Here are 5 great picture books to help kids tackle their monstrous fears, perfect to read at bedtime as a reminder that they've got nothing to be afraid of.
Monday, August 31, 2015
5 Empowering Monster Books for Bedtime
If you're the parent of a young child and you haven't spent at least one bedtime trying to convince your little one that there are no monsters under their bed or in their closet or hiding in their dresser drawers or anywhere around the house, go ahead and utter a little prayer of thanks for your courageous kid. (Or buckle your seat belt, because that particular bedtime fear could be coming your way tomorrow night.)
Monday, September 22, 2014
What's in Your Library Bag?
Library Tip: Enroll in the Library Elf service.
I have learned after talking with friends that one of the reasons they do not go to the library is the annoyance of overdue fines. My husband felt the same way (after he saw several of my accruals). He got online and set me up with a Library Elf service that sends me email notifications several days before my library books are due and it even will self renew if I need it to. This has been so helpful because I no longer feel like I have to rush to the library to get things back. I just go when it is convenient and manage everything online. So head over to Library Elf and get signed up. Oh, I forgot to mention it is free.
Each Peach Pear Plum by Janet and Allan Ahlberg (ages 3-5)
My sister gave me this book several months ago. I had forgotten all about it. It is a poem filled with characters from nursery rhymes. "Each peach, pear, plum, I spy Tom Thumb..." It is fun visually because each page has you looking for something on the next page.
Balloons over Broadway: The True Story of the Puppeteer of Macy's Parade by Melissa Sweet (ages 4-8)
I never knew the background behind the Macy's Day parade. This book has really interesting illustrations. After learning the story, I love the parade even more.
A Chair for My Mother by Vera B. Williams (ages 4-8)
This is a very thoughtful story about a girl, her mom and Grandma whose house burns down. All the neighbors donate things to help them get back on their feet, but they still don't have a comfortable chair to sit in. They each find ways to contribute to a jar that is for a new chair. I was surprised that my 3 year old really liked the story. I also appreciated the sentiments the book taught.
Dragons Love Tacos by Adam Rubin and Daniel Salmieri (ages 3-5)
We've been making salsa in our house the past few weeks. This silly story is about how much dragons love tacos, but DO NOT put salsa on them. They will of course...breath fire and then your party, house and everything else are ruined.
The Little Mouse, The Red Ripe Strawberry and THE BIG HUNGRY BEAR by Don Wood (ages 2 and up)
My kids have been devouring berries all summer. This classic has really beautiful, bright illustrations. How do you protect your big, ripe, beautiful strawberry from the hungry bear?
Harold and the Purple Crayon by Crockett Johnson (ages 3-7)
I mentioned this in last month's post, but decided that it really should be highlighted on it's own. Harold goes for a walk in the moonlight and draws his whole experience. It is a beautiful, ever-changing landscape that he walks through. The first time I got this from the library, I really felt I had found a treasure!
Moles in Love by David Bedford (ages 4 and up)
This sweet story is fun for kids because the mole can't see and keeps finding love on the farm. He describes the animals in a fun way. At first he falls in love with an animal with shiny, luscious, black fur just like his...only to discover it is a horse. Eventually love finds him.
The Giant Jam Sandwich by John Vernon Lord (ages 5-8)
Everytime I see a wasp, I think of this book. All the citizens of Itching Down rally to solve their wasp problem as they knead, and bake a ginormous loaf of bread. The text is lyrical and fun to read out loud.
Can YOU Make a Scary Face? by Jan Thomas (ages 2-8)
This interactive book, has kids wondering what they would do if a green bug was tickling their nose, or a if a fly jumped down their shirt. I love hearing my husband read this book with the kids while they jump up and down and giggle.
Cheers to reading!
Elizabeth
Monday, August 25, 2014
What's in Your Library Bag?
On one of our recent trips to the library, my 3 year old wandered off and found his favorite section. Before I knew it, our library bag (and the stroller) were full. He had books on Audi's, Porche's, monster trucks, the history of the automobile, airplanes, Heavy Duty Construction Equipment, Planes, Toy Story, Knuffle Bunny, Cars 2, and he even found a learn to speak Klingon book. I didn't even know he knew where the nonfiction section was. There was a part of me that wanted to have him choose 4 or 5 and put the other 10 back, but I resisted. Instead I shared his joy and excitement for all the fun new books he found for us to read. You can see his pile contrasted with my pile.
Check out this months library list. I hope you find a few that both you and your children enjoy reading.
Library Tip: Give your children autonomy to pick whatever books catch their interest. This is a great time for kids to be spontaneous, explore their interests and create their identity as a reader. As a parent, it feels nice to say "YES! great choice."
Hippospotamus (recommended for 4-8) by Jeanne Willis is a humorous read about a hippo that has a red spot on his bottomus and none of the animals can figure it out. They each have their own idea of what it might be. I will not spoil it for you, but it is lighthearted and fun.
Ribbit (recommended for 3-7) by Rodrigo Folgueira is a sweet book about friendship with an unusual twist that will keeps kids on their toes. Great for teaching children about reaching out to make friends.
The Robot Book (recommended for 1-4) by Heather Brown is colorful, interactive and has a heart or at least the Robot does. This is a fun board book for littles, but my preschooler also loved it.
Bread and Jam for Frances (recommended for 4-8) by Russel Hoban will make you feel better if you have really picky eaters like I do. I tried so hard to feed them the very best as infants...lentil soup, green smoothies, quinoa and greek yogurt. This book keeps it real (with a ray of hope) and is fun for parent and child together.
Ella Sets the Stage (recommended for 4-8) by Carmela D'armico makes all of us feel better about what we do well, rather than what we don't do. I found it to be a great reminder as an adult and something I would like to reinforce in my children. There are a few Ella books, but I could not remember her name. I described one of her other books to the librarian and she couldn't think of it. Not even 5 minutes later, my 1 year old started haphazardly pulling books off the shelf and there was Ella. I had to include one of her books, it seemed serendipitous.
Andrew Drew and Drew (recommended for 4-8) by Barney Saltzberg is interactive flap by flap. The drawings start as a line and as you open each flap the drawings grow and and the drawings develop. My preschooler really loves to open the flaps for each drawing. It reminds me a little bit of Harold and the Purple Crayon, which I love.
Fortune Cookies (recommended for 3-6) by Albert Bitterman had me hooked right at the title. I love fortune cookies, I even made a trip to a little factory in San Francisco to see the little old ladies making them. So fun! The book is fun, because you pull the little fortunes out of the cookies. The story line unfolds as each fortune comes true, but maybe not the way the little girl expected.
Mr Tiger Goes Wild (recommended for 3-6) by Peter Brown has beautiful artwork, a playful story line and a good message. I saw @thelittlebookcollector list this on Instagram. I really love this book. I was raised in a home where we were reminded of manners often, including "shoulders back," and sometimes it just seemed more comfortable to eat with my elbow on the table. I loved Mr. Tiger and his boredom with being so proper.
If I Built a Car (recommended for 5-8) by Chris Van Dusen let's a child's imagination run. As I listen to my preschooler chatter nonstop, sometimes I wonder what is real and what is play for him. His imagination is exploding in a wonderful way. I think he loved this book for that reason. If you built a car, what would it be like?
Happy reading aloud!
Elizabeth
Friday, June 20, 2014
Children's Book Author Adults Will Love - Kevin Henkes
Who would have thought that a bunch of cute mice could help a child expecting a new baby brother or teach a child about showing respect? Author and illustrator of 49 books and counting, Kevin Henkes does just that and more.
My first exposure to Kevin Henkes was reading his book Julius, the Baby of the World nearly fifteen years ago. To this day, it is one of my favorite children's books and is a constant request from children at my house. It is the story of Lilly learning to appreciate her younger brother after she has to stand up for him. If you haven't read it, you have to! There are so many clever words and pictures, but my kids love this one:
"A book well-made can open the
mind of a child. Keeping the child in mind is a part of my job—it’s
essential," Henkes said.
Children's literature inspired
Henkes even as a child. He poured over books and was intrigued by their authors
and illustrators. After his freshman year at the University of Wisconsin in
1979, Henkes decided to take a chance on his own budding talent. He headed to
New York and the first publisher he stopped at, Greenwillow Books,
snatched him up.
Since then he has earned many medals and honors, including the Newberry Honor for Olive's Ocean (2004), one of his novels. He also earned the much sought after Caldecott Medal for Kitten's Full Moon (2005). One of his most popular books is Lilly's Purple Plastic Purse where his quirky character learn the consequences of revenge and how to make amends.
Though all of Henkes books are fun to read for adults and children alike, they have themes and give life lessons. Henkes admits that for him "making books and living life are entwined." He also believes what the author Fay Weldon wrote, “Writing is an odd activity. Other people
have occupations, jobs. The writer’s work is the life and there can be no
holiday from it. If the pen is not working, the mind is thinking. The unconscious
ponders on, even in sleep you are not safe. Dreams pertain to life and life to
dreams and both to work.”
"If we expose kids to books and art, nothing but good can come from it," says Henke. I totally agree!
(Author of Remembrandt, a YA Romantic Suspense)
