Tilly's Staycation

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

Tilly's Staycation is appropriate for children of all ages.

Summary:
Tilly's friends are all getting ready for their trips to Paris, to India and to go camping but Tilly is jealous that she won't have a trip on her own vacation in Tilly's Staycation. Tilly's mom assures her that they will have their own adventures and that they will be just as, if not more, exciting. A reluctant Tilly isn't convinced, until her day begins with breakfast in bed! From there, Tilly and her mom spend the day filled with adventures and excitement having a grand staycation. Author Gillian Hibbs' adorable illustrations and fun story are a reminder that you can have an amazing vacation, even if you aren't going on an exotic trip!

Practice this Comprehension Strategy-Retelling:
After you read Tilly's Staycation ask your reader to take a turn retelling the story to you. Let them hold the book, flip the pages and narrate the story. Having already read through, they'll recall major events and characters and be able to fill in with their picture clues and their own imaginations. By interacting with the book in a more involved role, they'll have a deeper engagement in the entire book sharing process.

Do this with your child:
After you read Tilly's Staycation plan a staycation of your own! Make a list with your child of things you'd like to do together. Check out cheap/free local attractions like museums, parks, beaches, etc. and have your own grand adventure without having to travel too far.  

If you're interested in sharing Tilly's Staycation with your child you can find it from Child's Play International here. 

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.

Super Sand Castle Saturday

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

Super Sand Castle Saturday is appropriate for school age children.

Summary:
Super Sand Castle Saturday is a math reader which tells the story of a sand castle building competition between three friends. Larry the lifeguard will be judging sand castles to see who can build the tallest tower, deepest moat, and longest wall. As the kids build, they use their shovels and spoons to measure and compare. But they're all surprised when Larry the lifeguard brings out his measuring tape. This is a wonderful book form Stuart J. Murphy and Julia Gorton which effortlessly weaves the concept of measurement into a fun story.

Practice this Comprehension Strategy-Take a Picture Walk:
Before you read Super Sand Castle Saturday a look through the book with your reader, asking them to tell you what they see on each page. Ask about what is in the pictures, where do the kids seem to be, what are they doing, etc. Then as you read, see if the answers they came up with match what's happening in the story. By engaging with the story before reading, your child will be more interested and engaged as you read together.

Do this with your child:
After you read Super Sand Castle Saturday do some measuring with your reader. Try using different steps, baby steps and giant steps, to measure the hallway and talk about your results. Measure kitchen items like your table or counters using spoons or even bananas. Then bust out a measuring tape and measure each other! You'll be teaching your reader about the helpfulness of using standardized units of measurement in order to make more accurate comparisons, just like in the story. 

If you're interested in sharing Super Sand Castle Saturday with your child you can find it from Harper Collins Publishing here. 

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.

El Pequeño Hoo Va a la Playa / Little Hoo Goes to the Beach

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

El Pequeño Hoo Va a la Playa/Little Hoo Goes to the Beach is appropriate for children of all ages.

Summary:
El Pequeño Hoo Va a la Playa/Little Hoo Goes to the Beach is a bilingual tale that tells the story of a scared owl and his trip to the beach. It is the perfect day to visit the beach but Little Hoo is afraid, the waves are big, the crabs might pinch and the sharks are plentiful. But with encouragement and exploration, Little Hoo discovers that the beach is actually not scary, but fun and exciting! Author Brenda Ponnay's simple text and bright and bold images pair together perfectly in this summer adventure.

Practice this Comprehension Strategy-Make Connections:
As you read El Pequeño Hoo Va a la Playa/Little Hoo Goes to the Beach ask your reader questions about their own experiences at the beach or in a new place. Have they been scared or nervous to try something new? How did they feel after they had their experience? Do they have advice for Little Hoo as he navigates his new adventure? By relating to the characters and the text, your reader will become more engaged in the story and have a more impactful experience overall.

Do this with your child:
After you read El Pequeño Hoo Va a la Playa/Little Hoo Goes to the Beach in the language that you are more comfortable with go back through and pick out some of the words you would like to learn in the other. Words like beach, ocean and waves are fun to know in any language!

If you're interested in sharing El Pequeño Hoo Va a la Playa/Little Hoo Goes to the Beach with your child you can find it from Xist Publishing here. 

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.

One Hot Summer Day

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

One Hot Summer Day is appropriate for children of all ages.

Summary:
One Hot Summer Day brings the heat and the cool when a little girl plays outside on a hot, summer day. Follow along as the little girl explores the neighborhood with dogs panting and ladies holding umbrellas for shade as she teases her shadow and eats popsicles. Relief from the heat comes in big, dark thunderous clouds as a summer storm fills the sky. Nina Crews' simple text and photo-collage images radiate summer the whole way through.

Practice this Comprehension Strategy-Retelling:
After you read One Hot Summer Day ask your reader to take a turn and tell the story to you. Let them lead the way, flipping the pages and narrating the text and pictures. By engaging with the book in a more interactive role your reader will be more invested in the entire book sharing experience.

Do this with your child:
Before you read One Hot Summer Day set up a space to read together outside. This could be on a blanket in your back yard, at a local playground or park, or even at the beach. You will be able to ask your reader questions about how they're relating to the little girl in the story, are they too hot to swing, can they escape their shadow in the sunshine, etc. By engaging with a book in a new setting your reader will be experiencing it in a different way than when you share books on your couch or in bed. Take advantage of the summer weather 

If you're interested in sharing One Hot Summer Day with your child you can find it from Greenwillow Books, an imprint of Harper Collins Publishers, here. 

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.

Hush Little Beachcomber

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

Hush, Little Beachcomber is appropriate for children of all ages.

Summary:
Hush, Little Beachcomber tells of all the fun to be had in the sun and at the beach. Following the rhythm of "Hush Little Baby" you'll be taken on a day of adventures on the sand, in the surf, and with the seagulls. The beautiful story written by Dianne Moritz is perfectly accompanied by the warm and summer illustrations of Holly McGee.

Practice this Comprehension Strategy-Making Predictions:
Before reading Hush, Little Beachcomber comb through the pages with your child. Ask them questions about what they are seeing in the pictures. Have them use the pictures to make predictions about the text. Where do they think the story takes place? What types of activities are they seeing? Then as you read see if their predictions were correct. By furthering their engagement with the book, you'll be deepening their connections to the story. 

Do this with your child:
Hush, Little Beachcomber is written to mirror the rhythm of "Hush Little Baby." As you read, try to follow that rhythm and if you would like to, sing the story to your child. You can watch and listen to the original "Hush Little Baby" by clicking here.

If you're interested in sharing Hush, Little Beachcomber with your child you can find it from EDC Publishing/Usborne Books here. Please like them on Facebook and follow them on Twitter. 

Froggy Goes to Hawaii

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

Froggy Goes to Hawaii is appropriate for children of all ages.

Summary:
Froggy Goes to Hawaii is a fun installment in the Froggy series. Froggy and his family are headed on vacation to the island of Hawaii. Naturally Froggy wants to do it all, surf, hula, swim, but of course with Froggy things don't always go as planned. It can be hard to use patience or listening skills when it comes to all of the fun things to do on vacation. Come along with Froggy's family and enjoy all of their Hawaiian adventures.

Practice this Comprehension Strategy-Making Connections:
After reading Froggy Goes to Hawaii you'll have the perfect opportunity to help your child make connections to the story. Have you and your family been to Hawaii? Have you been on vacation anywhere else? Is it sometimes hard to be patient when so many fun things are just waiting for you? Froggy Goes to Hawaii can be a mirror where your child sees themselves and their family, or perhaps a window to an exciting Hawaiian vacation.

Do this with your child:
After you and your child make connections with Froggy Goes to Hawaii take the time to talk about your own favorite vacation. Once you have picked a fun memory, or maybe you have an idea of where you'd like to go, draw a picture to commemorate that fun destination.

If you're interested in sharing Froggy Goes to Hawaii with your child you can find it from Puffin Books here. Please like them on Facebook and follow them on Twitter. For more Froggy adventures and to learn about author Jonathan London check out his website. 

Hello Ocean

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

Hello Ocean is appropriate for children of all ages.

Summary:
Come explore the ocean with your five senses in the beautiful Hello Ocean from author Pam Munoz Ryan and illustrator Mark Astrella. This story captures the essence of the ocean with it's stunning illustrations and poetic words. See, smell, feel, taste and hear the ocean and all of the wonder it has to offer.

Practice this Comprehension Strategy-Retelling:
After you read Hello Ocean ask your child to take a turn to tell you the story. Let them lead the way. They can make up an entirely new story or try to recall the information from the original. If they ask questions, prompt them to use the pictures on the pages to see if they can remember. Retelling a story, either in a new way or recalling the original, will deepen your child's engagement with the story.

Do this with your child:
After you read Hello Ocean you and your child can use your five senses to explore your own vacation (or staycation) travel destination. Whether you're spending the day at the pool or lake, or you're home in your own backyard, there is always an opportunity to explore your surroundings!

If you're interested in sharing Hello Ocean with your child you can find it from Charlesbridge here. Please like them on Facebook and follow them on Twitter. For more from author Pam Munoz Ryan check out her website. 

Sand Sister

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

Sand Sister is appropriate for children of all ages.

Summary:
Paloma and her parents spend a magical day at the beach in Sand Sister written by Amanda White. When Paloma sees all of the other children playing with their siblings on the beach she draws herself a sister in the sand and makes a wish to have her very own sibling to play with. See how her wish is granted in this charming story of imagination and friendship.

Practice this Comprehension Strategy-Take a Picture Walk:
Before you read Sand Sister take a picture walk through the story and ask your child what they see on each page. Start by just asking about what is on the page, a family, rocks, the ocean, etc. You can then take that information further and ask what they think is happening and what will happen next. After you read the story see if any of their predictions were correct.

Do this with your child:
Sand Sister is a story fueled by a little girl's imagination and play. Ask your child to draw a picture of something or someone that they would come to life and help them to write a short story of their own about this person or creature.  

If you're interested in sharing Sand Sister with your child you can find it from Barefoot Books here. Please like them on Facebook and follow them on Twitter. For more from illustrator Yuyi Morales check out her website. 

Nathan Saves Summer

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

Nathan Saves Summer / Nathan rescata el verano is appropriate for children age 4 and up.

Summary:
Join Nathan the hippopotamus in Nathan Saves Summer / Nathan rescata el verano. It is Nathan's lifelong dream to be the lifeguard at the pond where he and his friends spend their entire summer. But all of the animals think that Nathan is just too big to be the lifeguard in their little pond and Nathan starts to think that maybe they're right. Nathan finally gets his chance to prove them wrong when he sees the tiger cub bobbing in the water. Will this save summer or spell disaster for the small pond?  

Practice this Comprehension Strategy-Making Connections:
Nathan Saves Summer / Nathan rescata el verano is a great story for your child to make connections with this summer. As so many families enjoy their vacation, they can be found gathering around pools, lakes, creeks and oceans just how the animals gather at the pond. Asking questions about the similarities and differences between the story and your child's own summer will further their involvement with the text and deepen their engagement with the story.

Do this with your child:
Nathan Saves Summer / Nathan rescata el verano is a bilingual story with a vocabulary list found on the last page. Practice first reading the story in the language you are most comfortable with but adding in some of the vocabulary from the language that is new to you! 

If you're interested in sharing Nathan Saves Summer / Nathan rescata el verano with your child you can find it from Raven Tree Press here. For more from author Gerry Renert check out his website and more from illustrator Carrie Anne Bradshaw check out her website.