The Little Mouse, the Red Ripe Strawberry, and the Big Hungry Bear

FOR THE WEEKEND share this classic title with your child. 

The Little Mouse, The Red Ripe Strawberry, and the Big Hungry Bear is appropriate for children of all ages.

Summary:
The Little Mouse, The Red Ripe Strawberry, and the Big Hungry Bear is a classic piece from Don and Audrey Wood. When the little mouse finds a red, juicy strawberry he is quick to learn from the narrator that a hungry bear is on the prowl. In humorous and sweet interactions with the narrator, the little mouse makes attempt after attempt to hide this strawberry that is bigger than him. Read the story to find out if he is successful!

Practice this Comprehension Strategy-Making Predictions:
The Little Mouse, The Red Ripe Strawberry, and the Big Hungry Bear is a wonderful book to practice making predictions. As you read, ask your child what the little mouse might try next to hide the strawberry. You can also ask if they think that trick will be successful or not and why. Also ask if they think there is a hungry bear at all, or could it possibly be just a very hungry narrator!?

Do this with your child:
After you read The Little Mouse, The Red Ripe Strawberry, and the Big Hungry Bear ask your reader which was their favorite way to hide the strawberry. Then ask if they have any other ideas about what the little mouse could have tried. Once they pick a favorite hiding place, have them draw their own picture to add to the story!

If you're interested in sharing The Little Mouse, The Red Ripe Strawberry, and the Big Hungry Bear with your child you can find it published by Child's Play International here. 

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Monster Trouble

FOR THE HALLOWEEN WEEKEND share this spooky title with your child. 

Monster Trouble is appropriate for children of all ages.

Summary:
Monster Trouble is a charming story from Lane Fredrickson with spunky pictures by Michael Roberston. Nothing frightens Winifred Schnitzel, but she does need her sleep! The neighborhood monsters sneak into her room every night and create quite a scene, they growl and belch and won't let Winifred be. She tries everything she can think of to get rid of these pesky beasts but her traps just can't contain them. Luckily Winifred learns the ultimate trick and finds out what monsters hate - KISSES! Readers young and old will delight in the endearing verse and colorful images which pair together perfectly to tell this super sweet monster tale. 

Practice this Comprehension Strategy-Making Predictions:
Monster Trouble is a great book for your reader to practice making predictions. As you read, ask your reader questions about what they think might happen next? Do they think Winifred will be able to keep the monsters at bay? What do they think she might try to do next? By engaging with the story in a more interactive role, your reader will have an overall more impactful book sharing experience.

Do this with your child:
After you read Monster Trouble check out More Halloween titles via this article from The Washington Post 

Reading to your kids on Halloween is sweeter than candy corn www.washingtonpost.com Make memories with “Goodnight Goon,” “Six Creepy Sheep” and other scary classics for kids.

If you're interested in sharing Monster Trouble with your child you can find it from Sterling Publishing sold through Amazon here. 

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Sky Color

FOR THE WEEKEND, share this title with your child. 

Sky Color is appropriate for children of all ages.

Summary:
Sky Color by Peter Reynolds is a stunning piece of art which will captivate readers young and old. Marisol is an artist through and through, she loves to paint, her walls are lined with artwork, and she shares her work and passion with everyone around her. So when her teacher says that her class is going to paint a mural outside the library Marisol can't wait to begin! But when looking for blue for the sky she discovers that it is nowhere to be found. Gazing at the sunset and dreaming of swirling colors, Marisol has found her solution!

Practice this Comprehension Strategy-Making Predictions:
Sky Color is a wonderful story to practice making predictions. As you read, ask your child what they think will happen next. Prompt them to use the colors and pictures on the pages to inform their thoughts. You can also ask questions about how they would handle the prediciment Marisol finds herself in. By furthering their participation in the story, they will create a deeper connection to the text. 

Do this with your child:
After you read Sky Color with your child work together to make a painting of your own. Encourage your child to think outside the box like Marisol and practice mixing and using different colors. When you're all finished and the masterpiece is dry, hang it in your own home gallery (just like Marisol's refridgerator!) If you're looking for inspiration, check out 60+ watercolor techniques for kids from The Artful Parent.

If you're interested in sharing Sky Color with your child, along with a handful of other wonderful Peter Reynolds titles, you can find it from Candlewick Press 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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The Family Book

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

The Family Book is appropriate for children of all ages.

Summary:
Readers young and old will delight in the bright and bold The Family Book from Todd Parr. This books touches on the many diverse types of families that fill our world. Some families are big, some are small; some families like in a house by themselves, some live in a house with other families. But the text also describes what makes all families the same. All families like to celebrate special days and all families are sad when they lose someone. Todd Parr does an amazing job reminding us all that despite our differences, we are more alike than we sometimes think!

Practice this Comprehension Strategy-Making Predictions:
The Family Book is a great book to use to make predictions about what's to come. Each page depicts a different type of family, large or small, messy or clean. As you read the first type, ask your child what they think the next family might be. By giving them a role to play in sharing the story, they will be further engaged in the text. 

Do this with your child:
After reading The Family Book talk with your child about all the types of families there are. Talk with your child about your own family and ask questions about which parts of the book relate to your own family and which are different. Make a list using the pages in the book to see what type of family you have!

If you're interested in sharing The Family Book with your child you can find it from Little Brown Books for Young Readers here. You can like Todd Parr on Facebook and follow him on Twitter for more inspiration.

Have you heard about The Great Book Challenge?

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This School Year Will Be the Best!

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

This School Year Will Be the Best! is appropriate for school age children.

Summary:
In the silly and fun This School Year Will Be the Best!  it is the first day of the school year and the teacher asks the children "what do you hope will happen this year?" Author Kay Winters and illustrator Renee Andriani combine their talents to bring these students wishes to the next level! You and your child will giggle through this wonderful story that is perfect for the first month of school.

Practice this Comprehension Strategy-Summarizing:
This School Year Will Be the Best! is a wonderful book to use to make predictions. As you go through the book, look at the picture on the page before you read the text. Ask your child what they think each child's hope for the school year is based on the picture. Since the illustrations are exaggerated, it will be fun for you and your child to find out if their predictions are correct!

Do this with your child:
Every child shares their wish for the school year in This School Year Will Be the Best! Ask your child what they hope will happen them during their school year. Then work together to illustrate their wish in a fun way!

If you're interested in sharing This School Year Will Be the Best! with your child you can find it from Penguin Books USA here. Please like them on Facebook and follow them on Twitter.

I Will Never Not Ever Eat a Tomato

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

I Will Never Not Ever Eat a Tomato is appropriate for all ages.

Summary:
I Will Never Not Ever Eat a Tomato is a new take on the classic picky eater tale. Lola is very fussy about food. But when brother Charlie explains that those are not peas, but rather incredibly rare Greendrops from Greenland, she just has to try them. But what about those tomoatos? Will Lola be tricked into trying those?

Practice this Comprehension Strategy-Take a Picture Walk:
Before you read I Will Never Not Ever Eat a Tomato flip through the pages with your child asking what they see. Talk about the different foods that are on the pages. Ask your child if Lola looks happy or curious or mad. After discussing what you see on the pages, ask your child to make a prediction about what they think is happening in the story. After you read, see if any of their predictions were correct!

Do this with your child:
After reading I Will Never Not Ever Eat a Tomato talk with your child about their favorite part of the story. Have them draw a picture of their favorite part or of a food they think can be called something else. If you have a picky eater at home, use this book as a platform to start trying new things!

If you're interested in sharing I Will Never Not Ever Eat a Tomato with your child you can find it from Candlewick Press here. Please follow them on Twitter. Click here for more from author/illustrator Lauren Child. 

A Dollar for Penny

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

A Dollar for Penny is appropriate for Preschool to Grade 1.

Summary:
Penny sells lemonade for one cent, but in A Dollar for Penny the price goes up! With each new sale, Penny charges a little bit more. Follow along with the story from author Dr. Julie Glass and illustrator Joy Allen to see how much money she makes and what she buys with her profit!

Practice this Comprehension Strategy-Making Predictions:
A Dollar for Penny is a great book for practicing making predictions. Each person that comes to buy lemonade from Penny seems to have something special with them. Have your child pay attention to the illustrations as you read together to make an educated guess about what they think Penny will buy and what will happen in the end of the story. 

Do this with your child:
After reading A Dollar for Penny talk with your child about different ways that they can earn money. Discuss that in order to earn money, they have to work for it. Maybe they can sell lemonade like Penny, or do chores around the house like setting the table or doing the dishes.  

If you're interested in sharing A Dollar for Penny with your child you can find it from Penguin Random House here. Please like them on Facebook and follow them on Twitter and Instagram.