Hello Ocean

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

Hello Ocean is appropriate for children of all ages.

Summary:
Come explore the ocean with your five senses in the beautiful Hello Ocean from author Pam Munoz Ryan and illustrator Mark Astrella. This story captures the essence of the ocean with it's stunning illustrations and poetic words. See, smell, feel, taste and hear the ocean and all of the wonder it has to offer.

Practice this Comprehension Strategy-Retelling:
After you read Hello Ocean ask your child to take a turn to tell you the story. Let them lead the way. They can make up an entirely new story or try to recall the information from the original. If they ask questions, prompt them to use the pictures on the pages to see if they can remember. Retelling a story, either in a new way or recalling the original, will deepen your child's engagement with the story.

Do this with your child:
After you read Hello Ocean you and your child can use your five senses to explore your own vacation (or staycation) travel destination. Whether you're spending the day at the pool or lake, or you're home in your own backyard, there is always an opportunity to explore your surroundings!

If you're interested in sharing Hello Ocean with your child you can find it from Charlesbridge here. Please like them on Facebook and follow them on Twitter. For more from author Pam Munoz Ryan check out her website. 

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.

Gilberto and the Wind

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

Gilberto and the Wind is appropriate for children 2-8 and is a perfect book to curl up on the couch under a blanket with this fall.

Summary:
The wind is whispering at the door, ready to play with Gilberto. Sometimes they are happy and silly together, but other times they are sad and scared. Follow their adventures and see the different ways Gilberto and the wind can play in the sweet story written and illustrated by Marie Hall Ets. 

Practice this Comprehension Strategy-Retelling and Recalling:
From time to time as you're reading through Gilberto and the Wind, help your child reflect on what's happening. Once you reach the end, ask them to retell the story to you. How many things can they remember or recall that Gilberto and the wind played with? Which games made Gilberto happy, sad, or scared?

Do this with your child:
Ask your child what things they have seen the wind playing with. Have they ever lost a balloon to the wind, flown a kite, or watched the leaves being blown from the trees? Go outside with your child and blow bubbles together, then watch where the wind takes them.

If you're interested in sharing Gilberto and the Wind with your child you can find it from Penguin Publishing here.