Friday, December 18, 2015

Should I Share My Ice Cream?

FOR THE WEEKEND, share this fun title with your child! 

Should I Share My Ice Cream? is appropriate for children age 2-8.
1423143434

Summary:
In this Elephant & Piggie book from author and illustrator Mo Willems, Elephant Gerald struggles with the idea of sharing his ice cream with his best friend Piggie. Gerald realizes, after much contemplation, that sharing his ice cream cone with Piggie will make her happy, and is the right thing to do. In a dramatic twist, Gerald drops his ice cream cone. Continue reading to see what happens next.

Practice this Comprehension Strategy-Re-telling:
After you read Should I Share My Ice Cream? ask your child to take a turn and this time, they will tell the story to you. To help them get ready for re-telling ask question as you read through the story. Make note of what is happening on the pages, and of the decisions Gerald is making. Then when it is your child's turn, let them lead the way. Only prompt them if they ask or get stuck. You may end up hearing a very different story from the original, but that is okay!

Do this with your child:
Elephant Gerald has a tough decision to make in Should I Share My Ice Cream? He wants to eat his ice cream cone, but he also wants his friend Piggie to be happy. Ask your child about why it is important to share and to give. For an extra activity, help your child pick out some canned goods to donate to help make someone happy and bring them to a local drop off! 

If you're interested in sharing Should I Share My Ice Cream? with your child you can find it from Hyperion Books for Children here. Please follow them on Instagram and Twitter.

Find more from Mo Willems on his website and follow him on Twitter.

Friday, December 11, 2015

Tacky and the Winter Games

FOR THE WEEKEND, share this fun title with your child! 

Tacky and the Winter Games is appropriate for children age 3-8.



Summary:
Tacky the Penguin is a bit of a misfit among his fellow penguins. He never seems to do things quite like his friends. The same is true in Tacky and the Winter Games from author Helen Lester and illustrator Lynn Munsinger. The penguins from Nice Icy Land travel to compete in the winter games with Tacky in tow. He may not have the most conventional approach to the games but read to find out how Tacky helps get his team into first place in Tacky and the Winter Games.

Practice this Comprehension Strategy-Sequencing:
As you read Tacky and the Winter Games talk with your child, making a point to emphasize what the penguins are doing now. Once you have finished the story, practice sequencing, putting the stories events in order. Did the penguins of Nice Icy Land march to the games before they trained? Was the bobsled race before or after the relay race? If your child needs prompting, let them look through the pages to infer from the pictures in the story.

Do this with your child:
Tacky does some silly things in Tacky and the Winter Games from skiing on thawed fish skis to sleeping during sit-ups. Ask your child to pick their favorite thing that Tacky does in the story and draw a picture of it. They can also draw themselves doing the silly things with Tacky. 

If you're interested in sharing Tacky and the Winter Games with your child you can find it from Houghton Mifflin Company Books here. For more fun reads, please follow them on Twitter and like them on Facebook.


Limited Edition Ruby the Reader Ornament 


Purchase your very own holiday penguin ornament, Ruby the Reader. While Supplies Last! Support Raising A Reader through the purchase of this one-of-a-kind ornament by Christopher Radko. All Proceeds benefit Raising A Reader. Click here to order.

Friday, December 4, 2015

The Giving Tree

FOR THE WEEKEND, share this fun title with your child! 

With our bellies stuffed from Thanksgiving and our hearts filled with love and gratitude from spending time with family and friends, December is a great month for us to help our little ones think about and engage in acts of giving. From giving physical things to giving their time to help others, December often represents a time for all of us to stop and help those in need. 

This month, RAR will suggest titles for families to share together that focus on the Gift of Giving

The Giving Tree is appropriate for all ages.

Summary:
"Once there was a tree... and she loved a little boy." So begins a story of unforgettable perception, beautifully written and illustrated by the gifted and versatile Shel Silverstein. Every day the boy would come to the tree to eat her apples, swing from her branches, or slide down her trunk... and the tree was happy. But as the boy grew older he began to want more from the tree, and the tree gave and gave.

Practice this Comprehension Strategy-Use Context Clues to Make Inferences:
Before you read The Giving Tree take a picture walk through the book with your child. The simple illustrations provide room for your child to make inferences and guesses as to what each page might hold. Have your child tell you what they think might be happening on the page. Start with the actual picture, there may be a tree and a boy. Take it further by asking what the boy is doing. Is he climbing, playing, picking apples. Then, as a more complex step for older children, ask your child if the boy looks happy, sad, tired, older. Ask if the tree looks happy, lonely, sad, proud. 

Do this with your child:
The tree is willing to give the boy everything that she has. She loves the boy and it makes her happy to share with him. Help your child make a list of the people who give to them. Then make another list of ways that your child can be more giving. We don't have to give everything we have to help other people but think of some ways that we can help.

For access to fun and silly activities relating to The Giving Tree and other Shel Silverstein titles, check out his website here.

If you're interested in sharing The Giving Tree with your child you can find it from Harper Collins Publishers here. Please like them on Facebook and follow them on Twitter.


Limited Edition Ruby the Reader Ornament 


During the Season of Giving, support Raising A Reader through the purchase of this one-of-a-kind Ruby the Reader ornament by Christopher Radko. While Supplies Last! All Proceeds benefit Raising A Reader. Click here to order.

Thursday, November 26, 2015

Giving Thanks: A Native American Good Morning Message

HAPPY THANKSGIVING! 

CELEBRATE THANKSGIVING and share this fun title with your child! 

Giving Thanks: A Native American Good Morning Message is appropriate for children of all ages.
Main_large


Summary:
Greet the morning in Giving Thanks: A Native American Good Morning Message written by Chief Jake Swamp and illustrated by Erwin Printup, Jr. Every morning you can find yourself thankful for so many things surrounding you. This story takes you into the Thanksgiving Address, an ancient message of peace and appreciation of Mother Earth and all her inhabitants. The simple words combined with the bright and bold illustrations are an excellent reminder that we always have something to be thankful for.

Practice this Comprehension Strategy-Picture Walk:
Use the pictures on the pages of Giving Thanks: A Native American Good Morning Message to ask your child what they think each page holds. Every page offers something new to be thankful for. Before reading the words on the page, ask your child what they see. Then open the discussion further to why we might be thankful for these things. 

Do this with your child:
Giving Thanks: A Native American Good Morning Message opens the door for a discussion about being grateful. This story shows many of the things that we have to be thankful for. Talk with your child about what you are grateful for and then ask them what they are thankful for. Have them draw a picture of some of those things, be sure to help them write what their picture is of. Use lots of colors just like in the story.

If you're interested in sharing Giving Thanks: A Native American Good Morning Message with your child you can find it from Lee and Low Books. Follow them on Twitter and like them on Facebook!

To hear Chief Jake Swamp deliver the Thanksgiving Address click here.

Friday, November 20, 2015

My Brother Charlie

CELEBRATE FAMILY LITERACY MONTH! FOR THE WEEKEND, share this fun title with your child! 

My Brother Charlie is appropriate for children ages 4-8.
My Brother Charlie


Summary:

Every family is different, including the family in My Brother Charlie written by Holly Robinson Peete and her daughter Ryan Elizabeth Peete. Explore this story from Callie's perspective as she talks about her relationship with her twin brother Charlie. Charlie has autism, this means he thinks differently than lots of people. Callie tells about the things he enjoys and the things he doesn't. And even though Charlie doesn't always say I love you, Callie tells all the ways he shows it.   

Practice this Comprehension Strategy-Compare and Contrast:

After you read My Brother Charlie, make a list with your child of all the things they remember that Charlie and Callie are good at, as well as all of the things that they find hard. Then also do this for you and your child. It will help them to realize that every person is good at some things but not others. In this way they can relate to both Charlie and Callie. They will be able to see the similarities and differences in Charlie and Callie and relate that to their own life.

Do this with your child:

This beautiful book describes what it can be like to have a sibling, a friend, a child with autism. It is important to know that just because someone has a hard time sharing their feelings, that doesn't mean they don't have feelings at all. Talk with your child about some of the ways to be kind and inclusive, even if someone seems shy or different. 

If you're interested in sharing My Brother Charlie with your child you can find it from Scholastic Press New York here

To learn more about Holly Robinson Peete's foundation for Autism Awareness click HollyRod.
Last Day to enter our
NATIONAL FAMILY LITERACY MONTH CONTEST
for your chance to win!!

Raising A Reader is celebrating National Family Literacy Month! Join us by liking us on Facebook and posting your favorite book to share with your family, tagging @RARnational and #RaisingAReader.


Contest will run Nov. 16-22
2 winners per week will receive:
-RAR tote bag with 5 age appropriate books 

Friday, November 13, 2015

Read Me A Story, Stella

CELEBRATE FAMILY LITERACY MONTH! FOR THE WEEKEND, share this fun title with your child! 

Read Me A Story, Stella is appropriate for children age 2-8.
Read Me a Story, Stella


Summary:

Share a day filled with the adventures of Stella and her brother Sam in the joyful Read Me A Story, Stella written and illustrated by Marie-Louise Gay. Stella uses books and stories to help guide and enlighten Sam as his creativity and imagination lead them through the day. Together they spend the day building dog a dog house, finding a caterpillar and discovering shapes in the clouds. Marie-Louise Gay takes the reader on a whimsical journey as this adorable family shares in the joys of reading.

Practice this Comprehension Strategy-Picture Walk & Inferring:
Before you read Read Me A Story, Stella take a picture walk through the story. Look at the whimsical illustrations with your child and ask them what they are seeing on the pages. Can they practice inference and make any guesses as to what will be in the story? What characters do they see? What does it look like they're doing?

Do this with your child:
Stella and Sam have a day full of outdoor adventures. Take a little time out of your day to go outside with your child. Look around to see if your child can relate any of their surroundings to those in Read Me A Story, Stella. Can they find a caterpillar or a frog? Do they see any shapes in the clouds above them? 

If you're interested in sharing Read Me A Story, Stella with your child you can find it from Groundwood Books through House Of Ansani Press here. Please like them on Facebook and follow them on Twitter.

Find more from Marie-Louise Gay on her website and check out her suggested list of activities for Read Me A Story, Stella here.

Friday, November 6, 2015

Lola Reads to Leo

CELEBRATE FAMILY LITERACY MONTH! FOR THE WEEKEND, share this fun title with your child! 

Lola Reads To Leo is appropriate for children 2-6.
Lola Reads to Leo book cover image


Summary:
Lola Reads To Leo written by Anna McQuinn and illustrated by Rosalind Beardshaw is the sweet story of Lola welcoming her new baby brother Leo. She gets ready for his arrival by reading books with her mommy and daddy about brothers and sisters and by picking out which books she would like to give to him. When Leo does arrive, he cries a lot: in the bath, when he's hungry, when he's tired; and he keeps their mommy and daddy very busy. She helps her mommy and daddy by reading Leo stories when he cries. And even though her mommy and daddy are very busy with the new baby, they are never too busy to read Lola her own stories. 

Practice this Comprehension Strategy-Retelling:
As you read through Lola Reads to Leo, take time to ask your child questions about the details in the story. What is happening first, how does Lola get ready for the new baby, what happens when the baby arrives? Once you have read through the story, ask your child to read the story to you. Let them hold the book and turn the pages. If they stumble or seem to struggle give them a prompt but otherwise let them lead the way!

Do this with your child:
Lola loves books and seems to have one to address each of her baby brother's needs. If you have books at home, look through them with your child. See if they can find which ones might help baby Leo or see which ones they choose as their favorites! Make sure to ask them why.

If you're interested in sharing Lola Reads To Leo with your child you can find it from Charlesbrige Publishing here

Like author Anna McQuinn, illustrator Rosalind Beardshaw and publisher Charlesbridge Publishing on Facebook!



Today is the LAST DAY to enter our
  NATIONAL FAMILY LITERACY MONTH CONTEST
for your chance to win!!

Raising A Reader is celebrating National Family Literacy Month! Join us by liking us on Facebook and posting your favorite book to share with your family, tagging @RARnational and #RaisingAReader.


Contest will run Nov. 1-9
2 winners per week will receive:
-RAR tote bag with 5 age appropriate books 

Sunday, November 1, 2015

I Love My Pirate Papa

HAPPY NATIONAL FAMILY LITERACY DAY! 
For the entire month of November, Raising A Reader will highlight books that focus on families!

CELEBRATE FAMILY LITERACY MONTH and share this fun title with your child! 

I Love My Pirate Papa is appropriate for all children.
(Harcourt Children's Books, 2007)

Summary:
Even pirates read bedtime stories! In the charming story, I Love My Pirate Papa, a young boy takes us on a journey through his day as a pirate with his pirate papa. Together they hoist the anchor, discover hidden treasure, chow down on some grub and then his pirate papa tucks him in with his bedtime story. You and your child will adore he darling illustrations by Kyle M Stone and delight in the fun rhyming story written by Laura Leuck. 

Practice this Comprehension Strategy-Sequencing:
While you read I Love My Pirate Papa, ask your child to listen and watch the order of this pirate family's day. After you have ready through the story, pull out a few details and ask your child if they remember what order they happened. For example, did they eat stew before or after divvying up the treasure? This daily routine can be reflected in your child's own life. Does your child eat dinner before going to school? I Love My Pirate Papa provides an excellent opportunity to discuss sequencing and order within the story and within your child's own life.

Do this with your child:
What child doesn't love to be silly? If you're feeling adventurous, read I Love My Pirate Papa (or just parts of it) in your best pirate voice. Reading in different voices exposes your child to new experiences and can deepen their interest and engagement in the story. Ask your child to try out their best pirate voice too. Chance "arrrre" that there will be some serious giggling all around!

If you're interested in sharing I Love My Pirate Papa with your child you can find it from Houghton Mifflin Harcourt here and like them on Facebook.

Follow Kyle M. Stone on Tumblr.

Friday, October 30, 2015

Aaaarrgghh! Spider!

GET READY FOR HALLOWEEN! FOR THE WEEKEND, share this fun title with your child! 

 Aaaarrgghh! Spider! is appropriate for all children.


Summary:
Why doesn't this family seem to want a spider as a pet? Aaaarrgghh! Spider! from author and illustrator Lydia Monks is told from the perspective of a friendly spider who just wants to be a family pet and makes a pretty decent argument for her case. Follow her as she captures the hearts (and flies) of one reluctant family. 

Practice this Comprehension Strategy-Compare and Contrast:
While you read Aaaarrgghh! Spider!, find the similarities and differences between the types of pets in the story. This can also be reflected in your child's own life. Does your child have a pet, how is their pet the same or different from a pet spider? If your child does not have a pet, Aaaarrgghh! Spider! can be a window for your child to talk about what kind of qualities in pet they might want.  

Do this with your child:
The timing is perfect for Aaaarrgghh! Spider! since tomorrow is Halloween! Take the opportunity to find and count how many spiders are in the story, and compare that to how many they can find outside (real or decorations.) Just don't get too close!

If you're interested in sharing Aaaarrgghh! Spider! with your child you can find it from Houghton Mifflin Harcourt here.

Follow Lydia Monks on Twitter

Friday, October 23, 2015

The Little Scarecrow Boy

FOR THE WEEKEND, share this fun title with your child! 

The Little Scarecrow Boy is appropriate for children age 2-8.


Summary:
Sometimes it is hard to be patient when you're growing up, just ask The Little Scarecrow Boy written by Margaret Wise Brown and illustrated by David Diaz. He is learning all of the fierce faces he must make in order to scare the crows and keep the cornfield safe. His parents don't think he is quite ready yet, but one morning the little scarecrow boy sneaks out to try and prove them wrong. 

Practice this Comprehension Strategy-Build Background Knowledge:
Before opening up the book and reading The Little Scarecrow Boy, focus on the cover picture and ask your child questions that will help them think about what they are going to read and make connections to the story. Here are some question suggestions:

  • Do you know what a scarecrow is? 
  • Where have you seen a scarecrow before?
  • What do scarecrows do? 
  • Why do farmers have scarecrows?  

Do this with your child-Body Movement:
As you read through The Little Scarecrow Boy, allow your child to engage in body movement. They will hang on your every word knowing they'll get to make a silly, scary, fierce face when the little scarecrow boy does. Your child will love participating with the story in a physical way. Whenever the little scarecrow boy makes a face, have your child make a face too. Whenever old man or old lady scarecrow make a face, the reader can make a face as well. 

If you're interested in sharing The Little Scarecrow Boy with your child you can find it from Harper Collins Publishers here.

Friday, October 16, 2015

Gathering the Sun: An Alphabet in Spanish and English

FOR THE WEEKEND, share this fun title with your child! 


Gathering the Sun: An Alphabet in Spanish and English is appropriate for children 4-8 and is a perfect book to curl up on the couch under a blanket with this fall.


Summary:
Gathering the Sun: An Alphabet in Spanish and English is a collection of poems in Spanish and English, one for each letter of the alphabet describing farms and harvest. The beautiful book from author Alma Flor Ada is perfect alongside the traditional style paintings of Simon Silva on each page, drenched in bold, warm colors which help bring the poetry to life.

Practice this Comprehension Strategy-Take a Picture Walk/Sequencing:
As you read through Gathering the Sun: An Alphabet in Spanish and English, use the beautiful paintings to ask your child what they think that page's poem might be about. For an older child, you can also try sequencing and working on alphabetical order. Help your child remember what letter was on the previous page and try to figure out what letter the poem on the next page will start with.

Do this with your child:
Read through the poems in Gathering the Sun: An Alphabet in Spanish and English in the language you are more comfortable with, then try the other language. Practice the titles of each poem in English and Spanish with your child. It's a good possibility that you will both be exposed to something new and different. It's okay if you're unsure of some of the words, that is how we learn!

If you're interested in sharing Gathering the Sun: An Alphabet in Spanish and English with your child you can find it from Harper Collins Publishers here.

Like illustrator Simon Silva on Facebook and follow him on Twitter.

Monday, October 12, 2015

Gilberto and the Wind

FOR THE WEEK, share this fun title with your child! 

Gilberto and the Wind is appropriate for children 2-8 and is a perfect book to curl up on the couch under a blanket with this fall.

Gilberto and the Wind

Summary:
The wind is whispering at the door, ready to play with Gilberto. Sometimes they are happy and silly together, but other times they are sad and scared. Follow their adventures and see the different ways Gilberto and the wind can play in the sweet story written and illustrated by Marie Hall Ets. 

Practice this Comprehension Strategy-Retelling and Recalling:
From time to time as you're reading through Gilberto and the Wind, help your child reflect on what's happening. Once you reach the end, ask them to retell the story to you. How many things can they remember or recall that Gilberto and the wind played with? Which games made Gilberto happy, sad, or scared?

Do this with your child:
Ask your child what things they have seen the wind playing with. Have they ever lost a balloon to the wind, flown a kite, or watched the leaves being blown from the trees? Go outside with your child and blow bubbles together, then watch where the wind takes them.

If you're interested in sharing Gilberto and the Wind with your child you can find it from Penguin Publishing here.

Friday, October 2, 2015

Fletcher and the Falling Leaves

FOR THE WEEKEND, share this fun title with your child! 


Fletcher and the Falling Leaves is appropriate for a pre-K audience and is a perfect book to curl up on the couch under a blanket with this fall.



Summary:
Fletcher the fox has a favorite tree; a beautiful, leafy friend. He becomes worried when the tree's leaves start turning dull and brown, frantic when the wind starts blowing the tree's leaves, and protective when he thinks his tree is sick. You and your child will enjoy the sweet story by Julia Rawlinson and darling illustrations of Tiphanie Beeke in Fletcher and the Falling Leaves

Practice this Comprehension Strategy-Using Context Clues:
As you and your child read Fletcher and the Falling Leaves use context clues to figure out what is really happening to Fletcher's tree. Does your child think the tree is sick? What are the other possibilities that could be happening based on the tree's symptoms?

Do this with your child:
With the weather changing, the wind blowing and the leaves falling, Fletcher and the Falling Leaves is a great way to open the door to a conversation with your child about changing seasons. There is so much excitement that comes with Fall: pumpkin patches, hot chocolate, and crunchy leaves. Go outside with your child to see the changes together; feel the brisk air, talk about the changing colors, and of course step on fallen leaves!

If you're interested in sharing Fletcher and the Falling Leaves with your child you can find it from Harper Collins Publishers here.

Like author Julia Rawlinson on Facebook and follow illustrator Tiphanie Beeke on Twitter.

Friday, September 25, 2015

How Far Do You Love Me

FOR THE WEEKEND, share this fun title with your child and their grandparent or special friend! 


(2013, Lee & Low Books)
How Far Do You Love Me is appropriate for ages 2-8. 

Summary:
How Far Do You Love Me takes you on a journey across the globe to see how far your love can stretch. Explore the globe from Mexico to Antarctica and Switzerland to Vietnam and get a glimpse into the beauty of the bonds of love in different cultures.

Practice this Comprehension Strategy--Compare and Contrast:
How Far Do You Love Me brings the reader on a journey across the globe and gives you a peek into the lives of the people who live their. Have your child find the similarities and differences in terms of how they relate to the families they see in the pages. How do the families in the story differ from each other? Use the pictures to talk about the clothes, the landscapes and the environments on each page.

Do this with your child:
Author Lulu Delacre was inspired to write How Far Do You Love Me based on a game she would play with her daughters. Have your child play How Far Do You Love Me with a grandparent or special friend and explore how far their love can go. 

You can find How Far Do You Love Me from the publisher Lee & Low Books here.

Friday, September 18, 2015

The Children Who Loved Books

FOR THE WEEKEND, share this fun title with your child and their grandparent or special friend! 
(2013, Kane Miller Book Publishers)

The Children Who Loved Books
 is appropriate for ages 4-8.   

Summary:
In The Children Who Loved Books, Angus and Lucy don't have much. But they do have books. Tons of books piled on top of each other, crammed in every corner, and filling every free space in their tiny home. But their collection has gone too far, it has taken over their home, they have to get rid of all the books. See what happens to their home and family and discover the new joy they find in the library. 

Practice this Comprehension Strategy--Picture Walk:
Before reading any of the words in the story, take a picture walk through The Children Who Loved Books. Look at each page and talk about what your child sees. The colorful illustrations will lead the way for your child to make predictions about what each page may hold.

Do this with your child:
The Children Who Loved Books opens the door for discussion about your child's favorite books, who they enjoy reading with, and their local libraries. Just like the family in The Children Who Loved Books, your own family can enjoy spending time together through book sharing. Allow your child to lead the way with a book, let them pick the story, flip the pages and always allow them to ask questions. 

You can find The Children Who Loved Books from the publisher Kane Miller here
*Please note we have made a correction to the above link for purchase. Like Kane Miller on Facebook and follow them on Twitter!