Category Archives: reading

My Favorite Bear Books, Part 2

Posted on January 31, 2020 by Jennie

In Part 1 yesterday, I talked about half of these wonderful bear books.  Here is the second half: Blueberries For Sal, by Robert McCloskey The year was 1948.  Sal and her mother go blueberry picking.  On the other side of … Continue reading →

Posted in Book Review, books, children's books, Early Education, picture books, preschool, reading, reading aloud, reading aloud | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 62 Comments

My Favorite Bear Books, Part 1

Posted on January 30, 2020 by Jennie

Winter is here, and it is time to feel cozy, just like bears.  I love bears and bear stories. Children do too.  While stories about animals are always popular, bear stories are favorites, year after year. Here are my favorite … Continue reading →

Posted in Book Review, books, children's books, Early Education, Imagination, Inspiration, picture books, reading, reading aloud | Tagged , , , , , , , | 56 Comments

A Free ‘Oral Vaccine’ for Literacy

Posted on January 12, 2020 by Jennie

Yes, there really is a free oral vaccine for literacy.  It is reading aloud.  No, not reading.  Reading aloud.  Because, in order to become a reader (and a lifelong reader) you have to hear the words – first – over … Continue reading →

Posted in Book Review, books, chapter reading, children's books, Early Education, Jim Trelease, reading, reading aloud, reading aloud, Teaching young children | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 67 Comments

“Bob” and Book Bears

Posted on January 10, 2020 by Jennie

My Book Bears reading group at the library meets every month.  We read a book, and have a discussion about the book the following month.  If that was the only thing that happened at Book Bears, it would be dreadful.  … Continue reading →

Posted in Book Review, books, chapter reading, children's books, Early Education, Imagination, reading, reading aloud, reading aloud | Tagged , , , , , | 56 Comments

The Concord Museum and Literacy Trees

Posted on January 6, 2020 by Jennie

My recent visit to the Concord Museum in Concord, MA to see their annual literacy trees (my words), trees decorated in the theme of a children’s book, was outstanding.  Each tree makes a book come alive.  But first, here is … Continue reading →

Posted in art, Book Review, books, children's books, museums, picture books, reading, reading aloud, reading aloud, The Arts | Tagged , , , , , | 57 Comments

TV and Reading

Posted on December 19, 2019 by Jennie

Many years ago, Finland purchased old American TV shows.  One was “McHale’s Navy”. The problem was, they didn’t have the money to change the language from English into Finnish on the show.  Instead,  they put in subtitles.  The printed word … Continue reading →

Posted in America, Early Education, preschool, reading | Tagged , , , , , , | 62 Comments

The Best Children’s Christmas Books

Posted on December 17, 2019 by Jennie

This is a repost of my favorite Christmas books.  Every year they grow stronger, because children love them.  These are the books children and adults want to read over and over again.  That’s why they’re the best.  Please, go to … Continue reading →

Posted in Book Review, books, children's books, Early Education, picture books, reading, reading aloud, reading aloud, Teaching young children | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 69 Comments

Why the Need for Art, Stories, Poems, and Music?

Posted on December 3, 2019 by Jennie

“Children need art and stories and poems and music as much as they need love and food and fresh air and play. “ Wise words from Philip Pullman, who received the Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award in 2005: Children need art and … Continue reading →

Posted in art, Early Education, Expressing words and feelings, Imagination, Inspiration, music, Poetry, reading, reading aloud, reading aloud, storytelling, The Arts | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 75 Comments

The Reader

Posted on December 1, 2019 by Jennie

Grammy:  “Do you want me to read you a book?  It’s so good!  It’s about a little girl like you who moves to America.  Here’s the book.” A Patricia MacLachlan book. Nora moves from Russia to the prairie of North … Continue reading →

Posted in Book Review, books, children's books, Early Education, Particia MacLachlan, picture books, reading, reading aloud, reading aloud | Tagged , , , , , , | 68 Comments

Eric Carle and Kate DiCamillo

Posted on November 15, 2019 by Jennie

Getting more than what you expected is a wonderful thing.  When that ‘more’ lingers for weeks, that’s a bonus. I went to the Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art a few weeks ago to hear Newbery Award winning author … Continue reading →

Posted in Author interview, Book Review, books, children's books, Early Education, Eric Carle, museums, picture books, reading, reading aloud | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 97 Comments