Comics and graphic novels

Good morning readers!

Recently in the library there has been a craze for graphic novels and comics. We've recently expanded our collection of graphic novels, so why not come and check out our new books in the library? If you want to see what we have, go to the library catalogue and do a keyword search for "comics". Here's a few of the books we have available:

If you've already read all the comics and graphic novels in the library or you just fancy trying something different, there are tons of fantastic (free) online graphic novels and comics. Here's a selection of some of my favourites...

            The Wormworld Saga 

Available in a range of languages, the Wormworld Saga is an online graphic novel. It's a story about a young boy who finds a secret doorway into another world in his grandmother's attic - and it's a story about a giant dragon trapped in a mountain, and about the mysterious Firelord who rises from the fires of Worm Mountain.


                          DC comics

Love superheroes? Then this site is for you, it features free comics of characters like Batman, Superman and Green Lantern to read online or to download.




     Turbo Defiant

Available in both Spanish and English,Turbo Defiant is an online fantasy graphic novel illustrated by Dono Sanchez Almara. Full of magic, monsters and robots, it's a thrilling read.

...and something a little bit different...

                      ComicMaster

Fancy trying your hand at writing your own graphic novel? ComicMaster is a great online tool which lets you do just that! Choose your own backgrounds, characters, dialogue and special effects to tell a story YOUR way.

Do you have any comic or graphic novel recommendations to share? Comment on this post and tell everyone about it!

Until next time,

Miss Isabel.

So you think you know Geronimo Stilton?

Hi Folks
  
The most popular series of books in the library is - you guessed it! Geronimo Stilton! We have a massive collection of these books in Spanish and English. But how much do you know about this loveable mouse?

Find out by taking part in our quick quiz.

1. What is Geronimo Stilton´s job?

a) teacher   b) doctor   c) dentist   d) journalist

2.  What is the name of the island where Geronimo lives?

a) Rat Island   b) Mouse Island   c) Furry Island  d) Mice Island

3.  What is the name of Geronimo´s newspaper?

a) The Mouse Gazette   b) The Cheese Times   c) The Furry News  d) The Rodent´s Gazette

4.  What is the name of Geronimo´s nephew?

a)  Tilda   b) Theo   c)Benjamin   d) Taco

5.  Which is Mouse Island´s most famous painting?

a) The Last Cheese  b) The Mona Mousa  c) The Sunflowers  d)  The Mini Mousa

6.  How many Geronimo Stilton books do we have in the library?
 (You need to check the catalog to find out).

Here´s a clue - type Geronimo Stilton into the Catalog "Find" box and click on "Series".  Then look towards the top left of your screen for the answers (Titles:.....)Catalog Link

Send your quiz answers by using the comment box below.  We will need your name and class group and then write the number of the question and the correct letter eg. 1. a), 2. b) etc.  The names of the winners will be published on the blog.

You can find out more about Geronimo at his own dedicated website. Click here to go to website




Good luck and have a super week!


Miss Marie

Seen the movie? Check out the book!

Hello and happy Monday!

The Great Gatsby, released in Spanish cinemas on 17th May

One of my favourite novels, The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald (JN FIT gre) has been made into a film which is going to be released in Spanish cinemas on 17th May. 

This got me thinking about other fantastic books which have been made into films. If you've seen the film, why not check out the book. This is a great way of getting into reading in English, as you already know the plot, making the book much easier to follow. All the books mentioned below are available in the library.

Willy Wonka, now and then.

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl (VN DAH cha)

This  brilliant book has been made into not one, but two movies! The first, made in 1971 and was one of my favourite books as a child. The other was made in 2005 and starred Johnny Depp as Willy Wonka. If you've seen either of the films (or even if you haven't) this hilarious book is an absolute must-read! (Years 3-6)

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins (JN COL hun)

Hunger Games: film and book

The enormously popular Hunger Games series is being made into a series of films, the first of which was released last year. Set in the future, the books (and films) follow the adventures of one boy and one girl who are selected by a lottery for a battle to the death. The books are a thrilling, gripping read. The second film in the series, Catching Fire is released later this year (Year 7+)

Percy Jackson at the movies in 2010

Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan (JN RIO per)

The Percy Jackson series of books follows the adventures of Percy Jackson, an average American boy who one day discovers he is the son of Poseidon, and therefore half-God. Extremely exciting, and a great set of books to move onto if you've finished the Harry Potter series and don't know what to read next!  (Year 6+)

The Life of Pi by Yann Martel (N MAR lif)

A pretty big kitten!

This fantastic novel was made into a film by Ang Lee and released in 2012. It follows the story of Pi, an Indian boy whose family decide to emigrate to Canada by boat, taking their zoo with them! After a shipwreck Pi is left alone in the middle of the ocean with only a tiger for company. This is an excellent book, funny, moving and thought-provoking. (Year 9+)

The Hobbit, 2012

The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien (JN TOL hob)

The Hobbit has been made into a series of three films, the first of which was released in 2012. The book is a wonderful, magical, adventurous read. If you enjoyed The Hobbit film or The Lord of the Rings films, then this is a great book to read. Less complex than the Lord of the Rings books, but just as fantastical, the story follows the quest of hobbit Bilbo Baggins to win a share of the treasure guarded by the dragon, Smaug. (Year 7+)

Do you have any reccomendations for book to film adaptations? Why not share them by commenting on this post!

The Mini Olympics!

Hi folks!

It´s been very exciting this week at school, although we have missed some of you while you´ve been at the Mini Olympics!

In the Biblioteca Elemental we saw some marvellous artwork being done on the team banners.

I visited the Minis yesterday and it was wonderful to see all these colourful banners in action.

 

 It was also a joy to see all you inspired young sports people!  

 

I´ve been training hard all week with my daughter Gina who was a goalie in 2B´s Handball team.  Our training had its ups and downs and it reminded me of a great story we have in the Library called The goalie´s secret, by Paul Shipton about a boy trained to be an amazing goalkeeper by an old lady (who was very nifty on her feet!).

JN SHI goa

Another really popular sports novel we have is Creando equipo by Laura Gallego which I have promised myself to read to improve my Spanish!

VN GAL cre

There are lot´s more like these to explore.  Try entering novela sobre deportes as your Keyword (Palabra Clave) into the Find (Buscar) box in the Library Catalog.  Click here for Library Catalog

And remember it´s the taking part that counts!

Have a great week!

Miss Marie

Feria del Libro en Español

 "Ilustradores españoles",

Marzo 2013.

Este ha sido el cartel del XV Concurso Literario de Microrrelatos "Don Luis González", que hemos celebrado durante la Feria del Libro en Español de este año, que se ha dedicado a los "Ilustradores Españoles".

La participación ha sido buena y muy variada.

Os dejo los ganadores de cada categoría.

¡¡Espero que os gusten!!

 Empezamos con los alumnos más pequeños,

pero no por ello menos artistas,

la prueba la podéis ver vosotros mismos.

Ahí va una muestra

                                                     

Estos son los ganadores del 3º ciclo de Primaria

y 1º de la ESO.

Los alumnos de 8º a 12º concursaban en la misma categoría, y por tanto se eligió al mejor entre todos estos cursos

y la ganadora fue.........

En la categoría de Adultos, tuvimos que crear dos subcategorías.

Por un lado se eligió un Microrrelato de un Padre

y un Microrrelato de un Profesor.

Víctor Gamoch es el seudónimo de Francisco Conde García, padre de la alumna de Iº Bachillerato A, Olga Conde Carretié.

Además del Concurso de Microrrelatos,

nos lo pasamos genial con la Maratón de Lectura

que duró dos días enteros.

También tuvimos la visita de

D. Antonio Rodríguez Almodóvar

y Dña. Carmen Gil.

Dos grandes autores de la literatura infantil española.

Hasta pronto.

 

Elvira Sobrino

Silent and not so silent reading

Hi Folks!
This week in the library lessons in the Biblioteca Elemental we have been practising silent reading.  It seems to me that silent reading is becoming a bit of a lost art.  Reading has to compete with noisy gadgets, computer games and TV!

It wasn´t like that when I was a child! It was more like this picture!

I remember sometimes in my school in year 3 we would relax, with our heads on the desk and listen to the teacher tell a story. One day we listened to the story of Peter and the wolf.  You probably know this story but did you know that it has special music to go with it?  All the characters are played by different musical instruments. It´s wonderful!   Click here to view it.

Older readers may like to check out this little clip of David Bowie reading the story! Click here.

AN PER pet

You can also check out the book from the library.

Have a super week and find time for silent reading!

Miss Marie

 

Back from Mexico!

Hello everyone,

I had an absolutely brilliant 2 weeks in Mexico for my brother's wedding, I hope you enjoy looking at my photos. If you want to see more and hear all about my trip, catch me in the library I'd be delighted to tell you all about it!

In honour of my trip I am going to highlight some of the excellent books which we have in the Library about and from Mexico. If you're interested in finding out more, then I've created a more extensive book list here!

Years 1-4

De Paola, T. (2004) Adelita: a Mexican Cinderella story, New York: Puffin books. (A DEO ade)       
                                                                 
Hace mucho tiempo 'a long time ago' there lived a beautiful young woman named Adelita. So begins the age-old tale of a kind-hearted young woman, her jealous stepmother, two hateful stepsisters, and a young man in search of a wife.Tomie dePaola's exquisite paintings, filled with the folk art of Mexico, make this a Cinderella story like no other.



Wade, M.D. (2002) El día de los muertos/The day of the dead, New York: Children's Press. (BE 394 WAD dia)

This small, but perfectly formed information book explains how Mexican families celebrate the lives of their deceased loved ones, including sharing pictures and stories, preparing feasts, and lighting candles in the graveyard on November 1, The Day of the Dead.
Brilliant pictures and easy-to-read text make this the perfect choice for years 1 and 2 to learn more about this interesting custom.

Years 5 & 6



  Gruber, B. (2007) Mexico, Washington: National Geographic. (J 908(72) GRU mex)

Another great title in the fantastic National Geographic Countries of the World series, this book gives an interesting look at the cities, rural communities, history and culture of Mexico. With beautiful photography, maps, a glossary and suggested websites this is a fantastic starting point for anyone wanting to find out more about this fascinating country.



Romero, A.M. (2000) Mi tío Moctezuma, Madrid: Magisterio Casals. (JN ROM mit)

 Quelualti, sobrino del emperador azteca, describe los acontecimientos que sucedieron en México, a principios del siglo XVI, con la llegada de los españoles. El narrador es testigo de la primera etapa de esta conquista, en la que Hernán Cortés y sus soldados fueron recibidos pacíficamente; mientras que en la segunda descubre que los intrusos son codiciosos y poseen armas superiores, por lo que surge la rebelión de los aztecas.



Years 7, 8 and 9

Santiago, R. (2011) El sueño de Iván, Madrid: S.M. (JN SAN sue)

 Por primera vez en la historia del fútbol, una selección de niños va a enfrentarse a una selección de los mejores jugadores del mundo. El motivo: recaudar fondos para los damnificados de un terremoto. El partido tendrá lugar en el estadio Azteca de México y, evidentemente, los niños no tienen ninguna posibilidad de ganar, ¿o sí? Iván, uno de estos niños futbolistas, nos contará todo en primera persona.



Baumgart, B. (2007) Teens in Mexico, Minneapolis: Compass Point Books. (J 394 (725) BAU tee)
Mexico's young people are growing up in a country of contrasts. The lives of urban teens vary widely from those in rural areas. And while a small minority of wealthy families can afford private education, the latest technologies, and other luxuries, the majority of people live in poverty. Yet despite these struggles, Mexico's young people find escape and excitement in celebrating their heritage and traditions.

Year 10 - Adult

Kahlo, F. (2001) The diary of Frida Kahlo: an intimate self-portrait, London: Bloomsbury. (B KAH dia)



Frida Kahlo is one of Mexico most famous artists, and an interesting character who has been the inspiration for many novels and films. This book is a facsimile of Kahlo's illustrated journal documenting the last ten years of her life and it reveals many new dimensions of the Mexican artist. The journal covers the years 1944-54 and contains Kahlo's thoughts, poems and dreams and reflects the stormy relationship with her husband Diego Rivera.

 Esquivel, L. (2001) Como agua para chocolate, Barcelona: Bibliotex. (N ESQ com)

Tita y Pedro se aman. Pero ella está condenada a permanecer soltera, cuidando a su madre hasta que ésta muera. Y Pedro, para estar cerca de Tita, se casa con la hermana de ella, Rosaura. Las recetas de cocina que Tita elabora puntean el paso de las estaciones de su vida, siempre marcada por la presente ausencia de Pedro. Como agua para chocolate es una agridulce comedia de amores y desencuentros, una obra chispeante, tierna y pletórica de talento, que se ha convertido en uno de los mayores éxitos de la literatura latinoamericana.

I hope this list inspires you to find out more about this fascinating country, until next time!

Isabel Chadwick.