Category Archives: picture books

Happy Birthday, Dr. Seuss

“The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you’ll go,” -Dr. Seuss- Today Dr. Seuss would have been one-hundred-and-thirteen years old. His books continue to be popular with children. … Continue reading

Posted in Early Education, picture books, reading, reading aloud, Teaching young children | Tagged , , , , , | 37 Comments

When a Fairy Tale is Not Enough

If you want your children to be intelligent, read them fairy tales.  If you want them to be more intelligent, read them more fairy tales. -Albert Einstein- Fairy Tales are the root of storytelling.  They are also the most popular … Continue reading

Posted in Early Education, Imagination, picture books, reading, storytelling, Teaching young children | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 44 Comments

An Art Museum For Book Lovers

People think of an art museum as… art, single standing pieces on their own right. Imagine masterful, award winning art combined with the best literature, in one museum. Exciting? You bet!  A hidden gem in Amherst, Massachusetts. What is your … Continue reading

Posted in art, Early Education, Imagination, picture books, Teaching young children | Tagged , , , , , , , | 86 Comments

“Katy and The Big Snow”– Geography, a Compass, and Measuring

Katy and the Big Snow, by Virginia Lee Burton is a classic children’s book that continues to be beloved today.  After two major snow storms this week, it was the perfect read.  The book never gets old, children always find … Continue reading

Posted in Early Education, geography, Imagination, Math, picture books, reading, reading aloud, Teaching young children | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 22 Comments

Language, Literacy, Imagination, and Reading-Aloud

People often ask why I chapter read.  After all, many of the children in my classroom are are three-years-old.  When we chapter read, the children don’t have an image from a picture book.  They have to make the pictures in … Continue reading

Posted in Early Education, Imagination, picture books, reading, reading aloud, Teaching young children | Tagged , , , , , | 49 Comments

Literacy and Math

When I was in first grade, I mastered math placement.  Really.  Math is not my strong suit, but my teacher read aloud Millions of Cats by Wanda Gag.   The repeated text in the book is, “Hundreds of cats, thousands of … Continue reading

Posted in Early Education, Math, picture books, reading, reading aloud, Teaching young children | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 25 Comments

Maya Angelou

Did you know that Maya Angelou wrote a children’s book?  She did, back in 1994.  I have been reading her book to my preschoolers long before I really knew of her. I was always drawn to her quote in the … Continue reading

Posted in Diversity, Peace, picture books, reading aloud, Teaching young children | Tagged , , , | 35 Comments

In the Words of a Child

“The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched.  They must felt with the heart.” -Helen Keller- It happened like this… Children were gathered to hear a story.  I was ready to read-aloud two … Continue reading

Posted in Kindness, picture books, reading, Teaching young children | Tagged , , , , , | 56 Comments

Owling, Part ll

I am honored that author Jane Yolen read my blog post about going owling, sticky buns, and most importantly about her award winning book, Owl Moon. Jane Yolen replied, “In the end of course, fame and fortune don’t matter.  It’s … Continue reading

Posted in Early Education, picture books, reading aloud, Teaching young children | Tagged , , , , | 18 Comments

Sticky Buns and “Owling”

Another Christmas, and another delivery of sticky buns.  Every year I feel like a child hoping that Santa Claus will come, except that Santa is actually “the sticky bun mom”.  This is perhaps the longest tradition in my family, and … Continue reading

Posted in Early Education, picture books, reading aloud, Teaching young children, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , | 62 Comments