Chicka Chicka Boom Boom

FOR THE WEEKEND share this classic title with your child. 

Chicka Chicka Boom Boom is appropriate for children of all ages.

Summary:
Chicka Chicka Boom Boom is a classic rhyming alphabet story from Bill Martin Jr and John Archambault with bright and bold illustrations by Lois Ehlert. You'll be singing along with this lively alphabet rhyme which finds all of the letters racing up the coconut tree. The question is, will they all fit? Readers of all ages will delight in the rhythmic words, silly circumstance and colorful pictures which adorn this classic book.

Practice this Comprehension Strategy-Sequencing:
Chicka Chicka Boom Boom is a wonderful book to practice sequencing. Since this story features all the letters in alphabetical order, your reader will be able to help you put the story together. As you read, have your reader recite the letters with you as they climb up (and later away from) the coconut tree. Not only will they get to practice their ABC's they'll also find themselves interacting with the story and having an overall more engaging experience.

Do this with your child:
After you read Chicka Chicka Boom Boom check out the unlimited options of activities to accompany the book on Pinterest! Whether you want to cut, draw or paint your own letter coconut tree, make a Chicka Chicka Boom Boom inspired snack or play interactive games, Pinterest has what you need! You can also check out an animated YouTube video here.

If you're interested in sharing Chicka Chicka Boom Boom with your child you can find it published by Simon & Schuster here. 

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The Little Mouse, the Red Ripe Strawberry, and the Big Hungry Bear

FOR THE WEEKEND share this classic title with your child. 

The Little Mouse, The Red Ripe Strawberry, and the Big Hungry Bear is appropriate for children of all ages.

Summary:
The Little Mouse, The Red Ripe Strawberry, and the Big Hungry Bear is a classic piece from Don and Audrey Wood. When the little mouse finds a red, juicy strawberry he is quick to learn from the narrator that a hungry bear is on the prowl. In humorous and sweet interactions with the narrator, the little mouse makes attempt after attempt to hide this strawberry that is bigger than him. Read the story to find out if he is successful!

Practice this Comprehension Strategy-Making Predictions:
The Little Mouse, The Red Ripe Strawberry, and the Big Hungry Bear is a wonderful book to practice making predictions. As you read, ask your child what the little mouse might try next to hide the strawberry. You can also ask if they think that trick will be successful or not and why. Also ask if they think there is a hungry bear at all, or could it possibly be just a very hungry narrator!?

Do this with your child:
After you read The Little Mouse, The Red Ripe Strawberry, and the Big Hungry Bear ask your reader which was their favorite way to hide the strawberry. Then ask if they have any other ideas about what the little mouse could have tried. Once they pick a favorite hiding place, have them draw their own picture to add to the story!

If you're interested in sharing The Little Mouse, The Red Ripe Strawberry, and the Big Hungry Bear with your child you can find it published by Child's Play International here. 

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Corduroy

FOR THE WEEKEND share this classic title with your child. 

Corduroy is appropriate for children of all ages.

Summary:
Corduroy is a classic piece from author illustrator Don Freeman. Join the adventure as Corduroy the bear explores the department store where he lives after hours, looking for his lost button. He hopes that finding a button will make someone want to choose him. Follow along to see if this adventurous, sweet bear finds a button and ultimately a friend.

Practice this Comprehension Strategy-Retelling:
Corduroy is a wonderful book to practice retelling. As you read, point out major details and events, characters and settings. Then once you've finished, let your reader take a turn to retell the story to you. Allow them to flip the pages and tell the story however they see fit.

Do this with your child:
After you read Corduroy take the opportunity to play with, sort, pattern and size buttons of your own! Buttons can be great learning tools as they can easily be sorted by color or size, they can be arranged in patterns, they can be graphed and they can be stacked. All of these skills enhance both early math skills and fine motor skills!

If you're interested in sharing Corduroy with your child you can find it published by Puffin Books, an imprint of Penguin Random House, here. 

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The Giving Tree

FOR THE WEEKEND share this classic title with your child. 

The Giving Tree is appropriate for children of all ages.

Summary:
The Giving Tree is a classic piece from author illustrator Shel Silverstein.   "Once there was a tree...and she loved a little boy." So begins this touching story which has been shared by hundreds of thousands of families in dozens of languages across the globe. 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 and gave.

Practice this Comprehension Strategy-Take a Picture Walk:
The Giving Tree is a wonderful book to practice taking a picture walk. Before you read the story, flip through the pages asking your reader what they see on each page. Can they see the characters, the setting, the actions? Ask what they think might be happening in each picture. Then as you read, make note with your reader as to whether their thoughts about the pages were correct.

Do this with your child:
After you read The Giving Tree talk with your reader about all the ways the tree helped the boy. Ask your reader what are some things that they could do to help others. You and your reader can pick one of those topics and act on it, whether it be donating toys or clothes, visiting a senior center with flowers or desserts, or taking homemade dog treats to your local shelter.  

If you're interested in sharing The Giving Tree with your child you can find it published by Harper Collins Publishing here. 

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The Very Hungry Caterpillar

FOR THE WEEKEND share this classic title with your child. 

The Very Hungry Caterpillar is appropriate for children of all ages.

Summary:
The Very Hungry Caterpillar eats his way through the pages of this classic book from Eric Carle. Follow along as this hungry caterpillar chomps his way through the days of the week and grows from egg to caterpillar to beautiful butterfly. 

Practice this Comprehension Strategy-Sequencing:
The Very Hungry Caterpillar is an excellent book to practice sequencing. This story is set in a week's time frame. Each day the caterpillar eats something more. As you read, put emphasis on what he's eating on which day so that afterward your reader can take a turn to try to put the days and foods in order. 

Do this with your child:
After you read The Very Hungry Caterpillar talk with your reader about the foods they like to eat. Talk with them about why making healthy choices is important. You can also find troves of activities to go along with this classic title ranging from art to math and science on Pinterest. Also check out the resources available through The World of Eric Carle.

If you're interested in sharing The Very Hungry Caterpillar with your child you can find it published by Philomel Books, an imprint of Penguin Random House, here. 

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