My First Day

Steve Jenkins and Robin Page have combined to write and illustrate over 15 books, all of them informational.  Sometimes good informational books for reading aloud are hard to find but not when it comes to this amazing duo.  Jenkins is definitely one of my favorite informational authors.

One of his newer books, published in 2013, is called My First Day. In this book Jenkins tells the story of the first day for over 20 different animals.  Some of the animals you have probably heard of before like the manatee and the giraffe, but other animals are more obscure like the sifaka and the megapodes. The entire book is written in first person, so each animal tells the reader what they did on their first day.

Jenkins has a gift of giving a lot of information in only a few sentences.  For example.  In two sentences we learn that it is very cold when a baby penguin is born and that a baby penguin snuggles into his dad's feathers to stay warm.  A muntjac has to stay by itself, blending in with the shadows, while mom goes and looks for food.  If you want even more information about a specific animal you can turn to the back of the book where Jenkins has included information about where the animal lives, what they eat and other fun facts!

Children will love this book not just for the interesting facts, but for the pictures and all the baby animals!  It is definitely worth checking out, especially if you have never read a Steve Jenkins book.

Happy Reading,
Laura

Books to Make You Laugh

I know there are a TON of books out there that put a smile on your face and make you chuckle.  Here are a few that have made my son laugh out loud the last few weeks.

Don't Push the Button by Bill Cotter

Meet Larry the purple monster.  Inside Larry's book there is a button and YOU MUST NOT PUSH THE BUTTON.  Larry tells us several times that we should not even think about pushing the button but temptation gets the best of us and when no one is looking we push the button!  Suddenly Larry changes from purple to yellow.  When the button is pushed again in hopes to turn Larry back to purple he turns yellow polka dot!  The book goes on, the button gets pushed and something silly happens to Larry.  Finally, Larry gets back to normal but it was so fun we have to push the button one last time!  It is so fun to read this aloud and let kids push the button while you are reading.  It is sure to elicit some laughs!

Blue Hat, Green Hat by Sandra Boynton

An elephant, moose, bear and turkey are the stars of this silly story by Sandra Boynton.  The animals are showing off different articles of clothing.  First, they show off their blue hat, green hat, yellow hat and oops! Turkey is standing in his hat! With each article of clothing (shirts, pants, coat, socks and shoes) Elephant, Moose and Bear are wearing the clothes correctly but Turkey is always being silly.  At the end of the book Turkey is fully dressed correctly, ready to jump in the pool... OOPS! Children love to see the silly ways that Turkey wears his clothes, proving that turkeys really are turkeys!

We Are in a Book by Mo Willems

Elephant and Piggie are back at it and this time they realize they are in a book.  They cannot believe it.  After reveling at how cool it is that they are in a book being read by a reader Piggie has an idea.  She tells Gerald that she can make the reader say a word, if they read out loud.  Gerald thinks this is a great idea.  Piggie says, "Banana" and her and Gerald both lose it, laughing hysterically.  The pages are filled with hahahah and heeeheeeheee.  Piggie and Gerald even have tears in their eyes.  Piggie and Gerald's laughs are contagious.  You will soon find yourself laughing right along with them!

What books make you chuckle?

Happy Reading!
Laura

Babies + Reading = Success

This Plus That Life's Little Equations by Amy Krouse Rosenthal is a sweet and simple book explains some of life's greatest moments by using word equations.

The book starts with a picture of two girls with 1+1= US, so we know right away they are friends.  We follow the girls through the book where they say smile+wave=hello to a little boy.  The three of them go to school (chalk+sitting=school) and play together.  They even find a best friend (laughter+keeping secrets+sharing=best friend).  We see the girls go through all of the seasons (barefoot+screen door+popsicles=summer) and even venture into some of life's more difficult equations (chores/everyone=family). The pictures flow across the pages illustrating the different equations beautifully making it an even more perfect book to read aloud.  My favorite equation is found on the back cover of the book and it is book+chair=cozy, because there is nothing better than cuddling up with a good book!

What are some equations that describe your life's greatest moments?

Here are a few of mine

soil + seeds=garden

mom + dad + son + daughter x love=family

American the Beautiful + car + map + driving + driving + driving=vacation

shoes + running=racing

I would love to hear your life equations!

Happy Reading!
Laura

First the Egg

Every once in a while you come across a book that is fun to read aloud, but also fun to use as a basis for endless writing projects.  First the Egg  by Laura Vaccaro Seeger is that kind of book.  It's versatility reminds me of The Important Book by Margaret Wise Brown.

First the Egg is such a simple book, 41 words in the entire book.  Seeger repeats first the ________ then the ___________ through out the entire book, starting of course with first the egg, then the chicken.  Kids will like listening to the book out loud because they can guess what might come next in the predictable text.  Seeger also briefly touches on some basics of the life cycle by including tadpoles, caterpillars and and seeds.

With such a simple text pattern this is a great author's craft to teach students to use in their own writing.  The easiest place to start would be in science when studying the life cycle , or even food chains.  A life cycle book could start first the joey, then the kangaroo.  First the baby then the child and on and on.  To use this text pattern for teaching or writing about the food chain simply start with the bottom of the food chain and work your way up.  First the grass, then the rabbit.  First the rabbit, then the hawk and on and on.

Science is not the only subject area that this text pattern could be used.  Social Studies is full of cause and effect.  Older students could use this text pattern to explain starts of wars or other conflicts throughout history.  It is great to have a book like this in your collection to use in a variety of ways across all ages, even my three-year old enjoyed having this one read aloud.

First the Egg is also a Caldecott Award and Theodore Seuss Geisel Honor book, just another reason to check it out!

Happy Reading!
Laura

The Dandelion's Tale

Death and grief are such hard topics for children. Children struggle to find words that convey the emotions they are feeling and often they are confused and wonder where their loved one is and what they are doing.  Books are always a great way to help children cope and begin to understand, especially books that tell stories.

In The Dandelion's Tale, Kevin Sheehan and Rob Dunlevey tell a beautiful story that will help children to understand that comfort can be found in memories.  

In The Dandelion's Tale Sparrow notices a dandelion crying, alone in the grass.  When asked why she is so sad she explains to Sparrow that she was once strong but now, even the slightest breeze will cause her to lose the rest of her seedpods and no one will know she was there.  Sparrow wanted to help the poor dandelion.  When the dandelion suggests that Sparrow fly her to the other dandelions so she can share her story he was willing to help but saw no other dandelions in sight.  The dandelion was disappointed because her one wish was to be remembered.  Sparrow was determined to help so he offered to write the dandelions story in a patch of dirt.  The dandelion happily told Sparrow everything she wanted to say.  Sparrow wrote how the dandelion loved looking at the white clouds against the blue sky and how she enjoyed hearing children laugh.  She went on and one about all she loved.  When she was finished the dandelion felt very happy and the Sparrow went home.  That night there was a terrible storm and when Sparrow went to check on the dandelion she was gone.  Sparrow was sad but then remembered the dandelion's story.  Sparrow flew over to the patch of dirt only to realize that the storm had washed the dandelion's story away.  Sparrow cried and promised to not forget the dandelion.  A few weeks later, as Sparrow was flying, he noticed a cluster of bright, yellow, baby dandelions.  He settled down in the grass and told them the dandelion's story, and he knew then that the dandelion would never be forgotten.  

I think that Sparrow and the dandelion can teach children that even though someone might be gone, we can remember them through their passions, their loves and especially through their stories.  Children can see hat when we talk about what hurts us or makes us sad, we might just feel better like Sparrow felt better when he sang a song about the dandelion.  From this one simple, yet beautiful story, we can all learn that it is our stories that impact others and keep us living on even after we have gone.  

Happy Reading, 

In Memory of Cheyenne.  Peace and Love Baby!

Laura

Are you busy in the garden?

It's springtime and in our family that means gardening time.  We are definitely busy in the garden tilling, weeding, watering and picking all so we can enjoy yummy, fresh veggies!

Picking strawberries

Our garden- just planted

If you don't have space for your own garden, check out some local community gardens.  in community gardens you can purchase a plot to garden yourself.  Many community gardens have garden managers who are able to answer any questions you might have about gardening.  Louisville has both Metro Government managed gardens as well as non-profit community gardens.  A few of the non-profit community gardens are Billy Goat Hill Garden, The Parklands and the St. Francis Center.  

Even if you don't have your own garden take advantage of those that do and visit your local Farmer's Market!  Here is a list of Farmer's Markets in the Louisville area.

If you aren't getting outside to garden and work in the yard- at least get outside for some read aloud time! Busy in the Garden by George Shannon is a super cute poem book all about springtime, flowers and gardening.  Each poem is rhyming and illustrated making this the perfect book for reading aloud.  He even has riddles about different plants/crops that might be found in the garden.  These poems are so fun they will bring out the green thumb in anyone!

Happy Reading (and gardening!)

Laura

Books Starring Moms

Since this weekend is all about moms here are some great kid books starring moms and their kiddos!

1) Just Me and My Mom by Mercer Mayer

You probably know the Little Critter series written by Mercer Mayer.  He has books about EVERYTHING in that series.  If you are looking for a book to teach your child about a certain topic, try checking out this series.  In Just Me and My Mom Little Critter and his mom take a trip into the city together- just the two of them.  They ride the train- Little Critter loses the tickets.  They go to the museum- Little Critter touches the exhibits.  They go to eat lunch at a nice restaurant- Little Critter brings his frog.  It is one problem after another for Little Critter and his mom.  Then on the way home Little Critter falls asleep in his mom's lap, making the trip with all its problems, worth it.

2) Nana in the City by Lauren Castillo

A little boy travels to the city to visit Nana.  To the little boy the city is big, scary and no place for a nana to live all by herself.  But then in true Nana fashion she knits the little boy a super hero cape and takes him out to show him all the fun they can have in the city.  With the help of Nana and his super hero cape the little boy realizes how EXTRAORDINARY the city is.  Leave it to Nana's to show their grandkids how to have a good time- no matter where they are! They are the true super heroes!

3) Llama Llama Misses Mama by Anna Dewdney

We cannot leave Llama Llama and his mama off of this list of books starring moms and their kiddos!  Llama Llama and his mama are always learning lessons and figuring things out together.  From going grocery shopping together in Llama Llama Mad at Mama (see my post here) or saying good night in Llama Llama Red Pajama.  In Llama Llama Misses Mama Little Llama is off to his first day of school. He has to say goodbye to his mama and learn how to play and have fun with his new friends, all while missing his mama.  Then Little Llama learns that his mama will always come back to him and he can love his mama and school.

4) The Cuddle Book by Guido Van Genechten

Ask any kid who the best person to cuddle with is and I am pretty sure they will say their mom. The Cuddle Book by Guido Van Genechten proves this.  The cute illustrations show different animal mommies cuddling with their babies.  We learn that elephants cuddle with their trunks and that it is hard for crabs to cuddle.  The books ends with the very best cuddle- Mommy's cuddle!

I hope all you mommies out their find time this weekend to read and cuddle with your little (or big) kiddos!

Happy Reading!
Laura