Book Nook Collections!

Source:  Pottery Barn Kids

We are always looking for inspiring book nooks!  Check out these six book nooks on the Pottery Barn Kids blog. Designed by six different bloggers, the book nooks use items from Pottery Barn Kids in fun ways. They are creative and sure to encourage reading!  Enjoy!

Each Kindness

Each Kindness, by Jacqueline Woodson and illustrated by E. B. Lewis, is a thought provoking book about how we treat others.  Geared for children, it also is a good read for all family members.  I think it’s a great book to read in the summer, or before school starts.  It would also be good re-read when a new student enters a child’s classroom.

Maya, a new girl to the class, is shunned by Chloe and her friends.  Told in first person by Chloe, Maya seems to be less fortunate than the other classmates.  Chloe repeatedly ignores Maya and her requests to join in.  On a day when Maya is not at school the teacher explains how kindness ripples out like a stone in water.  Sadly, Maya never returns to the school, so Chloe is left with her memories of not being kind to Maya.

This book is unforgettable.  It’s sure to be a great discussion starter in your family.  We hope you find this book to read and discuss with your child.

Question Collection:

*Have you ever felt like Maya?

*Have you ever treated anyone like Chloe treated Maya?

*What do you think Chloe learned?

*What do you think Chloe will do the next time a new student comes to her classroom?

Father's Day Books

Are you looking for some good Father's Day books to share with your children?  Check out these reviews for some of our choices.   

And, we think this looks like a fun gift for dads!  Grab a bag of M & Ms and a pipe cleaner to make a memory for Dad!

 Happy Father's Day!

Summer Learning Collection, Part 1

Happy Summer!  We hope that you are having fun playing and learning this summer.  Here are a few things around the web that we've found to have fun with reading:

Chuck E. Cheese Reward Calendars

These look great for those rainy days when the family is looking for some activity!  We like how you can choose a calendar based on your family.

Children's Book Choices, 2013

We found some great book choices in this compilation by the International Reading Association and the Children's Book Council.  If you scroll down to page 15 of their publication, you'll find a nice bookmark which can be cut out and taken with you as you visit your library and/or bookstores.  

Enjoy these sites as you look for more ways to enjoy your summer!

Why? The best ever question and answer book about nature, science, and the world around you

Why?  The best ever question and answer book about nature, science and the world around you, by Catherine Ripley and illustrated by Scot Ritchie, is a fun book to read and use for children’s questions. Questions that you may have heard are covered in this book.  The colorful illustrations add to the enjoyment of finding answers.  Here are examples of some of the kinds of questions that are found in the book:

Supermarket questions

  *Do the doors open by magic?

Nighttime questions

  *Why do stars twinkle?

Outdoor questions

  *Why do birds sing?

Kitchen questions

  *Why does popcorn pop?

Farm Animal questions

  *Why do pigs roll in the mud?

This is a great book for summer when you and your family might have more time to explore and read.  We recommend adding this to your home library so you can have a handy reference when any of those “Why?” questions pop up!  Have fun!