BEACH BLANKET READING #5: TREASURE HUNT!

What better place than the beach to dig for treasure?

After reading HOW I BECAME A PIRATE by Melinda Long and David Shannon, (Harcourt) (5 and up) and ROGER THE JOLLY PIRATE by Brett Helquist (famous illustrator of Lemony Snicket's Series of Unfortunate Events (HarperCollins) (5 and up), divide the kids up into groups and give them each a small box to put something "valuable" in. Then crumple up butcher paper and let each group create their own "treasure map" as they find a hiding place for their booty. Let the groups exchange maps, and let the search begin! If the interest in treasure hunting is piqued, be sure to recommend Betsy Byars' realistic fiction THE SEVEN TREASURE HUNTS (HarperTrophy) (all ages). And if it's treasure ye seek, Walter Wick's eye-candy seek-and-find book I SPY TREAURE HUNT by Jean Marzollo, illustrated by Walter Wick (Cartwheel) (7 and up), which has enough baubles and bangles to tantalize a whole shipload of treasure-seekers!

If you would like a gentle wind-down after piratical adventures, try THE MAGGIE B. by Irene Haas (Margaret McElderry), a classic cruise through the imagination of a little girl (ages 4 and up).

Also of interest:
More pirate-themed books to shanghai your child's imagination!
DO PIRATES TAKE BATHS? by Kathy Tucker, illustrated by Nadine Bernard Westcott (Whitman) (4 and up)
PIRATE TREASURE by Loretta Krupinski (Dutton) (5 and up)
OLIVE'S PIRATE PARTY by Roberta Baker, illustrated by Debbie Tilley (Little, Brown) (5 and up)
THE GREAT PIRATE ACTIVITY BOOK by Deri Robins, illustrated by George Buchanan(Kingfisher) (9 and up)
EVERYTHING I KNOW ABOUT PIRATES by Tom Lichtenheld (Simon and Schuster) (6 and up)
HENRY AND THE BUCCANEER BUNNIES by Carolyn Crimi, illustrated by John Manders (Candlewick) (5 and up)
And many will be happy to know that the latest in the popular "ology" series has been released, PIRATEOLOGY edited by Dugald A. Steer (Candlewick), a work of nonfiction that holds kid-treasure better than gold: working compass, pocket sundial, jewels and gems, and maps leading to what else but more treasure? If you enjoy this book, you will also enjoy the scrapbook style PIRATES by John Matthews (Atheneum), full of even more maps, historical facts, and a wanted poster for none other than Blackbeard himself. Both are best suited for children ages 9 and up.

You can knock the sand out of your shoes...this concludes our week at the beach at PlanetEsme! Hope you had a sunny time, and found reading treasures to boot. We will return next week to our regularly scheduled program: reviews of the best brand new books!

On a personal note
I was a little later than usual posting for Book-a-Day today, because I had to prioritize going over the final, final, FINAL proofs of my new novel, VIVE LA PARIS, with my editor. It occured to me that it felt like little bit like working under a car for a very important customer, making sure every nut and bolt and spring is tightened and oiled, that the fenders are gleaming...so many miniscule adjustments! I am so excited, and hopeful that this book is the very best it can be. I have come to really love my main character Paris and her family, and I hope you will, too! I also hope this will be a useful tool for discussions about peace and bullying...but more on that later!

Many of you have gotten a sneak preview with the Round Robin promotion that was announced last month. I have my fingers crossed that you liked what you read, and thank you with all my heart to those who have spread the word! If you signed up for the Round Robin and have not yet recieved the book, please let me know via my e-mail, esmeatripcodotcom. Merci beaucoup!

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