*Read to the children in your life every day. You are giving them a gift that will last a lifetime!
Don’t Laugh Joe! By: Keiko Kasza
Ages: Preschool through Second Grade
The first step in inspiring children to read is to capture their interest. Find books that you think children will love. Don’t Laugh Joe! is a book children will find enjoyable and funny as they follow Mother Possum’s attempts to teach her son how to play dead.
*Read to the children in your life every day. You are giving them a gift that will last a lifetime!
The Carrot Seed By: Ruth Krauss Illustrated by: Crockett Johnson
Age Range: Preschool through Kindergarten
As Spring approaches it is very special to see the emergence of leaves on the trees and flowers beginning to bloom. Children can be a part of this by planting something that they take care of and watch develop into a flower or something good to eat. The Carrot Seed is a book that has been around for a very long time, but is perfect in explaining the patience needed as you wait for your plant to grow. The book also shows the care needed to grow a healthy plant. This is a story of optimism that should not be missed.
*Read to the children in your life every day. You are giving them a gift that will last a lifetime!
You Are My Happy By: Hoda Kotb Illustrated by: Suzie Mason
Age Range: Toddlers through Kindergarten
Sometimes we just want to read books to children that express our love for them. Hoda Kotb’s book does just that. It is important to remember that reading to children doesn’t just help them be successful in school, it also creates a special bond that cannot be measured. Reading at bedtime should be a tradition. The only thing to be negotiated is the number of books you read. Children also love to hear the same book over and over again and this is important to do. Reading at bedtime is an experience that children will remember forever.
*Read to the children in your life every day. You are giving them a gift that will last a lifetime!
An Egg is Quiet By: Dianna Aston and Sylvia Long
Ages: Preschool through Second Grade
Children’s curiosity is sparked when they discover a bird’s nest filled with small colorful eggs. In the book, An Egg is Quiet, the authors explore a variety of interesting eggs found in nature. What a wonderful way to expose children to science concepts at an early age.
*Read to the children in your life every day. You are giving them a gift that will last a lifetime!
Before You Were Mine By: Maribeth Boelts* Illustrated by: David Walker
Ages: Preschool through First Grade
Having had two rescue dogs, I always wondered what their lives were like before they came to live with me. Though one has passed away, both were and are such loving dogs, it was hard to believe that no one wanted them. This thought provoking children’s book puts it all into prospective and stresses the importance of adopting dogs from shelters. What an important message to share with children. Reader, beware! You may need a box of tissue as you read this lovely story.
*The author, Maribeth Boelts, is donating part of the profits from this book to the Humane Society of the United States.
*Read to the children in your life every day. You are giving them a gift that will last a lifetime!
If You Give A Mouse A Cookie By: Laura Joffe Numeroff Illustrated by: Felicia Bond
Ages: Preschool through First Grade
When the little mouse is given a cookie, the question is, “What will he want next?”. This popular book gives children the opportunity to predict as they go from page to page. It also gives children a chance to practice sequencing of events which will help develop memory skills. Enjoy the mouse’s adventures and be sure to read the companion books.
*Read to the children in your life every day. You are giving them a gift that will last a lifetime!
The Book of Shadow Boxes, A Story of the ABC’s Written and Illustrated by: Laura L. Seeley
Ages: Preschool through First Grade
What a book of surprises! Each letter of the alphabet has a poem of its own with pictures displayed in the shadow box. There are many additional items with the letter on each page that supports vocabulary development. The vibrant illustrations and musical verses delight and reinforce the child’s letter recognition as well as letter sounds. The author provides a guide to each shadow box at the end of the book.
Continue reading The Book of Shadow Boxes, A Story of the ABC’s
*Read to the children in your life every day. You are giving them a gift that will last a lifetime?
Illustrated by : Nadine Bernard Westcott Ages: Toddlers through Kindergarten
Children need to hear the sounds of language. Reading rhymes to children exposes them to sounds and reinforces phonemic awareness, a vital component for the reading process. Peanut Butter and Jelly is a favorite play rhyme that children will want to hear and read over and over again.
*Read to the children in your life every day. You are giving them a gift that will last a lifetime!
The Very Hungry Caterpillar By: Eric Carle Age Range: Pre-school through Kindergarten
Eric Carle’s The Very Hungry Caterpillar is a timeless classic that teaches children the days of the week, counting, and the life cycle of a butterfly. It is also great for vocabulary development with new words such as “caterpillar” and “cocoon”. What a surprise it is for children to see that the caterpillar has changed into a beautiful butterfly. The book has repetitive text, so that children can share in the reading. This delightful book has bright and colorful illustrations that children will enjoy.
*Read to the children in your life every day. You are giving them a gift that will last a lifetime!
By: Amy Krouse Rosenthal Illustrated by: Jane Dyer Ages: Preschool through First Grade
All parents and grandparents want to teach their children and grandchildren “life lessons” such as cooperation, honesty, and respect. Cookies, Bite-Size Life Lessons accomplishes this task in a very understandable way for young children. It does this through the process of making and enjoying cookies. This book is exceptional for vocabulary development and teaching values and social skills.
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During my 50 years in education, I have worked as an Elementary Teacher (grades 1, 2, and 5), Reading Specialist, School Psychologist, Elementary Principal, Curriculum Director and have coordinated federal grants.
