The Fairview Review

Sunday, April 16, 2023

Spring Reading 2023 Twinkle, Twinkle, Daytime Star

Want to introduce very young readers to our nearest star? Try this rhyming board book that walks youngsters through the features of the sun - our closest star, the only one in our solar system, orbits, seasons - it is all covered. Illustrations show beach goers applying sunscreen, roosters greeting the dawn, and children participating in activities from each season.

The catchy rhythm (borrowed from the familiar "Twinkle Twinkle, Little Star") will have readers humming along while their eyes are busy noticing details in each spread. They may notice a rocket ship approaching Mars or a dog romping through autumn leaves as they read about the ways we need the sun.

A good choice for early readers just starting to notice science concepts or as the introduction to a primary grade science lesson.

Spring Reading 2023 Garvey's Choice: The Graphic Novel

Just when you think Nikki Grimes can't get any better - she does the unexpected and adapts her wonderful book into an incredible graphic novel. Yes - Garvey's Choice: The Graphic Novel is coming to bookstores this June! As the author explains, "About two-thirds of the tanka poems remain intact...Others have been adjusted." Whether the poems were able to be transplanted without change into the new format or had to be adjusted because "lines had to be broken between narrative text and speech balloons," the flow of the story and the incredible writing style are still there.

The illustrations capture Garvey's struggle to be seen and accepted by his father, dealing with bullies at school who tease and call names, and the strength of his friendship with Joe. Traveling through the school year with Garvey as he works on his body image, makes new friends, joins chorus...the words and pictures weave together to show the highs and lows he feels. Adults may find themselves nodding in agreement as Garvey loses himself in A Wrinkle in Time or croons along with Luther Vandross.

Recommend this book to anyone who has enjoyed the original version (and its sequels), but also to kids you know who are dealing with weight or other physical/appearance issues, have difficulty communicating with their parents, or are nervous about pursuing their dreams. It would also work well as a mentor text for poetry units. Due out June 6 - so mark your calendars!

Spring Reading 2023 Nighttime Animals: Awesome Features & Surprising Adaptations

Fans of the Nocturnals already know a bit about animals who are active at night like the main characters - Dawn, Tobin, and Bismark. But now the friends take readers on a tour of various animals they have encountered in their adventures and explain how they find food, protect themselves and their young, and other amazing abilities.

The book is organized into four chapters: awesome athletic abilities, sensational senses, bizarre bodies, and powerful protections. The Nocturnals characters introduce their own species as well as other animals such as kinkajous, wallabies, and snakes. Readers will learn that wombats have a rear-facing pouch to keep their young from being pelted by dirt as they dig with their strong front legs, that chinchillas can live in colonies of 100 or more, and that some species of foxes have large ears that can even hear prey moving underground.

Close-up photos provide incredible visual details and also come with Fun Fact captions that offer more information. There are also illustrations of the characters from the many Nocturnals books. They offer funny commentary and tie this nonfiction companion to the stories.

Back matter includes suggestions for books, websites, and videos for learning more about nighttime animals; a word glossary for scientific terms used in the book; and an animal glossary with a photo of the animal, a brief description, and a note about which story they appear in.

Visit the Nocturnals website https://nocturnalsworld.com/ for educator resources, story time activities and more information about the books and school programs.

Wednesday, April 12, 2023

Odette's Alphabet Virtual Book Tour

ABOUT THE BOOK

Odette’s Alphabet

Written by Sandrine Marlier

Ages 5+ | 64 Pages

Publisher: Belle Isle Books | ISBN-13: 9781953021519

Publisher’s Book Summary: One day, Odette the ant wakes up feeling stressed. After realizing that all she does is work, Odette decides to leave her anthill in search of the freedom to create her own world. Along the way, she meets Marcus, a lost mouse, and together they discover simple ways to feel better. Inspired by her journey and this wonderful new friendship, Odette finds her way back home to the colony with a new sense of being.

Odette’s Alphabet is a mindful story that offers a map to handle big emotions with kindness, unity, and courage. Fun and easy activities support each of the chapters, along with letters of the alphabet to provide additional opportunities for learning while encouraging young readers to explore meditation practices.

PURCHASE LINK

Amazon

Bookshop

Barnes and Noble

MY REVIEW

Odette is an ant - and we are all familiar with the stereotype of ants being busy and constantly working. So a story about an ant taking time for mindfulness may surprise you, but Odette learns some good techniques that can be shared with young readers. Along with her new friend, Marcus the mouse, Odette works through stress, anxiety, sadness and other emotions that might impact the day in a negative way. They discover that taking time to smell the flowers, trying something that takes a little bravery, and finding new friends can all help calm our hearts or uplift our spirits. Mindfulness is a popular topic, especially with those who know children who have difficulty self-calming or finding quiet in the middle of a hectic day. This book could be used with other resources for a parent to help a child or a teacher to work with a class. Perhaps they could watch some videos together that walk youngsters through breathing and concentrating on their heartbeat to calm down, or create an alphabetical list of things they are thankful for or things that make them feel safe and happy. A friend who practices yoga could lead young readers through an ABC of yoga poses, coaching them to concentrate on how each move and stretch makes them feel.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Sandrine Marlier woke up one day in her New York apartment feeling out of sorts. She realized that no matter how many trips she would take around the world, thanks to her modeling career, only a journey within could bring her peace. Eventually, she trained with world-renowned meditation teacher davidji. That training inspired this book, as she found herself drawing an ant and a sound: A, the beginning of all beginnings. Sandrine is a mother, meditation teacher, transformational coach, and Reiki practitioner. She shares free meditations about healing and empowerment on Instagram (@sandrinemarlier).

You can connect with her through her website, www.sandrinemarlier.com.

TOUR SCHEDULE

Monday, April 10, 2023

The Children’s Book Review