I love Crayola products. It may be the teacher in me, but I just love opening up a new box of crayons or colored pencils. I just see a box full of unlimited possibilities. So I was thrilled when we had the chance to check out Crayola’s new Colors of the World crayons and participate in their campaign to share our True Selfies! This also gave us an opportunity to enjoy some children’s books about being true to yourself.
Author Archives: Vicki
New Interactive Board Books
Interactive books are a great way to get kids interested in reading. For little ones, the ability to touch, move, and interact with the story and the physical book can help to keep their interest and involve them in the read aloud process. This list of new interactive board books includes lots of colorful and funny books that little readers will enjoy.
Standard Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. I may receive a commission from purchases you make through the links in this post. I received copies of these books in exchange for my honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Nita’s Day
Written by Kathy MacMillan and illustrated by Sara Brezzi
This sequel to Nita’s First Signs introduces kids to more ASL signs through a cute story and colorful illustrations. Each page follows Nita and her parents as they go about their daily life. The tabs along the edge of the book highlight the signs used on each page. Pulling the tab out of the book uncovers illustrated instructions for making the sign. Each of the signs in this book can be used every day, improving the chances that kids will remember them.
Related Post: Teaching Sign Language to Kids with Nita’s First Signs
Farm Block
Written by Christopher Franceschelli and illustrated by Peskimo
This large board book explores life on the farm through easy to read text and fold out illustrations. The strong pages feature shaped edges and cut outs to engage the reader and draw them from one part of farm life to the next. This book is full of information for kids about farm life, and they will love finding new things in the fold out illustrations every time they read it.
Disney Block
Written by Peskimo
This big board book uses adorable illustrations, shaped pages and quotes to introduce kids to Disney movies. Each two page spread features part of a movie quote and familiar illustrated scenes from popular animated Disney movies. We loved exploring some of our favorite Disney movies. But our favorite parts were the hidden Disney “Easter eggs” hidden throughout the book. Each two page spread includes at least one hidden Mickey, and the final two page spread includes so many hidden movie references, that I’m still not sure we got them all!
Related Post: Interactive Board Books for Kids
Reading Sins and How to Rectify Them
Do you struggle to get your kids excited about reading? There are a few reading “sins” that may affect a child’s love of reading. Find out how to fix these common mistakes while reading to kids.
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Fighting back when kids want to reread the same story
Rereading the same book night after night can be exhausting for parents. You get tired of the same story and the same rhymes. You can repeat them without looking at the pages. While this may be annoying to you, hearing the same story over and over is actually really beneficial to kids.
Each time they hear the story, they pick up on more of the plot, the tone, the character development, the rhyme patterns, etc. They are able to start filling in some of the words on their own, especially if the text has a good rhyme. They will also be able to retell the story in their own way, which is an important skill to develop. Plus, the comfort of hearing a favorite story over and over again adds an emotional level to your reading time, which helps them tie reading to positive feelings.
So instead of forcing a new book on them every night, give in to the repeated stories. (Although I have been known to send certain books on vacation after a while, to be found again sometime later on).
Not letting kids read graphic novels
There are a lot of people who believe that graphic novels aren’t “real books”. This is also common when discussing comic books. However, I completely disagree with this argument. Are they reading? Are they putting the screens away and reading stories on the page? Then don’t stress!
There are so many milestones and guidelines for kids and reading, that we often worry about what they “should” be reading. But as adults, we don’t exactly read what we “should” be reading all the time either! Sure we could only read the classics, or brilliant texts on philosophy or ethics, but sometimes we want to escape with a romance novel or a thriller too. Reading should be enjoyable. If we force kids to read what they “should” be reading and discount what they want to read, then they will grow to dislike reading as a whole.
Related Post: Let Kids Read What They Want
Telling kids that memorizing a story isn’t reading
Children’s Books about Diversity
Celebrating diversity is always important, but it is even more important right now. It is crucial that we teach kids about celebrating differences as well as recognizing the similarities between us. Today I’m happy to share a group of new children’s books about diversity that can help you tackle these subjects with kids of all ages.
Standard Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. I may receive a commission from purchases you make through the links in this post. I received copies of these books in exchange for my honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Lulu the One and Only
Written by Lynnette Mawhinney and illustrated by Jennie Poh
This brightly colored book introduces the reader to a young girl named Luliwa Lovington, who comes from a mixed race family. She struggles with the question “What are you?” that she and her brother face all the time. She talks to her brother about the question and he tells her his secret for handling it. The story addresses a difficult situation that children of mixed race families often face. The adorable illustrations highlight the love between Lulu and her family, and the inner strength and confidence that she gains by the end of the book.
Related Post: Celebrating Families of All Kinds
If You Come to Earth
Written by Sophie Blackall
This book follows a letter written by a young girl to a visitor from outer space. She writes a guide introducing them to all that the earth has to offer. From different homes and families, to different bodies and jobs, the text celebrates all of the differences among us. The illustrations are detailed and thoughtful, highlighting all of the things that make this planet a wonderful place to live. The back of the book includes a letter from the author explaining how the idea behind the book came about, the many people depicted throughout it’s pages, and how important it is that we protect our planet and each other.
The Word for Friend
Written by Aidan Cassie
This sweet book follows Kemala the pangolin as she heads to a new school in a new country. But when she gets there, none of the other kids speak the same language. The story shows how she struggles to fit in, until Ana the anteater reaches out and tries to bridge the language barrier. Together, they are able to teach one another new things, and forge a friendship. The illustrations feature adorable animals, and incredibly detailed puppets that Kemala creates. The story celebrates the universal language of friendship and celebrating the things that we can learn from one another.
The Same But Different Too
Written by Karl Newson and illustrated by Kate HIndley
This rhyming book explores the similarities and differences between us through simple opposites. The large text introduces opposing concepts that kids will recognize, such as cold and hot, and gentle and rough. The accompanying illustrations feature a diverse group of sweet looking children and a wide variety of animal characters. Kids will love the way that the kids interact with the animals and compare themselves to them, as well as the sweet and funny ending to the story.
Common Threads: Adam’s Day in the Market
How to Raise a Bookworm in the Digital Age
We are surrounded by technology all day long. As a bookworm, I pushed back hard against the rise of the e-reader. My sister and I stood in solidarity that we would NOT give up our hardcover and paperback books in favor of another screen. And yet, even we eventually fell and started reading on e-readers. (Even though we still read regular books more often than not). But with the rise of e-readers, tablets, and smartphones, there is the fear that kids are reading less, and becoming more addicted to screens. So I’m sharing my tips on how to raise a bookworm in the digital age.
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3. Surround Them with Books
I know, I know. It sounds so simple. Too simple, in fact. But the fact remains that surrounding kids with texts not only provides them with lots of opportunities to read, but also encourages curiosity in the texts around them. We have boxes of books in every room of the house. (I did not completely plan to have them in EVERY single room, but my daughter had her own plans). We even have books in our outdoor patio in the summer, and in each car. There are books everywhere we go. And there is not a day that goes by that my daughter doesn’t pick up a book to flip through on her own.
She picks them up and asks me to read them. She looks at the pictures and repeats the stories to herself. Since she is learning to read, she is now picking out words that she knows as she flips through them. We have read during meals, while she gets dressed, and while she swings on her swing. There are tons of small opportunities during the day to fit in a little reading, and having those books available reminds us to grab a book to fill those moments.
2. Let Them See You Read
When you fill your house with books, don’t just add books for your kids to read! Studies show that kids who see their parents reading are more likely to read as well. As a bookworm, I always have books on hand anyway. But I make an effort to show my daughter that I love reading for myself too. While I do read on my Kindle and on the Kindle app on my phone (which tripled my books read!), I try not to do this in front of my daughter too often. I want her to see me reading physical books so she recognizes that I’m reading. When she sees me reading on my phone, she doesn’t know if I’m scanning through Facebook or reading a classic novel. I would rather she see me reading a physical book so she has that physical reminder.
Related Post: Finding Time to Read as a Busy Mom
And the #1 Way to Get Kids Reading in the Digital Age
*Drum Roll*
1. Read With Them!
I have said it before, and I will say it over and over again. Reading with your kids is the number one way to get your kids interested in reading. There is no such things “too young” or “too old”. It is never too early or too late to start. I read to my daughter on her first night home from the hospital. I also had a professor in grad school that took five minutes at the end of every class to read us a picture book and give us a mental break. You are never too young or too old to enjoy a good book.
Reading to your kids not only shows them that reading is important and fun, but it always helps them to associate positive and loving feelings with reading. The times that you spend snuggled up together and enjoying a good book provide all of you with good memories. Plus, it is a great way to wind down at the end of a long day, or to start a day on the right foot.
Make it part of your day
Set a screen-free time every day when you will all read. It doesn’t even matter what or how. Maybe you all snuggle up together to share a picture book (or two… or twelve). But maybe the kids are fighting and reading all together isn’t going to work. Then get out a basket of books and let everyone choose their own. Or come up with a quick silly game where the winner gets to choose. Or just let everyone take their own books to their own corners and read or peruse by themselves. If your kids are older and want to read on their own, then everyone can read their own books. Or you can take turns reading interesting articles to each other in a magazine. Reading is reading, no matter what kind.
Check out this post for some fun ways to track reading as a family, and even make it a game!
*Parenting Disclaimer*
This is not to say that weaning kids off screens will be easy. Nor am I saying that we don’t have screen time in our house. We do. One of my daughter’s “treats” is a couple minutes of screen time playing her favorite educational game. (Definitely check out Khan Academy Kids!). But even with her love of that game, and her growing interest in screens, she asks for the tablet way less often than she asks for books. Set realistic expectations when you get started with a technology detox. And most importantly, don’t force reading to the point that it becomes a chore. Find new and different ways to “read” together if the traditional read aloud doesn’t work for you today.
Find some humor in your reading situations with this list: 5 Things Experts Don’t Tell You About Reading to Kids
President Books for Kids: Get Kids Interested in the Election
The election will be here before you know it. It will offer lots of opportunities to talk to kids about presidents, what they do, and the ones who have come before. So we are thrilled to share these fun president books for kids. They may inspire kids to raise their own voices and change the world on their own. Plus, we paired them with a fun writing activity to get kids thinking about what they want in a president.
Standard Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. I may receive a commission from purchases you make through the links in this post. I received copies of these books in exchange for my honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Future President
Written by Lori Alexander and illustrated by Allison Black
This adorable board book compares the actions and the responsibilities of the President with the actions of babies to show that they could someday be President too. The colorful illustrations feature a diverse cast of babies wearing adorable USA themed clothing. Each image shows a baby doing the same things that Presidents do, but in their own cute way. The back of the book includes fun facts about the President and the jobs and responsibilities of the office in text that young kids can understand.
Children’s Books about Bugs
The bugs are back! My daughter has started paying more attention to the bugs around us this year, so we are spending more time reading about them. This list of children’s books about bugs explores a variety of insects, encouraging kids to take a second look at the miraculous creatures around them.
Standard Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. I may receive a commission from purchases you make through the links in this post. I received copies of these books in exchange for my honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Mae the Mayfly
Written by Denise Brennan-Nelson and illustrated by Florence Weiser
This beautifully illustrated story follows Mae, a little mayfly who is born on the bank of a river and learns that she has one whole day to experience the world. The rhyming text follows her on her journey, facing scary situations, and learning to focus on all the beautiful sights to see in the world. The back of the book includes tips on practicing mindfulness, as well as interesting facts about mayflies.
Kaia and the Bees
Written by Maribeth Boelts and illustrated by Angela Dominguez
This story introduces readers to a young girl named Kaia who is very brave. But she is afraid of bees. This is a big problem for Kaia, since her parents are beekeepers. Her parents explain the importance of honeybees to her, and she shares that knowledge with the people around her. Eventually she heads up to see the bees with her dad, and then helps her parents to harvest the honey. Along the way, she learns the importance of bees, and becomes more open to helping them. The illustrations are bright and colorful and show the process of caring for bees and harvesting the honey.
Related Post: Children’s Books about Bees
Soar High, Dragonfly!
Written by Sheri Mabry Bestor and illustrated by Jonny Lambert
This book introduces kids to the life of dragonflies. There are two different texts throughout the book. The larger text is simple and lyrical, using lots of sounds and descriptions to bring kids into the world of dragonflies. At the bottom of some pages, there is smaller text that is packed with interesting facts about dragonflies, their eggs, their babies, and their lives. The illustrations are vibrant and colorful, using lots of textures and colors. They also feature large flowers and plants to show the relative size of dragonflies to the world around them.
Fly, Firefly!
Written by Shana Keller and illustrated by Ramona Kaulitzki
This story follows the adventures of one firefly, who finds himself blown out to sea by a gust of wind. Anxious to find his way home, he dives into the sea, mistaking the bioluminescence on the water for other fireflies. Luckily, two humans are standing on shore and help him find his way back to his family. The illustrations are beautiful with dark backgrounds that bring the brilliance of the fireflies and the bioluminescence to the forefront.
Related Post: More Children’s Books about Bugs
Teaching Kids to Deal with Multiple Emotions
Emotions can be a difficult thing to understand – no matter what age you are. We teach kids about feelings early on, but we often teach them in very simple terms. Kids can recognize early on if they are happy, sad, or angry. But what about the times that they feel more than one thing at once? Today I am sharing a fun picture book about emotions that introduces kids to the possibility of feeling multiple things at once.
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Emotion Blocks
I created these printable emotions blocks to use while we explored conflicting emotions. You can download and print your own here. Fold along the lines and create a cube shape, tucking in the tabs and using glue or tape to attach them.
Check out this printable Calm Down Kit for Kids!
New Words
The little girl in the story combines her emotions to create new words. This was perhaps my daughter’s favorite part of the story. We rolled the cubes and tried to come up with new words to combine the emotions that appeared on top. We used a wipe off board and markers to mix the words up and try new combinations. This has given us a new vocabulary for discussing how we are feeling when we have mixed up emotions.
Emotions Dance
Another fun activity from the story that we brought to life was the emotions dance. In the story, the young girl likes to act out her emotions through dance. We are always happy for any excuse to dance and move, so we used our cubes to suggest emotions to dance out. This is a good way to get moving, and think about how we express our feelings through movement.
Related Post: Teach Kids about Feelings with the Moodsters
Creating Two Pictures
TV Shows Based on Our Favorite Kid’s Books
When it comes to TV time for my daughter, I have always been selective about what I let her watch. I was a Disney kid (still am!), and she is too now. We have branched out beyond Disney as she has grown up, but we still watch a lot of it. Lots of the shows she watches are based on some of our favorite characters from kids books. I am thrilled that there are so many TV shows based on children’s books that teach the same lessons I want her to learn, through the characters we have grown to love.
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Fancy Nancy
Airs on Disney Channel
Fans of Nancy Clancy will love seeing the vivacious character brought to life on screen, along with her loving family and her fun group of friends. Just like in the Fancy Nancy Books by Jane O’Connor, Nancy wants everything in her life to be fancy, and she does everything she can to make her life, and the life of those around her, magnificent. Both the show and the books introduce kids to lots of larger vocabulary words, and even some French words. My daughter uses lots of Nancy’s vocabulary in her everyday life now. I also appreciate how Nancy’s tries her best to make life “magnifique” for all those around her, and tries to see the best in every situation with the help of her family and friends.
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Related Post: Fancy Gifts for Fancy Nancy Fans
Magic School Bus Rides Again
Streams on Netflix
This series is a sequel to the original Magic School Bus TV show which was based on the classic series of Magic School Bus books by Joanna Cole. In the original series (which many parents may remember), Ms. Frizzle’s class goes on incredible field trips on the Magic School Bus and learns all about the world. In The Magic School Bus Rides Again, Ms. Frizzle hands the reins over to her sister Fiona Frizzle. Fiona has the same passion for learning and fantastical field trips as her sister. So she also takes the class on wild rides in the famed bus. My daughter loves the crazy trips that the class goes on. I love all of the topics they cover and the throwbacks to the show I loved as a kid (including a remake of the theme song by Lin Manuel Miranda).
Why Teens Should Watch Hamilton
Hamilton is coming to Disney+ and I don’t know about you, but I am excited! Whether you are a Broadway fan or not, chances are you know about the show and may even know some of the songs. And now we all have a chance to see the original cast perform it together. I will definitely be watching it, and I think there are lots of reasons why teens should watch Hamilton too!
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