Friday, October 27, 2017

Monster Trouble

FOR THE HALLOWEEN WEEKEND share this spooky title with your child. 

Monster Trouble is appropriate for children of all ages.

monster trouble

Summary:
Monster Trouble is a charming story from Lane Fredrickson with spunky pictures by Michael Roberston. Nothing frightens Winifred Schnitzel, but she does need her sleep! The neighborhood monsters sneak into her room every night and create quite a scene, they growl and belch and won't let Winifred be. She tries everything she can think of to get rid of these pesky beasts but her traps just can't contain them. Luckily Winifred learns the ultimate trick and finds out what monsters hate - KISSES! Readers young and old will delight in the endearing verse and colorful images which pair together perfectly to tell this super sweet monster tale. 

Practice this Comprehension Strategy-Making Predictions:
Monster Trouble is a great book for your reader to practice making predictions. As you read, ask your reader questions about what they think might happen next? Do they think Winifred will be able to keep the monsters at bay? What do they think she might try to do next? By engaging with the story in a more interactive role, your reader will have an overall more impactful book sharing experience.


Do this with your child:

After you read Monster Trouble check out More Halloween titles via this article from The Washington Post 

Make memories with “Goodnight Goon,” “Six Creepy Sheep” and other scary classics for kids.

If you're interested in sharing Monster Trouble with your child you can find it from Sterling Publishing sold through Amazon here


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Friday, October 20, 2017

Pumpkin Soup

FOR THE WEEKEND share this Fall themed title with your child. 

Pumpkin Soup is appropriate for children of all ages.


Summary:
Pumpkin Soup from Helen Cooper is a warm and vibrant book which touches on some of the trials of friendship. Everyday Cat, Squirrel and Duck work together to make delicious pumpkin soup. Cat slices, Squirrel stirs, and Duck adds the salt. But when Duck decides he'd like to try stirring instead their routine is challenged and the trouble begins. Duck leaves in a huff but it isn't long before Cat and Squirrel start to worry. Cooper's rich illustrations and warm text perfectly capture the fall season.

Practice this Comprehension Strategy-Retelling:
Pumpkin Soup is a great book for your reader to practice retelling. As you read, ask questions so that your reader will be more engaged in the story. Then after you finish, ask your reader to take a turn and read the book to you. As they retell the story, they should recall the main story elements - character, setting, and main ideas. If their story turns out a bit differently that is alright too!


Do this with your child:

At the end of Pumpkin Soup you'll find a recipe for pumpkin soup! Pick an extra pumpkin from the pumpkin patch (or for a cheaper option, from your local grocery store.) Test out the recipe with your reader and enjoy the warmth and aroma of the season. 

If you're interested in sharing Pumpkin Soup with your child you can find it from Square Fish, an imprint of US MacMillan, here






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Friday, October 13, 2017

Gathering the Sun

Hispanic Heritage Month 

During National Hispanic Heritage Month (September 15 to October 15) we recognize the contributions made and the important presence of Hispanic and Latino Americans to the United States and celebrate their heritage and culture. At Raising A Reader we embrace Hispanic culture in our diverse book collections with nearly 200 Spanish language titles. 40% of the families participating in the Raising A Reader program are Latino and one-third speak Spanish in the home. As we wrap up National Hispanic Heritage Month, we'd like to share one of our favorite Spanish and English books with you.

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


Gathering the Sun: An Alphabet in Spanish and English is appropriate for children 4-8.

Image result for gathering the sun by alma flor ada

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.




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Friday, October 6, 2017

Amazing Autumn

FOR THE WEEKEND share this Fall themed title with your child. 

Amazing Autumn is appropriate for children of all ages.


Summary:
Amazing Autumn from Jennifer Marino Walters and John Nez is the perfect book to cozy up with as the weather turns colder and the days turn shorter. Explore the season as the leaves change color, the weather cools down and pumpkins abound. You and your reader will enjoy the interactive nature of this fun fall book!

Practice this Comprehension Strategy-Take A Picture Walk:
Amazing Autumn is a perfect book for taking a picture walk. Before you read, flip through the pages with your reader and ask them ehat they see on each page. By engaging with the book before you even begin to share the words your reader will have a more impactful experience overall.


Do this with your child:

After you read Amazing Autumn take a walk outside with your reader and bring the book along with you. See if you can spot any of the signs of fall around you. Do you see leaves changing color? Do you feel the air getting cooler? Are there children in jacksets, or pumpkins on porches? Enjoy your fall spotting walk with a cup of hot cocoa!

If you're interested in sharing Amazing Autumn with your child you can find it from Lerner Publishing Group here






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Tuesday, October 3, 2017

Empowering Parents to Engage Through Books


Empowering Parents to Engage Through Books


As we enter into National Book Month, all of us at Raising A Reader were once again heartened by the Washington Post article late this summer, "How To Get Kids To Look Away From Their Screens and Take Pleasure in Books."  While we still find it discouraging that it appeared in the Lifestyle section and not Education and Health, we will take what we can get in our ongoing fight against illiteracy in our nation. This article is a very good read for all parents struggling with the overbearing presence of technology in our children’s world and it makes the case for reading from traditional books.

All the research presented backs up our more than 15 years of work in the early childhood literacy landscape. What the article doesn’t touch on, and completely ignores, is that 16 million children live in poverty in our nation, and more than half do not have access to age appropriate books let alone “screens.” Our organization knows this too well as 65 percent of the children and families that we serve nationally are low-income, at risk populations.

Our core program brings books to families and empowers our low-income, at risk, and non-English speaking caregivers to participate in their child’s reading skill and literacy development even if they themselves are not readers or even English speakers. Family engagement in early childhood literacy is more than simply reading words on a page, but letting the imagination run wild as a book is shared in a nurturing way. As we train parents of all socio-economic means, all have the same revelation in one way or another  – if I share books with my child, their brain, language, and comprehension grows. What parent doesn’t want this for their child?

We applaud those struggling with screen time versus book time – it’s a real struggle. We work to provide those without screens with books and tools for the entire family to succeed long-term. Today, only 4 out of 10 fourth graders are proficient in reading. This is not a sustainable situation for our nation. Let’s keep this in mind as we highlight National Book Month.