Some posts I enjoyed researching and writing more than others.  Some were posts readers seemed to especially enjoy.  Although it’s difficult to select just ten from the year’s worth, I’ll give it  try.

1. Spencer Family Books – Writing as a Family
2. Is Christmas Being Undermined to Push Global Warming Agenda?
3. Memories About Pearl Harbor Day
4. A Thankful Poem
5. What Does the Rainbow Fish Mean?  Is There an Underlying Meaning?
6. Reading Aloud to Children Before and After Birth
7. JK Rowling Invites School Children to Tea
8. Novels Inspired by Family History
9. Remembering 9/11 at School and Home
10. Lunch Box Memories

Do you have other One Book Two Book posts that are favorites?

Post from: Blisstree

10 Favorite One Book Two Book Posts of 2008 (Mary Emma)

I have carried this tradition on to my family and my son loves it.

To help you get started I found some great ornaments for readers, librarians, teachers, etc. at my favorite Christmas store, Bronners and Hallmark’s Keepsake ornaments.

Teacher Ornament (and there are about 15 more like this!)

Librarian

School Bus (for your favorite bus driver!)

Hooked on Books

Teachers Rule

What is AJ getting this year? It is always so hard to decide with him but I am thinking about purchasing the bus for him because he started kindergarten and loves taking the bus to school. But, his first Christmas he got got a Polar Express bell from Santa Clause (and his adoption ornament). His second Christmas he got a train ornament. Last year I got him a Polar Express ornament. So, this year I am tempted to get him another one to keep up the tradition.

Post from: Blisstree

Holiday Ornaments for Readers and Teachers

  I enjoy receiving updates from our local library, so I’ll know about new books and programs offered.  In the summer, there are a number of programs for kids.  Our library sends this newsletter out via e-mail so I have it right at hand.  I looked at the one I received yesterday and found additional information about the programs my grandson and I shall attend.

More libraries have begun setting up web sites, blogs and newsletters.  The librarian from a smaller town library in our area recently asked me about setting up a blog.  They are going to start with that and then perhaps progress to a web site.

Check to see what your library offers in the way of books and programs for youngsters and adults and how you can keep up to date. 

You’ll even find books that go along with our weekly summer themes. ( See our “About Pages” to the right of this post for the weekly schedule.)

Our Theme this week is The Dog Days of Summer

(Amazon image;click for details)

(c)2008 Mary Emma Allen

Post from: Blisstree

Does Your Library Have a Newsletter or E-zine?

Even though we live in a small community, our library has always been involved in summer reading programs with related activities which encourage youngsters and their parents to become involved.  My grandchildren, even as pre-schoolers enjoyed these programs and checking out books.

These programs also introduce many youngsters to the library and books in an enjoyable way.  I often took some of my grandchildren’s friends with us.  Then their mom began taking her children and other youngsters.

The summer programs involve reading and related activities that make the library a popular gathering place.  Often there are guest entertainers and authors.

(c)2008 Mary Emma Allen

Post from: Blisstree

What’s Going on at Your Local Library for Summer Reading Programs

Please take a moment to answer the poll in the right sidebar.  Do you have children?  If so, what are their ages?  If you have children in different ranges, please feel free to refresh the page and vote again.

We’d like to learn more about our audience.  This will also help us to write articles of interest to you.  Thanks.  We appreciate your feedback.

Post from: Blisstree

Please Vote in the New Poll

 Kids know what kids like to read.  So why not check out review sites and blogs written by young readers about the books they like to read and interviews of the authors who write them?

At Reader Views Kids, you’ll find Reader Reviews, Reader Interviews, and Reader PreViews of various books.   These give children, teens and adults insight into the books youngsters like to read.

Do you have suggestions for book review sites and blogs for young readers? 

(c)2008 Mary Emma Allen

Post from: Blisstree

Reader Views Kids – A Book Review Site for Kids by Kids

 As you wonder how to keep your youngsters occupied this summer, once the newness of summer vacation wears off for all of you, take a look at Karen’s post, The Very Hungry Caterpillar, here at One Book Two Book and Char’s at Weary Parent, Keeping Teens and Tweens Busy This Summer.  Also, those who left comments at Char’s post have great ideas.

Summer was a wonder time when I was growing up on a farm.  We had to work, but there was so much to explore out-of-doors.  My mom was a great one for pointing out the wonders of nature.  My dad related tales from his childhood.  Grandma helped my sister and me sew doll clothes.  This also was a time for escaping to read whenever I had spare time. 

 (I don’t remember ever getting bored.  Perhaps that was because “being bored” was solved by a list or more chores!)

When my daughter was younger, we explored many crafts with her cousins and other members of the 4-H club I led.  There was the fun of getting these items ready for the exhibit at the county fair.  Beth, her close girlfriend, and cousins buried themselves in books, too, and have continued to be avid readers into adulthood.

What special activities are you planning with your youngsters this summer?

(c)2008 Mary Emma Allen

Post from: Blisstree

Activities For Your Youngsters This Summer – Reading & Others

From my perch in the maple tree beside the kitchen door to the old farmhouse we called home, I could  spy upon all who entered and exited.  Not that they had anything to hide nor I for remaining unseen.  However, I often took a book here, along with an apple, and read until it became uncomfortable.

Why?  Because I wondered if I was like Cousin Ina, my grandmother’s youngest cousin, who was close to my mom in age.  I recall once when she visited, Cousin Ina told of climbing the tree in her family’s yard, hiding away and reading.  So I thought it would be fun, too.

I had other enjoyable places to read, but the one in the tree is my most memorable.  Although I’ve learned to read anywhere, as do my daughter and grandchildren, I think we all have favorite places.

Where do your children like to read?  Do you have a favorite place to read to them?  A cozy corner for yourself?

(c)2008 Mary Emma Allen

Post from: Blisstree

Favorite Hideaways for Reading Books

What would you like to see and read here at One Book Two Book?

We’d like to get an idea of our audience and what you and your children like to read.  Are you also a children’s author or aspiring one?

The stories I read as a child and read to my daughter differ from many of those today, yet some still have remained favorites over the years.  The stories and books my grandchildren enjoy encompass a different type of fantasy from the “fairy tales” of my childhood.  As a reader and writer, it’s interesting to see the changes, yet similarities of children’s and YA literature.

Are you mothers, fathers, daughters, sons, students, grandparents, aunts, uncles, teachers, librarians, authors, book reviewers? How have you seen children’s and young adult books change over the years?

What are your favorite books?

We’d love to hear from you.

(c)2008 Mary Emma Allen

Post from: Blisstree

What Would You Like to Find at One Book Two Book?

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                My Favorite Harry Potter Character

My favorite Harry Potter character is probably Albus Percival Wulfric Brain Dumbledore. He is the headmaster of Hogwarts ( thats where Harry and his friends go to school). Dumbledore is a powerful wizard that doesn’t like to show it. He is a very mysterious person and seems to always help Harry and his friends with their problems.Dumbledore is the only one Lord Voldemort ( the main antagonist) is afraid of.Most of the time Dumbledore calls him Tom when he meets him.Dumbledore had a very hard childhood. Even though in the first book he told Harry that when he looks in the Mirror of Erised he sees himself holding a pair of socks, he actually sees his family, just like Harry. He feels guilty of her sister’s (Ariana Dumbledore) death because he believes that he killed her. Ariana had a trauma once while doing magic and became too scared to use it, but when she was sad, mad, or fearful, magic, uncontrollably came out and did violent things. This is how she killed her own mother, Kendra Dumbledore. Her father was arrested and put in Askaban because he was found hexing the kids that caused her daughter to do the magic. She died because Albus Dumbledore, Aberforth Dumbledore, and Gellert Grindelwald (Dumbledore’s friend) had an argument which became violent and ended with Ariana death. When Dumbledore was learning magic (he was mostly self-taught) everyone noticed that he was a natural.

I like Dumbledore because he is a very interesting character who is very funny (at least he tries to be).He has a rather amusing sweet tooth which sort of unusual for someone like him to have. He is very brave and is not afraid to confront Lord Voldemort. He cares about Harry and saves him many times from disaster and death. Dumbledore is a very smart person who isn’t boastful and stuck up. He doesn’t think that half-blooded or muggle-born people are worst than pureblooded witches or wizards. Usually, he is very patient, calm,and polite even to his enemies. When i was reading the 6th book, I was one of those people who went “ NO WAY! Dumbledore can’t be dead! He’s just pretending!” After I read the last book I was sad that Dumbledore really died, though I wish he didn’t.

Post from: Blisstree

Kids Speak Out