RAISING A READER, PART II

Last time we explored some strategies to help you successfully engage your babies and build those important pre-reading skills.  This time we will pick up where we left off and explore some strategies for engaging your toddlers.

Talkers (2 Years - 3 Years)
In addition to Talking, Singing, Signing, Playing, and Reading as explored last time incorporate the new category of Question into you and your child's routine.

Question

• Engage your toddler in the stories you read by asking questions.  Ask what questions such as, "What animal is this?" or "What color is the frog?"  Affirm your toddler's answers, "Yes, the frog is green."
• If your toddler struggles to answer, supply the correct response.  Encourage your toddler to repeat what you've said.
• Ask open-ended questions that allow and encourage your toddler to respond with more than one word.  For example, ask questions such as, "What do you see on this page?"  Your toddler may still need help.  Provide full sentence responses, asking your toddler to repeat after you.  "The frog is jumping into the pond."
• Expand upon your toddler's responses.  When she says, "Bunny hop," you can respond with, "Yes, the bunny rabbit is hopping to the flowers."
• Encourage your toddler's listening skills.  Remember, if she is answering your questions she is listening even when she is not looking at you.

Enjoy your time with your toddler.  Remember to make reading time a bonding time and have fun exploring books and the world around you together.

GREETINGS AND SALUTATIONS FROM THE ANIMAL WORLD!

Hi there! Howdy! Hey! Hi-ya! Hello Hello, written and illustrated by Cadecott Honoree Brendan Wenzel, is a triumphant and jubilant picture book greeting from the animal kingdom. All sorts of animals welcome the reader from page to page: 

Hello Quiet
Hello Loud
Hello Wild
Hello Proud

The deceptively simple text-told in a cheerful rhyme tailor-made for storytime--celebrates the marvel, curiosity, inclusion, and diversity in the natural world, while the exquisitely vibrant illustrations showcase just some of the myriad of animals children could encounter in the world around them, from a cuttlefish to an aardwolf. An appendix of the animals is included in the backmatter, along with an inspirational author's note inviting young readers to find out more, especially about the many threatened and endangered animals they might see in the pages in an effort to help save them. 

Share this book with babies through kindergartners to spark a joy of nature and celebrate it's extraordinary wonder. 

PARENT & CHILD ACTIVITIES, PART III

It's time for our last batch of Parent & Child Activities.  I hope you and your little one have been having a great time exploring all these activities together.

Babies

• Dance Party: Listen and dance to music 
• E-I-E-I-O: Sing 'Old MacDonald Had a Farm' 
• Check Out the Library: Come to your local neighborhood library
• Sing, Play, Learn: Come to Storytime at your local neighborhood library
• That's My Jam: Come see a performer this summer at your local neighborhood library

Toddlers

• Easy as 1, 2, 3: Count stairs as you go up or down
• Check Out the Library: Come to your local neighborhood library
• Sing, Play, Learn: Come to Storytime at your local neighborhood library
• Tinkering Around: Enjoy a STEAM activity at your local neighborhood library
• Shake Your Sillies Out: Have a dance party with your toddler.  
• That's My Jam: Come see a performer this summer at your local neighborhood library

Preschoolers

• With a 1, 2, 3: Sing a Storytime song to a favorite stuffed animal or figure
• Stroll for the Senses: Go for a walk and discover 5 new words to describe what you see, hear, and smell
• Cast Your Vote: Have your preschooler vote 'Good', 'Better', 'Best' on items in a category (songs; hats; fruit, etc...)
• Check Out the Library: Come to your local neighborhood library
• Sing, Play, Learn: Come to Storytime at your local neighborhood library
• Tinkering Around: Enjoy a STEAM activity at your local neighborhood library
• Shake Your Sillies Out: Have a dance party with your preschooler. Let them choose the music.
• That's My Jam: Come see a performer this summer at your local neighborhood library

Remember, these activities are great for you and your little one year round.  Keep exploring with your baby, toddler or preschool and have fun together!

PARENT & CHILD ACTIVITIES, PART II

I hope you have been enjoying your Parent and Child Activities so far this summer.  Here are some new ideas to keep the fun going.

Babies

• One Potato, Two Potato: Sing to your baby at feeding time
• Pat a Cake, Pat a Cake: Play clapping or fingerplay games like 'Itsy Bitsy Spider' and 'Pat a Cake'
• Walk and Talk: Name and describe what you see along the way
• Head, Shoulders, Knees, and Toes: Say and point to body parts
• Silly Voices, Serious Fun: Read a book using funny voices

Toddlers

• The Big Picture: Read a book and talk about the picture on the cover
• Toy Story: Make up a story about your toddlers favorite toy
• Show and Tell: Draw shapes and letters with crayons
• Snuggle Spot: Make a reading fort with blankets and cushions
• Old Favorite, New Twist: Play 'Say it loud, say it soft, say it fast, say it slow' with new words
• Silly Noises, Serious Fun: Make silly sounds
• A, B, C, Wheee!: Sing the alphabet in rhythm while pushing your toddler on the swings

Preschoolers

• Sorting Hat: Give your child a bag to fill with items in a category (a color; a texture; used for bedtime, etc...)
• Kitchen Band: Make a pots and pans band
• Fun Fact, Paddywhack: Read an information book and write a fact your preschooler remembers and have her draw a picture 
• Explore: Read a new book in a new place
• Puzzled: Do a floor puzzle with your preschooler
• Let's Listen: Listen to an audiobook together
• Fresh Air: Play outside together
• Ready to Write: Maker your preschooler a writing kit with papers and writing tools in a portable container

Check back next time for the third and final installment of our Parent & Child Activities.

PARENT & CHILD ACTIVITIES, PART I

As parents of little ones, you have hundreds of interactions with your baby, toddler or preschooler every day.  To help you get the most out of your time together try incorporating these fun activities below into your daily or weekly routines.

Babies

• Groove and Move: Sing and move to a song
• Baby's First Bookshelf: Create a special place for books within babies' reach
• See and Say: Point out pictures in a book
• Monkey See, Monkey Do: Get silly with animal sounds
• Nature Walk: Go to the park and talk about the colors you see

Toddlers

• Follow the Reader: Read a book side by side ("my book" and "your book")
• I Spy: Find letters and other symbols
• My Favorite: Write a list of your toddlers favorite things
• Family Portrait: Draw simple figures and write the names of people in your family
• Tune Up: Learn a new nursery rhyme to share with your toddler
• Walk and Talk: Name and describe what you see along the way
• Rhyme and Ride: Sing a Storytime song in the car

Preschoolers

• Show and Retell: Read a new book and ask your preschooler to retell the story using the pictures on each page
• Once Upon a Time: Tell a family story
• I Spy: Look for symbols, letters and words on signs while driving
• Rhyme After Me: Play 'Follow the leader' rhymes: "I say hat; you say (cat)." Made up words are great!
• Who Made This?: Talk about the author and illustrator names for a favorite picture book
• Cups, Teaspoons, and Dishes: Follow a written recipe together
• Sincerely...: Draw and write a letter to someone
• Art Inspiration: Draw a picture with your preschooler. Listen to music while you draw.
• Tune Up: Memorize a new nursery rhyme or poem together 

Check back next time for more Parent & Child Activities!

BABY PUREES AND TODDLER MEALS

Hi grownups.  Are you tired of feeding your baby or toddler the same foods over and over?  Why not explore our new baby and toddler food books in our Parenting Collection?  These simple to use books offer hundreds of baby purees and toddler meals.

Why not try avocado soup or coconut rice with your little one?  Is your baby teething?  Around the World in 80 Purees: Easy Recipes for Global Baby Food by Leena Saini has a Peach Teething “Ice Cream” that you might like to try.

As your little one gets older try some of the toddler recipes in 201 Organic Baby and Toddler Meals: The Healthiest Toddler and Baby Food Recipes You Can Make by Tamika L. Gardner.  Your toddler might enjoy the Cinnamon Watermelon Bowl or the Veggie and Hummus Platter.

You can explore these books and many more in our Parenting Collection.

FROM MOTHER GOOSE TO MOTOR GOOSE

Ready to enjoy some nursery rhymes with a twist? Just take Mother Goose rhythms and Rebecca Colby’s poems, and together they make a rollicking fun book called Motor Goose: Rhymes That Go! These entertaining poems are sure to delight fans of nursery rhyme and cars, trucks, and airplanes. Itsy Bitsy Spider becomes Swoopy-Loopy Airplane and Little Miss Muffet becomes Little Miss MIxer. The whimsically illustrated vehicles by Jef Kaminsky are memorable because of their bright colors and cartoon drawings.

This exciting book is a great one to share with children. Read the unique rhymes fast or slow because they are a fun way for children to develop their phonological skills. By singing these rhymes over and over again, children will have an opportunity to hear the small parts of each word, which will help them as they learn to read. Beep! Beep! Check out this book and goooo... have fun!

For ages 2-5

I LOVE MY FAMILY AND FRIENDS

The month of February often brings many families to the library looking for books about Valentine's Day. This month, in addition to the all the typical Valentine's stories, try exploring other books about love and friendship all month long.  

Read and talk about the concepts of family and familial love with your little ones. Authors such as Karen Katz, Eric Hill, Emma Dodd, and Anne Dewdney are just of the wonderful storytellers that write on this topic. Some books you and your little one might like are:

In addition to books about family you might like to read books about friends and what it means to be a good friend. The library also has many great titles on this topic to share and enjoy with your little ones.

READING IN A WINTER WONDERLAND

Winter is well underway and Storytimes are back in session.  Join us at the library as we enjoy a variety of stories, songs, movements and more at our Storytime programs.  

This month try sharing books with themes about winter, snowmen and bears with your little one.  The library has many wonderful titles to choose from.  Come talk to us for a recommendation or click on the books below for more suggestions.

Reading time with your little one should be a fun and enjoyable experience for you both.  Try using different voices for the characters as you read.  Make animal sounds if the book calls for them.  Don’t be afraid to be silly.  Encourage your child to make the voices or animal sounds along with you.  You and your child will have a great time exploring books together.  

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO EVERYONE!

"When's my birthday? 
Where's my birthday? 
How many days until my birthday?"* 

So begins the jubilantly poetic picture-book salute to all things to all things birthday, When's My Birthday? written by Julie Fogliano (the poet behind the lovely When Green Becomes Tomatoes) and illustrated by Christian Robinson (the artist of the Newbery winner and Caldecott Honoree Last Stop on Market Street). The verse, related to us by an omniscient child narrator, espouses pure, unadulterated joy. All the whos, whats, whens, and hows are all covered here (no need for whys of course)--the prospective presents and party and cake are imagined and anticipated down to the last detail. The infectiously questioning refrain above is almost certain to be familiar to parents and caregivers everywhere, and this charming celebration of celebrations will inspire bliss and excitement when shared with toddlers through kindergartners looking forward to observing their own birthdays.  

*Just in case anyone is wondering, this reviewer's birthday is coming up at the end of this month. You know, for the record.   

A SWEET LULLABY FOR BEDTIME

Jane Cabrera has taken the classic lullaby, Rock-a-bye Baby, and incorporated different animals and how they put their little ones to sleep. With beautiful illustrations and a classic lullaby tone, this is a great bedtime read for newborns and toddlers.

NOW I'M LITTLE, BUT SOMEDAY I'LL BE BIG

When I Grow Up by Anita Bijterbosch, is a cute story that introduces animals to infants and toddlers.  With bright illustrations and a lift-the-flap element, children learn what the baby animal will become as it grows, which makes this book a sure hit with infants and toddlers. 

GOOD MORNING AND GOOD NIGHT

Margaret Wise Brown, the author that brought us the very popular children’s book Good Night Moon now has another treasure to share with readers, Good Day, Good Night.  

As the sun rises, the bunny says hello to everyone and as the sun sets, he says goodnight.  This is a perfect addition to a bedtime collection.  Children ages newborn to toddler will definitely enjoy listening to this story.

ALL ABOARD!

Toddler whisperer/children's book creator Emma Garcia is back with another sure-fire hit in her new picture book, Chugga Chugga Choo Choo. Perfect for storytime as well as sharing individually, this bright and boldly illustrated book covers lots of concept territory--it's obviously a train book, first and foremost, but also includes numbers and animals. Though the text is appropriately brief for the toddler crowd, a story line takes shape between the multiple concepts being explored. As the train makes it's way from the seashore, through the forest, through the city, and past the farmyard, before it finally pulls into the station, picking up different numbers and types of birds along the way. 

A can't-miss book for young train enthusiasts and fan's of Garcia's other vehicle-laden titles, this book is also just the ticket for building multiple early literacy skills, including narrative skills, print awareness, and phonological awareness. Full steam ahead!

BUILDING A COMMUNITY

When enthusiastic Little E joins his fellow construction vehicles on a new neighborhood project, he tips and tumbles as he attempts to find a task fit for his diminutive size. Full of fun onomatopoeia and familiar big rigs that your budding construction expert will love, Little Excavator is a story about patience, acceptance, and honoring contributions big and small. This rhyming picture book for toddlers and preschoolers was written and illustrated by the late Anna Dewdney (1965-2016), who was best known for her Llama Llama series.

I read Little Excavator with a fluttering enjoyment and a sorrowful pang, knowing that this is Dewdney’s final fully completed work. More stories born of her ideas and sketches will be published in coming years, but she will never see them to completion. Little Excavator is small, but eager to contribute. In the end, what they’ve built together is a park: a community space for children and families to play in, to grow in, and to love. It’s a fitting metaphor for Anna Dewdney’s work as a whole: that which nurtured, guided, and grew a community of readers.

Ages 2+

HOW WELL DO YOU REALLY KNOW YOUR ANIMAL SOUNDS?

Sure, we know that dogs go woof, cats go meow, and birds go tweet . . . but what does the aardvark say? In the nonfiction picture book Can an Aardvark BARK? author Melissa Sweet and artist Steve Jenkins (who have both received Caldecott Honors for their illustration work) team up to answer that question, exploring many of the lesser-known animal sounds out there. Who barks, who grunts, who squeals, and who bellows? What kind of animals whine and laugh, just like you and I? 

Sweet's primary text is written in rhyme simple enough to work as a lively nonfiction read-aloud for toddlers and preschoolers (a great choice for building background knowledge!), while the captions corresponding with each illustration offer fascinating information about the other animals who grunt, bellow, or laugh, for older readers who want to know more. Meanwhile Jenkins' signature expressive cut-paper artwork really brings each animal to life--the African crested porcupine (who whines, by the way) looks as it could poke you right through the page, while the gorilla baby looks tempting enough to tickle so you can hear its giggle.

Whether in a group setting or individually, this is a perfect informational picture book to share with animal lovers from toddlers to second graders.  

MARCH LIKE A DINOSAUR!

Well, it seems that Laurie Berkner has gone and done it again: she has taken another of her beloved songs, We Are the Dinosaurs, from sheet music to illustrated picture book. If you've ever been to this reviewer's storytime, you are probably aware of the song from Berkner's Whaddaya Think of That? album--and what a crowd pleaser it is. This new picture book is much more than just lyrics on a page--illustrator Ben Clanton's bright and cheery illustrations combine with the catchy song to create a rollicking volume sure to be a hit with toddlers, whether it be in storytime or at bedtime. Used with the song or standing on its own, this title is perfect for dinosaur enthusiasts from babies to preschoolers. 

This is just one of many fun and infectious songs by the popular children's musician, so be sure to check out some of Laurie Berkner's many albums. And, to find out more about any of our early literacy storytime programs, contact the Children's Room at (818) 548-2036, or stop by any of our branches to pick up a copy of our latest Family Events!   

THE TOUGHEST JOB OF ALL

As Bulldozer watches all his fellow construction vehicles working away--stirring, lifting, scooping--he wonders how he can help too. Bulldozer is eager to find his calling and help the others accordingly, but the other trucks tell him building skyscrapers is only a job for rough, tough trucks. So when they do find a suitable job for Bulldozer, they are perplexed to find him sitting still, not flattening the pile they asked him to clear. Why won't Bulldozer just help out and do his job? 

Bulldozer Helps Out by Candace Flemming, illustrated by Caldecott-winning artist Eric Rohmann, is definitely not your average construction vehicle book (though it will certainly please that crowd too!). It also offers a heartwarming and adorable twist that shows how toughness takes many forms, not just might and muscle, and that everyone has their own purpose to serve--they just have to find it.

With delightfully bright and bold art and a message that's both inspiring and cleverly told, this captivating picture book will appeal to toddlers through kindergartners, and anyone who's looking for their place to belong.

A BIG YAWN!

If everyone else is yawning, will it make you yawn too? Just try to avoid it when reading Everyone Is Yawning written and illustrated by Anita Bijsterbosch--it's not an easy feat! From snake to turtle, the youngest readers will delight in each page, as we lift up the flap to reveal what it looks like inside each animal's mouth when it yawns. And of course there's a glimpse of what it looks like when children yawn too! 

This simple but totally captivating interactive book featuring adorably bold illustrations is bound to be a crowd-pleaser and a favorite bedtime read for babies to preschoolers. As contagious as an actual yawn, this book is sure to be one that's asked for again and again. 

CENTRAL LIBRARY STORYTIMES WILL RESUME IN OCTOBER!

We are excited to announce that just across the street from the Central Library, which is currently closed for renovation, librarians from the Central Children's Room will be offering a Babies, Toddlers & Preschool storytime at the Glendale Presbyterian Church, located at 125 South Louise Street. Join us on Wednesday and Friday mornings from October 5th through November 18th at 10:30-11:00 am for these highly-interactive programs for infants to age 5, including books, songs, movement, and other fun activities! Parking is available in the MarketPlace structure on the corner of Harvard and Maryland and the first 90 minutes are free. We hope to see you there this fall!