Video: Peter and the Wolf

Video: Peter and the Wolf


Directed by Suzie Templeton


Produced by Magnolia (2008)


33 Minutes


Viewing level: all ages


ASIN: B004D20JP2

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Directed by Suzie Templeton, this short film depicts the classic tale of Peter and the Wolf.  Bullied and alone, Peter one day leaves his house and comes face to face with a dangerous wolf.  Peter's only friends are animals, so when the wolf eats Peter's pet duck (who you may be able to hear lightly quacking from inside the wolf's belly), the brave young boy seeks revenge.  After a series of complicated and perilous maneuvers, Peter is finally able to capture the wolf.  Peter and his grandfather go to the village square to proudly display the captured creature, but right before the wolf is killed, Peter abruptly sets him free.

While the plot definitely has some tense moments, the bleak surroundings and dark subject matter are contrasted with quirky humor and silly interactions with the animals.  The film has no dialogue, which may not be as exciting for some kids, but the sound editing and visuals are absolutely mesmerizing.  I particularly enjoyed the scenes with the bird, who is inexplicably unable to fly and therefore tries various "shortcuts" to flight.  For example, at one point, the bird ties a balloon around its waist in attempt to fly, but the balloon isn't quite buoyant enough, so the pitiful but determined bird ends up awkwardly flapping around with a balloon tied to its waist for the majority of the film.  It's adorable and hilarious.

These lighthearted scenes offer a break from the wolf's tension, but ultimately, Peter seems to understand that humans have been predator to the wolf just as the wolf has been predator to the animals.  And since there's no narration to explain Peter's motives, one can assume that Peter became sympathetic toward the wolf, finally understanding the wolf's perspective and instincts.  You could even use the film as a teaching opportunity for topics like redemption, forgiveness, and compassion.  Either way, the film offers half an hour of entertainment, stunning visuals, a bright soundtrack, and a moving tale of friendship, bravery, humor, and mercy

Peter and the Wolf was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Nominated Short Film in 2008 and can be streamed free through Netflix and Amazon.

Music: Here Comes Science by They Might be Giants

Here Comes Science by They Might be Giants


Published by Disney Sound, 2009


Audio C.D.


2 discs: 40 minutes


Listening Level: Ages 8 and up


ASIN: B002FKZ4UO

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While most adults know They Might be Giants as an indie-rock alternative band with a silly and slightly nerdy repertoire, kids will also enjoy the band's efforts to produce early education musical albums such as Here Come the ABCs, Here Come the One Two Threes and Here Comes Science.  Released in 2008, Here Comes Science even earned a Grammy nomination for Best Musical Album for Children in 2010, and I can certainly see why.

Apart from being accurate and educational, the music is energetic, upbeat, and the lyrics are well-enunciated and easy to understand and sing along with.  The songs cover introductions to topics like chemistry, electricity, biology, physics, microbiology, and evolution.  Elementary school science teachers might enjoy spicing up a boring curriculum topic with a little music break, and the album could even be used to encourage kids to write their own "educational song" about a particular topic.  In fact, I actually know a middle school science teacher who has incorporated this album into her curriculum, and the kids really love it.

With 19 tracks at approximately 2 minutes per song, the album might be a little long for one sitting, but kids will surely have favorites.  You might recognize the song I am a Paleontologist, as it's the album's most beloved song by fans and has been used in a Payless shoe commercial.  How Many Planets, a fun song about space, might remind adults of a Rocky Horror Picture Show tune, so I'd say the album could be equally enjoyed by adults. Sure, the multitude of unusual instruments and sound effects are geared toward kids (as well as the lyrics), but parents and teachers will likely find Here Comes Science to be a lively and fresh take on the children's educational music genre.

Audiobook: The Janitor's Boy by Andrew Clements

The Janitor's Boy by Andrew Clements


Read by B.D. Wong


Published by Listening Library (2000)


3 Discs: 3 Hours, 49 Minutes


ISBN: 9780739372173


Reading Level: Ages 9 and up

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The Janitor's Boy tells the story of Jack Rankin, a fifth grade boy who is struggling to come to terms with the fact that his father is the school janitor.  It never bothered him before, but lately kids have started to tease him about being the lowly janitor's son.  One day, Jack impulsively decides to vandalize a school desk with gum, knowing that his dad will be the one to clean it up.  But Jack never expected to get caught - and he never expected such a punishment.  The school principal forces Jack to help out the janitorial staff every day after school for three weeks.  Could his embarrassment possibly get any worse?

But after a few days of working alongside his dad, Jack realizes that there are a few benefits to being the school janitor, namely the access to all the keys that unlock the doors within the school.  Jack, being curious and a bit mischievous, takes a few interesting keys and decides to explore the school on his own.  But one key leads him down a mysterious corridor, and unlocks much more than a door - Jack's exploration leads him to a new understanding of his father and the secrets he has carried since his time in the Vietnam War.

The Janitor's Boy may be one of Andrew Clements's lesser-known novels, but it nonetheless carries the same poignancy and humor that he is known for as a writer.  Sort of like a mini coming-of-age story, the novel is geared toward young boys who are entering the social realm of peer pressure and self-awareness.  Jack is ashamed of his father's position within the school, not realizing the sacrifices his dad has made along the way to support his family.  But he soon learns that what appears to be the worst punishment of his life has some unexpected rewards, and Jack is finally able to see his father as a man to be proud of.

B.D. Wang's performance in this audiobook is perfect for the tone of the novel.  There aren't a lot of bells and whistles here - no sound effects or multiple narrators - but Wang uses voice techniques to separate the characters, and his pacing is spot on.  Audiobooks are a great way to entice reluctant readers into the world of literature.  If kids get impatient or fidgety while reading, they might find that listening is a better alternative.  While this book is definitely geared towards a male audience, the novel's themes of understanding, embarrassment, patience, and exploration will likely appeal to anyone in the 9-12 age range, and could open up a great discussion with parents or classmates about the importance of judging people by their character, and not by the uniform they wear.

Blog: Hi Miss Julie

Blog Title:  Hi Miss Julie


URL: http://himissjulie.com/


Focus: Children's librarianship, children's literature, children's programming

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Hi Miss Julie is a blog geared toward children's librarians that features great tips on programming for children, children's literature, and other issues of personal interest to the author.  Julie is a children's librarian at a public library in the Chicago area, and before becoming a librarian, she was a teacher.  While the site does feature some teen and young adult content, the majority of the subject matter focuses on children's literature, specifically those geared toward toddlers and pre-schoolers.

This blog would be incredibly useful to both school librarians, public children's librarians, and parents.  With a variety of book reviews, book talks, and programming tips/ideas, Hi Miss Julie is a creative and well-organized resource.  The blog also contains a special feature for incorporating music into children's programming, and the author offers her services for advice, librarian/teacher workshops, school visits, and family concerts.

Miss Julie also features a brief bibliography of resources for those involved with storytime events as well as "tips and tricks" for storytime programming.  The majority of the reviews focus on children's picturebooks (both fiction and non-fiction), but the best feature of this blog is her storytime tips and programming ideas.  Readers can even watch videos of performances and storytime events on the site.  And lucky for us, Julie is very involved in the blogosphere and social media.  She frequently posts links to other relevant blogs and encourages followers to also keep up with the latest news and reviews through Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest.

My single complaint is that the site is only updated about once a month, but the content is useful and relevant even though it's not as frequently-updated as most blogs.  Parents may find her book reviews useful and thorough, but children's librarians will find Hi Miss Julie to be an incredible and unique resource for ways to incorporate fun and creative activities into children's literature and programming.

Magazine: M Magazine

M Magazine (Music, Movies, and More)


Issue: May 2013


ISBN: 009128461649


Reading Level: Ages 8 and up

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M Magazine is basically like People Magazine, but for kids and pre-teens.  Filled with images of today's hottest kid celebrities and pop stars, this publication is primarily geared toward girls ages 8-12.  The latest issue features pages about fashion, hair and makeup, quizzes, Q&A sessions and interviews with kid-friendly pop stars.  The Ma 2013 issue leans heavily toward the band One Direction (as most kid mags do these days), but also features a great deal of Bieber, Selena Gomez, Taylor Swift, Adele, Katy Perry, and Bella Thorne.  Now, I will admit that I don't recognize all the celebs in this magazine, but chances are, if you have a 10 year-old girl, these names will be daily conversation topics.

While there isn't much of any substance in this magazine, let's be honest, kids want to see what their favorite celebrities are up to - pictures of who they're dating, what they're wearing, and where they's going.  So there's plenty of eye candy of that nature here.  However, there are a few non-celebrity centered articles in this issue.  One two-page spread features a pictorial article about exercise tips, while the other non-celebrity articles are mostly about fashion, nail polish, and jewelry.  And what pre-teen magazine wouldn't be complete without quizzes?!  This month's M includes several quizzes, such as Which Disney Cast do you Belong in?, and Which Breakfast Cereal are you?  In addition to these features, kids will also find temporary tattoos, stickers, and fold-out posters of One Direction members.

Nothing here could really be considered as anything more than entertainment value, and M definitely knows which celebrities are trendy right now.  However, I was surprised by the overall "whiteness" of the publication.  Hardly any of the pages feature any celebrities or kids who aren't white - which definitely says something about kid culture these days.  If you're looking to expand your child's celebrity horizons a bit, this magazine won't contribute to those efforts, but if you happen to have a Bieber or One-Direction obsessed child, M will definitely feed their frenzy.

For more information about M Magazine, you can visit their official website.

Nonfiction: What's the Matter with Henry? The True Tale of a Three-Legged Cat by Cathy Conheim and BJ Gallagher

What's the Matter with Henry? The True Tale of a Three-Legged Cat by Cathy Conheim and BJ
Gallagher

Hardcover: 88 Pages

Published by Breakthrough Press (2006)

ISBN: 978-0988403536

Reading Level: Ages 6 and up

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Animal lovers of all ages will find What's the Matter with Henry? to be a truly heartwarming and inspirational tale of sacrifice, love, and acceptance.  When Cathy and Donna meet Henry, he is just a stray cat who sometimes roams around their backyard with his siblings.  Cathy and Donna are self-proclaimed dog-lovers (i.e. not cat people), but they have no problem with the kittens living on their property.  But one day, Cathy and Donna find Henry inside their Dog's house with a broken leg.  They take the cat to the veterinarian's clinic and the doctor tells them that the cat will either die or have to have surgery.  Well even though Cathy and Donna are dog lovers, they can't stand the though of letting an adorable, helpless animal die, so they agree to take care of little Henry until he heals from surgery.

When Henry wakes up from surgery, he only has three legs, but this doesn't stop him from jumping, cuddling, and exploring.  Henry even makes friends with Cathy and Donna's dog.  After a while, they decide that Henry, who "had the body of a kitten - but the heart of a lion" had already found his forever home with them.  They realize that Henry came into their lives for a reason - "to show us something about ourselves...Henry has shown us that we don't get to decide what happens to us in life - but we do get to decide how we respond to it."

Henry's uplifting tale of survival and unlikely friendship earned the book an ASPCA Humane Issue Award for Best Gift Book (2006), and all proceeds from the book's purchase are donated to animal shelters and animal rescue groups.  Even if you're not a "cat person," What's the Matter with Henry? is impossible not to love.  And the book opens up opportunities for educators and parents to discuss issues like kindness, open-mindedness, and acceptance.

Complete with several pictures to document Henry's journey, this book also includes a feature entitled "Henry's Homework for Humans."  This feature acts as a sort of reader's guide to kids, and asks them to consider questions such as "Sometimes Henry wants to hide.  Are there times when you want to hide, and why?"  There is a great deal that we can learn from animal stories, and What's the Matter with Henry? is a wonderful way to get that conversation started with your little ones.


Read-Alikes:

• Kate & Pippin by Martin Springett and Isobel Springett
• National Geographic Kids: 125 True Stories of Amazing Animals by National Geographic Kids
• Stay: The True Story of Ten Dogs by Michaela Muntean

Picturebook: Goldilocks and the Three Dinosaurs by Mo Willems

Goldilocks and the Three Dinosaurs by Mo Willems


Hardcover: 40 Pages


Published by Balzer + Bray


ISBN: 9780062104182


Reading Level: Ages 4-8

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Goldilocks and the Three Dinosaurs is a hilarious rendition of the classic tale of Goldilocks and the Three Bears.  In the typical Mo Willems style, the prose is humorous and witty, the illustrations are bright and charming, and the book will likely entertain adults just as much as kids.

In this version of the story, three dinosaurs set a trap for Goldilocks and wait in the woods for the little girl to appear.  Willems points out that their motives are unknown, but questionable.  Perhaps the dinosaurs were discussing trapping and eating Goldilocks alive, but it "could have been a rock falling.  Or a squirrel."  Of course, the "poorly supervised little girl named Goldilocks came traipsing along" and fell right into the trap (or not a trap).  As the book explains, Goldilocks doesn't make the best decisions in the world.  She never listens to warnings and she loves to go into the houses of strangers.  But even so, she soon figures out that the dinosaurs are waiting for to go to sleep so that they can barge in and eat her (which isn't too hard to do...they're standing right outside the door chuckling about how delicious she will taste), and she escapes through the back door just in time.

And just in case you wondering, this story has two morals - one for dinosaurs and one for everyone else.  For dinosaurs, "Lock the back door," and for everyone else, "If you ever find yourself in the wrong story, leave."  Adorable.  Anyone who is tired of the same old tired nursery rhymes and fairy tales will find Goldilocks and the Three Dinosaurs refreshing and entertaining.  Plus, kids are all about dinosaurs these days, so it's bound to be a big hit for your little one.

I especially love the fact that the endpapers are printed with crossed out alternative titles for the story, such as "Goldilocks and the Three Dragons," "Goldilocks and the Three Underwear Salesmen," and "Goldilocks and the Three Peacocks."  If your child or student enjoys this book, it could be a fun and hilarious activity to have them come up with their own original "Goldilocks and the Three..." tale.  You could even use the suggestions printed in the endpapers as starting points.  Another fun activity would be to have your child come up with their own version of a fairy tale of their choosing.  For example, you could suggest "Little Pink Riding Pony and the Big Bad Jockey" (or something along those lines anyway).  The point is, Mo Willems is creative and inspires readers of all ages to be creative and silly, which is the perfect opportunity to show kids how reading can be not just educational, but interactive and entertaining, too!


Read-Alikes:

• Who Pushed Humpty Dumpty? And Other Notorious Nursery Tale Mysteries by David Levinthal
• The True Story of the 3 Little Pigs by Jon Scieszka and Lane Smith
• Prince Cinders by Babette Cole