Ruby's Baby Brother

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

Ruby's Baby Brother is appropriate for preschool age children.

Summary:
Ruby's Baby Brother is a wonderful and relatable book about the struggles a child can experience when their family is growing. Ruby is not excited when she learns that she will be getting a baby brother, babies are loud and smelly and she isn't too sure that she wants one around the house. But when baby Leon arrives Ruby learns how to be a big sister through imagination and play. And when baby Leon needs her most, Ruby is there. Kathryn White and Miriam Latimer have done an incredible job making this charming story one that any new older sibling can relate to.

Practice this Comprehension Strategy-Retelling:
Ruby's Baby Brother is an excellent book to practice retelling. As you read through, emphasize major elements of the story - characters, events, places, etc.. Then after you've finished, let your reader take a turn to tell the story to you. You may find that you hear a completely different story, and that is okay! What is most important is that your reader is engaging with the book and the text and having an overall more involved book sharing experience.

Do this with your child:
After you read Ruby's Baby Brother talk with your reader about your own family. Do they have siblings or cousins or pets that they love to help and play with? Then pick an activity to do together as a family whether it be game night, catching a movie, enjoying a walk through the neighborhood, or a trip to the park. Enjoy your family and have fun!

If you're interested in sharing Ruby's Baby Brother with your child you can find it published by Barefoot Books and available through Amazon here. 

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

You and Me Together: Moms, Dads and Kids Around the World

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

You and Me Together: Moms, Dads and Kids Around the World is appropriate for children of all ages.

Summary:
You and Me Together: Moms, Dads and Kids Around the World is a fantastic glimpse into the diverse world from National Geographic and author Barbara Kerley. Simple rhyming text paired with striking photographs detail parent-child relationships across the globe. While we may look different from other families this book is a wonderful reminder that some things are universal. 

Practice this Comprehension Strategy-Making Connections:
You and Me Together: Moms, Dads and Kids Around the World is a great book for your reader to practice making connections. Each page details a different aspect of family life. As you read through, ask your child if your own family does what these families are doing. Does your family have a pet, do you have nap time, etc.? Use this book to spark conversations about the world beyond your reader's own community, a window into the world around them. You can also use this book as a mirror, where your child can see their own family reflected back at them.

Do this with your child:
November is National Family Literacy Month! Family literacy is described as two generations or more being actively engaged in learning together. Taking the time to share a story can strengthen the bonds between parent and child, siblings, and grandparents. So after you read You and Me Together: Moms, Dads and Kids Around the World we encourage you to take a trip to your bookshelf or local library and pick out more titles to share together!

If you're interested in sharing You and Me Together: Moms, Dads and Kids Around the World with your child you can find it published by National Geographic available through Amazon here. 

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

RAR's Summer Book Sharing List & Tips

Share these fun titles this summer!

Summer has arrived and Raising A Reader has created a list of recommended titles for summer straight from the RAR collection. You will find 40 titles (20 English and 20 Spanish/Bilingual) to delight and entertain during your summer vacation. Check these titles out at your local library or independent bookstore.

   

Click HERE to see the entire list.

Help your child avoid learning loss this summer. Check out the Raising A Reader: Tips for Summer Reading

The Library

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

The Library is appropriate for all ages.

Summary:
Follow the story of Elizabeth Brown in The Library from author Sarah Stewart and illustrator David Small.Elizabeth Brown was different than the other children, she didn't want to to play with dolls, she didn't want potato chips, she wanted to read. As she grew older, her book collection grew and grew until there was not even room to get to her front door. The way she solves the problem will warm the hearts of book lovers, young and old.

Practice this Comprehension Strategy-Sequencing:
After you read The Library pull out some of the major details. You might want to choose Elizabeth Brown falls from the sky, she goes to school, buys a house, she vacuums or buys groceries, and finally she opens a library. Ask your child about the order in which these events occur in the story, Use words like "first," "then," and "next."  This will further their engagement in the story and therefore their comprehension of the text.

Do this with your child:
After reading The Library take a trip to your local library and pick out a handful of books to take home. Sign your child up for a library card if they don't already have one!

If you're interested in sharing The Library with your child you can find it from Square Fish, an imprint of Macmillan Publishers here. Please like them on Facebook and follow them on Twitter and Instagram.

The Giant Hug

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

The Giant Hug is appropriate for children age 2-8.

Summary:
In The Giant Hug, written by Sandra Horning and illustrated by Valeri Gorbachev, Owen wants to send his Granny the perfect birthday gift in the mail, a GIANT hug. A drawing of a hug just won't do. You and your child will delight in the journey that this giant hug takes as each different postal worker opens their arms as wide as they possibly can to pass along Owen's hug for Granny.

Practice this Comprehension Strategy-Retelling/Chronological Order:
As you read The Giant Hug help your child pay attention to the order that the hug travels. Make a mental note of who or where the hug goes to after Owen passes it along at the post office. After reading, ask your child to retell you the story, trying their best to have the hug pass along the same order.

Do this with your child:
Owen is sending his Grandma a giant hug for her birthday. Since February is a month to promote friendship and love, make a list with your child of all the nice things we can do for our friends and loved ones. You can pick flowers for your teacher, or draw a picture for a sibling or classmate, you can bring a yummy snack to your grandparents, or give someone your own GIANT hug! Pick a few items on the list to complete together.

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

For more on author Sandra Horning visit her website here. Like illustrator Valeri Gorbachev on Facebook.

The Snowy Day

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

The Snowy Day is appropriate for children age 2-8.

Summary:
In The Snowy Day, written and illustrated by Ezra Jack Keats, join in the wintery adventures of Peter as he enjoys a snow day. Peter wakes up to his neighborhood covered in snow, he suits up and heads off for a day of forging tracks, building snowmen and making snow angels. He even made the perfect snowball and kept it in his pocket. You and your child will enjoy curling up under a blanket as you explore the beautiful pictures and simple story of The Snowy Day.

Practice this Comprehension Strategy-Take a Picture Walk:
Before you read The Snowy Day flip through the pages with your child, paying attention to the pictures on each page. As you flip through, without using any of the text, ask your child to tell you the story based on the pictures. 

Do this with your child:
Peter does all types of things as he's playing in the snow. If it's snowing where you live have your child try some of the things that Peter did; make different tracks, build a snowman, perfect their snowball. If it isn't snowing or you live in a more moderate climate, you can still do some of the movements with your child. They might enjoy making tracks in the mud and finding a stick to add to their tracks. You can show them how to make a snow angel on the carpet or hardwood floor. 

If you're interested in sharing The Snowy Day with your child you can find it from Puffin Books here. Please like them on Facebook and follow them on Twitter.

To learn more about Ezra Jack Keats, click here.

Poppleton in Winter

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

Poppleton in Winter is a beginning chapter book appropriate for school age children.

Summary:
In Poppleton in Winter, written by Cynthia Rylant and illustrated by Mark Teague, join Poppleton the pig in three winter stories. In the first story, Poppleton loves his house covered in icicles, but discover what happens when Patrick the finch accidentally knocks them all down. Then in the second, Poppleton decides to sculpt a bust of his friend and neighbor Cherry Sue. And in the third, find out why all of Poppleton's friends are too busy cooking to join him on a sleigh ride.

Practice this Comprehension Strategy-Inference:
As you read Poppleton in Winter ask your child to guess what they think will happen on the next page using the clues in the story. They will be making inferences based on what you have read and what the pictures tell them. 

Do this with your child:
There are 3 separate stories in Poppleton in Winter. Ask your child which was their favorite and why they chose that specific story. Then have them draw a picture to add a new winter adventure for Poppleton and his friends to take!

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

To learn more about author Cynthia Rylant, visit her website.

Perritos en Invierno/A Winter's Tale

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

Perritos en invierno/A Winter's Tail is appropriate for children age 4-8.

Summary:
Join Martha and Skitsy as they share an adventure with their humans in Perritos en invierno/A Winter's Tail. Based on the characters created by Susan Meddaugh and adapted by Karen Barrs. Learn the story of why Skitsy is afraid of hockey pucks in this exciting story, written in both Spanish and English. 

Practice this Comprehension Strategy-Cause and Effect:
As you read Perritos en invierno/A Winter's Tail ask your child to think about why the events in the story are happening. Why did Helen show Skits Mr. Chewy in the snow? Why was Ronald no longer mad after Skits took the hockey puck? Why did Martha and Helen go get Dad? These are all questions that will get your child thinking about how all actions have effects associated with them, this happened because of this. This strategy is called cause and effect.

Do this with your child:
Perritos en invierno/A Winter's Tail is in both Spanish and English. If you are comfortable in both languages read through the story twice, once in each language. If not, pick one page in the story to practice in the unfamiliar language. It will be a fun learning experience for you and your child!!

If you're interested in sharing Perritos en invierno/A Winter's Tail with your child you can find it from Houghton Mifflin Harcourt here. Please like them on Facebook and follow them on Twitter.

Rain

HAPPY NEW YEAR! Winter is upon us and in California, we're finally getting rain! FOR THE WEEKEND, share this fun title with your child! 

Rain is appropriate for children age 2-8.

Summary:
Winter isn't always about snow! In the bright and bold Rain, written and illustrated by Manya Stojic, the animals in the hot dry land all sense that the rain is coming. Each animal can tell for a different reason, zebra can see it, rhino can feel it, and porcupine can smell it. Once the winter and rain are over, the hot dry land is transformed into a whole new landscape. Use your senses and explore the rain with the animals.

Practice this Comprehension Strategy-Retelling:
After you read Rain ask your child to take a turn and read the story to you. Retelling a story helps your child refine their understanding of the story, and helps them to develop concepts about words and books. As they're retelling, see if your child can correctly remember which animal used which of their senses to know that the rain is coming. 

Do this with your child:
Rain introduces the idea of using all of your senses to explore your surroundings. Each animal used a different sense to know that the rain was coming. Pick something in your home to explore with all of your senses as well. You can pick anything from play dough or  food or the couch or an ice cube, anything you can think of really. What does this object feel like, smell like, how does it sound, what does it look like, and if appropriate, what does this object taste like. If you want to take it one step further, record your observations with your child.

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

Should I Share My Ice Cream?

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

Should I Share My Ice Cream? is appropriate for children age 2-8.

Summary:
In this Elephant & Piggie book from author and illustrator Mo Willems, Elephant Gerald struggles with the idea of sharing his ice cream with his best friend Piggie. Gerald realizes, after much contemplation, that sharing his ice cream cone with Piggie will make her happy, and is the right thing to do. In a dramatic twist, Gerald drops his ice cream cone. Continue reading to see what happens next.

Practice this Comprehension Strategy-Re-telling:
After you read Should I Share My Ice Cream? ask your child to take a turn and this time, they will tell the story to you. To help them get ready for re-telling ask question as you read through the story. Make note of what is happening on the pages, and of the decisions Gerald is making. Then when it is your child's turn, let them lead the way. Only prompt them if they ask or get stuck. You may end up hearing a very different story from the original, but that is okay!

Do this with your child:
Elephant Gerald has a tough decision to make in Should I Share My Ice Cream? He wants to eat his ice cream cone, but he also wants his friend Piggie to be happy. Ask your child about why it is important to share and to give. For an extra activity, help your child pick out some canned goods to donate to help make someone happy and bring them to a local drop off! 

If you're interested in sharing Should I Share My Ice Cream? with your child you can find it from Hyperion Books for Children here. Please follow them on Instagram and Twitter.

Find more from Mo Willems on his website and follow him on Twitter.

Tacky and the Winter Games

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

Tacky and the Winter Games is appropriate for children age 3-8.

Summary:
Tacky the Penguin is a bit of a misfit among his fellow penguins. He never seems to do things quite like his friends. The same is true in Tacky and the Winter Games from author Helen Lester and illustrator Lynn Munsinger. The penguins from Nice Icy Land travel to compete in the winter games with Tacky in tow. He may not have the most conventional approach to the games but read to find out how Tacky helps get his team into first place in Tacky and the Winter Games.

Practice this Comprehension Strategy-Sequencing:
As you read Tacky and the Winter Games talk with your child, making a point to emphasize what the penguins are doing now. Once you have finished the story, practice sequencing, putting the stories events in order. Did the penguins of Nice Icy Land march to the games before they trained? Was the bobsled race before or after the relay race? If your child needs prompting, let them look through the pages to infer from the pictures in the story.

Do this with your child:
Tacky does some silly things in Tacky and the Winter Games from skiing on thawed fish skis to sleeping during sit-ups. Ask your child to pick their favorite thing that Tacky does in the story and draw a picture of it. They can also draw themselves doing the silly things with Tacky. 

If you're interested in sharing Tacky and the Winter Games with your child you can find it from Houghton Mifflin Company Books here. For more fun reads, please follow them on Twitter and like them on Facebook.

Limited Edition Ruby the Reader Ornament 

Purchase your very own holiday penguin ornament, Ruby the Reader. While Supplies Last! Support Raising A Reader through the purchase of this one-of-a-kind ornament by Christopher Radko. All Proceeds benefit Raising A Reader. Click here to order.

The Giving Tree

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

With our bellies stuffed from Thanksgiving and our hearts filled with love and gratitude from spending time with family and friends, December is a great month for us to help our little ones think about and engage in acts of giving. From giving physical things to giving their time to help others, December often represents a time for all of us to stop and help those in need. 

This month, RAR will suggest titles for families to share together that focus on the Gift of Giving. 

The Giving Tree is appropriate for all ages.

Summary:
"Once there was a tree... and she loved a little boy." So begins a story of unforgettable perception, beautifully written and illustrated by the gifted and versatile Shel Silverstein. Every day the boy would come to the tree to eat her apples, swing from her branches, or slide down her trunk... and the tree was happy. But as the boy grew older he began to want more from the tree, and the tree gave and gave.

Practice this Comprehension Strategy-Use Context Clues to Make Inferences:
Before you read The Giving Tree take a picture walk through the book with your child. The simple illustrations provide room for your child to make inferences and guesses as to what each page might hold. Have your child tell you what they think might be happening on the page. Start with the actual picture, there may be a tree and a boy. Take it further by asking what the boy is doing. Is he climbing, playing, picking apples. Then, as a more complex step for older children, ask your child if the boy looks happy, sad, tired, older. Ask if the tree looks happy, lonely, sad, proud. 

Do this with your child:
The tree is willing to give the boy everything that she has. She loves the boy and it makes her happy to share with him. Help your child make a list of the people who give to them. Then make another list of ways that your child can be more giving. We don't have to give everything we have to help other people but think of some ways that we can help.

For access to fun and silly activities relating to The Giving Tree and other Shel Silverstein titles, check out his website here.

If you're interested in sharing The Giving Tree with your child you can find it from Harper Collins Publishers here. Please like them on Facebook and follow them on Twitter.

Limited Edition Ruby the Reader Ornament 

During the Season of Giving, support Raising A Reader through the purchase of this one-of-a-kind Ruby the Reader ornament by Christopher Radko. While Supplies Last! All Proceeds benefit Raising A Reader. Click here to order.

Giving Thanks: A Native American Good Morning Message

HAPPY THANKSGIVING! 

CELEBRATE THANKSGIVING and share this fun title with your child! 

Giving Thanks: A Native American Good Morning Message is appropriate for children of all ages.

Summary:
Greet the morning in Giving Thanks: A Native American Good Morning Message written by Chief Jake Swamp and illustrated by Erwin Printup, Jr. Every morning you can find yourself thankful for so many things surrounding you. This story takes you into the Thanksgiving Address, an ancient message of peace and appreciation of Mother Earth and all her inhabitants. The simple words combined with the bright and bold illustrations are an excellent reminder that we always have something to be thankful for.

Practice this Comprehension Strategy-Picture Walk:
Use the pictures on the pages of Giving Thanks: A Native American Good Morning Message to ask your child what they think each page holds. Every page offers something new to be thankful for. Before reading the words on the page, ask your child what they see. Then open the discussion further to why we might be thankful for these things. 

Do this with your child:
Giving Thanks: A Native American Good Morning Message opens the door for a discussion about being grateful. This story shows many of the things that we have to be thankful for. Talk with your child about what you are grateful for and then ask them what they are thankful for. Have them draw a picture of some of those things, be sure to help them write what their picture is of. Use lots of colors just like in the story.

If you're interested in sharing Giving Thanks: A Native American Good Morning Message with your child you can find it from Lee and Low Books. Follow them on Twitter and like them on Facebook!

To hear Chief Jake Swamp deliver the Thanksgiving Address click here.

My Brother Charlie

CELEBRATE FAMILY LITERACY MONTH! FOR THE WEEKEND, share this fun title with your child! 

My Brother Charlie is appropriate for children ages 4-8.

Summary:

Every family is different, including the family in My Brother Charlie written by Holly Robinson Peete and her daughter Ryan Elizabeth Peete. Explore this story from Callie's perspective as she talks about her relationship with her twin brother Charlie. Charlie has autism, this means he thinks differently than lots of people. Callie tells about the things he enjoys and the things he doesn't. And even though Charlie doesn't always say I love you, Callie tells all the ways he shows it.   

Practice this Comprehension Strategy-Compare and Contrast:

After you read My Brother Charlie, make a list with your child of all the things they remember that Charlie and Callie are good at, as well as all of the things that they find hard. Then also do this for you and your child. It will help them to realize that every person is good at some things but not others. In this way they can relate to both Charlie and Callie. They will be able to see the similarities and differences in Charlie and Callie and relate that to their own life.

Do this with your child:

This beautiful book describes what it can be like to have a sibling, a friend, a child with autism. It is important to know that just because someone has a hard time sharing their feelings, that doesn't mean they don't have feelings at all. Talk with your child about some of the ways to be kind and inclusive, even if someone seems shy or different. 

If you're interested in sharing My Brother Charlie with your child you can find it from Scholastic Press New York here. 

To learn more about Holly Robinson Peete's foundation for Autism Awareness click HollyRod.

Last Day to enter our
NATIONAL FAMILY LITERACY MONTH CONTEST
for your chance to win!!

Raising A Reader is celebrating National Family Literacy Month! Join us by liking us on Facebook and posting your favorite book to share with your family, tagging @RARnational and #RaisingAReader.

Contest will run Nov. 16-22

2 winners per week will receive:

-RAR tote bag with 5 age appropriate books 

I Love My Pirate Papa

HAPPY NATIONAL FAMILY LITERACY DAY! 
For the entire month of November, Raising A Reader will highlight books that focus on families!

CELEBRATE FAMILY LITERACY MONTH and share this fun title with your child! 

I Love My Pirate Papa is appropriate for all children.

(Harcourt Children's Books, 2007)

Summary:
Even pirates read bedtime stories! In the charming story, I Love My Pirate Papa, a young boy takes us on a journey through his day as a pirate with his pirate papa. Together they hoist the anchor, discover hidden treasure, chow down on some grub and then his pirate papa tucks him in with his bedtime story. You and your child will adore he darling illustrations by Kyle M Stone and delight in the fun rhyming story written by Laura Leuck. 

Practice this Comprehension Strategy-Sequencing:
While you read I Love My Pirate Papa, ask your child to listen and watch the order of this pirate family's day. After you have ready through the story, pull out a few details and ask your child if they remember what order they happened. For example, did they eat stew before or after divvying up the treasure? This daily routine can be reflected in your child's own life. Does your child eat dinner before going to school? I Love My Pirate Papa provides an excellent opportunity to discuss sequencing and order within the story and within your child's own life.

Do this with your child:
What child doesn't love to be silly? If you're feeling adventurous, read I Love My Pirate Papa (or just parts of it) in your best pirate voice. Reading in different voices exposes your child to new experiences and can deepen their interest and engagement in the story. Ask your child to try out their best pirate voice too. Chance "arrrre" that there will be some serious giggling all around!

If you're interested in sharing I Love My Pirate Papa with your child you can find it from Houghton Mifflin Harcourt here and like them on Facebook.

Follow Kyle M. Stone on Tumblr.