Stacey Loscalzo

Latest Posts

Jan 12

A Review of Clever Jack

by Stacey

In the past, I have not felt terribly drawn to writing book reviews. I’ve had more fun writing about  my girl’s interaction with books and writing and the various adventures we’ve had growing as a family of readers. In the past few weeks, though, we have been loving the book, Clever Jack Takes the Cake. I learned about this book during a book lover’s dream day, a conference called What’s New in Children’s Literature presented by Dr. Peggy Sharp. While Dr. Sharp talked highly of this book, I haven’t seen it mentioned in many places. There hasn’t been too much buzz about it around the children’s lit world. And we love this book. For the sake of all the children out there who haven’t met Jack, I am going to walk away from my comfort zone and write a review of Clever Jack Takes the Cake.

Jack,  a poor boy, is invited to the princess’ tenth birthday party. He sells all of his family’s goods to buy ingredients to bake the princess a cake. Along the way to the castle, he is tricked out of many parts of his cake. A troll takes one layer as payment for passage over his bridge, a fierce wind blows out the candles, four and twenty black birds eat the walnuts from the top and so on and so on. When Jack finally arrives at the castle, all he has left to give the princess is the story of cake and his travels to the castle. The princess, bored with all the usual gifts to royalty is thrilled as she states, ” ‘A story!’, she exclaimed. ‘And an adventure story at that! What a fine gift.'”

And she is right. Clever Jack is a beautifully written adventure story that children love for the silliness intertwined with danger and that grown ups love for the subtle moral of the wonder of a good story.

Read more
Jan 11

Awards

by Stacey

It seems like you can’t be a children’s lit blogger and not spend today blogging about yesterday’s awards so here goes…

I am thrilled with the surprises that yesterday’s announcements brought. I thought I would have read all the winners leaving me with no need to add to my toppling ‘to be read’ pile. But boy, was I wrong! While I quickly pulled A Sick Day for Amos McGee and Interrupting Chicken from our shelf for bedtime reading last night, I was unable to find many more of the award winners in my own personal library. I do love adding to my reading wish list…

The girls and I had fun reading these two already favorites with newly discerning eyes. Caroline decided that Interrupting Chicken should actually have won the Newbery instead of the Caldecott as she really loved the story more than the pictures. Katherine enjoyed examining the dear pictures of Amos and his friends. And I loved that my girls were almost as excited to hear about the winners as I was. I do love that Newbery and Caldecott are comfortably part of the girl’s lexicon. I love that after a good read, Caroline will ask if the book has won an  award and Katherine will often say, “Is it an honor?” She is always quick to find the shiny golden circle on books so we often look to tell if it was a winner or an honor book.

While I know that awards are hardly the be all and end all of good literature, I find the girls ability to talk about these awards as a sign that they are the readers I have raised them to be.

Read more
Jan 10

Nonfiction Monday

by Stacey

I was in my library last week and instead of meandering over to new picture books and novels, I found myself purposely in the nonfiction section looking for a book to read. If the shelves could talk, I think they would have said, “What took you so long?!” But better late than never for there I was, browsing nonfiction titles.

I had heard a lot about The Extraordinary Mark Twain (According to Susy)  by Barbara Kerley on various children lit blogs so when I saw the book displayed, I grabbed it.

Barbara Kerley writes on the book jacket that she had always been interested creating a book about Mark Twain. When she learned that his thirteen year old daughter had written an autobiorgraphy of her dad, Kerley decided that the time was right to tell her story. Told both by a narrator and in Susy Twain’s own words, we learn many interesting facts about the great writer. Each of Susy’s contributions are written on small pieces of paper that unfold from the book as her journal would have and appear to be written in her hand.

While I found the facts of the story and the style of it to be fascinating, what I loved most was the view into a little girl’s journal.

For the past month or so, I have finally reinvigorated my daily writing practice. The other day, I saw the clock ticking and realized I was not going to get to my writing unless I wrote after the girls went to bed,  which I’ve done but not terribly successfully. That was when I had a brainstorm. Why couldn’t I write with them? Katherine, our four year old, was entertained elsewhere but Caroline, our seven year old, was eager to join me. I sent her upstairs to get one of her many notebooks as she writes all the time. When we sat down at the dining room table together, I wondered why we hadn’t done this before, why writing had been a solitary task for each of us. We both relaxed into our writing and when we were done, we shared. At first, Caroline was hesitant to read her writing aloud and after reading it, I knew why. She had written openly and honestly using words that I know she wouldn’t have spoken out loud to me.

I am anxious to share The Extraordinary Mark Twain with her as we continue our ongoing conversation about the power of journaling.

Read more
Jan 07

Cybils Finalists Continued

by Stacey

Yesterday, I posted the results of the Early Reader category for this years Cybils award. Our great group of panelist also worked hard to narrow down a wonderful selection of Early Chapter Books. Our top five are described below.

Early Chapter Books

Anna Hibiscus
by Atinuke
Kane/Miller Book Pub
Nominated by: Anamaria Anderson

Anna Hibiscus, her African father, Canadian mother, and her mischievous twin brothers live in Africa. These are Anna’s stories about her family life: wanting to have personal space, dealing with younger brothers, respect for elders, traditional African ways v. modern conveniences, hard work, and compassion. Although set in Africa, it has universal appeal and will resonate with young readers. Atinuke contrasts and compares customs and life in Africa with other parts of the world, artfully explaining how modern life and traditional ways can co-exist. The chapters can be read in sequence or as individual short stories, and the illustrations effectively distribute text and make this attractive to dormant and reluctant readers. This is a book you can read aloud with your kids early in elementary school and they can later read for themselves. It is an excellent choice for mixed audiences. —Terry Doherty

Frankie Pickle and the Pine Run 3000
by Eric Wight
Simon & Schuster
Nominated by: Liz Jones

Frankie isn’t doing so well in Possum Scouts. He’s failed the knot-tying badge and can’t move from Pygmy to Shrew with everyone else. His only hope is to win the model car race, the Pine Run 3000. Except Frankie declines his father’s help and builds a creation that only somewhat resembles a functional car.

Frankie constantly gets distracted by his vivid imagination which is hilariously depicted in cartoons and when he becomes the awesome Frankie Pickle. “Wonder Pickle, we pronounce you a member of the League of Awesome. Go forth with your awesomeness,” says his imagination’s superhero mom in one graphic. Author and illustrator Eric Wight creates a thoroughly believable and lovable character – in fact, I’m pretty sure I know this kid. The book is half-and-half graphic and narrative novel, with cartoon black-and-white illustrations.  There’s plenty of picture context clues as they read.  —Melissa Taylor

Home on the Range (Down Girl and Sit)
by Lucy Nolan
Marshall Cavendish Childrens Books
Nominated by: Jennifer Wharton

Home on the Range is a delightful story about two city dogs and their masters on vacation at a dude ranch. Narrated by Down Girl, one of the dogs, each chapter provides another hilarious mix-up as she and her canine friend, Sit, meet barking squirrels (prairie dogs), gasoline-powered bulls (trucks), and fierce ugly dogs (coyotes). Along the dusty trail, they meet a sensible ranch dog named Git Along and discover that life on the other side of their neighborhood fence is full of wide open spaces and new surprises: pointy lizards, angry nostrils, chuck wagons, and cows without leashes. It’s challenging to write a short chapter book where the child reader knows more than the main character, but Lucy Nolan provides just the right touch and Mike Reed’s wonderful black-and-white illustrations carry the story along and guide understanding. Brimming with kid appeal, these witty, exciting, tail-wagging adventures with Down Girl and Sit will bring young readers stampeding to the fence. –Cynthia Lord

Princess Posey and the First Grade Parade: Book 1
by Stephanie Greene
Putnam
Nominated by: Dianne White

Posey is an upcoming first grader who has some concerns about the new school year. As a first grader, she will have to go to her class by herself instead of her mom walking beside her. Fortunately for Posey, she meets her new teacher at the ice cream store and soon learns that Miss Lee will help her make the beginning of first grade quite memorable.

Author Stephanie Greene has spent a lot of time working with kindergarten and first grade students. Posey is a delightful character who reminds me of students that I work with each day. Like Posey, they’re sweet kids who have some fears and need help in navigating this thing we call school. Greene’s connection to real students shows in Princess Posey and The First Grade Parade and makes it an engaging early chapter book. — Jeff Barger

Zapato Power: Freddie Ramos Takes Off
by Jacqueline Jules
Albert Whitman & Company
Nominated by: Eric Carpenter

Author Jules and illustrator Benitez have given us a completely fresh character in Freddie Ramos, a Latino grade-schooler whose father was killed in the line of duty and whose mother only recently graduated from community college, allowing her to get a better job and move her son out of their old, “bad” neighborhood and into a better one. One day Freddie receives a mysterious package containing a pair of purple sneakers with silver wings that give him super speed, and he immediately begins dreaming of using his “zapato power” to make his world an even better place. Even without his amazing shoes, Freddie’s kind heart and willingness to help would make him a hero, and I think that many readers–myself included–will be rooting for him for many years to come. —Julie Jurgen

Read more
Jan 06

Cybils Finalists

by Stacey

After spending this fall buried under early readers and early chapters books, my committee of Cybil’s panelists (AnastasiaTerry , Cynthia, Julie, Melissa, and Jeff)  narrowed our lists down to five finalists in each of our two categories. The text below was posted earlier this week on the Cybil’s blog but I wanted to share it with my readers here today. Early Reader finalists are described below. Come back tomorrow to learn about our selections for Early Chapter Books…

Easy Readers

Cowgirl Kate and Cocoa: Spring Babies
by Erica Silverman
Harcourt
Nominated by: Madigan McGillicuddy

In this endearing sixth episode of the series, Cowgirl Kate and her horse, Cocoa, meet and discover baby animals on their farm. Told in four short chapters, the stories are empowering and gently dramatic. The two friends go on a night watch to see a calf born. Cocoa tries being “springy and zingy” with the new calf. A puppy arrives at the farm–to Kate’s delight and Cocoa’s concern. And in the final chapter, we come full circle with another night watch and a visit from a “ghost” in the barn. Full of warm humor, friendship, and action, this book will be a sure hit with early readers who have some established skills and are making the turn toward chapter books. Good use of repetition, short sentences, and picture cues will help early readers to be successful. Likable characters, sweetly satisfying stories, and fun cowgirl language (gully, loft, bale, nickered) will make readers want to saddle up and come along! —Cynthia Lord 

Fly Guy Meets Fly Girl
by Tedd Arnold
Cartwheel Books
Nominated by: Mary McKenna Siddals

Fly Guy, the big eyed fly pet of a boy named Buzz, meets the perfect girl … Fly Girl. Fly Girl’s girl, Lizz, brags that Fly Girl can do tricks and talk better than Fly Guy. So Fly Girl and Fly Guy compete to see who can fly the fanciest, who can talk the best, and who is grossest. Before they know it, they fall in love and see their entire future together – kissing, marriage, and a dog-food can home. But the couple soon realizes that they can’t leave their boy and girl. So, to the relief of kissing-is-gross fans all over the world, Fly Girl and Fly Guy decide to just be friends. Colorful cartoon images stand out from the surrounding white space paired with simple text to make this easy reader a visual delight. Tedd Arnold, the author and illustrator, originally created the Fly Guy series with the first book, Hi! Fly Guy. —Melissa Taylor

 

National Geographic Readers: Ants
by Melissa Stewart
National Geographic Children’s Books
Nominated by: Jeff Barger

From habitat to habits, body parts and numbers, National Geographic: Ants covers it all. Part of what makes this book fun is that the ants are, literally, larger than life … these are not the “tiny” things crawling around our yard or kitchen counter. The closeup shots that fill this easy reader let kids see a lot more than that! If you have an animal (and insect) loving reader, they will pore over this one. This is a nonfiction book you’ll enjoy sharing with your kids as they read to you, because you are guaranteed to learn something new. —Terry Doherty

The Babysitters (Cork and Fuzz)
by Dori Chaconas
Viking
Nominated by: Stacy DeKeyser

Cork, a muskrat, and Fuzz, a possum, are the Odd Couple of the early reader world. Cork is the helpful, understanding animal who patiently cares for a baby porcupine throughout the story while Fuzz takes care of only himself. While Fuzz goes about his own things, he inadvertently entertains the young animal. By the end of the story, Cork and Fuzz come to realize that in their own ways, they have done a great job of sharing the caretaking responsibilities. Cork and Fuzz is made up of four short chapters that will give young readers a sense of accomplishment as they finish each one. Detailed illustrations break up the story in meaningful and not distracting ways. Early readers will enjoy this story while also strengthening their ‘reading muscle’ as they practice the strategies young readers need to grow. —Stacey Loscalzo

We Are in a Book! (An Elephant and Piggie Book)
by Mo Willems
Hyperion
Nominated by: Eric Carpenter

The Elephant and Piggie books had already made their mark in the world of early readers before the arrival of this year’s new favorite, We Are in a Book!Now if there is any parent, teacher or child who has yet to fall in love with these books, this is their chance. Willem’s expressively drawn duo is back with all their humor and wit as they realize that they, in fact, are in a book. They jump about joyfully as they come to understand that the person staring at them is a reader. It is Piggie who first grasps the power they have been given. The two realize that if they say a word, the reader will read the word. While children will enjoy this book for the animal’s comical expressions and for the ease with which a new reader can read a meaningful and funny book, most adults won’t be able to miss the not-so-subtle message that Willems shares: With writing comes power. Some of Willem’s young readers may grow to express this same power in their own writing. —Stacey Loscalzo

Read more
Jan 05

Initiative

by Stacey

This morning Caroline was looking at her report card for the 100th time since it came home. I can’t possibly imagine where she got this academic drive or the perfectionism but instead of focusing on all the great marks and positive comments, she continues to examine those few things did not earn her the highest grade.

For ‘Shows Initiative’, she received a U for usually instead of a C for consistently. She asked again what initiative was and I told her it was about having your own ideas and taking action on them.

And that was when the rug was pulled out from under me.

After defining initiative for Caroline she said, “Well, I can’t show initiative. I have to do what my teacher tells me to do. If I did my own ideas, I’d get in trouble.”

I have been worried about the state of education in America for a long time. Years ago I worked in a public school when No Child Left Behind first reared it’s ugly head. I saw creative and thoughtful teachers brought to tears as they had changed their ways to teach to the test. As my own children enter the system, I am frustrated by hours and hours of deskwork and by the number of worksheets that are assigned for homework. I’ve had a hard time imagining where fun and creativity can reside in this type of school environment.

I now know that there is no fun, there is no creativity and there is no initiative.

While I work to create a revolution in our educational system, I must also focus on instilling fun, creativity and initiative into our family life. For without these things, what will become of tomorrow’s adults?

Read more
Jan 04

An Ounce of Prevention…

by Stacey

I’ve been thinking a lot about my chosen profession these days. I spent the beginning of last year dreaming big. I sat down and imagined my ideal job. I focused on my passion for bringing good books to children and thought about how I could spend my day devoted to this mission. I put together this website and blog. I began to develop parent presentations and children’s classes. I was energized  by the work.

Just this morning I was talking to the owner of my favorite children’s book store, Books, Bytes and Beyond. We were discussing the challenge of convincing parents that reading to their young child now will not only grow a happy and successful reader but also potentially prevent any reading difficulties later in life. We talked about how people often appear so willing to pay for tutors and remedial interventions but may be more hesitant to buy new books or to attend lectures about literacy.

I drew the analogy of prevention and remediation in healthcare. It has certainly become the case in our country that we are willing to spend money on curing diseases that could be prevented. If only we put this same money in to prevention. In a similar way, parents would be wise to spend money on books and spend time on reading. These simple and relatively inexpensive,  preventive acts could save parents thousands of dollars on tutors as their children grow.

The other day, I caught my daughters in a reading moment that goes to prove that an ounce of prevention is time and money well spent. The girls had pulled the curtains, built a fort and turned on flashlights. My older daughter then spent the next half hour reading to her younger sister by flashlight. These are two girls that love to read and to listen to stories. These are girls that love school and love to learn.

Would they be this way if I had not read to them constantly from the time they were born until today?  Maybe. But I’m glad I didn’t take the chance.

Read more
Jan 03

Non Fiction Monday

by Stacey

So I guess this is why group things are successful. If I hadn’t vowed, out loud on this blog, to participate in Nonfiction Monday at the end of last year, there  is no way I’d be writing this post right now. Part of me was ready to throw in the towel and say that I just am not a non-fiction reader but then…

I pulled a couple of non-fiction titles to read to the girls last night and Caroline, my seven year old, literally said, “Ugh!” And this from the same girl who snuck in extra reading time the very same night. Last night after I’d tucked Caroline in, snuggled and talked about our most and least favorite parts of the day, I kissed her good night and left. A few minutes later, I walked by her door and saw her light shining. When I opened the door, she said, “But I just have to see how it ends!!” She was devouring  Mallory in the Spotlight, a fictional chapter book,  that she had just started earlier in the day.

This was yet another reminder that our children truly do what we do, not what we say. I can remind Caroline to read all the genres as many times as I wish but if she keeps seeing me with my nose buried in a novel, this is most likely what she will choose too.

Tonight I will bring out Just One Bite: 11 Animals and Their Bites at Life Size written by Lola Schaefer and illustrated by Geoff Waring at dinner time.

The topic will be timely and the girls will be a captive audience. I always love when I remember to read to the girls during meals or snacks. They always listen intently and as a side benefit for my younger picky eater, they eat more as the words distract them.

In this beautifully illustrated book, the author presents twelve animals with life sized pictures of what one bite of their food would look like. We are introduced to these creatures in size order from the earth worm’s tinest morsel of dirt to the mystery of what the enormous sperm whales eats. After two page spreads of each animal with only minimal text, the last two pages provide detail on each of the animals investigated. This organization makes Just One Bite perfect to share with different aged siblings like my girls. Caroline will likely want to learn more and read the facts while Katherine will most likely have gained enough insight by reading the earlier pages.

Hopefully, tonight we’ll find Just One  Bite to be just right! I could resist…

Read more
Dec 21

A Christmas Card

by Stacey

In addition to this blog, I have kept a family blog for years now. When I started writing over here, I found that there were times when I liked to double dip and make one blog post do the work for two blogs. Initially I did it to introduce my readers to my work. Then I did it when I was feeling short on time. And sometimes I’ve done it because I felt the information I shared was important for both of my audiences. For example, when I wrote about my experience at School 12 last week, I just had to share it with the readers of my family blog. There hasn’t, though, been much reason to pull material from my family blog and paste is over here. Until today.

I have always talked about the incredibly strong power that reading has over a child’s vocabulary. Certainly the reading children do on their own is helpful but the stories and words they hear read aloud can have even more of an impact. A child’s reading and listening comprehension do not converge until the 8th grade. For this reason, parents and teachers have the amazing opportunity to read stories that are two to three grade levels above their children’s reading comprehension. In this way, every read aloud becomes a vocabulary lesson.

Every so often one of my girls will say something that I know has come straight out of a book. Sometimes I can identify and sometimes I can’t but the language is so clearly ‘book language’ that I know. Read the post pasted below or click here to read Caroline’s latest…

Caroline’s teacher is clearly looking for new and clever ways to keep the children happy during this week of school before the holiday break. For some reason our district goes to school until 3pm on Thursday which seems to be pretty uncommon in our area. Caroline continues to tell me about people who are already out (like her sister- the injustice!) or friends from other districts who at least have half a day on Thursday.

If I’m hearing all of this then Caroline’s teacher must know how badly her students wish to be elsewhere this week. Yesterday she brought in materials from her own collection of scrapbooking, stamping and card making supplies and let the children create. Caroline decorated a lovely card on the outside but the inside was what made this a ‘blog-worthy’ event.

It read:

“Dear Family,

Merry Christmas and happy new year! I hope you all had a wonderful year, but just think whats to come! Love, xoxo Caroline”

I for one can’t wait to find out…

Read more
Dec 20

Nonfiction Monday: Ubiquitous

by Stacey

We don’t write this phrase often as adults but…I am so proud of myself! This is my second Nonfiction Monday post.

Last week I admitted to my bias against nonfiction. My hope was that Nonfiction Monday would force me out of my comfort zone and so far, so good.

In making this realization, I’ve also noticed that my girls actually enjoy reading some nonfiction. I’ve equated it to my shock upon finally understanding that my daughters like orange popsicles. A few years ago, we were at the pool and the boy at the snack shop told us that the only flavor they had left was orange. As someone who only eats red or purple frozen treats I started to turn away when Caroline said, “Great!” and then proceeded to devour the orange popsicle. Imagine the discovery that your children are independent thinkers who might enjoy things that you don’t…

So not only has Nonfiction Monday opened my mind to a whole new genre but it has allowed my daughters to get a taste of something new that they enjoy.

Last night I introduced the girls to Ubiquitous: Celebrating Nature’s Survivors.

I learned about this title a few weeks ago when I was lucky enough to attend Dr. Peggy Sharp’s, What’s New in Children Literature conference. I left this day poorer in money thanks to a well stocked book seller but much richer in information. My list of books to share grew and grew with each word out of Dr. Sharp’s mouth. It is truly amazing how many books are published each year and how many of them go relatively unnoticed.

Fortunately, Ubiquoitous is a title that is being noticed. Each page features an aspect of nature that is everywhere but often under appreciated. What makes this nonfiction title unique is the combination of poetry and facts sprinkled throughout the book. For each ubiquitous piece of nature, the reader can discover information through both poetry and a straight forward factual presentation. The beauty of this book is it’s ability to tap into reader’s different preferences and strengths. My older daughter asked on each page for the poetry to be read while my younger daughter clamored to learn tiny tidbits of information buried in the paragraphs.

Our favorite poem was “Shark” where each letter of the word ‘shark’ was drawn out of words that described the creature. We read,

“Rubber mallet snout bristling teeth. Gills, gills, gills, dense sleek, chain mail. Flexible cartilage frame, shark, shark, shark!”

And then our favorite paragraph was the one in which we learned that the following about ants: “There are more ants than other animal in the world. Some scientists estimate that the total weight of all ants on the planet equals the total weight of all humans.”

Amazing the things  you can learn when you begin to read nonfiction….

Read more