And the winner is...

Mario Tovar

in Mrs. Walters 4th Grade Class

Congratulations to all of you for reading so many books and passing so many AR tests.  We had over 400 entries. You are awesome!

Merry Christmas

On the 9th Day of Christmas my Librarian got me to read...

BIG CHICKENS FLY THE COOP

by  Leslie Helakoski

The four fowls in this delightful book agree that they should always stay home where it's safe "except…we've always wanted to see the farmhouse." Every time they venture out they meet with an obstacle and end up scurrying back to their coop. They almost give up, but decide that chickens can be "loud and dirty and wild."  With determination, they make a pell-mell, treacherous dash through the field and arrive, at last, in front of the farmhouse. The surprise ending is perfect and made me roar with laughter since I have a dear friend with a terrible sense of direction.

On the 8th Day of Christmas my Librarian got me to read...

THE BAKERS DOZEN

by Aaron Shepard

Van Amsterdam the baker was well known for his honesty as well as for his fine Saint Nicholas cookies. He always gave his customers exactly what they paid for -- not more and not less. So, he was not about to give in when a mysterious old woman comes to him on Saint Nicholas Day and insists that a dozen is thirteen!


Will the woman's curse put an end to the baker's business? Find out in this inspiring legend from Dutch colonial New York about the birth of an honored American custom.  Delightful story!

On the 7th Day of Christmas my Librarian got me to read...

EVERYTHING BUT THE HORSE

By Holly Hobbie

Everything But the Horse written by Holly Hobbie, is a wonderful memory of Hobbie's own girlhood. After moving from her close knit city neighborhood to a house in the country with no electricity and an outhouse, Hobbie falls in love with horses. She longs for her own and is certain that on her birthday the surprise in the barn is just what she is hoping for.

This is a sweet story with wonderful illustrations.



On the 6th Day of Christmas my Librarian got me to read...

CHRISTMAS COOKIES

Bite - size Holiday Lessons

by Amy Krouse Rosenthal

This charming picture book offers a glossary of terms defined in child-friendly ways and related to the theme of Christmas cookies:

“FRUSTRATED means, I can’t believe we burned them again  and PERSEVERANCE means, we tried and tried and tried, and finally we made the perfect non-burned batch,”  

Wonderful pictures, clever definitions... a must if you are a "Christmas Cookie" family (eaters or bakers).

HAPPY HOLIDAYS

"Must be Santa"

TONIGHT IN THE LIBRARY...

THE UTAH VALLEY HANDBELL CHOIR CONCERT

6:00 PM

Merry Christmas

from

Freedom Academy Library

On the 5th Day of Christmas my librarian got me to read...

MARY ON HORSEBACK

Three Mountain Stories

BY  Rosemary Wells

The practice of modern medicine was practically nonexistent in the Appalachian Mountains of Kentucky in the 1920s. Diphtheria, typhoid, and small pox ravaged the mountain dwellers' lives. Mary Breckinridge,  decided to change things. This pioneering nurse-midwife who founded the Frontier Nursing Service is introduced through the eyes of three fictional characters whose lives are irrevocably changed by their encounters with her.

The life of Mary Breckinridge is inspiring.  When her four year old son, "Breckie" dies from a burst appendix Mary is grief stricken.  Having outlived her husband and her two children, she decides she wants to make a difference in the world.  If you would like to read the behind the scene story that let up to the founding of the Frontier Nursing Service click on this link... This is an online book.

http://www.archive.org/stream/breckiehisfourye00thom#page/n9/mode/2up

In just 1 day...

HANDBELLS IN THE LIBRARY

December 14th

6:00 PM

On the 4th Day of Christmas my librarian got me to read...

THE LION AND THE MOUSE

By Jerry Pinkney

Winner of the Caldecott Award 2010

In Jerry Pinkney's wordless adaptation of one of Aesop's most beloved fables, an unlikely pair learn that no act of kindness is ever wasted. . With vivid depictions of the landscape of the African Serengeti and expressively-drawn characters, this book silently speaks volumes. It is best read slowly, feasting on each stunning picture.

In just 4 days..

HANDBELLS IN THE LIBRARY

December 14th

6:00 PM

Tickets available through the library

YOUR FAVORITE COOKIES...

E-mail me your favorite cookie recipe and I will post it on our Library blog along with your name and picture.  You can reach me at   srobertson@pfa.cc

YUM, this could be fun!

In just 5 days

Handbells in the Library

December 14th

6:00 PM

Tickets still available

See Miss Merriweather in the Library  $1.00

On the 3rd day of Christmas my librarian got me to read...

HEROES FOR MY SON

By Brad Meltzer

(Not just for boys)

When Brad Meltzer's first son was born eight years ago, the bestselling writer and new father started compiling a list of heroes whose virtues and talents he wanted to share with his son: Abraham Lincoln, Rosa Parks, Jim Henson, Amelia Earhart, Muhammad Ali . . . and so many more, each one an ordinary person who was able to achieve the extraordinary.
Heroes for My Son brings well-known figures together with less famous ones, telling the inspiring, behind-the-scenes stories of the moment that made them great. They are a miraculous group with one thing in common: each is an example of the spectacular potential that can be found in all of us.

This is a great book to read together as a family.

ON THE 2ND DAY OF CHRISTMAS MY LIBRARIAN GOT ME TO READ...

HERSHEL AND THE HANUKKAH GOBLINS

By Eric Kimmell

Whatever your background don't miss out on this delightfully told tale of Hanukkah and the goblins that tried to prevent it.  Eric Kimmel is a master storyteller and Trina Schart Hyman's art adds to the charm.  This book made me want to buy my own menorah to set in the window.

THE 12 DAY OF CHRISTMAS... IN BOOKS

Each day for the next 12 days I will be highlighting and recommending a good book. Some will be chapter books and some will be picture books. All would make great reading during your vacation. So... here goes.

ON THE FIRST DAY OF CHRISTMAS MY LIBRARIAN GOT ME TO READ...

A CERTAIN SMALL SHEPHERD

By Rebecca Caudill

No one knows for sure why Jamie won't speak, they just know he never has. Living in the backwoods of Appalachia with his two sisters and his widowed father he manages with his quiet ways until one Christmas his teacher offers him a chance to be a shepherd in the school Christmas pageant. Nothing this exciting has ever happened to him before. When a blizzard forces the pageant to be cancelled Jamie is inconsolable. Then, a miracle happens in the hollow and Jamie becomes a real shepherd. A gentle and heartwarming story. You just might need some tissue. 64 pages.

THERE'S A GINGERBREAD HOUSE IN THE LIBRARY...

We are giving this Gingerbread house away to some lucky student. Everytime you read a book and pass an AR TEST you can come up to the library and put your name in our jar.  On the morning of December 17th we will have a raffle and one of you can take this little confection HOME.

KEEP READING!

"THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS"

"A Visit from St. Nicholas", also known as "The Night Before Christmas" is a poem first published anonymously in 1823 and generally attributed to Clement Clarke Moore, although the claim has also been made that it was written by Henry Livingston.

"A Visit from St. Nicholas"

Twas the night before Christmas, when all thro' the house
Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse;
The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,
In hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there;
The children were nestled all snug in their beds,
While visions of sugar plums danc'd in their heads,

And Mama in her 'kerchief, and I in my cap,
Had just settled our brains for a long winter's nap —
When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter,
I sprang from the bed to see what was the matter.
Away to the window I flew like a flash,
Tore open the shutters, and threw up the sash.

The moon on the breast of the new fallen snow,
Gave the lustre of mid-day to objects below;
When, what to my wondering eyes should appear,
But a minature sleigh, and eight tiny rein-deer,
With a little old driver, so lively and quick,
I knew in a moment it must be St. Nick.

More rapid than eagles his coursers they came,
And he whistled, and shouted, and call'd them by name:
"Now! Dasher, now! Dancer, now! Prancer and Vixen,
"On! Comet, on! Cupid, on! Donder and Blitzen;
"To the top of the porch! To the top of the wall!
"Now dash away! Dash away! Dash away all!"

As dry leaves before the wild hurricane fly,
When they meet with an obstacle, mount to the sky;
So up to the house-top the coursers they flew,
With the sleigh full of toys — and St. Nicholas too:
And then in a twinkling, I heard on the roof
The prancing and pawing of each little hoof.

As I drew in my head, and was turning around,
Down the chimney St. Nicholas came with a bound:
He was dress'd all in fur, from his head to his foot,
And his clothes were all tarnish'd with ashes and soot;
A bundle of toys was flung on his back,
And he look'd like a peddler just opening his pack:

His eyes — how they twinkled! His dimples: how merry,
His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry;
His droll little mouth was drawn up like a bow,
And the beard of his chin was as white as the snow;
The stump of a pipe he held tight in his teeth,
And the smoke it encircled his head like a wreath.

He had a broad face, and a little round belly
That shook when he laugh'd, like a bowl full of jelly:
He was chubby and plump, a right jolly old elf,
And I laugh'd when I saw him in spite of myself;
A wink of his eye and a twist of his head
Soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread.

He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work,
And fill'd all the stockings; then turn'd with a jerk,
And laying his finger aside of his nose.
And giving a nod, up the chimney he rose.
He sprung to his sleigh, to his team gave a whistle,
And away they all flew, like the down of a thistle:

But I heard him exclaim, ere he drove out of sight —
Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good night.

The poem, which has been called  "The best-known verses ever written by an American", is largely responsible for our American version of Santa Claus , including his physical appearance, the night of his visit, his mode of transportation, and the number and names of his reindeer.  Clement Moore's poem conceptualized Santa as a  "chubby and plump" elf, who brings gifts and good tidings.

SNOWFLAKE BENTLEY

Check out our online story about Snowflake Bentley
http://libraryfa.blogspot.com/p/stories-online.html

STORIES ON VIDEO

I have just discovered dozens of old vidoes with wonderful stories, Listen to Peter and the Wolf and  Ferdinand the Bull just for starters. Click on the link to the right.  ENJOY!

A BOOK CHRISTMAS TREE...

I saw a picture in a magazine of a Christmas Tree built out of books.  I thought it would be fun to give it a try.  With lots of help from two of my student aides, Thomas and Madeline, we came up with our own version.  It adds a little whimsical Christmas spirit.

CHRISTMAS COOKIES

One of the most popular sections in our non- fiction  is  Cooking  641  

I always wonder, when the students check out a wonderful looking cookbook, if something delicious materializes at home.  I will be posting a cookie recipe periodically for you to make and enjoy as a family. 

MERRY CHRISTMAS COOKIES

Ingredients

1 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 cup shortening
2 (1 ounce) squares unsweetened chocolate, melted
1 egg
1/2 cup buttermilk
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 1/2 cups cake flour

Directions

1.Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (180 degrees C).
2.Cream brown sugar, shortening, melted chocolate, egg and buttermilk.
3.Add dry ingredients and beat until smooth.
4.Drop onto greased cookie sheet and bake for 12 to 15 minutes.

Ice with Buttercream Frosting. Garnish with red candies and leaves.