'Reading Is Essential': A Fresh Literacy Outlook for the New Year

Summary

---

"Some Helpful Tips for a Better World and a Happier Life" (Schwartz & Wade Books/Random House, 2008) by Rebecca Doughty is a great way to start off the New Year. The text and illustrations of this cute, amusing title are reader friendly. The theme of remembering to enjoy the simple things of life is an inspirational one, and is an easy goal that we can ail achieve. Here are some of the author's easy to recall suggestions: "Begin each day by making funny faces in the mirror." "Make music and art." "Try new things." "Lend nature a hand." Come on, GoGABers, we can do all of these things very easily. So smile, and let's make some of these inspiring tips a part of our daily lives. In this way, we will be helping to make a better world and live a more joyful life. This book is "recommended for any age."

Huh? Etiquette? What's that? That went out with 2009. Really? I beg your pardon because we're about to discover the art of etiquette (good manners) in "Thanks a Lot, Emily Post!" (Schwartz & Wade Books/Random House, 2009) by Jennifer LaRue Huget, illustrated by Alexandra Boiger. This title is a delightful spoof of Emily Post's 1922 bestseller "Etiquette in Society, in Business, in Politics and at Home."

Wow! Has it been almost one year since President Barack Obama became commander in chief of the U.S.? It has indeed! January 20, 2010, marks the one-year anniversary of the inauguration of our president. In the Step-intoReading title "Barack Obama - Out of Many, One" (Random House, 2009) by Shana Corey, illustrated by James Bernadin, we learn the story of the president's journey to the White House. This title for step 3 readers (grades 1-3) who are "comfortable tackling new words" focuses on the theme of the people and experiences that contribute to making the president who he is today. The message of "working together" and "the time has come to choose our better history" colors the pages of this engaging book with its impressive watercolor pictures. The title, which also reinforces that like their president, everyone has a story to tell, encourages readers to share our stories. This book is a suggested title to order now for President's Day and Black History Month.

C.J.'s Pre-Teens, Kesia's Teens, GoGAB Readers for Mom in Chief, GoGAB Youth and MD Men for President Obama; our partners, the ICAD Literary Division, the Frederick Douglass Academy (FDA) and the NY Amsterdam News. Candlewick Press, Harper Collins Children Publishers, Penguin Young Readers Group, Random House Children's Books and Simon & Schuster Children's.

See the full content of this document

Extract

---

'Reading Is Essential': A Fresh Literacy Outlook for the New Year

To all GoBAB Readers and Parents Committed to Literacy, best wishes for a healthy, joyful, prosperous New Year from Misani's GoGAB Group: C.J.'s Pre-Teens, Kesia's Teens, GoGAB Readers for Mom in Chief, GoGAB Youth and MD Men for President Obama; our partners, the ICAD Literary Division, the Frederick Douglass Academy (FDA) and the NY Ams...

See the full content of this document

---