Heather Has Two Mommies

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

Heather Has Two Mommies is appropriate for children of all ages.

Summary:
Heather Has Two Mommies is a beautiful look into a nontraditional family model that will benefit all families. Heather's favorite number is two, she has two arms, two eyes, two pets and two mommies! Her mommies love her very much. When Heather shares at school that she doesn't have a daddy, her teacher instructs the class to draw pictures of their families. While all of the pictures are different, her teacher describes what they all have in common: they are filled with love. This wonderful book from Leslea Newman and Laura Cornell does a fantastic job reminding readers the most important part of every family is that all the people in it love each other.

Practice this Comprehension Strategy-Summarize:
Heather Has Two Mommies is a great book to practice summarizing. As you read, have discussions about what you're reading. This will deepen your reader's engagement in the story and their interest in the experience overall. After you've finished reading, ask your child to tell you what the story was about. Can your reader tell you the characters, where the story took place, and what events were happening? 

Do this with your child:
After you read Heather Has Two Mommies we encourage you and your reader to draw a picture of your own family, just like all of the students in Heather's class. Go back to look and discuss how your own family differs from those shared in the story. Then find a special spot to display your new family portrait!

If you're interested in sharing Heather Has Two Mommies with your child you can find it published by Penguin Random House here. 

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It's Okay to be Different

FOR THE WEEKEND, share this title with your child. This month we are celebrating differences!

It's Okay to be Different is appropriate for children of all ages.

Summary:
It's Okay to be Different from author Todd Parr is a celebration of the diversity in the human race. Whether you have a different nose, you're a different color, or you have different abilities, Todd Parr's bright and fun illustrations and simple text remind us that it's okay! Acceptance, understanding and confidence all shine through in this wonderful and happy book.

Practice this Comprehension Strategy-Summarize:
After you read It's Okay to be Different ask you reader to tell you what the book was about. Can they tell you the overall idea/lesson that they learned while reading the book? Did they have a favorite part, or did they feel a connection to any of the people portrayed in the story? By engaging with the book in  this way, they will build a deeper connection to the text and have a more impactful experience all together.

Do this with your child:
After you read It's Okay to be Different try this fun experiment with your child! Have both a brown egg and a white egg. Talk with your child about what makes them different. Then crack them into a bowl. And talk about what they see. They'll find that even though they were different on the outside, they're made of the same things on the inside - just like all of us! 

If you're interested in sharing It's Okay to be Different with your child you can find it from Little Brown & Co here. 

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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Kindness Is Cooler Mrs. Ruler

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

Kindness Is Cooler, Mrs. Ruler is appropriate for children of all ages.

Summary:
Kindness is Cooler, Mrs. Ruler is the perfect story to brighten any classroom. Author Margery Cuyler and illustrator Sachiko Yoshikawa beautifully depict what happens when you spread kindness instead of chaos. Mrs. Ruler asks five of her students to miss recess due to their behavior but she has a special plan up her sleeve! She assigns them a special project to complete acts of kindness. What the whole class learns is that kindness in contagious and soon their bulletin board is overflowing with acts of kindness!

Practice this Comprehension Strategy-Summarizing:
Kindness is Cooler, Mrs. Ruler is a perfect story to practice summarization. After you read the story with your child, ask them what the story was about. Have them recall details such as character names, where the story takes place, and the events in the story. Let them look through the book to use the illustrations as context clues and reminders if they need 

Do this with your child:
Mrs. Ruler assigns students to complete acts of kindness in Kindness is Cooler, Mrs. Ruler. Talk with your child about why it is important Ask your child if they would like to participate and complete their own acts of kindness. Create a space to display acts of kindness that your family completes just like in Mrs. Ruler's classroom. 

If you're interested in sharing Kindness is Cooler, Mrs. Ruler with your child you can find it from Simon and Schuster here. Please like them on Facebook and follow them on Twitter.

Allie's Basketball Dream

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

Allie's Basketball Dream is appropriate for children age 4 and up.

Summary:
In Allie's Basketball Dream we meet Allie, a girl who really wants a basketball after watching a game with her dad at Madison Square Garden. But when Allie finally receives that gift, the neighborhood boys tease her and her girlfriends won't play with her either. With practice, determination and perseverance, Allie gets better and better at the sport that she loves, and inspires all of the children around her.

Practice this Comprehension Strategy-Summarize:
After reading Allie's Basketball Dream ask your child to tell you what the story was about. Ask questions about who is in the story, where the story takes place and what is happening with the characters. To further the engagement even more, ask your child about how Allie is feeling. Creating an emotional connection with a character can deepen your child's interest in the story and how it ends. 

Do this with your child:
In Allie's Basketball Dream Allie loves basketball. Has your child ever played basketball? Take the opportunity to go outside and play! You can try basketball 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 are watching the Olympics with your child, use this book as an opportunity to talk with them about the power of female athletes!

If you're interested in sharing Allie's Basketball Dream with your child you can find it from Lee & Low Books here. Please like them on Facebook and follow them on Twitter. 

Curious George Visits the Library/Jorge el curioso va a la biblioteca

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

Curious George Visits the Library/Jorge el curioso va a la biblioteca is appropriate for all ages.

Summary:
In Curious George Visits the Library/Jorge el curioso va a la biblioteca from Martha & H.A. Rey, George is lucky to arrive at the library just in time for story hour. But it’s not easy for a little monkey to sit still too long and he just has to get his hands on that dinosaur book. George quickly finds so many books he wants to read and can’t wait to take them home. As usual, George also finds himself in a bit of trouble. With help from friends and the librarians, he is able to clean up his mess. From selecting books to getting his very own library card, George’s day at the library celebrates all the fun of visiting the library and sharing books!

Practice this Comprehension Strategy-Summarizing:
After you read Curious George Visits the Library/Jorge el curioso va a la biblioteca ask your child to summarize the story. Ask about the main characters, where the story takes place, the events that happen in the story and how the story ends. If they need to, let them hold the book and look through the pages to see where Curious George is and what he is doing. By answering questions and looking through the book, your child will be recalling details and engaging with the story in a deeper way.

Do this with your child:
After reading Curious George Visits the Library/Jorge el curioso va a la biblioteca take a trip to your local library and see if you can find any books like the ones Georgre found. While you're there, make connections between your local library and the library George visits. Check out a favorite book or two and enjoy. Sign your child up for a library card if they don't already have one just like George! Since this is a bilingual text, we also encourage you to practice reading in both languages!

If you're interested in sharing Curious George Visits the Library/Jorge el curioso va a la biblioteca with your child you can find it from Houghton Mifflin Harcourt here. Please like them on Facebook and follow them on Twitter and Instagram.