Friday, October 8, 2010

3 Wonderful New Scholastic Releases

This past week I've had the opportunity to read a few new Scholastic releases. These are stories both my children and I have read and enjoyed together. All three of these books are out now.

Leo The Snow Leopard, The True Story of An Amazing Rescue
By Juliana Hatkoff, Isabella Hatkoff, and Craig Hatkoff
Published by Scholastic Press
Released on October 1st, 2010
Source- Scholastic
Ages- Preschool-Middle Grade
4 stars- A Wonderful Read!

When Leo was less than seven weeks old, he became orphaned in the snowy Himalayan mountains in Pakistan. Snow leopards need their mothers during the first two years of their lives, but Leo was all alone. Luckily, the cub was rescued by a kind shepherd and his family, who hand-fed Leo and kept him safe. But Leo quickly grew too large and was given to Pakistani authorities, who also found themselves without the resources to help him. When the Wildlife Conservation Society learned of Leo's plight, they knew they had to do something. There was a special place that could save Leo:

the world famous Bronx Zoo in New York, the leading experts on caring for and breeding the critically endangered snow leopard. After a rescue that involved a treacherous, winding trek in the Himalayas, an extraordinary partnership between Pakistan and the United States, and the help of dozens of dedicated people, Leo is making the Bronx Zoo his new home, where he is thriving and learning how to be a snow leopard again.

Readers will delight to make a place in their hearts for Leo, one little snow leopard who inspired an international community to help save him. With breaktaking photographs, Leo the Snow Leopard is an extraordinary story about bravery, kindness, and the wonderful things that can happen when people come together to solve a problem.

Leo's story teaches kids about the importance of conservation, as a family comes together to save an orphaned Snow Leopard in the mountains of Pakistan. Leo's story takes him from this loving family all the way to the Bronx Zoo. His journey is a serious one, as Snow Leopard's are in a critical state on the Endangered Species list.

Children will not only learn about Leo and the beauty of Snow Leopard's, but they will learn that they play a crucial roll in the protection of Leo and other Snow Leopards. They will learn how people from around the world came to the aid of a lovable 7 week old orphan, who's now a beautifully, full grown Snow Leopard and an ambassador for all Snow Leopards.

I think Leo's story is perfect for both grade school and middle school classrooms.

And I Love You
By Ruth Krauss & Steven Kellogg
Illustrated by Steven Kellogg
Published by Scholastic Press
Received by Scholastic
Released on October 1st, 2010
Ages toddler- 6 years old
4 stars- We really enjoyed this book, go Pick It Up

With comforting simplicity and gentle rhythms, Ruth Krauss celebrates the expansiveness of love between a parent and a child. In Steven Kellogg's luminous illustrations, a cat and her kitten discover the excitement and intimacy of sharing stories. As the pages turn and the landscapes evolve from forests to fields to sweeping ocean vistas, the tender bond that unites the cat and her kitten is deepened and enriched, making And I Love You an enchanting gift that will warm hearts both big and little.

I grew up loving Steven Kellogg's work and was excited to expose my children to his illustrations. My children have enjoyed reading And I Love You. The words are simple and elegant, the illustrations a lot of fun, and the rhythms that flow from the pages make this book a hit at story time.


There's a Mouse in the House
By Wendy Lewison
Illustrated by Hans Wilhelm
Published by Cartwheel Books/Scholastic
Released on October 1st, 2010
Source- Scholastic
Ages- toddler-beginning readers
4 stars- We really liked it, go Pick It Up

Once there was a mouse who walked into a house......

My kids adore this book, and my daughter asks most every day if I can read it to her. It's a very fun, easy read for beginning readers and one that holds the attention of young children as well. I think this is a great fit for both home libraries and K-1st grade classrooms.
I would be most content if my children grew up to be the kind of people who think decorating consists mostly of building enough bookshelves. ~ Anna Quindlen

Good children's literature appeals not only to
the child in the adult, but to the adult in the child.
~ Anonymous ~