Book Weekend – Unicorns!

Some great new picture books have come out lately about a new cool magical creature.  Unicorns are not just characters from My Little Pony any more.  These first two picture books target both boys and girls with themes of friendship and personal understanding.  The last choice offers a classic story in a cute retro style for serious fans.

Unicorn Thinks He’s Pretty Great by Bob Shea

Goat explains all the reasons he doesn’t like that show-off, Unicorn.  When Unicorn makes rainbows and cupcakes, Goat huffs and frowns.  But once the two talk, he’s surprised to discover that being Unicorn isn’t all that great.  That pearly pointy horn can be problem when head butting a soccer ball.  In fact, Unicorn thinks Goats pretty cool himself, with his curly horns and awesome Goat Milk Cheese making powers.  The two realized that a team-up makes them even better!

Lily The Unicorn by Dallas Clayton

Manic, energetic, super positive, Lily can do anything and demonstrates her pink & blue powers for all to see.  Colorful details pack the pages with items for readers to pour over.  But then Lily meets Rodger the Penguin.  He’s a short dark and frowny guy with issues.  He doesn’t want to do anything, and thinks all of Lily’s plans are dumb. When Lily presses him  for a reason, he hunts around, but mostly his reason’s are rooted in fear.  Can Lily be the friend he needs to step out of his rut?

 

Uni The Unicorn by Amy Krouse Rosenthal.

Uni the Unicorn believes in magic.  Her purple mane and sparkly eyes are not that different than the other unicorns in her family, but unlike them, she believes the make-believe stories about a creature called Girl. Uni is sure that a strong smart wonderful little girl is out there waiting for her.  Her quest to find this magical friend is fulfilled by a golden-haired stranger.  The 1960’s style illustrations capture a charming retro feel that matches this sweet story about believing in dreams.

The Ultimate St. Louis Tourist Essay Contest

The St. Louis Convention & Visitors Commission is sponsoring an essay contest for students in grades 3-12!

As St. Louisans we are fortunate to enjoy amazing attractions and many of them are free!  To enter, students need to visit at least three St. Louis attractions and write a 500 word essay about their experience. Plus, they can add photos and videos to illustrate their experience.

Each winner will receive $500 and be featured on explorestlouis.com and in the 2015 Official St. Louis Visitors Guide! Entries can be submitted until September 2, 2014 by visiting www.explorestlouis.com/ultimatetourist.

School Days

Looking for some fun activities to help ease your family back into the school flow?  Scholastic’s Story Starters allows kids to express their creative talents.  Have a case of writer’s block? Don’t worry, Story Starters is here to help!  First, select a story theme, then spin the story wheel for a story topic. After you’ve finished writing your story, draw your own characters and print the finished product to show off!

Still have writer’s block?  Try making a pencil topper to keep you company while you wait for inspiration to strike.  Kids at Central Children’s Library created writers’ buddies recently using felt, googly eyes and pipe cleaners:

Back to School!

Whether your kiddo is starting school for the very first time or returning after summer vacation, these picture books are a fun way to get youngsters ready for the upcoming school year.

Mom, It’s My First Day of Kindergarten! by Hyewon Yum
A five-year-old boy, ready and eager on his first day at “the big kids’ school,” must calm his very worried mother.

Dinosaur vs. School by Bob Shea
Fearless Dinosaur takes on new challenges as he starts preschool, from meeting new friends to pasting glitter and googly eyes, but one task requires assistance from everyone.

The Hair of Zoe Fleefenbacher Goes to School by Laurie Halse Anderson
A young girl’s talented but untamed tresses do not impress her strict first-grade teacher, who has rules for everything, including hair.

David Goes to School by David Shannon
David’s activities in school include chewing gum, talking out of turn, and engaging in a food fight, causing his teacher to say over and over, “No, David!”.

The Name Jar by Yangsook Choi
After Unhei moves from Korea to the United States, her new classmates help her decide what her name should be.

Create some popsicle-stick pencil magnets to keep this year’s important assignments and notices posted on your refrigerator at home!  Instructions available from Silly Eagle Books.