Storybook Classics

This week, I read Kindergarten two of my favorite classics--The Story of Ferdinand by Munro Leaf and The Little House by Virginia Lee Burton. Every time I read them, I think of my grandparents reading to me when I was a child. When I spent the night at their house, I would raid the children's books that belonged to my mother and her brothers. Several of my aunts, uncles, cousins, and I could probably recite I Wish That I Had Duck Feet by heart. In fact, my grandma and her twin sister read that book to their great grandchildren now! These stories are wonderful heirlooms to be passed down from generation to generation.  For some warm fuzzies before bedtime, consider choosing these books this summer!

I Wish That I Had Duck Feet by Dr. Seuss (1965)

 The Story of Ferdinand by Munro Leaf (1936)

 The Little House by Virginia Lee Burton (1942)

 And to Think That I Saw it on Mulberry Street by Dr. Seuss (1937)

Are You My Mother? by P.D. Eastman (1960)

Luau Success

Our Book Fair was a major success this year!  We made $10,589.14 in profits and earned $2,423.15 for the library.  Thank you so much to the volunteers and visitors who made Overbrook’s book fair a success!  A special thank you to Dr. Michael Marro, the Book Fair Chairman, for all his help.  I hope all of your children have a book that they love from the Fair.

How do you know it's Book Fair time?  I haven't updated the blog in quite a long time!  Now that Book Fair season is over, I don't have to neglect Blue, Gold and Read All Over.  Now that's something to hula about!

Fifth Level Friday

On this fine Friday, I thought I'd pick five of my favorite fifth level books to showcase.  I truly love each and every one of these books.  If you check them out, you won't be disappointed!

Moon Over Manifest (BL 5.3, 12 AR points)
Beautifully written story about girl whose father leaves her in his Kansas hometown for the summer so he can work on the railroad.  As she gets to know the people of the town, she is drawn in to mysteries from the past and learns more about her father, whom she calls Gideon.  Through it all she wonders, will Gideon return at the end of the summer?

Crispin: Cross of Lead (BL 5.0, 7 AR points)
Talk about a page turner:  I finished this Newberry winner in a day!  Nonstop action about a boy named Crispin in Medieval England who is falsely accused of theft and murder. He must hide as the whole region is trying to hunt him down.  He eventually discovers he is the key to a dangerous secret.  Crispin's faith in God and journey to figure out right from wrong, as well as his finding his own voice, are inspiring.  This is the first book in a trilogy.

The Long Winter (BL 5.3, 10 AR points)

If you didn't make it this far in the Little House series, keep going!  Harrowing story of how this family stays alive through blizzards, food shortage, and unimaginable cold.  Sure to cool you even on the warmest spring day!

Ramona Quimby, Age 8 (BL 5.6, 3 AR points)

Sometimes I forget about tried-and-true books. If you haven't read this book, it is worth it (even revisiting it as an adult!).  One of my favorite scenes is when Ramona and Beezus attempt to make dinner for their parents and the hilarious chaos that ensues.  What a mess!  The Quimbys work hard to make ends meet, and the ways they work together as a family are a great example for students.


The Graveyard Book (BL 5.1, 10 AR points)  

Another Newberry winner by the author of Coraline about an orphaned boy named Bod who is raised by friendly ghosts. 

New Books

We received another shipment of new books last week!  They consist of updated copies of books we already had, in addition to a few new ones.  Some highlights:

Elephant & Piggie

Magic Tree House

Geronimo Stilton

Swiss Family Robinson, Three Musketeers, M.C. Higgins the Great

We also ordered brand new copies of Encyclopedia Brown, The Dark is Rising series, and paperback copies of Martin Bridge books.  Come and see!

Book Fair Luau

The Book Fair is only a little more than a month away, from April 16-20!  We're so excited, and we want to make it the best Overbrook Book Fair to date.  The theme this year is "Book Fair Luau."  We need all the help we can get to make it interesting, exciting, and most importantly, promote literacy and raise funds for the library.  If you'd like to volunteer, please email Michael Marro, Book Fair Chairman, at docmarro@gmail.com.  There are ample volunteer opportunities for people with various time and talents:

Are you creative and want to help decorate or make posters?  Sign up to help in the weeks before the Fair!

Would you like to be at the Fair when your child's class comes in, or help the students find and make books selections?  Sign up for a shift the week of the Fair!

Do you work and can't help during school hours?  Sign up to work the Family Night Luau taking place Tuesday, April 17 from 4-7 pm!

Are you super busy and have no time to devote to the Fair?  Drop off some snacks or drinks during the Fair week for our volunteers!

To see our Book Fair homepage, click here.
    
In short, please consider signing up for this fun volunteer opportunity.  Have a great day!

Miss Griffin's Pick: Padre Pio

Miss Griffin's Lenten Pick:  Padre Pio by Fabio Fenzo

This graphic novel is an inspiring, moving account of Padre Pio's remarkable life and the miracles that occured after his death.  It recounts his visions as a young child, miracles he witnessed, and his generous spirit.  The pictures in the graphic novel are realistic so students can have a better idea of what he looked like as a young man.  For any nonfiction lovers (or adults--I learned so much reading this book!). 

Look for these other fascinating Saints biographies in the graphic novels section:  Saint Bernadette (741.5 Ber), Saint Joan of Arc (741.5 Joa), Pope John Paul II (J92 Joh)

Parent DVD Collection

Good morning!  On this dreary day, we have some exciting news: Overbrook now has a DVD collection in the library just for parents!  It contains many wonderful Saints and religious DVDs.  It is located in the library workroom on the stand-alone bookshelf.  I'll show you how to check them out under your child's account.  These movies are perfect for the Lenten season and a rainy day like today.

Notable DVDs:

Of Gods and Men (2010)

 The Song of Bernadette (1943)

Saint John Bosco: Mission to Love (2004)

Maria Goretti (2003)