FOR THE WINTER WEEKEND share this title with your child. 

A Flower in the Snow is appropriate for preschool age children.

Summary:
A Flower in the Snow is a charming tale about a wonderful friendship between Luna and her polar bear friend Bear. One day, Bear finds a beautiful yellow flower and gives it to Luna as a sign of his friendship. When the flower dies and Luna is sad, Bear goes on a worldwide adventure to try and find a suitable replacement. Upon his return he realizes that his friendship with Luna, and hers with his, is the best treasure in all the world. Tracey Corderoy and Sophie Allsopp create a beautifully warm story in the serene winter landscape which will enthrall readers young and old.

Practice this Comprehension Strategy-Making Inferences:
A Flower in the Snow is a lovely book to practice making inferences. An inference is an educated guess. As you read, ask your reader what they think might happen next and why. Using context clues from the pictures and the text they should be able to make educated guesses about the story and its plot. Then as you progress, you can find out together if their inferences were correct. By actively participating in the story, your reader will have a deeper connection with the entire book sharing experience.  

Do this with your child:
After you read A Flower in the Snow talk with your reader about different ways to show your friends that you care about them. Writing friends notes and drawing them pictures is a great way to do that. Ask your reader to draw a picture or write a note for their friends if they want.

If you're interested in sharing A Flower in the Snow with your child you can find it published by Sourcebooks Jabberwocky here. 

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When It Starts To Snow

FOR THE WINTER WEEKEND share this title with your child. 

When It Starts To Snow is appropriate for preschool age children.

Summary:
When It Starts To Snow is the perfect book to cuddle up with during this cold winter weekend! Phillis Gershator and Martin Matje take the reader along as the snow starts to fall and ask "What if it starts to snow. What do you do? Where do you go?" Animals from mouse to bear, and frog to deer, answer that question by huddling up in their winter homes and getting cozy as the snow begins to blanket the ground. All except one, a child of course!

Practice this Comprehension Strategy-Take A Picture Walk:
When It Starts To Snow is a wonderful book to practice taking a picture walk. Before you read, have your reader flip through the pages and tell you what they see on each page. As you go through together, ask questions like: What animals do you see, where are they, what do they seem to be doing? By engaging with the story before reading the words, your reader will have a more involved experience in the entire book sharing routine.

Do this with your child:
After you read When It Starts To Snow talk with your reader about the different ways the animals get ready for the snow and winter. Talk to them about which is their favorite and then recreate that animals winter habitat in during pretend play. Maybe they'd like to pretend to curl up in a log like raccoon, or hibernate in a cave like bear. Building their winter hide-away could be a fun and cozy group activity to share with the whole family!

If you're interested in sharing When It Starts To Snow with your child you can find it published by Square Fish, an imprint of Macmillan Publishers, here. 

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A New Year's Reunion

FOR THE WEEKEND, share this title with your child! 

A New Year's Reunion is appropriate for children of all ages.

Summary:
A New Year's Reunion from author Yu Li Qiong and illustrator Zhu Cheng Liang is an endearing story of a Chinese family celebrating the New Year with a special reunion. Little Maomao's father is a migrant worker, his job is so far away that he only comes home once a year, for the new year celebration. Maomao hasn't seen her father since last year and is excited and nervous to have him home again. They quickly form a rekindled bond and enjoy their time together. But all too soon it is time for her father to go back to work. The timeless words and beautiful illustrations are sure to resonate with every child who misses relatives when they are away--and shows how a family's love is strong enough to endure over time and distance.  

Practice this Comprehension Strategy-Making Connections:
As you read A New Year's Reunion ask your child questions about their own experiences. Do you celebrate Chinese New Year? Does your family have any special New Year's traditions? Do you have a family member that travels for work? If so, how does your child feel when that family member leaves and returns? Books can be mirrors where your child can see their own life reflected and they can be windows giving your child a glimpse into someone else's life and experiences. By relating to the text in this way, your child will be more engaged in the entire book sharing experience.

Do this with your child:
After you read A New Year's Reunion you and your child may want to join in the celebrations. You can enjoy a traditional Chinese meal like the one prepared in the story and make decorations for the event. Here's a guide to make Chinese lanterns. Have fun!

If you're interested in sharing A New Year's Reunion with your child you can find it from Candlewick Press here. You can like them on Facebook and follow them on Twitter 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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There Was a Cold Lady Who Swallowed Some Snow

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

There Was a Cold Lady Who Swallowed Some Snow is appropriate for children of all ages.

Summary:
There was a Cold Lady who Swallowed Some Snow is a wintry edition to the twists on the familiar There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly. Lucille Colandro provides rhyming, goofy text with Jared Lee's silly illustrations to bring this wacky book to life. After swallowing snow, a pipe, a hat, and more you are in for a surprise ending!

Practice this Comprehension Strategy-Sequencing:
After you read There Was a Cold Lady Who Swallowed Some Snow you and your reader will have the perfect opportunity to practice sequencing, putting events in the order which they happened. The repetition and rhythm in the story should help prompt your child's memory when putting the events in order. If they need a reminder, let them look back into the book and see if they can find the step based on the pictures.

Do this with your child:
After you read There Was a Cold Lady Who Swallowed Some Snow you will see that all of the things that the cold lady have swallowed have helped her create a snowman. Use the things she has swallowed in the book to make a snowman of your own. Don't live in the snow? Try using play dough or shaving cream to make your snowman! By having to recall and use items the cold lady used, your child will be deepening heir involvement with the story.

If you're interested in sharing There Was a Cold Lady Who Swallowed Some Snow with your child you can find it from Scholastic Books here. You can like them on Facebook and follow them on Twitter for more inspiration.

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Over and Under the Snow

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

Over and Under the Snow is appropriate for children of all ages.

Summary:
Over and Under the Snow is a cozy story where a child and his father are skiing through the forest. Over the snow they glide while animals and insects rule the kingdom under the snow. Discover the animals that live safe and warm through the winter as they spend their days under the snow. Kate Messner's smooth and poetic words along with Christopher Silas Neal's charming illustrations will keep readers comfy all winter long.

Practice this Comprehension Strategy-Retelling:
As you read Over and Under the Snow engage your child with the text and illustrations. Ask questions about the animals and what is happening on the pages. Then when you've finished reading the story, let your child take a turn. Hand them the book and have them 'read' the story to you. Can they remember the animals and what they're doing? Do they recognize any of the words? By being in charge of a retelling, your child will further their involvement with the text and deepen their interest in the story.

Do this with your child:
The family in Over and Under the Snow are on a winter adventure. They're taking a stroll through the forest and noticing the nature that surrounds them. After you read the story, head outside with your little one to have a nature walk of your own. Use your sight, smell, touch and hearing to interact with your environment. Then when you get home, use your taste to enjoy a special treat, just like in the story!

If you're interested in sharing Over and Under the Snow with your child you can find it from Chronicle Books here. You can like them on Facebook and follow them on Twitter for more inspiration.

Have you heard about The Great Book Challenge?

Click here to donate!

Winter Afternoon / tarde de invierno

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

Tarde de invierno / Winter Afternoon is appropriate for children of all ages.

Summary:
Tarde de invierno / Winter Afternoon is a charming bilingual story which introduces readers to illustrating their own stories. A little girl sits at a frosty window, drawing pictures in the condensation, as she waits for her mother to return. Her drawings tell of adventures as her mother approaches down the road. This delightful book from author Jorge Elias Lujan accompanied with illustrations from Mandana Sadat beautifully captures the atmosphere of a gloomy winter day along with the anticipation of a child anxiously awaiting the return of a loved one.

Practice this Comprehension Strategy-Making Connections:
After you read Tarde de invierno / Winter Afternoon talk with your child about how the girl in the story is feeling. Was she lonely when her mother was not yet home, sad that she missed her mother, excited upon her mother's return? Then talk with your child about their own feelings. Has your child been away from their parents before? Do they go to daycare or school or stay with a babysitter while you go to work or run errands? Were they sad or anxious or scared when they were left without you? Were they excited to see you at pickup or when you got back home? This book is a great mirror for lots of children to know their feelings are valid and that they are not alone!

Do this with your child:
The girl in Tarde de invierno / Winter Afternoon draws stories in the condensation in her window. Do you have any foggy windows or even foggy mirrors after bath time? Draw stories on these surfaces with your child!

If you're interested in sharing Tarde de invierno / Winter Afternoon with your child you can find it from Groundwood Books, an imprint of House of Ansani Press, here. You can like them on Facebook and follow them on Twitter for more inspiration.

Have you heard about The Great Book Challenge?

Click here to donate!

The Snowy Day

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

The Snowy Day is appropriate for children age 2-8.

Summary:
In The Snowy Day, written and illustrated by Ezra Jack Keats, join in the wintery adventures of Peter as he enjoys a snow day. Peter wakes up to his neighborhood covered in snow, he suits up and heads off for a day of forging tracks, building snowmen and making snow angels. He even made the perfect snowball and kept it in his pocket. You and your child will enjoy curling up under a blanket as you explore the beautiful pictures and simple story of The Snowy Day.

Practice this Comprehension Strategy-Take a Picture Walk:
Before you read The Snowy Day flip through the pages with your child, paying attention to the pictures on each page. As you flip through, without using any of the text, ask your child to tell you the story based on the pictures. 

Do this with your child:
Peter does all types of things as he's playing in the snow. If it's snowing where you live have your child try some of the things that Peter did; make different tracks, build a snowman, perfect their snowball. If it isn't snowing or you live in a more moderate climate, you can still do some of the movements with your child. They might enjoy making tracks in the mud and finding a stick to add to their tracks. You can show them how to make a snow angel on the carpet or hardwood floor. 

If you're interested in sharing The Snowy Day with your child you can find it from Puffin Books here. Please like them on Facebook and follow them on Twitter.

To learn more about Ezra Jack Keats, click here.

Poppleton in Winter

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

Poppleton in Winter is a beginning chapter book appropriate for school age children.

Summary:
In Poppleton in Winter, written by Cynthia Rylant and illustrated by Mark Teague, join Poppleton the pig in three winter stories. In the first story, Poppleton loves his house covered in icicles, but discover what happens when Patrick the finch accidentally knocks them all down. Then in the second, Poppleton decides to sculpt a bust of his friend and neighbor Cherry Sue. And in the third, find out why all of Poppleton's friends are too busy cooking to join him on a sleigh ride.

Practice this Comprehension Strategy-Inference:
As you read Poppleton in Winter ask your child to guess what they think will happen on the next page using the clues in the story. They will be making inferences based on what you have read and what the pictures tell them. 

Do this with your child:
There are 3 separate stories in Poppleton in Winter. Ask your child which was their favorite and why they chose that specific story. Then have them draw a picture to add a new winter adventure for Poppleton and his friends to take!

If you're interested in sharing Poppleton in Winter with your child you can find it from Scholastic Books here. Please like them on Facebook and follow them on Twitter.

To learn more about author Cynthia Rylant, visit her website.

Perritos en Invierno/A Winter's Tale

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

Perritos en invierno/A Winter's Tail is appropriate for children age 4-8.

Summary:
Join Martha and Skitsy as they share an adventure with their humans in Perritos en invierno/A Winter's Tail. Based on the characters created by Susan Meddaugh and adapted by Karen Barrs. Learn the story of why Skitsy is afraid of hockey pucks in this exciting story, written in both Spanish and English. 

Practice this Comprehension Strategy-Cause and Effect:
As you read Perritos en invierno/A Winter's Tail ask your child to think about why the events in the story are happening. Why did Helen show Skits Mr. Chewy in the snow? Why was Ronald no longer mad after Skits took the hockey puck? Why did Martha and Helen go get Dad? These are all questions that will get your child thinking about how all actions have effects associated with them, this happened because of this. This strategy is called cause and effect.

Do this with your child:
Perritos en invierno/A Winter's Tail is in both Spanish and English. If you are comfortable in both languages read through the story twice, once in each language. If not, pick one page in the story to practice in the unfamiliar language. It will be a fun learning experience for you and your child!!

If you're interested in sharing Perritos en invierno/A Winter's Tail with your child you can find it from Houghton Mifflin Harcourt here. Please like them on Facebook and follow them on Twitter.

Rain

HAPPY NEW YEAR! Winter is upon us and in California, we're finally getting rain! FOR THE WEEKEND, share this fun title with your child! 

Rain is appropriate for children age 2-8.

Summary:
Winter isn't always about snow! In the bright and bold Rain, written and illustrated by Manya Stojic, the animals in the hot dry land all sense that the rain is coming. Each animal can tell for a different reason, zebra can see it, rhino can feel it, and porcupine can smell it. Once the winter and rain are over, the hot dry land is transformed into a whole new landscape. Use your senses and explore the rain with the animals.

Practice this Comprehension Strategy-Retelling:
After you read Rain ask your child to take a turn and read the story to you. Retelling a story helps your child refine their understanding of the story, and helps them to develop concepts about words and books. As they're retelling, see if your child can correctly remember which animal used which of their senses to know that the rain is coming. 

Do this with your child:
Rain introduces the idea of using all of your senses to explore your surroundings. Each animal used a different sense to know that the rain was coming. Pick something in your home to explore with all of your senses as well. You can pick anything from play dough or  food or the couch or an ice cube, anything you can think of really. What does this object feel like, smell like, how does it sound, what does it look like, and if appropriate, what does this object taste like. If you want to take it one step further, record your observations with your child.

If you're interested in sharing Rain with your child you can find it from Dragonfly Books here. Please like them on Facebook and follow them on Twitter.

Tacky and the Winter Games

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

Tacky and the Winter Games is appropriate for children age 3-8.

Summary:
Tacky the Penguin is a bit of a misfit among his fellow penguins. He never seems to do things quite like his friends. The same is true in Tacky and the Winter Games from author Helen Lester and illustrator Lynn Munsinger. The penguins from Nice Icy Land travel to compete in the winter games with Tacky in tow. He may not have the most conventional approach to the games but read to find out how Tacky helps get his team into first place in Tacky and the Winter Games.

Practice this Comprehension Strategy-Sequencing:
As you read Tacky and the Winter Games talk with your child, making a point to emphasize what the penguins are doing now. Once you have finished the story, practice sequencing, putting the stories events in order. Did the penguins of Nice Icy Land march to the games before they trained? Was the bobsled race before or after the relay race? If your child needs prompting, let them look through the pages to infer from the pictures in the story.

Do this with your child:
Tacky does some silly things in Tacky and the Winter Games from skiing on thawed fish skis to sleeping during sit-ups. Ask your child to pick their favorite thing that Tacky does in the story and draw a picture of it. They can also draw themselves doing the silly things with Tacky. 

If you're interested in sharing Tacky and the Winter Games with your child you can find it from Houghton Mifflin Company Books here. For more fun reads, please follow them on Twitter and like them on Facebook.

Limited Edition Ruby the Reader Ornament 

Purchase your very own holiday penguin ornament, Ruby the Reader. While Supplies Last! Support Raising A Reader through the purchase of this one-of-a-kind ornament by Christopher Radko. All Proceeds benefit Raising A Reader. Click here to order.