Muse Briefs: The Wimpy one again, teens reading, elephants of the royal sort, non-edible tacos & ants with some used books for sale
October 16th, 2009
Well, I am eager to know: Have you read the “yellow” Wimpy Kid? I have done so several times already and as with the other Diaries, I love it, pure and simple, I do love it! Of course, some adults (not me!) are scratching their heads once again wondering “What is it that is touching just the right chord with kids (and many of us grownups!) to make this phenom called The Wimpy Kid so appealing?” The New York Times reporter captured it well, I believe. What do you think? AND, how did Reading Is Fundamental like the READING IS FUN summer reading club attempt by Wimpy Kid’s mom? I laughed and laughed….Wimpy Kid’s best quote in the book for me is this one upon seeing Mother had chosen Charlotte’s Web as the book to be shared: Just from looking at the cover, I guarantee either the girl or the pig doesn’t make it to the end of the book. I am so ready in another year for Wimpy to go to summer camp….and a first junior high dance as well!
READ BEYOND REALITY@your library! It’s Teen Read Week October 18-24; so many great teen books!
Play-Doh, fun staff by Hasbro….have you voted in the Play-Doh creation finals? Vote once a day until October 31. I particularly like the Fiesta Taco…but then the Ants on a Log creation sure brings back memories of my own childhood. Tough decisions.
Eric Carle recently had a very special birthday cake! And how about JUMPSTART‘S great Read for the Record Day with that hungry caterpillar? Congrats to all for a terrific day!
Here’s an informative fun interview Uma Krishnaswami posted on her blog, Writing with a Broken Tusk , with Ted and Betsy Lewin about their new picture book Balarama: A Royal Elephant. What a beautiful cover!
If you are going to be in the D.C. area October 19-31, make a note of Turning the Page’s Carpe Librum—you know, the great book sale you’ve been to or read about each spring…..well, it will be open parts of October, November and December. Check out the details, get some great bargains on books!
Happy Reading!
Carol
Twitter: @RascofromRIF
Filed under: Children's Books, Muse Briefs, Other Blogs, Reading in the News
Tags: Balarama: A Royal Elephant, Carpe Librum, Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Dog Days, Eric Carle, Hasbro, Jumpstart, Play-Doh, Read for the Record, Teen Read Week, The New York Times, Turning the Page, Uma Krishnaswami, WRiting with a Broken Tusk
2 Comments Add your own
1. Rebecca Armstrong | October 16th, 2009 at 10:56 am
What a fun title to this blog! After reading it, I just had to finish the entire article which led me to share this story with you. I was on the Metro a few weeks ago sitting next to a young lady-a middle school student. She had a bag full of books and a project protected by a trash bag at her feet. I noticed she was reading “The Outsiders.” Although a good read, I was surprised to see it still as part of the middle school curriculum (it’s been there for a while).
The girl seemed to be struggling to read this book-she was on page 12 for quite some time. I recognized the characters and the scene in the story, so I told her a little about the “Socs” and the “Greasers.” She looked up at me, surprised, and asked if I had to read “The Outsiders” too. That got us into a little discussion about the book and how it could relate to living in an urban setting like Washington, D.C.
One stop before we got off, she pulled out a green book from her bag and said, “This is what I really like to read.” She pulled out “Diary of a Wimpy Kid!” It amazed me that in just a few short stops, this student opened up to me about what she liked to read. All it took was for me to engage in conversation with her about reading.
The next day she found me again and showed me her math test- a B+! Without giving her a speech about her future, I told her to keep it up and that I was proud of her.
Hopefully, I will see her again and our morning meetings will be something that we both look forward to.
2. Carol Rasco | October 17th, 2009 at 10:09 pm
Thank you so much for sharing, Rebecca. This is such a powerful reminder of the importance of taking time, however brief, with young people. I am sure she has been thinking all weekend about the nice person who talked to her about books…and to find you to show you the B+ is really neat!
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