Tuesday, September 13, 2011
Kid Picks
It's time for the monthly Kid Picks carnival at 5 Minutes for Books. Here's what my kids have been reading:
My Favorite Boy read the Kingdom Keepers
series this month. It's set in the Disney Parks, and he really enjoyed that! Since Disney World is our favorite vacation destination, he is very familiar with all of the attractions and parks, so he could easily imagine the stories in his mind. I think I may read them as well. I'm always ready for a Disney visit!
We found these new Katie Woo books at the library, and my Best Girl has read every single one. They are a step between a Henry and Mudge type book and a true chapter book. Even though she can read chapter books, my Best Girl looks at true chapter books and says, "Too many words!" This series has chapters and more words on the page, but still includes attractive, colorful illustrations. She loves them!
If you would like to share what your kids are reading, or find ideas, head over to 5 Minutes for Books today!
My Favorite Boy read the Kingdom Keepers series this month. It's set in the Disney Parks, and he really enjoyed that! Since Disney World is our favorite vacation destination, he is very familiar with all of the attractions and parks, so he could easily imagine the stories in his mind. I think I may read them as well. I'm always ready for a Disney visit!We found these new Katie Woo books at the library, and my Best Girl has read every single one. They are a step between a Henry and Mudge type book and a true chapter book. Even though she can read chapter books, my Best Girl looks at true chapter books and says, "Too many words!" This series has chapters and more words on the page, but still includes attractive, colorful illustrations. She loves them!If you would like to share what your kids are reading, or find ideas, head over to 5 Minutes for Books today!
Labels: Children's Books
Tuesday, June 14, 2011
Summer Reading
My Best Girl started feeling sick Sunday night, and by Monday morning, I suspected strep throat. We were supposed to go to my parents' house for the day and night, but the sickness left us home bound (my almost two-year-old nephew is with parents so we were very disappointed, but smart enough to keep our germs at home). My Best Girl didn't feel like doing much, but my Favorite Boy needed some activities other than video games and television. Thankfully, his summer reading filled a big chunk of the day.
My Favorite Boy prefers nonfiction, primarily sports books. Our library's summer reading program encourages the kids to explore variety of genres, so I am excited to report that he is reading some fiction this summer. Some of his favorites this week are Holes
by Louis Sachar (which he devoured in a few hours) and books by Andrew Clements like The Report Card
. He still has quite a few nonfiction books in his pile, but I am glad he is finding some fiction to enjoy.
Although my Best Girl didn't want to read much today, she is enjoying books this summer as well. She really likes Amelia Bedelia
, and she has found a nonfiction series to explore. The Wonder Books
are leveled readers that cover a variety of topics and include beautiful photographs. My Best Girl has always preferred that I read to her (even with books she can read on her own). I am glad she is excited to be the reader, and I am thankful that the library program encourages her to do that!
We are having lots of fun this summer, and I am glad books are a part of that. To find out what other kids are reading, be sure to check out the Kid Picks at 5 Minutes for Books today!
My Favorite Boy prefers nonfiction, primarily sports books. Our library's summer reading program encourages the kids to explore variety of genres, so I am excited to report that he is reading some fiction this summer. Some of his favorites this week are Holes by Louis Sachar (which he devoured in a few hours) and books by Andrew Clements like The Report Card. He still has quite a few nonfiction books in his pile, but I am glad he is finding some fiction to enjoy.Although my Best Girl didn't want to read much today, she is enjoying books this summer as well. She really likes Amelia Bedelia, and she has found a nonfiction series to explore. The Wonder Books are leveled readers that cover a variety of topics and include beautiful photographs. My Best Girl has always preferred that I read to her (even with books she can read on her own). I am glad she is excited to be the reader, and I am thankful that the library program encourages her to do that!We are having lots of fun this summer, and I am glad books are a part of that. To find out what other kids are reading, be sure to check out the Kid Picks at 5 Minutes for Books today!
Labels: Children's Books
Tuesday, August 17, 2010
Kid Picks
My Best Girl went for her kindergarten screening this morning. Next week, she will go one half-day, and on August 30th, she starts full-time. Since her brother is already in school all day, we have been enjoying some extra mommy-daughter reading time. One of the books she currently enjoys is On the Way to Kindergarten
. This book was a gift from Grammy and Papa, and it is a great one to start discussions about kindergarten. I know I have several more books about kindergarten around here, so I plan to get them out in the next week. I can't believe my baby is going to school!I am only sharing one title this month, but you can find lots more suggestions for kids at 5 Minutes for Books today!
Labels: Children's Books
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
Kid Picks
I guess I am a loser mom and former teacher. For the past few weeks, we've been so busy (or sick) that there hasn't been much reading going on at our house! When I started trying to think of books to share this month, I couldn't think of any.
But, then I did think of something that my Favorite Boy enjoys reading over and over and over. Last Christmas, we purchased him a subscription to Sports Illustrated Kids Magazine
. When this arrives in the mail each month, my Favorite Boy reads it from cover to cover multiple times. He has already asked for a renewal next year. (Last December, amazon.com offered a year's subscription for $5, so if this is something your kids would enjoy, keep your eye out for a good deal.) I highly recommend this magazine for sports lovers, but I think magazines also have great appeal for reluctant readers as well, especially boys as they hit those middle years when books seem to lose their appeal.
We plan to go to the library tomorrow to find some new books to read. I am also going to check out the other Kid Picks at 5 Minutes for Books today!
But, then I did think of something that my Favorite Boy enjoys reading over and over and over. Last Christmas, we purchased him a subscription to Sports Illustrated Kids Magazine
. When this arrives in the mail each month, my Favorite Boy reads it from cover to cover multiple times. He has already asked for a renewal next year. (Last December, amazon.com offered a year's subscription for $5, so if this is something your kids would enjoy, keep your eye out for a good deal.) I highly recommend this magazine for sports lovers, but I think magazines also have great appeal for reluctant readers as well, especially boys as they hit those middle years when books seem to lose their appeal.
We plan to go to the library tomorrow to find some new books to read. I am also going to check out the other Kid Picks at 5 Minutes for Books today!Labels: Children's Books
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
Kid Picks - April
It's time for the Kid Picks Carnival at 5 Minutes for Books. This carnival encourages participants to share the books that their kids are reading.
My Favorite Boy has been re-reading books 1-3 in the Harry Potter series. I think he is enjoying them even more the second time. Yesterday, I asked him about lunch at school, and he said he didn't know what happened at lunch because he was reading the whole time (and he even sat by girls; he must have been engrossed in his book). He desperately wants to read Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
, but I won't let him until I read it first. He's waiting (not-so-patiently) for me to do this.
My Best Girl is reading books from the Ready-to-Read series right now; but together, My Best Girl and I are enjoying Toy Dance Party
(thanks for the recommendation, Jennifer). My Best Girl was laughing out loud last night as we read before bed. I highly recommend the adventures of the buffalo named Lumphy, a plush toy named Sting-Ray, and a ball named Plastic. The first book about these characters is called Toys Go Out
, and I highly recommend it as well.
These are the books that the Baseballs and Bows kids are reading. To find out about other great Kid Picks, head over to 5 Minutes for Books!
My Favorite Boy has been re-reading books 1-3 in the Harry Potter series. I think he is enjoying them even more the second time. Yesterday, I asked him about lunch at school, and he said he didn't know what happened at lunch because he was reading the whole time (and he even sat by girls; he must have been engrossed in his book). He desperately wants to read Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, but I won't let him until I read it first. He's waiting (not-so-patiently) for me to do this.
My Best Girl is reading books from the Ready-to-Read series right now; but together, My Best Girl and I are enjoying Toy Dance Party (thanks for the recommendation, Jennifer). My Best Girl was laughing out loud last night as we read before bed. I highly recommend the adventures of the buffalo named Lumphy, a plush toy named Sting-Ray, and a ball named Plastic. The first book about these characters is called Toys Go Out, and I highly recommend it as well.These are the books that the Baseballs and Bows kids are reading. To find out about other great Kid Picks, head over to 5 Minutes for Books!
Labels: Children's Books
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
Kid Picks
Thanks to several ideas I got from the last Kid Picks carnival, my kids have enjoyed some great books this month (I would love to give credit to the bloggers who suggested these books, but because I accidentally deleted my old blog, I can't look back to remind myself who gave me these great ideas).
My Favorite Boy finished all the books in the Fudge series
this month, and he is now enjoying the books in the Clementine series
. He thinks they are very funny! Up next are the Henry Huggins
books.
My Best Girl and I have read all the Mercy Watson
books in the last few weeks, and she loves them! I especially like the brightly colored illustrations in these books. My Best Girl and I are also reading the My Father's Dragon trilogy
. These books were the first chapter books I read to my Favorite Boy, so I thrilled about sharing them with my Best Girl now.
These are the books my kids are reading right now. To find other suggestions for children, visit 5 Minutes for Books today.
My Favorite Boy finished all the books in the Fudge series
this month, and he is now enjoying the books in the Clementine series. He thinks they are very funny! Up next are the Henry Huggins books.My Best Girl and I have read all the Mercy Watson
books in the last few weeks, and she loves them! I especially like the brightly colored illustrations in these books. My Best Girl and I are also reading the My Father's Dragon trilogy. These books were the first chapter books I read to my Favorite Boy, so I thrilled about sharing them with my Best Girl now.These are the books my kids are reading right now. To find other suggestions for children, visit 5 Minutes for Books today.
Labels: Children's Books
Saturday, February 10, 2007
Read to Me 2007
Last Monday, Jennifer at Snapshot announced the Read to Me 2007 challenge. I spent last week thinking about goals for my two children. Because of the difference between their ages and listening abilities, I have separate plans for each child. However, I do plan to read for at least fifteen minutes per day with each child (I will be happy if they listen when I read to their sibling, but I want them to each have their own time).
Goals for my favorite boy:
My favorite boy just turned five, but he has been reading for almost two years. I have not done a very good job with reading to him because he spends so much time reading by himself (this is one of the only things he actually wants to do alone). In fact, I think he is going to resist me reading to him at first because he will think I am trying to do something for him that he can do for himself. However, I hope he will realize that reading-aloud with mom means a special time for the two of us, and he will warm up to the idea. I have come up with a list of books I would like for us to tackle, and I am going to give him the choice of what he would like to read first. Here is my list for my favorite boy.
Novels:
Ramona the Pest
James and the Giant Peach
The Wonderful Wizard of Oz
Mr. Popper's Penguins
Short Novels:
The Whingdingdilly
My Father's Dragon
Poetry (read selections from):
Side-by-Side Poems To Read Together
Sing a Song of Popcorn: Every Child’s Book of Poems
Never Take a Pig to Lunch and Other Poems about the Fun of Food
Where the Sidewalk Ends
A Light in the Attic
Picture Books (I hope he will listen in on his sister's picture books as well):
The Giving Tree
Casey at the Bat
Snow
Owl Moon
Bible Stories (we read from these each night):
The Big Picture Story Bible
God's Book of Wisdom for Little Boys
My best girl is two, and I usually read to her daily. I plan to read with her for at least fifteen minutes a day, but my main goal is to introduce some new picture books into her repertoire of current favorites. Because I was a teacher in my former life, I have a large supply of books. However, I would like to read some books that are new to her. Because two-year-olds like repetition so much, I do not want to overwhelm her with all new books. I plan to introduce a new book every few days. For the remaining time, we will choose books to enjoy from our collection. Here is a list of the new books I would like to read during the challenge (I hope to add to this list as we progress).
Picture Books:
Where’s Spot
Ten Nine Eight
Are You My Mother?
No Jumping on the Bed
We’re Going on a Bear Hunt
Owl Babies
I Can! Can You?
Polar Bear, Polar Bear
The Gingerbread Boy
She'll Be Coming Around the Mountain
It Looked Like Spilt Milk
Silly Sally
No, David!
Poetry:
Read Aloud Rhymes for the Very Young
Bible Stories:
Adam, Adam, What do you See
The Rhyme Bible Storybook for Toddlers (we read from this at night)
I am so excited about these goals, and I hope to post an update on our progress each week. I would like to share what is working for us and what is not. I also hope to share our favorites (new and old). I always appreciate recommendations for books that others enjoy, so I look forward to sharing the books we enjoy as well.
If you are interested in participating in this challenge, please visit Snapshot. I think it will be a rewarding month for all of us. I look forward to reading other people's goals; I know I will find more ideas and books to use with my family. Thanks Jennifer!
Goals for my favorite boy:
My favorite boy just turned five, but he has been reading for almost two years. I have not done a very good job with reading to him because he spends so much time reading by himself (this is one of the only things he actually wants to do alone). In fact, I think he is going to resist me reading to him at first because he will think I am trying to do something for him that he can do for himself. However, I hope he will realize that reading-aloud with mom means a special time for the two of us, and he will warm up to the idea. I have come up with a list of books I would like for us to tackle, and I am going to give him the choice of what he would like to read first. Here is my list for my favorite boy.
Novels:
Ramona the Pest
James and the Giant Peach
The Wonderful Wizard of Oz
Mr. Popper's Penguins
Short Novels:
The Whingdingdilly
My Father's Dragon
Poetry (read selections from):
Side-by-Side Poems To Read Together
Sing a Song of Popcorn: Every Child’s Book of Poems
Never Take a Pig to Lunch and Other Poems about the Fun of Food
Where the Sidewalk Ends
A Light in the Attic
Picture Books (I hope he will listen in on his sister's picture books as well):
The Giving Tree
Casey at the Bat
Snow
Owl Moon
Bible Stories (we read from these each night):
The Big Picture Story Bible
God's Book of Wisdom for Little Boys
My best girl is two, and I usually read to her daily. I plan to read with her for at least fifteen minutes a day, but my main goal is to introduce some new picture books into her repertoire of current favorites. Because I was a teacher in my former life, I have a large supply of books. However, I would like to read some books that are new to her. Because two-year-olds like repetition so much, I do not want to overwhelm her with all new books. I plan to introduce a new book every few days. For the remaining time, we will choose books to enjoy from our collection. Here is a list of the new books I would like to read during the challenge (I hope to add to this list as we progress).
Picture Books:
Where’s Spot
Ten Nine Eight
Are You My Mother?
No Jumping on the Bed
We’re Going on a Bear Hunt
Owl Babies
I Can! Can You?
Polar Bear, Polar Bear
The Gingerbread Boy
She'll Be Coming Around the Mountain
It Looked Like Spilt Milk
Silly Sally
No, David!
Poetry:
Read Aloud Rhymes for the Very Young
Bible Stories:
Adam, Adam, What do you See
The Rhyme Bible Storybook for Toddlers (we read from this at night)
I am so excited about these goals, and I hope to post an update on our progress each week. I would like to share what is working for us and what is not. I also hope to share our favorites (new and old). I always appreciate recommendations for books that others enjoy, so I look forward to sharing the books we enjoy as well.
If you are interested in participating in this challenge, please visit Snapshot. I think it will be a rewarding month for all of us. I look forward to reading other people's goals; I know I will find more ideas and books to use with my family. Thanks Jennifer!
Labels: Children's Books
