Posts filed under 'Books'
Teenage’s Reading
New book by Jacqueline Wilson titled ‘Love Lessons’ has got good press and readers replies. By the way, you can buy it on Amazon right now. Well, I’m not a big fan of Jacqueline Wilson at all but however if teenagers have loved this books – why not? Probably I would prefer my daughters read books of other authors but what can I do if she does read this one:-)
Well, the story is about fourteen-year-old Prue and her sister Grace who have been educated at home by their controlling, super-strict father all their lives. They know they are different to ‘normal’ girls but their attempts to find out what being an ordinary teenager are like – buying nice clothes instead of wearing Mum’s odd hand-made garments, reading teenage magazines etc – are greeted with fury by their Dad. But when Dad has a stroke and ends up in hospital, unable to move or speak, Prue suddenly discovers what it’s like to have a little freedom. Unable to cope with their education and a sick husband, the girls’ mother sends them to the local comp and they experience school life for the first time. Prue had never thought it would be so bitchy and that she’d find it so hard to fit in. The only person she can talk to is her kindly, young, handsome Art teacher, Rax. She and Rax bond over art lessons, and soon he asks to babysit for his young children while he and his wife have a night out on a Friday. This becomes a regular ‘date’ and Prue can’t wait for the ten minutes they have along together as he drives her home. As her feelings for Rax develop, she begins to realise that perhaps he feels the same way about her. But he can’t act upon them, can he?
Add comment September 3, 2009
Music Makes Us Better
I guess each of us have ever noticed that listening a favorite music makes feel better. We teach our kids to sing and listen music and they have their own preferences on the way. Besides that don’t you know that this music can make you smarter too? The point is to choose the right music.
Don Campbell wrote wonderful book called “Mozart Effect” then looking through this book you will know a lot of interesting things including the beneficial effects of certain types of music.
Some of the benefits are:
Improves test scores
Cuts learning time
Calms hyperactive children and adults
Reduces errors
Improves creativity and clarity
Heals the body faster
Integrates both sides of the brain for more efficient learning
Raises IQ scores 9 points (research done at University of California, Irvine)
It’s really very cognitive and helpful reading not only for parents.
No doubt, music, as a cultural artifact, has a very positive influence on the emotions. And what else you know exactly, that is when we play or sing with our kids together we learn to hear each other and that is also very important. Competing behavior includes also visiting concerns, musical performances and festivals. Since almost everyone has now computer and internet access we have great opportunity to find and buy any needed tickets, though it were concerts, sports, arts, theater, Reading Festival Tickets or just family events thickets. By the way, for all those parents who prefer such kind of music as major rock, indie or alternative acts Festival Tickets are available online now. Anyway check out detailed Reading Festival Information for choosing the most acceptable show for both you and your children visiting. Children under 13 (12 and under) are admitted free but must be accompanied by a ticket holding adult of course.
Add comment February 7, 2009
Carl Larsson.
Swedish artist, Carl Larsson (1853 – 1919) is known as portraitist, book illustrator and printmaker. His most famous works are the house he designed in the small village Sundborn and watercolor scenes of everyday life there. His paintings are filled with warm, cosines and kindness, especially these 2 ones which are relating with Christmas Days. So this is the cause why I choose to put them here today.
Christmas Morning.
Fairy Tales.
Carl Larsson came from a poor family and studied (1866–76) at the Konstakademi in Stockholm, supporting himself throughout this period. From 1871 to 1878 he contributed illustrations to the comic journal Kaspar and the Ny illustrerad tidning . From 1875, for several decades, he was a prolific book illustrator, his most renowned work in this field being his drawings for Fältskärns berättelser (‘The Barber-surgeon’s tales’; pubd 1883–4) by Zacharius Topelius, and the Rococo-inspired watercolours for the Samlade skaldeförsök (‘Collected attempts at poetry’; pubd 1884) by the 18th-century Swedish author Anna Maria Lenngren. However, that Larsson produced most of his own prints.
1 comment December 24, 2007
Books.
Percy Muir B.T. in his book “English Children’s Books, 1600 to 1900″ published in 1954 marked such famous children book illustrators as Mary Belson, Kate Greenaway, Toby Teachem, Marshall and others great names wich played remakable role in art of illustration.
PERCY H. MUIR writes in the dediocation asressed to Edgar Oppenheimer:
My dear Oppenheimer,
It is fitting that this book should be dedicated to you for, apart from the constant
help and advice which you have given me since I began to write it, it is doubtful
whether, but for you, it would ever have been written at all. Let me explain how
this comes about.
In 1945 I was engaged in planning a publishing venture in which children’s books
were intended to figure very prominently. On my advice the collection of the late
F. R. Bussell was secured as a whole on its being offered at Sotheby’s auction rooms.
The first and only use to which it was put in this country was the Exhibition with
which the National Book League opened its doors at No. 7 Albemarle Street in May
1946. Most of the 1,001 exhibits came from the Bussell Collection.
The publishing venture came to naught; and the books were stored until 1949,
when a selection of them was sent on a touring exhibition in the United States.
Before they were sent to America I secured for my own collection of children’s toys
and games all that was suitable in it; and thereafter my interest in children’s books,
as such, flagged until it was reawakened by your own infectious enthusiasm, and
especially by the fortunate opportunity to see a part of your collection when I was
in New York.
Since then, partly I am happy to say at my instigation, you have acquired the
major portion of the Bussell Collection; and although the gaps caused by my incur
sions have been remarked upon by you more than once, added to the riches that you
already possess the Bussell books make you the owner of by far the finest collection
in existence of children’s books of all nations.
This book does not presume to teach you anything; neither are its occasionally
controversial opinions intended to commit you to anything. It is no more than a
tribute and an offering to a great collector, and a very good friend.
Yours most sincerely,
PERCY H. MUIR
Takeley, 1953.
This book is very informative and filled perfect factual materials and no dough can be interesting for all book’s lovers.
As a matter of fact there are many books which are commonly regarded as “classic” children’s literature speaks on multiple levels and which are able to be enjoyed by both adults and children and here a good illustration has important role in understanding or interpretation of the text.
I’d like to write more but Bennie does not let me to do it. He wants to go out right now and he is asking me about. So I have to go.
Have a nice day.
(the illustration by Kate Greenaway)
1 comment November 23, 2007
Reading problem.
Do you know that thirty-eight percent of all fourth graders in the United States can’t read this simple poem? Certainly millions of children in America can’t be stupid, lazy, or have ADD. Children sitting in the best classrooms in the country struggle with reading. Moms and dads are scratching their heads wondering whether to get a part-time job to pay for tutoring for Jerome or Ashley. What is the cause I don’t know really I’m just sure that in the most cases it depends from us, their parents? Is your child one of them?
May be you have to start to help to your child right now? First of all reading together is great chance both to learn and to understand what the problem of such situation is. Besides there are great number resources in internet you can find which can help both of you on the way.
(the picture you see here is drawn by me)
Add comment November 12, 2007
Start to read together.
All parents know how a reading is deemed necessary for almost every aspect of life. So it’s no wonder that they want their children to be good readers as soon as possible.
During early childhood, kids are first exposed to language through listening and speaking. This starts as babies look at parents who are speaking, and it continues as kids learn to use sounds and gestures to communicate their wants and needs. Typically, at the age between 1 and 1.5 y.o. they use words to label objects and ask for things. By 3 years, most children are speaking in sentences and able to follow basic rules of grammar (for example, plurals and verb tenses).
During these early years, you have to start to learn you kids to read and to write, primarily through their interaction with books. That said, make sure to starting reading to your child early and often — it will encourage an interest, and it’s a really lovely way to spend time together. When you help their children learn to read, you help them open the door to a new world.
Add comment October 14, 2007
Harry Potter Quotation.
Today my daughter Rachel is really happy. She has got the gift, seventth book about Harry Potter, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. The success of the novels among our children has made aothor Rowling the highest-earning novelist in history.
“You are protected, in short, by your ability to love! The only protection that can possibly work against the lure of power like Voldemort’s! In spite of… temptation and suffering… you remain pure of heart, just at you were at eleven when you stared into a mirror that reflected your heart’s desire… and it showed you only the way to defeat Voldemort, and not immortality or riches”. This is just a short quotation from the book. What can I say – right words.
here is several icons with quotes from Harry Potter that I’ve found in inet for her.
Add comment September 21, 2007
Mabel Lucie Attwell.
One of the most important part of kid’s books or may by the most important is illustration. That’s without question.
Very often we remember exactly illustration much more than the text in. Some artists create imagines that we remember through life over. One from the most favorite artists who created such memory imagines is still Mabel Lucie Attwell. We remember this beautiful pictures, we prefer books with her illustrations and we love carton and animation based on pictures as well. Her books still bring us and our kids into a wonderful land.
So, Mabel Lucie Attwell (1879-1964).
She became a household name during the 1930’s and 40’s with her illustrations of pudgy and appealing toddlers. The public’s insatiable appetite for her illustrations generated an extensive market for Mabel Lucie Attwell ephemera.
Childhood & Education
Mabel Lucie Attwell was born 4 June 1879 at Mile End in London, the ninth child out of ten children born to a butcher.
She studied at both the Regent School of Art and Heatherley’s School of Art, but because she disliked formal training and grew bored with copying, she never completed either course. She preferred to illustrate her own fantasies.
Professional Career
By the time Attwell was sixteen years old, she had enough drawings of fairies and children to bring them to a leading London artists’ agency. The lukewarm reception that she received was upsetting to the young artist but short-lived. She was notified several days later that not only had all the drawings sold, but that they wanted more!
In 1908, Attwell married the illustrator Harold Cecil Earnshaw, and had two children, Peter and Peggy. Their daughter Peggy was the inspiration for the typical Mabel Lucie Attwell toddler and achieved immortality through the illustrations in Attwell’s books. Peggy (Wickham) later became a talented artist and illustrator in her own right.
Between 1905 and 1913, Attwell illustrated ten books for W. & R. Chambers, providing 4 to 8 color plates for each. By 1911, she was designing postcards and greeting cards for Valentine & Sons of Dundee.
She illustrated two gift books for Hodder & Stoughton. The first was Peeping Pansy in 1918 by Marie, Queen of Roumania. The Queen even invited Attwell to stay at the Royal Palace in Bucharest. The second book was Peter Pan and Wendy by J. M. Barrie who admired her work and personally requested her to illustrate this edition.
During Attwell’s career, she designed advertisements, posters, calendars, figurines and wall plaques. During the First World War, thousands of her colored postcards were sent to cheer up the troops in the trenches. One of her most famous drawings, ‘Diddums’, was made into a doll, a typically Attwell styled boy doll which was to be found in nurseries around the world. In 1937 and 1938, Princess Margaret commissioned her to do her personal Christmas card. Attwell also contributed to several periodicals and annuals. In 1943, she started a comic strip in the London Opinion called “Wot a Life”. Sets of Mabel Lucie Attwell China were used in the Royal Nursery of Princesses Elizabeth and Margaret, and later Prince Charles.
In 1945 Attwell moved to Fowey, Cornwall to live with her son Peter. She died at home on 5 November 1964.
2 comments September 18, 2007
It’s interesting.
Hey, guys, are you OK?
“The original paintings used on the UK cover of the second Harry Potter book failed to sell at an auction on Thursday because no one was prepared to pay enough money.
It was thought that the original design for the front cover would go for Ј30,000 – but it remained unsold.
Two other watercolours did sell, but only for their minimum asking price.
The back cover went for Ј4,700 and a painting of the Ford Anglia went for Ј14,100.”
By the way, about “Harry Potter”, it’s the most popular books among Guantanamo prisoners. And one prisoner has requested the movies. What does it mean? There are people everywhere.
Add comment July 23, 2007
Harry Poter mania.
I don’t know if the news about teenage girl that has killed herself over fake spoilers of Harry Potter and the Deathly hallows is right. But anyway I could bielive that something like this could be happened. The agiotage around that book becomes everyday occurrence now. And press&media have achieved a big feat for this. But by my opinion the main committers of that terrible story are not in the least the book or it’s author but parents. Parents have not right to be mistaken. If child has an suicidal inclination one has to be next to child every moment at least.
I’d like it were untrue information.
2 comments July 21, 2007
Children’s classic books.
Do you read books to your children? Hope you do. Because it is very important to read and reread books that have predictable, often repetitive passages. For more of us reading aloud is a bedtime tradition.
This is the list of children’s classics that must be read at the appointed age.
Little Women by Louisa May Alcott
Peter Pan by James Barrie
The Wonderful Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Baum
The Marvelous Land of Oz by L. Frank Baum
Dorothy and the Wizard of Oz by L.Frank Baum
The Velveteen Rabbit by Margery Williams Bianco
A Little Princess by Frances Hodgson Burnett
The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett
Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll
Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll (with Tenniel’s illustrations.)
Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland (Multimedia)
Through the Looking Glass by Lewis Carroll
Through the Looking Glass by Lewis Carroll (another copy)
A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens
Struwwelpeter/Slovenly Peter by Heinrich Hoffmann. Other translations and the German original are also available at 19th-century German Stories site.
The Jungle Book by Rudyard Kipling
The Story of Dr. Dolittle by Hugh Lofting
The Light Princess by George MacDonald
The Princess and the Goblin by George MacDonald
Anne of Green Gables by Lucy M. Montgomery
Anne of Avonlea by Lucy M. Montgomery
Anne of the Island by Lucy M. Montgomery
Five Children and It by E. Nesbit
The Tell-Tale Heart by Edgar Allan Poe
A Child’s Garden of Verses by Robert Louis Stevenson
Treasure Island by Robert Louis Stevenson
The Adventures of Tom Sawyer by Mark Twain
The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain
Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur’s Court by Mark Twain
A Journey to the Center of the Earth by Jules Verne
The Time Machine by H.G. Wells
The War of the Worlds by H.G. Wells
Add comment July 7, 2007
