Learning Through Literature

Splish, Splash, Spring
by: Jan Carr

For children who are just learning the seasons, this book is a winner. To learn about the basics that herald the arrival of spring, from sudden rain showers, to flowers blooming, to baby birds hatching, this book fits the bill. The illustrations are colorful and are an integral part of the story. We follow three children on a spring morning as they dig worms for baby birds and watch crocuses bloom. The children manage not to get into trouble when they fly their kite, and they race home before another thunderstorm breaks, stopping along the way to pick some posies.

Learning Through Literature

The Very Bumpy Bus Ride
By: Michaela Muntean

This is one of my childhood favorites! I've read it to my boys and they absolutely love it also. It's more fun if they are sitting on your lap and you bounce them up and down as you read, "And bumpin an bouncin down Bumble Street!'

Such a fun, silly, repetitive and rhythmic book that all kids all ages will enjoy!

Learning Through Literature

Amazon.com Review
"In the light of the moon a little egg lay on a leaf." So begins Eric Carle's modern classic, The Very Hungry Caterpillar. More than 12 million copies of this book have been sold in its original, full-sized edition, and the beloved tale of science and gluttony has been translated into 20 languages... following the ravenous caterpillar's path as he eats his way through one apple (and the pages of the book itself) on Monday, two pears on Tuesday, three plums on Wednesday, and so on, through cherry pie and sausage--until he is really fat and has a stomachache. And no doubt you know what happens next! Kids love butterfly metamorphosis stories, and this popular favorite teaches counting and the days of the week, too. --Karin Snelson

This is such a fun book. It includes subjects from science to days of the week. I usually use it during our food curriculum and talk about why the caterpillar had such a tummy ache after he ate so much unhealthy food. And then the next day he eats some greens and feels better, so we discuss about the healthy food we should eat and why.

Learning Through Literature

Bread and Jam for Francis
by Russell Hoban

Frances, one of children's best-loved characters for over 30 years, now springs to life even more in Bread and Jam for Frances, beautifully re-illustrated in sparkling full color by Lillian Hoban. In this memorable story, Frances decides that bread and jam are all she wants to eat, and her understanding parents grant her wish at breakfast, lunch, dinner, and even snack time. Can there ever be too much bread and jam?

This is a really good book if your child is a picky eater! It leads into a great discussion of how we should always try new food because we never know what we will like. Plus eating the same things is just boring!

Learning Through Literature

Even More Parts
by: Tedd Arnold

Chip Block, the hero of Parts, is back, and still worried about falling apart based on the things he hears. This time he's made a list of all the strange, crazy things he's heard people say: "I lost my head." "My nose is running." "I sang my heart out. . . ." It's scary stuff, but he has a plan for making sure he doesn't accidentally leave any of his parts behind. A hilarious sequel to the wildly popular Parts and More Parts.

Learning Through Literature

Parts
By: Tedd Arnold

Panic strikes a pop-eyed boy, the main character in Parts, when he discovers a few stray hairs in his comb. Could baldness be far behind? To compound the alarm, he digs a piece of fuzz out of his belly button. (His stuffing must be coming out!) A loose tooth adds to the frenzy. And some yucky stuff drips from his nose, which -- when viewed under a magnifying glass -- looks strangely like the encyclopedia illustration of his brain! Could it be?

This is such a fun to read! It's a small insight to what the world may look like in a child's eyes!

Learning Through Literature

Tacky The Penguin
By: Helen Lester

Tacky's perfect friends find him annoying until his odd behavior saves the day.

Kids learn lessons through books, and I've noticed that they particularly enjoy books about animals. In this great book we learn that we don't have to 'follow the crowd', we don't have to look or act a certain way...we can be
who we want to be!

Learning Through Literature

Chrysanthemum
by: Kevin Henkes

Chrysanthemum loves her name, but when she goes to school, the other children giggle. "'Her name is so long,' said Jo. 'It scarcely fits on her name tag,' said Rita, pointing."

Poor Chrysanthemum; even though her father says her name is "precious and priceless and fascinating and winsome," how will she persuade the other children in her class? Perhaps Mrs. Twinkle can come to the rescue!

I LOVE this book, it explains in a great way that ALL names are special and important. That is doesn't matter how long or short, or how easy or hard a name is...it is yours and you are unique! And that is what we are focusing on this week...being unique and different!