New Book on Boys & Education

The Trouble With Boys: A Surprising Report Card by Peg Tyre (Crown Publishers, 2008)

"From the moment they step into the classroom, boys begin to struggle. By eighth grade huge numbers are reading below basic level. Perhaps most alarmingly, boys now account for less than 43 percent of those enrolled in college, and the gap widens every semester! The growing gender imbalance in education portends massive shifts for the next generation: how much they make and whom they marry. Interviewing parents, kids, teachers, and experts, journalist Peg Tyre drills below the statistics to examine how the educational system is failing our sons. But this passionate, clearheaded book isn't an exercise in finger-pointing. Tyre, the mother of two sons, offers the testimony of teachers and school officials who are trying new techniques to motivate boys to learn again, one classroom at a time. This book is a manifesto for change--one we must undertake right away lest school become, for millions of boys, unalterably a "girl thing."--From publisher description.

This book follows the author, Peg Tyre's previous article in a 2006 cover story on "The Boy Crisis" in Newsweek. A September 8, 2008 article, "Struggling School-Age Boys" in Newsweek can be accessed here.

Are you an educator, child care provider or parent of boys? What do you think?

Pick of the Week: Jon Scieszka's Trucktown Smash! Crash!

Smash! Crash! by Jon Scieszka, created by David Shannon, Loren Long, and David Gordon (Simon and Schuster, 2008)

Trucks are one of those timeless, childhood fascinations little boys -- and girls! -- enjoy. Librarians serving children are very familiar with the constant demand for truck books. So when Jon Scieszka, the author of popular children's books including The Stinky Cheese Man and Other Fairly Stupid Tales and The True Story of the Three Little Pigs) teamed up with author/illustrator David Shannon (No David!), illustrator Loren Long (The Toy Boat), and author/illustrator David Gordon (The Three Little Rigs) to create a series of books all about trucks, truck fans had something to be excited about!

In Smash! Crash! Jack Truck and Dump Truck Dan are the best of friends - and known for their love of smashing things. When they meet Wrecking Crane Rosie, though, they become worried - will they still be able to have some smashing good fun?

Jon Scieszka is a big proponent of getting children, especially boys, excited about reading. Recently named the first National Ambassador for Young People's Literature by the Library of Congress, Mr. Scieszka is also the founder of GuysRead.com, a site devoted to connecting boys with books they'll love.

Pick of the Week -- Little Boy

Little Boy by Alison McGhee (Atheneum Books for Young Readers, 2008)

"A father reflects on how the future depends upon the all of the little things in his son's world, from his yellow drinking cup to a big cardboard box."

This book, along with author Alison McGhee's previous title, Someday, is a potential tear-jerking read for parents of little children. Little Boy is an endearing book about boyhood and fatherhood alike. Perhaps best appreciated by parents themselves, this still works as a book to be shared with boys as a sweet tribute to all that makes being a small boy (and the parent of one) a precious time to not be rushed.

Toys!

As adults, most of us can still remember our favorite toy as a young child. Whether it was a hand-me-down doll with brown curls, a bright yellow Tonka truck, a bendy Gumby toy, a Cabbage Patch kid, an Erector set, or a train set, we can recall many happy afternoons spent playing with our favorite toys. Playing is an important part of childhood - for a child it is their "job". Many important concepts are learned during play. Whether it is learning basic science and math concepts (volumes, sizes, shapes, counting), trying out different roles through dramatic play, or sharing and working cooperatively with others, play provides a wealth of opportunities. Not to mention, we all know it's fun. Some of us can remember making a childhood vow that when we grew up we wouldn't stop playing!

A few of my favorite books for boys (or girls!) about playing are below:

Below by Nina Crews

This story follows the adventures of Jack and his action-figure, Guy. Jack and Guy play on the staircase - climbing mountains, exploring cities. Then one day Guy falls down and Jack must rescue him. Wonderful photographs illustrate this story.







Changes, Changes by Pat Hutchins

Two wooden doll figures arrange and rearrange blocks to make a variety of things - a castle, firetruck, boat, train and more. A wonderful, wordless story for the lover of blocks and imagination!





The Crimson Comet by Dean Morrissey

"When the light on the moon goes out, Nora and her brother Jack take a trip in their rocket to help the Man-on-the-Moon regain power." (Syndetics) This is a cozy bedtime story full of gorgeous paintings and imagination.





Golden Bear by Ruth Young

For younger children, Golden Bear, offers a sweet tribute to a toddler's best friend, his teddy bear. Rhyming text and soft illustrations make this a good "snuggle-up-and-share" read-aloud.








Harry and the Dinosaurs at the Museum by Ian Whybrow

"When his family goes to a museum so that big sister Sam can research human ancestors, young Harry wanders off while playing with his toy dinosaurs and becomes lost, but Gran knows just where to find him." (Syndetics) Perfect for sharing with a dinosaur fan, or anyone who has imagined their favorite toys coming to life!





Red Light, Green Light by Anastasia Suen

"A young boy creates an imaginary world filled with zooming cars, flashing traffic lights, and racing fire engines." (Syndetics) Sure to be enjoyed by toddlers, fans of transportation, and anyone looking for some imaginative play inspiration.





Traction Man is Here! by Mini Grey

Know a young fan of superheroes and action figures? Treat him to this book and he's sure to enjoy the fun and laughs.

"Traction Man, a boy's courageous action figure, has a variety of adventures with Scrubbing Brush and other objects in the house." (Syndetics)

No Need to Sit Still!

Anyone who spends time with a toddler or preschooler often knows it can be difficult to get him to sit still long enough to enjoy a book. And the last thing you want to do is force him to sit still while you read the book if he would rather be up and moving around. We all want storytime to be an enjoyable experience for everyone involved. That's crucial for developing his print motivation - a child's interest in and enjoyment of books! This is a much-needed skill for developing his interest in eventually learning to read. Sharing books together should be fun - not something he feels he must do only because mommy or daddy makes him. We all want him to enjoy books.

Choosing quiet times to share books - right before bedtime or a nap - might be the best choice for your child when the goal is sitting quietly as you share a good story. But for those active times, you can still incorporate a good read! Who says storytime must always be a quiet, still time?

These books encourage your toddler to move along to the story. It can be a great solution for those wiggly little ones. He gets to be active and enjoy a book! For more suggestions, ask a Youth Services Librarian.

Animal Fun by Zita Newcome

A group of toddlers has fun imitating a penguin, a crab, a duck, an elephant, and other animals while they exercise.

Bounce by Doreen Cronin and Scott Menchin

Rhyming text offers advice on the best ways for toddlers to bounce.










From Head to Toe by Eric Carle

Encourages the reader to exercise by following the movements of various animals; presented in a question and answer format.









If You're Happy and You Know It: Jungle Edition by James Warhola

Jungle animals sing the verses of this popular song that encourages everyone to express their happiness through voice and movement.






We've All Got Bellybuttons! by David Martin

Various animals invite the reader to experience what their different body parts can do, including their tickly belly buttons.

Beginning with Books

Want to raise a reader? Begin introducing books to your baby right from the start. Think your baby is too little to enjoy a book or get anything out of the experience? Think again. Babies are busy developing important connections in their brains during the first years of life - especially the connections devoted to language skills. The more your baby experiences language, the better equipped he will be to eventually learn to read. Talk and sing with your little boy and he'll have an attentive audience to begin talking and babbling with you. Share books and rhymes with your baby. He'll gain vocabulary and begin to understand how his native language works (for instance, recognizing the individual sounds that make up words). The experiences you share with him today will are a valuable investment in his future!

When your little boy is a baby, it doesn't matter what you read to him. The point is that you are reading aloud and sharing the beauty of language with him! So pick up the newspaper, your favorite magazine, a recipe, the latest novel, or a picture book. If he sees you reading - and enjoying it - he'll associate reading with pleasure.

Check out board books - sturdy books made just for babies and toddlers - at the Corvallis-Benton County Public Library. Carry them in the diaper bag and have them ready to share during those waits at the doctor's office or in line at the grocery store. Keep a book or two in the crib for your baby to play with on his own. Have books in the toy box.

When your boy flips through the pages quickly, touches, chews, and tosses his board books, this is reading! It may not look like it, but this is the beginning of reading - figuring out how a book works! Don't force your little one to sit still for a book. If he looks away or disengages, put the book down and try at another time. Eventually, he'll be able to pay attention for longer periods of time. In the meantime, keep it short and fun!

And you'll be helping grow a reader...

Need a few suggestions? Look for board books with simple, bright illustrations. Too much action or detail on a page can be overstimulating. Photographs of other babies, people, and common experiences are always appealing to little ones. Try touch and feel books, as babies are sensory learners. Nursery rhymes and books based on songs provide the beginnings of phonemic awareness - a skill he'll need to become a reader someday. Common themes such as bedtime, dressing, and family life are really interesting to babies. For more ideas, just ask a Youth Services Librarian!

Spotlight on Boys

Resources for Parents and Caregivers of Boys

Recent popular magazines such as Time have addressed the issue of whether education and society are failing boys or if boys are doing well. Similarly, in the world of libraries and education, journals like School Library Journal have concentrated on topics such as gender differences in education, reading ability and motivation.

During the month of October, check out the Corvallis-Benton County Public Library's Birth to Six site for recommended picture books and resources for little boys. Visit us at this blog again soon for additional resources and fun ideas!

Here are just a few online resources and books to look for at the Library that discuss the topic in more detail:

• Boys Adrift: Five Factors Driving the Growing Epidemic of Unmotivated Boys and Underachieving Young Men by Leonard Sax


• "The Boy Problem." Sax, Leonard. School Library Journal, September 2007, pp. 40-43. www.slj.com


• "The Boys Are All Right." Von Drehle, David. Time, August 6, 2007, vol. 170, Issue 6, pp.38-47. Access full-text through our online databases.


• Boys and Literacy: Practical Strategies for Librarians, Teachers, and Parents by Elizabeth Knowles and Martha Smith


• Guys Read. Author Jon Scieszka's website devoted to great books for guys of all ages!


• Last Child in the Woods: Saving Our Children from Nature-Deficit Disorder by Richard Louv


• The Minds of Boys: Saving Our Sons from Falling Behind in School and Life by Michael Gurian and Kathy Stevens


• Raising Boys by Steve Biddulph
• Raising Cain: Protecting the Emotional Life of Boys by Dan Kindlon


• "Reclaiming Kindergarten: Making Kindergarten Less Harmful to Boys." Sax, Leonard. Psychology of Men and Masculinity, 2001, vol. 2, pp. 3-12. www.boysadrift.com


• Teaching the Male Brain: How Boys Think, Feel, and Learn in School and Life by Abigail Norfleet James


• The Wonder of Boys: What Parents, Mentors, and Educators Can Do to Shape Boys into Excellent Men by Michael Gurian


• Why Gender Matters: What Parents and Teachers Need to Know About the Emerging Science of Sex Differences by Leonard Sax


• "Why Johnny Won't Read." Bauerlin, Mark, and Sandra Stotsky. Washington Post, January 25, 2005. Access online here.