claws, antennae, eyes
monster stalk, capture, devour
praying mantis win
monster by Angie Quantrell
What monster is lurking in your yard? Post a Haiku so we can all be scared!
Tag Archives: science
The Countdown Conspiracy by Katie Slivensky ~ Chapter Book Review
The Countdown Conspiracy
Written by Katie Slivensky
(Harper, 2017)
Six kids. One Mission to Mars. All systems go.
So says the front cover of The Countdown Conspiracy. All systems go, but smoothly?
The Countdown Conspiracy is the story of six kids from around the world chosen to train for the first mission to Mars. Miranda Regent was stoked to be one of the selected few. Until she began receiving threatening messages. At the training base, Miranda worked with the other international ambassadors to learn necessary information and skills. Suddenly, Miranda finds herself the target of an attack on the training base, an attack that put everyone’s lives in danger.
I loved reading The Countdown Conspiracy! It is the perfect combination of adventure, mystery, tension, and relationships. Each chapter had me hooked and I consumed this chapter book in a very short time. When it ended, I was ready for the next installment.
Katie Slivensky did a great job in writing this book. Middle graders will enjoy the clean, exciting details and intrigue woven through the relationships and outer space adventures. The Countdown Conspiracy is a wonderful debut chapter book! Two thumbs up.
I won an ARC copy of The Countdown Conspiracy from Katie and Natalie (Literary Rambles). Thank you, Katie and Natalie! Great reading!
P.S. The Seismic Seven by Katie Slivensky is coming in June!
Terrific Tongues! Picture Book Review
Vivian Kirkfield recently shared a great post about this wonderful book, Terrific Tongues! Written by Maria Gianferrari and illustrated by Jia Liu, Terrific Tongues! is sure to engage, amuse, and educate young readers.
I mean, really, what child do you know who doesn’t love playing with or sticking out his or her tongue? I can’t wait get my hands on this one. Thanks, Vivian, Maria, and Jia! Congratulations!
Click here to visit Vivian Kirkfield’s blog and read more about Terrific Tongues!
We Survived the Eclipse: Story Through Photos and Haiku
A painting of the eclipse (red because it’s darker) – Art by Khloe
Our tiny view of the eclipse through a pin-hole camera
Boxes, foil and tape,
wondering children marvel
as sky lights shake hands.
Pin-hole cameras
Hayden and Khloe peeking at the solar eclipse
The daytime and night
heavenly bodies dance past,
a peek-a-boo tryst.
Gage trying to see the eclipse…he’s only 2, so was not impressed
Stacking rocks was more enticing than solar and lunar escapades
The waiting is long
Look, play, work, gaze, pinhole view;
Light sliver eclipse.
The PacMan stage (coined by Hayden) of the solar eclipse
Taking a solar break – by hauling bricks
But how? Why? We gasp.
Fleeting, amazing, we stop.
Cooler, darker day.
Mabel was definitely more exciting to Gage than the sun and moon
Putting down bricks, mid-eclipse
Solar Eclipse, by Khloe
Going to the Beach in Washington
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Hayden, 7, at Owens Beach, Pt. Defiance, WA. The gray? Rain. Sheets of. |
By Angie Quantrell @AngieQuantrell
When in Washington (the state), going to the beach may look different than going to the beach in other locations.
For instance, one may need to wear a winter hat at our beaches.
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Hayden, Audrey, and Khloe sporting layers, hats (including winter), and beach tools. |
Sweatshirts may be required.
You will get wet. With rain more than salt water.
Barnacles and tiny crabs abound.
Picnics are held under shelter. Or you eat wet food.
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Picnics under shelter keep the food dry. |
Seagulls will peck open unattended packages and ruin the cookies.
Sand will be discovered in odd and stayed-in-the-van-how-did-sand-get-there places.
You will bring too many things in order to plan for any type of weather.
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Gage, 1. The same beach and same age when Hayden first went to the beach. |
You will take home more than you bargained for. Some of those things will smell after a day or so.
Laundry and deep cleaning will be necessary once you get home.
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He who wanted to throw himself into the water. Or eat sand. It was hands-on-Gage for one adult at all times. |
Wet, cold, damp, briny kids smell just like that in the close confines of a van. Wet. Damp. Cold. Briny.
Umbrellas are often in use.
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Can you see the little feathery barnacles? The openings are ones that are feeding. |
One might wear a camera around the neck, but it will be covered with a plastic grocery bag that is tied tightly to keep out the rain. And sand. And stuff.
Water sandals are the perfect shoe. Waterproof and protective against stones.
Seals will wonder what you are doing. Bald eagles will soar, seagulls will annoy, ferries will pass, squirrels will steal, raccoons will beg, deer will graze.
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Looking at wildlife. |
Those dead looking rocks with barnacle crusts are not dead. Just put them in a bowl of ocean water and see what happens.
Strangers are kind. They may even bring a new crab specimen and seaweed clump for investigation.
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Our barnacle and crab observation project. |
On rainy days, you will mostly have the beach to yourself.
You can still get sunburned if it’s raining and cold.
If you want to go to the beach, go. Sunny or rainy, windy or stormy, the beach is a wonderful destination. Just know that our beaches will not resemble southern beaches (most of the time). The water will not be warm. Body extremities will turn blue. Noses will run.
But it will be the beach.
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The group – minus the photographer who quickly unwrapped the camera for a quick shot. |
Layer up, my dears. Or at least plan for a variety of beach weather. This is the life of Washington beaches.
Love, Laughter, and Life 