The Magic Castle Series of Books

[Clementine]

We recently joined this book club from Scholastic (toddle/preschoolers/early readers).
They're written by Jane Belk Moncure. (http://www.janebelkmoncure.com/jbmabout.htm)
You can read about the Magic Castle Series in more detail here (http://www.janebelkmoncure.com/mcrhome.htm).

Ethan just turned three and he is loving these books.
LOVING.
We've had two of them for maybe a week and he already had them memorized after just a couple of days. So far, we have A Dragon in a Wagon, and What Do You Say When A Monkey Acts This Way? I especialy love the monkey one because it's about good manners and kindness. Ethan has really taken a lot from that book because I see and hear him associate the lessons in that book with his own daily interactions. It's awesome.

Children learn about Language Arts, Science, Math, Social Science, Creative Arts, and Health and Safety. from these books. There are some great activities for preschoolers on Jane's Web site.I'm just really happy with the content and how the books build on the basics in such a fun and toddler/preschooler friendly way. I can't wait to get the rest of the set.

You can get the books from Scholastic (http://homeclubs.scholastic.com/detail.asp?product_id=96177)if you're interested.

[courey]

Oh, thanks! I'll have to check into those and see if they're at the library. The kids are book fiends and actually have a meltdown if we go to the library and don't actually go in [like just going to drop off books]. :e

[Clementine]

Oh, thanks! I'll have to check into those and see if they're at the library. The kids are book fiends and actually have a meltdown if we go to the library and don't actually go in [like just going to drop off books]. :e

I hope they have them!
Did I miss the Book Fair at the Justice Center, Courey?
Is it this Saturday?

[courey]

I hadn't heard of one being held at the Justice Center, are ya' serious?
*gets sweaty, caresses check book*
You don't mean the Friends of the Library one, right?

[Clementine]

There's a big banner on Russ Avenue that advertises it. :)
It's on the McDonald's end of the street.
It just says ....

*edit*
Just found a link and it was the 6th. :(
August 06: Haywood High Country Book Fair
Over 60 authors will be available to meet & autograph their books. Benefits Friends of the Library & Writers Alive.
Location: The New Justice Center in Downtown Waynesville
Time of event: 9-4pm
Town: Waynesville
Contact Info: 828-456-8067

[courey]

Aw pooh :(
Sorry you missed it! I guess I should be glad that I did miss it, though; we just spent nearly $100 at the Friends of the Library sale at the library last month!

Hey, have you heard about that Free Clothing Recycle thing they're doing friday and saturday? Here's the thread where it started - http://www.waynesvillelive.com/yabbse/index.php/topic,457.0.html

Sounds like it's going to be busy! I'd love to trade in our old clothes even for just Salem's school supplies, that would save a bunch of money!

[Clementine]

That sounds really cool.
I'm going to be out of town. Grrrr.
It actually sounds like fun, too.
Poo.

[courey]

Oh yeah, you're concert bound, eh? :)
That sounds like more fun!

[Clementine]

Oh yeah, you're concert bound, eh? :)
That sounds like more fun!

Yip.
I'm more anxious than anything right now.
My first thought when I woke up this morning was, "Wonder if it's too late to sell those tickets?"
*sigh*

[Clementine]

Take back all I said about these books. We've read the whole series and it's dated, sexist, and quite crappity in general.
The books will be going back to Scholastic ASAP.
The first two were good. They tricked me.

[courey]

aw :(
I haven't had time to look at them yet.

[Clementine]

Yeah, a few are good---most of them only allow boys to be doctors, and girls have to be school nurses.
Ridiculous.

[dormilona]

yuck. i remember books like that when i was a kid. i would start to get into them and just get annoyed and drop them. my sister in law bought me the cutest book for my little one, it's called "love you forever". although after reading it, i think she bought it more for me. we just got "el arbol del viejo bosque" by carol reed-jones. i think the book was originally in english and if so the title should be something like the tree of the old forrest. it's a great book about how nature is all inter-related. i feel like i'm having more fun buying books than clothes. if your kids haven't read it, i really recomend "the rainbow goblins".

[courey]

I have the "Love You Forever" book. I've read it to my kids exactly once... because that one time I bawled and bawled and I don't think they should see me doing that over a book while they're this young. :e