"It's a safe bet that in random high schools all over the United States, some kid has just set the bathroom wastebasket on fire. And deep down, all of us know why."
It is the "why" that prompted the non-profit organization, What Kids Can Do, Inc., to seek writer and researcher (author) Kathleen Cushman to gather teenagers' advice for an audience of teachers and adults who make decisions regarding education. Collectively, they were looking for a way to help relieve the "anonymity and captivity" that even the best high schools can convey.
Has anyone ever asked you questions like this before?
was the question posed by researcher Kathleen Cushman as she concluded her work with the forty youth from New York, Providence, and the San Francisco Bay Area. Sadly, all twenty shook their heads "no." To me, that is too appalling for words. For the prime responsiblity of all teachers should be first and foremost to care for their students - to forge a kind of bond that inspires learning.
Fires in the Bathroom is the best - and most promising - book I have purchased in a while for professional development. As research shows, sixty percent of teachers leave the profession in the first three to five years never to return. However, with adequate support, safety, and the ability to build community, teachers can thrive. Fires is just the book to illustrate the need to turn the tables upside down in the modern classroom. The advice in the book aims to enhance a teacher's ability to pay close attention to what students say, "whether they speak through words or actions."
If you are a teacher, or a parent, this book is a must-read. And, now that I think about it... church youth leaders across the nation must read it too.
Saturday, July 26, 2008
Monday, April 14, 2008
Baker's Weekly Read-Raves and Food-Faves
Jamberries
Mom-berry, Baker-berry, cookin' in the kitchen-ary. Stir berries, whip berries, mixin' up the Jamberries. Cookin' in the kitchen is one of Baker's favorite activities, and I try to tie the cooking to books as Baker so adores his food (toddlers need to develop a fond emotional bond with books). Today we brought out the blender and splattered only one wall. Unfortunately, as we are city-dwellers, we didn't get to pick our berries from bushes as did Jamberry author Bruce Degen as a child.
Jamberries
One cup rice milk
One cup frozen strawberries
Half cup frozen blueberries
One banana
Two scoops of frozen Vanilla Rice Cream
More rice milk as needed for desired consistency
Whip it up. Celebrate everything good. And, of course, read more books!
Baker's Picks-of-the-Week
Llama Llama Red Pajama by Anna Dewdney - A humorous look at pre-schooler fear. Lots of llama melodrama when little llama goes to bed then calls his mama, but mama llama gets distracted by a phone call. A+++++
Grumpy Bird by Jeremy Tankard - I am not a morning gal so I relate to little Grumpy Bird who wakes up on the wrong side of the bed. An army of friends appear to support their maligned friend who eventually can't resist reciprocating the joys of companionship. New book. A+++++
Bark, George by Jules Feiffer - We laughed out loud at this VERY FUNNY toddler book about a "sick" dog who can't bark and his much-chagrined mother. Instead George moos, oinks, meows, and says "hello." The vet has the obvious answer. Hilarious. A+++++
Go To Bed, Monster! by Natasha Wing - Little Lucy's crayon creation keeps her up late. Too late. A reversal of a parent's bedtime battle where a child experiences the adult bedtime role and must get Monster to sleep. Loved the crayon-created illustrations. New book. Another A+++++
Jazzmatazz! by Stephanie Calmenson - A toe-tappin' and knee slappin' kind of book. A piano-playing mouse sneaks into the house, and with musical pets, a dancing baby, and eye-poppin' pictures has a jazzmatazz time. Enjoy this new picture book too!
cha-cha-chimps by Julia Durango - Another book with serious rhythym and rhyme. Ten kid-chimps sneak out late to celebrate in their "boogie-woogie pants" doing the cha-cha-cha. Their dance party comes to an abrupt end when ma-ma-ma finds them dancing (and teaching counting) in the moonlight. Another great choice.
Mom-berry, Baker-berry, cookin' in the kitchen-ary. Stir berries, whip berries, mixin' up the Jamberries. Cookin' in the kitchen is one of Baker's favorite activities, and I try to tie the cooking to books as Baker so adores his food (toddlers need to develop a fond emotional bond with books). Today we brought out the blender and splattered only one wall. Unfortunately, as we are city-dwellers, we didn't get to pick our berries from bushes as did Jamberry author Bruce Degen as a child.
Jamberries
One cup rice milk
One cup frozen strawberries
Half cup frozen blueberries
One banana
Two scoops of frozen Vanilla Rice Cream
More rice milk as needed for desired consistency
Whip it up. Celebrate everything good. And, of course, read more books!
Baker's Picks-of-the-Week
Llama Llama Red Pajama by Anna Dewdney - A humorous look at pre-schooler fear. Lots of llama melodrama when little llama goes to bed then calls his mama, but mama llama gets distracted by a phone call. A+++++
Grumpy Bird by Jeremy Tankard - I am not a morning gal so I relate to little Grumpy Bird who wakes up on the wrong side of the bed. An army of friends appear to support their maligned friend who eventually can't resist reciprocating the joys of companionship. New book. A+++++
Bark, George by Jules Feiffer - We laughed out loud at this VERY FUNNY toddler book about a "sick" dog who can't bark and his much-chagrined mother. Instead George moos, oinks, meows, and says "hello." The vet has the obvious answer. Hilarious. A+++++
Go To Bed, Monster! by Natasha Wing - Little Lucy's crayon creation keeps her up late. Too late. A reversal of a parent's bedtime battle where a child experiences the adult bedtime role and must get Monster to sleep. Loved the crayon-created illustrations. New book. Another A+++++
Jazzmatazz! by Stephanie Calmenson - A toe-tappin' and knee slappin' kind of book. A piano-playing mouse sneaks into the house, and with musical pets, a dancing baby, and eye-poppin' pictures has a jazzmatazz time. Enjoy this new picture book too!
cha-cha-chimps by Julia Durango - Another book with serious rhythym and rhyme. Ten kid-chimps sneak out late to celebrate in their "boogie-woogie pants" doing the cha-cha-cha. Their dance party comes to an abrupt end when ma-ma-ma finds them dancing (and teaching counting) in the moonlight. Another great choice.
Sunday, March 30, 2008
"Best Of" Poetry Books
Of the many poetry books now off my nightstand, only these two emerged as favorites. Interestingly, both contain the same refreshing William Carlos Williams poem. Go get 'em and find it!
This Is Just to Say - Poems of Apology and Forgiveness by Joyce Sidman rocked from the introduction, which must not be skipped as you start into the book. "Because of this book... a bad thing that was going to happen didn't. And a mystery was solved." These words had me wondering and wanting more from the get-go introduction by Anthony K., Editor, a member of a fictional sixth-grade class that writes "sorry" poems and sends them. Recipients write back poems of their own. Some say "I forgive you." Others do not. The touching human connections shown by the failures and forgiveness reminded me once again of the power of acceptance... and how much relationships matter. I bet this book inspires classroom writing projects across the nation. Author Joyce Sidman, an honored children's poet and author, has outstanding teaching resources available for parents, teachers, and librarians on her website. If you want to share great books that teach life lessons to kids in a fun way they "get," don't miss this book. Do not.
Classically beautiful in verse and image, A Family of Poems - My Favorite Poetry For Children is a collection with introductions and comments by Caroline Kennedy of "more than one hundred poems, from five continents, illuminated with sumptuous watercolors by Jon J. Muth..." and organized "into sections that reflect a child's world -- About Me; That's So Silly!; Animals; The Seasons; The Seashore; Adventure; Bedtime..." From poet's heart to child's heart, these poems inspire, instruct, delight, soothe, and ignite the human spirit. Poetry has the power to unite and the power to bring peace -- and sharing this book page by stunning page with your child is sure to make a lifetime impact. A must-have for every parent's bookshelf."If our parents read to us as children, we remember the closeness of the moments together, the sound and power of voice and expression, the sense of wonder that a poem inspires." - Caroline Kennedy
This Is Just to Say - Poems of Apology and Forgiveness by Joyce Sidman rocked from the introduction, which must not be skipped as you start into the book. "Because of this book... a bad thing that was going to happen didn't. And a mystery was solved." These words had me wondering and wanting more from the get-go introduction by Anthony K., Editor, a member of a fictional sixth-grade class that writes "sorry" poems and sends them. Recipients write back poems of their own. Some say "I forgive you." Others do not. The touching human connections shown by the failures and forgiveness reminded me once again of the power of acceptance... and how much relationships matter. I bet this book inspires classroom writing projects across the nation. Author Joyce Sidman, an honored children's poet and author, has outstanding teaching resources available for parents, teachers, and librarians on her website. If you want to share great books that teach life lessons to kids in a fun way they "get," don't miss this book. Do not.
Friday, March 28, 2008
Baker's Weekly Read-Raves and Food-Faves
Baker stashed two books in his diaper bag to take to grandma's -- his current by-far-favorite reads: Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus by Mo Willems and Sam's Cookie by Barbro Lindgren. Both books promote reader-toddler interaction and appeal directly to the wide range of terrific and terrible toddler emotions. WILL check out more Sam books next week. Another book meriting "read George again" is Bark, George with text and outstanding pictures by Jules Feiffer -- just read it three times through with both boys, giggling the whole time. A definite purchase for our collection.
As do many two's, Baker loves Elmo. So, when he saw C is for Cooking: Recipes From the Street by Susan McQuillan, R.D. at the bookstore this week, he had to have it for his own. Being the weak-in-the-knees mom that I am when my toddler asks nicely, "Peees?" we went home with the book ($16.95). Written by a registered dietician, the recipes are healthy, varied, and many, many making this cookbook the only one you need for a few fantastic years of cooking (and bonding) with your toddler/preschooler. The proud and triumphant look on Baker's face when we sat down to eat Zoe's Bowtie Salad with Tuna & Veggies: Priceless.
At our house, food time is family time. Cooking together with your toddler: 1) promotes eye-hand coordination, and fine motor, math, science, and literacy skills 2) helps children learn to plan ahead and clean up 3) piques a child's curiousity and willingness to try new, healthful foods and 4) is just the kind of plain ol' fun that brings parents and children together. Baker's next pick: Rosita's Tortilla Soup with "abocabo."
As do many two's, Baker loves Elmo. So, when he saw C is for Cooking: Recipes From the Street by Susan McQuillan, R.D. at the bookstore this week, he had to have it for his own. Being the weak-in-the-knees mom that I am when my toddler asks nicely, "Peees?" we went home with the book ($16.95). Written by a registered dietician, the recipes are healthy, varied, and many, many making this cookbook the only one you need for a few fantastic years of cooking (and bonding) with your toddler/preschooler. The proud and triumphant look on Baker's face when we sat down to eat Zoe's Bowtie Salad with Tuna & Veggies: Priceless.
At our house, food time is family time. Cooking together with your toddler: 1) promotes eye-hand coordination, and fine motor, math, science, and literacy skills 2) helps children learn to plan ahead and clean up 3) piques a child's curiousity and willingness to try new, healthful foods and 4) is just the kind of plain ol' fun that brings parents and children together. Baker's next pick: Rosita's Tortilla Soup with "abocabo."
Braxton's Bookshelf
Bright Star, Black Dawn by Scott O'Dell
Just finished, and he loved the "adventure and suspense." Braxton says the book is about "a young girl who enters the Iditarod race because her dad got hurt." Favorite happening? "She ran into three moose on the trail. A moose can kill a dog, or a person, just like that!" (Earned a 4-star Braxton rating)
A nod to Braxton's gifted education teacher for introducing our family to the annual Alaskan Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race -- more than a race really, a national symbol of the triumph of human endeavor and spirit and a commemoration of the last American frontier. Gary Paulsen is one of my all-time favorite children's book authors and has "been there, done that" when it comes to all things Iditarod. My personal favorite Paulsen book coming from his dog-sled race days is Woodsong, but he has also written Dogsong, Dogteam, and My Life in Dog Years. Check out this all-inclusive Iditarod book list. If only I could figure out how to get paid to read!
The Spiderwick Chronicles by Tony DiTerlizzi and Holly Black (Books 1 - 5 and Beyond)
A fantastical world (think faeries, trolls, goblins, and a shape-shifter who makes chaos) of good and evil - with evil defeated in the end... or is it? Loved the last two lines of Book 5, "Because knowledge is good.... Just beware how you use it." Next stop... the movie. (A full 5-star Braxton rating!)
Currently Reading: Swindle by Gordon Korman
Young Griffin Bing is conned out of his most valuable collectible baseball card, and then seeks justice with his band of friends. Not sure yet how it ends... and not sure you want us to tell you anyway.
Just finished, and he loved the "adventure and suspense." Braxton says the book is about "a young girl who enters the Iditarod race because her dad got hurt." Favorite happening? "She ran into three moose on the trail. A moose can kill a dog, or a person, just like that!" (Earned a 4-star Braxton rating)
A nod to Braxton's gifted education teacher for introducing our family to the annual Alaskan Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race -- more than a race really, a national symbol of the triumph of human endeavor and spirit and a commemoration of the last American frontier. Gary Paulsen is one of my all-time favorite children's book authors and has "been there, done that" when it comes to all things Iditarod. My personal favorite Paulsen book coming from his dog-sled race days is Woodsong, but he has also written Dogsong, Dogteam, and My Life in Dog Years. Check out this all-inclusive Iditarod book list. If only I could figure out how to get paid to read!
The Spiderwick Chronicles by Tony DiTerlizzi and Holly Black (Books 1 - 5 and Beyond)
A fantastical world (think faeries, trolls, goblins, and a shape-shifter who makes chaos) of good and evil - with evil defeated in the end... or is it? Loved the last two lines of Book 5, "Because knowledge is good.... Just beware how you use it." Next stop... the movie. (A full 5-star Braxton rating!)
Currently Reading: Swindle by Gordon Korman
Young Griffin Bing is conned out of his most valuable collectible baseball card, and then seeks justice with his band of friends. Not sure yet how it ends... and not sure you want us to tell you anyway.
Tuesday, March 25, 2008
Shelley's Current Reads (Just For Me)
On My Nightstand, In My Bookbag, Stashed In My Minivan
Piles O' Poems
A Family of Poems, by Caroline Kennedy
My Dog May Be A Genius, by Jack Prelutsky
Don't Bump the Glump! and Other Fantasies by Shel Silverstein
This Is Just To Say - Poems of Apology and Forgiveness by Joyce Sidman
Here's a Little Poem: A Very First Book of Poetry by Jane Yolen and Andrew Fusek Peters
Professional Growth
adolescent LITERACY Turning Promise into Practice, Kylene Beers, Robert E. Probst, and Linda Rief, editors. Top literacy leaders speak out together. So far, this is the most phenomenal book I have read on the topic. A must-read for secondary teachers. Powerful.
Classroom Instruction that Works - Research-Based Strategies For Increasing Student Achievement by Robert J. Marzano, Debra J. Pickering, and Jane E. Pollock. Realizing as I read how my classroom was truly a place of learning. Now I have the research to back up much of what I did. Hooray.
The Speed of Trust - The One Thing That Changes Everything by Stephen M.R. Covey. Much-needed re-read right now in my life, personally and professionally. Every organization that serves people, especially children, could only be so lucky as to have a leader who makes this book required reading for all.
A New Earth - Awakening to Your Life's Purpose by Eckhart Tolle. Just curious. So far, while I don't agree with everything spiritually, I do agree with the fundamental human aspects psychologically and emotionally speaking. Tolle has some great things to share about humans and their nature. (I was very curious.)
Dinner with a Perfect Stranger - An Invitation Worth Considering by David Gregory.
Genius DENIED - How To Stop Wasting Our Brightest Young Minds by Jan and Bob Davidson with Laura Vanderkam. Multiple gifted personalities in the family. Extra support required!
Just For Fun
Change of Heart, by Jodi Picoult. Have read every one of her books... except this one.
Sahara Special, by Esme Raji Codell. My first read of Codell's youth fiction. Just picked it up today, special-order!
Piles O' Poems
A Family of Poems, by Caroline Kennedy
My Dog May Be A Genius, by Jack Prelutsky
Don't Bump the Glump! and Other Fantasies by Shel Silverstein
This Is Just To Say - Poems of Apology and Forgiveness by Joyce Sidman
Here's a Little Poem: A Very First Book of Poetry by Jane Yolen and Andrew Fusek Peters
Professional Growth
adolescent LITERACY Turning Promise into Practice, Kylene Beers, Robert E. Probst, and Linda Rief, editors. Top literacy leaders speak out together. So far, this is the most phenomenal book I have read on the topic. A must-read for secondary teachers. Powerful.
Classroom Instruction that Works - Research-Based Strategies For Increasing Student Achievement by Robert J. Marzano, Debra J. Pickering, and Jane E. Pollock. Realizing as I read how my classroom was truly a place of learning. Now I have the research to back up much of what I did. Hooray.
The Speed of Trust - The One Thing That Changes Everything by Stephen M.R. Covey. Much-needed re-read right now in my life, personally and professionally. Every organization that serves people, especially children, could only be so lucky as to have a leader who makes this book required reading for all.
A New Earth - Awakening to Your Life's Purpose by Eckhart Tolle. Just curious. So far, while I don't agree with everything spiritually, I do agree with the fundamental human aspects psychologically and emotionally speaking. Tolle has some great things to share about humans and their nature. (I was very curious.)
Dinner with a Perfect Stranger - An Invitation Worth Considering by David Gregory.
Genius DENIED - How To Stop Wasting Our Brightest Young Minds by Jan and Bob Davidson with Laura Vanderkam. Multiple gifted personalities in the family. Extra support required!
Just For Fun
Change of Heart, by Jodi Picoult. Have read every one of her books... except this one.
Sahara Special, by Esme Raji Codell. My first read of Codell's youth fiction. Just picked it up today, special-order!
PlanetEsme Picks: 2007 Index
A Woman Who Gets It!
With the help of books,
With the help of books,
Esme Raji Codell"...even when schools fail, children don't have to."
Besides being a mom, Esme Raji Codell is a teacher, librarian, children's book author, "certified readiologist" -- and also a woman who "gets it" when it comes to reading and kids. I have followed her work since the beginning of my teaching career -- literally -- as I didn't consider becoming a teacher until I read an article she wrote for Reader's Digest in something like 1985(?) when I was a senior in high school. She detailed her first year of teaching, also chronicled in her memoir, Educating Esme: Diary of a Teacher's First Year -- an inspiration and fantastic read for anyone considering education or who just loves sharing good books with kids. I, like her, believe books (and empowering literacy) can save America's youth and, therefore, our future.
Filed on her PlanetEsme Book-A-Day Blog just this weekend you can find her 2007 index of best new children's books. I adore her thematic and categorical book lists and making-reading-fun ideas. When I visit, I find myself drowning in ideas, saved only by my ability to locate something awesome to try with my kids or my students quickly as her site is super-organized. Her Planet Esme website has worlds, even a universe, to explore when it comes to sharing books. Take a look, you will not be disappointed. For now, see her PlanetEsme Picks: 2007 Index.Monday, March 24, 2008
Three-Dog Night
Even though we are literally a single-dog family (sorry Mo), tonight was figuratively a three-dog reading night. We fetched two brand new picture books about dogs from the library this week prompting the boys to dig up the timeless Sandra Boynton book, Doggies - A Counting and Barking Book, for our two-year-old.
Parents will find The Hound from the Pound by Jessica Swaim (illus. by Jill McElmurry) a perfect choice for for lil' dudes who love dogs as well as princesses who love pink. Narrated in cavorting rhymed-and-timed verse, the book tells a tale of love at first sight. Miss Mary falls hard for a blue basset hound she finds at the pound. When she quickly discovers she's made "an arf-ul mistake," she is rescued by Sam who saves her dog-day. Kids will love the greyhounds and huskies, dalmations and pugs, sheepdogs and schnauzers, bulldogs and pups (couldn't resist adding a little of my own verse after reading) and the pink poodle-riffic, fairy-tale ending. This book is a blue-ribbon winner in any dog-lovin' house.
A few years ago city officials built an official dog park outside our local library. At the time, I joked to my kids that it was a Bark Park -- also the title of a new book by Karen Gray Ruelle. Children's book authors rarely illustrate their own books, so I knew this one must be something special when I noticed that Ruelle was both writer and illustrator. Ruelle writes in the back of the book how this children's book idea sprang from art she exhibited in SoHo, New York City, comprised of painted and cut-out watercolor dogs, and clay dog puppets ("The Dog Days of Summer") and also from her visits to Tompkins Square Park's dog run in the City. If your child delights in dogs, or dog park visits, he or she will love the rollicking descriptions of the dogs at the Bark Park.
llustrated doggies galore pepper the pages of all three books and will send your little ones running for art supplies and paper. Enjoy.
Parents will find The Hound from the Pound by Jessica Swaim (illus. by Jill McElmurry) a perfect choice for for lil' dudes who love dogs as well as princesses who love pink. Narrated in cavorting rhymed-and-timed verse, the book tells a tale of love at first sight. Miss Mary falls hard for a blue basset hound she finds at the pound. When she quickly discovers she's made "an arf-ul mistake," she is rescued by Sam who saves her dog-day. Kids will love the greyhounds and huskies, dalmations and pugs, sheepdogs and schnauzers, bulldogs and pups (couldn't resist adding a little of my own verse after reading) and the pink poodle-riffic, fairy-tale ending. This book is a blue-ribbon winner in any dog-lovin' house.
A few years ago city officials built an official dog park outside our local library. At the time, I joked to my kids that it was a Bark Park -- also the title of a new book by Karen Gray Ruelle. Children's book authors rarely illustrate their own books, so I knew this one must be something special when I noticed that Ruelle was both writer and illustrator. Ruelle writes in the back of the book how this children's book idea sprang from art she exhibited in SoHo, New York City, comprised of painted and cut-out watercolor dogs, and clay dog puppets ("The Dog Days of Summer") and also from her visits to Tompkins Square Park's dog run in the City. If your child delights in dogs, or dog park visits, he or she will love the rollicking descriptions of the dogs at the Bark Park.
llustrated doggies galore pepper the pages of all three books and will send your little ones running for art supplies and paper. Enjoy.
A Few More Faves for Little Babes
Here are more fabulous books for newborns to 2-years
(tried, tested, and true!):
Best books for babies have -
1) rhythm and rhyme to their words and sounds.
2) surprise elements (such as peek-a-boo flaps).
2) bright, high-contrast, illustrations or simple photos.
1) My babies loved the sounds of these books:
Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? by Bill Martin Jr. (illus. by Erik Carle)
Polar Bear, Polar Bear, What Do You Hear? by Bill Martin Jr. (illus. by Erik Carle)
Sheep in a Jeep by Nancy Shaw (a mommy's favorite)
Five Little Monkeys Sitting in a Tree by Eileen Christelow
Five Little Monkeys Jumping on the Bed by Eileen Christelow
Where is Your Nose? by Laura Rader
Jamberry by Bruce Degen (a mommy's favorite)
Anything by Dr. Suess - Baker loved ABC - An Amazing Alphabet Book and Go Dog! Go!
The Itsy Bitsy Spider by Iza Trapani (a mommy's favorite)
Wheels On The Bus illustrated by Sylvie Kantorovitz Wickstrom
Nursery Songs illustrated by Tracey Moroney (from the bargain book table from the bookseller)
Any nursery rhymes/songs
2) My babies loved to feel, play, clap, and lift-the-flap (surprise!) with these books:
Bathtime Peekaboo! (and other Peekaboo books in this series) by DK Publishing.
Where Is Baby's Belly Button? by Karen Katz (and others in her lift-the-flap series).
Touch and Feel Farm (and other Touch and Feel books in this series) by DK Publishing.
Spot Goes to the Farm (and other Spot flap books) by Eric Hill
Peek-A-Boo Jungle illustrated by Francesca Ferri (Barron's Publishing)
Biscuit by Alyssa Satin Capucilli (mommy's favorite bedtime story, Baker's too - feel the soft
Biscuit/hear the repetition/laugh as baby grows to understand the tactics!)
Where's the Bone? by Manhattan Baby (a soft, stuffed book with a hideable bone-on-a-string)
3) My babies loved to look at these books:
first words bright baby series
trucks bright baby series
animals bright baby series
Mommy's and Baker's Favorites - Any title by amazing babyTM, Silver Dolphin Books
(for more great books for new babies, see immediately-previous post)
When choosing best books for your baby remember:
1) sound.
2) surprise!
3) sight.
(tried, tested, and true!):
Best books for babies have -
1) rhythm and rhyme to their words and sounds.
2) surprise elements (such as peek-a-boo flaps).
2) bright, high-contrast, illustrations or simple photos.
1) My babies loved the sounds of these books:
Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? by Bill Martin Jr. (illus. by Erik Carle)
Polar Bear, Polar Bear, What Do You Hear? by Bill Martin Jr. (illus. by Erik Carle)
Sheep in a Jeep by Nancy Shaw (a mommy's favorite)
Five Little Monkeys Sitting in a Tree by Eileen Christelow
Five Little Monkeys Jumping on the Bed by Eileen Christelow
Where is Your Nose? by Laura Rader
Jamberry by Bruce Degen (a mommy's favorite)
Anything by Dr. Suess - Baker loved ABC - An Amazing Alphabet Book and Go Dog! Go!
The Itsy Bitsy Spider by Iza Trapani (a mommy's favorite)
Wheels On The Bus illustrated by Sylvie Kantorovitz Wickstrom
Nursery Songs illustrated by Tracey Moroney (from the bargain book table from the bookseller)
Any nursery rhymes/songs
2) My babies loved to feel, play, clap, and lift-the-flap (surprise!) with these books:
Bathtime Peekaboo! (and other Peekaboo books in this series) by DK Publishing.
Where Is Baby's Belly Button? by Karen Katz (and others in her lift-the-flap series).
Touch and Feel Farm (and other Touch and Feel books in this series) by DK Publishing.
Spot Goes to the Farm (and other Spot flap books) by Eric Hill
Peek-A-Boo Jungle illustrated by Francesca Ferri (Barron's Publishing)
Biscuit by Alyssa Satin Capucilli (mommy's favorite bedtime story, Baker's too - feel the soft
Biscuit/hear the repetition/laugh as baby grows to understand the tactics!)
Where's the Bone? by Manhattan Baby (a soft, stuffed book with a hideable bone-on-a-string)
3) My babies loved to look at these books:
first words bright baby series
trucks bright baby series
animals bright baby series
Mommy's and Baker's Favorites - Any title by amazing babyTM, Silver Dolphin Books
(for more great books for new babies, see immediately-previous post)
When choosing best books for your baby remember:
1) sound.
2) surprise!
3) sight.
Friday, March 21, 2008
Help Your Newborn/Infant Love Books and Reading
1) Repeat, Repeat, Repeat.
Start early and your child will love books. Introduce a few books as soon as your newborn is eating and sleeping well and within the first few weeks of birth. (Actually, I read aloud to my babies while they were still inside!) Choose a simple board book with high contrast pictures and simple text. Read it. Read it again. And again. Babies love routines and predictable, positive emotional patterns.
2) Interact, Interact, Interact.
A favorite, and visually stunning, early board book at our house was twinkle, twinkle! from the amazing baby series. At two, my littlest still clutches the book tightly, giving it hugs and kisses, and asking me to read it, once again. We always clap heartily at the end in celebration. The classic sing-song rhyme is one of his favorites… and who can resist a quick just-before-bed foray outside to gaze at the night stars in the darkness to sing it again together?
3) Bend. Pull. Chew.
Make a few board books part of baby’s earliest toy basket, and carry one or two in your diaper bag. Let baby bend, chew, pull-on, and play with the sturdy books, but beware the tenacious lil’ gummer who can actually eat the pages – you don’t want him to choke! Baby needs to feel and learn with all of his senses now; you can teach him to care properly for books when he is older.
4) Always Think: “Positive Experience.” Always Relax. Always Follow Baby’s Lead.
Baby’s associations with books must be positive during the first years of rapid physical brain development for a healthy emotional attachment to develop with books (and you!). Be patient. Smile. Play. Let baby hear your soothing or playful voice and words. Notice what baby is interested in and respond. Baby needs to associate a relaxed and happy feeling with books, not tension or fear, so choose a time when baby is alert and rested and you are relaxed and happy. Let baby pay attention and interact as he desires as a few moments shared happily is far better than more minutes of misery. Your job as parent is to patiently and lovingly offer books to your child’s happy world.
5) Buy a Few Great Board Books.
While our local library has a large selection of board books, I found it best to buy a few of baby’s favorites to read again and again. In addition, I checked out a few new books each week from the library for variety to complement our regular collection.
Features of Bes Books For Babies Under Age 1 –
Large photos of babies and baby faces.
Simple, large, bright pictures.
Very few words, or even one word, per page.
Familiar animals such as dogs, cats, birds, and fish.
Familiar items such as bottles, bathtubs, blankets, bears, books, and binkies.
Sound words such as “moo,” “baa-baa,” or “beep-beep.”
Rosas-Baby Board Book Faves That Earned Mini-Raves -
Good Night, Baby! (Funfax, DK Publishing)
Good Morning, Baby! (Funfax, DK Publishing)
Baby Faces (DK Publishing)
Baby Animals Black and White by Phyllis Limbacher Tildes
You Are My Perfect Baby by Joyce Carol Thomas
Show Me! by Tom Tracy
twinkle, twinkle!, clever color!, and five fish! by amazing babyTM
Moo, Baa, La, La, La by author Sandra Boynton (anything by Sandra Boynton)
6) Read. Read. Read.
Get into a reading habit early. Follow the literacy link to Twenty Minutes of Your Day for author Rosemary Wells’ eloquent must-read essay (see also other must-reads: Read to Your Bunny and Children at Risk). When my babies were very young, I read my books (whatever I was reading at the time) to them out loud just so they could hear the language, my voice, and the patterns of prose. I read lengthy Winnie-the-Pooh books and oodles and schmoodles of everyone’s-favorite-Doctor. My babies cooed, ooooo-ed, wiggled, and giggled, at the sounds of the patterns and rhymes. Follow the literacy link to Vocabulary by Age Four to learn more about research for empowering your children by giving them words.
Two important key points to remember:
1) Help your baby happily explore and love books. Make positive emotional connections between baby and books.
2) Let your baby hear the lilt and sounds of your voice as you share words, words, and more words together.
What are you waiting for? Get that precious baby, cozy up, and read!
Thursday, March 20, 2008
I Love Guinea Pigs!
Seems an odd place to start, but here are three good kid-reads about… guinea pigs… and yes, these are what we happened to be reading at my house today…
Super Guinea Pig to the Rescue
Humorously bug-eyed from watching too much TV, the four pet friends in this book find out what it means to be REAL… and one regular guinea pig grows up and discovers what he sees on TV will never be as good as what he has sitting right beside him – loyal friends to the end! Super Guinea Pig to the Rescue by Udo Weigelt grabbed my kids’ attention with the adorably illustrated (by Nina Spranger) canary, goldfish, and hound dog – the one to save his friend in the end. The trio was challenged by their delightfully-deceived guinea friend’s delusion derived from the romanticized images of a superhero he saw on TV (that was, ironically, always on). 2007/Walker Publishing Company.
Oh, Theodore! Guinea Pig Poems
If guineas delight you or your kids as they endear themselves to me, you will love another new children’s book, Oh, Theodore! Guinea Pig Poems by Susan Katz. Actually, the title threw me as I was expecting a series of unrelated poems about guineas, but this book is really a lengthy character introduction to one special guinea, Theodore – told in a story-like sequence of short and individually-titled poems. Chubby and voluptuously fluffy, the new pet quickly becomes his owner’s beloved friend. Illustrated by Stacey Schuett/2007/Clarion Books.
I Love Guinea Pigs
Do I even need to say, “I Love Guinea Pigs” – which is also the title of the last book I will mention about the fabulously furry critters. Written by Dick King-Smith and deliciously illustrated by Anita Jeram who renders cuddly guineas of all shapes, sizes, and colors in ample amount – I counted more than thirty on the first three pages – this book is a purrrr-fect and simple introductory guide (yet looks and reads like a picture book) to keeping guinea pigs as pets. I kept guineas as a child and shared the wonder of this experience with my kids as well who also now have a place in their hearts for the perky pets with personality plus. 1994/Candlewick Press.
Super Guinea Pig to the Rescue
Humorously bug-eyed from watching too much TV, the four pet friends in this book find out what it means to be REAL… and one regular guinea pig grows up and discovers what he sees on TV will never be as good as what he has sitting right beside him – loyal friends to the end! Super Guinea Pig to the Rescue by Udo Weigelt grabbed my kids’ attention with the adorably illustrated (by Nina Spranger) canary, goldfish, and hound dog – the one to save his friend in the end. The trio was challenged by their delightfully-deceived guinea friend’s delusion derived from the romanticized images of a superhero he saw on TV (that was, ironically, always on). 2007/Walker Publishing Company.
Oh, Theodore! Guinea Pig Poems
If guineas delight you or your kids as they endear themselves to me, you will love another new children’s book, Oh, Theodore! Guinea Pig Poems by Susan Katz. Actually, the title threw me as I was expecting a series of unrelated poems about guineas, but this book is really a lengthy character introduction to one special guinea, Theodore – told in a story-like sequence of short and individually-titled poems. Chubby and voluptuously fluffy, the new pet quickly becomes his owner’s beloved friend. Illustrated by Stacey Schuett/2007/Clarion Books.
I Love Guinea Pigs
Do I even need to say, “I Love Guinea Pigs” – which is also the title of the last book I will mention about the fabulously furry critters. Written by Dick King-Smith and deliciously illustrated by Anita Jeram who renders cuddly guineas of all shapes, sizes, and colors in ample amount – I counted more than thirty on the first three pages – this book is a purrrr-fect and simple introductory guide (yet looks and reads like a picture book) to keeping guinea pigs as pets. I kept guineas as a child and shared the wonder of this experience with my kids as well who also now have a place in their hearts for the perky pets with personality plus. 1994/Candlewick Press.
My Wish. My Dream. My Journey.
My wish is for all children to have parents or caretakers who love, protect, and cherish them. I wish for parents who believe what solid scientific research shows: that reading every day – themselves and with their children – can help parents do exactly this. My dream is of a world where all caretakers of all children relish sharing the great and the small wonders and hopes of the world with young ones -- and the complex issues, myriad disappointments, and unstoppable tragedies, too, as children grow into tweens, then teens.
Literacy is power, my friend. For a graphic illustration of this point, read author Gary Paulsen’s very short quick-read novel Nightjohn aloud to your teen (no younger than 13) – this piece of historical fiction will painfully, and clearly, illustrate (to you and your teen) why reading is a civil right in the United States, lest we ever forget. As a mom, step-mom, and teacher, I want all of the children in my charge equally empowered to thrive and to pay it forward to others. As parents, caretakers, and teachers, we have the ability to share the immense power of children’s books, young adult literature, and even classics with our collective kids. The empowerment books provide our children is free for the taking. What is stopping you from sharing the unstoppable power of literacy with your child?
You only need two things to start this journey of empowerment: desire and a library card. Will you help your kids grow into emotionally, intellectually, and spiritually strong – and wonderfully unique – adults who can navigate our complex and emergent new world?
I challenge you to raise a reader – a child capable of conquering the ghosts and skeletons we risk passing down to them. A child capable of imagination and wonder. A child capable of love and empathy and compassion. A child capable of communicating effectively and problem-solving efficiently. A child capable of blessing and being blessed.
My mission is to help others see what I have discovered and am still uncovering every day – how reading (and loving) can revolutionize your relationship with your child and rock their world for the better.
This blog’s purpose is to motivate, encourage, and support you as caretakers and parents by sharing my heart-songs. Here you will find my daily discoveries and book-sharings, my musings, my realizations and a-ha moments, and most importantly, reading resources you can use with the children in your world.
Get ready to rock a child’s world and join me on my journey. With this blog now up and running… I can only say one thing… Whoooooo Hoooooo!
Literacy is power, my friend. For a graphic illustration of this point, read author Gary Paulsen’s very short quick-read novel Nightjohn aloud to your teen (no younger than 13) – this piece of historical fiction will painfully, and clearly, illustrate (to you and your teen) why reading is a civil right in the United States, lest we ever forget. As a mom, step-mom, and teacher, I want all of the children in my charge equally empowered to thrive and to pay it forward to others. As parents, caretakers, and teachers, we have the ability to share the immense power of children’s books, young adult literature, and even classics with our collective kids. The empowerment books provide our children is free for the taking. What is stopping you from sharing the unstoppable power of literacy with your child?
You only need two things to start this journey of empowerment: desire and a library card. Will you help your kids grow into emotionally, intellectually, and spiritually strong – and wonderfully unique – adults who can navigate our complex and emergent new world?
I challenge you to raise a reader – a child capable of conquering the ghosts and skeletons we risk passing down to them. A child capable of imagination and wonder. A child capable of love and empathy and compassion. A child capable of communicating effectively and problem-solving efficiently. A child capable of blessing and being blessed.
My mission is to help others see what I have discovered and am still uncovering every day – how reading (and loving) can revolutionize your relationship with your child and rock their world for the better.
This blog’s purpose is to motivate, encourage, and support you as caretakers and parents by sharing my heart-songs. Here you will find my daily discoveries and book-sharings, my musings, my realizations and a-ha moments, and most importantly, reading resources you can use with the children in your world.
Get ready to rock a child’s world and join me on my journey. With this blog now up and running… I can only say one thing… Whoooooo Hoooooo!
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