July 23rd, 2008
Word of the Week
humdrum: monotonous, dull
adjective
Tags: Word of the Week
Although we often think of the “Dog Days of Summer,” (our theme this week) as referring to those lazy, hazy, hot July and August days, some say they originated with mythology and Sirius, the “dog star,” the brightest one in summer.
In my previous post, What Are the “Dog Days of Summer?”, I explain, the term seems to go way back to mythology and the conjunction of Sirius (called the “dog star”) and the sun, which occurs in mid summer.
Why not take some time this week, and throughout the summer to study the stars and constellations? These are perfect nights, when there are no clouds, to find an open space and look at the stars with youngsters. Look for Sirius, the brightest star in the constellation Canius Major. In fact, Sirius is the brightest star seen in the northern hemisphere.
(Amazon images)
(c)2008 Mary Emma Allen
Tags: astronomy, August, constellations, Dog Days, Dog Days of Summer, July, Mary Allen, Mary Emma, Mary Emma Allen, mythology, One-Book-Two-Book, Sirius, star gazing, summer
The Dog Days of Summer….this was an expression of my childhood during the lazy, hazy days of languid, humid heat and still seems to be a saying or description of this time of year from about July 3 to August 11.
The term seems to go way back to mythology and the conjunction of Sirius (called the “dog star”) and the sun, which occurs in mid summer. Also, some people connect Dog Days with a hot time of year when dogs can become irritable.
So “Dog Days of Summer” is the theme this week here at One Book Two Book and Camp Weary Parent.
For more information about Dog Days:
(Amazon image)
(c)2008 Mary Emma Allen
Tags: Camp Weary Parent, Dog Days, Dog Days of Summer, dog star, Mary Allen, Mary Emma, Mary Emma Allen, mythology, One-Book-Two-Book, Sirus, summer, Theme WeekThis week’s theme is the Dog Days of Summer so we thought we would start off with a great read aloud dog book…from Amanda Bynes.
Enjoy The Night I Followed the Dog
I enjoy receiving updates from our local library, so I’ll know about new books and programs offered. In the summer, there are a number of programs for kids. Our library sends this newsletter out via e-mail so I have it right at hand. I looked at the one I received yesterday and found additional information about the programs my grandson and I shall attend.
More libraries have begun setting up web sites, blogs and newsletters. The librarian from a smaller town library in our area recently asked me about setting up a blog. They are going to start with that and then perhaps progress to a web site.
Check to see what your library offers in the way of books and programs for youngsters and adults and how you can keep up to date.
You’ll even find books that go along with our weekly summer themes. ( See our “About Pages” to the right of this post for the weekly schedule.)
Our Theme this week is The Dog Days of Summer
(Amazon image;click for details)
(c)2008 Mary Emma Allen
Tags: books, Dog Days of Summer, libraries, library blogs, library newsletters, library web sites, literacy, literature, Mary Allen, Mary Emma, Mary Emma Allen, One-Book-Two-Book, public library, readers“What is the use of a book,” thought Alice, “without pictures or conversations?
Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland
Last week, as I was going through AJ’s books I realized that everything we had was too young for him. I was amazed that I had not purchased books for him since he was a toddler but I know why I had not…because his developmental delay had stalled his learning and he had rutted himself in board books.
He had also gotten himself out of the habit of reading and we had as well. Because he did not sleep well we allowed him to fall asleep after he took his sleep medicine and this often ran into our reading time. Now that he is staying up later and taking more interest in books I have nothing for him (and of course, limited funds to purchase good books for him).
So, I did what every good mom would do…I took to eBay to find “lots” of books for him. And I did. After perusing for just 30 minutes I was able to bid on several that I thought were great choices.
At this point I have won 70 Children’s Phonics and First Readers for $10, 65 Children’s Christmas Books for $5.24, and 45 Children’s Books of Heros for $11. The shipping, unfortunately, is what kills me but because they are all from the same seller I am hoping that he will combine the shipping cost. Otherwise, because of the ammoung of books that I am getting I know that I would never be able to get them for that price.
I also have 4 other bids that I am waiting on; 100 Children’s Board Books, 25 Children’s Board Books, and 43 Children’s Board Books (Because he still loves reading them at nighttime and we are adding a one year old to the family this fall). The total for all of those books is $60 if I win that bid.
Now, with shipping (and if I win all the bids) is $159. I will be getting over 350 new books for my boys. I am not great at math but that is roughly $.45 a book.
In the Young Adult book world Stephenie Meyer is the next J.K. Rowling. The Mormon author writes disgustingly addicting teen romance novels about the undead.
The three first novel’s in the series have spent a combined total of 143 weeks on the New York Times Best Seller’s list. Currently, The Host: A Novel
Twilight’s
Collecting seashells fascinates children,who gather these treasures and store them in away in a box or basket or chest. They could wander up and down the beach for hours looking for special ones.
They send grandparents on shell searching expeditions when traveling and ask, “Did you bring me home any seashells or stones (if we haven’t traveled near the sea)?”
Our granddaughter found a box of seashell treasure at a yard sale when she was a pre-schooler. The owner saw Kara looking at the shells, noticed her fascination and said the little girl could have the box for free.
When Kara outgrew interest in the shell box, her brother acquired it. There he put his shell treasures we brought home from trips.
Shells are for more than collecting. Interest in them leads to looking through books and learning about the different types. They’re also great for crafts of various types. They’re soothing to hold and dream about.
Do you have seashell collectors in your family?
(Amazon image)
(c)2008 Mary Emma Allen
Edited by Marcie
To answer Pamela, I found the perfect shell craft book for her!
Shell Craft
“Step-by-step instructions and an abundance of illustrations show how to create decorative boxes, mirror frames, and fanciful soap dishes; fashion attractive bracelets, pendants, necklaces, and earrings; encase shells in resin to make paperweights and napkin holders; do shell printing with crayons and linoleum blocks, and more. Includes supply sources.”
Enjoy Pamela!
Preserving memories of ocean adventure (our theme this week) leads to scrapbooking fun. What did you collect while you were there? Do you want to save them where they won’t get lost. Also, by preserving them in scrapbooks or collages to hang on the wall, these treasured souvenirs will be visible to show others or decorate your room.
If you haven’t tried creating scrapbook pages or collages, you’ll enjoy the fun.
Now turn these into scrapbook memories or a collage for your room. This can be an enjoyable vacation project when you get home.
My daughter compiled her memories on ”made” paper of a family trip to Cape Cod and the seashore. She was trying for different effects while seeking to retain the memories with found objects they had collected. This picture on her Meandering Threads blog is just one of a number she made. The background is tea bag paper “fabric” painted blue.
(Amazon image)
(c)2008 Mary Emma Allen
Tags: Cape Cod, collages, Mary Allen, Mary Emma, Mary Emma Allen, Meandering Threads, memories, ocean adventure, ocen, One-Book-Two-Book, preserving memories, scrapbook memories, scrapbooking, scrapbooks, seashoreThe good, the bad and the bloggable: books for kids of all ages
Written by Marcie Pickelsimer [email], and Mary Emma Allen [email] for b5media.
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