Curious George Visits the Library/Jorge el curioso va a la biblioteca

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

Curious George Visits the Library/Jorge el curioso va a la biblioteca is appropriate for all ages.

Summary:
In Curious George Visits the Library/Jorge el curioso va a la biblioteca from Martha & H.A. Rey, George is lucky to arrive at the library just in time for story hour. But it’s not easy for a little monkey to sit still too long and he just has to get his hands on that dinosaur book. George quickly finds so many books he wants to read and can’t wait to take them home. As usual, George also finds himself in a bit of trouble. With help from friends and the librarians, he is able to clean up his mess. From selecting books to getting his very own library card, George’s day at the library celebrates all the fun of visiting the library and sharing books!

Practice this Comprehension Strategy-Summarizing:
After you read Curious George Visits the Library/Jorge el curioso va a la biblioteca ask your child to summarize the story. Ask about the main characters, where the story takes place, the events that happen in the story and how the story ends. If they need to, let them hold the book and look through the pages to see where Curious George is and what he is doing. By answering questions and looking through the book, your child will be recalling details and engaging with the story in a deeper way.

Do this with your child:
After reading Curious George Visits the Library/Jorge el curioso va a la biblioteca take a trip to your local library and see if you can find any books like the ones Georgre found. While you're there, make connections between your local library and the library George visits. Check out a favorite book or two and enjoy. Sign your child up for a library card if they don't already have one just like George! Since this is a bilingual text, we also encourage you to practice reading in both languages!

If you're interested in sharing Curious George Visits the Library/Jorge el curioso va a la biblioteca with your child you can find it from Houghton Mifflin Harcourt here. Please like them on Facebook and follow them on Twitter and Instagram.

Maisy Goes to the Library

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

Maisy Goes to the Library is appropriate for all ages.

Summary:
Maisy Goes to the Library from author Lucy Cousins is a charming story of Maisy's library visit. She is looking for a book about fish but can't find one. She decides to explore all the other fun things that the library has to offer, looking on the computer, making copies of pictures, and watching the fish in the aquarium. That's where she finds it, a sparkly book about fish! As she finds a quiet corner to read, her friends walk in for story time. Will Maisy ever find a nice, quiet place to enjoy her fish book?

Practice this Comprehension Strategy-Making Connections:
As you read Maisy Goes to the Library ask your child questions about the story in relation to their own life and experiences. This is a perfect story to make connections to your own local library branch. Does your library have books about tigers, or computers to work on, is there music to listen to, or an aquarium to watch the fish swimming? Has your child read any books about fish like Maisy? Find some similarities and differences between your own local library and Maisy's. The story can be a mirror where they can see similarities of their own life reflected in the pages, or a window where they can look out into other's lives and see what's different than their own. This will further their interest and engagement in the story.

Do this with your child:
After reading Maisy Goes to the Library take a trip to your local library and see if you can find any books like the one's Maisy found. Check out a favorite book or two and find your own nice, quiet place to read. Sign your child up for a library card if they don't already have one!

If you're interested in sharing Maisy Goes to the Library with your child you can find it from Candlewick Press here. Please like them on Facebook and follow them on Twitter.

Alexander, Who Used to be Rich Last Sunday

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

Alexander, Who Used to be Rich Last Sunday is appropriate for children age 5-9.

Summary:
Alexander's grandparents came to visit and Alexander knows that when they come, they bring a dollar for him and his brothers. He loves when his grandparents visit because he loves money. But in Alexander, Who Used to be Rich Last Sunday he quickly learns how fast that dollar can disappear. Follow along with the story written by Judith Viorst and illustrated by Ray Cruz to discover where all of Alexander's money disappears.

Practice this Comprehension Strategy-Making Connections:
As you read Alexander, Who Used to be Rich Last Sunday you will be able to help your child find connections to their own life. This book can be a window into their own spending habits or a mirror to reflect a possibly less desirable outcome for their money. You can ask have a conversation about whether your child has ever wanted to spend their money right away, if they find it hard to save their money, or if there has ever been something that they really wanted that they would save their money to buy. 

Do this with your child:
Alexander, Who Used to be Rich Last Sunday provides an excellent opportunity to practice your child's financial literacy skills. Alexander has one dollar bill but as he spends his money, his total is less and less. For older children, keep track of the amounts that he's spending to see how much he has left. You can use real money to help keep track of the amount. For younger children, talk about the different types of money, bills and coins, and help your child recognize them by size and color. For the youngest children, coin sorting and stacking can be a fun activity to go along with the story.

If you're interested in sharing Alexander, Who Used to be Rich Last Sunday with your child you can find it from Aladdin Paperbacks, a division of Simon & Schuster here. Please like them on Facebook and follow them on Twitter and Instagram.

Kite Flying

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

Kite Flying is appropriate for children of all ages.

Summary:
It is a windy day, perfect for flying a kite. Join this family as they cut, paint, glue and create their own kite in Kite Flying by Grace Lin.The bright pictures and simple text will delight readers of all ages.

Practice this Comprehension Strategy-Making Connections:
After you read Kite Flying, talk with your child about how they can relate to the story. Have you ever flown a kite as a family? Have you watched kites being flown? If so, do you remember where or when or even what the kites looked like? Have you read any other stories that have kites in them? Your child will be using their own experiences to further engage with the story, creating a stronger understanding of the text.

Do this with your child:
The family in Kite Flying works together to create and fly their own kite. Each member of the family has a different job to do in order to make the kite as perfect as possible. You can do something similar with your own family, be it making your own kite, or a different fun project like baking cookies, or making a box car or building a fort. Let each person have a part in the process and then enjoy the end result together!

If you're interested in sharing Kite Flying with your child you can find it from Dragonfly Books here. Please like them on Facebook and follow them on Twitter.

For more from author Grace Lin visit her blog.

Te Amo I Love You

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

Te Amo I Love You is appropriate for children age 2-8.

Summary:
Te Amo I Love You is a charming bilingual book celebrating the love between a parent and a child. The darling illustrations depict a variety of animals telling their young things that they love about each other. Calee M. Lee and Tricia Tharp capture the beautiful bond between parent and child that transcends all species.

Practice this Comprehension Strategy-Making Connections:
As you read Te Amo I Love You ask you child to try to make connections using the text and pictures. They will be using what they already know to become further involved with the reading. How does the text connect to them? How can they make connections between the text and other stories they've read? And can they make connections between the text and the world around them? Has your child ever made a pillow fort; have they read any other stories that have shooting stars; have they ever watched a dog enjoying a bone? All these things will get your child more invested in the story as they think of ways they can relate it to their own self and their experiences.

Do this with your child:
February is a month full of promoting love and friendship. Te Amo I Love You is full of different ways that a parent describes their love. Make a list with your child of ways that you love each other. Pick one item from your list and draw a picture to go along with that depiction.

If you're interested in sharing Te Amo I Love You with your child you can find it from Xist Publishing here. Please like them on Facebook and follow them on Twitter.