Authors, Events, HHCS Reads, Uncategorized

Online Book Sale Ends at Midnight Monday, Author Beverley Cleary Passes Away Age 104, and HHCS Reads- Interview with Mrs. VanDerWal

Monday March 29 is the LAST day of our online book fair with Book Outlet!  Our sale ends at midnight Monday– it’s your last chance to earn 20% of sales towards our HHCS Library!  However, if you want to do more shopping in the future, the good news is that for the next 6 months we can still earn 5% of sales towards HHCS! What a great deal! Don’t forget thousands of books are priced at up to 90% off!  Take advantage of these READ-ICULOUSLY great prices! Shipping is free over $45 or if less then you pay a flat rate of $5.  Books are delivered to your door.

1. Visit BookOutlet.ca/WEMX and create an account or log in.

2. Add the books you want to purchase to your cart and checkout between March 15-29.

3. Share the book sale information with your family and friends!

To share the book sale on Facebook with your family and friends, use the link http://bookoutlet.ca/bookfairs/share/WEMX.

There was sad news in the children’s literature community this past week as beloved author Beverley Cleary passed away at age 104.  This wonderful author was also a children’s librarian who decided to write books herself.  I loved her books when I was growing up.  Her well-known books include the Ramona Quimby series, The Mouse and the Motorcycle, Henry Huggins, and so many more.
amightygirl.com

Ramona Quimby’s ordinariness made her so relatable to all of us.  And yet, ordinary did not mean boring.  We loved the insight into her daily life, each chapter drawing us into her world.  Ramona dealt with very realistic problems like her family struggling with money issues, worrying her parents would get a divorce, and problems at school.  But for every serious part of the Ramona books, there would be an equal amount of side-splitting descriptions of Ramona’s antics and adventures.

Quote- “She was not a slowpoke grown-up. She was a girl who could not wait. Life was so interesting she had to find out what happened next.”

Amazon.ca

We will miss Beverley Cleary but her books will live on.Joanne Scriber Ramona book covers.jpg

Smithsonianmag.com

Check out the Remember Reading podcast and listen to this interview with Beverley Cleary here.
This week we have another interview for HHCS Reads!  Mrs. VanDerWal is a grade 2 teacher at our school.  Let’s take a peek into her reading life!
Mrs. VanDerWal says:
My favourite thing about reading is relaxing and escaping to another world.  My favourite place to read is at the beach in the sun.  I love to read historical fiction and mystery books.
The Bears' Picnic
Goodreads.com
As a child I loved the Berenstain Bears books.  I also love newer books for children such as You are Special, You are Mine by Max Lucado, Robert Munsch books, the Franklin books, The Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle, and The Tale of Three Trees.
You Are Special (Wemmicksville, #1)
Goodreads.com
Thanks to Mrs. VanDerWal for this interview!  I love historical fiction books too!
Building Belonging- diversity, Events, HHCS Reads, Uncategorized

World Down Syndrome Day, Online Book Sale Continues, and New Blog Feature- HHCS Reads- Interview with Mrs. Spencer

We are halfway through our Spring Online Book Fair with Book Outlet!  Get your Easter and Mother’s Day shopping done early – it’s easy and you’ll find great deals!

Thousands of books are priced at up to 90% off!  Shipping is free over $45 or if less then you pay a flat rate of $5.  Books are delivered to your door. 20% of sales during the 2 week book sale will go to supporting the HHCS library!

 

1. Visit BookOutlet.ca/WEMX and create an account or log in.

2. Add the books you want to purchase to your cart and checkout between March 15-29.

3. Share the book sale information with your family and friends!

To share the book sale on Facebook with your family and friends, use the link http://bookoutlet.ca/bookfairs/share/WEMX.

 

Last Friday at HHCS we ‘rocked our socks’ for World Down Syndrome Day!  Here’s a few ideas for books to help you celebrate and learn about Down Syndrome with your children.

Hannah's Down Syndrome Superpowers (One Three Nine Inspired Book 2)

Goodreads.com

 

My Friend Has Down Syndrome (Let's Talk About It Books)
goodreads.com
47 Strings: Tessa's Special Code
Goodreads.com
Amazon.ca
I’m excited to try out a new feature on my library blog- HHCS Reads! This will feature different people from our school community as we take a peek into their reading lives!

This week is an interview with Mrs. Joy Spencer, a grade 6 and music teacher at HHCS!

My favorite things about reading:
  • A chance for my mind to escape to different times, places, and conversations.
  • I enjoy feeling that I am listening to the ideas of someone who has taken the time to put those ideas into creative or clarifying words.
  • It is an opportunity to understand someone else’s thoughts and experiences and to learn from them.
My favorite books as a child:
  • Books about animals that included colorful photographs
  • Anything by C.S.Lewis (Chronicles of Narnia) or J.R.R. Tolkien
  • I also enjoyed the authors George MacDonald and Madeleine L’Engle
  • “Robin Hood”
A Wrinkle in Time - Trade Paperback
madeleinelengle.com
Current favorite authors of fiction: (I read both fiction and non-fiction. Within the fiction category I enjoy adventure, classics, mystery, historical fiction, science fiction, fantasy, espionage, and most other genres)
  • Karen Hancock
  • Joel Rosenberg
  • C.S.Lewis
  • Davis Bunn
  • Will Thomas
A few recent books for various children’s ages that I particularly like:
  • “A Tale of two Beasts” by Fiona Roberton
  • “The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore” by William Joyce
  • “Iggy Peck Architect” series by Andrea Beaty
  • “The Orphan King” series by Sigmund Brouwer
  • “The Arrival” by Shaun Tan
Amazon.ca
Apps and websites, Authors, Events, Uncategorized

HHCS Spring Online Book Sale Starts Today, and Books About Family Reading

cover of Handbook 8th ed.

https://www.trelease-on-reading.com/

This classic book features chapters on subjects like the do’s and don’ts of read aloud, the good news and the bad about digital learning, getting dads more involved in reading with their children, and many more.

cover
https://www.workman.com/products/how-to-raise-a-reader-1

Quote:

“It’s stressful to be a parent. It’s stressful to be a person. But I’ve found that even in the most difficult moments, on the most challenging days, I can usually reach for a book and feel lifted up, returned to myself. On days when I’ve felt as though I have nothing left to give to my kids, I’ve been able to sit next to them and open a book. We start reading, and the world looks different.”

 

unnamed.jpg
https://www.meghancoxgurdon.com/

Quotes:

“The act of reading together secures people to one another, creating order and connection, as if we were quilt squares tacked together with threads made of stories.”

“There is an opportunity with children to show them art and illustration that will furnish their minds with beauty and mystery, symmetry and wonder. The simplest mechanism for this is the selection of picture books that we share with them.”

“Reading every day with children can’t guarantee perfect outcomes for any family—not in grades, not in happiness, not in relationships. But it is as close to a miracle product as we can buy, and it doesn’t cost a nickel.”

And now for my favourite, The Read-Aloud Family, by Sarah Mackenzie.

Quotes:

“A book can’t change the world on its own. But a book can change readers. And readers? They can change the world.”

“When read-aloud time doesn’t look like we originally hoped, we begin to doubt that it’s giving us any of those wonderful benefits we discussed in part 1. But here’s the thing: it still works. Even when it’s noisy, messy, and more chaotic than you’d like it to be, it works. Even when kids are grumbling, complaining, and don’t seem to be listening, it works.”

Sarah Mackenzie is also the creator of The Read-Aloud Revival website and podcast. She is an amazing advocate for family reading!

Read-Aloud Revival Podcast Episodes

Apps and websites, Authors, Events, research skills, Uncategorized

Women’s History Month, More Research Sites for Kids, and Discover Your Reading Superpower

Discover your reading superpower with the Book Outlet Spring Online book sale coming up soon!  We are excited to announce that we have partnered with Book Outlet to host a 2 week online book fair fundraiser.  Book Outlet is an online retailer that offers thousands of new books for up to 90% off!

Book Fair Details:

Event dates:  March 15-29, 2021

Rewards:  20% of all Book Outlet purchases made during the online book fair will go back to our school in cash rewards.

Mark your calendar!

A few weeks ago I posted some research sites for kids– here is the rest of my list- hope it helps!

https://unsplash.com/ – site for freely usable images

https://www.historyforkids.net/

https://www.coolkidfacts.com/

Cool Kid Facts

https://www.coolaboo.com/

https://www.kids-world-travel-guide.com/

girl with globe looking across the sea - kids world travel guide

https://factsforkids.co/

https://www.dogonews.com/ (current events)

https://www.timeforkids.com/g56/

(mostly current events)

Time for Kids.

Ancient History for Kids: Ancient Civilizations

https://www.cbc.ca/kidsnews/

New book order flyers for Scholastic are here!

Class code – RC391237

March-April Seasonal Flyer

March 2021 Flyer – English

 

March is Women’s History Month!  I shared this story book with some of the primary students.  I just love Brad Meltzer’s Ordinary People Change the World series!

I shared Shark Lady, by Canadian author Jess Keating, with multiple grade levels.  Here’s the book trailer!

This post from Kidlit Tv has many helpful lists!

250+ Multicultural Children’s Books For Women’s History Month

Enjoy your week HHCS!

 

 

Events, Uncategorized

Pictures from I Read Canadian Day, and Upcoming Online Book Fair

Canada

 

HHCS had a great day on Friday as we celebrated I Read Canadian Day- our reward day for reaching our reading goals for the Accelerated Reader program for Term 2.  We dressed up in Canadian colours or as famous Canadians or characters from books written by Canadian authors.  We read Canadian books and played Canadian games and quizzes and learned trivia facts about our country.  We watched interviews with Canadian authors and illustrators.  And we spent time outside in our Canadian winter- eating snacks and reading books by the bonfire, and playing out in the snow!  What a great day!

Canadian author display
Canadian hockey player complete with a classic ‘black eye’!
Representing Canadian books and authors!
Yum!
We are Canadian!!
Lots of red and white!!
Mrs. K is ready for the day!!

I love this introductory poem for I Read Canadian Day by Canadian poet laureate of the City of Mississauga, Wali Shah.

My favourite part-

For our kids to keep succeeding

We need libraries and books

We need to keep our students reading.”

Share the classic “The Hockey Sweater” with your children!

Check out the amazing work to illustrate these Anne of Green Gables board books!

Fun Canadian facts from CBC Kids!

canada animals

In upcoming school library news, we have a Spring Online book sale coming up soon!  We are excited to announce that we have partnered with Book Outlet to host a 2 week online book fair fundraiser.  Book Outlet is an online retailer that offers thousands of new books for up to 90% off!

Book Fair Details:

Event dates:  March 15-29, 2021

Rewards:  20% of all Book Outlet purchases made during the online book fair will go back to our school in cash rewards.

Mark your calendar!