Spectacular Southwest

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

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.

A New Series to Read

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!

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!"

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.

Power of Reading Aloud

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

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!

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.

Picture Books That Kids Are Loving at School and Home

Mama J, Little Moon, and I were in Seattle at The Secret Garden Bookstore. We were in the section that had lots of picture books and board books for kids to pick up and browse on their own. There was even a little table for kids to sit around as they were reading. A little boy, about 4 years old, was there with his mom. He ran up to her, book in hand, and shouted, "We have this book at home! We have this book! I love this book." His mom looked at him holding a paperback copy of "Caps For Sale".

"No, we don't have that book. Maybe you do in school." She moved on to a new section of the store and continued browsing for 'other' books. My heart dropped a little and I thought about the power of connecting books read at school and at home. Building kids' love of books between the two spaces and locations, help kids to understand how we all can be connected through books.

Here are a few picture books your kids might be reading in school that you would like to have at home or books that you would like to give as a gift to your school. Teachers love gifts of books!

Wednesday Kirwan has a new picture book series about an adorable little Boston Terrier named Minerva. She is quite mischievous and fiercely independent. It is a nice companion text with Julius Baby of the World, Peter's Chair, and Noisy Nora.

My friend Cheryl, a principal in the Bronx, said that her kids and teachers are loving the book, "Let's Get A Pup!" said Kate. This book not only shows the love and responsibility for taking care of a pet but also addresses the issue of rescuing animals. Compassion is at the heart of this book. It is also carefully crafted and is a nice exemplar of how to write a story.

Another beautifully

crafted story, told in the first person, is Mama's Saris. It is a story about a young girl and her desire to not only wear a sari for the first time, but to have her mother recognize how much she has grown.

Two more wonderful picture books wildly popular in school: Fly Guy and Too Many Toys.

Fly Guy is a hilarious series about a boy and his pet fly! In each book the two of them get into trouble. Fly Guy (a superhero-ish character) saves the day. Your kids will be laughing out loud.

Too Many Toys is a wonderful book about a little boy's house over run by toys! David Shannon has yet again captured the true essence of childhood!

Connect the reading life of kids at home with their reading lives at school! Share your favorite books with the teachers in your life. They will be be forever grateful.

Happy reading to you all.

Post here your favorite books that you have given to your teachers or that you have bought because of the reading work they do at school!

Help us expand our libraries! Do share.

A New Series For the Little People!

Congratulations Mo Willems! So excited for a new series! Series are great for all readers!
Enjoy!

What Can I Read? Organize Your Child's Library at Home

Brand New Readers are wonderful books for kids who are beginning to learn how to read. They give parents and caregivers tips for how to introduce the book and help the child throughout the book. Many are funny. There are several books about the same character (usually 8). They are the easiest of series books that exist!

Mentor Mommy S has a little boy in Kindergarten. We have been watching closely since birth his reading development. By the age of 4, Little Boy J was starting to read books like the Brand New Readers Series. His favorite characters were Worm and Piggy. He would read these books over and over and laugh out loud as he read them. We went crazy! MMS went out got every Brand New Reader pack she could find! Little Boy J was in heaven!

Two weeks ago MMS recruited me to help re-organize Little Boy J's library. She wanted his books to be more easily accessible, to resemble his classroom library at school, and to motivate him to read more at home!

We pulled all of the books off of his shelf. MMS got beautiful new baskets and took out index cards and clips to name the new baskets. MMS, LBJ and I began to sort the books that he had. We asked him, what kind of baskets should we make. Little Boy J came up with, "Books I Can Read", "Star Wars Books", "Creatures", "Books I Want Mom and Dad to Read Me" to name a few. We kept sorting and making piles with him.

What a great idea- to really look for all the books that Little Boy J can read. Now MMS told me that he tries to read other books in other baskets and shelves, because he really wants to re-categorize it and put more books in his, "Books I Can Read" basket.

You might find that you have shelves and shelves of books! In many cases, kids don't even know what they have! Organizing your libraries at home so that kids can find books and sort books in different categories, helps them to read with more variety and purpose. It also helps them begin to see connections between the way their books are organized and how schools, libraries and bookstores organize their books.

Help your kids feel the power of their own libraries. Help them to discover what treasures they have. Help them see themselves as readers.

What kinds of baskets and categories did your kids make at home?

Follow Kids' Passions and Interests and They Will Read More

My god son came home from school with his assignment for the weekend: Read Little House on The Prairie and write a book report.

I won't comment on the assignment or book choice- that is for another posting. Read here if you want more.

What I want to talk about is his reaction- "I don't want to do my homework. I don't want to read." Too many statements like this and I get worried about the future of his reading life. Finding books that capture his attention and keep him engaged is not as easy a task as I thought.

Over the years I had gotten him lots of non fiction books about animals and recently I gave him some chapter books about sports, baseball, football, and basketball. He got very upset with me. "Titi, you just don't understand what kind of books I like anymore. It's like you don't know me." He was quite upset. I didn't understand. He loves to watch sports with his grandpa and he plays basketball and we had read numerous other sport books together.

I was glad that he could articulate what he was feeling. I felt awful. It was true that I hadn't seen him for a long time and engaged him in a conversation about the books that he was presently enjoying. I wasn't tuned in with what he was interested about- in the world.

So we talked about what he was into and thinking a lot about recently. Here is a list of the kinds of books that he told me how is presently interested and invested in reading.

1. Graphic Novels: Bones, Amelia Rules! A Blog.

2. Greek Mythology: The Lightening Thief Series. Any books that tell the stories of Zeus.

3. Books about People who try and save the world (super heroes)

Talking with our kids and finding out what their latest passions and interests are always a good thing to nurture to their reading lives. It is a way in to connect and find ways to motivate them as readers and learners and frankly, just people interested in the world.

Giving the Gift of an Author

When my god son was born- 9 years ago- I was on the hunt for board books which featured characters of color. I wanted to make sure that at home, he would have a library books that were beautiful, fun, interesting and that would reflect people who looked similar to him and his family. So for his 1st birthday I gave him the gift of two authors- two authors who write for babies as well as for teenagers- Angela Johnson and Eloise Greenfield. I bought him three books with "Joshua" who is the central character in the book- Joshua's Night Whispers, Joshua By the Sea, and Baby Birds. I also bought him a series of board books, My Daddy and I and I Make Music.

I thought- not only a book is a great gift- but a few books from the same author can teach a couple of beautiful things. One thing that it teaches is that when you love an author you should look and seek out other books by that author. It also is a nice way to introduce an author who the child will be able to read at various ages!

My friends in Los Angeles just adopted 3 year twins! When I went out to visit and meet them for the first time I knew I had to bring some books! So for the twins- and their 18 month old sister, I brought 6 books by Mo Willems! If you have never read anything by Mo, you need to run out the door now and go to your local bookstore and buy something by him right now (or just click

on your favorite bookstore on online)! He is funny. His books have beautiful little tips and messages for kids. They are super engaging- the art as well as the language- and did I mention that they are LOL funny? I gave them: Leo, Piggy and Gerald,Piggy and Gerald 2, Don't Let The Pigeon Drive The Bus, Don't Let The Pigeon Stay Up Late, and Naked Mole Rat Gets Dressed.

For M's birthday this year I got her one of my favorite authors - who I was hoping would become one of hers- Carmen Agra Deedy. A beautiful storyteller. I gave M: 14 Cows, The Library Dragon, The Yellow Star. Now I can't leave her brother A out of the picture. I got him, the Quebecois writer- Melanie Watt. She writes two popular series: Scaredy Squirrel and Chester. A was laughing out loud reading the Scaredy Squirrel books!

Looking for a "Welcome to Your New Home Gift", a "Birthday Gift", or even a "House Warming Gift"? Give the gift of an author! You'll be building a library that teaches and offers more than just the stories!