Emma Dilemma: Big Sister Poems

Help big sisters celebrate the dilemmas of little sisters!

George, Kristine O'Connell.
Emma Dilemma: Big Sister Poems.
February 2011.
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt.
Review copy provided courtesy of publisher.

Big sister Jessica shares with readers, through poems, the dilemmas she faces on a daily basis in her life with little sister, Emma "Dilemma." The poems are sweet, honest and share the true feelings that sisters likely experience when trying to find their own identity with the tag-along little sister - relishing the feeling of being a role model and the guilt that can encompass one when a little sibling is hurt (even when it isn't really your fault).

The poems are simple to read and very easy to understand. Older sisters will relish having this book in their hands and being able to relate so closely to all of the emotions experienced by Jessica!

Learning/Reading Activity:

• In their summer journal, have your child(ren) write a poem about what being a sibling means to them. Be prepared! The poems might not be all that you were hoping to be, but remember to encourage your child's creativity and honesty in their writing!
  

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Imaginations at Work: Mittens

It's often interesting to give a child a simple, everyday object and see what they can "do" with it! Of course, it doesn't hurt that it inspires children to be creative... so if there's a book out there to help with this concept, I'll check it out! Hopefully you will, too!

George, Kristine O'Connell.
One Mitten.
October 2004.
Clarion Books.
Review copy borrowed from local library.

When a little girl has lost one of her two yellow mittens, she's left to be creative with the one remaining mitten, as it won't do much to keep her warm outside! Using her imagination, the little girl turn her mitten into a whale, a snail. The yellow mitten can be hat or even a mitten bag for a sleeping bunny. One yellow mitten could be a flag! Or a warm bed for a kitten... wait that's the second mitten! Having so much fun using her imagination to see how the one mitten can be used, the little girl continues to use her imagination even though she now has both mittens and could go outside and play with nice warm hands!

Learning/Reading Activity:

• Find a stray mitten hanging out around your house. Pass it along to your child(ren) and ask them to be creative - what can you do with this one mitten? Teach your child(ren) about making shadow objects by turning out the lights and using a flashlight to create the shadow on a wall. Have your child(ren) create a list of all of the things he/she can do with the mitten. Then, give your child(ren) a second mitten and see what he/she can come up with!
  

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!