Thursday, June 28, 2012

Silly Milly




Silly Milly, by Wendy Cheyette Lewison, is a fun book for beginning readers.  As children read along, they try to figure out why Silly Milly likes certain things, but not others.  Children can observe the words to find the reason.  Spoiler alert:   Silly Milly likes words with double letters.  We have had so much fun reading this book---even after we know the reasoning behind Silly Milly’s choices.  Happy Reading!


*What was your favorite part of this book?
*What are some things that Milly likes that you like?
*What words would you add to the list of things Milly likes?

Monday, June 25, 2012

Collecting Memories, Part I



Summer is an especially great time to be making memories with your children.  Because of the changes in daily schedules, it can often be hard to capture those special memories.  One activity we’ve added to our routine is using journaling to record favorite child-chosen memories.  We’re using the Mead Primary Journal because it has lined paper with space at the top to draw pictures.  It’s such a great way for early writers to collect memories with pictures and writing. 



If you have a younger child who is not yet writing, you can use this journal for their drawings and have an adult record the child’s dictation to you.  If your child is a beginning writer, it’s a great tool to combine pictures and writing.  We’ve also used it to collect and share memories when a parent is out of town.  We labeled the days and then had our child draw pictures of various daily events.

Children love to read their own writing so this journal is often re-read which helps them form memories.  We hope you are having a great summer full of good memories too!

Collecting Memories Ideas:

*We use colored pencils or crayons to draw the pictures.   Markers have a tendency to bleed through to other pages.

*Spelling is not important.  We strive to write sentences, but lists are fine for some memories.

*To reinforce the importance of journaling, parents may want to write in their journals while children are completing their journal entries.

*Pictures and/or postcards from travel can be affixed in the space at the top.

*Enjoy collecting memories with your children!

Wednesday, June 20, 2012

Library Lily




Are you planning some fun trips to the library this summer?  Our library has a great summer program promoting books and providing fun literary experiences.  If your child is an avid reader, he or she is sure to connect with the character of Lily in Library Lily, by Gillian Shields. Lily finds many adventures in books and simply can’t put her book down!  On an adventure in the park (encouraged by her mother to go out and play) Lily meets Milly, who hates to read.  Milly is an adventurous girl who shares her fun activities with Lily.  Then, Lily takes Milly on adventures through books.  A friendship is born when the girls share their loves.  This book can spark many discussions about reading, adventure, and friendship.  We hope you enjoy meeting our new friends, Lily and Milly!


*Are you more like Lily or Milly?
*What do Lily and Milly discover?
*What do you think they wrote about in their book?

Monday, June 18, 2012

In The Meadow




In the Meadow, by Yukiko Kato, gently tells the story of a little girl chasing a butterfly near a river who then ends up being in a meadow all by herself.  The author uses just the right descriptive words so the reader/listener can identify with the child’s feelings.  The little girl is interested in nature around her yet realizes she’s wandered away from her parents.  The story ends with the reassurance that the mother joins the little girl and they return to the river. 


*Which part of the meadow was your favorite?
*How do you think the little girl felt when she was alone?
*What did the little girl learn?

Thursday, June 14, 2012

Dance Me, Daddy




Dance Me, Daddy is one of the most read books in our home. Cindy Morgan, the author, based this story on the song, “King of the World.”  An accompanying CD contains the story along with the song, “King of the World” sung by Point of Grace.  The poignant story (along with the rhymes and colorful illustrations by Philemena O’Neill) reminds parents of the fleeting nature of childhood.  Daughters love hearing the story because of its story of the special relationship a Daddy and his little girl have.   We never tire of reading and hearing this story.  This book is a great gift for Father’s Day or for a new Father upon the birth of his daughter.  We hope you enjoy it as much as we do.


*What is your favorite thing about this book?
*How does the Daddy in this book remind you of your Daddy?
*How does the Daddy show his daughter he loves her?

Wednesday, June 13, 2012

Happy Father's Day




Happy Father’s Day, by Mercer Mayer, continues the Mercer Mayer tradition of appealing critters and their antics.  This book shows different ways that Little Critter and Little Sister strive to show their love for their Father.  An added feature of this book is the lift the flaps on each spread that reveal a surprise.  This is just a fun book for children to read with their dads.


*Which lift the flap surprised you the most?
*What do you think is the funniest thing in this book?
*What are you going to do for your Daddy on Father’s Day?

Tuesday, June 12, 2012

I Love You, Daddy




I Love You, Daddy, by Jillian Harker, is a special book about a Daddy Bear’s belief that his cub, Little Bear, is able to achieve new skills with his father’s help.  Little Bear is continually encouraged by Daddy Bear as he accomplishes each task.  Little Bear responds to his Daddy by expressing the thought that he loves his Daddy.  This book with its lessons for fathers and children is a great reminder of the influence of one’s parents in believing in oneself.  This would be a great present for Dads on Father’s Day.


*What animals are watching Daddy Bear and Little Bear as they go through the story?
*What’s your favorite thing that Little Bear learns to do?
*What would you like your Daddy to teach you?

Monday, June 11, 2012

I Love You, Daddy!




I Love You, Daddy!, by Edie Evans, is a Little Golden book written in rhyme and filled with fun adventures with fathers.  This book makes a great gift for fathers from young children.  It can be a great spark to planning your own family adventures.  Enjoy!



*Which activity looks like the most fun to you?
*Can you hear some rhyming words?
*What activity you like to do with your Daddy would you add to this book?

Thursday, June 7, 2012

Daddy Hugs




Karen Katz creates another beautiful board book in Daddy Hugs.  Her colorful illustrations are used as a Daddy lists ten kinds of hugs he loves to give Baby.  This is a perfect book to share with very young children who enjoy board books.  This book has been a favorite in our home for many years.  Happy Father’s Day!


*Can you count with the book?
*Point to your favorite picture.
*Can you hug Daddy?

Tuesday, June 5, 2012

Little Loon and Papa




Little Loon and Papa, by Toni Buzzeo and illustrated by Margaret Spengler, is a heart-warming story about a papa loon and his son.  The colorful illustrations and adventures of grab children’s attention as Little Loon learns to dive.  When Little Loon meets other animals the reader/listener can guess what the animal is by the word and picture clues.  There are many good lessons about timidity, perseverance, and love that can be learned from this story.  The love between Papa and Little Loon is very evident.  This is a great story for Father’s Day!


*Which adventure did you like best?
*Can you make the sounds that Little Loon did?
*What do you think Little Loon learned?