Little Nippers

DOLLARS & UNCOMMON SENSE; Basic Training for Your Money

2012-02-20T05:35:00.000-08:00

Although, most of the books featured on this blog are geared towards children, I’ve recently read a book that I think parents can benefit from.

Dollars and Uncommon Sense; Basic Training for Your Money has changed the way I think about money. I am 42 years old. Both my husband and I work at good paying jobs but struggle each month to make ends meet. We also don’t have a savings account or at least not a significant one. I read this book a few weeks ago and already I’ve been able to put more in the bank than I have in the past year!

Author Steve Repak, a Certified Financial Planner, offers sensible tips on how to take control of your finances. Sensible is the key word since the title reads Dollars and Uncommon Sense. Repak suggests that the people who accumulate wealth just think differently about their money and his book teaches you how to analyze what you are spending, change your existing habits, and manage your budget in a more efficient way. Through this book, I’ve learned that I am spending too much on housing and transportation and not saving enough.

I highly recommend this book; with it’s easy to follow plan, worksheets and resources, I feel confident that it will lead the way to a better financial future.

Book Giveaway

2011-11-23T14:07:00.000-08:00

BOOK GIVEAWAY

2011-10-30T05:26:00.000-07:00

ENTER TO WIN Froggy Boots Go With Everything

HERE’S HOW: Simply be a follower of this blog or become one! Then leave a comment to this post to add your name to the drawing. BE SURE TO ADD YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS SO I CAN CONTACT THE WINNER!

This giveaway will end on December 1st, 2011 The winner will be chosen by Random drawing from all valid entries submitted. The winner will be notified via email and will have up to 48 hours to contact me with their mailing address before another winner is chosen. Open world wide! No P.O Boxes please.

Little Nippers Review: As a Pre-School teacher, I am always on the lookout for new books for my classroom. I find that most of the books available in my Center just do not seem to capture the attention of my active little toddlers!

This month, I introduced Froggy Boots Go With Everything to my students and have been delighted to find a real treasure! We have been reading it consistently in my class for a few weeks. Today, I sat down with one student and began reading it. Once the other children heard which book I was reading, they stopped what they were doing and gathered around me to join in on the fun!

Froggy boots in rain.
Froggy boots in shine.
Froggy boots at your house.
Froggy boots at mine.

The book starts with short lyrical rhymes and ends with a fabulously fun game. On the last page the reader is invited to find a variety of objects on the preceding pages: A Froggy on every page; a boat blowing bubbles and a hose squirting water to name a few. My students love the repetition that this game provides:

“Is there a boat blowing bubbles on this page?” I ask.

“No,” they reply.

I turn the page and ask again, “Is there a boat blowing bubbles on this page?”

I continue in the same way until we find it. Then we look for the next item on the list. This is, indeed, their favorite part of the book. This afternoon, I observed one of my students holding the book and imitating me!

“Guys!” he said, “Can you help me find the froggy on this page?” Then he repeated his question over and again as he turned each subsequent page. It made me smile!

From a teacher’s perspective, this book helps build on Cognitive Skills, Language Skills and provides essential Social interaction. Conversely, the children listening to the story love the short rhythmic sentences, the soft illustrations and the interactive element.

Below, author Jill Zabkar Martin guest posts on Little Nippers as she describes the inspiration for Froggy Boots Go With Everything:

Froggy Boots Go With Everything is a book about two fundamental ideas: what children wear and what they do. When children are old enough to pick out their own clothes, and even dress themselves, they tap into a newfound independence and wonderful form of self-expression. They put their outfits together with careful thought, using colors, layers and accessories in new and creative ways to get it just right.

More often than not there is likely to be a recurring theme, a favorite item that makes its way into every outfit, an accessory that goes with everything. For me it was a fuzzy pink poncho that my mom had knitted. It was a cozy sweater-like cover up but it became so much more. When I wore it on my head, it was the long beautiful hair I always wanted. When I wore it around my waist, it was a delicate tulle ballet skirt or a gorgeous ball gown. It was a pillow, a blanket, a hiding place, a treasure. It was a friend. This was my first inspiration.

I decided on froggy boots because they are designed for one purpose yet are also worn when there’s not a cloud in the sky. I also chose them because they are delightfully charming in a somewhat nostalgic way. Whenever I saw their happy little eyes and friendly smiles on my son’s feet (and the ladybug eyes and smiles on my daughter’s feet!) I couldn’t help but giggle to myself, remembering my own childhood.

Once I had this idea, I began to think about all the things my children loved to do and how their favorite things influence their play. That’s where I got my second inspiration: young children are very busy!

Young children are busy in wonderful, inventive and tireless ways. Their boundless imagination is a constant source of amazement, inspiration and joy. I thought about some of their games and activities and I created the words for the book. Then for each page I envisioned a moment filled with imagination and magic and this is what I discussed with my illustrator.

It’s the moment you have just landed on the moon and you’re taking your first steps, the moment you’re presenting a beautiful flower bouquet you made yourself to a very special someone, the moment you finally get the top block to balance or have discovered your boot holds more sand than the shovel.

Some moments are loud and free, like jumping in a puddle to see how high it will splash. Some moments are quiet, like watching a pink flamingo and wondering how it feels to stand on just one leg. Some moments are proud, like making it all the way across the monkey bars for the first time. Some moments are filled with love, like holding your mom’s hand.

Whatever the moments, there is one thing for sure. When you are a busy young child, there are many of them, and anything is possible, especially when you have a friend along.

Jill Martin
Jill Zabkar Martin spent her early career as a technology writer and publicist in the Silicon Valley. After becoming a mother of two, she began writing children’s books. Froggy Boots Go With Everything is her first published title. Jill received a BA in English from the University of California at Santa Barbara and an MBA from San Jose State University. She lives in Los Gatos, California with her husband, two children, a guinea pig and three hermit crabs.

Froggy Boots Go With Everything

2011-10-23T12:13:00.000-07:00

Froggy Boots Go with Everything
By Jill Zabkar Martin
Illustrated by Kirsten Gaede Van Mourick

As a Pre-School teacher, I am always on the lookout for new books for my classroom. I find that most of the books available in my Center just do not seem to capture the attention of my active little toddlers!

This month, I introduced Froggy Boots Go With Everything to my students and have been delighted to find a real treasure! We have been reading it consistently in my class for a few weeks. Today, I sat down with one student and began reading it. Once the other children heard which book I was reading, they stopped what they were doing and gathered around me to join in on the fun!

Froggy boots in rain.
Froggy boots in shine.
Froggy boots at your house.
Froggy boots at mine.

The book starts with short lyrical rhymes and ends with a fabulously fun game. On the last page the reader is invited to find a variety of objects on the preceding pages: A Froggy on every page; a boat blowing bubbles and a hose squirting water to name a few. My students love the repetition that this game provides:

“Is there a boat blowing bubbles on this page?” I ask.

“No,” they reply.

I turn the page and ask again, “Is there a boat blowing bubbles on this page?”

I continue in the same way until we find it. Then we look for the next item on the list. This is, indeed, their favorite part of the book. This afternoon, I observed one of my students holding the book and imitating me!

“Guys!” he said, “Can you help me find the froggy on this page?” Then he repeated his question over and again as he turned each subsequent page. It made me smile!

From a teacher’s perspective, this book helps build on Cognitive Skills, Language Skills and provides essential Social interaction. Conversely, the children listening to the story love the short rhythmic sentences, the soft illustrations and the interactive element.

Next week, author Jill Zabkar Martin guest posts on Little Nippers as she describes the inspiration for Froggy Boots Go With Everything.

To purchase this great book, click on the link in the sidebar under Froggy Boots.

The Santa Club

2011-09-20T07:32:00.000-07:00

The Santa Club
by Kelly Moss
Illustrated by Jim Keserich

Picture this… Your 10 year old daughter enters the house one sunny afternoon after playing with a neighborhood friend and announces that this friend told her that there is no such thing as Santa Claus! What do you do? How do you tell your baby girl that you have been lying to her throughout her entire life? I can still recall this exact scenario when I myself was just 10 years old and the uncomfortable smiles on my parents’ face, the stuttering of their words and the slump of their posture. If only they had a book to assist them with that very difficult conversation!

Well, fortunately Little Nippers has recently discovered the perfect book to help parents everywhere; The Santa Club by Kelly Moss.

With quirky illustrations, The Santa Club eases into the conversation with a lighthearted explanation of where the idea of Santa Claus originated from. It also explains briefly who St. Nicholas was and his relationship to Jesus Christ. Primarily, though, it clarifies why we give gifts on Christmas day and whose birthday we are indeed celebrating. In addition, it illustrates the importance of not sharing this information with younger children.

My own children are still young enough to believe in Santa, and until I discovered this book I was dreading the day when the conversation would arrive. However, now with the help of The Santa Club, I am more than ready and am eager for the opportunity to present a lesson in giving and the true spirit of Christmas.

To purchase this great book, click on Amazon Links for Little Nipper Favorites in the sidebar under The Santa Club.

2011-08-19T07:16:00.000-07:00

A month ago Little Nippers posted a review on A Kid's Guide to Being a Winner, a book which helps teach the meaning behind words such as Respect, Responsibility and Thoughtfulness, to name a few. Below, C.D Shelton author of this great book, writes about a few more important words: Stereotyping and Generalizations, as he shares a recent discussion he has with his 13 year old niece:

Stereotyping and Generalizations
by C.D. Shelton

By listening, you can learn a great deal from young people. My niece is thirteen and lives with my wife and I. She is entering the eighth grade. And, as one can expect, she is subject to peer pressures, which shapes her thinking and interests.

On the topic of class selection, and our recommendation that she select “Orchestra” as an elective, her response was “Orchestra” is for “Nerds” ergo, not for her. Patience is required in these kinds of exchanges. We explained that the interpretation of some words go through a sort of evolution as time passes, based on the usage. We explained, that years ago, the word “Nerd” referred to a person that was not particularly athletically inclined, not as, in today’s usage, a person who is intellectually adept. Not finished with the topic, we pointed out that labels that stereotype people are usually wrong. It places people in categories into which they don’t necessarily belong, (like, women are bad drivers or blonds are dumb).

Like “stereotyping”, broad, sweeping “generalizations” are usually wrong. For example, this conversation on the use of mascara, again with my thirteen your old niece. “But Aunt Dani, ALL of the girls are wearing it and they have their parent’s permission.”

As I mentioned earlier, if you listen to young people you’ll learn. You’ll learn what they don’t understand. “Orchestra and mascara” were the operative words that stimulated a discussion centered around the uniqueness of each person. By stereotyping or generalizing we place individuals into categories, to which, they may not belong. In other words, stereotyping or generalizing ignores the uniqueness of the individual.

It’s a tough lesson, but one we all need to learn at some point in our life. It’s a lesson better learned early, than later.

C.D Shelton is a College Professor who enjoys writing Action/Adventure novels. A Kid's Guide to Being a Winner is his first non-fiction and inspirational book for kids. See below for a Little Nippers review:

It’s a fact; when you ask a child to define the word respect many will become tongue-tied, however, if asked what a brontosaurus is most of them can answer! This is an interesting observation that I cannot take credit for. Fortunately, my two children attend Tae Kwon Do with a very insightful teacher who has not only made this observation but has taught them the meaning of the word respect.

Nevertheless, it is a tough concept for young children to grasp. Recently, however, I’ve discovered a book that can help parents teach the meaning behind this very important word along with a few others. A Kid’s Guide to Being a Winner by author C.D Shelton is written for the young reader and is an excellent resource. C.D Shelton knows how to reach kids! This book is straightforward and easy to read. And although it is not your typical story book it successfully captures the attention of its targeted audience. My children have asked to read it quite frequently.

Every spread has an illustration that corresponds to the text and teaches the meaning of the words: Responsible; Thoughtful; Respect; Gratitude and Positive Mental Attitude.

At my house, we read this book in an interactive way. At the beginning of each chapter I asked my children to try to define the meaning of the highlighted word and after every page I asked them to describe the illustration and find the meaning behind each. For example; after we looked at an illustration that showed 2 children holding baseball equipment in their hands, knocking on the door of a house with a broken window, I asked “How is this child being responsible?” The responses that follow usually initiate many more discussions.

I honestly cannot say enough about this book. Parents and teachers, I urge you to seek it out for your youngsters! It can be found on Amazon.

Thank you C.D Shelton for writing such an inspirational book that addresses the values I’m trying to instill in my children!

The Trouble with Being a Horse

2011-08-02T05:58:00.000-07:00

This month I'd like to introduce a great chapter book for tweens and young adults. The Trouble with Being a Horse, written by Emily Edwards, is about a young girl who has a passion for horseback riding but seems to be struggling socially at school and with her peers. To make things worse, there are financial troubles at home which make her responsibilities so great that riding every week becomes an impossibility. Life for 11 year old Olivia sure seems unbearable! However, one day after making a wish she finds that she has mysteriously turned into a horse! Unfortunately, she learns that even horses do not have an idyllic life.

This book gives us a refreshing look at the struggles all children go through and is full of magical charm that is sure to entice young readers. Below, please take a look at what author and equestrienne, Emily Edwards, has to say about writing for an adolescent audience:

How to Write an Eleven Year Old Character
by Emily Edwards

When I first came up with the idea for The Trouble with Being a Horse I didn’t have to give much thought to who the audience would be as it was a natural fit with the pony book genre aimed at middle-grade girls. It made sense for the main character to be of the same age as the readers and it wasn’t until I sat down to write the book that I really thought about how to create an eleven year old character. I wanted Olivia to be as realistic as possible – sure, her situation isn’t very realistic but I wanted her thoughts and actions to be those a girl her age would recognize and agree with.

Having not been eleven years old for quite some time, I still have vivid memories of that age, probably because it was a happy time for me. I also seem to be able to recall childhood memories far more clearly than many adults I know, and perhaps all my “research” of books in this genre has kept my inner child alive for longer than normal! Whatever the reason may be, I felt up to the challenge of writing the character of Olivia, although in her moments of crisis (and there are several) I had to take care to make sure her logic and reasoning were that of a child and not an adult. When Olivia first wakes up to find herself in a horse’s body, it’s natural that she would panic and not know what to do—and that her first instinct would be to go home to her family. In the beginning of the story, Olivia is a very passive character to whom things happen, but as the book progresses she grows and changes quite a lot. Her specific situation of being a girl in a horse’s body forces her to make decisions and take actions that she would never have to in her regular life, and it is these turning points that bring her to a greater maturity, one that is probably much more advanced than a typical eleven year old.

By the end of the book, Olivia has grown quite wise and I felt that writing her that way made sense after all she’d gone through. In the end, I suppose I didn’t write Olivia with her age in mind so much as the ways in which she would develop and grow as a character as a result of her experiences. And in keeping with a prevalent theme in the pony book genre, it is their adventures with horses that help bring about personal growth in the main characters’ lives, to which Olivia is no exception.

Emily Edwards is from the small town of Antigonish, Nova Scotia, and has a PhD from Trinity College Dublin from the Centre for Gender & Women's Studies. She has wide-ranging writing experience and currently works as a Research Associate. The Trouble with Being a Horse is Emily's first work of fiction, and is published by Single Stride Publishing. She has been an avid equestrienne for over twenty years, participating in Pony Club and the Trinity College Dublin Equestrian Team.

A Kid's Guide to Being a Winner

2011-07-12T06:31:00.000-07:00

By C.D Shelton
Illustrated by Greg G. Gillespie

It’s a fact; when you ask a child to define the word respect many will become tongue-tied, however, if asked what a brontosaurus is most of them can answer! This is an interesting observation that I cannot take credit for. Fortunately, my two children attend Tae Kwon Do with a very insightful teacher who has not only made this observation but has taught them the meaning of the word respect.

Nevertheless, it is a tough concept for young children to grasp. Recently, however, I’ve discovered a book that can help parents teach the meaning behind this very important word along with a few others. A Kid’s Guide to Being a Winner by author C.D Shelton is written for the young reader and is an excellent resource. C.D Shelton knows how to reach kids! This book is straightforward and easy to read. And although it is not your typical story book it successfully captures the attention of its targeted audience. My children have asked to read it quite frequently.

Every spread has an illustration that corresponds to the text and teaches the meaning of the words: Responsible; Thoughtful; Respect; Gratitude and Positive Mental Attitude.

At my house, we read this book in an interactive way. At the beginning of each chapter I asked my children to try to define the meaning of the highlighted word and after every page I asked them to describe the illustration and find the meaning behind each. For example; after we looked at an illustration that showed 2 children holding baseball equipment in their hands, knocking on the door of a house with a broken window, I asked “How is this child being responsible?” The responses that follow usually initiate many more discussions.

I honestly cannot say enough about this book. Parents and teachers, I urge you to seek it out for your youngsters! It can be found on Amazon.

Thank you C.D Shelton for writing such an inspirational book that addresses the values I’m trying to instill in my children!

LITTLE NIPPERS TOP 10

2011-06-26T08:52:00.000-07:00

DR. SEUSS once said “he had a hard time finding anyone to pay attention to his first children’s book.” Fortunately, he never gave up! Before he died, Dr. Seuss wrote over 60 books! While everyone is familiar with The Cat in the Hat, Green Eggs and Ham and Horton the Elephant, there are many other Dr. Seuss books that are lesser known but are equally great. The following is a list of my favorites (For a complete list of books check out www.seussdude.com):

10. I’m NOT Going to Get Up Today
Published: 1987

We’ve all had those days when we felt like staying in bed but the boy in this book takes it to a whole new level. Nothing can get him up! Not a shake of his bed or cold water on his head. His alarm can ring/the birds can peep/his bed is warm and his pillow is deep. No matter what his family, friends or neighbors do, this determined boy continues to sleep. Illustrated by James Stevenson, this charming story is a great beginner book for first time readers.

9. I Wish That I Had Duck Feet
Published: 1965

Imagine what it would be like to have duck feet! Think of the things you could do. What if you had a whale spout, a very long tail or an elephant’s nose? In I Wish that I had Duck Feet, a young boy imagines what his life would be like with each of these things, however, in the end he realizes being himself is really the only way to be! Illustrated by B. Tobey, this is a very fun read aloud book for children ages 2 – 8.

8. I Can Read With My Eyes Shut
Published: 1978

In this fun loving book the Cat in the Hat returns to teach a young cat the many reasons reading is important and all the fun that goes along with it! The more you read/the more things you will know/the more you learn/the more places you’ll go! With illustrations similar to Horton the Elephant and Oh the Places You’ll Go, Dr. Seuss’ clever rhymes teach us that reading is fun!

7. On Beyond Zebra
Published: 1955

Conrad Cornelius O’Donald O’Dell thinks he knows everything there is to know since he has learned all 26 letters of the alphabet. But his friend, kindly, informs him otherwise. He advises him to open his eyes and go beyond the letter Z to find a whole new world. According to this young man, there is an entirely different alphabet out there for the exceptional characters that he encounters in his daily life. For example, there is a letter called WUM for Wumbus; a high-spouting whale who lives high on a hill and another letter called FUDDLE for Miss Fuddle-dee-Duddle; an exceptional bird with a very long tail. Such are the unique characters that occupy all the pages of Dr. Seuss’ books. On Beyond Zebra offers a great lesson on imagination and creativity and teaches us all to look beyond the letter Z.

6. Did I Ever Tell You How Lucky You Are
Published: 1973

A cheerful old man sitting on top of a cactus delivers a clever message of positive thinking. By remembering how lucky you are not to have the troubles that others have, he advises, you’ll find happiness. Thank goodness, he says, you’re not poor Herbie Hart/who has taken his Throm-dim-bu-lator apart! Or the Schlottz whose tail is entailed with un-solvable knots! Entertaining and fun to read, I love Dr. Seuss’ optimistic message!

5. Daisy-Head Mayzie
Published: 1994

Young Maisy, a seemingly average young girl is astounded one day when a daisy sprouts on top of her head! Try as they might no one can discover the reason for this oddity and Miss Maisy catches quite a bit of attention! This is a very cute story, one that has become a favorite with my children. Although, written in the 1960’s, the text for this book was not discovered until shortly after his death in 1991. His wife found this work and got it published. Little is known about the illustrator; however, the drawings were inspired by Seuss’s original sketches found with the manuscript.

4. Oh, The Thinks You Can Think
Published: 1975

The king of imagination offers advice on using your brain creatively. Oh the thinks you can think up/if you only try, says Dr. Seuss. In this very silly book, Seuss gives us examples of what he can think up when he tries; a guff, schlopp, snuvs, bloogs and jibboos to name a few. Also, black water, white sky and Kitty O’Sullivan Krauss’ big balloon swimming pool over her house! Yes, Dr. Seuss was indeed the master of creativity. Oh how I love those silly words and quirky illustrations!

3. McElligot’s Pool
Published: 1947

A young boy defends his decision to fish in a pond where there are no fish and states very imaginative reasons to support his theories! This is now one of my favorite Dr. Seuss books. I find it interesting to see how different his early illustrations are. While you may notice recurring images such as the fish from One Fish, Two Fish the people and the buildings are more realistic. He really was quite a talented artist. The witty rhymes are the same and, as with all of his books, it is absolutely a joy to read.

2. The 500 Hats of Bartholomew Cubbins
Published: 1938

Poor Bartholomew, he was trying to be respectful and polite by taking off his hat in front of his king but this particular hat was no ordinary hat! A bit of magic, perhaps, who knows but every time he tried to take it off an identical one appeared! Illustrated in black and white ink, Seuss added drama with a spot of red for the hat, emphasizing the story very well. This book is unique from other Dr. Seuss classics as it does not rhyme. It is long but highly imaginative and worth reading. Try breaking it down to a few pages a night.

1. I Had Trouble in Getting to Solla Sollew
Published: 1965

Although nameless, the main character of this hilariously delightful story looks like most of Seuss’ heroes. This one resembles a young, less sinister looking Grinch. Unfortunately, this young guy has had his share of troubles and after experiencing one annoyance after the other he decides to travel to a place called Solla Sollew; where they never have troubles, at least, very few. But along the way he encounters MANY troubles; a treacherous road; a terrible storm; a flood; even a war! He finally reaches Solla Sollew only to discover yet another problem! Ultimately, he learns a valuable lesson: Although things may seem brighter elsewhere, eventually life catches up to you wherever you are. In the end, armed with a positive attitude and a newly found sense of determination he decides to head back home to face his problems.

GROWING UP GREEN

2011-06-13T08:00:00.000-07:00

I can honestly say that I am 41 years old and I have never planted a seed in my life. The extent of my gardening expertise is pulling the weeds in our backyard from the flower bed that my children planted with my husband. Although, I love the beauty of our garden, I’ve never been motivated to do it myself.

Then I came across Growing up Green by Charles E. Majuri, PhD; a straightforward gardening book for children and adults which truly inspired me. I learned that gardening is a wonderful activity that not only helps build strong relationships but teaches important life skills as well.

After reading Growing up Green, I decided to add to our garden. I took a trip with my children to the local nursery armed with questions from this book:

What type of plants would grow in a somewhat sunny area?

What kinds of flowers are yellow?

Which plants will grow back every year?

Together, we decided to plant daffodils and it was a
great experience for all of us!

As a parent of young children I’m always searching for meaningful activities that I can do with them. Gardening is great because it’s more than reading a book or taking a family bike ride. It’s an activity that continues on. As you build your garden together and watch it grow, you’re building a mutually satisfying memory and an everlasting bond.

Growing up Green has a month-by-month gardening guide which is full of tips you can do each month to help your garden grow. It, also, presents step by step instructions on how to transplant, dry herbs and save seeds. There is even space provided after each chapter for you and your children to write down personal observations on what you have learned. But, this book offers more than gardening tips; it suggests creative ways to create a nurturing environment at home or in the classroom.

Caring for a plant introduces children to the idea of caring for something other than themselves. It teaches compassion and consideration. Also, a word for teachers: Gardening tackles many areas of curriculum! In addition to Science, there are:

~ Gross Motor skills - walking, stooping and maintaining balance.

~ Language skills - learning new vocabulary and encourage communication.

~ Social development - learning to follow directions as well as promote interactions by providing common interests and goals.

I highly recommend this book for teachers and parents. It is available on Amazon.

Give Food a Chance: A New View on Childhood Eating Disorders

2011-05-22T16:27:00.000-07:00

Anorexia Nervosa is a serious illness, one that has been around as early as the 16th century and there have been many books on the subject of treatment. In her book Give Food a Chance, Dr. Julie O’Toole, offers a different perspective; she challenges the idea that Anorexia is caused from one’s own upbringing. Her theory is that certain people have a genetic vulnerability to the disease and demonstrates quite a bit of evidence that supports this theory.

Founder of The Kartini Clinic (a pediatric treatment center for children with eating disorders) Dr. O’Toole has had extensive experience treating patients with this disease. At the clinic, she treats anorexia as a brain disorder and maintains that weight restoration be the cornerstone of treatment.

Her philosophy is simple: she treats Anorexia as a brain disorder with a full neurological exam; states explicitly that parents do not cause this disorder nor do children choose to have it; in treatment she insists that all members of the family participate in therapy and that family dinners must become a part of every meal.

At her clinic, she views the patient as a whole and applies a family based approach to treatment. All families (parents and patients) participate in treatment/education. She believes families are not the problem, but an essential part of the solution.

I found this book fascinating. If you have a child who is suffering from Anorexia Nervosa or if you know someone who is dealing with this illness, I urge you to read this book. It changed everything I’ve ever believed about the disease. Also, check out her website at www.kartiniclinic.com.

A word from author Dr. Julie O’Toole:

In the process of growing up, we all meet fellow travelers, mentors and guides. Some are obvious, others less so. There are several interesting stories in the Bible about angels appearing among mortals, in disguise, and being treated well (or wrestled with) according to the character of the person visited. Eastern traditions tell of Bodhisattvas (enlightened beings) disguised as beggars or other undesirables, moving among us.

In my book Give Food A Chance: A New Approach to Childhood Eating Disorders, I have written a lot about how our patients are our teachers. This concept is not original to me. In fact, it was the motto of a Honolulu pediatrician named Dr. M. Tottori. In the guise of a slight, bespectacled Japanese American doctor, he was a Bodhisattva to me. Your patients are your teachers: listen to them, learn from them, and let their experience of suffering inform you.

My father was my greatest teacher: the one who gave me the courage—no obligation—of my convictions. When I began to see that my medical observations about childhood anorexia nervosa were to lead me in a direction that would be angrily denounced by many doctors, psychiatrists, therapists and dieticians of the day; his voice in my ear kept me true.

Our parents are our teachers and we must teach our children. I had the great good fortune to have two wonderful parents who made my welfare and that of my brothers and sister their chief concern. I have had two children and two step-children of my own. I hope that I have had some measure of success with them, though not perfect success—far from it.

In the acknowledgement section to Give Food A Chance I thanked Frieda, a Stanford instructor, cook, linguist and mother of four sons, one of whom had childhood onset schizophrenia.

I learned a lot from the example of Frieda’s suffering. A chronic mental illness like schizophrenia exacts an awful toll on parents. But the toll exacted by the disease itself was dwarfed, in many ways, by the toll taken on this intelligent woman by the medical and psychiatric belief systems of the era. Desperate for diagnostic and treatment help, Frieda and Bob took their son to all the best psychiatrists at Stanford and in Europe. And the message they got was that their son’s illness had been caused by the psychological stress of having a “distant” father who was a Holocaust survivor and an “enmeshed mother” who at the same time neglected her home duties for her professional career. Frieda was one of the few mothers I knew when we were growing up, who worked outside the home. But one thing was clear to me even as a teenager: she neglected no one. Dinner was homemade and on the table every night, the boys were great students, their friends were made welcome at their home every day, they traveled and vacationed together as a family, she sewed for the boys when they were involved in theater and did all the grocery shopping and lunch packing and dentist’s appointments and laundry and….well, you mothers know what I am talking about.

A lot of pain was caused by the parent-blaming theories of mental illness popular in the 1970’s. And patients were not significantly helped either. Frieda, although she was able to understand that the doctors were wrong --even as they had nothing to offer her child-- went to her grave apologizing for choosing a doctorate and a career.

Such parent-blaming theories of mental illness in general and eating disorders in particular are still not dead. Frieda opened my eyes to the fact that false ideas in medicine are not harmless and that speaking out against them is our duty.

Please note: Parents do not cause eating disorders and children do not choose to have them.

--Julie O’Toole MD, MPH
Kartini Clinic
Portland, Oregon

BOOK GIVEAWAY!

2011-05-06T14:34:00.000-07:00

JOURNALS OF THE BIG MOUTH BASS
by Debbie Sue Bass Williamson
For ages 9-12
Paperback
156 pages

ENTER TO WIN Journals of the Big Mouth Bass
HERE’S HOW:
~ Simply be a follower of this blog or become one! Then leave a comment to this post to add your name to the drawing. BE SURE TO ADD YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS SO I CAN CONTACT THE WINNER!

This giveaway will end on June 1st, 2011 The winner will be chosen by Random drawing from all valid entries submitted. The winner will be notified via email and will have up to 48 hours to contact me with their mailing address before another winner is chosen. Open world wide! No P.O Boxes please.

LITTLE NIPPER'S REVIEW
As a parent I’ve discovered many things about myself. One of which, is the fact that I truly love children’s literature. The best part of my day is story time. Every night before my children go to sleep, we spend time cuddling in my bed with a good book. Recently, story time has changed a bit. We have graduated from picture books such as The Very Hungry Caterpillar to chapter books like Harry Potter and the Magic Tree House Series. Therefore, when I was recently approached to review Journals of the Big Mouth Bass I was thrilled. I thought it would make a great addition to our story hour and I knew my children would like it.

And like it they did! In fact, we all fell in love with Debbie Bass; a sweet tomboy who not only has a hard time keeping secrets but dreams of someday becoming an astronaut. Journals of the Big Mouth Bass is a refreshing tale dealing with the growing pains of a 9 year old girl who hates her freckles, is experiencing her first crush and is learning some hard life lessons; “If a secret can hurt someone than it is bad.”

What I enjoyed most about this book is that it’s based on reality without all the cynicism that seems to prevail in popular children’s books today. (I’ve stated many times that I’m not fond of the recent trend in literature whose hero/heroine is a jaded adolescent who prides themselves on being disrespectful to their elders.) Furthermore, this book is more than your typical coming of age book. It also teaches a little about history. Since it takes place in 1963, we learned about the assassination of John F. Kennedy, astronauts landing on the moon and the dawning of feminism.

My 8 year old daughter deeply related to Debbie Bass.Every night she asked to read another chapter of Journals of the Big Mouth Bass. She couldn’t wait to find out what Debbie was going to do next.

I had the tremendous opportunity to interview the author of this wonderful book.
I would like to introduce you to Debbie Sue Bass Williamson:

Tell us a little about yourself:

I was born in SLC, UT. My family moved to Southern California when I was three. I grew up surfing and swimming in the ocean. I moved backed to Utah when I was in my late teens with my family. I have four children and eleven grandchildren. My husband Gary was the love of my life, my best friend and my inspiration for many things. I said goodbye to him after a year and a half long battle with cancer. Our journey together is one that will never end and is unforgettable. I now live in both Utah and California. I love to sail, garden, travel, golf and play in the ocean. Reading has always been my favorite pastime.

What was the inspiration for Journals of the Big Mouth Bass?

I wanted to share stories with children; I have always been a story teller. My husband was my inspiration for putting my stories into words on paper. He thought my journals were inspirational and had the idea to make them into a book. And Gary knew how much it meant to me to share.

Is the story based on your own childhood? If so, what is fact and what is fiction?

Yes the story is based on my childhood. While most of the stories are true I have added small bits to add to them. The party at the Reagan's is fact, Jessie is fact, the gang is fact, chopper is fact, the only fiction really is a few added parts. Most of the events are very close to the way my childhood happened.

Tell us about your writing process. Do you write every day?

No I don't write every day. I write in blocks of time when inspiration is there. It can be long days with small breaks for naps, sometimes minutes when something pops up or I can go for weeks with nothing. Writing has never been organized time or planned it just comes and I go with it. I have learned to let the frustration go and creativity will come. Writing for me is creating; I have to allow myself the space to create. Which means I need to be close to nature, in my garden or by the beach where I can feel the words come. My office has been great at times but my best writing has always come to me when I am outside.

What do you find is the hardest part about writing?

The grammar.... I am a story teller not a scholar.

Are you currently writing other books? If so, can you tell us anything about them?

Yes, I am writing the second half to STAND, my memoir. Stand was a difficult book for me, to share such dark parts of my life was not an easy task. The second half is going to be an emotional journey that will not only be difficult but I am certain will be my greatest journey after saying goodbye to Gary. I am also working on the third book of the series to Journals of The Big Mouth Bass.

What advice do you have for young authors?

• Well first piece of advice would be, don't get caught up in the grammar too much. I believe good writing is the ability to tell a story. There are many great editors, leave the grammar to them.
• Second, you need to believe in what you are doing and never give up. Anything is possible when you believe in it.
• Let your words flow, try not to force them. If you can find an inspirational place to go to the words will come.

Questions from my 8 year old daughter:
Who was your favorite author while you were growing up?

I didn't have a favorite author when I was a kid. I did have favorite books though.

What sorts of books did you read as a girl?

My favorite book was Robinson Crusoe. I also loved Moby Dick, Peter Pan and Gulliver's Travels.

Explain the meaning behind Chapter 5; Magic. Did this really happen or did Debbie make up the story for her journal?

This really happened; something's in life have no explanation. It is up to you to believe or not believe. This is the magic part of life and my favorite part...

Does Debbie ever grow up to be an astronaut?

That will be revealed in the last book of the series...

Enter to win Journals of the Big Mouth Bass! Giveaway ends June 1st, 2011. See above for details.

BOOK GIVEAWAY

2011-04-18T13:40:00.000-07:00

Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother
Written by Amy Chua

After watching an interview with author Amy Chua on the Today show promoting her latest book Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother, I was immediately intrigued and appalled! I just could not understand a woman that frowns on playdates and sleepovers, who does not allow her children to choose their own extracurricular activities and who forces her children to practice a classical instrument 6 hours a day! However, I think I was most offended by her constant criticism of Westerns and their parenting styles. Therefore, when a local book club suggested that this book be the topic of discussion this month, I became a very eager participant. I bought the book with the assumption that my initial impression of this woman would be justified. In addition, I couldn’t wait to express my contempt to the fellow members of my new book club!

To my surprise, though, I found a kinship to Amy Chua. In her book, she gives a very candid account of her struggles with parenting the Chinese way in America. She discusses her loneliness in defending her values, the arborous work of preparing her children for the future and the battles that emerged between her and her family. I must say, I found her honesty quite endearing.

Also, I discovered I agreed with many things in the book! I, myself, limit the amount of TV my children watch. I have intentionally steered my children toward activities that will benefit them in the future (Although, I do not think Amy Chua would agree with the activities I chose) furthermore I do believe in hard work and expect the same from my children.

However, where we disagree is with the concept of playdates. I am a teacher and I strongly believe that social development is just as important as academics. I believe this difference of opinion is cultural, for in America, a person will not go far in their career if they do not have social skills no matter how intelligent they are.

I enjoyed this book and I applaud Amy Chua for her frankness, bravery and determination. As an American, though, I have to say I did not appreciate the constant criticisms and overgeneralizations about Westerners and their parenting styles that she expressed so strongly in every chapter. There are many hard working Americans who do not “eat junk food and spend 10 hours a day on Facebook.” Perhaps, she is just meeting the wrong people.

What do you think of the Tiger Mother? Enter to win this book in this months Giveaway and decide for yourself!

ENTER TO WIN Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother
HERE’S HOW:
~ Simply be a follower of this blog or become one! Then leave a comment to this post to add your name to the drawing. BE SURE TO ADD YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS SO I CAN CONTACT THE WINNER!

This giveaway will end on MaY 15, 2011 The winner will be chosen by Random drawing from all valid entries submitted. The winner will be notified via email and will have up to 48 hours to contact me with their mailing address before another winner is chosen. Open world wide! No P.O Boxes please.

Good Luck!
Michelle Berg
Little Nipper Books

LITTLE NIPPERS TOP 10

2011-04-15T15:29:00.000-07:00

Last month my children received a set of glow-in-the-dark Solar System stickers from a friend. I attached them to their ceiling and ever since our bedtime routine has been enormously fun. We spend a good 10 minutes a night finding and naming the planets. With this in mind, I embarked on a mission to find the best children’s books on space. It wasn’t easy. There isn’t much available and what is on hand is mostly dry. However, my efforts have been quite rewarding. Through this research, my children can now name all the planets and offer facts about each as well! Take a look at the following books:

Our Stars
Written and Illustrated by Anne Rockwell.

Teachers, turn your students into stargazers with the help of this book as it is a great starting point for young listeners. Told with simplicity, in a language that kids can understand, Our Stars will introduce the concepts of constellations with illustrations depicting Orion the Hunter, The Big Dipper and Leo the Lion. In addition, it briefly touches upon other parts of the universe such as the planets, comets and meteors. This book is sure to raise curiosity about the wonders of the outer space.

Can You Find a Planet?
Written by Sidney Rosen. Illustrated by Dean Lindberg.

Framed as a question and answer book, this Astronomy professor presents facts in an undeniably compelling manner. Pairing easy text, cartoon characters and actual photographs taken from NASA spacecrafts this book will inspire many discussions about our Solar System and create a true love for the universe. Answering questions like, the difference between planets and stars and what astronauts have discovered about each planet.

Going Around the Sun: Some Planetary Fun
Written by Marianne Berkes. Illustrated by Janeen Mason.

Teacher and author of six picture books, Marianne Berkes, clearly understands how to catch the attention of young minds and make education fun! To the tune of “Over the Meadow” she writes an entertaining poem about our Solar System. “Up in outer space” it begins, “In a great galaxy/Lived an old Mother Sun/And her planet, Mercury.” As we turn the pages we take part in a conversation the Mother has with each of her planets. “Whirl’, said the Mother/ ‘I whirl’, said the One./So it whirled and it twirled/As it went around the Sun.” It ends with 6 pages of planetary facts and additional ideas for the classroom. My six year old son has become enamored with this book! It is an absolute treasure!

To view Little Nippers Top 10 list in it's entirety, click on the link in the sidebar under:
TOP 10 Space Books

LITTLE NIPPERS TOP 10

2011-04-02T08:30:00.000-07:00

This month my pre-school class engaged in an All About Me unit and as the teacher, I needed to find books that were focused on identity, family and emotions for toddlers. What I found was an amazing amount of books available on confidence and self-esteem for all ages. The following is a list of my favorites:

A Bad Case of Stripes
Written and Illustrated by David Shannon. Ages 4-8.

Camilla Cream is so worried about what the other kids think of her that she refuses to eat her favorite food! Lima beans are apparently unpopular with the other kids at school and she’s afraid if she eats them she’ll be laughed at. However, her body clearly needs them as she discovers after contracting a very unusual disease; she is literally covered from head to toe in rainbow colored stripes! A Bad Case of Stripes is an amusing, spellbinding tale of self-respect like no other. As her stripes change to stars, polka-dots and checkerboard squares, Camilla realizes that being well liked is less important than being yourself.

I Like Myself
Written by Karen Beaumont. Illustrated by David Catrow.
Ages Pre-School-Grade 2

Energetic and fun, this is indeed a wonderful tale of a young girl who has an abundance of poise and self-confidence. No matter what someone else may think or say, she’s too busy being herself to let anyone bother her. Even if she had fleas or warts or a silly snout that snorts, she still has a sense of self-worth! I applaud the author for her witty and clever narrative, as I truly love this book!

To view Little Nippers Top 10 list in it's entirety, click on the link in the sidebar under:
TOP 10 All About Me Books

AND THE WINNER IS...

2011-04-02T08:14:00.000-07:00

Congratulations to Chelanne Green of Forest, Virginia. She is the Winner of Stand Tall Molly Lou Melon by Patty Lovell.

Our next book giveaway is for Amy Chua's, Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother. Stay tuned....

Thanks for following Little Nippers!

BOOK GIVEAWAY

2011-02-25T14:33:00.000-08:00

STAND TALL MOLLY LOU MELON
Written by Patty Lovell and Illustrated by David Catrow
For Ages 4-8

Molly Lou Melon was not born with grace or beauty. She is naturally clumsy, curiously short, has buck teeth and a peculiar sound to her voice. However, with encouragement from her Grandmother, she stands tall and proud, smiles frequently and sings to her heart’s content! Furthermore, she finds that the world smiles right alongside her. Illustrated by David Catrow, who is also responsible for the lively images of I Like Myself. His style is charming and vibrant, reminiscent of Dr. Seuss. This book is loved by my family as its powerful message seems to have the ability to connect with us all.

ENTER TO WIN THIS GREAT BOOK
HERE’S HOW:
~ Simply be a follower of this blog or become one! Then leave a comment to this post to add your name to the drawing. BE SURE TO ADD YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS SO I CAN CONTACT THE WINNER!

This giveaway will end on March 25, 2011 The winner will be chosen by Random drawing from all valid entries submitted. The winner will be notified via email and will have up to 48 hours to contact me with their mailing address before another winner is chosen. Open world wide! No P.O Boxes please.

Good Luck!
Michelle Berg
Little Nipper Books

LITTLE NIPPERS TOP 10

2011-02-13T16:27:00.000-08:00

When I was a child, I despised history! It wasn’t until I was in college that my perspective changed with the help of a brilliant professor who made history fun! He would literally jump on tables and reenact battles right in front of us. Since then, I have a deep love of history. Now, as a Mom of two, I wanted to extend this appreciation to my children with the help of a few great books:

LITTLE NIPPERS TOP CHOICES:

Pink and Say
Written and Illustrated by Patricia Polacco

Patricia Polacco writes eloquently about the true story of her great-grandfather who after being wounded during the Civil War encountered another Union soldier that left a lasting impression. It is a deeply moving story that is not only about friendship and courage but about slavery and the harsh treatment of African Americans during that time. It will bring you to tears.

Dandelions
Written by Eve Bunting. Illustrated by Greg Shed.

This is a tender and honest story of one family’s journey west and the emotional anguish they endured. Leaving the comfort of their home in Illinois, they traveled for weeks by wagon to the desolate Nebraska Territory where their nearest neighbor lived 3 hours away. Once they arrived, they had to plant crops, dig for water and build their own house as well as become accustomed to living away from their loved ones and everything they knew.

Washington is Burning
Written by Marty Rhodes Figley. Illustrated by Craig Orback.

This book tells the tale of the British attack on Washington, DC during the War of 1812 from the perspective of First Lady Dolley Madison and Paul Jennings, a slave that lived in the White House. With simple clarity the author describes the courage and determination of these two people as they watched the battle at Bladensburg move closer to their home. In addition, it describes their attempt to save a portrait of George Washington that because of their fortitude, still hangs today.

To view Little Nippers Top 10 list in it's entirety, click on the link in the sidebar under:
TOP 10 Books on U.S. History

WINTER THEMED ACTIVITIES FOR TODDLERS

2011-01-11T21:43:00.000-08:00

Winter is a fantastic time for learning! There are just so many changes taking place in nature every day. For us New Englanders, we are approaching our 2nd Blizzard this year! This is the perfect time to talk about the words “Cold”, “Snow” and “Weather”.

I am a preschool teacher for Toddlers. I have a class full of 2 year olds and in addition to making the children feel safe and loved, I have to plan curriculum on a monthly basis to help develop important skills. The following is a list of activities I’ve applied to my classroom which can be used by teachers and parents alike!

LANGUAGE AND LITERACY:
Singing is a wonderful way to teach verbal skills. In my classroom, we teach new songs every month and sing them daily during our circle time for easy learning. Here is a few Winter Themed Songs:

HATS, MITTENS SHOES AND SOCKS
(to the tune of “Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes”)

Hats, Mittens, Shoes and Socks
Shoes and socks.
Hats, Mittens, Shoes and Socks
Shoes and socks.
Pants and belt and shirt and tie
Go together wet or dry
Wet or dry!

THIS IS THE WAY WE DRESS FOR WINTER
(to the tune of “The Mulberry Bush”)

This is the way we dress for winter,
Dress for winter, dress for winter.
This is the way we dress for winter
Because it’s cold outside.

We will wear our snowsuit today,
Snowsuit today, Snowsuit today
We will wear our snowsuit today
Because it’s cold outside.

We will wear our boots today,
Boots today, Boots today
We will wear our Boots today
Because it’s cold outside.

We will wear hats and mittens today,
Hats and mittens, hats and mittens
We will wear hats and mittens today
Because it’s cold outside.

WINTER IS HERE
(to the tune of “The Muffin Man”)

Can you feel the wind blow cold?
The wind blow cold?
The wind blow cold?
Can you feel the wind blow cold?
Winter is here.

Can you see the darker skies?
The darker skies?
The darker skies?
Can you see the darker skies?
Winter is here.

Can you see the trees all bare?
The trees all bare?
The trees all bare?
Can you see the trees all bare?
Winter is here.

MATHEMATICS:
COUNTING THE SNOWMAN GAME
Materials:
Paper
Crayon
20-40 small paper snowmen

At the top of a piece of paper I drew a large bubble number (2, 3 or 4). The children were first given a crayon and asked to color in the number. Then, with the help of a teacher they counted and glued the corresponding number of snowmen underneath. This was a great counting activity that introduced early math skills.

SNOWMAN PUZZLE
Materials:
Snowmen made out of Card Stock and cut into large shapes to form a puzzle

This snowman puzzle is easy to make and can be laminated for durability. I made a few for my classroom and asked the children to take turns creating the snowman. The kids loved it! This is a great morning activity for when your students are just arriving.

SCIENCE AND EXPLORATION:
WATCH THE MELTING SNOWMAN ACTIVITY
For this lesson, I simply grabbed some snow from the playground and built a mini snowman on our sensory table. Then I placed it up on a shelf so we could all observe how fast the snowman melted! This was a lot of fun. One of my students asked throughout the day, “Miss Michelle, what happened to the snowman?”

EXPLORING WITH SNOW
For this activity, we just filled the sensory table with snow and let the children explore with cups and spoons. We talked about how “cold” it was and why it melted.

ART:
DRESSING UP THE CHILDREN
Materials:
Small drawing of a child (you can use a paper doll)
paper hats, mittens, coats, scarves and boots

After a discussion of what types of clothing are worn in the winter and the importance of staying warm, the children were given paper hats, mittens, coats, scarves and boots to “dress” their paper dolls. It’s important to know, that this age group will not necessarily glue the appropriate clothing in the correct places! That’s okay…it’s important to let them create on their own.

WINTERY SCENES
Materials:
Blue construction paper
Q-tip
White paint

I asked the children to create snowflakes and with a little white paint on a Q-tip, they all went to town! I think it was the novelty of using a Q-tip instead of a paint brush that made them so excited. Every student of mine LOVED this activity.

PHYSICAL: FINE AND LARGE MOTOR SKILLS:
The above activities; Wintery Scenes, Dressing Up the Children and the Snowman Counting Game are all great for Fine Motor Development. In addition, this month we explored with Shaving Cream! After a few squirts of it on a table, the children drew circles/designs with their fingers and practiced scraping it off with a small windshield scrapper. We talked about how the Shaving Cream was “white” just like snow.

The following activities are excellent (and fun) for Large Motor Skills:
THROWING THE SNOWBALL AT THE SNOWMAN ACTIVITY
Materials:
A paper snowman, approximately 1-2 feet long
3 Rolled up Socks

Here, I attached the snowman to the wall (at my students eye level) and asked them to throw the snowball (socks) at the snowman. I gave them 3 “snowballs” and after the 3rd throw it was time for someone else to have a turn. This was fantastically fun and held their interest for quite some time!

SHOVELING SNOW ACTIVITY
Materials:
A kids size shovel
3 folded and tied up bed sheets

The bed sheets were gathered on the floor of our classroom and the children were told that it was snow. They were then asked to “shovel” the snow from one side of the classroom to another. As with the above lesson, this was also a taking turns activity.

SOCIAL/EMOTIONAL:
The above activities; Shoveling Snow; Throwing the Snowball and the Snowman Puzzles are all lessons in “taking turns” a very important social/emotional skill.

TEACHERS AND PARENTS
I WOULD LOVE TO HEAR YOUR IDEAS! PLEASE SHARE...

Little Nippers Top 10

2011-01-08T10:18:00.001-08:00

I have to say that I don’t agree with some of the children’s literature out there today whose main character is a precocious elementary grade-schooler who does nothing except complain about their parents, teachers and siblings. Shouldn’t reading be about imagination? I much prefer the imaginative tales of my youth than the jaded cynicism that seems to have overcome popularity. The following is a list of Classic Children’s literature that are both clever and inspiring. Each book is written for readers ages 9-12 however they are equally enjoyable to younger children if read out loud.

LITTLE NIPPERS TOP CHOICES:

Charlotte’s Web
Written by E.B. White. Illustrated by Garth Williams.

I recently had the pleasure of listening to this story on CD. As a child, I read it multiple times but this recording read by the author himself is beautiful. The story of a very lucky pig that is first saved by a compassionate young girl and then by an ingenious old spider, has once again brought me to tears. It is a moving and eloquent story about growing up, friendship and loss. Charlotte’s Web is a classic that should be on everyone shelves.

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
Written by Roald Dahl. Illustrated by Quentin Blake.

“There are five children in this book: Augustus Gloop, A greedy boy; Veruca Salt, A girl who is spoiled by her parents; Violet Beauregarde; A girl who chews gum all day long; Mike Teavee, A boy who does nothing but watch television and Charlie Bucket; The hero.” So begins the celebrated tale of Willy Wonka, the Oompa-Loompas and that famous Chocolate Factory. I must say, that I’ve never been a fan of this story until I read the book. Both feature films, the 1971 release with Gene Wilder and the remake in 2005 with Johnny Depp seemed dark and disturbing. The book portrays Willy Wonka as eccentric and less sinister which I find more appealing. Also, the Oompa-Loompas morality songs are rich with profound messages and I think their significance is lost in the movie. My favorite song is the last one about the dangers of letting your children watch too much TV. Instead, they recommend to read, read, and read!

Island of the Blue Dolphins
Written by Scott O’Dell

There are no illustrations in this book but Scott O’Dell’s powerful description of survival and strength brings forth vivid images. When the village people of an Indian tribe leave the island to sail east, a 12 year old girl is left behind. While she waited for a ship to return, she had to forage for food, fight against wild dogs and build her own shelter. This is an unforgettable story of bravery, endurance and spirit like no other.

To view Little Nippers Top 10 list in it's entirety, click on the link in the sidebar under:
TOP 10 Classics

Little Nippers Top 10

2010-12-10T13:25:00.001-08:00

Tis the season! There are many children’s books that I love to read this time of year. Books such as The Polar Express and How the Grinch Stole Christmas are stories that I could hear again and again, each time with the same thrill and anticipation I had as a child. However, December is a month of multicultural holiday celebrations. As a mother of two and a preschool teacher I try to find books that will teach about the many different holidays and festivities around the world. I don’t believe we can appreciate the true spirit of the season until we can understand the meaning of celebrations from cultures that are different from our own. The following list is a mere sample of the great literature available, I hope you enjoy.

LITTLE NIPPERS TOP CHOICES:

The Legend of Old Befana
Written and Illustrated by Tomie de Paola. Ages 9-12.

Being of Italian decent, I took particular interest in the legend of Befana, who every year apparently flies across the sky on January 6th (during the Feast of the Three Kings) searching for the Christ child. It is said that Old Befana visits all the children of Italy leaving them candies, cookies and gifts in hopes that one might be the Baby King of Bethlehem. Tomie de Paola’s retelling of this old tale is unique because of the detail in his illustrations. The story is carried out with pages are of biblical imagery. For example, throughout the book there are many pictures of a six-pointed star which represents the star of creation. Also shown with the three kings is a panther which is a symbol of the way all ‘true believers’ are drawn to Christ and an oak tree which is the symbol of strength. For all the teachers out there, this book could be read to your class with a follow up cooking lesson for Pizelle cookies!

Hershel and the Hanukkah Goblins
Written by Eric Kimmel. Illustrated by Trina Schart Hyman. Ages 4-8.

There are goblins that haunt the old synagogue at the top of the hill and they are quite the nuisance! They blow out the candles on the menorah; they throw potato latkes on the floor and basically make it impossible for the village people to celebrate Chanukah. In this delightfully original Chanukah tale, you just can’t help but giggle as Hershel of Ostropol outwits those nasty goblins and rids the village people of them once and for all. This book is a pleasure to read! My kids truly enjoyed it, all while learning a few things about Chanukah!

Seven Spools of Thread; A Kwanzaa Story
Written by Angela Shelf Medearis. Illustrated by Daniel Minter. Ages 4-8.

Using the Seven Principles of Kwanzaa (or the Nguzo Saba) Angela Shelf Medearis illustrates a captivating story about how 7 brothers must work together to resolve their differences and solve the problem their recently deceased father left for them. All of the principles of Nguzo Saba are hidden within the story. This inspirational book is a great teaching tool, not only in regards to Kwanzaa but it also teaches concepts such as unity, purpose and self-determination which are important life lessons for us all.

To view Little Nippers Top 10 list in it's entirety, click on the link in the sidebar under:
TOP 10 HOLIDAY BOOKS

NOVEMBER BOOK GIVEAWAY

2010-11-20T14:36:00.000-08:00

In honor of my One Year Anniversary as a published author, I am giving away a signed copy of my children's book Miss Mandy Manners!

Miss Mandy Manners is a rhyming story that is perfect for girls ages 2-6. I have this book in my own preschool classroom and I'm asked to read it daily!

Synopsis:
Learning proper etiquette is never easy but it can be fun with this delightful tale of a young girl whose impeccable manners make her loved by everyone. Her name is Miss Mandy Manners and each page features another example of her extraordinary behavior. From thoughtfulness, gentle manner and cooperation she is a shining model of civility and respect. With its whimsical illustrations, this book is a great tool for any parent or teacher who wants to instill good manners.

This would make a perfect Christmas Gift! I will personalize this signed copy to your little one!

ENTER TO WIN
HERE’S HOW:
~ Simply be a follower of this blog or become one! Then leave a comment to this post to add your name to the drawing. BE SURE TO ADD YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS SO I CAN CONTACT THE WINNER!

This giveaway will end on NOVEMBER 30, 2010 The winner will be chosen by Random drawing from all valid entries submitted. The winner will be notified via email and will have up to 48 hours to contact me with their mailing address before another winner is chosen. Open world wide! No P.O Boxes please.

Good Luck!
Michelle Berg
Little Nipper Books

LITTLE NIPPERS TOP 10

2010-11-06T09:23:00.000-07:00

Today, my 5 year old asked me “Mom, so what is Thanksgiving all about anyway?” Good question. Sometimes, I feel as though the meaning of the holiday is lost. Hopefully the following books will answer some of those questions. While some titles are just for fun, there are others that deal with the true significance of the American Holiday. They will all make a nice complement to add to your Thanksgiving festivities.

LITTLE NIPPERS TOP CHOICES:

Thanks for Thanksgiving
Written by Julie Markes. Illustrated by Doris Barrette. Ages 3-7.

Play dates, slides and piggyback rides; there are so many things to be thankful for! In this book, Julie Markes reminds us all that Thanksgiving is for giving thanks while subtly teaching appreciation for the smaller pleasures in life. Told in a short rhyming verse, this book is ideal for toddlers and preschoolers. It even includes a place to write your thankful thoughts.

The First Thanksgiving
Written by Jean Graighead George. Illustrated by Thomas Locker. Ages 9-12.

The First Thanksgiving is an eloquently written story that begins at the time of the melting glaciers and ends with that well-known and celebrated feast between the Pilgrims and the Indians. Leaving nothing unturned, the narrative describes in detail, Squanto’s plight and his willingness to help the Englishmen despite past events between the two groups. Thomas Locker’s oil paintings are breathtakingly beautiful and highlight key elements within the story.

1621 A New Look at Thanksgiving
Written by Catherine O’Neill Grace and Margaret M. Bruchac.
Photographs by Sisse Brimberg and Cotton Coulson. Ages 9-12.

Unfolding a myth, this unique book gives an historical account of the diplomatic gathering between the English Settlers and the Wampanoag people; a gathering that later became popularly known as the First Thanksgiving. Published by the National Geographic Society and written with the help of Plymouth Plantation the authors set out to describe an American history that is not widely known.

To view Little Nippers Top 10 list in it's entirety, click on the link in the sidebar under:
TOP 10 THANKSGIVING BOOKS

HELP LITTLE NIPPERS FIGHT CANCER!

2010-10-12T15:28:00.000-07:00

Four years ago on October 21st, my Dad passed away on his birthday after a long battle with Cancer. This was the third person in our family who battled with the disease.

In an effort to raise money for research, Little Nippers is donating a portion of the proceeds from the sale of Miss Mandy Manners to the American Cancer Society.

Please log on to our website and support our cause.

Thank you!
Michelle Berg
Little Nipper Books

LITTLE NIPPERS TOP 10

2010-10-06T16:35:00.000-07:00

It’s back to school and with that, back to learning! After a long summer break, getting back to the old grind can be daunting. With this in mind, I have assigned myself the task of finding books that would help prepare kids for the upcoming school year. I find it interesting that even though most schools today have a required reading list, none of them seem to involve math. And there is a surprisingly considerable amount of books with this very subject matter. The following books not only teach a variety of mathematical principles but are sure to please kids and parents alike!

Little Nippers Top Choices:

A Remainder of One
Written by Elinor J. Pinczes. Illustrated by Bonnie Mackain. Ages 4-8.
(Division and the Concept of Remainders) Even if your child does not enjoy math, they will love these rhymes! Pinczes and Mackain do it again; subtly teaching math with wit, merriment and a clever verse. Poor tag-along Joe didn’t have any fun, always left out – as a remainder of one. As 25 bugs march in a parade in two separate rows, their queen is displeased with the uneven lines. Poor Joe, who is left at the end, is asked to step out of the procession. Unhappy with his plight, he examines the situation and begins to make changes. First he tries to change the lines from two to three and then again to four. But every time he was left behind. Then at last, he discovers that if the 25 bugs march in five separate lines he will no longer be left out.

The Toothpaste Millionaire
Written by Jean Merrill.Illustrated by Jan Palmer. Ages 9-12.
(Problem Solving) By the time Rufus Mayflower entered the eighth grade he had become a millionaire! How did he do it? He made inexpensive toothpaste that he could sell for only 3cents! Written for children in the intermediate grades, this lighthearted story contains quite a few mathematical problems that the characters must decipher to start their new enterprise. A straight forward, easy to read book that illustrates very basic business lessons that even adults can appreciate.

Bunches and Bunches of Bunnies
Written by Louise Mathews. Illustrated by Jeni Basset. Ages 4-8.
(Multiplication) We all know bunnies multiply, but who knew it could be so much fun! In this wonderfully entertaining book we learn that multiplication is as easy as counting. Every page reveals more bunnies and as they flip, walk, talk and sometimes snore; children will learn their multiplication tables with ease. Complete with rhyming narrative, this is a book you’ll want to read again and again.

To view Little Nippers Top 10 list in it's entirety, click on the link in the sidebar under:
TOP 10 MATH BOOKS