Hello Everyone. Spring is finally here (oh no – I hope I didn’t just jinx it). In honour of our late-comer, here are a few great reads. Thank you to everyone who sent in their suggestions. Keep them coming.
Following a snow-filled winter, a young boy and his dog decide that they’ve had enough of all that brown and resolve to plant a garden. They dig, they plant, they play, they wait . . . and wait . . . until at last, the brown becomes a more hopeful shade of brown, a sign that spring may finally be on its way.
Spring is in the air. Mole can smell it. But Bear is still asleep after his long winter nap. How will Mole wake up Bear so they can celebrate together?
Sight word acquisition is an important building block in the construction of a child’s ability to read. Once she is able to read these words, she has access to up to 75% of what is printed in almost any piece of children’s literature. How exactly do teachers and parents help children develop their stores of sight words? There are several proven techniques that any adult can use to teach sight words.
Children do not learn new words by being exposed to them only once. Repetition is key to sight word acquisition. Young readers should be given opportunities to read and write a new sight word multiple times. Repetitive reading of texts featuring certain sight words is one strategy for helping children commit these words to memory.
Once children have had the opportunity to study new sight words, games are a fun, hands on way to help strengthen their retention. These games are easy to create at home or at school and can be modified based on the particular sight words a child is learning at the time. We designed a game based on an all-time favourite, BINGO. The incentive to find a word coupled with the urge to complete a card, creates an active environment for memorizing these essential words.
The download includes 48 Sun-Moon-Star-Earth bingo cards as well as a set of 40 sight words to call out. All you need is lots of bingo chips and eager players, and you are ready to go.
“I appeal to all people everywhere to raise their voices. Speak out on behalf of this planet, our only home. Let us care for Mother Earth so she can continue to care for us as she has done for millennia.”
-UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon
Earth Day falls on April 22nd of every year. It is recognized worldwide and honored with many events to demonstrate support for environmental protection. It was first celebrated in 1970, and is now celebrated in more than 192 countries each year. I’d like to share a poem I wrote in recognition of Earth Day. Your thoughts, as always, are welcome.
It’s Time to Give Back
Mother walked along the seashore with her son. The boy stopped to cool off in the water. “This ocean was put here for you,” said Mother. “To bathe you and nourish you and let you enjoy her embrace”
Mother walked through the forest with her daughter. The girl stopped to cool off in the shade of a tree. “These trees were put here for you,” said Mother. “To feed you and teach you and give you a home.”
Mother walked across a meadow with her children. The kids lay down to rest and gazed at the sky. “The sun and air were put here for you,” said Mother. “To warm you and refresh you and give you life.”
The children and Mother came upon an open field. Heaps of trash, piles of debris, mountains of waste, All lay where her land used to be. The children, ashamed, bowed their heads and began,
“Mother, you have given us everything, from land to the sea. You have fed us, clothed us, healed us if need be. Consumed in our ways, we lost our path. We need to do more – it’s time to give back.”
As a teacher, I find many uses for random household items that most people throw away. Bottle caps, for example, are never disposed of in my home. Just this morning, my children and I played our own version of scrabble using yogurt caps I wrote letters on. They are a great way to engage children in learning (but I don’t dare tell them that). Sometimes I throw in different size and colour lids, just to see how the kids will fit them into the game.
They love coming up with their own rules (problem-solving, cooperation, creative thinking at its best):
“I know – how about the black ones be free letters?” says A.
“Yeah, we can use them when we get stuck, “ adds B.
I can’t help throwing in my own two cents. “They can be vowels.”
And off we go, making up words vertically, diagonally, horizontally, changing rules, adding rules, anything they want, so long as they are engaged.
What household items have you saved from the recycling bin? Please share to feature your idea on our blog.
All the colours in the sky –
Violet, yellow, red and blue.
All the colours in the sky –
Pink and purple too.
All the colours in the sky
Indigo, orange and grey.
All the colours in the sky –
What a spectacular array!
Note: The poem was inspired by Liam’s inquiry-based learning about the sky. His Kindergarten teacher read the book Sky Color by Peter H. Reynolds and invited students to take pictures of the sky at various times of the day. We captured a shot at sunset and decided to take it a step further. His teacher liked the poem very much and wrote it up on chart paper to share with the class.
(Mommy only helped a little bit J)
“Poetry is when an emotion has found its thought and the thought has found words”. Robert Frost
“Painting is silent poetry, and poetry is painting that speaks”. Plutarch
“A poet is, before anything else, a person who is passionately in love with language”. W. H. Auden
“Poetry can be dangerous, especially beautiful poetry, because it gives the illusion of having had the experience without actually going through it.” Rumi
“One merit of poetry few persons will deny: it says more and in fewer words than prose”. Voltaire
Hello everyone. April is National Poetry month – and it so happens, I LOVE poems! In recognition, I would like to share a couple of poems by two of my favourite authors.
Messy Room By Shel Silverstein
Whosever room this is should be ashamed!
His underwear is hanging on the lamp.
His raincoat is there in the overstuffed chair,
And the chair is becoming quite mucky and damp.
His workbook is wedged in the window,
His sweater’s been thrown on the floor.
His scarf and one ski are beneath the TV,
And his pants have been carelessly hung on the door.
His books are all jammed in the closet,
His vest has been left in the hall.
A lizard named Ed is asleep in his bed,
And his smelly old sock has been stuck to the wall.
Whosever room this is should be ashamed!
Donald or Robert or Willie or–
Huh? You say it’s mine? Oh, dear,
I knew it looked familiar!
If you have a favourite poem that you’d like to feature on our blog (perhaps even your own), please submit it to us at wordsonalimb@bell.net. Remember to include the author’s name.
Please note: Words on a Limb does not claim ownership of any of the poems posted.
Happy Saturday everyone. Here are some more of my favourite picture books. What are some of yours? Did you have a favourite book growing up? Share to feature on our blog.
How to Babysit a Grandpa
by Jean Reagan
A New York Times bestselling picture book about a child spending time with his grandpa. Written in a how-to style, the narrator gives important tips for “babysitting” a grandpa, including what to eat for snack (anything dipped in ketchup, ice cream topped with cookies, cookies topped with ice cream) what to do on a walk (find lizards and dandelion puffs, be on the lookout for puddles and sprinklers), and how to play with a grandpa (build a pirate cave, put on a scary play).
Filled with humor, energy, and warmth, this is a great gift for or from a grandparent, and perfect for lap reading when Grandpa comes to visit!
The Gruffalo
by Julia Donaldson
This is a rhyming story of a mouse and a monster. Little mouse goes for a walk in a dangerous forest. To scare off his enemies he invents tales of a fantastical creature called the Gruffalo. So imagine his surprise when he meets the real Gruffalo.
The Very Itchy Bear
by Nick Bland
Companion to The Very Cranky Bear
Bear is here . . and here is Flea (but Flea’s a little small to see). This is Flea about to bite, but not because he’s impolite. He’s biting bear to say, Hello!’, biting high and biting low. In The Very Cranky Bear, Bear’s cave was invaded by four playful animals. In The Very Itchy Bear there is just one creature bothering him: a persistent flea. Bear tries to get away, but Flea just won’t leave him alone. When Bear finally gets rid of Flea, he finds that he misses him-and a new friendship is born.
Stephanie’s Ponytail
by Robert Munsch
A little girl who is determined to strike a blow for nonconformity manages to arrive at school every day with a hairdo more outraegous than the day before. And each time, the cast of copycats grows and grows — until the day she threatens to shave her head! The strong female voice will speak to many, asserting the importance of individuality and independent thought.
The Rat and the Tiger
by Keiko Kasza
Even though one is just a tiny little fellow and the other is a big tough guy, rat and tiger are best friends. they have lots of fun playing together, even though tiger is a bit of a bully. when they play cowboys, rat always has to be the bad guy. when they share a snack, rat always gets the smaller piece. but one day, tiger takes the bullying too far, and rat decides that he’s not going take it anymore. rat stands up for himself and refuses to be tiger’s friend until tiger learns to play fair and square. with appealing illustrations and a simple text, Keiko Kasza delivers an important message about friendship in this heartwarming story.
I Will Hold You ’til You Sleep
by Linda Zuckerman
A book that combines the spiritual (and artistic) appeal of Jon Muth’s THE THREE QUESTIONS with the heartfelt emotion of LOVE YOU FOREVER.
Here is the rare book that not only expresses a parent’s love for their child, but offers a hope for what that love will become. It begins with a wish at bedtime, as parents hold their children tight and hope their love will cradle them, safe and sound. It continues through the day their children have grown up, proud and strong, and can pass that love on to someone else. This is a book that goes beyond a parent’s “I love you” to the generous wish that our children will make the world a better place.
Bagels from Benny
by Aubrey Davis
Benny loves to help out at his grandpa’s bakery in the morning, and the customers love the crusty bagels with their soft insides. When Grandpa explains to Benny that God, not him, should be thanked for the wonderful bagels, Benny sets out to do just that. He decides to leave God a bagful of bagels in the synagogue at the end of each week. And each week God eats the bagels — or so Benny thinks – Lovingly told, Bagels from Benny explores the values of caring and sharing, building a strong sense of community and finding joy in giving thanks.
It Could Always Be Worse: A Yiddish Folk Tale
by Margot Zemach
Once upon a time a poor unfortunate man lived with his mother, his wife, and his six children in a one-room hut.
Because they were so crowded, the children often fought and the man and his wife argued. When the poor man was unable to stand it any longer, he ran to the Rabbi for help.
As he follows the Rabbi’s unlikely advice, the poor man’s life goes from bad to worse, with increasingly uproarious results. In his little hut, silly calamity follows foolish catastrophe, all memorably depicted in full-color illustrations that are both funnier and lovelier than any this distinguished artist has done in the past.
It Could Always Be Worse is a 1977 New York Times Book Review Notable Children’s Book of the Year and Outstanding Book of the Year, and a 1978 Caldecott Honor Book.
Pirates Don’t Change Diapers
by Melinda Long
When the pirate crew turns up at Jeremy Jacob’s house and accidentally wakes his baby sister, that wee scallywag howls louder than a storm on the high seas. Sure, there’s buried treasure to be found, but nobody’s digging up anything until Bonney Anne quits her caterwauling. So, quicker than you can say “scurvy dog,” Braid Beard and his swashbuckling pirates become . . . babysitters? Blimey!
This hilarious companion to How I Became a Pirate reveals that minding the nursery can be even more terrifying than walking the plank–especially if you’re a pirate.
Arthur’s Teacher Moves In (Arthur Adventures)
by Marc Brown
Arthur is overwhelmed with dread when he hears that his teacher is coming to stay at his house. But soon, Arthur discovers that Mr. Ratburn is just like everyone else. Arthur thinks his problems are over, but when he gets an A on his test his friends start calling him a teacher’s pet. In the end, Arthur and Mr. Ratburn set the record straight.
I Have to Go!
by Robert Munsch
A classic tale that has sold more than a million copies is now available as a board book.
This ever-popular story of a little boy in the throes of toilet training has been making children laugh since it first appeared more than 20 years ago. This new toddler-sized board book edition retains all the humor of the original story but features condensed text that will make it even more appealing to preschoolers.
Julius, the Baby of the World
by Kevin Henkes
The riotously funny Lilly, last seen in Chester’s Way (Greenwillow), thinks her new baby brother, Julius, is disgusting — if he was a number, he would be zero. But when Cousin Garland dares to criticize Julius, Lilly bullies her into loudly admiring Julius as the baby of the world.Lilly knows her baby brother is nothing but dreadful — until she claims him for her own. “Henkes displays a deep understanding of sibling rivalry and a child’s fragile self-esteem….Lilly is a superb and timely heroine.” — Publishers Weekly.
Thomas’ Snowsuit
by Robert Munsch
Willful, young Thomas refuses to wear his new snowsuit, despite the pleas of his mother, his teacher and even his principal. When everyone’s best efforts lead only to comedic chaos, they all agree it’s best to let Thomas suit himself. This is marvelous mischief from Munsch and Martchenko.
No, David!
by David Shannon
When David Shannon was only five years old, he wrote and illustrated a story in which an unruly little boy breaks all of his mother’s rules — he jumps on the beds; he chews with his mouth open; he plays ball in the house. Any child who is tired of hearing his parents say “No ” will readily identify with this boldly illustrated, comical story.
Here are some more of my favourite picture books. In fact, you will find them all nestled in my kids’ book cases in their rooms.
Enjoy!
Back into Mommy’s Tummy
by Thierry Robberecht
On her fifth birthday, a little girl has an unusual birthday wish. She wants to go back to being a baby in her mother’s tummy. That way she’d never have to go to bed early, and she’d always be close to her mommy. But when she realizes that babies in tummies can’t go to birthday parties or play with their friends, it suddenly doesn’t seem like such a good idea. Could the real reason for her wish be that there’s a new baby in Mommy’s tummy already?
Playfully exaggerated illustrations convey the child’s complex emotions about a new baby and capture the gentle humor of this fresh take on sibling rivalry.
Pete The Cat: I Love My White Shoes
by Eric Litwin
Pete the Cat goes walking down the street wearing his brand new white shoes. Along the way, his shoes change from white to red to blue to brown to WET as we steps in piles of strawberries, blueberries and other big messes! But no matter what color his shoes are are, Pete keeps movin’ and groovin’ and singing his song…because it’s all good.
Bear’s Loose Tooth
by Karma Wilson
Bear and his friends are munching on their lunch when, all of sudden, Bear feels something wiggling and wobbling in his mouth. Oh, no! What can it be? It’s Bear’s first loose tooth!
From a cave in the forest
came a MUNCH, MUNCH, CRUNCH!
as Bear and his friends
all nibbled on their lunch.
Bear and his friends are munching on their lunch, when all of sudden Bear feels something wiggling and wobbling in his mouth. Oh, no! What can it be? It’s Bear’s first loose tooth!
In the first Bear book in three years, Bear’s friends ease his concerns about his wiggly, wobbly tooth and help him understand losing a baby tooth is perfectly natural. This funny and reassuring story will delight anyone who’s ever had a loose tooth.
Where the Wild Things Are
by Maurice Sendak
One night Max puts on his wolf suit and makes mischief of one kind and another, so his mother calls him ‘Wild Thing’ and sends him to bed without his supper. That night a forest begins to grow in Max’s room and an ocean rushes by with a boat to take Max to the place where the wild things are. Max tames the wild things and crowns himself as their king, and then the wild rumpus begins. But when Max has sent the monsters to bed, and everything is quiet, he starts to feel lonely and realises it is time to sail home to the place where someone loves him best of all.
My Rotten Redheaded Older Brother
by Patricia Polacco
There’s nothing worse than a rotten redheaded older brother who can do everything you can do better! Patricia’s brother Richard could run the fastest, climb the highest, and spit the farthest and still smile his extra-rotten, greeny-toothed, weasel-eyed grin. But when little Patricia wishes on a shooting star that she could do something — anything — to show him up, she finds out just what wishes — and rotten redheaded older brothers — can really do. Patricia Polacco’s boldly and exuberantly painted pictures tell a lively and warmhearted tale of comic one-upsmanship and brotherly love.
My Wild Sister and Me
by Iris Wewer
Having a wild big sister—who can be a giraffe one day, a giant bear the next, and a racing rabbit the day after that—is just about the very best thing that can happen to little brother. Iris Wewer’s rollicking illustrations perfectly match this playful story of imagination and adventure!
The Gruffalo’s Child
by Julia Donaldson
The Gruffalo said that no gruffalo should Ever set foot in the deep dark wood. But one wild and windy night the Gruffalo’s child ignores her father’s warning and tiptoes out into the snow. After all, the Big Bad Mouse doesn’t really exist …does he? Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler are on dazzling form in this captivating sequel to the classic picture book “The Gruffalo”.
The Keeping Quilt
by Patricia Polacco
“We will make a quilt to help us always remember home,” Anna’s mother said. “It will be like heaving the family in backhome Russia dance around us at night.And so it was. From a basket of old clothes, Anna’s babushka, Uncle Vladimir’s shirt, Aunt Havalah’s nightdress and an apron of Aunt Natasha’s become The Keeping Quilt, passed along from mother to daughter for almost a century. For four generations the quilt is a Sabbath tablecloth, a wedding canopy, and a blanket that welcomes babies warmly into the world.
In strongly moving pictures that are as heartwarming as they are real, Patricia Polacco tells the story of her own family, and the quilt that remains a symbol of their enduring love and faith.
Penelope and the Humongous Burp
by Sheri Radford
Let’s face it… kids think bodily functions are hilarious. Enter our charming little heroine, Penelope, who literally brings down the house with her boisterous belching.
Summon the doctors! Phone the fire fighters! Call the police! Too thirsty to heed her mother’s warnings, Penelope soon learns the disastrous consequences of gulping a few glass of grape soda too quickly! This first misadventure in the Penelope series will win kids over from the very first page and teach them a thing or two about manners by the last.
Don’t Forget to Come Back!
by Robie H. Harris
With warmth, empathy, and a healthy dose of hilarity, Robie H. Harris captures the many emotions children feel when parents go out and a babysitter comes in!
Guess what? The babysitter is coming!
That means:
1. Mommy and Daddy are going out
2. the feisty heroine of this book is not going out . . .
3. and she doesn’t like that one bit!
Parents, kids, and babysitters alike will relate to and laugh at this all-too-familiar tale, wisely and wittily penned by an expert in child development and brought wickedly to life with detailed illustrations by a noted New Yorker cartoonist.
Franny B. Kranny, There’s a Bird in Your Hair!
by Harriet Lerner
Franny B. Kranny’s long, frizzy hair is big trouble. It ties itself in knots on the buttons of her dress and gets stuck in the refrigerator door! But Franny B. Kranny loves her hair. She refuses to cut it and is furious when she has to get a fancy new hairdo for a family reunion. Then a bird decides to make Franny B. Kranny’s hair its home, and suddenly Franny B. Kranny starts to like her new hairdo….
Best-selling author and psychologist Harriet Lerner and her big sister, biologist Susan Goldhor, co-authored the children’s book What’s So Terrible About Swallowing an Apple Seed?. They team up again here with this hilarious and heartfelt story about daring to be different. World-renowned British illustrator Helen Oxenbury brings Franny B. Kranny, her wild hair, and her unique family delightfully to life.
Children’s Choice Award winner for 2002.
Penelope and the Monsters
by Sheri Radford
Penelope won’t go to sleep. Never ever not in a million trillion gazillion years. Her father doesn’t believe her, but Penelope knows there are monsters lurking in the dark. How else can she explain the dancing drawers, creeeeaking closet, and bounce-bouncing bed? Will Penelope have the confidence to turn on the lights and call out the things that go bump in the night?
Our spunky heroine takes on gnomes and trolls and giants with the same comic flair that brought down the house in Penelope and the Humongous Burp.
Miss moody lived at land’s end with Captain Kidd. Captain Kidd wasn’t the famous pirate; he was a cat. One morning after a storm, Miss Moody found him washed up on the beach. He was nearly drowned. She nursed him until he was well, and he repaid her kindness by keeping her cottage free of mice.
Hello Everyone. Spring is finally here (oh no – I hope I didn’t just jinx it). In honour of our late-comer, here are a few great reads. Thank you to everyone who sent in their suggestions. Keep them coming.
And Then It’s Spring
Spring Is Here
The Gruffalo
Words On A Limb 