What Kids Should Read

The Berenstain Bears and Too Much Teasing by Stan Berenstain

Tue, 05 Aug 2008 05:09:56 +0000

This book is a wonderful way too teach your children about how mean teasing can be. Many preschoolers are exposed to teasing when they enter school for the first time. They may be teased or engage in teasing themselves. This book really helps to not only open discussion between parent and child, but also shows both sides of teasing. Brother Bear thinks teasing is no big deal until he is being teased. The book explains that most teasing stems from jealousy and shows that being yourself is all that matters. What especially stands out is that when the teasers have moved on to teasing another child and forgotten about brother he stands up for the new child being teased and even finds a way to teach the teasers a lesson. This is a strong and important lesson for every child to know: Stand up for what is right and don’t sit idle by and watch someone get hurt. I highly recommend this book to anyone whose child has been called a name or has heard their child tease.

I’m A Big Brother by Joanna Cole

Tue, 05 Aug 2008 04:54:38 +0000

This story is a look at what is great about being a big brother. While it does not deal with the emotional side of becoming a big brother it does show all of the positive changes that occur when a new baby enters your life. It also takes a look at all of the things anew baby can’t do right now, but will be able to do as the baby gets older. They say that one of the best things that you can do is present a child with a gift when he visits the new baby at the hospital to show them that they are special. This is a great special gift for any new big brother of preschool age. It allows for mommy and me reading time and helps to open discussion about how the new big brother is feeling.

How I Became a Pirate by Melinda Long and David Shannon

Tue, 05 Aug 2008 04:46:52 +0000

In the world of imagination this story stands out. Children need to grow loving literature and this story will help any child who loves stories about pirates grow to love reading! The story is full of fun pirate terms and tells the tale of a boy who becomes a pirate for the day. Fun as it is, it also has a great message in that the child explains that even though being a pirate is great he misses being read to and tucked in at night. It subtly shows the love between a child and his caregivers. Their are also fun and interesting lessons that can be taken from this including how to make and read maps, creating a pirate dictionary, and learning the parts of a ship just to name a few. If you are looking for a fun and exciting book this is the one for you!

Dooby Dooby Moo written by Doreen Cronin and Betsy Lewin

Sun, 20 Jul 2008 04:32:39 +0000

Sometimes we all need a great laugh. Dooby Dooby Moo not only opens our imagination but also delivers that laugh. My son loves this book and constantly asks me to read it over and over to him. In the story the animals on the farm try compete to win a trampoline at the county fair with duck as their ring leader. This story is light and fun and reminds us the fun of being a child. Its also a great early literacy book as it continuously uses repetitive language that makes it easy for the child to retell the story (retelling is the first stage in early literacy). Parents can also focus on the music aspect and get the songs mentioned in the books for some singing fun!

Wacky Wednesday By Theo LeSieg

Thu, 17 Jul 2008 04:11:51 +0000

Cleverly written within the Dr. Seuss series this is a wonderful way for a child to use their sense of logic. Logic is extremely important because it helps children learn the rules of reading and enhances math skills. The book describes things as being wacky and on each page the children must find the number of items mentioned in the book as being out of place. The book is written in the classic Dr. Seuss rhyming fashion which also makes it easy for retelling. When a child is able to retell a book he is learning to read it. Children really enjoy hearing the tale and studying the book to find all of the funny and wacky misplaced items. Your child will want to sit with the books for hours!

Oh, Yuck!: The Encyclopedia of Everything Nasty by Joy Masoff

Thu, 03 Jul 2008 18:45:00 +0000

If your child is extremely inquisitive and loves to learn this is the book is for them. While you may sensor some of what you want to read the book is interesting and captivating to children. Everything from Ants, barf, leaches,rats to cannibalism is discussed at length. Children will truly get an idea of what these things really mean, My son is only four and he loves hearing about the different topics and has even learned quite a few things that he still remembers. This shows me that not only is he interested in the topics as I am reading them, but he is learning. I love this book and find myself learning things I never knew as well. I do skip certain things while reading, as it is a bit too much knowledge for a four year old, but still find it worth it. Every day he looks forward to me reading about another “nasty” topic.

The Little Engine That Could written by Watty Piper

Fri, 16 May 2008 03:31:25 +0000

This classic tale brought to life again with new art by Loren Long has a “good Samaritan” feel to it. It teaches the wonderful lessons of self determination, having faith, helping others, and showing compassion, It also teaches what the emotions of arrogance, selfishness, and helplessness are. These are just as important because they are words that your child should know about and when you discuss with your child, you empower them. By teaching them all the important lessons in this book you are teaching your child to be a better, stronger, ore well rounded person. This book is a must read for every child. Their is also a lot of information about trains for all those children who are transportation lovers.

I am NOT GOING to GET up Today written by Dr. Seuss

Fri, 16 May 2008 03:23:37 +0000

Once again Dr. Seuss brilliantly captures the humor of a child and blends it with literacy skills. The child in this book refuses to wake up and goes through the various scenarios in which he won’t wake up. This book is very easy to retell and the use of repetition makes it a good choice for early readers. Subtly though, is the topic that sometimes we all feel a certain way and that is acceptable. At the end of the book the mom decides to listen and let the boy sleep. What a great way to discuss with your child how he or she feels. It makes us realize that even though are children are little in age they still have big emotions.

One Fish Two Fish Red Fish Blue Fish written by Dr. Seuss

Fri, 16 May 2008 03:16:56 +0000

This book wonderful makes children laugh out loud. It is just a silly book written with clever text that help children learn world families. Learning word families and rhyming patterns also help children learn to read. Once given the ending sound children are able to attach the first letter sound and read words. The funny scenarios in the book will leave your child smiling and talking about the times when its okay to be silly.

Philippe in Monet’s Garden by Lisa Jobe Carmack

Sun, 04 May 2008 04:10:40 +0000

Beautifully Illustrated by Lisa Canney Chesaux

This book is a great way to introduce a child to art. It has a light story that focuses on a French frog who ends up living in the garden Monet liked to paint. Children are able to learn a little bit about the artist and his great style and use of color. A side benefit from this book is that it teaches children that though Philippe is different from the other frogs and endures a lot of teasing, he is still special. All children need to be reminded of how special they are and to not let teasing bother them. This book is a great way to open up discussion.