Camping Fun!

Wondering what to do during the holidays? Well,look no further, if you want some great ideas, this is the book for you. Calling all nature lovers and fans of the great outdoors, pick up this book and let it take you on a wonderful adventure. Meet the 2 heroes of this story, James and Eamon who soon become known as 'Jamon' as they do everything together! James and Eamon are spending time at Jamon's grandparents' house which is near the beach during the summer holidays. In the daytime, they attend nature camp which they think is a drag. They nickname is "sit-around-camp" and "sweat-alot camp".

The real fun is the time they spend with each other inside, playing video games, eating banana waffles with maple syrup, and jumping around on their blown-up mattress in the basement. Jamon's grandfather is a huge fan of Antartica but everything he suggests going to see the "Penguin Exhibit", 'Jamon' rejects his idea. Finally, the end of the holidays are drawing near, and the foursome decide to have a popcorn party. Unfortunately, Bill and Pam, the grandparents, fall into a deep and noisy slumber. 'Jamon' decide to go outside to enjoy the very last day of camp. Looking up into the sky and out at the ocean, 'Jamon' cannot think of anything to do. But as the sun goes down, and the stars come out, they get real busy creating the best thing of the best week ever. Wondering what that "best thing" is? I'm not going to give it away! If you want to know, borrow this fantastic book today!

I really loved this book. The text is witty and enjoyable. Unlike other books where the humor is of the slapstick kind, the words and pictures in this one, forces you to pay close attention to the action that is going on. The illustrations are simple and beautiful. You will adore the pages where 'Jamon' is sitting outdoors at sunset and the night-time scene. The hues capture the vivid yet transient sunset and a slivery, star-lit night-sky. Most of all, this book reminds us of the miracle of nature as well as that of a happy childhood captured in a summer.

New picture books in the library 2011

One of the many good things of being a librarian is getting our hands on the new arrivals in the library. So here's sharing with you some new picture books that I personally like:

 A boy grumbles to his mother about having to make his bed even after doing his other chores. His mothers tells him a story in a story of his ancestors, way back to the prehistoric times, complaining about the same thing. Mothers featured throughout the times all have the same answer for them. Humorous and will be enjoyed by preschoolers and early primary schoolers alike.

[NLB Searchplus]

This is an easy one because I already love the book 'Ella Kazoo will not brush her hair' published in 2006 by the same author and illustrator. Ella, as the title suggests, refuses to go to bed. Instead she plays hide-and-seek, asks for water,chooses yet another book to be read to and basically behaves like some preschoolers I know (read:my daughters). Finally, some pajama-wearing pirates that Ella thought up advises her that sleeping makes her healthy and smart and Ella gets down to bed to get her rest.

[NLB Searchplus]

Beautifully illustrated in watercolour, this picture book is based on Jane Goodall's childhood and her interest for nature and animals. It even tells of Jane's early adventures of hiding in a chicken coop to see for herself where eggs came from. Definitely a book I will read to my daughters as it highlights children's natural curiosity for the world around them.

[NLB Searchplus]




Enjoy the stories,
Raihana

Books to the ceiling,
Books to the sky,
My pile of books is a mile high.
How I love them! How I need them!
I'll have a long beard by the time I read them --Arnold Lobel