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Blogging A to Z: Vocabulary
Reading introduces kids to words that you don’t use in every day conversation. These are sometimes called “rare” words, words your child may not normally encounter. But, you can easily add rare words into your daily conversations. Think about synonyms – rather than, “Let’s go eat!” try using other words…
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It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? 4/26/2021
What I Read I read so much this past week! Partially because verse novels are much faster to read and I also wasn’t feeling great this week which meant a lot of down time trying to rest and relax. Thankfully, I’m on the mend, and I got to read a…
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I Sang You Down From the Stars
Synopsis: “This unique baby book sings with Native cultural detail, while striking a universal chord in its celebration of the blossoming of love that comes with expecting and welcoming a new baby–with art by New York Times bestselling illustrator and Caldecott Medalist Michaela Goade. As she waits for the arrival of her…
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6 Ways to Support Indie Bookstores on Independent Bookstore Day
The last Saturday of April is Independent Bookstore Day! Like so many businesses, COVID has hit indie bookstores hard. But, I’m going to share just a few ways in which you can support indie bookstores, even if you don’t have easy access to one in your area! 1. Visit an…
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Blogging A to Z: Underline
Today’s early literacy tip is an easy one! Use your finger to underline words as you read them. It doesn’t have to be every line of text, just pick out a word or two to underline. This helps kids realize that the illustrations connect with the text. It’s easy to…
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Blogging A to Z: Talking
What kind of talking is found most in your home? It is one-sided, directional talking? As in, “Little Billy, go wash your hands for dinner.” Or is it conversation talking? Where you and Little Billy talk back and forth each listening and responding to each other. Both types of talking…
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Nina Soni, Master of the Garden
Synopsis: “Lovable Indian-American girl Nina Soni returns in the third installment of this award-winning middle grade chapter book series from Own Voices author Kashmira Sheth. It’s Take Your Child to Work Day, and Nina, Kavita, and Jay are all going to work with Mom, a landscape architect, to learn how…
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Squad Goals
Synopsis: “Camp is in session in this cheer-tastic middle-grade novel about making new friends, finding your place, and learning to embrace your inner Magic. Magic Olive Poindexter has big shoes to fill. Her mother was a professional cheerleader, her father is a retired NBA legend, her big sister is the…
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Blogging A to Z: Singing
Very similar to rhyming, singing helps kids hear the smaller sounds of words. Many songs also tell a story teaching kids about narrative skill – how stories work with a beginning, middle, and end. Plus, where else would you ever talk to your kids about a “tuffet” as in “Little…
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Aven Green Sleuthing Machine
Synopsis: “Third-grader Aven Green has been solving mysteries for a whole month—cracking such cases as The Mystery of the Cranky Mom. But can this perceptive detective solve two cases at the same time? First her teacher’s lunch bag disappears. Then Aven’s great-grandma’s dog goes missing. Fortunately, since Aven was born without arms,…
