Iguanas in the Snow/Iguanas en la nieve

FOR THE WINTER WEEKEND share this title with your child. 

Iguanas in the Snow/Iguanas en la nieve is appropriate for preschool age children.

Summary:
Iguanas in the Snow/Iguanas en la nieve is a wonderful bilingual book of poems about winter featured in English and Spanish. Author Francisco X. Alarcon takes the reader through the San Francisco Bay Area in the wintertime and shares poetic stories about the City of Bridges. Illustrator Maya Christina Gonzalez's colorful images take the reader deeper into the spirited landscape.

Practice this Comprehension Strategy-Making Connections:
Iguanas in the Snow/Iguanas en la nieve is a lovely book to try making connections. Books can be both windows and mirrors, a place where the reader can see out into new worlds, or have their own experiences reflected back to them. After you read, you will be able to ask your reader if the winter in these poems looks like their own or if it is different. The poems take place across the Bay Area and into the Sierras, there is a beach and fog, and mountains and snow. Within the pages, your reader should be able to relate to pieces and experience new environments in others. 

Do this with your child:
After you read Iguanas in the Snow/Iguanas en la nieve talk with your reader about how different places have different winter experiences. Then work together to try to write your own winter poem about the winter your family experiences. You can also use this bilingual title to practice a new language. Pick out specific words, like winter and snow, and practice them in the respective Spanish version!

If you're interested in sharing Iguanas in the Snow/Iguanas en la nieve with your child you can find it published by Lee and Low Books here. 

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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. 

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Whiffy Wilson the Wolf Who Wouldn't Go to School

FOR THE WEEKEND share this title with your child. 

Whiffy Wilson The Wolf Who Wouldn't Go to School is appropriate for preschool age children.

Summary:
Whiffy Wilson The Wolf Who Wouldn't Go to School from Caryl Hart and Leonie Lord is a relatable tale about a young wolf who is convinced that school will be entirely too boring. His friend Dotty persuades him to tag along with her to class and see what it's all about. Whiffy thought he would miss spending his day watching TV, playing games and staying up late - but he finds that school is more fun than he could have imagined! Filled with adorable and humorous illustrations and flowing rhythmic text, Whiffy Wilson is a wonderful book to read as school begins.

Practice this Comprehension Strategy-Make Connections:
Whiffy Wilson The Wolf Who Wouldn't Go to School is a perfect book for making connections. Whiffy is reluctant to go to school, can your reader relate to that? Were they nervous, scared, or unsure before their own first day of school? When Whiffy gets to school he is delighted to find out that he is still able to play and have fun all day long, does your reader play games at school? Do they have fun with their friends? Books can be a mirror to reflect the reader's personal world, and they can be a window into new and different experiences. 

Do this with your child:
After you read Whiffy Wilson The Wolf Who Wouldn't Go to School talk with your reader about their favorite parts of their school day. Ask them to recreate this with you while they take the lead. Whether it be story time, outside play, snack time or workshop/activity time allow them to play the role of teacher and explain how their favorite school activity works!

If you're interested in sharing Whiffy Wilson The Wolf Who Wouldn't Go to School with your child you can find it from Hachette Children's Group here. 

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Hoops

FOR THE WEEKEND share this title with your child. 

Hoops is appropriate for children of all ages.

Summary:
Hoops is a poetic understanding of basketball, the experience of the game, and the beauty of teamwork. Feel the rough roundness of the ball. Celebrate the soaring freedom of the dunk. Savor the moment when all eyes focus on the long three-pointer. Author Robert Burleigh and illustrator Stephen T. Johnson beautifully bring the rhythm of the basketball court to the pages of this book.

Practice this Comprehension Strategy-Making Connections:
After you read Hoops ask your reader questions about their own experiences with basketball. Have they ever played the sport, do they play on a team, do they know the rules? You can also make connections about spectating: have they ever watched a basketball game, do they have a favorite team, etc.? Do they know or play any other sports? Use this book as a jumping point to learn about more sports that they might want to know more about.

Do this with your child:
After you read Hoops try out the sport together! You can try making baskets, passing, and dribbling the ball. Head to a local outdoor court or park, play on a mini hoop of your own, and have fun!

If you're interested in sharing Hoops with your child you can find it from Houghton Mifflin Harcourt here. 

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