Muddy As A Duck Puddle

Muddy As A Duck Puddle and Other American Similes, by Laurie Lawloer and illustrated by Ethan Long, is a good resource to learn more about similes.  The book, done in an ABC format, gives examples of many similes.  They are very humorous and great conversation starters as you read the book with children.  There were some we had never heard of, while others were recognized.  One of the nicer features about this book is found at the conclusion of the book.  A thumbnail sketch of each page is accompanied by the place of origin of the simile and a brief explanation of the simile’s meaning.  Enjoy exploring similes!

Question Collection:

*What’s the funniest simile to you?

*Which ones had you heard?

*Which ones are new to you?

The Girl's Like Spaghetti

The Girl’s Like Spaghetti (Why You Can’t Manage Without Apostrophes!), by Lynne Truss and illustrated by Bonnie Timmons, is a great companion piece to Eats Shoots and Leaves.  The purpose of the book is readily seen in the way an apostrophe changes the meaning.  Side by side drawings accompany identically worded sentences that use apostrophes in different ways.  The drawings help children visualize how an apostrophe changes the meaning of a sentence.  The book is really quite humorous as you look at the sentences and pictures.  We think this book is a fun teaching resource!

Question Collection:

*What did you learn about apostrophes?

*Which one was your favorite example?

*Can you think of some sentences you could add to the book?

Only One You

Only One You, by Linda Kranz, is a unique book that tells a story revealing a family’s love.  The mother and father fish, depicted through painted rocks, prepare their child to go out into the world.  They share the wisdom they have found in their journey. Young children will enjoy looking at the creatively painted rocks.  Older children can use the book to think about life’s events.  Only One You would make a great gift to anyone starting on a journey in life!

Question Collection:

*Which rock painting is your favorite?

*Which piece of wisdom means the most to you?

*What piece of wisdom would you add?

How Mountains Are Made

How Mountains Are Made, by Kathleen Weidner Zoehfeld and illustrated by James Graham Hale, is a nonfiction book that uses elements of fiction to convey facts.  This method appeals to many children, drawing them in to learn. We enjoyed all of the details in this book.

The story begins with a group of children climbing a mountain who find a rock with the shape of a seashell in it.  This discovery leads to the book’s illustrations and explanations of how mountains are formed.  The large number of labeled illustrations is of great help in visualizing the process. 

We recommend this book if your child is studying geology or is interested in earth science.  It would also make a great book to take on a family vacation to the mountains.  We hope you enjoy learning from it!

Question Collection:

*What mountains have you seen?

*What did you learn about mountains?

*Which illustration could you explain in your own words?

Sunshine

Sunshine--A Book About Sunlight, by Josepha Sherman and illustrated by Jeff Yesh, is an easy to understand nonfiction book about sunlight.  The text and facts are presented in a kind-friendly format.  The main topics covered in the book are sunlight, moonlight, and rainbows.  A rainbow experiment, fast facts, and glossary are included to extend the concepts. 

Question Collection:

*What did you learn about sunlight?

*What did you learn about moonlight?

*What’s your favorite fact about sunlight?

Mother's Day Books

It's fun to have some books in your child's personal library about mothers.  Exploring books with your child can create so many insightful discussions into how your child perceives the world.  If you're looking for some specific books about mothers and children, check out our archives!

Happy Mother's Day!