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

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!"

Perfect For a Toddler

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!

Birthday Wishes

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!!!!!!!!!!!

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

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!

Interview With a 4 Year Old Boy

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.

Interview with a Second Grader

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!

Interview of a Middle School Girl- Pre- Teen

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.

Snuggled Up With Warriors!

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.

Whatever It Takes To Help You To Read!

Little Boy J, from birth loved to be read to! He loved to snuggle on the couch in the living room or in his big red reading chair in his room. He loved just listening to words pour over him. Both MMS and Mentor Dad R, dramatized reading for him. Their voices adn gestures and facial expressions, kept LBJ entertained and engaged. Who wouldn't love to crawl up next to a book with them?

When LBJ started to understand what words and letters and sounds were, we all tried to get him to read everything and anything. But LBJ just wanted to listen to books. Reading was hard. It was work. To him, reading was when someone else read to you, creating a movie in your mind to listen to and watch. When he tried to read, the whole image of reading and experience changed.

MMS and MDR of course thought and thought about what to do! MMS tried every book out to see what he was interested in and could read. Turned out there were these low level comic books. Li

ttle Boy J ate them up! He started reading them and it was hard to get him to stop. MMS will admit it was hard to let him into those books, books with endless superheros, not necessarily deep passionate messages. For LBJ though, this was another entry point into his reading life. It will not be a definitive one.

Last night, B and were at Greenlight Bookstore in Brooklyn for a reading. B was looking for some comic books to share with young readers in school, from Toon Books. When we asked, the woman in the store told us all about how Art Spiegleman and his wife, Francoise Mouly are behind the project.

Art Spiegleman who wrote Maus (which I read in an history class in college) and his wife, Francoise Mouly, the art director of the New Yorker, found the same to be true in their home. Their kids learned to read through comics. The two of them have gotten behind Toon Books, such as: Stinky, Benny and Penny, and Luke. They want to help publish low level comic books.

These books help to bring in other readers to our Grand Literary Family!

Enjoy the Read!

Post other graphic books that you have found that kids love, here!

Interview of a 4th grade boy

What are you currently reading?

I am reading Somewhere in the Darkness, By Walter Dean Myers

What do you think of it so far?

So far, it is good.

Why are you reading it?

My dad recommended it.

What do you mostly like to read about?

I don't have a topic.

How do you choose books?
I just take recommendations from people.

Why do you like to read books?

That is a tough question. I think because everyone in my family likes to read books.

What is the best book that you read lately?

The Lightening Thief

Who do you share your ideas with about books?

My dad.

Do you like to watch the movie first and then read the book or ...?

No! No! definitely the book first! You learn more.

What is your favorite genre?

I like all genres! My top three are realistic fiction, mythology and fantasy, and information books.

What kind of advice would you give to little kids about reading?

Always ask your friends who they like to read. See if they have recommendations. If you don't like a book, don't bother reading it (unless its for school) and if you like it- finish it to the end.

Reading Maps- Is Fun and a Skill

Yesterday, Mama J and Little Moon and I went down the street to pick up two of their neighbors! We were headed to Deception Pass. We picked up M, a 7th grader and R, a fifth grader. Mama J works with M at the Middle School in town. She works with kids whose parent are Migrant Workers- mostly Mixteco families from Oaxaca Mexico. During the school year M is a typical 7th grader- but in the summer she will join the family in the fields of WA to pick fruit to help contribute to income of her family.

As we started the drive into the mountains- Mama J said to the girls in the backseat- "I am going to need help on the drive and want you to follow along in the atlas where we are going. That way you know where we are and where we are headed. You will also be able to tell others where you went and if you want to come back you will have a sense of how to get here."

M said, "But I don't know how to read a map."

Mama J, "That's why we will practice! It will be fun!"

What a great idea. Reading maps with kids, as we drive in our cars, take our trains and buses, let's them into a whole new world and terrain of reading. The whole drive to Deception Pass and home, M and R read the map and found all the highways, state parks, lakes, peaks and towns that we passed through! By the end we were giving each other quizzes to remember where we had been and where it was on the atlas!

Since I was in the "interviewing mode" I thought I would find out what was going on in their reading lives! "What do you guys like to read?"

M told me, "I like the Twilight Series. I also read the The Lightening Thief." We started swapping titles to test to see if the other had read it. R told me, "I don't like to read. It's too hard." Well that was the call! We all decided to try and find what kinds of books R would like! We headed to the bookstore to explore different options- authors, genres and topics!

We came away with two books, Grace Lin's new book, Where the Mountains Meet the Moon and Ann Martin's book, A Dog's Life.

When driving in the car ride home, I asked, "M, when did reading become something that you loved?" M responded, "After I read Twilight. I just loved it. And then I just wanted to read more. Before I didn't like reading like R. I didn't like what I had to read and I didn't know it could be so much fun. I am almost done with all the books. My sister is reading them too, in Spanish. I think after I finish my books, I might want to read R's books too!" Twilight, I thought, should win a medal for inspiring kids to read!

I asked R, "So what are you thinking now about reading?" R responded with a smile on her face, "I can't wait to read the one about China first! I think I am going to really like them." "Don't worry," said M, "I'll tell you how she does!" "I'm not worried," I said.

We dropped them back off to their home. Watched them run up the stairs to find their family! Traveling with books, maps and atlases are a great time to have and an important skill to develop as well. Using them on a short or a long trip to help navigate, orient you to your world, and hold onto memories to tell and explain to others, will help widen their reading world! Sharing reading with your neighbors and talking about your reading life and theirs can help widen your own literary family. Open your arms and see how far they can reach!

Happy travels and reading to you!