Apple Pie ABC

It has been forever since I shared a book!  I apologize.  It is not due to a lack of great books to share, that is for sure!  I have purchased so many great books in the past few weeks, but life has just been too busy to stop and write about them!

A few weeks ago, my babies turned one.  The babies received a great gift from some great friends: two apple trees and two books about apples.  One of the books, Apple Pie ABC by Alison Murray, is simply delightful!

Apple Pie ABC is an alphabet book.  It is one of the finest alphabet books I have EVER read.  I like it so much because it actually tells a story (with little text) and it calls upon the reader to infer!  Alphabet books getting young children to infer!  What is not to love?

The premise of the story is simple: an apple pie is placed upon a table.  The little pup in the story wants to eat the pie in a bad way, but the little girl in the story knows that he is not supposed to eat it! The author takes the reader through an alphabet journey in the dogs quest to eat the pie.  He does everything he can think of to get his paws on it.  I love that the author uses a wide vocabulary throughout the book.  When sharing this book with your child, be sure to stop and talk about new vocabulary!

Since the text is sparse throughout the story, it is up to the reader to infer (use text clues plus background knowledge) to what the pup and the little girl are feeling and thinking.  This is also a great story to work on text-self connections.  I think we can all relate to wanting something yummy fresh from the oven!

Have fun reading!  I bet you want to bake an apple pie after reading this book!

Spring Is Here

I have been wanting to share the book Spring Is Here by Will Hillenbrand, but the weather has just been too dreary!  It is FINALLY starting to feel like spring, so this is a great time to share such a cute book.

Mole wakes up from a deep sleep to find spring has arrived.  He tries everything he can think of to wake up Bear, but nothing works.  Mole finally figures out how he can wake Bear up, but in the process he tuckers himself out.

This is a great book for pre-school aged children. It introduces the concept of hibernation without ever using the word.  It is also a great book to practice making text-to-self connections and inferences with young children!  

Some questions to guide your conversation:

1. Read to "Spring is here!" and ask your child:  How does Mole know spring has arrived?  Has spring arrived where we live?

2. Read to "Snore, replied Bear" and ask your child:  Why do you think Bear is not waking up?  Can you think of a time when you did not want to wake up?

3. Read to "Then he scampered outside" and tell ask child: Do you know what it means to scamper? Show me how you scamper.

4. Read to "Wake up, Mole!" and ask your child:  Mole was so excited it was summer.  Why do you think he fell asleep?

LMNO Peas

I am getting more and more interested in alphabet books because of my two little ones.  I love Chicka Chicka Boom Boom, but I need a break from the coconut tree!   When I was searching the library last week I came across a keeper and thought I would share.  LMNO Peas by Keith Baker is one cute alphabet book.

The book is full of peas who live within the alphabet.  The peas are energetic little characters who share with the reader their occupations and hobbies.  As the peas weave through the letter A, they share they are acrobats, artists and astronauts!  As you read the prose aloud you will feel a gentle rhythm.  The illustrations really make the book.  The peas are cleverly illustrated.  If you look closely you will find much humor in the pictures.

This is a great book to introduce the alphabet and to enhance young children's vocabulary.

A special gem in this book is the hidden ladybug on each page.  Kids will love trying to find the hidden ladybug!

Peas read this book with your child!