Friday, January 18, 2013

Dreaming of Books Giveaway Hop 1/18/13-1/24/13



Welcome to the third annual Dreaming of Books Giveaway Hop. This hop will run from the 18th to the 24th and it is hosted by I Am A Reader, Not A Writer and Martha's Bookshelf.

I love books and right now, I am dreaming of getting my hands on Prodigy by Marie Lu once I read my tall TBR pile sitting on my desk! For this hop I am giving away a $10 Amazon giftcard so that you can buy the book of your dreams! :)

Rules:
Must be 18+
Must be a follower of this blog
Must fill out the rafflecopter below
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Recommended Picture Book:


Title: Lucky Beans

Author: Becky Birtha

Illustrator: Nicole Tadgell

Publisher: Albert Whitman & Company; 2010

Suitable for: 8 and up

Topics: African Americans, US History, Depression Era, Family Life, Arithmetic,

Opening
Cold wind ripped through Marshal Loman’s old wool Jacket. The snow froze his toes right through his hand-me-down boots.

Book Summary: 
During the Great Depression, Marshall, an African American boy, uses lessons learned in arithmetic class and guidance from his mother to figure out how many beans are in a jar in order to win her a new sewing machine in a contest.

Links to resources:
Math possibilities. This book was about estimation. Math 4 Children have estimation activities and work sheets.
Find fun online estimation games at PBS Kids. 
Lucky Beans coloring pages 
Lesson plans and activities can be found here.
More information about the African American experience during the Great Depression can be found here and here
The Great Depression: An African American Perspective  

Why I like this book:
Anyone who has been hit with hard times will appreciate this story. Lucky Beans is about a young African American boy, Marshall, and how he uses lessons from his math class to help his family, especially his mother, who has had her eyes on a new sewing machine. But times are hard. No work, means no money. No money means little food and definitely no sewing machine for mama. Children are introduced to the Great Depression era and how it affected everyone, especially the African American community. There is a wonderful math lesson included in the story as well. Estimation. Children learn how this important skill helps Marshall and his family through tough economic times.

Thursday, January 10, 2013

Meet the Author: Sue Douglass Fliess


Meet the author, Sue Douglass Fliess. She is the author of three children's books. They include: Shoes for Me! A Dress for Me! and her latest release, Tons of Trucks, a fun and interactive rhyming truck book filled with all kinds of trucks - tons of them. She can wiggle her ear, write in old English calligraphy and playing in the ocean. Today, Mrs Fliess will share with us her five favorite things.



What is your favorite book?

That is a tough one. Children's book: Sylvester and the Magic Pebble. Middle Grade: Are you there, God? It's Me Margaret. Young Adult: The Outsiders. Adult: The Lovely Bones. (See how I snuck in 4?)                                                      



Who is your favorite hero?

My Dad

 
What is your favorite reading spot?

The beach

 
What is your favorite sport?

To play: tennis. To watch: college basketball-- March Madness is the best.



What is your favorite food?

Thai food. And my husband and I just took a long-awaited vacation there. I ate Thai food three meals a day!

Tuesday, January 1, 2013

2012 Picture Book Picks!



Happy New Year!!!!  

2012 was a year of fun and wonderful picture book publications. We had the opportunity to review quite a few books, new and old, met awesome authors and gave away fun prizes through our giveaways and contests.

The Family-Ship Experience will continue to read, review and post picture book reviews and recommendations, author interviews and fun giveaways and contests on our blog. Below is our top three picks for recently published children's books by new and seasoned authors. 


Top Three Picture Books

 What Does A Muslim Look Like?


The Three Ninja Pigs 



Tea Cakes for Tosh





Check out these awesome books as well!

Going to Mecca
Moon Watcher: Shirin's Ramadan Miracle
One of Us  
Hind's Hands 
Sameerah's Hijab and The First Day of School 
Keep Your Ear On the Ball
Allah to Z