Iguanas in the Snow/Iguanas en la nieve

FOR THE WINTER WEEKEND share this title with your child. 

Iguanas in the Snow/Iguanas en la nieve is appropriate for preschool age children.

Summary:
Iguanas in the Snow/Iguanas en la nieve is a wonderful bilingual book of poems about winter featured in English and Spanish. Author Francisco X. Alarcon takes the reader through the San Francisco Bay Area in the wintertime and shares poetic stories about the City of Bridges. Illustrator Maya Christina Gonzalez's colorful images take the reader deeper into the spirited landscape.

Practice this Comprehension Strategy-Making Connections:
Iguanas in the Snow/Iguanas en la nieve is a lovely book to try making connections. Books can be both windows and mirrors, a place where the reader can see out into new worlds, or have their own experiences reflected back to them. After you read, you will be able to ask your reader if the winter in these poems looks like their own or if it is different. The poems take place across the Bay Area and into the Sierras, there is a beach and fog, and mountains and snow. Within the pages, your reader should be able to relate to pieces and experience new environments in others. 

Do this with your child:
After you read Iguanas in the Snow/Iguanas en la nieve talk with your reader about how different places have different winter experiences. Then work together to try to write your own winter poem about the winter your family experiences. You can also use this bilingual title to practice a new language. Pick out specific words, like winter and snow, and practice them in the respective Spanish version!

If you're interested in sharing Iguanas in the Snow/Iguanas en la nieve with your child you can find it published by Lee and Low Books here. 

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Catching the Moon: The Story of a Young Girl's Baseball Dream

FOR THE WEEKEND, share this summer title with your child. 

Catching the Moon: The Story of a Young Girl's Baseball Dream is appropriate for children of all ages.

Summary:
Catching the Moon: The Story of a Young Girl's Baseball Dream is the true story of Marcenia Lyle, a young African American girl who grew up to become the first woman to play professional baseball. Marcenia loves baseball, and she is very good at it. But everyone likes to remind her that girls aren't allowed to play baseball and that she should try playing with dolls instead. Marcenia doesn't give up on her dream, and when a baseball scout for the St. Louis Cardinals comes to recruit kids for camp, Marcenia shows him what she is capable of! Author Crystal Hubbard and illustrator Randy Duburke do justice to the amazing story of an amazing girl who grew up to become Tori Stone, the first woman to play professional baseball.

Practice this Comprehension Strategy-Take a Picture Walk:
Before you read Catching the Moon: The Story of A Young Girl's Dream to Play Baseball ask your reader to flip through the pages. As they're looking, ask them questions about what they're seeing on the pages. Where are the characters, what are they doing, and what do you think is happening are great questions to spark comprehension and engagement when sharing a story.

Do this with your child:
After you read Catching the Moon: The Story of a Young Girl's Baseball Dream talk with your child about baseball. Have they ever played, baseball, t-ball, softball. Have they watched a local team or a sibling play a game? Talk about the rules of the game then run outside and practice hitting and catching!

If you're interested in sharing Catching the Moon: The Story of a Young Girl's Baseball Dream with your child you can find it from Lee & Low here. 

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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Gracias Thanks

FOR THE WEEKEND, share this title with your child! 

Gracias Thanks is appropriate for children of all ages.

Summary:
Gracias Thanks from author Pat Mora and illustrator John Parra is a wonderful reminder that we always have something to be thankful for. This bilingual book lists out the simple things in life straight from the heart of a child. From red ladybugs to a winking abuelita, you can always find something to be thankful for!

Practice this Comprehension Strategy-Making Connections:
Gracias Thanks comes at a great time, with Thanksgiving and the holiday season fast approaching, it is always important to remember the things that we are thankful for. As you read with your child, ask them if they are thankful for any of the same things this little boy is thankful for. Do they have a grandparent who gives them extra love, or do they have a sibling that makes them laugh? By connecting to the characters in the story, your child will further their engagement with the book and deepen their interest in reading on.

Do this with your child:
After reading Gracias Thanks make a list of things that your child is thankful for. It could be good practice to do this as a family, as we sometimes all need a little reminder that there is always something good. Have your child pick one of the items from the list to draw a picture of.

If you're interested in sharing Gracias Thanks with your child you can find it from Lee and Low Books here. Please like them on Facebook and follow them on Twitter for more inspiring tales.

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