Tuesday, May 26, 2015

"Inside Out" for Every Age

   
Unless you are living under a rock, I am sure you are aware that Disney and Pixar are about to release a film about the mind. A twelve year old girl’s mind to be exact and I am sure after you watch the trailer you too will believe that Amy Poehler controls the joy in your life. Disney Press has made sure that no matter how old your readers are, there is an Inside Out book tailored just for them.
For Your Toddler:
The Box of Mixed Emotions – Brittany Candau
My son’s preschool does a unit on emotions. For about two weeks they go over all the different feelings a person can have and when or what would make a person’s mood be a certain way. I wish I had received this box in the mail sooner because it beautifully illustrates in five books the five emotions depicted in Riley’s mind, the protagonist in the movie. Joy, Sadness, Fear, Anger and Disgust all explain to the youngest readers the definitions of their feelings and when they feel that way. The box itself has an open circle and below it says “the emotion in charge today” so a child can highlight their feelings by choosing which book is put on top of the pile. My favorite part of this set is that the last page of each book is a picture of a different feeling that makes each book feed into one another. This is definitely the perfect set of small books to help children learn all about their emotions.
For Your Kindergarden-1st Grader:
Sadly Ever After? – Elise Allen
The feelings take turns telling a story about a day in Riley’s life. It is so much fun to see how each emotion tells their perspective of the same story. Each feeling is written in a different background color Yellow for Joy, Purple for Fear, Red for Anger, Green for Disgust and Blue for Sadness. This picture book is a great springboard to analyze both different points of view and how a memory can trigger multiple emotions for a person for a younger child.
For Your Chapter Reader:
Driven By Emotions – Elise Allen
This book is the plot of the movie broken down into five chapters. Each emotion (Joy, Fear, Disgust, Anger and Sadness) each tell the story of Riley’s move from Minnesota to San Francisco from their point of view. I have not seen the movie but the story is written so well that I am very much looking forward to seeing how this translates on to a screen. This book is definitely going to get children wondering about how their minds really work and what makes them feel a certain way at any given time.


Inside Out will be in theaters on June 19th and stars Amy Poehler, Lewis Black, Mindy Kaling, Bill Hader and Phyllis Smith. It’s definitely something to get excited about!
Check out the trailer here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yRUAzGQ3nSY 

Monday, May 18, 2015

Story Time Booklist - Spring Semester

    
 

As the school year is coming to an end, our Mother Goose Story Hour is wrapping up this week. I always give out a handout of all the books that were read to give parents the opportunity to purchase the ones they loved or request them at their local library. The children who attend the program are between the ages of six and seventeen months and thought I would share the book list here in case anyone was looking for ideas for new books for their youngest readers.

Let me know which ones become bedtime story favorites!

Alligator Alphabet - Stella Blackstone
Baby Animal Farm – Karen Blair
Baby Animals – Disney Baby
Baby Dance – Ann Taylor
Barnyard Banter – Denise Fleming
Barnyard Dance – Sandra Boynton
Bear About Town – Stella Blackstone
Big Bug, Little Bug – Paul Strickland
Cuddle – Beth Shoshan
Chirpy Chick – Priddy Books
Dayeinu – Miriam Latimer
Dig! Scoop! – Pop Up and Play
Freight Train – Donald Crews
How Things Grow – Eric Carle
I Know A Lot – Stephen Krensky
I Spy With My Little Eye – Edward Gibbs
Jump! – Scott Fischer
Llama Llama Sand and Sun – Anna Dewdney
My 1st Passover – Tomie DePaola
My Very First Book of Ducklings – Priddy Books (with quacking sound)
Tickle – Leslie Patricelli
Tip, Tip, Dig, Dig – Emma Garcia
When It’s Purim – Edie Zolkower
Who Am I? Baby Animals – DK Publishing

Who Can Jump – Sebastian Braun


Monday, May 11, 2015

Close Up on "Naughty Mabel"




Having a librarian as a mom spoils my kids in the book department. They have a pretty impressive collection of autographed books from famous authors and illustrators and are often exposed to titles before they hit the shelves. Thanks to last week’s Educator and Librarian Preview at Simon and Schuster, we have added (an autographed!) Naughty Mabel to our bedtime story rotation and Mabel is the new adopted pet in our lives.

Naughty Mabel is the hilarious tale of Mabel, a French bulldog who has a major sense of entitlement that any toddler will easily relate to. It is clearly written with adult readers in mind and this easy read-aloud is sure to make everyone laugh out loud. The pictures truly bring the words to life (and one might even say Mabel has Nathan Lane’s eyes). The message of the book is so sweet and simple that children of all ages will understand and relate to; that your parents love you unconditionally, always. As a parent, Mabel reminds me of the inner budding artist in the toddler that takes a crayon and draws a mural on her bedroom wall and yells “Ta-da!” with a huge smile and sense of innocence that you want to yell at and laugh at simultaneously. Mabel is the reminder to every parent that any mess, no matter how big, can be cleaned up and when all is said and done, we really do love our children no matter what they do.

I had the privilege to hear Mr. Lane speak about this book and how it came to be. Hearing him talk about his own French Bulldog Mabel makes the book even more fun. Knowing that not so far away there is a real dog who spends time in her Hamptons home and loves a spacious black town car truly is entertaining. (This is starting to make you want to be a pet of an award winning actor right?) Dan Krall truly brought Mabel to life with his depiction of a dog living the charmed life. This is sure to be on everyone’s must-read list and you will definitely be looking forward to more of Mabel’s adventures!

Tuesday, March 24, 2015

PASSOVER SONGS FOR LITTLE ONES

    
With Passover right around the corner, many of us are cleaning our closets, shopping for clothes, throwing out expired food from pantries and of course, hoping our children show off their singing skills at the Seder. In this spirit, I have compiled (for Story Time at work) popular Passover songs for you and your children to sing together from now until that 8th day!

Enjoy and have a happy and healthy Passover!

The Order Of The Seder
Kadesh, Urchatz, 
Karpas, Yachatz, 
Maggid, Rachtzah,
Motzie, Matzah, 
Maror, Korech, 
Shulchan Orech, 
Tzafun, Beirach, 
Hallel, Nirtzah

The Seder Plate (tune: this old man)
Parsley green number one... that’s cause springtime has begun.
Chorus: For it’s Pesach now, how do we celebrate, see what’s on our Seder plate.
Charoset is number two... Sweet like freedom, good for you. (Chorus)
Maror is number three... bitter herbs for slavery... (Chorus)
Shank bone is number four... lamb’s blood marking on the door. (Chorus)
Hardboiled egg number five... it’s so good to be alive! (Chorus)

Ma Nishtana?
Mah nishtanah halaylah hazeh mikol halaylot?
1) She-bechol halaylot ain anu matbilin afilu pa’am echat, halaylah hazeh shtei pe’amim?
2) She-bechol halaylot anu ochlim chametz o matzah, halaylah hazeh kulo matzah?
3) She-bechol halaylot anu ochlim she’ar yerakot, halaylah hazeh maror?
4) She-bechol halaylot anu ochlim bain yoshvin u-vain mesubin, halaylah hazeh kulanu mesubin?

The Ten Plagues
Dam, Tzefardea
Kinim, Arov
Dever, Sh’chin 
Barad, Arbeh
Choshech, Makat Bechorot.
These are the ten plagues!

The Frog Song
One morning when Pharoah woke in his bed
There were frogs on his head, and frogs in his bed
Frogs on his nose and frogs on his toes
Frogs – here! Frogs – there!
Frogs were jumping everywhere!

Dayeinu
Il-u ho-tzi, Ho-tzi-a-nu Ho-tzi-a-nu mi-mitz-ra-yim Ho-tzi-a-nu mi-mitz-ra-yim Da-yei-nu
Refrain: Da, da-yei-nu

Work, Work, Work
Bang, bang, bang, hold your hammer low
Bang, bang, bang, give a heavy blow.
For it’s work, work, work, every day and every night
For it’s work, work, work, when it’s dark and when it’s light.
Dig, dig, dig, get your shovel deep
Dig, dig, dig, there’s no time to sleep.
For it’s work, work, work, every day and every night
For it’s work, work, work, when it’s dark and when it’s light.

Who Knows One?
1 - who knows 1
1 - I know 1
1 is Our God who is in the heavens and on earth.

2 who knows 2
2 I know 2
2 are the tablets of the commandments
1 is Our God who is in the heavens and on earth.

3 who knows 3
3 I know 3
3 are the fathers
2 are the tablets of the commandments
1 is Our God who is in the heavens and on earth.

4 who knows 4
4 I know 4
4 are the mothers,
3 are the fathers
2 are the tablets of the commandments
1 is Our God who is in the heavens and on earth.

5 who knows 5
5 I know 5
5 are the books of the Torah,
4 are the mothers,
3 are the fathers
2 are the tablets of the commandments
1 is Our God who is in the heavens and on earth.

Bake A Matzah
Bake a matzah, pat, pat, pat
Do not make it fat, fat, fat
Bake a matzah, pat, pat, pat
Bake a matzah just like that.
Make charoset, chop, chop, chop
Apples, nuts and cinnamon
Add some wine, its lots of fun
Make charoset chop, chop, chop.

Eliyahu HaNavi
Eliyahu Hanavi,
Eliyahu Hatishbi,
Elyahu Hagiladi,
Bimherah Biyameinu
Yavo Eleinu
Im Mashiach Ben David

Chad Gadya (One Little Goat)
One little goat my father bought for two zuzim - chad gadya
Then came the cat that ate the kid…
Then came the dog and bit the cat that ate the kid my father bought for two zuzim - chad gadya
Then came the stick and beat the dog that bit the cat that ate the kid my father bought for two zuzim - chad gadya
Then came the fire And burned the stick that beat the dog that bit the cat that ate the kid my father bought for two zuzim, chad gadya!

PAT-A-CAKE
Pat a cake Pat a cake Matzah man,
Bake me an afikomen as fast as you can
The afikomen is the piece that Daddy hides

 So I can find it and get a prize!

Tuesday, February 10, 2015

Music and Early Literacy


 





While I think it is great to take time to read with your child everyday, I very much understand the reality of life with babies and toddlers and sometimes you just do not want to pick up a book. That's okay! (We've all been there!) However, there are many other ways to promote early literacy without actually reading and music or singing songs throughout the day can actually do wonders for your child. Here are some tips on how to include music into your daily routine.

Phonological Awareness
In song, each syllable of the word has its own note. This helps children hear the
smaller sounds that make up words. When picking music to help with Phonological
Awareness, try songs that are slightly slower so your child can sing and hear every
note. Also, songs that include animal noises or other sound effects are great for this
skill. Some great songs for Phonological Awareness include nursery rhymes and
popular children’s songs such as Old MacDonald and If You’re Happy and You
Know It. If you can’t understand every word perfectly, pick a different song.

Vocabulary
For younger children, any kind of “naming song” where you are singing a long list of animals, foods, or any other objects will work. For older children, provide pictures
and text that go along with the unfamiliar words in a song.

Narrative Skills
Repeat, repeat, repeat. That’s the key to a song that strengthens Narrative Skills. Makeup songs that go through a sequence of events (This is the way we brush our teeth, wash our face, comb our hair, before we go to bed.)

Letter Knowledge
Be very careful how you select alphabet songs. Most recorded songs blur L, M, N, O,
and P. Try slower versions, or songs that highlight one letter at a time. Have your
child listen for one particular letter (start with the first letter of their name). When
they hear it, have them wave their hands up or down.

Print Awareness and Print Motivation
Pick music that goes with a book. Read it and then sing it! Nursery rhymes are great
for this, or adapted songs like “The Wheels on the Bus.” You can also sing the song
and then read something like The Seals on the Bus by Lenny Hort. You can sing
along to I Ain’t Gonna Paint No More by Karen Beaumont and then play “It Ain’t
Gonna Rain No More.” Some books even contain parts of songs within the text, like
Punk Farm by Jarrett J. Krosoczka or the Pete the Cat books by Eric Litwin. Even non-readers can learn sight words as you point to words in books and sing together.



Adapted from www.ohreadytoread.org/music_in_early_lit_storytime.pdf

Monday, February 2, 2015

ANOTHER SNOW DAY?!

If you are a parent like me, your child’s snow days consist of a lot more television and iPad time then you would like to admit. When there is only one day, it isn’t so bad. But what happens when you find yourself dreading potential school closings on account of you feel you are turning your child into a technology zombie? Here are some really easy fun and engaging activities you can do with your child to break up the day in a more educational way. Each of these activities focuses on at least one of the six early literacy skills: phonological awareness (the sounds of letters), narrative skills (the ability to tell/understand simple stories), letter knowledge, print awareness (letters existing to form words) vocabulary and print motivation (getting children excited about reading).

Guess The Letter:
  • Make the sound of a letter and have your child guess which letter makes that sound
  • Place letters on the floor (you can make them yourself or use flashcards or if you have foam letters etc.) and make the sound of a letter. Have your child point or jump to the letter that makes that sound
  • Using the letters on the floor, say the name of a letter and have your child point or jump to that letter (you can also play this game with numbers)


Where’s Teddy?
  • Hide a favorite toy and ask the child where it is. When the child brings it to you have them tell you where it was. You can take turns hiding the toy or hide a few different toys and make a treasure hunt


Talking On the Phone: 
  • Give your child a pretend phone and have them call you up (either using your phone or another play one). Create a conversation with your child as if you are not in the same room


What’s In the Bag?
  •  Place a few items in a bag and ask your child to help you unpack the bag. Have the child tell you the name of each item they are holding
  • Ask a child to find a specific item in a bag
  • Have your child help you pack a bag for a specific adventure and have them tell you what they are putting into the bag (bonus if they can tell you why you need that item!)


Create a Word Book:
  • Create a list of words your child is familiar with, or pictures of words your child knows (you can even have your child draw pictures of words he knows like a chair or cup or book etc.) Place them in an empty photo album or paste the pictures into a notebook. Have the child go through the book and tell you the names of the pictures (or read the words if they have started to sight read)


In addition to these activities you can always throw on some music and start a dance party. Feel free to shake your sillies out or clap your hands if you’re happy and you know it! Stay warm during these very cold days when the sun doesn’t shine and it’s too wet to play and remember, you don’t just have to sit and read to a child all day to help them build their early literacy skills!


Happy Snow Days!

Wednesday, January 7, 2015

The 100 Book Challenge

Happy New Year Friends!

I don’t know where it started, but I have a group of friends who challenge themselves every year to read 100 books. There are some libraries that challenge youngsters to read 500 books before they start Kindergarten (and those who succeed get a prize and certificate). I personally have never took the challenge before but believe this is the year I should start logging how many books my children read so that they have a sense of accomplishment by the time they start Kindergarten. I urge each of you to take on this challenge in a way that works best for you!


To kick off this experiment, I would like to share with you some titles that are already on my list:
Princess Patty Meets Her Match 
By: Charise Mericle Harper
The ultimate “unprincess” princess book is here! I love mothers of girls who specifically say “NO princess books” when recommending books for their young daughters. When Patty gets tired of waiting for her Prince to show up, she goes out to look for him. Her Prince is quite charming but nothing out of a Disney movie! This book is adorable and a new staple in my own daughter’s bedtime story rotation. If you want your daughter to grow up acting like a princess, Patty is the one to emulate!
Sheriff Callie’s Wild West: The Cat Who Tamed The West 
By: Holly Huckins
My son has been counting down the days until the first Sheriff Callie book would be published for the masses and it did not disappoint! The story behind how Callie became the Sheriff of Nice and Friendly Corners is a cute one, filled with all the familiar characters (townsfolk and bad guys!) from the show. The bold, all caps font for names of characters and key familiar phrases often heard on the show are clear for all young children to spot. The pictures are perfect and any fans of the show are going to want to read the story over and over, WHEE-DOGGIE!
Vincent and the Night 
By: Adele Emerson
A Harold and the Purple Crayon for the 21st Century. Adele Emerson satisfies your curiosity about what babies think about after they are put in their cribs and have no interest in falling asleep. Vincent goes on exciting adventures and is impressive in navigating himself out of any sticky situation. Babies and toddlers are going to love following Vincent especially since he looks like one of them while preschoolers are going to love vocalizing and anticipating how Vincent decides to fix every mess he creates for himself!
Smick 
By: Doreen Cronin
I have never read a Doreen Cronin book that I didn’t love. This is an excellent book for a beginner reader. This adorable story of a dog who befriends a chick has such simple text and pictures it is sure to become a family favorite. 
Edmund Unravels
By: Andrew Kolb
My children were first introduced to the concept of a ball of yarn from an episode of Sheriff Callie’s Wild West when Callie knits a blanket for Uncle Bun for his birthday. I then showed them what a ball of yarn looks like because I like them to learn that things they see on television are sometimes real, tangible objects. When my son saw the cover if this book he immediately said “Is that a ball of yarn?” and together we journeyed with Edmund as he ventured out of his home to discover new things. The illustrations in this book are beautiful and lively and the premise is so original and different. As a parent it is a cute metaphor to want to hold on to your child by the end of their “yarn” while they push themselves further away to explore the world on their own. It is an extremely loving and comforting message that Edmund realizes there is no place like home and no one loves him more than his friends and family.