Monday, March 30, 2009

Day Out With Daddy


Looking for a great story to read with Dad? Than this is the book for you. "Day Out With Daddy" by Stephen Cook is hysterical story of bonding as told from a child's point of view and I absolutely loved it. This story has earned a special place in my heart because I have often wondered what Maddy and Daddy do when I am not around.

This is another great example of a self illustrated author. The illustrations and the storyline are simple and beautiful it is just a perfect heartwarming me and my dad book.

This book would fit in perfectly for a Father's Day story time. You could use it with or, in place of "Just Me and My Dad" by Mercer Mayer. The story would fit in great with Toddler, Preschool or early elementary age children.

Friday, March 13, 2009

Overboard


"Overboard," by Sarah Weeks is the tale of mischievous baby bunny who with his accomplice mouse creates all sorts of havoc around the house. This book crossed my path by way of my baby daughter who almost flew out of my arms to grab it off the shelf and once we brought home we must have read it at least twenty times.

Overboard is a fantastic rhythmic story that would be great to read in a toddler time. I believe I have read it with success in a preschool story time as well. The illustrations are excellent (done by Sam Williams) with each page capturing the attention of the children. Some story time themes that lend themselves well to this book are bed time, rabbits, mischief and babies.

Overboard is also a great choice for parents who just want to read a fun book with their children.
It is also a great choice for beginning readers who will delight in its perfect word count and silly verses.

Thursday, March 12, 2009

Lost and Found


This is By and Far one of my favorite stories. "Lost and Found" by Oliver Jeffers is such a sweet tale of friendship that both children and parents will love. This book was illustrated by the author and is a perfect compliment to his wonderful tale of found friends.

This is an excellent story time book that can extend past preschool and into early elementary age children. It would be great to be used with a friendship or bird themed story time but I am sure that it would also work with a variety of others as well.

There are so many great activities to do with this book just a few of my favorites are:
  • Hang up sheets of butcher paper on the wall and have children create a sentence or two about their own special friend and then illustrate it.
  • Have the children create lost and found tags for their special friends and family. I will hopefully be able to upload an example
  • This idea is related to the book itself have the kids make paper boats or boats made out of soap and decorate them

Chicky Chicky Chook Chook



Chicky Chicky Chook Chook is a wonderful picture book written and illustrated by Cathy MacLennan. A wonderful rhyming story about animals on a sunny summer day it will have preschoolers captivated with it's silly rhyming verses.

This is a great book to do with a variety of story times but my picks would be for a summer, farm or animal theme. This book is also great for parents who want to introduce children into concepts such as alliteration and onomatopoeia. It is also a great book to read just to snuggle up and read just for fun before bed.

A great easy and fun activity to do with this book is fingerprint pictures. I am including a website that has great ideas and directions.

http://www.dltk-kids.com/crafts/miscellaneous/fingerprint_characters.htm

Enjoy