Tuesday, January 26, 2010

Sleepy Bear's Book Club - THE MAGICIAN'S ELEPHANT

Hi Book Buddies,

I'm still in sunny San Diego. This is me with my good friends Bear and Scaredy Pup. Oh, and Moosey-Moose, but you knew that. I'm about to go for a swim after I read two chapters in THE MAGICIAN'S ELEPHANT. This week we are reading chapters 7, 8, and 9. I couldn't put the book down so I already read these chapters. I'll wait for you to catch up.

I’m really happy you are enjoying the book I chose for my book club. I’m learning lots of new words. Are you? These are my two latest words – portentous and agape.

I don’t like Vilna Lutz. He should not have lied to Peter about Peter’s sister. Poor Peter. For many years he thought his sister was dead. I think the beggar and his dog will help get a message to Peter about the elephant. What do you think?

I wonder if Adele’s dream will come true. I think dreams can come true. Do you?


Write back, soon.

Your Book Buddy,


Sleepy Bear

Thursday, January 21, 2010

Sleepy Bear Answers His Mail From Sunny San Diego

Hi Friends,

If you've been reading Moosey-Moose's blog, then you already know that we are in sunny San Diego! We left on a plane last week. Check-out Moosey-Moose's blog to see us on the airplane eating a fancy meal.

I wasn't going to go at first, but then I told myself that I can read and write from anywhere!

Jason, I want to say, "Hi," back. I hope you are doing well in Mrs. Hunter's class.

Grace, can you tell me more about your venus fly trap plant? I don't think mine is doing so good. I'm a little worried about it.

Crystal, thanks for the very long comment. It was fun to read, but it's OK if you don't write really long messages. I like shorter ones but lots of them!

Oh, someone asked about the cat. Angelo is doing fine and thanks for asking.

Well, I'm going to go read some more of THE MAGICIAN'S ELEPHANT.

Bye for now,

Sleepy Bear

Tuesday, January 19, 2010

Sleepy Bear's Book Club - THE MAGICIAN'S ELEPHANT

Hi Book Buddies,

Do you like to the book, THE MAGICIAN'S ELEPHANT? I like it a lot. I like it because it's a mystery. I like it also because it has make-believe, like elephants falling through the roof of an opera house! Who ever heard of that happening? And, I like it because I'm learning new words.

I wonder why Madame LaVaughn visits the magician in jail and tells him the same thing every time. What do you think?

Crystal wrote to tell me that she feels very sad for Peter that he doesn't have his family anymore. I feel sad for Peter, too. But, I have my bear paws crossed for him that he finds his sister. I'm glad you like the story!

I'll write more later today.

Write to me soon.

Your Book Buddy,

Sleepy Bear

Tuesday, January 12, 2010

Sleepy Bear's Book Club - THE MAGICIAN'S ELEPHANT

Hi Book Buddies,

Do you like THE MAGICIAN’S ELEPHANT? I like it because it’s a mystery story. I want to know what happened to Peter’s family. And I hope he finds his sister. It must be very lonely to have all your family members gone. Especially if you have to live with someone who is not very nice like Peter who has to live with Vilna Lutz. Even his name sounds mean.

Well, I looked up the word audacity. It means daring and bold.

I hope you write to me to tell me your favorite parts so far.

Let’s read chapters 4, 5, and 6 this week. I’ll check in with you later with some more new words.

Your Book Buddy,

Sleepy Bear

Thursday, January 7, 2010

Sleepy Bear's Book Club - THE MAGICIAN'S ELEPHANT

Hi Book Buddies,

I hope you are enjoying THE MAGICIAN'S ELEPHANT. I have read the first three chapters and I really like the story. I feel sorry for Peter. He is all alone in the world even though he lives with Vilna Lutz. I'm not sure why he is living with Vilna Lutz. I know Peter doesn't have a mom or dad and he doesn't know where his sister is but why Vilna Lutz? I wonder who he is.

Did you notice how the story has a beginning like JACK AND THE BEANSTALK? Remember how Jack was sent by his mom to buy food but he traded the cow for magic beans instead? Hey, both stories have magic in them, too!

I want to know what happened to Peter's family. Why did they die?

I wonder if Baltese is a real place. I'm going to try to find it on a map.

There are a lot of tricky words in the story. I'm writing them down on sticky-notes and putting them on the refrigerator so I can study them and use them to learn them. One tricky word is audacity 0n page 2. I'm going to go look it up in my dictionary.

Well, I hope you write back to share your thinking and your questions with me about THE MAGICIAN'S ELEPHANT.

Your Book Buddy,

Sleepy Bear

Tuesday, January 5, 2010

Sleepy Bear's Book Club - THE MAGICIAN'S ELEPHANT

Hi Book Buddies,

Look at the new book I chose for my book club! Last year we read TIGER RISING by Kate DiCamillo and now she has a new book called THE MAGICIAN'S ELEPHANT. I think you are really going to like this story, too.

This is the story of an orphan boy who is trying to find his sister. He asks a fortune teller to help him. Then the fortune teller sends him on a trip with the help of an elephant. This sounds like a great story full of adventure and mystery. I wonder if the little boy finds his sister.

The book also has super great illustrations by Yoko Tanaka.

Let's read the first three chapters this week. Let me know how you like the story or if you have questions along the way. I will also write back to let you know about my thinking while I'm reading. Oh, if you need a bookmark, let me know and I can mail to you one of mine.

Your Book Buddy,

Sleepy Bear

Monday, January 4, 2010

Sleepy Bear Answers His Mail

Hi Friends,

Wow! The holidays are already over. I can't believe they went by so fast. The winter holidays are my most favorite of all. I was sad that it didn't snow like last year, but it was still really nice. I spent a lot of time playing games and reading books and eating too many cookies! What did you do?

Someone wrote to me about a book I might like but I'm not sure if I have the title right. It's PEANUT BUTTER AND JEREMY but I couldn't find that book. Can you help me get the title right? Speaking of books to read, I'm going to start a new book club tomorrow! I can't wait. I know, it's been a long time. Check back tomorrow when I tell you the name of the book. I think you're going to like it.

Well, that's all for now,

Sleepy Bear