Friday, April 28, 2017

One Frog Sang

FOR THE WEEKEND, share this title with your child. 

One Frog Sang is appropriate for children of all ages.


Summary:
One Frog Sang is a fun and playful book about a group of frogs on a rainy spring night. What starts with one frog singing a big Ka-blu-urp and quickly turns into a chorus of ribbits, croaks and chirps as you read along and count from one to ten, and back down again. Your child will delight in the silly sounds and bright pictures from author Shirley Parenteua and illustrator Cynthia Jabar.

Practice this Comprehension Strategy-Sequencing:
One Frog Sang is a great book for your child to practice sequencing. Sequencing is putting events in order. After you read go back through the pages with your child to recap which frogs made which sounds. As you do this, ask if they remember what sound comes next and the number of frogs making that sound. 

Do this with your child:

After you read One Frog Sang take the opportunity to practice counting. You can create a graph to track the frogs, group little frog toys, draw ten frogs and cut them out, or make different colored fingerprint frogs like the ones here and count how many of each color you create.
Image result for fingerprint frogs


If you're interested in sharing One Frog Sang with your child you can find it from Candlewick Press here. Please like them on Facebook and follow them on Twitter & Instagram for more inspiration.


Click here to learn more about Raising A Reader and the work we do to promote early literacy and family engagement. 

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Friday, April 21, 2017

Magic Trash

FOR THE WEEKEND, share this title on Earth Day with your child. 

Magic Trash is appropriate for school age children.


Summary:
Magic Trash is a beautiful and lyrical story about artist Tyree Guyton. As a child growing up with ten brothers and sisters in Detroit, Tyree Guyton didn't have much. But that didn't discourage him from playing, creating and innovating. Every piece of trash he saw along his way could be transformed into something new; bottle caps were rockets, popsicle sticks were building boards for houses, and when you add just the right paint what had been discarded as trash is given new life. Follow the life of this artist as he helped start a movement to transform his deteriorating neighborhood into an interactive sculpture garden, and raise awareness about recycling, environmentalism, and community on a global level.

Practice this Comprehension Strategy-Make Connections:
Magic Trash is a great book for your child to practice making connections because it tells a true story about another person's life. As you read, talk with your child about the similarities and differences they can find between themselves and Tyree Guyton. By reading about a real person and making connections, whether finding things in common or learning something new, your child will be further engaged in the story and learn more about the world around them.

Do this with your child:

After you read Magic Trash you might be inspired to create some magic trash art of your own. Do you have any milk jugs, plastic juice bottles, aluminum foil, old shoelaces lying around? Transform these into a one of a kind work of art, then bring on the paint! While you work on your projects, talk with your child about the importance of recycling and conservation. 

Image result for why recycle for kids


If you're interested in sharing Magic Trash with your child you can find it from Charlesbridge Publishing here. Please like them on Facebook and follow them on Twitter & Instagram for more inspiration.


Click here to learn more about Raising A Reader and the work we do to promote early literacy and family engagement. 

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Friday, April 14, 2017

Flower Garden

FOR THE WEEKEND, share this title with your child. 

Flower Garden is appropriate for children of all ages.

Image result for flower garden eve bunting

Summary:
Flower Garden is a lovely spring title that celebrates the beauty even the tiniest of gardens can bring. Follow this little girl and her soon to be garden as they go from the store, to the bus, to their apartment. Author Eve Bunting's simple rhyming text perfectly accompany the stunning images from illustrator Kathryn Hewitt to create this special garden surprise. 

Practice this Comprehension Strategy-Making Connections:
Flower Garden is a wonderful story for your reader to practice making connections. As you read, ask questions about what experiences they have in common with the little girl in the story. Has your child picked out flowers a garden, do they help with the shopping, do you live in an apartment? Books serve as both windows for readers to catch a glimpse into a life they might not have experienced; but they also serve as mirrors where a reader can see their own story reflected. By making connections to their own life and by reading about a life different from their own, a reader will become more engaged in the story and its outcomes.

Do this with your child:

After you read Flower Garden plant a window garden of your own! You can always find a place to put a happy little garden. You can plant flowers or herbs to use in your kitchen. Check out this article for inspiration.


If you're interested in sharing Flower Garden with your child you can find it from Houghton Mifflin Harcourt here. Please like them on Facebook and follow them on Twitter & Instagram for more inspiration.


Click here to learn more about Raising A Reader and the work we do to promote early literacy and family engagement. 

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Friday, April 7, 2017

Diary of a Wombat

FOR THE WEEKEND, share this title with your child. 

Diary of a Wombat is appropriate for children of all ages.

Image result for diary of a wombat

Summary:
Diary of a Wombat by Jackie French with pictures by Bruce Whatley is a hilarious and adorable peek into the weekly routine of a wombat. Wombats are cuddly-looking, slow-moving Australian animals who spend their time eating, digging and sleeping. This particular wombat encounters a slight change in his routine when his new neighbors, a family of humans, move in next door. He quickly learns about carrots and all the ways to acquire them. Read along and enjoy the charming illustrations as this wombat learns to train his new human neighbors.

Practice this Comprehension Strategy-Retelling:
Diary of a Wombat is a wonderful story for your reader to practice retelling. After you read the story, allow your child to take a turn and tell the story for you. If they become stuck or need help, encourage them to use the illustrations to spark their memory. Even if the story isn't the same just by taking a role as the leader, your child will become more invested in the overall experience.  

Do this with your child:

After you read Diary of a Wombat encourage your child to start a diary of their own to track their own week. Or if you have a pet in the family, start a diary for them! Maybe you have a grumpy cat or an overactive pup, a slow turtle or a chirpy bird. Have your child observe the animal and if they're able, write their observations; if they aren't writing yet, have them draw a picture of the animal's activities. Have fun!


If you're interested in sharing Diary of a Wombat with your child you can find it from Houghton Mifflin Harcourt here. Please like them on Facebook and follow them on Twitter & Instagram for more inspiration.


Click here to learn more about Raising A Reader and the work we do to promote early literacy and family engagement. 

Stay connected with us on FacebookTwitterInstagram and Pinterest.