaimer:  Every single one of these books mentioned are a part of our own personal library for us to continue to enjoy again and again and again!  And, we do!!

SAS-SAF: The Gift of Reading

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Today is Day 2 of Share a Story, Shape a Future and the literary goodness continues with The Gift of Reading!

The day was started off with not one, but three great posts from Books Dads, all chronicling stories from dads and how they have experienced the gift of reading.  It was so amazing reading through all of these stories, every single one coming from a DAD!  Dads can be so influential to young readers, and every single one of these stories demonstrates this over and over again!

We then moved on to the second host, Dawn Little from Literacy Toolbox, to read all about the multiple meanings of a literacy gift.  From there, a multitude of others have chimed in with a few gifts of their own.  One of these features Moms Inspire Learning, taking a favorite classic and putting a whole new spin on it.  Jen Robinson also shares about the gift of books for new parents . . . something that I already do for many baby showers, but I now have a list of other books to pull from beyond my usual Sandra Boynton and Mo Willems!  And, you can't beat one of the best gifts of all . . . the library card . . . and Imagination Soup shares some of her tips when using one! 

Last, but not least, we then visit with the final host, Terry Doherty of The Reading Tub.  In Terry's post, she converses with a number of book-ish peeps about diversity in literature.  In fact, there is so much awesomeness in this post, that I really cannot sum it all up here.  Just click on over and read it all yourself!

These are just a few of my personal favorite highlights, but there is still more goodness to be had over at the daily post.  Be sure to go and check it out!

SAS-SAF: The "Loft" Children

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Every day this week in honor of Share a Story, Shape a Future, I will be responding to writing prompts to help in celebrating the "Gift of Literacy."  Literacy is very near and dear to my heart for a variety of reasons.  Books were a great escape for me when I was child.  I could easily get lost in one book or another, and welcomed it!  It taught me about the world I live in.  It taught me about people different from me.  It taught me to step into other people's shoes and learn to look at the world through their eyes.  Books shaped me.  Books let me get lost . . . and they let me find myself once again.

When I read the first writing prompt provided in today's Writing @ Reading Day 1 post, I knew that it would be the one that I would be able to respond to with the most passion.  If you are frequent reader of this blog, then this story may not be new to you . . . but I encourage you to read on anyways!  One cannot give enough praise to a book that has had a great impact on you!

Who was the first person from a book (real or imagined) that you wanted to be when you were a child?  Why?

It is not one person that comes to mind when I hear this question, but rather a group of people . . . four young siblings, in fact.  When we are first introduced to these children, they are hungry and searching for a place to eat and sleep for the night.  They are alone, without parents; however, they are not truly alone because they have one another.  They find some food for the night and a place to sleep, but when the owners of a bakery threaten to ship one of them off and work the others for free labor, they devise a plan to sneak off into the night and once again survive on their own.  They eventually find their own home in an abandoned boxcar, the oldest finds work to support his family, and they learn to live off the bare essentials and be happy.

These siblings are Henry, Jessie, Violet, and Benny and they are better known as The Boxcar Children, created and nurtured by the author Gertrude Chandler Warner.  As a child, I read this book over and over again.  I really cannot tell you the number of times.  And, I remember the librarian commenting that I was checking it out AGAIN?!?  It was not uncommon to find myself and one my childhood friends re-enacting the story on our own.  We did not have an abandoned boxcar, but we did have a loft in an old barn that did just as well.  We went on our own adventures, found our own household supplies, and used our imaginations to solve mysteries just like Henry, Jessie, Violet, and Benny move on to do in Warner's sequels.

As an adult, I have re-read this book a multitude of times . . . on my own and to both of my children when they were infants.  The magic is still there.  I really don't know what the power was about this book, or what it still is, though I have my theories as a wiser and more mature adult.  I tend to lean towards the independence these children had . . . the ability to go to bed when they pleased, being able to earn their keep and not have to report to an adult, to know that their contribution mattered.  As a true latch-key kid, I was often left alone after school, having to fend for myself.  I could relate!  Then again, I also had to wonder if it really came down to the relationships.  I was an only child.  I often wondered what it was like to have that special sibling bond.  I had my cousins, an aunt, and an uncle that practically lived with us during different times of the year, but never a full-time, true sibling.  I even look at my children now and envy the relationship they have (even during the bickering and fighting!).  It's a special bond that I will never know, but while reading The Boxcar Children, I could almost imagine that I was one of those sisters.

When it comes down to it, I think I wanted to be an independent sister . . . and these children filled that need! Thank you to Gertrude Chandler Warner for raising those characters, which in turn helped to raise me!

SAS-SAF: The Power of a Book

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Today marks the kick-off of another great week of Share a Story, Shape a Future (SAS-SAF), with the theme this year being Unwrapping the Gift of Literacy.  I absolutely love the theme because as the hosts explain it, the theme is two-fold:

• The ability to read IS a gift ... one that lasts a lifetime; and 
• Literacy is a gift we can easily give to and share with someone else ... with minimal cost.

Doesn't that just make complete sense to you?!?  Those hosts are smart ones!!  :)

As in the past two years of SAS-SAF, I will be sharing my thoughts about the daily posts and I also intend to share my thoughts on the "Writing About Reading" prompts that are posted.  I love to be able to keep the great information available right here on the blog, where I can quickly reference the information, as well as share those articles that strike a chord with me with my readers.  It is my way of sharing a little literacy love!

Today's topic focuses on The Power of a Book.  Articles focus on the effect on children that receive books for the first time as well as the intangible impact books can have on an individual.  (Boy, many of us know that latter feeling, right?!?)  You can click on the link above for the full extent of the articles, but here are a few that I would  love to share a thought or two on . . .

• From the first co-host, Carol Rasco, we discover the physical gift of the book.  From Rasco's experience of sharing books with children through her organization, Reading is Fundamental, as well as hearing from others from First Book and Breaking the Chain, we get to relive the excitement that a book can bring to a child . . . how their eyes light up, how books give them their "big chance," and how their dreams can begin with just one book.
• From the second co-host, we go less tangible, but "deeper" . . . Donalyn Miller (aka The Book Whisperer) explores how a book can change a child's life and make those dreams come true!  All I can say about this one is that it literally brought tears to my eyes.  Wow!  This women gets me and my love for reading and has put it into words better than I have ever been able to do!  And, if you want something even more powerful, then read about this teacher's experience!

I must say . . . This was a great kick-off, probably the best yet!  SAS-SAF just keeps getting better and better every year, and we still have four days left!!

Sunday Synopsis: March 6, 2011

It has been a week . . . a tiresome, crazy week . . . but a VERY successful one!  Over the last few months, I have been working hard to plan the largest event at my son's school and on Friday night, it went off without too many hitches!  And, to top it all off, my son even won a huge stack of books!  I wanted to get a picture of the stack, but he was so excited that he tore into it and the books are now scattered all over the house!!  I think that is a definite sign of a growing reader and this bookworm mama could not be more proud!  Forget the real picture!  I like the vision of scattered books much better!

I was able to post a couple of things earlier this week, but the latter part of the week was pretty much a dud.  In case you didn't see these posts, they are definite musts!

• The monthly link-up for the Fairy Tale Challenge, but with an AMAZING guest post!  If you have not seen these fun fairy tale photos with a twist, then you need to click on over now!
• The first review and discussion post for the Tales to Tomes Online Book Club was also posted.  Have you read Room?  Come share in your thoughts and links to your reviews!  Our next book on tap for this month is Dogsbody by Diana Wynne Jones.  Will you be joining us?

This week will be a big week here on the blog because it is the annual Share a Story - Shape a Future week, where we celebrate all things literacy!  I have participated every year it has been in existence and I have no intention of abandoning it now.  It is one of my favorite events of the year!  Here's what is on tap this week:

• The Power of a Book - From the literal power of owning a book and a good story to the intangible power that comes with knowing how to read. 
• The Gift of Reading - Whether you're looking for a book to excite a reader, want to help someone learn to read or celebrate the "gift" ... it's covered.
• Unwrapping Literacy 2.0 - With all of the talk of digital literacy, e-readers, etc. What does "literacy" look like in this new century?
• Love of Reading v. Homework - Do they have to be at odds? We'll talk about ways to help readers at home and at school.
• The Gift that Keeps on Giving - To wrap up the week we'll be remembering "that moment" when we realized we were a reader or writer and how to celebrate it with others. Lots(!) of interviews this day.

I hope to participate in all the "Writing about Reading" prompts, but all posts will be going up in the evenings for me.  Be sure to check in and see what I have to say!  In past years, I liked to also share my personal favorite highlights from the day's guest posts.  I still plan to do this as well as time permits.  I'm even hoping that this week will get me back in gear and start posting again on a regular basis, especially since life is now starting to slow down for me a bit.

Whew!  That's it for now!  I will be back tomorrow for some great literacy links and chat!  In the meantime, tell me what I've been missing in my semi-absence these days!  

Room by Emma Donoghue

For the first ever Tales to Tomes Online Book Club selection, we read the bestselling Room by Emma Donoghue.  Before moving on to my thoughts, let's get a little summary of the book (from Goodreads) ...

To five-year-old Jack, Room is the entire world. It is where he was born and grew up; it's where he lives with his Ma as they learn and read and eat and sleep and play. At night, his Ma shuts him safely in the wardrobe, where he is meant to be asleep when Old Nick visits.

Room is home to Jack, but to Ma, it is the prison where Old Nick has held her captive for seven years. Through determination, ingenuity, and fierce motherly love, Ma has created a life for Jack. But she knows it's not enough...not for her or for him. She devises a bold escape plan, one that relies on her young son's bravery and a lot of luck. What she does not realize is just how unprepared she is for the plan to actually work.

Told entirely in the language of the energetic, pragmatic five-year-old Jack, ROOM is a celebration of resilience and the limitless bond between parent and child, a brilliantly executed novel about what it means to journey from one world to another.

I am honestly not really sure how to describe my feelings for this book.  It has received a lot of raves throughout the media and blogosphere.  And, I can understand why.  The book is truly one that pulls at the heartstrings . . . a LOT!  However, in order for me to get my full feeling across on my personal reaction, let's break it down a bit . . .

The writing . . . At first, this book was very difficult for me to get into.  The entire story is told from the perspective of 5-year-old Jack.  I had to ease into the first chapter very slowly as I adjusted to the perspective and became more fully acquainted with where the story was going.  Once I was able to better appreciate who the story was coming from, I was better able to understand and appreciate the writing itself.

Speaking of perspective . . . I have a son about the same age as Jack.  I have multiple conversations a day with this child and I know him better than anyone else!  BUT, it is so hard for me to "get" him sometimes!  I am always asking myself . . . "What is that kid thinking?"  Despite the fact that I was once five and that I live with a child about the same age, it took me a bit to really figure out the "simple" (for really a lack of a better word!) language.  For example, "to have some" . . . I had no idea what this was until probably 50 pages into the book.  Then, the light bulb went on and many more things began making sense.  The pieces of the puzzle began connecting.  And, my appreciation of the book increased!  The writer really had to take quite a few steps back in time to get into the shoes of a 5-year-old . . . and not just any 5-year-old, but one that knows nothing more than the Room.

The subject . . . I knew going into this read that it was not going to be a light-hearted story.  It's a "heavy" topic that comes with a multitude of emotions.  I caught myself with tears in my eyes, my chest tense with anger, sitting on the edge of my seat as I was cheering on Jack and Ma, and smiling at the smallest of accomplishments.  Even if you know the topic being addressed, even when you prepare yourself, the book has an impact on you that will last.  It makes me appreciate the small things in my life.  It makes me realize just how deep the love for my children runs.  And, it makes me a bit frightened of what is out my front door.

Overall, I don't know if I can rave about the book.  I don't know if it is a book that I would recommend to anyone and everyone.  It IS a book that will be on my mind for quite some time.  It IS a book that will keep me wondering.  It IS a book that gives me hope.  And, it IS a book that simply makes me hold my own children's hands a tad tighter and hug them a little longer and harder.

Have you read Donoghue's Room?  Share your thoughts, join in the discussion, and share a link of your review. 

2011 Fairy Tale Challenge: March Selections & A Picturesque Guest Post

March is here and it is time for another link-up for the 2011 Fairy Tale Challenge.  You can find Mr. Linky at the bottom of this post as well as past link-ups for January and February here.  However, before you link up, I would like to introduce you to a very special guest . . . Liz Shipe of Urban Fairy Tale Photography!  Liz recently contacted me regarding a photography tour, featuring none other than photos of some of our favorite fairy tales.  As soon as I saw a few of the sample shots, I knew that it would be a perfect fit for our fairy tale monthly posts.  I fell completely in love with them and I know that you will, too!  

Let us please welcome Liz Shipe . . . 

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Hello Tif Talks Books fans!

My name is Liz Shipe, and here’s my guest post that Tif has graciously asked me to do.  I am the artistic director, clothing designer, creator,  and model for the Urban Fairy Tale photography series.  In conjunction with photographer Perry Heideman we’ve created these fresh interesting takes on old classics.  So far we’ve done seven fairy tales since last July.  Here’s a taste of what we’ve done:

“Cleaning”

“Red Riding Hood”

I thought I’d also answer some of my more frequently asked questions:

1.)    What made you start this project?

Boredom, last summer I got really bored.  I’m an actress by trade, I was working as a telemarketer at the time and I needed something creative to do.  One day I found a craigslist ad looking for a model that could create a more narrative photograph.  So I sent an email off to Perry suggesting to do Fairy Tales as the story is already there.  The next week we did Snow White and the rest is history.

"Snow White"

2.)    What made you decide to do Fairy Tales?

I love, love, love Fairy Tales.  I have since I was a kid.  I almost studied them.  And I don’t just mean Disney, I read Grimms, Hans Christian Anderson, Irish, Scottish, Japanese, English Folk Tales, etc.  I watched Shelly Duvall's Fairy Tale Theatre, Jim Henson's Storyteller, it was and is a little bit of an obsession of mine.  I had always wanted to do a project like this so when the opportunity presented itself I jumped.  However, we’re not limited to fairy tales, we also do notable children’s stories as well, such as The Wizard of Oz and Alice in Wonderland.  And we are discussing Peter Pan for the future.

"Alice Cards"

"Wizard of Oz"

3.)    Do you sew all the clothes yourself?

Short answer: No.  Longer answer, I sewed all of the dresses in the shoots, with the exception of the most recent shoot The Steadfast Tin Soldier.  That dress was provided for the shoot by the Milwaukee Gay Arts Center.  I also don’t make any of the mens wear, except the vest and hat for the Mad Hatter in the Alice in Wonderland shoot.  I think they both turned out great, but after the one go at it I decided never again.  Men's wear is hard and the shoots are a bit of a time crunch, so we just pull things from the model's wardrobe.

"Alice Vest"

4.)    How do you “cast” the shoots, and can I do one?

I ask my friends.  Because I’m a performer I have access to all these wonderfully talented performers who are willing to donate their time. Also, after I post the photos on facebook I get my inbox flooded with requests to do a shoot.  I will use people who ask from time to time.  So theoretically you could, if you A.) Live in the Milwaukee Area and B.) If you fit the shoot we are doing at the moment.

5.)    Where can I get more information?

There are a couple of ways: you can follow the blog that chronicles the series:

Reconstructing Grimm:  http://reconstructinggrimm.blogspot.com/

OR

You can watch the new Behind the Scenes youtube series of the same name:

Reconstructing Grimm Ep 1: The Steadfast Tin Soldier :

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eSHP1sQTZqk

"You Don’t know Jack"

Thanks so much for reading and I hope to get more questions and comments from you guys soon!

Liz Shipe

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Aren't these absolutely brilliant?!?  I personally have a difficult time deciding which one is my favorite, but I tend to lean towards Snow White or Wizard of Oz.  Which is your favorite?  And, before you close that window, be sure to click on over to the blog for more amazing shots!