How Ben Franklin Stole the Lightning

by Rosalyn Schanzer

"I am for doing good to the poor, but I differ in opinion of the means.  I think the best way of doing good to the poor is not making them easyin poverty but leading or driving them out of it."

-Benjamin Franklin

Politics and the economy have been on my mind lately.  Yours too?  Reading is usually an escape from everyday worries for me, so I'll spare you here.  Although I shared a quote from Benjamin Franklin's political views, this book covers only his life as a scientist and inventor.  A fast moving history book with interesting (and entertaining) pictures.  

Best for school age children, but my three year old did enjoy the pictures.

Want to do more with the book?  We don't have cable, so we occassionally enjoy watching "Peep and the Big Wide World," online.  It's a kids' cartoon with a little bit of science mixed in.  I was particularly impressed with the website's full page of ideas for science experimentation with kids.  There are scientific experiments everywhere!

"A house is not a home unless it contains food and fire for the mind as well as the body."  

–Benjamin Franklin

image via rosalynschanzer.com

Tim O'Toole and the Wee Folk

An Irish Tale Told and illustrated by Gerald McDermott

Tim O'Toole and his family are very poor. When they haven't a thing left to eat, Tim sets out to find work. At first I was uncertain why he would wait so long, but as the story goes on you learn that Tim O'Toole is quite the O'"Tool."

After searching for work with no luck, Tim comes across a troop of leprechauns. For discovering them in the daylight, the leprechauns give him a goose that lays golden eggs.  Tim's mistakes lead him back to the leprechauns again and again, so the leprechauns finally take matters into their own hands to change Tim's luck.  

 

Although this isn't my favorite of the St. Patrick's Day books, I like it because it tells a different story of the leprechauns. For those of us who have met one, we know leprechauns are held bound by their word. Other books tell stories of how leprechauns try to get out of their promises without breaking them. This book shows leprechauns going the extra mile to make sure their promise is fulfilled. Just something a little different this time...

This is a classic tale. You will find many variations of the same story line. Instead of leprechaun's, another book we've read used Father Wind.

Gerald McDermott has quite diverse styles in his artwork. Although he typically retells folklore in his books, his artwork is untraceable between some of his books. You probably didn't recognize that he is also the illustrator of the popular "Anansi the Spider" book.

In my little family we have a tradition of looking for leprechaun gold on the morning of St. Patrick's Day.  Dad usually tells the kids he thought he saw a leprechaun in the (pick a room), and that is where they rush to find chocolate gold coins hidden throughout the room. It's fun, and we use the coins to decorate the table for our St. Patrick's feast.

images via library.camden.rutgers.edu and missionaryideas.com

Happy Birthday Dr. Seuss!

" From near to far, from here to there, funny things are everywhere!"

-One Fish Two Fish Red Fish Blue Fish

Theodor Seuss Geisel was born March 2, 1904.  Under the pen name of Dr. Seuss, Theo. LeSieg and Rosetta Stone, Geisel published over 60 books.  One of the most important things he taught us is that learning to read could be fun.  "The Cat in the Hat" came about in response to how boring books at the early reader level were at that time.

He died September 24, 1991.  If he were alive today, he would be 105.

Looking for free Educational (not mindless) computer games?  Go toSeussville.com where you will find these:

Appropriate for kids who can maneuver a mouse:

The Lorax Sticker Game (finish the pattern game)

One Fish Two Fish Concentration(A memory game)

For kids 1st grade and up (my guess):

Fox in Socks Matching game (put together the words to describe the picture)

"In 2000 Publisher's Weekly compiled a list of the best selling children's books of all time.  Of the top 100 hardcover books, 16 were written by Geisel." (source: Wikipedia)

Geisel's books were the inspiration for the creation of the Read Across America event that takes place around the time of Dr. Seuss's birthday every year.  Many Target stores participate, so if your local library doesn't have activities, feel free to check out what's going on in your area here.

In the meantime, if you'd like to learn more about Theodore Geisel...

School is out for us tomorrow.  It's funny how you don't have to look hard to find something to celebrate.  We are reading our Dr. Seuss favorites, making Cat in the Hat... hats and eating green eggs and ham for lunch.  Yessss, another reason to eat birthday cake....

images via barnesandnoble.com and usps.com