Count Them While You Can...

This lovingly illustrated counting book takes you on a tour from the United States to New Zealand. Set to the tune of "Over in the Meadow," the lively verses introduce young readers and their loved ones to ten endangered species including the breath-taking snow leopard. Each illustration features an animal family within its natural habitat, and on the opposing page is a small box detailing pertinent and easily accessible information regarding that particular species.

Author Anne Bowman's rhyming lines help make these near-extinct members of our planet stand out. This example from the entry for Madagascar's Red-Ruffed Lemur will give you a nice taste for Ms. Bowman's use of language:

'Climb!' said the mothers
'We climb!' said the six.
So they clambered and climbed
near their nests made of sticks.

People of all ages will enjoy skipping from continent to continent as they visit with these rare and unusual families.

The Baby Goes Beep!

A surprisingly fun story to read aloud to toddlers is The Baby Goes Beep by Rebecca O'Connell. It's surprising because it's not the story that entertains but the sound of the text. Page by page we follow a baby around the house as he creates fun sounds with whatever he finds....a wooden spoon, a book, the water in his tub....even his daddy's nose! This is a book that demands to be read aloud, and may spur your child to want to read it to you. Its catchy repetitive phrase is easy to remember and is as fun to say as it is to hear.

Books that include sounds or rhyming words help young children hear the music of language, and will foster their ability to sound out words later on when they're beginning to read. Other stories for toddlers and preschoolers that include a strong beat and/or musical sounds include Rock-a-Baby Band by Kate McMullan, Snake Alley Band by Elizabeth Nygaard, Cool Daddy Rat by Kristyn Crow, Jazzmatazz by Stephanie Calmenson, and This Jazz Man by Karen Ehrhardt.

How to Teach a Slug to Read

This clever story begins with a young boy teaching a mother slug how to read to her little one. The rules are pretty simple. All you have to do is read lots of stories to him, put labels on some of his favorite things, and point out the rhyming words as they come up. It's a good idea to also select books he really wants to read and explain the meaning of new words. Don't forget to hold the book just right, so he can see all the wonderful pictures and most importantly, be patient because learning to read won't happen overnight. The great thing about these rules is that they work for human families too!

Author Susan Pearson hits on all the important early literacy skills in a book that highlights the learning to read process. Children will really like the bright and cheerful illustrations and funny rewording of popular book titles such as, Slug and Snail are Friends, and Go Slug, Go!  The humor is great but the overriding message is one that celebrates the wonder that reading can bring. So read lots of books to your child, point out the rhyming words, help explain the meanings of new words and in time, your child will be on her way to learning how to read too!

Miss Mary

Bedtime Ritual

My favorite time of day when I had a toddler at home was at bedtime. With dinner dishes done, jammies on, and teeth brushed it was a time to let go, relax, and turn my full attention to snuggling and reading bedtime stories with my daughter. A good part of that quiet hour was spent talking about the day. Who we saw. What we did. Where we went. Tell Me the Day Backwards by Albert Lamb is the perfect book to share at the end of a busy day. As Timmy Bear climbs into bed he exclaims to mom, "Let's play that game we used to play last summer." As the two of them take turns telling the day backwards, Mama Bear uses encouraging words like, "What happened before that?" and empathetic responses such as, "Yes, that was terrible," to gently guide little bear into an amusing game of storytelling. David McPhail's soft watercolor and sepia ink illustrations of the bear family will charm both you and your children. And the story is sure to inspire you to play the game of telling your day backwards too!


~Miss Julie