The Literary Family

Live Cameras

2011-05-14T17:43:00.004-04:00

Now in NYC we have baby hawks. Have you watched the live streams of the baby hawks?
The City Room of the NY Times has a great blog about the new NY family.

Happy Mothers Day

2011-05-08T00:12:00.000-04:00

To my mom, sister, aunt, cousins, close friends and everyone else!

Chinese Folk Art: Happy Earth Day

2011-04-22T06:45:00.001-04:00

Read the Books You Love

2011-02-14T13:33:00.000-05:00

Have a great Valentine's Day!
Read all the books you love!

Wishing You Joy in the New Year!

2011-02-06T20:10:00.002-05:00

Last Day of Chinese New Year!
Happy happy new year to everyone!

My Nephew's Gift From a Friend

2011-01-30T14:09:00.000-05:00

When my nephew came to NYC for a visit, I was in charge of babysitting and all activities! What fun that was for me. So I called up all my friends with kids- and invited them all to play dates!

Mama B and Big Girl S, invited us to their apartment in Chelsea to play.

Upon on arrival, Big Girl S presented my nephew with a - WELCOME TO NYC- NICE TO MEET YOU- present. Of course he loved it and wanted to read it immediately with everyone, twice! My parents, who were along on the play date as well, enjoyed the read. bell hooks writes in a lyrical poetic rhythm that lulls us all into loving her words.

Be Boy Buzz is our family's new favorite!

Napping with a Good Book in Los Angeles

2011-01-25T13:33:00.001-05:00

After spending a day at the beach with my friends Mama and Papa J and their three kids we went home for napping time. As all the kids went off to their own napping spot, I pulled out my gifts, Shades of People, The Lion and the Mouse, and a few non fiction books by Gail Gibbons: My Basketball Book and My Soccer Book. The twins and Toddler J- were in love with their new treasures.

Of course, as a house guest with Mama K and Big Girl C, I left 3 new series books with them. Chapter Book reading with young readers, who are in first grade like Big Girl C, is a wonderful way to work on build mental images, more sophisticated vocabulary and for thinking about longer and more complex stories. I gave them Whoopi Goldberg's new series- Sugar Plum Ballerinas, Nikki Grimes' new series- Dyamonde Daniel, and Amanda Stern's new series- Frankly Frannie.

Enjoy the reading! And lavish your friends in books!

Happy Birthday MLK jr!

2011-01-17T13:46:00.004-05:00

The function of education, therefore, to teach one to think intensively and to think critically. But education that stops at efficiency may prove to be the greatest menace to society. Martin Luther King Jr.

Link to facebook

2011-01-13T09:32:00.004-05:00

You have asked for our link on facebook! Here it is!

http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Literary-Family/242682027502

Like us, Comment to us, post your favorite books!

Enjoy!

The Literary Family!

Happy New Year Family

2011-01-12T11:35:00.005-05:00

Hello Literary Family!

Sorry we have been gone so long from our blog.

No worries, we have a whole set of books, stories, and wonderful celebartions for you and your family to enjoy! Thanks for reading and rereading the blog this year! It has brought us much joy!

I highly want to encourage you to follow us on facebook, where you will receive links to other articles about literacy and wonderful events to attend!

The Literary Family - on Facebook- don't forget.

http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Literary-Family/242682027502

We look forward to your comments and "likes"!

Wishing you lots of hope and peaceful reading in the new year,

The Literary Family

Brooklyn Book Festival

2010-09-12T07:40:00.001-04:00

Don't miss it! It is today! Wonderful for the kids. Enjoy!

http://www.brooklynbookfestival.org/BrooklynBookFestival/festival.html

Peace.

2010-09-11T20:31:00.002-04:00

‎"Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world."

Nelson Mandela

Reading is Inspiring

2010-09-09T20:16:00.001-04:00

When I look back, I am so impressed again with the life-giving power of literature. If I were a young person today, trying to gain a sense of myself in the world, I would do that again by reading, just as I did when I was young. - Maya Angelou

Welcome Back to School Teachers

2010-09-07T07:43:00.000-04:00

Happy first day back to all the teachers in NYC. Welcome back to all kids and teachers and families to school who have started even earlier!

Host a Literary Sleep Over

2010-09-05T08:31:00.001-04:00

Why not? Get out some sleeping bags, dig around for some flashlights, create a campground at home! Gather up stacks of books. Let kids read and talk all night!

Why not?

:) Enjoy.

Welcome to Our World

2010-09-04T11:21:00.001-04:00

Readership around the globe, welcome!

Where are you from? What are you and the children in lives reading! Thanks for reading the blog and sticking around! Feel free to email us at theliteraryfamily@gmail.com for book suggestions or activities that you and the special little ones in your life share around books! We would love to hear form you! Spread the word about the blog!

photo by Daniel Galan

Argentina

Belgium

Brazil

Bulgaria

Canada

China

Colombia

Costa Rica

Cyprus

Denmark

Egypt

England

Estonia

Germany

India

Indonesia

Ireland

Iran

Israel

Kyrgyzstan

Lithuania

Malaysia

Mexico

Nepal

New Zealand

Poland

Portugal

Qa'tar

Russia

Singapore

Saudia Arabia

South Korea

South Africa

Spain

Switzerland

Sweden

Taiwan

Thailand

The Netherlands

Turkey

UAE: Dubai

UAE: Abu Dhabi

United States

Viet Nam

Smile, Eat Ice Cream, and Read!

2010-09-03T17:57:00.001-04:00

Enjoy the weekend!

Happy reading to you and your literary family! Take your books out into the world together!

Puzzles are Fun to Read

2010-09-01T20:13:00.002-04:00

On my 'west coast tour' I stopped and visited the Rocky Mountain Mama and her two boys in Colorado. We spent the weekend designing aircraft. RMM's eldest boy, Super Sweet S, is a master at putting together intricate Lego machines and buildings- especially, Lego Star Wars! We brought home a large airplane for the boys to assemble. SSS took out the instructions and started on the amazing puzzle solo! It was a beautiful reading experience. He had the directions/instructions next to him and all the pieceslaid out on the table ready to use. The concentration and stamina that he had was impressive. I think he worked on that plane, certainly close to 2 hours!

I also headed north west to see Little Moon and Mama J and Papi D. We decided to rent a cabin in the woods. Mama J wanted to bring her own puzzles, but resisted the urge---- seeing as that the car was already packed to the hilt. But I brought, from NY, a book of puzzles for Little Moon! The Metropolitan Museum of Art in NY publishes 16- piece puzzle books of beautiful artwork. I got Little Moon, Puzzling Beasts with 8 beautiful pieces of art to reassemble. There is a little 'blurb' with each puzzle to read about the art and/or the artist. The books are designed to assist young novice puzzlers so you place the puzzle pieces upon the art.

Puzzles are wonderful games to play that really push your mind mathematically- but they also can push the literary side of your brain as well!

Enjoy the puzzles and the reads!

Spectacular Southwest

2010-08-30T19:47:00.006-04:00

This summer I've ended up having a couple of big trips for work that took me towards the west coast. I had to get to New Mexico by the middle of August, so I took a detour to Colorado first to visit the Rocky Mountain Mama and her family! I brought the boys some gifts. Super Sweet S is going into first grade and is apparently literally reading everything! "Titi," he says, "Do you want me to read the catalog about Halloween Costumes?"

His younger brother, Younger Brother E, is also obsessed with reading books as well. I brought a whole load of books with me as my, "Thank you for having me in your house this weekend gift." Among other books, I brought the boys a new series of comic chapter books, The Dodge Ball Chronicles! Apparently they loved them!

After visiting the southwest, Colorado and New Mexico, I decided I needed to search for my souvenirs for my nephew and Little Moon (who I would be visiting for the second part of my west coast tour after New Mexico). I found some great wildlife books. I found a board book about animals in the southwest, and a beautiful photography book of baby animals from this area. I also discovered a new series of non fiction books from Farcountry- So I had to get, The Rocky Mountain Babies.

I would be remiss if I didn't also pick up a story about the Day of the Dead after being in the Southwest. Luckily I found one by Tony Johnston and Jeanette Winters.

As I made my way from Colorado to New Mexico and then on to Seattle, I both dropped books off and picked new ones up to bring with me as souvenirs of my travels!

Hope your summer has been filled with travels and books! What books have you picked up as souvenirs to help you and the ones you love remember your adventures!

The nephew- Sending Back to Canada

Reading in a Series in French

2010-08-28T19:13:00.001-04:00

I have been building up my nephew's library at home. He now has officially taken over the complete last two shelves (three if you count the stacking of books under the shelves) of my sister's floor to ceiling bookshelf that takes up the entire living room wall. While I feel quite proud, about a third of his library is now in French. My nephew is bilingual. To support his linguistic development in his second language, I have been diligent to find books in French that hold his interest, introduce him to new and challenging vocabulary, and that span both story, poetry, and non fiction texts. I buy him books that his mother (who is fluent in French) and his babysitters can read to him with no problem. I also have bought him books that I can read to him (ones that are a bit simpler for the novice French speaker).

I found many series that he has absolutely fallen in love with that I can read too. Our two favorites are: Crocolou and the Petit Garcon series. Crocolou's books are simple stories all about a little crocodile named, Crocolou. Each book centers around another thing that he loves: Crocolou aime sa mama, Crocolou aime l'ecole etc. With a few re-readings of these books my nephew has been able to "learn" them and fill in the blanks, quickly and easily when i make dramatic pauses for him to chime in. Even as simple as these books are, they still introduce new vocabulary to us!

The Petit Garcon series are fun. Each one is about another little boy enjoying some sort of transportation: Le Train de Bastien, La Moto de Marco, L'Avion de Gaston etc. They also rhyme. This makes it fun for my nephew to listen to but also easier for me to read with the rhythm!

If your kids are bilingual, make sure you have the books in both languages in your house! Read them together! Bilingualism is a gift to be treasured! Spend time in the "not so dominate" language together.

If you are not bilingual, but enjoy languages and want the kids in your lives to enjoy languages too, buy books in foreign languages. Read them with your child. Study the pictures hard! Reading is a great way to learn a language and to develop appreciation for different languages. Be brave! Dive right in! Pick up a children's book in a language you studied in high school or college- practice reading it and then share it with a child! Have fun.

Make Your Own Interactive Memory Book

2010-08-26T14:19:00.001-04:00

This year, after visiting my nephew for three weeks, I left with him a 'memory book'. This book I have left blank spaces under each of our amazing things that we have done, for him to fill in the pictures. His drawing has improved so much over the year. He now makes representational shapes that really match the object he is drawing. He made an incredible Beluga Whale this summer that will now hang in my office. Hopefully over the days, until I see him next, he will make pictures that match the things that we did. Fortunately, I also snapped a few photos that I can bring and paste into the memory book as well. But why not make it interactive!

Hope you are enjoying your summer with the kids in your lives!

Life: Acting Real Life Out

2010-08-24T20:53:00.001-04:00

When you ask my nephew what his favorite videos are, he now replies, "Planet Earth, Life, Galapagos (en francais) and T'choupi (en francais aussi). Life, is another version of Planet Earth, narrated by Oprah Winfrey. It is a beautiful display of wildlife across the globe.

My nephew, in true 3 year old form, enjoys acting the different scenes. He gets his animal critters out of the toy box and begins to explore, who hunts who? Hunting and Hunted is his favorite episode. Unfortunately we don't have an ostrich for the cheetah to eat nor do we have a "cheetah deer" for the tiger. Luckily he can improvise. Sometimes he enjoys acting out the videos without props and just take on the animal personalities himself. He ropes in other 'actors', like myself to play different roles.

From Galapagos, one of his favorite scenes is watching the giant predatory birds hunt for iguanas, swimming in the sea.

The videos have been amazing to develop quite a large and specific vocabulary and to introduce the concept of "interdependence". Acting out before, during or after, is a great way to have a 'conversation' with kids about what they are understanding and thinking about while watching videos!

Enjoy the stage with your kids! Enjoy Life!

Aquariums

2010-08-22T18:55:00.000-04:00

Seriously I want to visit here: The Okinawa Churumi Aquarium.
Amazing. Adding it to my international travel I must do with my nephew.

Observation Journals

2010-08-20T20:53:00.001-04:00

My nephew, sister and I recently went to the science museum/aquarium in Burlington. There were wonderful fish, frogs and reptiles to observe. There was a wonderful hands on project: dissecting owl pellets. My nephew discovered lots of skulls and bones! In the resource center there were other tanks and animals, along with books and puppets and the like to really get another up close vision of wildlife.

At the tank there was a snake inside. Interesting enough, there was a journal right next to it. It was filled with comments and observations and questions from many different visitors of different ages. We looked and observed not only in the tank but we reread all the comments made across time about this snake. It was fascinating!

What a wonderful idea. You could have a notebook/sketch book set up in your home, next to a plant, a terrarium or aquarium in your home. You and your child could observe and note take. When you have guests come to your house you can urge them to "leave a note" in your observation journal. What a fun thing to keep- just like a real scientist. What a neat thing to look back over and read!

Baby Layal Welcome

2010-08-19T19:12:00.003-04:00

I just got to visit with Baby Layal- (The nights).
New Mommy R looks amazing and the baby is just precious!

Super congrats to all!

A song in her honor: You are my sunshine

Kitty Landers

2010-08-15T16:16:00.003-04:00

Check it out- a show for kids!

Interesting themes and original characters.

Online has so much to offer!

Website: http://www.kittylanders.com/

YouTube Site: http://www.youtube.com/user/kittylanders#p/f

One Family Teaching Literacy

2010-08-14T16:50:00.004-04:00

Families can make a difference. Read about the Kugler Family working in South Africa for their summer vacation. Inspiring!

Kugler Blog: http://kuglersinsouthafrica.blogspot.com/2010/08/literacy-continues-library-shipment.html

Singing in the Car

2010-08-12T14:28:00.003-04:00

Needless to say, on our journey north, we had many hours to 'kill' in the car! No worries, because Auntie brought lots of music to pass the time away. Of course we brought our favorite, They Might Be Giants (1,2,3 and Here Comes Science).

We also brought a new favorite- Pete Seeger's CD- Stories and Songs For Little Children. My nephew "studied" PS in his school. He is one of their 'heroes'. He made a little Banjo and loves to 'strum i' and sing Skip to My Lou. So we definitely took that with us.

We also took a new cd in french, Un Tresor Dans Mon Jardin. A series of beautiful songs and poems all in French. Big Girl Jas and my nephew enjoyed this cd immensely. Even though BGJ doesn't speak French, she appreciates the sounds and languages from everywhere. She too is bilingual, English and Spanish. Since the two kids are both bilingual they had a lot of discussion about languages and translating. BGJ picked out her favorite song on the album- Comptine pour endormir un enfants.

We can't leave home with Father Goose and Dan Zane. So we brought - Catch the Train and It's a Bam Bam Diddly. There is Haitian Creole, Zulu and Spanish! BGJ enjoyed singing and translating that one - Mariposa Ole!- for everyone.

Don't forget your music in the car!

Birthday Wishes: Put on a Play

2010-08-10T20:52:00.003-04:00

Mommy R came on vacation and I learned all these great literary events you can have at home with your child. Big Girl Jas is turning 8 this year. She is trying to decide how she would like to celebrate her birthday. Last year, when she turned 7, she decided she wanted to put on a play for her birthday.

I know. When I heard the idea at first it seemed complicated and difficult. But when you get to know BGJ, you see that theater and dance are her passions. Mommy R also shares these passions with her daughter.

So, they decided to give it a try. They first picked a story that they could share with their friends, give everyone lines, and have costumes for everyone. They chose an "Anansi" story to tell. I cannot remember which folktale about the famous spider they chose.

They sent out a quick invitation- asking for an immediate RSVP to see who could make it and wanted to perform with BGJ in the play. They asked kids, Do you want a speaking role or a non speaking role? Then they sent all the kids their lines so that they could practice and 'rehearse' at home.

When the kids arrived to the party, Mommy R and BGJ and all the kids began to do a 'run through' of the play at home. They then practiced with costumes (supplied as best as possible from BGJ's collection of dress up clothes). Kids were in charge, so there were no 'wrong' costumes. Kids could be as creative as possible. Then they did a run through with the costumes on!

Next they ate cake and ice cream! Finally they went to the local ample theater in their local park. (Seriously- they have one. How perfect, right?) They did one more run through on the stage. Then they got to put on their make up!

The parents came to pick up their kids from the birthday. Right before they all left- the kids put on the play for all the parents and care-givers and kids! Quite a celebration, no? For everyone.
What an experience! I love it! Who knows, maybe this year, BGJ will write her own play to perform next!

Telling and Swapping Stories that Matter

2010-08-08T20:54:00.001-04:00

In between lake and pool, tennis and shuffle board, we had some time on our hands to share stories. Mommy R loves to tell stories too! But she doesn't just tell any story. Many of her stories she tells, ends of teaching us all something. They all sound vaguely familiar, but are not 'real stories' but certainly ones we can relate to.

Mommy R asks everyone who is going to listen to the story if they want to be in the story or not. My nephew decided yes. Big Girl Jas decided no. All that meant was that Mommy R would tell a story with your name in it. But it was sure to be 'fictional'. One of the stories that Mommy R told was a story about my nephew, and his friend, "Hakim" (aka my nephew's doll's name). It was a story about how "Hakim" didn't like to play tennis. He found it very frustrating. He got very angry. "My nephew's character" had to think of a way to included him and to help him not be frustrated.

Can you imagine a real episode like this? I truly can. It was interesting to see how the two kids listened to this story and how they re- thought about the time we played tennis. Telling stories help you to hold on to memories and to also work out the problems and issues in our lives- no matter how small or big!

Dancing and Singing Your Own Tunes

2010-08-06T20:52:00.005-04:00

The nephew, sister and I drove up to Mont Tremblant and we invited our friends, Mommy R and Big Girl Jas with us! Up in our chalet- over looking the mountains and lake we were granted several dancing and singing performances from the kids. An almost 8 year old is heaven to a 3 year old! They had such a blast. BGJ would take the nephew in another room, and "teach him" his steps and the song that they were performing. In about 2 minutes the little nephew had to learn a lot, or just follow her lead. We were serenaded by, "These are a few of my favorite things..." and "I'm am sixteen going seventeen..." and "I close my eyes, pull back the curtain..."

I have to say my favorites were the ones that they made up. BGJ had a few that she sang. One I think was titled, "Swan Lake". My nephew did one in English and one in French, both I believe titled, "Fire Truck"/ "Camion Pompier". Can you imagine what happens in that song/rap? Yes, lots of crashing!

Everyday was a series of songs that we got to watch and appreciate. What a nice time to pass together (and bond!). Writing is a great way to hold on to your memories. You can write your stories down in a memory notebook- or why not your new songs! Who knows, you may have an album in the works!

Coming Home From Vacation

2010-07-26T10:31:00.004-04:00

I am back from Costa Rica. A week of bliss truly! I was staying in a beautiful little-itty- bitty town, Santa Teresa. As I was getting ready to go I was thinking, how will I share this with my nephew? What can I bring him? There were no bookstores here to find a book on Costa Rica. I thought that the airport might have a little, 'recuerdo', that I wold be able to bring back. As I walked along the shores with my friend B we were picking up and noticing the wonderful rocks and beautiful shells.

We found many sand dollars! That of course sparked another line of questions, what exactly is a sand dollar!?

They are so beautiful and have such precision and beauty in their design. We found so many of them on the beach, they looked unreal.

So I decided to bring my nephew back a sand dollar. We started to discuss, what is a sand dollar? "A sea urchin", I began. "It is like the left over skeleton of a sea urchin."

"What's a sea urchin?" my nephew replied. And so the conversation has started. We got the computer open to start searching for the different kinds of sea urchins and what they look like and how they move. "How do they move on it's spine? What do they eat? Why do they look like that?"

Gifts come in all shape and sizes. How you talk about them and let the gifts grow into something larger is all up to you! Hope you are enjoying your summer and reading!

Framboise!

2010-07-13T07:58:00.002-04:00

So, the nephew and I and his day care- all went raspberry picking yesterday in the Canadian heat! Mama R doused us in natural lavender bug spray and off we went to pick. Mama R taught us to pick the truly red berries, not the pink ones. My nephew quickly became an expert! He filled his bucket and his tummy at the same time.

Today they are making, confiture. Mama R wanted all the kids to know the process it takes to make jam! So, all the kids picked the berries, and today they will make the jam. They will have been a part of each and every step of the process. The farm also had goats, sheep and lambs, a llama, chickens, ponies and rabbits. My nephew quickly fell in love. He loves feeding the animals.

These kinds of experiences, visiting a farm, going picking berries, and cooking help to build knowledge and love for the world we live. It also sparks a new reading interest. Books can introduce you to places, new people, and great new activities! Experiences, out in the world, help to introduce you to new passions and interests to continue researching in books! Field trips, outings, exploring the natural are all entry points into new content and new books.

Bobbie Kalman has some beautiful books about the natural world that have inviting photo and wonderful text and information to read. She also does a nice job with diagrams, charts, and maps that help kids put together the information.

My nephew recently went to Orlando with his grandparents and visited Sea World. He is sure that he wants to be a diver. He wants to study whales. The interest has sparked a lot of 'play acting' and reading about orcas and dolphins and all things ocean. It has also helped to introduce him to a whole new vocabulary.

Going to the farm, has done the same thing! It has sparked an interest in plants and in farm animals. It has triggered interest, new reading material and a whole set of questions that he now wants to pursue.

Today he is making raspberry jam. He will make it and eat it! Later he will retell the whole process to the family! Then we will look up the raspberry plants and we will open our plant books to think about plants and how they are important to us and the world.

Here is a recipe for jam to make some at your house. If Mama R gives us her recipe, we will pass it on to you!

Enjoy the world! Get out and explore! Maybe it will just be your back yard or a patch of sidewalk, maybe even mountain. Enjoy the read.

Viva Espana

2010-07-12T06:20:00.005-04:00

We did. We watched soccer all afternoon. We went over to our friends' giant loft, J and C, to see the match. It was perfect for us. My nephew lasted the whole game, reenacting much of the 'drama' in the game. After seeing player after player 'dive' for the ball, he too then (with me) would act out the scene of how it happened. We are glad we stayed to watched the entire game- to even see Spain finally make the winning gooooooal!

We came ready. We brought all of my nephew's soccer books, including a couple of new ones. They came in handy, especially at half time. We brought our biography of Pele. We also brought Let's Play Soccer.

His new book, Goal! is a story about young boys playing soccer in South Africa. His other new one is a simple Hello Reader, Soccer Game! about kids playing the game as well.

After the game, we drove the park, where the cars kept streaming by with the flags and a lot of honking! I hope you all enjoyed the world cup as much as we did and learned a lot about the world like we did as well! It happens once every 4 years. Next WC, my nephew will be 7!

Enjoy the read! Enjoy your summer!

Two Blogs I Am Loving

2010-06-30T00:11:00.001-04:00

My friend, Papa M and his son, B flew to South Africa to watch the World Cup. I gave you the link on facebook and hopefully you have already been following them. They started a blog together to both comment on the games they watch live and on TV as well as their travels around the country! It is a wonderful thing to read together with your kids!

The Literary Family is part of the kidslitophere. On this list serve are many different blogs about children's literature. I found one that I love with book reviews of wonderful books! The blogger at AAkidsBookTalks feature books that are about African Americans! Check out these great books and add them to your libraries at home!

Enjoy the read!

A Wonderful Non-Fiction Series!

2010-06-27T10:38:00.002-04:00

Incredible Ocean!: Eye-Opening Photos of Life Underwater by PlayBac

Last week I was in Florida visiting my family. My nephew and sister flew in from Italy to spend a couple of weeks seaside with the family. I went down to visit and brought with me, Incredible Ocean! My nephew- in one day- had soaked in the amazing photographs and brief descriptions of these fascinating creatures in the ocean. We live right by the aquarium and my nephew is obsessed with dolphins and whales! So this book was perfect! He absorbed the specific vocabulary and was able to retell to me - after one read- all these interesting little tidbits about these wonderful animals.

Snuggle up on the sofa and spend hours studying the photographs and learning about the deep ocean. This is a wonderful new series that will for sure help all of us understand and learn more about the world!

Enjoy the read, enjoy the learning!

Gooooooooooal!

2010-06-09T17:34:00.011-04:00

Can the World Cup in Soccer be considered a literary event? I think, yes! Absolutely!
My family, especially my sister and I, have become big World Cup watching fans since the 1994 games. We have evening viewing with different friends, filled with food and fun, shouting and cheering at televisions.

This year will be my nephew's first World Cup games. He and his babysitter, Super A, are big soccer players themselves. In the summer, they 'train' together. My nephew loves to read about soccer as well. Let's Play Soccer, last summer, became a favorite to read just before nap time!

For most of the games we all will be at my parent's house and I am sure soccer will be on most of the time! What a great time to learn, not just about soccer but about different places in the world!

For one, the games are being played in South Africa! There will also be 32 different countries participating. Bring your computers out as you are watching the matches! Surf the Internet for photos and short articles of the different places. Research together the places where they are playing the matches and where the teams are from.

Search the Internet for data and statistics about the teams and the players. get to know them - not only by watch the games but by reading information together about the games and the players and the places!

Who will you cheer for? In my family we are big fans of the Brazilian team, but often we root for the underdogs! My nephew will have just gotten back from a vacation in Italy, so my guess is he will have the reigning champs in his heart!

Soccer too can be a literary bonding event! Enjoy the games! Enjoy the reads!

Host a Literary Party: A Book Swap

2010-06-05T08:56:00.000-04:00

It's summertime, a perfect time to begin to make your summer reading lists. A great way to think about what to read, is a really good book recommendation.

My friend, Auntie J and I were talking about starting up a book club for ourselves and good friends. But the truth is, many times, we don't all want to read the same book at the same time in time to discuss it at a formal meeting.

What we ended up forming is what we call, The Accidental Book Club. It is a group of us who love to read books and then we pass on to each other the books we especially love. Then we all, after a couple of months end up reading some of the same books! We decided that we should have 'monthly meetings' with the ABC, to be able to have a 'book swap'. Instead of everyone talking about one book, we will talk about and exchange many books!

Accidental Book Club #2

Why not have a literary party with kids. Have them all bring their favorite books that they have recently read, whether it be a board book or picture book they have read a zillion times or a novel they just finished. They can tell each other why they loved it and then swap it for a new book that one of their friends read. Have some snacks on hand. Maybe even the adults can swap books too! Make it a family event! A party of books!

Enjoy.

Letters and Mail

2010-06-04T08:18:00.002-04:00

After spending a nice weekend or little vacation with my nephew always sparks a need to remain in communication with him, even long distance. My nephew, as you know, loves to 'skype' his long distance family!

Growing up in Michigan, my dad and I always enjoyed checking the mail for great letters sent from far away. my great-aunt Odie and I for years used to send each other letters. Letters these days, through the US Mailing system is called, snail mail. I was thinking about how nice it would be for my nephew to experience receiving mail, and reading a handwritten letter.

So I've decided, post-trip/visitation, I would send a series of letters for him- via snail mail. My mom made him his own, 'mail box' inside to keep the letters by 'his desk'. Now my nephew has his stacks of letters I've sent him so that he can remember our 'times' together and think of me whenever he sees them and reads them.

Send your loved ones letters! They can hold on to your words, thoughts, and memories even when you live long distance!

Creating Poetry in A Hammock

2010-06-02T04:24:00.000-04:00

Little Boy J and I were relaxing in the hammock out back near the pool. We snuggled close and LBJ said, "Wrap me up in a towel!" After he got all wrapped up he said, "I am like a burrito wrapped up in a towel."

I told him, "That sounds like poetry! Let's make a poem!" LBJ smiled and said, "Yeh, let's write a poem in the air."

So we started to 'write one in the air'.

I am wrapped up in towels
like a burrito
sitting in the hammock
looking up at the pine-coned tree
waiting for an airplane to fly by.

Curl up under a tree. Dip your feet in a pool. Walk gingerly around a garden. Write your poems together 'in the air' and let the sound of words fill up the beautiful space between you.

Enjoy! Summer is here!

Kids Love Jazz

2010-06-01T09:00:00.000-04:00

Kids love Jazz music. This CD, Jazz for Kids, is one of my nephew's favorites (and my sister's as well). There are a whole series of biographies of famous jazz artists for young children.

My nephew has a few! Sean Qualls has illustrated many. One about Ella and one about John Coltrane.
Before John Was A Jazz Giant and Skit Skat Raggedy Cat.

Introduce your kids to the sounds and people of Jazz!

Linking up networked blogs!

2010-05-31T12:44:00.000-04:00

Hope it works.
Trying to be more 'linked up'.

Kids Can Be Lawyers?

2010-05-30T12:44:00.000-04:00

Mentor Mommy S, the kids, and I headed off to Grandma L's house this weekend. We parked ourselves in the back yard, underneath the giant trees, in the hammocks and lounge chairs with water by our sides. We all took out our books. Cousin M came running out of his house to the back where we were with his book in hand. He is reading, Theodroe Boone: Kid Lawyer By John Grisham.

Cousin M, who is a 4th grader and a big fan of Harry Potter, loves it! Says that, "It's the best book he has read in awhile!"

Looking for a great book because the kids you know have read everything? This sounds like a fun one! Don't miss it!

A New Series to Read

2010-05-29T09:52:00.002-04:00

My friend Writer A, has come out with a new series for kids to read! It is about a little girl who loves office supplies and is ready for her first career! If you are looking for a new series book for your 7-10 years old, this will be a great one!

Enjoy the read!

Getting Ready for Baby #2

2010-05-03T09:44:00.004-04:00

I have a bunch of friends who this spring will have Baby Number 2. I am baby number 2 in my family and I know that families spend a lot of time wondering about us. Will we sleep as much much as baby #1? Will we fuss and cry more? What about eating? I can tell you this for sure- being baby 2 and watching countless friends have more than 1 baby- you can bet that the baby will be different and their own person. Not necessarily for the better or the worse, just different!

Little Mai-Mai will soon have a new baby this spring ( we don’t know if it is a boy or girl). We are all preparing her with, 'Big Sister' helpful tips and thinking about ways that she can help out. Often when I give a baby gift I give a gift to both kids. Little Mai-Mai is 2, on her way to 3!. So to see her new sibling, showered with attention and gifts seems really hard to understand, unless she too is celebrated in this new family event.

As the number 2 baby, I am also quite sensitive that number 2 receives some things that feel special and unique for them. 'Hand me downs', from one family to the next, can be given in such a way that can be beautiful and feel new. It is true that they are babies and they don’t know the difference. But just the thought of special present for the baby, that wasn't once the older siblings, will feel special.

Having some new books- a fresh connection to people – something that will bond you and the baby together is also a nice and important statement to make- and to continue making.

When Little Sister L was born- Little Boy J got a couple of new books from me and I gave to LSL, Won't You Be My Kissaroo and Won't You Be My Hugaroo.

LBJ read many of the books alongside Mentor Mommy S and LSL. Bonding over a LSL’s new books. Not so bad having a new girl or boy in the family.

Musical Theater

2010-05-02T20:12:00.001-04:00

I think I have posted before about my family's long car trips from Michigan to the Atlantic Ocean. year after year, we would pile into the jeep and head east for some ocean beach and fun. For the two day road trip my mom packed up little goodie bags, treats, books, and gigantic tape cassette box that held hundreds (might be a slight exaggeration) of our favorite tapes. Of course we had my mom's favorites, Judy Collins, Joan Baez, and John Denver. We also had my dad's, Ray Charles, Aretha Franklin, Harry Belafonte. There was always plenty of classical tapes and there were musicals. Oklahoma, My Fair Lady, Annie, A Chorus Line and the list goes on. I think the show tunes were always our favorites. At least I think we sang them the loudest.

Well, last summer, Baby C watched his first musical on DVD with his cousins, the Sound of Music. It was an immediate favorite and has become a cornerstone in many conversations in their household. This past December, my nephew watch Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, starring Donnie Osmond, with his friend 8 year old J from North Carolina. They watched it over and over again. Singing and dancing together. They would even perform little shows for the moms to watch. Go, Go, Go Joseph! Was the talk and 'shout' of the town. Everything was about Joseph. My nephew ate it up!

Musical theater! Toddlers love it! Great visual literacy at work! Enjoy the watch! Enjoy the read!

Last Day of Poetry Month!

2010-04-30T08:16:00.004-04:00

It may be the last day of of our month long celebration of poetry, but I want to encourage you to read and listen to poetry all year long.

Listening poems read aloud is a musical experience! Here is another beautiful collection of poetry for kids that also is recorded on cd.

Enjoy the poems on the page, in the car, or on your ipods.

Enjoy the read! Happy Poetry Month to You!

The Last Song- Movie Watching with the Girls

2010-04-27T18:22:00.006-04:00

As you know, Auntie CC and I took all the girls to see, The Last Song, starring Miley Cyrus. We all loved it. Most of us cried. After the movie we had to discuss the events of the movie.

After I read, watch a movie, or even go on a vacation, I like to retell it and remember and linger upon the best parts. It's an important skill to be able to identify significant parts and be able to analyze why they are significant- both to the text and to our own lives.

I don't want to give away our favorite parts and significance that we found in the movie- trust me, our car load of girls came up with many. So I will just describe the conversation and how it went. It took some of us awhile to really decide which parts meant more to us than others and why. It is easy to say, "I like the part when.... happened." It is harder to then explore, "Why?" It is in this next step that leads us to a more interpretative understanding of books, characters, movies or even life.

As we turned the corner to the nieces' house, Little A said, "Wait! I have a fourth favorite part!" Before we emptied ourselves onto the sidewalk, we all pondered this next part of the film. Remembering our predictions and lingering on what actually happened in the movie. We all talked about this last part. Then we ran into the house and ate Easter supper!

After watching a film or reading a book, find out from the people in your Literary Family, what are their favorite parts and why?

Enjoy the reading!

The First Birthday: Some Suggestions

2010-04-25T10:18:00.004-04:00

As I made the list of books for 2 years olds- I realized I have a bunch of friends this spring who have babies are turning one! Let me just suggest a few winners that my dear little man, my nephew loved on his first birthday.

Busy Doggies. It is actually a whole series of books, A Busy Book Series, that talks about busy animals. Busy Chickens, Busy Horsies, Busy Barnyard Animals.

Off We Go by Jane Yolen, is a beautiful, sing-song book of animals going to grandma's house. Very sweet, very fun.

Choo Choo Cickety Clack By Margaret Mayo, is a fun rhythmic text about trains. Big winner with the train obsessed nephew!

Have fun with the new reads!

Read Poetry By Children

2010-04-23T08:16:00.012-04:00

Georgia Heard, a poet I have mentioned in the blog before, features children as poets in her book, For the Good of the Earth and Sun: Teaching Poetry. Georgia is both a poet who writes to teach teachers, to teach adults (Writing Towards Home) and to teach children. Her new book, A Place for Wonder: Reading and Writing Nonfiction in the Primary Grades byGeorgia Heard and Jen McDonough, is sure to be a wonderful one, not just for teachers but for families too.

A wonderful way to celebrate poetry month is to read poems by other children. Some of our favorite poets have published books that feature children as the poets! Salting the Ocean: 100 Poems by Young Poets, edited and compiled by Naomi Shihab Nye, is a beautiful poetry book with magnificent illustrations.

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As you look for poetry books to celebrate this month- consider a book that celebrates children first! Children are natural poets! Happy Poetry Month to You!

Earth Day

2010-04-22T01:47:00.002-04:00

Celebrate Earth Day.

Read Todd Parr's new book, The Earth Book.

Read books and articles. Find ways to celebrate the Earth.

Talk about the Earth. Read about the Earth. Inquire about the Earth. Think about how you and your family and friends can help make the Earth a better place to live.

The Joy of Inquiry: Ask Questions Close to Home

2010-04-20T19:16:00.002-04:00

What is that? Why does it look that way? What is it doing? Is it always going to look like that is going to change?

Curiosity is wonderful and contaigious. We want children to be curious about the world and ask many questions about it! This is what scientists, writers, historians, doctors, and mechanics do. They raise questions, gather up data and observations and make guesses and research some more.

Why not take a walk and study something in your neighborhood together: a plot of earth, a construction site, a series of stars in the sky or even a tree. Look at. Observe it together. Raise questions. Try and answer them. Read about the topic. Ask other people about the topic. Visit your "something" once a week (or month) to see how it has changed.

You can do the same with a photograph or a series of

photographs. Maybe it is a photograph about the natural world or maybe one from history. You can follow the same inquiry method with these text sources as well!

Looking closely, raising questions, searching for answers, and then looking again is a great way to capture children's attention and to learn and build content knowledge about the world. It also is a great bonding experience- learning about a topic together!

"Is that tree beginning to bud. I think I see a nest in the tree. Is that a bird's nest in the tree or is it for a squirrel? Will it have big green leaves?"

Maybe you will want to study to study how plants change in spring and summer or you will want to study how effective recycling is in your town. Maybe you have questions or just interests in your immediate vicinity. Show kids how to turn their world into sets of questions that they can eventually answer and research together. Revisit the photographs or come back and visit the same pond two weeks later. What has changed and what is the same?

Whatever it is, show kids the joy of first hand research! Show them the joy and necessity that we all have as communitty members to be inquisitive and informed!

Enjoy the studying. Enjoy the reads.

A Great Literary Event For the Whole Family To Enjoy

2010-04-19T16:19:00.002-04:00

April 24th and April 25th- The Los Angeles Times presents a Festival of Books.

I love a book festival. It is California's turn! Don't miss it! Lots of literary events for you and the kids! Enjoy readings and discussions. Buy some new great books too!
Enjoy the day and enjoy the books.

Host a Literary Party: Poetry Open Mic

2010-04-18T20:04:00.000-04:00

It's poetry month. Why not celebrate by hosting a literary party! What kind of literary party? Why not host an "Open Mic Night" at your house. Get a microphone (it could be from one of those toy karaoke machines) and gather up all your favorite poems. Invite your family and friends to your house. Ask them to bring their favorite poems. They may even want to bring one that they have written.

Invite the children and the adults, one by one, to get up on the microphone and read. Celebrate by snapping fingers. Have some paper and pens available, in case you and your friends are inspired to write. Provide some snacks and refreshments while you listen and are moved by the words you hear.

You may even decide to video tape it so that you cans end it to friends and family and everyone is able to watch and re-watch the special evening at home.

Celebrate poetry, celebrate the spoken and written word. Happy Poetry Month to You!

Celebrate Earth Day, All Week

2010-04-17T13:43:00.002-04:00

Earth day. Earth week. Earth month. Earth year. Earth life!

Poetry Smiles to You. Happy Poetry Month

2010-04-15T20:05:00.007-04:00

Happy Poetry Month. Paul is one of my favorite poets! I love the books he writes for children.

This book, The Place My Words Are Working For, is a lovely book that talks about poets and features a couple of each of their poems. Naomi Shihab Nye and Myra Cohen Livingston, are two of my favorites featured! Read this book with kids and talk about their lives as poets and writers. Kids can reflect on their writing lives too!

This poetry book was recommended by Paul on his website. It looks beautiful.

Read Paul's website!

Find the poets that inspire your Literary Family! Read them, find out about the poets' lives, and write a little together! Enjoy poetry month! Discover a new poem, discover a new poet.

Traveling with a PreTeen: Facebook, Don't Leave Home Without It

2010-04-14T10:20:00.005-04:00

Facebook is literacy too. So the other night, Auntie CC, her three nieces, AB and I snuggled up on the sofa. We got ready to watch a movie and eat popcorn all night! Cozy and comfy in our jamas, we all started to get settled into our evening's plan. Pre-Teenager A grabbed Auntie CC’s computer, as the rest of us were gathering up pillows to watch our film. Needless to say, in trying to orchestrate all of our needs, it took a bit of time. PTA didn’t want to waste her time- she was ready. She clicked on to Facebook in a heartbeat and narrated the rest of the evening online with 20 of her closest friends. Creating and reading status updates, IM-ing and sending emails are all part of a teenager's literacy life. Not only did PTA type the entire movie and then some, I think she was literally on FB for a four hours straight last night!

Facebook is literacy. There is a ton of literary potential inside of the social networking. Literacy is all about networking in social circles. You read and write with friends. At one point PTA asked, “What should I write about now on FB? What should we talk about?” What an opportunity not to be missed. Don't worry, I suggested a few topics for her and her friends!

Don’t be afraid of Facebook- engage with it, embrace it! Get to know it yourself so that when you talk to your pre-teens and teens you are “in” on the conversation!

Enjoy the text, enjoy the read.

Celebrate Every Family

2010-04-12T10:19:00.002-04:00

Books help to shape how you see yourself and others in the world. To many of us, reading books about kids and people from diverse backgrounds is important. We both want to create positive self images and to understand and grow positive images of others. Reading about families that look and sound like yours, help you to see yourself in the world. Reading about families that are different then your own, helps you to understand others in your communities!

My friends, in California, who adopted twin three year olds and who have a beautiful 2 year old girl, asked me about the library I am creating for my nephew. They wanted to know mostly about his books that celebrate a diversity of ethnicities and families. They wanted some good titles of books that feature kids of color.

My sister and I have tried to find books that not only celebrate diversity within a family- but that also celebrates diversity of what "makes up" a family!

For my nephew’s library I have collected a few books that help to highlight these things about our family values. I got him, Families by Susan Kuklin. This book is a series of photo essays of kids and their families at home. The kids are from diverse backgrounds and blended families.

Another favorite of my nephew is the book, Black is Brown is Tan, a poetry book by Arnold Adoff. Arnold is poet extraordinaire. He is married to Virginia Hamilton, another famous YA novelist. This poem is a celebration of their family. My nephew can listen to this book 3 times in a row! He has loved it ever since he was little.

We also have, What a Family by Rachel Isadora. My nephew likes to read this book and then we open up our photo albums of our family. We read them side by side and talk about everyone in our family.

More More More Said the Baby, by Vera B Williams, is another favorite of my nephew. He runs the house as if he is little guy and little pumpkin! He references the book often in his play and loves to be chased!

My nephew, ever since he was a baby, has loved loved Shades of Black! It is not a story, rather a list and beautiful set of photos of kids. He loves listening to the lyrical language and reading about kids! This was one of the first books he memorized!

Who’s Toes Are Those and Who’s Knees Are These, were two books he read repeatedly in daycare. We decided he needed them at home too! Brown Angels is one of my favorite poems, (made into a picture book), by Walter Dean Meyers.

Two of my nephew’s favorite picture books, that feature illustrations of kids of color are Looking For a Moose and Subway Anatasia Suen. When our friends had their baby, we got my nephew and their son, I'm Your Peanut Butter Big Brother, by Selina Alko.

Look for books that reflect your family’s heritage, family structure and values! Look for books that introduce your kids to other backgrounds, family structures and values! Open your lives to celebrating families of all kinds and you will open the world to your kids!

A List of More Books to Look Up and Add to Your Library!

Catching Up With facebook

2010-04-11T13:08:00.001-04:00

Some of you read us because you found us on the internet. Others of you read us because you found us on facebook or twitter. Whatever the case, here are some extra articles that we posted on facebook, in case you missed them. Feel free to become a fan of facebook, if you haven't already.

Articles, blogs, books about books to read
1. Vote here for your favorite books and authors!

2. Laurie Halse Anderson's website. We love her!

3. Eternal!

4. Great books to buy about and by Native Americans.

Articles about education and reading
1. We went to hear Bob Herbert and Vivian Paley speak about Early Childhood Education. Two fascinating people speaking up for what kids need.

2. The Case For Literature By Nancie Atwell

3. Even Preschoolers can read! Read Slate here.

4. Did you celebrate Nowr uz? Happy New Year!

5. Families reading together!

6. Did you celebrate World Book Day?!

6. Sara's family was written up in The Washington Post about their work in South Africa and the book drive!

Articles that are Photographs/Films
1. Photojournalism. Study photographs from the past.

Good Blogs to Read
1. A family that blogs. Here is their BLOG.

2. A wonderful blog about children literature. Read about poets and poems this month! Also, this blog featured The Literary Family!

3. A blog about reading with boys!

4. We love reading the Tiny Reader. These past two months she has posted activities, interviews and her own poetry!

5. Pat Cummings has a blog!

6. Melanie Hope Greenberg has a blog!

Reading Longer Books

2010-04-10T07:05:00.002-04:00

The other night, I got to put Little Sister L to sleep. She picked out her latest favorite, Ladybug Girl and Lilly's special day. I have always been amazed by LSL and her stamina in being able to listen to longer storybooks- ever since she was about 18 months. She enjoys the long picture books (and a couple in a row) and then needs to be "tucked" into bed with EVERY Maisy book. Just in case she wants to "read". Seriously. I know. It is the cutest thing ever.

Baby C (who isn't such a baby anymore)- loves to read early chapter books, like Poppleton and Henry and Mudge. We spend a good 20 minutes reading Poppleton, and studying the map and reading each of the three stories in the book.

My nephew this summer, when he was just 2, started listening to longer stories before nap time. Koala Lou became a big reading ritual. And then we would call each other by name and say the in famous line. He would wake up and find his mama and say, “Mama-lou, I do love you!” Longer books hook you into literary language, give you that sense of story structure and as we know increases your exposure to vocabulary.

Read longer books to kids of all ages. Watch and be amazed at their love for story. Push the limits! See what they can handle and enjoy!

Happy reading to You!

Happy Poetry Month!

2010-04-08T20:03:00.003-04:00

Traveling with a Pre-Teen #3: What Books Would You Pick Out?

2010-04-07T01:30:00.001-04:00

Auntie CC and I took the girls out on a literary extravaganza! We headed first to the Science Center here in Seattle and then over to Elliot Bay Bookstore in Pioneer Square. A wonderful bookstore that Mama J and Little Moon took me to the last time I was here in the Northwest!

I told you already on Facebook that I got for my nephew, a little souvenir! Where Do I Sleep? A Northwest Lullaby. This afternoon we skyped- while AB and Pre-Teenager A were texting and watching New Moon. Over the computer I read him his new book.

But the pre-teens? What did they pick? Well, the vampire genre of books were certainly calling. My Middle School Teacher Friend EZ suggested the series, The Hunger Game. PTA confirmed it was a great series, so AB got the first two books! She also looked through Shiver and we got that one too!

PTA was searching hard. She was trying to decide whether or not to read the Vampire Diaries or to go with books not linked to any series. She chose two really interesting choices! Wintergirls (by Laurie Halse Anderson who wrote the amazing book, Speak) and Ash.

In the middle of New Moon it was time to meet up with Little A, Little K, Auntie CC and Papa J for pizza. We paused the movie and on the way out they door they shouted, "Can we bring our books?" I guess they forgot for a split second who they were with!

"Bien sur!" I replied. "Grab 'em and let's go!"

Writing is the New Reading

2010-04-06T10:21:00.005-04:00

Auntie CC and I were having a great couple of days with the nieces and god kids! Before we went out on our next excursion, we had some time to kill. While Auntie CC and Teenager A were getting ready (Oh, how aunties love Spring Break) Little A and Little K were hanging out with AB and I.

Little K drew a portrait. I asked her, "Is that Auntie CC?" It was a portrait of a girl with long hair in a cute little red dress with heels. Little K said, “No. I don’t know who it is.”

I suggested to Little K, "You could make her a character! You could write a book or better yet a comic strip!" She loved the idea, but with trepidation. How was she going to write a comic strip? She never had done one before. "Isn’t that too hard?" she said me. Many 7 year olds would love the opportunity to write their own fiction. All they need is a little structure and some quick encouragement. I showed Little K how she could fold her pages, number her boxes, and where to draw and write her tale of the Lady in Red! She took off and began to write.

Little A, 3 years younger, in pre K, also wanted to make her stories. She quickly ran over to me and showed me her story, “The Vampire Girl and the Vampire Dog”.

“Wonderful!” I noted, “Now what about the words? How will we remember that is what it is?” Little A said that she would just tell everyone! I smiled. “I think you should write the words in case someone wants to read it and you are not here! Or you could give it to Auntie CC as a gift!”

“I want to give it to Auntie CC!”

“So, let’s write her some words,” I suggested.

She looked at me and said, “But I don’t know how to write it. Can you write it?”

I told her that she could and that Auntie CC would looooove it!”

I helped LA stretch out the first word. I said the word super slow so she could hear each sound and then she recorded the letter. LA has great letter/sound knowledge but lacks the confidence to do it on her own. For her second word she looked at me to do the same. This time I had her say each sound slowly. With hesitation she said the word slowly and then looked up at me and say, "G?" I confirmed with a slight nod and smile. She continued through and when she got to the end of the word, I gave her a high five and showed her how she did both on her own! Then she went on!

She made three stories before Auntie CC and PTA came back ready for our next trip. Little A and Little K showed their auntie their "hard" yet "fun" work they did on their own!

Writing is fun! We just need to encourage and remember that making books is just as fun as reading them! Have fun writing some books together!

Traveling With a Pre-Teen:Reading and Writing in Cafes

2010-04-05T10:15:00.003-04:00

For AB's thirteenth birthday this year, the two of us decided to fly across the country, to Seattle, to travel, site see, and read and write together! We started working on our itinerary in the airport so that we would know what we could expect to do each day- almost like a little list of hopeful accomplishments!

Each day we included looking for a new cafe so that we could read, her from her Kindle, me from my paperbacks. We also included each day sometime for AB to work on her writing and I could work on my blog.

AB loved the idea -both of sitting in cafes and reading and writing everyday. Luckily, here in Seattle, we have spectacular views, awesome natural world, fun activities, and a zillion cafes filled with other readers and writers.

We also planned a quick trip to Elliot Bay's Bookstore in Pioneer Square in Seattle. We are already running low on materials!

Happy reading and writing to you!

Happy Birthday Baby C. You Are 3!

2010-04-04T10:45:00.005-04:00

Happy Birthday Baby C! We love you muchisimo!

You are the sunshine of all of our lives!

Have a great birthday!

Perfect For a Toddler

2010-04-03T10:17:00.002-04:00

The day I left for Montreal, to go to my nephew’s birthday weekend extravaganza, I was talking with my friend- Auntie KB- about all the ways we were going to celebrate his birthday. “What an aunt you are! I need some suggestions for my 2 year old nephew!” Did I have some suggestions for her!

My nephew absolutely fell in love the Van Fleet Books. Dogs was his favorite but he had, Cats, Tails, Alphabet and The Fuzzy Yellow Ducklings! They have been a big hit with my nephew ever since he was a baby.

We also loved to capitalize on his love for the ABC's by getting many ABC books! One that we all especially love is, Creature ABC. Not only did it help to develop his letter recognition, phonemic awareness, but it also contributed to his knowledge of animal vocabulary.

There is this adorable interactive series called, Little Drivers. Both my nephew and Baby C have loved these books to death! Literally! They feature kids, of different ethnicity, driving the different kinds of vehicles. You can actually "put the driver" into the truck or airplane as you read! Different books feature different themes such as: emergency vehicles or transportation in cities.

Finally my last suggestions for toddlers is my nephew's latest favorite, Lost and Found by Olivers Jeffers. My friend, The Rocky Mountain Mama, introduced me to this series. Her two boys LOVE this author and have enjoy reading his different books. This has been my nephew's latest "go to" book to read on his own.

Hope this helps the gift giving and reading process! Happy reading to you all!

Sharon Creech: Dogs and Cats

2010-04-02T19:16:00.001-04:00

Love That Dog

Hate That Cat

Two novels, written in verse, with poetry embedded, about kids enjoying the writing process. Moving stories.

Happy Poetry Month.

Traveling with a Pre-Teen: AB and I Hit the Museum in Philly

2010-03-30T10:15:00.009-04:00

For AB's thirteenth birthday, I decided to take her to the week's vacation to Seattle and the San Juan Islands!

On our way to the west coast AB and I had a stop over in Philadelphia. We had one day to visit the city and had to make some decisions what to do! We went to the old city in Philly, down by Constitution Center, the African American Museum of

Philadelphia and the Liberty Bell. We toured around in the morning and after lunch we decided we wanted to go to the art museum as well.

Looking at art. What a great experience. We headed first to the impressionists. I had to call up all that remembered about looking at art. Ironically enough I depended mostly on my knowledge of art that I learned in the 7th grade, rather than my few art history courses I took in college. AB and looked the the technique of the artists, we looked at the art from different angles and distances, we thought about the dates and what was happening in history at the time the pieces were made, we compared pieces that were close by together and we even tried to tell the story of what was happening in some of the art. Discussing and debating the significances of the pieces and even hypothesizing about how and why the pieces were made helped the two of us engage in enjoying the art. Working on thinking about the art together helped us both spend more time observing, but also understanding that there are messages and beauty to revere in art. We walked through the exhibit, not as passive observers but as active readers.

We headed to the contemporary art to read those paintings and sculptures next. This part of art museums always present a challenge for me! We tried to engage in the same way with more abstract pieces of art and tried to think about what was this teaching us about the world. We saw a couple of Calder’s 3D sculptures and mobiles. We took pictures of some of our favorite pieces that we wanted to remember and think more about!

Then we headed to the Picasso exhibit! We got the audio tour- always a great idea- and found the commentary both interesting and enlightening. Not just about Picasso’s art but about the historical time in Paris around the period of cubism and bout other artists creating pieces of art in the same time. It gave us a ton to talk about on our way back to the airport.

Just before we left on our birthday week extravaganza- AB and my god son and I spent the a Saturday in the Metropolitan Museum of Art in NYC. We went with a particular focus- to find sculptures and artifacts about Greek mythology! You remember how my god son is obsessed with The Lightening Thief? Currently he is onto book 3. Well, he wanted to see for himself how these gods were depicted back in history. Of course there was immense curiosity planted in the book that references the museum as well. So we toured the MET with just that focus.

Whether you are experiencing a new city, visiting a particular exhibit, or following a literary text to the museum, viewing art and interacting with kids helps all of us to see more and read more in the text. Mary

Ehrenworth, a scholar and literacy expert at Teachers College Columbia University wrote a book, Looking to Write, that describes how teachers (and frankly families) can help kids see the literary potential in art.

Enjoy the arts! Enjoy the read!

The Birthday Extravangaza

2010-03-27T08:33:00.005-04:00

So you are wondering- how was the 3 year old's birthday? So much fun! It truly is amazing to see how my nephew has grown in just three short years. You hear all these statistics about intelligence and talking and the amount of words that some kids have by the time they enter kindergarten. Well, I can safely say, my nephew is in the 30,000,000 words category. Language is just exploding all around him!

On his birthday morning, we took him to the Imax movie at the science center in the old city of Montreal. There was film about the Space Station. My nephew sat through the whole film. Days later I could see what information stuck with him!

First of all, the count down and loud take off with the fire was the first thing he told his BFF, Toddler T, in daycare!

Then, as all the other kids were trying to put on their snowsuits (yes, it snows in March in Montreal), my nephew and Toddler T are laying in the middle of the hall on their bellies. "Don't lay down in the hall. Please sit up," called one of the teachers, en Francais. My nephew replied, "I'm not laying down. I am floating in space. I am an astronaut."

Then at home, when I got to babysit him one evening, my nephew gathered up a few things in his new "surfer's backpack" that Big Girl C and Baby E gave him for his birthday. "What are you going to do with the backpack," I asked. "It's not a backpack. It's my pack for space. I am putting on my suit to go walking and fixing our station. I need a few things." He gathered up his cell phone, so he could call his mama, he gathered up some blocks (that he said were apricots), and his little notebook I brought him with a pen. "What is your notebook for?" I inquired. "It's for you know... actually I need to make a list." He proceeded to make a list and then "called for help". "I need some equipment. Yeh and I need lots of things." He carefully made his list and then stuffed it into the pack!

What fun we had!

When it was time to go to bed, something that my nephew tries to avoid at all cost, he decided we would read! "Find a few books!" I told him. Well... he did. He brought over a stack of about 20 books. He turned to me and said, "Titi, first read all of these! Then I will do my doe-doe. (sleep in french)." I looked at the stack. I looked at nephew. I had to smile. What a clever boy! We snuggled up and read till he fell asleep. I Dream of Trains and Corduroy each got a couple of reads!

Enjoy your family! Enjoy the read.

All About Owls

2010-03-26T22:30:00.006-04:00

Have you seen the Owls? The mama owl and the papa owl, taking care of little babies in their nest? It is a web cam set up so you can see how they live. It is absolutely incredible. My friend M, who blogs on the green spotlight, posted it on her facebook page.

You should watch this with your own literary family- What do you see? What do you wonder? Why is this happening? What will happen next?

Keep checking in and witness these babies growing up!

Click here to watch the live cam of the owls.

What a wonderful way to inquire about the natural world together- it may even to reading more about Owls!

Enjoy the bird watching, enjoy the reads!

Celebrate Our Community

2010-03-20T16:59:00.003-04:00

WOMEN'S HISTORY MONTH CELEBRATION: Brooklyn Honors Local Artists and Literature - March 2010 Six Author-Illustrators, Three Bookstores and a Gallery. Celebrating Brooklyn's professional women who leave an historical record in the field of children's literature and the merchants who bring their books to the community.

...and Miss Brooklyn 2009, Keelie Sheridan, has recently joined the celebration. Miss Brooklyn 2009 will attend the opening reception for the art exhibition at Superfine.
http://missbrooklyn2009.blogspot.com/2010/01/looking-ahead-womens-history-month.html

ALL EVENTS ARE FREE
ALL EVENTS ARE CHILD FRIENDLY

Our upcoming events are blogged by Star Bright Books!
http://starbrightbooks.blogspot.com/2010/02/womens-history-month.html#comments

Online article by Barbara Ehrentreu
http://www.examiner.com/x-33746-NY-Literature-Examiner~y2010m2d15-Local-independent-bookstores-host-local-childrens-authors-in-March-for-Womens-History-Month?cid=email-this-article

* Mar. 21 Sun. 4-6pm P.S. BOOKSHOP Group Story Time with illustrator/authors SELINA ALKO, MIRIAM COHEN, PAT CUMMINGS, MELANIE HOPE GREENBERG, AILEEN LEIJTEN, and MEGHAN MCCARTHY.
LOCATION: 147A Front Street, Brooklyn, NY 11201 INFO: 718.222.3340

Mar. 27 Sat. 10:30am GREENLIGHT BOOKS presents PAT CUMMINGS
LOCATION: 686 Fulton Street, Brooklyn, NY 11217 INFO: 718.246.0200

More info:
http://mermaidsonparade.blogspot.com/2010/01/brooklyn-celebrates-its-author.html
http://pat-cummings.blogspot.com/
http://selinaalko.blogspot.com/2010/02/pencil-in-march-events.html
http://aileenleijten.blogspot.com/2010/02/womens-history-month-book-events.html

Literary Event in Brooklyn Next Week! Check it Out!

2010-03-20T11:49:00.002-04:00

Word Bookstore Event in Brooklyn

Sat. March 27, 3:00 PM: Launch party for FLYING LESSONS, a new picture book from local author/illustrator Gilbert Ford. They’ll serve lemonade for the kids and make paper airplanes! Bring the entire family for an afternoon of fun and an event for kids of ALL ages!

Sounds like fun!

Happy Spring!

2010-03-20T07:42:00.001-04:00

Spring is here! Little Boy J and I yesterday were walking in the village, running some last minute errands for my nephew's birthday.

As we were walking down the streets, LBJ and I were looking for signs of spring. We saw the trees. On the branches and limbs were little green buds, beginning to burst!

We searched for robins. We didn't see any.

Take a walk this weekend. Look for signs of spring!

Enjoy the day, season, and reading the world!

Birthday Wishes

2010-03-19T14:24:00.002-04:00

My nephew and I were skyping the other day together. He told me that for his birthday he would like, a boat cake, a train cake, a bus cake, and truck cake... and a book cake. He also told me he wanted, Corduroy. It is the third time he has asked for it! Good thing his Super-Uper- Babysitter got him it for his birthday! Way to go SUB! He's gonna love, love it! I love a boy who knows what he wants. One week away!!!!!!!!!!!

Jerry Spinelli: Talks to Teachers

2010-03-18T14:32:00.001-04:00

Jerry Spinelli will be giving the keynote address at Columbia University Teachers College Saturday 20, 2010- A day of free workshops for teachers.

What a prolific writer! He has written many of my favorite novels for children- Star Girl, Maniac McGee, and Crash.

If you have friends or families in 3rd-6th grade--- check out his books!

Car Literacy: What is it? How do I get it?

2010-03-17T19:14:00.003-04:00

If you have a car, or an ipod device you too can have, "Car Literacy". Listening to the radio, stories, poems and music are all ways to build up your listening, literary life. When I was younger, we used to take long car trips from Michigan to the Atlantic Ocean each summer. Needless to say that is a long time for any family to spend together in a car. My parents though loaded up the tape cassette box, full of mostly music. This is how I became an aficionado of John Denver. It was also my way into loving and appreciating musicals like, Oklahoma, My Fair Lady, Cats, and a Chorus Line. When I went to visit my parents a couple of winters ago in Florida, I knew we would be spending loads of time in the car- traveling between here and there. Mom and checked out of the library a few books on tapes of David Sedaris. It was a a fun way to enjoy stories, each other, and bare the endless time in cars.

Why not for your daily drive or even a long road trip, stock up not only on songs and musicals, but why not a novel or two. Take James and Giant Peach, Alice in Wonderland, or Caps for Sale along with you to soccer practice, the farmers market or on your way to grandma' s house. Take them in a car, on a plane or the subway. You can get the CDs or download onto your ipods devices. Enrich your listening life and driving experience.

Enjoy the reads!

Women in History: A Great Time to Read Biographies

2010-03-15T08:30:00.008-04:00

Pam Munoz Ryan is a wonderful writer. Her novels are absolutely engaging, historical and an absolute pleasure to read. She is also a prolific biographer. If you want to celebrate women this month- celebrate the author, PMR and her body of work that celebrates women and life!

Another fun set of Biographies are those that are written as anthologies. Amelia to Zora

is a favorite as well as People Who Tell The Truth. Both feature amazing people who have helped to change and shape the world.

Reading these books hopefully will lead to more questions and more books. Hopefully also they will help spark you and your loved ones to think and reflect about your own lives and community you live in!

Text Sets: Fiction and Non Fiction

2010-03-13T22:40:00.005-05:00

What would be a great topic to pair together two different genres- to read about and enjoy?

Snow! Yes, we have had our bit of snow in the Northeast this year. But kids love snow. We love to play in it and we love learn about it. What an interesting phenomenon that happens in some parts of the world!

Lester Laminack has a fun, fiction book about snow called, Snow Day.

The Story of Snow: The Science of Winter's Wonder by Mark Cassino is a wonderful non fiction book that helps engage the reader in the explanation and exploration of snow.

Pick a topic to explore- gather up your fiction and non fiction texts to explore, enjoy and engage the readers in your life in the mysteries and wonderment about the world! Kids have different entry points into reading and feeling connected to topics. Sometimes they find it through fiction and sometimes non fiction. Why not help them make the connection and read both!

Enjoy!

Read stories again and again looking for the facts!

2010-03-13T08:27:00.006-05:00

In many of the fiction stories we read with kids, there are facts buried inside. Many writers do extensive research on their topics as they write stories to reach our hearts. Read books like, Stellaluna, Swimmy, and Henry and Mudge and The Cold Shivers. Question each other and the stories and ask, "What in this book could really be true?" Do some research on your own. Seek and find the answers.

See what in the book is fact and what is fiction.

Some books will include an epilogue or an introduction that describes the non fiction information in the text. Read all the parts of the book. Learn about the world in fiction as well as non fiction. Question the stories and see where those questions lead you.

Host a Literary Party: Start a Book Club with Friends and Family

2010-03-12T17:25:00.007-05:00

What is a Literary Party? A LP is one that involves the written and/or spoken word. It is a gathering of friends to enjoy each other and share texts with one another. It is to be awe and fall in love with words!

One Literary Party that you can throw with your friends and family is a Book Club Party. You can get together with families and friends who have

kids who enjoy to read similar books. Choose a book, read it with your kids and then meet at some one's house. Bring a collection of snacks, pick parts of the book to read aloud and choose some ideas to share with friends.

A nice mixture of kids and adults helps everyone see the beauty and power of books. Maybe the discussion lasts 30 minutes, maybe only 10minutes. Then celebrate the read by eating and mingling.

For babies, you may decide to each bring a board book to the party! You can spend the time reading all the different books with your babies! Let them roam and crawl and explore different favorite books! This could be a way for everyone to share the wide variety of texts that are out there.

Invite your friends and their families! Snack, read, talk and enjoy!

The Ethicist

2010-03-11T22:34:00.003-05:00

I was visiting Mommy Mentor S, Mentor Daddy R , and Little Boy J out at Grandma’s L’s house at the beach a couple of years ago. We had such a wonderful time together, sipping coffee at the beach while LBJ played in the sand and in the afternoon reading magazines and watching LBJ and Cousin M splash about in the pool. The part for me though, that was most memorable, was Sunday brunch. The the entire family gathered around the table reading and discussing the Ethicist, from the NYTimes. This was a family ritual on Sundays. MMS or MDR would read the first letter to the Ethicist in the NYT out loud. They weren’t allowed to read ahead to the response, but instead, put down the NYT magazine and asked- “What would you do? What would you say? What is the ethical thing to do?”

Everyone, including Cousin M and even sometimes LBJ (2 or 3 years old at the time) would join in and discuss what they think should be done.

You know me, I love a reading ritual. I also love the challenge of reading and reacting and discussing with others ideas that shape and form who we are. Having the adults as mentors, the kids are honored to be included and yet, get a window into how to think and react to the world.

Interview With a 4 Year Old Boy

2010-03-10T10:51:00.004-05:00

Tell me some of your favorite books...

I like all the books in the world.

I like the Llama Llama books.

I like the Big No - No and Stinky.

I like Swim, Little Wombat, Swim because I like the platypus and the wombat. They are friends.

Who do you like to read with?

Daddy and Mommy and My Sister!

When do you like to read?

In the morning and at night.

What do you like about reading at school?

My teacher reads like The Peace Book to us. I have it home too.

Texting Titi

2010-03-09T19:14:00.003-05:00

My nephew was down in Florida with Nana and Papa for the Pisces' birthdays. I was stuck in several storms up north! I got a text from Nana, thanking me for her birthday gift (chocolates- of which my nephew I think ate most). In honor of her birthday, I sent my nephew a book, Joseph Had a Little Overcoat. He wanted to thank me too. So he "texted" me as well.

" Rrrrrrsrsrsrsgsgghsjwwxtsjwy."

I think it means, Thank you Titi, I love you and miss you.

What a sweetie! My technologically savvy sweetie pie.

Encourage Kids to Write at Home: Get the Right Stationary

2010-03-08T22:33:00.004-05:00

This weekend, Little Moon, Mama J and I were hanging out in the International District in Seattle together. As we picked up a tea to walk around the neighborhood, we decided to go to my favorite kind of store- a bookstore. We went to Kinokuniya a gigantic Japanese Bookstore filled with books and videos In Japanese, Chinese, Korean, and English.

They have a big Japanese Children’s Literature section, filled also with puzzles! They have a nice section of books in English too, filled with books by Grace Lin, Oliver Chin, Yumi Heo and more.

They have a beautiful stationary section at the front of the store- what a heaven! We shopped for notebooks and pens for an hour! So I picked up a couple of things for my nephew’s birthday! Why not get a couple of little notebooks for his 3 year old birthday. He can work on drawing and ‘writing’ in side of them- just like his Titi. I got us matching ones. As I support his library and reading development- I shouldn’t ignore his writing development either. Writing is another beginning step towards literacy!

Luckily his ‘surfers backpack’ has side pockets- just the right size for a couple of notebooks! Just 3 weeks away!

Happy reading and writing to you!

Read the World with Babies

2010-03-07T11:17:00.003-05:00

When Brand New Baby S was born, I couldn't resist getting him, To Be a Kid! I love books for babies that have babies and kids from all of the globe. Celebrating the diversity and beauty in our world- yet celebrating the common links we have as children and people in the world.

Another favorite gift I like to get for people is Mem Fox's book, Whoever You Are. That is another wonderful celebration of childhood and understanding one another.

At my nephew's daycare, each birthday one of his fellow classmates have, my sister and I get a book for the daycare to celebrate their day! I bought, One World, One Day for them. A beautiful book of photographs form National Geographic, documenting a day in the life of kids all over the world.

When I was growing up, I remember reading, People by Peter Spier.

Celebrate the world! Celebrate life! Enjoy the reads.

In Honor of Women's History Month

2010-03-06T04:47:00.001-05:00

Celebrate Women Who Tell the Truth- Celebrate people who tell the truth! Here is a great collection of little biographies and quotes from famous people in history and today who made and are making a difference in the world.

Start an inquiry at home around some of the people. Find out all about their life's work!

Signing Your Way Through Books

2010-03-05T04:47:00.001-05:00

Ever since Little Sister L was a baby, Mentor Mommy S and Mentor Daddy R, would read with her using all their gestures and words to convey what was happening in books. Like many young babies, LSL learned how to make some early signs as she was growing up, so that she could tell people that she was hungry, thirsty, sorry, or wanted more. When LSL would read books pretty early on, she would "act" her books out as her mommy and daddy read to her. Like in "I Like It When", a book all about the different things people can do together, on each page LSL will show you what is happening.

This is a way for young children to engage in their books and make sense of what is happening. Another favorite she had as a pre- toddler was the Do's and Don'ts book! That is fun to act out too!

You and the kids in your life can become actors! Enjoy the stage. Enjoy the read.

Reading Journeys

2010-03-04T08:12:00.002-05:00

I have been reading the blog- La Bloga! This is a post about Rene Colato Lainez's new book for children. He is children book author writing about his life stories in Spanish and English. This is not his first book. He has many good ones to check out. In My Shoes is the story about how he came and traveled to the United States form El Salvador.

Julia Alvarez also has a story about families who travel between countries in order to provide for their families.

Julia explains why and how she got the idea and decided to write this story. We are an ever-connected world. We need to find ways to understand the lives of others to help us understand ourselves and how to make the world better for all. This novel pushes you to question and wonder and to challenge norms. I think I am going to give this book to AB for birthday in April!

Enjoy the read and rich conversations with the kids in your life!

Power of Reading Aloud

2010-03-03T09:11:00.004-05:00

Ever since I was a little girl, I have enjoyed being read to! Even today, driving in the car, I still choose specially selected books and authors to download onto my ipod to play in the car. I love listening to books. My dad used to read me to each night. He would read picture books and chapter books to me. I remember he used to read, Green Eggs and Ham. He would read the book and then he would reread the book, with his own adaptation. He would twist and turn the words and make me laugh out loud. I think he created a version about, Sam the mobster out of the classic Seuss book.

Even as I got older, in Middle School, I remember enjoying being read to in school. My 6th grade teacher read to us the series, All Creatures Great and Small. I remember being on the edge of my seat and enjoying the drama of learning about small town veterinarian life.

Help grow the little readers in your life, pick your favorite books and Read Aloud to them!

Interview with a Second Grader

2010-03-02T15:48:00.002-05:00

What are your favorite books?

I really like Jessie's Island. I like the Spiderwick Chronicles, Just Grace and The World Atlas.

How do you decide on a book to read?

I do the five finger rule to test. I read the binding of the book to see who the author is. I look for the last name of certain authors.

Who do you like to read with?

I don't read with many people. I mostly read by myself.

What is important for little kids to know about reading?

To ask people for help if they need it. They should board books, like ones about there favorite subjects- like trains or planes.

What music do you like to listen and sing to?

Dan Zanes. I have known him for a awhile and been listening to him for awhile.

Why is it important to learn how to read?

There are signs and stuff you need to know later in life.

What are your favorite websites? Factmonster.com and pbskidsgo.org.

What are your favorite magazines to read?

I like My Big Backyard, Ranger Rick and National Geographic For Kids.

Who are your favorite artists and why?

1. Georges Seurat because we did a project on him for art. I like the Sunday Afternoon on the Island of la Grande Jatte.

2. Vincent Van Gogh because he painted somethings in nature, like Starry Night.

3. Jackson Pollock because he was messy!

Lots of Literary Events This Week

2010-03-01T09:10:00.004-05:00

Read Across America, Tuesday, March 2nd - This is a national reading event to encourage kids/people to read. Tips and suggestions

You and your Literary Family can think of your own special way to celebrate reading- either in school or at home in your community! Spread the love of reading.

World Read Aloud Day- This is a World Reading Event to encourage all of us to read aloud to one another! To listen to the written word. Reading Aloud is so important to a child's reading development. It is also a wonderful bonding experience! Take some time on Wednesday to remember that. Pick out a zillion books from your library and read aloud for an hour! All of your favorites.

Make this a special reading week. Find a way to celebrate Literacy as a family. Share your passion for reading with others. Make it into a yearly ritual!

Articles I Posted For You In February on Facebook That You Might Have Missed

2010-02-28T07:46:00.000-05:00

You can Become a Fan of The Literary Family on Facebook!

Please join! I have been posting articles on the fan page that I have read this month. I didn't have a chance to include them all on the blog. Here they are below.

American Indian Children's Literarture Blog:

Do All Indians Live In Tipis?

Book Court Bookstore in Cobble Hill Brooklyn:

Awards in Children Literature.

It's also very exciting that Grace Lin and Julia Alvarez both won awards this year.

Joy Harjo wrote about another novel that has won critical acclaim in Children's Literature.

Between The Deep Sea and Me Book Award

Mosaic Magazine- Is a wonderful literary magazine for young adults! I am so glad I found this. It is written for educators.

Reading Reptile Bookstore- Is a great bookstore in Kansas City Kansas. It has really become a national hub for attracting authors to and give readings for kids. The website is fun for all to visit.

Preschool Issues NYtimes- The NYTimes has been publishing some good articles on education. In the face of changing no child left behind- there is a chance that educational policies could improve.

Playing to Learn Op/Ed NYTimes- But we are mostly hoping for more rigor and less testing!

Both of these education articles suggest we should consider educating versus test them.

Songs about Peace and Love!
Read about great songs for you and children to listen to. Beth has a wonderful blog you should follow her too!

I hope you decide to officially "Follow" the blog here on Blogger. Just click on the button on the right side of the screen. "Follow". Join the other 9 people and the blog will automatically be sent to you!

Thanks for all your reading and feedback! Can't wait to read your comments this month!

I Love Kadir Nelson

2010-02-27T08:27:00.000-05:00

Kadir Nelson

Kadir Nelson is, hands down, my favorite children book illustrator. In fact, the illustrations alone persuade me to open a text and read the print inside! I love the way he captures the details of people, truly bringing out their distinct beauty. My nephew has Please Baby Please and Please Puppy Please! Two wonderful picture books by Spike Lee and his wife, Tonya Lewis Lee for babies and toddlers. Please Baby Please was Auntie ME’s niece’s first book that she could ‘read’ on her own. The kids in those books are so captivating.

I bought, He's Got the Whole World In His Hands for my god son on his first communion! When I was younger it was one of my favorite songs to sing! That little boy in the book I swear is the spitting image of my god son. We all had so much fun singing and reading and admiring the pictures in that book together!

AB and I over the years enjoyed: Thunder Rose, Hewitt Anderson’s Great Big Life, Dancing in the Wings and Brothers of the Knight! All wonderful picture books with great authors like Jerdine Nolen and Debbie Allen. Yes, Debbie Allen from the original movie and tv show, Fame.

He also illustrates for biographies such as, Mama Miti (another biography about Wangari Maathai), Testing the Ice (The story of Jackie Robinson), and Coretta Scott (Ntozake Shange's poem of civil rights leader).

His work is vast and filled with variety. His images help to tell the story and enjoy the content that we are learning. If you don’t own or haven’t read and fallen in love with one of his picture books- go immediately to your local bookstore, library or search online! His art is absolutely to die for and inspires us to enjoy the details of life!

Telling and Recording Stories

2010-02-26T17:26:00.001-05:00

When Little Boy J was just a toddler, I remember Mentor Mommy S telling him stories about when he was a little baby. She told him stories over and over again. LBJ had his favorites that he would request to hear retold again. There was the story about the time he was at Cousin M's house, or the time Grandma L came over and rubbed his back till he fell asleep. They were told with elaborate detail. LBJ could even "chime" in as his mom told the story. He could add in what was going to happen next. It was as if she was reading him a beautiful picture book- except this story had no written text. Family stories, what a wonderful way to celebrate your lives together. Tell and retell your favorite family moments! Make them into a big beautiful tale.

Well, I wanted to do the same for my nephew. I dreamed of doing the same with him. I didn't know quite when to start. So I started at birth! Telling him and singing to him, our family stories together.

I remember when my nephew told his first story. I couldn't believe it! We were at his home, reading 100 animals. He was, maybe, 16 months. We were naming all the animals he knew. When we came upon the worm, my nephew stopped and looked at me and pointed to the worm again. He said to me, "Worm! Worm!" I looked back at him and said, "Yes, that is a worm." He repeated with a serious look (like I had not understood him), "Worm! Worm!" he exclaimed to me. I wasn't sure about the fascination, so I looked at him and said again, "Yes, that is a worm."

He quickly held out his hand as if he was giving something to me, "Titi. Titi. Worm. Worm. Me. Ehhhhhh! Ehhhhh! Worm. Worm. Titi. Me. Ehhhhh! No!"

A family story was born! It was the story about the time I took my nephew to the park and we found a worm.

It was wet, because it just had rained. We were digging in the sand together and all of a sudden, I found a worm! I picked it up and called my nephew over to see it! I held it in my hand and said, "Do you want to hold the worm?" My nephew crinkled up his eyes and nose and turned his head away and said, "Ewwwwwwwwwwww". He was nervous. He didn't want to hold it. I tried to show him how gentle it was and maybe he would like to touch it. I held my hand out close to him and he turned away in shyness. I slipped the worm back into the earth and the two of us said good bye to the worm.

This became one of our favorite family stories. We retold it many times. On family vacations, I picked out moments, like being startled by the loud cruise ship just below Nana's and Papa's apartment, seeing the pelican on our walk with Nana along the river, taking the train at Bush Gardens and Titi being scared of the Rhino, or taking the trolley and getting to ring the bell. We told and retold these stories. My nephew has his own family favorites. I decided to make him a book with 10 of our favorite stories from our vacation in Florida that we retold a million times. I drew pictures, took photographs from the trip and put them into a Moleskin sketch notebook. I did this for 3 family vacations we all took together. This way he can at anytime, read our stories!

When I go up and visit him now, sometimes he wants me to tell the "Train Story" or "The First Time He Ate a Popsicle Story"and sometimes we read his "Memory Books"! Now he can join in and tell them.

' "Don't be nervous, " Nana said!'

It is truly adorable. What is even more impressive now is his storytelling capability of ones that we have never told. He can spin a story and captivate you, using dialog and feelings throughout his story! I like to think that Titi had some influence!

Tell your family and friends stories! Tell and retell them over and over again like a beautiful piece of literature! You may even decide to capture your favorite ones in writing!

Interview of a Middle School Girl- Pre- Teen

2010-02-25T16:47:00.003-05:00

What are you currently reading?

Eclipse.

What do you think so far?

I love it because it is very detailed and I can really see it in my head. I read the other books in her series. This one is the best. It explains the different stories and how they became vampires.

Why do you like to read?

It takes me to a different place, a different world. If you just want to get away, get away from the normal world and just think about something different- then reading is a good way to that.

How do you pick which books to read?

People recommend to me. My dad or other friends mostly recommend to me the books I read.

What do you want your reading life to be like as an adult?

I want to read as many books as now or twice as much. I want to inspire my kids to read a lot.

Why you think you read?

I just kind of grew in to books. Its like they were always around me.

What are your favorite genres?

Fantasy.

What do younger kids need to know about reading?

They need to find a good genre that they like when they are young. Then they can branch out into other themes.

What about kids who don't like books?

Read the books at school and just free read on your own time. Make time. Take out all other unnecessary activity like tv or just read in the car.

Auntie Creates Her Own Tradition

2010-02-24T08:28:00.002-05:00

Photo By Daniel Galan

When my friends P and A had their first daughter, AB, I decided to start a tradition that has lasted for 13 years- Upon each visit to see her, I would bring her a new book, with an inscription and signature from her "Titi" (Spanish diminutive for Tia). I carried this tradition with M and A and my nephew as well.

One of the things that happened was that a ritual and a new library was born. AB would be waiting at the door, anticipating my arrival. She would walk me into the kitchen, hovering near my bags to see what new treasure I had brought her. My nephew when he is reading his books with his mama will say, "Titi buyed me this?" or "This is from Titi!" or "I want to read Titi's book that she gave me". M would always insist upon reading the inscription first. Even as early as one years old she could find the books I gave her. She would look for the heart that I signed with my name, point to it and call my name. I became part of the conversation when I wasn't there.

M, AB, their siblings, and yes, my almost 3 year old nephew, all LOVE to read. They love to read and choose to read, on their own, for long extended periods of time. How wonderful- especially in this video-mania, wii-frenzy world we live in.

While I know that I am an 'Over the Top Tia- Auntie', it has been fun to find ways to connect the kids in my life and to grow a common love of books with them at such a young age. Bringing books instead of a bottle of wine (or maybe sometimes in addition) to dinner parties or picnics- can win the hearts of those you love! Be sure to sign them. Write a little brief note. They will love to reread those notes over and over!

Story of the Day

2010-02-23T07:16:00.002-05:00

I was over at Baby C's house playing! We were playing- construction together! Dramatic play is the first step towards reading. After we played it was time for his Pojos. We got ready for bed and we read a classic by Mercer Mayer, There is a Nightmare In My Closet. After I read it, Baby C took hold of the book and started his own reading. He read it back, nearly close to verbatim! It was incredible. This is another step towards reading as well.

Auntie ME then told Baby C that it was time for, The Story of the Day. They went off to Baby C's room and snuggled close together on the rocking chair. Baby C began to recount his day, starting from when he woke up!

What a beautiful thing they added to their bedtime routine. Remembering all the wonderful things that happened during the day when they were apart and when they were together.

Go Out and Find the Literary Events Near You

2010-02-22T13:33:00.001-05:00

I love to attend literary events in NYC. I like to go to book readings, lectures, and book club conversations. I enjoy concerts, speeches, and theater as well! Guess what? So do kids!

This past fall, Brooklyn had their annual Book Festival! There were three tents just designed just for kids. They had authors reading to toddlers as well as to high school students. They had book signings where you could to meet the author. There were zillions of booths of book sellers selling their newest and hip-est books! We met Kate Dicamilio, we found a new favorite author Coe Booth and even caught the tail end of Mo Willems! If you get to go one, don't miss it. Washington DC hosted the National Book Festival. Miami had a wonderful international book festival this year as well. Denver's book festival is coming up!

Local libraries and bookshops often host a story hour for different ages. I remember that Big Girl C and Baby E are such regulars at their library they have friends they have met there and know the librarians by name. After story hour- the two of them come home with 10 new books- to keep until the next book reading.

Some bookshops host poetry readings for kids to read their favorite poems- either published or self made. Some have events like, puppet shows, literary craft activities, or 'Literary Love-Ins'.

My first kid concert was quite an event, I saw Dan Zanes with M and A. His music draws upon different languages and cultures as well as nursery rhymes and American folk music.

Auntie ME took her niece, 6 years old, to her first musical. A musical that they had been watching and listening to at home! Seeing it live on stage brought about the whole literary experience and love for theater.

Find events in your neighborhood or city where you can celebrate reading and writing!

Get Ready For Your Trip

2010-02-21T08:21:00.007-05:00

Auntie ME, Uncle B, and Baby C, just got back from Paris! Once a year they travel as family to France. Auntie ME has work, and Uncle B and Baby C just play all day!

Before their trip, though, Baby C had been reading up for his third trip across the Atlantic. He had a couple of non-fiction books like, Amazing Buildings that he read with his mom and dad. He also had a couple of fiction books like, Adele and Simon. Guess where they visit? Paris! Reading each of these books, made a nice little text set for Baby C! Learning and remembering all about different places and things that he would see once again on their trip. Both types of books, fiction and non fiction, provide a rich experience. He can as well, retell and read both types of books to you!

What a nice way to get ready for travel- wherever you go- whether it be another country or city- the zoo or a museum.

Study up! Read up! Get yourselves already to explore. When you come home, you'll be able to talk and remember some beautiful family memories.

Snuggled Up With Warriors!

2010-02-20T17:47:00.005-05:00

M and I spent the afternoon, snuggled up on the sofa! She has another book report in a couple of weeks- due. Apparently she will make a presentation about her next book. M is just starting the series, Warriors. She loves it! She says there is a lot of action! She is not the only girl that I know who loves this series. JP- my nephew's 4th grade friend- loves it as well. It is one of those series that both boys and girls really love to read. ACTION! Kids like action. Erin Hunter really helps her readers get that moving picture going in their mind.

I got my book out and M got the blanket and we started reading. We both decided to set two goals- one for how long and the other how many chapters. We decided we would try for one hour and get through 3 chapters.

Setting goals to pace your reading and setting aside time to read with your family and friends help you get through longer books. Curling up with your book alongside the kids in your life, not only models good reading behaviors but it helps you as well get some quiet reading done as well.

Get your blankets and pillows. Shut off your ipods and television! Snuggle up with your little readers, set some goals and read!

Enjoy your weekend.