4 Kids | Gods and Goddesses

Thanks to my good friend, Kathleen...I learned about a great series of books by Magic Tree House author Mary Pope Osborne: Tales from the Odyssey. For all of you Greek mythology fans -- and of course that means Percy Jackson -- this series is a must read.

In the first book, The One-Eyed Giant, we learn about Odysseus, the King of Ithaca who battles the cyclops. It's a thrilling story you can finish pretty quickly. And when you're finished, you have a much better sense of all those Greek gods and goddesses. It's fun. It's fast. And I highly recommend it!

There are six titles in this series, and I can't wait to continue my journey of Greek mythology! Read them and let me know what you think!

Here's a little Greek trivia for you:

1. What son of Zeus is known as the trickster god?

2. Who is the god of seas and rivers?

3. Who is the god of the sun, music and poetry?

4. Who is Zeus' wife?

Do you know all the answers? Really?

Ok, instead of waiting until next week, I'll list the answers here. But seriously, visit the library nearest you and check these books out! If you don't see them on the shelf, ask library staff to help you place a hold. You won't be disappointed.

Answers:

1. Hermes

2. Poseidon

3. Apollo

4. Hera

Until next week, happy reading!

4 Kids | Look Who's In a Book!

Meet Elephant (aka Gerald) and Piggie, the two lovable characters in Mo Willems' easy reader books. There are 17 books (so far) in this great series, but my favorite is We Are in a Book! This is an easy reader, so it's perfect for kids just starting to read on their own. But kids of all ages will laugh at these two friends. In this book, Elephant/Gerald feels someone is watching them. And guess what? He's right! Someone is watching them...a reader!! In his always funny way, author Mo Willems tells us what a character in a book might feel like to be read. How cool is that?

When I was a kid, I used to imagine myself a character in a book. Sometimes I was Clara Barton, a nurse during the Civil War who founded the American Red Cross, because I thought she was really brave. 

Other times I was the donkey in William Steig's Sylvester and the Magic Pebble. I would wonder for hours what I would wish for if I found a magic pebble. 

Many times I'd like to be Annie in the Magic Tree House series because she's smart and she gets to travel back in time. My favorite book in this series (by Mary Pope Osborne) is The Hour of the Olympics. Annie and her brother Jack travel back in time to Ancient Greece -- to the original Olympic games -- but Annie isn't allowed in because girls weren't allowed at the original Olympic games. Will this stop Annie? Well if you know Annie at all, you know the answer! So for a fun trip back in time and a chance to spend a little time with a great character, read this book!


What character in a book would you like to be? Leave your answer in the comments section.

There are a ton of great books (and characters!) at the SSJCPL branch libraries. Visit one soon and meet some great characters!

I'm pretty darn lucky because when I was a kid, my parents brought me to the library every week....and let me check out as many books as I could carry!

So since today is my Mom's birthday, it's only right to say: Thanks, Mom.