, , , ,

Ron Howard in Talks to Direct Disney’s ‘Graveyard Book’

The move will breathe new life into the adaptation of the Neil Gaiman children's book.

The Graveyard Book is coming back to life.

Disney’s adaptation of Neil Gaiman's acclaimed 2008 kids novel was being developed as a stop-motion project to be directed by Henry Selick. It even had an October 2013 release date. But the project was put six feet under last summer when the studio and Selick parted ways over scheduling and development.
In a new twist, Graveyard now has been reconfigured as a live-action movie, and sources say Ron Howard is in negotiations to direct. => http://bit.ly/TLiCnO

, , , ,

Reading app – The 500 Hats of Bartholomew Cubbins


King Derwin of Didd demands "hats off to the King" when he passes by his citizens. But poor young Bartholomew Cubbins has a problem. Every time he removes his hat, another hat appears atop his head! Come along for the ride, as Bartholomew is whisked off to the royal throne room, summoned to the wise men, brought before the King's magicians and even shot at by bow and arrow. As the number of hats reaches 200...300...400, what will happen to Bartholomew at hat number 500?
=> http://bit.ly/WTtqwD

, , , , ,

Award winner – Between Shades of Gray

Between Shades of Gray
Winner - Fiction - 2012 Golden Kite Awards for Children's Books


Ruta Sepetys
Lina is just like any other fifteen-year-old Lithuanian girl, in 1941. Separated from her father, forced onto a crowded and dirty train car, Lina, her mother, and her young brother slowly make their way north, crossing the Arctic Circle, to a work camp in the coldest reaches of Siberia. Here they are forced, under Stalin's orders, to dig for beets and fight for their lives under the cruelest of conditions.
Between Shades of Gray is a riveting novel that steals your breath, captures your heart, and reveals the miraculous nature of the human spirit.
Includes discussion questions and a free excerpt ... => http://bit.ly/S31j0u

, ,

An Investment in Children’s Books Is an Investment in Their Future

There are a myriad reasons why an investment in children's books really is an investment in their future learning and development.

Reading books can stimulate children of all ages, in highly different ways. For kids aged zero to two years, effectively babies and young toddlers, it's more about the visual stimulation, touch and bonding between parent and child that is most important.

Typically, baby books are brightly coloured, textured and chunky - making them perfect for getting baby's senses going. As they get older, they are more excited by books with button-activated noises, lights and lift-flaps, as different areas of their brain begin to develop and pay attention to what's going on in front of their eyes.

Two to three-year-olds become more interested in the actual words, as they explore the world of talking. They tend to find one page or book and focus on it, asking their mums and dads to read it over and over again - frustrating for adults but great for kiddies' memory skills! Their favourite characters, such as those from movies, are a particular favourite at this age, as they really feel they are engaging with the character's 'life'.

As your little ones grow and begin to reach the ripe old age of five, they can handle slightly more complex texts and character stories. By this stage, they can predict what might happen, repeat the words they hear and learn about the subjects portrayed in books. For this reason, it is crucial to introduce not only works of fiction, but perhaps creative non-fiction, allowing them to learn about subjects like animals, history and fantasies such as pirates and mermaids.

When children begin to get older, they can really expand their vocabulary and knowledge by reading aloud from books, rather than just to themselves. This is also an excellent way for them to feel more grown-up, particularly if you are pro-active in asking them to read you a bedtime story!

..........................................................

Louis Sharman is a freelance author writes article on various topics. To learn more about various bookstores and Online Bookshops he recommends you to visit http://www.foyles.co.uk

, , ,

Author of the Month – Laura Numeroff

Laura Numeroff says that when she gets bored she gets silly. And when she gets silly, she gets creative. It was on a rather long roadtrip from San Francisco to Oregon that she came up with the idea for If You Give a Mouse a Cookie, the first installment in what would become a wildly popular series. Read more about this author, her cat, her writing and her books at our Author of the Month page

, ,

6 Practical Ways to Encourage Young Kids to Read More

Reading is a good habit. Young children should be encouraged to read more at early stage. Some parents find it hard to get their children to read because their children are attracted by the television programs and computers.

I am here to share with you some practical tips which you can apply so that you can get your young children to read more.

• First thing first, being parents, you are "responsible" to read with your children at least once every day. You should accompany them when they are reading. Don't just give instructions to them. If your kids do not like a book you are reading together with them, you should put it aside. Don't force your kids to accept the book.

• Besides accompanying them, you should be a reading role model to your kids. Let them see that you always read. It will be better if you can share some interesting things with them. Tell them what you have read from the books, magazines or newspapers.

• Young children enjoy reading books which come with colorful pictures and simple words. Hence, you are reminded to select the right reading materials for them. You should take note about your children's interests. At the same time, you must make sure that you children have plenty to read at home. It is important for you to keep books and other reading materials in their reach.

• In order to encourage your kids to read, you must respect their choices. Do not set any limitation to them. Let them choose their own books based on their preferences. At the same time, you should take the opportunity to encourage your kids to try different kinds of books such as fiction, non-fiction, mysteries, biographies, etc. If possible, you should choose books that provide new experiences about different countries and cultures for them.

• You should find ways to motivate your children by praising them for their efforts. You are advised to listen to your children when they are reading. You can encourage them to read aloud. Then, you should start praising them for the newly acquired skills.

• Some young children refuse to read at the beginning stage. What you can do is to tell interesting stories to them. You are advised to look for creative ways to teach them good values so that you can help them to develop listening and thinking skills easily.

You love your children. You want them to have better future. Cultivating a lifetime reading habit will be the best gift you can provide for your beloved children.

....................................................

Jesslyn Jessy  A blogger with wide interest in training and personal development. She strongly believes that competency skills are essential for a fast changing world. Besides, she also focuses on human health which is inter related to working performance.  http://jessyanglo.blogspot.com/

, , , ,

Reading app – Goodnight Moon

Goodnight Moon


65-years ago, Margret Wise Brown and Clement Hurd created one of the all-time best-selling, and arguably best bedtime books of all time. Now this quintessential classic has been beautifully re-imagined as an interactive app designed for your iPad, iPhone and iPod Touch.  =>  http://bit.ly/SVHCm2

, , , , , , , , , ,

Fiction activities for Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl.

For the first time in a decade, Willy Wonka, the reclusive and eccentric chocolate maker, is opening his doors to the public – well, five members of the public to be exact. The lucky five who find a Golden Ticket in their Wonka chocolate bars will receive a private tour of the factory, given by Mr. Wonka himself. For young Charlie Bucket, this a dream come true. And, when he finds a dollar bill in the street, he can't help but buy two Wonka's Whipple–Scrumptious Fudgemallow Delights – even though his impoverished family could certainly use the extra dollar for food. But as Charlie unwraps the second chocolate bar, he sees the glimmer of gold just under the wrapper! The very next day, Charlie, along with his unworthy fellow winners Mike Teavee, Veruca Salt, Violet Beauregarde, and Augustus Gloop, steps through the factory gates to discover whether or not the rumors surrounding the Chocolate Factory and its mysterious owner are true. What they find is that the gossip can't compare to the extraordinary truth, and for Charlie, life will never be the same again. Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, another unforgettable masterpiece from the legendary Roald Dahl, never fails to delight, thrill, and utterly captivate.

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory is a book that stands the test of time. Roald Dahl's story continues to capture the attention and imaginations of children today, as it did when it was first published in 1964.  Children relate to Charlie Bucket who is an ordinary boy.  The story is one of good versus evil, where the antagonists are not monsters but naughty children, who get their just desserts in the end.  There is magic.  There is imagination.  There is chocolate.  And in the end, good behaviour is rewarded.     All of this makes Charlie and the Chocolaty factory an ideal book to study, since it has already engaged the children's interest.  There are a myriad of things you can do, using this book in the classroom to build children's skills across a range of curriculum areas.  Click here to access more than 100 activities involving comprehension, character studies, craft activities, maths, ESL, music, social science, art, science.  There are puzzles, games, word searches, worksheets and more...=>  http://bit.ly/XOUHDY

 

, , , , , , , ,

Because of Winn-Dixie

Because of Winn-Dixie  

by Kate Di Camillo

Recalling the fiction of Harper Lee and Carson McCullers, here is a funny, poignant, and utterly genuine first novel from a major new talent.
An unforgettable first novel about coming of age one sweet summer–and learning to love what you have.

Discussion notes, trailer, teacher lesson plans & more => http://bit.ly/TwLZCR

, , ,

Reconcile hatred and healing – After by Morris Gleitzman

ISBN 978-0141343136
Format Paperback
Publisher Puffin Books
Published 2 August 2012

After the Nazis took my parents I was scared
After they killed my best friend I was angry
After they ruined my thirteenth birthday I was determined
To get to the forest
To join forces with Gabriek and Yuli
To be a family
To defeat the Nazis after all

Following a heartbreaking struggle to survive as a Jewish child in Germany, Felix faces perhaps his greatest challenge - to find hope when he's lost almost everything. In the fourth part of Felix's story, continuing his adventures in World War Two, he faces perhaps his greatest challenge - to find hope when he's lost almost everything, including his parents. As Europe goes through the final agonizing stages of the war, Felix struggles to reconcile hatred and healing. He's helped by a new friend, but if he should lose her as well ...