Summer Reads

I am blessed that my daughters both love to read. My oldest child read on her own by age 4. She was really into all kinds of books, but mainly fantasy and mysteries. These are still her top choices. My youngest was not as "into" books unless being read to. She also read "early" just before entering kindergarten. Claire now enjoys mysteries, especially if they are historical fiction books and she loves books about animals. Both girls were writing/creating stories early in preschool as well. As you probably know by now, children who have parents who model reading, tend to perform better in school, will gravitate towards books them selves and usually have better reading am blessed that my daughters both love to read. My oldest child read on her own by age 4. She was really into all kinds of books, but mainly fantasy and mysteries. These are still her top choices. My youngest was not as "into" books unless being read to. She also read "early" just before entering kindergarten. Claire now enjoys mysteries, especially if they are historical fiction books and she loves books about animals. Both girls were writing/creating stories early in preschool as well. As you probably know by now, children who have parents who model reading, tend to perform better in school, will gravitate towards books them selves and usually have better reading comprehension. So...now that it is the last week of school, at le comprehension. So...now that it is the last week of school, at least here in the capital region of NYS, take your child(ren) to the library some humid day or rainy day, and check out some books. As a "reward" for awesome grades, my husband and I started a tradition with our girls (it began in kindergarten) that every June they give me a list of books they want to own and I buy them a couple off their list. We have lots of books on our shelves, especially favorite childhood classics such as all the Eric Carle books, the Bill Martin Jr. books, and now that they are older, we have many books that are a favorite series. (e.g. American Girl books, Misty books, Christy Miller, Animal Ark, +Mandy, +Horsefeathers, Beacon Street Girls, just to name a few!!). So, here is a list of childhood favorites that are in our family room book bin. I rotate them from bedroom to book bin, depending on the season/holiday. These are books that are not chapter books that both of my children read from kindergarten to about 3rd grade. In fact, my youngest, who will be entering 3rd grade, still likes to pick these up for a quick read. All of the books listed below are appropriate for children ages 5-9 and are on a 1st-3rd grade reading level unless otherwise noted. Check them out!

• The Strega Nona Series by Tomie dePaola: every family MUST own a Tomi dePaola book! Kids can read them on their own and it is fun to see the antics of Anothony, Nona and Bambolona!
• The Brand New Kid by Katie Couric: The 2 girls in the story are named after Katie's own daughters and it is about being kind to people who are "different" such as a different skin color, different ethnic group, etc. This is an excellent read in poem style.
• I Am an Artist by Pat Lowery Collins: by observing the wonders of nature, children can be inspired to create. Contains gorgeous illustrations.
• The Giving Tree by Shel Siverstein: need I say more??? Every home should have this!
• +3 in 1: A Picture of God by Joanne Marxhausen: this explains the trinity by comparing it to an apple. Easy to read but because of the content, an adult might want to sit with the child and read with her.
• Escape to the North! by Monica Kulling. This is an easy reader. It is a biography of Harriet Tubman. Excellent for going along with the 1st-2nd grade social studies curriculum!
• Through My Eyes by Ruby Bridges: this is one of the best autobiographies of a child for a child I have ever seen. She includes real photos from her experiences. The reading level is a 4th grade level but younger kids could read through it. It is lengthy with a lot to comprehend because of the topic. We have read it to our girls and then they read it on their own. It has led to some awesome discussions about integration!
• The Butterfly House by Eve Bunting: The illustrations are simply breathtaking in this book. It is about a girl and her grandpa raising butterflies. At the end of the book are steps to raising butterflies. This is a great book to reinforce what is learned in 3rd grade science.
• The Bear That Heard Crying by Natalie Kinsey-Warnock and Helen Kinsey: This book is extra special in our family because my oldest, Courtney, had the author sign the book, after Natalie worked with her in a class at school! It is a drama and is a true story from Natalie's own family! It is set in New Hampshire, June 1783. The little girl in the story is the author's great-great-great-great-great aunt! It is unbelievable and a miracle! If you like history, colonial times, and stories that are true, get this book. It also appeals to children who camp, hike or have ever been in the deep woods.
• Fog by Susi Gregg Fowler: this book is a sweet bedtime book about what a family does when there is a heavy fog one day. The family depicted in the story is a "mixed race" family: Caucasian and Native American. My children were entranced with this book.

So....look for some, or all, of these books the next time you take a trip to the library or browse online or in your favorite bookstore. And READ this summer! (in my next childs play post I wil feature chapter books for ages 6-12)