GET YOUR GOOGLY GLASSES!

Eyeball Animation©
Drawing Book: Dinosaurs Edition
Step-by-Step Instructions        

Seeing is believing
with this crazy-fun sketchbook with a twist: googly-eyes built right into the
book that become part of your drawings! Plus, you get fun dinosaur facts and
step-by-step instructions that make it easy to create tons of awesome
dinosaurs. (Ages 6-9)

TOTALLY GROSS!

Oh, Yuck!: The
Encyclopedia of Everything
Nasty             

by Joy Masoff,
Illustrated by Terry Sirrell

WARNING: Do not read
this if you’re easily grossed out! Icky illustrations, putrid photos, and nasty
reasons for everything from acne and vomit to leeches and worms. But if you
like beastly boogers and frog’s neck soup, you’ll love this book!

(Ages 9-12)

GET CLUED IN!

The 39 Clues: The
Sword Thief,  Book Three          

by Peter Lerangis

Amy and Dan Cahill
have been located in the company of the notoriously unreliable Alistair Oh.
Could they have been foolish enough to make an alliance? Find out in book three
of this wildly-popular series! (Ages 9-12) 

ANOTHER MAGICAL JOURNEY!

Magic Tree House #41:
Moonlight on the Magic Flute. A Merlin Mission

by Mary Pope Osborne

Illustrated by
Salvatore Murdocca

If you like music,
you’re in for a treat! Travel back to in time to 18th-century Austria with
Jack and Annie as they attempt to bring happiness to millions of people in book
41 of the New York Times bestselling Magic Tree House series! (Ages 6-9)

THE ADVENTURE OF ERAGON CONTINUES

Brisingr: Inheritance,
Book III                           

by Christopher
Paolini

Following
the colossal battle against the Empire’s warriors on the Burning Plains, Eragon
and his dragon have narrowly escaped with their lives. Still there is more at
hand for the Rider and his dragon. (Ages 9-12)

]]> http://kidsblogs.nationalgeographic.com/2009/06/10/book-club-of-the-month/feed/ 0 http://kidsblogs.nationalgeographic.com/2009/04/15/turtles/ http://kidsblogs.nationalgeographic.com/2009/04/15/turtles/#comments Wed, 15 Apr 2009 18:12:36 +0000 msullivan http://kidsblogs.nationalgeographic.com/2009/04/15/turtles/ Each turtle racer has a unique personality. Click on any of the images below to get to know ‘em!

Take the NO MORE PLASTIC! Pledge. Make a promise that you’ll stop using and
buying plastics!

What!?!
NO MORE PLASTIC! means thinking before you buy! STOP buying products
wrapped in plastic or delivered in plastic bottles, and STOP using plastic bags
offered at stores you visit.

Why!?!
Plastic gets into the waterways and harms sea turtles, birds, and other animals.
Plastic lasts for a really long time. If you throw a plastic bag or bottle into the trash,
it’s going to stay in a landfill forever–for thousands of years. If you recycle plastic, it
can be used to make new plastics using up fewer natural resources.

So Bag the Bag
Plastic bags have been banned in several cities around the world. But don’t wait for
a ban, stop using them now! Bring your reusable bags with you when you shop for
food, toys, school supplies, and well, everything!

Take the NO MORE PLASTIC! Pledge

I want to keep the leatherback sea turtles and all animals safe from plastic trash.

I _________________ pledge that I will not buy or use products that
contain or are delivered in plastic!

When there is no other option, I will always recycle, reuse, or throw the
plastic in a trash container.

To pledge online, sign in to comment with your I AGREE (Or
print a copy of the pledge to share with your classmates or post at home on
your fridge!)

RACE COMMENTATOR

Rowdy Gaines
Often called “Swimming’s Greatest Ambassador,” Gaines is a three-time Olympic gold medalist and U.S. Olympic Hall of Fame inductee. He’s set and smashed world records and faced down tremendous personal obstacles (including a temporary paralysis in 1991 from Guillain-Barré Syndrome) to become a world-class athlete and freestyle swimmer. His voice is famous, too. He does commentary for swimming competitions on NBC and ESPN–most recently for the exciting 2008 Beijing Summer Olympics.

Photo: AP

EVENT COACHES

DEEPEST and LONGEST DIVES
Cullen Jones
A U.S. freestyle sprint swimmer and gold medalist, Cullen Jones is fast…. REAL fast! So fast, that he helped set a new world record time in the 4x100m freestyle relay in the most recent Beijing Olympics with teammates Michael Phelps, Jason Lezak and Garret Weber-Gale. And Jones is the first African-American to hold or share a world record in swimming–a pretty impressive feat.

Photo: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images

LONGEST-DISTANCE TRAVELED
Aaron Peirsol
Perhaps one of the best back strokers (um… ever?!) Peirsol currently holds the world record for the 100m back stroke. No stranger to success, he’s been earning medals from a young age. He went to his first Olympics when he was 16 and set his first world record at age 17. Plus, in Beijing he took home a Gold in the 4×100 medley relay and a Silver in
the 200m backstroke.  

Photo: Thomas Kienzle/AP

TURTLE COACHES

Amanda Beard (Grembo Jones, Lindblad the Explorer and Estéban)
Competition is in Beard’s blood: So far, she’s swam in four different Olympic games! Her teammates even voted her one of the co-captains of the 2008 women’s swimming team. She has won seven, count ‘em, SEVEN medals for her swimming. She is also an avid supporter of many causes to defend wildlife and use her celebrity to encourage others to do so as well (including the Leatherback in this race.)

Photo: Mark J. Terrill/AP

Janet Evans (Nueva Esperanza, Nightswimmer and Searcher)
She may have retired from competitive swimming, but Evans left an indelible mark on the sport winning five medals (including four gold ones!) and setting seven world records with her one-of-a-kind “windmill” stroke. She even earned the nickname, Miss Perpetual Motion. This gold medalist knows what it takes to make it to the medals stand.

Photo: Simon Bruty/Allsport/Getty images

Jason Lezak (Seabiscuit, Wawa Bear and Billy)
As the most senior member of the 2008 men’s swimming team, Lezak brought the necessary experience and maturity to help win the 4x100m freestyle relay. As its anchor–both literally and figuratively, Lezak made a memorable and amazing comeback to close the gap between the Americans and the French team–helping the U.S. win the gold by eight hundredths of a second. He has earned three gold and two bronze medals for his swimming.

Photo: Streeter Lecka/Getty Images

Eric Shanteau (Backspacer and Cali)
Shanteau won a spot on the 2008 U.S men’s  team to swim the 200m breast stroke where he posted his personal best time. Just two weeks before Beijing, Shanteau was diagnosed with cancer. He delayed treatment to achieve his life’s goal of swimming in the Olympics and then returned to successfully beat the cancer. His tremendous fighting spirit and determination make him a stand-out competitor both in and out of the pool. 

Photo: Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images

Turtle Name: Backspacer (Female)
Length: 150.5 cm (5 ft)
Width: 113 cm (3 ft 9 in)
Weight: 375 kg (825 lbs)

Illustration: Chris Rooney

Sponsor: Pearl Jam
Coach: Eric Shanteau

Backspacer has a lot on her mind.
She joined the Race for the sake of the journey, to take to the road
and to think about where she’s been and where she’s headed next. She
started the Race from the most northerly point of any of her
competitors, deep in the Gulf of St. Lawrence. Backspacer’s sponsors,
the legendary rock band Pearl Jam, are hoping that she can win the Race
and find her way home in time for the release of their new album in the
Fall!

Backspacer’s
coach, Olympic swimmer Eric Shanteau, has been helping her to focus on
moving ahead and taking deep breaths during her long sojourn south.

MEET NEXT TURTLE: Billy

Go to the Great Turtle Race map.

Photo: Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images

THE DOGEARED CREW

ANUVA, AGE 10

Anuva is a sweet, smart, straight-A student. She is a big reader, and she especially enjoys books with vivid descriptions, like Charlotte’s Web. She also writes her own poems! Her favorite place to read is on the couch after lunch. She also plays the piano and clarinet. She used to have a goldfish, and hopes to get a dog someday. Last year she was a student reporter for Weekly Reader magazine, and got to interview two Camp Rock stars! She loves pizza and Indian food.

ELIZABETH, AGE 14

Elizabeth’s family describes her as being goofy, quirky, and smart. She has two dogs named Hudson and McKenzie. She likes to read whenever and wherever she can but her favorite reading spot is in her room with one of her dogs. She is 14 years old. Her favorite color is aqua.

HUNTER, AGE 10

Hunter is a fifth grader who loves the color green and eating tacos. His parents say that he’s responsible and curious (but can also be stubborn), while his friends describe him as funny and smart. (Hunter thinks they’re all right!) Hunter is a big reader with a collection of all kinds of books, and he likes to read pretty much anywhere! When he’s not in between the covers of a good book, you can find him in the swimming pool–he’s on a year-round swim team, and he loves to play “Sharks and Minnows” when he’s not swimming laps.

JOSHUA, AGE 14

Joshua is sometimes called “a walking dictionary.” He is 14 years old. His favorite color is red and his favorite food is steak. He has a whole bunch of hobbies, including writing, playing video games, playing the drums (and piano!), and studying history and politics. He doesn’t have any pets, but he has a younger sister who is very creative and artistic.

KENNAN, AGE 13

Kennan lives with a dog named Bailey, a fish named Jaws, and a singing and dancing little sister. He is an artist, and has drawn so many pictures that his parents have no idea where to put them. When he’s not drawing or reading in bed late at night, he likes to spend his time fishing. Last year he even went on a deep sea fishing excursion in the Bahamas, and caught more fish than anyone else on the trip! He is always willing to lend a helping hand, and does his best at everything he tries. His favorite color is blue, and his favorite food is pizza.

KYLE, AGE 13

Kyle is 13 years old and is described as being weird, smart, shy, funny, and a little crazy! He has a pavilion dog named Sydney and two guinea pigs. His favorite food is steak and his favorite color is dark blue. When he’s not reading on the school bus, Kyle loves to play the trumpet and play baseball.

PARKER, AGE 11

Parker is 11, and he’s the extra smart big brother to THREE younger brothers…oh, and a dog named Sonny. Though technically, Sonny the dog is much older since he’s more than 80 in dog years! Parker likes to read, swim, and play soccer, basketball, and football with friends, He is also a Boy Scout. When he’s not busy with all these awesome activities, you might find him playing Guinness Book of World Records on his Nintendo DS.

SHEILA, AGE 14

Sheila is a big reader. She always has a big stack of books on her nightstand so she can pick the perfect book to fit her mood. She belongs to her school’s book club, works on her school newspaper, and practices yoga. She’s quirky with a dry sense of humor–perfect for her place as the “peacemaker” between her older and younger sister. She loves taking pictures, collecting state quarters, the color sky blue, and spending time with her dog Sophie.

TAMAR, AGE 10

Tamar is smart and serious, but she also has a funny side. She loves to dance, sing, and play the piano. Her favorite place to curl up with the Abby Hayes series is on the couch in the family room (it’s super-comfy, and good for relaxing). She doesn’t have any pets, but she does have two older sisters! Last year she took a trip to Israel to visit friends and family and to see the sights. She loves to eat hearts of palm, and her favorite color is pink.

PREVIOUS BLOGGERS

BRADEN, AGE 7

Braden is a brother to DogEared bloggers Jordan and Reed. He’s smart and cute, and weird to boot! (Well, OTHER people say he’s cute. He’s not sure about it himself.) When he’s not reading, he likes to bike and play on the computer. He also belongs to a writing club. His favorite color is red, and his favorite foods are blueberries and tortellini.

ELEANOR, AGE 12

Eleanor is in the sixth grade and has an older sister named Claire who is in high school. She also has two miniature schnauzers named Rudy and Lucy who are rescue dogs. Eleanor plays the violin, sings in her school chorus, and made her stage debut last year in a musical called “The True Story of the Three Little Pigs,” based on the children’s book by Jon Sciezka. She plays soccer and basketball. Her favorite place to go on vacation is Cape Cod with her family.

EMELIE, AGE 14

Emelie lives in a house packed full with a sister, brother,
two cats, and three dogs! She loves to eat salmon sushi. She describes
herself as being interesting, crazy, creative, smart… and humble,
too! The best gift she ever received was to switch from public school
to being homeschooled because it gave her more freedom to be creative.
She writes, draws, crochets, and even designs shoes. Her favorite color
is green. She likes to read on her bean bag chair and in the car on
long trips.

HANNAH, AGE 12

Hannah is in middle school this year and is learning to play volleyball AND the trumpet. She is already a fantastic swimmer (even little sis DogEared blogger Isabel says so!) and she also loves to ride horses. Usually, she reads in her bedroom where she can just close the door and escape into a good book…just as long as Kizmet, the family goldendoodle (a dog that’s part poodle and golden retriever) doesn’t interrupt.

ISABEL, AGE 10

Isabel, or Izzy as she’s sometimes called, says she is friendly, helpful, and smart (especially in math!). People think she’s funny…and most times, she’s not EVEN trying. She’s just a natural comedienne. Isabel’s two loves? Peanut butter and soccer. She plays year-round. And she’ll eat peanut butter on anything…sandwich, banana, or apples. (Hmm…how about on a soccer ball??)

JORDAN, AGE 14

Big
sis Jordan has two younger brothers (DogEared bloggers Reed and Braden)
and has dog, a cat, and one fish. Jordan is a gutsy girl who went
surfing in Costa Rica this summer. She is also on a synchronized
skating team called the Ice Angels. Funny, outgoing, energetic, and
nice, Jordan is also a bit of a drama queen and likes to star in
musicals.

LILY, AGE 12

Lily is a jazz dancer and gymnast who lives in a house full of pets–almost too many to count! She’s outgoing, sweet, and funny. Her favorite places to read are in bed before she goes to sleep (so she can dream about the book) and by a pond in the summer. This summer she visited Washington, D.C. and had a chance to tour the White House garden. In addition to dancing and gymnastics, Lily plays basketball and soccer.

MAIREN, AGE 14

Mairen is a 14-year-old self-described nerd who loves to learn and read ’til the wee hours of the morning. She has two younger brothers and a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel named Skittles. Her favorite book is Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, which she’s read countless times. Her favorite color is green, and her favorite food is chocolate-chip cookies. (Hmmm, what about green chocolate-chip cookies?) For her birthday this year, she got her own laptop!

REED, AGE 11

Reed says he’s cool, funny and weird (and proud of it!)…and he LOVES to play hockey! His family (including big sis DogEared blogger Jordan) just rescued a racing greyhound dog named Jibber, so he spends a lot of his time taking care of her and Archie the cat, and the two hermit crabs, King Crab and Donald…And he loves to play hockey. (Did we mention that he loves to play hockey?!?)

WILL, AGE 9

Will is a big-time animal lover (he has a cat at home) who also likes playing video games with his older brother Amory. He loves building Star Wars creations with Legos, playing basketball and hanging out with friends. He is kind, generous and loves to make people laugh. His FAVORITE food is chicken nuggets and french fries but roasted chicken made by Will is a very close second. He hopes to one day be in the Guinness Book of Records for breaking some kind of record (like most french fries eaten in one sitting!