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Sunday 31 January 2010 at 8:00 pm
So if a country worm came to visit a city worm in the city, what would they do together? In "The City Worm and the Country Worm" by Linda Hayward, illustrated by Carol Nicklaus we get a little peek into this worm life.
The next day Slimey gave Squirmy a tour of the city.
He took her to the Earthworm Museum. There they saw twenty different kinds of dirt in the Soil Sample Room.
Saturday 30 January 2010 at 8:00 pm
Do you ever think The Count from Sesame Street might be just a little OCD. If you doubt, read "The Count Counts A Party" by Judy Freudberg and Tony Gates, illustrated by Tom Cooke. There is plenty of counting in this book. I'll spare you from too much counting and give you a quote from the point of the story where the Count is preparing his castle for his party.
"One sweep, two sweeps, three sweeps, four sweeps!" said the Count. "Ah-ah-ah!"
Then he took down all the dirty old codwebs and hung up clean new cobwebs.
He even told his bats to take a bat-bath in their bat-tub.
"Lyuba," he said to his number-one bat, "don't forget to wash behind your wings. You, too, darlings."
"Don't worry," said the bats, "we'll get squeaky clean. Squeak, squeak, squeak!"
Friday 29 January 2010 at 8:00 pm
"Odd Velvet" by Mary E. Whitcomb, illustrated by Tara Calahan King, is a creative look at fitting in vs. being yourself.
Velvet was not like the other kids, and she's OK with that.
"At lunchtime, Velvet not only carried a used brown paper bag, but inside of it were things like carrots and a butter sandwich. And she ate them."
Thursday 28 January 2010 at 8:00 pm
The title of Edward R. Lipinski's book "Pucasso, the Cat Who wanted to be an Artist" pretty much explains what the book is about. With that, here is a classic quote:
"Well," said Mr. Filbert, "I have looked at your paintings very carefully. I have judged each one."
"Oh yes," I said, "and what have you decided?"
"I have decided that your paintings are very bad." And then he walked out the door.
Can Pucasso recover from this rejection? Is Mr. Filbert always this grumpy? To find out, you'll have to read the book.
Wednesday 27 January 2010 at 8:00 pm
"Zak's Lunch" by Margie Palatini, Illustrated by Howard Fine tells the story of a boy who isn't too fond of the ham and cheese sandwich his mother has provided him for lunch. He wishes that instead of being told what to eat, he could order what ever he wants, and in a dream land state, all his lunch dreams come true at diner titled Zak's Place.
When Zak asks for...
a triple-decker, super-duper burger deluxe. With lots of grease, and runny ketchup, fried onions, gooey yellow cheese that squirts at you when you take a bite, and at least a pound of pickles. The kind that make your mouth pucker.
His order is translated like this:
"Hey Cookie," she called out. "One moo meat all the way. And don't be cheap with the grease!"
And when Zak asks for chicken, all drumsicks, his order is translated to:
"Fry the bird. All pins," Lou called out to cookie.
Tuesday 26 January 2010 at 8:00 pm
"Carrot Delight" by Brian Mangas, illustrated by Sidney Levitt, chronicles an outing to the hardware store by Father Rabbit and his daughter, Honey Bunny.
Father Rabbit and Honey Bunny drove to town. They counted trucks on the way. Then they counted station wagons.
"Let's count police cars," Honey suggested. "There's one now."
Father Rabbit looked in the rearview mirror and slowed down.
Tuesday 26 January 2010 at 05:00 am
Suburban Auto Group created a series of Trunk Monkey ads that we will highlight on Tuesdays (until we run out). Again, instead of Monkeys they used apes, but it is still funny.
Today's feature let's you know how your Trunk Monkey can assist you in a road rage encounter.
Monday 25 January 2010 at 8:00 pm
In the older Thomas the train books Sir Topham Hat is not called Sir Topham Hat, rather he is referred to as the Fat Controller. Why do I like this name better? Why do I feel like a bad parent using it when reading to my kids?
For instance, here is a quote from "James and Toby" a board book based on THE RAILWAY SERIES by The Rev. W. Awdry.
Gordon the Big Engine had been working hard. The Fat Controller decided to give him a rest. "James will do your work," he said.
Saturday 23 January 2010 at 8:00 pm
Did you know that men who live alone without a wife or kids have to cook and clean for themselves? If you didn't know this, there is a book about it, "The Man Who Cooked For Himself" by Phyllis Krasilovsky, pictures by Mamoru Funai. At one point in the story, the man runs out of food, but finds food not far from his house, like fish, apples, blackberries and watercress. He also finds some acorns.
In front of him was a giant oak tree full of acorns. "Why, I can make pancakes out of them!" the man said. He shook the branches and pounds and pounds of acorns came tumbling down.
I've never made pancakes from acorns. If you know a good acorn pancake recipe let me know... I'd like to try them.
Saturday 23 January 2010 at 05:00 am
How does Lancelot Link do it? These secret chimps know their stuff. Today we hope you enjoy "The Dreaded Hong Kong Sneeze"... bless you!
Friday 22 January 2010 at 8:00 pm
"Bad Day At Riverbend" by Chris Van Allsburg is fun book full of imagination. To really appreciate this book, you need the pictures. You really just need to read it, so go get from the library or something. I'll leave you with this teaser:
The sheriff followed Owen outside. The coach had never stopped in Riverbend before, but now it stood motionless at the end of the street. A crowd gathered around it, but they held back, as if they were afraid to get too close.
It was easy to see why. The horses were covered with great stripes of some kind of shiny, greasy slime.
"What is it, sheriff?" someone asked as Ned Hardy stepped up to the coach. He didn't know. It was the strangest thing he'd ever seen, the strangest thing anyone had ever seen.
Thursday 21 January 2010 at 8:00 pm
Too bad I can't quote the illustrations in this book, because Janet Stevens did a fantastic job illustrating "To Market, To Market" by Anne Miranda.
Since I can't quote the pictures, I'll leave you with this:
Tuesday 19 January 2010 at 8:00 pm
As A-B-C books go, "Chicka Chicka Boom Boom" by Bill Martin Jr and John Archambault (Illustrated by Lois Ehlert) has got to be one of the better ones out there. Not only is it fun to read, but it has a plot.
"Skit skat skoodle doot. Flip flop flee. Everybody running to the coconut tree. Mamas and papas and uncles and aunts hug their little dears, then dust their pants."
Monday 18 January 2010 at 8:00 pm
John Lithgow does a nice job of creating a story for all the manatee loving children out there with his book "I'm a Manatee." (Illustrated by Ard Hoyt)
"I look just like a chubby brown banana-tee As I nose along the cozy ocean floor. Immune from human folly and inanity, That's why a manatee Is such a happy herbivore."
Monday 18 January 2010 at 05:00 am
Ahhh, Monday's at the office. What could be better. You'll make it. I think this video footage is from a company that is working on creating a great novel.
Sunday 17 January 2010 at 8:00 pm
"Zin! Zin! Zin! a Violin" by Lloyd Moss (Illustrated by Marjorie Priceman) is a fun book about instruments. Moss does an excellent job of presenting the mood of each instrument as they enter the scene.
"With steely keys that softly click, Its breezy notes so darkly slick, A sleek, black, woody CLARINET Is number SEVEN - now SEPTET."
Sunday 17 January 2010 at 05:00 am
If this first guy isn't listening to an ipod, I would love to know what music he is creating in his head to go along with his rhythms.
He opened his little rabbit mouth when he yawned till you could see his white front teeth and his little round pink mouth, and he yawned and he yawned until suddenly a bee flew into his mouth and he swallowed the bee.
"Hooo - hooo -," said a fat old owl. "Always keep your paw in front of your mouth when you yawn," hooted the owl.
"Rabbits never do that," said the sleepy little rabbit.
The bee then falls asleep in the rabbits mouth and the rabbit is faced with the dilemma of how to get that bee out there. To find out how he does it, you'll need to read "The Sleepy Book" by Margaret Wise Brown (Pictures by Garth Williams).
Saturday 16 January 2010 at 05:00 am
Congrats, you've made it to the weekend and you know what that means - Lancelot Link! Today we are featuring the episode "The Reluctant Robot." So kick back, relax and enjoy the show.
Friday 15 January 2010 at 8:00 pm
In "The Silly Sisters" by Dave Werner (Illustrated by Lucinda McQueen) we learn that mice and chipmunks don't make that great of friends. Mimi is the mouse. Heather is the Chipmunk.
"Never mind," said Mimi. "Hey! Let's make scary faces in the mirror."
"That's dumb," said Heather. "Let's watch TV instead."
Thursday 14 January 2010 at 8:00 pm
"The Poky Little Puppy" by Janette Sebring Lowrey, illustrated by Gustaf Tenggren.
I've always been a bit confused by this well known children's story. I think we are suppose to learn a lesson that being poky isn't good since in the end he misses dessert on that third day out. However, if I have done my calculations correctly, I believe the poky little puppy got a total of 10 helpings of dessert over three days, when his brothers and sisters only ended up getting one helping each. So what really is the moral of this story?
Anyhow, I'm not sure what today's quote means, but it sure is fun to read.
"And down they went to see, roly-poly, pell-mell, tumble-bumble, till they came to the green grass; and there they stopped short."
Wednesday 13 January 2010 at 8:00 pm
"The Golden Egg Book" by Margaret Wise Brown, pictures by Lilian Obligado.
So what does a lonely bunny do when he finds an egg. Well, he must open it to see what is inside of coarse. He tries several different things, but my favorite is:
"So the bunny threw a rock at the egg. But because he was only a little bunny, it was a very little rock and he didn't throw it very hard and the egg didn't break."
Tuesday 12 January 2010 at 8:00 pm
In "The Jolly Bardyard" by Annie North Bedford (Illustrated by Tibor Gergely) the bardyard animals all discover it is Farmer Brown's birthday. So what do barnyard animals get their farmer for his birthday anyway?
"Gobble!" said the turkey. "On Thanksgiving Day, I'll dress up his table in my own special way."
Tuesday 12 January 2010 at 05:00 am
Dogs and Monkeys. Who's taking care of who? I think these dogs have it better than the dogs around here, all they got are squirrels.
Monday 11 January 2010 at 8:00 pm
Ben Ross Berenberg wrote the unique tale of "The Churkendoose: Part Chicken, Turkey, Duck and Goose." (pictures by Dellwyn Cunningham)
An odd egg shows up in the bardyard, so the Chicken, Turkey, Duck and Goose all take turns sitting on the egg to see if they can get it to hatch. Once the egg hatches they are not sure what they are looking at, so they ask the new bird what he is.
"Well, I'm not a Chicken, and I'm not a Duck. I have more brains than I have luck. I'm not a Turkey, and I'm not a Goose. Can't you see? I'm a Churkendoose!"
Will this new bird fit in? Is the barnyard ready for a Churkendoose? You'll be surprise what affect this bird actually has on folks.
Sunday 10 January 2010 at 8:00 pm
When you read a book written by a well known children's author like Margaret Wise Brown you expect good writing, however the size of some of the sentences in "The Sailor Dog" (pictures by Garth Williams) boogles my mind. But what do I know... the kids love it.
"And went down below to his little room, and he hung his new hat on the hook for his hat, and he hung his spyglass on the hook for his spyglass, and he hung his new coat on the hook for his coat, and his new handkerchief on the hook for his handkerchief, and his pants on the hook for his pants, and his new rope on the hook for his rope, and his new shoes he put under his bunk, and himself he put in his bunk."
Sunday 10 January 2010 at 05:00 am
Sometimes when we think we have everything figured out we are reminded that life is full of surprises. This was the case for a 3 year old Leopard named Lakadema. Thinking she was just going to kill a baboon, she found herself caring for a baby baboon.
Saturday 09 January 2010 at 8:00 pm
Apparently teaching proper traffic laws to children goes right out the window when there is a story to be told. Like in Margaret Wise Brown and Edith Thacher Hurd's Little Golden Book "Seven Little Postmen" (Pictures By Tibor Gergely):
The third little postman in the big mail car Comes to a crossroad where waiting are A green, a yellow, and a purple car. They all stop there. There is nothing to say. The mail truck has the right of way! "The mail must go through!"
Saturday 09 January 2010 at 05:00 am
Okay kids! Introducing Lancelot Link Secret Chimp. It's Saturday morning, so kick back and enjoy some chimpventure.
Friday 08 January 2010 at 8:00 pm
The LIttle Golden Book, "My Own Grandpa" by Leone Castell Anderson (Illustrated by Kathy Wilburn), tells the story of a bored little boy who discovers old people.
Andrew turned around. A man with bushy white eyebrows was glaring at him. The man looked scary to Andrew. "I wasn't going in the street," Andrew said. "Hmph. Good thing," said the man.
Friday 08 January 2010 at 05:00 am
Movies and Fridays go together like peas and carrots. Folks call these Monkey-ed movies, too bad they don't actually use monkeys. Anyhow, how about a little Forrest Chump... i mean Gump.
Thursday 07 January 2010 at 8:00 pm
After reading "The Tale of Peter Rabbit" by Beatrix Potter you think all children would then learn to listen to their mother.
"Now, my dears," said old Mrs. Rabbit one morning, "you may go into the fields or down the lane, but don't go into Mr. McGregor's garden. Your Father had an accident there; he was put in a pie by Mrs. McGregor."
Wednesday 06 January 2010 at 8:00 pm
"The Story of A Fierce Bad Rabbit" by Beatrix Potter is a classic tale of good vs. evil which is not for the faint of heart. Filled with deception, action, sorrow, comedy, violence, and justice. A master piece at best.
"This is a fierce bad rabbit; look at his savage whiskers, and his claws and his turned-up tail."
Tuesday 05 January 2010 at 8:00 pm
"Three Cool Kids" by Rebecca Emberly is a retelling of the "Three Billy Goats Gruff" story that city slicker kids should have an easier time relating with.
Little wears red sneakers with purple laces, Middle being vain wears many jingling silver bracelets, and Big is both bossy and saucy.
I won't tell you much more about the story, but will leave you with this:
Splash! went the rat as he fell back into the sewer. "I guess I'm not so hungry anymore," he sniveled as he floated away with the rest of the debris.
Tuesday 05 January 2010 at 05:00 am
So if you had to get a peanut out of a small tube, which your fingers did not fit down and the tube could not be moved, how would you get the peanut out? Think about your solution first, then watch the video. Then leave a comment and tell me if your solution was better or worse than this guys.
Monday 04 January 2010 at 8:00 pm
In the Little Golden Book "Woodsy Owl and the Trail Bikers" by Kennon Graham (illustrated by Frank McSavage) Woodsy Owl finds himself helping a bunch of noise polluting trail bikers find a place to ride. If the trail bikers don't find a place that doesn't bother anyone by tomorrow the Mayor will be really mad. The problem is, the only good place they can find is all polluted. How can they ride with all that trash around? How will they ever get it cleaned up in time? You'll find the answers, when you read the book. In the mean time I'll give you this final quote from the book:
"Glad to help," Woodsy said, "And you can thank us by spreading the word: Give a hoot! Don't pollute!" And, winking a big wink, Woodsy Owl tooted a happy hoot on his hooter.
Sunday 03 January 2010 at 8:00 pm
"Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile" by Benard Waber is the tale of a retired performance crocodile who now lives with the Primm family. Lyle gets along nicely with everyone, except for Mr. Grumps and his cat. To learn more about the tension around that relationship and how it is resolved you will have to read the book.
Today's quote selection happens while Lyle and Mrs. Primm were shopping in a big department store. An announcement was made about a sale in the pajama department and...
"Immediately, it was as if everyone in the store was in desperate need of pajamas."
Sunday 03 January 2010 at 05:00 am
It is clear the Japanese know the secret to selling paint. How could you not go out and buy some paint after viewing this ad from Japan.
Saturday 02 January 2010 at 8:00 pm
Author Eugene Trivizas and illustrator Helen Oxenbury do a wonderful job retelling a classic tale with a little bit of role reversal in their book "The Three Little Wolves and the Big Bad Pig." I always have to chuckle when the Big Bad Pig attempts to blow down the little wolves house of concrete and fails.
"But the pig wasn't called big and bad for nothing. He went and fetched his pneumatic drill and smashed the house down."
Saturday 02 January 2010 at 05:00 am
Welcome to Saturday morning at BananaForce. We are looking forward to sharing with you the adventures of Lance Link, but you'll need to wait until next Saturday for that, in the mean time enjoy this music video from the Evolution Revolution.
Friday 01 January 2010 at 8:00 pm
In Richard Scarry's book "Cars and Trucks and Things That Go" the entire journey of the pig family comes to a fantastic giant climax on page 64. What happens you ask? You'll have to read the book to find out, however at the conclusion of the this event Scarry write's this, my favorite selection from the story:
"The egg men always wear seat belts so that they won't fall out and get broken. Do you?"
