#Road2Reading Challenge: New Releases

As part of the Nonfiction Picture Book Challenge, I started doing new release posts. Once a month, I will post about new releases as I find out about them. With early readers and early chapter books, I have been trying to do something similar but locating titles is coming slowly. Since I hadn't done a new release post in awhile, I thought it was time for an update.  Also, I have included links to previous posts mentioning new releases just below. Also, don't forget to check out Mrs. Knott's Book Nook for more books. 

Check out previous new release posts: January I | January II | February | March | April

June 2017

Fergus and Zeke by Kate Messner; Illustrated by Heather Ross (June 13th 2017 by Candlewick Press)

The Great Art Caper (Pets on Loose #2) by Victoria Jamieson (June 13th 2017 by Henry Holt and Co. BYR)

Mrs. Masters is a Disaster (My Weirdest School #8) by Dan Gutman; Illustrated by Jim Paillot (June 20th 2017 by HarperCollins)

Escape from the Great Earthquake (Ranger in Time #6) by Kate Messner; Illustrated by Kelly McMorris (June 27th 2017 by Scholastic Press)

Marty Frye, Private Eye: The Case of the Missing Action Figure by Janet Tashjian; Illustrated by Laurie Keller (June 27th 2017 by Henry Holt and Co.)

Marty Frye, Private Eye: The Case of the Stolen Poodle by Janet Tashjian; Illustrated by Laurie Keller (June 27th 2017 by Henry Holt and Co.)

July 2017

A True Home (Heartwood Hotel 1) by Kallie George; Illustrated by Stephanie Graegin (July 3rd 2017 by Disney-Hyperion)

The Greatest Gift (Heartwood Hotel 2) by by Kallie George; Illustrated by Stephanie Graegin (July 3rd 2017 by Disney-Hyperion)

August 2017

Joe and Sparky, Party Animals by Jamie Michalak; Illustrated by Frank Remkiewicz (August 15th 2017 by Candlewick Press)

Ada Lace, On the Case by Emily Calandrelli ; Illustrated by Renaee Kurilla (August 29th 2017 by Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers)

Mark your calendar and look for these at your local bookstore or library. 

All journeys have a starting place.
This is a weekly place to find books and tools
that you may use with readers at the start of their reading journey.
Join in the conversation at #road2reading.

Each week, Michele Knott and I post about new early readers and transitional chapter books. Don't forget to pop over to Michele's blog to check out her post as well. 

Hello Goodbye Dog Blog Tour: Interview with New York Therapy Animals Director

Huge thanks to Alyson Beecher for helping me celebrate HELLO GOODBYE DOG and real reading dogs with an interview of Nancy George-Michalson, Founder and Executive Director of New York Therapy Animals, here on Kid Lit Frenzy!

MG: Can you briefly tell us about the Reading Education Assistance Dog® (R.E.A.D.®) program and its mission, as well as its connection to New York Therapy Animals?

NGM: (R.E.A.D.®) Reading Education Assistance Dogs® is a children’s literacy support program. It is the 1st and foremost comprehensive reading to therapy dogs program designed and launched in 1999 at Intermountain Therapy Animals (ITA) in Salt Lake, UT.

R.E.A.D. is a copyrighted world-wide program utilized in schools and libraries to improve the literacy skills of children through the assistance of trained, registered and insured therapy animal teams as literacy mentors. New York Therapy Animals is the official New York City R.E.A.D. affiliate with a partnership with the Department of Education, the NY Public Library and the Brooklyn Library.

MG: How did you initially become involved in the New York Therapy Animals Association, and how long have you been its Executive Director?

NGM: I am the founder of New York Therapy Animals in 2015, a not-for-profit 501(c)3, New York City based charity organization. We are the New York City affiliate of Intermountain Therapy Animals with 140+ therapy dog teams. Our mission is dedicated to bringing animal resources to human needs in healthcare facilities and to children in schools and libraries. Our animal-assisted interactions community programs serve people of all ages in various socio-economic matters in areas of physical, occupational, speech and psychotherapies and special education. Environments and lives are transformed by sharing a distinctive, attentive and compassionate kind of healing through supportive volunteer advocates and their therapy animals to those in need.

MG: How do dogs help kids improve their reading skills?

NGM: Trained R.E.A.D. handlers assist with communication and social skills, fluency and comprehension in a non-judgmental school and library setting. R.E.A.D. is a great motivator with a strong academic influence for children and assists to touch tackle the nervous aspect of reading. Learning to read is often less about intellectual limitation than about overcoming fears. Fear can be debilitating. The program focuses on children K-3rd grade but is equally successful for students with special needs, physical, emotional and intellectual disabilities and ESL students. This is the HEART of R.E.A.D.: It’s the connection between the child and the handler and their dog that makes it so powerful; without it, nothing much will happen. It is personal. 

The R.E.A.D. program is a huge success in our school. We are an elementary school in East Harlem. Many of the students are very poor and many have emotional or learning disabilities. The R.E.A.D. program has been a great motivator for children with emotional regulation issues, a strong academic influence for children with learning disabilities and also teaches humane treatment of animals as well as social skills. The children often ask when the therapy dogs are coming and get prepared by choosing a book to read to them as well as making positive behavioral choices to be a part of the program. Patricia Foley, LCSW PS102 Jacques Cartier School NYC

MG: What kind of training must a dog undergo before s/he can serve as a R.E.A.D. team? Can you also explain the difference between a therapy dog and an assistance or service dog?

NGM: The New York Therapy Animals educates both ends of the leash in a 2 part education program: therapy dog training classes and a one day handler workshop. We also offer continuing education courses.

The next step is the evaluation process called the team screening. The handler and their dog are evaluated for appropriate skills and temperament, the strength of their relationship as an advocate for their dog along with social interactions skills. There is an application process including the veterinary health and medical screening. Once completed and the team receives their ID badges, they are then an authorized, licensed and insured volunteer team.

Our teams will then have liability insurance to become a R.E.A.D. team. This process requires an additional education course to become a lifetime member of R.E.A.D.:

1. Attend a R.E.A.D. workshop

2. Additional skills training 

3. Complete the registration application.  

We do not train dogs to be emotional support dogs or for service dog work. A service dog is a dog that performs a task for the person with a disability. We are a therapy animal organization training people and their pets to help others. A therapy dog does not have the privileges and access as that of a service dog and the American Disability Act (ADA).

MG: What kinds of places do you visit with the R.E.A.D. teams?

NGM: New York Therapy Animals has a partnership with the NYC Department of Education and the New York Public Library and the Brooklyn Library. Our R.E.A.D. teams participate in this program in many schools and libraries.

MG: Do you have a favorite anecdote to share that epitomizes how a R.E.A.D. team can inspire a child?

NGM: I received a beautiful letter from a little girl telling me how my therapy dog, Callie, and I helped her. She wrote, “You and Callie have taught me a few things. 1. You have helped me build my courage to read aloud. 2. Callie has helped me build my courage with dogs. Here’s how. When I first met Callie, I was scared. You told me to pet her. With you and Callie’s help, you told me dogs are not scary. You helped me understand Callie was trained, and she wouldn’t hurt me. Thank you for your support to me. I’ll always remember you!”

MG: You must be a dog lover—can you tell us about your own dogs? Are they trained R.E.A.D. dogs too?

NGM: My Toy Poodle, Callie, changed my life. Our therapy dog volunteer career began in 2005 visiting a nursing home, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, the Ronald McDonald House-New York and we became a R.E.A.D. team. Callie’s personality and disposition along with my commitment and eagerness to share her with others became my mission. Volunteering is not a casual undertaking and we were serious about our responsibilities as well as having the most fun time together on visits. I called our work “Serious Fun!”

In 2012, Melodie, my 4 ½ lb. Toy Poodle came into my life and we became a registered ITA and R.E.A.D. team. My husband had been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s and I believed that adding a new dog to our family would be helpful in capturing his attention. I had asked him if he wanted a new puppy for his big birthday and he said, “We have so much love for Callie that we have more love to give a new dog.” As the years went by our dogs were instrumental in helping my husband in his everyday life to be calmer and less agitated and lowering his stress levels.

Callie and Melodie and I carry on our volunteer team work in memory of my husband which is the real reason that I founded New York Therapy Animals. The human-animal bond is a gift that we share and appreciate and love so much. We know we are making a difference in people’s lives. 

MG: That is so true, Nancy!! I love writing about the importance of the human-animal bond in my books. To do this in memory of your husband is a lovely and meaningful thing too!

Thank you so much for joining me here, and thank you again, Alyson for helping with the HELLO GOODBYE DOG celebrations!

About the author: Maria Gianferrari is the author of the Penny & Jelly books, Officer Katz and Houdini, Coyote Moon, an ALA Notable Book, a Junior Library Guild Selection, and most recently, Hello Goodbye Dog. For Maria, hello is sunshine after a snowstorm, the scent of cinnamon, and happy greetings from her beloved mutt, Becca. Maria lives in northern Virginia with her scientist husband, artist daughter, and Becca. She has additional titles forthcoming from Roaring Brook Press, Boyds Mills Press, GP Putnam’s Sons and Little Bee. To learn more about Maria, visit her website: mariagianferrari.com, on Facebook and Instagram.

New York Therapy Animals, Inc.
215 East 68th St.  Suite 33B   New York, NY 10065
Nancy@NewYorkTherapyAnimals.org      
212 535-2211    
www.NewYorkTherapyAnimals.org

For more stops on the blog tour: 

HELLO GOODBYE DOG BLOG TOUR!
GIVEAWAYS EVERY DAY!!

*Monday, July 24th:                       Pragmatic Mom + THREE book giveaway!

*Two for Tuesday, July 25th:          Librarian’s Quest
                                                        Reading for Research

*Wednesday, July 26th:                   Homemade City

*Thursday, July 27th:                        Kid Lit Frenzy

*Friday, July 28th:                             Mrs. Knott’s Book Nook

*Monday, July 31st:                           Picture Books Help Kids Soar

*Tuesday, August 1st:                        Bildebok

*Wednesday, August 2nd:                 The Loud Library Lady

*Thursday, August 3rd:                     DEBtastic Reads!

*Friday, August 4th:                           Mamabelly’s Lunches with Love

*Monday, August 7th:                         Writing for Kids (While Raising Them)

EXTRA: August 25th:                         Kidlit411—Interview with Patrice Barton

Nonfiction Picture Book Challenge: Nonfiction Read Alouds Part II

In less than three full weeks, the new school year begins in my district. For some of you, it may be earlier and others you may still have until September. However, if you are like me, you are already thinking about lessons and classroom set-up and read alouds. Last week, I chose five picture book biographies to consider reading aloud. Check out the post here.

This week, I want to talk about expository nonfiction books for read aloud. Narrative nonfiction books like fictional stories are easy to see as a read aloud. However, this leaves out a vast assortment of nonfiction. And as a nonfiction lover that makes me sad. Similar to last week, I have selected five books from 2016 and 2017 that need to be shared with children and what better way but through a read aloud.

Here they are in no particular order....

Pink is for Blobfish: Discovering the World's Perfectly Pink Animals (World of Weird Animals) by Jess Keating; Illustrations by David DeGrand (Alfred A. Knopf Books for Young Readers, February 2016) - This may have been my favorite nonfiction book in 2016. I loved the text, the formatting, the artistic layout. 

A Beetle is Shy by Dianna Hutts Aston; Illustrated by Sylvia Long (Chronicle Books, April 2016) - I love all of the books in this series. Beautiful lively, engaging text with gorgeous illustrations. 

Otters Love to Play by Jonathan London; Illustrated by Meilo So (Candlewick Press, March 2016) - This book is just as fun and playful as the subject of the book. 

Grand Canyon by Jason Chin (Roaring Brook Press, February 2017) - Beautiful illustrations and informative text lead readers through the Grand Canyon. 

Can an Aardvark Bark? by Melissa Stewart; Illustrated by Steve Jenkins (Beach Lane Books, June 2017) - I love the question and answer format of this book. Not only is it super engaging but it also is a great mentor text for learning how to write in this style. 

Some tips for reading expository nonfiction:

  • Electronic versions of the book can be easily projected to make it easier to read and show various text features. A document camera works as well.
  • For books that include facts along with the informational text, consider reading the book over multiple days. Sharing first the text and then going back to enjoy the included facts.
  • Practice reading the text aloud before using it as a classroom read aloud. This seems obvious but with expository nonfiction it is even more important. It will help make pace and vocabulary easier and smoother. 
  • Another option is to read the book in smaller chunks. Some books like Pink is for Blobfish can be shared one animal a day before heading out to lunch or upon return from recess.  
  • Don't forget to share the author's note, and illustrator's note, and extra material at the end. This can be a great way to create further interest and assist students in learning more.

Artwork by Sarah S. Brannen ©2017

Don't forget to link up your nonfiction reviews below:

#Road2Reading Challenge: What have I been reading? - July 25, 2017

This weekend, I sat down and read several early chapter books and wanted to share them with you. 

Humphrey's Treasure Hunt Troubles by Betty Birney (August 1st 2017 by Puffin Books) - This book is part of the Humphrey's Tiny Tales spin off, which is written at a slightly easier level than the original Humphrey's series. Just as much fun but easier to access for beginning readers. Larger print, less words, and chapters make it perfect for high first grade readers or beginning of the year 2nd graders. 

Eugenia Lincoln and the Unexpected Package: Tales from Deckawoo Drive, Volume Four by Kate DiCamillo; Illustrated by Chris Van Dusen (October 10th 2017 by Candlewick Press) - The last time we visited Deckawoo Drive readers met Baby Lincoln. In the latest book by DiCamillo, readers get to know Baby's older sister Eugenia. This story was very touching. I really enjoyed it. This would be a good book to use as a mentor text to talk about how characters change from the beginning to the end of the book.

Sample from the interior of the book:

The print is somewhat smaller and the number of pages is longer than the Humphrey Book. The storyline is also a bit more complex. 

Betty's Burgled Bakery: An Alliteration Adventure by Travis Nichols (November 7th 2017 by Chronicle Books) - In FOWL PLAY, Nichols used idioms as part of his mystery in graphic novel format. Nichols is back with another mystery, a new team, and alliterations. There are a limited number of graphic novel style books for this age group. 

Samples of the interior of the book:

And mark you calendar for 2018...

Bug Blonsky and His Very Long List of Don'ts by E.S. Redmond (January 2nd 2018 by Candlewick Press) - This book is a bit like a chapter book version of Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day. Each of Bug's "don'ts" has its own chapter. Lots of white space, larger font and though the sample below shows lots of illustrations the book does has text that includes paragraphs. 

Sample page from the book: 

Look for these books at your local indie bookstore or public library.

Each week, Michele Knott and I post about new early readers and transitional chapter books. Don't forget to pop over to Michele's blog to check out her post as well.