Poppleton in Winter

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

Poppleton in Winter is a beginning chapter book appropriate for school age children.

Summary:
In Poppleton in Winter, written by Cynthia Rylant and illustrated by Mark Teague, join Poppleton the pig in three winter stories. In the first story, Poppleton loves his house covered in icicles, but discover what happens when Patrick the finch accidentally knocks them all down. Then in the second, Poppleton decides to sculpt a bust of his friend and neighbor Cherry Sue. And in the third, find out why all of Poppleton's friends are too busy cooking to join him on a sleigh ride.

Practice this Comprehension Strategy-Inference:
As you read Poppleton in Winter ask your child to guess what they think will happen on the next page using the clues in the story. They will be making inferences based on what you have read and what the pictures tell them. 

Do this with your child:
There are 3 separate stories in Poppleton in Winter. Ask your child which was their favorite and why they chose that specific story. Then have them draw a picture to add a new winter adventure for Poppleton and his friends to take!

If you're interested in sharing Poppleton in Winter with your child you can find it from Scholastic Books here. Please like them on Facebook and follow them on Twitter.

To learn more about author Cynthia Rylant, visit her website.

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.

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.

Grandpa's Garden 

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

(2012, Barefoot Books)

Grandpa's Garden is appropriate for ages 4-8.   

Summary:

In Grandpa's Garden, Billy and his Grandpa are working together through the seasons to plant, harvest and enjoy the fruits (and veggies) of their labor. But Billy has a hard time being patient, every step seems to take forever. With the help of his Grandpa, Billy learns why each action they take is important and becomes even more rooted in the special project they share. Included at the end of the story is a guide for planting your own garden. It takes you through the steps that are important during each season.

Practice this Comprehension Strategy--Inference:
Billy and his Grandpa are planting a garden. Using the pictures in Grandpa's Garden, help your child infer (using evidence from the story to explain or come to a conclusion) what will happen next in the garden. This is also a great opportunity to discuss the plant life cycle with your child and talk about how things grow. What are the things that Billy and his Grandpa needed for their plants to be healthy? How did Billy and his Grandpa prepare their garden and how did the plants grow throughout the seasons?

Do this with your child:
Billy and his Grandpa like to work in the garden together. Ask your child about some things that they enjoy doing with their grandparents. Is there anything that they have learned from their grandma or grandpa?

You can find Grandpa's Garden from the publisher Barefoot Books here. Check out their blog that includes Grandpa's Garden.  

We've teamed up with Hanna Andersson to bring you our Instagram Contest going on from August 31, 2015-September 13, 2015. 

There's only a few more days left of the contest! Post your pictures now in honor of Grandparent's Day for your chance to win! See full contest rules at http://www.thehannablog.com/

4 Winners will Receive:

• RAR tote bag with 5 Grandparent Themed books (including Grandpa's Garden with a special thanks to Barefoot Books)
• $100 Hanna Andersson gift Card
• 1 pair of Hanna Jammies