FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: September 13, 2006

FREE TEACHER’S GUIDE FOR
THE CLOSET GHOSTS

SAN FRANCISCO, CA—Children’s Book Press proudly introduces a teacher’s guide for The Closet Ghosts, a playful story about conquering fears by award-winning author Uma Krishnaswami. The free curriculum debuts a new look and format for Children’s Book Press Teacher’s Guides, allowing educators to more readily explore the various reading and cross-curricular activities provided. The Closet Ghosts Teachers Guide meets California state standards and can be downloaded at: http://www.childrensbookpress.org/teachersguide.html

In The Closet Ghosts, little Anu moves to a new home where she finds mischievous and mean ghosts in her closet! To help rid her home of the ghouls, Anu calls on Hanuman, the mighty monkey hero from Indian mythology. Relieved that Hanuman answers her call, Anu rejoices—until she realizes those pesky ghosts are still around. With laughter and song, Anu is able to expel the ghosts on her own, learning she has the power to overcome any fear. Krishnaswami effortlessly weaves motifs from Indian mythology into this universally appealing book that Kirkus Reviews calls a “unique tale that is worthy of a wide audience.”

Developed by teachers, the guide contains four sections:

§ What's It All About?: Describes the book, highlights thematic units of study, and provides information about the book's author, Uma Krishnaswami and illustrator, Shiraaz Bhabha.

§ Reading Activities: Includes lessons that introduce the book to the class and prompt critical thinking about the book's themes. Also encourages vocabulary development, and provides a “Hairy Scary Ghost Stories” activity, which helps students to understand the concept of genre.

§ Cross Curricular Activities: Helps students make connections between the book and content areas such as language arts, social studies, visual art, math, and science. Includes fun activities such as “Make Your Own Ghostie-Toastie,” “Cookie Science,” and a simple machine experiment.

§ Resources: Directs you to other literature, websites, and audio-visual resources that are related to the book's themes, including information on Indian culture.

“Reading Communities” grew out of the firm belief in the importance of classroom instruction based on high-quality, multicultural literature. Children’s Book Press developed the guide to foster literacy and a love of learning in children.

Children’s Book Press is a nonprofit publisher of quality multicultural and bilingual children’s literature. Since its inception in 1975, the Press has been a pioneer in creating an authentic literature of inclusion offering children a sense of their culture, history and importance.

The Closet Ghosts • Written by Uma Krishnaswmi, Illustrated by Shiraaz Bhabha • Children’s fiction

Full-color illustrations throughout • ISBN 0-89239-208-8 • $16.95 • 8 ¼ x 9 ¾” • 32 pages • Ages 6 and up • Pub Date: April 2006