Showing posts with label folk tales. Show all posts
Showing posts with label folk tales. Show all posts

Friday, February 12, 2016

Tech Review: International Children's Digital Library

The INTERNATIONAL CHILDREN’S DIGITAL LIBRARY (ICDL) website and app provide access to historical and contemporary, multi-cultural e-books from around the world.
The ICDL contains thousands of children’s books representing many different cultures and languages. Hundreds of award-winning books are included in the collection.
At the website, users can locate children’s books by country or conduct a search using their keyword or advanced search tools. Users wishing to set up preferences and save their favorite books can register for a free account.
The website also provides information for researchers, educators, and those interested in how they can contribute to the project. An Exhibitions area provides small, thematic collections on topics such as friendship, seasons, or diversity. An Activities area of the website includes ideas for using e-books in library and classroom settings.
The app provides a user-friendly interface for accessing e-books.
Librarians will find this resource an excellent addition to their e-book collection. It’s particularly important for those seeking resources related to cultural diversity. Of particularly note is the availability of books in multiple languages. Teachers will also find a wealth of books focusing traditional tales, legends, and folk tales from around the world.
To learn more, go to http://en.childrenslibrary.org/.

Sunday, February 08, 2015

Book Review: Beastkeeper

BEASTKEEPER by Cat Hellisen is an engaging fantasy featuring a magical forest, spooky castle, creepy grandparents, and furry beasts.
When her parents split up, Sarah uncovers family secrets that propel her into a frightening world of magic and curses. Readers will see a connection to the original Beauty and the Beast story, but this mesmerizing tale is much more than a simple fairy tale. Twists and turns will keep readers wondering what will happen next.
Skillfully told by South African author Cat Hellisen, this interesting take on a classic fairy tale effectively bridges middle grade and young teen reader categories. The work contains beautiful descriptions immersing readers into a world where a castle and enchanted forest seem natural. Hellisen’s contemporary fantasy world feels just outside the realm of possibility, but close enough to make the story seem real.
Students who enjoy folklore and fairytales will be drawn to both the characters and the storyline. With a hint of romance and enough intrigue to keep readers interested, the book will be a quick, popular read.
To learn more about this author, explore her website at http://www.cathellisen.com/.
Published by Henry Holt on February 3, 2015. Reviewing through Edelweiss ARC.