Just Read: Tips for older Kiddos

In a perfect world a child embraces reading books like they embrace television, video games, or hanging out with friends. But some kiddos in this imperfect world view reading as they view eating vegetables, taking medicine, or going to bed early. It's critical these kiddos find books they enjoy, so they will enjoy the time they spend reading. Here are a few tips...

1. Take them to the book store or library often.

2. Let them pick out their own books by age 5 they know what they like and hate.

3. It's okay if they abandon a book as long as they are finishing other books.

4. Look for book list for children and websites. Find books they would like and then let them decide if they like it.
Here are some websites with solid list for older kiddos.
Guy's Read
Texas Bluebonnet List
.Peggy Sharp's Picks

Bedtime Stories for Babies and Toddlers

It's time to say goodnight! It's all about routine. Begin this special time with a book focused on something they will enjoy. Higher! Higher! is an enjoyable book with lots of repetition. Children will quickly connect with the main characters quest to go as high as she can possibly go on her swing. The colorful simple pictures enhance the story. Be prepared this is a book a child will want to read again and again.

A classic for Babies and Toddlers
Margret Wise Brown is the author of several children's classics.

Goodnight Moon is the perfect bedtime story. The patterns and repetition will please any parent. Children will connect with the bunny enjoying every ounce of his bedtime routine. The words "goodnight" are used so often it will lull your child like a bedtime song.

Reading Tip: Baby Steps

It will take time to change a child's attitude about reading. As a parent, I recommend taking small positive steps. Try these baby steps to put your child on the path to become a life long reader.
1. Read to your child every night. If they loose interest after a few minutes stop.
2. Read road signs and labels on products. Let them see words are every where in our daily lives.
3. For older children 5 and up set a daily independent reading time 20 to 30 minutes.
4. Listen to your child reading aloud and ask them questions to see if they understood the words they read.
5. Model for your child, show them that reading is important even when they are a grown up.

Book Review: The Tiger Rising

“Finding the tiger had been luck, he knew that.” Rob thought as he discovered a caged tiger in the back woods of the Kentucky Star Hotel. DiCamillo writes a gravitas realistic fiction tale of two broken families. Rob, the main character is dealing with the death of his loving mother, who taught him how to whittle. He lives in a barren hotel with this silently grieving father. “Do not cry.” Rob lives by his father’s warning and advice. “There ain’t no point in crying.” Rob is bullied at school and the principal sends him home for having a “contagious” rash. The rash physically represents his emotions and broken heart being shoved into a metaphoric suit case. Rob is a well-rounded courageous character in a story bursting with diverse unique personalities. Such as Willie May the wise African American maid who offers the voice of reason. Divorce and anger bring fellow classmate Sistine into Rob’s tiger adventure.  DiCamillo brilliantly crafts a concise complex novel where characters deal with heavy everyday situations, but by chance they unlock their destiny to be noticed and emotionally liberated. Highly recommended for children 9 and up.  

The Tiger Rising. By Kate DiCamillo. Illustrated by Chris Sheban. Candlewick Press, 2001. 116 pages. $15.99.

A Well-rounded Reader

When picking out books for children, it’s natural to reach for a fiction chapter book or picture book. But remember that’s only one type of literature. To ensure your child becomes a well-rounded reader, give them the opportunity to select non-fiction books, newspapers, graphic novels, and magazines.  

Each year a Sibert Award is given to the best non-fiction book. It’s a great starting point to find a good non-fiction book. Finding reading material on based on your child’s interest is another great starting point.

Book Review: Looking Like Me

"Bam," Jeremy has a "I am jam." The poetry book begins with the main character, Jeremy, looking in the mirror admiring himself. "I looked in the mirror/ and what did I see?/ A real handsome dude/ looking just like me." Jeremy goes around town energetically bumping into family and friends, and they share their point of view of him and the role he plays in their life. He realizes he is a brother, son, writer, and etc. Each poem helps him see he is valued. The book ends with the author and illustrator who are father and son listing all of the roles they play in life. The mixed media collage style illustrations perfectly match the upbeat urban end rhyme. This book is a rhythmic hip-hop read aloud for children 5 to 11. Children will enjoy this verse picture book with layered themes of family, community and self worth. The author ends the poem by encouraging the reader to write a poem which makes it a great book to introduce poetry. Recommended.

Looking Like Me. By Walter Dean Myers. Illustrated by Christopher Myers. Egmont, 2009 Unpaged. $18.99.