Absolutely Positively Alexander The Complete Stories

A compilation of all three of Judith Viorst's Alexander stories.

This book allows philosophers, literary theorists, and education specialists to come together to offer a series of readings on works of children's literature. Each of their readings is focused on pairing a particular, popular picture book or a chapter book with philosophical texts or themes. The book has three sections--the first, on picturebooks; the second, on chapter books; and the third, on two sets of paired readings of two very popular picturebooks. By means of its three sections, the book sets forth as its goal to show how philosophy can be helpful in reappraising books aimed at children from early childhood on. Particularly in the third section, the book emphasizes how philosophy can help to multiply the type of interpretative stances that are possible when readers listen again to what they thought they knew so well. The kinds of questions this book raises are the following: How are children's books already anticipating or articulating philosophical problems and discussions? How does children's literature work by means of philosophical puzzles or language games? What do children's books reveal about the existential situation the child reader faces? In posing and answering these kinds of questions, the readings within the book thus intersect with recent, developing scholarship in children's literature studies as well as in the psychology and philosophy of childhood.

Join Piggy Rae and her silly friends Bernie Bear, Tommy Turtle, Alistair McMoose and others in these engaging and interactive puppet skits that encourage both laughter and learning. This guide gives you everything you need for lively storytimes. In addition to ten complete scripts, you'll find literacy tips, preparatory checklists of materials and props needed, patterns, lists of books for literacy building displays, activities that relate to the story and promote early literacy, and take-home reproducibles for caregivers that help them reinforce the six early literacy skills. Designed for PreK-Grade 3, the puppet plays are perfect for in-house storytime settings and for community outreach projects. Grades PreK-3.

The Classic Guide That Helps You Select the Books the Child You Know Will Love In this third, fully revised and updated edition of The New York Times Parent's Guide to the Best Books for Children, the children's book editor of The New York Times Book Review personally selects and recommends books for children of every age. The most comprehensive and authoritative book of its kind has been completely updated for the new millennium. It contains hundreds of new entries, many expanded descriptions, and notations of additional companion and related titles -- more than l,700 in all. The best-loved classics of the twentieth century are included, as well as a thoughtful selection of outstanding titles from the last decade. Six sections are organized according to reading level: Wordless, Picture, Story, Early Reading, Middle Reading, and Young Adult. In addition to a summary of the book, each entry provides the essential bibliographic information you need to find a book in your local library or bookstore, including title author and/or illustrator hardcover and/or paperback publisher and publication year major awards related titles The unique and most popular feature of the guide is its system of special indexes -- more than sixty in all. They make it easy for parents and grandparents, teachers and librarians, even children themselves, to match the right book to the right child. Browse through the indexes and find titles for every interest and mood: picture books about cats, mice, or dinosaurs for babies; funny books to read aloud to toddlers; series about family life or school or fantasy adventures for a middle-grade child; books on divorce or death; and coming-of-age novels just right for someone starting junior high school. There are also indexes for books about minorities and religion, an age-appropriate reading-level index, and much more. Lavishly decorated with more than three hundred illustrations from representative titles, the guide also features extra-wide margins for notes on which of your children liked which book, at what age, and why. Thus the guide becomes a family reading record as well as an invaluable resource you'll use again and again.

The Old Testament details the epic faith story of ancient people who, just like us today, seek God's answers to complex problems. Yet because pastors sometimes overlook this rich source of preaching texts, many people in the pews are not fully aware of the Hebrew Scriptures and their profound lessons for modern living. In this inspiring collection of spiritually enlightening messages based on the First Readings from Cycle B of the Revised Common Lectionary, four master preachers insightfully demonstrate the continuing relevance of passages from the Old Testament and the book of Acts. Building on stories in which God moves ordinary people to extraordinary heights, these sermons powerfully proclaim timeless themes of justice and righteousness while reminding us that God's grace is the model for the Christian community's core values of self-giving love and forgiveness. Each thought-provoking message is filled with compelling stories and illustrations from everyday life, and challenges readers to love and serve the Lord, trusting in divine providence even in the midst of a world that sometimes seems cruel and senseless. This essential resource is useful for: - Fresh homiletical approaches to the lectionary texts - Preaching illustrations - Understanding scripture passages - Bible study and discussion groups - Personal devotions and inspirational reading

In an age of electronic games, TV, videos, and the Internet…You can raise a book lover. Reading opens up a lifetime of learning and delight to children. In How to Grow a Young Reader, Kathryn Lindskoog and Ranelda Mack Hunsicker offer suggestions for creating a reader-friendly home, truths about how literature strengthens character development, and helpful strategies for nurturing a love of reading in any child. Includes a helpful guide to over 1,800 books.

Alexander tries his hand at behaving in this hilarious companion to the bestselling classic Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day. Last night somebody ate a whole box of jelly donuts. That somebody woke up with a terrible bellyache, and that somebody’s mom found the empty box and told that somebody that there are going to be consequences. That somebody is Alexander, and Alexander really hates consequences. So from now on, he is going to try his best to be the Best Boy Ever. For the complete and entire rest of his life. Starting right this very minute. But there are all sorts of things that you can’t do when you’re being the Best Boy Ever. Fun things. Very important things. Things that Alexander might—just might—like a little bit more than he hates consequences.