Heather Has Two Mommies

FOR THE WEEKEND share this family-themed title with your child. 

Heather Has Two Mommies is appropriate for children of all ages.

Summary:
Heather Has Two Mommies is a beautiful look into a nontraditional family model that will benefit all families. Heather's favorite number is two, she has two arms, two eyes, two pets and two mommies! Her mommies love her very much. When Heather shares at school that she doesn't have a daddy, her teacher instructs the class to draw pictures of their families. While all of the pictures are different, her teacher describes what they all have in common: they are filled with love. This wonderful book from Leslea Newman and Laura Cornell does a fantastic job reminding readers the most important part of every family is that all the people in it love each other.

Practice this Comprehension Strategy-Summarize:
Heather Has Two Mommies is a great book to practice summarizing. As you read, have discussions about what you're reading. This will deepen your reader's engagement in the story and their interest in the experience overall. After you've finished reading, ask your child to tell you what the story was about. Can your reader tell you the characters, where the story took place, and what events were happening? 

Do this with your child:
After you read Heather Has Two Mommies we encourage you and your reader to draw a picture of your own family, just like all of the students in Heather's class. Go back to look and discuss how your own family differs from those shared in the story. Then find a special spot to display your new family portrait!

If you're interested in sharing Heather Has Two Mommies with your child you can find it published by Penguin Random House here. 

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Astronaut Handbook

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

Astronaut Handbook is appropriate for children of all ages.

Summary:
Author Meghan McCarthy takes young readers to astronaut school in Astronaut Handbook. Your reader, no matter their interests, can find a spot in outer space. Whether you like biology or engineering or flying planes or deep sea diving, there are jobs of all kinds that need doing. But before you get to space, you must train very hard - fitness tests, survival training, teamwork and lots of studying will prepare you for your journey. McCarthy does a fantastic job conveying difficult concepts and ideas using easy to understand text and images which will spark your child's imaginations and get them excited about blasting off!

Practice this Comprehension Strategy-Summarize:
Astronaut Handbook is a great book to practice summarizing. As you read, make a point to ask questions and answer any questions your child might have. Engaging your child while reading will help them be able to better summarize the text afterward. Once you've finished, let your child hold the book and flip through the pages as they tell you about the different jobs that astronauts do, they ways they train, and all the preparation for their trip to space.

Do this with your child:
After you read Astronaut Handbook you and your reader can check out the NASA Kids' Club here. The site is filled with fun games and activities to check out with your space explorer.

If you're interested in sharing Astronaut Handbook with your child you can find it from Penguin Random House here. Please like them on Facebook and follow them on Twitter & Instagram for more inspiration.

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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Dancing in the Wings

FOR THE WEEKEND, share this title with your child. 

Dancing in the Wings is appropriate for school age children.

Summary:
Dancing in the Wings by Debbie Allen with pictures by Kadir Nelson is a beautiful and triumphant story which highlights the power of persistence and the beauty of dance. Sassy is a big footed, long legged girl who loves to dance ballet. She is taller than all the other girls in her class and her friends and brother won't let her forget it. But when a big shot choreographer from Washington D.C. comes to her class, Sassy is determined to make an impression in hopes of getting selected for the summer program. Read along to see if Sassy's long legs and big feet end up making moves in D.C..

Practice this Comprehension Strategy-Take a Picture Walk:
Dancing in the Wings is a wonderful story to use for a picture walk. Before you read, flip through your pages with your child and ask them what they are seeing. Who are the characters, where are they, what are they doing? The illustrator has done an amazing job capturing expression, ask your child if they can tell how the characters are feeling. Then, as you read, see if your child was correct about any of their assumptions. By doing this exercise before reading, your child will be more invested in the story and its outcomes.

Do this with your child:
After you read Dancing in the Wings put on some music and have a dance party together! You can play different styles of music and practice different styles of dancing. Try some classical and ballet like Sassy, or some pop and freestyle, you can also find music that has instructions while you dance like the Cha Cha Slide. Whatever you choose, have fun! 

If you're interested in sharing Dancing in the Wings with your child you can find it from Puffin Books, an imprint of Penguin Random House here. Please like them on Facebook and follow them on Twitter & Instagram for more inspiration.

Click here to learn more about Raising A Reader and the work we do to promote early literacy and family engagement. 

Stay connected with us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest.

Thank You, Mr. Falker

FOR THE WEEKEND, share this title with your child! 

Thank You, Mr. Falker is appropriate for school age children.

Summary:
Thank You, Mr. Falker tells the story of a little girl who's life is changed due to a wonderful teacher. Trisha can't wait to learn how to read! She loves listening to her mother and brother read stories to her and is so excited for when she will be able to share the stories as well. But as she grows older and enters each new grade, the words and numbers never seem to make any sense to her. It isn't until the 5th grade, when young Trisha meets Mr. Falker, that she is given the extra help and understanding she so desperately needs. This story is founded in the author's own life and experiences with dyslexia; Patricia Polacco is Trisha and her life was changed forever by the caring and understanding of Mr. Falker who is proof that a good teacher can change a child's life forever.

Practice this Comprehension Strategy-Summarizing:
Thank You, Mr. Falker is a great story to practice summarizing. After you read the story, ask your child to tell you what happened. Have them tell you who the characters were and where the story takes place. Then ask them to fill in the story with the events that happen, doing their best to keep the events in the correct order.

Do this with your child:
After reading Thank You, Mr. Falker ask your child why they think that Trisha is thankful for her teacher. Make a list of reasons why the author may have wanted to thank this special teacher. Then talk to your child about a person in their own life that they are thankful for. Once they decide on that person, help them write a thank you note and send it to them!

If you're interested in sharing Thank You, Mr. Falker with your child you can find it from Philomel, an imprent of Penguin Random House here. Please like them on Facebook and follow them on Twitter for more inspiring tales.

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A Dollar for Penny

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

A Dollar for Penny is appropriate for Preschool to Grade 1.

Summary:
Penny sells lemonade for one cent, but in A Dollar for Penny the price goes up! With each new sale, Penny charges a little bit more. Follow along with the story from author Dr. Julie Glass and illustrator Joy Allen to see how much money she makes and what she buys with her profit!

Practice this Comprehension Strategy-Making Predictions:
A Dollar for Penny is a great book for practicing making predictions. Each person that comes to buy lemonade from Penny seems to have something special with them. Have your child pay attention to the illustrations as you read together to make an educated guess about what they think Penny will buy and what will happen in the end of the story. 

Do this with your child:
After reading A Dollar for Penny talk with your child about different ways that they can earn money. Discuss that in order to earn money, they have to work for it. Maybe they can sell lemonade like Penny, or do chores around the house like setting the table or doing the dishes.  

If you're interested in sharing A Dollar for Penny with your child you can find it from Penguin Random House here. Please like them on Facebook and follow them on Twitter and Instagram.