Whether used for thematic story times, program and curriculum planning, readers' advisory, or collection development, this updated edition of the well-known companion makes finding the right picture books for your library a breeze. Generations of savvy librarians and educators have relied on this detailed subject guide to children's picture books for all aspects of children's services, and this new edition does not disappoint. Covering more than 18,000 books published through 2017, it empowers users to identify current and classic titles on topics ranging from apples to zebras. Organized simply, with a subject guide that categorizes subjects by theme and topic and subject headings arranged alphabetically, this reference applies more than 1,200 intuitive (as opposed to formal catalog) subject terms to children's picture books, making it both a comprehensive and user-friendly resource that is accessible to parents and teachers as well as librarians. It can be used to identify titles to fill in gaps in library collections, to find books on particular topics for young readers, to help teachers locate titles to support lessons, or to design thematic programs and story times. Title and illustrator indexes, in addition to a bibliographic guide arranged alphabetically by author name, further extend access to titles.
This comprehensive listing and discussion of poetic works supports the standards of all areas of the curriculum, helping librarians and teachers working with kindergarten through middle school students. This second edition of Using Poetry Across the Curriculum: Learning to Love Language offers a comprehensive list of poetry anthologies, poetic picture books, and poetic prose works in a wide variety of subject areas. While it maintains the original edition's focus on ideas and resource lists for integration of poetry into all areas of the curriculum, it is thoroughly revised to cover current issues in education and the wealth of new poetry books available. The book is organized by subject areas commonly taught in elementary and middle schools, and, within these, by the national standards in each area. Numerous examples of poetry and poetic prose that can be used to help students understand and appreciate aspects of the standard are listed. A sampling of units that arise from groups of works, writing and performance ideas, and links across the curriculum is also included. While many teaching ideas and topics provide references to the standards they meet, this title is unique in starting with those standards and making links across them.
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.
Summary of this story: Mia, the dancing mouse ballerina, set out on an amazing journey in a beautiful field. She followed her love for ballet with dreams as big as her heart and as elegant as her whiskers. Along the way, she defied expectations and inspired a lot of other dreamers. Mia came from a poor background, but her ability and drive led her into the world of dance. She got better at what she could do and became a symbol of grace and style with the help of kind teachers and the love of her meadow friends. People were blown away by Mia's acts because of how brilliant and passionate she was. As her fame grew, Mia's impact grew outside of the stage. She started a dance school in the grass, helping people who wanted to become dancers and building a community that helped each other and worked together. The field became a place where people could get ideas and be creative, where dreams could grow, and people could be themselves. Every year, the meadow held huge parties in Mia's honor, and dancers came from all over the world to take part. Animals of all kinds showed off their skills and told stories about their own crazy adventures at the events, which became a tribute to the power of dreams. Mia's story was woven into the very structure of the meadow. Everyone who heard her story was inspired to go after their goals, no matter how big or hard they might seem. Mia's spirit was welcomed by the meadow, which turned into a safe place for dreamers looking for comfort, inspiration, and the courage to follow their dreams. Mia's body got smaller over time, but her energy kept dancing in the meadow. The field stayed a place of hope, where dreams took flight and hopes grew. Many different kinds of animals were happy with their own dances, which made a colorful tapestry of togetherness and self-expression. The story of Mia, the dancing mouse ballerina, and how beautiful the field was spread far and wide. People from all over the world went there to find motivation and a glimpse of the magic of dreams. The meadow whispered its ancient wisdom, calling dreamers to take their own amazing trips and believe in the endless possibilities that lie ahead. So, Mia's story was heard all over the meadow, and it reminded everyone who heard it that ideas could change people's lives and shape their futures. Dreams kept growing in the meadow's everlasting embrace, and Mia's soul kept dancing, encouraging dreamers to believe in themselves and accept the magic that was already inside them. This is how the story starts: Once upon a time, Mia, a small mouse, lived in a nice little field. Mia was not like most mice. Her dream was as big as her heart and as fine as the hairs on her face. She wanted to be a ballerina, which is the most beautiful and elegant type of dancer in the world. Mia was interested from the moment her little feet touched the smooth wooden floor of the attic, where she secretly watched Emily, a human girl, do ballet moves. As the song floated through the air, Emily's beautiful dance moves took Mia to a world of beauty and magic. Mia would sit still with her eyes wide open as Emily jumped and spun around the room. It looked like magic had gone through her body, making her look like she had no weight and was made of air. Mia couldn't help but picture herself dancing smoothly and gracefully on that stage. People with Mia in the field thought she was crazy. "Mice don't dance, Mia," said Sammy the squirrel, shaking his head. "Like the rest of us, you should just stick to nibbling on nuts." Mia couldn't lie to herself about how hot she felt. Her burning desire to become a dancer would not go away. So, she worked on her steps and pirouettes every chance she got. Mia would stand on her tiptoes with her little feet pointed and gracefully poised. She did this with determination and hard work. She found out that dancing came naturally to her. She moved easily and gracefully, as if she had always wanted to dance. But it wasn't easy for her to follow her dream. Mia ran into many problems along the way. Her place of inspiration, the attic, became harder and harder to get to as people closed it off. Mia had to come up with new ways to watch and learn. Every night, Mia, a curious little mouse, went on a secret trip that filled her heart with wonder. She would sneak into the attic of a nearby house when everyone else was sleeping, drawn in by the beautiful music and ghostly movements coming from inside. In the stillness and quiet of the attic, Mia would see something very magical: Emily, a human girl, practicing her dance steps. When Mia saw Emily jump and spin across the room, her little eyes would get very big. It was like a dream had come true right in front of Mia's eyes. Mia's mind was blown by Emily's dance, which had soft, flowing moves and a mysterious beauty. From the first time she saw dance, Mia was amazed by how beautiful and interesting it was. She wanted to be a part of that world, to feel the thrill of dancing, and to be able to show herself through movement. Mia had found the person she was meant to be with, and nothing could stop the fire that burned inside her. Every night, Mia went back upstairs, where she hid in the dark and watched Emily's every move. Emily's body seemed to float through the air, and she noticed how gracefully she moved her arms and how determined she looked. Mia practiced every step, jump, and turn until she knew them all by heart. As Mia watched, she tried to copy the moves in her own small way. She would sway to a tune in her head, testing her balance and rhythm. She worked harder and harder to become a ballet dancer so she could share Emily's joy of dancing. Mia's friends in the field couldn't understand why she was so set on becoming a dancer. They couldn't imagine a mouse floating smoothly across the floor because they already had ideas about what was possible. Sammy the squirrel, who was known for being very real, couldn't believe what he was seeing. "Mice don't dance, Mia," he would say, shaking his head to put an end to her dreams. "You should stick to eating nuts like the rest of us; it's the most logical thing to do." But Mia didn't let their suspicion get her down. She learned that other people's expectations didn't have to stop her from following her dreams. She knew in her heart that she was good at dancing and loved it so much that she couldn't stop. Instead of giving in to doubt, Mia put her energy into hours of devoted practice. She would find a place in the meadow where she was alone where she could walk easily and try out her elegant moves. With each day that went by, her steps got better, and her pirouettes got easier to control. Mia has a clear talent for dancing. Her small body moved gracefully and elegantly, capturing the spirit of the art form. Her sharp, agile paws disproved what her friends thought about her and showed them what she was really capable of. The animals in the field couldn't help but watch as Mia kept getting better at her trade. They watched in amazement as she walked on her toes with ease. Her actions showed a passion that seemed beyond their understanding. Over time, their mistrust turned into respect. Lila, a smart ladybug with a big love for the arts, was the first to notice Mia's talent. One day, she came up to Mia as she was working out in the field. Her wings were shining in the sun. "I've seen how hard you work and how good you are at dancing, Mia," she said softly. "Have you ever thought about sharing your talent with more people?" Mia's eyes got bigger, and she looked surprised and excited at the same time. She was excited about the idea of showing off her skills outside of the field. She saw herself on a big stage, mesmerizing people with her unique talent. Lila helped Mia take the first steps toward her goals by encouraging her. Lila took her to a nearby community theater known for helping people who want to be artists. They saw how talented Mia was and asked her to be in their next show. As Mia took her first steps onto the stage, her heart was racing with joy. Everyone in the room was watching the tiny mouse that dared to do something different. As soon as the music started, Mia's movements opened up like a delicate flower. Each step told a story of hard work and desire. Mia's friends from the meadow watched her dance, and their hearts were full of amazement, joy, and a new understanding. They saw that Mia's path wasn't about showing them wrong. Instead, it was about her realizing her own potential and going beyond what society expected of her. When Mia took her last bow, the crowd went crazy with excitement. The animals in the field jumped up and cheered, which could be heard all around. Mia was filled with love for her friends, who had been there for her even when they didn't understand her dreams. From that point on, Mia's ability gave her a reason to keep going. Her shows kept bringing in big groups, and everyone who saw her graceful moves was amazed and happy. She danced not only for herself, but also for those who dared to dream beyond the bounds set by others. Mia's story became a way to show how important it is to let go of old ideas and follow your passion, no matter how strange it may seem. Her path encouraged others to be proud of their unique skills and work hard to reach their goals. Mia's amazing skill quickly got around, and famous dancers and directors heard about it. They couldn't believe a mouse could dance with such ease and beauty, and they wished they could see it for themselves. Invitations came in from well-known dance groups and places all over the world. People came in droves to see Mia perform because her name became known for being brave and creative. She became a symbol of breaking through barriers and going against what people thought was possible. She showed that ability and enthusiasm had no limits. As Mia moved from stage to stage, she met other dancers who were amazed by how brave she was and how much she trusted herself. They understood how important her story was and how much of an impact she had on others. They made a group of artists who liked the beauty of different ideas and celebrated differences. Children were also moved by Mia's story because they could see themselves in it. Even though society told them they couldn't, they understood they could go after what they wanted. Mia's story became a bedtime story that parents told to their children, giving them hope and a sense of possibility. Mia finally realized that her job was bigger than the stage. She wanted to give people chances to learn about and improve their own skills. With the help of her new dancing community, Mia set up a charity that gave grants and tools to young artists from all walks of life. Mia and her team made sure that all kids, no matter where they came from, had a chance to learn about dance through workshops, mentoring programs, and outreach projects. They helped kids be creative, let them express themselves, and gave them courage. Mia had an effect on more than just dance. Her story inspired people from all walks of life to question the limits that were put on them. They were told to follow their interests, no matter how strange they might be. Mia's story became a symbol of going against social rules, which inspired people to live in an honest way and accept who they really are. The things that Mia left behind got better as time went on. She danced as enthusiastically as a little rat in the attic. Not only was she known for her technical skills, but also for the inner depth and honesty she brought to every move. Mia's friends in the meadow were happy to see how famous she was becoming. They had learned that it was important to believe in each other's dreams, even if they didn't understand them fully. Mia was recognized because she was a great example of the strength of the human spirit and the power of faith. But Mia knew that her dreams were not like those of most people. Mice were not meant to dance, and the world outside the attic was big and scary. Still, Mia was firm in her decision. She thought that if she worked hard enough, she could overcome any obstacle. Mia did her training in the safety of her small field during the day, when everyone else was awake. She would find a soft patch of grass and use it as her own dance floor. She got better at what she could do with each careful step and soft turn, capturing the spirit of dance that had always interested her. Mia's friends in the field often questioned what she wanted to do. "Mice don't dance, Mia," they would say with a hint of doubt. Mia, on the other hand, didn't care about what they were worried about. She knew that no one else could share her dreams, and she wasn't going to let anyone bring her down. As the years went by, Mia's dedication to her trade grew. She became more daring and started looking for ways to see the world outside of the meadow. This was driven by her strong desire to be a dancer. Mia sneaked into a nearby town and looked through the streets and alleys for dance schools and places to perform. Mia was going farther than she ever had before when she saw a sign that said, "School of Dance." When she looked in the window, her heart jumped with joy. Inside, she saw a group of people who wanted to dance move with ease and perfection. Mia saw that she had found her chance. She promised to get into the School of Dance, learn from the masters, and show the rest of the world her own unique style. She started planning with a strong sense of purpose. Midnight was when Mia would sneak into the dance school. She would pay close attention to the classes and learn from the dancers' skills and energy. Mia knew that her size and species would make things hard, but she didn't let that stop her.
The Childrens Book Review Index contains review citations to give your students and researchers access to reviewers comments and opinions on thousands of books, periodicals, books on tape and electronic media intended and/ or recommended for children through age 10. The volume makes it easy to find a review by authors name, book title or illustrator and fully indexes more than 600 periodicals.
NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • NAMED ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR BY THE NEW YORK TIMES BOOK REVIEW, LOS ANGELES TIMES, SAN FRANCISCO CHRONICLE, AND PUBLISHERS WEEKLY For more than four hundred years, the art of ballet has stood at the center of Western civilization. Its traditions serve as a record of our past. Lavishly illustrated and beautifully told, Apollo’s Angels—the first cultural history of ballet ever written—is a groundbreaking work. From ballet’s origins in the Renaissance and the codification of its basic steps and positions under France’s Louis XIV (himself an avid dancer), the art form wound its way through the courts of Europe, from Paris and Milan to Vienna and St. Petersburg. In the twentieth century, émigré dancers taught their art to a generation in the United States and in Western Europe, setting off a new and radical transformation of dance. Jennifer Homans, a historian, critic, and former professional ballerina, wields a knowledge of dance born of dedicated practice. Her admiration and love for the ballet, as Entertainment Weekly notes, brings “a dancer’s grace and sure-footed agility to the page.”
