Tuesday, November 27, 2012

Beehive Book Club


                                                   
Surf's Up!
Catch a Wave of Adventure Reading Beehive Books!

How do I become a member of the Bella Vista Beehive Book Club?
Every student may become a member.  Color a surfboard, choose a surfer and "Catch a Wave of Adventure" reading as many Beehive Nominated books for 2012-13 from now until April, 2013.

What do I do as a member?
1.  Read as many Beehive Nominee books for 2012-13 from now until April. *
2.  In the school library, vote on the Beehive Nominee books for 2012-13 you've read.
3.  Sign your name in the yellow Beehive binder under the book title you read to become eligible to win a Beehive winning book.

Do I receive rewards for participating?    YES!
 1. You are invited to attend The Beehive Book Club Beach Party in May.
2.  Your votes count in determining the winning Beehive books at Bella Vista and in the Utah Beehive Competition.
3. You may win a Beehive winning book during the Beehive Book Club Beach Party. (One per class)
4.  The students who read the most Beehive Nominees for 2012-13 in each class and in the entire school will receive rewards!
5.  Participate in the Book Worm Estimate and you may win a jar of sour gummy worms!
6.  A Pizza Party is awarded to the class that reads the most Beehive Nominee books for 2012-13 in the school.  (This year we added one more party so two classes will win! One class from Kindergarten-Third Grade and another class from 4th - 6th Grade)

Where can I check out the Beehive Nominee books?
The Beehive Nominee books for 2012-13 are at the Bella Vista Library.  They are also available to check out from the Whitmore Library or any other public library.  To see a list of the Beehive Nominees for this year go to www.clau.org
 
Thank you Bella Vista's PTA and our School Administration for their generous contributions.

*Not all Beehive books are suitable for every student.

Wednesday, November 14, 2012

Thanksgiving

This Week we have focused on Thanksgiving in the Library.   We introduced two books. The first book tells about our first thanksgiving and why we celebrate Thanksgiving.  The second book touches on the importance of family and tradition during the holiday season.

Cover image
For Grades K-2 we read "The Very First Thanksgiving Day."   by Rhonda Gowler Green and paintings by Susan Gaber.

This is the story of the first thanksgiving celebration, told in cumulative rhyme.  It tells of the Relationship between the Pilgrims and the Native Americans and the feast they shared.

Cover image
For Grades 3-6 we read, "Thanksgiving Wish" by Michael J. Rosen and paintnings by John Thompson.

Amanda's grandmother Bubbe always managed to make Thanksgiving a very special holiday for the entire family, but when Bubbe passes away, the family finds the task of recreating her special meal more than they can manage without the help of new friends.  -Destiny Quest

Wednesday, November 7, 2012

Book Reviews - A Year of Goodbyes & Press Here

The Year of Goodbyes: A True Story of Friendship, Family and Farewells
by Debbie Levy
Mrs. Allison's Rating:  5 out of 5 stars
Year of Goodbyes: A True Story of Friendship, Family and FarewellsThis week  in the library, we are kicking off the Beehive Book Club for the year. Details of the book club will be posted at a later date. This non-fiction Beehive Nominee in Poetry for 2012-13 caught my interest and is a quick read.  I am very glad I read it. The content is age appropriate for older elementary school students (4th-6th grade and older) and educates them on what it would be like to be a child with family and friends all experiencing the changes from a wonderful, prosperous life in Germany to becoming despised, rejected and harmed...just for being Jewish.  At one point in the book, Jutta's family has a chance to leave Germany and come to America to live with relatives, but will they be able to leave before the Nazis capture them? I was on the edge of my seat as I read this book, wondering who would be saying good bye to whom, not wanting dear Jutta (Yu-tah) or her family and friends to be affected by the Nazis, yet all of them were, to one degree or another.

This book is a compilation of the entries in Jutta's poesiealbum (po-eh-Zee ALbum), a poetry album. From the late 1800s to the 1930s children enjoyed their poesiealbums and would let their friends write and draw in them. The book also includes Jutta's feelings and experiences as a 12 year old Jewish girl living in Germany in 1938 under the Nazi occupation. Debbie Levy, author of the book, is Jutta's daughter. She capably shares her mother's experiences from a time in history that, hopefully will never be forgotten or repeated.

With the Thanksgiving holiday just around the corner, reading this book will bring reason to reflect on our lives as Americans living in the 21st century.  We have much to be thankful for.


Press HereCover imageSomething else to be thankful for are books like Press Here by Herve Tullet. This book has already been targeted by students as the most popular Beehive Nominee for 2012-13.  More copies have been ordered to keep up with demand at the Bella Vista Library.  This book is what I call, "out of the box."
An unexpected, unpredictable surprise of a book that educates through its pages yet it seems more like a toy than a book. Students will have fun following directions, including left and right, counting and seeing what pressing their finger "here" will lead to next.
Another 5 out of 5 stars book, in my opinion.                        

Press Here is a book for Kindergarten - Third, though older grades enjoy reading this picture book too.