When books are made into a movie, children love to read the book first. They are savvy enough to know that oftentimes key plot elements of the book are changed, making the book better than the movie. I tend to agree.
I stopped watching the Harry Potter movies after the first one, because there was so much to the books – the gathering of clues to help Harry defeat Lord Voldemort – that I wanted to savor every moment. I also really liked the book versions of Ron and Herminie; they were funnier in the books. I also felt the movies rushed through the story.
Sometimes movie producers use the title of the book for their movie, but the movie itself bears little resemblance to the story. Movies that fit this category include: Tuck Everlasting by Natalie Babbitt, The Fantastic Mr. Fox by Roald Dahl, Babe, the Gallant Pig by Dick King-Smith, and The Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Baum, to name a few.
What I find sad is that many times a bad movie adaptation prevents children from reading the book. I’m thinking of the recent movie, The Eagle which is actually an absorbing novel for older readers called, The Eagle of the Ninth by Rosemary Sutcliff.
What do you do? Read the book before watching the movie?
Below is a brief listing of some books that were made into a movie. Come into the library, check out the book, read it then watch them movie.
Over Sea Under Stone by Susan Cooper became The Seeker
I Captured the Castle by Dodie Smith
The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan
How to Train your Dragon by Cressida Cowell
The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe by C. S. Lewis
The Golden Compass by Philip Pullman
Ella Enchanted by Gail Carson Levine
The Princess Bride by William Goldman
Beezus and Ramona by Beverly Cleary became Ramona and Beezus
Friday, March 25, 2011
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
It's Lexile time again!
Back in the old day, when asking for a book recommendation, children explained what they had been reading, and what they were looking for now. We’d ask if they liked historical fiction, fantasy, science fiction, or realistic fiction. Through the exchange, we’d get to know their likes and dislikes; when to challenge them and when not to.
But now, when asking for book suggestions we hear, “My child has a Lexile rating of 600. Could you find a book with the same number?” What a way to spoil reading for enjoyment!
The Lexile rating system was developed by MetaMetrics, an educational measurement company. MetaMetrics developed the software that measures how difficult a text is to comprehend based on semantic difficulty and syntactic complexity. To find out more about Lexile and MetaMetrics, visit their web site at http://www.lexile.com/
One of the downsides of the Lexile rating system is that it does not rate the books’ content, quality of writing, or developmental suitability. We’ve done some research. For example, a Lexile rating of 670 pulls up Lauren Child’s picture book, Beware of the Storybook Wovles along with Alice Walker’s The Color Purple. There is no comparison in content matter. And, the higher your Lexile number is, the more challenging it is to find age-appropriate books.
It’s maddening! Children who are already comfortable with reading can become frustrated with selecting a book based on the Lexile Rating System. Imagine your child spending hours devouring a series to then find out, half way through the series that the Lexile number is far lower than they were tested. Do you tell your child they can no longer read that series? How is that going to give them a love of reading?
Successful readers read whatever they want, above and below their ability. As parents, you can foster and encourage them by providing a broad spectrum of reading materials and making regular visits to the public library.
See you at the library.
But now, when asking for book suggestions we hear, “My child has a Lexile rating of 600. Could you find a book with the same number?” What a way to spoil reading for enjoyment!
The Lexile rating system was developed by MetaMetrics, an educational measurement company. MetaMetrics developed the software that measures how difficult a text is to comprehend based on semantic difficulty and syntactic complexity. To find out more about Lexile and MetaMetrics, visit their web site at http://www.lexile.com/
One of the downsides of the Lexile rating system is that it does not rate the books’ content, quality of writing, or developmental suitability. We’ve done some research. For example, a Lexile rating of 670 pulls up Lauren Child’s picture book, Beware of the Storybook Wovles along with Alice Walker’s The Color Purple. There is no comparison in content matter. And, the higher your Lexile number is, the more challenging it is to find age-appropriate books.
It’s maddening! Children who are already comfortable with reading can become frustrated with selecting a book based on the Lexile Rating System. Imagine your child spending hours devouring a series to then find out, half way through the series that the Lexile number is far lower than they were tested. Do you tell your child they can no longer read that series? How is that going to give them a love of reading?
Successful readers read whatever they want, above and below their ability. As parents, you can foster and encourage them by providing a broad spectrum of reading materials and making regular visits to the public library.
See you at the library.
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
Time to...
As the length of daylight grows longer there are some subtle changes. “How Do You Know It’s Spring?” by Allan Fowler is a small book for young readers that describes the characteristics of Spring.
Time is already elusive for young children, and things can become confusing when Daylight Savings begins March 2. The saying, “Fall back, Spring ahead” is a good reminder that when we awaken Sunday, March 13, we will have lost one hour.
My First Book of Time by Claire Llewellyn explains how to tell time and discusses such aspects of time as day and night, days of the week, and months of the year. The book includes a fold-out clock with movable hands!
For older children who love to be more involved in their learning, Time, in the Make It Work series is a hands-on approach to science. Though suggested equipment is dated, (video instead of digital), the experiments are terrific. Learn about the solar year, time zones, or make a time capsule.
Come into the library. We would be happy to show you other books on Time, the Seasons, and many other related topics.
Time is already elusive for young children, and things can become confusing when Daylight Savings begins March 2. The saying, “Fall back, Spring ahead” is a good reminder that when we awaken Sunday, March 13, we will have lost one hour.
My First Book of Time by Claire Llewellyn explains how to tell time and discusses such aspects of time as day and night, days of the week, and months of the year. The book includes a fold-out clock with movable hands!
For older children who love to be more involved in their learning, Time, in the Make It Work series is a hands-on approach to science. Though suggested equipment is dated, (video instead of digital), the experiments are terrific. Learn about the solar year, time zones, or make a time capsule.
Come into the library. We would be happy to show you other books on Time, the Seasons, and many other related topics.
Sunday, February 20, 2011
Celebrate Presidents Day!
On Monday, February 21 the library will be closed to celebrate Presidents' Day. Stop in and check out some books on the lives the our leaders. Here are just a few of the many books you can find about our nation's leaders.
If the Walls Could Talk : Family Life at the White House, by Jane O'Connor; illustrated by Gary Hovland is a hilarious, yet respectful glimpse into what life was like under each president.
Ever wonder if the presidential families had pets?
Wackiest White House Pets by Kathryn Gibbs Davis describes the various kinds of pets, including bears and alligators, that were kept by various presidents.
See you at the library!
Monday, February 14, 2011
READING A SERIES
We all know that it takes practice to become a good reader. The more a child reads, the more confident they become. For most children the first books they read on their own are picture books that were read aloud to them at home or at school. They often find it easier to decode words from a story that is so familiar they have memorized it. The better a reader knows a story, the easier it is for them to understand the meaning of the words.
Series books offer a consistency of characters and formulaic plots that provides uncertain readers with the reassurance of familiarity. Novice readers find selecting a book intimidating. By sticking with a series it minimizes the risk of feeling frustrated and allows children to select their next book with confidence.
Reading books in a series can be the first step, a jumping off point before moving to more challenging stories.
Stop into the library and pick up our new brochure that list all the series books found at the Scarborough Public Library.
Series books offer a consistency of characters and formulaic plots that provides uncertain readers with the reassurance of familiarity. Novice readers find selecting a book intimidating. By sticking with a series it minimizes the risk of feeling frustrated and allows children to select their next book with confidence.
Reading books in a series can be the first step, a jumping off point before moving to more challenging stories.
For more experienced readers, series helps encourage the reading habit.
Stop into the library and pick up our new brochure that list all the series books found at the Scarborough Public Library.
Wednesday, February 2, 2011
CHANGE CAN BE A GOOD THING!
There have been a few changes in the Children's Room of late. Travis moved to Seattle, Washington to work in a school library and Miss Rita is no longer working as Youth Services Assistant. Tuesday night, February 1st was her last Pajamarama. They will both be greatly missed.
On January 18th, the community of Scarborough welcomed the new Youth Services Librarian Louise Capizzo, known as Mrs. C. Stop in and say hello.
Happily, amidst all the changes some things do stay the same. Mrs Taylor's steady smile and warm heart is still there. She will continue to lead the baby and toddler story times, in addition to visiting area day cares and nursery schools. Linda also remains to help those who visit the library during our evening hours.
Keep checking back weekly for postings on upcoming programs, book suggestions, and new books added into the Children's Room collection.
Tuesday, June 5, 2007
Mary Hoffman and Falconer's Knot
I'm just finishing reading Falconer's Knot by Mary Hoffman. I picked it up because I was attracted to the cover (in the style of medieval illuminations), to the subtitle 'Of friars, flirtation and foul play' and since the Scarborough Summer Reading theme this year is mysteries, I thought I should pick up a young adult mystery or two to recommend.
It is a good story, but not excellent--though that may just be my complete lack of enthusiasm for the mystery genre influencing me. The writing seems a bit redundant, to me and her characters, while generally convincing, don't always seem quite true to the way I believe they would have thought and lived in the 13th Century Italy, when the story is set.
There is a whole lot about religious art and how colors were created for the gorgeous decorations painted onto cathedral walls (by friars and nuns) that I find fascinating. The lives of Catholic religious people (saints as well as cloistered folks) are interesting too. So far there have been several murders, with a plot that grows ever more twisted. I am mostly just plodding through to see who dunnit because I like the historical tidbits. Hoffman has written several other books, including Amazing Grace, Boundless Grace, and the Stravaganza series, which I think I will try out.
It is a good story, but not excellent--though that may just be my complete lack of enthusiasm for the mystery genre influencing me. The writing seems a bit redundant, to me and her characters, while generally convincing, don't always seem quite true to the way I believe they would have thought and lived in the 13th Century Italy, when the story is set.
There is a whole lot about religious art and how colors were created for the gorgeous decorations painted onto cathedral walls (by friars and nuns) that I find fascinating. The lives of Catholic religious people (saints as well as cloistered folks) are interesting too. So far there have been several murders, with a plot that grows ever more twisted. I am mostly just plodding through to see who dunnit because I like the historical tidbits. Hoffman has written several other books, including Amazing Grace, Boundless Grace, and the Stravaganza series, which I think I will try out.
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