I dropped my name in the Library's Summer Reading Contest drop box last week and never gave it another thought! This morning, I received a call from the Library that my name had been drawn and I could come pick up my prize. I have no idea what I won, but Whooo! Hooo! I won!! :) No matter how big or small the prize may be, it's always fun to win something!
I also entered my girls in the Summer Reading program for children and every time we read 10 books together they both get to pick a prize. It's usually some little trinket that breaks before they leave the library, but they get excited just to win something. Which in turn, makes reading that much more exciting!
So, Readers are Winners, in more ways than one!! Happy Reading!
p.s. I'll let you know what I won! ;)
Monday, July 2, 2012
Tuesday, June 26, 2012
It Only Takes One Person.........
Found the following article on Scholastic Books blog and wanted to share it with you all. This book editor tells the story of how one teacher recognized her struggle with reading and made the attempt and put forth the effort to help her overcome her struggles. Because of this one teacher, she is now an avid reader and book editor!
It only takes one person who will take the time to help one child gain a love for reading. It will change their life forever! I hope as you read this article you will be inspired to be that one person for either one of your own children or a child in your classroom. Happy Reading!
http://bookboxdaily.scholastic.com/2012/06/26/the-reader-that-i-am-ordinary-people/
It only takes one person who will take the time to help one child gain a love for reading. It will change their life forever! I hope as you read this article you will be inspired to be that one person for either one of your own children or a child in your classroom. Happy Reading!
http://bookboxdaily.scholastic.com/2012/06/26/the-reader-that-i-am-ordinary-people/
Monday, June 25, 2012
Historical Fiction
I ABSOLUTELY LOVE historical fiction, especially historical fiction that is set during the Revolutionary War days. On my bucket list of things to do in my lifetime is to write a children's book set during the Revolution. We shall see! :)
I wanted to share a few of my favorite historical fiction books that I feel boys would especially enjoy. Now, remember, I am a girl, surprise, surprise, :) and I still LOVE these books. They are not only for boys. I just realize that there are some books that boys can enjoy that girls can also, but there are books that girls would enjoy that boys would not; a.k.a Anne of Green Gables! :)
So, here's a list of some of my all time favorite historical fiction that I feel your boys would enjoy. If I had to put an age on them, I would say mostly between 3rd grade and up. Third grade if he is a really good reader.
I just recently read these two books, Silver for General Washington and By Wagon and Flatboat written by Enid LaMonte Meadowcroft. They are amazing books!! Full of adventure, not at all boring history, and suspense. Any boy would enjoy the fast paced action of soldiers, Indians, war, river rapids on the flatboat, etc. Check these out! They are awesome. Could easily be used as a read aloud in the classroom because both boys and girls would enjoy them!
I recently read from cover to cover, (started it when I was younger and never finished) Johnny Tremaine by Esther Forbes. It is an excellent book for the older reader. I would say around 6th-7th grade and older. It's a longer book, but very, very good. Again, it's written during the Revolutionary time period!
The Bronze Bow by Elizabeth George Speare makes me excited just typing the title! It is so very good and I could not put it down. Every boy should definitely read it!!
Ben and Me and Mr. Revere and I are two books written by Robert Lawson. He is an amazing author with a knack for taking American History and making it enjoyable for the young reader to enjoy. Both Ben Franklin and Paul Revere have their own sidekick who tells his side of the story which makes their American Hero famous! Of course, the sidekicks, in their words, are the ones who should really be famous. Great books!
Carry On, Mr. Bowditch by Jean Lee Latham, tells the story of young Nat who wants to be a seaman but he is too small of build to be able to make it as a sailor. He instead changes the world of sailing with his talent for charts and maps. Great story of how a young man pursues his dream in spite of difficulties.
Snow Treasure by Marie McSwigan is the exciting story of children who help their country of Norway smuggle gold across the border to keep it out of the hands of the Nazi regime. Such excitement and adventure is found on almost every page. A must read for every boy!
The Chestry Oak by Kate Seredy, in my opinion, needs to be read by every single boy!! It is the amazing story of a Hungarian Prince during WWII, Michael, who finds himself in the face of danger many times. This story will grip you on every page. It is my personal favorite book right now! I absolutely adore it!
The Buffalo Knife by William O. Steele
The Sign of the Beaver by Elizabeth George Speare
Call It Courage by Armstrong Sperry
All of these are great books and must reads for every boy! I hope you and your son will have the opportunity to sit down together and either read it out loud or talk about what he has read. These books have character lessons, history lessons, and are full of adventure to satisfy every young boy's need for excitement! Happy Reading!
I wanted to share a few of my favorite historical fiction books that I feel boys would especially enjoy. Now, remember, I am a girl, surprise, surprise, :) and I still LOVE these books. They are not only for boys. I just realize that there are some books that boys can enjoy that girls can also, but there are books that girls would enjoy that boys would not; a.k.a Anne of Green Gables! :)
So, here's a list of some of my all time favorite historical fiction that I feel your boys would enjoy. If I had to put an age on them, I would say mostly between 3rd grade and up. Third grade if he is a really good reader.
I just recently read these two books, Silver for General Washington and By Wagon and Flatboat written by Enid LaMonte Meadowcroft. They are amazing books!! Full of adventure, not at all boring history, and suspense. Any boy would enjoy the fast paced action of soldiers, Indians, war, river rapids on the flatboat, etc. Check these out! They are awesome. Could easily be used as a read aloud in the classroom because both boys and girls would enjoy them!
I recently read from cover to cover, (started it when I was younger and never finished) Johnny Tremaine by Esther Forbes. It is an excellent book for the older reader. I would say around 6th-7th grade and older. It's a longer book, but very, very good. Again, it's written during the Revolutionary time period!
The Bronze Bow by Elizabeth George Speare makes me excited just typing the title! It is so very good and I could not put it down. Every boy should definitely read it!!
Ben and Me and Mr. Revere and I are two books written by Robert Lawson. He is an amazing author with a knack for taking American History and making it enjoyable for the young reader to enjoy. Both Ben Franklin and Paul Revere have their own sidekick who tells his side of the story which makes their American Hero famous! Of course, the sidekicks, in their words, are the ones who should really be famous. Great books!
Carry On, Mr. Bowditch by Jean Lee Latham, tells the story of young Nat who wants to be a seaman but he is too small of build to be able to make it as a sailor. He instead changes the world of sailing with his talent for charts and maps. Great story of how a young man pursues his dream in spite of difficulties.
Snow Treasure by Marie McSwigan is the exciting story of children who help their country of Norway smuggle gold across the border to keep it out of the hands of the Nazi regime. Such excitement and adventure is found on almost every page. A must read for every boy!
The Chestry Oak by Kate Seredy, in my opinion, needs to be read by every single boy!! It is the amazing story of a Hungarian Prince during WWII, Michael, who finds himself in the face of danger many times. This story will grip you on every page. It is my personal favorite book right now! I absolutely adore it!
The Buffalo Knife by William O. Steele
The Sign of the Beaver by Elizabeth George Speare
Call It Courage by Armstrong Sperry
All of these are great books and must reads for every boy! I hope you and your son will have the opportunity to sit down together and either read it out loud or talk about what he has read. These books have character lessons, history lessons, and are full of adventure to satisfy every young boy's need for excitement! Happy Reading!
Monday, June 4, 2012
It's Never Too Late
I recently had one of my Sunday school teachers from when I was in HS tell me that I had inspired her to become a reader. She had never been a reader. She very excitedly told me all the classics she has been reading and how much she has enjoyed it. Even though she is older, I'm going to guess maybe in her 60's, she is acquiring a love for reading! It is never too late!
Mothers, if you are not a reader, it is not too late to become a reader. We know the importance of helping our children acquire a love for reading, but how can we as mother's pass something along to our children that we do not have? It is never too late. How very important it is that our children see us reading for pleasure and hear us talking about the books we are enjoying.
If you have older children who have not yet learned to love reading, it is not too late! It's NEVER too late! It may take a little more concentrated effort, but it is NEVER too late and the effort is ALWAYS worth the end results!
It is NEVER too late! I'm so excited for my former Sunday school teacher as she is enjoying the classics that I love so very much! I hope you too have/are/ or will enjoy them as well. Happy Reading!!
Mothers, if you are not a reader, it is not too late to become a reader. We know the importance of helping our children acquire a love for reading, but how can we as mother's pass something along to our children that we do not have? It is never too late. How very important it is that our children see us reading for pleasure and hear us talking about the books we are enjoying.
If you have older children who have not yet learned to love reading, it is not too late! It's NEVER too late! It may take a little more concentrated effort, but it is NEVER too late and the effort is ALWAYS worth the end results!
It is NEVER too late! I'm so excited for my former Sunday school teacher as she is enjoying the classics that I love so very much! I hope you too have/are/ or will enjoy them as well. Happy Reading!!
Thursday, May 17, 2012
Our 3 New Finds at the Library!
Went to the library yesterday with my two little bookworms and we found three new books that we absolutely love. I wanted to share them with you!
Aunt Lucy Went To Buy A Hat by Alice Low, is the hilarious tale of Aunt Lucy who can't find her hat, which you will see is hilariously close to her, and so she sets out to buy a new one. Instead of a hat she comes back with a cat! The entire books is based on Aunt Lucy's forgetfulness and how she still gets the hat for which she went out in the first place. My four year old couldn't stop laughing!
Princesses Are NOT Perfect by Kate Lum is the amusing tale of three princess sisters who each have their own specialty. They decide they are tired of doing the same thing over and over and so try their hands at each other's jobs. They fail miserably, but in the end they realize they should stick to doing what they love and the children's party is a great success. It's a great story with a happy ending!
Ruthie and the (Not So) Teeny Tiny Lie by Laura Rankin just kept getting better and better as we read! My four year old is at the age to start learning about lies and telling the truth. This story was the best one I have ever read on the subject. My Kaitlyn was captivated by the story and we had a great discussion about telling the truth after it was over. This story really took honesty and put it on a preschooler's level. The story shows how much trouble dishonesty causes and how much happier we are when we finally tell the truth. Great story with a very well written moral!
I hope you enjoy these with your little people as soon as possible. They are great and my two little ones ask for them over and over. We almost have the Aunt Lucy story memorized because it is written in rhyme! Happy Reading!!
Aunt Lucy Went To Buy A Hat by Alice Low, is the hilarious tale of Aunt Lucy who can't find her hat, which you will see is hilariously close to her, and so she sets out to buy a new one. Instead of a hat she comes back with a cat! The entire books is based on Aunt Lucy's forgetfulness and how she still gets the hat for which she went out in the first place. My four year old couldn't stop laughing!
Princesses Are NOT Perfect by Kate Lum is the amusing tale of three princess sisters who each have their own specialty. They decide they are tired of doing the same thing over and over and so try their hands at each other's jobs. They fail miserably, but in the end they realize they should stick to doing what they love and the children's party is a great success. It's a great story with a happy ending!
I hope you enjoy these with your little people as soon as possible. They are great and my two little ones ask for them over and over. We almost have the Aunt Lucy story memorized because it is written in rhyme! Happy Reading!!
Wednesday, May 16, 2012
Summer Reading List for Girls 6th- 12th
This is the list I have been dying to get to! There are so many books on this list that just make me so excited and giddy to share with you!! I know! I know! I'm weird! :) I just get so excited and can feel the blood pressure rising when I talk about so many of these books. I stopped it at 12th grade, but again I don't really like the labeling. Any college girl to adult woman would enjoy reading all of these books. They are fantastic!
If you look up books for young teen girls, you get all kinds of books dealing with issues from dating and sex to divorce and leaving home. I don't understand at all why our young girls need to read about these issues. They know they are there. Many of them are living it. Why should they have to read about it too? If we want our girls to stay pure, why would we allow them to read the romance novels of today? A good book should be a refuge from the stresses of life, not enhance them. These books are wholesome, innocent, and just plain fantastic! You won't find any witches, sexual talk, drugs, vampires, or any of the "garbage" of today's world. These books will make you feel good after you read them, not more depressed about the awfulness that can sometimes invade our every day lives!
Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery
Pat of Silver Bush by L.M. Montgomery
Mistress Pat by L.M. Montgomery (Don't tell my mom or sister, but I like the Pat books better than the Anne books! Gasp!! ;)
The Chestry Oak by Kate Seredy This is a MUST read. If you can get your hands on this book, you have to!! It is out of print and quite costly on line, but if you find it somewhere or your public library, like mine does, has it in their circulation, you must read it!!
Not My Will by Francena Arnold (Again, a must read for every high school girl!)
The Light In My Window by Francena Arnold
Evidence Not Seen by Darlene Diebler Rose (I think you will have to go online for this one, but it's only around $7. It's an amazing story of a missionary lady and her husband during WWII)
Across Five Aprils by Irene Hunt
The Velvet Room by Zilpha Keatley Snyder
Little Women by Louisa May Alcott
Mother Carey's Chickens by Kate Douglass Wiggin
Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm by Kate Douglass Wiggin
Girl of the Limberlost by Gene Stratton Porter (I can hardly type this title without smiling! It's so good!)
Heidi by Johanna Spyri
Promises in the Attic by Elisabeth Hamilton Friermood (This author takes little known historical events in the Midwest and writes about them in a fictional setting based on true facts. They are all excellent!)
Carney's House Party by Maud Hart Lovelace
The Railway Children by E. Nesbit
The Witch of Blackbird Pond by Elizabeth George Speare (NOT witchcraft. It is set during the Salem Witch Trial era of our country.)
Calico Bush by Rachel Field
Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
I'm sure I'm leaving out some and that worries me. It really does, that's how crazy I am about reading! :) If and when I think of others, I will post them as well. I have not included the Janette Oke books. To me they are ok, they aren't my favorite. I know the teen and college age girls may enjoy them because they are pretty decent romance novels. I've read most of them and I guess if I had to recommend one it would be The Gown of Spanish Lace. I love the twist at the end of that book. Other than that, I can take or leave them.
Happy Reading!
If you look up books for young teen girls, you get all kinds of books dealing with issues from dating and sex to divorce and leaving home. I don't understand at all why our young girls need to read about these issues. They know they are there. Many of them are living it. Why should they have to read about it too? If we want our girls to stay pure, why would we allow them to read the romance novels of today? A good book should be a refuge from the stresses of life, not enhance them. These books are wholesome, innocent, and just plain fantastic! You won't find any witches, sexual talk, drugs, vampires, or any of the "garbage" of today's world. These books will make you feel good after you read them, not more depressed about the awfulness that can sometimes invade our every day lives!
Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery
Pat of Silver Bush by L.M. Montgomery
Mistress Pat by L.M. Montgomery (Don't tell my mom or sister, but I like the Pat books better than the Anne books! Gasp!! ;)
The Chestry Oak by Kate Seredy This is a MUST read. If you can get your hands on this book, you have to!! It is out of print and quite costly on line, but if you find it somewhere or your public library, like mine does, has it in their circulation, you must read it!!
Not My Will by Francena Arnold (Again, a must read for every high school girl!)
The Light In My Window by Francena Arnold
Evidence Not Seen by Darlene Diebler Rose (I think you will have to go online for this one, but it's only around $7. It's an amazing story of a missionary lady and her husband during WWII)
Across Five Aprils by Irene Hunt
The Velvet Room by Zilpha Keatley Snyder
Little Women by Louisa May Alcott
Mother Carey's Chickens by Kate Douglass Wiggin
Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm by Kate Douglass Wiggin
Girl of the Limberlost by Gene Stratton Porter (I can hardly type this title without smiling! It's so good!)
Heidi by Johanna Spyri
Promises in the Attic by Elisabeth Hamilton Friermood (This author takes little known historical events in the Midwest and writes about them in a fictional setting based on true facts. They are all excellent!)
Carney's House Party by Maud Hart Lovelace
The Railway Children by E. Nesbit
The Witch of Blackbird Pond by Elizabeth George Speare (NOT witchcraft. It is set during the Salem Witch Trial era of our country.)
Calico Bush by Rachel Field
Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
I'm sure I'm leaving out some and that worries me. It really does, that's how crazy I am about reading! :) If and when I think of others, I will post them as well. I have not included the Janette Oke books. To me they are ok, they aren't my favorite. I know the teen and college age girls may enjoy them because they are pretty decent romance novels. I've read most of them and I guess if I had to recommend one it would be The Gown of Spanish Lace. I love the twist at the end of that book. Other than that, I can take or leave them.
Happy Reading!
Summer Reading List for Boys 3rd-6th Grade
In my recent posts, we have been dealing with summer reading. As stated before, it is very important that the summer does not become a break from all things educational, especially reading! Not always, but typically, it is the young men who have trouble with sitting still long enough to read. However, if a parent is diligent in creating an atmosphere and interest for reading, then the task of instilling a love for reading in the most active of boys can be accomplished!
If you haven't read my last two posts, I encourage you to do so. It will help motivate you to motivate your children to read this summer. Even if you only have boys, take a minute to read the post entitled, Summer Reading List for Girls 3rd-6th Grade. I talk about labeling books according to age and gender.
So, here is a list of books for your young boys to enjoy this summer! Happy Reading!
The Mouse and the Motorcycle by Beverly Cleary (She has many books young boys would enjoy. Check them out!)
Mr. Popper's Penguins by Richard and Florence Atwater
The Sign of the Beaver by Elizabeth George Speare
Buffalo Knife by William O. Steele
Old Yeller by Fred Gipson
Black Stallion series by Walter Farley (Amazing and full of adventure!)
The Sugar Creek Gang mystery series by Paul Hutchens
Encyclopedia Brown by Donald J. Sobol
Stuart Little by E.B. White
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl
Big Red by Jim Kjelgaard
Ben and Me by Robert Lawson
When the Soldiers Were Gone by Vera Propp
Carry on, Mr. Bowditch by Jean Lee Latham
The Eddie series by Carolyn Haywood (These are more on the level of 3rd-4th grade boys. Great books!)
Homer Price by Robert McCloskey
The Hardy Boys mystery series by Franklin W. Dixon
Brighty of the Grand Canyon by Marguerite Henry (This authors books are good and should not be overlooked, but I personally feel they are best as read alouds.)
Childhood of Famous Americans biography series. (I love these!)
A Tree for Peter by Kate Seredy
Lone Hunter and the Cheyennes by Donald Worcester. (This book may be one you have to go online to find, but it is SO VERY worth it! )
Snow Treasure by Marie McSwigan
If you haven't read my last two posts, I encourage you to do so. It will help motivate you to motivate your children to read this summer. Even if you only have boys, take a minute to read the post entitled, Summer Reading List for Girls 3rd-6th Grade. I talk about labeling books according to age and gender.
So, here is a list of books for your young boys to enjoy this summer! Happy Reading!
The Mouse and the Motorcycle by Beverly Cleary (She has many books young boys would enjoy. Check them out!)
Mr. Popper's Penguins by Richard and Florence Atwater
The Sign of the Beaver by Elizabeth George Speare
Buffalo Knife by William O. Steele
Old Yeller by Fred Gipson
Black Stallion series by Walter Farley (Amazing and full of adventure!)
The Sugar Creek Gang mystery series by Paul Hutchens
Encyclopedia Brown by Donald J. Sobol
Stuart Little by E.B. White
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl
Big Red by Jim Kjelgaard
Ben and Me by Robert Lawson
When the Soldiers Were Gone by Vera Propp
Carry on, Mr. Bowditch by Jean Lee Latham
The Eddie series by Carolyn Haywood (These are more on the level of 3rd-4th grade boys. Great books!)
Homer Price by Robert McCloskey
The Hardy Boys mystery series by Franklin W. Dixon
Brighty of the Grand Canyon by Marguerite Henry (This authors books are good and should not be overlooked, but I personally feel they are best as read alouds.)
Childhood of Famous Americans biography series. (I love these!)
A Tree for Peter by Kate Seredy
Lone Hunter and the Cheyennes by Donald Worcester. (This book may be one you have to go online to find, but it is SO VERY worth it! )
Snow Treasure by Marie McSwigan
Monday, May 14, 2012
Summer Reading List For Girls 3rd - 6th Grade
Along with my post about summer reading ideas, I thought it might be helpful if I gave you a list of books to encourage your child to read. This is in no way an all inclusive list. These authors have many more books that are great. I have broken my lists down by age and gender. The first one I have ready to publish is for 3rd-6th grade girls.
I have recently developed the opinion that I don't really love labeling books by age or gender. There are so many books that can be enjoyed by both girls and boys and by all different ages. For example, there is no reason why a boy could not enjoy When Hitler Stole Pink Rabbit by Judith Kerr and why a high school girl could not enjoy this book. It is set during WWII and is about a girl and her brother who have to keep moving with their parents because they are Jews. The entire books is about how they stay one step ahead of the Nazis. It's an amazing book and I would hate for a boy to miss out on it because it is labeled for girls and I would be sad if a teenage girl did not read it because it is labeled 3rd - 6th grade.
I especially believe this is true for girls. While you probably don't want your young boys reading books about princesses, there is no reason why a girls could not read, My Side of the Mountain by Jean Craighead George, or Black Stallion by Walter Farley, or The Sign of the Beaver by Elizabeth George Speare. I read all of these as a young girl, high school girl, and adult and have loved them all! Don't limit your child's reading because the book may have an age or gender on it!
Also, 3rd-6th grade is a broad label. Some third graders have very high reading levels while some 6th graders may struggle with the same books. I have tried to give you a vast assortment of interest and reading levels. You, as the parent, should know your child's reading capabilities and interest. If a child is handed a book that is too hard or is not in the least bit interesting to them, they will not enjoy it. If you find one you think may be a bit above their reading level, try reading it aloud to them. Children have a higher understanding of what they hear than what they sometimes read on their own.
So, with that said, I am going to label these lists just for the sake of giving you a place to start, but please do not only stick to the label that applies specifically to your child(ren). They will miss out on some great books!
Here's the first list, 3rd-6th Grade Girls. I will get the others posted as quickly as possible for your summer reading enjoyment! Happy Reading!
I have recently developed the opinion that I don't really love labeling books by age or gender. There are so many books that can be enjoyed by both girls and boys and by all different ages. For example, there is no reason why a boy could not enjoy When Hitler Stole Pink Rabbit by Judith Kerr and why a high school girl could not enjoy this book. It is set during WWII and is about a girl and her brother who have to keep moving with their parents because they are Jews. The entire books is about how they stay one step ahead of the Nazis. It's an amazing book and I would hate for a boy to miss out on it because it is labeled for girls and I would be sad if a teenage girl did not read it because it is labeled 3rd - 6th grade.
I especially believe this is true for girls. While you probably don't want your young boys reading books about princesses, there is no reason why a girls could not read, My Side of the Mountain by Jean Craighead George, or Black Stallion by Walter Farley, or The Sign of the Beaver by Elizabeth George Speare. I read all of these as a young girl, high school girl, and adult and have loved them all! Don't limit your child's reading because the book may have an age or gender on it!
Also, 3rd-6th grade is a broad label. Some third graders have very high reading levels while some 6th graders may struggle with the same books. I have tried to give you a vast assortment of interest and reading levels. You, as the parent, should know your child's reading capabilities and interest. If a child is handed a book that is too hard or is not in the least bit interesting to them, they will not enjoy it. If you find one you think may be a bit above their reading level, try reading it aloud to them. Children have a higher understanding of what they hear than what they sometimes read on their own.
So, with that said, I am going to label these lists just for the sake of giving you a place to start, but please do not only stick to the label that applies specifically to your child(ren). They will miss out on some great books!
Here's the first list, 3rd-6th Grade Girls. I will get the others posted as quickly as possible for your summer reading enjoyment! Happy Reading!
Summer Reading List
for Girls
3rd -6th Grade
Betsy-Tacy by Maud
Hart Lovelace
The Courage of Sarah Noble by Alice Dalgliesh
The Hundred Dresses by Eleanor Estes
The Strawberry Girl by Lois Lenski
The Little House on the Prarie series by Laura Ingalls
Wilder
When Hitler Stole Pink Rabbit by Judith Kerr
The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett
Mandie mystery series by Lois Gladys Leppard
Mandy by Julie Andrews
Ramona series by Beverly Cleary
Mrs. Piggle Wiggle by
Betty MacDonald
Gone Away Lake by Elizabeth Enright
Calico Bush by Rachel Field
The Witch of Blackbird Pond by Elizabeth George Speare (Historical fiction placed during Salem Witch
Trial era, NOT witchcraft!)
The Wind in the Willows by Kenneth Grahame
Rabbit Hill by Robert Lawson
Number the Stars by Lois Lowry
The Endless Steppe by Esther Hautzig
Roller Skates by Ruth Sawyer
A Tree for Peter by Kate Seredy
Miracles on Maple Hill by Virginia Sorensen
Appleseed Farm by Emily Douglas
The Family Under the Bridge by Natalie Savage Carlson
The Cabin Faced West by Jean Fritz
The Cabin Faced West by Jean Fritz
Summer Reading Tips
Summer is coming up quickly and soon school will be out and, if we aren't careful, books will be forgotten until September rolls around again! Here are just a few ideas to help you and your children enjoy reading together this summer!
1. Take your children to the public library on a consistent basis during the summer. Make sure they have their own library card, if they are old enough to handle it themselves, and provide them with opportunities to use their card. Most libraries have a summer reading program even for the little ones. Last summer, my three year old enjoyed the reading program at our library. For every 10 books I read to her, she got to pick a prize. It was usually some little prize she lost interest in after a day or two, but she gained the value of having read so many books. There was a huge increase in her interest of being read to when the summer reading program was over!
2. Take time, even just 10 minutes, every day possible to read to your children. Even the older kids will enjoy being read a book that is on their level. In previous posts, I've mentioned how reading aloud is an advertisement to our children for good books. Read to them and you will be amazed at how their interest in good books will grow. Pick a book you know they will enjoy.
3. Challenge your children to read a certain amount of books and reward them when they do. For younger readers, you could do a weekly challenge. When the goal is met then reward them with something simple such as ice cream, a trip to the park, their favorite fast food restaurant, etc. For the older kids, you could make it a monthly or the entire summer challenge and let them earn something they would really enjoy and you can afford!! :) Whatever amount of money, (reasonably), and time, (there's never too much), you invest in inspiring your children to read, will be worth the monetary or "time" sacrifice.
4. Make your children reading important to yourself. If it's not important to you that your children read this summer, then it's going to go by the wayside. The best of intentions are often forgotten because they were just that, intentions. There was not preparation, planning, or effort put behind those intentions. Summer gets very busy with vacations, zoo trips, little league, holidays, etc. Make reading one of the top priorities this summer for your family!
I hope you all have a wonderful summer and when September rolls around again I hope your family has added several new favorites to your book list!
Happy Reading!
1. Take your children to the public library on a consistent basis during the summer. Make sure they have their own library card, if they are old enough to handle it themselves, and provide them with opportunities to use their card. Most libraries have a summer reading program even for the little ones. Last summer, my three year old enjoyed the reading program at our library. For every 10 books I read to her, she got to pick a prize. It was usually some little prize she lost interest in after a day or two, but she gained the value of having read so many books. There was a huge increase in her interest of being read to when the summer reading program was over!
2. Take time, even just 10 minutes, every day possible to read to your children. Even the older kids will enjoy being read a book that is on their level. In previous posts, I've mentioned how reading aloud is an advertisement to our children for good books. Read to them and you will be amazed at how their interest in good books will grow. Pick a book you know they will enjoy.
3. Challenge your children to read a certain amount of books and reward them when they do. For younger readers, you could do a weekly challenge. When the goal is met then reward them with something simple such as ice cream, a trip to the park, their favorite fast food restaurant, etc. For the older kids, you could make it a monthly or the entire summer challenge and let them earn something they would really enjoy and you can afford!! :) Whatever amount of money, (reasonably), and time, (there's never too much), you invest in inspiring your children to read, will be worth the monetary or "time" sacrifice.
4. Make your children reading important to yourself. If it's not important to you that your children read this summer, then it's going to go by the wayside. The best of intentions are often forgotten because they were just that, intentions. There was not preparation, planning, or effort put behind those intentions. Summer gets very busy with vacations, zoo trips, little league, holidays, etc. Make reading one of the top priorities this summer for your family!
I hope you all have a wonderful summer and when September rolls around again I hope your family has added several new favorites to your book list!
Happy Reading!
Friday, March 2, 2012
Happy Birthday, Dr. Seuss!!!
Years later, his publisher at Houghton Mifflin put together a list of 348 words he felt first graders should know. He gave the list to Dr. Seuss and using 236 of those words, he wrote The Cat in The Hat! Several of his most popular books are written in this format. He later admitted that these were some of the hardest books for him to write.
I love to find quotes from children's literature that relate to adult life and have a bit of wisdom to them. Many such quotes can be found in Dr. Seuss' books! I hope you enjoy Dr. Seuss as much as most of the world does and you take some time today to read one of his classics to the little people in your life! (Or you could just enjoy it for yourself!)
Happy Reading!
Tuesday, February 28, 2012
New, to me, Books!
I've been going through the book, How To Get Your Child To Love Reading, by Esme Raji Codell, and looking up all the books she recommends at our local library. Some of them have just been average books, nice to read, but not real stand-outs. However, quite a few of them have been excellent and quickly added to my favorites list. I am really enjoying this little project of mine and by the time I finish going through her book, I should have been able to add many more to my favorites list. Let me share four of my new discoveries with you!"Officer Buckle and Gloria," is about a policeman who goes into schools and gives a safety talk. However, until Gloria joins the act the children are completely bored. This funny tale of a lovable dog will have your kids laughing and enjoying Gloria's antics!
"Pantaloon," by Kathryn Jackson, is the story of a dog who desperately wants to work in a bakery for the sole purpose of being around all the treats. The baker sees through his scheme and throws him out. You and your child will enjoy reading how Pantaloon makes his wish come true!
"The Pink Party," by Maryann MacDonald, is the sweet story of two little friends who love all things pink. They love it so much that they get in to a competition to see who can have the most pink! Your little girls will enjoy the beautiful sparkly illustrations and the story of true friendship.
"A House is A House For Me," by Mary Ann Hoberman, is a book written in rhyme about all the many different kinds of houses there are in the world. It is an easy read because of it's rhyming cadence and it's bright, colorful, busy illustrations. It's a must read for young kids!
I hope you enjoy each of these books with your little ones. They all make great read-alouds!! The book, "How To Get Your Child To Love Reading," is a must read for every parent. If you are not familiar with children's books, it will definitely familiarize you with many great choices! Happy Reading!
Wednesday, February 8, 2012
The Value Tales
Well, it happened again!!! I found a great, super, awesome deal on some rare children's books at my favorite local thrift store!! With internet access, books aren't really rare anymore, they just cost more once you find them!
When I was in 3rd & 4th grade choir, our choir teacher read to us, The Value Tales, the last few minutes of practice. I, along with most of the other students, loved these books. Each book takes a true historical character and tells his/her life story while teaching a value. For example, Abraham Lincoln's story is The Value of Respect. Captain Cook's story is The Value of Boldness. Benjamin Franklin's story is The Value of Saving. Sacagawea is the value of Adventure. Each historical character has his/her own fictional character that goes along through the story with them. Kind of like a Jiminy Cricket type character! They are very well written and kids of all ages would love them. From what I can tell, there are 43 different Value Tale stories.
If you go on Amazon, you can find them used. Great investment for your children. In my local area, I have found several of them at thrift stores. I always buy them even if I already have it because I know someone does not have it and it's too good to just pass by! Today, I found four brand new ones, that I do not own, and only paid $.75 for all four together!! Whooo!!! Hooo!!!
I'm including a link to the books on Amazon so you can either purchase them for yourself from this link or elsewhere, or you can see what the books look like and keep your eye out for them when you are in your local thrift stores or antique stores.
Happy Reading!
http://www.amazon.com/Value-Saving-Benjamin-Franklin-Valuetales/dp/0916392171/ref=sr_1_11?ie=UTF8&qid=1328730850&sr=8-11
When I was in 3rd & 4th grade choir, our choir teacher read to us, The Value Tales, the last few minutes of practice. I, along with most of the other students, loved these books. Each book takes a true historical character and tells his/her life story while teaching a value. For example, Abraham Lincoln's story is The Value of Respect. Captain Cook's story is The Value of Boldness. Benjamin Franklin's story is The Value of Saving. Sacagawea is the value of Adventure. Each historical character has his/her own fictional character that goes along through the story with them. Kind of like a Jiminy Cricket type character! They are very well written and kids of all ages would love them. From what I can tell, there are 43 different Value Tale stories.
If you go on Amazon, you can find them used. Great investment for your children. In my local area, I have found several of them at thrift stores. I always buy them even if I already have it because I know someone does not have it and it's too good to just pass by! Today, I found four brand new ones, that I do not own, and only paid $.75 for all four together!! Whooo!!! Hooo!!!
I'm including a link to the books on Amazon so you can either purchase them for yourself from this link or elsewhere, or you can see what the books look like and keep your eye out for them when you are in your local thrift stores or antique stores.
http://www.amazon.com/Value-Saving-Benjamin-Franklin-Valuetales/dp/0916392171/ref=sr_1_11?ie=UTF8&qid=1328730850&sr=8-11
Monday, February 6, 2012
Good Friends and Good Books!
A Good Book IS a Good Friend, but how much sweeter it is when a good friend shares with you a good book! I was reunited with a classmate from K5- College years who, through facebook, introduced me to a new book and then kindly brought hers to my house so I could borrow it! How sweet it was to be reunited with my good friend, face to face, and to be introduced to such a great book! How to Get Your Child to Love Reading by Esme Raji Codell was the book she shared.
What an AMAZING book!! It isn't one of those books that some would find mundane! You know, the kind where it gives you all the statistics of why your child is going to fail if he/she does not read causing you to go into panic mode! Although most of those statistics are true and do have validity to them, they can be overwhelming. Rather, this book takes helping your child to love to read and makes it not only fun for the child, but also fun for the parent! If the parent is excited about it, then the child will be as well. I read the first chapter of this book and then went straight to my computer and bought my own copy off of Amazon.com for $10. (Including shipping!)
Codell not only teaches you how to interest your child, at any age level, how to love reading, but she suggests books along the way. The book is categorized in many different ways: age, reading level, subject, interests, etc. If you want a book on pizza, she has one! If you want a book about dogs, she has many! If you want a book that teaches A,B,C's, she has lots! Along the way, as you read her lists of different types of books, she teaches you how to use these books to encourage your child to learn to read.
It TRULY is an AMAZING book! Takes all the guess work out of what books are good for which age, reading level, etc. She has it all in this incredible encyclopedia of children's books! If you want to invest in your child's future, spend the $10 and get your own copy. I'm including a link to her book on Amazon. Check it out for yourself! If you buy it new from a dealer (not Amazon) or used, you can get a good price. You won't be sorry you did!
How grateful I am for good friends, good books, and the times the two go hand in hand! Happy Reading!
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1565123085/planetesme/002-6627230-1835253
What an AMAZING book!! It isn't one of those books that some would find mundane! You know, the kind where it gives you all the statistics of why your child is going to fail if he/she does not read causing you to go into panic mode! Although most of those statistics are true and do have validity to them, they can be overwhelming. Rather, this book takes helping your child to love to read and makes it not only fun for the child, but also fun for the parent! If the parent is excited about it, then the child will be as well. I read the first chapter of this book and then went straight to my computer and bought my own copy off of Amazon.com for $10. (Including shipping!)
Codell not only teaches you how to interest your child, at any age level, how to love reading, but she suggests books along the way. The book is categorized in many different ways: age, reading level, subject, interests, etc. If you want a book on pizza, she has one! If you want a book about dogs, she has many! If you want a book that teaches A,B,C's, she has lots! Along the way, as you read her lists of different types of books, she teaches you how to use these books to encourage your child to learn to read.
It TRULY is an AMAZING book! Takes all the guess work out of what books are good for which age, reading level, etc. She has it all in this incredible encyclopedia of children's books! If you want to invest in your child's future, spend the $10 and get your own copy. I'm including a link to her book on Amazon. Check it out for yourself! If you buy it new from a dealer (not Amazon) or used, you can get a good price. You won't be sorry you did!
How grateful I am for good friends, good books, and the times the two go hand in hand! Happy Reading!
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1565123085/planetesme/002-6627230-1835253
Tuesday, January 24, 2012
Authors for Boys
Last week I posted a list of authors for girls with the promise to post one for boys. Some times, it is harder to cultivate a love for reading in boys. It CAN be done! Boys are more prone to want to get up and go instead of sitting still long enough to enjoy a good book. Reading aloud to your son can really help cultivate that love for reading he so desperately needs. Find out what he is interested in and then find a book on that subject or with that story line. If a mystery interests him then read a Sugar-Creek Gang by Paul Hutchens to him. If he likes dogs then read one of Jim Kjelgaard's animal adventure books with him. If it's horses he likes, definitely read The Black Stallion by Walter Farley. I recently read this entire series and couldn't put them down! If he likes to laugh and joke around then read him Ribsy or Henry Huggins by Beverly Cleary. If your little guy is interested in collecting all sorts of odds and ends then read the Eddie series by Carolyn Haywood! There is a book for any interest. These are just a few of the authors for boys. Listed below are a few more. Enticing your son to want to read will be successful if you can match him up with the right type of book.
Happy Reading!
Wilson Rawls Where the Red Fern Grows
Elizabeth George Speare The Sign of the Beaver and many more titles that are excellent
Franklin Dixon The Hardy Boys mystery series
Donald J. Sobol Encyclopedia Brown
Roald Dahl Charlie and The Chocolate Factory and James and The Giant Peach
Jean Craighead George My Side of the Mountain
Childhood of Famous Americans series (Biographies)
Fred Gipson Old Yeller
John Reynold Gardiner Stone Fox
Marguerite Henry Justin Morgan Had a Horse
Robert Lawson Ben and Me; Mr. Revere and I (excellent books!)
Happy Reading!
Wilson Rawls Where the Red Fern Grows
Elizabeth George Speare The Sign of the Beaver and many more titles that are excellent
Franklin Dixon The Hardy Boys mystery series
Donald J. Sobol Encyclopedia Brown
Roald Dahl Charlie and The Chocolate Factory and James and The Giant Peach
Jean Craighead George My Side of the Mountain
Childhood of Famous Americans series (Biographies)
Fred Gipson Old Yeller
John Reynold Gardiner Stone Fox
Marguerite Henry Justin Morgan Had a Horse
Robert Lawson Ben and Me; Mr. Revere and I (excellent books!)
Book Lists
Several people have asked me for some type of book list for all different ages. It has taken me a bit of time to get to it, but I finally have started the process of making up my own book lists. I have begun with Preschool-1st grade. Of course, within that age category, there will be some variance to the level of readers. Some 1st graders may find some of the books to be "babyish" for reading themselves while some may find them to be right on their level. All of the books are excellent for parents to read aloud to preschoolers - 1st grade, which is very important in cultivating a love for reading in your child.
In no way am I implying that this is a complete book list. It is what I have come up with so far and from time to time I will add to it. I hope you enjoy these books and that this list helps you know what to look for when going to the library or local book stores or thrift stores. Many of these authors have several books and I have only listed a few of them. For instance, I did not list every Dr. Seuss book! Jan Brett has many good books and I listed maybe two or three of hers. Learn the authors names as well as the titles and you can recognize their books while you are looking.
Soon, I will come out with an Intermediate list and will keep going until I get all the way through High School level reading. Happy Reading!
Book List
Several people have asked me for some type of book list for all different ages. It has taken me a bit of time to get to it, but I finally have started the process of making up my own book lists. I have begun with Preschool-1st grade. Of course, within that age category, there will be some variance to the level of readers. Some 1st graders may find some of the books to be "babyish" for reading themselves while some may find them to be right on their level. All of the books are excellent for parents to read aloud to preschoolers - 1st grade, which is very important in cultivating a love for reading in your child.
In no way am I implying that this is a complete book list. It is what I have come up with so far and from time to time I will add to it. I hope you enjoy these books and that this list helps you know what to look for when going to the library or local book stores or thrift stores. Many of these authors have several books and I have only listed a few of them. For instance, I did not list every Dr. Seuss book! Jan Brett has many good books and I listed maybe two or three of hers. Learn the authors names as well as the titles and you can recognize their books while you are looking.
Soon, I will come out with an Intermediate list and will keep going until I get all the way through High School level reading. Happy Reading!
Book List
Preschool-1st grade
Billy and Blaze by C.W. Anderson
Frog and Toad by Arnold Lobel
Little Bear by Else Minarik
If You Give a Mouse a Cookie by Linda Numeroff
Rainbow Fish by Marcus Pfister
Clifford by Norman Bridwell
Curious George by H.A. Rey
The Velveteen Rabbit by Margery Williams
Is your Mama a Llama? By Deborah Guarino
Amelia Bedelia by Peggy Parish
The Little Engine that Could by Watty Piper
The Berenstain Bears by Stan and Jan Berenstain
A Bargain for Frances by Russell Hoban
Johnny Lion by Edith Hurd
Danny and the Dinosaur by Syd Hoff
Harry the Dirty Dog by Gene Zion
Goodnight Moon by Margaret Wise Brown
Guess How Much I Love You by Sam McBratney
Corduroy by Don Freeman
The 500 Hats of Bartholomew Cubbins by Dr.
Seuss
The Mitten by Jan Brett
Make Way for Ducklings by Robert McCloskey
The Very Hungry Caterpillar
by Eric Carle
Sheep in a Jeep by
Nancy E. Shaw
Harold and the Purple Crayon by Crockett Johnson
Richard Scarry’s Please and Thank you book by Richard Scarry
Big Dog Little Dog by P.D. Eastman
The Little Red Caboose by Marian Potter
Owl at Home by Arnold Lobel
Blueberries for Sal by Robert McCloskey
One Morning in Maine by Robert McCloskey
Gossie and Friends by Olivier Dunrea
The Happy Lion by Louise Fatio
The Biggest Bear by Lynn Ward
Snow Bear by Piers Harper
The Three Snow Bears by Jan Brett
The Hat by Jan Brett
Gingerbread Baby by Jan Brett
Baby Duck goes to School by Amy Hest
Little Quack by Lauren Thompson
Who Will Tuck Me in Tonight? by Carol Roth
Mama, Do You Love Me? By Barbara Joosse
Love You Forever by Robert Munsch
Put Me In The Zoo by
Robert Lopshire
The Cat in the Hat by
Dr. Seuss
Go, Dog. Go! By P.D. Eastman
Flora’s Very Windy Day by Jeanne Birdsall
You Are My I Love You by Maryann Cusimao
The Kissing Hand by Audrey Penn
The Biggest Snowman Ever by Steven Kroll
What Snowmen Do At Night by
Carolyn Buehner
Bear Stays up for Christmas by Karma Wilson
Mr. Willowby’s Christmas Tree by Robert Barry
A Wish to be a Christmas Tree by Colleen Monroe
Llama llama red pajama by Anna Dewdney
Duck and Goose by Tad Hills
Caps For Sale by Esphyr Slobodkina
Miss Rumphius by Barbara Cooney
On The Night You Were Born by Nancy Tillman
You’re All My Favorites by Sam McBratney
Pinkalicious by Victoria Kann
Saturday, January 7, 2012
Authors for Girls
Recently, as in yesterday, I was at one of my favorite local resale shops and ran into a friend of mine. This resale shop has a great children's book section that is neatly organized and full of great finds. I was looking through the books and my friend asked me how I know what I am looking for at a place like this resale shop. I told her I just know what authors I like or have heard of before and I usually stick with that. Sometimes, I'll venture out and buy a book that just looks good. I know you aren't supposed to judge a book by it's cover, but by doing so, I have found some good ones. On the other hand, I have found some not so good ones!! :)
Her question caused me to think about posting a list of authors I look for while I am out at a resale shop, antique store, or used book store. I rarely pay full price for my books. It has to be one I REALLY want! So, here is a list of authors you may want to keep in mind while out at your local resale shops, etc.
Louisa May Alcott
L.M. Montgomery
Kate Seredy (if you find her books, DO NOT pass them up! They are collectors!)
Carolyn Haywood
E. Nesbit
Frances Hodgson Burnett
Beverly Cleary
Laura Ingalls Wilder
Lois Leppard
Elizabeth George Speare
Scott O'Dell
Jan Brett (Picture books)
Eleanor Estes (especially The Hundred Dresses, which I see often in the resale shops and have a hard time passing it up even though I already have two copies!)
Betty MacDonald (wrote the Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle series, which I also often see in resale shops)
Jean Fritz (The Cabin Faced West)
These are just a few, but I thought it might be helpful to those of you who may not know many children's authors by name. So many of us shop at the resale shops and I have found books I collect at these stores for $.50 - $1.00. I get so excited!! In my next post, I will list authors for boys. Some of these authors have books that would be suitable for boys as well. Happy Reading!!
Her question caused me to think about posting a list of authors I look for while I am out at a resale shop, antique store, or used book store. I rarely pay full price for my books. It has to be one I REALLY want! So, here is a list of authors you may want to keep in mind while out at your local resale shops, etc.
Louisa May Alcott
L.M. Montgomery
Kate Seredy (if you find her books, DO NOT pass them up! They are collectors!)
Carolyn Haywood
E. Nesbit
Frances Hodgson Burnett
Beverly Cleary
Laura Ingalls Wilder
Lois Leppard
Elizabeth George Speare
Scott O'Dell
Jan Brett (Picture books)
Eleanor Estes (especially The Hundred Dresses, which I see often in the resale shops and have a hard time passing it up even though I already have two copies!)
Betty MacDonald (wrote the Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle series, which I also often see in resale shops)
Jean Fritz (The Cabin Faced West)
These are just a few, but I thought it might be helpful to those of you who may not know many children's authors by name. So many of us shop at the resale shops and I have found books I collect at these stores for $.50 - $1.00. I get so excited!! In my next post, I will list authors for boys. Some of these authors have books that would be suitable for boys as well. Happy Reading!!
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