Teach children about the people of your neighborhood with the help of Curious George!
Rey, Margret and H.A. Curious George: Neighborhood Friends. October 2010. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. Review copy provided courtesy of publisher.
The youngest of children are encouraged to explore the people they'll find in their own neighborhoods in this seven-page boardbook! Firefighters, farmers, scientists, chefs, and doormen are visited as their jobs are also discussed with a very short, one work answer to the question "What's there?," allowing children to make connections between different people and the jobs that they do!
This is a wonderful way to introduce children to the concept of what makes up a community. It's basic, yet covers pretty much all aspects of individuals who make up a community! Add all that to the slide-and-peek tabs and children not only enjoy the book, but also be engaged in the reading as well, especially if you pose the question each time and then allow them a chance to guess and respond to the question!
Learning/Reading Activity:
Spend time with your child exploring your local community. Make a time to visit the fire department, police department, a local farm, the post office, a local restaurant, even a museum or motel. Along the journey, talk with your child about who the people are who work at each place, as well as what is involved with each of their jobs!
If you're interested in finding out more information about any of the books reviewed or if you'd like to purchase the books, click the cover image for a link to Amazon.com. I am an Amazon Affiliate, so any purchases you make after clicking these images will result in my receiving a small percentage of the sale price!
Take a "virtual visit" to the train station with Curious George and the man with the yellow hat!
Rey, Margret and H.A. Curious George Takes a Train. October 2010. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. Review copy provided courtesy of publisher.
Curious George and the man with the yellow hat, along with their friend Mrs. Needleman are taking a trip to the country. The trip to the country involves a train ride. Being George's first time at the train station, we all know he's curious to explore! As is typical of Curious George, he gets himself into a bit of trouble - thinking he's helping out the trainmaster by "finishing up" the schedule of train arrivals and departures. Just when everyone's upset about the chaos George created, he once again, saves the day, rescuing a little boy and his toy after they are closed in the wrong gate and nearly fall over onto the train tracks.
The illustrations depict an accurate portrayal of the inside of a train station. Children will love to learn about the train station and will love the adventure in which they embark alongside Curious George and the man with the yellow hat. This will be a welcome addition any collection of Curious George books!
Learning/Reading Activity:
Take a field trip to the train station! Check out the train schedule, as well as the different gates where trains arrive and depart from. Use this opportunity to practice your child's time telling skills!
If you're interested in finding out more information about any of the books reviewed or if you'd like to purchase the books, click the cover image for a link to Amazon.com. I am an Amazon Affiliate, so any purchases you make after clicking these images will result in my receiving a small percentage of the sale price!
Curious George shares an important message about fitness with children!
Rey, Margaret and H.A. Curious George: Race Day. September 2010. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. Review copy provided courtesy of publisher.
Curious George has taken on the task of helping Professor Wiseman prepare herself to enter a running race. It seems he's taken on more than he bargained for though, as Professor Wiseman is bored with the training. George comes up with a plan to make exercise fun - taking Professor Wiseman running to all of his favorite places (the ferris wheel, the puppet show, even the zoo)! Eventually Professor Wiseman has trained enough to enter the big race, and she does so, with George proudly watching her from atop a statue. As she nears the finish line, she stops abruptly, alarming George - albeit for a pretty good reason - she wants her trainer to cross the finish line beside her!
This book provides children with the knowledge that exercising is easy when you find a way to make it enjoyable. Heck, you can even have fun getting fit! When children see George having fun exercising, there's a very good chance they'll want to try it too!
Learning/Reading Activity:
As suggested at the back of the book, "Have fun getting fit!" The suggested activity is playing hopscotch. You can also check out Active Kids - Nutrition, Exercise, Games, Sports and Fun or Kidsgames.net for a bunch of different activities and games to get children exercising!
If you're interested in finding out more information about any of the books reviewed or if you'd like to purchase the books, click the cover image for a link to Amazon.com. I am an Amazon Affiliate, so any purchases you make after clicking these images will result in my receiving a small percentage of the sale price!
Encourage learning about hibernation with the help of Curious George!
Rey, H.A. Curious George: A Winter's Nap. August 2010. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. Review copy provided courtesy of publisher.
When Curious George and his friend Bill go fishing and fail to catch any fish because it is too cold, Bill offers George a lesson about hibernation, to teach him how some animals deal with the harsh coldness of winter. George returns home to learn more about hibernation before giving it a go himself. Unfortunately, George doesn't succeed quite as well off as hibernating animals, and instead, with the help of the man with the yellow hat, learns to make the most of winter!
This is an absolutely wonderful book to introduce children to the topic of hibernation. It gives the basic information, without going into too much detail - something that's very important for children who are just being introduced to a new concept! Included with the book are two activities that go along with the topic of hibernation.
Learning/Reading Activity:
As suggested in the book, with your child(ren) make a teddy bear cave and put your stuffed bears to sleep (hibernation) for the winter. A material list and complete directions for building the cave are included!
Complete the "Big Snooze" activity, also included at the back of the book. The activity asks children to guess which animals from the list hibernate during the winter. Build upon this guessing activity by helping your child(ren) to research and determine which of these actually do hibernate for the winter!
You can also check out my other post related to the topic of hibernation: Jim Arnosky's Birthday
If you're interested in finding out more information about any of the books reviewed or if you'd like to purchase the books, click the cover image for a link to Amazon.com. I am an Amazon Affiliate, so any purchases you make after clicking these images will result in my receiving a small percentage of the sale price!
Teach children about car (auto) safety using Curious George and the Dump Truck.
Rey, Margret and H.A. Curious George and the Dump Truck. May 2010. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. Review copy provided courtesy of publisher.
When a mother duck and her ducklings go waddling past his house, Curious George is just to curious to find out where they're headed. Soon enough, he's waddling along behind, in hopes of discovering an answer. As he explores the park where the ducks settle, Curious George notices something he's not seen before at the park - a dump truck. Curious, as always, George sets off to explore the dump truck and before he knows it, he's standing on a control that has put the dump truck to work. Despite the dangers that this posed to both George and everyone in the park, all turns out well, as George is once again deemed heroic, making the park nicer for the ducks as the load of dirt that was dumped created an island for them in the middle of the pond.
This is another great Curious George title! Children will love the adventure contained within the pages, and teachers (and parents) will enjoy the opportunity provided to share with children the importance of safety when in a vehicle.
Learning/Reading Activity:
Take advantage of an opportunity to discuss the "rules" of being in a car. For example, stay buckled in your seat, never touch any of the buttons/controls, never get in the car alone (wait for an adult/parent), etc.
Discuss some of the dangerous things that could have happened, had the outcome of George's curiosity been different (harmed animals, hurt people, crash the dump truck, etc).
Ask children to come up with a different, safer way in which George could have gone about exploring the dump truck.
If you're interested in finding out more information about any of the books reviewed or if you'd like to purchase the books, click the cover image for a link to Amazon.com. I am an Amazon Affiliate, so any purchases you make after clicking these images will result in my receiving a small percentage of the sale price!
Even Curious George enjoys the adventures of a vacation.
Rey, Margret and H.A. Curious George and the Hot Air Balloon. May 2010. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. Review copy provided courtesy of publisher.
Curious George and the man with they yellow hat have gone on vacation. Their trip includes a visit Mount Rushmore and then making a stop at a nearby hot air balloon race. As is to be expected from George, he can't just look and explore... he's more what you'd call a hands-on learner. Unfortunately, his hands-on approach gets him into a bit of a pickle, as when he touches one of the ropes tethering the balloon, he unknowingly unties it, setting the balloon free. But... it wouldn't be a Curious George tale unless George saved the day and made a rescue of some sort, and that's just what he does!
I loved this particular Curious George title... it may be one of my most favorite! Not only is it a fun read with one of our favorite characters, the title has a tiny bit of history in it that just might spike a child's interest in learning more about Mount Rushmore! The only complaint I have about this book is that it didn't accurately portray the ways in which hot air balloons really "fly." Young children are very... gullible, I guess you could say. It's very likely that they'd believe the balloons really will take flight simply by loosening the ropes! Perhaps you could turn this into a bit more of a learning activity by discovering the real way a hot air balloon flies!
Learning/Reading Activity:
Check out this list of Hot Air Balloon Festivals held world-wide! Pick out an event close to you and spend the day at the festival. My family used to go to one of these when we lived in Glens Falls and it was SO much fun! I'm actually considering going back for the festival this year, after reading the book and having discovered that the festival is coming up later in September!
Work with your child(ren) to do the Hot Air Balloon experiment found at PBSKids.com. This looks fairly simple and not too time consuming... I will admit, I haven't tried it myself, so take heed!
Print out the Hot Air Balloon Coloring Page. Encourage your child to decorate/design his/her own hot air balloon after browsing through the picture gallery at Webshots.
You could also plan a hot air balloon ride for your family. Simply search the internet for hot air balloon rides near you!
If you're interested in finding out more information about any of the books reviewed or if you'd like to purchase the books, click the cover image for a link to Amazon.com. I am an Amazon Affiliate, so any purchases you make after clicking these images will result in my receiving a small percentage of the sale price!
George is so excited to go to the holiday parade...
Rey, Margret and H.A. Curious George at the Parade. April 2010. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. Review copy provided courtesy of publisher.
The man with the yellow hat has decided to take George to the holiday parade. When they arrive, they're still a bit too early, so the man with the yellow hat decides to go into a department store. Curious George just can't handle a day without being curious, so he stand guard near one of the windows, watching what's going on outside. When he sees an elephant eating a treat, it makes him hungry and prompts him to go in search of a treat for himself. However, finding the perfect treat doesn't happen without chaos erupting, in true Curious George fashion! He upsets the entire parade, before somehow finding a way to once again saving the event he nearly destroyed.
As is typical with any Curious George, George proves to be a bit too curious and cause a bit of an uproar before pulling himself together to make himself become hero of the event. This is a great book to read to children before taking them to a big parade where there will be lots of balloons and floats! It would also be great to read before any holiday that typical is celebrated with a parade. As always with Curious George, this will make for a pleasurable read!
Learning/Reading Activity:
Use the story to teach some basic subtraction skills to young children. Curious George climbed the tree on the float in search of a snack of nuts. Download the activity here that includes some simple subtraction activities and manipulatives.
If you're interested in finding out more information about any of the books reviewed or if you'd like to purchase the books, click the cover image for a link to Amazon.com. I am an Amazon Affiliate, so any purchases you make after clicking these images will result in my receiving a small percentage of the sale price!
Rey, Margret and H.A. Curious George at the Aquarium: Jorge el curiouso visita el acuario. May 2010. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. Review copy provided courtesy of publisher.
The man with the yellow hat has quite a surprise for George! Today they're visiting the aquarium! As always, Curious George is just a bit too curious, and races over the fence at the aquarium, unable to wait for the man with the yellow hat. The noises coming from inside the walls are just too much temptation! And from the minute George enters the aquarium, he only becomes more curious, needed to explore every inch before landing himself in a predicament with the penguins! However, as Curious George usually does, his curiosity and mischief are quickly forgotten as he manages to once again pull through and "Save the Day!"
There's much to be learned about a visit to the aquarium in this tale with Curious George and the man with the yellow hat. Readers will be fully engrossed in the illustrations (that make the aquarium animals appear almost life-like) and anxious to plan a trip to a local aquarium near them! This bilingual edition of the book is also wonderful for bilingual families or even for those in which parents are trying to teach their children a little bit about Spanish! The text is presented in both English and Spanish, easily allowing readers to make the connection between words in both languages! Definitely a fun read!
Learning/Reading Activities:
Challenge your child(ren) to see just how much they can remember from Curious George and the Aquarium/Jorge el curioso visita el acuario using the Curious George Aquarium Match worksheet that can be downloaded here. Children are asked to match the name of each animal to its picture.
You could also have your child(ren) create a badge that displays Curious George's title as "Honorary Staff Member" after his heroic efforts saved the baby penguin who couldn't yet swim. That activity can be downloaded here. With a bit of additional directions, this could be used as a comprehension activity of sorts, by asking children to be sure to include details that show how Curious George earned this title!
Plan a trip to your local aquarium. Before going, create a scavenger hunt in which children are asked to hunt for specific marine animals during the visit!
If you're interested in finding out more information about any of the books reviewed or if you'd like to purchase the books, click the cover image for a link to Amazon.com. I am an Amazon Affiliate, so any purchases you make after clicking these images will result in my receiving a small percentage of the sale price!
Introduce children to classic nursery rhymes with the help of Curious George!
Rey, H.A. Curious Baby: My First Nursery Songs. May 2010. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. Review copy provided courtesy of publisher.
Complete with a CD of five classic nursery rhymes (featuring the songs, the music only and a cappella versions), children will take delight in both music and books with the help of Curious George! Included in the book are the lyrics for the five nursery rhymes featured - Humpty Dumpty, Mary Had a Little Lamb, Round the Mulberry Bush and Pat a Cake. Also included (within the illustrations) are the musical scales that show the notes for each song (an interesting approach to introduce the idea of reading music)!
This is a great book infants and toddlers, as it is simple, can be used as a whole or with each nursery rhyme individually. Parents will find it easy to help their child learn the words to the nursery rhymes, as the lyrics for each rhyme make up the text of the story. This would make for a wonderful share at bedtime story-time!
If you're interested in finding out more information about any of the books reviewed or if you'd like to purchase the books, click the cover image for a link to Amazon.com. I am an Amazon Affiliate, so any purchases you make after clicking these images will result in my receiving a small percentage of the sale price!
Introduce your baby to vocabulary with the help of a character they'll be excited to grow up with - Curious George!
Rey, Margret and H.A. Curious Baby: My First Words at the Farm. May 2010. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. Review copy provided courtesy of publisher.
The latest gift set for babies featuring Curious George contains the book, Curious Baby: My First Words at the Farm and a super-sweet "Curious Monkey" baby hat, complete with little monkey ears! The book, a 12-page board book, contains colorful images of all that one could imagine seeing on a farm. Each of the different farm objects is labeled, acting as an introduction to share new vocabulary with your littlest ones! The small book makes it ideal for a lap-time share!
Learning/Reading Activity:
Visit a local farm (yes, bring your baby along) and while they're riding snug in a stroller or carrier, point out all the different parts of the farm, labeling them each, so your child(ren) can begin to make the connection between objects and words, enhancing their vocabulary later on in life!
If you're interested in finding out more information about any of the books reviewed or if you'd like to purchase the books, click the cover image for a link to Amazon.com. I am an Amazon Affiliate, so any purchases you make after clicking these images will result in my receiving a small percentage of the sale price!
I'm deeming August 23-27th "Curious George Week" here at my blog! I have new Curious George titles and rather than spread them out, I've decided to feature them all together! Twice daily, each day of this week, you'll see reviews for recently or soon-to-be released Curious George titles.
For years, Curious George has been a childhood staple for children growing up in the United States... the fact that we're still seeing new titles put out allows for books to be passed down, enjoyed and grown-up with for years to come!
You'll see reviews for:
Curious Baby: My First Words at the Farm
Curious Baby: Nursery Songs
Curious George at the Aquarium: Jorge el curioso visita el acuario
Curious George at the Parade
Curious George and the Hot Air Balloon
The Journey that Saved Curious George
Curious George and the Dump Truck
Curious George: Race Day
Curious George Storybook Collection
Curious George: A Winter's Nap
Curious George: Neighborhood Friends
The Complete Adventures of Curious George
If you're interested in finding out more information about any of the books reviewed or if you'd like to purchase the books, click the cover image for a link to Amazon.com. I am an Amazon Affiliate, so any purchases you make after clicking these images will result in my receiving a small percentage of the sale price!
What's even funnier than being tickled? Pinkalicious can help you out with this answer!
Kann, Victoria. Pinkalicious: Tickled Pink. July 2010. HarperCollins. Review copy provided courtesy of publisher.
After checking out a joke book from the school library and being accused of not having a funny bone of her own in her body, Pinkalicious takes matters into her own hands, accepting Tiffany's challenge of a laugh-off to see who is the funniest. She struggles through the night to come up with something, until finally settling upon her choice. Does she have a funny bone in her body? Can she be funnier than Tiffany? I'll leave you to be the judge of that!
I've always been a believer that the best way to encourage children's reading is to find out what they like - whether it be sports, animals or even jokes! This book allows children to see the joy that can be found within the pages of a book! Pinkalious is a character who appeals to so many young girls and the books offer a wide variety of topics... this is definitely a character you'll want to share with the little girls in your life!
Learning/Reading Activity:
Host a laugh-off of your own. Take your child(ren) to the library and help him/her select a book of jokes. Then, encourage your child to read through and find the joke they think is the funniest. After dinner one night, share your jokes with each other and then take a vote to see who's was funniest!
If you're interested in finding out more information about any of the books reviewed or if you'd like to purchase the books, click the cover image for a link to Amazon.com. I am an Amazon Affiliate, so any purchases you make after clicking these images will result in my receiving a small percentage of the sale price!
I'm a little behind on announcing these giveaways, so without further ado...
Congratulations to Apple Blossom, winner of What's New, Cupcake?
Congratulations to Deanna H., winner of Interrupting Chicken!
I've sent you both an e-mail... please respond with your snail mail address so the books can be on their way!
If you're interested in finding out more information about any of the books reviewed or if you'd like to purchase the books, click the cover image for a link to Amazon.com. I am an Amazon Affiliate, so any purchases you make after clicking these images will result in my receiving a small percentage of the sale price!
Perhaps one of my easiest posts ever, as Houghton Mifflin's Travel Activity Kits provide parents and children with all the activities they'll need for a lengthy car ride, leaving me no activity planning!
Christelow, Eileen. Five Little Monkeys Jumping on the Bed: Travel Activity Kit. May 2010. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. Review copy provided courtesy of publisher.
This particular kit includes (all packed neatly into an easily transportable box):
two books: Five Little Monkeys Sitting in a Tree and Five Little Monkeys Jumping on the Bed
30 minutes of audio: Five Little Monkeys Sitting in a Tree (with and without turn-page signals), Five Little Monkeys Jumping on the Bed (with and without turn-page signals), and Five Little Monkeys Bake a Birthday Cake
Five Little Monkeys travel Bingo game for up to four players
Two sheets of Five Little Monkeys stickers
Five Little Monkeys activity book with 24 pages of activities
3 double sided crayons (totaling 6 colors)
Head out to your local library and pick up some of the other Five Little Monkeys titles and you'll have more than enough to fill the entire car ride!
Burton, Virginia Lee. Mike Mulligan and his Steam Shovel: Travel Activity Kit. May 2010. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. Review copy provided courtesy of publisher.
This particular kit includes (all packed neatly into an easily transportable box):
the classic book, Mike Mulligan and his Steam Shovel
1 hour of audio: Mike Mulligan and his Steam Shovel (with and without turn-page signals), Katy and the Big Snow, and Maybelle the Cable Car
Mike Mullingan and his Steam Shovel activity book complete with 24 pages of activities
2 pages of Mike Mulligan and his Steam Shovel pictures
3 double-sided crayons (6 colors)
and 4 postcards (all you'll need to remember are the stamps to actually mail these)
Add in a couple more books by Virginia Lee Burton from Amazon.com or your local library:
Rey, Margret and H.A. Curious George: Travel Activity Kit. May 2010. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. Review copy provided courtesy of publisher.
This particular kit includes (all packed neatly into an easily transportable box):
The original Curious George story
Almost 1 hour of audio: Curious George (with and without page-turn signals), Curious George Flies a Kite, and Curious George's Dinosaur Discover
24 page Curious George activity book
2 pages of Curious George stickers
a Curious George card game
and 3 double-sided (6 colors) crayons
What a great way to introduce your child to the wonderful world of Curious George! Head out to your local library and pick up a collection of their Curious George titles - books, DVDs, and audio books to make your long car ride seem just a bit shorter!
HOW TO ENTER THE GIVEAWAY:
In a comment on this post, share with me (and my readers) one of your travel tricks that keeps the kids busy and entertained during long trips!
Be sure to leave an email address along with your comment.
Deadline to enter is Wednesday, September 1st at 11:59PM EST.
For an extra entry(or three): 1. Become a subscriber/follower of my blog (+1) 2. Blog about this giveaway on your own blog and leave a link in your comment (+1) 3. Leave a tweet on your Twitter page and then leave a link in your comment (+1)
Contest is open to U.S. Residents only, sorry for any inconveniences!
Winner will be selected by special guest poster on Wednesday, September 1st and will receive a complimentary copy of all 3 travel activity kits!
If you're interested in finding out more information about any of the books reviewed or if you'd like to purchase the books, click the cover image for a link to Amazon.com. I am an Amazon Affiliate, so any purchases you make after clicking these images will result in my receiving a small percentage of the sale price!
Christelow, Eileen. Five Little Monkeys Wash the Car. May 2010. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. Review copy provided courtesy of publisher.
When Mother Monkey decides it's time to see the "rickety, rattletrap wreck of a car", the five little monkeys offer up their support in helping make the sale! They start off by breaking out the hose and washing. However, the car is still deemed not ready for sale, so they take to giving the car a new paint job! As is par for the course with the five little monkeys, one thing leads to another, leads to near-disaster! However, it all works out in the end, as not only do the monkeys sell the car, they also find their new car!
As I've mentioned before when reviewing the Five Little Monkey titles, the books are absolutely wonderful! The rhyming text is lyrical and funny, providing much room for laughter and enjoyment with little ones. The format allows room for many different uses - including teaching rhyming words and comprehension activities (specifically story sequencing)! Definitely a great one to check out!
Learning/Reading Activities:
Organize a car wash with your child(ren) to raise money for a good cause. This will help children see the importance of giving back to the community and working as a team to accomplish a goal.
Create a "coloring contest" for your child(ren), complete with judges. Ask your child to "paint" or "color" the old car to make it look fresh and appealing. The car coloring sheet can be downloaded here. You could actually frame the car pictures and "sell" them by holding an auction to raise money for a good cause!
If you're interested in finding out more information about any of the books reviewed or if you'd like to purchase the books, click the cover image for a link to Amazon.com. I am an Amazon Affiliate, so any purchases you make after clicking these images will result in my receiving a small percentage of the sale price!
New to me is Sleeping Bear Press' Discover the World series!
From the town where the Titanic was built in Ireland to the Great Wall of China, exploring the world is a great way to learn and have fun! Just choose a country alphabet book from Sleeping Bear Press and its history and culture, food and crafts are a click away. And don't forget to check out the amazing poetry and artwork in the books too.
"Sleeping Bear Press Discover the World titles are the juvenile versions of the very best and most colorful adult travel guides."
-- Dr. Jerry Flack, PhD
It's really true... the series is all that... and more! The books appear to be wonderfully educational (keep in mind, I've only reviewed a few of these) and can be used with children of all ages, simply by using your judgement as to what is appropriate to share with your child(ren) - the short, simple poems that give a brief understanding of the focus of each letter presented, or the more detailed explanation, full of informative material that also compliments each letter presented!
I could see myself using these books as "travel guides," as suggested by Dr. Jerry Flack! However, in the meantime, since my wallet doesn't allow, I'll simply share one of the titles in the series with you! At the bottom of this post, you can also find a complete listing of all the titles in the Discover the World series!
Kiehm, Eve Begley. B is for Bagpipes: A Scotland Alphabet. February 2010. Sleeping Bear Press. Review copy provided courtesy of publisher.
Readers travel on an adventure through Scotland in B is for Bagpipes: A Scotland Alphabet. Along the way, they will quickly discover that Scotland is a small country with many islands along its coastline. Chances are they'll recognize symbols of Scotland (even if they previously didn't connect these items with Scotland), such as bagpipes, kilts, and even the Loch Ness Monster! Children will be surprised to learn that golf was invented in Scotland and that the oatmeal they eat for breakfast is known as porridge in Scotland!
Full of information, children will delight in being able to share all of this newly discovered "trivia" with their friends and family! Coupled with the illustrations, the age of the children will help you decide which text to use - the simplistic poems or the more detailed paragraphs that coincide with the focus of each letter being presented!
Learning/Reading Activities:
Check out the Teacher's Guide, provided courtesy of Sleeping Bear Press. It is complete with 17 pages of activities to use with children! My personal favorite is found on page 5, "I'm Proud of My Clan," in which children are reminded that "In Scotland a clan is another name for an extended family. Everyone with the same last name is in some way related. Are you related to everyone who has your same last name? The Scots design symbols that stand for their family. Think about the things that could stand for your family. What makes your family proud? Design a crest to represent your clan and their interests."
Also be sure to check out the Discover the World: Scotland homepage, complete with recipes, information about: "if you go," currencies, expressions, weather, holidays, activities and games, and other links!
If you're interested in finding out more information about any of the books reviewed or if you'd like to purchase the books, click the cover image for a link to Amazon.com. I am an Amazon Affiliate, so any purchases you make after clicking these images will result in my receiving a small percentage of the sale price!
Teach children about symbiosis - how two unusually paired creatures work together to benefit each other (mutualism).
Jenkins, Steve and Robin Page. How to Clean a Hippopotamus: A Look at Unusual Animal Partnerships. May 2010. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. Review copy provided courtesy of publisher.
Steve Jenkins and Robin page have a hit with How to Clean a Hippopotamus: A Look at Unusual Animal Partnerships! They tag-team together to teach children all about symbiosis and the various ways in which unusual animals team up to benefit from each other! From the pairing of the hippopotamus and the African helmeted turtle to the pairing of dogs and humans, it seems as though pretty much every aspect of symbiosis is covered!
The book is perfect for readers of all ages, as you can pick and choose which animal relationships you wish to explore or you can read the book in its entirety. The relationships are explained in enough detail that the benefits for each contributing partner are easy to understand, yet the text is presented in a way that is simple to understand! There's something for all to enjoy in this scientifically informative pick!
Learning/Reading Activities:
After reading, have your child choose one of the animal pairs mentioned in the book and illustrate the relationship between the two. Then ask him/her to write a brief paragraph describing the way in which the two benefit each other. A worksheet with directions can be downloaded here.
Further explore the relationship of the honeyguide and the honey badger in Jan Brett's Honey... Honey... LION!
If you're interested in finding out more information about any of the books reviewed or if you'd like to purchase the books, click the cover image for a link to Amazon.com. I am an Amazon Affiliate, so any purchases you make after clicking these images will result in my receiving a small percentage of the sale price!
Randall, Marilyn. For Faithful Friends. October 2009. Lulu Publishing. Review copy provided courtesy of author.
Little Turtle is just plain fearful - he doesn't have faith in himself, and because of his inability to trust, he has no friends. Mouse doesn't let that stop him for attempting to befriend Turtle and instill trust and faith in him! He continually offers words of support and encouragement to Turtle. However, after Mouse leaves one day, Turtle recognizes the danger that lurks above Mouse as he heads across the field - the crow that will surely attack and eat him. Although he's never admitted it, Turtle considers Mouse his only friend and knows something must be done. He gathers the courage and makes his way out of the blackberry bramble that has been his home for so long, taking a chance in order to save his friend. Thanks to the words and actions Mouse had previously used with Turtle, he was able to be successful in his adventure to save Mouse. In doing so, he has not only gained a true friend, but also gained the faith and trust he previously lacked.
This is a truly wonderful story to share with children. There's much to be learned, including the fact that trust is something that must be earned! Along with that lesson, children will also begin to accept that not everyone is daring - some people live a more reserved life, holding back and being cautious. I definitely think this is worth sharing, as it will allow children to see that it's okay to be who they are, as when they are truly good and ready, then they can tackle the world!
If you're interested in finding out more information about any of the books reviewed or if you'd like to purchase the books, click the cover image for a link to Amazon.com. I am an Amazon Affiliate, so any purchases you make after clicking these images will result in my receiving a small percentage of the sale price!
D.B. Johnson, author of the popular "Henry" series, returns with an entirely new take on children's literature!
Johnson, D.B. Palazzo Inverso. May 2010. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. Review copy provided courtesy of publisher.
Inspired by the impossible buildings of M.C. Escher, D.B. Johnson tackles the task of introducing children to blueprints and the idea of architecture. Mauk's master is building a Palazzo, a grand building of architectural ambition in Italy. As the servant, Mauk's job is to sharpen the pencils so that his master is sure to create the most precise blueprints of his palazzo. How much trouble could Mauk possibly get into when sharpening pencils? However, Mauk decides to inspect his master's drawings, and in doing so, turns the blueprints around and around, eventually confusing the master as to top and bottom, resulting in the builders creating a "palazzo inverso," or an inverse building - a topsy-turvy world, where painters hang upside down, people walk on ceilings, and workers fall up the stairs!
This is an incredibly uniquely-written book! Coupled with illustrations that virtually mimic the works of M.C. Escher, D.B. Johnson takes the concept of a Palazzo Inverso one step further, having readers go as far as to turn the book upside down to continue the reading, allowing readers to actually grasp the idea of what the inverso does to the architectural blueprints! Very creative!
If you're interested in finding out more information about any of the books reviewed or if you'd like to purchase the books, click the cover image for a link to Amazon.com. I am an Amazon Affiliate, so any purchases you make after clicking these images will result in my receiving a small percentage of the sale price!
Today is the official release date for David Ezra Stein's lastest (sure-to-be-a-hit) Interrupting Chicken blog tour. To mark the release date, I have a review and author interview!
Stein, David Ezra. Interrupting Chicken. August 2010. Candlewick Press. Review copy provided courtesy of publisher.
Little Chicken refuses to go to bed without a bedtime story. However, every time her father starts sharing the story, Little Chicken interrupts. It's simply impossible to get through a story with her constant interruptions! When Little Chicken has exhausted all possibilities of a bedtime story because of her constant interruptions, Papa suggests that she tell the story. However, even she can't get through a story without facing interruptions - interruptions thanks to Papa and his loud snoring!
This book is sure to be a hit among your collection of bedtime stories, especially if you have an "interrupting chicken" of your own who hopes to delay bedtime with constant interruptions! Children are sure to enjoy the humor and will likely start expecting the times when Little Chicken is going to interrupt her father's story telling, as the tales he shares are familiar to most! Coupled with the surprise ending, the story is sure to be a favorite!
Interview with David Ezra Stein
I was so very fortunate to be a part of the Interrupting Chicken blog tour and have the opportunity to interview author, David Ezra Stein! Hope you enjoy the interview as much as I did taking part in it!
Katie: Thanks for taking the time to let me interrupt your day for a few moments! I'll make this quick so neither of us has to do too much interrupting of one another's day! I have to get this out of the way first! Do you have an "interrupting chicken" in your life? Can you share your inspiration behind writing the story?
David Ezra Stein: Yes, I have a 9 month old. He wasn't around yet when I wrote the story, but he was on the way! I was inspired by the knock-knock joke about the Interruping Chicken. The chicken seemed like the perfect character to expand upon and build a book on.
Katie: The tales in which you chose to have Little Chicken do her interrupting are classics for many children! I assume this had something to do with your selection of these particular tales... however, why did you not go with The Three Little Pigs or Goldilocks and the Three Bears? They're just as popular!
David Ezra Stein: I thought about "The Three Little Pigs" and "Goldilocks", and they were not as good to interrupt. There is not so much danger to the characters or one crux moment where an interruption would save them. Actually, when I wrote the very first draft of the story, the chicken did interrupt many stories (about 6), but I pared it down for the final book.
Katie: You mention that one of your inspirations in creating your own books is the desire to recreate the world that you remember from "sitting in a beloved lap and having a whole new world open" before you through the pictures and voice of the story. If you could share with parents what you feel is most important about reading to their child, what would you say to encourage them to read to their children on a daily basis?
David Ezra Stein: Reading is an intimate and loving way to bond with your child. You bring the book to life with your voice and the two of you read at your own pace. There are teachable moments, and lots of chances to stop and talk and laugh about what you are reading. Reading a story together means your child knows you are willing to stop the world and spend that moment with her. The kind of love that you are showing him by reading with him can never happen by plopping him in front of the TV or handing them your iPhone.
David, thank you so much your time!
Candlewick Press and David Ezra Stein have agreed to team up and offer my readers the chance to win a copy of his latest title, Interrupting Chicken! Details can be found below!
HOW TO ENTER THE GIVEAWAY:
In a comment on this post, share with me (and my readers) about one of your "little chicken's" interrupting moments at bedtime!
Be sure to leave an email address along with your comment.
Deadline to enter is Tuesday, August 17th at 11:59PM EST.
For an extra entry(or three):
1. Become a subscriber/follower of my blog (+1)
2. Blog about this giveaway on your own blog and leave a link in your comment (+1)
3. Leave a tweet on your Twitter page and then leave a link in your comment (+1)
Contest is open to U.S. Residents only, sorry for any inconveniences!
Winner will be selected by special guest poster on Wednesday, August 4th and will receive a complimentary copy of Interrupting Chicken!
Also, take a moment to check out these other stops on the Interrupting Chicken blog tour!
If you're interested in finding out more information about any of the books reviewed or if you'd like to purchase the books, click the cover image for a link to Amazon.com. I am an Amazon Affiliate, so any purchases you make after clicking these images will result in my receiving a small percentage of the sale price!
Willems, Mo. Time to Sleep, SHEEP the SHEEP! June 2010. HarperCollins. Review copy provided courtesy of publisher.
Cat the Cat is busy reminding all of her friends that it's time to get to sleep! However, when she stumbles upon her friend Owl the Owl, she quickly realizes not to say anything to Owl the Owl, as he's nocturnal and doesn't sleep at night!
Repetitive, simple text and basic, colorful illustrations make the book appropriate for beginning readers and the very youngest of children come bedtime! After one read, children will catch on and be reading this title to you!
Learning/Reading Activity:
Owl the Owl doesn't sleep at night! Talk with your children about why he doesn't - he's nocturnal. Discuss what it means to be nocturnal and then spend some time researching together animals that are nocturnal. If you're really up for an adventure, spend one night this summer pretending to be nocturnal yourself - start out the evening with a game of checkers, as Owl the Owl suggest to his sleeping friends!
If you're interested in finding out more information about any of the books reviewed or if you'd like to purchase the books, click the cover image for a link to Amazon.com. I am an Amazon Affiliate, so any purchases you make after clicking these images will result in my receiving a small percentage of the sale price!
Brown, Monica. Pele: King of Soccer/El rey del futbol. December 2008. HarperCollins. Review copy provided courtesy of publisher.
Pele "O Rei" grew up in a very poor family in Brazil, the largest country in South America. The family's limited resources didn't deter Pele's father from involvement in his young son's life - every night, despite their weariness, Pele and his father played soccer in the streets. Upon finding his father upset one night that Brazil had lost yet another World Cup, Pele makes a promise that one day, he would personally win a World Cup for his father. Pele worked to overcome the hardships stacked against him and in Pele: King of Soccer/El rey del futbol, readers share his story as they watch Pele not only win a single World Cup game, but three! Along with his goals that helped to win the World Cup Titles, Pele also went to score an impressive 1,281 goals!
Soccer fans everywhere will delight in sharing the story of Pele's success. This is also the sort of book you might share with a certain youngster who seems to have the odds stacked against them, but is driven towards success in life! It might just be that little bit of inspiration that helps them overcome that one hump that could virtually "make or break" them! Definitely a wonderful story of inspiration and the payoffs of hard work!
Learning/Reading Activity:
Take an afternoon and head outdoors with your child(ren) and break out the soccer ball. Check out this link for some helpful hints about teaching your child to play soccer!
If you're interested in finding out more information about any of the books reviewed or if you'd like to purchase the books, click the cover image for a link to Amazon.com. I am an Amazon Affiliate, so any purchases you make after clicking these images will result in my receiving a small percentage of the sale price!
Teach children a thing or two about vocabulary related to school and ethics!
Rosenthal, Amy Krouse. One Smart Cookie: Bite-Size Lessons for the School Years and Beyond. June 2010. HarperCollins. Review copy provided courtesy of publisher.
Morsels of wisdom are coupled with interesting new vocabulary words for children, as one little girl shares with readers bits and pieces of what they'll need to know in order to be a successful contributor of "Smart Cookies" at the bake sale.
Publishers Weekly stated it perfectly,A deliciously charming collection of defined and illustrated vocabulary words that serve as gentle guides to etiquette.The book reminds me so much of something that would be passed along from your grandma - with illustrations that make me think of those old Norman Rockwell calendars I've seen. I absolutely love this book! And when you add in the recipe for "One Smart Cookie" at the back - well, I'm sold... I'll definitely be trying these out!
Learning/Reading Activity:
Using the recipe at back of the book, create a batch of "One Smart Cookie." Each time you pass along one of these cookies to your child in his/her lunch box (and on the first day of school) attach a few vocabulary term with each. Carefully select a term on your own that provide your child with the encouragement they need to start out a successful school year. For example, perhaps the words, "support," "friendship," "proud" will do perfectly! Or there's any number of others that would serve just as well to offer your child the encouragement he/she needs and deserves!
If you're interested in finding out more information about any of the books reviewed or if you'd like to purchase the books, click the cover image for a link to Amazon.com. I am an Amazon Affiliate, so any purchases you make after clicking these images will result in my receiving a small percentage of the sale price!
A Day on the Mountain, sequel to A Day in the Salt Marsh, is a hit in my eyes!
Kurtz, Kevin. A Day on the Mountain. August 2010. Sylvan Dell Publishing. Review copy provided courtesy of publisher.
A day spent visiting the mountain proves to be a very educational experience! Children will learn all about the flora and fauna at different points as they "hike" alongside author, Kevin Kurtz on this adventure. From black bears to to snow fleas, trees to lichens, there is a great deal to be learned in an interesting, unique way!
I think children will love this book! The illustrations are gorgeous and almost truly-captivating of the sights you would actually see on a hike up the mountain. The text itself is simple, yet intriguing and offers much room for children to become engaged and show their inquisitive nature, perhaps wondering what "above sea level" means or wanting to learn more about those snow fleas! Definitely a great science read!
Learning/Reading Activity:
Check out the 33-page teaching activity packet, provided courtesy of Sylvan Dell Publishing. It is packed with different activities that coincide with the story. My personal favorite can be found on page 21, Mountain True/False. Have children make predictions about each statement - is it true or false? Give children the answers, and then have them research and then write any false sentences to make them true!
If you're interested in finding out more information about any of the books reviewed or if you'd like to purchase the books, click the cover image for a link to Amazon.com. I am an Amazon Affiliate, so any purchases you make after clicking these images will result in my receiving a small percentage of the sale price!
I am a Head Start teacher by day and a reader during any/all free time. Being a teacher I am always looking for children's books and products to use in the classroom.
This blog is going to provide parents and educators with books, products and a variety of educational activities to share with preschool and early elementary aged children (ages 3-7). Feel free to steal the ideas for your own classroom/homeschool, reading group, library or children!
Reviews
I am very interested in receiving copies of children's books and educational products for review. If you have a book or product that you are willing to send for review, please email me for contact information at kateh12783@hotmail.com.
Guidecraft Educator
I'm a "Guidecraft Educator." Find out about the program here!
Rey, Margret and H.A.
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