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Children Born in 2006
Book Title: A Mud Pie for Mother
Author: Scott Beck
Summary of Book
A little pig is trying to find something to give his mother for her birthday. He sets out on the farm to find her a gift, but has some trouble. He asks the other animals for things that they have, but they all want to keep the things that he asks for. So, therefore, the pig doesn't take them. In the end of the story, the animals on the farm give the pig items in return for being so nice. They give him eggs, bread, milk, etc. Then, the pig takes the items and makes his mother breakfast for her birthday.
Before Reading
Look at the book cover. Talk about the cute little pig. Tell your child the title and author of the book. Look through the book together and talk about each animal, what it looks like, and the sounds each animal makes.
During Reading
As you read the book, ask your child questions about what is happening. Some examples of questions you might want to ask: Can you find the ________? (Fill in the blank with an animal from the book) What sound does the ________ make? Is the chicken big or small? (Point to both the little chicken and big chicken.) What did the pig give his mom?
After Reading
After the book, sing some songs which include some or all of the animals in the book.
I'm bringing home a baby bumblebee, won't my mommy be so proud of me, I'm bringing home a baby bumblebee - OUCH! It stung me! I'm squishing up a baby bumblebee, won't my mommy be so proud of me, I'm squishing up a baby bumblebee? OOOHHH! It's all over me! I'm wiping off a baby bumblebee, won't my mommy be so proud of me, I'm wiping off a baby bumblebee, now my mommy's so proud of me!
Other songs: Old McDonald, Farmer and the Dell, Mary Had a Little Lamb. Play with a toy farm/figures. Make a birthday card for a family member or friend.
Give your child a basket and let him/her collect toys to put in the basket. Once the basket is full, sit down with your child and talk about each item. This is a great game that little ones like to play over and over again!
Book Title: Corduroy Goes to the Doctor
Author: Don Freeman
Illustrator: Lisa McCue
Summary of Book
Corduroy the bear goes to the Doctor for a check-up. He is measured, weighed, and he receives a shot. Corduroy was a good patient.
Before Reading
Look through the book with your child, talking about the pictures. As you see a picture your child has experienced, talk about the experience with his/her own doctor.
During Reading
Read through the book with your child. Let your child turn the pages. Encourage your child to point to objects in the pictures as you read the words. Encourage your child to use emerging language skills to name objects s/he knows.
After Reading
As your child becomes old enough to participate in pretend play, you can "play doctor" with him/her. You can be the patient or use a doll or stuffed animal to do the following activities:
- Look down the throat (you can use a tongue depressor or popsicle stick)
- Take the temperature with a thermometer
- Look in the eyes and ears (use a paper towel or toilet paper roll to look through)
- Listen to the heartbeat by putting the ear to the patient's chest or feel the pulse on the wrist
- Give a "soft shot" with a pencil eraser or crayon; put a band aid on the place where the shot was given
Book Title: Te amo, sol - Te amo, luna I Love You, Sun - I Love You, Moon
Author: Karen Pandell and Tomie dePaola
Summary of Book
In this book, Pandell and dePaola use both the Spanish and the English languages as they explore the many things that children love. On each page there is a simple sentence (ex: I love you, Sun.) stated in both languages with a beautiful illustration to help children learn the word the page is about. By having words in both languages, this book can help either English speaking children to learn the Spanish language, or Spanish speaking children to learn to speak English.
Before Reading
Take a picture walk through the book by looking at each page and talking about the pictures you see.
During Reading
Ask your child to point to the pictures when you say the word. You can also point to the pictures as your child says the word.
After Reading
Talk with your child about the things s/he loves. If some of the things are the same as in the book, use both the English and Spanish words. Incorporate the other language into your child's world by using both the English and Spanish words whenever you say a word from this book.
Book Title: Marcos Counts One, Two, Three
Author: Tomie de Paola
Summary of Book
Marcos' big sister teaches him to count to 10 in English but Marcos can already count to 10 in Spanish. They count all kinds of objects around their house.
Before Reading
Look at the book cover and show your child how you can count to three in Spanish. Count objects with your child.
During Reading
Look at each page and talk about what is being counted. Count the number of objects in English. Then see what Marcos says for that number (e.g. What are we counting? The books on the shelf. Let's count how many: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. What does Marcos say for 6? Let's see? Oh, seis.)
After Reading
Use some toys (blocks, legos, stuffed animals, etc.) to practice counting. Help your child learn to count in Spanish. Count to three in English (one, two, three), then count to three in Spanish (uno, dos, tres). See how far you can count together in English and in Spanish.
Take advantage of other opportunities around the house or when you are in other places (park, grocery store, etc.) to count objects, counting in English and in Spanish.
Book Title: Max's First Word
Author: Rosemary Wells
Summary of Book
Max focuses on the word bang while his sister Ruby tries to introduce new words to her brother. Finally, Ruby is successful as Max learns more words.
Before Reading
Let your child handle the book. Let them turn the pages and explore the book. Point out the front, back, sides, spine, etc. Talk about the front of the book. Who is this book about? Does your child have other books about Max?
During Reading
Point out the pictures on each page and talk with your child about what you see. What are Max and Ruby doing?
After Reading
Re-read the book and substitute your child's name for Max's name on each page. You can also read it with other children's names substituting for Max's name, giving your child the opportunity to hear familiar names as part of the story.
Book Title: My Very First Book of Colors
Author: Eric Carle
Summary of Book
This is a wonderful book from which to start exploring the concept that objects such as shoes, birds, and butterflies, have specific colors. The book has split pages with a solid color on the top. The colors and objects are not on the same page.
Before Reading
Babies start to learn language long before they start to talk. For this reason, babies need to be talked to, sung to, and read to as much as possible. The family setting is the best place to do this. It can be as simple as naming a sock or shoe as you dress your child; or by saying, "Let's turn out the light." Talk about what you are doing. When your baby hears fun words, hears objects named, and hears sentences spoken, it prepares him or her for successful language use; and it better prepares them for school.
During Reading
Help your child find the color and object that belong together. Your child will enjoy turning the pages as you talk about the colors and objects.
When you come to a page with an object that your child is familiar with or owns, make the connection between the object and the picture in the book.
After Reading
Point out different colors on boxes, such as cereal boxes, or colors of items in the grocery store. Go on a scavenger hunt inside or outside. Look for objects in different colors (ex. a red truck and a blue truck). Look for objects in certain colors (ex. the yellow cup). Allow your child to examine objects - to feel, smell, hear, even taste (if safe).
Use familiar songs and sing about colors. For example, to the tune of "Three Blind Mice" sing:
I LOVE RED by Jean Warren
I love red, I love red. That's what I said, that's what I said. Firetrucks, wagons, and strawberries piled high. Stop signs, hearts, and pizza pies. Roses, tomatoes, and apples, oh my. That's what I said.
Have fun with language!
Book Title: Raindrop Plop
Author: Wendy Cheyette Lewison
Summary of BookBook Title: The Chicken of the Family
A little girl and her dog count things they find outside on a rainy day. Then they both come home to a warm, dry home.
Before Reading
Let your child hold the book and turn the pages. Talk about the front and the back of the book. As your child turns the pages, talk about the pictures on each page.
During Reading
Ask your child to point to the little girl and/or the dog on each page. Talk about what they are doing.
After Reading
On the next rainy day, dress your child in rain gear and go outside and splash in the puddles. Sing rainy day songs like "Rain, rain, go away, come again another day." Count things you find outside on a rainy day.
Author: Mary Amato
Summary of BookBook Title: Aesop's Fables
This is a story of a little girl named Henrietta who gets tricked into thinking she is a chicken by her older sisters. The joke is on her sisters when Henrietta decides she may very well be a chicken and doesn't mind at all.
Before Reading
Ask questions to use what your child already knows to help him/her understand and enjoy book:During Reading
- Do you know what it means to tease someone?
- How do you feel when someone teases you?
- Have you ever wanted to run away from home? Why?
- Which animals do you like to pretend to be?
Ask questions while you are reading to promote discussion:After Reading
- Do you know what it means to use a peaceful voice?
- How do you think the egg and the feather got into and beside Henrietta's bed
- How do you think it feels to be called a dumb head?
Ask these questions and create these activities to extend the book experience
- Count with your child how many chickens they see "strutting around" on the page that starts with " It's me," Henrietta said." (The right side of the page)
- Have your child make the sound that chickens make. Make sounds of other farm animals as well.
- Help your child draw a chicken with the outline of their hand (like making a turkey).
Author: Brad Sneed
Summary of BookBook Title: Officer Buckle and Gloria
A series of short fables or stories about animals that have moral lessons.
Before Reading
Ask questions to use what your child already knows to help him/her understand and enjoy the book:During Reading
- If animals could talk, what do you think they might say?
- Why do you think rules are important?
- Tell me some of the rules your parents have given you.
As you read the book talk with the child about the story and the illustrations. Ask questions such as:After Reading
- Should we help someone if they are in trouble? Why?
- What do you think the word enemy means?
- How would our lives be different if we could fly?
Make animal puppets with socks, markers, small paper bags, and other items around the house.
The child can write his/her own fable and the child and parents can get together and act out the play for younger siblings, grandparents, or other children in the neighborhood. They can use the sock and paper bag puppets to tell the story.
Author: Peggy Rathman
Summary of Book
Attention all students, it is important to remember all of your safety tips. Come see Officer Buckle and his interesting presentation of safety tips one through one hundred. Laughter and excitement comes from this dazzling duo. Take home these tips from Officer Buckle and his number one pal Gloria!
Before Reading
Ask questions to use what your child already knows to help him/her understand and enjoy the book:During Reading
- What is your least favorite part about school?
- What could make school more fun?
- What is the job of a police officer?
- What are some dog tricks that you can think of?
- Who is someone that has helped you when you were in need?
As you read the book talk with the child about the story and the illustrations. Ask questions such as:After Reading
- Why don't the children like to listen to Officer Buckle?
- What rule did Mrs. Toppel break when Officer Buckle came to visit?
- What do you think Officer Buckle was feeling when he found out about Gloria?
- How does it feel when someone leave you when they are upset?
- Why didn't the children like Gloria's presentation without Officer Buckle?
- What are some things that make Gloria a smart dog?
After reading the story of Officer Buckle and Gloria, you and your child could sit down together at home and make a list of Safety Tips to have in your own house. They could be posted in an easily seen place so that the child could see them daily, and you could update them once every few months.
