MadLuck Books Blog

Back to school shopping ideas!

2008-07-30T06:06:00.000-07:00

My First Day of School Personalized Book

My School Fun Book Personalized Book

Last Minute Father's day gift idea!

2008-06-12T07:08:00.000-07:00

It is too late to order a Personalized Book for dad, but here an Amazon gift card is always a great idea.

Recognize Yourself

2008-02-25T10:41:00.000-08:00

Quote of the week:

But if you recognize yourself in these pages- if you feel something stirring inside-stop reading immediately. You might be one of us. And once you know that, it might be only a matter of time before they sense it too, and they'll come for you.

- Rick Riordan, The Lightning Thief

She could hear dandelions roaring

2008-02-18T05:43:00.000-08:00

Quote of the week:

She could hear the grass singing to itself and the trees in the park murmuring in deep, sleepy voices. She could hear dandelions roaring and weeds pushing up out of cracks in the city pavement, and she could hear the slow voice of the sea saying "Old! Old! Old!" as it fell on the beach at the edge of town. Everything that was green Minnie could hear with her green ear.

- Margaret Mahy, The Girl with the Green Ear

Take it up with Domestic Affairs

2008-02-04T06:43:00.000-08:00

Quote of the week:

I told my mom that I wanted to be a prodigy, that I wanted to play Carnegie Hall. I told her I wanted to play the piano. "Take it up with Domestic Affairs," she said. That's my mom's way of saying, "Talk to your dad."

- Linda Urban, A Crooked Kind of Perfect

2008 Newberry and Caldecott Awards Announced!

2008-01-16T04:31:00.000-08:00

From the ALSC website:

2008 ALSC Literary and Related Award Winners

In order to post the winning information as expeditiously as possible, we are providing a straight list of 2008 ALSC award winners, including book title, author, and publisher. Additional information, including annotations and book cover images for each award-winning title, will be posted to the individual award pages as soon as possible.

John Newbery Medal

Good Masters! Sweet Ladies! Voices from a Medieval Village by Laura Amy Schlitz (Candlewick)

Newbery Honor Books

Elijah of Buxton by Christopher Paul Curtis (Scholastic/Scholastic Press)
The Wednesday Wars by Gary D. Schmidt (Clarion)
Feathers by Jacqueline Woodson (Putnam/GP Putnam's Sons)

Randolph Caldecott Medal

The Invention of Hugo Cabret by Brian Selznick (Scholastic)

Caldecott Honor Books

Henry's Freedom Box: A True Story from the Underground Railroad, illustrated by Kadir Nelson, written by Ellen Levine (Scholastic/Scholastic Press)
First the Egg by Laura Vaccaro Seeger (Roaring Brook/Neal Porter)
The Wall: Growing Up Behind the Iron Curtin by Peter Sís (Farrar/Frances Foster)
Knuffle Bunny Too: A Case of Mistaken Identity by Mo Willems (Hyperion)

2009 May Hill Arbuthnot Honor Lecturer

Walter Dean Myers

Mildred L. Batchelder Award

VIZ Media, publisher of Brave Story, by Miyuki Miyabe, translated from the Japanese by Alexander O. Smith

Batchelder Honor Books

Milkweed Editions, publisher of The Cat: Or, How I Lost Eternity, by Jutta Richter, illustrated by Rotraut Susanne Berner, and translated from the German by Anna Brailovsky
Phaidon Press, publisher of Nicholas and the Gang, written by René Goscinny, illustrated by Jacques Sempé, and translated from the French by Anthea Bell

Pura Belpré Author Award

The Poet Slave of Cuba: A Biography of Juan Francisco Manzano by Margarita Engle, illustrated by Sean Qualls (Holt)

Belpré Author Honor Books

Frida: ¡Viva la vida! Long Live Life! by Carmen T. Bernier-Grand (Marshall Cavendish)
Martina the Beautiful Cockroach: A Cuban Folktale, retold by Carmen Agra Deedy, illustrated by Michael Austin (Peachtree)
Los Gatos Black on Halloween, written by Marisa Montes, illustrated by Yuyi Morales (Holt)

Pura Belpré Illustrator Award

Los Gatos Black on Halloween, illustrated by Yuyi Morales, written by Marisa Montes (Holt)

Belpré Illustrator Honor Books

My Name Is Gabito: The Life of Gabriel García Márquez/Me llamo Gabito: la vida de Gabriel García Márquez, illustrated by Raúl Colón, written by Monica Brown (Luna Rising)
My Colors, My World/Mis colores, mi mundo, written and illustrated by Maya Christina Gonzalez (Children's Book Press)

Andrew Carnegie Medal

Kevin Lafferty, producer, John Davis, executive producer, and Amy Palmer Robertson and Danielle Sterling, co-producers, of Jump In: Freestyle Edition

Theodor Seuss Geisel Award

There Is a Bird on Your Head! by Mo Willems (Hyperion)

Geisel Honor Books

First the Egg by Laura Vaccaro Seeger (Roaring Brook/Neal Porter)
Hello, Bumblebee Bat, written by Darrin Lunde, illustrated by Patricia J. Wynne (Charlesbridge)
Jazz Baby, written by Lisa Wheeler, illustrated by R. Gregory Christie (Harcourt)
Vulture View, written by April Pulley Sayre, illustrated by Steve Jenkins (Holt)

Odyssey Award

Jazz, Live Oak Media

Odyssey Honor Audiobooks

Bloody Jack: Being an Account of the Curious Adventures of Mary "Jacky" Faber, Ship's Boy, Listen & Live Audio
Dooby Dooby Moo, Weston Woods/Scholastic
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Listening Library
Skulduggery Pleasant, HarperCollins Audio
Treasure Island, Listening Library

Sibert Medal

The Wall: Growing Up Behind the Iron Curtin by Peter Sís (Farrar/Frances Foster)

Sibert Honor Books

Lightship by Brian Floca (Simon & Schuster/Richard Jackson)
Nic Bishop Spiders by Nic Bishop (Scholastic/Scholastic Nonfiction)

Worse than saying it was awful

2008-01-14T07:13:00.000-08:00

Quote of the week:

It was not as if Maggie liked the coat. One or two of her friends had remarked, when she first wore it to school, "Nice." This was even worse than saying it was awful. Nice? Nobody had said it was cool or awesome.

- Brian Jacques, The Ribbajack

May watched them back

2008-01-07T05:29:00.000-08:00

Quote of the week:

The woods watched silently through the farthest east window of White Moss Manor as May tried to concentrate on her work. And sometimes, looking up from the curious project strewn across her desk, chewing on a pencil, May watched them back.

- Jodi Lynn Anderson, May Bird and the Ever After

They who give

2007-12-05T09:26:00.000-08:00

Quote of the week:

“They who give have all things; they who withhold have nothing”

- Hindu Proverb

Dusting the Books of Magic

2007-11-14T04:54:00.000-08:00

Quote of the week:

"Feeding the snakes every morning," she muttered, "Dusting the Books of Magic on Wednesdays and Saturdays, scraping moss off the stone lions' manes once a week, and once a year a tournament at Darkrock Castle! Nothing exciting ever happens here, Sysiphus. Never ever!"

- Cornelia Funke, Igraine the Brave

I loved that word!

2007-11-05T06:56:00.000-08:00

Quote of the week:

I loved that word! When I grew older, I used kira-kira to describe everything I liked: the beautiful blue sky, puppies, kittens, butterflys, colored kleenex.

- Cynthia Kadohata, kira-kira

My someday-he'll-wake-up-a-regular-brother wish

2007-10-24T06:26:00.000-07:00

Quote of the week:

"You're right." I click the seat belt across me and open my sketchbook to the back pages. That's where I keep all the rules I'm teaching David so if my someday-he'll-wake-up-a-regular-brother wish doesn't ever come true, at least he'll know how the world works, and I won't have to keep explaining things.

- Cynthia Lord, Rules

Words had been invisible

2007-10-17T08:59:00.000-07:00

Quote of the week:

Once, words had been invisible to Miri, as unknown and uninteresting as the movements of a spider inside a rock wall. Now they appeared all around her, standing up, demanding notice- on the spines of books in the classroom, marking the barrels of food in the kitchen and storeroom, carved into a linder foundation stone: In the thirteenth year of the reign of King Jordan.

- Shannon Hale, Princess Academy

The History of a Kid

2007-10-08T06:36:00.000-07:00

Quote of the week:

But that's okay, because the history of a kid is one part fact, two parts legend, and three parts snowball. And if you want to know what it was like back when Maniac Magee roamed these parts, well, just run your hand under your movie seat and be very, very careful not to let the facts get mixed up with the truth.

- Jerry Spinelli, Maniac Magee

A Barrel of Laughs, A Vale of Tears - Kid Book Review

2007-09-28T05:58:00.000-07:00

Title: A Barrel of Laughs, A Vale of Tears
Author: Jules Feiffer
The Reviewer: Lucia, Age 9

If you liked The Phantom Tollbooth, you’ll love this book! Prince Roger is so happy that when he comes near even the saddest and angriest people, they burst out laughing! This care free prince is set on a quest by a wizard. Will he complete it, or is his quest to find a quest? But after three reports of “no progress” from the wizard, King Watchamacallit, Roger’s dad, loses faith in him. Does Roger have the skill to get through this, or is this a quest you don’t need skill for?

Read A Barrel of Laughs, a Vale of Tears to see if Roger is born a barrel of laughs, and then drowned in a vale of tears.

Read More kid reviews!

Better than the pencil

2007-09-24T04:44:00.000-07:00

Quote of the week:

Pencilly
The pencil is a splendid thing
For which there's no replacer.
But better than the pencil is
The little pink eraser.

- Douglas Florian, Bing Bang Boing

Words filled the night

2007-09-19T05:14:00.000-07:00

Quote of the week:

Words
Words filled the night like the fragrance of invisible flowers. Words made to measure, written by Orpheus with his doughpale hands, words taken fromthe book that Farid was clutching tightly and then fitted together into a new meaning. They spoke of another world, a world full of marvels and terrors.

- Cornelia Funke, Inkspell

Madeleine L'Engle

2007-09-12T07:23:00.000-07:00

I am a few days late in posting this but Madeleine L'Engle, author of A Wrinkle in Time and other great children's books, died last Thursday.

From the Associated Press:

HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) — Author Madeleine L'Engle, whose novel "A Wrinkle in Time" has captivated generations of schoolchildren and adults since the 1960s, has died, her publicist said Friday. She was 88. L'Engle died Thursday at a nursing home in Litchfield, said Jennifer Doerr, publicity manager for publisher Farrar, Straus and Giroux.

The Newbery Medal winner wrote more than 60 books, including fantasies, poetry and memoirs, often highlighting spiritual themes and her Christian faith.

For many years, she was the writer in residence and librarian at the Episcopal Cathedral Church of St. John the Divine in New York City.

Although L'Engle was often labeled a children's author, she disliked that classification. In a 1993 Associated Press interview, she said she did not write down to children.

"In my dreams, I never have an age," she said. "I never write for any age group in mind. ... When you underestimate your audience, you're cutting yourself off from your best work."

Read the entire article here.

Every child is like a little world

2007-09-10T10:59:00.000-07:00

Quote of the week:

Every child is like
A little world with ever-changing weather,
nights and mornings. And somehow, here we are,
Spinning through the universe together.

- Helen Frost, Spinning through the Universe

Silverwing - Kid Book Review

2007-09-05T13:32:00.000-07:00

Title: Silverwing
Author: Kenneth Oppel
The Reviewer: Lucia, Age 9

Silverwing is an entrancing story you just can’t put down! Shade, a young Silverwing bat is separated from the rest of the Silverwings in a storm while the bats fly south. Shade has to get back to them! Along the way he tries to discover the meaning behind the silver bands on some bats’ wrists.

On this adventure he meets Marina, a Brightwing bat with one of the metal bands on her leg, Goth, a large, ferocious vampire bat, Zephyr, a mysterious albino bat, and many others.

But the journey doesn't end here – read Sunwing, a companions to Silverwing, and another wonderful fantasy. Will Shade get back to his family and stop the owls’ plans, or will he be the next victim?

Here's a quote from the Silverwing.

The book whispers its story to you at night

2007-09-04T06:24:00.000-07:00

Quote of the week:

The book she had been reading was under her pillow, pressing its cover against her ear as if to lure her back into its printed pages. "I'm sure it must be very comfortable sleeping with a hard, rectangular thing like that under your head," her father had teased the first time he found a book under her pillow. "Go on, admit it, the book whispers its story to you at night."

- Cornelia Funke, Inkheart

Prayer of the anonymous people

2007-08-27T04:39:00.000-07:00

Quote of the week:

If she could only find it, Lucky was pretty sure she'd be able to figure out the difference between the things she could change and the things she couldn't, like in the little prayer of the anonymous people. Because sometimes Lucky wanted to change everything, all the bad things that had happened, and sometimes she wanted everything to stay the same forever.

- Susan Patron, The Higher Power of Lucky

So lively and so loud

2007-08-20T06:08:00.000-07:00

Quote of the week:

Haley stood. Her arms hung slightly outwards from the rest of her and her hands dangled, useless and floppy with strangeness. She had never been in the same room with so many people in her life. She was used to the hushed and sequestered way Grandma and Grandad lived, where nobody ran about, or laughed much, and nobody ever shouted. These people were so lively and so loud.

- Diana Wynned Jones, The Game

What to call themselves

2007-08-15T13:01:00.000-07:00

Quote of the week:

And so they had set about choosing what to call themselves....

Kate said, "How about 'Mr. Benedict and the Great Kate Weath-'"

"Don't even finish that," said Reynie.

"The Mysterious Benedict Society," Constance said, rising as she spoke. Then she left the room, apparently convinced that no more discussion was necessary.

And, as it turned out, she was right.

- Trenton Lee Stewart, The Mysterious Benedict Society

Watching and waiting in the darkness

2007-07-16T09:05:00.000-07:00

Quote of the week:

...her father had carried the dollhouse up to her room. There it sat on the floor across from her bed. It was nearly as tall as she was, and its dark gray Mansard roof and shadowy little rooms cast an aura of gloom over her bright bedroom. All at once she realized that she would have to be alone with it at night. It was the thought of that thing watching and waiting in the darkness...that suddenly brought on her tears.

- William Sleator, Among the Dolls

A good strong brain underneath

2007-07-09T07:45:00.000-07:00

Quote of the week:

"Good strong hair," he was fond of saying, "means there's a good strong brain underneath."

"Like Shakespeare," Matilda had once said to him.

"Like who?"

"Shakespeare, daddy."

"Was he brainy?"

"Very, daddy."

"He had masses of hair, did he?"

"He was bald, daddy."

-Roald Dahl, Matilda

A big, fat book

2007-07-02T05:57:00.000-07:00

Quote of the week:

Ivy sat up straight. She scanned the judge's desk, set high upon a raised platform. He had his hammer, but she didn't see any book.
And then he spoke. "I sentence you," he began- Ivy closed her eyes tight, but even in the dark of her eyelids she saw a big, fat book sailing straight toward them all- "to twenty-five years."

- Carolyn Coman, The Big House

The Penderwicks Book Review

2007-06-27T11:01:00.000-07:00

Book Review
Title: The Penderwicks
Author: Jeanne Birdsall
Awards: National Book Award Winner, 2005

When I first started reading The Penderwicks, I thought immediately of Estes' Pye and Moffat series, as well as Eagar's "Magic" books. I had to doublecheck the copyright date to ensure that the book was indeed just published in 2005. Birdsall was obviously influenced by those books and it shows (in a good way in The Penderwicks).

Similar to those classics, The Penderwicks chronicles the adventures of a family of kids and their friends. In this case it is the four Penderwick sisters: Rosalind, age twelve - the dependable one; Skye, 11 super smart and quick to temper, Jane, 10, the imaginative writer, and Batty, 4, shy but with her own strengths as well. There is also their dog Hound, the girls' father and a few friends they make on their three week summer vacation.

The Penderwick family's adventure starts when they have to make a last minute change in their vacation plans and end up rentig a cottage in the mountains sight unseen. The cottage turns out to be a guest home on the estate of the huge Arundel Mansion.

The girls become friends with Cagney the 18 year old gardner (who Rosalind quickly develops a crush on), Jefferey the son of the Mrs Tipton the estate owner, Churchie, Arundel's housekeeper, and Howard the tomato man.

The principle bad guys are Mrs. Tipton herself and her boyfriend Dexter Dupree, as well as an angry bull.

The characters are quirky and interesting; the kid's adventures are exciting but lighthearted enough, and all turns out well for everyone in the end. I truly enjoyed this book.

He was thinking about plants

2007-06-25T06:46:00.000-07:00

Quote of the week:

Rosalind looked over at her father in the driver's seat. His glassses were slipping down his nose and he was humming his favorite Beethoven symphony, the one about spring. Rosalind knew this meant he was thinking about plants - he was a professor of botany - instead of about his driving.

- Jeanne Birdsall, The Penderwicks

The Ancient ghosts woke up

2007-06-20T05:11:00.000-07:00

Quote of the week:

Jenna decided to go to her room and read. Jenna liked her own company and she loved wandering around the Palace, especially at night when candles cast great shadows across the corridors and many of the Ancient ghosts woke up.
- Angie Sage, Physik

I see something in you

2007-06-11T06:34:00.000-07:00

Quote of the week:

Frieda smiled at him and he didn't find the deep wrinkles in her face so frightening anymore. "You're not like the others. I see something in you, a kind of brightness I don't want to be smothered. You're curious. You want to know about things. I've been watching you. You're a good listener too: You'll hear things no one else can. And this is far more important than your size, Shade."

- Kenneth Oppel, Silverwing

Personalized books for father's day

2007-06-06T06:48:00.000-07:00

Looking for a unique Father's day gift? MadLuck Books offers the following personalized books that could be perfect for dear old dad:

My Fishing Adventure: The adult version of this classic story is a humorous tale of a dream of winning the local fishing contest.
Mike and Larry opened their cold beverages and started some serious fishing. As usual, the bites were incredible! Unfortunately, only the mosquitos and flies enjoyed the action.

My Golf Adventure: Golfers fo all ages will delight in reading their personalized golfer profile. "Every time I hit the golf ball, my stress level goes down. This certainly justifies why I hit so-o-o many shots"

Baseball's Unsung Hero: Your armchair athlete will suddenly be called upon to save the big game.
Mike stopped on his way to the car to pitch a few balls at the bulls-eye painted on the broad side of the barn.

Some things you can just know

2007-06-04T06:24:00.000-07:00

Quote of the week:

I'd be lying if I said that given a choice, I wouldn't rather know than not know. But there are some things you can just know for no good reason other than that you do, and then there are other things that no matter how badly you want to know them, you just can't.
-Sarah Weeks, So B. It

A really fantastically peculiar thing

2007-05-29T05:47:00.000-07:00

Quote of the week:

For now, there came a morning when something rather peculiar happened to him. And this thing, which as I say was only rather peculiar, soon caused a second thing to happen which was very peculiar. and then the very peculiar thing, in its own turn, caused a really fantastically peculiar thing to occur.

- Roald Dahl, James and the Giant Peach

The sea, the sea, the sea

2007-05-21T06:04:00.000-07:00

Quote of the week:

The sea, the sea, the sea. It rolled and rolled and called to me. Come in, it said, come in.

- Sharon Creech, The Wanderer

Beautifully furnishes a house

2007-05-16T06:00:00.000-07:00

Quote of the week:

Books are not made for furniture, but there is nothing else that so beautifully furnishes a house.

- Henry Ward Beecher

Magyk - Kid Review

2007-05-08T08:29:00.000-07:00

Title: Magyk
Author: Angie Sage
The Reviewer: Lucia, Age 9

If you love magic and adventure you’ll love this book! Magyk is a wonderful book of suspense and fun. It is about a girl raised by some family that is not her own. She’s a Princess. And is her adopted family brother, Septimus Heap - the seventh son of seventh son, really dead? Can she stop the evil DomDaniel from taking over? Will she ever learn who she really is? It’s a wonderful book, please read it and you’ll find out the answers to those questions.

And if you do love this book you can read the other two books in the series – Flyte and Physik!

New Feature - Kid Reviews

2007-05-08T08:07:00.000-07:00

The MadLuck Books Blog is proud to announce our newest feature - Book Reviews by kids for kids about the best books for kids around! Who better to learn about the best in children's literature than from the kids that are actually reading the books. It is also our goal to make the MadLuck Books Blog a great resource for parent's and their kids, and the more information we can get out there about great books the better. MadLuck Books also believes that Great Readers make Great Writers and in the future we are planning to add stories, poetry and essays of all kinds from the great young readers/writers out there.

Kids - Submit your reviews - Want to have a review published on the MadLuck Books Childrens Literature Blog? Just email us your review (500 words or less) to info@madluckbooks.com. Please include your name (or penname!) and age. We can't wait to see what the kids are reading out there. If you prefer you can also send us your reviews via snail mail at: Maduck Books, PO Box 359, Warrenton, VA 20188

Our first Kid Review is here.

All our Book Reviews
All our Kid Reviews

What a strange thing to have happen

2007-05-07T06:17:00.000-07:00

Quote of the week:

"What a strange thing to have happen," he thought (just as you must be thinking right now). "This game is much more serious than I thought, for here I am riding on a road I've never seen, going to a place I've never heard of, and all because of a tollbooth which came from nowhere. I'm certainly glad that it's a nice day for a trip," he concluded hopefully, for, at the moment, this was the one thing he definitely knew.

- Norton Juster, The Phantom Tollbooth

Mother's Day Personalized Book - from Adult child

2007-05-02T06:55:00.000-07:00

Product Spotlight

Title: Mother's Day Personalized Book
Manufacturer/Publisher: Create-A-Book (Hefty Publishing Company)
Seller: Personalized Children's Books by MadLuck Books
Description: A great gift for Mother's Day for Moms and Grandmothers everywhere. Also makes a perfect birthday gift for Mothers and Grandmothers. The book is designed so that you can insert your own photographs, artwork, poetry, etc. Once customized, it becomes a mini keepsake album.
Versions: Book from - One child, More than one child, Adult child, More than one adult child.

Here is the complete text of the book. Instead of illustration pages this book comes with border pages in clear plastic sleaves that make it easy for you to insert your own photographs and other keepsakes (Personalized information is in red here, but not in the ordered books):

Title Page
For My

Special

Mom

Text Page

This book was created
especially for

Mom

With love from
Jessica
May 13, 2007

Text Page

Mom, I can't remember the exact moment that I met you for the first time, but it must have been wonderful to see the smile on your face and the love in your eyes.

Border Pages

Text Page

I especially love your blue eyes, Mom. They look at me with kindness when you hug me, become sad when I'm ill, and are full of smiles when I tell you that I love you.

Text Page

Mom, I love your kisses: the soft kiss that shows me how happy you are to see me, the warm kiss when we have to part, and those extra large kisses that console me when I'm upset.

Text Page

I love your voice. Mom, I remember when I was young, you sang me sweet songs and told me exciting stories. I love how you held me ever so tightly and reassured me when I was frightened. It still reassures me just to hear your voice.

Text Page

You also prepare so many good things to eat. No one can cook lasagna the way that you do!
In short, Mom, I love everything about you.

Border Pages

Text Page

When we walk together along the streets in Warrenton, or when we go places, I am so happy that you are my Mom. You are the greatest!

Text Page

When you're with your friends or other family members, I watch as you chat and laugh with them. I think you're the best Mom of all!

Text Page

At times, in my life, you had to scold me, but you were only trying to teach me right and wrong. I wouldn't trade you for any other Mom in the world!

Text Page

I'd like to give you a beautiful and very special present; I'd like to give you a little bit of the sun to brighten up those days when you're sad.

Border Pages

Text Page

Mom, if I could ride on a star, I'd climb up into the sky and grab a piece of the moon to make you a dress of light. Then you'd become a princess. Although, you're already a princess to me!

Text Page

I'd like to pick the sweetest smelling flower for you; when you hold it, its perfume will always make you think of me.
Mom, I'd like to give you a special charm to make you forever appear as loving and beautiful as I see you.

Text Page

I'd like to give you a magic wand that you could wave and have me appear whenever you wish. Then, you would never feel alone.

Text Page

I'd like to give you an eraser to rub out the tiredness and worries that I sometimes see reflected on your face. Then, you could always be happy and smiling.

Text Page

Mom, I'd like to buy you the best gift in the world. I'd like to let you know just how wonderful I think you are when you hug me, talk with me, and just sit and listen to my problems.
I'd like to give you your every wish!

Text Page

But the sun and the moon are too far away, and flowers wither quickly. Magic wands only exist in fairytales, and I'm afraid that my eraser is only good for rubbing out mistakes on paper.
Even so, I know that a kiss and a very big "I love you, Mom!" can make you smile with happiness.

Text Page
I will always cherish the lessons you've
taught me, the love you've given me
and just knowing that you are
my Mom.

With love from
Jessica

Text Page
Mom, I hope that you like
this special book that tells
exactly how I feel about you.

Jessica
May 13, 2007

Mother's Day Personalized Book

2007-05-02T06:22:00.000-07:00

Product Spotlight

Title: Mother's Day Personalized Book
Manufacturer/Publisher: Create-A-Book (Hefty Publishing Company)
Seller: Personalized Children's Books by MadLuck Books
Description: A great gift for Mother's Day for Moms and Grandmothers everywhere. Also makes a perfect birthday gift for Mothers and Grandmothers. The book is designed so that you can insert your own photographs, artwork, poetry, etc. Once customized, it becomes a mini keepsake album.
Versions: Book from One child, More than one child, Adult child, More than one adult child.

Here is the complete text of the book. Instead of illustration pages this book comes with border pages in clear plastic sleaves that make it easy for you to insert your own photographs and other keepsakes (Personalized information is in red here, but not in the ordered books):

Title page
For My

Special

Mom

Text Page
This book was created
especially for

Mom

With love from
Jessica
May 13, 2007

Text Page

Mom, I can't remember the exact moment that I met you for the first time, but it must have been wonderful to see the smile on your face and the love in your eyes.

Border Pages

Test Page

I especially love your blue eyes, Mom. They look at me with kindness when you hug me, become sad when I'm ill, and are full of smiles when I tell you that I love you.

Text Page

Mom, I love your kisses: the soft kiss that wakes me in the morning, the warm kiss at bed-time, and those extra large kisses that console me when I'm sad.

Text Page

I love your voice when you sing me sweet songs and tell me exciting stories. Mom, I love how you hold me ever so tightly and reassure me when I am frightened.

Text Page

You also prepare so many good things to eat. No one can cook lasagna the way that you do!
In short, Mom, I love everything about you.

Border Pages

Text Page

When we walk together along the streets in Warrenton, or you take me places, I am so happy that you are my Mom. You are the greatest!

Text Page

When you're with your friends or other family members, I watch as you chat and laugh with them. I think you're the best Mom of all!

Text Page

At times, you scold me and your face looks angry, but you are only trying to teach me what is right and wrong. I wouldn't change you for any other Mom in the world!

Text Page

I'd like to give you a beautiful and very special present; I'd like to give you a little bit of the sun to brighten up those days when you're sad.

Border Pages

Text Page

Mom, if I could ride on a star, I'd climb up into the sky and grab a piece of the moon to make you a dress of light. That way you'd become a princess, like the one in my book of fairytales. Even if, to tell the truth, you're already a princess to me!

Text Page

I'd like to give you a magic wand that would do all the daily chores for you. Then, you'd have more time to be with me.

Text Page

I'd like to give you an eraser to rub out the tiredness and worries that I sometimes see reflected on your face. Then, you could always be happy and smiling.

Border Pages

Text Page

Mom, I'd like to buy you the best treat in the world. I'd like to let you know just how sweet I think you are when you hug me, play with me, read me stories.
I'd like to give you your every wish!

Text Page

But the sun and the moon are too far away, and flowers wither quickly. Magic wands only exist in fairytales, and I'm afraid that my eraser is only good for rubbing out scribbles.
Even so, I know that a kiss and a very big "I love you, Mom!" can make you smile with happiness.

Text Page

I don't know what any other
Mom is like,
but I know that you are
my Mom.

With love from
Jessica

Text Page
Mom, I hope that you like the
drawings and special things that
I've done especially for you.

Jessica
May 13, 2007

I have opinions

2007-04-30T06:29:00.000-07:00

Quote of the week:

"Why don't you try for another family, wait and meow by a neighbor's door and see if they'll take you in?"

"Because I'm not cute anymore," said Whittington. "My voice is harsh, I've got the shakes, I have opinions, I like to stay out, I stink, I like to fight. I'm not a house pet."

- Alan Armstrong, Whittington

She travelled all over the world

2007-04-23T06:54:00.000-07:00

The books transported her into new worlds and introduced her to amazing people who lived exciting lives. She went on olden-day sailing ships with Joseph Conrad. She went to Africa with Ernest Hemingway and to India with Rudyard Kipling. She travelled all over the world while sitting in her little room in an English village.

- Roald Dahl, Matilda

The Ancient Treasures

2007-04-17T06:19:00.000-07:00

Quote of the week:

It was Walter the Earl. Dirt encrusted his thick eyebrows, and ruvulets of perspiration streaked his long stern nose. He stood commandingly on top of the mound, straddling the iron box, and blinked into the bright sunlight. Then, seeing Curly Green and Muggles below him, he smiled a slow triumphant smile. He raised a solemn hand, and his voice rang in the sunlit morning.
"I have found the ancient treasures!"

- Carol Kendall, The Gammage Cup

It's all around us

2007-04-12T11:22:00.000-07:00

Quote of the week:

"Don't you see?" said Dad. "It's all around us, and it's been here all along. It's the natural sounds of the forest. It's in the green trees, the fresh air, and clean water. These things are the real treasures of the mountain."

- from My Camping Adventure Personalized Book

My Camping Adventure Product Spotlight

I was stronger than when I left

2007-04-02T06:38:00.000-07:00

Quote of the week:

I had been gone seven months. I had been gone a lifetime. Although I returned on walking sticks, moving slowly and taking small steps, I knew that in many ways, I was stronger than when I left.
I opened my music and began to sing.

- Peg Kehret, Small Steps: The Year I Got Polio

Human beans is thinking they is very clever

2007-03-26T08:38:00.000-07:00

Quote of the week:

"Of Course I don't believe that," Sophie said.
The BFG regarded her gravely with those huge eyes of his. "I hope you will forgive me," he said, "if I tell you that human beans is thinking they is very clever, but they is not. They is nearly all of them notmuchers and squeakpips."

-Roald Dahl, The BFG

Escape to Witch Mountain Book Review

2007-03-20T07:56:00.000-07:00

Book Review
Title: Escape to Witch Mountain
Author: Alexander Key

About three weeks ago I was in the library picking up a copy of The Forgotten Door for my fifth grade teacher wife, when I spotted Escape to Witch Mountain (both books were written by Alexander Key). Escape to Witch Mountain was one of my favorite books when I was in Elementary School, so I decided to check it out and see how the book has held up over time. Unfortunately, before I had a chance to read it my 8 year old daughter lay claim to it and I have just recently got it back and was able to finish it.

When I first read the book I loved and related to the main characters Tony and Tia. These brother and sister protagonists are orphans that feel "different" and as "outsiders" and have amazing, almost magical abilities. They keep hoping to somehow stumble across the world they had come from, a place where they would be accepted for who they were. Of course as a child, I often waited to discover my own "true" magical or other-worldly home as well, but that is another story...

These characters are just as appealing today, as are the other main actors in the story: Father O'day, the helpful Vietnam Veteran Priest, and the sinister Mr. Deranian, the antagonist of the book. Escape to Witch Mountain is an adventure story, with the kids Tony and Tia running from the evil Deranian and trying to find their true home and family. Alexander Key does a wonderful job building the suspence of the story at the same time he slowly unveils the truth behind Tony and Tia's abilities and origins.

There is also some social commentary here - about how we, the people of Earth, treat our planet, the animals we share it with, and anyone who is percieved as "different". This is nicely done as part of the story and not in preachy asides.

Overall a good exciting, suspenceful read, with interesting, believable (even if they are alians with special "abilities") characters. Recommended. And my eight year old daughter seconds the recommendation!

Note: if you have seen the Disney movie based on the book, be forwarned that the book is quite different. Of course the book is much better...

The Other Mother

2007-03-19T05:53:00.000-07:00

Quote of the week:

"Now I think you're being silly, dear," said the other mother. "I love you. I will always love you. Nobody sensible believes in ghosts anyway- that's because they are all such liars. Smell the lovely breakfast I'm making for you."

- Neil Gaiman, Coraline

Personalized books for Easter

2007-03-16T06:00:00.000-07:00

Looking for a unique gift to stick in that Easter basket this year? Think personalized children's books! With personalized books you are promoting literacy (children love to read when the story is about them), you can put a personalized dedication (Happy Easter, From Mom and Dad, etc.), and if you want there are a number of religeously themed books.

Here are a few suggestions from MadLuck Books:

Mother Goose Personalized Book - Personalized versions of well known Mother Goose Rhymes.

Little One, Little One Personalized Book- A great choice for the youngest Easter bunnies

Let Us Thank God Personalized Book - A warmly illustrated book for early readers who need to give thought to the many reasons we need to be thankfull.

God's Special Gifts to Me Personalized Book - This wonderful book explains God's love to children with easy to understand text.

The Sibling Book - Great for that new big brother or sister.

2007 Newberry Honor Books

2007-03-15T05:45:00.000-07:00

I stumbled across this article on the three 2007 Newberry Honor Books: "Penny From Heaven," "Rules" and "Hattie Big Sky". This is what first caught my eye:

Like the 2007 Newbery Medal-winning book, "The Higher Power of Lucky," all three of the Newbery Honor books also feature narratives by strong-willed, interesting female protagonists.

And therein lies a potential problem for readers.

There's a saying in the children's-literature world that girls will read books with a boy protagonist, but boys won't read a book with a girl protagonist.

My two daughters have no problem reading books with boy protagonists, but I must admit that when I was a wee lad, I was generally uninterested in books with a girl as the main character. My wife, a fifth grade teacher, has also seen this in action: given a choice between two books, one with a girl protagonist, and one with a boy, the fifth grade boys will inevitably choose the one with the boy, while the girls will not necessarily choose the book with the girl character. Why is this? Don't ask me, I am sure there is a sociologist out there somewhere who has studied the phenomenon...

Anyway the rest of the article gives a good review of the three honor award winners.

The Plan of the Rats of Nimh

2007-03-12T09:06:00.000-07:00

Quote of the week:

Mrs. Frisby spelled it out slowly: The Plan of the Rats of Nimh. What, or where, was Nimh? The name had a strange and faraway sound. Had these rats, then, come here from someplace else? Did that explain why they had books and electric lights and wires and an electric motor?
- Robert C. O'Brien, Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH

Personalized Children's Books

First view of Witch Mountain

2007-03-05T04:15:00.000-08:00

Quote of the week:

He would rather have gone in the opposite direction, but he wanted his first view of Witch Mountain to be in the dusk, when he could catch the homey glow of lights through the mist, and hear again the magic of music that would never be forgotten.

- Alexander Key, Escape to Witch Mountain

The Cat turns 50!

2007-03-01T06:43:00.000-08:00

Here's a press release about The Cat in the Hat's 50th Birthday:

The Cat in the Hat Turns 50!
Random House Children's Books Launches Literacy Initiative in Honor of This Important Milestone; Join the National Read-Aloud on March 2nd!

NEW YORK, NY -- (MARKET WIRE) -- February 27, 2007 -- On March 1, Dr. Seuss' beloved classic The Cat in the Hat will celebrate its 50th Birthday. Originally published by Random House in 1957, The Cat in the Hat was embraced widely and enthusiastically, becoming an instant bestseller and turning Dr. Seuss into a household name virtually overnight. Random House has since sold an estimated 10.5 million copies of the book, not including the millions more sold by Random House via a direct mail program administered by Scholastic-at-Home.

Theodor Seuss Geisel, better known as Dr. Seuss, wrote The Cat in the Hat in response to a perceived literacy crisis in the United States. In the mid 1950s, many Americans were asking themselves: Why can't Johnny read? In a Life magazine article, Pulitzer Prize-winning author John Hersey maintained that American children couldn't read because the Dick and Jane primers were boring and could not compete with cartoons, comics, and other more fun and interesting stimuli, so he challenged Dr. Seuss to write a story "first graders wouldn't be able to put down." And that's just what Dr. Seuss did, using a vocabulary of only 236 words. Seuss' 236 words revolutionized the way children learn to read, ultimately making an enormous and positive impact on the looming literacy crisis in the United States.

TM and (C) Dr. Seuss Enterprises, L.P. 1957. All Rights Reserved.

TM and (C) Dr. Seuss Enterprises, L.P. 1957.
All Rights Reserved.

Random House Children's Books

In honor of Dr. Seuss and his Cat, Random House Children's Books, Dr. Seuss Enterprises, and First Book (a national nonprofit literacy organization) are sponsoring a national initiative -- Project 236 -- to raise awareness of literacy issues and help combat the literacy crisis in the United States. The program's goal is to revolutionize the way children in our country learn to read all over again, by ensuring that all children have access to books. Studies show that access to books remains essential to reading development and recent statistics have shown that while children in middle-income homes have roughly 13 books of their own, in low-income communities, the ratio of books to children is just one book for every 300 children.

Project 236 asks kids, parents, grandparents, caregivers, teachers, librarians, and community leaders: What can you do to make a difference? For example, for every birthday card sent to the Cat in the Hat, Random House will donate one new book to First Book. First Book gives children from low-income families the opportunity to read and own their first new books. Random House is also encouraging readers of all ages to join the Project 236 chorus and read The Cat in the Hat aloud at 2:36 pm on March 2nd -- Dr. Seuss' birthday and the National Education Association's Read Across America Day. Visit www.catinthehat.com for information on how to participate in Project 236 and support local literacy initiatives.

Random House Children's Books is the world's largest English-language children's trade book publisher. Creating books for toddlers through young adult readers, in all formats from board books to activity books to picture books to novels and narrative nonfiction, the imprints of Random House Children's Books bring together world-famous franchise characters, multimillion-copy series, and top-flight, award-winning authors and illustrators. The company's award-winning website, kids@random (www.randomhouse.com/kids), offers an array of materials and activities free of charge for children, parents, and educators. Random House Children's Books is a division of Random House, Inc., whose parent company is Bertelsmann AG, a leading international media company.

First Book is an international nonprofit organization with a single mission: to give children from low-income families the opportunity to read and own their first new books. Through hundreds of local Advisory Boards, the First Book National Book Bank, and the First Book Marketplace, the organization provides an ongoing supply of new books to children participating in community-based mentoring, tutoring, and literacy programs. First Book has provided more than 46 million new books to children in need in thousands of communities nationwide. For more information about First Book, please visit www.firstbook.org.

You don't have to be afraid

2007-02-26T08:30:00.000-08:00

Quote of the week:

"You don't have to be afraid," said the Gollywobber. "I'm really Jessica Smith. If you look closer, you'll see I'm just pretending to be a Gollywobber. I can see that you and your friends are nothing more than shadows in the dark. You're nothing to be afraid of."

- J. W. Dixon, Flooty Hobbs Personalized Book

Sibling Book Personalized Book

2007-02-21T05:54:00.000-08:00

Product Spotlight

Title: Sibling Book Personalized Book
Manufacturer: Create-A-Book (Hefty Publishing Company)
Seller: Personalized Books by MadLuck Books
Description: A personalized story teaching how to cope with the arrival of a new baby.

Here's the whole story with samples of the illustrations (Personalized information is in red here, but not in the ordered books):

Title page
A New Baby
in
Jessica's Family

Pages 1 & 2 - Illustration Pages

Page 3
This book was created
especially for
Jessica Ann Smith
at the age of 7
With love from
Mommy and Daddy
August 10, 2006

Page 4

Once there was a little girl named Jessica, age 7. She lived in Warrenton. One day, something very exciting happened at Jessica's home. A brand new baby boy came to stay.

Pages 5 & 6 - Illustration Pages

Page 7

"This is our new baby," everyone said to Jessica. "His name is Alex." Jessica could hardly believe it. "Wow!" Jessica said out loud. "I'm Alex's big sister! I wonder what this is going to be like."

Page 8

From that day on, Jessica began to discover what it was like to have a new baby brother in her family. The first thing Jessica noticed was that everyone seemed very happy. Jessica also noticed that everyone seemed very busy.

Pages 9 & 10 - Illustration Pages

Page 11

There was always a flurry of activity around Alex. Friends, relatives, and neighbors were dropping in all of the time. Everyone wanted to come for a visit, and everyone wanted to see the new baby.

Page 12

Alex was very nice to look at, but he wasn't able to talk, walk, or play! He wasn't even able to sit up by himself. There were only two things he could do! He could sleep, and he could cry. Little Alex was pretty good at sleeping, and he was very good at crying.

Pages 13 & 14 - Illustration Pages

Page 15

Alex needed a lot of attention. He had to be washed in warm, soapy water; the water had to be just warm enough and just soapy enough. He had to be dried with a soft, fluffy towel; the towel had to be just soft enough and just fluffy enough. He had to be dressed in special clothes and fed special food. Everyone had to be very quiet, so that little Alex could get to sleep.

Page 16

It wasn't just friends, relatives, and neighbors who wanted to see Alex. There were doctors and nurses too. They wanted to have a look at him, just like everyone else. They even had special gadgets for listening to his heart, his lungs, and all of the other things inside him.

Pages 17 & 18 - Illustration Pages

Page 19

Jessica wondered if Alex sometimes just wanted to be left alone. Everyone was always making such a fuss over him! Actually, Jessica sometimes wished that everyone would leave Alex alone. "Maybe they should make a fuss about me for a while," Jessica thought.

Page 20

Sometimes, Alex was taken for a walk. He was wrapped in a special little blanket, and there was a special little buggy for him to ride in. Wherever they went, it was baby Alex that the people wanted to see. "Oh, what rosy little cheeks!" they would say. "And, what pretty little eyes, and darling little fingers!" "People sure do like babies," Jessica thought to herself.

Pages 21 & 22 - Illustration Pages

Page 23

Because Alex was a baby, he was given all sorts of special presents: beautiful flowers to brighten up the house, big fluffy teddy bears to watch him as he slept, and all kinds of toys! There were toys to shake, toys to stack, and toys to roll. Jessica's toys were mostly old ones that she had played with for years.

Page 24

It seemed that no one had much time for Jessica. "Let's go to the park and play," Jessica said.
"We're sorry, Jessica. We're busy with the baby."
"Will you read a book to me?" Jessica asked.
"Maybe later, since the baby needs me just now."
"Could we play a game together?" Jessica questioned.
"That's a good idea, but the baby is a little fussy."

Pages 25 & 26 - Illustration Pages

Page 27

One morning as she was waking up, Jessica had an idea. "When I was a baby," she thought to herself, "everyone made a fuss over me." Jessica thought that maybe she should become a baby again. "If I were a baby," she said to herself, "Alex wouldn't be the only one they would fuss about!"

Page 28

Jessica thought about doing what baby Alex did. She thought about lying on her back and crying the way Alex did. "Would I get lots of hugs and kisses if I acted like that?" Jessica wondered. "I don't think so," she said to herself. "And I think that I would feel pretty silly."

Pages 29 & 30 - Illustration Pages

Page 31

At play time, Jessica wondered about sitting in the middle of the floor and making funny little noises, the way babies sometimes do. But it was just too embarrassing for Jessica! After all, she was Alex's big sister! Instead, she picked out a few books and a few toys from the toy box. They weren't brand new, but they were her favorites. She still had lots of fun with them.

Page 32

"Being a baby is fine for Alex," Jessica said to herself. "But I'm happy being a big sister! When baby Alex gets a little older, we'll have lots of fun playing together. I think he's going to like having me for a big sister!"

Pages 33 & 34 - Illustration Pages

Page 35

"There's a time to be a baby, and there's a time to be big. Every time can be happy in its own way," Jessica thought. "I'm glad that this is Alex's time to be a baby. I'm glad that he has come to live with us and that we will grow up together!"

Page 36
Jessica Smith,
Hope you enjoy this gift.
Mommy and Daddy

Buy the Sibling book
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The best kind of magic book

2007-02-19T06:16:00.000-08:00

Quote of the week:

"The best kind of magic book," said Barnaby,..."is when it's about ordinary people like us, and then something happens and it's magic."

- Edward Eager, Seven-Day Magic

Books for Valentine's Day

2007-02-13T06:20:00.000-08:00

Bob Walch in the Monterey Count Herald has an article on some good children's books for Valentine's Day.

Here are a few of the titles he mentions:

Where Is Baby's Valentine? by Karen Katz.

A Mama Bug's Love by Janet Lawler

Kiss Kiss! by Margaret Wild

Dooby Dooby Moo by Doreen Cronin and Betsy Lewin

And personalized books also make great Valentine's Day gifts!

No such thing as just good guys fighting bad guys

2007-02-13T04:20:00.000-08:00

Quote of the week:

Matt said softly, "I thought this was supposed to be one of the good wars. The rebels were supposed to be the good guys, but maybe there's no such thing as good guys fighting bad guys. It seems there's good and bad on both sides."

- Elvira Woodruff, George Washington's Socks

Harry Potter Release date July 21, 2007

2007-02-05T10:52:00.000-08:00

Scholastic has announced the release date of July 21, 2007 for Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. You can pre-order the book now from Amazon.com and save 46% off the list price!

Enough time for fun

2007-02-05T07:31:00.000-08:00

Quote of the week:

"Daddy," I said, and I waited until he was looking at me before I went on. "Yes, Ida B," he answered, turning towards me. And staring right into his eyeballs I told him, "there is never enough time for fun."

- Katherine Hannigan, Ida B

More quotes

Personalized books home

Lawn and Road Wienies Book Reviews

2007-02-05T06:40:00.000-08:00

Title: In the Land of the Lawn Weenies
Invasion of the Road Weenies
Author: David Lubar

These two collections of short stories were surprise hits in our household. Surprise because both the titles and cover illustrations are not very appealing. But you "can't judge a book by its cover" of course and so we dove in to the books to see what we would find. And what we found were fun collections of (and I'm struggling here for the correct adjective) odd, strange, creepy (from my eight year old) stories (the subtitle to both books is "And Other Warped and Creepy Tales". The stories in these two books are very reminiscent of old twilight zone episodes in that they portray a reality that is more or less twisted in some fantastic way. Twisted in a fantastic and deadly manner - in most of the stories the main characters do not survive the end of the story (though their ending is not described- just assumed.) The kids who meet these fates, tend to be the most unlikeable examples of middle school age boys and girls - bullies and disagreeable brats all around.

Probably because of the age of the main characters and their tendency to die at the end of the stories, these books were in the young adult section of our local library, though the reading level is probably around the fourth or fifth grade level. Because of this and because the stories are fairly short and easy to dig into, I could see these books being a good choice for the reluctant middle school reader. They were a Little too "creepy" for my eight year old.

2007 Notable Children's books for Younger Readers

2007-02-01T11:06:00.000-08:00

The American Library Association (ALA) has released it list of the Notable Children's books for 2007. Here is the list for Younger Readers:

Once Upon a Banana by Jennifer Armstrong, Illus. by David Small. Simon & Schuster,

My Cat, the Silliest Cat in the World by Gilles Bachelet. Abrams.

Keeper of Soles by Teresa Bateman, Illus. by Yayo. Holiday House.

Move Over, Rover! by Karen Beaumont, Illus. by Jane Dyer. Harcourt.

Cork & Fuzz: Short and Tall by Dori Chaconas, Illus. by Lisa McCue. Viking.

Best Best Friends by Margaret Chodos-Irvine. Harcourt.

Below by Nina Crews. Holt.

I Lost My Tooth in Africa by Penda Diakité, Illus. by Baba Wagué Diakité. Scholastic.

Mercy Watson Goes for a Ride by Kate DiCamillo, Illus. by Chris Van Dusen. Candlewick.

Wolves by Emily Gravett. Simon & Schuster.

The Adventures of the Dish and the Spoon by Mini Grey. Knopf.

Lilly's Big Day by Kevin Henkes. Greenwillow.

Duck & Goose by Tad Hills. Random/Schwartz & Wade.

Sky Boys: How They Built the Empire State Building by Deborah Hopkinson, Illus. by James E. Ransome. Random/Schwartz & Wade.

Houndsley and Catina by James Howe, Illus. by Marie-Louise Gay. Candlewick.

Zelda and Ivy: The Runaways by Laura Mcgee Kvasnosky. Illus. Candlewick.

Uncle Peter's Amazing Chinese Wedding by Lenore Look,Illus. by Yumi Heo. Simon & Schuster/Anne Schwartz.

Tunjur! Tunjur! Tunjur! A Palestinian Folktale by Margaret Read MacDonald, Illus. by Alik Arzoumanian. Marshall Cavendish.

Once I Ate a Pie by Patricia MacLachlan and Emily MacLachlan Charest, Illus. by Katy Schneider. HarperCollins/Joanna Cotler.

Adèle & Simon by Barbara McClintock. Farrar, Straus and Giroux/Frances Foster.

Gone Wild: An Endangered Animal Alphabet by David McLimans. Walker.

Los Gatos Black on Halloween by Marisa Montes, Illus. by Yuyi Morales. Holt.

Hippo! No, Rhino! by Jeff Newman. Little, Brown.

The Little Red Hen by Jerry Pinkney. Dial.

Not a Box by Antoinette Portis. HarperCollins.

Black? White! Day? Night! A Book of Opposites by Laura Vaccaro Seeger,Roaring Brook/Neal Porter.

Good Boy, Fergus! by David Shannon. Scholastic/Blue Sky.

Thelonius Monster's Sky-High Fly Pie by Judy Sierra, Illus. by

Scaredy Squirrel by Melanie Watt. Kids Can.

Mammoths on the Move by Lisa Wheeler, Illus. by Kurt Cyrus. Harcourt.

Dizzy by Jonah Winter, Illus. by Sean Qualls. Scholastic/Arthur A. Levine.

It was snowing!

2007-01-29T05:55:00.000-08:00

Quote of the week:

It was a new morning and it was snowing! Huge cotton ball snowflakes were tumbling past Kipper's window.
"Yes!" said Kipper, jumping out of his basket. "Yes! Yes!"...
Kipper was very positive about snow.

- Mick Inkpen, Kipper's Snowy Day

American Library Association Announces 2007 Literary Award Winners

2007-01-25T11:27:00.000-08:00

SEATTLE, Jan. 22 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The American Library Association (ALA) today announced the top books and video for children and young adults -- including the Caldecott, King, Newbery and Printz awards -- at its Midwinter Meeting in Seattle. The ALA also provided a live Web cast of the press announcement, which is archived and available at http://www.unikron.com/ala-webcast.

A list of all the 2007 literary award winners follows:

-- John Newbery Medal for the most outstanding contribution to children's literature:
The Higher Power of Lucky, written by Susan Patron, is the 2007 Newbery Medal winner. The book is illustrated by Matt Phelan and published by Simon & Schuster/Richard Jackson.
Three Newbery Honor Books were named: Penny from Heaven, written by Jennifer L. Holm and published by Random House; Hattie Big Sky, by Kirby Larson, published by Delacorte Press; and Rules, by Cynthia Lord, published by Scholastic.

-- Randolph Caldecott Medal for the most distinguished American picture
book for children:
Flotsam, illustrated by David Wiesner, is the 2007 Caldecott Medal winner. The wordless book is published by Clarion. Two Caldecott Honor Books were named: Gone Wild: An Endangered Animal Alphabet, written and illustrated by David McLimans, and published by Walker, and Moses: When Harriet Tubman Led Her People to Freedom, illustrated by Kadir Nelson, written by Carole Boston Weatherford and published by Hyperion/Jump at the Sun.

-- Michael L. Printz Award for excellence in literature written for
young adults:
American Born Chinese by Gene Luen Yang is the 2007 Printz Award winner. The book is published by First Second, an imprint of Roaring Brook Press, a division of Holtzbrinck Publishing Holdings Limited Partnership.
Four Printz Honor Books were named:
The Astonishing Life of Octavian Nothing, Traitor to the Nation; v. 1: The Pox Party by M. T. Anderson, published by Candlewick; "An Abundance of Katherines" by John Green,
published by Dutton, an imprint of Penguin Group (USA) Inc.; "Surrender" by Sonya Hartnett, published by Candlewick Press; and "The Book Thief" by Markus Zusak, published by Alfred A. Knopf, an imprint of Random House Children's Books.

-- Coretta Scott King Book Award recognizing an African American author and illustrator of outstanding books for children and young adults:
Copper Sun, written by Sharon Draper, is the King Author Book winner. The book is published by Simon & Schuster/Atheneum Books for Young Readers.
One King Author Honor Book was selected:
The Road to Paris written by Nikki Grimes and published by G.P. Putnum's Sons, a division of PenguinYoung Readers Group.

Moses: When Harriet Tubman Led Her People to Freedom, illustrated by Kadir Nelson, is the King Illustrator Book winner. The book was written by Carole Boston Weatherford and published by Jump at the Sun/Hyperion Books for Children.
Two King Illustrator Honor Books were selected:
Jazz, illustrated by Christopher Myers, written by Walter Dean Myers and published by Holiday House Inc.; and Poetry for Young People: Langston Hughes illustrated by Benny Andrews, edited by David Roessel and Arnold Rampersad, and published by Sterling Publishing Co. Inc.

-- Coretta Scott King/John Steptoe New Talent Author Award:
Standing Against the Wind, written by Traci L. Jones is the Steptoe winner. The book is published by Farrar, Straus and Giroux.

-- Schneider Family Book Award for books that embody the artistic expression of the disability experience for child and adolescent audiences:
The Deaf Musicians, written by Pete Seeger and poet Paul DuBois Jacobs, illustrated by R. Gregory Christie and published by G. P. Putnam's Sons wins the award for children ages 0 to 10.
"Rules," written by Cynthia Lord and published by Scholastic Press is the winner in the middle-school category (age 11-13).
"Small Steps," written by Louis Sachar and published by Delacorte Press, is the winner in the teen category (age 13-18).

-- Theodor Seuss Geisel Beginning Reader Award for the most distinguished beginning reader book:
"Zelda and Ivy: The Runaways," written and illustrated by Laura McGee Kvasnosky is the Geisel Award winner. The book is published by Candlewick Press.
Three Geisel Honor Books were named:
"Mercy Watson Goes for a Ride," written by Kate DiCamillo, illustrated by Chris Van Dusen and published by Candlewick Press; "Move Over, Rover!" written by Karen Beaumont, illustrated by Jane Dyer and published by Harcourt Inc.; and "Not a Box," written and illustrated by Antoinette Portis and published by HarperCollins.

-- Margaret A. Edwards Award for lifetime achievement in writing for young adults:
Lois Lowry, author of "The Giver," is the 2007 Edwards Award winner. "The Giver" is published by Walter Lorraine Books/Houghton Mifflin Company.

-- Laura Ingalls Wilder Award for a substantial and lasting contribution to literature for children:
Author-illustrator James Marshall is the 2007 Wilder Award winner. Marshall was the author and illustrator of the "George and Martha" books, the "Fox" easy reader series, "The Cut-Ups" and "Goldilocks and the Three Bears."

-- Robert F. Sibert Informational Book Award for most distinguished informational book for children:
"Team Moon: How 400,000 People Landed Apollo 11 on the Moon," written by Catherine Thimmesh, is the 2007 Sibert Award winner. The book is published by Houghton.
Three Sibert Honor Books were named:
"Freedom Riders: John Lewis and Jim Zwerg on the Front Lines of the Civil Rights Movement," written by Ann Bausum and published by National Geographic; "Quest for the Tree Kangaroo: An Expedition to the Cloud Forest of New Guinea," written by Sy Montgomery, photographs by Nic Bishop and published by Houghton; and "To Dance: A Ballerina's Graphic Novel," written by Siena Cherson Siegel, artwork by Mark Siegel and published by Simon & Schuster/Richard Jackson (hardcover) and Simon & Schuster/Aladdin.

-- Andrew Carnegie Medal for excellence in children's video:
Author/illustrator Mo Willems and Weston Woods Studios, producers of "Knuffle Bunny," are the 2007 Carnegie Medal winners. The DVD is based on Willems' book "Knuffle Bunny: A Cautionary Tale" and is performed by Willems, his wife Cheryl and their daughter Trixie. It is directed and animated by MaGiK Studio, with music by Scotty Huff and Robert Reynolds.

-- Mildred L. Batchelder Award for the most outstanding children's book translated from a foreign language and subsequently published in the United States:
Delacorte Press is the winner of the 2007 Batchelder Award for "The Pull of the Ocean." Originally published in France in 1999 as "L'enfant Ocean," the book was written by Jean-Claude Mourlevat and translated by Y.Maudet.
Two Batchelder Honor Books also were selected:
"The Killer's Tears," published by Delacorte Press, and "The Last Dragon," published by Hyperion/Miramax.

-- Alex Awards for the 10 best adult books that appeal to teen audiences:
"The Book of Lost Things," written by John Connolly and published by Simon & Schuster/Atria
"The Whistling Season," written by Ivan Doig and published by Harcourt
"Eagle Blue: A Team, A Tribe, and A High School Basketball Season in Arctic Alaska," written by Michael D'Orso and published by Bloomsbury
"Water for Elephants," written by Sara Gruen and published by Algonquin
"Color of the Sea," written by John Hamamura and published by Thomas Dunne.
"The Floor of the Sky," written by Pamela Carter Joern and published by the University of Nebraska
"The Blind Side: Evolution of a Game" written by Michael Lewis and published by Norton
"Black Swan Green," written by David Mitchell and published by Random House
"The World Made Straight," written by Ron Rash and published by Henry Holt
"The Thirteenth Tale," written by Diane Setterfield and published by Simon & Schuster/Atria

-- May Hill Arbuthnot Honor Lecture recognizing an individual of distinction in the field of children's literature, who then presents a lecture at a winning host site:
David Macaulay will deliver the 2008 lecture. Macaulay's work varies from the Caldecott Medal-winning "Black and White" to the satiric fiction of "Motel of the Mysteries."

Recognized worldwide for the high quality they represent, ALA awards guide parents, educators, librarians and others in selecting the best materials for youth. Selected by judging committees of librarians and other children's literature experts, the awards encourage original and creative work. For more information on the ALA youth media awards and notables,
please visit the ALA Web site at http://www.ala.org/mw07winners.

SOURCE American Library Association

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Personalized Children's Books

2007-01-23T08:30:00.000-08:00

My Camping Adventure Personalized Book

Product Spotlight

Title: My Camping Adventure Personalized Book
Manfacturer: Create-A-Book (Hefty Publishing, Inc.)
Illustrator: Lyn Gray Rackley
Seller: Personalized Children's Books by MadLuck Books
Description: Discover the legend of the old mountain's treasure in this personalized camping adventure. (Ages 4-10)

Buy Here
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Here's the whole story with samples of the illustrations (Personalized information is in red here, but not in the ordered books):

Pages 1 & 2 - Illustration pages

Page 3

It was "Old Teddy Bear," the hermit, who told Dad the story of the mountain's treasure. Now Dad would pass the story along to Mike. "It's over that ridge," Dad told Mike. "We'll have to camp overnight."

Page 4

"We should check our supplies, Mike. We wouldn't want to forget anything," said Dad. Mike's friends, Austin, Steven, and Billy, were there to help load the van. Everyone was very curious about the treasure.

Pages 5 & 6 - Illustration pages

Page 7

There was so much camping gear that Mike, Austin, Steven, and Billy had to get behind Dad and push to make it all fit. Finally, the van was packed. Everyone squeezed in, and off they went. The adventure had begun!

Page 8

It was a long day of traveling, and the children were tired. The setting sun stirred the natural sounds of the forest. After everyone had made camp, Steven studied the map with Mike. "Look, Mike, we'll go this way."

Pages 9 & 10 - Illustration pages

Page 11

That night, Mike could hear an owl hooting in the distance. He found it very difficult to sleep. Everyone was so excited about the treasure! The snoring that was coming from Dad didn't help matters either.

Page 12

Finally, morning came. Everyone was up early and ready to go. "We want to be sure not to leave any trash behind, so let's clean up our campsite," ordered Dad.
"Here is some paper," said Billy, while ripping it up and stuffing it into the trash bag. Mike thought that the paper looked a lot like the map. No, it couldn't be.

Pages 13 & 14 - Illustration Pages

Page 15

"It's a rough trail, and we'll have to go by horseback," said Dad. "Mike, stay close to Austin, Steven and Billy."

"Don't worry, Dad. You can count on me," said Mike. Dad was glad to have Mike with them.

Page 16

Up the mountain, the trail became narrow and winding. Mike was amazed by the beautiful plant life surrounding them. Finally, everyone stopped for lunch.
"Who has the map?" asked Dad.
"Not me," said Mike.
"Not me," said Steven.
"Not me," said Billy.
"It's gone!" exclaimed Mike. "How will we ever find the treasure?"
"Hmmm... " said Dad. "Perhaps I can remember the way."

Pages 17 & 18 - Illustration pages

Page 19

Dad seemed confident about the way to the treasure. This made Mike feel better about the lost map. "Let's catch some fish for lunch!" Dad said. Mike, Austin, Steven and Billy cast their lines into the clear mountain stream. Mike immediately hooked a big fish. It was big enough for everyone to eat.

Page 20

While everyone helped to prepare lunch, Dad spoke to Mike, Austin, Steven and Billy. "When I was a young cub like you, I met Old Teddy Bear, the hermit, out here in these very woods. I'll tell you his story tonight after dinner." The food was served, and everyone ate until they could eat no more.

Pages 21 & 22 - Illustration pages

Page 23

"The old hermit told me of the mountain's great treasures many years ago. He said that only the wisest of all of the bears would discover the treasure's true value. Tomorrow, we will travel down the mountain stream."

Page 24

The next morning brought dew and beautiful singing birds. Mike smelled the fresh, clean air as they paddled away in their canoe. Mike reminded everyone to put on a life jacket.

Pages 25 & 26 - Illustration Pages

Page 27

Austin leaned over to get a life jacket and fell head first into the cold mountain stream. "Help!" Austin cried. Everyone was alarmed. Mike quickly grabbed a life jacket and threw it out to help Austin swim ashore.

Page 28

Mike helped Austin out of the stream and onto the grassy bank. Dad put an arm around Mike. "That was quick thinking, Mike," said Dad. "I'm very proud of you. Next time, we'll all remember to put on our life jackets before we get in the canoe."

Pages 29 & 30 - Illustration pages

Page 31

Later that day, Dad told everyone to gather around. "How much farther, Dad?" asked Mike.
"We are here," Dad remarked, to everyone's surprise.
"But where's the treasure?" asked Mike.
"Don't you see?" said Dad. "It's all around us, and it's been here all along. It's the natural sounds of the forest. It's in the green trees, the fresh air, and clean water. These things are the real treasures of the mountain."

Page 32

At first, Mike, Austin, Steven and Billy were puzzled. Then, Mike realized what Dad meant! He envisioned the old hermit telling Dad that only the wisest of all of the bears could find the real treasure of the mountain, and he was right!

Pages 33 & 34 - Illustration pages

Page 35

Mike would always remember this special camping adventure, and he would tell all of his friends in Warrenton about his discovery of the real treasures of the mountain.

Page 36

From that day forward, Mike always remembered to respect the beauty and wonder that nature has to offer, and so should everyone.

Dedication page

My Camping Adventure
was created especially for
Michael Jeremy Smith
at the age of 8

With love from
Mom and Dad
June 12, 2006

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One kind word...

2007-01-22T09:48:00.000-08:00

Quote of the week:

One kind word can warm three winter months.

- Japanese proverb

Personalized children's books home

Golden Kite Awards

2007-01-16T04:15:00.000-08:00

The Golden Kite Awards are given annually by the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI) to recognize the best books by its members in four categories:
Fiction, Nonfiction, Picture Book Text, and Picture Book Illustration.

The winners from 1986 through the present:
2006
To be announced early 2007

2005
Fiction
A ROOM ON LORELEI STREET by Mary E. Pearson
Nonfiction
CHILDREN OF THE GREAT DEPRESSION by Russell Freedman
Picture Book Text
DOÑA FLOR by Pat Mora (illus. Raul Colón)
Picture Book Illustration
BABY BEAR'S CHAIRS Illus. by Melissa Sweet (author Jane Yolen)

2004
Fiction
BUCKING THE SARGE by Christopher Paul Curtis
Nonfiction
DUST TO EAT: DROUGHT AND DEPRESSION IN THE 1930s by Michael L. Cooper
Picture Book Text
APPLES TO OREGON by Deborah Hopkinson (illus. Nancy Carpenter)
Picture Book Illustration
THE MYSTERIOUS COLLECTION OF DR. DAVID HARLEYSON by Illus. and writthen by Jean Cassels

2003
Fiction
MILKWEED by Jerry Spinelli
Nonfiction
LEONARDO: BEAUTIFUL DREAMER by Robert Byrd
Picture Book Text
THE DIRTY COWBOY by Amy Timberlake (illus. Adam Rex)
Picture Book Illustration
I DREAM OF TRAINS Illus. by Loren Long (author Angela Johnson)

2002
Fiction
FRESH GIRL by Jaïra Placide
Nonfiction
THIS LAND WAS MADE FOR YOU AND ME: THE LIFE AND SONGS OF WOODY GUTH RIE by Elizabeth Partridge
Picture Book Text
GEORGE HOGGLESBERRY, GRADE SCHOOL ALIEN by Sarah Wilson (illus. Chad Cameron)
Picture Book Illustration
MRS. BIDDLEBOX Illus. by Marla Frazee (author Linda Smith)

2001
Fiction
TRUE BELIEVER by Virginia Euwer Wolff
Nonfiction
BLACK POTATOES: THE STORY OF THE GREAT IRISH FAMINE by Susan Campbell Bartoletti
Picture Book Text
THE SHOE TREE OF CHAGRIN by J. Patrick Lewis (illus. Chris Sheban)
Picture Book Illustration
THE LAMP, THE ICE, AND THE BOAT CALLED FISH Illus. by Beth Krommes (author Jacqueline Briggs Martin)

2000
Fiction
THE BOXER by Kathleen Karr
Nonfiction
DARKNESS OVER DENMARK by Ellen Levine
Picture Book Text
RIVER FRIENDLY, RIVER WILD by Jane Kurtz (illus. Neil Brennan)
Picture Book Illustration
THE RAIN CAME DOWN by David Shannon

1999
Fiction
SPEAK by Laurie Halse Anderson
Nonfiction
SPACE STATION SCIENCE: LIFE IN FREE FALL by Marianne J. Dyson
Picture Book Text
A BAND OF ANGELS by Deborah Hopkinson
Picture Book Illustration
THE LITTLE RED HEN (MAKES A PIZZA) Illus. by Amy Walrod, (author Philemon Sturges)

1998
Fiction
RULES OF THE ROAD by Joan Bauer
Nonfiction
MARTHA GRAHAM: A DANCER'S LIFE by Russell Freedman
Picture Book Text
OLD ELM SPEAKS: TREE POEMS by Kristine O’Connell George
Picture Book Illustration
SNOW by Uri Shulevitz

1997
Fiction
STONES IN WATER by Donna Jo Napoli
Nonfiction
CARMINE'S STORY: A BOOK ABOUT A BOY LIVING WITH AIDS by Arlene Schulman
Picture Book Text
THE PAPER DRAGON by Marguerite W. Davol (illus. Robert Sabuda)
Picture Book Illustration
THE PAPER DRAGON by Robert Sabuda (author Marguerite W. Davol)

1996
Fiction
THE MOORCHILD by Eloise McGraw
Nonfiction
SMALL STEPS by Peg Kehret
Picture Book Text
SAVING SWEETNESS by Diane Stanley
Picture Book Illustration
MARKET DAY Illus. by Holly Berry (author Eve Bunting)

1995
Fiction
THE WATSONS GO TO BIRMINGHAM - 1963 by Christopher Paul Curtis
Nonfiction
ABIGAIL ADAMS by Natalie S. Bober
Picture Book Illustration
FAIRY WINGS by Dennis Nolan and Lauren Mills

1994
Fiction
CATHERINE, CALLED BIRDY by Karen Cushman
Nonfiction
KIDS AT WORK: LEWIS HINE AND THE CRUSADE AGAINST CHILD LABOR by Russell Freedman
Picture Book Illustration
BIG FAT HEN by Keith Baker

1993
Fiction
MAKE LEMONADE by Virginia Euwer Wolff
Nonfiction
ELEANOR ROOSEVELT by Russell Freedman
Picture Book Illustration
BY THE LIGHT OF THE HALLOWEEN MOON Illus. by Kevin Hawkes (author Caroline Stutson)

1992
Fiction
LETTERS FROM A SLAVE GIRL by Mary E. Lyons
Nonfiction
THE LONG ROAD TO GETTYSBURG by Jim Murphy
Picture Book Illustration
CHICKEN SUNDAY by Patricia Polacco

1991
Fiction
THE RAIN CATCHERS by Jean Thesman
Nonfiction
THE WRIGHT BROTHERS by Russell Freedman
Picture Book Illustration
MAMA, DO YOU LOVE ME? Illus. by Barbara Lavallee (author Barbara Joose)

1990
Fiction
THE TRUE CONFESSIONS OF CHARLOTTE DOYLE by Avi
Nonfiction
THE BOYS' WAR by Jim Murphy
Picture Book Illustration
HOME PLACE Illus. by Jerry Pinkney (author Crescent Dragon Wagon)

1989
Fiction
JENNY OF THE TETONS by Kristiana Gregory
Nonfiction
PANAMA CANAL: GATEWAY TO THE WORLD by Judith St. George
Picture Book Illustration
TOM THUMB by Richard Jesse Watson

1988
Fiction
BORROWED CHILDREN by George Ella Lyon
Nonfiction
LET THERE BE LIGHT by James Cross Giblin
Picture Book Illustration
FOREST OF DREAMS Illus. by Susan Jeffers (author Rosemary Wells)

1987
Fiction
RABBLE STARKEY by Lois Lowry
Nonfiction
INCREDIBLE JOURNEY OF LEWIS AND CLARK by Rhoda Blumberg
Picture Book Illustration
THE DEVIL & MOTHER CRUMP Illus. by Arnold Lobel (author Valerie Scho Carey)

1986
Fiction
AFTER THE DANCING DAYS by Margaret Rostkowski
Nonfiction
POVERTY IN AMERICA by Milton Meltzer
Picture Book Illustration
ALPHABATICS by Suse MacDonald

Personalized Children's Books

Martin Luther King Jr. Picture book biographies

2007-01-15T11:18:00.000-08:00

Went to the Library yesterday to research some picture book biographies of Martin Luther King Jr. Here are the best one's I found:

I've Seen the Promised Land The Life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. by Walter Dean Myers, illustrated by Leonard Jenkins. Walter Dean Myers (recipient of the Margearet A Edwards Award and five Coretta Scott King Awards) provides the powerful simple text for this biography. Leonard Jenkins expressive, colorful illustrations are very dramatic.

Martin Luther King by Rosemary L. Bray, illustrated by Malcah Zeldis. The text of this biography is suited for the older reader, and deals with King's life in more detail than the other books listed here. Zeldis's paintings complement nicely.

Happy Birthday Martin Luther King by Jean Marzollo, Illustrated by J Brian Pinkney. This gentle book is geared to the preschool/kindergarten audience.

My Dream of Martin Luther King by Faith Ringgold. Told in the form of a dream had by the narrator, this simple picture book makes for interesting reading. The illustrations add to the dream like qualities of the text.

Personalized Children's Books

Bywords of the modern world

2007-01-15T06:51:00.000-08:00

Quote of the week:

Success, recognition, and conformity are the bywords of the modern world where everyone seems to crave the anesthetizing security of being identified with the majority.

Martin Luther King, Jr., Strength to Love, 1963.

A huge restless Universe

2007-01-08T12:47:00.000-08:00

Quote of the week:

My story lives inside of you and the story continues with you. Every day, you add more to the story. You are me being you, and through you I see myself...a huge restless Universe who loves to morph.

- Jennifer Morgan, Mammals who Morph

You eat words?

2007-01-02T04:42:00.000-08:00

Quote of the week:

The bookworm contracted and expanded like a jack-in-the-box. "You eat words?"
Fip squirmed. "You don't?"
The bookworm whispered. "To tell the truth, I've thought of it. Words are so wonderful to read, so nourishing to the mind. But really! It's just a fantasy. One doesn't eat words! One reads them."

- Mary Amato, The Word Eater

Personalized Children's books home

Books that could take you anywhere

2006-12-29T05:31:00.000-08:00

Quote of the week:

And, in the very room in which he sat, there were books that could take you anywhere, and things to invent, and make, and build, and break, and all the puzzle and excitement of everything he didn't know--music to play, songs to sing, and worlds to imagine and then someday make real. His thoughts darted eagerly about as everything looked new-- and worth trying.

- Norton Juster, The Phantom Tollbooth

A merry Christmas to everybody!

2006-12-18T04:11:00.000-08:00

Quote of the week:

"I don't know what to do!" cried Scrooge, laughing and crying in the same breath; and making a perfect Laocoon of himself with his stockings. "I am as light as a feather, I am as happy as an angel, I am as merry as a school-boy. I am as giddy as a drunken man. A merry Christmas to everybody! A happy New Year to all the world! Hallo here! Whoop! Hallo!"
- Charles Dickens, A Christmas Carol

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Father Christmas

2006-12-12T06:32:00.000-08:00

Quote of the week:

"Where are we going?" asked Suzy as they came to the Rue de Rivoli. "To get Father Christmas to help us?"

Armand looked back. "You don't need Father Christmas to help you," he said. "You've got me. Besides, he's too busy. It's only four days until Christmas."

- Natalie Savage Carlson, The Family Under the Bridge

The Tiger Rising Book Review

2006-12-05T11:02:00.000-08:00

Title: The Tiger Rising
Author: Kate DiCamillo
Awards: National Book Award Finalist, Book Sense 76 Selection, Junior Library Guild Selection

I have read a couple of Kate DiCamillo's books and two things always strike me about them - the wonderful writing and the interesting characters who tend to be either outsiders or in some way refuse to conform to the norm. The Tiger Rising is no exception here.

The main character is Rob Horton, who bottles up all his feelings- his sadness and anger he feels at the recent death of his mother, the bullying he has to go through on the bus and in school. He bottles them up and stuffs them inside the over full suitcase he imagines himself to be, and locks the suitcase shut. When he finds a tiger in a cage in the woods behind the Florida motel where he and his father live (his father works at the motel, The Kentucky Star), he imagines the tiger sitting on the suitcase keeping it locked. He can think about the tiger instead of his mother or the bullying he must endure.

Sistine Bailey, who Rob meets on the same day that he finds the tiger in the woods handles her problems in the exact opposite way - with fists flying and feelings out there for everyone to see. Then there's Willie May, the hotel maid, who plays the role of wise woman in the story. And there's Mr. Beauchamp the hotel owner, and owner of the tiger in the woods which he hopes to profit from some how.

All of these characters come together in this wonderful tale of learning to accept and move on past sorrow and loss. And there is another element here common to Kate DiCamillo's books - the element of magic in the ordinary.

My only complaint about the book was that it ended too soon, and I felt there could have been a little more development in some of the supporting characters and scenes.

Highly recommended.

Mind of the five-year-old

2006-12-04T07:00:00.000-08:00

Quote of the week:

I see the mind of the five-year-old as a volcano with two vents: destructiveness and creativeness.

-Sylvia Ashton-Warner

2006-11-28T06:53:00.000-08:00

The Magic Dreidel Personalized Book

Product Spotlight

Title: The Magic Dreidel Personalized Book
Manufacturer: Create-A-Book (Hefty Publishing, Inc.)
Author: Dan Sussman
Illustrator: James W. Dixon
Created by: Nancie E. Sgambati
Seller: Personalized Books by MadLuck Books
Description: Mac, the magic dreidel, re-creates the miracle of Hanukkah and teaches your child the meaning of this Holiday.

Here's the whole story with samples of the illustrations (Personalized information is in red here, but not in the ordered books):

Pages 1 & 2 - Illustration Pages

Page 3
The Magic Dreidel
was created especially for
Michael Jeremy Smith
at the age of 8
with love from
Mom and Dad
December 16, 2006

Page 4

Throughout Warrenton, children gazed out of their windows on the crisp winter day and watched the sun set. They anxiously awaited the disappearance of the last little bit of light, for that would mark the start of a very special holiday -- the eight-day festival of Hanukkah. Michael Jeremy Smith was so excited. Larry, Wayne and Bob would be there to help light the menorah and open the Hanukkah gifts.

Pages 5&6 - Illustration Pages

Page 7

Since the guests had not arrived yet, Mike practiced with the dreidel, a four-sided top used in a special Hanukkah game. Round and round the dreidel spun, and each time it landed with a different one of its Hebrew letters -- nun, gimel, hay, and shin -- showing.

Page 8

"Ouch!" shouted the dreidel. "I landed hard that time. Mike, do you think we could take a little break? I'm getting kind of dizzy, and I don't want to be pooped out when everyone gets here."

Pages 9 & 10 - Illustration Pages

Page 11

Mike could hardly believe his ears! "Wait a minute! Whoever heard of a talking dreidel?" asked Mike. "Well, most dreidels can't talk, but I'm very special," the top said, with a little chuckle. "I'm Mac, the magic dreidel, and I'm not just a toy. I'm here for a very special reason. Let me ask you a question. What do you like best about Hanukkah?" Mike had to think for only a second.

Page 12

"Well, Mac, I like lighting the candles on the menorah each night and eating all of that good Hanukkah food. However, I think that I like the gifts the very best," answered Mike. "Those are a very important part of the holiday," said Mac, "but that's not enough, Mike. I've come here to teach you the meaning of Hanukkah."

Back to top

Pages 13 & 14 - Illustration Pages

Page 15

With that, the dreidel suddenly jumped up and began to spin faster and faster. As he whirled, twirled, and laughed merrily, the room was bathed in a soft, blue light. Mike was fascinated, for suddenly, pictures like a movie or television show appeared and hung in mid-air.

Page 16

"Whew! Quite a workout," said Mac, who had stopped spinning. "Now, Mike Smith, we're going to talk about how Hanukkah began and why we celebrate it today. Then, I want you to share the story later with Larry, Wayne and Bob." Mike gazed intently at the scene before him as Mac began his tale.

Pages 17 & 18 - Illustration Pages

Page 19

"Mike, two thousand years ago, in the land we know as Israel, wicked King Antiochus ruled. He did not like the way that the Jewish people worshipped only one God, for he worshipped many. The Jews were proud and refused to bend to the king's will. So the king robbed and damaged the beautiful temple in Jerusalem and killed many of the Jews."

Page 20

"One day, Mike, the king's men insisted that an old man named Mattathias worship a statue of a Greek god. Mattathias became angry and refused. Then he, his five sons, and their followers ran into the hills and formed an army. Mattathias's family became known as the Maccabees, a word which means 'hammer.' When Mattathias died, his son, Judah Maccabee became the leader of the band of the Jews."

Pages 21 & 22 - Illustration Pages

Page 23

Mike listened and watched as the scene before his eyes shifted to the hills of Judea. "They were a small band, but the Maccabees and their followers believed strongly in their cause and knew the hills of Judea well. Because of this, they were able to defeat the armies of the wicked king. Antiochus was driven out of Judea, and Judah Maccabee led his followers out of the hills."

Page 24

"But all was not well. The Jews had to repair the temple in Jerusalem. Alas, Mike, there was only enough oil to keep the sacred eternal light burning for one day. Then, the miracle of Hanukkah occurred. That little bit of oil kept the light burning not for one day, but for eight."

Back to top

Pages 25 & 26 - Illustration Pages

Page 27

"Mike, this is the reason that we celebrate Hanukkah for eight days. We light a candle each night to celebrate the miracle of Hanukkah. It's a story that you should think about when you, along with Larry, Wayne and Bob, are eating potato latkes tonight, opening gifts, and spinning me in circles."

Page 28

The pictures that had danced before Mike slowly began to fade. Soon, all in the living room was just as it had been before. Mike looked down at the floor, and there lay Mac. Only now, he wasn't talking. In fact, he looked just like an ordinary dreidel. "Wow!" thought Mike. "Did that really happen? Was it just a dream? Was this really a magic dreidel?"

Pages 29 & 30 - Illustration Pages

Page 31

Of course it was! For Mac had given Mike the best holiday gift of all: a lesson about the true meaning of Hanukkah. Mike Smith would always remember this. He would be sure to share the story with Larry, Wayne and Bob.

Page 32

Mike, here are some Hanukkah words you should remember. The Maccabees (MAH-cuh-bees)were the brave band of Jews who fought the wicked king's armies from the hills of Judea. Their first leader was Mattathias, and later they were led by his son, Judah Maccabee. Antiochus (an-tee-AH-kus)was the wicked king who robbed and pillaged the temple and made life miserable for the Jews. The menorah (meh-NOHR-uh)is the eight-stemmed candelabra that holds the Hanukkah candles. We light a candle each night to commemorate the miracle of Hanukkah. The dreidel (DRAY-duhl)is the four-sided top used in traditional Hanukkah games.

Pages 33 & 34 - Illustration Pages

Page 35

Mike, you can have fun playing the dreidel game at Hanukkah. You need a dreidel and some raisins equally divided among the players. Each person takes five raisins from his or her pile and puts them into the main pile in the center. Then, each person takes a turn spinning the dreidel. When it stops spinning and the letter "nun" is facing up, the player does nothing. "Hay" means that the player gets half of the main pile. "Shin" means that you must put half of your raisins into the main pile. For "gimel," a player takes all of the raisins in the main pile. The Hebrew letters on the dreidel stand for "Nes gadol hayah sham," which means "A great miracle happened there" -- a fitting message for Hanukkah.

Page 36

Mike Smith
In THE MAGIC DREIDEL, did you learn these new vocabulary words?

_______________ayh
_______________nhis
_______________legim
_______________unn
_______________eriddle
_______________akahnukh
_______________hamenor

Order Magic Dreidel Personalized Book
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Old Turtle Smiled

2006-11-27T06:14:00.000-08:00

Quote of the week:

And after a long, lonesome and scary time...
...the people listened, and began to hear...
And to see God in one another...
...and in the beauty of all the Earth.
And Old Turtle smiled.

- Douglas Wood, Old Turtle

Old Turtle Book Review

2006-11-21T06:33:00.000-08:00

Book Review

Title: Old Turtle
Author: Douglas Wood
Illustrator: Cheng-Khee Chee

Old Turtle won the ABBY Book of the Year Children's Book Award in 1993. This beautiful picture book is written in the style of an American Indian Creation Myth. The story begins in the long ago when all the animals, rocks, wind, stars, rivers, oceans, mountains, etc. in the world could speak and understand one another. The beings of the world begin to argue about God, each describing God as a reflection of themselves. When the argument has gone on for a long time, and grown louder and louder and louder, Old Turtle finally speaks. Old Turtle, tells the beings that they are all correct, because God is all these things they describe - God is deep, she tells the fishes in the sea, and much higher than high she tells the mountain, swift and free as the wind, in a word, God Is.

Then people come to the world; people, who in turtle's words are a "message of love from God to the earth." But when people forget this and begin to fight and kill each other and do things to that hurt the earth, it becomes up to the all the beings of the earth to remind people of the lesson that they had learned long ago from Old Turtle. The book ends on a note of hope with the people listening to the Earth, and beginning to "see God in one another and in the beauty of all the Earth."

Cheng-Khee Chee's beautiful watercolors perfectly complement the text. Highly Recommended.

"Sadness," said Willie May

2006-11-20T06:42:00.000-08:00

Quote of the week:

"Sadness," said Willie May, closing her eyes and nodding her head. "You keeping all that sadness down low, in your legs. You not letting it get up to your heart, where it belongs. You got to let that sadness rise on up."

- Kate DiCamillo, The Tiger Rising

Again I says, HONGRY!

2006-11-14T05:54:00.000-08:00

Quote of the week:

"Again I says, HONGRY! And I don't mean lunchtime snacktime littletime hongry, I mean grumpy grouchy bedtime bigtime hongry. I live big, I sleep big. And when I hit the hay tonight I got six months before breakfast so I need a supper the size of my sleep. I need a big bellyfull of fuel and lay-by of fat to fire my full-time furnace and stoke my six-months snore a-rooAAHRRRR!"

- Ken Kesey, Little Tricker The Squirrel Meets Big Double The Bear

2006-11-07T07:55:00.000-08:00

American Booksellers Book of the Year (ABBY) Award 1991-1999

The American Booksellers Book of the Year (ABBY) Award was established in 1991. Books were chosen by American Booksellers Association bookstore members, based on the books they "most enjoyed recommending to their customers during the previous year." The children's award was added in 1993.

In 2000, the American Booksellers Association renamed the ABBY the Book Sense Book of the Year Award.

Children's ABBY Award winners:

1999 Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone, J.K. Rowling, illus. by Mary Grandpré

1998 The Hat, Jan Brett

1997 Lilly's Purple Plastic Purse, Kevin Henkes

1996 Guess How Much I Love You, Sam McBratney, illus. by Anita Jeram

1995 The Rainbow Fish, Marcus Pfister

1994 Stellaluna, Janell Cannon

1993 Old Turtle, Douglas Wood, illus. by Cheng-Khee Chee

1992 Brother Eagle, Sister Sky: A Message from Chief Seattle, Susan Jeffers, illus.

1991 The Education of Little Tree, Forrest Carter

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Reader, you must know...

2006-11-06T09:26:00.000-08:00

Quote of the week:

Reader, you must know that an iteresting fate (sometimes involving rats, sometimes not) awaits almost everyone, mouse or man, who does not conform.

- Kate diCamillo, The Tale of Despereaux

2006-11-03T07:55:00.000-08:00

Personalized Books Product Spotlights

Here is an alphabetical list of all the Personalized Book Product Spotlights available on this site. Note that all book are available for purchase from Personalized Books by MadLuck Books:

The Magic Dreidel Personalized Book
Mother Goose Personalized Book
Mother's Day Personalized Book
Mother's Day Persoanlized Book - from Adult child
My Birthday Surprise Personalized Book
My Camping Adventure Personalized Book
My Christmas Wish Personalized Book
My Dinosaur Adventure Personalized Book
My Farm Adventure Personalized Book
My Tea Party Personalized Book
Santa's Story Personalized Book
Sibling Book Personalized Book
Silver Swan Personalized Book
Soccer Star Personalized Book
The Story of Christmas Personalized Book

2006-11-03T06:21:00.000-08:00

The Story of Christmas Personalized Book

Product Spotlight

Title: The Story of Christmas Personalized Book
Manufacturer: Create-A-Book
Author: Larry Hart, Ph.D.
Illustrator: Betsy Walker
Seller: Personalized Books by MadLuck Books
Description: Your child learns about the birth of Baby Jesus in this first Christmas Story.

Here's the whole story with samples of the illustrations (Personalized information is in red here, but not in the ordered books):

Pages 1 & 2 - Illustration pages

Page 3
The Story of Christmas

was created especially for

Jessica Ann Smith
at the age of 6

With love from
Mommy and Daddy
December 25, 2006

Page 4

Christmas is a wonderful time of year, isn't it, Jessica? It is a time of giving! Will you be giving gifts to Amy this Christmas? Maybe you will even leave Warrenton this Christmas to visit family or friends in another town!
Jessica, do you know why we give gifts at Christmas? It is because God gave us His very best gift. The Bible says that God loved us so much that He gave His only Son, Jesus. When we put our trust in Jesus as our Savior, the Bible says God gives us the gift of eternal life. That is the best Christmas gift of all!

Pages 5 & 6 - Illustration pages

Page 7

Jessica, the story of Christmas is really the story of the birth of Jesus, and what a wonderful story it is!
We see angels, shepherds, and wise men! We see Mary and Joseph, and most important of all, Baby Jesus in the manger! This is what we should think about, Jessica, when we hear the word Christmas.
It all began when one of God's mighty angels, named Gabriel, visited a young woman in a town called Nazareth. The young woman's name was Mary.

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Page 8

God sent His angel Gabriel to Mary with a very important message, Jessica. Gabriel told Mary that she was going to have a baby! Confused by this message, Mary asked how this could happen since she wasn't married yet. Gabriel said:
"The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be holy; he will be called Son of God (Luke 1:35)."
Mary was amazed, but said, "Here am I, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your word" (Luke 1:38). Then the angel left.

Pages 9 & 10 - Illustration pages

Page 11

Jessica, how would you feel if you had a visit from Gabriel as Mary did? What if God sent an angel to Warrenton to give you a message?
God wasn't through using His angels though. Now Joseph, the man Mary was going to marry, had to be told. Joseph had found out that Mary was going to have a baby. He planned to break their engagement secretly.
Just when he had decided to do this, an angel appeared to him in a dream. The angel had an important message for Joseph!

Page 12

Jessica, the angel of the Lord told Joseph:
"Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife, for the child conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will bear a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for He will save his people from their sins" (Matthew 1:20b,21).
Mary's baby was to be named Jesus, which means "the Lord saves." God sent Jesus to save us! Jessica, God sent Jesus to save you!

Pages 13 & 14 - Illustration pages

Page 15

Joseph and Mary are good examples for us, Jessica! They obeyed what God told them to do. They also obeyed the laws of the land.
The Emperor Augustus ordered everyone to register his or her name in the towns where he or she was born. That law meant that Joseph had to go to Bethlehem. Joseph and Mary went on this long trip together.

Page 16

Can you see them, Jessica? There is Mary riding on a donkey! She must have been so uncomfortable, since she was pregnant with Baby Jesus.
There is Joseph walking beside her. He must have felt sorry for Mary. However, they both knew, though, that God was pleased with their obedience.
Jessica, they traveled mile after mile. The roads were dusty. Their bodies ached, but they traveled on to Bethlehem.

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Pages 17 & 18 - Illustration pages

Page 19

The Bible says that all of this took place so that God's Word could be fulfilled. Hundreds of years before, Isaiah, the prophet said:
"Look, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall name him Emmanuel" (Matthew 1:23).
Jessica, do you know what the name Emmanuel means?
It means "God with us." Jesus is God with you, Jessica! He is God with Amy too! Jesus was God's way of showing Himself to us all!

Page 20

When they arrived, there was no place for them to stay, so they stayed in a stable where animals were kept! What a place for the Son of God to be born, Jessica!
Mary gave birth to Baby Jesus. She wrapped Him in cloths and laid Him in a manger. Jessica, a manger was a feed trough for the animals.
Think of how that stable looked and smelled! There is Baby Jesus lying in the straw and surrounded by animals, and there are Mary and Joseph.

Pages 21 & 22 - Illustration pages

Page 23

Now we know what Christmas is really all about, don't we Jessica! Christmas is about God sending His Son, Jesus, to be the Savior of the world.
Christmas is about God's coming to be with us. Because Jesus came, Jessica, we can really know what God is like. All that we have to do is look at Jesus!
Jesus, the Son of God, became a human being so that we could really know God. He came to show us God's love. He came to die on the cross for our sins.

Page 24

God must love us a lot, Jessica. Jesus wasn't born in a nice, clean place. He had animals all around Him instead of doctors and nurses.
Nobody else knew what was happening. The Son of God was coming into the world, Jessica! Only Mary, Joseph, and the animals were there when Jesus was born.
Soon, many others would know. God would send more angels to announce the birth of Jesus.

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Pages 25 & 26 - Illustration pages

Page 27

On the night that Jesus was born, some shepherds were watching their flock of sheep in the fields. Suddenly, Jessica, an angel of the Lord stood before them. The glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were really afraid.
But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid; for see - I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord" (Luke 2:10, 11).
The angel also gave them a sign, Jessica.

Page 28

The angel told the shepherds that they would find Baby Jesus wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger. That was the sign.
Then suddenly, Jessica, there were angels everywhere praising God. The shepherds were amazed! After the angels left, the shepherds went quickly to Bethlehem.
There were Mary and Joseph, and there was Baby Jesus wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger!

Pages 29 & 30 - Illustration pages

Page 31

The shepherds told everyone the good news. It is good to share our happiness with others, isn't it, Jessica? You could share this same happy story with Amy! Amy may already know it!
Christmas can be the happiest time of the year as we praise God and tell others about Jesus. That's what the shepherds did, Jessica.
Later on, some mysterious visitors from far away came to see Jesus. They said they had seen Jesus' star!

Page 32

These visitors, Jessica, were wise men from the East. They followed the star until it stopped above the place where Jesus was. They were filled with joy!
The Wise men went inside the house and saw Baby Jesus with his mother, Mary. They bowed down and worshipped Jesus.
Jessica, that's the most important thing for us to do at Christmas, isn't it? We ought to praise and worship God, as the angels, shepherds, and wise men did.

Pages 33 & 34 - Illustration pages

Page 35

The wise men did something else, Jessica. They opened their treasure chests. Then they gave costly gifts to Jesus.
They offered Him gold, frankincense, and myrrh. The wise men gave Jesus their very best. That's another reason, Jessica, that we give gifts at Christmas time.
The very best gift you could give Jesus this Christmas, Jessica, is your whole life. After all, He gave His whole life to you!

Page 36
That's the real meaning of Christmas,

Jessica Smith.

Thank you, Jesus,

Son of God and Savior,

for coming to earth!

Merry Christmas, Jessica!

The BFG looked...

2006-10-30T07:00:00.000-08:00

Quote of the week:

The BFG looked at Sophie and smiled, showing about twenty of his square white teeth. 'Yesterday,' he said, 'we was not believing in giants, was we? Today we is not believing in snozzcumbers. Just because we happen not to have actually seen something with our own two little winkles, we think it is not existing.'

- Roald Dahl, The BFG

Clockwork or All Wound Up Book Review

2006-10-25T07:26:00.000-07:00

Book Review

Title: Clockwork -or All Wound Up
Author: Phillip Pullman

I just recently discovered Phillip Pullman while doing research on the Whitbread Children's Book Awards. His fantasy novel (for children? young adults? adults?) The Amber Spyglass won the award for both Best Children's Literature and the over all Book of the Year Award in 2001. That novel is the third in the His Dark Materials trilogy.

Clockwork is a much shorter, perhaps less ambitious work, but in many ways just as complex. The story takes place in a German town, "in the old days..." when "...time used to run by clockwork." It is the evening before the unveiling of the next great mechanical figure for the town's famous clock. Everyone in town gathers at the local inn, including the Clock Maker's apprentice, whose clockwork figure will be his "graduation" present to the town, and the local story teller.

Karl, the apprentice clockmaker confesses to Fritz the story teller, that he has failed to complete his clockwork figure, that he indeed has nothing at all to offer for the unveiling the following day. He is despondent and speaks of killing himself before the sun comes up.

So the book begins, or one part of the book, as there are layers here: stories within stories, like the complex workings of a mechanical clock. Fritz the story teller is a the inn that night to read his next great novel aloud, a story which we learn he has not finished but hopes be able to come up with an ending as he goes along.

Fritz is known for his horror tales, and the already scary story he begins takes a particularly chilling turn when a sinister character from his tale shows up at at the Inn. And so the book ticks along - there is a Faustian offer to Karl, and acceptance that leads to the inevitable doom of the apprentice clockmaker. And of course there is hope and redemption for the town through the good hearts of the children in the book.

Along with a somewhat fairytale quality to it, Clockwork has elements of suspense and horror. This was the most "creaped out" I have been with a children's book since first reading Coraline by Neil Gaimon.

Highly recommend this book for children ages 11 to adult (if they are not too easily scared...)

building enough bookshelves

2006-10-23T06:19:00.000-07:00

Quote of week:

I would be the most content if my children grew up to be the kind of people who think decorating consists mostly of building enough bookshelves.

-Anna Quindlen

Personalized Books home

Some stories are like that

2006-10-16T05:42:00.000-07:00

Quote of the week:

Some stories are like that. Once you've wound them up, nothing will stop them; they move on forward till they reach their destined end, and no matter how much the characters would like to change their fate, they can't.

- Philip Pullman Clockwork : Or All Wound Up

Personalized Books home

2006-10-09T12:36:00.000-07:00

Book Sense Book of the Year Award 2000-present

The Book Sense Book of the Year Award, formerly known as the American Booksellers Book of the Year (ABBY) Award, was first awarded in 2000.

From the American Booksellers Association:
"Book Sense independent booksellers from across the country nominate the books that they most enjoyed handselling to their customers throughout the year for inclusion in the monthly Book Sense Picks. The books on each list represent a combined national and local staff pick selection of booksellers' favorites from more than 1,200 independent bookstores with Book Sense."

2006
Children's Illustrated Winner:
Zen Shorts by Jon J Muth (Scholastic Press)
Children's Literature Winner:
Inkspell by Cornelia Funke (Chicken House/Scholastic)

2005
Children's Illustrated Winner:
Duck for President by Doreen Cronin, illustrated by Betsy Lewin (Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers)
Children's Literature Winner:
Chasing Vermeer by Blue Balliett, illustrated by Brett Helquist (Scholastic Press)

2004
Children's Illustrated Winner:
How I Became a Pirate by Melinda Long; illus. by David Shannon (Harcourt)
Children's Literature Winner:
Eragon: The Inheritance, Book I by Christopher Paolini (Knopf)

2003
Children's Illustrated Winner:
Dear Mrs. LaRue, by Mark Teague, Scholastic
Children's Literature Winner:
The Thief Lord, by Cornelia Funke, Chicken House/Scholastic

2002
Children's Illustrated Winner:
Olivia Saves the Circus, Ian Falconer (Atheneum)
Children's Literature Winner:
The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants, Ann Brashares (Delacorte)

2001
Children's Illustrated Winner:
Olivia, Ian Falconer (Atheneum/Simon & Schuster)
Children's Literature Winner:
Because of Winn-Dixie, Kate DiCamillo (Candlewick)

2000
Children's Winner:
The Quiltmaker's Gift, Jeff Brumbeau, illus. by Gail de Marcken (Pfeiffer-Hamilton)
(Only one award was rewarded in 2000 for children's books.)

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Back to personalized books home

Books to the ceiling

2006-10-09T12:26:00.000-07:00

Quote of the week:

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

Back to personalized books home.

A poem is lasting...

2006-10-03T07:50:00.000-07:00

Quote of the week:

It is absurd to think that the only way to tell if a poem is lasting is to wait and see if it lasts. The right reader of a good poem can tell the moment it strikes him that he has taken an immortal wound - that he will never get over it.

- Robert Frost

Personalized Books Home

2006-09-28T08:00:00.000-07:00

Santa's Story Personalized Book

Product Spotlight

Title: Santa's Story Personalized Book
Manufacturer: Create-A-Book
Author: John Hefty
Illustrator: Lyn Gray Rackley
Seller: Personalized Books by Madluck Books
Description: Santa's Story helps explain the true meaning of Christmas. We rejoice in the birth of Baby Jesus while celebrating the spirit of giving. From the Santa in all of us.

Here's the whole story with samples of the illustrations throughout this beautiful book:

Pages 1&2 - Illustration pages

Page 3

Santa's Story
was created especially for
Jessica Ann Smith
at the age of 6
With love from
Mommy and Daddy
Christmas 2006

Page 4

'Twas the night before Christmas
and all through the house,
not a creature was stirring,
not even a mouse.

Pages 5&6 - Illustration Pages

Page 7

Jessica in her nightshirt
settled into bed, while visions of
dolls danced in her head.

Page 8

You've heard this before,
this story's not new.
I've added a twist,
your name's in here too.

Pages 9&10 - Illustration Pages

Page 11

I'm jolly and round
and I wear a red suit,
I visit each home with a
sled filled with loot.

Page 12
And what is this loot
that I bring in my sled?
Simply toys, like dolls,
and balls that are red.

There are clothes and shoes
and candy canes pink,
and then there's some coal
for the bad kids, I think.

Pages 13&14 - Illustration Pages

Page 15
Some say that I'm Santa,
some say I'm a fad,
some folks even say
I look just like your dad.

Page 16
But one thing's for certain
on this special night,
the world stops its churning
and pushing its might.

Pages 17&18 - Illustration Pages

Page 19
The smokestacks are turned off,
the workers go home,
machines become silent
from Warrenton to Rome.

Page 20
Up in the sky,
late at night there's a glow,
where a special star twinkled
many years ago.

Pages 21&22 - Illustration Pages

Page 23
Peace and goodwill
fill our hearts from the light.
Mary gave birth
to Baby Jesus that night.

Page 24
Wise men brought gifts,
they came from afar,
they found their way there,
they followed the star.

The rest of the story is told in a book
called the Bible, it's great,
one day take a look.

Pages 25&26 - Illustration Pages

Page 27
Now onward and upward
I'll sail through the night.
I'm still the tradition
of what's good and what's right.

Page 28
And because you'll get presents,
I know Christmas Day
will not be forgotten
as you laugh and you play.
But remember the reason
for peace and great joy,
it comes from our Christ,
and not just from a toy.

Pages 29&30 - Illustration Pages

Page 31
So, Jessica, hang your stockings
by the chimney with care,
don't worry about me,
I'll still be there.

Page 32
I'll munch on the snacks,
drink the milk that you leave,
I do it each year
the same time, Christmas Eve.

Pages 33&34 - Illustration Pages

Page 35
My reindeer are ready,
the time is just right.
Go to sleep now, Jessica,
Merry Christmas,
Good Night!

Hold a book...

2006-09-25T03:02:00.000-07:00

Quote of the week:

Hold a book in your hand and you're a pilgrim at the gates of a new city.
- Anne Michaels

2006-09-19T07:54:00.000-07:00

The Horn Book Award Winners 1986 - present

The Boston Globe–Horn Book Awards were first presented in 1967, to honor the best in children's and young adult literature. Winners are selected in the following categories: Picture Book, Fiction and Poetry, Nonfiction and occasionally, a book will receive a special citation for its high quality and overall creative excellence. The winning titles must be published in the United States but they may be written or illustrated by citizens of any country. The awards are chosen by an independent panel of three judges who are annually appointed by the Editor of the Horn Book.

The winners (images are from the picture book winner for each year):

2006
Picture Book:
Leaf Man by Lois Ehlert (Harcourt)
Fiction and Poetry:
The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane by Kate DiCamillo, illustrated by Bagram Ibatoulline (Candlewick)
Nonfiction:
If You Decide to Go to the Moon by Faith McNulty, illustrated by Steven Kellogg (Scholastic)

2005
Picture Book:
Traction Man Is Here! by Mini Grey (Knopf)
Fiction and Poetry:
The Schwa Was Here by Neal Schusterman (Dutton)
Nonfiction:
The Race to Save the Lord God Bird by Phillip Hoose (Kroupa/Farrar)

2004
Picture Book:
The Man Who Walked between the Towers by Mordicai Gerstein (Roaring Brook)
Fiction and Poetry:
The Fire-Eaters by David Almond (Delacorte)
Nonfiction:
An American Plague: The True and Terrifying Story of the Yellow Fever Epidemic of 1793 by Jim Murphy (Clarion)

2003
Picture Book:
Big Momma Makes the World written by Phyllis Root, illustrated by Helen Oxenbury (Candlewick)
Fiction and Poetry:
The Jamie and Angus Stories written by Anne Fine, illustrated by Penny Dale (Candlewick)
Nonfiction:
Fireboat: The Heroic Adventures of the John J. Harvey by Maira Kalman (Putnam)

2002
Picture Book:
“Let’s Get a Pup!” Said Kate by Bob Graham (Candlewick)
Fiction and Poetry:
Lord of the Deep by Graham Salisbury (Delacorte)
Nonfiction:
This Land was Made for You and Me: The Life and Songs of Woody Guthrie by Elizabeth Partridge (Viking)

2001
Picture Book:
Cold Feet written by Cynthia DeFelice, illustrated by Robert Andrew Parker (DK Ink)
Fiction and Poetry:
Carver: A Life in Poems by Marilyn Nelson (Front Street)
Nonfiction:
The Longitude Prize written by Joan Dash, illustrated by Dusan Petricic (Foster/Farrar)

2000
Picture Book:
Henry Hikes to Fitchburg by D. B. Johnson (Houghton)
Fiction:
The Folk Keeper by Franny Billingsley (Atheneum)
Nonfiction:
Sir Walter Ralegh and the Quest for El Dorado by Marc Aronson (Clarion)

1999
Picture Book:
Red-Eyed Tree Frog written by Joy Cowley, illustrated with photographs by Nic Bishop (Scholastic)
Fiction:
Holes by Louis Sachar (Foster/Farrar)
Nonfiction:
The Top of the World: Climbing Mount Everest by Steve Jenkins (Houghton)
Special Citation:
Tibet: Through the Red Box by Peter Sis (Foster/Farrar)

1998
Picture Book:
And If the Moon Could Talk written by Kate Banks, illustrated by Georg Hallensleben (Foster/Farrar)
Fiction:
The Circuit: Stories from the Life of a Migrant Child by Francisco Jiménez (University of New Mexico Press)
Nonfiction:
Leon’s Story written by Leon Walter Tillage, illustrated with collage art by Susan L. Roth (Farrar)

1997
Picture Book:
The Adventures of Sparrowboy by Brian Pinkney (Simon)
Fiction:
The Friends written by Kazumi Yumoto, translated by Cathy Hirano (Farrar)
Nonfiction:
A Drop of Water: A Book of Science and Wonder written and illustrated with photographs by Walter Wick (Scholastic)

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1996
Picture Book:
In the Rain with Baby Duck written by Amy Hest, illustrated by Jill Barton (Candlewick)
Fiction:
Poppy written by Avi, illustrated by Brian Floca (Jackson/Orchard)
Nonfiction:
Orphan Train Rider: One Boy’s True Story by Andrea Warren (Houghton)

1995
Picture Book:
John Henry retold by Julius Lester, illustrated by Jerry Pinkney (Dial)
Fiction:
Some of the Kinder Planets by Tim Wynne-Jones (Kroupa/Orchard)
Nonfiction:
Abigail Adams: Witness to a Revolution by Natalie S. Bober (Atheneum)

1994
Picture Book:
Grandfather's Journey by Allen Say (Houghton)
Fiction:
Scooter by Vera Williams (Greenwillow)
Nonfiction:
Eleanor Roosevelt: A Life of Discovery by Russell Freedman (Clarion)

1993
Picture Book:
The Fortune Tellers written by Lloyd Alexander, illustrated by Trina Schart Hyman (Dutton)
Fiction:
Ajeemah and His Son by James Berry (Harper)
Nonfiction:
Sojourner Truth: Ain't I a Woman? by Patricia C. and Fredrick McKissack (Scholastic)

1992
Picture Book:
Seven Blind Mice by Ed Young (Philomel)
Fiction:
Missing May by Cynthia Rylant (Jackson/Orchard)
Nonfiction:
Talking with Artists compiled and edited by Pat Cummings (Bradbury)

1991
Picture Book:
The Tale of the Mandarin Ducks written by Katherine Paterson, illustrated by Leo and Diane Dillon (Lodestar)
Fiction:
The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle by Avi (Orchard)
Nonfiction:
Appalachia: The Voices of Sleeping Birds written by Cynthia Rylant, illustrated by Barry Moser (Harcourt)

1990
Picture Book:
Lon Po Po: A Red-Riding Hood Story from China translated and illustrated by Ed Young (Philomel)
Fiction:
Maniac Magee by Jerry Spinelli (Little, Brown)
Nonfiction:
The Great Little Madison by Jean Fritz (Putnam)
Special Citation:
Valentine and Orson by Nancy Ekholm Burkert (Farrar)

1989
Picture Book:
Shy Charles by Rosemary Wells (Dial)
Fiction:
The Village by the Sea by Paula Fox (Orchard)
Nonfiction:
The Way Things Work by David Macaulay (Houghton)

1988
Picture Book:
The Boy of the Three-Year Nap written by Dianne Snyder, illustrated by Allen Say (Houghton)
Fiction:
The Friendship written by Mildred D. Taylor, illustrated by Max Ginsburg (Dial)
Nonfiction:
Anthony Burns: The Defeat and Triumph of a Fugitive Slave by Virginia Hamilton (Knopf)

1987
Picture Book:
Mufaro's Beautiful Daughters by John Steptoe (Lothrop)
Fiction:
Rabble Starkey by Lois Lowry (Houghton)
Nonfiction:
The Pilgrims of Plimoth by Marcia Sewall (Atheneum)

1986
Picture Book:
The Paper Crane by Molly Bang (Greenwillow)
Fiction:
In Summer Light by Zibby Oneal (Viking)
Nonfiction:
Auks, Rocks, and the Odd Dinosaur: Inside Stories from the Smithsonian's Museum of Natural History by Peggy Thomson (Crowell)

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We must nurture our children...

2006-09-18T07:17:00.000-07:00

Quote of the week:

We must nurture our children with confidence. They can't make it if they are constantly told that they won't.

- George Clements

Personalized Books home

2006-09-12T07:25:00.000-07:00

My Birthday Surprise Personalized Book

Product Spotlight
Title: My Birthday Surprise Personalized Book
Manufacturer: Create-A-Book
Illustrator: Valerie Webb
Seller: Personalized Books by Madluck Books
Description: This book is presented in a child's story version around a daydream of the perfect birthday party which magically becomes a reality. This book is also available in our popular adult "gag" version where the guest of honor is "roasted" by his or her pals at a funny birthday party.

A life time keepsake:

Wipe-clean hard cover
Personalized Dedication
Professionally Printed
Quality Craftsmanship
Full-color illustraions

Full text of book and sample illustrations:

Pages 1&2 - illustration pages

Page 3
My Birthday Surprise
was created especially for
Michael Jeremy Smith
at the age of 8
With love from
Mom and Dad
November 9, 2006

Page 4

Mike Smith was so excited! His "big" day had finally arrived! For a long time, he had reminded everyone in Atlanta about his birthday on November 9th. Mike had not wanted a single person to forget this special day. It's so much fun to be 8 and have a birthday celebration!

Pages 5&6 - illustration pages

Page 7

For months now, Mike had been dreaming day and night about his party. He had asked his friends again and again, "Do you suppose it will ever be my birthday?" There were many names on his invitation list. Mike hoped that Ben, Connor and Scott could come. He was really looking forward to a great time!

Page 8

It seemed to Mike that his birthday dream was always the same. He would be sitting in the middle of an enormous room, and he would be all dressed up for his party. Beside him would be a key ring with 10 magic keys, and each would have a different color. Around him would be doors, and Mike knew that the keys would be there to open those matching colored doors.

Pages 9&10 - illustration pages

Page 11

In each dream, Mike would find many happy, wonderful surprises behind the locked doors... except for one. There were 11 doors, but only 10 keys. Mike wondered how he would get into that eleventh room. There wasn't even a knob on the door. Every time he would start to search for the missing key, he would wake up. Oh well. Maybe Ben, Connor and Scott could help him.

Page 12

In his dream, Mike liked to start with the blue key that unlocked the blue door. The blue room looked as if it held a billion bouncing balloons. There were balloons of different shapes, colors, and sizes, and Mike had fun walking through them. There was one balloon that was the biggest, bluest balloon he had ever seen. This was so much fun! Mike raced on to the next door.

Pages 13&14 - illustration pages

Page 15

The second door opened up to a white room with lots and lots of birthday cakes. There were tiny cakes, gigantic cakes, and cakes just big enough for Mike to eat all by himself. Some cakes were huge, but there was one snowy white cake that had 7 huge layers. It was a cake for Mike. He wanted to show all of these beautiful cakes to Ben, Connor and Scott.

Page 16

When Mike opened the cherry red door, he almost fell backwards! What a fun dream! In front of him was a monstrous mountain of melting ice cream. There were cherries, nuts, whipped cream, and syrup running down the sides. Mike thought it would be so much fun to slide down this kind of mountain. What a delightful, delicious time he would have!

Pages 17&18 - illustration pages

Page 19

Mike giggled when he opened the orange door to the clown room. Inside, he found forty funny clowns, and most of them had bright orange hair. There were fat clowns and thin clowns, short clowns and tall clowns, and happy clowns and sad clowns. Some clowns did tricks, while other silly clowns just clowned around. In the orange room, Mike laughed until he could laugh no more.

Page 20

The green room had so many presents in it that Mike had trouble opening the door. He wondered if any of the gifts were from Ben, Connor and Scott. He was hoping that one of those boxes would have something very nice in it that he could play with on his birthday. Maybe it was the gigantic, green gift box! Should he open it? No, he had to hurry to the next door.

Pages 21&22 - illustration pages

Page 23

Mike jumped up and down when he opened the glittering gold door and found a golden room full of rides for his birthday party. In the middle of the room was a beautiful gold merry-go-round. Mike could see the ponies with their golden saddles, a train ride, and a small ferris wheel!

Page 24

A pink door opened up into a candy room. Mike was amazed at all of the candy. He found suckers, gumdrops, lollipops, peppermint sticks, hard candies, soft candies, and all kinds of chocolate candies. There was also the biggest, bubbliest bunch of pink bubble gum that he had ever seen. Mike knew that he would have to share this candy with Ben, Connor and Scott, or he would have a big tummyache.

Pages 25&26 - illustration pages

Page 27

Behind the brown door were many, many huggable animals. Mike wanted to hold and squeeze the soft, cuddly brown teddy bears, as well as the cats, dogs, monkeys, and dinosaurs. Some of the other animals, like the giraffe, were taller than Mike. Others were so small that they would fit in his hand. If he put all of these animals in his room, he might not be able to find his bed. Wow, that would be neat!

Page 28

When Mike opened the yellow door, he found a yellow room filled with games fit for a king. Mike saw Pin the Tail on the Donkey, a fishing pond, balloons for water fights, jacks, musical chairs, Drop the Clothespin in the Bottle, bobbing for yellow apples, hopscotch, and ring toss. Mike knew exactly which of the games he would play first in the yellow room.

Pages 29&30 - illustration pages

Page 31

Using the shiny silver key, Mike opened the silver door and saw colorful streamers decorating every inch of the tenth room. He also found everything else he needed for his birthday party. Here were the plates, cups, napkins, forks, and spoons. For his guests, there were stacks and stacks of silver whistles, silver bells, horns, blowers, birthday hats, and other party favors. He knew that he was ready for his birthday party when he saw the squirt guns!

Page 32

Mike found himself in front of the last door that had no key. He leaned against the door to peek through the keyhole, and as he did, the door silently opened. He looked inside. The rainbow-colored room was ready for a birthday party with something from each of the other ten rooms, but Mike was puzzled. Something was missing! How could a birthday party be fun if he were all alone? He became very sad.

Pages 33&34 - illustration pages

Page 35

Suddenly, many voices sang out "Surprise!" and "Happy Birthday!" at the same time. Mike Smith blinked his eyes and immediately stopped daydreaming. He turned around and saw Ben, Connor and Scott. This was his best birthday surprise of all! Now he knew that having family and friends was much more important than all of the presents and decorations, or even the cake. It was so much fun to be 8 and have a birthday celebration!

Page 36
Happy Birthday!
Mike Smith

Where I celebrated my birthday:
______________________________
My favorite gift:
______________________________
What I liked most about
this birthday:
______________________________
People who were with me to
celebrate my birthday:
______________________________

A well-composed book...

2006-09-11T17:54:00.000-07:00

Quote of the week:

A well-composed book is a magic carpet on which we are wafted to a world that we cannot enter in any other way.

- Caroline Gordon