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I just saw Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince…and this was the trailer:
PercyJacksonAndTheOlympiansTheLightningThief
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Hurray for Kid-litty movies,
Jenn
1. Summer Reading. I am both excited and totally enthusiastic on this subject, and also appalled and bored out of my mind. I read this and this and thought it was pretty terrific! (as are all things written on that blog!)
2. Literary Party themes. Can you tell that I like children’s books? Well, I am pretty excited to add a new literary star to our party themes: Miss Fancy Nancy herself! Our new “Fabulously Fancy” party is geared for all those little fashionistas and lovers of the great books! Any ideas for other party themes based on books?
3. Candy Stations. No I am not craving chocolate (well, maybe a little, but that’s another topic). I have seen so many terrific candy stations at events and was so thrilled to finally get the opportunity to do one of my own.Of course I have no pictures to show for all my hard work. But, I assure you it was very cute. The theme was lime green and bright pink and I used jelly beans, chocolates, and Mike and Ikes. Now I am contemplating other ways to serve candy in fun, festive ways…like in fish bowls maybe.
4. Sad for Harry. We recently retired our “Wizard Academy” party themed because it just wasn’t booking the way it used to. But, I can’t wait to see the movie NEXT WEEK! Maybe the movie will bring the theme out of retirement.
5. I just saw this…coming in October!! ’nuff said.
On a roll (I have another blog entry saved!!),
Jenn
In honor of the great Dr. Seuss’ birthday, the National Education Assosiation has declared March 2nd (that’s today folks!) “Read Across America”. The goal of the program is for every child to spend time reading today in the presense of a loved one. The weather is contributing to the day with most being snowed in!
So, what are you reading today?
Me? The Tale of Despereaux with a cup of tea…perfect.
Happy Reading!
Jenn, Imagination Celebrations
Why is the font of my last post so large? I don’t know either.
(Weekly? Yes, weekly. I am adding a new feature to the good old blog. My hope is to every week (most likely on Wednesdays) to put out a fresh kid lit review.)
The Moon Shines Down is not completely authored by Ms. Brown. This super shiny book begins with a little note about where it came from. This picture book is based on a little forgotten poem found deep within a cedar chest that belonged to Margaret Wise Brown. Ms. Brown had written the manuscript in the fashion of the New England sampler prayer “God bless the moon and God bless Me”. However, the manuscript was short, so Laura Minchew (Children’s publisher) added to Margaret Wise Brown’s work. Here I usually cringe. Along with being a huge kid lit fan, I am also a die hard Jane Austen reader. Sanditon is a book that Ms. Austen had yet to finish and thus has been completed by many other terrific authors. Even my favorite rendition leaves me feeling uneasy. Was this what Jane Austen had intended for her well written characters? I will never know. So, when I read The Moon Shines Down I am overwhelmingly curious of where Margaret leaves off and where Laura picks up. Is this what the original author intended? Did she ever intended it published? We will never know.
But, on to the book…
The prayer/poem is elegantly written as we travel around the globe and meet the sleeping children that the moon shines down on. Linda Bleck’s bright, richly colorful pictures perfectly paint the simple and comforting feeling the book emanates. From the smiling Dutch cow, to the snoozing platypus, I am reminded of a baby’s nursery, soft, cozy and quaint. This book should not be used to explain other cultures, but is a great little “good night” book that does bring about a unifying spirit as we share the moon and the blessing from the God who watches it all. Perhaps it’s all of the Christmas trees and lights I have been seeing lately, but whatever the reason, my favorite line is…
“ The moon shines bright
On this Christmas night.
A caroler sings
By candlelight.
In my neighborhood,
The children dream
Of puppies, peppermints, and pretty things,
On this Holy Night
When all is right.”
Though I crave a Margaret Brown original, this book does not disappoint. I must give much credit to Laura Minchew for taking on a HUGE task, and I do think she found success at it. The blending of Margaret’s writings and Laura’s writings are seamless. Add Linda Bleck’s bright paintings and you have a lovely bed time picture book.
Definitely worth picking up.
Jenn, Imagination Celebrations
This past weekend, Adam and I were able to escape to Ithaca for his birthday. What’s in Ithaca? I am glad you asked.
- The Friends of the Library sale where we both purchased many, many books. Too much in fact for our poor book shelves to support. However, with the most expensive book being fifty cents, we will make due. I cleaned out a good section of the children’s department with William Steig, James Marshall, Cynthia Rylant and other terrific finds.
- Fabulous coffee
- Beautiful, beautiful scenery! We saw fawns playing, climbed to the top of a water fall and just spent time outside reading.
- The best empanada I have ever had. Fresh cilantro, fried goodness, hot smoked chipotle sauce. I would drive the 5 hours just to have one, than leave and come home.
Lastly, the best part of Ithaca (in my opinion) is the Dane Emerson House, which is actually in Newfield, NY but is minutes from Ithaca. It was our first time ever at a B&B and I am sure we are spoiled. Craig (the innkeeper) has an amazing eye for decorating that made me content to spend my entire stay in his warm and inviting home. One of my favorite little details was the napkin holders at breakfast. Each morning they were different. I would hold one up and say, “Ooo, this would be perfect for a mermaid tea”, or “I would use this one for a royal ball.” His presentation for breakfast, the snack bar, the tea stand, and displays through out the house really inspired me to incorporate other items into our service.
All and all, it was great to be away from the computer, be in nature, staying at a gorgeous inn, spending time with Adam and….well, the empanadas, of course.
