A New Year's Reunion

FOR THE WEEKEND, share this title with your child! 

A New Year's Reunion is appropriate for children of all ages.

Summary:
A New Year's Reunion from author Yu Li Qiong and illustrator Zhu Cheng Liang is an endearing story of a Chinese family celebrating the New Year with a special reunion. Little Maomao's father is a migrant worker, his job is so far away that he only comes home once a year, for the new year celebration. Maomao hasn't seen her father since last year and is excited and nervous to have him home again. They quickly form a rekindled bond and enjoy their time together. But all too soon it is time for her father to go back to work. The timeless words and beautiful illustrations are sure to resonate with every child who misses relatives when they are away--and shows how a family's love is strong enough to endure over time and distance.  

Practice this Comprehension Strategy-Making Connections:
As you read A New Year's Reunion ask your child questions about their own experiences. Do you celebrate Chinese New Year? Does your family have any special New Year's traditions? Do you have a family member that travels for work? If so, how does your child feel when that family member leaves and returns? Books can be mirrors where your child can see their own life reflected and they can be windows giving your child a glimpse into someone else's life and experiences. By relating to the text in this way, your child will be more engaged in the entire book sharing experience.

Do this with your child:
After you read A New Year's Reunion you and your child may want to join in the celebrations. You can enjoy a traditional Chinese meal like the one prepared in the story and make decorations for the event. Here's a guide to make Chinese lanterns. Have fun!

If you're interested in sharing A New Year's Reunion with your child you can find it from Candlewick Press here. You can like them on Facebook and follow them on Twitter for more inspiration.

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There Was a Cold Lady Who Swallowed Some Snow

FOR THE WEEKEND, share this winter themed title with your child! 

There Was a Cold Lady Who Swallowed Some Snow is appropriate for children of all ages.

Summary:
There was a Cold Lady who Swallowed Some Snow is a wintry edition to the twists on the familiar There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly. Lucille Colandro provides rhyming, goofy text with Jared Lee's silly illustrations to bring this wacky book to life. After swallowing snow, a pipe, a hat, and more you are in for a surprise ending!

Practice this Comprehension Strategy-Sequencing:
After you read There Was a Cold Lady Who Swallowed Some Snow you and your reader will have the perfect opportunity to practice sequencing, putting events in the order which they happened. The repetition and rhythm in the story should help prompt your child's memory when putting the events in order. If they need a reminder, let them look back into the book and see if they can find the step based on the pictures.

Do this with your child:
After you read There Was a Cold Lady Who Swallowed Some Snow you will see that all of the things that the cold lady have swallowed have helped her create a snowman. Use the things she has swallowed in the book to make a snowman of your own. Don't live in the snow? Try using play dough or shaving cream to make your snowman! By having to recall and use items the cold lady used, your child will be deepening heir involvement with the story.

If you're interested in sharing There Was a Cold Lady Who Swallowed Some Snow with your child you can find it from Scholastic Books here. You can like them on Facebook and follow them on Twitter for more inspiration.

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Over and Under the Snow

FOR THE WEEKEND, share this winter themed title with your child! 

Over and Under the Snow is appropriate for children of all ages.

Summary:
Over and Under the Snow is a cozy story where a child and his father are skiing through the forest. Over the snow they glide while animals and insects rule the kingdom under the snow. Discover the animals that live safe and warm through the winter as they spend their days under the snow. Kate Messner's smooth and poetic words along with Christopher Silas Neal's charming illustrations will keep readers comfy all winter long.

Practice this Comprehension Strategy-Retelling:
As you read Over and Under the Snow engage your child with the text and illustrations. Ask questions about the animals and what is happening on the pages. Then when you've finished reading the story, let your child take a turn. Hand them the book and have them 'read' the story to you. Can they remember the animals and what they're doing? Do they recognize any of the words? By being in charge of a retelling, your child will further their involvement with the text and deepen their interest in the story.

Do this with your child:
The family in Over and Under the Snow are on a winter adventure. They're taking a stroll through the forest and noticing the nature that surrounds them. After you read the story, head outside with your little one to have a nature walk of your own. Use your sight, smell, touch and hearing to interact with your environment. Then when you get home, use your taste to enjoy a special treat, just like in the story!

If you're interested in sharing Over and Under the Snow with your child you can find it from Chronicle Books here. You can like them on Facebook and follow them on Twitter for more inspiration.

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Winter Afternoon / tarde de invierno

FOR THE WEEKEND, share this title Family themed title with your child! 

Tarde de invierno / Winter Afternoon is appropriate for children of all ages.

Summary:
Tarde de invierno / Winter Afternoon is a charming bilingual story which introduces readers to illustrating their own stories. A little girl sits at a frosty window, drawing pictures in the condensation, as she waits for her mother to return. Her drawings tell of adventures as her mother approaches down the road. This delightful book from author Jorge Elias Lujan accompanied with illustrations from Mandana Sadat beautifully captures the atmosphere of a gloomy winter day along with the anticipation of a child anxiously awaiting the return of a loved one.

Practice this Comprehension Strategy-Making Connections:
After you read Tarde de invierno / Winter Afternoon talk with your child about how the girl in the story is feeling. Was she lonely when her mother was not yet home, sad that she missed her mother, excited upon her mother's return? Then talk with your child about their own feelings. Has your child been away from their parents before? Do they go to daycare or school or stay with a babysitter while you go to work or run errands? Were they sad or anxious or scared when they were left without you? Were they excited to see you at pickup or when you got back home? This book is a great mirror for lots of children to know their feelings are valid and that they are not alone!

Do this with your child:
The girl in Tarde de invierno / Winter Afternoon draws stories in the condensation in her window. Do you have any foggy windows or even foggy mirrors after bath time? Draw stories on these surfaces with your child!

If you're interested in sharing Tarde de invierno / Winter Afternoon with your child you can find it from Groundwood Books, an imprint of House of Ansani Press, here. You can like them on Facebook and follow them on Twitter for more inspiration.

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