A few weeks ago, amidst the deepening refugee crisis from the war in Syria, many people and organisations around the world came together for the Continue reading ...
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A few weeks ago, amidst the deepening refugee crisis from the war in Syria, many people and organisations around the world came together for the Continue reading ...
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Trees are so much a part of our daily lives, whether we take them for granted or find ourselves fighting for their survival: so it is perhaps unsurprising that there are many stories from all over the world that feature trees, woods or forests as a central theme or ‘character’… … Continue reading ...
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By Phoebe Vreeland, The Children’s Book Review
Published: November 4, 2010
Thanksgiving is a time for pie. Pie makes me think of Harold and his purple crayon. Remember that picnic on the sandy beach? “There was nothing but pie. But there were all nine kinds of pie that Harold liked best.” My daughter and I love to imagine what all the different fillings could be. Who doesn’t love freshly baked pie, the most amazingly delectable dessert that fills the home with its tantalizing aroma? It’s such a perfect vehicle for a scoop or dollop of some cool creamy topping. Kids love to help bake, especially mixing, licking their sweet, sticky fingers and rolling out pie dough.
Here follows a list of picture books—all about pie—to share with your little ones. Some simply get your mouth watering, but most are laced with a secret ingredient. There is a reminder about abundance, a lesson on humility, and a tale of perseverance. You will also find a trip around the world, a juicy alphabet primer and a cautionary tale for the literal-minded—from Amelia Bedelia, of course. A few even include a recipe so good that you won’t need to invite a very hungry moose and deserving porcupine to help you finish.
by David Martin (Author), Valeri Gorbachev (Illustrator)
Reading level: Ages 0-5
Paperback: 32 pages
Publisher: Candlewick; Reprint edition (August 12, 2008)
Source: Library
Publisher’s synopsis: In this merry, multi-species story cooked up with folksy warmth and humor, everybody gets a piece of the pie — and then some.
Grandma Cat makes a delicious apple pie, and there’s plenty for everyone — and even a piece left over. Grandma Mouse finds a piece of apple pie, and there’s plenty for everyone — and even crumbs left over. Grandma Ant spies some crumbs of apple pie, and there’s plenty for everyone. But what’s left over after cats, mice, and ants have had their fill? Little readers will eat up this scrumptious, gently math-related story that’s as sweet and satisfying as a fresh-baked dessert.
Add this book to your collection: All for Pie, Pie for All
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Each day leading up to Christmas, I'm going to feature a Children's book that I've really enjoyed and would make a great choice to share with your family for the holidays. It may be one I've loved for years or one I've just recently found, but all would be great additions to your Christmas story list. Hopefully you'll find something to enjoy!
Jacket description:
"Far, far north, when the nights are the longest and the stars shine brightest, the spirit of Christmas fills the air with magic. Santa gathers his reindeer, feeds them parsnips and berries, and polishes his bells and his sled. Then, with great care, he chooses toys for every child in the world. For Santa loves them all dearly - and he knows what each child's heart desires most."
I've heard a lot of chatter about The Christmas Magic, written by Lauren Thompson and illustrated by Jon J. Muth. All good chatter, so when I checked it out for myself, I definitely wasn't disappointed.
There is an air of the magical throughout the book, building as each page is turned. If you have a child that still believes in Santa, this would be an awesome choice for a Christmas Eve read. Reading about Santa's simple preparations for his night out on the sleigh is a lot of fun.
This one will be sticking around my house until I have kids of my own to read it to. It's really does have a great feeling surrounding it, and with the soft illustrations it would make for a great night-before-Christmas read.
The Christmas Magic
Lauren Thompson
40 pages
Picture Book
Scholastic
9780439774970
September 2009
Review copy received from publisher
To learn more, or to purchase, click on the book cover above to link to Amazon. I am an Associate and will receive a tiny commission for your purchase. Thanks!
"Come little ducklings," Mama called.
to cool you off and calm you down --POLAR BEAR NIGHT, by Lauren Thompson. Illustraions by Stephen Savage.
Author: Lauren Thompson
Illustrator: James Estrin
Published: 2007 Feiwel & Friends (on JOMB)
ISBN: 0312370296 Chapters.ca Amazon.com
Sixty photographs packed with joy, beauty and palpable excitement tell the inspiring, true story of five beautiful girls and the determination that made their dancing dreams come true.
More ballet on JOMB:
Check out the full list of non-fiction picture books nominated for the 2007 Cybils Awards here.
By: Teaching Tips Contributing Editor, Renee Kirchner
It is important for elementary aged children to understand the concept of compare and contrast. This concept can be applied to many areas of the curriculum including math, science, and literature. When a child is asked to compare and contrast two different things, they are supposed to tell how they are alike and different. Comparing shows the similarities between two objects and contrasting shows the differences. Children will use words such as both, like, also, and similar when comparing. Words such as unlike, however, and but might be used when contrasting two objects.
Children’s books, both fiction and nonfiction, can be useful tools for teaching the concept of compare and contrast. Select one book with two different characters or choose two books with similarities and differences in character or plot. Nonfiction books will also work well. For example, you could choose a book on reptiles and compare and contrast two different types
of reptiles.
There are two useful tools that teachers use as prewriting activities when teaching compare and contrast: the Venn diagram and the T-chart. The Venn diagram is made up of two or more overlapping circles depending how many objects you are comparing. Each circle contains different information about the objects and the overlapping portion in the middle contains the
similarities.
For example if I was comparing a rabbit with a wolf, the rabbit circle might have herbivore and the wolf circle would have carnivore. The overlapping portion in the middle might contain the word mammal, since both animals are mammals. Of course your student would put more than one descriptive word in each circle. The more detail they use, the better. The T-chart is organized differently than the Venn diagram. If we use the example of the rabbit and the wolf the chart would look like this:
Characteristic Rabbit Wolf
Diet Grass Meat
Animal group Mammal Mammal
Here are some examples of picture books that would work well for studying the concept of compare and contrast:
One Picture Book with Two Characters
Bubba and Beau: Best Friends by Kathi Appelt
Bubba is a Texas baby and Beau is a Texas puppy and they are best friends. They have adventures together and both of them become very upset when their pink blanket gets washed.
Similarities between Bubba and Beau:
Both of them are keen on chewing, neither one is housetrained, and they both disdain soap.
Differences between Bubba and Beau:
Bubba loves the pinky pinky blankie because it smells like Beau and Beau likes the pinky pinky blankie because it smells like Bubba.
Two Picture Books with a Similar Main Character
Cindy Ellen: A Wild Western Cinderella by Susan Lowell
Chickarella by Mary Jane Auch
Similarities between Cindy Ellen and Chickarella:
Both of them have an evil stepmother or step-chicken, a fairy godmother or fairy fowl mother, and both have a prince or a princely rooster.
Differences between Cindy Ellen and Chickarella:
Cindy Ella can wrangle, rope and gallop. Chickarella starts a high fashion business that grows out of making clothes for the ball.
Children can use the examples above to create a Venn diagram or a T-chart and then write a compare-contrast paper about the different characters.
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Note: Although school is out for summer vacation in most places across the country, parents can still read with their children this summer and use activities like this one to have fund with their children as they help them become better readers.
A Wild Western Cinderella Bubba and Beau: Best Friends Chickarella Kathi Appelt Mary Jane Auch Picture Books Renee Kirchner Susan Lowell t chart teaching compare and contrast teaching tips Tip For Teachers tips for parents Venn diagramA Wild Western Cinderella Bubba and Beau: Best Friends Chickarella Kathi Appelt Mary Jane Auch Picture Books Renee Kirchner Susan Lowell t chart teaching compare and contrast teaching tips Tip For Teachers tips for parents Venn diagramA Wild Western Cinderella, Bubba and Beau: Best Friends, Chickarella, Kathi Appelt, Mary Jane Auch, Picture Books, Renee Kirchner, Susan Lowell, t chart, teaching compare and contrast, teaching tips, Tip For Teachers, tips for parents, Venn diagram
Hi Kerry,
I just discovered this blog and have added my name to the email list. I'm sorry I missed your March 30th deadline to submit ideas, but below is the link to a blog that I write once a month, as part of a large group of early childhood educators. Like you, I am also an author with a background in dance! I write about the importance of movement for young children and often use books and stories for inspiration.
Here is the link: http://prekandksharing.blogspot.com/search/label/Connie%20B.%20Dow
Best,
Connie Bergstein Dow
Hi, Connie! I'm so glad you found me. As usual, I'm behind in getting the March Read & Romp Roundup out, so I'll sneak you in :) So happy to hear that you post about movement and stories, too! It is always SO nice to meet others with some of the same passions as me. I look forward to connecting more!