Fairday's Riddle: Still Deep Dark...

Hello, Riddlers! Can you guess the answer? Old ones are interesting (and a bit unsettling). ~F

Deep and dark still hold.

Suck it up then pour it down.

Dry or full in ground. 

What am I referring to? Stop by later this week for the answer.

The picture is the clue!

Margo's Musings: What's the Hurry?

My sister, Margo, loves sloths. They are pretty cute! So of course she spotted Sloth at the Zoom when we went to our town library last week. 

Sloth is supposed to be going to the zzzzzoo to relax and take it easy. But she accidentally gets dropped off at the zoom. Instead of taking naps all day, Sloth is watching animals rushing around. She can't believe her eyes. After she's been there a while she is ready to try to make some friends. But all the other animals never stop, and their speed makes conversation hard. Sloth doesn't understand "busy" and prefers to spend time listening to the leaves rustling and the sound of the wind. It seems like everyone is too busy to get to know her. When Sloth meets Snail they are actually able to have a conversation. It's slow, but neither of them seems to care. Will the two become friends? Will the other animals ever stop and take a break so they can all get to know each other? What will happen if they don't?

Orbie's illustrations were perfect for the story. The colors were great and the sky and foliage looked so pretty. Sloth won me over with her cuteness, and I thought the dialogue was easy to follow. Margo loved looking at the pictures of the different animals. While my sister pointed at the pictures of the animals being busy, thinking they were funny, it made me reflect on how sad it is to rush through life. There is so much to be gained from simply sitting and listening to the world around you. It can be good for the mind and soul! I would definitely go to the zzzzzoo over the zoom!

This a book that can be enjoyed by kids and adults. It would be a good reminder to adults that there are lots of benefits to stopping and listening. I think parents should give their kids plenty of time to observe the world, and I'm lucky mine do! This is a great addition to a any classroom or library.

Have you read Sloth at the Zoom? Or have you read another book by Helaine Becker? We’d love to hear your thoughts!

Happy reading!

~F

Answer to Fairday's Riddle: Slow As It Goes...

 (tropical rainforest- I don't have a picture of a sloth! I'll have to draw one :)

Excellent guessing, Riddlers! I am a day late with the answer. Sorry! Tune in next week to see how the answer ties into the story. See you all around the book block. ~ F

I.     am.     so.     slow.  On my back moss may grow.  Like a hammock in the trees, I hang around in steady ease. 

What am I referring to? Answer: Sloth!

Fairday's Riddle: Ever So Slow...

Hello, Riddlers! Can you guess the answer? They're fascinating and super cute in my opinion. ~ F

I.     am.     so.     slow.  On my back moss may grow.  Like a hammock in the trees, I hang around in steady ease. 

What am I referring to? Stop by Friday for the answer.

I gave you a clue!

(Tropical Rainforest)

Marvelous Middle Grade Monday # MMGM Book Review: Counting by 7s by Holly Goldberg Sloan

 

Twelve-year-old Willow Chance is a genius. She also loves the number 7 and is obsessed with plants and medical conditions. Her adoptive parents love her more than anything. Willow feels the same way about them. They are different, but they fit together perfectly. When Willow's parents are killed in an accident everything changes. She has to leave the garden she has worked on for years, the place that has been her comfort zone and allowed her to grow. The two people who took care of Willow are gone. She's hoping to find a place where she belongs. Those who help her along her journey will never be the same. Will she find another place she feels comfortable? Will Willow be able to create a new garden? Is it possible for her to move on? Read this touching book about loss, change, and hope to find out!

Counting by 7s by Holly Goldberg Sloan is a book that took me by surprise! I read it in just over day because I was curious about what would happen to Willow and the people in her life. Willow's unique personality made her endearing. Willow is smart and caring. I like the way her brain organized things, and that she was so knowledgeable about plants and medicine. It would be fun to talk to her and see her green thumb in action. She cracked me up, and I liked the way 7 kept showing up in her life (it's one of my favorite numbers).  I think anyone who has experienced a major loss will connect with this story. Although Willow had tragedy strike her life, the story was about her search for another place where she belongs, and about how she dealt with her grief. I recommend this book to anyone in fifth grade and up that is ready for an emotional story with characters that will make them think. It's been a while since I finished this book, and I'm still thinking about Willow. I can't wait to read another book by this author soon!

Has anyone else read Counting by 7s? Or have you read another book by Holly Goldberg Sloan? We’d love to hear your thoughts! 

Happy reading!

~L

For other MMGM posts, please visit Greg Pattridge's blog.

Answer to Fairday's Riddle: Lucky Seven...

                            The picture clue was 7 colors on the spectrum

Excellent guessing, Riddlers! Next week we're counting to seven. Tune in Monday to find out how the answer ties into the story. See you all around the book block. ~ F

The answer is how many you see, or a lady Borg who was set free. A solid ball to the cue. It may be a lucky- if you think that’s true.

What am I referring to? Answer: Seven!

Fairday's Riddle: Lucky Count...

Hello, Riddlers! Can you guess the answer? I think it’s a lucky one. ;) ~ F

The answer is how many you see, or a lady Borg who was set free. A solid ball to the cue. It may be a lucky- if you think that’s true.

What am I referring to? Stop by this weekend for the answer! 

I gave you a clue!