posted November 26, 2007 12:07 PM         

I already got him some toys for Xmas and I want to get him a good book.

posted November 26, 2007 05:40 PM         

The illustrations are especially incredible.

The Discovery of Dragons: New Research Revealed

A Victorian scientist, R.W. Greasebeam, presents the "original" correspondence of early explorers who encountered some of the world's most fearsome dragons. Base's fans will be delighted by his humorous stories and intricate renderings of these colorful creatures.

The Sign of the Seahorse: A Tale of Greed and High Adventure in Two Acts

Romance, mystery and intrigue revolve around the Seahorse Cafe, where the beautiful Pearl Trout falls in love with Corporal Bert the Soldiercrab. But Reeftown is in danger, and soon Pearl, Bert, and Pearl's brother Finneus must journey through the ocean depths to find the source of the deadly poison that is destroying the coral reef. Graeme Base's "witty rhymes (and) dynamic, radiantly colored illustrations...should keep both reader and audience immensely entertained" (Publishers Weekly)."Base will surely delight his many fans with this latest high-color, high-action, high-density composition...(with) a high-minded ecological message". -- School Library Journal

posted November 26, 2007 05:41 PM         

Jungle Drums By Graeme Base

Best-seller Graeme Base is back with an all-new story filled with hidden pictures on every page! Little Ngiri is the Smallest Warthog in Africa. Tired of being teased by his bigger brothers and sisters, he wishes things could be different. When Old Nyumbu the Wildebeest gives Ngiri a set of magic drums, he is sure his wish is about to come true. But all the animals of the jungle are in for a BIG surprise as Ngiri's wish is granted in a most unexpected way. In the end, the gentle message that inner beauty and change is more important than outer beauty rings true. In true Graeme Base style, there is an added surprise at the end of the book. Everything seems to be normal in the jungle, but look closely and you will see that none of the animals or the other creatures watching from the trees are quite the way they were when the book began. Look even closer, and you will also find Old Nyumbu the Wildebeest hidden somewhere on every spread. "Jungle Drums is a book to be read over and over again.

Eleventh Hour: A Curious Mystery By Graeme Base

posted November 26, 2007 06:10 PM         

From Publishers Weekly
In this Caldecott Honor Book, the way to start the day is to go outside, face the east and greet the sun, as others in the past and present have celebrated the dawn. PW praised "the author's sensitive prose and Parnall's glittering paintings in this beautiful work."

A Book Review by Brian Sheehan,
K-5 Science Specialist (MacArthur Elementary) and Trail Teacher (Hi Hill Outdoor School)
Reprinted from the Spring 2002 Southern AEOE Newsletter

Every Byrd Baylor book is written beautifully for the outdoor science curriculum. Her books focus on conservation and appreciation for our natural world. Using her literature on the trails, I discover that my students become more aware of the experiences we embark on.

The Way To Start A Day describes how people all over the world celebrate the beginning of each new day. All over the world, the sun is honored in different and unique ways distinctly by anyone so in tune with the beauty around them. The book begins.... “Go outside and face the east and greet the sun with some kind of blessing or chant or song that you made yourself and keep for each morning.” One must sing, lift their hands, pray, and/or play instruments. Baylor takes us to Peru, Mexico, the Congo, China, Japan, and Egypt..

It is a well-written book that allows us to see diversity in different people in different ways. I have used it to teach biodiversity. After reading the book, we discuss different living things in the mountains where I teach in the summer and how each organism has a niche, a role to fill, in the cycle of life. I have used it on the first morning, Tuesday, of the outdoor forum. We discuss how we start the day at home in the city and compare it to how we start the day at the outdoor school. Sometimes I take the students on an early morning hike before breakfast and, after reading the book, we share through a chant, poem or song, how we would start a day. There have been some very powerful celebrations during these early morning rituals.

I love Byrd Baylor's style of writing because she is so AWARE of her natural surroundings. That's what I'm wanting my students to leave the outdoor science experience with, an awareness of who they are and what their role is in the grand scheme of our world.
http://www.amazon.com/Way-Start-Day-Byrd-Baylor/dp/0689710542

posted November 26, 2007 07:31 PM         

Her very best in my opinion:
My Side of the Mountain, was a Newbery Honor Book an ALA Notable Book, and a Hans Christian Andersen Award Honor Book. Astonishingly, she wrote its sequel, On the Far Side of the Mountain, 30 years later, and a decade after that penned the final book in the trilogy, Frightful's Mountain, told from the falcon's point of view. George has no doubt shaped generations of young readers with her outdoor adventures of the mind and spirit. (Ages 9 to 12).

About this book:
Every kid thinks about running away at one point or another; few get farther than the end of the block. Young Sam Gribley gets to the end of the block and keeps going--all the way to the Catskill Mountains of upstate New York. There he sets up house in a huge hollowed-out tree, with a falcon and a weasel for companions and his wits as his tool for survival. In a spellbinding, touching, funny account, Sam learns to live off the land, and grows up a little in the process. Blizzards, hunters, loneliness, and fear all battle to drive Sam back to city life. But his desire for freedom, independence, and adventure is stronger. No reader will be immune to the compulsion to go right out and start whittling fishhooks and befriending raccoons.
This is the best adventure book ever!!!
*Also leaves you with a pure appreciation for nature, family, friends, and LOVE!!!

Jovette, I read this at "his age" and guess where it is now?
Yep, right on my bookshelf! I treasure it still... (my 5th grade teacher gifted it to me)
I purchased a copy for my eldest son when he was 10 years old as well, and he went on to share it with all his friends. We found ourselves buying the so called "Sequels" quickly afterwards as well, LOL!

I say so called, because the book was completely fulfilling and satifying having read just it and after 30 years of it being the one it was just a pure bonus bliss that the author created more to the story...

ISBN: 0140348107
Ages 9-12
177 pages

posted November 26, 2007 08:10 PM         

I've been teaching for many years. The all time favorite of my students each year is "Where the Red Fern Grows" by Wilson Rawls.

It's also amazing to read aloud to him. He'll always remember it...it's one of those stories of incredible character and you'll both be crying in the end.

posted November 26, 2007 09:45 PM         

Thank you so much for taking the time to give me all those recs! So many to choose from........

I am going to look them up on Amazon now.

Thanks!

P.S. will let you all know what I end up getting!

posted November 26, 2007 09:49 PM         

Thank you so much for taking the time to give me all those recs! So many to choose from........

I am going to look them up on Amazon now.

Thanks!

P.S. will let you all know what I end up getting!

posted November 26, 2007 11:03 PM         

Has anyone read "The Boxcar Children"?

8th, omg! that was my favorite book as a child - didnt even think of that one! Yes, definitely a tear-jerker.

Neph, I think I might pick yfs's or 8ths over mine.

Good luck!

posted November 27, 2007 12:07 AM         

"Thanks to everyone for taking the time to give me the rec's. They all sound very good. I will let you know what I decide to get him! Thanks, ~Nephthys"

-Seems she's having some computer difficulty right now, and has just asked me to post this up for her