Review: Who doesn't love a balloon? From the time a child is coordinated enough to bat a small balloon to their oldest 100th birthday (that is still being a child, right?), balloons are fun. In “Balloon Trees” the story of how a balloon is made from the tapping of rubber tree sap to the finished product all blow up and bringing delight to everyone. The rhyming verse is lively and fun to read and almost lyrical.
This balloon was made from trees--
made from rubber trees like these . . .
The tappers start their work at dawn.
They pull their hats and work gloves on.
They slice the bark then add a spout--
white milky latex drip-drops out.
The simple cut the tappers use
collects the natural, sappy ooze.
The colorful pictures lend delightful educational qualities to the text
about the making of rubber. I found following the little green bird through the book fun, too. An information, fun read for small and elementary children alike, this little book will get a lot of use in a school or public library as well as the home library.There is a "creative minds" section in the back of the book that allow the parent and child to investigate and learn more about the process of making rubber.
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DISCLOSURE: A complimentary copy of Balloon Trees was provided by Sylvan Dell Publishing in exchange for our honest review. Opinions expressed are solely my own and I received no compensation for this review..
Author: Danna Smith received excellent reviews for Pirate Nap and Two at the Zoo, which was featured in Parenting Magazine and is a Raising Readers board book special edition. The inspiration for her most recent book, Balloon Trees, came from her husband’s line of work running a rubber manufacturing plant. Although his company makes industrial rubber products, Danna chose to follow the creation of a fun product that is near and dear to a child’s heart: the balloon. She lives in Northern California with her husband, two grown children, and their cocker spaniel, Peanut. Visit her website at www.dannasmithbooks.com.
Illustrator: Laurie Allen Klein has been a freelance artist for nearly 25 years. Over the last several years, she has worked as the on-staff artist for a marine park, where she does everything from painting life-size sea animal murals, to illustrating children's activity books. As evident by the extras included in the art, she has combined her love and fascination with outer space (and science fiction) with children’s illustration in both Solar System Forecast and Meet the Planets. Laurie also illustrated Fur and Feathers, Where Should Turtle Be?, Little Skink's Tail, and If a Dolphin Were a Fish for Sylvan Dell. Laurie lives in Florida. See more of her artwork at http://www.lauriekleinarts.com.
I have an old corn crib that I keep in my laundry room. It is divided into two compartments. It is cute and perfect for our recycling. Paper and cardboard on one side, cans, plastic, etc on th other side. Then on Mondays we are lucky enough that the truck comes buy an picks it all up .
ReplyDeleteKathy Davis
kdavis1@centurytel.net
We practice the 3 R's...reduce reuse and recycle.
ReplyDeleteWe compost, reuse and re-purpose everything we can and we recycle glass, paper, aluminium/tin and plastic!
My fav switch was to use cloth napkins instead of paper...we use small hand towel.
I can usually find them at the dollar store.
The kids luv it when I match up towels with the holidays and they wash and wear beautifully!
Katklaw - I like the idea of cloth napkins as well. My mother was a believer in using as much of an item as possible. When a man's shirt or cuffs were frayed a bit, she would "turn" them. Now that is not as easy as it sounds. You have to remove them (tiny stitches) and turn them. Then you restitch them. You don't want to look dowdy or frumpy and to make it look right you have to work very hard at it. She was an excellent seamstress.
DeleteAlso, when the shirt was beyond wearing, she would cut out the back, hem the edges, and have a "tea towel" or "dish towel." These were great for putting in baskets with biscuits. They would also make nifty napkins. :)
My kids would like ...
ReplyDeleteShark Baby
Written by Ann Downer
Illustrated by Shennen Bersani
after all it's almost shark week!
These questions were also asked on the Nature Recycles page. I don't think that there is anything special when a book discusses science and math topics as they are everyday topics.
ReplyDeleteWe recycle at home but also reuse a lot of items. For example, I purchase jam and honey from a local farmer and bring her back the empty Ball jars when we are done. She really appreciates it and I don't have time to can myself anyway.
ReplyDeleteJulie the Rockhound - because everyone should have their own rock collection.
ReplyDeleteIt's so important for children to learn early on that learning math and science CAN be learned in a fun way other than just in the classroom!
ReplyDeleteWe are a huge recycling family! I have little garbage cans or bags in all of our rooms to recycle everything from post it notes to newspapers to food boxes.
ReplyDeleteShark Baby would be very popular in my classroom. I have a group of kiddos that are fascinated with sharks!
ReplyDeleteI think that when subjects are discussed in a book it is a way to let children know that math, science is all around us and is used every day and not just a subject that is taught at school. I like that it also helps a child think and make decisions.
ReplyDeleteWe recycle by using a rain barrel to catch rain water for our flowers outside and also do not take long showers, and we also recycle aluminum cans and try to not use much plastic bags,.
ReplyDeleteTeaching scientific, or mathematic lessons in children's books creates an interest, & hopefully, a more involved, & easier study at school. Also - it is probably more fun to learn from a children's book, than with textbooks.
ReplyDeletebonnieroof60(at)yahoo(dot)com
Book title: Animal Helpers, Zoo
ReplyDeletebonnieroof60(at)yahoo(dot)com
I recycle by purifying water instead of buying water in plastic bottles, re-use plastic storage bags, use cloth towels instead of paper towels, & use a shower head that uses less water.
ReplyDeletebonnieroof60(at)yahoo(dot)com
I think children's books are wonderful for teaching/introducing scientific and mathematic concepts because they usually give information in simple terms (as well as some scientific terms) that are easy for children to understand. These texts also act as a touch stone of knowledge for all of the students in the class to relate to.
ReplyDeleteI work in a GT classroom and bring all sorts of things to recycle into props, presentations, and creations. We do the normal recycle box recycling at home. I also have a Food Saver Vacuum Sealer to save leftovers so I have less food waste.
ReplyDeleteTeaching books are always so great and when they rhyme, the rhythm makes things stick in one's head, at least for me they do. Glad you shared this book.
ReplyDelete~ linda from The Reader and The Book
Another fantastic book recommendation, and yes we have a true blue balloon love in our household, they never cease to give joy. Thanks for joining us on the Kid Lit Blog Hop
ReplyDeleteMaking learning Fun! When books combine reading,learning and fun, one has managed to truly "educate" :) Thanks for sharing another fun read. Looking forward to finding this one. Thanks for sharing on Kid Lit Blog Hop!
ReplyDelete-Reshama @Stackingbooks.com
We recycle plastic and paper
ReplyDeletehrddiana556@gmail.com
I love that children's books can make math fun
ReplyDeletehrddiana556@gmail.com
We'd like the book Animal Helpers: Zoos - http://sylvandellpublishing.com/bookpage.php?id=AH_Zoos
ReplyDeleteNancy
allibrary (at) aol (dot) com
Books that teach about science and math link those subjects to real life situations for a child. Books make science and math seem real, attainable, and useful
ReplyDeleteNancy
allibrary (at) aol (dot) com
I read paperback books and then pass them on to our subdivision's library for other to enjoy.
ReplyDeleteNancy
allibrary (at) aol (dot) com
Teaching through books is one of the best learning tool we can give our children. Showing them about our enviroment and friends and the world with a book, I think opens up new doors for them everytime they open a book.
ReplyDeletencjeepster@aol.com
We've been recycling so long now, it just the thing to do. We need to keep the world free of toxins and smug things that invade out bodies and our earth. We have come with so many neat ways to create from products to help teach our children and enjoy our time. They help with the recycle bin when we take it out for pick up and always have a smile on their face when they return. that alone makes me think... They Get it TOO !
ReplyDeleteShe would also love Fur and Feathers, she went to the zoo and she is really interested in searching about animals.
ReplyDeletencjeepster@aol.com