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Last week the annual Share a Story-Shape a Future campaign celebrated "the culture of reading" with a variety of guest blog posts and a multitude of ideas for involving other readers in the campaign. On day 2, Carol Rasco from Reading Is Fundamental posted about reading as a passport to other worlds, which made me start thinking about all the picture books that explore dance styles from around the world.
Also on day 2, the Share a Story-Shape a Future hosts posted the following prompt to encourage other bloggers to share their favorite books about other cultures: "An acquaintance wants a book about a culture unlike his/her own.... You've got 100 words to pitch your favorite book. Pitch us!"
Well, I have quite a large pile of dance books on the floor in my bedroom, all waiting for the lucky day when they are chosen as the highlight of my next blog post. And wouldn't you know? One of them was about dance from another culture! So here goes my pitch...
Capoeira, which has been described as a way of life in Brazil, is now popular in many parts of the world. But what is it? A game? A dance? A martial art? Believe it or not, it's all three! Award-winning photographer and author George Ancona brings this fascinating activity and its African and Portuguese origins to life in the picture book Capoeira, published in 2007 by multicultural publisher Lee and Low Books. You will be amazed by the cunning technique and playful spirit of the many young capoeiristas who are featured in this book!
That was a fun exercise! But since 100 words isn't that much, I've also included an image of the book cover above. Since a picture is worth 1,000 words (right?), the cover will hopefully entice you even more to check out this informative and entertaining book.
I'm always on the lookout for interesting dance books to highlight on my blog, so if you have a favorite dance picture book from any culture, I'd love to hear about it. In the meantime, here's a list of other multicultural dance books I've featured so far...
I don’t normally do a week-in-review post but this past week was such a celebration of literacy (with Share A Story and World Read Aloud Day), I wanted to highlight some things as well as thank a bunch of people for helping make it a great week.
First off, if you didn’t get a chance to check out Share A Story please visit when you have the opportunity. Thanks to Terry Doherty for helping organize this amazing blog tour. I thoroughly enjoyed reading the posts as well as having the opportunity to serve as one of the hosts.
Thanks also to Dawn Little of Links to Literacy for hosting Book Dads on Day 2: The Gift of Reading. I had so many responses from dads for our post, I had to break them up into three separate ones: Dads Share Their Story Part 1, Part 2, Part 3. Thanks to all the dads, authors and bloggers who took the time to share their gift of reading with me.
I’d also like to thank Danielle from There’s A Book for hosting Book Dads on Day 3: Literacy 2.0. This might have been my favorite day of posts. I couldn’t believe the number of resources people shared, and have been waiting for an opportunity to visit those links. Here is our post for that day: Unwrapping Literacy 2.0: The Color Nook with Toddlers.
World Read Aloud Daywas on Wednesday. Check out their appearance on Good Morning America.
6 Comments on A Special Week-In-Review, last added: 3/14/2011
Eric Van Raepenbusch said, on 3/13/2011 6:05:00 PM
You did an awesome job this week with your Dads and Literacy piece, plus keeping everyone informed with all the exciting happenings through Twitter. Thanks so much.
The1stdaughter (Danielle) said, on 3/13/2011 9:57:00 PM
You so totally rock! I loved all of your work this week, and especially the piece you did for the Literacy 2.0 day. Such a fantastic week! Thank you again, I’m SO happy you joined in for the day I hosted.
Chris Singer said, on 3/14/2011 5:26:00 AM
You so totally rock more
Chris Singer said, on 3/14/2011 5:26:00 AM
Thanks Eric – it was a lot of fun!
Terry Doherty said, on 3/14/2011 10:42:00 AM
What makes Share a Story so special is the ensemble cast and how it grows … reminds me of some of those days in gym when we were kids where each of us picked a “movement” and then added on to make a machine!
Now, if only I could stay in my pajamas and read all day!!!
Thank you SO MUCH Chris for making it a truly spectacular week.
Katie Davis said, on 3/14/2011 10:57:00 AM
Thanks for the shoutout! I LOVE that pj shot! TOO cute.
Although I’m very comfortable with and enjoy using new technology and products, I’m not the kind of person who runs out every time a new product is released. I still don’t have an iPad (although the new one about to be released is very tempting). I don’t have a Droid or smartphone. I am a Mac user though and will be forever.
All this being said, I am a book lover and, if you can’t tell from a visit to Book Dads, I’m just a tad book-obsessed as well. When the Color Nook was released I just wasn’t able to resist getting one. However, I wasn’t just going to buy one for myself, but also for my daughter Tessa. Although it didn’t stop me from buying one, I admit I was a little bit worried about Tessa becoming mesmerized with the Nook, and not wanting to look at her picture books any more. In our particular case and I think for other kids as well, it was a needless worry. If anything, Tessa spends even more time now pouring through the books on her shelf, and has developed an even greater love of books. But I believe that doesn’t have anything to do with the Nook — it has to do with me and my wife continuing to make ourselves available to read to her aloud.
So what makes the Color Nook worth getting for toddlers?
First, what I’m not so crazy about:
* The selection of children’s picture books for the Color Nook isn’t great (yet). If you’re looking for a lot of your favorites (for example, we were looking for Mo Willems books), they’re not available yet on the Nook.
* I really like the Read to Me feature which allows a book to be read to the child. It gives me a little break from reading aloud, which is something I sometimes need because I read aloud quite often every day. However, not every book has that feature which, if it’s something you really want to have on your Nook books, can even further trim down your selection choices.
Neither of these are really huge deals to me. I’ve been able to find some good selections at good prices, but I have to spend a lot of time looking. I’m absolutely thrilled to see many Todd Parr books on the Nook and we’ve purchased a few because he is one of our very favorite children’s authors. Plus, his books are available with the Read to Me feature and it sounds like he’s the one reading the books!!
Here’s what I like about using the Color Nook with my daughter:
* The Nook’s portability makes it great for traveling. We used it on vacation and having it on the plane was awesome!
* I really think if you have a child who isn’t as interested in books and reading, the Nook might be a way to spark an interest in book
7 Comments on Unwrapping Literacy 2.0: The Color Nook with Toddlers, last added: 3/9/2011
Either way, print book or Nook, it’s obvious by the pictures that Tessa is engaged and loving the gift of reading and books. What more could we ask for?
Eric Van Raepenbusch said, on 3/9/2011 3:56:00 AM
I would love to see a Nook. We received an iPad as a gift and have purchased many Dr.Seuss books. I still haven’t invested much money into the ebooks as I see the books currently being passed over by my kids because of the abundance of free learning games we have downloaded. Having a dedicated book reader would certainly differentiate itself as for reading books only.
Terry Doherty said, on 3/9/2011 8:36:00 AM
Had I only known the Color Nook was coming so fast on the heels of the Nook.
We got ours for Christmas 2009, thinking it would be a way for my husband and I to read when we travel. Perfect for picking books you WANT to read as opposed to having to live with airport bookstore selections on a layover.
My 9YO loves it and actually has pulled some of the free content (original Wizard of Oz) to read. Now there are three of us vying for it. It’s hard to say “no” when she wants to read!
Chris Singer said, on 3/9/2011 8:41:00 AM
Yes, Tessa loves her books very much and I’m very thankful and thrilled by it!!
Chris Singer said, on 3/9/2011 8:42:00 AM
The Color Nook is great. I’d like an iPad at some point but I’m going to wait until Tessa gets a little older.
Chris Singer said, on 3/9/2011 8:47:00 AM
I didn’t mention it in the post but the Nook comes with Wi-Fi too so it’s pretty handy to have when we’re out and about as well. It’s definitely been worth it!
Holly said, on 3/9/2011 10:46:00 AM
I’m the opposite: I have an iPad (which I love), but I’m very tempted by the Nook. It would be nice sometimes to hand the kids a device that could be used only for books. Plus then I wouldn’t have to share so much.
Book Dads is honored to be a part of Share A Story, Shape a Future. This is my first time to be participating and I couldn’t be happier to be one of the hosts for today’s theme: The Gift of Reading. For today’s post, I asked dads, bloggers and authors I know to answer the following question:
Write about the “gift” you received as a dad upon seeing your child read their first words? Or by seeing them just hold the book on their own for the very first time and leaf through the pages. Or by simply seeing them enjoying a book. Please feel free to write anything about the “gift” you received from your child’s exposure to reading.
Part 1 was posted earlier today. What follows is Part 2…
~ Alan Kercinik, Word Nerd & Dad Blogger from Chicago: @alankercinik / www.alwaysjacked.com
“Jack isn’t old enough to read, but is old enough to insist upon “Book! Book!” before he goes to bed. It is the best part of my day, coming home from work and bonding with him over a story or three. When we’re done, he takes his books to bed and pages through them, pointing at the things he knows and saying their names out loud. It’s an echo of my own childhood when I turn out the light and tell him to not stay up all night, reading.
When I get him in the morning, there he is, sitting up and paging through his books, and I smile and think that maybe he is already defying me. I would take this kind of disobedience every day.”
~ Read Aloud Dad, Child Literacy blogger at www.readalouddad.com / @readalouddad
“Incredible. Even though my 3-year 8-month old girl and boy do not know how to read yet, every day they “read” many more books than I manage to read! Guess why I’ve got this gift of a smile on my face every day?”
~ Why Is Daddy Crying, www.whyisdaddycrying / @whyisdaddycryin “From chewing eight-page cardboard books, to sitting naked on the training potty eagerly trying to find “Waldo,” to listening to my many voices recount “Horton’s” heroic efforts to save t
6 Comments on Dads Share Their Story: The Gift of Reading (Part 2), last added: 3/8/2011
Next week, the 3rd Annual Literacy Blog Tour: Share a Story, Shape a Future kicks off for five days of celebrating literacy in all forms. This year’s theme is Unwrapping the Gift of Legacy. This is my first year participating and I’m thrilled that Book Dads is participating as one of the hosts for next Tuesday, March 8th.
Tuesday’s theme is: The Gift of Reading and Book Dads has a huge lineup of dad bloggers and authors answering the following question:
“Write about the “gift” you received as a dad upon seeing your child read their first words or by seeing them just hold the book on their own for the very first time and leaf through the pages. Please feel free to write anything about the “gift” you received from your child’s exposure to reading.
Book Dads will have over two dozen responses to the above question including:
Trust me, we have a great lineup for next Tuesday’s post. Be sure to also check out theShare a Story, Shape a Future blog to see all the fantastic bloggers and writers participating in this year’s blog tour.
0 Comments on Share A Story Preview: The Gift of Reading as of 1/1/1900
Sometimes reading to your kids is boring. There, I said it. We like the idea of the day ending with all of the annoyances forgotten as we cuddle on the sofa with our precious children, sharing our favorite books as they listen with adoring expressions on their well-scrubbed faces. But I know the reality is just as often pushing the laundry aside to make room for you and two kids who are still arguing over who got the biggest slice of cake - which apparently one child rubbed in her hair - while handing you the one picture book you can't stand as the cat vomits a hairball at your feet.
Charming, huh?
There are many motherly myths that make us feel like we're Doing It Wrong. And the ones that produce the most guilt are the ones that tell us how we should feel. Maybe you've heard how you bond with your baby at birth? It's true that you might surrender to a warm rush of instant love and pure joy. Or you might be like me at my first child's birth wondering what you were going to do with squalling mini-person now. Love came later.
Certainly nursing your child is a magical experience connecting you to spirit of womanhood through all time. That is assuming that you figure out the latching-on thing and you don't mind leaking at inopportune moments and you don't get infections or chafing. And even then you spend this most beautiful experience watching Oprah, or get so blase that you open the door to the UPS man because you are NOT going to miss out on your "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" DVD's just because Little Miss Sucks-a-lot won't FINISH UP ALREADY!
And while I was moved by how much my girls looked like angels when they slept, it was generally not a respect for all that was holy that caused me to thank God. It was more likely relief that I wasn't going to miss yet another episode of "Survivor."
So, reading to your kids. It can be a wonderful experience, a chance to slow down in the busy day and share something together. I dare say that often you will find it a nice thing to do. My point isn't to tell you that reading to your kids is boring, but instead to give you permission to sometimes feel like reading to your kids is boring. Because when we as mothers set ourselves up to a certain expectation to how something Should Be, we can fail to work with How It Is.
Think of reading to your child less as a bonding experience and more like dinner. It could be prime rib or Hamburger Helper, but either way it's important to eat. At reading time, the stars may align to make it a cozy tradition, or the day's drudgery may make it another chore. And that's okay.
While my goal was simply to validate less-than-blissful feelings about reading time, it would be cruel to leave without a little advice on banishing the boredom. Think about varying the routine in terms of the five W's - Who, What, Where, When, and Why.
Who - If you can switch off on the reading with Dad or an older sister, go for it. You can even have a reading time where Junior reads to the dog as you let your mind turn to thoughts of George Clooney. Ah, Clooney.
What - Just because your child wants to read the same book again doesn't mean that you have to do so. On days when you are more patient, you'll be happy to chug through Little Sparkly Fairy Princess again. But reserve the right to say, "Not today, honey." Look for good book recommendations or ask at the library to add some fresh books to your mix. You'll be happier for it, I promise.
Where - If you always read by your child's bedside or on the couch, take it outside. Or stop at the library or bookstore and read there. Change your surroundings just because you can.
When - I am a personal fan of bedtime reading because in my unorganized world, it was hard to forget to do it. The pajamas tended to tip me off. But if you've always reached your limit at the end of the day, make reading time in the morning or after lunch or before nap or wheneve
19 Comments on Reading is Boring (Sometimes), last added: 3/15/2010
And although I do like looking at my children sleep - it's usually just a quick peek and then I'm off and running to enjoy my free and quiet time (which is always very much anticipated!)
MotherReader, I really loved this post- and you're so right on. Thanks for the laughs, the wisdom, and the permission you give us all to be Real! Namaste and a Hug, Lee
I love how you pulled so many aspects of parenting into this one post! Using the 5 W's was a fantastic idea, and very effective. Thank you so much for such an insightful post!
oohh... tipping close to the breast v. bottle but saved by the Sparkly Fairy Princess.
Thanks for reminding us our name isn't Harriet Nelson, Daddy Doesn't Know Best, and we aren't raising robots.
This is an AWESOME post.
grannie elbow said, on 3/12/2010 12:19:00 PM
As the mentioned "perfect mom" I loved this post! (My children aren't here to testify against me. Right?) Being a perfect mom is being the mom your child has the best way you know how for as long as you can and then faking it! Your post makes it easier! Thanks.
I'm so glad that I asked you to participate in Share a Story, Pam. Because, as the other commenters have said, this post rocks! I strongly suspect that I'll be turning back to it for reassurance in just a few short months... Thanks!
Pam: you rock. And you're right. We're not perfect, but reading to your kid is something that we can all do, somewhat perfectly. :-D (Dad reads in our house.)
MotherReader: Wonderful and on point! My three year old tires me out with the reading request. On one hand it is great to see their imagination and intellect come alive through reading. But on the other the boredom, impatience, repetitions. Thanks for the post. Love your blog. Just post a review of The Story of Ferdinand on my blog
MotherReader: Wonderful and on point! My three year old tires me out with the reading request. On one hand it is great to see their imagination and intellect come alive through reading. But on the other the boredom, impatience, repetitions. Thanks for the post. Love your blog. Just post a review of The Story of Ferdinand on my blogi
What fun! and SO true! I can still remember reading "Silly Sally" with my eyes closed - we've all read books so many times that we have them memorized. But, yes, there is always Mommy's Choice. After all, we set the rules. Thanks for a fun reality check and reminder that life is not always like the Brady Bunch, full of happy smiles.
Ha! I loved it! My daughter is still young enough and she doesn't realize when I skip entire paragraphs (is it bedtime yet???), but I will be in so much trouble when she does!
Okay it has nothing to do with books, but I'm hoping that you'll take the minute to answer the question. My friend was talking about her husband feeling the need to call his mother every week, and she thought that was too much. I admitted that I call my mom every weekend, and usually another day in the week. She was surprised I call so much, and yet I remember feeling like I a bad daughter after talking to another friend who called her mom every day.
So now I'm curious. How often do you call your mother? Explanations are optional.
I'm also keeping today's post short so that I can direct you to the beginning of the Share a Story - Shape a Future blog tour filled with interesting posts about reading, literacy, and beloved books. Check it out.
26 Comments on Calling Your Mother, last added: 3/9/2010
I generally call my mom every weekend, although sometimes we're busy and don't connect. I write my grandparents a letter every week and usually text or email my sister weekly as well. It depends on your circumstances and relationship I suppose...My immediate family lives in Texas, my grandparents and extended family live on the West Coast, and I live in Wisconsin, so it's the only way to keep in touch b/c we don't have money to travel often, although I try to see my mom and sister at least once a year.
As a student who lives close enough to home to be there every weekend unless I plan something with my friends, I call my parents regularly. At the end of the week to decide on a time of arrival that is convenient for us all and, if and when the weather is bad or something else has been up right after I arrive at my place.
Usually I call at least once a week; sometimes she calls me as well.
Daily (or even more often) if there's something "big" occurring (e.g., I called her at least 2x/day each day that my dad was in the hospital, even though it meant calling Costa Rica - long story). I talked to my dad at least every other day when Mom went to Africa with my brother, because I know he gets lonely. Otherwise, roughly weekly. Occasionally it slips to 10 days, but that's unusual.
Usually about twice a week, more if there are family health or other crises happening...I think that the older and further away I got, the more I realized that I needed to keep connected to home--I know I didn't call home that much when I was still living in New England.
We talk at least twice a week, though who calls who is much more flexible. I live in Maryland and my parents live in Washington State, but we talked about as often when I lived much closer and wasn't married.
I call whenever I feel like it - sometimes every day, sometimes once a month. She calls me, too (funny thing about phones, both parties can call). Yesterday they called to say "hello" and then I called late at night to share excitement over the Celtics win; I probably won't speak with them for another week or more due to schedules and stuff.
CindyD said, on 3/8/2010 8:12:00 AM
My mother usually called all of her out-of-town children on Sunday evenings - I could answer the phone "hi, Mom" and be right (before caller ID) and if she didn't call I would. Incidentally, my friends in college envied me because my letters from home were written by my dad! We call or get called by our daughter every weekend and get email updates during the week, and she finally convinced me to register for Facebook so I could see her posts there. My stepson calls about once a week. My stepdaughter never answers her phone...
It just depends. Sometimes we can talk 2-3 times per week, sometimes it's once every 2-3 weeks. There's no pressure on either party to HAVE to call the other every certain amount of days.
With my dad, however, I'll call him every couple of months (or even more). We're not too awful close. He complains when I don't call him, yet he never picks up the phone to call me.
Like another poster said, it just depends on your relationships!
I call my mom about twice a week, sometimes more. When I moved away from home 25 years ago calling long distance was expensive, so we limited it to one hour on Sunday mornings. We still talk Sunday mornings, it's an old habit by now, but we also talk once or twice during the week.
I average 6 times a month calling my parents. I usually call every Sunday, and then every other week something will come up that has me calling mid-week.
Unfortunately for some reason or another, my mom and I just don't speak a whole lot. Maybe once a month. I know, weird, right? I'm always quite jealous of people who have great relationships with their moms. So, I'm striving to be that person for my own kids and hoping I can always be that mom who gets calls a few times a week.
But, strange as it is, I talk to my mother-in-law probably close to 3-4 times a week. We just get along so well and she's so much fun! I truly lucked out in the in-laws department.
When I lived in Chicago, I called my parents pretty much every week. Now that I'm back living in the same town as them, I usually see them at least every other week. Before Santa brought me a washer and dryer, I saw them every week like clockwork. ;) Now it's a bit more relaxed.
How bizarre to actually care how much anyone calls anyone else -- I mean, not you, Pam, but even ifI really didn't like the woman who spawned my TechBoy at all, it would be totally his business if he wanted to converse with that level of insanity every day.
Hypothetically, you know. *cough*
Since I'm six thousand miles away from my mother, I only call her once a week. We email pretty much every day other than that, just gossiping and making up lies, and pretty much shooting the breeze.
I call my mom when I need to confirm something (when are they coming? being a popular question). Maybe once a week, once every other week. Otherwise, we email, or I hear things through the sister grapevine.
My husband, OTOH, talks to his parents 2-3 times a week. And he can never talk to just one: whenever he calls, or they call, they must explore every permutation of caller and callee. Husband talks to father, then to mother. Mother talks to husband, then to me, then I have to talk to FIL, then kids must talk to each grandparent -- it's exhausting. Esp. because each conversation after the first pairing merely repeats what was already said. Apparently my in-laws cannot relay information to each other.
At least once a week, but more sometimes. I talk to my father online almost every day, even if it's just a sentence or two. I know a lot of people who keep in touch with their parents on a nearly-daily basis. I don't think that's weird--just depends on the family.
Well, once a week seems to be the popular response, and I do fit in that category. Usually on the weekend and maybe during the week if something BIG happens. I don't know if I could call daily - we wouldn't have anything to talk about!
I'm one more "once a weeker," though I often forget and sometimes its as much as two weeks. By this point, when I call I usually get a celebration of the a fact I'm calling to make me feel a little guilty.
Mom only calls me if she has something specific to say, or it's been longer than two weeks.
I feel guilty if I don't call at least once a week.
Kate said, on 3/8/2010 8:04:00 PM
Probably about once a week, which is pretty good, I think. My own children are now two and three years old, and I'm putting quite a lot of work into raising them :) I hope they call me when they are adults! I know I'll want to know what's going on with them!
I only call her a few times a month. She's very happy to hear from me any time, but also never makes me feel guilty for not calling and gives me many reasonable excuses every time. I really do like talking with my mom, but I'm not a phone person. We mostly email and she reads my Livejournal and blog. When she comes to visit next week, I told her I'd set her up on Facebook at long last. (My mom is more computer savvy than most. =)
When I lived out of town I called my mom about twice a week. Now that we live in the same small town I see her every couple of days. She comes to my girls hockey games and swimming lessons and I see her at church every Sunday.
My mom and I have gone through different phases over the years. It seems like years ago, when my kids were kids, we probably talked weekly or nearly weekly. Now, I have to say that we talk when we talk. Sometimes it's every two weeks. Sometimes it's longer. We email occasionally, but there's really no set routine. When I feel like I haven't talked to my mom in a while, I'll call. Or she'll call me. It works both ways.
For today’s topic for Share a Story – Shape a Future, I’m going to let you in on my secret of great read-aloud success: Reading Picture Books until the kids actually roll their eyes and walk away.
Now they may roll their eyes and yet sit down. Why? Because they want to read these books, but are afraid that they’re too old. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve seen an excited kid pulling out picture books at the library only to hear a parent yell, “Those are baby books! Look for a real book to read.” When I can intervene, I share that I love picture books myself and one is never too old to enjoy them. And then I whack the parent on the head with Knuffle Bunny Too.
It’s great to also read longer books to children, though I do believe that there are parents who use books that are too big with kids that are too young. But there’s room for both types of books, and they each add different elements to reading growth. Picture Books offer short stories and/or concepts that help kids build their comprehension skills. They offer practice in finding connections to other books or their own lives. Picture Books have become a source of some amazing artwork, a subject that receives little attention in schools. They reinforce the concepts of good storytelling or voice or imagery. And if the book happens to be bad at storytelling, voice, or imagery, then that’s a good lesson for why one book works better than another.
When I read a book to a class, I take questions or responses at the end. At the beginning of kindergarten, most of the kids only reply that they liked the book. I gently push back with questions. What part? Why? How did it connect? Which book did you like better? By the end of that year, some will be ready to answer these questions, and with each grade it’s a few more kids. By third grade, I had my pinnacle moment when a boy connected the bookClancy the Courageous Cow — where the Belted Galloways can’t eat in the same field as the bossy Herefords — to Martin Luther King, Jr. and the civil rights movement. My work there was done.
Picture books offer the perfect opportunity, in a classroom or one-on-one, to practice comprehension and connection, to experience art and imagery, to learn analysis and comparison. My own experience shows that the kids are only getting good at these skills in third grade (and that was a gifted class), but people are pushing these books out by first grade. It’s especially bad when parents become obsessed with the Reading Game, where one’s self-worth or the self-worth of one’s child is determined by his impressive Reading Level. (Don’t play this game. There are no winners.)
Picture Books come in many forms, and there’s something for everybody. There are ones that are more directed to toddlers, preschoolers, or school-age kids. There are Picture Books that are collections of poems or biographies or informational books. There are fairy tale and folk tale and religious picture books. There are amazing new books and timeless classics. Make them part of your read-aloud sessions, and if the kids eventually roll their eyes and walk away, enjoy them yourself.
You made some great points here, Pam. I've seen kids turned away from reading because of having book choices foisted upon them, and it breaks my heart.
But you cheered me up immensely with that lovely mental image of Knuffle Bunny as a head-flattener!
I absolutely agree ... picture books are awesome! Ours will stay on the shelves until Z wants to pass them on to his kids. I can still remember picking some up for a quick read when I was a teen -- enjoying the nostalgia and innocence of it all. Thanks to MY mom for keeping the picture books on the shelves too.
Excellent post, Pam! One of my favorite read-aloud experiences EVER was reading a stack of picture books to a fifth grade class. They were old enough to "get" the multi-layered humor that a younger audience misses in a book like Piggie Pie. They were old enough to be excitedly nostalgic about favorite PBs from a few years before (that cracked me up!). It was like watching little bells going off in their heads as they saw things they hadn't seen at a younger age. They couldn't get enough and didn't want me to stop. It was sad to know they actually "missed" picture books when they are so readily available! Continuing to read picture books and listening to them being read through the pre-teen years is something I encourage every chance I get.
Thank you for the interesting commentary, and for the reminder not to push. I kind of struggle with this already sometimes at only 15 months (do I just get more word books or can't he enjoy Mo Willems with me yet?). I try to present a variety of different books and then follow his lead. Many of his favorites are for older kids, but he also loves his chunky little baby books. Libraries are amazing things. :)
Excellent points all, Pam! As a frequent gifter of books, I think I'm often guilty of moving up to chapter books too quickly. I'm going to remember your post.
Did you see that Donalyn Miller talked today about starting off the school year by having her 6th graders bring in their favorite picture books?
Oh, my. You risked a Willems on the thick skull of a parental unit? Seriously, I appreciate the reminder that rushing a child to read more words on a page can do more harm than good. You've given me something else to consider when I'm reviewing picture books.
You're so right. Until I began writing for children I had ceased reading picture books. I was still reading chapter books and my subscription of Cricket magazine. I fell in love with reading & writing them. I've got 2 under contract.
I forgot how much they can teach & entertain you at any age.
Blessings, The Differently-Abled Children's Author J. Aday Kennedy www.jadaykennedy.com http://jadaykennedy.blogspot.com/ http://twitter.com/jessica_k
Such a great post! I absolutely agree with you here-- while I find myself swelling with dangerous pride at my 8 year old's ever-growing reading level, I also see the joy that he still finds in reading picture books with me and his younger siblings. Just as parents so often think that they can stop reading aloud with their children once they learn how to read, this too is an important message to send!
Fantastic post! I love picture books (I'm 52!) and I love to give them to children.
You make me want to go to the Public Library tomorrow, and drink in all the wonders in the children's library. (When the college library where I work stopped collecting picture books for our Education Library, those of us in Acquisitions who had eagerly pored through new shipments missed them terribly.)
Some travel glitches yesterday left me stranded on this "tour" and I am finishing up this morning before I take Day 4's tour! Thank you for a great article that helps validate my insatiable thirst to cruise the aisles of picture books in bookstores large and small.....from covers to endpapers to art to words when present...I love picture books!
Go Knuffle Bunny! Whack! I'm not even a librarian, and I've heard a "that's a baby book, choose something else," whine. I may have even been guilty of it, trying to push my younger sibs to push themselves to read. No more. I fear the Wrath of the Knuffle Bunny.
What a fantastic post - thank you! I still like to read illustrated books, which usually means getting old editions of the classics! I bashed myself over the head (metaphorically!) a few years ago and managed to restrain myself from the But-you're-too-old for-that argument by realising that copious quantities of picture-books often added up to a far richer cornucopia of language than to be found in some (sadly, mostly school reading scheme) chapter books.
Great post! From experience, I can say picture books are an extremely effective and fun way to teach onomotopoeia (Dr. Seuss), rising action, conflict, resolution ("Caps for Sale"), poetry (illustrated Robert Frost), history ("Baseball Saved Us"), and much more in the high school classroom.
You're so right, no one is too old for picture books. We train our children's librarians to read picture books to every grade, including those jaded 5th graders, when they visit schools. "Yo! Yes?" by Chris Raschka works really well for older grades.
I agree, picture books rule! A very insightful and funny take on the subject. I'm going to share your post with my blog readers and I'll never look at Knuffle Bunny the same way again!
I cannot recommend picture books highly enough. My own kids loved them and we read them forever. We had two new babies in our family in the past 7 months and each one of them got a whole boatload of picture books, all favorites of my kids when they were little. I look forward to gift-giving occasions, just so we can give those cute little babies more! I just found a new series to give the little guys, too -- I was at the doctor's office earlier this week and found a picture book on earaches. It's written by a pediatrician and it was very cute. SO I did a little looking online and found out she's written a whole series of books on kids' ailments. The latest is The Moose with Loose Poops -- you can guess what THAT book is about! I'm getting them, naturally! Such a cute relationship between the dad and little Miles. (And I'll be glad I'm not the one dealing with the loose poops, to boot!)
I couldn't agree more that parents (and even some teachers) seem to be in such a rush to transition their children from picture books to chapter books. They don't seem to understand how far picture books have come, and that they no longer are only for children who haven't started reading yet.
Many picture books offer museum quality illustrations and messages that are so beautiful that they can bring an adult to tears. They even have the power to help us to see a "big picture" that a chapter book often cannot.
Nonfiction picture books are also a wonderful resource that should be used more often by parents and teachers.
Those who proclaim PBs to be 'baby books' haven't seen high schoolers come into the children's room to read aloud favorite old PBs to each other -- one of my favorite moments of being a youth librarian.
Stories encourage dreams - reading helps kids make their dreams come true. That singular idea - that we can help kids realize their dream - is the foundation of Share a Story - Shape a Future.
Share a Story - Shape a Future is a blog event for literacy. Throughout the week, blogging librarians, teachers, parents, authors, illustrators (me!) and people passionate about literacy will offer ideas on ways to promote reading and books. You won't find statistics, academic analysis, or judgments that tell you why you should read. Instead, we are using the power of the Worldwide web to share ideas about ways to engage kids as readers.
Each day, bloggers will talk about different aspects of literacy and reading. Themes include raising readers, selecting suitable material, tips for reading aloud, using audiobooks, and how to use the library as an ally. The organizers have several giveaways planned, and will offer free, downloadable content.
Share a Story - Shape a Future is an opportunity to share ideas, encourage each other, and spread the word about children's literacy. Share a Story- Shape a Future aims to build a community of readers. Please join us and share your story.
The 2009 Share a Story event will take place March 9 to 13, 2009.
Day 1: Raising Readers hosted by Terry Doherty at Scrub-a-Dub-Tub Day 2: Selecting Reading Material hosted by Sarah Mulhern at The Reading Zone Day 3: Reading Aloud - It's Fun, It's Easy hosted by Susan Stephenson at the Book Chook Day 4: A Visit to the Library hosted by Eva Mitnick at Eva's Book Addiction Day 5: Technology and Reading - What the Future Holds hosted by Elizabeth O. Dulemba at dulemba.com (HERE! on March 13th!)
Share a Story- Shape a Future aims to build a community of readers. Please join us and share your story. Visit Share a Story - Shape a Future to learn more and see the full schedule of contributors.
By: Chris Singer,
on 3/13/2011
First off, if you didn’t get a chance to check out Share A Story please visit when you have the opportunity. Thanks to Terry Doherty for helping organize this amazing blog tour. I thoroughly enjoyed reading the posts as well as having the opportunity to serve as one of the hosts.
Thank you, Kerry! Great pitch and great list. I'm definitely going to see if I can find those books!
Hi, Beth. Thanks for stopping by! Some of the books might be harder to find than others, but I hope you do find them!