Thoughts about audiobooks...

I have a confession to make.  For as much as I promote reading aloud to children, and for as much as I have read aloud to children, I hated to be read aloud to as a child.  When I discovered that I could read a book to myself, I was in heaven.  It wasn't that I didn't like how people would read books aloud.  It was simply that I couldn't understand or follow what was being read and I was miserable.  I learned quickly to ask for a copy of something or to simply state "Let me read that. You don't have to read that aloud."  Yes, I am a visual learner.  

Consequently, audiobooks were not something that I had ever thought to purchase or listen to.  Even the thought of it made me cringe.  However, I started discovering friends who were avid readers who also listened to audiobooks.  It was one of the ways that they could increase the number of books they read during a year.  So one day I decided to explore this world of audiobooks.

Here is what I learned:

* The narrator can make or break an audiobook.  - A great narrator can take even an okay book and make it fabulous.  The wrong narrator can ruin a book.

* If a book isn't working for you, and the audiobook is read by someone you like.  Give it a try on audio.  The reverse is true too.  If you are listening to an audiobook and not liking it (even with a good narrator), try reading the book.

* Get recommendations from friends as to which narrators that they like.  What works for me may or may not work for you but it is a great place to start.  And websites like Audible.com even have books rated by narrators.

* For those of us who struggle to grasp auditory information, take a page out of tricks for working with kids with learning disabilities or attention deficit disorder.  - You just may need to engage in a simple activity while you attempt to focus on auditory information.  For me this means, I need to clean a closet or wash dishes or walk on a treadmill or drive in a car or even play solitaire when listening to an audiobook.

Who are some of my favorite audiobook narrators?

Jim Dale and Katherine Kellgren are by far my favorite narrators out there.  And fortunately they do a lot of children's and young adult fiction.  I have told friends that I could listen to Jim Dale read the telephone book.  And I one time listened to six hours of an 18 hour audiobook before I abandoned the book all because I just enjoyed listening to Katherine Kellgren despite the fact that the book seemed to have no real direction.

Emerald Atlas - John Stephens, Narrated by Jim Dale

Any other narrators that I have discovered that I like?

I loved David Hyde Pierce's narration of The Phantom Tollbooth.  Jesse Eisenberg is beyond a shadow of a doubt the voice of Cassel (the main character in Holly Black's Curse Workers Series) at least in my mind.  Libba Bray is just as great/funny as a narrator (Beauty Queens) as she is a writer.  Debbie Allen brought Kadir Nelson's Heart and Soul to life.  And Nick Podehl (The Knife of Never Letting Go; Will Grayson, Will Grayson) is another fabulous narrator.

Books I will never read aloud to a class because the audiobook is so much better:

The Incorrigible Children of Ashton Place - Written by Maryrose Wood; Narrated by Katherine Kellgren 

Written by Maryrose Wood; Narrated by Katherine Kellgren

The Phantom Tollbooth - Written by Norton Juster; Narrated by David Hyde Pierce

Books I would never have finished this year if it wasn't for the audiobook:

The Night Circus - Written by Erin Morgenstern; Narrated by Jim Dale

So what books do you love on audiobook or who would you recommend as a narrator? 

Share your thoughts in the comment section.  And check out my Book Lover's Holiday Giveaway Hop for a chance to win an audiobook. 





      

Book Lover's Holiday Giveaway Hop

I am so excited that I am co-hosting this hop along with Kathy from I am a Reader, Not a Writer. The purpose of this Holiday Giveaway is to celebrate book lovers like you.  Since it is the holidays, and since this is to celebrate book lovers, I decided to offer a gift card to one lucky winner from one of the following three places.

Option 1:  A $25 gift card or books/items worth up to $25 from Amazon. *

Option 2:  A $25 gift card to Etsy (don't they have some great book related jewelry and other items?) or Café Press (another place for some great book related items).

Option 3:  One Audiobook worth up to $25 from Audible.com. 

* Please note:  International Participants are limited to $25 in books from Amazon or Book Depository.  Thank you for understanding.








Rules for the Contest:

1. Please do not enter any personal information in the comments section (including your email, website, etc.), you must complete the Entry Form to officially enter the contest.
2.  The Contest runs from 12:00 a.m. Pacific Time on December 2, 2011 to 11:59 p.m. Pacific Time on December 6th.
3.  You must be 13 or older to participate in this contest.
4.  If you are selected as a winner, I will notify you by e-mail.  If you do not respond within 48 hours, I will select a new winner.
5.  International participants are welcome to enter the contest but are limited to the first option only.

It's Monday? What Are You Reading? From Picture Books to YA

It's Monday! What are you reading? is hosted by Sheila of Book Journey.  Jen & Kellee from 

Teach Mentor Texts have adapted this to focus on Picture Books to Young Adult Books.

Each week I'll recap what I've read/reviewed the week before 

and then look ahead to what I am planning on reading/reviewing in the upcoming week.

Last week's Book Adventures:
I had fun going through numerous picture books this past week.  My favorite of the week was Heart and Soul by Kadir Nelson.  The book is beautifully illustrated and the audiobook is superbly narrated by Debbie Allen.  It is best to pair the two together.  Check out my review here.




Upcoming Book Adventures:
I picked up a bunch of books at one of my favorite Indie Bookstores - Mrs. Nelson's Bookstore in LaVerne, CA.  All of these have come highly recommended and very eager to dive into them.

So, what are you reading this week? 

Please share! And remember to check in at Sheila's or Jen & Kellee's blog to see what they and others are reading!

Book Review - The Santa Club

Author:  Kelly Moss
Illustrator: Jim Keserich
Publisher: Palmary Press (July 1, 2011)
Source: Copy for Review from the Cadence Group
Audience: 4 to 8 years old

Description from GoodReads:
A delightful book with captivating illustrations, The Santa Club transitions your child from receiving gifts to experiencing the joy of giving. With sensitivity, faith, and love, The Santa Club tackles the serious question, "Is Santa Claus Real?" To be read with your child, this wonderful book not only answers that sometimes "dreaded" question but it also addresses the questions of why Santa comes at Christmas and who was the first Santa. The Santa Club is a wonderful parenting resource and a stunning children's book, and is sure to become an annual family favorite.


At some point, parents will hear the question - "Is Santa Claus real?"  Kelly Moss seeks to tackle this question in her book The Santa Club.  From the beginning, she warns children to only continue reading with a parent and never to share the information with other children unless an adult gives them permission.  


As children progress through the story, they learn how to become members of The Santa Club. There is even a list of responsibilities at the end of the book and a certificate of membership.  Moss has elected to explain about Santa Claus through the connection between St. Nicholas, and the birth of Jesus Christ as the basis for the spirit of giving that occurs at Christmas.  Though the message is to help children understand that there is something good in giving not just receiving, the book relies heavily on the message of birth and purpose of Jesus Christ. 

Since not all people who celebrate Christmas, celebrate the religious basis for the holiday, this book may not appeal to all readers.  For those that do, this book presents a nice twist on the answer to "Is Santa Claus real?"


For more information:  www.thesantaclub.net

NCTE/ALAN Wrap-Up

Recently, I had a wonderful opportunity to go to Chicago to attend the National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE) conference and the post-workshop for the Assembly of Literature for Adolescents (ALAN).   I was excited to attend a conference where I would be surrounded by professionals who were excited about teaching reading, and writing, and also were passionate readers.  I shared with friends before I left that I was going to a conference that would be Book Geek Heaven.

During my time at the conference, I was affirmed as an educator.  Listening to the opening Keynote given by Linda Darling-Hammond set the tone for a week of learning.  I engaged in dozens of passionate conversations over the six days with various teachers, authors, and other professionals about teaching, and students, and learning.  I loved knowing that it didn't matter who I sat with at a meal or during a session but I could learn something new from each person and presenter.

I was also thankful for Twitter for helping to make this one of the best conferences I have attended.  Yep, twitter allowed me to create an on-line Professional Learning Committee (PLC) that has become an invaluable resource for me.  So many of my wonderful twitter PLC folks were there at the conference and I got to meet and hang-out with many of them at both NCTE11 and ALAN11.

Here are some of my highlights:

- NCTE 11 - 

* arriving in Chicago and taking the train to Naperville to meet with friends (Jen, Colby, Kelly) for deep-dish pizza and attending the Tom Angleberger/Jack Ferraiolo/Michael Buckley signing at Anderson's Bookstore.  Thank you Donna (@akgal68) for seeing my tweets and picking Cathy (@cathy_blackler) and I up at the train station.

Tom Angleberger signs a book for a fan.

Jack Ferraiolo with Jen (@mentortexts)

* Listening to Kirby Larson, Deborah Hopkinson, and Jack Murphy talk about how the research they do for their non-fiction books can be used as writing prompts

* Hearing authors - Kate Messner, Linda Urban, Eric Luper, and Matthew Kirby talk about writing and editing/revising their work.  I wish I had thought to capture the whole presentation on video.  There were so many brilliant comments.  This was the first time I had also met Kate Messner in person and she is sooooo nice.  Oh, and I got a wonderful hug and greeting from Linda Urban.

* I attended a workshop about graphic novels with my twitter buddy, Colby, and we both got to meet Jennifer Holm.  Jenni actually signed Colby's Babymouse T-shirt.

* Dinner Friday night was a blast as I got to meet and hang out with more tweeps -Donalyn (@donalynbooks), Kellee (@kelleemoye), Jen (@mentortexts), Colby (@colbysharp), John (@mrschureads) just to mention a few.

* Saturday morning we attended the ALAN breakfast where Sharon Draper received an award and the keynote was given by Jacqueline Woodson.

* I also connected up with author & teacher Melissa Thompson and as we walked around the exhibit hall we found Jen, Colby, and John.  On our way to additional workshops, we stopped for lunch and shared about books and kids. 

* Saturday afternoon sessions were filled with learning about Mentor Texts, as well as, Websites and Technology that could be used to support student learning and writing.  At a session led by Donalyn Miller, Teri Lesesne, Franki Sibberson, and Sara Kajder participants were reminded that "we shouldn't schoolify technology". (Have I said how amazing these women are?)

* Saturday evening, I had a chance to go out to dinner with a large group of Twitter buddies (@leakelley, @mindi_r, @cbethm @heisereads @yaloveblog @cathy_blackler @childofthe80s @jenniesmith @kimmccollum @katsok).  Thanks Mindi for finding such a great restaurant for us.  And thanks everyone for such great dinner conversation.

* At the Children's Literature Assembly Breakfast, I had a chance to hear award winning author/poet Joyce Sidman speak.

* On Sunday, I attended several amazing sessions as well.  I expected the session on Inquiry Circles to be empty since so many people were leaving, but it turned out to be Standing Room Only and one of the best sessions that I attended.  As I watched the school team talk about what they have been doing with Inquiry Circles, I even texted folks in my District telling them how much I was loving what I was learning.  I have ordered Comprehension & Collaboration by Harvey Daniels & Stephanie Harvey for my teachers.

* At the final NCTE session, I had an opportunity to meet some wonderful authors including some favorites like Sharon Draper, and Rita Williams Garcia. 

- ALAN 11 - 

* ALAN kicked off with a reception where Alethea (@frootjoos) and I did some open author-stalking. First, we got to say "hi" to our SoCal author buddies - Andrew Smith, Katie Alender, and Kazu Kibuishi.  Over the evening, I got to fangirl Sharon Draper and let her know about my love for OUT OF MY MIND and Neal Shusterman who writes amazing books.

* The two days of ALAN were filled with amazing author panels, book talks, book signings, and lots of books. 

In looking at my pictures, I realized that I spent too much time talking and not enough time taking good pictures.  For some great quotes from the various workshops, and lots more pictures (including one of a group of us at dinner on Saturday), click here to check out my twitter buddy, Kellee's blogpost. 

Thank you to all of my Twitter PLC (including my roommates @cathy_blackler, @frootjoos, @thebrainlair) for making my first time to NCTE/ALAN such an amazing experience.  Hope to see everyone again in Las Vegas for NCTE/ALAN 2012.