Book Review | We All Went on Safari

With school on the way we are practicing our 123's at home and what better way than with a book. Our bookshelf had this wonderful colorful book and we practiced our 123's with our new friends from Tanzania. From spying a lonely leopard at dawn's first light (1=moja) to watching ten elephants on a rocky hillside glen (10=kumi).

Book Review | What we learned

We had a blast practicing the numbers quiet a challenge for our two year old but he laughed and laughed counting to kumi!

Counting in Swahili
1 = moja (mo-jah)
2 = mbili (m-bee-lee)
3 = tatu (ta-too)
4 = nne (n-nay)
5 = tano (tah-no)
6 = sita (see-tah)
7 = saba (sah-bah)
8 = nane (nah-nay)
9 = tisa (tee-sah)10 = kumi (koo-mee)

The best was all the facts about Tanzania, including an explanation of the animals of Tanzania, Swahili names and numbers, and the lifestyle of the Masaii people follow the story and provide the framework for a great learning experience.

Book Review | About the book

from barefoot books.com - Learn to count in Swahili while discovering African animals on an exciting safari through the grasslands of Tanzania. Facts about Tanzania, Swahili counting, the Maasai people and a map are included at the end.

A great thing about this book is it is part of the GIVING BACK way of Barefoot Books:
A portion of the proceeds from the sale of each book will be donated to the African Wildlife Foundation, to aid in their wildlife conservation and community building efforts in Tanzania.

And Barefoot Books supplied us with a wonderful activity. Can you think of four words to describe an elephant, do math problems and answer in Swahili... try this FUN Activity!

Book Review | What I think

So where else are we learning Swahili  no where!!! Where else could I have introduced to my child this information I love it! I love that my child is thinking outside of his neighborhood and that books and his family are sharing this together. Read the books - Mom's and Dad's the illustrations are amazing and the flow of the story is engaging. Take it and embrace it!!!

Do you have a special language? you shared with your child? Tell me.

Keep Turning those pages!
Happy Reading,
 Jennifer

Social issues | children reading and higher success!

Sometimes we have to pay attention, sit back and think how can you help a social issues. Of course one that is dear to me involves children reading. It is amazing that according to NEA facts about children literacy "Children who are read to at home have a higher success rate in school." 

• count to 20, or higher than those who were not (60% vs. 44%) 
• write their own names (54% vs. 40%) 
• read or pretend to read (77% vs. 57%)

Then why don't more parents take a minute and spend 30minutes of quiet time and open a book. BUT I get it - time goes by, the days fall into evenings, the weekdays get gobbled up into weekends and life gets busy. So here are just some tips I searched for and crammed into one post up for you!

I love these tips from NEA Below are a few to share and I hope you can share with a friend, new parents anyone. 

• Carry books to read to your child wherever you go - at the doctor's office, in line at the store, or on a long car ride. (You can also listen to stories on tape.) 
• Visit your local library often. Get your children their own library cards. Try a story hour or other free event at the library. 
• Let your child see you reading, whether it's the newspaper, a magazine, or the latest bestseller.

Children Reading | Comprehension Concerns

"Detecting problems early, in order to avoid other problems later on, is the most practical course." And the detailed information supplied at  Reading Rockets is a great source of information for a parent and educator. http://www.readingrockets.org/helping/

Reading Rockets provides more information http://www.readingrockets.org/helping/target/ on the difficulties listed below:

• Phonological and phonemic awareness
• Word decoding and phonics
• Vocabulary
• Fluency
• Comprehension
• Other sources of reading difficulty

Children Reading | Levels & Tips

It seems the standard testing in most schools is the Developmental Reading Assessment (DRA)
a  useful tool because it provides the teachers with a wealth of information about how each of the students is developing as a reader. And  Fountas & Pinnell, Lexile and Reading Recovery are part of many reading level charts. 

Reading tips from Healthy Children.org

The following are a few tips to keep in mind as your child learns to read:

• Set aside time every day to read together. Many children like to have stories read to them at bedtime. This is a great way to wind down after a busy day and get ready for sleep.
• Leave books in your child's room for her to enjoy on her own. Make sure her room is reading-friendly with a comfortable bed or chair, bookshelf, and reading lamp.
• Read books that your child enjoys. After a while, your child may learn the words to her favorite book. When this happens, let your child complete the sentences or take turns reciting the words.
• Do not drill your child on letters, numbers, colors, shapes, or words. Instead, make a game out of it and find ways to encourage your child's curiosity and interests.

Children Reading | Books & Links 

• http://www.readingrockets.org/helping/
• http://www2.ed.gov/parents/read/resources/edpicks.jhtml
• http://www.healthychildren.org
• http://www.nea.org/grants/13754.htm (raising a reader)

Books

• http://www.oprah.com Kids-Reading-List
• http://www.barefootbooks.com/
• So many others I am sure you have your favorites. 

I hope you found this information useful. I know it definitely made me more aware about the importance of reading to our children. And I am glad to share with you all my little research on reading to children.

Keep Turning those pages!
Happy Reading,
 Jennifer

Author Profile | Author :: Kathryn White

Children books are one of my favorites, not only are the stories fun to read with my son but each book is a subtle reminder to keep things simple and the message becomes very clear. In my home we are getting ready for our BACK TO SCHOOL day on Monday. So this week we read one of Kathryn White books, Ruby's School Walk, engages us on a wonderful adventure that happens on her way to school. No crocodiles on our way to school but you never know!

Author Profile | Books

Below is a list of books she has written over the years. She states on her site that her first book was written when her daughter was one. Now that is amazing. What a great gift to her child. :)

• Will It Snow Again?
• The Nutty Nut Chase
• Click Clack Crocodile's Back

Here is a list from goodreads.com for her full selection. 

Author Profile | About

Kathryn White is a children's author from Wells, Somerset. 

"Her first children's picture book; When They Fight was selected as a Notable Social Studies Book by the US Librarians Association. Her second picture book; Here Comes The Crocodile was shortlisted for the Sheffield and Nottingham Children's Book Awards. Ruby's School Walk is her latest picture book, published by Barefoot Books in the US and UK. Kathryn has published 30 titles." from Amazon. 

Author Profile | Links

• http://www.kathrynwhite.net/
• http://www.kathrynwhite.net/bibliography/
• http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/282198.Kathryn_White
• Katherine White - Amazon

Do you have a favorite children's author? Please share.

Keep Turning those pages!
Happy Reading,
 Jennifer

A quick recap | Top 5 summer reads

W
ith the summer over I figured I could share with you my top stories we cherished during our summer holiday. I had a couple and my son picked some fun stories from our local library. Some took us on a far away adventure and a few made me think about how wonderful it is to have family and friends though out our lives supporting and loving throughout the years.

Below is my book collage for a few of the summer books that we loved to read.

Summer Books 2012 by jmclozano on Polyvore

Now the school year has started we are off to a new set of books. Although I loved to keep reading a few books at a time this month I am aiming for two books and plenty of bedtime stories.

Keep Turning those pages
Happy Reading,
 Jennifer

Children Books :: Library Picks

This week our trip to the library saved us from a terrible thunder storm. It is great for our plants and gardens but not so great for our play time at the park. Usually, it is a trip to the library followed by a stop at the corner store for an ice pop and then a walk to our favorite park on Madison Ave.

Our little library has been part of little man's life since he was able to sit in a circle and listen to songs, now he is joining book clubs and picking his own children's books.

This weeks children's book selection has no particular theme but I can see the interest from summer school, under the sea lesson plan, is still around with his selection of Puffer Fish. Next we take a trip to the zoo with Mr. Carle famous Chameleon. And finally an adventure with a very smart mouse and a Gruffalo. 

Reading ::
 

Puffer Fish (Under the Sea (Capstone Librar...  by Rake	The Mixed-Up Chameleon  by Eric Carle	The Gruffalo  by Julia Donaldson

Share a Book Rating ::  5 - Loved them! Can't wait to share with you! 

I am sure some of us have read these children's books in the past. We are enjoying playing Puffer face, thinking about some crafts to make with our chameleon and maybe a Gruffalo recipe for trail mix. Share with me your special memories and reviews of the books.

Keep Turning those pages!
Happy Reading,
 Jennifer

Children Book Review :: Water, Weed, and Wait By Edith Hope Fine, Angela Halpin

W
e are part of our local community garden  when I saw this book I grabbed it. We read it that very day when we got home and little man was so excited to talk about what we planted. The anticipation we have as we go to the garden was shared in this book.

The illustrations in the book are a delight for the child and adult reading. It is so much fun to watch him point out the many vegetables. Below is a nice picture some of the vegetables we picked this past weekend.


Read :: Water, Weed, and Wait By Edith Hope Fine, Angela Halpin
Share a Book Rating ::  5 - Loved it! Can't wait to share.
Product Description (from Amazon)

When Miss Marigold challenges the kids at Pepper Lane Elementary to turn an unpromising patch of their schoolyard into a garden full of fruits, flowers, and vegetables, they know they'll need all the help they can get. Soon everyone in the community is lending a hand—including an unlikely neighbor with a soft spot for gardening—and it isn't long before peppers, zuccchini, sugar peas, snapdragons, zinnias, and much more are growing and blooming.

Back matter includes photos of students gardening in real school gardens and information on how readers can start their own school or home garden project.

I hope you enjoy the book and the ideas to build a community garden. The benefits are not just a a bountiful harvest but wonderful community friendships.

Keep Turning those pages
Happy Reading,
 Jennifer

And from our Community Garden in Patchogue
(see insert) 


Join us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/PatComGarden

Children Book Review :: What Dads Can't do By Douglas Wood.

We ended this weekend with a nice book reminding us how great Father's can be. It was a little confusing for my little guy because he said to me "Daddy CAN do that" - hit a ball, eat lot's of cake, play hide and seek.

This book was a nice reminder of all the wonderful things Dad's do for their little ones to make them feel AWESOME.

Check out the book and share the story.
READ ::  What Dads Can't Do By Douglas Wood.

Share a Book Rating ::  4 - Could have been a 5, but nothing is perfect!!


 Keep turning those pages....
 Happy Reading,
 Jennifer


 Product Description (from Amazon)

There are lots of things that regular people can do but dads can't. Dads can't cross the street without holding hands. They can push, but can't swing. When dads play hide-and-seek they always get found, but they have a hard time finding you. Dads really need to be kissed good night at bedtime. It's a wonder they make it through life at all!

Video :: #Children #Book :: Llama Llama Mad at Mama

Not everyday we read our traditional print books. So today we declare WEDNESDAY a Video day. We are watching a video during stroytime and we can't go wrong with Llama Llama. Check out this video with Anna Dewdney reading her New York Times bestseller, Llama Llama Mad at Mama.

I have had one of these days! And I learned that our first stop during our grocery store is the BAKERY. Free cookies for their little shoppers at Waldbaums. (THANK YOU THANK YOU)


 Keep turning those pages....
 Happy Reading,
 Jennifer

Children Book Review :: Because Your Daddy Loves You

This adorable story was fun to read with my son. The story setting was just like one of our weekend days we just had with DAD. I would have to say most all the adventures they shared we mostly had, too. Although, our "drippy ice-cream cone" was an ice pop. Noted by my little guy :)

READ:: Because Your Daddy Loves You By Andrew Clements

Share a Book Rating ::  5 - Loved it! Can't wait to share with you!!

A nice reminder also to parents to not be in such a RUSH take it easy and be patient and affectionate. Familiar scenes and illustrations are well crafted. 

This is a terrific book for Father's Day. When we finished I have to be honest my little one did ask "Where is Mommy?" so I politely said "She was resting and reading her book" from the mouths of babes.

This book is a nice tribute to all of those DAD's that take the FULL responsibility and run with it. You are our hero's!

 Keep turning those pages....
 Happy Reading,
 Jennifer

Product Description (From Amazon)

A day spent with a young child at the beach is filled with many minor dramas—a lost shoe, a ball that floats too far out into the water, a drippy ice-cream cone. These can be frustrating events for both child and parent, but the daddy in this book finds a way to fix each problem, lovingly and patiently. Why? Because he loves his little girl, of course! This spot-on pairing of words and images is a warm, reassuring, and humorous tribute to dads everywhere.

#KidLit :: Children Summer Reading No Beach day fun!

So let's say it isn't a perfect day for the Beach. I found a great activity for you and your child. Don't fret its FUN!

I swear you will be singing - My Four Groovy Buttons!! 

Product Description (from Amazon)

Pete the Cat is wearing his favorite shirt—the one with the four totally groovy buttons. But when one falls off, does Pete cry? Goodness, no! He just keeps on singing his song—after all, what could be groovier than three groovy buttons? Count down with Pete in this rocking new story from the creators of the bestselling Pete the Cat books.

We had a fun time with Pete! 
 Keep turning those pages....
 Happy Reading,
 Jennifer

READ :: Pete the Cat and His Four Groovy Buttons [Hardcover]James Dean (Illustrator), Eric Litwin (Author)

ACTIVITY :: I also found a wonderful print out from the publisher. Click here to have some fun!

WATCH :: Youtube Hit!