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EarlyWord Kids

I’m delighted to introduce Lisa Von Drasek as the EarlyWord Kids contributor. Many of you know Lisa already. As librarian for New York’s Bank Street College of Education, she has experience working with children of all ages as well as with those who are in training to work with kids and parents. As a reviewer for many publications, including Nickelodeon and the Barnes and Noble Review, she gets an early look at new books. Lisa’s contributions will appear on this blog and soon there will also be a special section on EarlyWord where you can access all her posts in one place. You’ll be able to identify her posts by this “badge”;

Lisa Von Drasek: Early Word Kids

Now, over to Lisa:

Breaking News

We can officially call this “the Season of DiCamillo”. Not only will the animated movie version of The Tale of Despereaux  open in time for Christmas (the trailer is available now), but today, Al Roker announced that the book is this month’s “Al’s Book Club” pick. Now’s the time to check what shape your copies are in and consider buying more.  In addition to the regular editions, there are several movie tie-ins (see our Upcoming Movies — with Tie-ins. A downloadable teacher’s guide is also available).  

  • Hardcover: $17.99; 267 pages
  • Publisher: Candlewick (August, 2003)
  • ISBN-10: 0763617229
  • ISBN-13: 9780763617226
  • Paperback: $7.99; 272 pages
  • Publisher: Candlewick (April, 2006)
  • ISBN-10: 0763625299
  • ISBN-13: 9780763625290

 

Newly Relevant Backlist

In these trying economic times making sense of money is too much for many of us and kids are wondering what all the fuss is about.  Alvin Hall, a financial educator provides clear, easy-to-understand explanations for ages seven and up, from the very simple, “What is money?” to “What is the global economy?” He builds neatly on each concept assisted by a colorful graphic format that clears up any confusion a reader might have.  Just why is money valuable? As Hall explains,

If you were on a desert island, no amount of money would help you survive — you couldn’t eat it, drink it, use it to build a shelter, or to keep away wild animals. So why is money valuable? The answer is simply that everyone has agreed it is.

Alvin Hall, currently living in New York City is a frequent commentator on financial matters for National Public Radio.  

Show Me the Money: How Money Affects You and Your World Alvin Hall

  • Hardcover: 96 pages; $15.99
  • Publisher: DK Publishing (July 21, 2008)
  • ISBN-10: 0756637627
  • ISBN-13: 978-0756637620

 

Heads Up

One of my favorites of the upcoming season is North of Beautiful by Justina Chen Headly. Terra, a teen with a bold port-wine stain covering half of her face finds unexpected companionship with handsome, goth Jacob. American children adopted from China who are just coming of age will be fascinated to read about Jacob’s journey back to the orphanage where he was found. An engrossing, page-turning read, Headly has a talent for creating characters who are unique and believable as well as a well-tuned ear for dialog.  

North of Beautiful

Julia Chen Headley

  • Hardcover: $16.99;384 pages
  • Publisher: Little, Brown Young Readers (February 1, 2009)
  • ISBN-10: 0316025054
  • ISBN-13: 978-0316025058

This entry was posted on Thursday, October 23rd, 2008 at 4:36 pm and is filed under Childrens and YA. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.

5 Responses to “EarlyWord Kids”

  1. New Kids on the Block « educating alice Says:
    October 24th, 2008 at 5:27 am

    […] Then there is my neighbor, Bank Street Librarian Lisa Von Drasek with her new blog, EarlyWord Kids. […]

  2. Brock Martin Says:
    October 28th, 2008 at 9:47 am

    In yet more Tale of Desperaux news, the kids’ graphic novel version, illustrated by Matt Smith, was recently released: pb ISBN: 9780763640750 ($9.99). It’s also available in hc: ISBN: 9780763643126 ($16.99)

  3. The Lion and The Mouse « DigitalLiteracies Says:
    November 17th, 2009 at 6:52 pm

    […] with a delegation of UNICEF-sponsored preschool principals from China),  I happened to meet Ms. Lisa Von Drasek, a children’s book reviewer, instructor, and also the managing librarian of the Bank Street. […]

  4. New York Times Special Section on Children’s Books | educating alice Says:
    November 12th, 2011 at 7:00 am

    […] at a couple of unconventional animal stories. Down-the-street-from-me Bank Street librarian and blogger Lisa von Drasek is back with a consideration of Lauren Oliver’s Liesel and Po, […]

  5. The Irma Black Award | educating alice Says:
    May 21st, 2012 at 5:52 am

    […] want to do at this hour (early morn) when I came across Bank Street College uber librarian Lisa von Drasek‘s in which she expressed excitement for that morning’s Irma Black Award ceremony. […]