Banned Books Week September 21-27

It’s Banned Books Week this week, all the way through September 27^th.  Libraries, bookstores, and classrooms around the country celebrate the freedom to read through elaborate displays and fun events. Books that have been challenged or banned both in the U.S and around the world will receive recognition this week.

So what exactly is a banned book?

Grover, Messenger of Love: The Sesame Street Bedtime Storybook

The Sesame Street Bedtime Storybook

Grover Messenger of Love

Written by Patricia Thackray

Illustrated by Joseph Mathieu

1978

Hey Kiddos~

Yes! I'm doing another Sesame Street post! Why? Well, because I now have another book to add to my Sesame Street collection, and I am PROUD! Along with The (original) Sesame Street Storybook and The Sesame Street 1 2 3 Storybook, I am now the proud owner of a third. The Sesame Street Bedtime Story Book is mostly about the various dreams of random Sesame Street residents, however, this particular story I chose to scan for you today is about cute little furry Grover and his quest to bring messages between two kingdoms.

THE END

All that back and forth and not a computer in sight! Very creative use of resources if you ask me....

 Also By:

The Sesame Street Story Book

The Sesame Street 123 Story Book

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The Snowy Day and the Art of Ezra Jack Keats

Peter in The Snowy Day

Written and Illustrated by Ezra Jack Keats

1962

The Snowy Day and the Art of Ezra Jack Keats is the first major exhibition in this country to pay homage to Award Winning Author and Illustrator, Ezra Jack Keats. Coincidentally, The Snowy Day featured the first modern African-American protagonist to be illustrated in a full-color picture book. At the date of it's publication, in 1962, America was experiencing the height of the Civil Rights Movement and the book was a catalyst for change in the Children's Picture Book Industry. Needless to say, Peter has become an inspiration for generations of readers, The Boog being one of them.

The inspiration for Peter goes much deeper than the writer/illustrator is credited for. The Ethnicity of Peter takes a back seat as Keats literally paints a modern community right before your eyes. Growing up in the inner city myself, I have always related to the work of Keats in a very visceral way. His books touch upon life through the eyes of a child; a child that lives in uncertainty, but views their surroundings with conviction. His use of urban settings is not surprising, as he himself grew up in Brooklyn.

Being one of our favorites, I have written about Peter before (here). Gladly, he remains a constant bedtime staple in our story book circulation.

The Exhibit, curated by The Jewish Museum, is currently at The Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art in Amherst, MA. and runs June 26 - October 14th 2012.

The Snowy Day and the Art of Ezra Jack Keats Preview here.

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Curious George Learns the Alphabet

Curious George Learns the AlphabetH.A. Rey
1963

"This is George. He lived with his friend, the man with the yellow hat. He was a good little monkey, but he was always curious…"

So begins every story featuring the curious little monkey. This time George is curious about books and “what one could do with them.”

The general storyline starts out with George rummaging through the man’s book shelves ripping his books into pieces. "You don't tear a book apart to find out what's in it," the Man said. "You READ it, George. Books are full of stories. Stories are made of words, and words are made of letters. If you want to read a story first you have to know the letters fo the alphabet."


I couldn’t have explained it better myself! So simple and easy an explanation; now onto my favorite part of this book, the Illustrations! Both capital and small case letters are represented. Upon further inspection you may notice that the letter is also highlighted in the story itself, just so you can visualize how that particular letter creates a word. Brilliant, no?






Of course what does George do after learning the alphabet? Why, he changes an order for ONE Dozen Doughnuts, to TEN Dozen Doughnuts!


This book is such a fun read. The Boog and I received it as a hand -me -down from her older cousin. Thank goodness too! I was never into Curious George so I probably would have overlooked this one had I not so graciously received it from my sister. If you haven’t read it, and have a 3 or 4 year old, I recommend finding a copy right now!



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