Ruby the Copycat

FOR THE WEEKEND share this title with your child. 

Ruby the Copycat is appropriate for school age children.

Summary:
Ruby the Copycat from Peggy Rathmann tells the story of Ruby in her new school. On Ruby's first day she sits behind Angela who is wearing a pretty red bow in her hair and when Ruby comes back from lunch she is wearing one too. When Angela wears a purple sweater with daisies on it, so does Ruby. Fortunately Ruby's teacher knows what to do. In a time when kids want to fit in, this story stands as an important reminder to be true to yourself!

Practice this Comprehension Strategy-Retelling:
Ruby the Copycat is a great book to practice retelling. After you read the story, let your reader take a turn to tell it to you. Can they remember what is happening on the pages? Do they recognize any words or letters? It's okay if they tell you a completely different story! The desire is to further engage them with the entire book sharing process.

Do this with your child:
After you read Ruby the Copycat talk with your reader about why Ruby may have been copying Angela. Has your reader ever done anything to try to fit in too? Then talk about what makes your reader special and unique. Do they have any fun hobbies, favorite books, special outfits? 

If you're interested in sharing  Ruby the Copycat with your child you can find it from Scholastic 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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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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Start Saving Henry

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

Start Saving Henry is appropriate for children ages 5 and up.

Summary:
Now that Henry has turned seven, he is able to earn a weekly allowance by doing all of his chores. Every week he runs out and spends his money right away until he sees something he really wants, the Super Robot Dude. The Super Robot Dude is too expensive so Henry has to start saving his allowance. But in Start Saving Henry he learns how hard it can be to save. Continue to read and find out if Henry ever gets his new toy.

Practice this Comprehension Strategy-Retelling:
As you read Start Saving Henry ask your child questions about what is happening in the story. This will further their engagement in the story and allow them to make deeper connections. After you finish the story, have your child take a turn to read it to you. Let them lead the way, turning the pages and telling the story as they recall. It may be a different story than the one that you told, but that is okay!

Do this with your child:
Start Saving Henry provides an excellent opportunity to practice your child's financial literacy skills. Henry earns five dollars every week. You can use this story and it's pictures to practice counting by fives. 

If you're interested in sharing Start Saving Henry with your child you can find it from Viking, a division of Scholastic here. Please like them on Facebook and follow them on Twitter.

For more from author and illustrator Nancy Carlson check out her website.