Flower Garden

FOR THE WEEKEND, share this title with your child. 

Flower Garden is appropriate for children of all ages.

Summary:
Flower Garden is a lovely spring title that celebrates the beauty even the tiniest of gardens can bring. Follow this little girl and her soon to be garden as they go from the store, to the bus, to their apartment. Author Eve Bunting's simple rhyming text perfectly accompany the stunning images from illustrator Kathryn Hewitt to create this special garden surprise. 

Practice this Comprehension Strategy-Making Connections:
Flower Garden is a wonderful story for your reader to practice making connections. As you read, ask questions about what experiences they have in common with the little girl in the story. Has your child picked out flowers a garden, do they help with the shopping, do you live in an apartment? Books serve as both windows for readers to catch a glimpse into a life they might not have experienced; but they also serve as mirrors where a reader can see their own story reflected. By making connections to their own life and by reading about a life different from their own, a reader will become more engaged in the story and its outcomes.

Do this with your child:
After you read Flower Garden plant a window garden of your own! You can always find a place to put a happy little garden. You can plant flowers or herbs to use in your kitchen. Check out this article for inspiration.

If you're interested in sharing Flower Garden with your child you can find it from Houghton Mifflin Harcourt 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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Diary of a Wombat

FOR THE WEEKEND, share this title with your child. 

Diary of a Wombat is appropriate for children of all ages.

Summary:
Diary of a Wombat by Jackie French with pictures by Bruce Whatley is a hilarious and adorable peek into the weekly routine of a wombat. Wombats are cuddly-looking, slow-moving Australian animals who spend their time eating, digging and sleeping. This particular wombat encounters a slight change in his routine when his new neighbors, a family of humans, move in next door. He quickly learns about carrots and all the ways to acquire them. Read along and enjoy the charming illustrations as this wombat learns to train his new human neighbors.

Practice this Comprehension Strategy-Retelling:
Diary of a Wombat is a wonderful story for your reader to practice retelling. After you read the story, allow your child to take a turn and tell the story for you. If they become stuck or need help, encourage them to use the illustrations to spark their memory. Even if the story isn't the same just by taking a role as the leader, your child will become more invested in the overall experience.  

Do this with your child:
After you read Diary of a Wombat encourage your child to start a diary of their own to track their own week. Or if you have a pet in the family, start a diary for them! Maybe you have a grumpy cat or an overactive pup, a slow turtle or a chirpy bird. Have your child observe the animal and if they're able, write their observations; if they aren't writing yet, have them draw a picture of the animal's activities. Have fun!

If you're interested in sharing Diary of a Wombat with your child you can find it from Houghton Mifflin Harcourt 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.

Dozens of Cousins

FOR THE WEEKEND, share this title Family themed title with your child! 

Dozens of Cousins is appropriate for children of all ages.

Summary:
Dozens of Cousins from author Shutta Crum and illustrator David Catrow is a true celebration of family. It is time for the annual family reunion. Join along as aunt, uncles, sisters, brothers, grandparents and of course dozens of cousins gather. These cousins spend the day playing, exploring, eating, and laughing surrounded with the people they love most. This lyrical story is filled with lively illustrations that readers will enjoy exploring again and again.

Practice this Comprehension Strategy-Take A Picture Walk:
Before you read Dozens of Cousins flip through the pages with your child and talk about what you see in the pictures. When you take a picture walk before reading, your child will be furthering their involvement in the story, and this story has pictures filled with happy details. Ask questions about who is on the page, where they are, what it looks like they're doing. Then as you read, see if any of your child's answers match what is happening in the story.

Do this with your child:
After reading Dozens of Cousins talk with your child about your own family. Does your child have any cousins? Have you ever had a family reunion? Help your child write a letter about the fun things you'd like to do together and send to a family member you might not get to see too often. 

If you're interested in sharing Dozens of Cousins with your child you can find it from Clarion Books, an imprint of Houghton and Mifflin Harcourt, here. You can like them on Facebook and follow them on Twitter for more inspiration.

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Feast for 10

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

Feast for 10 is appropriate for children of all ages.

Summary:
Feast for 10 from author Cathryn Falwell is a simple and beautiful story listing out all the things this family is using for their feast. You'll count from 1-10 twice as the family makes their way through the grocery store and through the meal prepping process. Readers young and old will delight in the familiarity of the traditional family meal time and lively collage images.

Practice this Comprehension Strategy-Sequencing:
Feast for 10 is a perfect story to practice sequencing with your young reader. Each page takes you through a new number. After reading, look through the story again and have your child put the events in order. Did the family pick 5 types of beans or 2 pumpkins first? Ask questions using the words first, then and next. By analyzing the sequence of events in the story, your child will further their engagement with the book and deepen their interest in the story.

Do this with your child:
After reading Feast for 10 talk with your child about traditions. Does your family have a specific meal they like to prepare? Did you celebrate Thanksgiving with a turkey and mashed potatoes or do you prepare a different menu? This is also an excellent book to use for counting. You and your child can count items on your own trip to the grocery store or even in your own kitchen!

If you're interested in sharing Feast for 10 with your child you can find it from Houghton Mifflin & Harcourt here. Please like them on Facebook and follow them on Twitter for more inspiring tales.

Have you heard about The Great Book Challenge?

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Curious George at the Baseball Game

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

Curious George at the Baseball Game is appropriate for children of all ages.

Summary:
George is at it again! In the classic Curious George at the Baseball Game follow the adventures of this curious little monkey as he sits in the dugout, watches from the stands, and of course, finds a way to get into and out of trouble! 

Practice this Comprehension Strategy-Sequencing:
After reading Curious George at the Baseball Game talk to your child about which order the events happen in the story. Use words like 'before,' 'after,' and 'next' to help your child put the events in order. Did George sit in the stands or the dugout first? When did he find the little boy? Ask questions to help prompt your child if they need it!

Do this with your child:
In Curious George at the Baseball Game George and the man with the yellow hat watch baseball. Has your child ever played baseball or t-ball? Take the opportunity to go outside and play! You can try baseball or any sport that you've seen during the Olympics; it is always fun to try something new and play outside. Playing a sport or a game will help your child learn teamwork, let them practice following directions, and build self esteem. 

If you're interested in sharing Curious George at the Baseball Game with your child you can find it from Houghton Mifflin Harcourt here. Please like them on Facebook and Instagram.