The Night Before Kindergarten

OMG...my child is going off to Kindergarten!!! Eeeek!!!

Today's quote:

"I am a

Glue-sniffing,

Jacket zipping,

Crayon drawing

Parent-calling,

Multi-tasking,

Paper-passing,

Subject testing,

Never-resting,

Hand-soaping,

Milk opening,

Folder stuffing,

Computer dusting,

Alphabet singing,

Storybook reading

KINDERGARTEN TEACHER!!!! "

1. Sing the ABC's.  

This might seem like a no-brainer, but you would be shocked at the number of students who enter Kindergarten without being able to recite the alphabet!  If you don't know how to sing the ABC song, how on earth could you be expected to write them?  Sing the ABC song with your children throughout the day.  Sing it as you change your baby's diaper, or give your kids a bath, or set the table for a meal, or when you're driving in the car…  It takes less than a minute to sing and there are plenty of minutes in a day where you can sneak them in! 

*Hint: Be sure to sing clearly and slowly through the "L, M, N, O" portion of the song.  When we sing it quickly, it sounds like one long letter - and your child will learn it that way!

2. Write his/her first and last name.

Start by concentrating on the first name.  Be sure to encourage proper grip on the pencil or crayon!  Say each letter as you write.  Don't worry about writing on lined paper or making each letter perfect - it's not developmentally possible at three or four years old!  Help your child learn how to write first and last name and worry about making it look nice a little later. 


3. Identify all 26 letters - capital and lowercase.

This is a skill that would be great for your child to know when entering Kindergarten, by the truth is: it might be too much to know by September.  I would expect most children to know by January though.  Start with the first letter of your child's first name.  Whenever you see his/her name in print, point out the first letter and say its name.  Pick random letters as you encounter them: on a cereal box or licenseplate, in a book, on a toy…  Be creative. 

*Hint: Capital letters are easier! 
4. Write all 26 letters - capital and lowercase.

A great way to practice writing the letters is by tracing them.  Write the letters on a piece of paper with plenty of space around each one.  Have your child trace the letters with a pencil, crayon, or marker.  After your child can trace them, see if he/she can do it without the tracing as a guide.  Again, start with capital letters.  There are even fonts available for download that print letters (and numbers!) with dashed lines for tracing!

*Hint: Use unorthodox materials to learn how to write!  Finger paint the letters, laminate a piece of paper and give your child a dry-erase marker, write in the sand at the beach or in a sandbox, make a letter with cheerios or veggies during meals…



5. Know all 26 letter sounds.

This is obviously dependent on actually knowing the letters first!  Be sure to build up to letter sounds once your child can identify each letter.  This is a crucial skill as your child learns to read and must "sound out" a word.

*Hint: Want a great educational video to help?  Try Leapfrog's The Letter Factory.  It's one of my favorites!



6. Count from 0 - 20.

This is another skill that is essential!  Be sure your child knows at least 0 - 10 before starting Kindergarten.  Just like with the ABC's, you can count anytime!  Spend a minute here or there counting, point out how many of something there are ("Wow!  There are two doggies walking outside!") and eventually start asking your child to identify how many there are ("Look at the doggies outside!  Maia,how many doggies are there?")

*Hint: Many kids get confused after 10 so be patient!  Always correct your child's mistakes calmly and then move one!



7. Identify numbers 0 - 20.

As your child is learning the numbers, be sure to point them out when you see them in day-to-day life.  Point to and identify numbers in a recipe, on a sign, in a book, at the store, or write them yourself!




8. Write numbers 0 - 20.

Again, start by tracing!  It's fun and it will help your child learn how to correctly form each letter.  Don't stress that each number is perfect - there is plenty of time to help them write on the lines later.  Developmentally, it just isn't possible yet!



9. Basic sight words.

Sight words are a great way to give a child a "head start" in reading.  These words occur often in beginner reader books.  Knowing these words will eliminate the need to "sound out" every. single. word.  Help your child identify (and eventually spell) the following words: a, at, am, and, can, I, like, me, my, no, said, see, the, to.  Add to this list as your child masters the words.

*Hint: HeidiSongs makes GREAT videos that incorporate song and movement to help your child learn sight words.  We started each day in my classroom with a word or two from a video to reinforce what we were learning.

Ten perfect books to share with your Kindergartner:

1. The Night Before Christmas by Natasha Wing

2. Kindergarten Rocks by Katie Davis

3. Countdown To Kindergarten by Alison McGhee

4. Miss Bindergarten Gets Read for Kindergarten by Joseph Slate

5. First Day Jitters by Julie Danneberg

6. The Kissing Hand - Audrey Penn  ***

7. Welcome to Kindergarten by Anne Rockwell

8.  Wemberly Worried by Kevin Henkes  ***

9.  Look Out Kindergarten, Here I Come by Nancy Carlson

10.  The Berenstain Bears Go to School by Stan Berenstain

Yes, it truly is an exciting time in both  the life of your little one, heading off to school for the first time, and YOU ( the parent) ....having to release your baby into a huge academic system and let him/her go.  I promise you that as former Kindergarten teacher .... all will be just fine. :)   It is a busy, exciting time and a huge milestone in the life of your child.  Enjoy the  transition and remember that books can teach and comfort as your little one goes through changes that will change his life forever.  Pick up a book and read to soothe and have an open dialogue about that extraordinary change.  Have an amazing day and remember to .....Read on and read always!  

Kindergarten .... oh yea!

Fun stuff to make you smile:

Wisdom for you from this very classic book by Robert Fulghum:

All I Really Need To Know
About How To Live and What To Do And How To Be, I learned in Kindergarten.

by Robert Fulghum 

These are the things I learned:

Share everything.
Play fair.
Don't hit people.
Put things back where you found them.
Clean up your own mess.
Don't take things that aren't yours.
Say you're sorry when you hurt somebody.
Wash your hands before you eat.
Flush.
Warm cookies and cold milk are good for you.
Live a balanced life--learn some and think some and draw and paint and sing and
dance and play and work every day some.
Take a nap every afternoon.
When you go out into the world, watch out for traffic, hold hands, and
stick together.
Be aware of wonder. Remember the little seed in the Styrofoam cup: The roots go
down and the plant goes up and nobody really knows how or
why, but we are all like that.
Goldfish and hamsters and white mice and even the little seed in the
styrofoam cup; they all die. So do we.
And then remember the Dick-and-Jane books and the first word you
learned; the biggest word of all-- LOOK.
Everything you need to know is there somewhere. The Golden Rule and
love and basic sanitation, ecology, and politics and the sane living.
Think of what a better world it would be if we all, the whole world, had
cookies and milk about 3 o'clock every afternoon and then lay down with our blankets
for a nap.
Or we had a basic policy in our nation and other
nations to always put things back where we found them and clean up our own messes.
And it is still true; no matter how old you are, when you go
out in the world, it is best to hold hands and stick together.

--- Robert Fulghum 

Have an amazing day everyone!  Read on and read always!  

Thorden - a book review

                "I will defend the importance of bedtime stories to my last gasp."  - J.K. Rowling



Today's featured book:

Author:  Martin Allen

Illustrations: Crisanta Baker

Let's take a peek inside shall we?

My take on the book:

Thorden is a wise, ancient, 9 twist tree with only one eye. One night when the fog is rolling in a little girl elf named, Gilraen visits and seeks refuge and shelter. She nestles down in his arm so he can protect her from the darkness and the unknowns she fears may be out there.  She persuades him to tell her how life was before the devastation and he reluctantly agrees.  As she snuggles in for the night, he recounts how a dangerous roaring blaze swept through the area devouring everything in its path.  His little male elf friend Maeglin was in his care but because of the overwhelming force and intensity of the fire his wings had simply withered making it impossible for him to escape the dangerous flames.  Unfortunately Maeglin perished. Thorden fought the fiery beast bravely as best he could as he waved his great arms wildly, but to no avail. 

When morning came and Thorden was awake he discovered Gilraen still safely sound asleep curled up in his arm and he was so grateful to be able to provide that place of peace and comfort for her.  This is a story of trust, friendship, grief and courage. 

The illustrations are rich, original paintings created in ink and vibrant colours.  The author's message is:  "I hope readers will understand the importance of having someone to love and care for.  I also hope they will appreciate how much courage it takes to face a great loss.  The task is made easier when there is someone to love."

Aout the author:

The author was born and raised in Germany and emigrated to the USA. He has authored many technical publications and is internationally renowned for his contributions to the sciences. Thorden represents the author's debut into the genre of Juvenile Fiction.

Book review rating:   8 (Fantastic!)

Read on and read always! 

The Angry Little Puffin - a book review

                Quote of the day:  "Wear the old coat and buy the new book."  - Austin Phelps


Featured book of the day:

Title:  The Angry Little Puffin

Author and Illustrator:  Timothy Young

Let's draw back the curtain and take a look shall we? .....  EEEkkkkkk!  I love them....

So what did I think? Well, let the angry little puffin tell you in his own words....

"Hello you prospective readers of my book."  "I am a Puffin!"  "Look at me real close....see me?"

"I AM A PUFFIN."

"I live at the zoo and my roommates are dumb, dorky penguins." "Everyone who saunters by to take a look centres ME out and comments. 'Look at a that funny-looking, kooky little penguin.' "Hello???" "Take a long hard look....focus..."Do I look like a penguin?  NOOOO!!! "I AM A PUFFIN!"

"If another lamebrain human refers to me as a penguin I'm gonna explode."  "Oh no....too late...stand back...it's happening..........."

"FOR THE LAST TIME!!!! I AM NOT A PENQUIN!! I AM NOT, NOT, NOT!!!!"  "I AM A PUFFIN!!!"

"Let's get some things straight shall we?"  "Penguins and puffins live at opposite ends of the earth and they can't even fly like me."  "SEE ME?" LOOK.....HERE I GO.....I'm AIRBORNE YA' ALL!    SHEESH!!!" " Stupid penguins can't do that."  "Everyone fusses and gushes over penguins in movies, on t.v., in comics and nobody even knows I'm alive." "It's not fair." "I can't stand it anymore."

"Oh no!"  "Here comes another gawker with her dad."  "I'm putting my wings over my ears and shutting my eyes...NOT LISTENING!!!!"  But wait....she's looking at me and smiling and saying nice things and knows all about puffins."  She likes me.  She really, really likes me."  "Oh my, oh my." "My heart is pounding and the colours on my beak are vibrating and glowing."  "I feel like I am going to faint because my head is spinning and I feel dizzy."  "My heart's all warm and gooey.  I think I'm in love." "OH NO....she's leaving." "Come back little girl....I love you!!!"  " Oh my, oh my, I have to sit down and calm down."  I'm all out of breath....I'm puffin'.  "Yes .... I AM A PUFFIN AND VERY PROUD OF IT.!!! "

P.S.  I'll let Marilyn tell you what she thought now...it won't be as good as mine but hey...she's running the keyboard and I still need some time out still, to still my heart and catch my breath.

 Marilyn here finally: The illustrations are perfect.  I fell in love with the angry little penguin when I first laid eyes on him.  His expressions are priceless, his explosive behaviour quite understandable, and his heart? .....  well, it's vulnerable, raw and very, very tender.  I loved every moment of this story but the illustrations hit it out of the ball park.  When I reflect and think of the angry little guy it brings a smile not only to my face but to my heart.  Highly, highly recommended and extra copies will be needed to pass along to other family members and friends.


About the author/illustrator:

 
Timothy Young has had a lot of fun jobs; he's been an animator, puppet maker, toy designer, sculptor, art director, illustrator and graphic designer. Tim has designed for Pee-Wee's Playhouse, the Muppets, Disney, the Simpsons and Universal Studios. Now he is the author/illustrator of 5 published picture books including "I Hate Picture Books!", "I'm Looking For A Monster!", and his latest, "The Angry Little Puffin". He lives with his family on the Eastern Shore of Maryland. Find out more about him and his books at www.creaturesandcharacers.com

Book Rating review:  9 (Close to perfection!)

Read on and read always!  Your day awaits you....... enjoy it!

Fleabrain Loves Franny - a book review

Interesting stuff..... 


Did you know? 

 * Canada was probably the first Britsh colony in which libraries were established in 1779.

*  The first library in the US was opened in 1698 in Charleston, South Carolina.


Today's featured book:

Title:  Fleabrain Loves Franny

Author:  Joanne Rocklin

My take on the book:

Written for middle grade school, this book takes place in Pittsburg in 1952.  Franny Katzenback is  recovering from dreaded polio and discovers the new published book, Charlotte's Web.  Because her condition isolates her and she is unable to socialize, go to school or even have movement because she is confined to an iron lung, she longs to experience a wonderful friend like Charlotte is to Wilbur in the book she fell in love with.  To her surprise and delight she meets and starts communicating with an intelligent and eloquent flea....yes....you heard me right....a flea, named Fleabrain.  He lives in her dog's tale and together they pass the time sharing Fleabrain's adventures based on his extensive reading abilities.  Franny is happy and relies on his tales to get her through her physical therapy and her feelings of loneliness due to her confinement away from her friends and former active life.  

I liked this heartwarming story because it gives you a glimpse into that time period and how devastating polio was to so many people in that era.  The book is both comedic and philosophical.  Franny learns to accept her condition, work through its complications and is able to get back her lifestyle and move forward in a very positive way.  I highly recommend this book.

About the author:

JOANNE ROCKLIN's latest middle grade novel, FLEABRAIN LOVES FRANNY, will be released August, 2014. It is the story of a special girl, an inspiring book, and a brilliant (though unintentionally hilarious) flea. "Not to be missed." VOYA.

She is also the author of THE FIVE LIVES OF OUR CAT ZOOK, winner of the SCBWI Golden Kite for Fiction and a Parents' Choice Gold Award. It is a middle grade novel about a family, a cat, and the tales (tails!) that heal. "The only imperfection in this novel is that it ends." BOOKLIST, starred.

Another of her well-received novels is ONE DAY AND ONE AMAZING MORNING ON ORANGE STREET which won the California Library Association Beatty Award,
The Commonwealth Club California Book Award Gold Medal and the FOCAL award from the L.A. public library.

Her early readers THREE SMART PALS and THIS BOOK IS HAUNTED will soon be e-books, the latter also to be released as an App.

Joanne has a doctorate in psychology and is a former elementary school teacher, presently writing children’s books full-time. For several years she taught a popular class in writing children’s books at UCLA Extension. She gives presentations in schools, libraries and bookstores and has been a speaker for the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators, the California Reading Association, and other organizations

Originally from Montreal, Canada, Joanne lived in Los Angeles for many decades. She now lives in Oakland, California.

Book Review Rating:  8 (Fantastic!)

Read on and read always!   Have an amazing day everyone.

Fleabrain Loves Franny Official Book Trailer

Channeling Harrison - an adult book review today

Quote of the day:  

"A lot of people ask me if I were shipwrecked and only could have one book, what would it be?  I always say, "How to Build a Boat."  
                                                                  Stephen Wright


Today's featured book :  (adult)

Title:  Channeling Harrison

Author:  David Young

About the book:

Do you believe in the supernatural?  Do you believe that channeling even exists?  Do you believe in an afterlife?  David Young, a very talented musician and producer certainly does.  His life was changed forever when George Harrison (yes, that George Harrison from the infamous Beatle group)  starts turning up in the most unexpected places to mentor and guide David with his life and especially his musical journey.  David has sold over one million CD's and he excels at playing two flutes at once making the most soothing and healing music to the soul there is.  David's music is thought by many to be the most beautiful in the world and to have the ability to heal and engender balance.

At first David himself was a skeptic and was in denial as to what is taking place. George Harrison ... THE George Harrison breaking into his reality?  It is beyond imagination. Why David is even scared of ghosts and certainly wasn't that much into the Beatle's music.  What made him into a firm believer? What made him change his mind to buy into this extraordinary phenomenon? 

So many unexplainable and supernatural happenings occurred that he could not deny the fact that George Harrison had actually chosen him to share his brilliant mind and musical abilities with. But why would he choose David?  David believes that both he and George have many similarities.  They both started out as rock and roll guitar players and then both evolved into exploring and playing spiritual music. They both were committed to sharing the message of peace and love and understanding to the entire world.  

Whether you are a believer in channeling or not this book is a very interesting and compelling read.  An extra wonderful feature is that David has included free downloads of three songs as well as three spiritual instrumental tracks for your listening pleasure.  This calming music will lead you to a place of reflection and peace and in this crazy, chaotic world we all could use some of that couldn't we?  

About the author:

David Young has recorded 55 albums and has sold over a million CDs. His relaxing instrumental music features a unique technique of playing two recorders (renaissance flutes) in harmony at one time. He is also an accomplished singer/songwriter/guitarist whose voice and songs have been used on numerous TV productions. Over 10,000 massage therapists, spas, healing centers, and hospital all over the world use his instrumental music every day to help people find peace in this stressful world.

Check out an interview with David Young at:  delmartimes.net


Book Review Rating:  

8 (Fantastic!)

Just for fun:

Check out these kid's books about the famous group  "The Beatles"...

Who Were the Beatles?  - Geoff Edgers

The Beatles Were Fab (and They Were Funny) - Kathleen Krull,
                 Paul Brewer, Stacey Innerst

The Beatles: The Biography - Bob Spitz

Once Upon a Liverpool - Maria Saunderson







Read on and read always!   All you need is love....for your day!  :)

Edie's Ensembles- a book review

Quote of the day:

"So please, oh PLEASE, we beg, we pray, go throw your tv set away, and in its place you can install a lovely bookshelf on the wall."  -Roald Dahl, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory



Featured book of the day:

Title: Edie's Ensembles

Author/Illustrator:  

Ages:  4-8

Let's take a peek inside shall we?

 My take on the book:

Edie has great fashion sense and an ooohhh-la-la style. Her best friend, Andrew, plays dress-up with her and they use the school hallway as their runway.  She spins, twirls and pirouettes showing off her latest creation.  Her fashionista spirit gets the attention of her classmates which inspires her to go even more outlandish in her designs.  She becomes obsessed with making the next over-the-top outfit.  She gets so focused on her clothing rack that she forgets all about her BFF Andrew.  She rips, sews and assembles more and more bizarre apparel and flaunts a new costumes hoping she can outdo herself from the previous day.  

Then one day she puts together an outfit so ostentatious and out-of-the-box that even she has to admit she has crossed the line of sensibility.  Edie gets into a predicament that she cannot save herself from and none of her friends come to her rescue.  Will this be the end of her obsessive tailor-made clothes?  Will Edie learn the valuable lesson that clothes do not make the person but it's what is inside that person that really counts.   

The naked truth is that yes - Edie realizes her faux pas and in so doing discovers that she has a lot to offer to her friends and does not need to make bold, outlandish statements with her clothes...she is all she needs.  Edie discovers that she is amazing "au natural" and her best friend Andrew heartily agrees and happily they restore their friendship.  

About the author/illustrator:

Ashley Spires grew up in a little town on the coast of B.C. called Tsawwassen with two parents, an older sister, eight cats, a dog and the occasional newt.

For a while she thought that animation was her future, but then photography caught her eye, which led her to bookmaking courses. These classes opened her eyes to the world of illustration and she never looked back. Delighted that there was, in fact, a career that allowed her to remain in her pajamas, hang out with her cats and be productive at the same time, illustration is the perfect job for her.

Ashley spent time living in Toronto and Saskatoon before returning to her home turf of Delta, BC where she now resides with three cats, a dog and her extremely patient fella.

Like Binky, Ashley does not take kindly to insects, though she rarely eats them. She has ingested a number of bugs accidentally during her frequent jogs and bike rides, but trust me, she didn’t enjoy it.

Book Review Rating:  8  (Fantastic!)

Read on and read always.  Own your day!

Here's mud in your eye....oops!!!

Garden quotes for you from the website:  www.quotegarden.com

*  If you have a garden and a library, you have everything you need."  -Marcus Tullius Cicero

* A garden is a grand teacher.  It teaches patience and careful watchfulness; it teaches industry and thrift; above all it teaches entire trust." - Gertrude Jekyll

* A book is a garden, an orchard, a storehouse, a party, a company by the way, a counsellor, a multitude of counsellors. " - Charles Baudelaire

The Garden Dance  - by Marilyn Panton

Look at you my dirty child

Your jeans, your shoes, your shirt

You've dug and plowed and planted rocks

Your clothes are made of dirt.

The garden mud is on your face

Your garden gloves all grime

You've tickled worms and battled weeds

You've had a great, great time!

Pull off your shoes, drag out the hose

A soapy dance you'll do

Good-bye mud, hello clean

Happy Garden Dance to you !  (c)

Garden books for you to check out:

1. My Garden - Kevin Henkes

2. How does my Garden Grow: Grow plants for food and fun -packed projects - a DK book

3. Eating the Alphabet - Lois Ehlert

4. Planting a Rainbow - Lois Ehlert

5. Yucky Worms: Read and Wonder - Vivian French

6. Pumpkin Circle:  The Story of a Garden - George Leveson

7. Compost Stew - Mary McKenna Siddals

8. Garden Lab for Kids - 52 Fun Experiments - Renata Fossen Brown

9. Wanda's Roses - Pat Bresson

10. Watermelon for Everyone - Martha Rose Woodward

11. Grandpa's Garden - Shea Darian

12. The Little Composter (Teenie Greenie) - Jan Gerardi


Read on and read always!  Enjoy your garden today and take a book out with you just to ponder both. 

An Armadillo in Paris - a book review

Armadillo An Armadillo's happy When he's sleeping in the sun, An Armadillo's happy When he has a little run, And he's very happy When he finds some ants to eat, For armadillo's happy He's never sad at all, An Armadillo's happy When he rolls up in a ball, An Armadillo's happy When he bumps into a wall, And he rocks with laughter When the rain begins to fall, For Armadillo's happy He's never sad at all, An Armadillo's happy When he's playing with a twig, An Armadillo's happy When he's running from a pig, And he's so delighted When he finds out where he is, For an armadillo's happy He's never sad at all. Tony

Today's featured book:

Title:  An Armadillo in Paris

Author/Illustrator:  Julie Kraulis

Peeking inside is always fun.  Shall we?

 About the book:

Ahhhhhh!!1 Beautiful Paris!  The home of the best croissants in the world, the Arc de Triomphe, Café Gustave, the famous street Champs-Éysées, The Louvre, artists, poets and the beautiful Seine River.

 Arlo, a little Armadillo from Brazil, is encouraged by his grandfather's journals to go there and explore the splendour and ambiance of one of the most visited cities in the entire world. "Arlo feels it, the twitch in his left claw. The twitch that only stops when the adventure begins..."  And begin it does...

His grandfather's writings urge him on through the wondrous sights, sounds and smells that only Paris can deliver.  He wants Arlo to ultimately encounter the number one lady of Paris....the infamous Iron Lady or as she is so affectionately referred to in Paris, the Dame de Fer.

After absorbing the flavour of the bustling culture of Paris,  Arlo decides to visit a local street market and purchase all the ingredients necessary to pack a perfect picnic to share with this mysterious Iron Lady if she will have it (and him).  Will he discover where she is?  Who she is?  Will she welcome him to her city and finally unveil her true self?  You might just be surprised what she is all about.

This fun, informative book will open your eyes to the history, the French culture, and the everyday life of those living in the grand city of Paris, France.  It will provide access to learning more about the city and especially about the celebrated Iron Lady.  The author cleverly inserts a back page.  I am very fond of back pages because they give opportunity to dig deeper into the subject matter in the book.  Listed there are very interesting and informative facts about the renowned Lady that I am sure both young and old will enjoy.

The illustrations are created in  soft, muted colour, are whimsical in design, and very appealing to the eye. 

About the author/illustrator:

“We both believe and disbelieve a hundred times an hour, which keeps believing nimble.” -Emily Dickinson

Toronto-based artist and author Julie Kraulis is passionate about ideas: the unexpected, profound, whimsical, smart. Since completing her Bachelor of Design in Illustration at the Ontario College of Art & Design, Julie has created images that form a diverse body of work ranging from fine art to illustration to design. Her creative journey is one of hope and disbelief, soaring and stumbling. All that she encounters in this wide world becomes her inspiration and she delights in sharing these treasures with others. She is a stop and smell the roses kind of gal who loves to create.

Book Review Rating:  8 (Fantastic!)

Read on and read always!  Have an amazing day everyone.