If I Ran the Zoo

If I Ran the Zoo perfectly captures every child’s dream of being in charge!  Celebrating the birthday of Dr. Seuss (March 2) provides an opportune time to read this book again and enjoy the adventures of the Zoo Keeper.  The rhymes and colorful illustrations add to the fun of the journey as more animals are added to the collection. We love looking at the animals and hearing their imaginative names.  It’s fun to compare them to real animals we’ve seen in zoos.  We think you’ll enjoy adding this book to your learning collection too!

Question Collection:

*Would you like to be a Zoo Keeper?  Why?

*Which animals do you like best?

*What do you think these animals eat?

*What animals would you like to invent?

The Mitten

The Mitten, by Jan Brett, is an especially fun book to read and act out.  Follow the adventures as various animals squeeze into Nicki’s white mitten after he loses it.   This is a great book for children to predict what will happen as the animals come along.  As with her other books, Jan Brett’s illustrations add to the enjoyment of this book.  We found it easy to identify with Nicky as he lost his mitten and led us to imagine what’s happened with items we’ve lost.  Enjoy the adventures!

Question Collection:

*Which animal is your favorite?

*Can you retell the story in your own words?

*What do you think has happened to items you’ve lost?

Fancy Nancy Heart to Heart

Are you looking for a fun, fancy book to read with your daughters?  Fancy Nancy, Heart to Heart, by Jane O’Connor, fits the bill!  In this adventure Fancy Nancy is trying to solve a Valentine myster. We love reading the new vocabulary words that are in each Fancy Nancy book and later use them whenever we can. Enjoy the Valentine stickers that are included in this book! 

Question Collection:

*Did you guess who her secret admirer was?

*What was your favorite new fancy word in this story?

*How do you want to use the stickers in this book?

Where is Baby's Valentine?

Are you looking for a board book to share with your baby or toddler?  Where is Baby’s Valentine?, by Karen Katz, is an interactive lift the flap book that encourages little ones to look for the hidden Valentine.  Karen Katz is a favorite author of ours, and this book does not disappoint.  The textures and shiny pictures capture children’s attention as you lift the flaps.  This is a fun book to introduce Valentine’s Day to little ones.

Question Collection:

*Where’s the kitten?

*What does the girl have on her headband?

*Can you find other hearts?

Me With You

Me With You, by Kristy Dempsey, is a wonderful book to read at Valentine’s Day.  Grandfather Bear and Granddaughter Bear explore the ways “me” is with “you” via short rhyming passages.  The love that is shared is so evident through all of the settings.  The illustrations by Christopher Denise make the characters come alive.  Taking a picture walk before and/or after reading this story will reveal details that enhance the story.  We hope you enjoy Me With You as much as we do!

Question Collection:

*What is your favorite picture in the book?

*Did you hear some rhyming words?

*What is your favorite setting in the book?

Martin's Big Words

Martin’s Big Words, by Dorren Rappaport, is a great book to introduce biographies to your children. It tells the story of Martin Luther King, Jr. in a way that shows children the importance of words. The “big” words that made an impact in his life are typed in a larger font enabling the reader and listener to pause and reflect on those words. A timeline in the back of the book can provide a good review of Martin Luther King, Jr.’s life.  The illustrations by Bryan Collier enhance the book’s message.  We enjoyed reading this book and discussing it during Black History Month.

Question Collection:

*How do you think Martin felt when he was excluded from things growing up?

*What big words of Martin’s do you like best?
*Are there any big words you have from your life?

Hibernation Station

Hibernation Station, written by Michelle Meadows and illustrated by Kurt Cyrus, is a delightful rhyming fictional story about animals preparing for hibernation.  The illustrations add so much to the enjoyment of this book.  We love reading this book over and over, laughing at the different situations the animals find themselves in as they get ready for their winter’s sleep.  Although this story is decidedly fiction, the author includes information following the story so that your child can learn more about hibernation.  Happy reading!

Question Collection:

*What animal is your favorite?

*Which animal are you most like?

*Can you remember two of the rhyming words?

Deep Snow

Deep Snow, by Robert Munsch, is an entertaining book to read with children.  If your child likes outlandish tales, then you’ll all be laughing out loud about the snow adventures of this father and daughters.  With our collection of beautiful books about snow, nonfiction books about polar animals, and snowman books, this book rounds out our collection with lots of laughs.  We hope you enjoy it too!

Question Collection:

*Which part of the story is your favorite?

*Which character do you like best?  Why?

*Were you surprised at the ending?